Category Archives: Sharing Our Faith

WE STRENGTHEN ONE ANOTHER

So, when are you going to start strength training- just kidding? It is certainly dangerous and foolish to lift heavy objects without help. Those who do strength training with weights know the value of a “spotter”, a person who supports the one doing the training and they do more than we my think. They certainly can act quickly to intervene or assist as needed. Christians do that for one another, or they should. As God works through us, He uses us to strengthen one another in the face of a world that calls us to follow a different path. And sometimes it is stronger than just a call, today we see those who want to force their opinions and feelings on Christians. In these times we need others to help us in the Christians life. We strengthen one another to live as God desires. So, ask God to help us see the need for accountability and support of others in the church.

Read Ephesians 5:8-14

⁸For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰and find out what pleases the Lord. ¹¹Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹²It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

For ye were sometimes darkness – see the Ephesians 2:11-12 notes; 1 Corinthians 6:11 note. The meaning here is, that they were themselves formerly sunk in the same ignorance and practiced the same abominations. But now are ye light in the Lord – Light is the emblem of happiness, knowledge, holiness. The meaning is, that they had been enlightened by the Lord to see the evil of these practices, and that they ought, therefore, to forsake them. Walk as children of light – see the notes on Matthew 1:1, on the use of the word “son,” or “children.” The meaning here is, that they should live as became those who had been enlightened to see the evil of sin, and the beauty of virtue and religion; compare John 12:36, where the same phrase occurs.

For the fruit of the Spirit – That is, since the Holy Spirit through the gospel produces goodness, righteousness, and truth, see that you exhibit these in your lives, and thus show that you are the children of light. On the fruits of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23.Is in all goodness – Is seen in producing all kinds of goodness. He who is not good is not a Christian.

Proving—construed with “walk” (Eph 5:8; Ro 12:1, 2). As we prove a coin by the eye and the ear, and by using it, so by accurate and continued study, and above all by practice and experimental tri, we may prove or test “what is acceptable unto the Lord.” This is the office of “light,” of which believers are “children,” to manifest what each thing is, whether by sight or unsightly.

And have no fellowship – See the sentiment here expressed fully explained in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.The unfruitful works – The deeds of darkness that produce no “benefit” to the body or the soul. The word “unfruitful” is used here in contrast with the “fruit of the Spirit,” Ephesians 5:9. But rather reprove them – By your life, your conversation, and all your influence. This is the business of Christians. Their lives should be a standing rebuke of a sinful world, and they should be ever ready to express their disapprobation of its wickedness in every form.

The Greek order is, “For the things done in secret by them, it is a shame even to speak of.” The “for” gives his reason for “not naming” (compare Eph 5:3) in detail the works of darkness, whereas he describes definitely (Eph 5:9) “the fruit of the light” [Bengel]. “Speak of,” I think, is used here as “speaking of without reproving,” in contrast to “even reprove them.” Thus the “for” expresses this, reprove them, for to speak of them without reproving them, is a shame (Eph 5:3). Thus “works of darkness” answers to “things done in secret.”

That are reproved—rather, “when they are reproved,” namely, by you (Eph 5:11). whatsoever doth make manifest—rather, “everything that is (that is, suffers itself to be) made manifest (or ‘shone upon,’ namely, by your ‘reproving,’ Eph 5:11) is (thenceforth no longer ‘darkness,’ Eph 5:8, but) light.” The devil and the wicked will not suffer themselves to be made manifest by the light, but love darkness, though outwardly the light shines round them. Therefore, “light” has no transforming effect on them, so that they do not become light (Joh 3:19, 20). But, says the apostle, you are now the light yourselves (Eph 5:8), by bringing to light through reproof those who are in darkness, will convert them to light. Your consistent lives and faithful reproofs will be your “armor

of light” (Ro 13:12) in making an inroad on the kingdom of darkness.

