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Post by Admin on Feb 2, 2019 20:45:48 GMT -6
Study Begins: February 03, 2019
Discussion Begins: February 10, 2018
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3:1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. 2 And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. 4 But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, “Look at us!” 5 And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!” 7 And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. 8 With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God; 10 and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. 11 While he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the so-called portico of Solomon, full of amazement. 12 But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. 14 But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. 16 And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all. 17 “And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. 18 But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 19 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, 21 whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren; to Him you shall give heed to everything He says to you. 23 And it will be that every soul that does not heed that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ 24 And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also announced these days. 25 It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ 26 For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.” New American Standard Bible (NASB)
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elacey
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Post by elacey on Feb 6, 2019 9:16:21 GMT -6
1. Faith It was through the beggar's faith that he was made strong 2. the name... Jesus It was through Jesus's name... Peter said... "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Peter invoked a command from the most powerful in the universe 3. made strong The man's feet and ankles became strong --- Below... the message that speaks to me 1. Don't pray for a lighter load. I recently spent 2 weeks in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Every night I was walking around the city to find dinner at a different spot and experience the city. Walked to the office every morning. Lots of able bodied beggars sitting in front of stores on corner in the streets asking for money. They survive day to day based on charity from people on the streets. I never gave them money but I did give them food... warm rice leftover from dinner, fresh fruit, water... maybe a cigar. Others pinpointed me as American... 6'2" sunburned guy walking around the city easy to spot. They would tell me their hard luck story and ask me for money. I offered sympathy, encouragement and maybe a cigar. We are no different from these beggars in a sense. We often wish we could have an easier life, a lighter load. We daydream of winning the lottery. I tell people sometimes I just want the chance to prove to God that I could handle winning $100,000,000. Usually a smile on my face. The truth is God has plans for us that involves purpose... not easy. Not rich... not 24x7 vacation. He is on the sidelines hoping we get Woke... and see this purpose... how we can have a positive impact in this world through the work we do. We have unique talents and each of us has a purpose to fulfill. 2. Pray for a stronger back Maybe the beggar could have walked sooner but never tried in a seemingly hopeless situation. Maybe he got used to being carried to his spot every day and asking for money. Maybe it was an absolute miracle for the greatest purpose... Who knows doesn't really matter in this application. Instead of wishing for an easy life we should pray for strength. Strength can be a mindset. How do we get it? If we have FAITH... If we ask in JESUS name... God will give us the strength and the courage in our heart to bear whatever load we have to carry. Truth is if we win the lottery we might become corrupt and useless as there are so many pitfalls with money. Purpose... this is more valuable than gold. Purpose comes with responsibility. This is what a man needs. Purpose and responsibility gives a man clear direction and a sense of value. When the purpose is aligned with the Kingdom of God, ...this is priceless... no matter how heavy the load may be. Don't pray for a lighter load. Pray for a stronger back and ask in the name of Jesus. The beggar asked for money and instead got strength in ankles and feet. He's gonna need that strength because no one is going to take care of him in the same way. He will have to find purpose and direction and go out and get it. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV bible.com/bible/111/2co.12.9.NIV |
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JB
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Post by JB on Feb 9, 2019 21:30:19 GMT -6
[Just a reminder: If you are on a computer and hover your mouse over any scripture, the text of the passage will be displayed.]
Acts 3:1 This was 3:00pm on a Sunday in the Spring, probably on May 23 in the year AD 33. For the date, we know that Passover that year was April 3. Pentecost is 50 days later, May 23. For the time of day, you can read this outstanding and easily readable article on how people told time and tracked dates in biblical times. Acts 3:2-5By necessity, this man had lived his entire life depending on other people for his money or food. When Peter and John walked by, he saw them as possible money donors. He was looking for basic sustenance to carry him through to the next day when he would do it again. But no person who is physically blessed by a disciple of Christ should receive that and only that. The unsaved know only the power of man, not the power of God.
