Shalom Aleichem...
Reflections is a weekly Christian Teaching Ministry. Each week we will talk about the Bible and lessons we can put to use in our daily life. We will try to, on a weekly basis, provide to you stories, thoughts, and just easy ways to live your life on a straight path.
THIS WEEK'S TEACHING....June 17, 2019
We are in the middle of the study of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles...this is the story of the beginnings of Christianity. To me, it is one of the most important books of the New Testament as it lays the foundations for what we believe as Christians....This week we begin in Acts 10...
In his book, "An Uncompromising Faith Lived Out with Grace," Michael Ramsden shares of an Iranian pastor who drove with his wife to buy water in an Iranian village. Before entering the store the pastor noticed an intimidating man holding a machine gun leaning against the wall outside the store. His wife looked at the man's face and the gun, then put a Bible in her husband's hand and said, "Give that man this Bible." Her husband looked at the man and replied, "I don't think so." But his wife persisted, "I'm serious – give him the Bible."
Avoiding her request, the pastor casually said, "I'll pray about it." After entering the shop to purchase the water, he climbed back into the car and started to drive away. His wife said, "I guessing you didn't give him the Bible?" Looking straight ahead, he replied, "No, I prayed about it and it wasn't the right thing to do." She quietly said, "You should have given him the Bible," and then she bowed to pray. The pastor then turned to his wife and said, "Fine! If you want me to die, I will." Upon returning to the store, the pastor approached the man with the machine gun and placed the Bible in his hand. When the saw it was a Bible, he started crying and said to the pastor, "I don't live here! I walked for (3) days to get to this village. But (3) days ago an angel appeared to me and told me to walk to this village and wait – because someone was going to come and give me the Book of Life. Thank you for this book."
God amazes me with His relentless grace. In my life I’ve heard story after story, myself included, of Divine appointments where the Holy Spirit has shown up in amazing ways to express His love and win people to faith.
When I lived in Arizona, there was an Indian man in my church who grew up Hindu but always struggled with his idea of God. One day, after years of searching for more, Kenny prayed a simple prayer to an unseen God asking Him to reveal Himself. Kenny said he knew there had to be more because what he’d been taught growing up just didn’t seem to add up. Within weeks of praying, out of the blue he was presented with a Bible – which Kenny read cover to cover in 2 weeks and then gave his life to Christ. Kenny would often say, the moment I opened the Bible I knew I had found the God whom I had been looking for my entire life.
In Acts 10, we read of another remarkable conversion where God shows up in an amazing way to reveal Himself to a man named Cornelius – but in this particular story, there is more to the story than just the conversion of a Roman soldier.
In this study in Acts about the unstoppable ministry of the Holy Spirit In particular, we have discovered that the gift of salvation and the ministry and growth of the church have never been, nor will ever be, a work of the human ingenuity, effort, or ability, but solely the work/influence of the Holy Spirit.
We saw this last week in Acts 9, when the Holy Spirit miraculously confronted and rescued a resistant soul by the name of Saul. In Acts 10, we find a similar story, only Cornelius wasn’t resistant, but an unclean, undeserving Gentile.
From the fall, God’s had a plan to redeem His creation yet somewhere along the way this message was lost. I was reminded of this in Israel as we stood on the Mt. of Olives overlooking the Temple site. From the beginning God so loved the world He gave His only Son… but the Israelites missed that memo and thought they were a special people for a different reason. They saw the Gospel exclusive for them instead of understanding that God was using them to express His love and grace thru them to all people.
This is why Jesus got so upset in the Gentile Courts in the Temple and began turning over the tables. It is because in this court the Israelites were supposed to be sharing the news of God’s love and grace to the nations; instead they were excluding the nations and exploiting the people for selfish gain.
I God Meets Us WHO We Are
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
As a centurion, Cornelius was a commander of 100 soldiers, but we discover he was a man spiritually-minded man searching for answers to satisfy his soul. Cornelius was a Gentile seeker. As a Roman, he certainly was raised in the pagan idolatry of all things Rome – and yet we learn from the text that like my friend Kenny, he realized while living in and around the Israelites that there had to be more and He was finding something in this God named Jehovah.
Before He could hear the truth, God had to prepare his heart to receive it and Peter’s heart to bring it.