He saith; either God by the prophets, of whose preaching this is the sum; it may allude in particular to Isaiah 60:1. Or, Christ by his ministers, in the preaching of the gospel, who daily calls men to arise from the death of sin by repentance, and encourages them with the promise of eternal life.
Awake thou that sleeps, and arise from the dead; the same thing in two different expressions. Sinners in some respects are said to be asleep, in others, to be dead. They are as full of dreams and vain imaginations, and as unfit for any good action, as they that are asleep are for natural; and they are as full of stench and loathsomeness as they that are dead. Here therefore they are bid to awake from sin as a sleep, and to arise from it as a death. The meaning is, that they should arise by faith and repentance out of that state of spiritual death in which they lie while in their sins.
And Christ shall give thee light; the light of peace and joy here, and eternal glory hereafter. The apostle intimates, that what is the way of Christ in the gospel should likewise be the practice of these Ephesians, whom he calls light in the Lord, viz. to reprove the unfruitful works of darkness, and awaken sleeping, dead sinners, and bring them to the light of Christ.

Read Ephesians 5:15-17

¹⁵Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Billy Graham was asked what he was most surprised by in life. He answered, “Its brevity.” (Christianity Today [Oct., 2006], p. 90.) Graham has lived a relatively long life, but he still feels the sting of life’s shortness.

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The older you get, the more you think about using your time wisely in light of eternity. You try to evaluate what really matters. Moses must have been feeling this when he wrote Psalm 90. He had spent his first 40 years as a son of Pharaoh’s daughter, living in the comfort of the palace. He spent his next 40 years as a fugitive shepherd, wandering around the Sinai Peninsula. He spent the last 40 years of his long life leading a rebellious bunch of Israelis out of slavery in Egypt, but not quite into the Promised Land.

As they were camped somewhere in the wilderness, shy of that goal, he wrote Psalm 90, reflecting on the brevity of life and the severity of God’s judgment. In verse 12 he prayed, “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” He concluded the Psalm with the prayer (v. 17), “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; and confirm for us the work of our hands; yes, confirm the work of our hands.” The poignant repetition of his final plea shows that even Moses was afraid that his life’s work would amount to nothing, unless God confirmed it, or [NASB margin] gave permanence to it.

Our text tells us how to walk wisely, so that we make the precious years that God allots to us count for His purpose and glory. There is a paradox in that God is the sovereign over time. He has a divine will (5:17) and He “works all things after the counsel of His will” (Eph. 1:11). And yet at the same time, He allots time to us to use responsibly to bring about His sovereign will. We must walk carefully and redeem the time that He gives us (5:15-16). To make your life count for eternity, you must give careful thought to how you spend your time.

When we think about being godly, we probably think about holiness in the moral realm. But do we think about being people of godly purpose? The fact that God is a God of purpose means that if we are to be like Him, we will be people of purpose in line with His purpose. Jesus lived to accomplish the Father’s purpose and knew that He had done so as His short life neared the end. He prayed (John 17:4), “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.” Jesus knew the Father’s purpose and He lived according to it. To be like Jesus, we must follow His example by being people of godly purpose.

The apostle Paul was also a man of godly purpose. He lived to exalt Christ and to know Him (Phil. 1:20-21; 3:8-16). He purposed to preach the gospel to the lost and to disciple the saved (1 Cor. 9:24-27; Col. 1:27-28). He told Timothy to discipline himself for the purpose of godliness (1 Tim. 4:7-8; see also, 2 Tim. 3:10). As he faced execution, Paul knew that he had fought the good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith (2 Tim. 4:7). In our text, he shows us how to walk wisely, so that we make the most of our lives in light of God’s will, His plan for the ages (5:17):

To walk wisely, you must know what God wants you to be, what dangers to avoid, and how to take advantage of the opportunities that God gives you.

Some popular TV preachers will tell you that God wants to help you fulfill your dreams. But that’s backwards, because it leaves you as the lord of your life and makes God your servant. The Bible is clear that God is the Sovereign and we are His servants. We exist to fulfill His will, not vice versa! So it is vital to know from Scripture, where does God want us to go with our lives? Much more could be said, but note these four things:

1). GOD WANTS YOU TO PLEASE AND GLORIFY HIM WITH YOUR LIFE.

