LookingtoJesus

June 17

Bible Reading: Acts 4:1-4

Acts 4:1-2, “And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.”

Though he is a Catholic and his message was to Catholics at a Catholic University, Harrison Butker’s graduation speech received widespread negative publicity, and even harsh rebuke.  What caused all the commotion?  Harrison had the nerve to speak of such things as the preciousness of babies and virtue of marriage!  He was even so audacious as to conclude his remarks by stating that “Christ is King!”  But we should not be surprised, in post-Christian America, whenever truth is attacked, as almost any opinion is tolerated, except for when it pertains to truth.  Such opposition to truth is nothing new. 

Two miracles led to two sermons which led to the salvation of thousands.  The religious leaders were “greatly annoyed” by what they saw and took steps to arrest Peter and John because “they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead” (Acts 4:2).  Jesus had previously informed His disciples of such things.  He had said, “I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).  That didn’t mean, of course, that the gates of hell wouldn’t try!  He had also warned them, “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you” (John 15:20).  It didn’t take long after the birth of the church for the persecution to begin.

Some thirty years after this first arrest, Peter wrote his first epistle.  His readers were suffering much persecution, and many were losing their friendships, jobs, homes, and sometimes their very lives.  In that letter he said, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though some strange thing were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).  And it remains so to this day.  Don’t be surprised if people insult, mock, threaten, defriend, betray, or otherwise oppose you whenever you share the truth about Jesus.  Such is the nature of things in this world.  But in standing with Jesus, you stand in good company, for since the beginning of the church, many have suffered, and even more than you.  Even now, believers around the world face intense persecution (Hebrews 13:3). The day is coming when every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess Jesus as Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).  In the meantime, stand firm in your testimony, for no other name is so precious as His and no other name is powerful to save (Acts 4:12).

“For five years we never went outside our doors without a volley of curses from our neighbors.” – Missionary C. T. Studd

ONCE TO EVERY MAN AND NATION
Once to every man and nation
Comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth with falsehood,
For the good or evil side;
Some great cause, God’s new Messiah,
Offering each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by forever
Twixt that darkness and that light.

Then to side with truth is noble,
When we share her wretched crust,
Ere her cause bring fame and profit,
And ‘tis prosperous to be just;
Then it is the brave man chooses
While the coward stands aside,
Till the multitude make virtue
Of the faith they had denied.

By the light of burning martyrs,
Christ, Thy bleeding feet we track,
Toiling up new Calvaries ever
With the cross that turns not back;
New occasions teach new duties,
Time makes ancient good uncouth;
They must upward still and onward,
Who would keep abreast of truth.

Though the cause of evil prosper,
Yet ‘tis truth alone is strong;
Though her portion be the scaffold,
And upon the throne be wrong:
Yet that scaffold sways the future,
And, behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow
Keeping watch above His own.

June 14

Bible Reading: Acts 3:21-26

Acts 3:24, “And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days.”

Sometimes people speak of being a part of something that is bigger than yourself.  Typically, they are referring to a group or movement or cause of some kind.  While it can be a good thing to be a part of something like that, there is nothing bigger than being a part of God’s plan and nothing that bear’s more weight for eternity.

Peter’s purpose in his sermon was to direct the hearts of the people to Jesus.  He spoke both of Jesus’ identity and His work, and how Jesus did all He did to He provide for salvation.  It was important for Peter’s Jewish listeners to realize that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah of the Old Testament, so Peter reached back thousands of years to covenants and prophets in making his case. 

Jesus is the prophet that Moses had prophesied about many centuries earlier.  Moses had commanded that the Jews listen to the prophet who would come after him (Deuteronomy 18:15).  For century after century, that prophecy stood seemingly abandoned, but then came Jesus.  Long before that prophecy, God made a covenant with Abraham regarding a land, a nation, and a blessing.  God brought the people to the land, and He chose them to be a nation, but the blessing part lay waiting for fulfillment.  It was an audacious promise — “And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Acts 3:25) — but Jesus, the “offspring,” worked through the cross to facilitate that amazing promise!