Acts 3:6-8This passage should not be passed over too quickly... When you or I have an opportunity to bless someone in an earthly way, we should seize the opportunity to care for them, but every single time we should use it as an opportunity to bless them spiritually as well. When a church reaches into its benevolence budget to help someone in need, that should be the beginning of a ministry relationship with that person. When a church group goes to a soup kitchen to feed the homeless, the meeting of physical needs should be only an entry point for meeting spiritual needs. At a church where I was a Deacon decades ago, the church had done a soup kitchen ministry for many years. One day, because the shelter had begun receiving some federal funding, they told us that we were no longer allowed to say we were from a church, nor were we permitted to pray with or teach the people who came for food. I advised our church elders that we should find a different ministry opportunity. They disagreed. In my mind, addressing physical needs without drawing men to God is doing something nice, but it is not not doing ministry. Acts 3:9-11The lame man’s miracle wasn’t for him alone. We Christians are just beggars who are called to tell other beggars where we got the bread. Why this miracle now? God uses miracles in the Bible to establish the truth of momentous events. - The miracle of barren Sara’s impossible pregnancy with Isaac at 90 years old confirmed God’s covenant to bless Abraham’s faith and create a mighty nation from his seed.
- God parted the Red Sea through Moses to show Israel that He would guide them safely to the Holy Land if they would trust Him.
- God's promise of providence was reinforced along the way when the Israelites were certain they would starve, and God provided an all-you-can-eat manna and quail buffet.
- A giant fish swallowed rebellious Jonah and spit him back up once he had become humbled and committed to God’s mission field.
- Our Savior and Messiah was born through a union of the Holy Spirit and a virgin.
- The resurrection from death of that Messiah showed us that God’s promises of eternal life would come through Christ.
- Etc.
Throughout history, God has used miracles to mark historical events of the greatest spiritual significance. God’s kingdom had now come in the form of the church. The church, which is all of those who know and submit to Him as their King – performed miracles to demonstrate this ushering in of the Kingdom of God. God first caused tongues of fire to rest upon the disciples while spectators of many dialects and languages all heard them speak in their own tongues. That miracle was followed up by this man - whom everyone present had witnessed was lame from birth – standing up and walking and leaping and – most importantly – praising God. The bystanders “ran together to” the apostles and were amazed. Acts 3:12-16Peter’s charge to them is “why are you so amazed? We didn’t perform these miracles. YOUR GOD dide. Do you not know Him? Do you not recognize His handiwork? “My God… your God… the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob… HE is the one who performed these miracles in your presence,” Peter said. “ AND THAT VERY SAME GOD GLORIFIED JESUS, WHOM YOU DISOWNED AND DELIVERED TO THE GENTILES TO BE CRUCIFIED 50 DAYS AGO!”
Peter isn’t mincing words. He points out how they let a murder go free so that Jesus would be murdered. Can you imagine yourself standing there? You learn that you were responsible for freeing one who takes lives in order to kill the One who gives life!? Not only that, but the whole reason you had attended this feast today was to make sacrifices to God! How can you sacrifice after learning that you killed the chosen One of God?! Peter has really laid it on thick. He has made no equivocation. They – the Jews – were responsible for killing the Messiah. Yes, the Romans physically killed Him, but the Romans tried to give the Jews every opportunity to back out. But the Jews insisted and the mob of Jews managed to convince Pilate to back down. Peter (a Jew himself, of course) is very clear – Israel killed its Messiah. Acts 3:17-19
After convicting them hard, Peter acknowledges that they didn’t know who He was – that they acted in ignorance. Yes, they intentionally killed a man they knew was innocent, but they didn’t intentionally kill the Messiah. By saying “just as your rulers did” in v.17, Peter acknowledged that Rome was as ignorant of what they did as Israel was. That is why Jesus at the cross cried out “ Father, forgive them for they don't know what they are doing!” (Luke 23:24). Peter doesn’t stop there. Not only did they act in ignorance, they were the fulfillment of prophecy that was recorded right in their scriptures. God had told them all along that they would do this, and they did. “There is a way to be absolved of this crime,” Peter explained. And it’s pretty easy. Repent and return. Admit your guilt, determine never to do anything like it again, and return to God. If you will do this, he said in v.19, your sin will be wiped away. Acts 3:20Jews had no conception of their Messiah being killed and then returning from the dead. Jesus had told His disciples that He would return, but this is the first indication to Israel of His second coming. Acts 3:21-23Again in their own scripture Moses told them that someone like himself would someday come. When He does, you need to give heed Him. If you do not, you will no longer be of Israel ( see Deut. 18:15-19 and Leviticus 23:29) Acts 3:24-26From the days of Moses and Samuel onward, all of the prophets pointed to this very day. One observation I’d like to make is how thoroughly rational, direct, convicting, and scriptural Peter’s sermons were (including the one in chapter 2). This is biblical preaching. This is expository preaching that is intended to move the hearers toward salvation, repentance, and spiritual growth. This is far different from the nearly impotent preaching we hear today, which apparently must contain humor and references to football or something else secular, and must use soft words. We need Peter again! But he’d likely never get hired by a modern church because he didn’t know how to “consider the audience.” |
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elacey
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Post by elacey on Feb 9, 2019 22:56:47 GMT -6
JB wrote
When you or I have an opportunity to bless someone in an earthly way, we should seize the opportunity to care for them, but every single time we should use it as an opportunity to bless them spiritually as well.
