November 26 / Acts 13-14

Acts 13-14

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Acts 13:3-4

And so, Saul — who soon becomes known as Paul (Acts 13:9) — begins his first missionary journey. We should note that this is at the explicit direction of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that drives the spread of the Gospel. It is the Holy Spirit Who sends and empowers. It is the Holy Spirit Who gives Paul his ability to preach. It is the Holy Spirit Who makes Barnabas such an encourager. (Acts 4:36) It is the Holy Spirit Who works miracles through the Apostles and other believers, confirming the message of Christ and His Resurrection. It is the Holy Spirit that brings people to repentance and the Holy Spirit Who gives life in Jesus’ name.

We might also note that the Spirit does not call the entire crowd to the mission field — just Barnabas and Saul. We are not all called to missions. In fact, very few have such a call, so no one should ever be “guilted” into going on a short- or long-term mission without that call from the Holy Spirit. We cannot do the Holy Spirit’s job.

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One more thing…

Reading through the Book of Acts, with so many events presented in just a few pages, it is easy to lose track of the passage of time. It may feel like just weeks since Jesus’ Ascension and the Day of Pentecost, but that would be a mistaken impression. In fact, years are passing by. Paul’s first missionary journey is generally dated to about 47 or 48 AD, which means that the first 14 chapters of Acts span about 18 years — a wee bit longer than how the narrative might feel to us.

November 25 / Acts 10-12

Acts 10-12

The story of Cornelius’ conversion is pivotal for the development of the Church. It is so significant that Luke gives us lots of details to fully establish the facts. For example:

  • An angel visits Cornelius, instructing him to send for Peter
  • Cornelius sends for Peter
  • Peter has the vision of the sheet with the unclean animals
  • At the conclusion of that vision, the delegation from Cornelius arrives
  • Peter travels to Caesarea and preaches to Cornelius
  • While Peter is still speaking, the Holy Spirit falls on the Gentiles
  • Peter baptizes Cornelius and his household

Then Luke emphasizes the significance of these events by telling the story all over again as Peter conveys the details to those in Judea. Why is this story so significant? Because it is proof positive that the Gospel is not just for the Jews, but for the Gentiles, too. It is Good News for the whole world — yes, even for you and for me!

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November 24 / Acts 8:4-9:43

Acts 8:4-9:43

God has a way of turning things upside down.

Following the murder of Stephen, strong persecution arises against the Church in Jerusalem. Although the persecutors’ intent is to squelch the Gospel message, the actual effect is just the opposite. As believers flee, scattering across Judea and Samaria, they preach as they go. (Acts 8:1,4) Philip, one of the original Deacons named along with Stephen (Acts 6:5), evangelizes the city of Samaria and subsequently guides an Ethiopian official through the Scriptures to Christ. (This Philip becomes known as “Philip the Evangelist” to distinguish him from the Apostle Philip, who remains in Jerusalem — Acts 8:1). And although the Bible does not say so directly, we can be sure that the Ethiopian eunuch takes the Gospel home with him, expanding the Gospel’s reach even further.

And then there is Saul. We first meet Saul taking care of the coats of those stoning Stephen to death, approving of their actions. (Acts 7:58, 8:1) He then leads the persecution of the Church, hauling believers off to prison and seeking to hunt them down as far away as Damascus. (Acts 8:3, 9:1-2) But Saul encounters Jesus on the way to Damascus, and his life is forever changed. The great persecutor of Christ becomes His preacher.

God has a way of turning things upside down.

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November 23 / Acts 6:1-8:3

Acts 6:1-8:3

Stephen, the first named Deacon of the Church, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5), becomes the first Martyr for Christ. Our word “martyr” comes straight from the Greek, “μάρτυς” (“mártys”), which simply means “witness”. It is because so many Christians have subsequently borne witness to Christ in like fashion as Stephen — laying down their lives — that the word has taken on the meaning it has today.

May we all be like Stephen!

No, I do not desire that any of us be stoned to death by an angry mob, but would that it could be said of us all that we were full of faith and of the Holy Spirit! How would it be if we’d all serve one another as the first Deacons served? How would it be if we knew the Scriptures as well as Stephen? (By the way, Stephen’s speech in Acts 7 is a pretty good overview of the Old Testament.) How would it be if we had Stephen’s boldness and courage? How would it be if we had Stephen’s faith? How would it be if we’d forgive others, even as they murder us?

Yes, may we all be like Stephen!

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One more thing…

Happy Thanksgiving!

That, of course, is our standard greeting for this day, but it seems to me to be exceptionally shallow. It presupposes a fine feast in a warm place filled with pleasant company and beautiful traditions. But we all know that such a scene is often just a façade masking deep pain and scars. Sometimes that pain can make it difficult to feel thankful, but the truth is that we all have plenty for which to be thankful, including those things that we think of as “negative”.

…giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…

Ephesians 5:20

So give thanks today, even if it’s hard to hear “Happy Thanksgiving!”

