THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 7:1-16 “God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles.” (Acts 7:9-10) Stephen is accused of slandering the Temple and the Law (Acts 6:13-14). The Temple represents ‘God with us’, God living with His people. The Law represents God speaking with His people. Stephen wants to show them that Jesus fulfills…
Author: Norm
Spirit-inspired words of wisdom!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 6:8-15 “They could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him.” (Acts 6:10) Stephen and the other early disciples were not educated (Acts 4:13). But some of them had been with Jesus, or had the Spirit of Jesus. Stephen’s ability to speak well came from Jesus, and the Spirit. As Jesus…
Giving your full attention to your ministry?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 6:1-7 “Give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4) Reading this passage, it seems that ‘waiting on tables’ is beneath them. But it is not beneath them, it is not their specific calling. They were commissioned as first disciples to oversee the ministry of the word. By…
When shame is good?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 129 “May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.” (Psalm 129:5) For the Jews, the hill called Zion symbolized all God’s promises. Not only their capitol, it was the city of David their king. And the location of their temple, where God lived with them. To hate Zion is to…
Focus on Jesus!!!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 Corinthians 3-4 “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers…” (2 Corinthians 4:4) Satan is only the ‘god of this age’ through deception. Ever since Genesis 3, he has been deceiving God’s image-bearer rulers. We are deceived, confused, lost, far from paradise, restless wanderers. Our world would have been a glorious kingdom,…
YES in Christ!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 Corinthians 1-2 “Our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” (2 Corinthians 1:20) No matter what happens, God is working affirmatively in our lives. God is not fickle or contrary; God always loves us, and wants the best! But we make that hard, for we are constantly ‘yes’ and ‘no’. Humans are inconsistent…
Love and grace cannot be stopped!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 5:33-42 “If their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.” (Acts 5:38) This is wise advice, but it is also wise advice for Jesus followers. When new movements or religious ideas arise, many Christians attack. We need to agree with everything, but we shouldn’t be mean or aggressive. The…
A gentle, gracious witness!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 5:27-32 “God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior…” (Acts 5:31) The word for prince is ‘archegos’, which means ‘founder’ or ‘pioneer leader’. We believe that God has initiated a new movement on earth in Jesus. That movement involves transforming the world through humility and grace. “That he…
About this new life?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 5:17-26 “Go… and tell the people all about this new life.” (Acts 5:20) As a Jesus follower, I claim to have new life in Christ. And I am encouraged to tell other people about this new life. Do I tell others about the idea of new life – the facts of Jesus?…
The shadow of Jesus in me!?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 5:12-16 “That Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.” (Acts 5:14) In many parts of the world, the church is experiencing dramatic growth. Except for some reason in North America and Europe (maybe a few pockets). Many churches are shrinking, or dying, or barely holding on. What…