II God Meets Us WHERE We Are
One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
This is where the fun begins. Cornelius is searching and God meets him where he is to prepare His heart.
God has to prepare the messenger to deliver the message – and this might just require an even bigger miracle. Why? Because Peter has a few hang ups of his own. Despite his time following Jesus, Peter was still drenched in his Jewish culture and had a warped perspective of God’s heart to rescue the world from condemnation. So God has to go to work on Peter too.
About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure God has made clean.” This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?” The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so he could hear what you have to say.”
Don’t you love how God works? It’s not enough to meet Cornelius at the point of his need, but he works in Peter’s life too to work in and thru Peter.
This very well might be the big hairy lesson – the Gospel is for everyone. While no one is deserving of God’s grace, it is available to all. No matter whether you’re a Jew or Gentile – black, white, red, or brown – Muslim, Hindu, atheist or agnostic – good, bad, or indifferent – Jesus died to offer His love and grace to every undeserving, needy soul.
Even as a disciple, Peter had missed this truth. So God had to prepare him to overcome his traditions and cultures to get him to go into the world. And he did!
III God Meets Us HOW We Are
So Peter goes to Caesarea with these men and met Cornelius and his household and friends. He met them right there at the point of their need and began to share the whole Gospel.
This is what God does – he meets us HOW we are.
Then Peter spoke, “I now realize how true it is that God doesn’t show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached – how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
“We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the 3rd day and caused him to be seen. He wasn’t seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen – by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered they be baptized in the name of Jesus.
Peter now understood the vision and had no partiality toward anyone – specifically the Gentiles. So he preached a simple Gospel Message about Jesus. Never has a preacher had a more attentive audience than did Simon Peter that day at Caesarea. Notice the message Peter proclaimed.
A Jesus is the PEACE of God
Peter said, "You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peach through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all" (vs 36).
Humanity is estranged from God. Jesus is the One who brings us back together and restores peace between us.
B Jesus is the POWER of God
Peter declared about Jesus, "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power" (vs 38).
Humans need more than peace with God. They need God’s power to live out our lives – that’s only available in Jesus.
C Jesus is the PRESENCE of God
Peter explained the special presence of God in Jesus' life when he declared, "God was with Him” (vs 38).
Jesus was more than a messenger from God. He was more than a prophet of God. He was God Himself, incarnate – in human flesh, and dwelling among men.
D Jesus is the PARDON of God
Peter said, "Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name" (vs 43).
For all of his goodness and in his moments of clearest insight, Cornelius was aware of the dark shadow of sin in his life. He knew he needed to be forgiven. He needed to be pardoned from his past. That forgiveness was made possible only through Jesus.
I think there are 2 big lessons here. First, we’re reminded that salvation is only and always a work of the Holy Spirit– Even as a pastor, I can save no one. It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to confront, convict, convince, convert – and second, my job is to walk in the Spirit so when the Holy Spirit calls me into service – I am ready to hear and follow His lead to convey the message.
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15
For those of you who have been in classes I have taught, you know the goal of every Christian is to live a life that people want to duplicate. I use the term, "I want to be like him/her, in my life." Live your life by letting the Holy Spirit lead you....follow the words the Holy Spirit puts in your conscience...watch your life change. The most comforting words a Christian can hear are...."I want to be like you."
DID YOU EVER WONDER???
Keep on Singing
Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They find out that the new baby is going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sings to his sister in Mommy's tummy.
The pregnancy progresses normally for Karen, an active member of the Panther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown, Tennessee. Then The labor pains come. Every five minutes ... every minute. But Complications arise during delivery. Hours of labor. Would a C-section be required? Finally, Michael's little sister is born. But she is in serious condition. With siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushes the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital,Knoxville, Tennessee.
The days inch by. The little girl gets worse. The pediatric specialist tells the parents, "There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst." Karen and her husband contact a local cemetery about a burial plot. They have fixed up a special room in their home for the new baby - now they plan a funeral.
Michael, keeps begging his parents to let him see his sister, "I want to sing to her," he says. Week two in intensive care. It looks as if a funeral will come before the week is over. Michael keeps nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. But Karen makes up her mind. She will take Michael whether they like it or not.
