Miracle at the Gate

Acts 3:1 ¶ Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. ² And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; ³ Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. ⁴ And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. ⁵ And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. ⁶ Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. ⁷ And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. ⁸ And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. ⁹ And all the people saw him walking and praising God: ¹⁰ And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

An amazing miracle

This wasn’t just any old miracle. The apostles performed many miracles (Acts 2:43). This was a particularly miraculous sort of miracle. This was the healing of someone born with a defect. Did the man even dare to hope that he would one day be able to walk?

When Jesus healed the man born blind it was said that no one had ever heard of something like that ever taking place in the history of humanity (John 9:32). Now the followers of Jesus had just performed an equally marvelous miracle. A man born lame was instantly healed!

As we witness, through Luke’s testimony, the healing of this man born lame we are inspired to worship our miracle-working God. Certainly we are left with questions. Why didn’t the apostles spend their lives traveling around healing everyone? Why don’t we see more of these healings today? Have you ever known or even heard of someone born lame that began to leap and walk suddenly? Ultimately our questions will not be answered in this life. What is certain is God’s goodness and power. He is worthy to be praised!

Were it not for God’s goodness no one would ever be healed, Jesus would never have walked amongst us healing those who were sick and oppressed of the devil, and we would have no hope that our prayers for healing and deliverance would find answers. God’s goodness is beyond question.

This most miraculous of miracles also leaves us without doubt that God has unlimited power. That means that no matter how dark the night there is reason for hope. In this miracle we see a glimpse of God’s good plan for all of creation. What has been crippled and broken for thousands of years will soon be restored, revitalized, made new.

Not just for one man at one gate

What God did for that man outside of the gate called Beautiful was truly unique. Yet, it wasn’t. This apostolic miracle is strikingly similar to the activities Jesus had been performing during his days in the flesh. The work Jesus began on Earth is continuing through his church.

Jesus came to save his people from their sins. But that’s not all he came to do. He cared for our physical needs. He healed physical bodies. He gave food to the hungry. This man begging outside of the temple could count on the generosity of the Jewish people. He could count on their generosity because they had been taught by God to take care of the poor. This gives us a glimpse of God’s agenda. God intends to meet our needs both physical and spiritual. These days he largely accomplishes this through his people.

A beauty yet to be seen

The gate called Beautiful was likely a gate known as the Corinthian gate. Unlike the other temple gates, which were made of gold and silver, this gate was fashioned from bronze. This gate was considered to be the most beautiful gate of all because of its amazing artwork.

Somehow this beggar’s life was like that gate, made more beautiful, in spite of its smallness, than the silver and gold lives that surrounded. This was a life tried by fire. This was a life fashioned through terrible suffering. This was a life marked by a degree of thankfulness that could not be realized in the more comfortable lives around him.

Michelle, a young woman known by the church, spent her life crippled. She suffered from Spina Bifida. Not once did she get to play like a normal little girl. She never ran and skinned her knee. She never learned to ride a bicycle. She never skipped or jumped rope. Boys never lined up at her door to court her. Don’t get me wrong, she lived a good life. She loved her family and her family loved her. She graduated high school and went on to college. But she needed constant care from her supportive family. This October, at the young age of 40, she left us.

Michelle waits. We wait. We live by faith in this in between time. Jesus is Lord. Yet, we pray that his will will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus is King. But we wait to crown him King of kings and Lord of the lords. His kingdom has come and yet his kingdom has not fully arrived. It’s as though we live in a land where two maps overlap. We see hints in shadows, or rather in bright spots – like the healing of this lame man, of how things should be, how things will be. Michelle waits. We wait.

We wait in authority. Just as the Apostles performed miracles in the authority of the name of Jesus, so can we. Signs and wonders still follow those who believe. We wait in faith.

Isaiah 35:6 Then shall the lame man leap as a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

Hour of Prayer

Praise & Worship – 15 minutes

Praise God for the things he has done. Worship God for who his acts reveal him to be.

