http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/2299_let_them_be_like_the_snail_that_dissolves_to_slime/
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Reflecting on March 14’s Sermon
Here are questions and thoughts to ponder about Acts 5:1-11--
What sort of reaction wells up within you when you hear Peter’s words to Sapphira, “How is it that you have agreed to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” (5:9) Harsh and unjust? What reaction does the passage call you to? See 5:5,11.
Could it be that God’s swift taking of Ananias and Sapphira’s lives was a mercy to them, assuming they were truly believers in Jesus? Which is more merciful and gracious? To go on in masquerading hypocrisy and lying to the Holy Spirit, or to be taken from this life into Christ’s presence?
Guard your heart-- “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart?” And be filled with the Holy Spirit-- “When they had prayed...they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.”
What’s at the root of hypocrisy? Pride and self-adulation. Therefore, fear the Lord (5:11) and battle hypocrisy... “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). Look who wrote that— Peter! And what does Luke write about the grace of Acts 4:33? “Great grace!” Lord, pour out great grace on the people of Rocky today, please!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
PRAISE, PRAYER, PERSEVERANCE
Last Sunday morning I asked, “Why did Peter and John and the church (Acts 4:23-31) keep on speaking “the word of God boldly” (v. 31) after the apostles were threatened by the Council?” (v. 29) The answer I gave is a mighty one— LOVE! Peter and John loved the Lord Jesus and could not help but speak of Him because He loved them. Peter wrote in his first epistle, “Above all, keep loving one anther earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). Why did he write that? How did he know? I think it’s because Christ lovingly restored him after his grievous sin of denying his Lord (John 21:15-19). And so it was with John, too. In his gospel he wrote these words of Jesus: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love...” (John 15:9-10)
The Lord Jesus loved Peter and John and they loved Him. Therefore, they spoke of the One they loved, even when they were persecuted.
May it so with us, that Christ’s love for us and our love for Him will move us to pray for and witness to lost people. Let us speak of the One we love.
LORD WHILE WE PRAY AND WITNESS, PLEASE DO WHAT ONLY YOU CAN DO
Here’s a loose paraphrase of Acts 4:29b-30--
“Lord, help us to keep on sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ boldly, and please do what only you can do!”
And here is a prayer from Charles Spurgeon, one for us to pray for our Romans 10:1 Five-- “We may preach, but it is Thine to apply. Lord, apply it. Come forth, great Spirit. Come from the four winds, O Breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, O Spirit of God, come forth!”
Monday, March 8, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Reading Through the Bible
I am loving it as I read through the Scriptures! It’s never too late to start, so join me!
Here are some more gleanings from Numbers, Psalms, Matthew and Romans.
Numbers
- God takes adultery very seriously. Numbers 5:11-31
- God knows our names. Isn’t that cool? Look at Numbers 1:5-15
Psalms
- Sometimes we acknowledge God’s fearsomeness by clapping and shouting. “Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared…” (47:1-2)
- God’s love is steadfast…Think about it! “We have thought on your steadfast love, O God…” (48:9)
- “Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life…” (49:7). But the God-Man can—Jesus, who gave His life a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28).
- “…Even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish…Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish” (49:10, 12). Death is an inevitable equalizer.
- I was reminded of this great verse when preparing to preach from Acts 4:23-31, wherein we read of the church’s prayer meeting upon Peter and John’s release. “And call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me” (50:15).
- “Mark this, then, you who forget God…” (50:22) Forget you? O Lord, may it never be!
Matthew
- The fear of man is dark and deadly. Matt. 21:23-27
Acts
- Everywhere the church was spoken against, according to Acts 28:22. I am prompted by Ray Ortlund to say, “May it be so of Rocky Bayou Baptist Church! Opposed, not ignored, for the sake of Christ and his gospel!”
Romans
- “…a servant of Jesus Christ…set apart for the gospel of God…” (1:1). My calling and that of all believers.
- Goal of ministry and mission: “…to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ” (1:5-6).
- Be eager to preach the gospel to converted people! “So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.” (1:15) Who is Paul addressing? “All those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints…” (1:7).
Spurgeon Biography in Rhyme
I love Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the great 19th century English preacher whom God used mightily to proclaim the gospel so fruitfully. Believe it or not, I found Spurgeon in rap music! Go to www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/thabitianyabwile.
Romans 10:1 Five— Why pray for lost, spiritually dead people? It is for God to apply the gospel!
“We may preach, but it is Thine to apply. Lord, apply it. Come forth, great Spirit. Come from the four winds, O Breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. In the name of the Jesus of Nazareth, O Spirit of God, come forth!” - C.H. Spurgeon
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