February 16, 2014

Up-Setting The Applecart 

Acts 1: 12 - 14

Luke

The apostles were at the Mount of Olives when this happened, so they walked the half mile back to Jerusalem.  Then they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying.  Here is the list of those who were present:

Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas (son of James).

They all met together continually for prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. 

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Thoughts....

'Upsetting the applecart' is an old phrase which can mean 'to turn over' or, 'turn over to spill' facts, more/new information presented to verify/clarify facts....reveal truths.  It can also mean it might upset those listening because it may not be in accord with what they have known to be true.  In todays lesson, you are going to learn (in part....more next week), if you have not already done so, that those present for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, were not JUST the 'apostles' that Jesus 'chose', but others as well, when Holy Spirit baptized MANY, raining as a mighty windstorm with 'tongues of fire'.  So, today, we are going to up-set, or set to right, the applecart filling it with only truths.  I pray it won't upset anyone....it does come from Scripture, therefore from God.

There have been leaders of churches who have taught for MANY MANY MANY years that Holy Spirit ONLY 'came upon' the 'original' apostles.  That he doesn't exist anymore because they died, and Holy Spirit and his 'acts' died with them.  HOGWASH.  Not true, not on any level.  For years, people listened to what was taught from the pulpit, and believed only what was taught them, seeing only what was being taught them from Scripture.  Seldom did people venture forth on their own calling on Holy Spirit to give them truth about what Scripture means, says, etc., and what the Lord would have them to know.  They took for granted what was being told was the 'gospel truth'.  However, and unfortunately, that is in essence an allowance of brainwashing, if you will.  God, Jesus, Holy Spirit call each and everyone of us to search the Scriptures for what they would have us to know, learn, grow with and in them.....so to be able to teach others.

I am 'here', and others like myself, to help those in their (early and long term) walk in Christianity to understand the importance of receiving the fullness of all God, Jesus, Holy Spirit have to give and to help understand all they are saying.  I, and others, are also called to interchange great truths, so all may benefit by 'being on the same page' as Truth....the one who will set you free.  As a mature Christian, it is important to insure that all truth is given, so that all may come together in this newness of life equally.  It is also important that we all learn from those who are scholarly in their search/walk, prayerfully receiving that which is imparted with wisdom from Holy Spirit, lest what we say be wrong, or fall on ears that will become deaf due to confusion....which is NOT from God.

1 John 2:26-27 reads:  'I have written these things to you because you need to be aware of those who want to lead you astray. But you have received the Holy Spirit and he lives within you [Have you....does he?], so you don't need anyone to teach you what is true.  For the Spirit teaches you all things, and what he teaches is true - it is not a lie.  So continue in what he has taught you, and continue to live in Christ.'   My goal, and that of the Lord's, is to teach you Scriptural truths, and about Holy Spirit, so you might receive Holy Spirit's baptism to hear from him these golden truths our Lord wants you to know. 

Sometimes even mature Christians will read and reread something and it not have golden truths, just surface info.  You know, you can read and reread something a 'kazillion' times and all of a sudden a truth jumps out at you, or 'it fits' just what you are going through.  That's a 'Holy Spirit moment', when he is helping you....that you are open to receiving that gift of knowledge.....wisdom.

I don't want to chastise the pastors, preachers, priests who have gone on before 'unenlightened'.  There were many who were taught by the pastor who came before them, who were taught they were to believe everything that pastor said.  That didn't make those statements any more true than the M & M candy guys saying Santa does exist.  The current pastor would teach what was taught him, which was taught from the pastor before him, and on and on.  A person can be shown to believe something that is not ultimately true.  And yet, some facts never change.  Like Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection.  But when it comes to Holy Spirit, some folks freak out, because they fear 'tongues of fire' and 'strange/unknown languages', or not being in control of themselves or their life.  And some folks just plain believe what they've been taught no matter what.  It doesn't make it true, or fact.  Another fact that will never change is that Holy Spirit IS alive and well.  You just have to ask him into your life to know for sure!  Just like you did with God and Jesus!  Trinity....it stands for God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, not God, Jesus and you.

