We Cannot Do It

Jesus' death and resurrection was the first step in making us holy and righteous in his eyes. We were first commanded to be fruitful and multiply. We see this in the book of Acts through the spreading of the word and many were added to the number of followers of Christ daily. The original commitment to Abraham was that God would bless him and his descendents would be numerous, greater than any nation on earth. We have been called and restored in order to be a blessing to the nations and take part in God's plan. We are commanded to go and make disciples of all nations, the great commission. God knows that we are dust, we are not nice, we are not good, but He is good and we are good through His power. We are pure because he is pure. We are called because He called to us.


Be we are afraid of God's plan, of failure. Jesus tells his disciples (and us) over and over again that He has overcome the world.


Reference Deut. 1 and Deut. 19 - only the children of Israel will enter the promise land. Even Moses was not going to enter for not obeying God. A new leader was brought up and Moses encouraged him.


Deuteronomy 31:1-9
1 So Moses continued to speak these words to all Israel. 2 And he said to them, "I am 120 years old today. I am no longer able to go out and come in. The LORD has said to me, 'You shall not go over this Jordan.' 3 The LORD your God himself will go over before you. He will destroy these nations before you, so that you shall dispossess them, and Joshua will go over at your head, as the LORD has spoken. 4 And the LORD will do to them as he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land, when he destroyed them. 5 And the LORD will give them over to you, and you shall do to them according to the whole commandment that I have commanded you. 6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." 7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. 8 It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."

Joshua 1:1-9

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, 2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

In order to be strong and courageous, the first step is death.


- All those who did not believe, represent for us, our old self. A people that doesn't trust that God can do beyond what we can see. At the end of the day, they did not trust God with their life. We have to die to this old self.

When we die, we flourish. Jesus is the seed that allows us to flourish. Unless a seed falls to the ground and dies, nothing can grow from it.


Gal 2:20 - 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Die DAILY.

Before we can even start thinking about following Jesus, we have to die.


Unless we die, we live in our own strength. Unless we acknowledge God, we cannot live well.

What is strong and courageous?

- God's provision of his presence

- Being strong and courageous revolves around God's word. The way that God is made known to his people. For those that were before Jesus came, they had the law. They were commanded to meditate on it so that they would be careful to do what it says. James says that faith without works is dead. We can believe in Christ and his death, but unless that faith drives us to action, we are still dead.

We are to be focused on the word, God promises that he will be with us.

Matt 28:18-20 - 18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Jesus wraps that command to make disciples in the promise of his presence. We are to be in a relationship with God.

We are not to be slaves to the law or the word - Galations - "Who has bewitched you??" In relationship with God, we are meditating on the word and doing the word. We only can know Jesus through his word. Every area of live, His word should be on our lips. There is an issue if we have nothing of the gospel in our thoughts when we are together. To know Jesus is to know his word, to understand who he is, to be transformed into his image. We should not hold the knowledge of the word in a legalistic sense, only to undrstand who God is and know how we should act.

We are not called to be free of tribulation, free of the lost, moralistic pharasees. That has failed many times before.

Have you died?

Today is the day to die to your self. Jesus is worth it. I am all in.

Be strong and courageous by being doers of the word. Jesus did not do anything unless he first saw his father doing it first - John 17

Are you strong and courageous? Are you abiding in Jesus' love and allowing yourself to be purified by his holy spirit.

Get ready, Jump in, Read Joshua 1 & 2:
Joshua 1

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, 2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." 10 And Joshua commanded the officers of the people, 11 "Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, 'Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.'" 12 And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh Joshua said, 13 "Remember the word that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, 'The LORD your God is providing you a place of rest and will give you this land.' 14 Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land that Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but all the men of valor among you shall pass over armed before your brothers and shall help them, 15 until the LORD gives rest to your brothers as he has to you, and they also take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and shall possess it, the land that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise." 16 And they answered Joshua, "All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you, as he was with Moses! 18 Whoever rebels against your commandment and disobeys your words, whatever you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous."

