The Blessings and Consequences of the Resurrection

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand (Acts 4:1-4).

Something in the message Peter and John shared with the crowd that gathered after the miraculous healing of a lame man incited the Sadducees and other Jewish leaders. It was the disciples’ “teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead”. Why should such good news attract five thousand men and at the same time provoke such a hostile reaction in others? Isn’t the fact that death is not the final word on our life good news? Apparently, it’s not good news to everyone. When we consider the implications of life after death we begin to understand why there are various reactions to the truth of the resurrection. Jesus taught that there are two sides to the resurrection… “Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment” (John 5:28-29). We eagerly anticipate the day when we are raised with Christ because we know and understand the blessings and the consequences of the resurrection.

The resurrection means judgment. This truth scares the unbeliever. The truth that we must face the consequences for our sin after this life is frightening. Unbelievers deny the resurrection in order to pacify their fear of judgment. In the face of this kind of fear it’s comforting to the unrepentant sinner to believe that at the conclusion of this life there is nothing more. The Holy Spirit uses our message of hope, expressed in the gospel of Jesus Christ and our anticipation of the resurrection to disturb the unbeliever’s false security and cause them to consider the claims of Christ… “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged” (John 16:8-11). Through God’s grace, many will come to believe In Jesus Christ as we share our hope in the resurrection, while others will be quite disturbed.

The resurrection means life. Apart from the gospel we have a very limited understanding of life. We believe in and cling to this material existence as if it’s all there is, but because we are created in the image of God we live on like He does… “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Hope in the resurrection means this temporary life is preparing us for eternal life.

The resurrection means restoration.  Living forever sounds pretty incredible, but as we see in today’s text, for unbelievers it will be eternal torment, away from the presence of God. The most exciting truth about the believer’s eternal life is our restoration to fellowship with God… “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God’” (Revelation 21:3). God is light, life, hope, love, and so much more. In His presence there is fullness of joy… “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). When we pause to spend time in His presence here on earth, we catch a glimpse of the hope of our resurrection, the full restoration of eternal joy in His presence in heaven.

As we grow up into Christ, our anticipation grows as we learn more about…

The Blessings and Consequences of the Resurrection.

The Prophecies that Prompt Repentance

“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness” (Acts 3:17-26).

It has been determined that Jesus Christ fulfilled more than 300 Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. Under the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, Peter confronted the crowd with the truth that their ignorance was the result of not listening to the Word of God regarding the Messiah (Old testament Hebrew) or Christ (New testament Greek). They had witnessed the life of Jesus. His words had cut their hearts and His miracles had upset their reason. His suffering before and on the cross was still fresh in their minds. Peter preached that this was all foretold by the prophets. He added that the prophets who had spoken of Messiah’s suffering also spoke of His victorious return and restoration of our fallen souls and our fallen world. These prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus Christ so that this Pentecost crowd and we who have the blessing of hearing Peter’s words here in the Bible might turn our hearts away from our wickedness and toward our Savior. Truly Jesus Christ fulfilled the prophecies that prompt repentance.

The prophets foretold that Christ will suffer. In many ways it seems contradictory that the Messiah who would be God’s Son coming to deliver His children from their enemies would suffer. But Isaiah led the prophets in identifying Messiah as a suffering servant… “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). The Lord further revealed through His prophet Isaiah that Messiah would serve us by suffering in our place to atone for our sin… “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:5-6). Christ’s suffering for us prompts our hearts to turn from sin and to look to Christ, our sin-bearer with great thanksgiving.

The prophets declared that Christ will return. Writing prophetically, David made it clear the grave would not keep Him… “For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption” (Psalm 16:10). The Spirit inspired Job to speak of the second coming of Christ… “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth” (Job 19:25). The promise of Christ’s return prompts us to live every day as if He is returning today.

The prophets promised that Christ will restore. Isaiah declared that God will create a new heavens and new earth… “For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, says the LORD, so shall your offspring and your name remain” (Isaiah 66:22), and Jeremiah confirmed that Messiah will reign over them… “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land” (Jeremiah 23:5). The certainty of Christ’s restoration of all things prompts our hearts to submit to His sovereignty and trust in His restoring power in every circumstance today.

As we grow up into Christ, we are encouraged and strengthened every day by…

The Prophecies that Prompt Repentance.

The Name that is Worthy of Faith

While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all” (Acts 3:11-16).

God used Peter and John’s compassionate confrontation with a needy man to demonstrate the healing power of faith in the name of Jesus. He also drew a crowd and anointed Peter with the words that confronted the hearts of many with the saving power of faith in the name of Jesus. We are reminded here of our great privilege and responsibility to confront our generation every day, in words and deeds, with the name that is worthy of faith.

