We have died to sin...we are made alive in Christ!

First off, I have to start off this post by saying...I am NOW married to a beautiful woman of God Leah Nkaujnag Lee! We took our vows, sung our song, and had our first dance on August 1st, 2013. We thank all our friends and family who helped make our special day possible! In my next blog post...maybe I'll spend some time contemplating marriage from Chapter 7 of Romans...but for now let's jump right into Chapter 6.

For those of you who have been following our church devotional program, you know that last month we finished up Acts and now we are in the book of Romans! Romans packs a wallop of theology on important topics like: faith and works, law and grace, sin and righteousness, judgment and justification, and this list could go on.

A quick recap of Chapter 1-3, Paul explains that ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God both the Jews and Gentiles. The Gentiles were lost in idolatry and unbelief and the Jews knowing God's law and promises still fell far short of keeping them. Paul shares, however, a glimmer of hope in that justification and redemption does not come by works but by faith. This means that people don't earn salvation. Jesus gave people a free gift of salvation to all who believe in Him. This leads us to the discussion Chapter 4-6 of faith vs. works does not give a license for people to live in sin.

In Chapter 6, Paul makes it very clear that faith and grace does not give us free license to do "whatever we want" or to "live in sin". Paul ask a sharp rhetorical question in the first verse, "Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?" Well, the answer is NO! By no means are people to continue sinning. Jesus died on the cross so that we don't have to be stuck in a lifestyle of disobedience to God. Instead, we can live a life PLEASING to God. So instead of being a slave to sin, Jesus gives us a chance to be a servant of righteousness.

This is a simple reminder to me that just because I am saved doesn't mean that I can live life MY way. In fact, I am saved so that I can live my life in service to Jesus Christ. I have traded my remaining time on earth to focus NOT on me BUT on Him! Jesus becomes the master of my life (a much better master than myself) and I am willing to trust Him with my life. Can you say the same thing today?

What Preachers Can Learn From Waiters

I stumbled across the article from a friend's Facebook post...and I agree I need to learn to "serve" people better. And one way I can do this...is to learn to "wait" on others and "wait" on the Head Chef!!! This blog post is taken from TheResurgence.com (*---the direct link can be found at the end of this post)

God’s word is a feast, and preachers can learn from the example of a good waiter.

One of my fondest memories as a child was visiting my grandfather’s restaurant in the heart of Melbourne. The alluring aroma of fresh herbs, simmering pasta sauce, and oven-baked garlic bread greeted your senses as you opened the front door. The scents of Sicily coupled with the sound of chinking wine glasses and joyful chatter provided the perfect ambience to enjoy his homegrown meals. My family’s passion for great food gave me the idea of one day running my own restaurant. At age six I even sketched my own business plan: serve all meals in the shape of a happy face. Who wouldn’t want their pancakes, bacon, and eggs turned into the perfect smile? Needless to say, my “happy faces” restaurant never took off! However, years on, now serving as a pastor, I see a correlation between my role as a preacher and that of a waiter serving an outstanding meal.

One of the most common metaphors for God’s word is food. David praises God for his word, which is ‘sweeter than honey’ (Ps. 119:103). Jeremiah ate and delighted in God's word (Jer. 15:16). Like newborn infants who cry for milk, so our lives are to be characterized by a desire for God’s word, which is our pure spiritual milk (1 Pet. 2:2). The food metaphor emphasizes a special understanding of the Bible: God’s word is to be savored. A great meal is pleasing to the taste and satisfying to the soul. This picture of God’s word as food finds its fulfillment in Christ. When Jesus feeds thousands with a little boy’s lunch, it’s more than a parlor trick to show his power; it’s a prophetic sign revealing his personhood. Jesus is the true bread, come from heaven to offer eternal life for all who hunger and thirst (John 6:51).

God’s word is to be savored.