For the record, I am NOT the only one who studies, learns, knows, etc.  There are greater scholars than I, and many who have gone on before me, as well as many who are walking the same path right now, who will tell you the same things I do about the truths within Scripture, about God, Jesus, AND Holy Spirit.         

I encourage, and have encouraged all along while I've been teaching and preaching, that you search the Scriptures for yourself, and ask Holy Spirit to enlighten you.  Once you receive Holy Spirit, you will be enlightened indeed!  Whole facets of Scriptures will be opened to you where they were not fully clear before.  And then you will be able to share with others as I have.  Others can learn through you who the Trinity is, how great the Trinity is, and how wonderful the Trinity is.

As I search the Scriptures with Holy Spirit, I am amazed at what I haven't learned/been taught, and how much more I have to learn!!!!!!!  I regret not spending more time at God's, Jesus', Holy Spirit's feet, in their presence, hearing all they have wanted to share.  But I'm here now [have been for quiet a while, but it never seems long enough....especially as I get older and my time on earth presumably shorter], and I hope you will invest yourself in learning from them as well.  I am merely a vessel for them to share through.  May we continue to enjoy this learning journey together.....with Holy Spirit.

So the story....documented history.....opens today with us being reminded the apostles were at the Mount of Olives when Jesus was 'taken away....into heaven'.  Afterwards they walked back to Jerusalem going to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying.  It then gives a list of those who were present: 

Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas (son of James).

Now, someone just listening to what is being said from the pulpit, might believe that ONLY the CHOSEN Apostles were present at that time and ONLY THEY would receive the upcoming baptism of the Holy Spirit.  Hmmmmm....lets' look at that list given of those who were ALSO present:

It goes on to say that all those guys 'met together continually for prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brotherS of Jesus.'  

First of all, the original names of the apostles listed who were there that day, did not include Thaddeus, who is now present in the upper room and was at Jesus' resurrection into heaven.  And we know Judas Iscariot is dead at this point.  The folks I will now list were included in the initial 12 'chosen apostles' [find that list in Matthew 10:2-4]:  Simon (also called Peter), then Andrew (Peter's brother), James (son of Zebedee), John (James' brother), Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew (the tax collector), James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon (the Zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).  

So ALL the years that preachers, pastors, ministers, priests, etc. have preached that ONLY the original 12 apostles received the baptism of the Holy Spirit were not accurate.  Therefore taught untruths.  It may have even been confusing for them, had they searched the Scriptures.  But they taught as given, not as truth, unfortunately, or Christianity might be further along in founded, grounded, saved, and heaven bound folks.

Futhermore, EQUALLY IMPORTANT....VERY IMPORTANT in fact, is that many preachers, pastors, ministers, priests, etc. in the past and currently, taught/teach that ONLY the original 12 apostles were to 'go forth' preaching and teaching the gospel.  We can clearly see this reiterated here, if not seen or understood from previous lessons from Luke 24.  

So, now that you know the list of 11 is not THE list of THE 11 of THE 12 apostles, have you ever learned about the rest who were present to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit?  And go forth preaching and teaching? 

Mary, the mother of Jesus was there.  As were several other women.  Hmmmmm.....women.  That means that not only MEN received the Holy Spirit, but that WOMEN did, too!  Heaven forbid....not really (!)....that the men of old would have 'allowed' it to be known that WOMEN had received the Holy Spirit....or could!  What would that have done to the 'normal' family household, or the ability to vote in America.....and any host of things worldwide?  Perhaps women wouldn't need to be beaten into submission, or wear head scarves in deference to men, or be brutally scarred with gynecological surgeries meant to maim them for life....among other things.

Another thing taught amongst some churches is that Jesus was THE ONLY ONE born to Mary.  That is a perpetual lie.  Other churches will tell you that the word 'brothers' was used because they didn't have a term for 'step-brothers' or 'cousins'.  HOGWASH.  We have not 'evolved' so much that the concept of both or terms for both were not present then.  Hek, most of our language was learned as passed on info.  Yet 'we' think we are superior to all who have come before!  Not only not true, but touts of being terribly elitist, with expressions of supremacy, NEITHER of which is OF GOD.  You can SAY we are the first on the moon.  But ARE we?  What does it say in the Scriptures?  WE build fabulous boats.  REally?  Did not Noah's ark survive an earth based flood?  WE have superior technology?  REally?  Yet we still can't figure out hieroglyphics or how to build a pyramid?  WE didn't name the sky or the lights in the sky.  WE didn't call to life animals and people.  Think about these things. 

