Acts-The Gospel in the City PART X
Rev Leo Schuster
10 February 2013
Acts 6:1-7
1In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."
5This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
7So the word of God spread. The plumber of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
EXPECTATIONS OF A CHURCH
--God's perspective trumps any church's vision.
--God calls all Christians to perform ministry esepcially to the poor and at risk.
--Serve others out of awareness that we have been served by Jesus.
--Changes the way we treat one another.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Thursday, February 14, 2013
The Hero of Heroes
Acts-The Gospel in the City PART IX
03 February 2013
Dr. Timothy Keller
Acts 5: 27-42
27Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28"We gave you strict orders not to teach in his name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood."
29Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! 30The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead--whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.
33When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
40His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
The Blood of Christians becomes the seeds of growth.
WHAT WAS HEROIC COURAGE
--Principled in the face of opposition; obey God.
--Heroes walk alone...unlike "stars".
--Being heroic because you choose to do it, not because you have to do it.
--Modern irony is a defense against unqualified values.
--We often don't have the courage to tell people what they don't want to hear.
WHERE DOES COURAGE COME FROM
--Jesus as prince, captain, champion.
--Greek world was an Age of Heroes; connecting Jesus as one was cultural engagement.
--Unlike most heroes, Jesus as a hero came from giving up all powers and becomming mortal.
HOW DO WE GET COURAGE
--v.41--In His name.
--Some of us visualize success and try to banish fear on our own.
--Look to Jesus as something to give you courage despite your fears.
--Jesus thought of the joy of redeeming us in spite of his fears.
--Fix your eyes on Jesus for courage.
03 February 2013
Dr. Timothy Keller
Acts 5: 27-42
27Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28"We gave you strict orders not to teach in his name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood."
29Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! 30The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead--whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.
33When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
40His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
The Blood of Christians becomes the seeds of growth.
WHAT WAS HEROIC COURAGE
--Principled in the face of opposition; obey God.
--Heroes walk alone...unlike "stars".
--Being heroic because you choose to do it, not because you have to do it.
--Modern irony is a defense against unqualified values.
--We often don't have the courage to tell people what they don't want to hear.
WHERE DOES COURAGE COME FROM
--Jesus as prince, captain, champion.
--Greek world was an Age of Heroes; connecting Jesus as one was cultural engagement.
--Unlike most heroes, Jesus as a hero came from giving up all powers and becomming mortal.
HOW DO WE GET COURAGE
--v.41--In His name.
--Some of us visualize success and try to banish fear on our own.
--Look to Jesus as something to give you courage despite your fears.
--Jesus thought of the joy of redeeming us in spite of his fears.
--Fix your eyes on Jesus for courage.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Lying to the Spirit
Acts--The Gospel in the City PART VIII
27 January 2013
Rev. John Lin
Acts 4:36-37, 5:1-14
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), 36sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles's feet.
1Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.
3Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God."
5When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
7About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?"
"Yes," she said, "that is the price."
9Peter said to her, "How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also."
10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young man came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
12The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. 13No one else dared joined them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.
Threats to Christianity
WHOLENESS OF COMMUNITY
--Everything was shared with the new church community.
--Nothing was individually owned that couldn't be given up.
--Giving was voluntary, not out of compulsion.
--People were free from being defined by money.
COST OF HYPOCRISY
--Death of Ananias and Sapphira was an expression of God's wrath and judgement.
--True love comes with a capacity for Anger.
--Hate, not anger, is the opposite of Love.
--A + S misrepresented their generosity--wanted credit and status of giving.
--A + S didn't give sacrificially, because it was more self serving.
--Missed the fact that salvation was by grace, not through achievements.
PRICE OF INTEGRITY
--CS Lewis-There is a growing hell in all of us that needs to be nipped in the bud.
--Sin of pride as we are too afraid to confront our own brokenness.
--True integrity requires sacrifice.
--Jesus disintegrations makes us whole.
--Accountable community challenges us and helps us root out our problems.