I have a very slight disagreement here.
If you have God in your heart and being moved by the Spirit you feel the urge to help someone in an earthly way, they are spiritually blessed whether you speak or not. The Spirit moves through you.
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Eric B
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Post by Eric B on Feb 9, 2019 23:43:50 GMT -6
Acts 3:1-10 A noteworthy miracle has just taken place. The man, who was healed, would have had no idea that this morning would be any different than any other. It reminded me of my own walk with the Lord. I may plan my day out, but I really do not know what the Lord has in store for me or how He may be glorified through my life today.
Acts 3:11 “While he was clinging to Peter and John...” We don’t know why he was clinging. Did he fear this healing was momentary?
His first response was walking, leaping and praising God. Here he is clinging.
Likewise, Peter when called to walk on the water came to the Lord. After seeing the wind, he became frightened and sank. (Matthew 14:29-30)
Very often after God does a notable work in our lives, we are overflowing with joy or resolve. This is frequently short lived. The Lord wants us to grow in faith. He wants us to step out into the impossible. For those times that we do, we are confronted with our own humanity and how frail we are. The Lord uses these moments, not to condemn our lack of faith, but to teach us so that next time God works, we keep walking on the water.
Acts 3:12-26 Peter uses the opportunity to preach the Word. Let us not shrink back when provided an opportunity to share with others.
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Eric B
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Post by Eric B on Feb 9, 2019 23:58:39 GMT -6
[Just a reminder: If you are on a computer and hover your mouse over any scripture, the text of the passage will be displayed.]
One observation I’d like to make is how thoroughly rational, direct, convicting, and scriptural Peter’s sermons were (including the one in chapter 2). This is biblical preaching. This is expository preaching that is intended to move the hearers toward salvation, repentance, and spiritual growth. This is far different from the nearly impotent preaching we hear today, which apparently must contain humor and references to football or something else secular, and must use soft words. We need Peter again! But he’d likely never get hired by a modern church because he didn’t know how to “consider the audience.”
Very good observation, Jb. There is little preaching like that anymore. Peter also "was not qualified" because he was unlearned (Acts 4:13). He didn't have a Bachelors degree from a Seminary. It is the difficult message that I may not "enjoy", but it will convict me and move me to change.
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JB
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Post by JB on Feb 10, 2019 12:30:54 GMT -6
JB wrote When you or I have an opportunity to bless someone in an earthly way, we should seize the opportunity to care for them, but every single time we should use it as an opportunity to bless them spiritually as well. I have a very slight disagreement here. If you have God in your heart and being moved by the Spirit you feel the urge to help someone in an earthly way, they are spiritually blessed whether you speak or not. The Spirit moves through you.
If Mr. Atheist and I are strolling down the road together and see a man in need, Mr. Atheist and I might both decide to help. To the needy person, Mr. Atheist and I look like our motives are identical.
After each of us addresses the need and walk away, the needy person has not been moved to understanding that every good gift comes from God (James 1:17).
I believe it is imperative that Christians point the those who are helped to God and, if possible, help them to grown in their knowledge of Him. |
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JB
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Post by JB on Feb 10, 2019 12:39:25 GMT -6
[Just a reminder: If you are on a computer and hover your mouse over any scripture, the text of the passage will be displayed.] One observation I’d like to make is how thoroughly rational, direct, convicting, and scriptural Peter’s sermons were (including the one in chapter 2). This is biblical preaching. This is expository preaching that is intended to move the hearers toward salvation, repentance, and spiritual growth. This is far different from the nearly impotent preaching we hear today, which apparently must contain humor and references to football or something else secular, and must use soft words. We need Peter again! But he’d likely never get hired by a modern church because he didn’t know how to “consider the audience.”