(2). GOD WANTS YOU TO KNOW HIM MORE DEEPLY.

(3). GOD WANTS YOU TO BE A GODLY PERSON.

(4). GOD WANTS YOU TO PROCLAIM HIS EXCELLENCIES BYR YOUR LIFE

AND WORDS.

To accomplish this, YOU MUST DISCIPLINE YOURSELF FOR THE PURPOSE OF GODLINESS.

Read Ephesians 5:18-21

¹⁸Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.

We need to make the most of the time God has allotted to us. We must have our priorities set correctly and keep them if we are to do what is best with our lives and not just what is good. That is the only way you can take advantage of opportunities and know they are coming from God. That is how you live in keeping with God’s will. In this passage, Paul continues on this general theme of walking in a manner worthy of our calling in Jesus Christ by living in wisdom and not foolishness, and so Paul states verses 18-21 just what we read.

1) Not a particular event: The command here to “be filled” is in the present tense, therefore it speaks of something that is continuing, not something that happened once. It is something on going. We could more accurately bring out this sense by translating: “be being filled,” “keep on being filled,” “continue being filled.” Because this is not something that happens just once, then “being filled with the Spirit” cannot be either the baptism of the Spirit or the sealing of the spirit.

2) Not the “baptism of the Spirit” – 1 Cor. 12:13. The charismatic movement has caused most of the confusion on what it means to be “filled by the spirit” by equating it with the “baptism of the spirit” and the bestowment of the charismatic gifts. Let me quickly put that idea to rest. First, every believer in Jesus Christ is baptized by the Holy Spirit. Look over 1 Cor. 12:13. This is the chapter that deals with spirit given gifts such as tongues, interpretation of tongues, healing, etc. Look at 1 Cor. 12:12 & 13. It says, “2 For even as the body is one and [yet] has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit”. Every person who is saved was placed into the Body of Christ by the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. All true Christians were made to drink of the one Spirit. There are no exceptions to this, and it occurs only once at salvation.

The filling of the Spirit and the Baptism of the Spirit are not the same, though a person is filled with the Spirit when they are baptized by Him. The Baptism of the Spirit inducts the person into Christ’s Body and comes as salvation; it marks that point in which the Spirit indwells the believer. Romans 8:9 makes clear the importance of this indwelling. “However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” If you do not have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you, then you are not saved.

3) This is not a “second blessing” Let me add here before I move onto the sealing of the spirit, that the filling of the spirit is not some “second blessing,” or spiritual “zap” from God that moves a person into some ecstatic state as some have claimed is evidenced by speaking in tongues or having visions. In Acts 2 we find the promise of Jesus in Acts 1:5 fulfilled. Jesus said that they would be “baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now,” and then some ten days later on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:4 says, “And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving the utterance.” I have always found it curious that those in the charismatic movement claim this as the foundation for speaking in ecstatic “unknown tongues,” yet the “unknown tongues” turn out to be languages known to those present, but not to the speakers, for the languages spoken are listed in verses 9-11.

4) Not the “sealing” of the spirit. We have already seen in Eph. 1:13,14 that were sealed with the spirit at salvation. That happens only once and it is the pledge of God’s promises to you.

5) This is not some process of progression in getting the Holy Spirit. When you get the Holy Spirit, you get Him all because He is a person, not some mystical force. You cannot get just part of a person. If you invite me to come to your house, you get all of me. I don’t send over just my mouth by itself.

6) Being filled with the Spirit is also not some stoical act of your will. The verb voice here is passive. It is something that happens to you, not something you actively acquire for yourself. Do note as well that the verb is in the command mood. Whatever being filled with the Spirit means, it is not an option for the Christian. It is something that is necessary for all Christians to do if they are to live the Christian life at all.