Joshua 2

1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, "Go, view the land, especially Jericho." And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there. 2 And it was told to the king of Jericho, "Behold, men of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land." 3 Then the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, "Bring out the men who have come to you, who entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land." 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. And she said, "True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. 5 And when the gate was about to be closed at dark, the men went out. I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them." 6 But she had brought them up to the roof and hid them with the stalks of flax that she had laid in order on the roof. 7 So the men pursued after them on the way to the Jordan as far as the fords. And the gate was shut as soon as the pursuers had gone out. 8 Before the men lay down, she came up to them on the roof 9 and said to the men, "I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. 10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. 11 And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. 12 Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father's house, and give me a sure sign 13 that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death." 14 And the men said to her, "Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the LORD gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you." 15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was built into the city wall, so that she lived in the wall. 16 And she said to them, "Go into the hills, or the pursuers will encounter you, and hide there three days until the pursuers have returned. Then afterward you may go your way." 17 The men said to her, "We will be guiltless with respect to this oath of yours that you have made us swear. 18 Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father's household. 19 Then if anyone goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be guiltless. But if a hand is laid on anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head. 20 But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless with respect to your oath that you have made us swear." 21 And she said, "According to your words, so be it." Then she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window. 22 They departed and went into the hills and remained there three days until the pursuers returned, and the pursuers searched all along the way and found nothing. 23 Then the two men returned. They came down from the hills and passed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and they told him all that had happened to them. 24 And they said to Joshua, "Truly the LORD has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us."

Excuses, Excuses

Overcoming excuses to be apart of something greater than us.

We are known and beloved even before creation

God, The Creator, has done everything to make is love known to us no matter the cost.

• He refines us
• He removes barriers between us and Himself

Luke 23:33 - 24:9

33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!" 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" 38 There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews." 39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." 42 And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43 And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." 44 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, "Certainly this man was innocent!" 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things. 50 Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. 

Luke 24:1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise." 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.

To an outsider, this scripture is absurd.

We believe that God exists, that he is a God that created all things, that is he interacting in every moment (even coming in the flesh as the Christ).

Christ died a sacrificial death for the sins of man. He took all of our sins and they were placed on him. He held the weight of all our sins willingly. He died carrying those sins to the gates of hell. In three days, he rose alive with his restored body. After a time, he went to his father's side to build a place for us in the kingdom of God.

The Excuses:

Doubt 

• Judas
• Peter
• The soldiers
• The crowd
• Pontius Pilate

John 18:33-38 - 33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" 34 Jesus answered, "Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?" 35 Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?" 36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world." 37 Then Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world--to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice." 38 Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, "I find no guilt in him.

Jesus is on trial and brought before Pilate.

What is truth?

Pilate had an excuse-he doesn't believe in absolute truth

Romans 1:16-20 - 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith." 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

"Who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth...So they are without excuse."

Jesus did not argue with Pilate, but only stated truth which Pilate refused to acknowledge.

Luke 23:5-7 - 5 But they were urgent, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place." 6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time.

Delaying

• Pilate sent Jesus to Herod to delay having to pass judgment.

Luke 9

1 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 3 And he said to them, "Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. 4 And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them." 6 And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. 7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, 8 by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. 9 Herod said, "John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?" And he sought to see him. 10 On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. 11 When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing. 12 Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, "Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place." 13 But he said to them, "You give them something to eat." They said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fish--unless we are to go and buy food for all these people." 14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each." 15 And they did so, and had them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces. 18 Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" 19 And they answered, "John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen." 20 Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Peter answered, "The Christ of God." 21 And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised." 23 And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God." 28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah"--not knowing what he said. 34 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!" 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen. 37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. 40 And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." 41 Jesus answered, "O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." 42 While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43 And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, 44 "Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men." 45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying. 46 An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side 48 and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great." 49 John answered, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us." 50 But Jesus said to him, "Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you." 51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 And they went on to another village. 57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." 58 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." 59 To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." 60 And Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." 61 Yet another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home." 62 Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

The truth of Jesus -

• No place to call home
• ...Let the dead bury the dead
• We have our Pet sins (C. S. Lewis)
• All days are present NOW

Apathy

Matthew 27:24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves."