The name of Jesus is glorified by God. The Father glorified Jesus at His baptism… “and behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased’” (Matthew 3:17), at His transfiguration… “He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him’” (Matthew 17:5), and at His death and resurrection… “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you’” (John 17:1). Finally, God glorifies His Son through the lives of His disciples… “All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them” (John 17:10). How might Jesus be glorified in our lives today?

The name of Jesus is denied by unbelievers. The name that identifies Christ as the Savior was given to Him at the announcement of His birth… “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). His very name should provoke reflection on the condition of our hearts and of our relationship with our Creator. Sinners are dead in sin and unable to grasp or respond to spiritual truth… “You were dead in the trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). Without God’s grace, such conviction leads to denial of the truth that we are sinners in need of a Savior.

The name of Jesus is trusted by believers. Through God’s grace we are quickened, brought to spiritual life so we might understand and respond to the truth that Jesus saves us… “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:4-5). We are set free to exercise faith in the name of Jesus, the One who “will save his people from their sins”. Our salvation and daily walk and witness with Jesus our Savior glorifies the Father and the Son every day!

As we grow up into Christ, our maturing relationship with Jesus shows the world we believe in…

The Name that is Worthy of Faith.

The Compassion that Compels Us

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him (Acts 3:1-10).

As we walk alongside of the disciples Peter and John on the way to afternoon prayer at the temple, we encounter a poor, lame beggar at the Beautiful Gate. Our plans are disrupted as our hearts are incited to do something for this needy person. We are confronted by his immediate need for financial support. This is the kind of support that has sustained him this far in life, but it will not improve his situation. Something in Peter’s heart stirs him to confront the man, to get him to lift his eyes so he can connect with his soul. There is something in Peter’s heart that compels him to offer something more than money, which he and John don’t have anyway. Something pushes Peter to offer healing, a gift that will dramatically change the poor man’s life. But the only healing Peter knows has been done by Jesus Christ, so his heart provokes Peter to intercede on behalf of this needy man and to offer him healing in the name of Jesus Christ. We are inspired by the revelation here of the compassion that compels us.

Compassion directs our steps. Evidence that we are truly born again is an increasing sensitivity to the needs of others. As we walk with Jesus we are reminded of how often compassion for the needy directed His steps and changed His agenda… “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). He taught about the power of compassion to move disciples to show His love and healing power to those in need… “But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him” (Luke 10:33-34). As our faith matures, Christ captures more and more of our heart and His compassion moves us to offer Him to others.

Compassion turns needs into opportunities.  Evidence that our faith in Christ is maturing is a renewing of our minds. As we abide in His Word, Christ helps us see the world as He does. He sees the needs of people as opportunities for His Father’s love and power to break into this fallen world and to get us looking to Him… “As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him’” (John 9:1-3). As we grow in the faith we anticipate the manifestation of God’s power as compassion moves us to help others.

Compassion compels us to give what Christ would give. Evidence that we are walking closely with Christ is often the appearance of someone that needs more than we can give. When we give what we have, we get the credit. When give what Christ would give, He gets the glory… “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:12-13). As our walk with Christ matures He brings greater needs across our path because He knows our compassion moves us to offer Him to those in need.

As we grow up into Christ, we can touch and change the lives of the needy as we are moved by…

The Compassion that Compels Us.

The Devotion that Matures Our Faith

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved (Acts 2:42-47).

The beauty and power of the early church was amazing. The excitement and awe among those who believed overflowed into the surrounding community and attracted others. There were “many wonders and signs” that confirmed the presence and activity of the Holy Spirit in the midst of this new fellowship. The unity among the disciples compelled them to share their possessions with the needy. They were hungry to worship and fellowship together and they had a strong attitude of thanksgiving and praise that attracted the favor of the local community. The Lord blessed this young church by adding new believers daily. There was a unique devotion among this thriving fellowship. I believe we might enjoy the same kind of blessing individually and corporately in our local churches if, like these first disciples, we practiced the devotion that matures our faith.

Maturing disciples are devoted to God’s principles, connected to His Word. The early disciples gave themselves earnestly to “the apostles’ teaching” which came from their intimate walk with Jesus. They often heard Him show how the law and the prophets pointed to Him… “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). Through epistles, gospels, and other recording, the apostles’ teaching became our New Testament, giving a sweeping and clear portrait of Jesus Christ from the beginning to the end of the scriptures… “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me” (John 5:39). Devotion to God’s Word is indispensable to maturing faith.