Examination & Confession – 5 minutes

We fall short. It is good for us to recognize our faults and sins. Confessing our failures helps us to grow. Ask God to reveal sins that you don’t know about. Prayerfully read Scriptures such as Romans 12, Galatians 5, Ephesians 5, Colossians 3, James, and 1 John.  You may not need to read much. Allow God to show you where you can improve. Confess your sins and ask for more grace to grow to full Christian maturity.

Intercession – 20 minutes

Prayer changes things. Make lists. Pray freely.
Pray for governments, universities, cities, nations, family, spiritual needs, physical needs, just pray.
Scripture and experience reveal that
prayer changes things.

Personal Petitions – 5 minutes

God enjoys giving good gifts to his children. Pray confidently.

Thanksgiving – 5 minutes

Express thanks for what God has done. Give thanks for what you expect he will do in response to prayer.

Praise, Sing & Listen – 10 minutes

Delight in God’s presence. Make sure to take time to be quiet in his presence. God still speaks.

Jesus the Stranger

John chapter 1


He made the world. Yet, it considered him a stranger. 


Everyone wants to go where "everybody knows your name." But Jesus came where he knew there would be no room for him, where he would be considered a stranger. 

We do well to remember that he was unrecognized and be careful not to miss him 

• He is still met in the stranger 
• His people are still strangers, still rejected 

 Is there room in your heart for the stranger?

Lust or Purity?

 Lust or Purity

1 Thes 1:1-8

Purity is God’s will for you (1-3)

-          Sanctification (holiness) not fornication (sexual sin)

-          Society today and in biblical times is dirty (incest, homosexuality, bestiality, adultery)

o   If lust ended our economy would take a nosedive

o   Russian man who built a special coffin to take his porn with him.

o   A growing number of divorces from porn addiction

o   Most children have been exposed to pornography by age 10

§  Phil Burress: Found a pornographic magazine when he was young. "For 25 years, he says, his waking hours were dominated by the need to view pornography. It destroyed his ability to be a loving husband, cost him financially and kept him emotionally estranged from people who should have been close." Twice-divorced. Now free!

-          Sex is not unholy. The marriage bed is honorable

-          Please God by being pure

Satisfaction is God’s will for you (4-5)

-          God doesn’t want you to be ruled by passionate lusts

-          God created sex

o   Unconditional love in marriage is the goal of our natural desire for physical union

o   Married people are more satisfied with sex (statistically)

o   Selfless union is to overflow into new life (babies)

o   Lust replaces the natural desire for love

o   Lust is selfish rather than selfless

o   Lust is "love" without selflessness

o   Lust can never produce the unconditional love marriage is about

§  Wilt Chamberlain (basketball star) said he slept with 20,000 women but said he’d trade them all for one woman that he wanted to stay with forever.

-          An itch that the more you scratch it the worse it gets

o   Perpetuates the division created at the fall

o   Addiction happens quickly and easily

-          Satisfaction in purity is God’s plan for your life

God will punish lust (6-8)

-          Do not cross the lines!

o    Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

o    Looking intentionally lustfully, let alone touching, crosses the line.

o    Intentionally attracting looks of lust crosses the line.

-          Tape loses its stickiness and hurts when removed – sex is like that tape

-          This message is from the Lord and carries his authority

-          God has called you to be clean

o   Guard your children – filter your internet

o   No private internet access

o   Careful about movies

o   Avoid chat rooms

o   Books

o   Xxxchurch.com/x3watch

Wounded to be Healed and Separated to be United

Acts 2:37 ¶ Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 ¶ And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

A wounding message
On the day of Pentecost Peter preached a wounding message. The word of God penetrated human hearts, causing pain. It was a good pain, the pain of the great Surgeon’s knife. He cut through layers of self-righteousness and self-justification to expose a deadly cancer – sin.

God is still doing this sort of work, a work only he can do. Human wisdom can persuade us, bringing us to the place of mental assent. Without the convicting power of the Spirit there is no salvation. God cuts us to the heart, hurting our hearts so that he can heal us.

