LookingtoJesus

May 18

Bible Reading: Acts 10

Acts 10:22, “And they said, ‘Cornelius…was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house.”

Approximately seven years had passed since Jesus’ commission to the Apostles to be His witnesses “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).  It took a “great persecution” to scatter believers to the “regions of Judea and Samaria” (Acts 8:1).  Even then, there was no apparent attempt to take the message to the Gentiles.  The gospel outreach to the remotest part of the earth was apparently of remote concern (with the exception of Philip’s outreach efforts; Acts 8:40).

The problem was that there were longstanding religious traditions and prejudices that stood in the way.  It was unlawful for a Jew “to associate with or visit anyone of another nation” (Acts 10:28) or eat with them (Acts 11:3).  In NT times, the Jews had little regard for the Gentiles.  So strong was their animosity that a common Jewish prayer went something like this: “God thank you that I was not born a woman or a Gentile.”  There were several Jewish laws the prohibited contact with Gentiles.  The very dust of heathen countries was unclean, and it defiled by contact.  It was not permissible to enter a Gentile’s home or even converse with them.  A Jewish woman could not help a Gentile woman, even in childbirth.  A Jew could not drink milk drawn from a cow by a Gentile’s hands or eat bread prepared by a Gentile.  If a Gentile was invited into a Jewish home, he was not to be left unattended, lest every article of food and drink be henceforth regarded as unclean.  The animosity by the Jews towards the Gentiles (and vice versa) was pervasive.  It affected every aspect of life.  It was possible for a Gentile to be proselytized to Judaism, but as a matter of course, it rarely happened.  Gentile converts were rarely treated fairly and were commonly looked on with suspicion.

God would have to intervene somehow if the gospel were to make its way to the Gentiles.  And, of course, Christ’s sacrifice had already worked to include them.  From the cross, He declared, “It is finished.”  He “broke down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14), but the benefits of His work had not yet borne fruit in this sense.  Religious traditions and prejudice kept the gospel from reaching the Gentiles, but God worked through Peter and Cornelius to set it free.

Cornelius was Spirit-prepared to hear the message.  He was living up revelation he had received when an angel of God appeared to him.  The angel instructed him to “send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter” (Acts 10:5).  And so Cornelius sent the men.  The next day, as they were on their way, Peter went up on the housetop to pray.  Being hungry, while others were preparing food, he fell into a trance.  He was given a vision (Acts 10:10-15).  Three times (Peter experienced many things 3X) a sheet was let down from heaven.  It was filled with creatures of various kinds.  He was instructed to “kill and eat” (Acts 10:13).  Peter refused, recognizing the creatures to be “unclean.”  A voice came to him, “What God has made clean, do not call common,” it said (Acts 10:15).  While Peter was perplexed by the meaning of it all, the men sent by Cornelius arrived and spoke to Peter.  He went away with them to Caesarea.  Peter and Cornelius then met and explained to each other how God had worked to bring them together.

Peter shared the gospel with Cornelius and his household (Acts 10:34-43). “While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word” (Acts 10:44). The seed of the gospel message fell on the fruitful soil of well-prepared hearts! What a wonderful day! The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were “amazed” (Acts 10:45). In an instant, God worked to tear down centuries-old and firmly established barriers. The news of that event spread. The apostles and the brethren who were throughout Judea heard of it. Peter went to Jerusalem, and those who were circumcised took issue with him. Peter carefully explained to them all that had transpired. He knew that the news would be hard for them to accept. They heard Peter’s explanation and declared; “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18).

The good news of the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16).  It had the power to save a Christian-murderer like Saul.  It had the power to break through strong prejudicial boundaries to bring salvation to the “unsavable” Gentiles.  It has spread from that day to faraway places.  One day a great multitude, people from “every tribe and language and people and nation,” will be gathered in heaven to praise Jesus (Revelation 5:9).  Praise God, brethren, inasmuch as He has made the good news known to you.  It was a wonderful day indeed when your Spirit-prepared heart heard that message!  But long before that day, God divinely directed a man with a message, Peter, to meet a man who needed to hear, Cornelius.  The gospel has been spreading throughout the globe, by divine appointment, ever since.  God has some divine appointments in store for you.  He has given you a message.  There are others who need to hear!

“Across the gulf no matter how wide and deep it may be, love can throw down bridges.  We must go among the men who live sincerely in the opposite camps, loving them for God’s sake and their own.  Only then will truth have its way in men’s hearts.” – Lyman MacCallum

There’s a call comes ringing o’er the restless wave, “Send the light! Send the light”
There are souls to rescue, there are souls to save,
Send the light!
Send the light!

Send the light, the blessed gospel light;
Let it shine from shore to shore!
Send the light the blessed gospel light;
Let it shine forevermore!

