Hey Everyone.
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I'm sitting in a coffee shop in North Tonawanda, NY, with my Black Friday shopping complete.
So tonight I'm going to continue to share from my study in Acts. As I studied through Acts 2, 3 and 4 I began to notice some things about Peter's messages. Here is what I mean: In Acts 2, Peter is speaking to the people of Jerusalem after a great miracle. (Everyone is hearing the message in their own language) He delivers a message how Jesus was given to them by God (2:22), they had killed him (2:23), but this had been God's plan (2:23) and then God raised him from the dead (2:24). He goes on to say that this fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament (2:25-35), that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah and they killed him (2:36) and that they should repent (2:38). This sums up Peter's message on the day of Pentecost.
In chapter 3 Peter and John are going to the temple. Peter performs a great miracle by healing a man born lame (3:1-10). He uses this miracle to preach another sermon that includes the following: Jesus was given to them by God (3:13), they had killed him (3:13-15), but this had been God's plan (3:18) and then God raised him from the dead (3:36). He goes on to say that this fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament (3:18, 24-25), that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah (3:20) and that they should repent (3:19).
Do you notice the similarities? It is almost the same message. The points are the same any way. It makes me wonder then, was this simply The Message. Peter and the other apostles had spent time with Jesus between the Resurrection and the Ascension, where Jesus explained things to them and prepared them for this ministry. This is just my speculation, of course, but I wonder if Jesus spent a lot of time explaining this message to them. It makes sense to me.
It makes me think, though, "What is my message?' Peter seemed to preach a fairly simple message of Jesus crucified and resurrected, and that this was God's redemptive plan all along. It times my message has been "Come, be a part of my awesome church," or "Come, be a disciple." These are important but they aren't the message. The message of Jesus crucified and resurrected drew a lot of people in Acts 2 and 3. It is still the message that draws. What is your message?
Tom
Friday, November 28, 2014
Saturday, October 18, 2014
On All People
Hello everyone.
It has been a while since I have written anything. I have since finished my study of the book of John and have now started on a study of the book of Acts. I am currently in Acts 2, where, as you know, the Holy Spirit comes and fills the apostles and they begin to speak in other languages as the Holy Spirit enables them. This is where I would like to start today.
At the time in which the apostles are filled up with God's Holy Spirit, there are God-fearing Jews from all over the place, in Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost. (Acts 2:5) They are amazed as the apostles begin speaking in different languages because everyone can hear the message in their own language. Luke records that many in the audience were "amazed and perplexed," recognizing that this was a pretty awesome miracle that they were witnessing. Others, ever critical, heard the noise and simply attributed it to drunkenness.
That is when Peter stands up and begins to speak. He defends himself and his partners in the Gospel, saying that they were not drunk, and then uses a prophecy from Joel to explain what was really happening. God was pouring out his Spirit. Here is a Hughes' paraphrase of what Peter is saying, "People, what you are witnessing is not drunkenness, it is the Holy Spirit. Joel prophesied that God would pour out His spirit on people and this what is happening right now." So Peter uses Joel's prophecy about the Holy Spirit in this sermon that opens up the doors to God's church, and it's pretty awesome. Let's take a look at a couple of things.
First, God is pouring out his Spirit on all people. The idea that the Holy Spirit was now available to all people is really important. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was given only to certain people of God's choosing to serve specific purposes, usually leaders (ex. Moses, Joshua, David) or prophets (ex. Elijah, Ezekiel). Peter is using Joel's prophecy to say that now the Holy Spirit is now available to all people. He mentions sons and daughters. (Everyone is one of those, either a son or a daughter.) In verse 18, it says that the Spirit would be poured out on God's servants, both men and women. Just before that he mentions both young and old. This was going to be different than it ever had been. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God Almighty was now going to be available to all.
