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HE IS RISEN

Proclamation:

“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.  Come see the place where The Lord lay.”  Matthew 28:6 (KJV)

Explanation:

These words were recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the apostle Matthew.  When Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, the mother of James, arrived at the tomb where the body of Jesus had been placed, they encountered an angel who was sitting on the rock which had sealed the door of the tomb. (Matthew 28:2)  The angel told them that he knew that they were looking for Jesus, who had been crucified, but He was not there. (Matthew 28:5-6)  The angel said, “He is not here; He is risen, as He said.” (Matthew 28:6)  The angel said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; He has risen!  Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”  Then they remembered. (Luke 24:1-8)

Application:

All four of the gospels give an account of the post crucifixion resurrection of Jesus, The Christ. (Matthew 28:6, Mark 16:6, Luke 24:6, and John 20:11-12)  Belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is essential for salvation of our lost soul. (Romans 10:9)  There are recorded witnesses to His death on the cross and the placing of His body in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathema.  There are also many witnesses to His resurrection.  He appeared first to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9 and John 20:14-18), then to two of His disciples as they walked towards the village called Emmaus. (Mark 16:12 and Luke 24:13-32)  He appeared to His disciples in the upper room as they ate without Thomas, (Mark 16:14, Luke 24:35-51, and John 20:19-22) again in the upper room with Thomas present, (John 20:26-29) and at the sea of Tiberias. (John 21:1-14)  For forty days after His resurrection (Acts 1:3) Jesus appeared to His disciples, spoke to them, and at times He ate with them.  His disciples also witnessed His ascension from a mountain in Galilee. (Matthew 28:16-17 and Acts 1:9)  This happened and there are multiple witnesses to verify it.  His crucifixion was predicted more than four hundred years earlier by the prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 53:5-12)  The only thing left for us to do today is to accept or reject the account of the resurrection as presented in The Bible, The Holy Word of God.  The question is do you believe it?  He is risen.  Have a blessed celebration of His resurrection.  To God be the glory!!!

THE LORD JESUS HAS THE POWER OVER LIFE AND DEATH

Proclamation:

“I am The Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!  And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”  Revelation 1:18 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are the words of Jesus, The Christ, which were revealed to and recorded by the apostle John under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  John was told to write down the things that he had seen during his out of body experience. (Revelation 1:10-11 and 1:19)  John had a vision of Christ. (Revelation 1:12-16)  Upon seeing Christ, John fell down at His feet and He spoke these words to him. (Revelation 1:17-19) 

Application:

With respect to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, The Christ, we know the events which happened on Good Friday and the events which occurred on Resurrection Sunday.  But what is not clear is what happened on Saturday while the body of Jesus lay in the grave.  I remember being taught that after He gave up His life on the cross, He descended into hell and did something before He returned and rose early Sunday morning.  This verse says that Jesus holds the keys to death and hell in His hands.  This speaks to the sovereignty, the power, and the authority of Christ over death and hell.  However, Jesus raised three individuals from death before He was crucified.  He raised Lazarus from the grave, (John 11:41-44) the synagogue leader’s daughter (Matthew 9:23-24) and the widow’s son. (Luke 7:11-15)  So clearly Jesus had the power over death while He was alive on earth.  I know that He has all power in heaven and earth. (Matthew 28:18)  I do not know what happen on Saturday but, as the song says, “We will understand it better, bye and bye.”  One day we will all be “… absent from the body …” and “… present with The Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)  Until that day comes, I will praise, and worship, and serve The Lord.

THE LAST SEVEN SAYINGS OF CHRIST ON THE CROSS

Proclamation:

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”  Luke 23:34

“Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.”  Luke 23:43

“Woman, here is your son … Here is your mother.”  John 19:26-27

“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”  Matthew 27:46

“I thirst.”  John 19:28

“It is finished.”  John 19:30

“Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”  Luke 23:46

Explanation:

After He had been beaten, scourged, and mocked, Jesus, The Christ, was nailed to a cross in a place called Golgotha.  While on the cross, He prayed to His Heavenly Father and asked Him to “forgive them.”  Then He briefly ignored His suffering to offer salvation to one of the criminals who was being crucified on a cross beside Him.  He also took the time to provide for the care of His earthly mother.  He suffered physically and mentally and cried out in a loud voice while He was on the cross.  When He had finished all that He had to do, He gave up His spirit and died.

