SCRIPTURE: Acts 8:9-25 OBSERVATION: An interesting story about a “sorcerer” who accepts Jesus as Saviour and Lord, and yet reveals that his heart is not right before God, i.e. he is still more interested in fame and fortune (how many Christians today are just like this?). What does it mean that they had not yet received the…
Author: Norm
July 7 — Acts 8:2-8
SCRIPTURE: Acts 8:2-8 OBSERVATION: Here we see both the challenges and blessings that the early church experienced. They grieved deeply for those who died for their faith (many eventually died), they faced daily the prospect of suffering and imprisonment, and they were scattered from their homes. And yet, wherever they went, the MESSAGE (word, v.4) was…
July 6 — Acts 7:51-8:1
SCRIPTURE: Acts 7:51-8:1 OBSERVATION: Here Stephen comes to the punchline of his sermon: you claim to be defending the temple and the law, you are the ones who are disobeying it and resisting God. You can see the fruit of their spirits in what comes out of them: the religious leaders gnash their teeth, while Stephen…
July 5 — Acts 7:35-50
SCRIPTURE: Acts 7:35-50 OBSERVATION: Stephen is still defending himself against the charge of ”speaking against the holy place and against the law” (Acts 6:13). He shows that having the temple and the law are not the most important thing but humble, submissive hearts. Even Moses predicted Jesus’ coming, but the history of Israel shows how often people…
July 4 — Acts 7:17-34
SCRIPTURE: Acts 7:17-34 OBSERVATION: Accused of ”speaking against the holy place and against the law” (Acts 6:13), Stephen now demonstrates that the people also misunderstood what God was doing in Moses day – just like the religious leaders in this passage. The religious leaders thought that they were loyal to Abraham and Moses, but onve again (as…
July 3 — Acts 7:1-16
SCRIPTURE: Acts 7:1-16 OBSERVATION: Stephen has just been accused of “speaking against the holy place and against the law” (6:13). He responds by reminding them of Israel’s history, that God’s dealings with His people have not been based on holy observances or places, but on God’s promise and the peoples’ response. Abraham never even saw the…
July 2 — Acts 6:8-15
SCRIPTURE: Acts 6:8-15 OBSERVATION: It is not clear who the “synagogue of freedmen” were, but this account describes how opposition began against the early Christ-followers. Like Jesus, they were accused of being against the temple and the law (see Mark 14:57-64). Stephen is described as full of God’s grace and power, performing miracles (not bad for a…
July 1 — Acts 6:1-7
SCRIPTURE: Acts 6:1-7 OBSERVATION: Here we see leadership in action, addressing a concern with an innovative solution. This passage is generally see as the origin of the “deacon” (ie servants), assistants to the apostles/elders, making sure that the details of community life were not neglected. “Wait on tables” does not suggest that this is a lesser…
June 30 — Jude 1:17-25
SCRIPTURE: Jude 1:17-25 OBSERVATION: Jude reminds these Christ-followers that there will always be “wolves in sheep’s clothing” among them, and that the best defense is establishing themselves in the their faith, in the Holy Spirit, in God’s love and mercy. And he urges them to show mercy to those who doubt, as well as the trouble-makers…
June 29 — Jude 1:11-16
SCRIPTURE: Jude 1:11-16 OBSERVATION: Cain killed his brother out of pride and jealousy (Genesis 4). Balaam seduced God’s people to turn to idols (Numbers 31:15-18, a scary reading). Korah rebelled against God’s authority (Numbers 26:9-11). Jude levels a harsh rebuke against these dangerous “Christians” who will one day experience the “blackest darkness”. Jude quotes from a non-biblical text (First…