--Admitting our dependency on Christ is often repulsive to an indepent oriented society.
--Acknowledging that sin has broken us offers hope to us all.
27 January 2013
Rev. John Lin
Acts 4:36-37, 5:1-14
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), 36sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles's feet.
1Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.
3Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God."
5When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
7About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?"
"Yes," she said, "that is the price."
9Peter said to her, "How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also."
10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young man came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
12The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. 13No one else dared joined them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.
Threats to Christianity
WHOLENESS OF COMMUNITY
--Everything was shared with the new church community.
--Nothing was individually owned that couldn't be given up.
--Giving was voluntary, not out of compulsion.
--People were free from being defined by money.
COST OF HYPOCRISY
--Death of Ananias and Sapphira was an expression of God's wrath and judgement.
--True love comes with a capacity for Anger.
--Hate, not anger, is the opposite of Love.
--A + S misrepresented their generosity--wanted credit and status of giving.
--A + S didn't give sacrificially, because it was more self serving.
--Missed the fact that salvation was by grace, not through achievements.
PRICE OF INTEGRITY
--CS Lewis-There is a growing hell in all of us that needs to be nipped in the bud.
--Sin of pride as we are too afraid to confront our own brokenness.
--True integrity requires sacrifice.
--Jesus disintegrations makes us whole.
--Accountable community challenges us and helps us root out our problems.
--Admitting our dependency on Christ is often repulsive to an indepent oriented society.
--Acknowledging that sin has broken us offers hope to us all.
Monday, February 11, 2013
The Word and the Spirit
Acts - The Gospel in the City PART 7
20 January 2013
Dr. Timothy Keller
Acts 4:23-37
23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father, David:
"'Why do the nations rage and the people plot in vain?
26The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together against the Lord
and against the Anointed One.'
27Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire angainst your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
31After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power to the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34There were no needy persons amont them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means son of Encouragement), 37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.
Sufficient signs of Real Christians
SERVING GOD CONSISTENTLY
--especially during suffering.
--Stay true to God when cost of serving Him is hard.
--In the Book of Job, Satan accuses him of serving God only because are going well.
--v.29 Apostles don't ask for to destroy enemies, but for courage to continie serving through tough times.
KNOWING GOD DELIBERATELY
--Personal relationship that meets him individually.
--Jesus died for me--we pray to Him, but we also need to listen.
EXPERIENCING GOD PERIODICALLY
--v.31; they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
--Taking what you know in your mind about God and make it real.
--Spotlight on Jesus Christ.
--Heightening of the assurance of God's grace.
--Not just based on emotions, but a glimpse of what's possible.
EXHIBITING GOD GENEROUSLY
--Give money generously.
--The earth shook when Jesus died and when he was resurrected.
--Jesus was shaken to pieces so we don't have to be.
20 January 2013
Dr. Timothy Keller
Acts 4:23-37
23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father, David:
"'Why do the nations rage and the people plot in vain?
26The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together against the Lord
and against the Anointed One.'
27Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire angainst your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
31After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power to the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34There were no needy persons amont them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means son of Encouragement), 37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.
Sufficient signs of Real Christians
SERVING GOD CONSISTENTLY
--especially during suffering.
--Stay true to God when cost of serving Him is hard.
--In the Book of Job, Satan accuses him of serving God only because are going well.
--v.29 Apostles don't ask for to destroy enemies, but for courage to continie serving through tough times.
KNOWING GOD DELIBERATELY
--Personal relationship that meets him individually.
--Jesus died for me--we pray to Him, but we also need to listen.
EXPERIENCING GOD PERIODICALLY
--v.31; they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
--Taking what you know in your mind about God and make it real.
--Spotlight on Jesus Christ.
--Heightening of the assurance of God's grace.
--Not just based on emotions, but a glimpse of what's possible.
EXHIBITING GOD GENEROUSLY
--Give money generously.
--The earth shook when Jesus died and when he was resurrected.
--Jesus was shaken to pieces so we don't have to be.
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