God’s victims, the ones he had wounded, did not seek to explain away their guilt. They responded in the only fitting way. They asked, “What shall we do?”

Called to separation
The answer was repentance, and baptism in water and Spirit. Repentance was to be demonstrated by obedience, confessing the Lord Jesus Christ and being baptized in water. The promise of the Father, the gift of the Spirit was to follow. This gift of the Spirit must not be confused with the gifts of Spirit. All of God’s people are promised the Spirit himself – gifts will follow. The initial sign of his coming is speaking in new tongues (Acts 2, 10, 19).

No one could repent and receive the gift without cutting ties with their evil generation. The call to discipleship is a call to separation.

Joined to a new community
Every day God is adding people into his new community. The Christian life begins with separation. It ends in matchless unity. When we look at the Pentecostal church we see a church in love. This new community gives us a glimpse of what we could, should, and eventually will be forever – a selfless community ruled by love for God and neighbor. No envy, no greed, no mean jokes, no backbiting, no hatred, no pride, no fear, no poverty, just love. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of this?

What does speaking in tongues mean?

Speaking in tongues is a sign that the Spirit has been poured out. This amazing sign is a testimony to the resurrection of the Lord and Christ. The Spirit baptism and the new tongues that follow are reminders that God's grace is being poured out in abundance, but not for long. Today is the day to call on the Christ and be saved. The day of the Lord is at the door.

Acts 2:14 ¶ But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

What meaneth this? (14-21)

They are not drunk at 9 AM (Jews did not even normally have a meal before 9 AM)

This fulfilled Joel 2:28-32

Prophecy (including tongues), visions, and dreams are a sign of the last days Spirit outpouring. God gives his Spirit right after we crucified his Son! Jerusalem becomes the new Bethlehem.

Matthew 21:33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: 34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. 35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. 37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. 38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. 39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. 40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? 41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

Grace and Judgment are intertwined here. The Spirit baptism comes with fire and foreign tongues -- signs of judgment. Still, the judgment is not yet.

In this age of the Spirit everyone who calls on Jesus will be saved.

Acts 2:22 ¶ Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 29 ¶ Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. 34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool. 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Who is Jesus? (22-36) A godly man through whom God performed miracles.

This was not denied by the Jews of Jesus' day nor by later Jewish writers. They simply rejected the miracles as coming from Satan's power.

God planned his execution and you performed it through the lawless Romans

But God raised him up!

David prophesied about this (Psalm 16:8-11).

David is dead and buried, so verse 10 must not be about him.

Psalm 110:1 (vv 34-35)also predicted Christ's exaltation.

Jesus is Lord and Christ

Speaking in Tongues: instantly learning a new language?

I like the idea of testing theories by tentatively accepting them and seeing if they fit the evidence. So, I want to suppose that biblical tongues is the supernatural learning of a known language for the purpose of proclamation and to test that supposition by the evidence available to me.

Expected:

The person who speaks in a tongue is speaking (or praying) in the language God has given him for the purpose proclamation.

Instead:

The person who prays in a tongue is not speaking to men at all. In fact, no man understands him. (1 Cor 14:2)

Expected:

If there is no interpreter then only the person who speaks (or prays) in a tongue will understand this speech, since God has given him this new language.

Instead:

The person who prays, speaks, or sings in a tongue does not understand what he is saying. Nevertheless, he gives thanks well and builds himself up. His duty is to pray that he will be enabled to interpret. (1 Cor 14:4, 13-15)

Expected:

The natural limits of tongue speaker's knowledge are not changed by the reception of this new tongue.

Instead:

The person who speaks in a tongue speaks mysteries in the Spirit. (1 Cor 14:2)

Expected:

If a person comes into a multi-lingual congregation such as Corinth it might be a good time to speak in tongues.

Instead:

Speaking in tongues would not profit them. They need to hear revelation, knowledge, doctrine, or prophecy. (1 Cor 14:6)

Expected:

Tongues is a means of instruction. Those who have received the gift should rejoice because they have been enabled to teach those who they could not otherwise teach.