If he doesn't see his sister now, he may never see her alive. She dresses him in an oversized scrub suit and marches him into ICU. He looks like a walking laundry basket, but the head nurse recognizes him as a child and bellows, "Get that kid out of here now! No children are allowed. The mother rises up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glaressteel-eyed into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. "He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!" Karen tows Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazes at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. And he begins to sing. In the pure hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sings:
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray --- "
Instantly the baby girl responds. The pulse rate becomes calm and steady.
Keep on singing, Michael. "You never know, dear, how much I love you, Please don't take my sunshine away---" The ragged, strained breathing becomes as smooth as a kitten's purr.
Keep on singing, Michael. "The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms..." Michael's little sister relaxes as rest, healing rest, seems to sweep over her.
Keep on singing, Michael. Tears conquer the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glows. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't, take my sunshine away."
Funeral plans are scrapped. The next, day-the very next day-the little girl is well enough to go home!
Woman's Day magazine called it "the miracle of a brother's song." The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God's love!
NEVER GIVE UP ON GOD WITH THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE.
BOOKS OF THE BIBLE...A TEACHING
This week we look at the Pauls Letter to the Phillipians...
Who wrote the book?
Paul ministered at Philippi during his second missionary journey, spending about three months in the city. The ministry at Philippi marked Paul’s entrance into Macedonia, which came about as a result of a vision he had in the city of Troas, just across the northeastern corner of the Aegean Sea from the port city of Neapolis and its close neighbor Philippi (Acts 16:8–12).
During this first stay in Philippi—he later briefly visited the city on his third missionary journey (20:6)—Paul brought to faith in Christ people who would form the core of the burgeoning congregation in the city. Among them were Lydia, a businesswoman who opened her home to Paul and his coworkers (16:13–15), and the Philippian jailer, who was converted under Paul’s ministry after an earthquake miraculously broke open the prison (16:22–34).
Where are we?
Of the four Prison Epistles, Paul likely wrote Philippians last, near the end of his Roman imprisonment in AD 61 or 62. Paul sent the other three Prison Epistles—Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon—by the hand of Tychicus, as their destinations were near one another. However, the letter to the Philippians was to be delivered by Epaphroditus, who had come to Paul in Rome with financial help from the church at Philippi (Philippians 2:25; 4:18). But during his time in Rome, Epaphroditus took ill, which delayed his return home and, therefore, the delivery of the letter (2:26–27).
Why is Philippians so important?
The apostle Paul did not write Philippians in response to a crisis, as he did with Galatians and Colossians. Instead, he wrote to express his appreciation and affection for the Philippian believers. More than any other church, the believers in Philippi offered Paul material support for his ministry (2 Corinthians 8:11; Philippians 4:15–18). Paul’s affection for these people is clear throughout the letter as he encouraged them to live out their faith in joy and unity (1:3–5, 25–26; 4:1).
What's the big idea?
Philippians brims over with often quoted passages: “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6), “To live is Christ and to die is gain” (1:21), and “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (4:13) are just a few. But the portrait of Jesus Christ as a humble servant serves as the core of Paul’s teaching in this letter (2:5–11).
Paul’s joy at the mere thought of the Philippian church is undeniable in the letter, and it’s that same joy that he wanted the recipients to possess as well. To lead the Philippians to this truth, Paul took them directly to Jesus, teaching them that a community of believers living in harmony with one another comes only through mutual humility modeled after the Savior. Paul wrote that he poured out his life as an offering for the sake of Christ, leading Paul to find great joy and contentment in Christ’s service. His letter to the Philippians showed them that by centering their lives on Christ, they, too, might live in true joy.
How do I apply this?
Though we all have much to be thankful for, the pace and the pressure of life often squeeze the joy from us. Our shoulders slumped and our heads bowed, we find some days—or months—very difficult to get through. Desperate, we often search for joy in all kinds of ways—acquiring possessions, visiting places, or seeing people. But none of these can provide lasting joy. Where do you find joy in the midst of a trying circumstance?
Paul knew, as did the Philippians, that true joy comes only through humble faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ, joining ourselves in harmony with His followers, and serving others in the name of Christ. This was the life experienced by the Philippian believers, and it is a life available to us today.
Allow the joy you find in Christ to keep you from useless quarrels and divisions and to instead guide you into harmonious relationships with God’s people.
HAVE A SAFE AND BLESSED WEEK:)
Ho'omaikaʻi ka Pua iā kākou