THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 15:36-41 “They parted company. Barnabas took Mark… but Paul chose Silas.” (Acts 15:39) Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, was a generous man. He was nicknamed Barnabas (son of encouragement) (Acts 4:36-37). When others feared the newly converted Paul, he stood by him (Acts 9:27). Now he wants to give Mark, who had let them…
Author: Norm
Silencing the witnesses!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 15:30-35 “They and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.” (Acts 15:35) In the model of church I grew up in, there is usually one preacher/teacher. The role of the professional preacher/teacher has replaced home grown ones. Following Jesus’s equipping model, the early church trained up many preachers/teachers. In…
What should I be avoiding?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 15:22-29 “You will do well to avoid these things.” (Acts 15:?29) These church leaders are not releasing disciples from God’s moral law. Killing, lying, stealing, cheating, raping, etc., these were still wrong. But the ceremonies and rituals of Moses’s law no longer applied. Circumcision, tithing, sacrifices, clean and unclean laws, these no…
Making it hard for others!?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 15:12-21 “We should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.” (Acts 15:19) This was a huge issue for the early church, especially for Jewish Jesus followers. It was difficult to imagine associating with people who didn’t keep the law. What matters most for Jesus followers is our…
Above all the “gods”
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 138 “Before the “gods” I will sing your praise.” (Psalm 138:1) If there is only one God, who are these “gods”? In ancient cultures, the rulers of the lands were considered “gods”. They were either the “gods” themselves, or sons of the “gods”. But according to Psalm 82, God is above all the…
Do not shun sinners!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 Thessalonians 2-3 “Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed.” (2 Thessalonians 3:14) Some Jesus communities through history have practiced shunning. Someone that does not follow the communities ways are ignored, avoided. Paul is writing about how to relate with idle, disruptive people. He suggests that the community not associate…
Desiring the kingdom!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 Thessalonians 1 “You will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.” (2 Thessalonians 1:5) Jesus preaches the good news of the kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15). The kingdom of God is this world as God created it to be (see Genesis 1-2). A world of goodness, which God declares ‘very…
Drink it in by faith!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 15:1-11 “He purified their hearts by faith.” (Acts 15:9) Is faith the reason we are forgiven and set free from sin (purified)? Faith is the way we receive God’s grace, it is not the cause of grace. If I receive an amazing gift by hand, it is not my hand that gifted me….
Strength to stay true to the dream!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 14:21-28 “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22) I have often focused on the blessing of the kingdom of God. I’ve presented it like a dream, like Martin Luther King Jr’s dream. A vision of life where everyone belongs, everyone matters, everyone cares. But I…
No less and no more!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 14:8-20 “We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news!” (Acts 14:15) Unlike Paul, I have never seen a lame person be healed. But I am no less than Paul, and he is not greater than any of us. He is only Paul, but he is also a…