A loaf of bread offers temporary sustenance for physical existence—but Jesus is the living bread who provides satisfaction and true life. He came to cancel our debt of sin and give us his righteousness and new life—only in him are our deepest appetites for acceptance, purpose, and fulfillment satisfied. However, food must die to be of value. Plants and animals are killed so we can live. Jesus is the true bread, whose flesh was killed on Calvary so hungry sinners can live. Jesus therefore invites us to “feed on” his flesh and drink his blood (John 6:54)—a call to feast on him in such a way that his life fills every part of our being. We look to Jesus as the all-sufficient provider, whose word of life is “true bread,” offering all we could ever need and desire. This helps immensely in understanding my role as a preacher of God’s word. My call is not merely to transfer knowledge, prepare people for an exam, or lift spirits with a motivational pep talk. I am a waiter, called to present God’s word to eager guests for the fame of the head chef.

How can a preacher present God’s word like a good waiter? There are four ways:

1. A good waiter personally delights in the cooking of the chef A waiter needs more than an understanding of the menu; he must experience it. Through his relationship with the chef, the waiter pays close attention to every ingredient, not only to gain knowledge, but also to taste and enjoy it. I am a waiter, called to present God’s word to eager guests for the fame of the head chef. As a preacher it’s tempting to approach God’s word with our guests in mind. We read a passage and immediately seek ways to explain, illustrate, and apply for our people—but our role is to savor God’s word first. His word must always be applied to ourselves before anyone else. The Psalmist declares, “taste and see the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:8) because he has delighted in God’s word firsthand.

2. A good waiter understands the guests In some of the best restaurants, the waiters take time to know their guests, asking if they’ve eaten there before and what kind of foods they enjoy. This helps a waiter suggest items that cater for their needs as well as introduce them to new flavors. I’d never advocate “consumer-driven” preaching, but as teachers we must have a clear understanding of our audience whenever we open up the Scriptures. This is evident in the writings of Paul, who conceded the Corinthians were only ready for “milk” (1 Cor. 3:2). He had the full intention of introducing them to high-grade steak, but only after their palate had matured. In the same way, we may have grand visions of what we’d like to put on the table (insert big doctrine and exegetical brilliance), but we must serve in the interest of our people’s growth, which always begins where they are.

3. A good waiter never adds to or subtracts from the chef’s meal You know what we call a waiter who messes with the head chef’s main meal? Fired. A good waiter shows honor to the chef (and the guests) by preserving the contents and presentation of the meal, delivering it to the table exactly as the chef intended. Far too many pastors today have lost confidence in God’s word. Gripped by a desire for human approval, preachers leave out hard texts and avoid difficult truths, exchanging the balanced diet of God’s word for junk food. A good waiter shows honor to the chef by preserving the contents and presentation of the meal. The gospel is powerful to save (Rom. 1:16) and condemns those who add or take from it (Rev. 22:19). Whenever we meddle with the word, we malnourish our people and mock God. Our call is to preach the word in and out of season (2 Tim. 4:2). This means working hard in the text—taking note of each word, the style of writing, the flow of argument, the tension, the question, and the imagery in the narrative. We also explore the historical and biblical context, aware of the cultural biases that we bring to the text. We wrestle with the text, point people to Jesus, and ask God to speak his extraordinary words through our ordinary mouths.

4. A good waiter points the gratitude of the guests to the chef A good waiter can receive thanks for his hospitality, but always points praise for the meal back to the chef. In the same way, preachers give God the glory for the beauty of his word. It’s tempting to think my words reach hearts and change lives, and some listeners are prone to lift up preachers to godlike platforms. But it’s always God’s word that bears the fruit. The art of preaching is from start to finish a work of God, who sets alight his word by his Spirit. It’s no small thing to be used as a jar for his treasure, but the fact that God can use a donkey to get his message out (Num. 22:28) should keep us humble. We can give thanks to God for his grace in allowing us to preach his word, and when we see lives transformed we have all the more reason praise our God, whose word always achieves exactly what he intended it to do (Isa. 55:11).

(*---http://theresurgence.com/2013/07/24/what-preachers-can-learn-from-waiters)

Paul and Silas in Prison

If you were in prison for sharing proclaiming Jesus Christ...what would you do? How would you feel? Would you feel let down by God? Would you perhaps even blame God?