November 22 / Acts 3-5

Acts 3-5

As we saw in the Gospels, Jesus warned His followers that they would face opposition, that since the world hated Jesus, the world would hate them (us), too. (John 15:18-19) Today we see that opposition rising against the Apostles, and — surprise, surprise — it comes from the same source, the religious leadership that stood against Jesus. When questioned by these leaders, Peter pulls no punches:

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom you crucified, Whom God raised from the dead—by Him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:8-12

Peter is as direct as can be. He does not hem and haw about Who is responsible for healing the lame man. He does not shy away from proclaiming that Jesus is the only Way to salvation. He does not beat around the bush as to whether or not God raised Jesus from the dead. And he does not hesitate to remind his audience of their sin, that it is they who crucified Jesus, that they are the builders that rejected the Cornerstone. He does not try to soften the blow with some namby-pamby “I’m OK — You’re OK” blather.

Today it seems that much of the western Church (or what purports to be the Church) seems more concerned with not ruffling feathers, and thereby avoiding persecution, than with speaking the truth. Maybe we should take a few notes from Peter instead.

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November 21 / Acts 1-2

Acts 1-2

We’ve read through all four Gospels. We’re half way through the New Testament. Today we start “the rest of the story”. Recalling Luke 1:1-4, we can see from Acts 1:1-3 that the Book of Acts (or “The Acts of the Apostles”) is a sequel to Luke’s Gospel, a sequel in which Luke chronicles the history of the early Church and the spread of the gospel message. We get a summary preview of the entire book from Jesus Himself before His Ascension into heaven:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Acts 1:8

Sure enough, on the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit does indeed come upon Jesus’ followers in dramatic fashion and they do indeed receive power. Those who once denied Christ now stand up for Him. Those who once hid behind locked doors in fear now boldly proclaim Christ’s Resurrection.

But the Holy Spirit is not just for those present in Jerusalem on that Pentecost Day. He is for all who repent and are baptized. (Acts 2:38-39) He may not always manifest Himself with a mighty rushing wind or with visible tongues of fire. Usually He is much more subtle. But He is available just the same, and He always points to Jesus.

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November 20 / Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:12-20; Luke 24:13-53; John 20:19-21:25

Mark 16:12-13; Luke 24:13-49; John 20:19-31;
Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:14-18; John 21;
Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:50-53

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.

John 20:30-31

Having now read through the Gospels, ask yourself:

  • Who is Jesus?
  • What is faith (or believing)?
  • What is life?

And please spend more than a few seconds pondering those questions, especially if you think you know the answers.

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November 19 / Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-11; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18

Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-13;
Matthew 28:9-15; Mark 16:9-11; John 20:14-18

If you have not already read the passages of Scripture we have for today, please do so now. I’ll wait…

Now, consider honestly: what is your reaction to this reading in this current moment? I’m guessing that “surprise” is not part of your answer. For most of us, these passages are very familiar territory, replayed every Easter morning. And even if you’ve never before read these passages yourself, chances of your never having heard of Jesus’ Resurrection are almost nil. But does our inherent lack of surprise then turn to a yawn? Are we so familiar with the facts of the story that we miss the greatest Fact of human history?

He is risen!

Do we, in fact, believe these Gospel accounts, or do these words seem to us an idle tale? (Luke 24:11) If we say we believe, then what does that mean? So what if this Man rose from the dead 2,000 years ago? What relevance does this ancient event have for us today?

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November 18 / Matthew 27:32-66; Mark 15:21-47; Luke 23:26-56; John 19:17-42

Matthew 27:32-56; Mark 15:21-41; Luke 23:26-49; John 19:17-37;
Matthew 27:57-66; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42

Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this He breathed His last.

Luke 23:46 (cf., Matthew 27:50, Mark 15:37, John 19:30)

Is this the final whimper of a man dying of asphyxiation, the usual cause of death from crucifixion? Is this the voice of delirium? Is this the voice of despair?

No, this is a loud voice. This is a shout of victory. This is a war cry as Jesus enters into Death and single-handedly storms the gates of Hell!

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November 17 / Matthew 27:1-31; Mark 15:1-20; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:28-19:16

Matthew 27:1-26; Mark 15:1-15; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:28-40;
Matthew 27:27-31; Mark 15:16-20; John 19:1-16

Jesus answered, “… Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”
Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”

John 18:37-38

Though coming from a wildly different background, Pilate is just like the Pharisees in that He cannot perceive Truth. The Truth is standing right before him, speaking to him face to face, yet he cynically asks, “What is truth?”

So Pilate turns from Jesus and listens instead to the crowd, that crowd that asks for the release of a criminal, but regarding the Son of God cries, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” (Luke 23:21)

And so I ask the same question I’ve asked several times before this year: To whom do you listen?

Of course, it is easy to look back on this sham trial of Jesus with 20/20 hindsight and to side with the one innocent Man. We know how this turns out, so we know the right answer here. But how about in our own daily lives? It gets a bit more challenging there. Are we of the truth? Do we listen to His voice? Or do we listen to all those other voices clamoring around us — the news media, social media, Hollywood, friends, family, employers, employees, politicians, pundits, preachers, protesters, Big Tech, experts in this, experts in that, advertisers, AI? Or how about that ever-present voice inside our head: Self?

To whom do you listen?

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