May 17

Bible Reading: Acts 9

Acts 9:1-2, “But Saul, still breathing threats and murders against the disciples of the Lord…”

I love to read in Christian biographies of how God intervened in the life of a man or woman to save and transform them.  There is typically much variety as to the details, but some things remain consistent with all of them.  There is a life before conversion, the conversion experience itself, and the transformation that follows.  Sometimes the transformation is radical and profound—such was the case with Saul.

The church has known no greater missionary than the Apostle Paul.  Countless souls were saved, and churches established because of his missionary endeavors.  He authored more books of the Bible than any other man.  He was a man of profound theology and was privileged to be given a foretaste of heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2-4).  He suffered incredibly for the gospel message he was compelled to preach (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).  But he rejoiced in his sufferings as he understood their contribution to his life purpose—to know Jesus Christ better (Philippians 3:10).  His life was devoted to ministry (Philippians 1:21-24, 2:17).  He fought the good fight and finished the course (2 Timothy 4:7).  He has left us all an example worth emulating (Philippians 3:17).

It is amazing then to reconsider who Paul was beforehand. Several passages in Scripture give Paul’s testimony. Collectively, they speak to his radical depravity–something that is true of all of us by nature but not always so obvious (Ephesians 2:1-3; Colossians 1:21).

• Acts 9:1-2, “But Saul, still breathing threats and murders against the disciples of the Lord…”
• Acts 26:9-11, “In opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth…I not only locked up many of the saints in prison…but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them…And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them.” 
• Galatians 1:13, “I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.”
• 1 Timothy 1:13, “Though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent.”

Saul was not in any way seeking after Christ.  He was engaged in his murderous activities at the time of his conversion.  He would have undoubtedly been voted “least likely to be saved,” had any such vote been taken.  So repugnant was his reputation amongst the Christians that God had to convince Ananias to go to him after Saul’s conversion (Acts 9:10-14).  It was to such a man that Christ appeared.  How are we to account for his salvation?  Obviously, there was no Pauline contribution to it—no goodness of heart or work of his own, which led up to it.  He was headed in the wrong direction when God turned him around.  Years later Paul offered this explanation of that which transpired — “But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 1:13a-14).  By what means was Saul saved?  By the love, grace, and mercy which are found in Christ Jesus.  We deserve judgment.  Through Christ’s mercy and graced we receive forgiveness instead.  The distance between what we deserved and what we have received is infinite and speaks to the “overflowing” grace that worked to save Paul.

At the age of 82, John Newton–that former slave ship captain turned preacher and writer of the hymn “Amazing Grace”–said, “My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour.”

John Newton

1 Timothy 1:11-17 is Paul’s testimony to God’s saving work. He praises God in its introduction and conclusion (1 Timothy 1:11 & 17). His testimony includes the “trustworthy” saying that, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). Paul explained why he himself was shown mercy: “But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:16). In other words—if Jesus Christ could save Paul, He can save anybody. His ability to pardon exceeds our ability to comprehend (Isaiah 55:6-9). Paul’s was a glorious and radical transformation and speaks to Jesus’ ability to “save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him” (Hebrews 7:25). Paul was evermore speaking of the glorious nature of God’s grace. His proclamation of the gospel was not just theoretical, but very personal (i.e., He “loved me and gave himself for me;” Galatians 2:20). “By the grace of God, I am what I am,” he once said (1 Corinthians 15:10). By God’s grace, a hate-filled persecutor was radically transformed into a love-filled Apostle. “Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!”

The God who transformed a hate filled persecutor into an apostle with a heart full of love is able to work a wonderful transformation in any of us!

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!

May 16

Bible Reading: Acts 8

Acts 8:12, “But when they believed Philip as he preached good news.”

Acts 8:35, “He told him the good news about Jesus.”

Philip was an amazing man who was much used by God in the furtherance of the gospel message.  He is first mentioned in Scripture in Acts chapter 6.  He was one of the seven chosen by the congregation to assist in the serving of the widows.  He was “full of the Spirit and of wisdom,” and therefore met the qualifications put forth by the Apostles (Acts 6:3).

When Stephen was stoned, a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem.  Philip was one of those “scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria” (Acts 8:1).  Remember the mandate given by Jesus to the Apostles: “You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8)?  As of Acts Chapter 8 the gospel witness was still confined to the city of Jerusalem.  The “great persecution” changed all that…But it was going to take someone special to reach out to the Samaritans.  The Samaritans were despised by the Jews (John 4:9).  They were even denied the privilege of being Jewish proselytes.  It was Philip who took the first step in overcoming Jewish prejudice and reaching out to the Samaritans in obedience to the Lord’s command.