Instead:

Paul rejoiced that he spoke in tongues more than any of the Corinthian believers. Yet, he contrasted his tongue speech with the teaching work that goes on in the church (1 Cor 14:18-19)

Expected:

Tongues is used to communicate whatever the recipient wants to communicate. The woman who has received the gift of English can now share a Psalm or a doctrine in the American church.

Instead:

A tongue is not a Psalm or a doctrine. (1 Cor 14:26)

Expected:

Tongues should be manifested in order to communicate the Gospel.

Instead:

Tongues are used in private prayer with thanksgiving and public praise. (Acts 2:11; 10:46; 1 Cor 14:2, 14, 17)

Expected:

There is probably historical evidence that the 120 disciples who spoke in tongues on the day of Pentecost continued to minister in their newly received languages.

Instead:

Though the 120 did speak in tongues (Acts 2), I have never seen any evidence that they retained the ability to speak in those languages. Please share any you come across.

Expected:

Tongues, as a sign of God's work, should be seen in church history. There should be many cases when people instantly received and subsequently retained the ability to speak in a new language for the purpose of Gospel proclamation.

Instead:

Though there is evidence of xenolalia, documented cases are rare. More importantly, the retention of these new languages must be exceedingly rare. Please correct me if I'm wrong.



It troubles me that so many disregard the commands to "desire earnestly the best gifts", to "desire earnestly to prophesy", and to "not forbid to speak with tongues". Though other places may feel the pressing need to bring public meetings into greater order, my burden is for the lukewarm churches in America who have "quenched the spirit" and "despised prophecy". We need to rightly understand and welcome the gifts of the Spirit. The Spirit comes bearing gifts. We need to welcome him, gifts included. We need revival.

Baptized with the Holy Ghost and Fire

Acts 2:1-13

Those who wait on the Lord are always blessed
After an extended prayer meeting (perhaps 7 days), their time of waiting was finally over. At last, the promised Spirit came. The last days began. Now the Gospel would be declared to all the earth in the power of the Spirit.

The account of the dedication of Solomon's Temple (2 Chronicles 5) bears some resemblance to this first Christian Pentecost. When the Temple was finally completed, all of the priests were sanctified, 120 priests sounded trumpets, then, as the priests sang and played in harmonious praise ("were as one" v. 13), the glory of the Lord filled the house in a cloud.

On the day of Pentecost about 120 people were in the house. They were together in prayer and praise. Rather than a cloud, this time the Lord came with the sound of a mighty wind (spirit and wind are denoted by the same word in both Greek and Hebrew).

The association of God's presence with mighty natural phenomena is witnessed repeatedly in the Old Testament (Ps 18:7-15; 97:2; 104:7; Hab 3:3-6; Deut 4:11).

The Spirit came with the sound of wind and the appearance of fire
"Our God is a consuming fire" (Heb 12:29; Deut 4:24 cf. Ex 24:17, 3:2-5). Spirit Baptism was prophesied by John the Baptist as a baptism "with the Holy Ghost and fire" (Luke 3:16). The Holy Spirit comes with fire, consuming all that is not like itself. We do well to welcome this consuming Flame, inviting him to judge all that is contrary to his holy nature.

A new temple

Now the temple of God is human. In this last day God lives in the bodies of men and women. Jesus, the new and better Temple, has taken us into himself, making us fit to receive the Spirit into ourselves. What a privilege to live in this wonderful age of grace.

For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. -- Luke 7:28

New speech
When the Spirit came the disciples began to speak in tongues, giving praise to God. This was a sign (1 Cor 14:22), and it sure did work. A large crowd was drawn to these tongue talkers.

God's choice of tongues as a sign of his work is certainly fascinating. Speaking in a language that one does not know is without doubt an impossible task. Just as we cannot possibly speak in tongues ourselves, we cannot save ourselves, we cannot baptize ourselves in the Spirit, and we cannot live the Christian life to any degree ("for without me you can do nothing" John 15:15). Pentecost demonstrated clearly the absolute supernatural nature of the Christian religion.