In many ways, I think that I would question God if I was to go to prison. Questions like: Why me, Lord? Why do I have to go to prison for preaching the Gospel? Why does this have to end up this way? Why...why...why? However, the testimony of Paul and Silas shows a different way to respond with hardships in our life. Paul and Silas go to prison for...guess what? Freeing a poor girl from a fortune-telling spirit/demon.

Instead of responding with anger, blame, or frustration...Paul and Silas accept their beating and actually start to praise God! What incredible faith and character they exemplify! Instead of cursing, they sing a chorus to God. Instead of pouting, they pray to their Father in Heaven. Instead of shouting at God, they sing hymns to their Savior. Here is what the Bible says in Acts 16:19-34:

"When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”

The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”

The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household."

Not only did Paul and Silas begin praising God...they also witnessed to the jailer. They saved the jailer from committing suicide and also witnessed to the jailer's entire family. And guess what? God used a bad situation and turned it into a miraculous testimony. Only by Paul and Silas going to prison, did the jailer and his family get the opportunity to become saved and baptized that night. This is what faith can do!

I don't know about where you are on this journey we call "life". But, I am trying to get to that place where even in times of great trial and tribulation...I can turn to God in worship...I can turn to God in prayer...and I can turn to God for all my needs. This, I believe, should be our goal as a follower of Christ. We are called to a higher purpose, something that the world cannot understand or fathom. The love of Christ gives us strength to get through each day with thanksgiving in our hearts and songs of praise in our mouths. I will worship and follow God. Will you?

Preparing for Sunday School...Erasing Hell

For those of you in my high school Sunday School class, you know that this Sunday...We will start discussing a new summer reading book by Francis Chan called Erasing Hell. (Yes, I know all of you are jumping with excitement!!!) Since, I know you can't wait to go to Sunday School...I thought a good preparation for this Sunday (since you don't have the book yet...) is watch this YouTube video by Francis Chan. This video is a short preview of how we can really approach the gravity of the discussion of hell.

In addition, for those of you who really realllyyy want to go in depth (Yes, I am talking to all you A+++ Students out there!)...Here is a 60 minute video interview with the two authors Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle. For those of you who don't know Francis and Preston, I included their short bio (from their personal websites) after the video:

Francis Chan: is the best-selling author of books, Crazy Love, Forgotten God, Erasing Hell and the host of the BASIC.series (Who is God & We Are Church). Francis is the founding pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California, and is the founder of Eternity Bible College. He also sits on the board of directors of Children’s Hunger Fund and World Impact. Currently, Francis is working to start a church planting movement in the inner city of San Francisco and also working to launch a countrywide discipleship movement. Francis now lives in Northern California with his wife, Lisa, and their five children.

Preston Sprinkle: I was born and raised in California, but God has taken me to different parts of the world. After graduating from college (2000) and seminary (2003), my wife and I ventured to Scotland where I completed my PhD in New Testament from Aberdeen University. While in the UK, I held a brief teaching stint at Nottingham University and then came back to the States where I taught Biblical Studies at Cedarville University in Ohio. In June 2009, we moved back to southern California, where I currently teach at Eternity Bible College and serve as an elder/pastor at Anthem Church in Thousand Oaks. I am happily married to my beautiful and energetic wife, Christine, and have three daughters and one son. In addition to my love for baseball and surfing, my family and I enjoy the outdoors (hiking, camping, having fun in the sun) and hanging out with college students.

Step out of your comfort zone...Peter's Vision

Today, I want to share about my reading from Acts 10:1-48 which focuses on God's message to both the apostle Peter and the centurion Cornelius. Every time, I read this passage...I lift a prayer to God that I may be more like the centurion Cornelius. The Bible describes him as a devout and God-fearing man. He must have been a good godly father and husband as well because his entire family also followed God. To top it off, he gave generously to those in need and regularly prayed to God. I am glad that Acts recounts the lives of faithful men like Cornelius.