Then Paul finishes these verses with that we all should submit to one another in reverence to Christ.

REVELATION: AUTHENTIC JOY

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AUTHENTIC JOY

When we meet people for the first time that we do not know, we can usually manage a smile and be polite. However, it is not always easy to be genuine. Most of the time it depends on what kind of day we are having. Others may be able to discern if we are being superficial, but there are times we just can’t help ourselves. In these times, others are likely able to determine the difference of our casual “glad to see you” and authentic joy. We cannot manufacture such genuine joy. We need to find a way to achieve authentic joy, so we don’t come off as an uncaring person. We can possess authentic joy when we are consumed with the gospel and the love of Christ. Since we are human, this is not easy to do. It takes prayer, reading God’s Word, and the constant help of the Holy Spirit. Authentic joy flows from a thorough, complete relationship with Jesus. Apostle Paul tells us about this type of relationship in 1 Thessalonians chapter 1.

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3

This Epistle is Paul’s first letter. He had been chased out of Thessalonica by the mob, made the best of his way to Athens, stayed there for a very short time, then he took himself to Corinth, and at some point, there, this letter was written. So, this was Paul’s first attempt, so far as we know, to preach the Gospel by writing letters of this type. It is interesting to notice how, whatever changes and developments there may have been in him thereafter, all the substantial elements of his latest faith is on display in this earliest letter, and how even in regard to trifles we see the hints of much that came afterwards. This same triad, we remember, ‘faith, hope, charity,’ recurs in the First Epistle to the Corinthians, though with a very significant difference in the order.

The letter is interesting on another account. Remembering that it was only a very short time since these Thessalonians had turned from idols to serve the living God, there is something very beautiful in the overflowing generosity of commendation, which never goes beyond veracity, with which he salutes them. Their Christian character, like seeds sown in some favored tropical land, had sprung up swiftly; yet not with the dangerous kind of swiftness which presages decay of the growth. It was only a few days since they had been gravelling before idols, but now he can speak of ‘our work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope’ . . . and declare that the Gospel ‘sounded out’ from them–the word which he employs is that which is technically used for the blast of a trumpet–’so that we need not to speak anything.’ Rapid growth is possible for us all and is not always superficial.

Following the opening address, as was typical in Paul’s writings (Galatians is the only exception), an expression of thanksgiving was offered. Paul was genuinely thankful for the believers in Thessalonica. Their loyalty to him and the gospel overflowed Paul’s heart with joy-authentic joy! The verb tense of the term rendered “thank”, along with the words “always” and “constantly”, indicate that Paul was consistent in his thankfulness and in his prayers for Thessalonian believers. The Thessalonians were a source of constant joy for Paul. So, Paul’s authentic joy was in others- not himself.

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6

Paul was certain that the Thessalonian believers were among God’s elect, “beloved” and “chosen” by Him. He believed that it was impossible for people to respond to God if God had not previously taken the initiative by reaching out to them. Paul was convinced that the labors of the missionaries had been in keeping with God’s initiative in reaching out to the Thessalonians. They had not just spoken words, although Paul certainly did not depreciate the place of preaching in bringing conviction. God had affirmed their preaching by demonstrations of “power”. Interpreters generally assume that power refers to miraculous manifestations of the presence of God, as in healing, for an example. The Holy Spirit’s presence had also been clearly discernable in the presentation of the gospel. Moreover, the three missionaries had preached with a “full conviction”. This was in itself a manifestation of God’s presence in their lives. So, these three aspects of their ministry- power, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and great conviction- were evidence that they were the will of God in the missionary work which had resulted in the birth of the church in Thessalonica.

Paul emphasized the way the gospel was presented to the Thessalonians. Next, he wrote about the way they had responded to it. They became “imitators” of the missionaries and “of the Lord”. They responded to the authority of Paul’s preaching and became followers of the Lord. It had not been easy for the Thessalonians to respond to the preachers of the gospel. The “affliction” to which the letter refers is special kind of suffering. It is unjust and undeserved suffering that was because of commitment to Jesus Christ. But the Thessalonian Christians had not been negative and complaining. Indeed, the opposite was true. They had received the gospel with the “joy” that the Holy Spirit gives to believers.