What else might we learn today?  That Jesus was NOT the only one born to Mary.  Check out Matthew 13: 55 which reads:  He's [Jesus] just a carpenter's son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers - James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas.  All his sisters live right here among us.'

Could Simon of the list of 11 present in the upstairs room that day, and who witnessed the resurrection of Jesus into heaven, and present at the time of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, have been Simon called Peter by Jesus, be his brother?  Could James have been his brother in the list of the 11 now present?  Maybe it wasn't the same James of the original 12.  And if James listed here was his brother, rather than the son of Zebedee (an original apostle), then Judas son of James would be Jesus' nephew.  It's interesting how Luke did not provide further detail on these folks as did Matthew for the original 12.  But maybe Luke didn't because they weren't of the original 12, or, it wasn't important in the scheme of things, since many were present.  AND, quite frankly, ALL are to receive, so it shouldn't matter who is who, so much as HE was/is HE.....Holy Spirit.....and HE CAME....for ALL!

I know all this might blow your mind, so to speak, but truth is truth.  If this SEEMS confusing, it is not meant to be.  What I am trying to get across on behalf of Holy Spirit, the Lord, and God, is that what folks have been taught for years and years and years is inaccurate, and, that, only THE TRUTH WILL set you free.  'And then you will be free indeed.'  The bottom line is that those who were present on the day of the upcoming baptism, and who were baptized by the Holy Spirit, were NOT JUST the original 12.  Nor were ONLY the original 12 to go forth preaching and teaching.  And Holy Spirit did NOT die off at any time in history, nor will he.  He is alive, and well, and ready to be received by all who will receive him.  All you have to say is 'Holy Spirit come into my life.  I wish to receive all that you have to give me.'  Right after....you tell God you believe in him, and tell Jesus you believe in him, ask forgiveness for your sins, and ask God and Jesus to come into your life.  It couldn't be more simple.  Then you will know for sure that Holy Spirit is not dead, but will live on through you.

I hope you will continue on this journey to learn who Holy Spirit 'came upon' and all about this momentous occasion documented for history for all time!  'See' you next week!  Until then.....believe!

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 Let Us Pray

Dear God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I am so excited to learn more about who you are and what you need me to do for you.  I am excited to share that you 'really do exist' and can live in everyone!  I am thrilled whenever truth wins out.  Rare as it is in the world.  God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, although you've been in my life for years, I am renewed and refreshed by the reminders of who you are, that you are and how wonderful you are.  Every day you are there for me....in me....to reach,  embrace, hold, learn, raise, be grateful for, thank....and love.  And so much more.  I appreciate being trusted to be a vessel for you, to share your truths, to bring others to your feet, that they, too, may be available to you when you sound the last trumpet, calling them home, if they but obey....you.  James said in chapter 2 verse 24 that we are made right with you, God, by what we do, not by faith alone.  That doesn't mean we have to do something to be saved, it means we have to prove by our works that we are saved....we must obey you.  We cannot just say, "Ya, I know Jesus" and then not obey you, Jesus, because it proves then that we don't know you, Jesus, at all, or God, nor have we received Holy Spirit.  So help me to convey to all, that, although we do not have to do works to be saved, we do have to prove to you that we are grateful for the gift of salvation, and we must, in gratitude and in obeying you, 'work to show ourselves approved'.  We must also accept AND be baptized with Holy Spirit, else we cannot get to heaven 'no how no way'.  Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, please give me YOUR words that all may believe in who you are, that you are and how wonderful you are.  And teach them that without you, they cannot get to heaven.....that in not obeying....you, they will not receive eternal life, but IN obeying you, they WILL!  Many are called, few are chosen.  Please show me the ways I must obey, and show my family the ways to obey you, so that I, and my family, will be chosen for eternal life in heaven.  Thank you.  I praise you.  I love you.  Amen.      

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Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!

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