Pilate gave into the crowd
Pilate tried to convince himself that he wasn't really guilty of Jesus' crucfixion.

YOU crucified Him

Act 2:22-36 - 22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know-- 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him, "'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.' 29 "Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, "'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool."' 36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."

Response

• I AM RESPONSIBLE for Jesus' death
• I am crafted on the image of God, but I am broken.

Bargaining

John 19:7-9 - 7 The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God." 8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. 9 He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave him no answer.

Pilate knows he's in trouble. He doesn't want to make the decision to believe that Jesus is who he days he is

John 19:10-11 - 10 So Pilate said to him, "You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?" 11 Jesus answered him, "You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin."

Pilate tried to bargain with Jesus, but Jesus will not be bargained with. No amount of money is enough to pay for our sins.

Another King and governor-

• Paul sat before Agrippa and Festus

Acts 26:22-29 - 22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles." 24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind." 25 But Paul said, "I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe." 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, "In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?" 29 And Paul said, "Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am--except for these chains."

No excuse is too big to overcome in the reality of who Jesus is when compared to the power displayed on the cross in his death and Resurrection.

Will you believe in the truth of Jesus?

Will you get off the fence and believe in Jesus?

Will you foolishly reject him?

Today is the day, the now.

While it is a leap of faith, we are to count the cost. We might believe a few facts, but our heart is not all in.

Call on the name of Jesus and be all in.

John 19:26-27 - 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" 27 Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

Jesus commissions a new family

• John becomes Mary's son
• Celebrate together
• Lord, make us whole

NOTE: I am really behind on getting these out. Enjoy.

Becoming the First Call #11

Called to the Front Lines

Audio Link

Jesus calls us to be on the front lines of the Kingdom. We are the primary ambassadors of the Kingdom on Earth.

If someone wants to know who this God of the universe is, we should be expected to be contacted to learn about the Kingdom of God.

The last four weeks have been focusing on Jesus to encourage us to be more like him.

[John 9:1-41 ESV] 1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3 Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; **night is coming, when no one can work.** 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. 8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, "Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?" 9 Some said, "It is he." Others said, "No, but he is like him." He kept saying, "I am the man." 10 So they said to him, "Then how were your eyes opened?" 11 He answered, "The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.' So I went and washed and received my sight." 12 They said to him, "Where is he?" He said, "I do not know." 13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. 14 Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. 15 So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, "He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see." 16 Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" And there was a division among them. 17 So they said again to the blind man, "What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet." 18 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight 19 and asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?" 20 His parents answered, "We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. 21 But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself." 22 (His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.) 23 Therefore his parents said, "He is of age; ask him." 24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, "Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner." 25 He answered, "Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see." 26 They said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" 27 He answered them, "I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?" 28 And they reviled him, saying, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from." 30 The man answered, "Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." 34 They answered him, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?" And they cast him out. 35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" 36 He answered, "And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" 37 Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you." 38 He said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind." 40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, "Are we also blind?" 41 Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, 'We see,' your guilt remains.

This all happened immediately after Jesus was going to be stoned. When he told the pharisees that he had seen Moses and the pharisees were incensed, but Jesus hid himself and left the synagogue.

The disciples ask him the question about the blind man, they are trying to figure out who in this man's life did something sinful. Jesus tells them that this man's blindness was given to him so that God would be revealed through this man's healing. Jesus is concerned with people being drawn to God. God does not necessarily cause these things to go wrong. He allows these things to happen so that the world may be redeemed. We say that all things can and will be used by God for the redemption of His name, his people, and all the nations.

Everything that happens is used by God to reveal the Kingdom -

* Rahab the prostitute

* King David

* The blind man

Jesus reveals himself to those around him, that God is orchestrating good things for everyone. God is gracious despite our short comings. God takes what is bad or awful for us and uses it to turn our hearts to Him.

The numerous accusations found here, are revelations to us. Do not be afraid to ask the deeper questions.