Read 1 Thessalonians 7-10

This combination of affliction and joy is characteristic of genuine believers. The way the Thessalonians had received the word in the midst of great affliction made them “an example” for believers in the provinces of Macedonia and Achaia. We, however, must not interpret “example” in the wrong kind of way. We do not become Christians by following the example of anyone. We can only become Christians by the presence and power of God through our personal faith. The example of the Thessalonians bore witness to the divinely given realities of a life of faith. Such a course of conduct was possible to others who, inspired by the Thessalonians, also trusted God in the same way.

The news about the response of the Thessalonian believers to the gospel had spread rapidly. Indeed, it had preceded the arrival of the missionaries in other places. Instead of the missionaries themselves having to tell about what God had done in Thessalonica, they found other people already talking about it. “Everywhere” (v. 8) is hyperbole, of course. Paul meant “everywhere they had traveled”. Paul was primarily concerned about the result of the visit and not the personal welcome given to the missionaries. The results of the visit was that the Thessalonians had turned “from idols”. This implies that they were pagans and not Jews. According to Acts, some Jews had responded favorably to the gospel (Acts 17:4). Most of the members, however, must have been Gentiles.

They had turned “to God”. Paul could have stated that they had repented, for what he says corresponds exactly to the meaning of the word repentance. Repentance is a complete turning in the life, a radical change of direction. This turning to God is further explained by the verb “to serve” (v.9). The word literally means “to serve as a slave”. The commitment to God is complete and unreserved. Of course, it is voluntary commitment, a relationship into which believers enter joyfully and freely. In this way, it differs significantly from the involuntary, grudging service of the slave. The God of the Thessalonian believers differs from the pagan idols in that He is the “living and true God”. God is the only one who can be described as living because He is the only one who is indestructible.

The last aspect of the change in the lives of the believers is that their values and goals are no longer defined by the things of this world. Their life has a greater and higher end. Thus, they expectantly await the coming of the Savior, God’s “Son from heaven” (v.10). This hope is not mere wishful thinking. It is based upon what has already happened. God “raised” Jesus “from the dead”. This means that Jesus is alive. It also means that He has the power to deliver these who trust in Him completely. Paul taught that the salvation of the believer is complete. Paul affirmed that Jesus can be trusted to “rescue us from the coming wrath” (also in Rev. 3:10). May we all strive to attain such devotion and passion for God as we live out our lives in and through Christ today.

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FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS

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JUST AS THERE ARE PHYSICAL LAWS THAT GOVERN THE PHYSICAL UNIVERSE, SO ARE THERE SPIRITUAL LAWS THAT GOVERN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD!!

LAW 1- God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life.

GOD’S LOVE- “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that who ever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). GOD’S PLAN- “I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

LAW 2- Man is sinful and separated from God. Therefore, he cannot know and experience God’s love and plan for his life.

MAN IS SINFUL- “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). MAN IS SEPARATED- “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

LAW 3- Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for man’s sin. Through Him you can know and experience God’s love and plan for your life.

HE DIED IN OUR PLACE- “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD- “Christ died for our sins…He was buried …He was raised on the third day, according to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-6). HE IS THE ONLY WAY TO GOD- “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).

LAW 4- We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God’s love and plan for our lives”.

WE MUST RECEIVE CHRIST- “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12). WE RECEIVE CHRIST THROUGH FAITH- “By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works that no one should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). WHEN WE RECEIVE CHRIST, WE EXPERIENCE A NEW BIRTH- Read John 3:1-8. WE RECEIVE CHRIST THROUGH PERSONAL INVITATION- “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him” (Christ is speaking Revelation 3:20).

The following explains how you can receive Christ:

YOU CAN RECEIVE CHRIST RIGHT NOW BY FAITH THROUGH PRAYER- God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart.