In calling upon the people to believe, Peter was calling them not just to salvation, but to be a part of something bigger than themselves—God’s plan for the ages!  And it’s no different today than it was back then.  Nations and causes and movements and such will all one day cease, but Jesus is forever and so is His church.  You are there in that promise made to Abraham nearly four thousand years ago, of which Peter spoke. God planned for you long before you were born, and His plans reach unto heaven’s eternity!

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”—Jeremiah 29:11

O, GOD, OUR HELP IN AGES PAST
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home:

Under the shadow of your throne
your saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is your arm alone,
and our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received its frame,
from everlasting you are God,
to endless years the same.

A thousand ages in your sight
are like an evening gone,
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
soon bears us all away;
we fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the op’ning day.

O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
still be our guard while troubles last,
and our eternal home!

June 13

Bible Reading: Acts 3:17-20

Acts 3:19-20, “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.”

When you think about refreshment you probably have in mind a cold drink on a hot day, but that’s not the connotation of the term as Peter used it.  The same term, “refreshing,” is used in 2 Timothy 1:16 to describe how Onesiphorus refreshed the imprisoned Paul by his presence.  One can imagine how much Paul appreciated Onesiphorus’ kindness and comfort, especially in the context of the hardships he was enduring.  This is the general meaning of the term as Peter used it, promising the repentant “times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:20). 

Jesus had felt compassion for the common folks of that day because they were “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). The Romans taxed and oppressed folks and the religious leaders were less concerned about the people and more concerned about holding on to their power and wealth.  The recent crucifixion and death of Jesus had worked to stir up much trouble.  Life was hard.  Nothing came easy.  And there was little reason to suppose that things might change.

But Jesus had come with an offer of rest for the souls of those who “labor and are heaving laden” (Matthew 11:28).  Now, Jesus, having ascended to heaven, following His death for sins and resurrection, stood ready to provide that promised rest to those who believed.  Noteworthy regarding these “times of refreshing,” is the fact that they transcend what any human or circumstance could ever hope to provide, for they run soul deep.  Such times are likewise also availed to us, in Jesus, no matter our circumstances.  Note also that these come from “the presence of the Lord.”  It is one thing to order a tall, iced tea from a barista behind a counter. It is quite another to be refreshed by Jesus Himself in the midst of any and every kind of situation or circumstance.

We sometimes yearn to escape from the burdens and troubles of the world.  The thought of standing beside some beautiful river, casting a lure for some unsuspecting trout, comes to my mind.  But it’s good to keep in mind that Jesus, the “Shepherd and Overseer” of our souls (1 Peter 2:25), has promised to provide rest for our souls, no matter how wearisome the affairs of this world or how troublesome the steps of our journey.

It is one thing to order a tall, iced tea from a barista behind a counter. It is quite another to be refreshed by Jesus Himself in the midst of any and every kind of situation or circumstance.

JESUS, I AM RESTING, RESTING
Jesus, I am resting, resting
in the joy of what thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
of thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon thee,
as thy beauty fills my soul,
for by thy transforming power,
thou hast made me whole.

Refrain:
Jesus, I am resting, resting,
in the joy of what thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
of thy loving heart.

O how great thy lovingkindness,
vaster, broader than the sea!
O how marvelous thy goodness
lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in thee, Beloved,
know what wealth of grace is thine,
know thy certainty of promise
and have made it mine. [Refrain]

Simply trusting thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold thee as thou art,
and thy love, so pure, so changeless,
satisfies my heart;
satisfies its deepest longings,
meets, supplies its ev’ry need,
compasseth me round with blessings:
thine is love indeed. [Refrain]

Ever lift thy face upon me
as I work and wait for thee;
resting ‘neath thy smile, Lord Jesus,
earth’s dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father’s glory,
sunshine of my Father’s face,
keep me ever trusting, resting,
fill me with thy grace. [Refrain]

June 12

Bible Reading: Acts 3:13-16

John 3:16, “And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.”