The pharisees are trying to catch this formerly blind man in a lie, but their stubbornness causes them to revile this work of healing and as a result reject this man's testimony being willfully blind to the reality of Christ and the kingdom of God. 

While this man is interviewed a second time, they try to give the man a plea deal and confess that Jesus is as they think he is. The man only says, that his new sight is real and he doesn't care about the man who performed this miracle.

People will he our testimony and can be skeptical or combative. It is not our place to worry about someone's reaction to our story, we only need to tell the truth that God has performed in our life. Our stories have the reality of life without God, and we know the reality of how God reached into our life and changed it to be more in line with His Kingdom.

Peter says that we are always supposed to be ready to give a reason for the hope that we have. It is not our job to convict, that is for the Lord to do.

That is the case for this man. He understands that he was marked for God's work and that is the story that he tells without any judgment or conclusions.

Are we telling our story like this man is? Or are we instead trying to convince (convict) people of their need for God.

When we understand the full picture of what God has done in our lives, we can speak to the transition that God has made in our lives. We understand that everything we do is intertwined with our story our life. We need to be open to speaking to others around us about what God has done for us.

A random classmate might cross your path some day, be ready to share with them about where you are in God. Pray for them and their family. Trust that God opens the door for you. He is orchestrating salvation through you, just share who you are in Christ. Don't miss the point - God is making ways in which he is revealed. Believe that God's sovereignty is making plans for salvation. We should make ourselves ready to testify of our salvation.

Practice simple testimony.

What has God done in you?

Be courageous, don't be afraid to share.

Don't be afraid to be normal with people.

When we make ourselves and our lives an open book, people will see the display of God's redemption and experience Jesus first hand.

Make yourself fully available in both the hard time and the easy times.

Are you available at all times for God to use?

Passion Week Reading Plan

Day 1 - John 11:1-27

Day 2 - John 11:28-57

Day 3 - John 12:1-26

Day 4 - John 12:27-50

Day 5 - John 12:1-38

Day 6 - John 14:1-31

Day 7 - John 15:1-27

Day 8 - John 16:1-33

Day 9 - John 17:1-26

Day 10 - John 18:1-40

Day 11 - John 19:1-42

Day 12 - John 20:1-31

How many verses about Jesus start "And he did this so that..." where some prophesy about him was to be fulfilled?

Becoming the First Call #9

Rolling back a bit to catch up, the notes will continue normally next week. Sermon audio is here. (Right click to save the file)

Lord, Lord 

Why do you call on Jesus without doing anything He tells you to?

17 And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, 18 who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19 And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all. 20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. 22 "Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! 23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. 24 "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25 "Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. "Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. 26 "Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets. 27 "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. 32 "If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. 37 "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." 39 He also told them a parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. 41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye. 43 "For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. 46 "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great." - Luke 6:17 - 49

A starting point for further study is Matthew chapters 5 - 7 is the parallel passage to this section.


People who are regularly calling on Jesus as, "Lord" and appear outwardly devoted are being talked about here.

22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'  Matthew 7:22-23

These people here have quite the resume - prophets, mighty works, casting out demons in the name of Jesus.

What is on your Christian "resume"? Are there mighty works on there? Do they even come close to these people that he is talking about? Have you cast out demons? Have you had anyone come back from the dead?

Why do you call on Jesus without doing anything He tells you to?

Would Jesus say to you "depart from me because I don't know you"?
Do you do enough "good" things? Does this show your faith?

Is your faith bearing "good" fruit?

Jesus, James, and Paul warn us that faith without works is dead.

BUT -

Do not fall into the trap of giving lip service to Jesus and keeping up a false hope of entering the kingdom eternal only to miss the mark.

Do not fall into the trap of being legalistic or of the pharisees.

Allow the Holy Spirit to refine you into the pure expression of faith that Jesus calls you to.

vv. 20 - 23

Blessed are those - these seem to be weak and pathetic people

vv. 24 - 26

Woe to those who are rich - why is Jesus calling out seemingly successful people?

