Episodes
Saturday Dec 27, 2014
Holy Christmas
Saturday Dec 27, 2014
Saturday Dec 27, 2014
[Gen 1:1 ESV] In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
A necessary precondition.
GOD
Our existence depends entirely on God.
[Act 17:28 ESV] for "'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, "'For we are indeed his offspring.'
Westminster Catechism
Q. 4. What is God?
A. God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth.
God is SPIRIT
[Deu 4:15 ESV] "Therefore watch yourselves very carefully. Since you saw no form on the day that the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire,
[Deu 4:16 ESV] beware lest you act corruptly by making a carved image for yourselves, in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female,
[Deu 4:17 ESV] the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air,
[Deu 4:18 ESV] the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth.
[Deu 4:19 ESV] And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven.
[Jhn 4:24 ESV] God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
God is Infinite
[1Ki 8:27 ESV] "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!
[Psa 139:7 ESV] Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?
[Psa 139:8 ESV] If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
[Psa 147:5 ESV] Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.
[Jer 23:24 ESV] Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD.
Omni Present
[Pro 15:3 ESV] The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
[Rom 11:33 ESV] Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
[Rom 11:34 ESV] "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?"
[Rom 11:35 ESV] "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?"
[Rom 11:36 ESV] For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
God is Eternal
[Rev 1:4 ESV] John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,
Eternal
[Rev 1:8 ESV] "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
Infinite also : transcendent
[2Ch 2:5 ESV] The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods.
[2Ch 2:6 ESV] But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him?
transcendent
adjective
1.
going beyond ordinary limits; surpassing; exceeding.
2.
superior or supreme.
3.
Theology. (of the Deity) transcending the universe, time, etc.
Compare immanent (def 3).
God does not need the universe to exist.
God does not need the material, naturalistic to demonstrate His existence to us.
[1Ki 8:27 ESV] "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!
God is Just
[Rev 15:3 ESV] And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!
[2Pe 3:13 ESV] But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
How do you know the God of the Bible is the right God and the Bible is true?
The Bible is the only source material that describes this God.
So What?
This is the one God that all humans love to hate.
If this was an untrustworthy man made book.
Humans would have written in a much smaller god.
Just like every other god of every other religious book in human history.
Humans want an idol (small god), that allows them to be evil.
A small god who likes it when humans sin.
A small god who approves of sin.
A small god who promotes sin.
A god so small that we as humans have power over him.
As humans we can be “free” to be evil.
Would humans write a religious book that condemns themselves?
Humans would write a book that says we can all go to Heaven if we live good enough.
[Psa 14:1 ESV] To the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.
[Psa 14:2 ESV] The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
[Psa 14:3 ESV] They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.
However,
If the God of the Bible is the true God, than one evidence would be a human race rejecting the God described in the Bible, and trying to be their own god.
And that is most overwhelming, exactly what we see.
It is also what we ourselves struggle with the most.
The Word of God is so powerful it reads you back.
[Heb 4:12 ESV] For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
[Heb 4:13 ESV] And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
So why do so many people not like the Bible?
Why do Christians struggle reading it?
Why are there so many disagreements about what the Bible says?
Why we Struggle with the Word of God, WE struggle with God.
[Gen 3:7 ESV] Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.
[Gen 3:8 ESV] And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
Well, that’s not very Christmas like.
Patience’s, there is more.
Jesus
[Heb 1:1 ESV] Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,
[Heb 1:2 ESV] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
[Heb 1:3 ESV] He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Jesus All God’s qualities in Christ
[Col 1:15 ESV] He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
[Col 1:16 ESV] For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him.
[Col 1:17 ESV] And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
[Col 1:18 ESV] And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
[Col 1:19 ESV] For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
[Col 1:20 ESV] and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
An Eternal Kingdom through Jesus Christ
[Rev 1:5 ESV] and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood
[Rev 1:6 ESV] and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
[Rev 1:7 ESV] Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.
The Plan
[2Ti 1:8 ESV] Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me (Paul) his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,
[2Ti 1:9 ESV] who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
[2Ti 1:10 ESV] and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
[2Ti 1:11 ESV] for which I (Paul) was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher,
[2Ti 1:12 ESV] which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.
Mary’s visitation.
[Luk 1:26 ESV] In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
[Luk 1:27 ESV] to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.
[Luk 1:28 ESV] And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!"
[Luk 1:29 ESV] But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.