Here is where the story begins to get really interesting...an angel of the Lord appears to Cornelius telling him to find and bring back a man named Simon who was called Peter (this is the apostle Peter!). Immediately, Cornelius obeys God calling two of his servants and even one of his own soldiers to go get Peter.

The next day guess who is going to the roof to pray? Peter is of course! He goes up around noontime and falls into a trance where Peter experiences the presence of God. He is not asleep or dreaming...It is something happening to him while he is wide awake and hungry to boot! In this trance, Peter sees a vision of large sheet being let down upon the earth by four corners. Just stop to think about this picture!!! This must be utterly astounding. (Back then, there was no globe of the earth, no Google map, or drawings of planets...Peter must be in shock and awe...) A noteworthy observation is that the four corners gives us a picture that this encompasses the whole earth from the North, South, East, and West. Then as if this vision was not amazing enough...imagine a voice from heaven saying, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."

Well, apparently the voice of God does resonate with Peter at this moment (even though he is hungry and wants something to eat) because he replies by saying, "Surely not, Lord!" I think I myself would have went straight ahead for the food! However, Peter is probably weary of eating because there are "unclean" animals. I put "unclean" in quotes because I want to point out that in the Old Testament (and Jewish laws) there were animals that God had named unclean. Thus, the Jewish people were told to avoid "unclean" animals like pigs, camels, various birds, and other creatures. So Peter did not want to disobey God.

This is where the key lesson point comes in...Are you ready? God says, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." What does this mean?!? I believe that God is pointing out something to Peter and also to us today. Is a pig an unclean animal anymore than a dog? or a horse? or a cow? (Here are some interesting and fun pig facts: 1) In terms of cleanliness, pigs are very particular from other animals. They are the only farm animals that make a separate sleeping den (which they keep spotless) 2)They actually use a latrine (bathroom) area. 3) Pigs are highly intelligent. Like dogs, they can be easily housebroken, taught to fetch and come to heel. Pigs can learn to dance, race, pull carts and sniff out landmines.) I don't think a pig is necessarily and "unclean" animal. They are in fact "cleaner" than many other animals. Probably, a lot cleaner in fact than my aunt's dog Tarzan.

I think where the most meaningful lesson can be learned is that God has the final say. If God says an animal is unclean than it is unclean. If God says an animal is clean than it is clean. And if God says your sins are washed away...Then, your sins are WASHED AWAY! In the beginning, when God first created plants, animals, and all living things. He called everything he made was gooooood. So, if you take one lesson away today, remember what God calls good is good (and conversely what God calls evil is evil!)

Going back to finish the story the vision, Peter is of course bewildered and confused to the meaning of the vision. However, there is a reason why this vision was told within the context of Cornelius the Centurion...the two servants and one soldier arrive! Peter greets them and the Holy Spirit tells him to welcome these men and go with them back to Caesarea. These guests are not Jewish like Peter, thus they are Gentiles or "unclean". Yet, the Holy Spirit tells Peter to welcome them to his place and not only that but to go dine with them in Caeserea (this was against the Jewish laws of cleanliness). The story reminds us that God is the ultimate authority to what is good, what is clean, and what is best for us. Hope you enjoyed this post.

Amazing Grace...The Story of Saul

Acts 9 is in my mind the most dramatic story of a sinner saved by grace. God can transform malicious haters of the Gospel into radical lovers of Jesus Christ. This passage begins with a man named Saul who threatened to kill all who believed in Jesus Christ. In fact, he went all the way to the high priest to get a letter of approval to put Christians into jail. (This would be similar to a person going before the Supreme Court to get a law passed to put all Christians into prison.) While on his journey, a turn of events forever altered his life recorded in Acts 9:4-16...

"He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

In this story of Saul, God meets him on his journey and reveals to him a stunning revelation. Saul thinks that he has been doing the Lord's will all along by persecuting those who belonged to the Way (those who believed in Jesus). However, God tells him that He is Jesus. Saul is left blind on the road and for three days neither eats nor drinks. (Imagine, if you have been "thinking" you were doing the right thing all along, but suddenly one day God stops you and says, "Why do you persecute me?") God, however, has a plan for Saul. God calls another disciple Ananias to go to Saul and lay hands on him to restore his sight. Of course, God not only restores Saul's physical sight but also his spiritual eyes. Scales fall off from Saul's eyes. Saul realized that he has sinned against God and becomes baptized into a new life with Christ.