The following is a suggested prayer: Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

,DO NOT DEPEND ON FEELINGS! The promise of God’s Word, the Bible-not our feelings- is our authority. The Christian lives by faith (trust )in the trustworthiness of God Himself and His Word. (John 14:21). Faith and faith alone is how we receive God!!!

Here is a great website for all types of Christian helps and tips for all ages, including clothing and many other Christian items:

GREAT WEBSITE FOR CHRISTIAN TIPS- ALL AGES

REVELATION THOUGHT: LOVE

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UNSTOPPABLE LOVE

We are inspired by a heart-warming story when people help those who suffered a tragedy or have learned they have a devastating disease. When there is a weather disaster, people from all over the country step-up to help. The United States is well known around the world for its humanitarian aid to other countries, and the citizens give to a host of organization seeking to help various forms of suffering. A few years ago our church collected many items for northwest Africa. Also think about all of the love involved in the Operation Christmas Child. While motives for giving to these people and groups may vary, giving within the church is motivated by love. This is a love for Christ expressed in love for the person. Out of our common love for Jesus, the early church expressed love for each other. Loving people is a powerful expression of loving God.

Read Acts 2:41-42

Due to so many Jews accepting Peter’s message on Pentecost, this became one of the most important events in establishing the Christian message. Besides being the unstoppable message, it also was the unstoppable love that met the spiritual needs of those in attendance. The new converts joyfully spent much time together studying the apostles’ teaching. Who were those ordinary men to do the teaching? They had n theological degrees to display on their walls. These men had spent their young years studying the Scripture in synagogue schools. They did their “graduate work” under Jesus Himself. The experience of the resurrection, ascension, and Pentecost served as powerful catalysts for recall. The apostles were qualified to teach the new converts.

Real fellowship, always a hallmark of the church, expressed itself in two ways: breaking bread and prayers. Note in verse 42 that the believers’ devotion in prayer helped to bring the community together. Though the theology of the Lord’s Supper was far from formed, there is little doubt that this community from the first days of its existence remembered the Lord’s sacrifice through the reenactment of the Last Supper. While many churches exercise an exclusive protection of the Lord’s Supper, others let individual worshippers make their own decision whether to participate. Each person can submit to the judgment of God as to his or her own worthiness for this celebration.

As has been noted previously, about 3,000 people became new believers when Peter preached the Good News about Christ. These Christians were united with the other believers, taught by the apostles, and included in the prayer meetings and fellowship. New believers in Christ need to be in groups, where they can learn God’s Word, pray and mature in the faith. If we had just begun a relationship with Christ, we would need to seek out other believers for fellowship, prayer and teaching. Wait a minute- that is true for all of us no matter when we started our relationship with Jesus. This is the way to grow.

Read Acts 2:43-45

The new community was further flavored by a healthy fear. Indications are that all manner of marvelous deeds were done in their midst. Some of these deeds had to at least confuse these new believers- but many most of them had felt some true fear. Regardless, a contagious commonality sprang up among them. They sold what they had and shared everything together. Through the centuries we who cling to things too much have tried to put that communalism in “perspective”. Many people probably have missed some great adventures in living while unnecessarily weighing ourselves down with a frantic pursuit of things. History does have its examples of communities that have lived selflessly with varying degrees of success, but most of us remain suspicious of such extreme expressions of church. One spin-off of that primitive practice has been an endless series of grand philanthropic acts. If we have been unwilling to sell all, we have at least been willing to sell some for the benefits of others. We can admit that we have not gone far enough, but the world is infinitely better off because of the distance we have gone.

Recognizing the other believers as brothers and sisters in the family of God, the Christians in Jerusalem shared their things so that all could benefit from God’s gifts. It is tempting- especially for those who have material wealth – to cut ourselves off from one another, concerning ourselves with our interests and enjoying only our own little piece of the world. But as part of God’s spiritual family, it is our responsibility to help one another in every way possible. God’s family works best when its members work together. Unstoppable love meets physical needs: Unity, Selfless ness, and Mutual Care.