The impossiblity of this sign immediately gave rise to an alternative explanation of the tongues speech -- they must be drunk. And history continues to repeat itself. Some people are receptive to mighty acts of God such as baptizing in the Spirit and the sign of tongues. Others scoff or try to explain it away. Some commentators on the book of Acts even claim that the disciples did not really speak in languages they had never learned. Barclay, for instance, gave reasons why he thought Luke's account highly unlikely, questioning this portion of Acts based on the idea that Luke was probably not an eye-witness. For me, the question is whether we will accept or reject the supernatural workings of our faithful Creator as revealed in Scripture.

The baptism in the Spirit given to the disciples is still being given today
The baptism is being given and the sign of tongues is being revealed today. The gift is not received by human merit. It is not manufactured by human zeal. The gift of the Spirit is freely given to those who will ask our loving Father and wait in the way God chooses (Luk 11:5-14; 24:49).

Acts: God's Mission Continues (Prayer's Payment or Carelessness' Cost, 2)

Acts 1:12-26

Compare Elijah and Elisha with Jesus and Apostles
If you need power – Pray
3/4 mile (2000 cubits) = Sabbath journey
50 days from Passover to Pentecost. Jesus was in tomb, and then seen for forty days. Therefore maybe a week these people were in prayer.
Prayer preceded Pentecost!

KJV Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

If you need comfort – Promises
Scripture must be fulfilled: 69:25; 109:8

KJV Psalm 69:25 Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.

KJV Psalm 109:8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office.

If you need warned
Judas had been in the ministry
• Sin entered his heart.
There were other eye-witnesses from baptism to Resurrection

KJV Luke 22:28 ¶ Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; 30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

If you need hope
Judas descended but Matthias ascended

Acts: God's Mission Continues (Promise and Program, 1)

Acts 1:1-11

Acts is the sequel to Luke’s Gospel. In that previous writing he told what Jesus began to do and teach. But Jesus said that he would be with us always. Jesus is still doing and teaching mightily in the Holy Spirit.

Jesus showed his followers that he was still alive after his passion (suffering). Death could not hold him. He revealed himself to be more than a spirit. Jesus lived on in flesh and blood, even eating and drinking with his disciples (Acts 10:41; Luke 24:42).

He continued to teach them about the Kingdom of God. It seems that his disciples nevertheless still held some false expectations concerning the Kingdom. As Jesus told them about the promise of the Father, the gift of the Spirit, his disciples naturally thought about the end of the age. The coming of the Spirit and the Messianic age are tied in OT prophecy (Isa 32; Ezek 39:29; Joel 2:28-32). So, the disciples asked about the timing of its arrival. Would their prayers that “thy will be done” be answered immediately? Jesus simply tells them that it is not for them to know when. Their duty was to wait for the “Promise of the Father,” the one spoken of by John the Baptist (Luke 3:16). They would receive power from on high and become God’s witnesses to the entire world.

Their witness began at Jerusalem, moved to Samaria, and continues into the “uttermost part of the earth.” This is the program for the book of Acts and the spread of Christianity: first power, then witness, beginning with Jerusalem and ending in the most remote regions of the globe (1-7; 8-11:18; 11:19-29:1 f.).

Jesus reaffirmed the promise of the Father, and then God’s Shekinah glory is witnessed by his people once again (Ex 40:34-35; 2 Chron 7:2-3; Ezek 10:4). Jesus ascends on clouds of glory, leaving behind heavenly messengers to assure God’s earthly messengers that Jesus will return just as he left – in clouds of glory (Mat 24:30; 26:64; Mark 13:26; Rev 1:7). This promised coming is an important part of the Christian message. The Savior is returning in glory to judge the human race. We too must spread the glorious message of his Kingdom and love in the power of the Spirit.