How is Your Posture?

What is the posture of these two groups of people in verses 20 - 26?

1. Needy - the needy acknowledge this fact. In the US, we are very spoiled and we have been given much; therefore, our need is not very visible. In this group of people, God blesses those who admit they are in need.


2. Prideful - Those that have much, are full, and outwardly happy may put their focus on the blessings instead of the one who blesses.

vv. 36 - 37 

Do not pass judgement? - What is the context of judgement? This is about one's posture, it's not wrong to be rich, or full, or happy. Sometimes we need to fast from these things to realize where our abundance comes from. We misplace out hope is we focus on our abundance instead of our need.

Consider the context of the following regarding judging others:

1 When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? 2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! 4 So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? 5 I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, 6 but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? 7 To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? 8 But you yourselves wrong and defraud--even your own brothers! 1 Corinthians 6:1 - 8


What is the context of judgement? 

v. 38

Think about the concept of lending to others with no expectation of getting anything in return. Do we admit that all things are God's and it does not matter to us if we ever get a return on our investments on earth.

When we give to the poor, to those in need - it is like lending to the Lord. When you give something to someone in their place of need, you are giving to the Lord. You are investing in Jesus, you are nurishing Him and your faith.

v. 43

No good tree bears bad fruit and no bad tree bears good fruit...

Fruit - John 15 - Jesus says, "I am the vine, you are the branches"... If you abide in Jesus, there will be abundant fruit. He promises that if we abide in Jesus, we will bear abundant fruit.

If we find that our life is not fruitful, maybe we should examine ourselves and ask Jesus to reveal where we are not abiding in Him.

v. 46 "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord', but do not do as I tell you?..."

The ruin of the house built on the sand IS great:

Does this passage convict you? Do you feel the need to fix yourself??? STOP!!! You cannot fix yourself!! Jesus is the chief cornerstone, only he can do the work that needs to be done in you. We are more like the rich, the full, the prideful than we want to admit. It takes being poor, hungry, humble to get back to the foundation of abiding in Jesus.

Be willing to be challenged

Be willing to be patient and wait on the Lord

Be continually asking Jesus to reveal where we are giving him lip service and turn to him.

Do not be dependent on the ministries, financial stability, adequate food, house, work, or any of the things of this life. Be dependent on Jesus. Dig deep and build your faith's foundation on the Rock of Salvation. Be willing to be tested. Be willing to suffer along side Christ. Be willing to focus your attention on God. Be willing to be unconfortable in order for Jesus to work in your life.

He does not desire our intellectualism, He desires us to be with Him and be made new every day. He does not desire our works, He desires our faith.

PRAYER -

"Jesus, where are the places, what are the ways in which I say, 'Lord, Lord', but I don't do the things you say. Where are the outwardly looking things that have no fruit? Where have I said that I follow Jesus and am not obedient?"


ATTRIBUTION - The scriptures and sermon content first appeared at The Bridge, Big Flats, NY where Alex Ruffer is the Senior Pastor. These notes are mearly my thoughts and transcriptions during the sermon itself. Scriptures are quoted from the ESV unless noted otherwise.

Becoming the First Call Part 8

Mark 1:35-45

35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you." 38 And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out." 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons. 40 And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean." 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean." 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them." 45 But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

We should be people that are available, set aside for God's purpose. This is what Holiness means. Observing Lent, means setting aside things that may not be beneficial to the Kingdom so that we can be more available to what God has for us.

The next six weeks will be focusing on the first call through the context of Jesus. There will be miracles, but they will focus on character, word, and power. Focusing on being effective tools in God's hands.

Jesus is the character of God, the word of God, and the power of God.

Hebrews 4:15-16

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

John 1:1 - The Word is God

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Phil 2:5 - 8

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Jesus did the things not out of who he was in God, but out his humaness because of his reliance on God. He relied totally on God's power to bring miracles about.

Jesus said that he didn't do anything without first seeing his father do it.