It was clear to all that the lame beggar had been dramatically healed. After all, he was walking and even leaping.  But the question remained as to how it happened?  The lame beggar didn’t heal himself, as he had been lame from birth and could be found day after day in his place seeking alms.  Peter and John appeared to be the cause, but they readily dismissed that possibility.  They then pointed in the direction of the ascended Jesus. It was “by faith in his name,” that the man was made well!

The tongues miracle opened the door for Peter’s first sermon.  The healing of the lame beggar led to Peter’s second.  The people wanted to know how it had happened. Peter was Spirit-led and emboldened to explain.

As mentioned in a previous post, the Spirit has the role of magnifying Jesus, and those who are led by the Spirit are guided to do the same (John 15:26-27, 16:14).  Accordingly, eight different names are used of Jesus in Peter’s sermon.  He is “(God’s) servant Jesus,” (Acts 3:13) which brings to mind Isaiah 52:13, which says, “Behold, my servant shall act wisely.”  He is “the Holy and Righteous One” (Acts 3:14), a name that ties Jesus to numerous Old Testament prophecies.  He is the “Author of life” (Acts 3:15), having proven so in His resurrection from the dead.  He is “Jesus” (Acts 3:16), a name that means simply “Jesus saves,” but which encompasses both His identity and work.  He is the “Lord” (Acts 3:19), having been declared so by God (Acts 2:36).  He is the “prophet” spoken of by Moses (Acts 3:22).  He is the promised “seed” of Abraham through which God would bless all the families of the earth (Acts 3:25).

Peter unfolded to his audience truth-after-truth regarding Jesus’ identity as the promised Christ.  It was He who did the miracle.  Who is Jesus?  He is the long-promised, God-sent Savior, who although He lived a perfectly sinless life, was put to death for our sins, but then rose from the dead, to reign as Lord over all!  In the question of “who done it?” with respect to the miracles we ourselves experience (including salvation itself), the answer is always Jesus!  Thank you, Jesus, for reaching down from heaven to save my soul! 

“There are two hundred and fifty-six names given in the Bible for the Lord Jesus Christ, and I suppose this was because He was infinitely beyond all that any one name could express.” – Billy Sunday

JESUS YOUR NAME
Jesus Your name, Prince of Peace;
Quiets my soul, treasures the least.
In perfect rest You will keep
All whose hope is in You.
Jesus, Your name can silence the storms;
The strivings that trouble our world.
Jesus Your name reveals you as Lord: Oh powerful name!

Jesus Your name, Counsellor;
Wonderful Way, Life’s Comforter.
Spirit of Truth defending me,
Though in me was the blame.
Jesus, Your name has stood in my place
And freed me from hopeless shame;
Jesus Your name now fathers me; With joy I bear His name.

Jesus, Your name, Mighty God;
All Pow’rful One, ruling in love.
There is a King upon the throne
Earth cannot overthrow.
Jesus, Your name, great banner of hope;
Steadies the knees of the weak.
Jesus, the name all nations will praise; Oh glorious name!

Keith & Kristyn Getty & Ian Hannah
Copyright © Thankyou Music 2004

June 11

Bible Reading: Acts 3:9-12

Acts 3:12, “And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: ‘Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?”

Webster’s Dictionary defines a miracle as “an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs.”  That’s what we find here in our chapter, for the healing of the lame beggar was both extraordinary, and not by human hands, but through divine intervention.  The crowd was utterly astounded at what they saw, but Peter and John were quick to divert attention from themselves but to Jesus.