The story of Saul who later is renamed Paul is really the story of God's amazing grace. Saul, a persecutor of Christians, becomes Paul, a martyr for Christ, who ends up spreading the Gospel all across Asia minor and Europe. In fact, Paul is often credited to have spread the cause and Gospel of Christ more than any other disciple. God's grace teaches me that God can use all things for His good and His glory. Even those who persecute the Church, God can turn the hardest of hearts into the most passionate for His name. This means for me that even if I were to go against God...He would never abandon me but instead He is always looking for the opportunity to reach out with His amazing grace. I hope that God's grace also touches your life today.

If you would like to learn more about God's amazing grace, I would encourage you to continue reading the book of Acts. If you want a look inside Paul's heart and thoughts, I would read Philippians 3:1-14 to see just how deeply Paul's life was changed by Jesus Christ. Finally, if you would like to watch a movie check out Amazing Grace, the story of William Wilberforce, who helped abolish slavery in England.

Before the Sanhedrin...stand strong!

What an incredible story of faith and holy spirit fervor lies inside the book of Acts! Peter and John have healed the crippled beggar from birth in the name of Jesus. Tongues of fire rest upon the apostle during the day of Pentecost signaling the power of the Holy Spirit. Believers in Christ share their possessions (the Bible says they shared everything they had!) and helped one another so that everyone had enough for their daily bread. Crowds gather around the apostles bringing their sick and they were healed. However, all of these miraculous signs and wonders do not go unnoticed! The high priest, the Sadducees, and the Pharisees are filled with jealousy. Our blog today starts from in the middle of Acts 5:

"Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.

When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to...

Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

This is a long passage but I would like to highlight a few portions for us to think about today. First, not every story starts out with a jailbreak, but our story today does! Who ever said that the Lord never rescues prison inmates? God has been saving prisoners and outcast of society for a very long time...(Think about how God rescued Joseph as a slave in Egypt or how God spared the life of Cain who killed his brother) I think the lesson for us hear is to remember that the Lord opens the doors of the jail so that the apostles could share the Good News of Jesus Christ. In the same way, we have been "set free" from our bondage of sin to spread the Gospel.

Second, I love the reply of Peter and the other apostles who said, "We must obey God rather than men!" The apostle knew that obedience to God was the highest, most important, and #1 priority. In today's modern world, I know that it is very difficult to listen and obey God amidst all the other influences in life (media, society, culture, fashion, money, etc...) And yet, all of us need to make a stand one day before God and answer if we obeyed God rather than men.

Third, there is not a lot of times in the Bible (maybe none except for this portion of Scripture) that I can genuinely appreciate a Pharisee's response. Gamaliel, a teacher of the law and a Pharisee, however, gives a wise response to the accusations brought up against the apostles of Christ. He says, "Therefore, in the present case I advice you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." What I have learned from this verse is that God's will WILL be done! Nothing in heaven or on earth can ever stop the will of God. So I rejoice in the fact that the God of angel armies is always by my side!!!

Peter, John, and the crippled beggar

"It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazereth..." In Acts 3 and 4, our story begins with Peter, John, and the crippled beggar. I like how the passage begins like a story with "One day Peter and John were going up to the temple..." In this story, the two apostles perform a miracle in the name of Jesus by the temple gate called Beautiful! A crippled beggar from birth was carried each day day to this same spot to beg for money. But on this day...on THIS day...This crippled beggar was given a far better gift then silver or gold -- He was completely healed through the power of God!

There are passages, quotes, and verses in the Bible that really jump out at you. Acts 3:6 is one of those for me. Peter says, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." BOOM! Doesn't that verse just hit the breath straight out of you? But of course, there is more to this miraculous healing...

