This Is That

August 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

It has taken me some time to get the following words on paper this morning. I genuinely feel that these words were inspired for those who do not feel that they are capable of speaking for God. Truly, the Holy Spirit wants to use YOU where you are today to reach others with His truth. Please pay close attention to the Application and Prayer section. I firmly believe God is going to allow someone to lead someone to Christ today! Are you willing to be used by Him?

Thoughts
It seems a bit odd that this could be that. But it was true! That which the prophet Joel had prophesied had become this which the people in Jerusalem were experiencing (Acts 2:16). Indeed, the “the age of the prophethood of all believers” had dawned (Stronstad “Influence,” p.46).

When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the believers at Pentecost, the Scripture declares they “began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance” (Acts 2:4b). Those who were gathered around, from various regions, each heard the believers “speaking of the mighty deeds of God” (Acts 2:11) in their own language. It was a phenomenon that both intrigued and instigated those in the crowd. There were both mockers and seekers gathered to hear Peter’s explanation for this rather odd event.

Still today there are skeptics, critics, and cynics that debate the events of Acts 2 and its continuation beyond the apostles. Nevertheless, Peter’s declaration that this, which the crowds were witnessing and the believers were experiencing, was that which had long ago been declared would come by the prophet Joel. Furthermore, this was that which the patriarch Moses longed for every believer to participate in (Numbers 11:24-29). It was both God’s desire and the desire of His people that ordinary individuals would be empowered by the Spirit to speak of the mighty deeds of God.

Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, supernatural occurrences have accompanied genuine moves of the Holy Spirit. Clearly, Peter believed that what took place on the day of Pentecost was only the beginning of an era which had both been predicted and was necessary for the fulfillment of the Church’s mission upon the earth. Suddenly, all barriers (race, class, gender, economic, etc.) were broken. It was God fulfilling His promise: “I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND” (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17).

There is a supernatural, Holy Spirit anointing for the Church today. As it was in Acts 2, and throughout the Scriptures, it is accompanied with supernatural manifestations. But regardless of how it comes, or what it looks like, let us pray for and earnestly desire (1 Cor. 12:31) the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the Church today in order that the function of the Holy Spirit might be fulfilled in our midst, namely being Christ’s witnesses on the earth.

As Spirit-filled believers, we have been charged by our Lord to re-present (intentional spelling) Him to others and to speak of His “mighty deeds.” When we do…real, broken, and desperate people will realize that Christ is a real and present Savior available to meet them at their point of need today. Three thousand people responded to Peter’s message. How many are responding to ours? Are we missing something? That powerful move of the Spirit is what has both been made available and is needed by this generation.

Application
Have you ever felt unqualified to speak on behalf of the Lord or of His reality? What makes you feel this way?

If prophesy is used to describe the believer’s Spirit-inspired proclamation of Christ, both from that which you have seen and heard, as well as that which has been revealed in dreams and visions (2:17), can you recall a time when God has used you to fulfill His promise of Acts 1:8 and 2:17-18?

Regardless of our age, ability, maturity, etc., God wants to use us to bring others into a relationship with Him. We are the greatest revelations the world can know. Who can you share Jesus with today?

Prayer
Father,

I am often overwhelmed when it comes to the word prophesy. I immediately think of other people who are so much better at sharing Jesus than I am. Their eloquent words, powerful experiences, and educational backgrounds make them so much more prepared than me. But today I understand that You are not looking for training, experience, or degrees. You simply want to give me Your spiritual strength, through the Holy Spirit, to tell others what what you have done for me and long to do for them. I can reach people that no one else can. Please give me the spiritual strength and the words to say simply what I have seen from and heard of You. When I do, I ask that You would show me the fruit of what I can do for You when I commit to simply obeying You.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Unity and Prayer

August 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Today we cover the final two components that helped the early Church stay focused on the mission of Jesus Christ. In addition to the centralization of the Gospel, empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and a From Here to There motion, the early Church marched forward in unity and prayer. These final two elements were as vital as the others.

Thoughts:
One doesn’t have to look very far in the book of Acts to see how vital unity and prayer was to the Church. Without unity the entire plan of God could have fallen apart within moments of Christ’s ascension. The sudden void of a physical leader could have sparked a skirmish for power and position. It was the perfect medium for pride to take root and produce a fruit of dissension. Nevertheless, this body of like-minded and like-hearted believers committed themselves to one another and to prayer, a characteristic that holds true throughout the book (e.g., 6:1-6; ch.15).

Perhaps, there is something for the twenty-first century to learn from the behaviors of the first-century church. Whereas our tendency seems to be to abandon one fellowship for another without ever committing the issue to prayer, this group of believers prayerfully worked through their differences. No one quickly bailed out, became factionists, or sought to undermine the leadership. And, if they did, they were properly dealt with by the Holy Spirit.

United in their cause for Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and seeking to reveal the truth of Christ’s work at home, the believers rallied together to dispel darkness with the power of Christ’s light. Certainly there was enough resistance from the work of Satan without. They did not need further resistance from within.

If we, as a Church of Jesus Christ, are going to bear witness to the saving power of Jesus Christ, we must unite together in purpose and prayer. The early Church prevailed with these two elements. We, too, can see a mighty move of God among us if we will avail ourselves to one another and to Christ. Let’s be the Church we have been called to be, rally around the spiritual leadership that Christ has placed over us, and battle spiritually what is defeating us in the natural.

Prayer is both the thermometer and the thermostat of the local church;

for the “spiritual temperature” either goes up or down, depending on how God’s people pray.