The miraculous nature of the man’s healing was extraordinarily obvious, inasmuch as it happened instantly, dramatically, resulting in the man being restored to perfect health.  God is in the miracle-working business.  That’s what He does.  And though the results might not always be so sudden or dramatic, they are nonetheless things that have happened only by His intervention.  The salvation of a sinner, whereby he, who was dead in his sins, is made alive in Christ, is a miracle.  How many times has God worked to deliver you or me from seen or unseen troubles?  Those are miracles, too.  Every step heavenward in our Christian journeys is a step made by the divine working of God.  And it’ll be a miracle when He works to “transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:21).  Of course, He intervenes in countless other ways, for nothing is impossible for Him!

Peter and John were quick to clarify that what happened did not happen through their “power or piety.”  It didn’t come about because of their strength or their religiosity.  Instead, they gladly diverted the attention of the crowd to Jesus.  Jesus, who had performed countless miracles while on earth, performed this miracle from heaven!  Peter and John responded, as should we all in the things that we do, as Jesus taught, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).  Though God is pleased to use human instruments, He is not dependent on any of us (2 Corinthians 3:5, 1 Corinthians 3:5-9).  Our response then should always be, “Don’t look at us, look to Jesus.”  Any good in me has come from Him!

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory.” – Psalm 115:1

JESUS, WE BLESS THY POW’R
Jesus, we bless thy pow’r;
Thy grace, we honour more;
Such love as thine, it must subdue
To worship, love, adore.

The blind, the dumb, the deaf
A word, a touch relieves;
The wither’d arm, at thy command
New strength, O Lord, receives.

Lepers, who long had groan’d
Beneath the weight of pain;
The palsied limbs—the dying—dead—
Are all made whole again.

Legions of hell, obey
Thy dread, almighty word;
The Jews and Gentiles dispossest,
Give glory to the Lord.

Come, great Physician, come!
In spirit, Christ, display
Thy healing, cleansing, gracious pow’rs,
And take av’n death away.

June 10

Bible Reading: Acts 3:1-8

Acts 3:7-8, “And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.”

Peter and John were going up to the temple, the lame beggar was going nowhere without help.  Legs are made for walking, but since his birth, he had never taken a step.  He was reliant on others to carry him to the Beautiful Gate, where his job was to beg for alms.  It was the same routine, day-after-day, begging from others so that he could get enough to eat.  One can only imagine the extent of his despair and hopelessness.  The gate may have been beautiful, but his life was anything but that.  He begged at a strategic location, for would-be worshippers making their way to the temple, and glad for the opportunity to do some good deed, were more likely to give to a beggar.  Unlike the beggar, their legs were functional, but they were disabled in another way, as they could walk to the temple but couldn’t reach God.  Unbeknownst to the beggar, or to those passing by, God was working to change all that.

It was a day like any other, and Peter and John looked like everybody else, but the beggar’s life was soon to radically change for the better.  Peter and John had no silver or gold to give the man, but Jesus worked through them to give him something far better, something way beyond on what he asked for or thought possible (Ephesians 3:20).  Jesus used Peter and John as instruments to instantly and perfectly heal him.  Having been healed, he began to walk, and then “entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God” (Acts 3:8).  Jesus reached down from heaven and instantly healed the long-time beggar, who was then seen by the crowd to be jumping for joy, creating quite the spectacle!  It was Jesus’ first miracle from heaven, and it gave an opportunity for Peter to explain how it happened.  He preached his sermon and five thousand believed in Jesus. They had gone to the temple of God to worship, but Jesus restored them to the God of the temple. 

There was a day when you heard and believed the message of the gospel.  You may not have been physically lame, but sin had debilitated you from knowing and worshipping God.  You were born again, and your soul jumped for joy in response.  We have every reason to rejoice in the Lord, as the Spirit leads us to “rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” (1 Peter 1:8).  To the extent that He is leading us, we too are “jumping for joy” in Jesus. It’s when we focus on ourselves and our troubles that we get mired in despair.  In Jesus, you’ve always reason to rejoice, no matter your circumstances.  Just as with the lame beggar, Jesus worked to lift you up from your sin disability.  Don’t be afraid to jump for joy in Jesus, others might see and wonder why!