Second, I personally love the part about how the young men would see visions and the old men would dream dreams. I like it because with the Holy Spirit in us, the dreams of youth are not relegated to the young. Older people get to be dreamers too. At an age when most people have sort of settled in and accepted the harsh realities of life, those who have had the Holy Spirit poured out on them are vibrant and full of dreams.
So then, we are fortunate to live in a time in which we have such a great power available to us all, man, woman, young and old.
Tom
It has been a while since I have written anything. I have since finished my study of the book of John and have now started on a study of the book of Acts. I am currently in Acts 2, where, as you know, the Holy Spirit comes and fills the apostles and they begin to speak in other languages as the Holy Spirit enables them. This is where I would like to start today.
At the time in which the apostles are filled up with God's Holy Spirit, there are God-fearing Jews from all over the place, in Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost. (Acts 2:5) They are amazed as the apostles begin speaking in different languages because everyone can hear the message in their own language. Luke records that many in the audience were "amazed and perplexed," recognizing that this was a pretty awesome miracle that they were witnessing. Others, ever critical, heard the noise and simply attributed it to drunkenness.
That is when Peter stands up and begins to speak. He defends himself and his partners in the Gospel, saying that they were not drunk, and then uses a prophecy from Joel to explain what was really happening. God was pouring out his Spirit. Here is a Hughes' paraphrase of what Peter is saying, "People, what you are witnessing is not drunkenness, it is the Holy Spirit. Joel prophesied that God would pour out His spirit on people and this what is happening right now." So Peter uses Joel's prophecy about the Holy Spirit in this sermon that opens up the doors to God's church, and it's pretty awesome. Let's take a look at a couple of things.
First, God is pouring out his Spirit on all people. The idea that the Holy Spirit was now available to all people is really important. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was given only to certain people of God's choosing to serve specific purposes, usually leaders (ex. Moses, Joshua, David) or prophets (ex. Elijah, Ezekiel). Peter is using Joel's prophecy to say that now the Holy Spirit is now available to all people. He mentions sons and daughters. (Everyone is one of those, either a son or a daughter.) In verse 18, it says that the Spirit would be poured out on God's servants, both men and women. Just before that he mentions both young and old. This was going to be different than it ever had been. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God Almighty was now going to be available to all.
Second, I personally love the part about how the young men would see visions and the old men would dream dreams. I like it because with the Holy Spirit in us, the dreams of youth are not relegated to the young. Older people get to be dreamers too. At an age when most people have sort of settled in and accepted the harsh realities of life, those who have had the Holy Spirit poured out on them are vibrant and full of dreams.
So then, we are fortunate to live in a time in which we have such a great power available to us all, man, woman, young and old.
Tom
Saturday, August 30, 2014
The Secret Disciple
Hello everyone.
Today, I am sharing the story of Joseph of Arimathea. It is told a little bit in each of the Gospels. Matthew 27:57 tells us that Joseph was wealthy. Mark 15:43 tells us that he was a member of the Sanhedrin, was waiting for the kingdom of God and that he went boldly to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. Luke 23:50-51 tells us that while he was a member of the Jewish ruling council, he had not consented to their actions. It is what John says, however, that gives us the full picture. John 19:38-42 also tells about the wealthy member of the Jewish ruling council who boldly approached Pilate in order to bury the body of Jesus. John adds that Joseph was "a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews." Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but to this point he had kept it a secret. His secret was motivated by fear. Today, Joseph would certainly be considered on the fringe of the fellowship at best, yet Joseph steps up big time in an hour of need and God uses him to accomplish his will. He, along with Nicodemus, buried Jesus in Joseph's own tomb.