Application:

Jesus, The Christ, was chastised, beaten, bruised, scourged, wiped, wounded, and crucified for our sins, transgressions, and iniquities. (Isaiah 53:5)  We are all included in the people that He prayed for His Heavenly Father to forgive while He was on the cross.  We made it necessary for Him to pay the price for our sins, and to take our place and suffer the punishment which we deserved.  He was considerate and concerned for others even while He was suffering.  He who was without sin, took on the sins of the world, and paid the price for our sins, past, present and future. (John 1:29)  He suffered and gave up His life for us.  We should remember that, and how He suffered, especially when we take communion.  The good news is, that is not how the story ends.  Three days later He conquered death and rose from the dead.

PEOPLE WILL TRY TO DISCREDIT BELIEVERS BY LYING ON US

Proclamation:

“… I went up to Jerusalem to worship.  My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city.  And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.”  Acts 24:11-14 (NIV)

Explanation:

The apostle Paul was arrested and escorted to the governor for a hearing.  After the elders and their lawyer, Tertullus, had presented their case against him to Felix, the governor, Paul was allowed to speak. (Acts 24:1-10)  Paul basically said that the charges against him were false.  He said that he was in the temple when they seized him but that he did nothing wrong.  He said that he was on trial because he publicly declared that he believed in the resurrection of the dead. (Acts 24:17-21)  When Felix had heard Paul he sent him back to prison, but he called for him frequently and talked with him, and yet still kept him in prison for two years as a favor to the Jews. (Acts 24:25-27)

Application:

As believers we are encouraged to share The Word of God and to tell others about Jesus, The Christ.  However, when we tell some people, especially non-believers, about The Lord Jesus we will offend some of them.  In an effort to keep us quiet and to keep others from believing us, some people will lie on us or about us in order to discredit us.  The Bible says when men persecute us and say all manner of evil against us falsely that we should rejoice because great will be our reward in heaven. (Matthew 5:11-12)  So, let us keep on spreading the gospel.

SOME PEOPLE WILL NOT LIKE YOU IF YOU BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION

Proclamation:

“Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, ‘My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees.  I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.’”  Acts 23:6 (NIV) 

Explanation:

These words were written by Luke, the physician and traveling companion of the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Luke recorded that when Paul addressed the Sanhedrin council he knew that some of them were Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, angels, or spirits, and some of them were Pharisees, who believed in all these things. (Acts 23:7-8)  This created a great disturbance among the Sanhedrin which spilled over into the city.  Some of the Jews took an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. (Acts 23:9-15)  But the commander of the Roman army found out about the plot and had Paul taken out of town at night under heavy guard. (Acts 23:16-24)

Application:

The Christian faith is based upon belief in the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, The Christ.  There are many people in this world who hate believers.  Some of those people even want to kill all Christian believers because of their religious beliefs.  Jesus said that the world would hate believers because they hated Him. (John 15:18)  Not everybody believes that Jesus is The Christ and the promised Messiah.  However unpopular it may be, as believers we need to stand by our beliefs.  Jesus said if we deny Him before men, He will deny us before His Heavenly Father. (Matthew 10:33)  The Lord God is all powerful and all knowing.  He was raised from the dead with all power of heaven and earth in His hands. (Matthew 28:18)  To God be the glory!

MAN'S JUDGMENT IS BIASED ONLY GOD IS ALWAYS JUST

Proclamation:

“As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said, ‘Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?’”  Acts 22:25 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Luke, a frequent traveling companion of the apostle Paul, recorded that after Paul was arrested he spoke to the crowd in their native language. (Acts 22:1-2)  He told them his story including that he was born a Jew, educated by Greek scholars, and was a zealous persecutor of the followers of Christ until his conversion on the road to Damascus. (Acts 22:3-20)  Things were going well until he said that the Lord sent him to preach to the Gentiles and then the crowd turned on him. (Acts 22:21-24)  As the soldiers were about to flog him, Paul told them that he was a Roman citizen.  They were alarmed and concerned because they knew that Roman citizens were to be treated differently as prisoners than other people. (Acts 22:25-29)