“Seek to cultivate a buoyant, joyous sense of the crowded kindnesses of God in your daily life.” – Alexander MacLaren

I WILL SING OF MY REDEEMER
I will sing of my Redeemer
and his wondrous love to me;
on the cruel cross he suffered,
from the curse to set me free.
Sing, O sing of my Redeemer!
With his blood he purchased me;
on the cross he sealed my pardon,
paid the debt, and made me free.

I will tell the wondrous story,
how my lost estate to save,
in his boundless love and mercy,
he the ransom freely gave.
I will praise my dear Redeemer,
his triumphant power I’ll tell:
how the victory he gives me
over sin and death and hell.

I will sing of my Redeemer
and his heavenly love for me;
he from death to life has brought me,
Son of God, with him to be.
Sing, O sing of my Redeemer!
With his blood he purchased me;
on the cross he sealed my pardon,
paid the debt, and made me free.

June 7

Bible Reading: Acts 2:42-47

Acts 2:42, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

My good friend Pastor Henry expressed to me his need.  The village churches in Uganda, like his, needed some resources to help in the discipleship of new believers, as they didn’t have any books in their language.  I took that concern back with me to America and decided to write a book which I entitled “First Steps with Jesus.”  The book focuses on the spiritual disciples mentioned in Acts 2:42. Spiritual disciplines I like to call “Spirit-led disciplines.”  I wrote of the things I’d like to have known when I was a young Christian.  God providentially led me to a man in the Seattle area who knew Lugandan, who agreed to translate the book into that language.  Our mission teams eventually delivered about two thousand copies of the book to churches and believers in Uganda.  I used to joke that I was the bestselling author in that region.  Of course, it helps when you’ve got the only book, and you give it away for free!

Not surprisingly, there’s no verse between Acts 2:41 and Acts 2:42.  In Acts 2:41, we read of the thousands that were saved.  In Acts 2:42, we find them right-away engaged in these four things— “the apostle’s teaching,” “the fellowship,” “the breaking of bread,” and “the prayers.” As newly saved persons, they knew instinctively (they were Spirit-led) to engage in these disciplines.  The same was true for you when you were saved, as you were Spirit-led to do so.  Notice something else about these four things.  They all have to do with Jesus: to listen to Him through His Word; to experience Him in the fellowship of His people; to remember Him in the breaking of bread; and to talk with Him in prayer.  These Spirit-led disciples all have to do with knowing Jesus better and growing in Him together with other believers.  We neglect these disciplines to our spiritual peril and delight in them to our spiritual growth and well-being.

How are you even now doing with these four important fundamentals of the faith?  Are you devoted to them, as were those early believers?  Are you in the Word and in prayer?  Do you delight in gathering together with your fellow believers?  Are you consistently reminding yourself of the price Jesus paid to save you from your sins (Galatians 2:20; 1 John 3:16)?  Are these disciplines a burden, or are you being led by the Spirit to delight in them for the sake of knowing and growing in Jesus?  These disciplines go beyond our first steps in our walk as Christians. They are the practice of those both young in the faith and those who have journeyed far!

“I must take care above all that I cultivate communion with Christ, for though that can never be the basis of my peace – mark that – yet it will be the channel of it.” ― Charles Spurgeon

MORE ABOUT JESUS
More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.

Refrain:
More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.