It's funny to me, that at a time when Jesus' closest associates (the apostles) were in hiding, and it appears that Jesus had lost his battle with the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, that this is the moment when Joseph steps forward and makes his association with Jesus public. He had not had the faith to overcome his fear during Jesus' public ministry. He had summoned some courage during Jesus' trial and had not consented to what the Council was doing, but after Jesus was dead, when all seemed lost, he boldly goes to Pilate for the body of Jesus. His discipleship is no secret now. But now, with Jesus dead, it would seem that he had nothing to gain by stepping forward. It is difficult to say what motivated Joseph to come forward at this point. Perhaps seeing Jesus on trial had bolstered his faith or created such a deep love for Jesus that fear didn't matter anymore. Perhaps God had set Joseph aside for this special purpose, knowing that he had the financial means and the influence to get it done. The best I can do is speculate as to the turning point and the motivation for Joseph stepping out like he did at a time when all seemed lost.
OK, so what does this mean? To me, it means that we just never know who God has set aside for a specific purpose or plan, or who has the heart to step in at the right moment. Even those that are seemingly the weakest among us may be the one that God has chosen to do something amazing.
Tom
Today, I am sharing the story of Joseph of Arimathea. It is told a little bit in each of the Gospels. Matthew 27:57 tells us that Joseph was wealthy. Mark 15:43 tells us that he was a member of the Sanhedrin, was waiting for the kingdom of God and that he went boldly to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. Luke 23:50-51 tells us that while he was a member of the Jewish ruling council, he had not consented to their actions. It is what John says, however, that gives us the full picture. John 19:38-42 also tells about the wealthy member of the Jewish ruling council who boldly approached Pilate in order to bury the body of Jesus. John adds that Joseph was "a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews." Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but to this point he had kept it a secret. His secret was motivated by fear. Today, Joseph would certainly be considered on the fringe of the fellowship at best, yet Joseph steps up big time in an hour of need and God uses him to accomplish his will. He, along with Nicodemus, buried Jesus in Joseph's own tomb.
It's funny to me, that at a time when Jesus' closest associates (the apostles) were in hiding, and it appears that Jesus had lost his battle with the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, that this is the moment when Joseph steps forward and makes his association with Jesus public. He had not had the faith to overcome his fear during Jesus' public ministry. He had summoned some courage during Jesus' trial and had not consented to what the Council was doing, but after Jesus was dead, when all seemed lost, he boldly goes to Pilate for the body of Jesus. His discipleship is no secret now. But now, with Jesus dead, it would seem that he had nothing to gain by stepping forward. It is difficult to say what motivated Joseph to come forward at this point. Perhaps seeing Jesus on trial had bolstered his faith or created such a deep love for Jesus that fear didn't matter anymore. Perhaps God had set Joseph aside for this special purpose, knowing that he had the financial means and the influence to get it done. The best I can do is speculate as to the turning point and the motivation for Joseph stepping out like he did at a time when all seemed lost.
OK, so what does this mean? To me, it means that we just never know who God has set aside for a specific purpose or plan, or who has the heart to step in at the right moment. Even those that are seemingly the weakest among us may be the one that God has chosen to do something amazing.
Tom
Friday, August 8, 2014
When Jesus is Lifted Up
Hey everybody.
Today, I am looking at a story in John 12:20-33. Some Greeks have come to Philip because they want an audience with Jesus. Philip, along with Andrew, bring their request to Jesus. In response, Jesus says a number of things that likely went over the heads of his audience both Jew and Greek alike.
Jesus talked about how the time has come for Him to be glorified and how kernels of wheat must fall to ground and die in order to produce more wheat. He talks about how you must hate your life in this world in order to save it, and how God the Father will honor the one that serves Jesus. Then He talks about how His soul is troubled, but that he cannot ask God to save him from his upcoming trouble, because that was the very reason he came. He ends this short discourse by declaring to His Father, that God glorifies his own name. Then something incredibly cool happens.
A voice comes from heaven and says, " I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." The crowd seemed a little confused by what happened. Some said it was an angel, others said it was thunder, but no matter what they perceived it must have been something amazing to behold. Jesus tells his audience that the voice from heaven was for their benefit, not his, because judgment was coming upon the world, and the prince of the world would be driven out. I suspect that Jesus says that the voice they heard was for their benefit so that they might believe and therefore be saved. One would think that witnessing something as incredible as a voice thundering from heaven would convince a few people that Jesus was legit.
