SCRIPTURE: Acts 4:1-12 OBSERVATION: How do we account for the boldness of Peter and the others, considering that not long before they were cowering in fear? We certainly would not expect them to risk their lives if the whole resurrection thing was a hoax, a cover-up. The answer lies in the filling of the Spirit (v.8)….
June 6 — Acts 3:1-26
SCRIPTURE: Acts 3:11-26 OBSERVATION: The basic point of this ‘sermon’ is that Jesus is the promised Messiah that the Jews were expecting, only they missed it, and killed Him instead of welcoming Him (just as was predicted). Fortuneately, God is merciful and will forgive them in they repent, and He will bless them, as He has…
No more “Good Sermons”
I have a confession to make: I like and dislike when people say to me “Good sermon!” On the one hand, I like it because it boosts my feelings, since I normally feel discouraged after I preach. But on the other hand, I don’t know what that statement really means. And what does it mean…
June 5 — Acts 3:1-10
SCRIPTURE: Acts 3:1-10 OBSERVATION: This is an amazing story, though in the context of all the other miracles attributed to Jesus and His followers, this is “just another miracle”. The huge question for me is this: Is this the way we should all work when confronted by human need? Is this a template for how things…
June 4 — Acts 2:37-47
SCRIPTURE: Acts 2:37-47 OBSERVATION: What can account for such a radical change? What would transform so many people (3000) into such a humble, eager, caring and sharing bunch? Two things come to mind: genuine repentance, which opened the way for Spirit-enabled transformation. When we surrender our hearts to the Lord, then everything within us begins to…
June 3 — Acts 2:14-36
SCRIPTURE: Acts 2:14-36 OBSERVATION The “big deal” for Peter here is not the outpouring of the Spirit. This is simply a by-product of the big deal, that Jesus is the Messiah, that He died and rose again and ascended to His throne in heaven. Jesus is in charge of the universe, and people must either accept…
June 2 — Acts 2:1-13
SCRIPTURE: Acts 2:1-13 OBSERVATIONS 1. (vv.1-3) A sound like the blowing of a violent wind, and what seemed like tongues of fire. These phenomenon may relate to what happened on Mount Sinai when God revealed Himself to Israel (Exodus 19:16-19). Traditionally Pentecost was both a harvest festival and a commemoration of when God revealed the Law to…
June 1 — Acts 1:12-26
SCRIPTURE: Acts 1:12-26 OBSERVATIONS 1. (vv.12-14) Something happened to keep them from giving up. If Jesus had only died, then they would have been hard-pressed to keep on praying, after such a major discouragement. Something kept them going. Its hard to think that they would rally around a hoax, as some suggest. APPLICATION: The resurrection is…
May 31 — Acts 1:1-11
SCRIPTURE: Acts 1:1-11 OBSERVATIONS 1. (vv.1-3) Luke continues his account of the life and impact of Jesus (see Luke 1:1-4). It is interesting to note that His work continues after He ascends to His throne, only now it is carried out by the Spirit and the Church. APPLICATION: Jesus is still at work today, we are still…
May 30 — Joel 3:17-21
SCRIPTURE: Joel 3:17-21 OBSERVATIONS 1. (v.17) “Then you will know” is in contrast to “right now”, where do cannot see clearly that God is in control. Right now, the poor are oppressed, the weak seem forgotten, and the wicked prosper. But the day is coming when everyone will know, without a doubt, that God is real,…