Facing the old "me" ..... embracing Christ!

Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to

die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.” (Acts 21:12-14)

Paul, formerly Saul, who had tracked down and even help put CHRISTians to death, was returning to Jerusalem a wanted man! Not wanted to preach Christ to the people, but because he was preaching Christ to the people!

Paul would be facing the old Paul, facing the people who knew and preferred Saul. However, Paul would now be embracing Christ, preaching grace, peace, and forgiveness. He offered reconciliation to God through Christ Jesus to any and all who would come . . . even Gentiles!

He knew his time was up. Many tried to convince him not to go to Jerusalem. They prophesied that he would be bound, jailed and eventually die. All true! Yet he knew facing the old "me" and embracing Christ, despite the challenges ahead! Paul was ready!

His time was near. He was ready and prepared!

Are we ready to do the same?

Led by His Spirit, we offer mercy, not revenge!

And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.(Acts 20:22-24)

To have a heart for God and the lost, we cannot act upon our own feelings! We must be controlled by the Holy Spirit! When we are rejected, ridiculed, rudely treated, lied on, even unjustly heated and jailed . . . left for dead as Paul was, it is the Holy Spirit Who causes us to pray for our enemies, even witness to them! He leads us to

offer mercy, not revenge!

The Spirit of God led Paul . . . even to his death. He led Christ to the cross. Where will we allow Him to lead us?

Don't be afraid to ask questions.

And finding some disciples he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” . . .And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”(Acts 19:1,2,15)

 Don't be afraid to ask questions. Paul and the others came into the city of Ephesus, where the goddess Diana was worshipped throughout. As Paul inquired of their faith, many whom had followed John became followers of Christ. Paul had to make sure. He asked questions. They had no idea Who the Holy Spirit was! (Acts 19:2)

When others attempted to remove demons from a man, the demons asked the question: “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”(Acts 19:15)

As we encounter friends and acquaintances, it's ok to ask about their salvation in a respectful way. When entering into relationships, we better! We need to be sure. Life is short . . . too short to be in doubt!

Do you know Jesus? If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts. Today can be the day of your salvation! (Hebrews 3:15, 2 Corinthians 6:2)

Keep it movin'!

Do not be too shaken by disbelief . . .keep it movin'!

When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”  And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized. Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent;  for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (Acts 18:5-11)

We live in an age when there are many religious options, but only one Truth.  Unfortunately, many will choose the more comfortable options rather than the straight and narrow Truth. After all, it a highway to hell but only a long and narrow stairway to heaven. While the highway can be at a high speed and thrill-packed, the stairway can at times be a bit lonely and tiring. Yet we must keep it movin'.

If one rejects the Truth, we simply move on to the next.  Like Paul, if we are ridiculed in one setting, we just may be welcomed in the next. We share the Gospel and live it out in the open to honor the Lord, not to gain fame, recognition or acclaim.  Stay encouraged. Forge ahead. Do not turn back. Keep it movin'!

Some will believe, some will not . . . . The Unknown God

Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious;  for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription . . . .THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: . . . .   And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.”  So Paul departed from among them. However, some men joined him and believed . . . . .  (Acts 17:22-23, 32-34)

Idols . . . Simply a replacement for the One True God, Creator, Lord, Master and Judge. Whether it is our family, job, career, financial worth, sports, cars, houses or a statue . . . no idol can compare to God! People worship all kinds of things today and don't even realize it. Many however, worship a false, phony, or dead "god"!

They put their trust in empty promises and ancient fables. They even dedicate their lives to evil deeds and subject their families to dangerous situations, all for a false hope and unfulfilled promises. The God they do not know or refuse to accept, The Unknown God, has fulfilled all His promises as documented throughout HIStory!

Some will believe, some will not, but it won't stop me from sharing as Paul once did! What about you?

Chained to freedom!

Chained to freedom! Huh? How is that possible? Look at Paul and Silas . . . .

Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.  Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.  And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:22-30)

Prison chains did not hold back Paul and Silas from sharing Christ in songs and praying. The very crime they were jailed for is what they continued to do in the cell! The prisoners heard and an earthquake shook the chains loose off of all the prisoners. Yet no one left! The guard was so shocked that he wanted to hear from Paul and even brought him into to his home, asking for more and eventually was saved!