[Luk 1:30 ESV] And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
[Luk 1:31 ESV] And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
[Luk 1:32 ESV] He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
[Luk 1:33 ESV] and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
Incarnation
[Luk 2:4 ESV] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
[Luk 2:5 ESV] to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
[Luk 2:6 ESV] And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
[Luk 2:7 ESV] And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Saturday Dec 20, 2014
Acts 4; Speak the Name Jesus
Saturday Dec 20, 2014
Saturday Dec 20, 2014
Reaction to a miraculous Sign & Sermon
[Act 4:1 ESV] And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,
[Act 4:2 ESV] greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
[Act 4:3 ESV] And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.
[Act 4:4 ESV] But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
On Trial by Religion
[Act 4:5 ESV] On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem,
[Act 4:6 ESV] with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.
By what name?
[Act 4:7 ESV] And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, "By what power or by what name did you do this?"
[Act 4:8 ESV] Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders,
[Act 4:9 ESV] if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,
By Jesus Christ
[Act 4:10 ESV] 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.
[Act 4:11 ESV] This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.
Where did Peter get that statement?
These priest heard that statement before.
Flashback!
[Mat 21:33 ESV] "Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country.
[Mat 21:34 ESV] When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit.
[Mat 21:35 ESV] And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another.
[Mat 21:36 ESV] Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them.
[Mat 21:37 ESV] Finally he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.'
[Mat 21:38 ESV] But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.'
[Mat 21:39 ESV] And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.
[Mat 21:40 ESV] When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?"
[Mat 21:41 ESV] They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons."
[Mat 21:42 ESV] Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: "'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?
[Mat 21:43 ESV] Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.
[Mat 21:44 ESV] And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him."
[Mat 21:45 ESV] When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them.
[Mat 21:46 ESV] And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.
Jesus was quoting Psalms 118
[Psa 118:22 ESV] The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
[Psa 118:23 ESV] This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
One Way for man to be Saved.
[Act 4:12 ESV] And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
[Act 4:13 ESV] Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
Uneducated, Common men, “they had been with Jesus”.
[Mar 14:49 ESV] Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled."
[Mar 14:50 ESV] And they all left him and fled.
[Mar 14:51 ESV] And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him,
[Mar 14:52 ESV] but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.
[Mar 14:53 ESV] And they led Jesus to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together.
[Mar 14:54 ESV] And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire.
Peter, John & the healed man.
[Act 4:14 ESV] But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.
[Act 4:15 ESV] But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another,
[Act 4:16 ESV] saying, "What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
[Act 4:17 ESV] But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name."
[Act 4:18 ESV] So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
Seen & Heard
[Act 4:19 ESV] But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,
[Act 4:20 ESV] for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard."
Stumped for the moment.
[Act 4:21 ESV] And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.
[Act 4:22 ESV] For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
As long as the masses were in favor, so where the leaders.
But when the masses turn against the Christians, the leaders find their “courage”.
Things change in Acts 6 the stoning of Stephen,
This is what Fellowship looks like.
[Act 4:23 ESV] When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
[Act 4:24 ESV] And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them,
[Act 4:25 ESV] who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, "'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain?
[Act 4:26 ESV] The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed'--
[Act 4:27 ESV] for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,
[Act 4:28 ESV] to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.
What a Prayer!
[Act 4:29 ESV] And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,
[Act 4:30 ESV] while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
[Act 4:31 ESV] And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Your Name’s Sake!
[Psa 25:11 ESV] For your name's sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great.
[Psa 31:3 ESV] For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me;
[Psa 79:9 ESV] Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name's sake!
[Psa 109:21 ESV] But you, O GOD my Lord, deal on my behalf for your name's sake; because your steadfast love is good, deliver me!
[Psa 143:11 ESV] For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!
The Prophet Jeremiah
[Jer 14:7 ESV] "Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O LORD, for your name's sake; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you.
[Jer 14:21 ESV] Do not spurn us, for your name's sake; do not dishonor your glorious throne; remember and do not break your covenant with us.
Communion:
[1Co 11:23 ESV] For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,
[1Co 11:24 ESV] and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
[1Co 11:25 ESV] In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
Starting Next Week.
[Act 4:32 ESV] Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.
[Act 4:33 ESV] And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
[Act 4:34 ESV] There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold
[Act 4:35 ESV] and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
[Act 4:36 ESV] Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,
[Act 4:37 ESV] sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Saturday Dec 13, 2014
Acts Chapter 3; Sign and Sermon
Saturday Dec 13, 2014
Saturday Dec 13, 2014
Sign – Sermon
What do you mean sign?
A sign is something miraculous done by God to confirm the Message of God.
[Mar 16:20 ESV] And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.]]