Out of all the gospel stories these two stories exmplify why Jesus came - TO SEEK AND SAVE WHAT IS LOST

Mark 1:35 - 

This is just as the first miracle takes place. Simon and his followers were looking for him. He left to go throughout Gallilee to preach. When the leper came to him, he was moved and healed the man. When he warned the man not to talk about him, the man instead went around and announced that Jesus healed him and many came to see Jesus' preaching and miracle working. Jesus came up against resistance from the religious leaders because he forgave sins as well as healed the sick. 

The story about the leper emphasizes how Jesus purposely went out and met with his father before he did anything else. We should be doing this, we should be abiding in the presence of our father. 

The people are asking him to stay in the town, but there is a bigger purpose than working miracles.

Eph 5:15-18

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

This is really what the story of the leper shows. Jesus did not waste his time and did the best things.

The leper has faith to be healed, he has heard of the works of Jesus. Jesus was compassionate on the leper and healed him. We should find freedom and help others to find freedom as well. However, Jesus warned the man not to tell anyone about the miracle except to present himself to the priest and be ritually cleansed as a proof of authenticity of the miracle.

The man did not go to the priest. What does this show?

Maybe

• Rebelling against authority
• Wanting to be with family and friends
• Wanting not to be an outcast any longer
• Selfishness?

This begs the question - Why are we "following" Jesus? Are we asking for his gifts for ourselves???

Jesus was the first, real "medicine show," but he wasn't selling snake oil cures. 

The Wild West Medicine Show
Chris Camp's Wild West Show and Cowboy Cavalcade

Story #2:

The men with the friend coming through the roof

Mark 2:1-12 

1 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk'? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he said to the paralytic-- 11 "I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home." 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"


The scribes were questioning Jesus' authenticity. He responded correctly, that He was empowered to forgive sins. He said that it was easy to heal the paralytic, but only God can forgive. As proof of the forgiveness, the man was healed.

God's heart is for restoration, not for healing or miracles. He wants salvation, the leper needed salvation. The leper needed salvation. Jesus might have perceived that these men really wanted salvation.

Jesus continuously admonished his followers to pursue salvation and not the miracles that were coming.

He offended even his followers proclaiming that He was the way to salvation, the gate keeper to the inner sanctuary of the Holy of Holies.

God wants us to speak the Gospel, the fullness of God's word into any circunstance, any place where we are.

We should be studying the Gospel so that it is infused in our being. It is our law.

Every part of the word is about Jesus. Jesus states that when He is lifted up, He will draw all people to himself. Jesus is for restoring people to himself.

It is dangerous to expect miracles if they don't point to Jesus.

These two stories are only concerned with people salvation, not the miracle. He is willing to use any method to bring about salvation. We should be examining our motives for following God:

• Why are we here?
• Why do we pray?
• Why do we serve?
• Why do we read scripture?
• Why do we go to God?
• Why do we pick and choose how we approach God?

Do we have the leper's motives?

Where have we not obeyed God? The leper does not obey Jesus' command to present himself to the priest.

Don't rob God of his glory.

Do not rob the cross of it's meaning.



ATTRIBUTION - The scriptures and sermon content first appeared at The Bridge, Big Flats, NY where Alex Ruffer is the Senior Pastor. These notes are mearly my thoughts and transcriptions during the sermon itself. Scriptures are quoted from the ESV unless noted otherwise.

Becoming the First Call Part 7

Thoughts on Lent

Lent started last Wednesday 06 March 2019 and carries forward the next 40 days through Easter, 21 April 2019.

1 Peter 1:18-21

17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. When we give up something for Lent, it should be a reminder of what Jesus gave up for us. He gave up his life for us, what would we give up to show our appreciation of this sacrifice?