What would happen if you and I were so bound to Christ, so chained to the freedom to share Him in our everyday lives, singing and praying despite restriction? How many would ask, "What must I do to know this Jesus?"

What holds us back? By what or to whom are we chained?

What IS a CHRISTian? I SURRENDER!

The qualifications for being a CHRISTian has nothing to do with location, gender, culture, ethnicity, or anything we as human beings can possibly do . . . but SURRENDER! One must give it all up and accept CHRIST on His terms . . . the terms of the cross, the grave, the resurrection. Its all about CHRIST, not any of us! Recall what Peter said when some were putting claims in on what it took to be saved . . .

And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.” (Acts 15:7-11)

Its not my church or your church . . . my pastor or your pastor . . .  your choir, my choir,  but one Church, one faith, one Lord, one Father! Just ONE! One way . . .

I surrender . . . to CHRIST . . . . What about you?

When you feel like giving up.....

Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,  strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations to enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:19-22)

As Paul and Barnabas were preaching, many supposed they were  gods, bringing sacrifices as they witnessed the healing of a crippled man. Yet Paul reminded them they were merely humans speaking about the power of Jesus Christ! Others came from Antioch and surrounding areas and began to stone Paul, leaving him for dead!

Who would have felt like giving up at this point? Yeah, me too! I have been a bit down at times, even depressed over failures, economic struggles, even family and friends rejecting Truth and ridiculing our beliefs and calling in life. "Is it all worth it?", I have asked myself and God at times.

The answer is always "YES" when it comes to God's agenda! Like Paul, we have to be encouraged and get back up! When our minds doubt, the Word of God encourages us. When the heart aches, His love fills us. Even if our body fails us, God will not. Never quit!

When you feel like giving up, become less of a worrier and more of a warrior!

Into the unknown....trusting God alone!

In celebration of my wife's 55 years upon this earth, I focus my study this morning upon going into the unknown . . . trusting God alone!

What do we really know about the future years? How do we really know for sure what will happen in our personal lives, in our marriage, with our children and grandchildren? How long will we have to be working? How will our health be? What will become of what and whom we leave behind? Thanking God for allowing us to share life together, we go . . .

Into the unknown....trusting God alone!

Paul and Barnabas did just that in Acts 13. They had built a growing church in Antioch, where folks were first known as CHRISTians! It would have been comfortable to stay put. However, God called them into the unknown areas of Cyprus and the southern borders of Turkey.

 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.  But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium.  And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.(Acts 13:49-52)

Paul and Barnabas  were forced to move on and they did so filled with the Holy Spirit, not complaining! Not knowing the future, they ventured into the unknown....trusting God alone!

Enticed into entitlement?

Have we been enticed into entitlement? Do we honestly believe blessed and highly favored means we deserve man's favor and privilege? Do we not understand that abundant life (John 10:10) does not equal money and riches but rather life after life with God in eternity? C'mon man!

Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep

him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.(Acts 12:1-4)

The apostles were being hunted down, jailed, threatened, tortured and killed. They did not complain or back down? They continued in their fellowship and teaching. The Gospel continued to be shared and the Church grew!

 But the word of God grew and multiplied.(Acts 12:24)

Why are our American churches dwindling? Why is the area of CHRISTian growth most evident in the persecuted nations? Why does it seems society has taken a step back in race relations? Have we become too comfortable . . . expecting too much and sacrificing too little?

We have only one life to live! What are we doing with it?

Why have we missed this calling?

The Church started by Jesus and His followers was a Body of mixed cultures, races, and ages. Walls were broken down and cultures were blended. Dr. King had the same message over fifty years ago. The Church should lead and influence the culture! Why have we missed this calling?

Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!” But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning . . . .And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” (Acts 11:1-18)

What an insult to God that we are so separated on SONdays! Believing men and women have died for the unity of the Faith! Jesus has offered up Himself as a sacrifice that we ALL may be One.

How . . . Why have we missed this calling? 

Cross the Cultures......Do as Jesus did!