[Heb 2:2 ESV] For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution,
[Heb 2:3 ESV] how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,
[Heb 2:4 ESV] while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
The Sign:
[Act 3:1 ESV] Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
[Act 3:2 ESV] And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.
[Act 3:3 ESV] Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.
[Act 3:4 ESV] And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, "Look at us."
[Act 3:5 ESV] And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.
[Act 3:6 ESV] But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!"
[Act 3:7 ESV] And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.
[Act 3:8 ESV] And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.
[Act 3:9 ESV] And all the people saw him walking and praising God,
[Act 3:10 ESV] and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
[Act 3:11 ESV] While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's.
The Audience of this sermon:
Jews who knew all about Jesus and his Execution.
Many of them may have been the ones shouting Crucify Him.
They knew about the missing body from the tomb.
They knew Jesus’ disciples were misfit, uneducated, foul mouth, blue collar workers, who ran when Jesus was executed.
And now here are two of them, where did they come from?
And they apparently just did a miracle.
Oh, and one of them is about to speak.
Sermon:
[Act 3:12 ESV] 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?
[Act 3:13 ESV] The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.
Holy One:
[Act 3:14 ESV] But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
[Psa 16:10 ESV] For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.
Author of Life. Prince of Life.
[Act 3:15 ESV] and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.
[Jhn 1:1 ESV] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
[Jhn 1:2 ESV] He was in the beginning with God.
[Jhn 1:3 ESV] All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
[Jhn 1:4 ESV] In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
[Jhn 1:5 ESV] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
[Act 3:16 ESV] 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.
Who Gets the Glory? Is it a general term God? No, we must say the name! Jesus!
[Act 3:17 ESV] "And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
[Act 3:18 ESV] But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.
[Act 3:19 ESV] Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
Note: Sins may be blotted out!
[Heb 8:12 ESV] For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more."
[Heb 10:17 ESV] then he adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more."
Peter is quoting Jeremiah
[Jer 31:34 ESV] And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
Remember every other religion, and people in general say.
I’m not perfect.
I’ve done my best.
God will have to judge me according to my works.
Problem:
They want God to remember their sins.
You want to be judged by the Perfect Eternal God on a comparison of your own evil vs good.
The scale of right and wrong.
There is a logical problem here.
The standard isn’t some sort of scale with a vague neutral center.
The Standard is perfection.
So you fail at one point, you have failed utterly.
God will see and remember your sins and being a perfect Judge will punish you according to your inability to be perfect.
We do not want God to Judge us according to our imperfection.
When God remembers, God Judges Perfectly. That’s bad news for us.
[Jer 14:10 ESV] Thus says the LORD concerning this people: "They have loved to wander thus; they have not restrained their feet; therefore the LORD does not accept them; now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins."
[Hos 8:13 ESV] As for my sacrificial offerings, they sacrifice meat and eat it, but the LORD does not accept them. Now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins; they shall return to Egypt.
[Hos 9:9 ESV] They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah: he will remember their iniquity; he will punish their sins.
The Great Commission w/ warning.
[Mar 16:15 ESV] And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
[Mar 16:16 ESV] Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Back to the Peter’s Sermon!
[Act 3:19 ESV] Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
[Act 3:20 ESV] that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,
[Act 3:21 ESV] whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.
Holy Prophet Line Up!
[Act 3:22 ESV] Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.
[Act 3:23 ESV] And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.'
[Act 3:24 ESV] And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days.
[Act 3:25 ESV] You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.'
[Act 3:26 ESV] God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness."
How did people respond to this sermon?
Beginning with a Miracle,
Jesus demonstrated from their own Bible.
People who were there when Jesus was murdered.
[Act 4:1 ESV] And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,
[Act 4:2 ESV] greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
[Act 4:3 ESV] And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.
[Act 4:4 ESV] But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
How do you respond?
Repulsion Or Receiving.
Indifference Or Difference.
Does Jesus compel you?
Sunday Nov 30, 2014
Acts Chapter 1, part II
Sunday Nov 30, 2014
Sunday Nov 30, 2014
Qualification of an Apostle.
Must have Seen Jesus. (There are no apostles today)
Charismatic churches need to be careful.
The NT letters are letters from the Apostles.
Catholism: The Pope, while acting as Vicar cannot err. So his letters (encyclicals) hold equal weight to The Bible.
Catholic Church Councils and Church Tradition hold equal authority as the Bible.
It’s always the same battle.
Jesus Christ (The 66 books of the Bible) + Nothing!
