The book of Exodus has several major movements: Moses, plagues on Egypt, Passover, the exodus from Egypt, Sinai and the Law, instructions for worship, rebellion and idolatry around a golden calf, yet finally the fulfillment of worship in God's tabernacle. It's a story of grace, redemption and worship, that rings through the ages, as God intended. Jesus himself took the Passover table, that celebrated this redemption, made it the table of the New Covenant, celebrating our salvation in Christ, our passover.
The goal of the Exodus salvation is the same as ours: God says "Let my people go (free from bondage, into new life) so that they may worship me." And not surprisingly, as soon as they crossed the red sea on dry ground, they sang a new song or worship and praise to their great deliverer.
Sinai and the Law drew a line they could not cross, they were unable to approach God on their own and made a god of gold that seemed more reasonable and manageable to them. Still through sacrifices and a tabernacle/temple, God made a way for continuing forgiveness so that they could dwell with him and worship him.
I fail, I'm not worthy, but God desires me, has redeemed me, given me new life to live in, and the focus of that new life is to worship him. Christ has died for my guilt once for all, and He ever lives to intercede for me, to keep on cleansing me. Indeed, I am Free to Worship!
outside my comfort zone
There are three movements in Acts 10 (at least as I see it...)
God prepares people to hear the gospel (Cornelius, a roman, religious and good, but not good enough without Christ. He needs Jesus who died for him.)
God prepares someone to share the gospel (Peter, apostle, fisherman, outside the box but religiously traditional. He knows Jesus, but he needs to get to know Cornelius...)
God brings the two of them together (its a little awkward at first, but the Spirit works through the gospel.)
The interesting part of the story, for me, is that God has to do a lot more preparing of the Christian than he does the one who needs to hear. Is that true in my story? Could unsaved people seem so far away because I am withdrawn and isolated from them?
God prepares people to hear the gospel (Cornelius, a roman, religious and good, but not good enough without Christ. He needs Jesus who died for him.)
God prepares someone to share the gospel (Peter, apostle, fisherman, outside the box but religiously traditional. He knows Jesus, but he needs to get to know Cornelius...)
God brings the two of them together (its a little awkward at first, but the Spirit works through the gospel.)
The interesting part of the story, for me, is that God has to do a lot more preparing of the Christian than he does the one who needs to hear. Is that true in my story? Could unsaved people seem so far away because I am withdrawn and isolated from them?
Grace acts 9
Wow, has it been so long since I posted? Oh my, was there nothing in the last several chapters, or was there too much?
Acts 9 is a chapter of grace, God's grace that extends mercy to a murderer, the persecutor is transformed by God into the chief proclaimer of the gospel. Perhaps he can tell God's grace so well because he has drunk of it so deeply?
I outlined chapter 9 this way:
Acts 9 is a chapter of grace, God's grace that extends mercy to a murderer, the persecutor is transformed by God into the chief proclaimer of the gospel. Perhaps he can tell God's grace so well because he has drunk of it so deeply?
I outlined chapter 9 this way:
- Grace reaches the least likely people, 9:1-9
- Grace gives us courage in our fear, 9:10-19
- Grace transforms us, 9:20-25
- Grace to one person changes the church, 9:26-31
Somewhere between those last two points, I'm reminded how the conversion of Saul of Tarsus and his transformation into Paul the Apostle is considered by historians to be one of the greatest historical proofs of the reality of Christianity, second only to the resurrection of Christ. When one compares the depth of commitment, both before and after, and the distance between the two points of view held by Saul and by Paul (although he likely always had both names), there is no other rational explanation except that Paul genuinely knew to be true all that he so faithfully proclaimed to others.
Think on it, the best testimony of the risen Christ who forgives sin and gives new life is that new life lived out in the one who believes in Him. That is not just for Paul, you and I have that same opportunity. I so want God to do a great work through me, maybe I don't pay enough attention to the greatness of the work God would do in me.
Acts 5 God on Mission
What a whirlwind in Acts 5!. Two people in the church get called out by the Holy Spirit and an early call home. God is working, people stop pretending, the disciples keep telling, they get arrested, angels release them, the council is perplexed, wonder what to do, could this really be God at work? Maybe it is, but we'll beat these guys anyway. The disciples in the end are a real contrast to the two at the beginning of the chapter. They had wanted others to think admire them spiritually, whereas the disciples don't mind being despised for Jesus' name.
In this chapter there are people in the church and in the opposition (Gamaliel) who are trying to carefully walk the middle, have it either way. God, and his disciples, do not. God is ON MISSION in we who follow Him.
Worth chewing on:
1. Where do I pretend and who am I trying to impress?
2. Read 1 Peter 4:12-17. How does this passage relate to Acts 5?
3. How or where could you live out Acts 5:40-42?
In this chapter there are people in the church and in the opposition (Gamaliel) who are trying to carefully walk the middle, have it either way. God, and his disciples, do not. God is ON MISSION in we who follow Him.
Worth chewing on:
1. Where do I pretend and who am I trying to impress?
2. Read 1 Peter 4:12-17. How does this passage relate to Acts 5?
3. How or where could you live out Acts 5:40-42?
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