He went to the city of Samaria and “proclaimed to them the Christ” (Acts 8:5).  “The crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip” (Acts 8:6).  Many were saved because of Philip’s evangelistic efforts: “But when they believed Philip as he preached good news…they were baptized, both men and women” (Acts 8:12).

But God had another task for Philip.  He took him from that successful evangelistic campaign and led him to a desert road to meet with a single soul.  An Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Queen, was traveling to Jerusalem to worship.  He was reading from the prophet Isaiah, but didn’t understand what he was reading, wondering of whom the prophet was speaking (Acts 8:34).  Philip used the opportunity to preach Jesus to him (Acts 8:35).  The Ethiopian eunuch believed unto salvation and was baptized (Acts 8:38).  According to church tradition, the Ethiopian eunuch returned as a missionary to the Ethiopians.  How wonderful the mysterious working of the Sovereign God in the salvation of a soul!  The same God who led Philip to Samaria to evangelize crowds of people was well-pleased and able to direct him to that desert road to preach the gospel to a lone soul.  He was in the right place at the right time with the right words to say—but not by accident.  The Ethiopian eunuch had a desire to know—God took care of the rest.

It is amazing to consider the rapid tearing down of religious and racial barriers that took place through the preaching of the gospel message.  Philip preached the gospel in Samaria. Samaritans were Spirit-united to the body of Christ.  Philip preached Jesus to a black Gentile, Ethiopian, and that Ethiopian was then Spirit-united to the body of Christ.  “Red, brown, yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight!”  One day we, as believers, will join a great choir of voices, people from “every tribe and language and people and nation,” (Revelation 5:9) in singing a new song to the Lamb who is worthy—who has worked through His cross to “reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility” (Ephesians 2:16).  The gospel message bridges all human boundaries (Galatians 3:28; Romans 1:16).

Philip was “snatched away” by the Spirit (Acts 8:39).  That must have been quite an experience!  He then found himself at Azotus, from there “as he passed through, he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea” (Acts 8:40).  He was, in that region, a forerunner of the Apostle Paul.  Apparently, he settled in Caesarea, for it was there where he served as host to Paul (Acts 21:8-9).  According to church tradition, Philip died of natural causes at Tralles, in Lydia.  One church Father, Basil, reports that he was the bishop there.  Philip was Spirit-led, gospel driven, and held to a “no boundaries” approach to evangelism.  Many came to faith in Christ because of his preaching.  He began in ministry by waiting on tables but was later used by God to evangelize entire regions and at least one future missionary.  Being “full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (Acts 6:3) he was a vessel “useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21).

The meeting between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch was divinely orchestrated, just like when God worked through someone to bring the good news to you.  Just like He would use you to bring the good news to someone who needs to hear.

Every day they pass me by
I can see it in their eyes
Empty people filled with care
Headed who knows where?
On they go through private pain
Living fear to fear
Laughter hides their silent cries
Only Jesus hears
People need the Lord
People need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams
He’s the open door
People need the Lord
People need the Lord
When will we realize
People need the Lord?

May 15

Bible Reading: Acts 7

Acts 6:5, “Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 7:51, “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit.”

“Martyr”: noun One who, by his death, bears witness to the truth of the gospel.  Stephen was the first Christian “martyr.”

Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language; 1828 Edition

Foxe’s book of Martyrs chronicles the testimonies of saints down through the centuries who suffered martyrdom because of their faith in Christ.  Stephen’s name, the first martyr in the church, is mentioned early in the book.

Stephen was a man who was full of the Spirit.  Being filled with the Spirit, he was also full of “wisdom,” “faith,” and “grace and power” (Acts 6:3, 5, 8).  By the Spirit, he was doing “great wonders and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8).  He was a man much used by God to bless others.

Stephen stood out amongst the brethren and was no doubt much loved by them, but there were others who did not like him at all.  A group of Hellenistic Jews “rose up and disputed with Stephen.”  “But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking” (Acts 6:10).  So, they instigated others to make scandalous reports about him.  They stirred up “the people and the elders and the scribes” (Acts 6:12).  They “seized him and brought him before the council” (Acts 6:12).  False witnesses were brought forth and accused him.  The high priest asked, “Are these things so” (Acts 7:1)?  Most of the rest of chapter seven is Stephen’s response.

Stephens’ defense before the Sanhedrin is the longest discourse in the book of Acts.  In it, he recited the history of Israel and referred to Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and Israel’s apostasy.  Some have wondered about the specific purpose to which Stephen spoke and why he spoke at length regarding the history of the Jewish people.  But since he had been specifically accused of blasphemy against the temple and the Law (Acts 6:13), his defense affirmed his understanding and appreciation regarding the divine origins of these things.  He spoke both of Israel’s history and their history of rebellion against God (Acts 7:35-50).