Peter and John share the Good News of Jesus how He lived, was crucified, was buried, and rose gain. Then, there is the call to salvation. Peter says, "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may sent the Christ , who has been appointed for you-even Jesus."

What does the passage teach me? I might not have silver or gold to pass around to every person in need...but one thing I have is the Gospel. I can always give away the greatest treasure which is the gift of salvation from Jesus Christ and the relationship that comes along with that precious gift. So I hope you will join me as I earnestly pledge to lift up the name of Jesus, wherever I am, whenever I can, and whoever I meet...Let us be able to say, "It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazereth."

What does "Acts" stand for?

As we begin the book of Acts for our church bible reading...I would first like you to think about what you think about "Acts". Is Acts about the acts of the apostles for you? Or is Acts about the acts of the Holy Spirit? Or is Acts really about the acts of Jesus? (Of course, we all know that the New Testament is all about Jesus right!!!) I ask this question to get us started thinking about the book of Acts. In the ancient world, the word "Acts" usually denoted books that described great deeds/history of remarkable people or even cities and countries. (Random fact #1: In theater or drama, the word "Acts" denotes a scene in a play like in Shakespeare plays.)

So now that we have started thinking about "Acts", maybe the next question is to ask what is the main theme or purpose of Act? Scholars throughout history have put deep thought into this question. Some say "Acts" provides some of the only early historical records of early Christians. (Random fact #2: The "Histories" of Herodotus is considered the founding work of history in Western literature, I've actually read parts of it...not recommended unless you are a huge history buff.) Some other scholars say "Acts" is an "apology" which is basically a defense of one's beliefs that is usually aimed to convince or pursued an audience for a particular viewpoint. Still others say that "Acts" is more about equipping or strengthening the church.

Today, I just want to spend time on what the Bible says in the first chapter of Acts. Perhaps, the main purpose is much larger, grander, and more complex than anyone has ever conceived...Perhaps, the book of Acts would took one man a lifetime to begin discovering the ultimate purpose. In Acts 1:1-4, the author writes, "In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about."

From the first four verses, we can draw a few thoughts: First, the book of Acts is addressed to a man named Theophilus. (Random fact #3: Actually this fact is probably not so random but is probably an important to note that Theophilus is Greek for lover of God. This could mean that Theophilus might possibly have been recently converted to Christianity) Second, we do not know who the author is but that this author did write a former book about the life of Jesus. (The author is traditionally defined as Luke although there is no specific reference, the author must have been close enough to be eyewitness of the teachings of Jesus) Third, the author felt it was important (or actually a better word might be VITAL) to quote the importance of waiting for the Holy Spirit because he mentions a direct quote from Jesus not once but twice in just the first chapter! So that is really about all that I can draw from the first four verses at this time. Although, I bet there is a lot more in just those four verses than I could discover at this time. Thanks for reading and the next time, I will be continuing more discussion on the book of Acts!

The Farewell Prayer of Jesus (2/2)

In the last post, we began meditating on the Farewell Prayer of Jesus. Here is a fun fact - This prayer in John 17:1-26 is the longest prayer that Jesus prayed (and is one of my favorite prayers of all time). There is something powerful about how Jesus prays for His disciples. His sacrificial and caring love is made truly imminent in His last words. Indeed, not only did he pray for His immediate disciples...Jesus also prayed for all believers including you, me, and anyone who has heard the Gospel message. Let us look at the remaining portion of John 17:13-26 that we did not read in the last post.

“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

Jesus prays for all who will believe in the future which includes all of us today! In addition, Jesus desires all of us to be where He is (seated in heaven) and to see the glory of God. Just imagine for one split moment how glorious heaven will be when we stand before the Creator. How do you imagine God's glory? A brilliant white light? Beautiful crystal? A gentle warm smile? Indescribable awe and beauty? Peace that overcomes all else? A joy that conquers all sorrow? No matter how you picture it...I can promise you one thing...God's glory will blow your mind and overwhelm your very soul. There is nothing that compares to God's glory in all the universe. I hope you have enjoyed reading John 17 and are filled with amazement!