Very good observation, Jb. There is little preaching like that anymore. Peter also "was not qualified" because he was unlearned (Acts 4:13). He didn't have a Bachelors degree from a Seminary. It is the difficult message that I may not "enjoy", but it will convict me and move me to change.
But as you said, Eric, Peter didn't go to seminary. H was familiar with using illustrations... our Lord famously taught in parables. But Peter wasn't teaching. He was preaching. It's different. |
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elacey
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Post by elacey on Feb 10, 2019 12:43:32 GMT -6
Okay I also understood where you where coming from. Slight disagreement is too strong because I actually don't disagree. For me personally I wear the sign of the cross of Christ on my inside wrist. I often leave mentioning Jesus out for people who I sense are in a bad place mentally (they don't wanna hear it... maybe they blame God in their mind for their situation). I figure they can see the cross of Christ on me so... message sent. Deeper than that what I am trying to point out is that when you and Mr Athiest walk away.... big difference is the Spirit. Spirit is likely not working through Mr Aethist... who bears no fruit. In your case (or any true believer moved by the spirit) , even when you say nothing... you have done your job. You don't have to do the Spirit's job. Can we agree that we can trust that God is powerful enough to enter the person's heart whom you reached out to and do miraculous work? For me I try to sense if a person has ears to hear. Not all people do... so in that case I leave it to God.  |
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JB
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Post by JB on Feb 10, 2019 12:49:12 GMT -6
Don't pray for a lighter load. Pray for a stronger back and ask in the name of Jesus. The beggar asked for money and instead got strength in ankles and feet. He's gonna need that strength because no one is going to take care of him in the same way. He will have to find purpose and direction and go out and get it. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV bible.com/bible/111/2co.12.9.NIV
jb |
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JB
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Post by JB on Feb 10, 2019 12:53:54 GMT -6
Okay I also understood where you where coming from. Slight disagreement is too strong because I actually don't disagree. For me personally I wear the sign of the cross of Christ on my inside wrist. I often leave mentioning Jesus out for people who I sense are in a bad place mentally (they don't wanna hear it... maybe they blame God in their mind for their situation). I figure they can see the cross of Christ on me so... message sent. Deeper than that what I am trying to point out is that when you and Mr Athiest walk away.... big difference is the Spirit. Spirit is likely not working through Mr Aethist... who bears no fruit. In your case (or any true believer moved by the spirit) , even when you say nothing... you have done your job. You don't have to do the Spirit's job. Can we agree that we can trust that God is powerful enough to enter the person's heart whom you reached out to and do miraculous work? For me I try to sense if a person has ears to hear. Not all people do... so in that case I leave it to God.
If it's all I can do in the moment, I'll at least try to respond to their "thank you" with something like "please thank God instead." |
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Post by Admin on Feb 10, 2019 13:06:30 GMT -6
Acts 3:1-10 A noteworthy miracle has just taken place. The man, who was healed, would have had no idea that this morning would be any different than any other. It reminded me of my own walk with the Lord. I may plan my day out, but I really do not know what the Lord has in store for me or how He may be glorified through my life today.
Acts 3:11 “While he was clinging to Peter and John...” We don’t know why he was clinging. Did he fear this healing was momentary?
His first response was walking, leaping and praising God. Here he is clinging.
Likewise, Peter when called to walk on the water came to the Lord. After seeing the wind, he became frightened and sank. (Matthew 14:29-30)
Very often after God does a notable work in our lives, we are overflowing with joy or resolve. This is frequently short lived. The Lord wants us to grow in faith. He wants us to step out into the impossible. For those times that we do, we are confronted with our own humanity and how frail we are. The Lord uses these moments, not to condemn our lack of faith, but to teach us so that next time God works, we keep walking on the water.
Acts 3:12-26 Peter uses the opportunity to preach the Word. Let us not shrink back when provided an opportunity to share with others.
