Acts 20:17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them: "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
One of the most difficult things you face are the difficult things you face.
Difficulties do not go away when you become a Christ-follower. Indeed, they may worsen due to one simple fact: Now I stand for something.
Paul is one of many examples we see in the Word which directly contradict the notions of those who teach a faith-based prosperity doctrine. “If only your faith is strong enough, you can be wealthy. If only your faith is strong enough, you may be made well.” Indeed some go as far as scoffing at those who are not wealthy and those who are not well – saying it is because their faith is not strong enough.
What might they say to the apostle Paul? What might we?
Like those along Paul’s journey to Jerusalem, I suppose out of concern we might urge Paul to spare himself. “Don’t go up to Jerusalem, Paul! Paul, don’t go! Nooooooo…..!”
But I admire Paul because of his level of commitment. Paul doesn’t care about danger. Paul doesn’t care about prison. Paul doesn’t care about what men may say about him, or to him. None of those things move him. Paul only cares about one thing: Pleasing God.
It has been said, “All things done for self will pass. Only what is done for Christ will last.” How true that statement is. For the Christian there is only one course, and that course follows right behind Jesus – and as closely as possible. This is what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. It means we follow Christ, into His love, into His joy, into His peace, into His eternity – and – into His suffering, and ultimately into His death. Even suffering and death did not move Paul. Paul was truly willing to surrender all, if necessary.
- Pastor Bill
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Mother Earth
Acts 19:23 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: "Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands.
It was G.K. Chesterton - and many others - who said, “If a man will not believe in God he will believe in anything.”
The Bible puts it this way, Psalm 53:1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
And the educated humanists in this world continue to demonstrate the truth of these statements. As we “celebrate” Earth Day this week, I have to ask, what are we celebrating?
I celebrate the earth as being an example of God’s wonderful and fantastically beautiful creation. Others would deny that, and instead celebrate a concept as empty as ‘Mother Earth.’ Even before I was a Christian, I wondered about this postulation known of as ‘Mother Earth.’ Who is she? Where is she from? Always sounded like a fairy tale.
We are bombarded with the principle of living ‘green’ lives. I enjoy watching Americans struggle to maintain their standard of life – at the same time they go ‘green.’ On HGTV I see going ‘green’ means using concrete counter-tops in extravagant kitchens, or reclaimed barn-wood in the floors of your 4500 square foot house.
Do we practice environmentalism as God directs us to be good stewards of His planet – or do we practice environmentalism because right now this so-called ‘environmentalism’ has become a god? Questions like these are always answered by one question: Who do we worship?
On ‘Earth Day,’ I see some people worshiping the earth. A big old rock. The media, our schools, our businesses, all suggesting – even commanding us - to worship the creation while denying the Creator. As politically incorrect as it may be for me to say so, I am in shock over people’s willingness to bow down to creation. Admire it, yes. Revel in it, yes. Protect it to the best of our ability, yes. But worship it? Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands.
(Even God’s hands.)
- Pastor Bill
It was G.K. Chesterton - and many others - who said, “If a man will not believe in God he will believe in anything.”
The Bible puts it this way, Psalm 53:1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
And the educated humanists in this world continue to demonstrate the truth of these statements. As we “celebrate” Earth Day this week, I have to ask, what are we celebrating?
I celebrate the earth as being an example of God’s wonderful and fantastically beautiful creation. Others would deny that, and instead celebrate a concept as empty as ‘Mother Earth.’ Even before I was a Christian, I wondered about this postulation known of as ‘Mother Earth.’ Who is she? Where is she from? Always sounded like a fairy tale.
We are bombarded with the principle of living ‘green’ lives. I enjoy watching Americans struggle to maintain their standard of life – at the same time they go ‘green.’ On HGTV I see going ‘green’ means using concrete counter-tops in extravagant kitchens, or reclaimed barn-wood in the floors of your 4500 square foot house.
Do we practice environmentalism as God directs us to be good stewards of His planet – or do we practice environmentalism because right now this so-called ‘environmentalism’ has become a god? Questions like these are always answered by one question: Who do we worship?
On ‘Earth Day,’ I see some people worshiping the earth. A big old rock. The media, our schools, our businesses, all suggesting – even commanding us - to worship the creation while denying the Creator. As politically incorrect as it may be for me to say so, I am in shock over people’s willingness to bow down to creation. Admire it, yes. Revel in it, yes. Protect it to the best of our ability, yes. But worship it? Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands.
(Even God’s hands.)
- Pastor Bill
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
On the Run?
Acts 18:1 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. 3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
Funny how things work out. We find Aquila and Priscilla on the run from Claudius at Rome. It isn’t difficult to imagine the stress and fear they may have been experiencing in this form of persecution…being identified as Jews, then criticized, ostracized, and finally, evicted.
(Maybe we can identify more readily than we might like in this day of job loss, short-sales, foreclosure, and eviction.)
But here we have two of the unsung heroes of the Bible, little-known minor players, on the run from persecution and most likely in great fear for their future. Where does God place them?
