February 23, 2014

Foundational Overseers and Praying 

Acts 1: 15 - 26

Luke

During that time, on a day when about 120 believers were present, Peter stood up and addressed them as follows:

"Brothers, it was necessary for the Scriptures to be fulfilled concerning Judas who guided the Temple police to arrest Jesus.  This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David.  Judas was one of us, chosen to share the ministry with us.

(Judas bought a field with the money he received for his treachery, and falling there, he burst open, spilling out his intestines.  The news of his death spread rapidly among all the people of Jerusalem, and they gave the place the Aramaic name Akeldama, which means, "Field of Blood.")

Peter continued, "This was predicted in the book of Psalms, where it says, 'Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.'  And again, 'Let his position be given to someone else.' 

"So now we must choose another man to take Judas's place.  It must be someone who has been with us all the time that we were with the Lord Jesus - from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us into heaven. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus' resurrection."

So they nominated two men:  Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.  Then they all prayed for the right man to be chosen.  "O Lord," they said, "you know every heart.  Show us which of these men you have chosen as an apostle to replace Judas the traitor in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs."  Then they cast lots, and in this way Matthias was chosen and became an apostle with the other eleven.  

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Thoughts....

Hello!  I hope todays lesson finds you in good health and that you have much joy.  If not, know we will be praying for you.  Let's get on with todays lesson which will be shorter than usual. 

Last week we learned that many believers met together continually for prayer....men and women alike.  Todays lesson opens with the information that on a day when about 120 believers were present, Peter stood up speaking to all, but, as was the custom at the time, he addressed the men, calling them brothers.  In the old way of congregating to worship God, men stood at the forefront and women were in the back.  It was not appropriate to teach the women directly, men had to teach them at home, if they didn't understand what they were learning directly.   

This was what appeared to be the first business meeting after Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.  Because Jesus had chosen 12 in the beginning to oversee the business functions of the church, and to act as not only overseers, but be learned ambassadors, if you will, to not only carry the Word forth sharing in the ministry (Acts 1:25), but to act foundationally as the 'go to' people for answers, Peter set forth to insure that 12 were in place. 

He outlined what happened to Judas, which can be found in Matthew 26:14-25 and 27:3-10.  [Note that although Peter said Judas' intestines fell out after falling, and the Matthew account showed Judas hanging himself, it is presumed in educated circles of theology, that after hanging himself, he fell and his intestines burst open at that time, or, he failed at the hanging and fell, causing his intestines to burst upon the fall.  Either way, the man died as a result of his suicide attempt.]

Okay, so Peter explained what was outlined in Psalms 69:25 and 109:8, that Judas' place amongst the 12 had been deserted, hence the need to fill his position of foundational leadership.  

Interesting to note is that when Jesus was baptized, there were crowds present.  See Luke 3:21.  So the 11 did not have to pick amongst a mere one or two noted, but the pool to choose from numbered many!  Narrowing it down, they decided to choose someone who had not only been at Jesus' baptism, but also at his resurrection.  THIS is IMPORTANT information.  For thousands of years, religious teachers have taught that there is such a thing as apostolic succession.  That only those who had been taught from the 12 apostles could carry on in ministry/be a minister in any church.  That is not true, has never been true.  Jesus spoke to many before, and at, his resurrection to 'go forth', and that Holy Spirit would be bestowed upon ALL those present, anyone willing to receive Holy Spirit, as was evidenced, and we will see, in future lessons.  Those churches who continue to teach that only men can be taught, that only men can lead a church, that only a man can receive the Holy Spirit, that only men can stand in leadership of such are wrong, and have been wrong for a very long time.  Like Paul, you will be able to see the light....and from the Light....soon, if you have not already.   ANYONE can receive the Holy Spirit and be a witness to Jesus' resurrection.  By reading the truths set forth in Scripture and being one with the Savior in salvation and obeyance, you, too, can 'go forth'.  In fact, you are called to go forth! 

Here we see a way to pray.  "Oh Lord, you know every heart."  "Show us...."  This format was used to call upon the Lord in seeking an answer to who to choose to round out the 12.  They believed the Lord would answer them and he did.  Each one prayed and gave their answer.  It was obviously a unanimous answer. 

Do you pray the way the Apostles prayed?  Do you listen for answers?  Do you then act based those answers?

What will be your vote today?  Will you vote to pray to God?  Do you believe he will answer you?  Will you listen to what he has to say?  Then will you do what he tells you to do?  Will you go forth as a witness to his resurrection?   OR will you betray him and die?        

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 Let Us Pray

Our Father, you are in heaven.  Your name is hallowed....and is to be revered.  You know every heart, Lord.  Show us what you would have us to do.  Show us your way, your truths, your light.  Your kingdom has come, your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us you, Lord, on this day, and forgive us for our sins, while you help us to forgive those who have sinned against us.  Help us not to be led into temptation.  Deliver us from evil.  For you are and divined the existing and everlasting Kingdom, you are the Power, and the Glory, forever and ever on earth and in heaven.  Thank you.  We 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. 

'All who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all Christians - you are ONE in Christ Jesus.'  Galatians 3: 27

  It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!

Teach tolerance....reach in acceptance....worship as one!

Embrace....Respect....Encourage!

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Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

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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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