Great points, Eric B. The "clinging" didn't jump out at me when I was studying. I think your observations are spot-on. I see a picture there of how things usually go in disciple-making. When we make new disciples of Christ, they will cling to us pretty heavily at first to make sure they don't fall. Eventually they will walk mostly on their own. After all, this man had never experienced the sensation of walking before, and it probably felt to him like a lot of work in the beginning, and a new disciple has never experienced remaining separate from the world before.
jb
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John R
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Post by John R on Feb 11, 2019 9:30:27 GMT -6
In my mind, addressing physical needs without drawing men to God is doing something nice, but it is not not doing ministry.
We need Peter again! But he’d likely never get hired by a modern church because he didn’t know how to “consider the audience.”
Amen to both of these statements! I want to confess to my brothers and sisters who participate and read the TruthSeekers Bible Study Blog, I have not regularly attended nor financially supported a church for at least the past three years. I struggled and felt very guilty about why I didn’t but of late I have peace about this and do not worry.
In my daily devotional reading through the bible I find myself in Matthew Chapter 9:36 – 38. The KJV bible uses the word fainted to describes the multitudes without a shepherd. One of the definitions of “fainted” in Webster’s 1828 dictionary is, “dejected: depressed; dispirited.” “My heart is faint.” (Lamentations 1). Jesus was moved with compassion because he saw the people of God (The Jews) as dejected like sheep with no shepherd. They wandered looking for direction from their spiritual leaders. They found none. This situation is much like the condition of the modern church JB.
Our body is content with “serving” physical needs without lifting up the name of Jesus. Like you say “doing something nice,” but “not doing ministry.” I noticed immediately following chapter 9, Jesus called his disciples to himself and commissioned them to “go to the lost sheep of Israel,” (Matt 10:6) and preach to them saying, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 10: 7).
I believe Jesus is calling many out of the modern churches and empowering us to go back and proclaim the gospel and raise up the name of Jesus in the modern church! American churches are our mission fields! “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee,…seeing thou has forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” (Hosea 4:6)
We can no longer ignore the miserable state of our Body blinded by the deception of these modern “houses of worship.”
Blessings!
John
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JB
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Post by JB on Feb 11, 2019 10:52:21 GMT -6
In my mind, addressing physical needs without drawing men to God is doing something nice, but it is not not doing ministry.
We need Peter again! But he’d likely never get hired by a modern church because he didn’t know how to “consider the audience.”
Amen to both of these statements! I want to confess to my brothers and sisters who participate and read the TruthSeekers Bible Study Blog, I have not regularly attended nor financially supported a church for at least the past three years. I struggled and felt very guilty about why I didn’t but of late I have peace about this and do not worry.
In my daily devotional reading through the bible I find myself in Matthew Chapter 9:36 – 38. The KJV bible uses the word fainted to describes the multitudes without a shepherd. One of the definitions of “fainted” in Webster’s 1828 dictionary is, “dejected: depressed; dispirited.” “My heart is faint.” (Lamentations 1). Jesus was moved with compassion because he saw the people of God (The Jews) as dejected like sheep with no shepherd. They wandered looking for direction from their spiritual leaders. They found none. This situation is much like the condition of the modern church JB.
Our body is content with “serving” physical needs without lifting up the name of Jesus. Like you say “doing something nice,” but “not doing ministry.” I noticed immediately following chapter 9, Jesus called his disciples to himself and commissioned them to “go to the lost sheep of Israel,” (Matt 10:6) and preach to them saying, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 10: 7).
I believe Jesus is calling many out of the modern churches and empowering us to go back and proclaim the gospel and raise up the name of Jesus in the modern church! American churches are our mission fields! “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee,…seeing thou has forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” (Hosea 4:6)
We can no longer ignore the miserable state of our Body blinded by the deception of these modern “houses of worship.”
Blessings!
John
John, my wife and I noticed a few spots of mold in our loaf of sandwich bread the other day. The rest of the slices appeared to be fine. Should we: (1) Toss out the moldy slices and keep the rest: They looked fine (2) Toss out the whole loaf: There may be invisible mold spores Is my analogy clear? jb |
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JB
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Post by JB on Feb 11, 2019 19:05:39 GMT -6
Could the weakening of the gospel message and the secularization of ministry be a factor in the facts of the following article"?
"After reviewing thousands of pages of legal documents over six months, the Houston Chronicle found that 380 Southern Baptist pastors and church officials were accused of a myriad of sexual assault charges including everything from groping to rape.The Houston Chronicle published a more than 5,000-word article on Sunday – the first of three installments – detailing the acts of..."
