Acts 5:32
“. . .the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Jesus promised, when we are baptized with the Holy Spirit, we will receive power to be witnesses for Christ. It seems to me, I am always in need of more power than I currently have. The longer I walk with the Lord, the bigger some of the battles become. I need a greater measure of His power to deny the flesh, as well as to effectively serve the Lord. I think it is a common experience for all Christians to feel powerless against the battle in front of them. That being said, there is a critical principle revealed in this verse. Peter declares that the Holy Spirit is given to those who obey.

Throughout Scripture, we find the people of God facing obstacles bigger than themselves. We read of Moses and the congregation of Israel being chased by the Egyptian army, where they are trapped by the Red Sea. We know of Joshua and the immense walls that surrounded the city of Jericho. Later, Scripture records how Gideon faced the armies of the Midianites, and David stood toe to toe with the Philistine giant. The New Testament is filled with its share of obstacles as well. We read of the man with the withered hand, blind Bartimeus, and the lame man at the Beautiful gate of the Temple. In each of these cases, God is calling people to do the impossible. In each case, they could have excused themselves because of a lack of power. I can almost hear the excuses I would have used. “Lord I can’t do that, I don’t have that kind of power, that water is too deep, the walls too high and the giant is too tall.”

The truth stated by Peter answers those objections. The Holy Spirit is given when we obey. If we are waiting for an overwhelming sense of power to build up in us before we do battle against the flesh, or go out in service of the Lord, we are going to wait forever. If we go out in obedient faith to the promises of God, we will find that the Holy Spirit is given to those who obey. All the strength you need for the battle at hand, will be given as you walk in obedient faith to the command of God. In that struggle you are facing with the flesh, trust today, that He will empower you as you choose to obey.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Acts 5

1. Hypocrisy, are we sensitive to it? Do we overlook it? God is serious about it. Pretending to be something we are not, lying to ourselves. If there is anything in your life that falls into this category, take time now to lay it before the Lord, confess and repent. God loves you and wants to forgive you and make all things new! Read I Corinthians 5:17
2. In verse 12 we see the phrase “all in one accord” again. Being like-minded with the body of Christ is recurring theme. Is there something about your church that you question or don’t understand? Take time to call your pastor or staff and search the scriptures. Many times we may believe something that was taught to us in our younger years. It may be good, but not necessarily scriptural.
3. The apostles were put in prison; the Lord set them free and told them to go back. Our natural reaction sometimes is to run away from conflict, yet God told them to go back. Are there things in your life that you are running from? Is Lord prompting you to go back? Pray and seek Him, seek council and be obedient. There might be a miracle awaiting you?
4. Verse 29 is a wow verse! Sometimes we don’t obey God because we don’t know what He wants us to do. Keep praying, keep studying God’s Word, He will speak to you!
5. The Pharisee Gamaliel gives some interesting advice to the council in verse 38-39. How can you apply this advice to situations in your life?

Old Testament:
Deuteronomy 33- Shelter From The Storm
Deuteronomy 34- Big Shoes

Acts 4:2
“…..they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.”

The greatest tragedy in human history was the day Christ died. The true sinfulness of mankind was expressed as the world turned on Christ, as if to say, “We won’t have this man ruling over us.” In an attempt to rid the world of Him, they nailed Him to the cross and watched Him die. In contrast to the darkness of that hour, heaven’s great light shone forth as Jesus rose from the dead, gaining victory over death, hell, and sin. The Resurrection is heaven’s great triumph.  The resurrection, proves the claims of Christ. When asked for a sign Jesus declared,

“ An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matthew 12:39-40

Essentially, He was saying, “In addition to fulfilled prophecy, the miracles I performed, and the lives I have changed, the only sign I will give you, is that I will rise again.” Death could not hold Him down, the grave could not keep Him in. The Son of God rose from the dead triumphantly, assuring us all, His promises are true.

But the Resurrection proves something else. Not only are we guaranteed Jesus is who He said He was, but we are guaranteed there is more to life than this temporal existence. Paul declared,

“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.”                1 Corinthians 15:20-22

The term “first-fruits” refers to the fruit on the tree that ripened first. When Israel gathered these fruits, they would celebrate, partly because they had a taste of the harvest, and partly because they knew a much greater harvest awaited them. The resurrection of Christ is like that. We celebrate that He conquered death and was raised in a glorified body, never to die again. We also rejoice in knowing, when this life comes to an end, as it will for each of us, we can be assured there is eternity.

One day, we will all breathe our last in these earthly tents. Those who have trusted Christ for salvation, will awaken in glory. The tent will be cast off, and replaced with a glorious body, designed never to wear out, but to last for all eternity. Rejoice today, as we look with anticipation to the great hope of the Resurrection.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Acts 4

1. The Sadducees were “disturbed” that Peter and John were teaching the resurrection of Jesus and had them taken into custody until the next day. Yet how many believed in spite of the Sadducees actions?
2. Again as with Jesus, the religious group of the day, the Sanhedrin, brought Peter in for questioning. Have you ever had to take a stand for Christ?
3. Trials and struggles come our way always. We see 3 important disciplines that Peter and John practiced in verse 24-30, worship, prayer and scripture. Are you including these in your daily routine?
4. Verse 32 through the end of the chapter show an interesting concept for the early church. In what ways is the Lord nudging you? Be obedient and see what blessing the Lord brings into your life!

Old Testament:
Deuteronomy 31- Life Lessons
Deuteronomy 32- What’s In It For Me?

Acts 3:6
“Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, . . .’”

Peter makes reference to a simple rule of life. We can only give away what we personally possess. By his own admission, Peter had no money to give this man. It is interesting to note that from an economic standpoint, Peter’s condition was no different than the beggar’s. In the world’s estimation, a man in his thirties who is too broke to share his change with a beggar, is of very little value. Peter would not make a who’s who list in the 1st Century. However, if we look more closely, we see that Peter possessed something far greater than riches that tarnish and fade. Peter said,

“. . .what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Acts 3:6

Flat broke, jobless, and in a city that was not his home, Peter had more to offer this world than Pilate, Herod, and all the powers of Rome combined. Peter knew Jesus.

I wonder about you and me. What do we possess? If we were stopped on the street and searched, would they be able to find that Jesus resides and reigns in our heart and lives? It is when we allow Jesus to take possession of us, that we find we possess Him. It is when we allow Him to have all of our lives: our thoughts, actions, dreams, possessions, and futures, that we find, like the Psalmist of old, “Our cup runs over.”

What do you possess this morning? Is it Jesus? Could you give Him to the stranger on the street, or the person sitting near you at church, or the family member who is struggling to find meaning in life? Let’s determine together to make it our aim to know Jesus better so, through our lives, the lame may walk and the lost be found.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Acts 3

1. Peter in John became men of prayer, as they learned from Jesus. How much time do you spend seeking the Lord and developing your relationship with Him?
2. Sometimes we feel we need to give monetarily or in some other physical way. Peter and John gave an interesting thing here in verse 6. Is this your first choice in time of need?
3. After this miracle, Peter immediately gives all the credit to the Lord. He disassociates himself from the miracle and points people to Jesus. He preaches what according to verse 19.
4. God sent Jesus to bless you (or to make happy). Is the blessing of God ruling your life?

Old Testament:
Deuteronomy 29- Hidden Things
Deuteronomy 30- Choose Life