THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 2:42-47 “With glad and sincere hearts!” (Acts 2:46) These people did not start a ‘church’, it was a community on fire! They were bonded together by faith, hope and love, and it was contagious. Do you know of any gatherings of Jesus followers that reflect this fire? Assuming that your faith community…
Seeing Jesus through tears!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 126 “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” (Psalm 126:5) The things that normally cause tears are wrong, bad, unfair or hurtful. There’s something wrong if we don’t weep at injustice, grief or tragedy. Tears are universal, a natural response to our messed up world. “Blessed are those…
Only kingdom servants!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 1 Corinthians 3-5 “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants!” (1 Corinthians 3:5) Paul was only a servant, and so was Apollos, so was Peter. So was Luther, so was Spurgeon, so was Billy Graham, so are you. We create hierarchies in the church, and in some ways they’re unavoidable. But…
A foolish, life-transforming message!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 1 Corinthians 1-2 “I resolved to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2) As a Jesus follower, I believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah. He is in charge as Lord, and He is our only hope for full LIFE. Sounds foolish doesn’t it… but it gets worse. As a…
Everyone gets drenched!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 2:37-41 “The promise is for you and your children…” (Acts 2:39) When Joel envisions the outpouring of the Spirit, children are included. “Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast.” (Joel 2:16) “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons…
Welcoming Jesus as Lord!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 2:29-36 “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” (Acts 2:36) Jesus is the promised messiah, Who will save us and restore God’s kingdom. Jesus is also the restored Adam, Lord of creation (Genesis 1:26-28). He is King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 17:14) We are the kings…
Because He lives!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 2:22-28 “It was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” (Acts 2:24) Why was it impossible for death to keep it’s hold on Jesus? As a human, Jesus was subject to suffering and death. Death couldn’t hold Him because it had nothing to hold on to. The wages (or consequence)…
Open to God’s Spirit in me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 2:14-21 “I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” (Acts 2:17) In Genesis 2, God breathes His Spirit into Adam (i.e. all humankind). When they sinned, Adam and Eve did not lose the Spirit of life. But they did lose the Spirit of fellowship and cooperation. They were separated from God, and…
Living for good with confidence!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 125 “The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land…” (Psalm 125:3) As a follower of Jesus, I believe that all creation belongs to God. God created all things and made humans responsible to rule it for God. But humans rebelled by listening to the Deceiver, and things went bad….
Just as Jesus accepts me!?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 14-16 “Accept one another just as Christ accepted you…” (Romans 15:7) We are all so different. And we also have strong opinions about who is better. We look up to the strong, we look down on the weak. We criticize those who do not follow our religious traditions. We avoid the unacceptable,…