Stephen applied the matter of Israel’s historical apostasy directly to his listeners.  With Spirit-imparted boldness, he indicted them as being responsible for the death “of the Righteous One” (Acts 7:52).  At that point in Stephen’s defense, his audience became “enraged, and they ground their teeth at him” (Acts 7:54).  He was privileged, by the Spirit, to be granted a vision of “the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55-56).  His report of what he saw only intensified their anger.  In a state of rage, they screamed, covered their ears, and mobbed him.  They drug him out of the city and stoned him.  As they were stoning him, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59).  As he was dying, he spoke in like-manner to the One who had died to forgive his own sins, saying, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60).

Martyrdom sometimes happens when those who are Spirit-led meet up with those who are Spirit-opposed.  Stephen was Spirit compelled to proclaim the truth.  His listeners were compelled by another spirit to squelch his witness.  They killed the messenger, but not the message.  Saul was there and “approved of his execution” (Acts 8:1).  But Saul, that great persecutor of the church, would later be saved and befriend himself to Stephen’s Savior.  On the day of Stephen’s death, there arose “a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria” (Acts 8:1).  The church was scattered, but those “who were scattered went about preaching the word” (Acts 8:4).  That great persecution, initiated in Stephen’s martyrdom, only worked to expand the outreach of the church.   They shut up Stephen, but not the Spirit.  And Stephen’s legacy—as a bold faithful witness to the truth—lives on to this day!

The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. – Tertullian

I gave My life for thee,
My precious blood I shed,
That thou mightst ransomed be,
And quickened from the dead;
I gave, I gave My life for thee,
What hast thou done for Me?
I gave, I gave My life for thee,
What hast thou done for Me?

May 12

Bible Reading: Acts 6

Acts 6:3, “Pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.”

The church leadership was approached by a man who wanted to serve as a deacon. He was ready and able to serve; he boasted. At the time of his request, the church was meeting in a rented facility. Every Sunday morning, there was the need to set up chairs and then put them away afterwards. But the problem was the would-be deacon had never once offered any help! Leadership understandably denied the man’s request, explaining that he wasn’t ready to be a deacon. Our text speaks of a group of men who were, on the other hand, ready to serve!

The early church was characterized by its eagerness to show loving concern for the needs of others (Acts 2:44-45, 4:34-35).  The church was, accordingly, caring for its widows by providing meals for them.  In this matter, “a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution” (Acts 6:1).  The twelve Apostles, wanting to give attention to the “preaching of the word,” wisely purposed to delegate others to oversee the matter (Acts 6:2, 4).

They brought the matter to the congregation and said, “Pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty” (Acts 6:3).  The task demanded oversight by well-qualified men.  Left unresolved or mismanaged, the situation might easily have given rise to division and dissension, thereby threatening to undermine the spiritual health and growth of the church.

The men to be selected were to be men of “good repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3).  The term “repute” translates the verb form of the Greek “martureo,” (i.e., witness).  They were to be people that were maintaining a good and credible “witness” before others.  The same term is used (in its noun form) in referring to the qualifications of an elder (1 Timothy 3:7, “He must be well thought of by outsiders”).  The men chosen were to be men that others could and would vouch for.

They were also to be men “full of the Spirit and of wisdom.”  We are commanded to be “filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).  The Spirit’s presence is revealed in glorious Christ-like virtues (Galatians 5:22-23), of which Christ-like, sacrificial love, is the main component (Galatians 5:22; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7).  The “full of the Spirit” person is distinguished by his love for Jesus and love for others.  To be full of the Spirit is to be full of wisdom (Ephesians 5:15-17).  The Spirit imparts wisdom, that practical knowledge which equips a person to make wise decisions.

The congregation was given the task of selecting seven men, and apparently, they had little difficulty in doing so.  They chose “Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch” (Acts 6:5).  We are given no other information— in the immediate context—regarding their backgrounds, resumes, accomplishments, or experience.  They were not chosen because of their connections, popularity, or business acumen.  It was enough that they were of good reputation and filled with the Spirit.

The soon-to-be martyred Stephen fulfilled that role and others, too.  He was not only “full of the Spirit and of wisdom,” (Acts 6:3) he was “full of faith” (Acts 6:5) and “full of grace and power” (Acts 6:8).  He was full of the Spirit and was “doing great wonders and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8).  That later proved problematic for him, but that’s another chapter.

What lesson can we garner from this episode in church history?  An effective servant is not so because of his own qualifications or ability, but his availability to be used by the Spirit of God.  Stephen was “full of it” in the positive sense.  Being full of the Holy Spirit, he was well-qualified and equipped to serve God in various ways.  He was open to the Spirit’s leading and empowered to do things that he could have never done otherwise.  “To be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18-20; Colossians 3:16-17) is a matter of preeminent relevance to any would-be servant of Christ.  By this means alone, are we made ready to serve in whatever way, and to whatever task, God calls us.

