SCRIPTURE: Acts 5:33-42 “Leave these men alone… 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 go on the offensive. This does not mean we need to agree with everything,…
God’s mercy for His missionaries
SCRIPTURE: Acts 5:27-32 “That he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.” (Acts 5:31) This verse does not mean that God is ONLY concerned about the Jewish people. God’s mission from the beginning was to bless the world THROUGH Israel. “I will bless you… and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:2-3)…
This new life
SCRIPTURE: Acts 5:17-26 “Tell the people all about this new life.” (Acts 5:20) What is ‘this new life’ that they were to tell others about? Is ‘this new life’ something I’ve experienced, or something I’ve read about? I really mean this question, is ‘this new life’ real to me? I’m not casting doubt on the reality of…
Good question!
SCRIPTURE: Acts 5:12-16 “…So that at least 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 here in North America, and in Europe (except maybe a few pockets). Many churches are slowly shrinking, or dying, or…
Blessed
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 128 “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.” (Psalm 128:1) God is the centre of all life, all reality. God made us free to choose, to partner with Him in ruling the world. But our choices need to be wise, to line up with the way things work. God’s…
Good news for all!
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 15-16 “Christ died for our sins…, was buried, was raised…” (1 Corinthians 3-4) This good news cannot be understood apart from the Big Story of Creation. God creates the Universe and establishes the Kingdom under God-like Humans. God-like Humans are deceived, and introduce sin and death into God’s kingdom. The ‘Christ’ is the promised God-like Human…
The church is nothing without love!
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 11-14 Try to excel in (spiritual gifts) that build up the church. (1 Corinthians 14:12) There are tensions in Corinth: head coverings, Lord’s Supper, spiritual gifts, worship. People are more concerned about their opinions and desires, than others. Paul is urging people to not divide the body over secondary issues. This is why the love passage…
What killed Ananias and Sapphira?
SCRIPTURE: Acts 5:1-11 “Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.” (Acts 5:11) This story is scary, I would experience great fear too. The assumption is that God kills this couple, but the passage doesn’t say that. In the context, Satan has filled their hearts; could it be that Satan kills them?…
Now THAT’S a miracle!
SCRIPTURE: Acts 4:32-37 “No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.” (Acts 4:32) This is one of the greatest miracles of Jesus. What is raising the dead compared to making people give up their possessions and share with others? Making or raising a body is nothing to God,…
Safety… or boldness?
SCRIPTURE: Acts 4:23-31 “Enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” (Acts 4:29) What would we pray for when we are threatened because of our faith? (Honestly, most Christian today would pray for safety, not boldness). I have prayed for more boldness when things were safe, and I was hesitant. But to pray for more…