I think we have a modern tendency to read something like this, shake our heads, and forget it. If I didn't already know Christ and the power of His resurrection, if I hadn't already encountered Him and unequivocally experienced His power, love, and providence... there is no way you could convince me to become a Christian after reading something like this.
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John R
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Post by John R on Feb 12, 2019 12:17:56 GMT -6
Crystal clear. Unfortunately the fear of losing the moldy bread (including bread infested with mold spores) prevents the pastors from delivering the gospel message. The result a lack of reverence for the Lord Jesus Christ in the pews. The Body of Christ suffers as its members are deceived and unrepentant. The remnant is leaving the churches as more pour in to take their place happy to get their weekly dose of feel good message and solid musical entertainment with an occasional community service project (absent of the gospel) thrown in to make them feel good. Its a deception all around.
When we meet the Lord after we die, we will hear one of two things "Well done good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25: 19- 26) or "Depart from me, I never knew you." (Matthew 7: 21-23) The differentiator between those on His right (the sheep) and those on His left (the goats) is fear of man rather than fear (respect) of God. Revelation 21:7-8 highlights how fear of man will be judged by God. "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
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John R
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Post by John R on Feb 12, 2019 12:31:30 GMT -6
Absolutely! As I inferred in the last post, the fear of the Lord is not present in most of our church congregations today. Many pastors have become CEO's of multi-million dollar organizations that depend on tithes and offerings of the congregants. The fear of man and losing the cash flow has replaced preach Christ and Him crucified as the cornerstone of faith. The result is a body of believers who lack spiritual discipline and look much like the surrounding culture. The article does not surprise me. In fact the priest who married my first wife (yes I am divorced from her) and I, was found guilty in 1999 of child molestation having in extramarital affair with a 15 year old.
We are all sinners and fall short of God's glory but when God has revealed himself to us we are under obligation (even more) to be obedient to his word. We are also responsible to speak the truth in love to our brothers and sisters in Christ and call them out when we are aware of their sin against God. When we only speak of grace and love continuously and leave out obedience and fear of the Lord, we open our flesh to almost any sinful behavior spawned by what fills our sinful hearts.
Blessings! John
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Eric B
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Post by Eric B on Feb 12, 2019 13:09:03 GMT -6
Absolutely! As I inferred in the last post, the fear of the Lord is not present in most of our church congregations today. Many pastors have become CEO's of multi-million dollar organizations that depend on tithes and offerings of the congregants. The fear of man and losing the cash flow has replaced preach Christ and Him crucified as the cornerstone of faith. The result is a body of believers who lack spiritual discipline and look much like the surrounding culture. The article does not surprise me...
Blessings! John
John, I was thinking of a similar response. I remember going to churches back in the 80's and 90's where the pastor made only about $15,000 per year (total). Even if you allowed for inflation, that would be $30 - 50,000 now. What I see now, though, are huge budgets with unheard of benefits given to the pastors. The churches always seem short of funds. Missionaries are supported from 5-10% of the giving and the rest goes to the buildings and staff. The preaching is tailored to get the rich to pay more while the poor are neglected. We are losing our children because the congregants are little different from the world and they see it. I left a church because it only got worse each year.
It brings me back to Psalm 50:21, "These things you have done and I kept silence; You thought that I was just like you; I will reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes."
I fear the church as we know it, is in for a big surprise some day and it won't be what was expected. |
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JB
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Post by JB on Feb 12, 2019 13:46:09 GMT -6
Crystal clear. Unfortunately the fear of losing the moldy bread (including bread infested with mold spores) prevents the pastors from delivering the gospel message. The result a lack of reverence for the Lord Jesus Christ in the pews. The Body of Christ suffers as its members are deceived and unrepentant. The remnant is leaving the churches as more pour in to take their place happy to get their weekly dose of feel good message and solid musical entertainment with an occasional community service project (absent of the gospel) thrown in to make them feel good. Its a deception all around.