Read Acts 2:46-47

These verses show how social gatherings and meetings creates opportunities to share the gospel. A summary of the flavor of the first weeks of the church is given in verse 46. They frequented the Temple (they had no other place of worship to which they could go; nor would it occurred to them to find another place); they joyfully fellowshipped together in an attitude of Praise and celebration. And for those first few months, before the radical nature of the demands of the new community began to emerge, the church found favor with all the people. Every day enthusiastic followers were added to their number.

Never again would life be so blissful for the church. They were honestly fulfilling the best of who they perceived themselves to be, and their world was enthusiastic. As time moved along, however, their popularity dramatically and painfully waned. Acceptance gave way to suspicion, which in turn gave way to ostracism and overt persecution.

A common misconception about the first Christians (who were Jews) was that they rejected the Jewish religion. But those believers saw Jesus’ message and resurrection as the fulfillment of everything they knew and believed from the Old Testament. The Jewish believers at first did not separate themselves from the rest of the Jewish community. They still went to the Temple and synagogues for worship and instruction in the Scriptures. But their belief in Jesus created great friction with Jews who didn’t believe that Jesus was the Messiah. Thus, believing Jews were force to meet in private homes for what we now call the Lord’s Supper, prayer, and teaching about Jesus. By the end of the first century, many of these Jewish believers were excommunicated from their synagogue.

A healthy Christian community attracts people to Christ. The Jerusalem church’s zeal for worship and brotherly love was contagious. A healthy, loving church will grow in numbers. So we all need to do what we can to make our church a place that will attract others to Christ.

This unstoppable love was real and as a result, “the Lord added these new believers to the community of faith.”

REVELATIONS COMMITMENT

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ONE GREAT COMMITMENT

The one great commitment requires a decision. We make decisions constantly. Our quarterly (not sure it is in your copy) gives the results of a Columbia researcher’s survey that estimates we make about 70 decisions every day. That is around 25,500 decisions per year and about 1,788,500 in a 70 year lifetime. Many of these decisions require little thought and most decisions require little long-term commitment. Some of our decisions are life changing- even eternal. The greatest decision we will ever make centers on what we will do with Jesus Christ. Knowledge about Jesus is not enough. The need for salvation is answered in Jesus, but each person must decide whether we will commit to that truth and trust Jesus. As we move to Romans chapter 10, Paul continues to speak of his love of Jews, a continuation of chapter 9, even though Paul is particularly known for his writings to support the Gentiles.

Read Romans 10:1-3

Paul opens chapter 10 expressing his concern about the situation of unbelieving Jews (v.1). Paul is also emphasizing the need to make a decision about Jesus as personal Lord and Savior for his readers. As in Romans 9:1-5, Paul expressed again his concern for the salvation of his people. He bore witness to the Jews’ zeal for God but lamented that it was not enlightened (v.2). Ignorant of the right standing with God made possible through faith, they sought to establish their own right standing with God by keeping the law (v.3). They failed to recognize that Christ put an end to the law as a way of achieving righteousness for everyone who believes (v. 4; 3:21; Gal. 3:19 to 4:7).

So what happens to the Jewish people who believe in God but not in Christ? Since they believe in the same God won’t they be saved? If that were true, Paul would not have worked so hard and sacrificed so much to teach them about Christ. Because Jesus is the most complete revelation of God, we cannot fully know God apart from Christ. Because God appointed Jesus to bring God and people together, we cannot come to God by another way. The Jews, like everyone else, must find salvation through Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Like Paul, we should pray that all Jews might be saved and lovingly share the Good News with them.

Rather than living by faith in God, Jews established customs and traditions (in addition to God’s laws) to try to make themselves acceptable in God’s sight. But human effort, no matter how sincere, can never substitute for the righteousness God offers us by faith. The only way to earn salvation is to be perfect- and that is impossible. We can only hold our empty hands and receive salvation as a gift.