Maturing disciples are devoted to God’s people, connected through fellowship. The early disciples loved to be together. They gathered to worship, share meals, study God’s Word, and more. Being together strengthened their faith and encouraged their hearts. The Spirit of truth inspired the author of Hebrews to exhort us to gather together often in order to encourage one another… “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25). Devotion to fellowship with other believers in the local church, ministries, small groups, and one-on-one helps us to see the grace of God working in others and to be encouraged in our own maturing faith.

Maturing disciples are devoted to God’s presence, connected through prayer. The early disciples were serious about prayer. They prayed alone and they prayed together. Prayer imitates Jesus example… “But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray” (Luke 5:16). Jesus was one with His father and He prayed that we would be one with Him too… “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:20-21). Just as intimate, regular communication and fellowship marked the unity of the Father and His incarnate Son, so too devotion to prayer connects us and strengthens our intimacy and oneness with the father and the Son.

As we grow up into Christ, connecting through His Word, His people, and prayer is…

The Devotion that Matures Our Faith.

The Name that Cuts to the Heart

“Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls (Acts 2:36-41).

Peter concluded his sermon with a revelation and an invitation. Inspired by the Holy Spirit that rested upon him, he confidently revealed that Jesus is “both Lord and Christ”. The name Jesus means the Lord who saves… “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). As the Christ, Jesus is the only one anointed by God to save our souls. As Lord, Jesus is sovereign over every inch and moment of our lives. Peter preached Jesus Christ the Lord, the sovereign, anointed Savior and such a confrontation demands a response. Either we believe the truth revealed in His name or we do not. As Peter preached this Pentecost sermon, many were “cut to the heart” and they responded with a question… “what shall we do?” Our hearts should be confronted by the same question every day. In light of what we believe about Jesus Christ the Lord, what shall we do today? Our lived-out answer to this question reveals what we truly believe in our hearts about the name that cuts to the heart.

He is Jesus. Peter invited those whose hearts were stirred by the name of Jesus to be baptized or immersed in that name. This was a challenge to publicly declare full surrender of their lives to Jesus, believing that He alone can forgive their sin. Not long after this sermon, Peter would preach again, this time to Jewish leaders, and his message would echo the same truth about the power of the name of Jesus to save souls… “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 4:12). Bearing the name of Jesus confronts others with His gospel.

He is Christ. Peter called those whose hearts were confronted by the name of Christ to be baptized or immersed in the truth that He is God’s promised Messiah. All who are truly born-again confess that Jesus is the Christ… “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him” (1 John 5:1). Living daily in the truth that Jesus is the Christ is a continuous reflection of our confidence in the fulfillment of all of God’s promises. Jesus fulfilled hundreds of prophecies about the Messiah, many of which He would not naturally have control over, such as when and where He would be born and how He would die and be raised again. Believing that Jesus is the Christ affirms the faithfulness of God in all things… ‘For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory” (2 Corinthians 1:20). Trusting in the name of Christ reminds the world of the Father’s faithfulness.

He is Lord. Peter identified Jesus as the one made Lord by God. This was an echo of the Father’s identification of His Son as God… ‘But of the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom” (Hebrews 1:8). When we believe Jesus is Lord we acknowledge and surrender to His authority and sovereignty over everything… “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11), and we declare our dependence on Him for our salvation… “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Submitting to the lordship of Christ confronts others with the blessings and consequences of His reign.

As we grow up into Christ, we become a better reflection of His name, Jesus Christ the Lord…

The Name that Cuts to the Heart.

The Deliverances of the Resurrection

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”’ (Acts 2:22-35).

Peter’s sermon continued with an affirmation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He connected the resurrection that was witnessed by the disciples to the prophetic words of David recorded in Psalm 16. He declares that it was not David, but that God would… “set one of his descendants on his throne” and it was this descendant… “the Christ” that was resurrected from the grave. Through Peter’s Holy Spirit inspired reflection on the death and resurrection of Christ we learn three truths about our own new birth and we are encouraged by the deliverances of the resurrection.

God delivered Jesus to death. We are reminded here that Jesus was given to the cross by the divine hand of His Father… “delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God”. He was illustrating an important spiritual principal that He had already taught His disciples… “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24). This principal is vital for all disciples that are baptized into Christ… “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). In Christ, God continues His work in us, making room for new life through putting to death our old, sinful nature.