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much’.” – Matthew 25:21

Make me a servant
Humble and meek
Lord, let me lift up
Those who are weak
And may the prayer
Of my heart always be
Make me a servant
Make me a servant
Make me a servant today

May 11

Bible Reading: Acts 5

Acts 5:38-39, “If this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them.  You might even be found to be opposing God!”

The religious leaders had conspired together to have Jesus put to death. But they were powerless to keep Him entombed. He rose from the dead and sent forth His disciples. Peter’s first and second sermons led to the salvation of thousands. Much to the chagrin of the religious leaders, the church kept expanding in its influence. They arrested Peter and John, but on account of the people, they let them go (Acts 4:21). And the church kept right on growing— “And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women” (Acts 5:14). Again, they arrested the apostles, “but during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out” (Acts 5:19). The religious leaders ultimately found them in the temple, teaching the people (Acts 5:25). Again, they brought them before the Council (Acts 5:27-31). Peter reiterated to them the truth of Christ’s death, at their hands, and His subsequent resurrection (Acts 5:30-31). He affirmed his intent to keep on witnessing concerning Christ. They were “enraged and wanted to kill them” (Acts 5:33). “But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel” spoke up and intervened on their behalf (Acts 5:34f).

Gamaliel was a “teacher of the law” and was “held in honor by all the people” (Acts 5:35, 22:3).  He suggested that the Council carefully weigh its decision regarding the apostles.  He spoke of other previous revolutionaries that had risen: Theudas and Judas of Galilee.  These men had led others, but they had ultimately perished and their causes with them.  Gamaliel suggested to the council that they should “keep away from these men and let them alone” (Acts 5:38).  His reasoning?  “If this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them.  You might even be found to be opposing God” (Acts 5:38-39)!  After they warned the apostles and had them beaten, the religious leaders “let them go” (Acts 5:40).

“If it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them,” Gamaliel said (Acts 5:39).  So, it has been as Gamaliel predicted, and more importantly, as Jesus Himself had promised: “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).  History has proven that which Jesus declared.  Since the church was born countless spurious causes and even world-wide revolutions have taken place.  Some of these revolutions have ascended to incredible heights of authoritative power and influence.  But these man-made causes proved unsustainable—worthless relics in the trash heap of history.  Not so Biblical Christianity.  Despite persecution and opposition, the church continues on.  The Roman Empire tried to extinguish its light, but the witness could not be silenced.  In recent centuries, communist governments sought to eradicate Christianity, only to see the church persevere and grow under oppression.  Even today, in countries around the world, Christians are persecuted and sometimes even martyred for their faith.  But their deaths only work to strengthen the resolve of their brethren, as the 2nd-century Church Father Tertullian once said, “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church.”

Secular elitists are working to this day to silence the testimony of Bible-believing Christians. The prince of the power of the air leads many minions (Ephesians 2:2; 2 Timothy 2:26). Redefining sin and silencing the gospel are their key objectives. Many are yielding to the pressure to compromise. But Christ’s true church will never falter or fail (Romans 8:31, 37). His Word cannot be imprisoned (2 Timothy 2:9). His plans and purposes cannot be thwarted (Ephesians 1:11). Voltaire was a famous French philosopher and an atheist. He died in 1778. Before his death, he said that the Bible and the Christian faith would not be believed in 100 years. On the 100th anniversary of his statement, the Geneva Bible Society purchased Voltaire’s printing press and house and printed Bibles there!

Don’t be alarmed or afraid of the growing choir of secular voices that are speaking ill of His church or His word. The Lord lovingly and faithfully provides for and protects His Church. He is even now preparing it for His return. The day is coming when the “great Church victorious” will be “the Church at rest!”

Earthly kings and kingdoms and causes will all pass away, but not so the church of the living God.  It stands eternally secure in the loving hands of the One who purchased her with His own blood!

The Church’s one foundation
is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
she is his new creation
by water and the Word.
From heav’n he came and sought her
to be his holy bride;
with his own blood, he bought her,
and for her life he died.

‘Mid toil and tribulation
and tumult of her war
she waits the consummation
of peace forevermore
‘till with the vision glorious
her longing eyes are blest,
and the great Church victorious
shall be the Church at rest.

MAY 10

Bible Reading: Acts 4

Acts 4:24, “And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord…”

Acts 4:31, “And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered was shaken.”

It was a noteworthy and undeniable miracle.  The 40-year-old lame-from-birth beggar had been healed.  He was healed “by the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 4:10).  Many people saw it and then listened to Peter’s sermon—explaining how it happened.  About five thousand men believed as a result (Acts 4:4). 