More about Jesus let me learn,
More of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my teacher be,
Showing the things of Christ to me. [Refrain]

More about Jesus in His Word,
Holding communion with my Lord;
Hearing His voice in ev’ry line,
Making each faithful saying mine. [Refrain]

More about Jesus on His throne,
Riches in glory all His own;
More of His kingdom’s sure increase;
More of His coming, Prince of peace. [Refrain]

June 6

Bible Reading: Acts 2:37-41

Acts 2:37-38, “Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

It’s the news no one wants to hear, yet “you’ve got cancer” was the news Laura received in January 2017.  The back pain she had been experiencing was because of cancer that had metastasized throughout her body and worked to damage her spine.  It’d be impossible to fully explain the extent of the hardship and challenges associated by someone fighting cancer.  But, on the other hand, it was good a thing to receive that diagnosis, for that bad news led to the four courses of cancer treatments that have worked to extend her life these many years.  It is impossible to embrace the good news of a remedy without first coming to terms with the bad news of a problem.

There is no record of anyone being saved in the forty days following Jesus’ resurrection.  Jesus had died for sins and then rose from the dead, but that wonderful news lay dormant as a seed planted.  That all changed at Pentecost.  The promised Holy Spirit fell upon the Apostles.  By the Spirit, Peter was led and empowered to boldly proclaim the truth about Jesus.  Jesus had previously spoken of how the Spirit would work to “convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8).  It is likely that some of Peter’s listeners were amongst the crowd that had cried out for Jesus’ crucifixion.  But it wasn’t until Peter indicted them with the crime of killing their Messiah (Acts 2:23,36), that they were “cut to the heart” and cried out “what shall we do” (Acts 2:37). Three thousand souls repented unto salvation, receiving God’s forgiveness, when Spirit-born truth met with Spirit-prepared hearts!

I’ve said it before, “We all have a desperate need for Jesus. The only question is the extent that we realize that?”  Thank God for the convicting work of the Holy Spirit!  We yearn for the salvation of those we love, but they must come to Jesus the same way we did.  It is the Spirit who works to convict of sin and open blind eyes to the sole remedy to be found in Jesus.  No one wants to hear the bad news, that we are all born sinners deserving of God’s judgment (Romans 3:23, 6:23).  But on the other side of that bad news, the glorious, good news is that Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead, and anyone who places their trust in Him will be saved (Romans 5:8, 10:9)!  So, as we remain ever mindful of how God worked to rescue us from our sinful plight, we pray for the Spirit’s convicting work in the hearts of others, including those we love.

No one seeks a remedy until they first know they’ve got a need.  It is the Spirit that opens eyes to both to our need in sin and God’s remedy in Jesus.

JESUS, I COME
Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into thy freedom, gladness, and light,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of my sickness into thy health,
Out of my want and into thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into thyself,
Jesus, I come to thee.

Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the glorious gain of thy cross,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of earth’s sorrows into thy balm,
Out of life’s storms and into thy calm,
Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to thee.

Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into thy blessed will to abide,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of my self to dwell in thy love,
Out of despair into raptures above,
Upward for aye on wings like a dove,
Jesus, I come to thee.

Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the joy and light of thy home,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of thy sheltering fold,
Ever thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to thee.

June 5

Bible Reading: Acts 2:22-36

Acts 2:22, “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—.”

Acts 2:36, “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Homiletics is the art and study of preaching.  I’ve attended homiletic classes and read lots of books on the subject.  I’ve preached and listened to a lot of sermons over the years, but Peter had no such education or experience when he preached on Pentecost. In fact, the religious leaders would later perceive that both Peter and John were “uneducated, common men” (Acts 4:13).  Despite all that, Peter, who had previously denied even knowing Jesus (Matthew 26:74), boldly and eloquently proclaimed Jesus as Christ before a crowd of thousands. He did so by the Spirit.

Jesus had foretold his disciples of how the Holy Spirit would bear witness of Him, and how they would too (John 15:26-27); of the Christ-glorifying nature of the Spirit’s work (John 16:14); and how the Spirit would embolden them in their witness (Acts 1:8).  The promised Holy Spirit led and empowered Peter in his preaching.  His message was both Christ-centered and Christ-honoring.  Peter spoke of Christ in His life, miracles, death, resurrection, ascension, and Lordship!