Unbelievably, God places them in a position to minister to Paul.
Paul, the man God has chosen to be His minister to the gentiles, is here comforted by the friendship, fellowship, and loving Spirituality he finds in the presence of this very loving Jewish-Christian couple. They work each day side-by-side, with Paul receiving the exact kind of fellowship and Spiritual support he needs in this exact season of his life, as he observes the city of Corinth and begins his ministry there. And Aquila and Priscilla find exactly the sort of usefulness in their lives they may have never dreamed possible – especially after being run out of Rome – in the moral support they provide for one of the giants of the faith, the author of the majority of the books of the New Testament.
It reminds us how important each of us is to the Lord, and that none escape His notice. We think of the greatness of ministry. We are reminded of 2 Chron 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.
Is this how the Lord may show Himself strong - by having us evicted from the place we live? Could these have been the thoughts running through the minds of Aquila and Priscilla as they fled Rome in haste and fear? They had to give up everything at a moment’s notice. Their lives have been thrown into total upheaval, and then - the most amazing thing happens. How God uses this couple who remain faithful even in a great season of trial is amazing and wonderful. How may God use you?
- Pastor Bill
Funny how things work out. We find Aquila and Priscilla on the run from Claudius at Rome. It isn’t difficult to imagine the stress and fear they may have been experiencing in this form of persecution…being identified as Jews, then criticized, ostracized, and finally, evicted.
(Maybe we can identify more readily than we might like in this day of job loss, short-sales, foreclosure, and eviction.)
But here we have two of the unsung heroes of the Bible, little-known minor players, on the run from persecution and most likely in great fear for their future. Where does God place them?
Unbelievably, God places them in a position to minister to Paul.
Paul, the man God has chosen to be His minister to the gentiles, is here comforted by the friendship, fellowship, and loving Spirituality he finds in the presence of this very loving Jewish-Christian couple. They work each day side-by-side, with Paul receiving the exact kind of fellowship and Spiritual support he needs in this exact season of his life, as he observes the city of Corinth and begins his ministry there. And Aquila and Priscilla find exactly the sort of usefulness in their lives they may have never dreamed possible – especially after being run out of Rome – in the moral support they provide for one of the giants of the faith, the author of the majority of the books of the New Testament.
It reminds us how important each of us is to the Lord, and that none escape His notice. We think of the greatness of ministry. We are reminded of 2 Chron 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.
Is this how the Lord may show Himself strong - by having us evicted from the place we live? Could these have been the thoughts running through the minds of Aquila and Priscilla as they fled Rome in haste and fear? They had to give up everything at a moment’s notice. Their lives have been thrown into total upheaval, and then - the most amazing thing happens. How God uses this couple who remain faithful even in a great season of trial is amazing and wonderful. How may God use you?
- Pastor Bill
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
When Faith Becomes Fact
Isaiah 64:1 Oh, that you would rend the heavens! That you would come down!
The Bible declares without faith it is impossible to please God. (See Heb 11:6)
Our entire relationship with God is based upon faith. First we place our faith in Him to believe, and then we live by faith in Him to receive. There is no part of our relationship with the Lord which He accepts apart from our faith in His faithfulness.
And truly that is what we are expressing – our faith in His faithfulness - our faith that His promises will always be true as they have always been true.
And yet…and yet…Oh that only our eyes could see something…anything…tangible! Oh that He would rend (open) the heavens and come down! Then we would know!
Signs have never been a satisfactory basis for relationship with God because signs never satisfy. How often had Christ proven Himself to be Christ? How many signs and wonders had He performed? AND - had not the Word of God declared His Holy One would not see corruption? (Decomposition - See Psalm 16:10)
Why then were the disciples so slow to believe? Isn’t it an embarrassment to Christianity that the very ones who would go on to spread the gospel were themselves so slow to believe Christ was really risen from the dead?
On the contrary, this becomes an important fact of faith-building for us. If the disciples were so slow to believe – what then MADE them believe? And, if this story were contrived – why would the story make the disciples appear to be so foolish and so small in their faith? What then could possibly have made the disciples so staunch in their faith they would die rather than deny the risen Savior?
It all comes down to the moment faith became fact…when the risen Savior was seen by the women first, and then the men who followed Him, and then by over 500 at once. (See 1 Cor 15:6) These same disciples who had been so weak in their faith as to not comprehend the Word of God being played out before their very eyes were now stunned by what they saw!
The church would be founded on the ROCK that was Christ. On this occasion that Rock could be seen, felt, heard, and experienced. There would be no doubt left in the minds of those who would found the church of Jesus Christ. In fact, the heavens have been rent – and in fact, God has come down!
- Pastor Bill
The Bible declares without faith it is impossible to please God. (See Heb 11:6)
Our entire relationship with God is based upon faith. First we place our faith in Him to believe, and then we live by faith in Him to receive. There is no part of our relationship with the Lord which He accepts apart from our faith in His faithfulness.
