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Thoughts Archived > Message of Life - Teach - Part 2


1 Jun 2014

                                   

 

  

June 1, 2014

Message Of Life - Teach - Part 2

Acts 5: 21b - 25

 

 

 Luke

When the high priest and his officials arrived, they convened the high council, along with all the elders of Israel.  Then they sent for the apostles to be brought for trial.  But when the Temple guards went to the jail, the men were gone.  So they returned to the council and reported, "The jail was locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!"

When the captain of the Temple guard and the leading priests heard this, they were perplexed, wondering where it would all end.  Then someone arrived with the news that the men they had jailed were out in the Temple, teaching the people. 

 

 

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Thoughts....

 

Last week we learned the high priest and his friends, the Sadducees, were not happy about the all the miracles and things the apostles were doing for and with the Lord.  They reacted with violent jealousy, arrested the apostles, and put them in jail.  We also learned an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the jail at night and brought them out telling them to "Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!"  The message of life was "The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus."  With that directive, the apostles entered the Temple about daybreak and immediately began teaching.

Now this week, we learn that the high priest, his officials, and the elders of Israel convened to begin a trial against the apostles.  The charge:  disobeying their laws and of the land.  A big to-do shindig in that day and time.  As would any court convening be when laws are broken in this day and age.  

When the Temple guards went to get the apostles for court, they learned they were gone.  I would not want to be the Temple guards having to report they could not return with the lawbreakers, because they were out living their life, continuing to break the law in a 'devil may care fashion'.  Their report:  "The jail was locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!"  Presumably, the jail guards were oblivious to the situation. 

How cool is it to consider...realize....know....that an angel of the Lord can rescue you from a life of imprisonment, be it physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, financial?  How cool, also, is it to hear the voice of God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, or their angels, as they guide, lead and direct you?  Have you had that experience yet?  Golly, pay attention and listen for them!  Surely it is not because they are not trying to converse and help you!  They are!      

'When the captain of the Temple guard and the leading priests heard this, they were perplexed, wondering where it would all end.'  Of interest to note:  it hasn't ended yet....it will never end....until Jesus is the victor over all of life and death.

Can you imagine the expressions on their faces when they learn that the apostles were not in the jail and no one knew it, or how it happened?  Priceless!  When do you think the leaders will 'get' that GOD IS in these people?  That the God they have believed in and worshiped could take these people and use them for profound teaching and miraculous wonders? 

Today, the Jews refuse to believe yet, still, that the God of the Gentiles, of those Jews converted to Christianity, IS the God of the Jews....God of the universe for ALL.  They refuse to be believe that OUR God, and Jesus the Messiah, can reign in the hearts and minds of all believers.  And that the Messiah came, and is here for them today.  They still wish to hold onto the government of their spirituality, rather than let God reign over all.  As is true of all other religions as well.  And yet we learn in Acts 4:12,  'There is salvation in no one else!  There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them"  We learn that person is Jesus Christ from Nazareth.  'The stone that you builders rejected has  become the cornerstone.'  Acts 4: 10-11 and Psalm 118:22.  Jesus IS the Messiah, the Savior come.  

And so, what are we to do, how are we to believe, act, and 'have our being'....go forth?  Well, first we read what the apostles did.  Scripture indicates the following:  'Then someone arrived with the news that the men they had jailed were out in the Temple, teaching the people.'

The answer to the previous question then is to 'teach the people'. 

"But what should I teach?" you ask.  You teach the message of life:  "The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus." 

"But where should I teach it?  Do I have to find a Temple to preach from?"  You teach it wherever you can, every chance you have, by voice, and by the way you live your life. 

"How?"  "What should I say?"  How you teach it is to read and know the New Testament, so you can share it with others.  The words to say are within.  The more you read, the more the words, the intent, will be within your heart and mind to call upon at will, saying what God places on your hearts for each person or everyone.  How you live it is to do the same.  Living your life in and with Christ will come naturally.  All of the New Testament tells us about who God, Jesus, Holy Spirit are, how they lived, live, and will continue to live.  It tells us how other Christians lived their lives.  We are to use their examples, as well as directive guidance from God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, angels, and other CHRISTIANS they place in our path to help us.  We are never alone in our walk with our Savior, Jesus. 

"Can miracles occur in my life and others', as a result of me teaching for and with God, Jesus, Holy Spirit?  Absolutely, you should expect it and count on it.  But understand, you are not the miracle worker, they are working through you.  You are merely a vessel, if you will, by which the Trinity (God, Jesus, Holy Spirit) can reach others.  [For those hung up on the term 'Trinity', it is merely a short cut to say the 3 of them; the Triune God-head (visualize an umbrella comprised of God, Jesus, Holy Spirit under which is the whole world); and also an honorarium when capitalized.] 

Will the miracles occur dramatically?  They might!  Or they might occur subtly.  You may never know.  It is not important for you to know if miracles are occurring, it is important for you to stay focused on what you are to do....teach the people.  Fantasmagorical drama is not necessary surrounding miracles.  Sometimes God prefers the quiet essence of his touch to go deeply into the hearts and minds of believers.  This can't be done when drama or theatrics are present.  On the other hand, there are times when Holy Spirit wants to do a mighty act for many to see and be a part of.  In which case, hang on, it'll be a wallapalloosa of an event.  Either way, the miracles will come as a result of God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit teaching the people....through you.  So TEACH! 

Never falter....keep on keeping on.  In good times and bad, in season and out....teach the Word of God.  You will be blessed, but you will also be attacked for it.  Satan is a formidable foe.  Like Jesus was tested in the desert, and spit on, and attacked, beaten, and more, and, like the believers/disciples/apostles experienced flogging, attack, and more, you, too, will be subject to much.  But HOLD ON to the LORD!  He WILL be by your side through it all.  He will NEVER leave you, nor forsake you, IF YOU KEEP YOUR EYES fixed on him!  And the testimony you will be able to share for the Lord will be WONDERFUL.  You will be astounded at the working of the Lord in your life.  Just hang on....and teach the message of life:  The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus. 

 

 

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  Let Us Pray

 

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I come to you now with a humble heart.  Thank you for all you've done for me....including dying, Jesus, that I might have the opportunity to have eternal life.  Please forgive me and cleanse me of my sins, God.  Holy Spirit, please fill me  to overflowing, that I might have all you have to give me to help me 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 you, God, being in your arms, and that 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, Jesus, 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.  Thank you.  Amen.         

    

 

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  Benediction....Blessing

 

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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  Our Continual Cause

 

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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Bible Authors and Minister