When we meet the Lord after we die, we will hear one of two things "Well done good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25: 19- 26) or "Depart from me, I never knew you." (Matthew 7: 21-23) The differentiator between those on His right (the sheep) and those on His left (the goats) is fear of man rather than fear (respect) of God. Revelation 21:7-8 highlights how fear of man will be judged by God. "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
Keith Green - The Sheep And The Goats / Asleep In The Light |
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Eric B
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Post by Eric B on Feb 12, 2019 21:33:27 GMT -6
Jb, I remember this song. I received the Lord as my Savior shortly before he died. I remember when he gave a concert in the San Fernando Valley. I almost went to it and regretted not going later on. His message was radical for the church back then. How much more this is true now! Because no one was available to disciple me in the early years, I listened to a lot of Keith Green and Michael Card.
Keith Green's contribution will be missed and yes, this song can still be convicting years later.
(Sorry, the quote got lost and I could not bring it back)
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JB
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Post by JB on Feb 13, 2019 7:35:06 GMT -6
Jb, I remember this song. I received the Lord as my Savior shortly before he died. I remember when he gave a concert in the San Fernando Valley. I almost went to it and regretted not going later on. His message was radical for the church back then. How much more this is true now! Because no one was available to disciple me in the early years, I listened to a lot of Keith Green and Michael Card.
Keith Green's contribution will be missed and yes, this song can still be convicting years later.
(Sorry, the quote got lost and I could not bring it back)
Eric - You out-date me in Christ. Keith's tragic death at age 28 was the year before I graduated High School and 5 years before I gave my life to Christ. Because I'm a piano player and a little bit of a songwriter, when I first started listening to Contemporary Christian Music, I went to a Christian Book Store at the mall and asked for recommendations of piano-based contemporary Christian songs. They recommended Keith Green and Steve Camp. To this day, those two have had the most influence on me. Keith has been called the granddaddy of Contemporary Christian Music. His piano skills were incredible and his lyrics were penetrating. Keith was a Christian Elton John/Bernie Taupin all in one person. Here's a link to another song that has even more relevance today than it did when Keith wrote it in 1977: No One Believes In My AnymoreKeith actually started writing ad producing secular music at the age of 11. There's a video of him on YouTube at age 11 on a talk show (Maybe Jack Benny?). There's a lot of talk show talk and then he plays and sings an original boy/girl love song. Phenomenal even at that age. I'm grateful that Keith was later saved and ministered to so many through his music before his death. |
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Post by For His Service on Feb 16, 2019 12:38:03 GMT -6
My apologies, my time is very limited so my posts is somewhat short and direct. I will not be able to spend the time on cultural context and customs. (i.e. why was the beggar at this specific gate, etc.) Other items, for example; The Apostle Peter's sermon at Pentecost he had to refute that they were drunk. Here he has to refute the notion that he and The Apostle John had healed the man by their own power. I will leave items like this out of future posts due to my compressed time to deal with them. Thus my posts may end up seeming somewhat less thorough than others. nevertheless I offer them with my heart. Do with them as you wish.
The lesson here is to proclaim the Gospel as we are commanded and watch God make miracles with people's hearts. We have no power to convert anyone, nor does God need our help (we need His). He has graciously chosen us (His people) to participate in His ministry in various ways for His purposes and according to His good will. In this case we witness the expansion of the Church along with opposition through 4:31. Thus we begin to see how God used the early Christians' witness to expand the Church despite serious conflict with the Jewish leaders.
In this chapter the stage is set for The Apostle Peter to preach in the Temple when upon arriving at the temple Peter (with the Apostle John) meet a lame man as they enter the temple. The lame man was begging for alms but Peter seeing the man’s faith provides a healing of the man’s legs through the power of the Holy Spirit.
This man leaps with joy into the temple with the Apostle Peter and the Apostle John and all the people know this man to be lame and are amazed gazing at Paul and John as if they had somehow done some great miracle. But, Peter informs them of the truth.
That through the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ was the man healed from his infirmity. This man being lame from birth certainly got the attention of the people with the Healing that was done by the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Peter goes on from there somewhat chastising the people for crucifying our Lord Jesus Christ when Pilate was of the mind to let Him go.
The Apostle Peter lets them know that through their ignorance and the ignorance of their leaders this was done and so exhorts the people to repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ that they may have eternal life. The Apostle Peter reaches back to Duet 8:15; 18:18-19 reminding them that Moses had foretold of the coming of Jesus Christ and that all who do not endorse the word of Christ will be destroyed. The Apostle also reminds the people how all the prophets from Samuel on down had foretold of these times and how it was that unto them (Jews) that Jesus and His Word was to come first, that they may be redeemed unto God.
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