Focus - Acts 4:24-30 

24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, "'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed'-- 27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. 32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 

Jesus has been resurrected and he spent 40 days with his disciples before his ascention. The disciples had begun to manifest signs and wonders beginning with the crippled man at the Beauty Gate. Peter and John were called before the high priest and told to not speak of Jesus, which they responded that they must obey God and not man. After this meeting, they go to the gathering of the rest of the followers of Jesus and offered up the prayer in Acts 4:24-30 They understand that they are going against the religious powers of the day and the authority of the day. They realize that the very people that they are going to anger are the same authorities that crucified Jesus. Their lives were changed when the Holy Spirit answered their prayer by coming on them in power and might. The result was the massive influx of believers into The Way and that power carries forward to today.

Let's look at the prayer, phrase by phrase: 

Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them...

What a way to start prayer!!

...who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, "‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’

They honor David who was a man after God’s own heart. This statement recognizes that there are authorities on the Earth and that when they come agaist God, His authority is greater than all these rulers. We cannot have faith without understanding God’s authority. Jesus claimed that one man had more faith than anyone in Isreal. That man was not a Jew, but a soldier in the Roman army. This commander sent his representative to call Jesus. When Jesus was on the way, another servant met Jesus to say that the commander did not even feel that he was worthy to welcome Jesus into his home and yet, if Jesus even spoke the words, the miracle would be done. We love to say that we are saved by faith without works; however, James and Hebrews state that faith without works is dead. Faith with our resultant works is an empty faith. We respond in faith by doing something and not being lazy. We believe that God has authority and we do what he says out of an abundant faith.

27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.

Jesus had not been gone for long. The disciples are fearful of the authorities and what could happen to them. The disciples saw what the crowds demanded of Pilate and knew that Pilate would not protect them either. They also acknowledged that what happend to Jesus was predetermined from history. They are afraid of being tortured for their faith.

29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.

Are we asking God to give us the boldness to speak His word boldly?? There is a fear that resides in all of us, that as a church, we have become very content living generally free of physical threats. As a church, because of this we do not ask God for boldness.

Jesus spoke a parable - Luke 14:16-24

16 But he said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 17 And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.' 19 And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.' 20 And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' 21 So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' 22 And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' 23 And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'"

(This also appears in Matthew.)

In both places, the master of the house invites in the undesirables of society-prostitutes, tax collectors, etc… Jesus speaks of ordinary things in the parable, buying property, house, car, livestock, marriage. We read these parables after praying the Lord’s prayer and realize that we fill our lives and keeping busy, but we do not count the cost of being distracted from the work of the kingdom. When we sacriice the work of the kingdom, we must realize that something is wrong with our spiritual growth.

• What is the thing that keeps us busy doing things that not important in the kingdom of God? 
• Are we too busy to really evaluate our lives and shed the unimportant things and really do the things that God wants us to do? 
• How can we make our Christian walk less about doing programming and making the walk more organic?
• Why are we too busy??
• What are we missing out on that God has for us to experience?
• Who have we missed?

After the discples ask for boldness, they understand that 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.

John the Baptizer sent his disciples while he was inprisoned to ask if Jesus was really the Christ? Jesus has them witness the manifest fruits of his ministry. They witnessed the reality of the Kingdom of God and sent word back to John.

The Bridge is looking at each of its ministries to see which ones are being effective and which ones are not and need to be cut. What are we doing as a body that is furthering the Kingdom? Are we still pointing people to Christ? Are we getting lazy??

31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

When we pray honest, real prayers

When we treat him with the authority which he commands

When we acknowledge everything in our life and admit that His authority is superior and we must let him work those things out

When we realize that

His authority has power

He HEARS US

Becoming the first call

• Are we really positioned to be the first call?
• Are we giving people comfort? Or are they convicted?
• Are we “sinner friendly”?

Acts 5:12-13

12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem.

The first disciples did many things in the name of Jesus. There were those that wanted the gifts for their own benefit and they were struck down (Ananaias and Saffira) which struck fear into those who were not genuine in their faith.

Many were afraid to join The Way, but all respected them.



ATTRIBUTION - The scriptures and sermon content first appeared at The Bridge, Big Flats, NY where Alex Ruffer is the Senior Pastor. These notes are mearly my thoughts and transcriptions during the sermon itself. Scriptures are quoted from the ESV unless noted otherwise.