Application:

With The Lord God there is no respect of persons. (Acts 10:34, Romans 2:11, and Ephesians 6:9)  He doses not play favorites.  Position, title, rank, or riches do not matter to God, for He sees the heart of man. (Jeremiah 11:20 and 20:12)  We tend to judge people by what they have.  Today, the law appears to be applied differently to the rich and famous than it is to the average people and the poor people.  As believers we are to love all of our brothers and sisters, (John 13:34, 15:12, and 15:17) and our enemies, (Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27, and Luke 6:35) and we are not to judge anyone. (Matthew 7:1 and Luke 6:37)  We are not to use a double standard for how we treat people.  We should speak to, treat, and respect the CEO and the janitor, the rich and the poor, believers and non-believers in the same manner.

PLEASE LET US SPEAK TO THE PEOPLE ABOUT THE LORD

Proclamation:

“As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, ‘May I say something to you?’ … ‘Please let me speak to the people.’ … Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd.  When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic: …”  Acts 21:37-40 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Here Luke records that the apostle Paul, after making several stops while travelling to Jerusalem, finally arrived there and was seized by the crowd of Jews. (Acts 21:1-27)  They dragged him out of the temple and began beating him in order to kill him but were stopped by the Roman soldiers. (Acts 21:27-32)  Paul was arrested, for his own protection, and taken to the soldiers’ barracks but he still wanted to speak to the people. (Acts 21:33-40)

Application:

The apostle Paul still wanted to tell his story to the people who tried to kill him.  During difficult times, in bad situations, and to a non-receptive crowd, we should not shy away from speaking up for The Lord God.  Believers are called to witness for The Lord, (Isaiah 43:12) to tell others about His goodness towards us.  No one can tell our individual personal story better than we can.  We need not be ashamed or afraid to speak, even to people who are not our friends.  Jesus said that if we deny Him before men, He will deny us before His Father in heaven. (Matthew 10:33)

OUR GOAL IS TO COMPLETE THE TASK WHICH THE LORD GOD HAS GIVEN US

Proclamation:

“And now, compelled by The Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.  I only know that in every city The Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.  However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task The Lord Jesus has given me, the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”  Acts 20:22-24 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Here Luke records that the apostle Paul, after travelling through Macedonia and Greece, (Acts 20:1-6) raising the dead boy in Troas, (Acts 20:7-12) and after arriving in Miletus, sent for the elders of the church. (Acts 20:17)  He told them that he had been compelled by The Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem.  He also said that The Holy Spirit had warned him that prison and hardships lay ahead of him (Acts 20:23) and that they would not see him again. (Acts 20:25)  

Application:

None of us are going to live forever.  Our physical death is a part of living, the end of it.  Some people know or can feel when the end of life is near.  Paul said that his life was worth nothing to him (Acts 20:24) but what was important was finishing the task which The Lord Jesus had given to him.   Some of the apostles and the early disciples considered it an honor to suffer in the name of The Lord or for doing His work.  The Bible says blessed are you when men shall persecute you for His sake. (Exodus 20:11)  We need to get to that point where doing the work of The Lord is more important than anything else, even more important than life itself.  The Lord said that He would never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)  Our primary goal is, or should be, to finish the race and complete the task which The Lord God has given to us.  If it be His will that we die while doing His work, then so be it.  In the end we want to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant …” (Matthew 25:21)

DO NOT CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS IF YOU DO NOT KNOW HIM

Proclamation:

“God did extraordinary miracles through Paul … Some Jews … tried to invoke the name of The Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed.  They would say, ‘In the name of The Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.’  Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish priest, were doing this.  One day the evil spirit answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?’  Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all.  He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.”  Acts 19:11-16 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Here Luke records that while Paul was in Ephesus, he met twelve disciples of John, the baptizer, and baptized them in the name of The Lord Jesus.  He laid his hands of them and they received The Holy Spirit. (Acts 19:1-7)  The Lord God did extraordinary miracles through Paul.  Even the handkerchiefs that he had touched cured the sick. (Acts 19:11-12)  Certain Jewish exorcists tried to copy Paul and invoke the name of The Lord Jesus to call out the evil spirits in demon-possessed individuals but the evil spirit turned on them and beat up all seven of them.  This became known all throughout Ephesus and the name of The Lord Jesus was held in high honor. (Acts 19:11-20)