Sola Scriptura
Always the same battle: Jesus Christ + Dead Works.
[Heb 6:1 ESV] Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
[Heb 9:14 ESV] how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
The Early Church Counsels condemned heresies and shored up doctrine.
Always leaning back on the Canon of Scripture.
[Act 1:21 ESV] So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
[Act 1:22 ESV] beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us--one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection."
[Act 1:23 ESV] And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.
[Act 1:24 ESV] And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen
[Act 1:25 ESV] to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place."
[Act 1:26 ESV] And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
They prayed and cast lots.
Casting lots was a common way to determine the Will of God, in Israel.
“Sola Scriptura” (Scripture Alone); “Sola Gratia” (Grace Alone); “Sola Fide” (Faith Alone); “Solus Christus” (Christ Alone); and “Soli Deo Gloria” (To God Alone Be Glory).
How do you and I “add religion ” to our salvation?
The Beginning! Jesus said to wait.
[Act 2:1 ESV] When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.
[Act 2:2 ESV] And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
[Act 2:3 ESV] And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.
[Act 2:4 ESV] And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
[Act 2:5 ESV] Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.
[Act 2:6 ESV] And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.
[Act 2:7 ESV] And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?
Galileans, proclaiming God in other foreign human languages
[Act 2:8 ESV] And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?
[Act 2:9 ESV] Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
[Act 2:10 ESV] Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome,
[Act 2:11 ESV] both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians--we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God."
But : Objective Truth can also bring confusion
[Act 2:12 ESV] And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?"
[Act 2:13 ESV] But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine."
Why does truth bring confusion? Because we are evil and like to believe lies.
[Jhn 1:9 ESV] The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
[Jhn 1:10 ESV] He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.
[Jhn 1:11 ESV] He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.
[Jhn 1:12 ESV] But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
[Jhn 1:13 ESV] who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Jesus talking to Nicodemus
[Jhn 3:9 ESV] Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?"
[Jhn 3:10 ESV] Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?
Jesus entry as King into Jerusalem
[Jhn 12:15 ESV] "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!"
[Jhn 12:16 ESV] His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.
At the Crucifixion
[Luk 23:33 ESV] And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.
[Luk 23:34 ESV] And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments.
[Luk 23:35 ESV] And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!"
The First Sermon of Church
[Act 2:14 ESV] 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.
[Act 2:15 ESV] For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.
[Act 2:16 ESV] But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
[Act 2:17 ESV] "'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;
[Act 2:18 ESV] even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
[Act 2:19 ESV] And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
[Act 2:20 ESV] the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
[Act 2:21 ESV] And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'
[Act 2:22 ESV] "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--
[Act 2:23 ESV] this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
Consider the setting of this Sermon:
Everyone there was knew all about the Jesus. Big confusing controversy.
He was supposed to be a King of Israel,
He had a large following.
Many people had seen Jesus minister in their home town.
Many had been witness to Jesus miracles.
He was crucified, His body had gone missing,
His followers seemed to have gone off the radar, until this day.
[Act 2:24 ESV] God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
[Act 2:25 ESV] For David says concerning him, "'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
[Act 2:26 ESV] therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope.
[Act 2:27 ESV] For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.
[Act 2:28 ESV] You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.'
David died but Jesus is Alive!
[Act 2:29 ESV] "Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
[Act 2:30 ESV] Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne,
[Act 2:31 ESV] he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.
A Holy Trinity Verse!
[Act 2:32 ESV] This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.
[Act 2:33 ESV] Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.
Jesus is at the right hand of God
[Act 2:34 ESV] For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, "'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand,
[Act 2:35 ESV] until I make your enemies your footstool."'
Therefore:
[Act 2:36 ESV] Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."
The reaction from the Jews.
[Act 2:37 ESV] 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?"
Repent: Turn from your evil ways,
Baptism: Publicly declare that you belong to Jesus Christ and are willing to follow Him.
[Act 2:38 ESV] 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.
[Act 2:39 ESV] For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself."
[Act 2:40 ESV] And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation."
[Act 2:41 ESV] So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
The Core Four of the Church:
[Act 2:42 ESV] And they devoted themselves to
1; the apostles' teaching and
2: the fellowship, to
3: the breaking of bread and
4: the prayers.
[Act 2:43 ESV] And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
Awe = phobos fear, dread, terror
This is not socialism, this is a church Explosion. Financially Unstainable.
[Act 2:44 ESV] And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
[Act 2:45 ESV] And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
[Act 2:46 ESV] And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,
[Act 2:47 ESV] praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Version: 20240320