God delivered Jesus from death. God did not leave His Son in the grave… ‘God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it”. Our new birth and born-again life empowers us to live above the trials and temptations of this temporary world until we arrive at heaven… “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). In Christ, our forever life has already begun!

God delivered Jesus to a heavenly position. The father welcomed the Son into His eternal presence where Jesus now sits at God’s right hand… “exalted at the right hand of God”. From this intimate position, Christ intercedes with His Father on our behalf… “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:34). The Spirit inspired Paul to remind us that we too are now seated in heavenly places with Christ… “God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-6). In Christ we have access to God and power to live above this world as we prepare for the new world to come.

As we grow up into Christ, we become more like Him through God’s grace applying to us…

The Deliverances of the Resurrection.

The Truth Behind the Last Days

But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (Acts 2:14-21).

The Holy Spirit compelled Peter to explain the reason why devout pilgrims in the crowd heard the disciples… “telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God” (Acts 2:11), while mockers in their midst accused the disciples of being drunk. The Spirit brought to his mind and from his lips the words of God spoken by the prophet Joel about… “the last days”. We learn here that the last days began with the birth of the Church and that they will be filled with the prophetic word and miraculous works of God right up until… “the day of the Lord comes”. As Peter addressed the crowd, the Spirit inspired him to share the truth behind the last days.

The last days begin with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit came in fulfillment of Jesus’ promise, He transformed 120 ordinary but faithful Christ followers… “In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said” (Acts 1:15), into powerful, prophetic witnesses… “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4). This promise remains for every Christ follower today. We receive the Holy Spirit with our new birth… “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13), and we are exhorted to be filled with the Holy Spirit every day… “do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). As we obey the call to be filled with His Spirit, Christ transforms us into effective witnesses for Him until He returns.

The last days end with the coming of the day of the Lord. The spirit inspired Peter to give a glimpse of the culmination of the last days when… “the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day”. The day of the Lord is to be feared by all who mock and reject the gospel that we proclaim during these last days because… “They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might” (2 Thessalonians 1:9). The day of the Lord is eagerly anticipated by true disciples because… “when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed” (2 Thessalonians 1:10). As we are filled with His Spirit we live each day like Christ may be coming back today!

The last days are for the salvation of souls. The Spirit moved Peter to conclude his exhortation with the prophetic revelation that the purpose of these last days is the saving of lost souls… “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”. Jesus made very clear that the occupation of every true disciple is sharing His gospel because our response to it makes all the difference on the day of the Lord… “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16). We have a great privilege and responsibility to share His gospel during these last days.

As we grow up into Christ, and we are filled with His Spirit, we are compelled to share His gospel by…

The Truth Behind the Last Days.

The Story that is for All Nations

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine” (Acts 2:5-13).

Jesus had promised that faithful disciples would receive power to be His witnesses… “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). When the promise was fulfilled at Pentecost, the first work of the Spirit was empowering the disciples to proclaim… “the mighty works of God” in languages they had never learned so that the many foreigners gathered in Jerusalem might hear in their own languages. Truly the gospel is the mightiest work of God and this story is to be proclaimed throughout the whole world so that everyone has a chance to respond… “This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). Today the Spirit reveals some important truth about the story that is for all nations.

God’s story is reported to all races. Jesus gave the disciples one primary mission… “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). He wants us to tell everyone His gospel story. Paul shared his passion for telling the gospel story with the exhortation… “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Sharing God’s story is done in many corporate ways, through evangelists preaching to crowds, missionaries penetrating foreign cultures, and local churches touching lives in their communities. But the gospel story is shared most effectively as we share our personal testimony about how God’s story has changed our story.

God’s story is received by the reverent. The Holy Spirit compelled Luke to note that among the Jews dwelling in Jerusalem… “there were devout men from every nation under heaven.” These were pilgrims who travelled far to celebrate the feast of Pentecost, compelled by their devotion to God, His temple, and His people. The Lord met them there with the disciples’ joyful and miraculous proclamation of His mighty works and they heard God’s story clearly in their own language. The devout hearts of these pilgrims gave them ears to hear the message of God. We are reminded of Jesus’ exhortation to each of the seven churches of Revelation… “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:7). We are encouraged by God’s promise to make His words known to those who have a heart fully devoted to Him… “If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you” (Proverbs 1:23). The key to hearing God speak is a fully devoted heart.

God’s story is rejected by the ridiculer. Not everyone heard the story. There were… “others mocking” that falsely accused the disciples of being drunk. God’s story did not find a home in their rebellious and ridiculing hearts. Jesus encountered the same reaction as He shared God’s story… “Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires” (John 8:43-44), and He prepared His disciples for this kind of reaction to God’s story, quoting the prophet Isaiah… “For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them’ (Matthew 13:15). Hearing God’s story requires the kind of devout heart that only God’s grace can ignite.