Application:

If you do not know Jesus, The Christ, or The Lord God, it is not wise to call on His name.  Only if you are not a non-believer who is confessing your sinful nature and the need for Him as your personal savior, should you call upon Him.  Otherwise, you probably should not call upon his name.  He is not to be played with.  Texting “OMG” when there is no relationship with Him is also not a very wise thing to do.  Many people use His name in their casual conversation and in profanity.  We are not to use the name of The Lord God in vain. (Exodus 20:7)  These seven men learned that the hard way.  Hopefully, no one else will have to learn this lesson painfully.

BE CONSIDERATE AND HUMBLE WHEN YOU HELP AND SHARE

Proclamation:

“Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos … had been instructed in the way of The Lord … he spoke with great fervor … though he knew only the baptism of John.  He began to speak boldly in the synagogue.  When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately … he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the scriptures that Jesus was The Messiah.”  Acts 18:24-28 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Luke records that in Corinth Paul met a Jewish believer named Aquila and his wife Priscilla.  Because Aquila was also a tent-maker, Paul stayed with them. (Acts 18:1-4) After a year and a half, Paul left Corinth (Acts 18:11) for Syria and Aquila and Priscilla accompanied him. (Acts 18:18-19)  However, when they arrived at Ephesus Paul left Priscilla and Aquila and went on alone.  It was here in Ephesus that the met Apollos, a Jewish believer, who was knowledgeable in the scriptures.  Priscilla and Aquila had learned about Jesus, The Christ, from Paul when he stayed with them and privately they shared what they knew with Apollos, an eloquent speaker, and helped him to become even better.

Application:

None of us knows everything, especially about Jesus, The Christ.  Those who heard the apostles preach learned a lot, and those who hear the Man of God preach today can learn a lot.  Those who also read and study The Word of God regularly will learn even more than those who don’t.  However, we should be very careful regarding how we share that which we know with those who are less informed.  The goal is to help edify others and not to put them down publicly or in private.  The purpose is not to show off how much we know, but to enhance the knowledge of others.  Every serious Bible student is not necessarily a good teacher.  If we cannot help someone with what we know, then our knowledge is useless.  Be humble when you help.

BECAUSE OF THE LORD GOD WE LIVE MOVE AND EXIST

Proclamation:

“For in Him we live and move and have our being.  As some of your poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’”  Acts 17:28 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Luke records that Paul and Silas had to leave Thessalonica because after they preached that Jesus was the Messiah, the non-believing Jews had formed a mob there and were looking for them. (Acts 17:1-10)  They went to Berea but the non-believing Jews from Thessalonica heard that they were preaching there and came to Berea and stirred up the crowd against them. (Acts 17:10-15)  Paul then went to Athens and noticed that the city was full of idols and was disturbed. (Acts 17:16-18)  While there he found an altar with the inscription, “To The Unknown God”, and he preached to them about Him. (Acts 17:22-23)  While he was speaking to them he said that it was because of The Lord God that we live, move, and have our very being.

Application:

There are a lot of intelligent and well educated people who believe in scientific things but do not believe in Jesus, The Christ, or His death, burial, and resurrection.  They do not believe that God created the earth and all things therein. (Revelation 10:6)  They do not believe that man was made from the dust of the earth and God breathed into him the breath of life and he became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7)  It is because of The Lord God that we live, move, and have our being.  When we die, our soul will return to The Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-8) and our bodies will return to the dust from which it came. (Genesis 3:19, Psalm 104:29, and Ecclesiastes 12:7)  Our souls will not die but will spend eternity somewhere. (Matthew 25:46)  Where will you spend eternity?