Any way, I want to focus on what Jesus says next. "He says, "And I, when I am lifted up from the Earth, will draw all people to myself." John writes that Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death he would die, meaning obviously the Cross. This is one of three places in John where Jesus talks about being lifted up. The others are, John 3:14 and John 8:28. In John 3, in a conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus says, "so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him." In John 8, Jesus in a dispute with a group of Jews, when he says, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me." So from these three verses we can see what happens when Jesus is lifted up:
Let's lift Him up.
Tom
Today, I am looking at a story in John 12:20-33. Some Greeks have come to Philip because they want an audience with Jesus. Philip, along with Andrew, bring their request to Jesus. In response, Jesus says a number of things that likely went over the heads of his audience both Jew and Greek alike.
Jesus talked about how the time has come for Him to be glorified and how kernels of wheat must fall to ground and die in order to produce more wheat. He talks about how you must hate your life in this world in order to save it, and how God the Father will honor the one that serves Jesus. Then He talks about how His soul is troubled, but that he cannot ask God to save him from his upcoming trouble, because that was the very reason he came. He ends this short discourse by declaring to His Father, that God glorifies his own name. Then something incredibly cool happens.
A voice comes from heaven and says, " I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." The crowd seemed a little confused by what happened. Some said it was an angel, others said it was thunder, but no matter what they perceived it must have been something amazing to behold. Jesus tells his audience that the voice from heaven was for their benefit, not his, because judgment was coming upon the world, and the prince of the world would be driven out. I suspect that Jesus says that the voice they heard was for their benefit so that they might believe and therefore be saved. One would think that witnessing something as incredible as a voice thundering from heaven would convince a few people that Jesus was legit.
Any way, I want to focus on what Jesus says next. "He says, "And I, when I am lifted up from the Earth, will draw all people to myself." John writes that Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death he would die, meaning obviously the Cross. This is one of three places in John where Jesus talks about being lifted up. The others are, John 3:14 and John 8:28. In John 3, in a conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus says, "so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him." In John 8, Jesus in a dispute with a group of Jews, when he says, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me." So from these three verses we can see what happens when Jesus is lifted up:
- Everyone who believes may have eternal life.
- We can know that Jesus is from God.
- We can know that Jesus speaks only God's words.
- People will be drawn to Jesus.
Let's lift Him up.
Tom
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Jesus: The Life
Hey everyone.
This is the last of my entries on Jesus' "I Am" statements. When Jesus says, in John 14, that He is "the way, the truth and the life," he is saying that he is three different things. He is the way. He is the truth. He is the life. I saved this last part "I am the life" for last because I see it as a constant theme throughout these statements. Here is my evidence:
Tom
This is the last of my entries on Jesus' "I Am" statements. When Jesus says, in John 14, that He is "the way, the truth and the life," he is saying that he is three different things. He is the way. He is the truth. He is the life. I saved this last part "I am the life" for last because I see it as a constant theme throughout these statements. Here is my evidence:
- John 6:35 - "I am the Bread of Life." Jesus compares himself to the the bread from heaven (manna) that the Israelites ate in the wilderness and then died. He, however, is a bread from heaven that upon eating, leads to eternal Life.
- John 8:12 - "I am the Light of the world." Jesus' light is connected to Life in John 1:4, where its says, "In Him was life, and the life was the light of all mankind." His life gives our lives light.
- John 10 - Jesus makes two of his "I Am" statements. "I am the gate." "I am the good shepherd." In the middle of this passage is John 10:10 where Jesus says, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the the full." Jesus is The Life and seeks to make our own lives great. In fact, as Jesus discusses the Good Shepherd, he talks about how he will lay down his own life for the sheep. His life for ours. A very good deal for us.
- John 11:25 - "I am the resurrection." Actually, He says, "I am the Resurrection and the Life." This is Jesus talking to Martha about her brother Lazarus, whom Jesus is about to raise from the dead. The connection between resurrection and life is somewhat obvious, resurrection meaning "to live again."