 A while back it was popular to wear the band and ask others, "What would Jesus do?"(WWJD) While our SONday service times still tend to be the most segregated moments of the week, we do not seem to be upset by that. When we have friend SONdays, we invite folks who look, act, and speak like us. We rarely cross the cultures in life! Yet Jesus did (remember the woman at the well in Samaria in John 4) and told His followers and us to do just that! If racism and discrimination is ever to be honestly dealt with and defeated, it MUST begin with the genuine Body of Christ! We must have open and honest discussions without fear of being hurt. We also must do all we can to have our churches resemble the plan Jesus set forth in John 17:21-23. Paul wrote about it as well:

One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.(Ephesians 4:5-6)

Get the message? Peter was directly shown by the Lord in a vision to go to the Gentiles (crops cultures) to witness to them in Acts 10. The Church doors were opened to everyone who would believe! They still are today. Who are we to keep them shut? 

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy

Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.  For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.(Acts 10-44-48)

We must stop trying to be comfortable and begin to cross the cultures. It is a commandment in all the gospels and in the Book of Acts. It is the only way we can grow as a Church and the only way we can win the lost for Christ! (Matthew 28:18-29)

Even a terrorist is worth sharing the Gospel!

Even a terrorist is worth sharing the Gospel!

Jonah did not want to share with the Ninevites because he knew of God's grace. They just might become followers. 

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. So he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.(Jonah 4:2)

 Saul, whom I refer to as one of fiercest anti-CHRISTian terrorist of all, was worth saving as well. Jesus Himself thought so! He stopped Saul on his way to track down CHRISTians to personally share with him. We know the rest of the story of Paul!

We all believe that there are those unworthy. They are too evil to even know Christ, we might think. However, I often think of my actions before someone shared with me! What made me worthy? Only the grace of God!

No one deserves grace. It is God's inherited favor. It was the sacrifice of Jesus alone. His blood saves anyone who desires it. Whom do we need to share with today?

Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.  And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” (Acts 9:13-16)

Even a terrorist is worth sharing the Gospel!

Go where the Spirit leads and success will follow!

So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?”  Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”  So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.(Acts 8:34-39)

Go where the Spirit leads and success will follow! Philip was being led by the Spirit after Stephens death to preach in various area. In Samaria, Simon the sorcerer was saved. He is now led south where he meets an Ethiopian who had been worshipping in Jerusalem and was heading back home. Reading Isaiah, he questioned Philip concerning the passages of Isaiah 53. Philip shared about Christ and the man was led to Christ and baptized! 

From north to south, Philip was led around by the Spirit! In obedience, Philip went and folks accepted Christ. Success indeed! As we go where the Spirit leads, success will follow . . . maybe not right at that moment, but our labor is not in vain! (1 Corinthians 15:58) Stay true. Trust the process. Stay in tune with God the Holy Spirit and allow Him full control!

Send me! (Isaiah 6:8)

Just enough Jesus?

What is your world view? Politically correct. . . . Socially acceptable . . . . Scriptually accurate?

Stephen preached the entire story of God and Israel, from Abraham through Christ. He showed them how it all pointed toward Messiah, yet the Jews put Him to death! They wanted their messiah, their reality! What about you and me?

When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,  and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord;  and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”  Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.(Acts 7:54-60)

Stephen was martyred for standing for Truth. Are we professing just enough Jesus to be accepted, to get promoted, to be popular?  Are we willing to be ostracized, ridiculed, or even jailed for our standing for the entire Gospel? Denominations are changing basic doctrines. Many are backing down from the Truth for the socially and politically correct views of Jesus. What about you and me?

Just enough is not enough . . . .It's all or nothing! Just give me Jesus!!!!

Would people notice if I disappeared?

I often wonder . . .

What will people say at my funeral?

Will I really be missed . . . or for his long? 

Have I made a difference in anyone's life? 

 Would people notice if I disappeared?

Despite all that, like Stephen, I must realize I am working to be noticed by One and to be rewarded by One.  I would not mind being remembered as he is! Do people see Christ in me? Do I look for HIm in others?

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council.  They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law;  for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.(Acts 6:8-15)