June 19, 2016

Proven, Bold Preaching

Acts 14: 1 - 4

Acts 

In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went together to the synagogue and preached with such power that a great number of both Jews and Gentiles believed.  But the Jews who spurned God's message stirred up distrust among the Gentiles against Paul and Barnabas, saying all sorts of evil things about them.  The apostles stayed there a long time preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord.  The Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders.  But the people of the city were divided in their opinion about them.  Some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.  

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  Thoughts....

Todays lesson is a bit confusing.  I always thought the synagogues were places only Jews could go to worship God.   Yet today we learn that Paul and Barnabas went together to the synagogue and preached with such power that a great number of both Jews AND Gentiles believed.  That clearly states Jews AND Gentiles believed - when Paul and Barnabas preached THE Message at the synagogue.  Perhaps the synagogues were meeting places for all to worship God.  Or maybe the Gentiles were there upon request, or desire, to know God, and the Jews invited them with the hope they would convert.

Huh.  Convert they did, but not to Judaism.  With a great number of both Jews and Gentiles converting to Christianity - it does say 'a great number of both Jews and Gentiles believed'.  Lest you think I've lost my mind repeating myself unknowingly, that is not the case.  I am firmly reiterating the miraculous event that occurred.  It bears repeating.  

But wait!  The Jews who spurned God's message, 'There is salvation in no one else', stirred up distrust against Paul and Barnabas saying all sorts of evil things about them.  [I know this one, bet you might, too.  I was in 8th grade once.  Too bad SOME people don't realize they should have left it behind - years ago!]

Even so, it says 'the apostles stayed there a long time.  [I've hope!] 

NOTE:  Barnabas was never one of 'the' 12 apostles, yet is referred to as such here.  Because he was appointed?  Accepted the Lord?  Went forth?  Had a personal visitation with the Lord?  Does it matter?  No, other than it gives title to those who feel titles are important.  Technically, we are all apostles of the Lord because we have a personal relationship with him....if we are Christians.  

How exciting was their preaching!  VERY exciting!  They walked into a synagogue and did the unheard of, impossible to believe could ever happen, which is fully documented historically.

1.  They preached boldly about the grace of the Lord JESUS!  IN A SYNAGOGUE! 

2.  The Lord, JESUS, PROVED their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders!  IN A SYNAGOGUE where they do NOT believe, DID not believe, a child born in a manger could be anyone, let alone their Messiah, Savior of the WORLD.  But many did believe!  And converted to Christianity!  Jews and Gentiles alike!  In a SYNAGOGUE!  

Are you preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord?  Have you received his power to do miraculous signs and wonders?  Where are you preaching?   

Better step it up, if not!

As usual, 'the people of the city were divided in their opinion about them.  Some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.'

Does this remind you of being picked for a team as a child?  Or what may be going on around you in your place of business or church?  Even in your family?  I thought of the 'team picking' because I have recently been forced to live through others' 8th grade experiences....and they are in their 40's and 50's.  Oh, that we could just be able to do our work for our Lord, whatever vocation, or avocation that is, and the ministry to which we are called.  All those having received the Holy Spirit must preach, and teach, and minister to others, and, always obey....GOD. 

And EXCITEDLY PREACH BOLDLY about the grace of the Lord and receive his power to do miraculous signs and wonders!

AMEN! 

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  Let Us Pray

Oh, Lord God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, you never cease to amaze me.  Right when I need these last few weeks of messages the most, here we are.  You are preaching to the choir about experiences.  I am SO grateful to see the plan is to excitedly preach boldly.  I will receive YOUR power to do miraculous signs and wonders when I do!  I always have received your grace when I have preached boldly.  Thanks for the reminder that I need to be more focused on the Plan A of my life.  In doing so, everything will fall into place for 'The Plan, the Plan'.  Okay, so that was a corny take on an old TV show, but I get it.  I need to stop letting Satan and his assigns divert me from The Plan you have for my life, and, I need to stay focused on what you have called me to do.  And never question who you put in front of me to whom I should preach.  I just need to preach.  There will always be those of Satan's camp who will cause distrust and dissension.  Evil things will always be said.  But in heaven, wondrous things are being said, and there is unity and embrace, empathy and compassion, truth, and context is intact.  Oh, that others would know you like I do, Jesus,  and could see you, and me, through God's eyes instead of through a jaded, 'tarnished with life' view.  Oh, that others would find in you what I have found....salvation, love, embrace, and so much more.  Oh, Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, help them.....you know who they are....all of them in the world who are lost.  Help them grow in a way to find you, and having found you, accept you for who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are.  And accept you, Jesus, as their Savior and OBEY you to insure their salvation.  I bow down to you, I raise my hands in praise to you, I enjoin with you in the fullness of love with gratitude from my heart.  I may not always show it....forgive me, please.  Lighten my load a bit, if you would, so that I can afford to have the time to worship and adore you.  Clearly, I could use more money and a little more time.  As with everyone else in the world, when the heat goes up, the electrical bills go up. And when others' cause accidents to take advantage of the unsuspecting, insurance goes up.  In my case, Lord, it doubled.   Would you address these concerns please?  I love my jobs....all of them.  I would like to keep them.  And not be accused of things taken out of context.   I am so tired of the attacks in life, Lord.  Truly I thought being in my 60's would bring some sort of balance, some respect for at least having achieved this age in life in todays world.  Apparently there are others who wouldn't know love and truth if it bit them....Lord, help them.  Unfortunately they really do know what they are doing.  Stop them, Lord, please, make them stop hurting others....and me.  I just want to do my job for you, and with you, and for others.  Help me continue to EXCITEDLY BOLDLY PREACH.  May others know YOU by the miraculous signs and wonders I am empowered to perform only because I am your vessel, Lord, through which Holy Spirit can act.  It will not be I, but Holy Spirit in me and through me.  Thank you for being everything to me.  Because you live in me....I can face tomorrow.  I love you.  I praise you.  I thank you.  Amen.                         

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More love.... 

  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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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, animals, the earth, 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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