- John 15:1 - "I am the vine." When we are connected to the Vine, we have life. Disconnected from the Vine, we die. Also, as we are connected to the Vine, we are connected to each other. It makes out lives better.
Tom
Monday, July 28, 2014
Jesus: The Vine
Hey everyone.
I think I am just about recovered from a week as a camp counselor at our Teen Camp. It was a great camp this year. One of our best ever.
Any way, I wanted to talk a little bit more about Jesus and his "I am" statements. Today I want look at John 15:1-8 where Jesus says, "I am the vine." (v. 5) In verse 1 He also says, "I am the true vine," setting Jesus apart from any false vine. He goes on to say that his Father is the gardener who prunes the various branches of the vine so that they will be more fruitful. We, his followers are the branches, who get pruned, or cut back, by God, so that we can be made more fruitful. Imagine yourself as a plant. God gets out his pruning shears and cuts part of you off. Seems painful, but we understand that God runes (disciplines) us in order to make better.
When Jesus talks about being the Vine, he is really talking about remaining connected to him. Jesus presents two kinds of branches here, those that are connected to him and those that are not. Let's look at these two types of branches and do a little compare/contrast. The disconnected vine: can't bear fruit (v. 4), can do nothing (v. 5), gets thrown away, withers, gets thrown into the fire and burned (v.6). In other words, not remaining connected to Jesus leads for fruitlessness and spiritual death.
On the other hand, what do we gain by remaining connected to the Vine. The connected branch: bears fruit (v. 4, 5), God answers our prayers (v. 7), bears much fruit (v. 8), we show ourselves to be his disciples (v. 8). In other words, remaining connected to the Vine leads to fruitfulness, answered prayer and life. Also, I see that remaining connected to the Vine, keeps me connected to all the other branches. The connection that we have to each other is through Jesus Christ.
So then, it would seem that maintaining that connection to the vine should be a great priority in our lives. We accept God's pruning. We study our Bibles and pray to maintain that connection. We enjoy the benefits of the fellowship. It would seem that these these would be very important to us for two reasons. The benefits of this connection are great, and the outcomes of disconnection from the Vine are rather grim. So let us stay connected to Jesus the True Vine.
Tom
I think I am just about recovered from a week as a camp counselor at our Teen Camp. It was a great camp this year. One of our best ever.
Any way, I wanted to talk a little bit more about Jesus and his "I am" statements. Today I want look at John 15:1-8 where Jesus says, "I am the vine." (v. 5) In verse 1 He also says, "I am the true vine," setting Jesus apart from any false vine. He goes on to say that his Father is the gardener who prunes the various branches of the vine so that they will be more fruitful. We, his followers are the branches, who get pruned, or cut back, by God, so that we can be made more fruitful. Imagine yourself as a plant. God gets out his pruning shears and cuts part of you off. Seems painful, but we understand that God runes (disciplines) us in order to make better.
When Jesus talks about being the Vine, he is really talking about remaining connected to him. Jesus presents two kinds of branches here, those that are connected to him and those that are not. Let's look at these two types of branches and do a little compare/contrast. The disconnected vine: can't bear fruit (v. 4), can do nothing (v. 5), gets thrown away, withers, gets thrown into the fire and burned (v.6). In other words, not remaining connected to Jesus leads for fruitlessness and spiritual death.
On the other hand, what do we gain by remaining connected to the Vine. The connected branch: bears fruit (v. 4, 5), God answers our prayers (v. 7), bears much fruit (v. 8), we show ourselves to be his disciples (v. 8). In other words, remaining connected to the Vine leads to fruitfulness, answered prayer and life. Also, I see that remaining connected to the Vine, keeps me connected to all the other branches. The connection that we have to each other is through Jesus Christ.