How do people today try to establish their own righteousness?

Read Romans 8b-10

Paul did not deny that Old Testament law had its rightful place in God’s relationship to the Jews in the past. He even called the law “holy and just and good” (7:12). But God never intended for fulfilling the law to be the path of salvation and eternal life.

An alternate view of Romans 10:4 claim that Christ is the “end” of the law in the sense of its “aim” rather than its “termination”. Thus the law has its meaning and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. There is a strange reference to bringing Christ down from heaven and up from the dead in verses 6-7. The background for this passage is Deuteronomy 30:11-14, where Moses was speaking to the people about keeping God’s commandments. Yet Paul’s words in verse 7 differ from all known forms of Deuteronomy 30:13. Probably Paul meant to assert that Christ already had achieved all that was necessary for our salvation. Nothing remained now but to confess Him as Lord and to receive salvation through Him by faith (vv.8-9). Some scholars believe that verses 8-9 contain and early confession of faith.

However, Paul adapts Moses’ farewell challenge from Deuteronomy 30:11-14 to apply to Christ. Christ has provided our salvation through His incarnation (God in human form) and resurrection. God’s salvation is right in front of us. He will come to us wherever we are. All we need to do is to respond and accept His gift of salvation. Have you ever asked, “How do I become a Christian? These verses give us the beautiful answer: Salvation is as close as our own lips and heart. People think it must be a complicated process, but it is not. Many don’t understand how simple it is and believe they will never qualify or maybe they just don’t understand. If we believe in our heart and say with our mouth that Christ is the risen Lord, we will be saved. This is the One Great Commitment.

Confessing and believing are not a form of “easy believism”- far from it. “Easy believism” teaches grace without repentance, salvation without repentance, salvation without commitment. Many want Jesus to save them from hell, but don’t want to live for Him. But we cannot accept Jesus as our Savior without embracing Him as Lord. Submitting to Christ’s lordship is essential for salvation. When we confess Christ as Lord, we are essentially saying, “Jesus, you alone are sovereign. You alone have all the power. You alone are my Master. Therefore my life is not mine- it’s yours.”

Read Romans 10:11-13

In verse 11, Paul quoted Isaiah 28:16. Isaiah had said “the one who believes will be unshakable”, but Paul, perhaps using the Greek translation of Isaiah, said the believer “will not be put to shame”.

As there is not distinction between Jew and Gentile in sinfulness (3:22-23), so there is none between them in salvation (v. 12; 3:29-30). The paragraph end with the quotation of Joel 2:32, declaring the good news that “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved (v.13). Simon Peter had quoted the same verse on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit had empowered the disciples in Jerusalem (Acts 2:21). In the context of Joel’s prophecy the Lord would have referred to God the Father. Paul, however, meant a sinner should call on the name of Jesus as “Lord” (Rom. 10:9). Bible scholars note that Paul clearly was thinking of Jesus as divine here.

To call on the name of Jesus means to make a total commitment to Jesus as Lord and Savior. Accepting Jesus is not, to use an old phrase, fire insurance. Jesus wants committed disciples, not mere admirers or “fans” in the popular sense. In the first century some people apparently thought of the name of Jesus as the key to magical power. Many never understood the miracles of Jesus as from God –and not magic. When some exorcists tried to use the name Jesus without a sincere commitment to Him, the evil spirit mocked them (Acts 19:13-16).

In telling others about Christ, an effective witness must include more than being a good example. Eventually, we will have to explain the content, the “what” and “how” of the gospel. Modeling the Christian life is important, but we will need to connect the mind of the unbeliever and the message of the gospel. There should never be a debate between those who favor life-style evangelism (one’ living proclaims the gospel) and confrontational evangelism (declaring the message). Both should be used together in promoting the gospel.

Paul’s emphasis on “confess with your mouth” (Rom. 10:9) might refer to such verbal sharing with those who need to know the gospel, so they can make that great commitment.