Note that the sermon begins and ends with Jesus (Acts 2:22, 36).  That is fitting, of course.  He is the Alpha and Omega.  The first message preached in the church was a message about the One who is the head of the Church.  The One who purchased the church with His own blood.  The One who even now reigns over His church and indwells its members.  The One who is even now preparing His church for the day of His return. 

That first sermon set the standard for the church in its ministry from that day forward.  The Apostle Paul said, “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).  I’ve heard of a church that inscribed on its pulpit these words for the pastor to see while he was preaching: “We would see Jesus.”  That’s the spirit in which the Holy Spirit led Peter.

“The sermon which does not lead to Christ, or of which Jesus Christ is not the top and the bottom, is a sort of sermon that will make the devils in hell laugh, but make the angels of God weep.” — Charles Spurgeon

JOIN ALL THE GLORIOUS NAMES
Join all the glorious names
of wisdom, love, and pow’r,
that ever mortals knew,
that angels ever bore;
all are too mean to speak His worth,
too mean to set my Savior forth.

Great Prophet of my God,
my tongue would bless Thy Name;
by Thee the joyful news
of our salvation came-
the joyful news of sins forgiv’n,
of hell subdued, and peace with heav’n.

Jesus, my great High Priest,
offered His blood and died;
my guilty conscience seeks
no sacrifice beside:
His pow’rful blood did once atone,
and now it pleads before the throne.

My dear Almighty Lord,
my Conqueror and King,
Thy sceptre and Thy sword,
Thy reigning grace I sing;
Thine is the pow’r; behold I sit,
in willing bonds, beneath Thy feet.

June 4

Bible Reading: Acts 2:14-21

Acts 2:14-16, “But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel…’”

One thing that we’d do on our mission trips to Uganda was to invite pastors from village churches to Bible Conferences.  We held many such conferences and taught on a variety of Bible-related themes.  Invariably, we’d reserve time for a question-and-answer session, in which Pastor Bob Emrich or I would endeavor to answer questions the pastors had.  Those questions ran the gamut of topics—God, sin, salvation, church matters, finances, marriage, relationships, etc.  It was our practice always to avoid speculation, but to go to relevant passages to provide answers.  And it was our goal not just to deal with the particular question they asked, but to show that no matter the question, the Bible held the answer.

The miraculous working of the Spirit in the Apostles by which he enabled them to speak in foreign languages bewildered the crowd.  They were “bewildered, amazed, astonished, and perplexed” (Acts 2:6-7, 12).  Some were asking, “What does this mean” (Acts 2:12)?  Others, mocked the Apostles, saying, “They are filled with new wine” (Acts 2:13).

Peter’s response was to turn to the Scriptures, citing the Prophet Joel (Joel 2:28-32).  “This is what was uttered through the prophet Joel,” he declared to them all (Acts 2:16).  Joel preached to Judah in the ninth century BC, warning in the context of a natural event (a horde of locusts) of both a coming judgment and a future one.  Now, many centuries later, Joel’s prophecy regarding a coming “Day of the Lord” was, at least in part, being fulfilled.  “The Spirit had been poured out” (Acts 2:17).  And, God had set in motion a plan, through Christ’s death and resurrection, such that “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21).

The Apostles weren’t drunk with wine, as some supposed.  The Spirit filled the Apostles, and Peter, guided by the Spirit, directed his audience to the Scriptures, for that’s where we find true answers to our questions, no matter how big or small.  Make it your habit to search the Scriptures, for it alone holds the answers to all life’s questions.

You’ve got questions; the Bible has answers!

ANCIENT WORDS
Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh, let the ancient words impart

Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e’er we roam
Ancient words will guide us home

[Chorus:]
Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impart

Holy words of our Faith
Handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ

Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart

[Chorus]
Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impart

We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impart

Copyright 2001 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (c/o Integrity Media, Inc. 1000 Cody Road, Mobile, AL 36695.)