Jesus in Genesis

Chapter:
1 “let us” cf. John 1

3 Eve taken from Adam’s side – bloodshed? cf. church from the side of our Lord (pierced on the cross)

3 Adam: tempted and sins in the garden cf. garden and desert temptations of Christ

3:14-15 The first Gospel

4 Abel: Shepherd. Slain by brother because of envy, his blood cried out to God. Cf. Jesus, the good shepherd, who was slain by his ethnic brothers because of envy. As his blood dripped from the cross he cried out “Father, forgive them.” His blood speaks better things than Abel’s (Heb 12:24).

7 Ark: all who got in were saved. Jesus: all who are in him will be saved

12 Abraham: Leaves home cf. incarnation

14 Melchizedek: a universal priest. No record of human lineage. “King of Righteousness” “King of Peace.” No beginning or ending of days. Cf. Jesus
Hebrews 5-7

Psalm 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 7:1 ¶ For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

18 Sarah: impossible to have promised son (too old). But “at the appointed time” cf. Mary gave birth to Jesus at the appointed time, even though she was a virgin!

Genesis 21:2 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

22 Abraham: all nations of the earth blessed in his seed, Jesus.

Galatians 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

22 Isaac: miracle son is to be sacrificed. Sacrifice canceled because God provided. (Jehovah-Jirah) cf. Jesus who was God's son and was sacrificed.

Hebrews 11:17 ¶ By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

24 A wife for Isaac: Father sends servant to find a pure bride for his beloved son (the son who was born miraculously and taken to a mountain to be a sacrifice to God), and the bride must respond.

cf. God sent his servant the Holy Spirit to find a holy bride for his Son, Jesus.

Genesis 24:58 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.

28 Jacob’s Ladder: Jesus is the ladder to heaven. John 1:51

32 Jacob’s wound: is wounded by God and becomes Israel (given a name). Left with a mark

Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

God has exalted him and given him a name that is above every name.

37-50 Joseph: The beloved son of his father, a shepherd, betrayed because of envy (Acts 7:9 cf. Mat 27:18), sold for silver (cf. Mat 26:15), became a slave (cf. Phil 2:7), saved his people (food through the famine), and forgave his betrayers (cf. “Father, forgive them”).

Acts: God's Mission Continues (introduction)

We're beginning a study of Acts on Wednesday nights. Acts is one of the most exciting books in the entire Bible. It is filled with examples of bold, passionate, prayerful, and effective Christianity. In Acts we see the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost, repentant folk baptized, sick bodies and souls healed by faith, judgment fall on sinful believers, godly care for the poor, fearless proclamation of the Gospel, persecuted Christians rejoicing in their affliction, exorcisms, prophecy, visions, disagreements among Christians, and persecution at the hands of religious people.

Acts is a book about real life. It is no fantasy. It does contain elements of the supernatural, but, that's the stuff of real life. The same people who have bad moods also lay hands on the sick and heal them. The same people who get into disputes with their brothers and sisters also speak in tongues and prophesy.

The book of Acts is our history. It is the beginning of the story of the body of Christ and God's post-resurrection mission here on earth. I'm excited to be a part of the mission.

It's in these pages that God shows us the unstoppable nature of his church. As we join in God's mission we may not understand the details of what's going on or how it will all work out, but we see clearly that it will all work out. Nothing can stop God's church on his mission.

This is a book about God's works. We call it the Acts of the Apostles, but these acts are first and foremost God's acts. He is the one healing, baptizing in the Spirit, delivering from demons and danger, and empowering his church. Every mighty act of the book is done in the name of Jesus by people who are empowered by the Spirit.

God's church will not be stopped. Peter was imprisoned and sentenced to die. But that wasn't God's plan for Peter. Peter was indeed to die a martyr's death, but not until he was an old man. So prison bars couldn't hold Peter. He was delivered from prison by an angel. Paul was stoned to death, shipwrecked, snake-bitten, subject of assassination plots, mobbed -- yet he continued on mission. Herod killed James and accepted praise as a god and then died suddenly, but, "the word of God grew and multiplied."


I'm excited to dig deeper into this book.

