May 25, 2014

Message Of Life - Teach - Part 1

Acts 5: 17 - 21a

 Luke

The high priest and his friends, who were Sadducees, reacted with violent jealousy.  They arrested the apostles and put them in the jail.  But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out.  Then he told them, "Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!  So the apostles entered the Temple about daybreak and immediately began teaching.

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Thoughts....

Violent jealousy, negative reaction, do these seem like they would be words to describe people of God?  Not hardly.  And yet, the high priest and Sadducees were regarded as respected, religious-law abiding citizens.  Leaders in the name of religion.  So what happened to make them react so negatively and in such a way as to cause others pain? 

Remember in the last lesson we learned that many miracles were occurring.  'The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people.'  From Solomon's Colonnade at the Temple, the apostles were bringing crowds of men and women to believe in and accept Jesus Christ as Messiah, Lord.  Sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats, and the sick people from the villages around Jerusalem came, even those possessed with evil spirits....and they were all were healed!

Perhaps I should have entitled todays lesson 'They Own the Power'.  But you and I own it, too, IF we have the Holy Spirit residing within us.  We, too, can do what the apostles did that day by the power of the Holy Spirit within us.  Because it is not you and I that heals, but the Holy Spirit through us who does the healing, performs the miracles.  Including teaching and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ....the Word of God.

So it seems that the reason the high priest and Sadducees did what they did was jealousy.  But it wasn't a simple jealousy, dealt within.  It was a violent jealousy, a jealousy so strong, so vicious as to cause others pain and suffering.  And why, for what reason?  They wanted to 'own the power'.  Their self esteem was perhaps poor, or they were fearful that others could overtake them, rise above them.  Lead without them benefiting perhaps.  That perhaps they would be ousted, believing themselves to be certainly overthrown.  Perhaps they wanted to be liked more.  They wanted all the power. Yes, this sounds like the actions of a bunch of 8th graders.  How sad.  Little did they know they, too, could do what the apostles did, have what they had, have WHO they had.  Just like you and I can.  They just needed to accept, embrace, enjoin, and obey the God they themselves had been trying to promote, teach about, in the name of religion.

Did they really think putting the apostles in jail would keep them silent?  Did they really think they would be able to keep their positions while doing what they did to people of God who taught about THE Messiah, Savior, Lord come?  Who taught about him by the way they lived their lives, spoke the truth, proclaimed an abundant life, healed everyone by the power of the Holy Spirit?  The high priest and Sadducees proved they truly did not know God....nor did they obey him.  Maybe beyond self sabotage, perhaps they wanted out of their positions....and subconsciously knew their actions could result in a move out.  Could they really have expected a promotion of some sort for opposing and hurting the people acting in the name of God obeying him?  Isn't that the same as opposing God?  Yes....it is.  

'But an angel of the Lord came at night and opened the jail and let them out.'  Alleluia!  There is always hope!  Never lose sight of hope....another word for having trust in God, and Jesus the Savior, who can be your Savior, if you let him....that is, if you haven't already let THE Light of the World, Jesus, within. 

And what did the angel of the Lord say?  He said, "Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!' 

What is the message of life?  "The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus."

So the apostles entered the Temple about daybreak and immediately began teaching.  Have you received Jesus as your Savior?  Have you made him Lord of your life by obeying him?  Then, you, too, must begin immediately to teach this message of life: The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus.  You, too, have been freed from oppression, released from the jail with which Satan surrounds one's life.  The apostles began immediately to teach.  We should do no less.  Even all the more in this day and age, and in every age to come.

Will people flock to the Holy Spirit within you to be healed, and will many miraculous signs occur as a result of you being willing to receive God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit into your life and being willing to obey them?  Yes, at some point, this will occur.  Consider your motive.  Is it merely to uplift you, or uplift the Lord?  If it is self motivated, you may not see the ill effects of defiance happen soon.  You may not see them until heaven's gate when Jesus' arms will NOT open.  But you WILL see those ill effects at some point.  On the other hand, if you do choose to step out, and up, in the name of God to teach the Gospel and give the message of life that the Messiah people are looking for is Jesus, then you will [Say I WILL]  live an abundant life!  Jail will occur no more, literally, spiritually, physically, or emotionally.  And you will be free indeed!

So teach the message of life:  The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus!  Teach it everywhere you go verbally.  AND teach it by how you live...so others can see him in you.

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  Let Us Pray

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, please forgive me and cleanse me of my sins.  Now fill my body to overflowing with you, Holy Spirit, that I might have all you have to give me to go forth teaching 'The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus'.  Help me be bold enough to step forth and speak, teaching everything you would have me to teach.  Help me be gentle, caring, and loving in my approach, so that you will be heard through me.  Help me be respectful at all times, never seeking my way, but yours.  And help me embrace everyone as you would, that they might feel your arms, not mine.  Father God, Savior Lord Jesus....Messiah come, Teacher and Guide Holy Spirit, I surrender all to you that you might rise fully within me, so I can do your will, not mine, so others can see you in me, and know that YOU live in me.  And that you work through me to help others.  I praise you and thank you.  Amen.

If you have not accepted Jesus as your Messiah/Savior, and want to, pray this prayer, or one from your heart:

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I have not loved you with my whole heart, I have not loved my neighbor as myself.  I am truly sorry and I humbly ask your forgiveness.  Please heal my mind, body, spirit, soul, and heal me financially, economically.  Please forgive and heal my family, too.  Help me help them be able to come to you, too, on that last day when the trumpet sounds, when they, like I, have shown their self approved, and can receive the prize of the high calling of God, being in the arms of THE Lord, Jesus Christ.  Help me, my family, and others learn all we can about you, and obey you, teaching others about who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are.  Thank you for giving me this opportunity to know you and be one with you by your birth, life, death, and resurrection to heaven.  Thank you for helping me to obey you.  Now, Holy Spirit give me utterance, that I may speak and teach what you tell me to, so others may know you through me.  Be so fully within me, Holy Spirit, that others may be healed by you through me.  I pray this with praise and thanksgiving.  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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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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It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, or animals, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart.  

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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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