The religious leaders were “greatly annoyed because they (i.e., Peter and John) were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead” (Acts 4:2).  They arrested Peter and John and interrogated them.  Peter, “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 4:8), spoke to them about Jesus.  “There is salvation in no one else,” he declared (Acts 4:12).

The religious leaders could not deny that a “notable sign” had been performed (Acts 4:16).  But they were not interested in how it had happened.  They charged Peter and John to not “speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus” (Acts 4:18), but Peter refused to abide by their demands (Acts 4:19-20).  The leaders would have liked to have kept them locked up, but “because of the people” they let them go (Acts 4:21).

The newly born church faced its first major obstacle.  The religious leaders were powerful and extremely displeased by the ministry efforts of the Apostles.  What were the apostles to do? Curse those leaders?  Plan an insurrection?  Grumble and complain?  They didn’t do any of those things, but did what we should always do it times of trouble—they took the matter to God in prayer!

The church was born out of a prayer meeting (Acts 1:14).  In its infancy, it was “devoted” to prayer (Acts 2:42).  It was only natural then, in dealing with this ominous threat, for them to seek God’s help.  Prayer is fundamental to the health and growth of the church.  If the church is to advance in its influence, it must do so “on its knees” (as Hudson Taylor once said).  I’ve said before that if there was ever a time for the church in America to give earnest attention to prayer, this is it.  But that’s not the spirit of our day.  The church’s anemic state is rooted in its amnesia regarding the preeminent importance of prayer.

Leonard Ravenhill wrote long ago of the need we have to give attention to prayer: “Poverty-stricken as the Church is today in many things, she is most stricken here, in the place of prayer.  We have many organizers, but few agonizers; many players and payers, few prayers; many singers, few clingers; lots of pastors, few wrestlers; many fears, few tears; much fashion, little passion; many interferers, few intercessors; many writers, but few fighters.  Failing here, we fail everywhere.”

Leonard Ravenhill

But those early believers knew what to do—in one accord they “lifted their voices together to God” (Acts 4:24).  What did they pray?  Their prayer was not merely a request, but an act of worship.  They acknowledged God to be the Creator of all things (Acts 4:24).  They spoke of HIs prophetic warning of opposition to “his Anointed” (Acts 4:25-27).  They acknowledged His sovereignty (Acts 4:28).  They asked for but one thing—that He would grant them “to continue to speak (His) word with all boldness” (Acts 4:29).  Their prayer was that God would grant them confidence in the face of opposition, while He continued to make Himself known through signs and wonders (Acts 4:30).

Did God hear them?  How could they know?  They had prayed to the God who had created all things, so the God who created all things shook the earth (Acts 4:31).  Our prayers will not likely meet with such dramatic result, but God’s Word nevertheless assures us of His attentiveness (1 John 5:14-15).  Did God answer their prayer?  “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).  The church continued “with great power” proclaiming the truth about Jesus (Acts 4:33).

The discerning Christian is aware of the ongoing threats and opposition faced by the church in our day.  There has never been a more needy time for the church in America than now. What are we to do?  We would do well to follow the example of those who have gone before us!  The church that was borne in prayer, grew and overcame its troubles as it continually devoted itself to prayer. We’d do well to follow their example! 

Much prayer, much power!  And vice versa.

I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.

I must tell Jesus!
I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus!
I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

May 9

Bible Reading: Acts 3

Acts 3:12, “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us…?”

Peter and John were a part of an amazing miracle.  A man lame from his mother’s womb was begging alms from those who were entering the temple.  Peter and John came upon the man and gave him no alms.  Instead, Peter reached out his hand and said, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6).  “And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God” (Acts 3:8).

The people saw the man and recognized him to be the lame beggar.  They saw what had happened to him and “were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him” (Acts 3:10).  While the healed man was clinging to Peter and John, the people were staring at them.  Peter saw them staring and responded by clarifying that the healing was sourced not in them or their power, but in Jesus: “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” (Acts 3:16).

The miraculous healing of the lame beggar happened for a specific purpose.  The purpose was not to elevate or draw attention to Peter and John, but to testify to the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The people saw what happened and marveled. Peter explained how it happened.  He had done the same in his first sermon.  The people wondered how it was that they were hearing the Galileans speaking to them in their own native languages (Acts 2:9).  Peter used that miraculous event to declare the truth regarding Christ’s death and resurrection (Acts 2:14f).  This pattern — a miraculous event providing the opportunity to proclaim the truth about Jesus—is repeated throughout the book of Acts.  From its inception, the church was Spirit-led to preach, as a matter “of first importance,” the good news of Christ’s death for sins and resurrection from the dead (Acts 2:23-24; 3:15; 4:10; 4:10; 4:33; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30, etc.; 1 Corinthians 2:2; 15:3-4).  The miracles that occurred provided opportunities to proclaim the good news.

