We should call Peter, the man of threes. I
find it interesting that he has the dream 3
times and 3 men come to visit him. Along
with his 3 denials and 3 reaffirmations, Peter
must know it is from the Lord if it comes in
threes.
Paulette G
Acts 10
February 10th, 2009Acts 14.27 – Mission Festival
February 9th, 2009One of my favorite memories is of “mission festivals.” My aunt and uncle were missionaries in New Guinea. And every five years or so, they would come home on furlough to visit family and share the stories and the pictures of their mission work.
Something like that happens at the end of Acts 14. Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch from their first missionary tour. They called the church together and related how God opened a door of faith for the Gentiles.
Today would be a good day to give thanks for the global mission of the church and our global missionaries.
Pastor Jaster
Acts 12.15 – You’re Out of Your Mind
February 7th, 2009Acts 12 provides another bit of humor in the bible. Peter is miraculously freed from prison by an angel. He goes to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark. And after he shouts out his name from behind the locked gate, the maid (Rhonda) is so overjoyed that instead of opening the gate, she goes and tell others, who tell her in turn, “You are out of your mind! It is his angel.”
You would think that disciples who had just experienced the resurrection of Jesus would be a little quicker on the uptake.
How often do we leave a messenger of Jesus standing outside a locked door because we think that God’s good news is too good to be true?
Pastor Jaster
Acts 11.19 – Mother Church
February 6th, 2009Next to Jerusalem, the most important early church was in Antioch, the capital city of Syria. Here it was that for the very first time, the church is called “Christian.”
Christianity started as a movement within Judaism. But in the large, metropolitan city of Antioch something new happens. Strict Christian Jews and liberat Christian Jews mix and mingle with a significant number of non-Jewish Christians.
From now on missionary work did not have ot happen through disturbances in the synagogues or public preaching on the streets. Here a critical mass was reached where missionary work was now down through personal invitation of relative, friends and those who were curious.
Most people know very little about this city and the Christian community here. But who were are today is very much indebted to the church of Antioch.
In a way, it is our mother church.
Pastor Jaster
Acts 10.34 – A Kick in the Pants
February 5th, 2009I always laugh when I read Acts 10. It actually is a very funny story. For in it God gives Peter a kick in the pants.
Here Peter sat with Jesus when he ate with everyone. And Peter was there when Jesus declared all foods clean (Mark 7). But, still Peter didn’t understand that Jesus was erasing the division between Jews and Gentiles.
Finally Peter has an awesome dream and experience with Cornelius. Much without Peter aid or assistance, the Holy Spirit comes upon Cornelius.
And so, then, finally Peter says, “Now I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”
Duh!
How many times does Jesus have to give us a kick in the pants before we finally catch on!
Pastor Jaster
Acts 9.4 – Why do you persecute me?
February 4th, 2009The pharisee Saul thought he was doing the Lord’s work by rounding up Christians and arresting them to bring them to trial in Jerusalem for religious crimes against God, God’s Torah & God’s temple.
But, the risen Jesus confronted him and turned his life around with one question: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” And Saul was blinded physically to reflect how blind he had been to Jesus spiritually.
What are our “blind spots?” What zealous religious crusades do we go on…only to discover that all along we were only persecuting Christ?”
But notice that Jesus doesn’t give up on Saul. Rather Jesus turns his life around 180 degrees. And Jesus reclaims him and gives him an awesome mission.
What a statement of grace!
And if Jesus can that to a zealous persecutor like Saul, just think of what Jesus can do to us!
Pastor Jaster
Acts 8.4 – The Ministry of Philip
February 3rd, 2009In Acts, the good news of Jesus goes out in ever widening circles like a pebble dropped into a pond.
First, the good news is shared in Jerusalem (chapters 1-6) then in the nearby region of Samaria which lies between Galilee and Judea (chapter 7) and then into Damascus and Syria (chapters 8 and following).
Chapter seven relates the ministry of Philip, one of the twelve original disciples of Jesus.
Notice the emphasis on grace: the gift of the Holy Spirit cannot be bought, it is freely given to those who believe in Jesus.
And notice how Philip uses the natural questions and curiosity of an Ethiopian to tell the story of Jesus.
Where do you see such openings and opportunities to tell the story of Jesus to the people and strangers you meet this week?
Pastor Jaster
Acts 7.51 – Stephen’s Speech
February 2nd, 2009In Acts chapter 7, Stephen makes a long speech defending his witness to Jesus. He starts by recounting the history of Israel. And then the punchline come in verse 51: You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are forever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do.”
Are there any ways in which we are “stiff-necked” and “forever opposing the Holy Spirit?”
Pastor Jaster
Acts 6.1 – Multiplying Christ’s Ministry
February 1st, 2009In Acts 6, the original twelve disciples of Jesus add others to assist them in food distribution and preaching. What does that day about how we might multiply Christ’s ministry today?
Pastor Paul Jaster
Acts 5.1 – Holding Back on God
January 31st, 2009Acts 1-4 are full of wonderful positive action by Christian believers. They boldly proclaim the name of Christ. Many are converted. They gather for worship and prayer. They make sure that the needs of the poor are met.
And then in chapter 5 there is this odd story of Annaias and Saphira. Why do you think they held back on God? And what are we like? Are we more like the bold disciples of chapters of chapters 1-4 or do we hold back on God, too?
Pastor Paul Jaster