PRAYING AND PRAISING GOD CAN CHANGE THINGS

Proclamation:

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.  Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken.  At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.”  Acts 16:25-26 (NIV)

Explanation:

Paul went to Macedonia in response to a vision he had. (Acts 16:9-10)  There he met Lydia, a wealthy woman who worshiped God.  He baptized her, and he and Silas stayed at her house. (Acts 16:13-15)  One day, on their way to the place of prayer, they met a female salve who had a spirit within her by which she predicted the future.  Her owners earned a great deal of money from her fortune-telling.  For many days she followed them around shouting, “These men are servants of The most High God …” and annoyed Paul so that he called the spirit out of her. (Acts 16:16-18)  This upset her owners who lost their hope of making more money through her.  So they had Paul and Silas arrested.  Because of the charges which they brought against them, they were stripped, beaten, severely flogged, thrown into prison and put in the stocks. (Acts 16:19-24)  While in prison the prayed and praised God and suddenly their chains fell off and the prison doors flew open.  They did not leave the prison and after the jailer saw what had happened, he led them out of the prison and brought them to his house. (Acts 16:27- 34)

Application:

We are encouraged to always pray (Luke 18:1) and His praise should always be on our lips. (Psalm 34:1)  However, when things have gone from bad to worse, and life has gotten us down, and it seems that there is no way out, it is hard to be positive.  That is the time when we should pray and praise The Lord anyhow.  The Lord God can make a way out of no way.  It takes some pretty strong faith to praise Him when things are not going the way that we had planned and are much worse than we ever expected.  Remember, we cannot have a testimony without first going through a test.  Trust in The Lord.

LEARN HOW TO DISAGREE WITHOUT BEING DISAGREEABLE

Proclamation:

“Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached The Word of The Lord and see how they are doing.’  Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.  They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.  Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of The Lord.  He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.”  Acts 15:36-41 (NIV)

Explanation:

When Barnabas and Paul left Antioch to begin their first Holy Spirit directed missionary journey John Mark was with them as their helper. (Acts 13:1-5)  However, when they sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem. (Acts 13:13)  It is not recorded why Mark left them but it is clear that Paul felt that he deserted them and did not want to take him on another journey.  The disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over Mark was so sharp until they parted company and went in different directions.  They did not split the church in Antioch where they were like “co-pastors”.  They both continued to do the work of The Lord but with different travelling companions for their second missionary journey.

Application:

Unfortunately, from time to time believers will disagree with one another, and so do men of God.  The Christ-like way to handle such things is to disagree without being disagreeable.  Do not tear apart the church because of human differences and disagreements.  There is plenty of work for all of us to do in different venues.

BELIEVERS MUST ENDURE MANY HARDSHIPS IN THIS LIFE

Proclamation:

“They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples.  Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.  ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.  Acts 14:21-22 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Luke records that Paul and Barnabas preached so effectively in Iconium that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. (Acts 14:1)  But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the people so that the city was divided.  There was a plot to stone them but they fled to Lystra. (Acts 14:2-7)  In Lystra, Paul healed a man who was lame from birth and the people thought that they were gods and wanted to offer sacrifices to them. (Acts 14:8-18)  Some of the Jews who came from Antioch stirred up the people, won over a large crowd and they stoned Paul and left him for dead. (Acts 14:19)  The next day Paul and Barnabas left for Derbe. (Acts 14:20)  After preaching there they retraced their steps and went back to the cities of Lystra, Iconium and Antioch.

Application:

It is not easy to be a Christian.  There is a price to be paid for being a believer and following Christ.  Jesus, The Christ, said that we must take up our cross and follow Him. (Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, and Luke 9:23)  He also said that we would be hated among men for His sake. (Matthew 10:22, Mark 13:13, Luke 21:17, and John 15:18)  However, if we endure the hardships in this life, we will be rewarded in the next life.  So, keep the faith, joy is coming. (Psalm 30:5)

BELIEVERS ARE FORGIVEN OF EVERY SIN THROUGH JESUS THE CHRIST

Proclamation:

“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.  Through Him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the Law of Moses.”  Acts 13:38-39 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Luke records that The Holy Spirit directed Barnabas and Saul, who is also called Paul, to leave Antioch and go to Pisidian Antioch by way of Cyprus. (Acts 13:1-13)  There on the Sabbath they went to the synagogue and sat.  After the reading of the law the leaders of the synagogue asked them to speak. (Acts 13:14-15)  Paul stood up and preached the gospel, and he ended with the above two versus. (Acts 13:16-39)  Afterwards, he was asked to speak again the next Sabbath and Jews got jealous when almost everyone in the city gathered to hear him. (Acts 13:42-47)

Application:

Those of us who believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, The Christ, are forgiven of all of our sins.  We are no longer under the Law of Moses, we are under the God’s grace.  This applies not only the Jewish believers, but to the Gentile believers also. (Acts 13:46-48)  The Law of Moses cannot save anyone, only those of us who are covered by the blood of Jesus can be saved and have our sins forgiven. (1 John 1:7)

THERE IS POWER IN CORPORATE PRAYER

Proclamation:

“Then Peter came to himself and said, ‘Now I know without a doubt that The Lord has sent His angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.’  When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.”  Acts 12:11-12 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Luke records that Herod had arrested some members of the church and was planning to execute them. (Acts 12:1)  He had James, the brother of John, put to death with a sword.  When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he had Peter arrested and planned to execute him after the Passover. (Acts 12:2-4)  While Peter was in jail awaiting execution, chained between two soldiers, an angel of The Lord appeared, released him, and led him out of the prison into the city. (Acts 12:6-10)  Peter initially thought that he was seeing a vision (Acts 12:9) but when he came to himself he realized that The Lord God had saved him.  Once he was outside of the prison, he went to Mary’s house where the believers had gathered and were praying for him.  They were praying for him but did not believe that their prayers had been answered. (Acts 12:13-17)

Application:

There is power in prayer.  Jesus, The Christ, said that men ought to always pray. (Luke 18:1) Prayer changes things.  There is also power in corporate prayer.  Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)  Great and wonderful things happen when the people of God are gathered together in one place and are on one accord.  Jesus said, “And all things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.” (Matthew 21:22)  So, pray until something happens. 

THE TRUTH CAN SILENCE SOME OF OUR CRITICS

Proclamation:

“When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, even to Gentiles God granted repentance that leads to life.’”  Acts 11:18 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Luke records that the apostles and believers criticized Peter for taking The Word of God to the Gentiles and for going into the house of, and eating with, “uncircumcised men.” (Acts 11:1-3)  Peter told them the hold story starting from the beginning. (Acts 11:4-16)  When he had finished he asked them, “So if God gave them the same gift He gave us who believed in The Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:17)  When they heard this, they had no further objections.

Application:

Sometimes we can be criticized, even by believers, for doing what The Lord God has told us to do.  Some people will not like it when we tell the truth.  When our critics are believers, the truth will silence them. (Acts 11:18)  However, if our critics are non-believers, the truth can upset them and even enrage them to the point of violence.  That was what happen to Peter and John (Acts 5:40) and to Stephen. (Acts 7:54-58)  Jesus, The Christ said, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake … Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12)  We are encouraged to always tell the truth, but we should think before we speak to make sure that what we say is “Truthful, Helpful, Insightful, Necessary, and Kind.”

OUR HEART IS IMPORTANT NOT OUR RACE ETHNICITY OR NATIONALITY

Proclamation:

“He said to them: ‘You are aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile.  But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.’”  Acts 10:28 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Luke records that a devout and God-fearing man named Cornelius, who was a centurion in the Roman army, had a vision in which he was told to send for Simon Peter. (Acts 10:1-6)  About the same time Peter had a vision in which The Lord God told him not to call anything impure that He had made clean. (Acts 10:9-16)  While Peter was still trying to figure out his first vision, The Holy Spirit came to him and told him to go with the three men who were looking for him because He had sent them. (Acts 10:17-19)  Peter went with them and when he arrived at the home of Cornelius he told them that their law did not allow a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile, but God had shown him that it was okay. (Acts 10:23-29)  Cornelius had invited his relatives and close friends to his home to hear the message that God had for them. (Acts 10:24)  Peter found a large gathering in the house (Acts 10:27) and preached to them until The Holy Spirit came upon all of those who heard him. (Acts 10:44-46)

Application:

With The Lord God there is no respect of persons, (Acts 10:34 and Romans 2:11) there are believers of all nationalities.  We are to accept all believers as brothers in Christ, regardless of our ethnic differences.  All believers possess The Holy Spirit of God within them.  It should not matter to us what race, creed, ethnicity, or nationality someone is, all that is important is if they believe or not.  If they believe, then they are to be accepted.  If they do not believe, then we are to share the gospel with them and let The Holy Spirit work on them and add to the church as He sees fit. (Acts 2:47)