So then, it would seem that maintaining that connection to the vine should be a great priority in our lives. We accept God's pruning. We study our Bibles and pray to maintain that connection. We enjoy the benefits of the fellowship. It would seem that these these would be very important to us for two reasons. The benefits of this connection are great, and the outcomes of disconnection from the Vine are rather grim. So let us stay connected to Jesus the True Vine.
Tom
Friday, July 4, 2014
Jesus: The Truth
Hey everyone and Happy Independence Day.
It has been a while since I have written anything. The end of a school year is incredibly busy for me, as I am a teacher and supervise two departments. But the school year finally ended last Friday, (about a week after everyone else.)
The last time I wrote about Jesus: The Way. In this statement in John 14:6, Jesus is calling himself three things. He is saying, "I am the Way. I am the the Truth. I am the Life." Today we will examine Jesus: The Truth. To be truthful, I really had a hard time answering the question, "What does it mean to me that Jesus is the Truth?" It just wasn't striking a cord with me. So you know what I did? I opened up the Bible to see what the Bible had to say about, and it turns that the Bible, particularly the book of John has a great deal to say about it. According to the NIV Complete Concordance, the word "truth" is used over 50 times in the book of John, and the word "true" is used another 12 times. Jesus uses the phrase, "I tell you the truth," around 25 times, just in John. It appears that truth is an important concept in John that I was completely missing. So I went back and re-examined a few things. Here are some things I picked up on:
Tom
It has been a while since I have written anything. The end of a school year is incredibly busy for me, as I am a teacher and supervise two departments. But the school year finally ended last Friday, (about a week after everyone else.)
The last time I wrote about Jesus: The Way. In this statement in John 14:6, Jesus is calling himself three things. He is saying, "I am the Way. I am the the Truth. I am the Life." Today we will examine Jesus: The Truth. To be truthful, I really had a hard time answering the question, "What does it mean to me that Jesus is the Truth?" It just wasn't striking a cord with me. So you know what I did? I opened up the Bible to see what the Bible had to say about, and it turns that the Bible, particularly the book of John has a great deal to say about it. According to the NIV Complete Concordance, the word "truth" is used over 50 times in the book of John, and the word "true" is used another 12 times. Jesus uses the phrase, "I tell you the truth," around 25 times, just in John. It appears that truth is an important concept in John that I was completely missing. So I went back and re-examined a few things. Here are some things I picked up on:
- John 1:14-17 - Jesus came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John goes on to say that the Law came from Moses, but grace and truth came from Jesus. Moses' law was good, but grace and truth is better. I have always been so wrapped up in the Jesus, who was full of grace here, that I have ignored the part about being full of truth. These two things (grace and truth) go hand-in-hand here.
- John 3:21 - Truth and light are connected. "But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." Jesus is Truth and has no hidden agenda. Likewise his disciples live in such a way that people can see the truth of their lives.
- John 4:23-24 - Jesus is looking for those who will worship in the Spirit and in truth. Again both are important. Jesus is not looking for people who worship in spirit, yet do not hold onto the truth. Truth is an important part of our worship to God.
- John 7:18 - Truth is connected to seeking god's glory rather than our own.
- John 8:31 - Truth sets us free. Logic dictates that if Jesus is the Truth, and the Truth sets us free, then Jesus sets us free. (That Logic class I took in college has finally paid off.)
- John 8: 42-47 - Jesus represents truth, while his adversary, the devil, represents lies. Jesus is also the Life, and the devil has been a murderer since the beginning. (Jn 8:44) Truth is part of the sharp contrast between Jesus and Satan.
- John 15:26 and 16:13 - the Holy Spirit is a spirit of Truth. Important enough that Jesus said it twice. This is the Spirit we have inside of us as his disciples. According to 16:13 He will guide us into ALL truth.
- Finally, in John 18:37 when standing before Pilate, Jesus says that the reason he came was to testify to the truth. I would say that makes truth kind of important. Strangely, a cynical Pilate, responds, "What is truth?" and then walks away from the one person who could really answer that question.
Tom
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)