In his message to the people, Peter made it clear where the power for the healing came from — “the faith that is through Jesus has given this man perfect health” (Acts 3:16).  He called upon the people to repent.  “Many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of men came to about five thousand” (Acts 4:4).  Later called upon to give an account to the religious leaders of what he was doing, he reiterated the same truth: “If we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well” (Acts 4:9-10).  The people were staring at Peter and John, but Peter diverted their focus to the Lord Jesus.  The religious leaders interrogated Peter and John, but Peter again directed their attention to He who saves.  Such is the nature of any Spirit-led ministry or endeavor.  Its goal is ever and always to elevate and glorify the Son (John 16:14).  The Spirit Himself, in effect, says, “Don’t look at Me, look to Him!”

It was the Risen and Ascended Jesus who healed the lame-from-birth beggar.  Peter made that clear.  People saw what happened and believed in Jesus.  To this day, Jesus has been at work healing sin-sick souls.  While He privileges us to play a part in making the truth known, it is He alone who saves (1 Corinthians 3:1-9).  Let us be ever mindful to follow Peter’s Spirit-led example— “Don’t look at us, look to Him” (2 Corinthians 4:7; Matthew 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12).  He who died for sins and rose from the dead is well able to heal lame-from-birth beggars and sin-sick souls (Ephesians 2:1-3, 8-9).  All the glory belongs to Him!

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

To God be the glory, great things he has done!
So loved he the world that he gave us his Son,
who yielded his life an atonement for sin,
and opened the life-gate that all may go in.

May 8

Bible Reading: Acts 2

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

Amongst its various definitions, something is said to be “fundamental” when it serves an essential or foundational role.  For example, fundamental to the game of basketball are the abilities to dribble, pass, and shoot a basketball.  With education, the subjects of reading, writing, and arithmetic are fundamental to future learning.  So, it is with respect to the Christian life.  There are certain “fundamentals” that are essential to the believer’s walk with Jesus.  We can predict something of the present spiritual health and future well-being of a church or an individual believer according to how much heart-level devotion is given to these important spiritual disciplines.

The things spoken of in our verse are the things that healthy and growing Christians and churches do.  They don’t just do them; they devote themselves to them.  They don’t do them because they are compelled to as some kind of religious duty, but because they are Spirit-led to do them.  These activities have characterized the lives of believers since the birth of the church.  While there are differences in the specific ways in which churches in varying cultures around the world worship Jesus, every healthy believer or church is characterized by its devotion to these four things. 

Peter proclaimed his first sermon and, as a result, “about three thousand souls” were saved (Acts 2:41).  The very next verse in Acts speaks then of the activities to which these new believers devoted themselves.  There is between verse 41 and verse 42 no additional information given regarding how these believers came to their understanding of the need to give attention to these things.  People were saved, then those people did them.  There are things that new believers in Christ are Spirit-led to do from the moment of saving faith.  They do not have to be told to read the Scriptures, because like newborn babes, they are instinctively led to long for the truth (1 Peter 2:2).  They do not have to be told to pray; they were Spirit-led to pray to God for salvation and are thenceforth Spirit-led to devote themselves to prayer.  Like a magnet, the new believer is drawn to fellowship—by a Spirit-led attraction—with other like-minded believers.  Spirit-led believers are likewise compelled to break bread together in remembrance of the Lord Jesus.

There is something seriously amiss when an individual or church abandons any of these practices.  They are Spirit-led disciplines that are borne in us out of love for Jesus.  They are not religious duties or practices exercised for some mundane or human-ordained purpose.  Jesus is at the heart of each of them.  It is love for Jesus that engenders desire for the truth.  Those who love Him love to read about Him and hear from Him in His Word that they might know Him better.  Love for Jesus is likewise made clear in its corresponding love for—and desire to fellowship with—His people.  Love for Jesus necessitates prayer and remembrance of Him in the breaking of bread.  Those early church believers devoted themselves to these spiritual disciples because the Spirit-led them to as he filled their hearts with love for Jesus.

It would be fair to say that the church in America is today both frail and anemic.  And countless strategies and new fads are suggested to fix that which ails the church.  Perhaps it would be good for us in this day to evaluate ourselves in light of the four-fold, Spirit-led, devotion of our predecessors.  Sometimes there is a need to get back to basics.  Here are the basics—love for His Word and His people and devotion to prayer and remembering Him in the breaking of bread. These fundamentals should characterize the lives of Jesus’ followers.  Whenever we find a person or church devoting itself, out of love for Jesus, to these things, we know that the Spirit of God is at work.  Wherever and whenever they are lacking, we likewise know that something has gone amiss.