9/11, a Black Swan, and Our Faithful Guide

Our Trustworthy Guide

Nassim Taleb, a Lebanese essayist, wrote an influential book about the Black Swan Theory --  a theory about completely unexpected events that have profound impact and seem like they could have been predicted after the fact. His theory is named after an old saying similar to "when pigs fly." If something was described as a "black swan" it was considered impossible. Then, in 1697, someone discovered black swans in Australia. Surprise! Pigs do fly. Taleb described the rise of the internet, PC, WWI, and 9/11 as Black Swan events. They changed the world we live in and we never saw them coming.

Black Swan events are coming your way. Expect the unexpected. What can you do to prepare? And how will you respond when the events take place? You need a guide. The prophet Jeremiah said it this way, (Jeremiah 10:23) "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." We need the one who "leads [us] beside still waters", the one who "leads [us] in the right paths for his name's sake." It's good to know that, even with Black Swans looming, we have a Trustworthy Guide.

God is our guide
God's people have always needed and received guidance from above. Direction came to them through dreams, visions, prophecies, Scripture, fleece, cloud, pillar of fire, and a still small inward voice. They all faced their own Black Swans, but God never left them. He was always there to guide.

When the unexpected catastrophes hit do not assume that you took a wrong turn. Even with God's guidance, your path will not be an easy one. The easy path is deadly. It takes strenuous effort to march the upward path to the holy mount Zion.

God's plan for us is that we become like Jesus. Part of becoming like Jesus is sharing in his suffering. His was a painful path. Following him will not be easy.

Nevertheless, we can take comfort in the assurance that we have a faithful Guide through the Black Swan events of life. His wisdom and power are matchless. His goodness is limitless. He will never lead us astray. Though the path may be difficult, it will be good.

The question is not how well our Guide will lead us. The only question is how faithfully we will follow. When we get to the rocky cliffs and narrow passages the answer is not to question the guide. Then is not the time to begin to chart our own courses. Our task, our sole duty, is to trust and faithfully follow the Master. He will guide us faithfully through the Black Swan events of our lives.

Don't be a mule
God will not force you to follow him.  God gives you the freedom to reject his leadership. The best counsel ever given is this: Don't be a mule.

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.  Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. -- Psalm 32:8-9

If you trust in the Lord with all your heart instead of your own feeble understanding he promises to direct your steps (Prov 3:5-6). This may be a time for you to wait patiently for the Lord to show you the next step (Ex 40:37). The God who has brought you this far is not about to leave you.

Sure, there will be Black Swans. Our faithful Guide is not surprised by them. Trust your Guide.

God is bigger than your past

I've not been perfect. I've sinned and failed and gone off course. Have you? I've been asked, "Since I sinned can I ever be in the will of God again? I left the chosen path, right?" Is God bigger than your past?

From the time God liberated his people from Egyptian bondage He had always been their king. The confession of God as king was included the liturgy of Jesus' day. After the Hallel (Pss 113-118) the people prayed this, "From everlasting thou art God; beside thee we have no king, redeemer, or saviour; no liberator, deliverer, provider; none who takes pity in times of distress or trouble. We have no king but thee." Just like the people of Jesus' day rejected their King, calling for his crucifixion, the Israelites of Samuel's day rejected God as their king. They demanded a human king.

God continues to be God in spite of the rebellion of his people. He leads Saul to Samuel. He whispers to Samuel that He has chosen Saul as king to deliver his people from the Philistines.

And the Philistines step onto the scene. Nahash the Ammonite initiates military agression against Israelites, offering a peace on one condition -- that he can pluck out their right eyes.

When Saul hears of this the Spirit of God comes upon him and he is stirred to anger. With an inventive and poignant appeal he rallies the nation to defeat Nahash.

The Jewish nation celebrated their new king. They were delivered!

Did this mean that God applauded their choice to rebelliously seek a human king? Samuel had something to say about that:

Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king. So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king. And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.

The God of all wisdom and grace is still guiding your life. He still has a generous plan for you. Just follow him faithfully today and let the past be the past.

(Read more about it in the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel chapters 8-12)