The Farewell Prayer of Jesus (1/2)

In this week's devotional reading, John records the detailed events right after the Lord's supper on the night before the crucifixion of Jesus. As I read through this passage, I was overwhelmed with the passion of Jesus Christ. He knew exactly what was coming...the betrayal, the trial, and the cross...but rather than thinking about the tragedy before Him, Jesus comforts His disciples. Some scholars have called this the "Farewell Discourse" where Jesus is giving His last words to His disciples right before the start of His passion. Bible scholars have also highlighted four key parts of this portion of Scripture:

The first discourse is found in Chapter 14 where Jesus begins encouraging His disciples that though He will depart soon...He promises to send a helper - the Holy Spirit. I shared about the second discourse in my previous post about Jesus as the Vine and we as the Branches...how Jesus is the source of life for the church in Chapter 15:1-17. In the third discourse between Chapter 15:18-Chapter 16:33, Jesus prepares His disciples that the world will hate them but that the Father will always care for them. In addition, Jesus again promises that the Spirit of truth will guide them into all truth. Finally, in chapter 17:1-26, Jesus ends with a prayer! This is what I would us to meditate on today. In today's post, we will look at John 17:1-12.

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

This week, I have been preparing the Praise Team with a lesson on "Living for God's glory, not our own" and John 17 actually deals directly with that theme! The first part of the prayer might seems to some that Jesus is focusing on himself, but I find the subtitle for this portion a bit misleading. I think a better subtitle would be "Jesus prays for God's glory to be revealed through Him." Let's remember that Jesus is the Son of God! He has every right to be praying for himself so to speak...in fact, Jesus in one sense is always in communion/prayer with God. However, I believe the beginning of Jesus' prayer teaches us the important of giving God the glory and living our lives for Him! In the next post, we will look at John 17:13-26 and discuss more the Farewell Prayer of Jesus.

I am the Vine; You are the Branches

The passage in this week's devotional is one well known by many Christians. Today, I hope we can remember just how important it is for God's children to remain in Jesus. I want to begin this post today by making it clear that John 15 is not a parable (because the passage is not telling a story) but instead it is a metaphor. The picture of a vine and branches is like more like an analogy you find in the old SATs. Vine (is to) Branches as what (is to) what?

John records Jesus response that He is the Vine and We are the Branches. What is the importance of this analogy? Well first off, you cannot have branches without a vine. If you have ever seen a grape vine or some other vine plant, you will know that you cannot have the leaves and branches without the vine. And of course, you cannot have fruit without the leaves, branches, and the vine. Second, the vine and branches are all connected. What I mean by this is that...nutrients come from the roots of the vine into the rest of the plant. The branches and leaves absorb sunlight in a process we call photosynthesis that converts light energy from the sun into chemical energy for the plant's activities. Third, as a final food for thought, the Vine image actually occurs in the Old Testament multiple times especially in Jeremiah and Isaiah. Almost every time this Vine image is recorded in the Bible, it is associated with the theme of judgement.

Here is the passage that I want to focus on today from John 15:5-17 that says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other."

Here are some of my thoughts that I hope might give you some deeper thoughts into this passage. When Jesus says that He is the vine, He is the one taking on all the judgement and bearing our sins at the cross. When Jesus says that we are the branches, we are partaking (or joining) with Him...But instead being punished for our sins, Jesus gladly bears our judgement on Himself and instead exchanges God's rightful judgement with God's eternal love. This is an example how much the Son of God loved us that He took our place and accepted punishment on our behalf.

To top this loving act off, Jesus not only extended love instead of the justice we deserved. Jesus also called us out and became a friend. We are friends of God (not because we wanted to be friends with God but because God befriended us). Thus, Jesus says, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends...You did not choose me but I chose you...this is my command: Love each other." I hope this passage really inspires you and overwhelms you...imagine if Jesus never died for our sins, if God gave us the punishment we deserved, or if we faced judgement on our own...However, rest assured that Jesus did die for our sins, God did not give us the punishment we deserve, and that we will not face judgement on our own because Jesus will advocate for everyone who trusts in Him.