A Spirit-borne love for Jesus leads to a devotion to the Word and prayer and fellowship.  Devotion to these disciplines is essential to Spiritual health and growth.

I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Ev’ry hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

May 5

Bible Reading: Acts 1

Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Today we embark on a fascinating journey, in reading through the book of Acts, of the remarkable account of the birth and expansion of the church.  Acts 1:8 is a key verse in the book.  Jesus’ parting words to His disciples serve both as an overview and an outline of that which takes place.  In a real sense, the book of Acts continues to this day.  The mandate given by the Lord Jesus to His disciples still stands.  Christ’s witnesses still proclaim the same message.  They do so by the all-sufficient means He has provided through the leading and empowering ministry of the Holy Spirit.

What is the mandate?  “Be My witnesses.”  The noun form of Greek term translated “witnesses” is “martur”, from which we get the English martyr.  It means “one who can or does aver what he has seen or heard or knows.”  The verb means simply “to bear witness to.”  The disciples were eyewitnesses to Christ’s resurrection (Acts 1:21-22).  Though we have not seen Him, we are nonetheless witnesses, as believers, to His saving power and indwelling presence.  The mandate given to the disciples applies to all of us.  We are witnesses to a glorious Lord and Savior!

The Apostles proclaimed many truths, but preeminent amongst them all was the message regarding Christ’s death and resurrection (Acts 2:23-24; 3:15; 4:10; 4:10; 4:33; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30, etc.).  This message, the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), is the “glorious good news” (1 Timothy 1:11) of God’s power to save (Romans 1:16).  Though some deem it foolish, it represents to us “the power of God and wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24).  Though others work to distort it (Galatians 1:7-8; 2 Corinthians 11:4), we labor to preserve, protect, and proclaim it (Jude 3).  The message of salvation by grace through faith in Christ is the glorious truth we are to proclaim (Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Corinthians 2:2).  We are witnesses of a glorious and powerful gospel!

He has not left us without the means necessary to succeed in the task.  He spoke to His disciples of the Spirit’s coming.  He told them to “stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).  They were not to proceed with their own wisdom and strength.  To do so would be a foolhardy endeavor.  The promised Spirit came and by His presence, the weak were made strong.  Consider how the Spirit worked to embolden Peter.  Before Jesus’ sufferings and death, Peter, in self-confidence, had boldly declared his unwavering commitment to stand by Jesus.  But then he denied Him and utterly failed as a witness—denying Jesus three times and even before a slave girl (Matthew 26:69-75).  But a miraculous transformation took place once he was indwelt and empowered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-13).  Peter had previously not understood regarding Jesus’ suffering and denied even knowing Jesus. But now Spirit-filled, Peter boldly proclaimed the truth regarding Christ before a crowd of thousands (Acts 2:14-41).  Later, he would do the same before the hostile religious leaders (Acts 4:19-20).  It was as the believers “were all filled with the Holy Spirit” that “they continued to speak with word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).  By the Spirit’s power, ordinary, unlearned, and timid men were transformed into bold and effective witnesses for Christ (Acts 4:13).  We are effective witnesses only to the extent that we are empowered by the indwelling Spirit!

Ordinary men and women were supernaturally empowered to bear witness to the extraordinary truths regarding Jesus and His resurrection. 

“Within the space of thirty years after the death of Christ the gospel had been carried to all parts of the civilized and to no small portion of the uncivilized world… Within thirty years it had settled the point that it would overturn every bloody altar, close every pagan temple, bring under its influence everywhere men of office, rank, and power, and ‘the banners of faith would soon stream from the palaces of Caesars.’  All this would be accomplished by the instrumentality of Jews—of fishermen—of Nazarenes.  They had neither wealth, armies, nor allies.  With the exception of Paul, they were men without learning.  They were taught only the Holy Ghost, armed only with the power of God, victorious only because Christ was their captain, and the world acknowledged the presence of the messengers of the Highest and the power of the Christian religion.  Its success never has been, and never can be accounted for by any other supposition than that God attended it.”

Albert Barnes

As believers, we’ve been given a mandate, a message, and the means.  The mandate still applies.  The message is still powerful to save.  The means, the indwelling Spirit, is still at work to empower Christ’s followers to boldly witness to the truth.  People need the Lord!  As a believer, you’ve been equipped and empowered to share the truth with others.

God has worked to call and empower ordinary people like you and me to share the extraordinary message of Christ’s death for sins and resurrection from the dead and a by grace through faith salvation availed to all through Him.

Lord, your church on earth is seeking
power and wisdom from above:
teach us all the art of speaking
with the accents of your love.
We will heed your great commission
sending us to every place-
‘Go, baptize, fulfill my mission;
serve with love and share my grace!’