One thing about Peter, he's always willing to speak up. But there seems to be one difference after Christ's resurection--Peter is right on.
The last chapter went really well, but now the thought police show up. The highest political figures, with the police and lawyers in tow, say "Who gave you the right to say these things here? Who do you think you are? You're not qualified or approved!"
After a night in the slammer to cool off, Peter and John are real cool. "Are we on trial for healing a lame man? That's really lame!" "Well, since you asked who and why, its all about Jesus." The defendants turn chief witness and even prosecution as they use this platform to testify to the whole nation from CNN's Jerusalem bureau.
Where does that kind of courage come from? Part of it is personality perhaps, but a big part of it is life by the Spirit lived out in community. Follow P and J home for the council and you see where there courage comes from. They are joined together with other like-minded, sold-out Christians. They pray together (Like Paul, Eph 6) asking God to give them boldness, and they understand the present difficulties in light of God's word ("Hey, this is just like Psalm 2!"). Somebody recently said that each morning they read their Bible and the newspaper, that way they know what both sides are up to!
The earth still shakes when God's people pray and press foward in mission--I've seen it, felt it! We want to have more courage on mission, than we do. It's not out of reach. Are you trying to go into battle alone, who's with you? Who do you pray with? Have you reviewed your morning "intel briefing" sent from heaven, disguised as a book? Do your mision prep, and then let God surprise you with courage under fire.
Acts 3 Broken people made whole
In Acts 3, the broken man, unable to walk since birth, is an illustration of the gospel. His condition kept him out of the temple, the celebration God's presence and relationship with him, and he was unable to help himself--completely dependant on mercy. God was merciful to him: raising him up, strengthening him, causing him dance in God's presence. The crowd wants to know how this can be, and Peter's answer is: Jesus--who died for us but God raised, whom we rejected but need to receive, who is risen-will return-and will restore all things as they should be.
Where am I, where are you in this story? Like the lame man, I was helpless, but wanted to dance in His presence. Like Peter I want to be God's messenger, bringing His good news to others. But, still, at times, we feel so...lame...unable to do we want to do...what we know we should do.
How can we, like Peter be used by God as He changes lives? We can do good to those who need grace. That's what the men's group does in Summer of Service, that's what our Students do in their Saturday work projects. Extending grace to others, because God has shown grace to us. He tells us to love our neighbor--our church neighbor is PHS. They're asking for help and we can give it. It may be a simply as when someone shares their burden with you, you offer to pray for them, do it, and then check back in with them. Practicing "praying for you" puts action to your empathy and opens a spiritual door. Maybe they'll ask you, "Why do you pray?" and then you can say...
In seeing, listening, praying, doing, and telling...Lord use us to do your work in real life.
Where am I, where are you in this story? Like the lame man, I was helpless, but wanted to dance in His presence. Like Peter I want to be God's messenger, bringing His good news to others. But, still, at times, we feel so...lame...unable to do we want to do...what we know we should do.
How can we, like Peter be used by God as He changes lives? We can do good to those who need grace. That's what the men's group does in Summer of Service, that's what our Students do in their Saturday work projects. Extending grace to others, because God has shown grace to us. He tells us to love our neighbor--our church neighbor is PHS. They're asking for help and we can give it. It may be a simply as when someone shares their burden with you, you offer to pray for them, do it, and then check back in with them. Practicing "praying for you" puts action to your empathy and opens a spiritual door. Maybe they'll ask you, "Why do you pray?" and then you can say...
In seeing, listening, praying, doing, and telling...Lord use us to do your work in real life.
Acts 2 What could this mean?
When God began the Church, he started it with a big splash--this is God's big thing, based on God's greatest work. Easter is my favorite holiday because its a game changer-life changer. God has turned death to life, rebellion into reconciliation and this sinner into a son, and a saint!
When God first started the church, people gathered to see what was going on and ask: "What could this mean?" 2:12. Kinda like church on Easter Sunday. The answer is that God has intervened, Jesus is risen and will reign, God has shown us the paths of life and opened the way for us to have joy in His presence. Imagine, standing in the presence of THE GOD, without any fear, any guilt, only joy...
The next question, 2:37, is: if this is true "What shall we do?" Believe it. Turn from rebellion to reliance upon Jesus. You do believe, then be baptized. You already have-then join the church. You are a member-then join in, give yourself to it, 2:42-47, give yourself to Him.
Points some of our Growth Groups will consider:
When God first started the church, people gathered to see what was going on and ask: "What could this mean?" 2:12. Kinda like church on Easter Sunday. The answer is that God has intervened, Jesus is risen and will reign, God has shown us the paths of life and opened the way for us to have joy in His presence. Imagine, standing in the presence of THE GOD, without any fear, any guilt, only joy...
The next question, 2:37, is: if this is true "What shall we do?" Believe it. Turn from rebellion to reliance upon Jesus. You do believe, then be baptized. You already have-then join the church. You are a member-then join in, give yourself to it, 2:42-47, give yourself to Him.
Points some of our Growth Groups will consider:
- How does the quote from Psalm 16 in 2:25-28 refer to the Christ, to David, to us?
- What does it suggest about the importance of our life is David's life experiences could portray Christ?
- What should your next step be in response to the question, "What shall we do?"
- How does practicing spiritual life relate to being saved from this corrupt generation (2:40)?
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