And truly that is what we are expressing – our faith in His faithfulness - our faith that His promises will always be true as they have always been true.
And yet…and yet…Oh that only our eyes could see something…anything…tangible! Oh that He would rend (open) the heavens and come down! Then we would know!
Signs have never been a satisfactory basis for relationship with God because signs never satisfy. How often had Christ proven Himself to be Christ? How many signs and wonders had He performed? AND - had not the Word of God declared His Holy One would not see corruption? (Decomposition - See Psalm 16:10)
Why then were the disciples so slow to believe? Isn’t it an embarrassment to Christianity that the very ones who would go on to spread the gospel were themselves so slow to believe Christ was really risen from the dead?
On the contrary, this becomes an important fact of faith-building for us. If the disciples were so slow to believe – what then MADE them believe? And, if this story were contrived – why would the story make the disciples appear to be so foolish and so small in their faith? What then could possibly have made the disciples so staunch in their faith they would die rather than deny the risen Savior?
It all comes down to the moment faith became fact…when the risen Savior was seen by the women first, and then the men who followed Him, and then by over 500 at once. (See 1 Cor 15:6) These same disciples who had been so weak in their faith as to not comprehend the Word of God being played out before their very eyes were now stunned by what they saw!
The church would be founded on the ROCK that was Christ. On this occasion that Rock could be seen, felt, heard, and experienced. There would be no doubt left in the minds of those who would found the church of Jesus Christ. In fact, the heavens have been rent – and in fact, God has come down!
- Pastor Bill
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Gospel for Intellectuals
Acts 17:16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. 17 Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. 18 Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, "What does this babbler want to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods," because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? 20 For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean." 21 For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing.
Imagine attempting to explain to those who have no idea of Jesus - who Jesus is.
We have the untold advantage of living in the United States, where seemingly everyone at least knows who Jesus is. After all we are a Christian nation founded upon Christian principles and ideas. This makes the presentation of the gospel unquestionably easier. Or does it?
Often it is easier to deal with a clean slate rather than the burden of prejudices and misconceptions. The church has been so misrepresented over the years by hucksters, legalists, inquisitors, et al., that we often find ourselves up against perceptions created by the church itself in addition to any outside forces we may be dealing with as well.
Paul is dealing with a bit of everything in Athens. The knowledge of man, in the form of the brilliant minds of philosophers and poets, artists, pantheists, pagans, secularists – you name it. Athens, as is the case in many highly educated cities, was a place where exposure to new ways of thinking was, in a phrase, to die for. (And, it seems, they did.)
Could Paul convert the Athenians? Precious few, it appears. It was predictable. But they were interested to hear new things people had to say, and so Paul spoke up, even with little expectation of success in the presentation. Here we find the lesson in trusting God with the results – because, in truth - WE cannot and never do convert anyone. God does. ALL we can do is be faithful to present the gospel. God is responsible for the results, even among those who know nothing of His Word.
This is the POWER of the gospel. Paul does make an intelligent presentation of who God is, but he is brief and to the point, allowing God His presence in the presentation. There is no need to argue or cajole when you come in the power of the Spirit of God. A clear, concise presentation will carry the day with those who will be carried. The rest are in God’s hands. Paul was faithful to both the message and the messenger. In truth, the gospel for the intellectual is the same as the gospel to the child.
- Pastor Bill
Imagine attempting to explain to those who have no idea of Jesus - who Jesus is.
We have the untold advantage of living in the United States, where seemingly everyone at least knows who Jesus is. After all we are a Christian nation founded upon Christian principles and ideas. This makes the presentation of the gospel unquestionably easier. Or does it?
Often it is easier to deal with a clean slate rather than the burden of prejudices and misconceptions. The church has been so misrepresented over the years by hucksters, legalists, inquisitors, et al., that we often find ourselves up against perceptions created by the church itself in addition to any outside forces we may be dealing with as well.
Paul is dealing with a bit of everything in Athens. The knowledge of man, in the form of the brilliant minds of philosophers and poets, artists, pantheists, pagans, secularists – you name it. Athens, as is the case in many highly educated cities, was a place where exposure to new ways of thinking was, in a phrase, to die for. (And, it seems, they did.)
Could Paul convert the Athenians? Precious few, it appears. It was predictable. But they were interested to hear new things people had to say, and so Paul spoke up, even with little expectation of success in the presentation. Here we find the lesson in trusting God with the results – because, in truth - WE cannot and never do convert anyone. God does. ALL we can do is be faithful to present the gospel. God is responsible for the results, even among those who know nothing of His Word.
This is the POWER of the gospel. Paul does make an intelligent presentation of who God is, but he is brief and to the point, allowing God His presence in the presentation. There is no need to argue or cajole when you come in the power of the Spirit of God. A clear, concise presentation will carry the day with those who will be carried. The rest are in God’s hands. Paul was faithful to both the message and the messenger. In truth, the gospel for the intellectual is the same as the gospel to the child.
- Pastor Bill
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