As we grow up into Christ, we become more earnest and effective in telling…

The Story that is for All Nations.

The Keys to the Spirit Filled Life

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:1-4).

The Holy Spirit inspired Luke to describe a monumental event with just a few succinct sentences here. The event was so transformational that the name of the day associated with it, Pentecost, has since become synonymous with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. Pentecost used to be known as the Feast of Weeks, a celebration of the firstfruits of the annual harvest. A close examination of this event reveals that our lives, just like the day of Pentecost, can be transformed through the keys to the Spirit filled life.

The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit because they were trusting His grace. We have an echo of the lesson about obedience we learned just a few verses ago (see Acts 1:12-14). Here we see that the blessing of obedience was the fulfillment of Christ’s promise to deliver power for witnessing through the gift of the Holy Spirit… “You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:48-49). Obedience is trusting the grace of Christ to fulfill the promises in His Word. The fullness of Christ’s Spirit in our lives increases as our trust in His grace grows.

The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit because they were together. The disciples were learning that following Christ was not a new religion, it was a new relationship, and their relationship with Him was to be enhanced and reflected in their relationships with each other. He commanded them to love each other in the same way that He loved them… “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). The kind of sacrificial, need-meeting love our Father wants us to share was clearly revealed by His Son on the cross… “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Gathering together to love and support one another placed the disciples in the right place to receive the promised Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The fullness of Christ’s Spirit in our lives increases as we grow and serve together with other disciples in and through the local church.

The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit because they were willing. I believe their obedience and unity reflected the willing hearts of the disciples. It would have been easy to give I n to the temptation to run away and hide during those fearful days after the crucifixion. It would have been attractive to return to their former, less complicated lives, but these disciples, different from the rest, obeyed the instruction of the Lord and encouraged and supported each other. Further evidence of their willing hearts appears in their cooperation with the Spirit’s work among them. They did not understand tongues of fire and strange languages, but they did not resist. Our Father loves to pour His Holy Spirit into willing disciples… “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13). The fullness of Christ’s Spirit in our lives increases as the willingness in our hearts grows.

As we grow up into Christ, our lives can be a clearer reflection of Christ every day as we practice…

The Keys to the Spirit Filled Life.

The Virtues of Servant Leadership

“So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles (Acts 1:21-26).

The number of apostles had been fixed firmly by Jesus. The New Testament Church was to be the gathering of Gentiles grafted into the chosen nation of Israel… “You, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree” (Romans 11:17). Just as Israel had twelve tribes descended from twelve patriarchs, the Church is built on a foundation of twelve apostles, with Jesus as the cornerstone… “You are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:19-20). Only God knew who Judas’ replacement would be, and as Peter and the apostles seek God’s will the Spirit of Truth reveals the virtues of servant leadership.

Servant leaders walk closely with Christ. The new apostle had to be… “one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us”. True Christian servant leaders spend much time with Christ because He is the model of servant leadership worthy of imitation… “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). In the simplest terms, the life of discipleship is becoming more like Christ, and the secret to such a transformation is found in intimate fellowship with Him… “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). This spiritual counsel comes from Paul, God’s choice to replace Judas as His apostle.

Servant leaders witness earnestly for Christ. The apostle was to be a messenger of the gospel. In the same way, all maturing disciples become increasing reflections of Christ and His gospel to the lost world around us. As we grow in the faith, our words and actions increasingly align with God’s word… “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples” (John 8:31), and we are increasingly filled with His Holy Spirit… “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). As we grow up in the faith, God’s grace works in us through His Word and His Spirit to set us apart from the world and to make us powerful witnesses to the world.

Servant leaders wait patiently on Christ. The apostles prayed and waited for the Lord’s answer. When we are seeking the Lord’s will, the first step is always to pray because prayer puts our heart in the correct position before God. Prayer moves our focus from our need and fixes our sight on the Lord who is more than willing and able to meet our deepest need… “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). The apostles waited by casting lots, an Old Testament instruction from God… “Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats, one lot for the LORD and the other lot for Azazel” (Leviticus 16:8). New testament disciples wait on the Lord by abiding in His word, because the Bible gives the maturing disciple direction in life… “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). Through prayer and Bible study, we give God every opportunity to reveal His good, pleasing, and perfect will in every situation.

As we grow up into Christ, we become more effective and productive disciples as we develop…

The Virtues of Servant Leadership.