Warren Wiersbe, Be Dynamic

Application:
When things within the confines of the church do not go as you would plan or imagine them to, how do you respond? (tell others, leave, pray, discuss it with the leader, etc.)

When have you seen a church hindered by disunity? When have you seen it empowered by unity and prayer?

Which are you seeking to promote at this time of your life: Unity or Disunity? How are you praying for your church?

Prayer:
Father,

Please send the work of Your Spirit into my heart and life today. May I embody what these early believers embodied, namely a passion for unity and a dependence upon prayer. It seems they did nothing of their own selfish accord and without praying first. Stir in my a passionate prayer life. May I truly change the temperature of my church and its work through the power of prayer. I desire to see You move among us, use us, and change us!

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Power with Purpose

August 5, 2009 By Leave a Comment

This morning we take a look at the second element that characterized the early Church and kept their focus on fulfilling their mission upon the earth. In addition to be Gospel-Centered, the Church must endued with power from the Holy Spirit. The Church has and will move forward through the power of the Holy Spirit. Let’s take a closer look…

Thoughts:
u4v7100.jpg_320_320_0_9223372036854775000_0_1_0.jpgAdmittedly, I am not one to really be a judge of this subject, seeing that I have no qualifying physique to do so, but have you ever seen those bodybuilders on TV? Those people that when you look at them you feel like you’re sitting in a high school anatomy class learning the location and name of every major and minor muscle? It’s like they have trained every muscle within their body to spring into place and action on cue. Personally, I find it both disturbing and intriguing. It invokes both disgust and jealousy at the same time. (You know you’d like to look at least a little bit like that!)

Nevertheless, outside of the gym and off of the stage, most of this bulk is without purpose and function. It looks great, intimidates others, and incites jealousy, but has no real functionality in the real world. On the other hand, consider the wrestler or football player. Such an individual may or may not be able to call all of their muscles into an instant display of definition, but where it matters most they are able to access its power. Both individuals invest gym time, but each with a different intention.

As Jesus is preparing for His ascension into heaven, He gathers His disciples for last minute instructions. In Acts 1:4-8 we find that Christ concentrated His attention on making sure that the disciples did not leave Jerusalem before they were endued with the power of the Holy Spirit. This endowment of power was not a beauty pageant, stage performance power. Rather, it was a power that was for a purpose. In the coming days, years and centuries, the Holy Spirit was, and will continue to be, a necessity for completing the mission of Christ. It is a practical power.

Warren Wiersbe aptly states it this way, “The ministry of the Holy Spirit is not a luxury; it is an absolute necessity” (Be Dynamic, ¶ 71). In the early Church the Holy Spirit was given in order that the believers might combat the spiritual forces of darkness that powerfully resisted them. Throughout the history of the Church this same power has been manifest to propel the Church forward. Unfortunately, some circles and eras have spent more time seeking to display this demonstration of power within the walls of a building. The intent and purpose of the Holy Spirit is not for pageantry. The Holy Spirit is given to us in order that we might be witnesses of Christ. His is a practical power that is needed more in this era of the Church than at any other time. Let’s spend time in the gym (in prayer, study, and seeking the infilling of the Spirit), so that we can fulfill our mission on the field (outside the walls of the church) and not just look good on the stage (the building of the church).

Application:
Often we picture the apostles as spiritual giants with greater attributes than us. Yet, is it possible that they could be as ordinary as you and me?

Have you ever witnessed someone with ‘power’ within the church, but with little practical ‘power’ outside of the church walls?

What kind of strength do you have: Stage or Service? Where does your workout attention need to be placed?

Prayer:
Father,

It is often times so tempting to have pageantry power; power that is reserved for within the community of faith. However, what I really need is a power that is practical, real, and able to combat the enemy. Souls are weighing in the balance. This is not a harmless error for me to commit. The faith and eternal destiny of others are depending on the Church to deliver the message of Jesus Christ with authority, conviction, and demonstration. May You fill You Church with the fullness of Your Spirit that we may work Your works in these days upon the earth.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Epicenter vs. Hypocenter

August 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

As we move through Acts 1 this week, we’ll look at five elements that characterized the early Church and their perpetuation of the Christian faith. In the opening lines Luke underscores what was most important, namely the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was what He “began both to do and teach” concerning the Kingdom of God. Today’s challenge is one that requests our need to put the Gospel at the hypocenter of our lives and not just the epicenter. Let’s take it deeper…

Thoughts:
eqfocus9.gifSo, school’s back in session. And, I am enrolled, attentive, and being educated this morning. For years I have used the term epicenter to describe the focal point of an object from which everything else radiated. For instance, I used this term and definition on Sunday to describe how the Gospel (Jesus’ deity, purity, sacrifice, and resurrection) should be the epicenter of our lives and that everything else should exude from this point. And, while people understood my use of the word and the point I was making, perhaps there is more to this word that we should understand. Here’s what I’ve learned this morning…

Epicenter is primarily a geographical term used to describe “the point on the earth’s surface vertically above the focus of an earthquake”. The hypocenter is the actual focus point beneath the earth’s surface. It is truly the center of the seismic activity and occurs in a nameless, or unfamiliar, area beneath the earth’s surface. Therefore, the average person is more concerned with the epicenter, which is the recognizable location on the earth’s surface.

As it relates to Sunday’s message and the book of Acts, the Gospel should be the hypocenter, or focus point, of our lives and not just the epicenter. Unfortunately, the Christian community has typically focused more on the epicenter of an individual’s life as the point of interest. (And, rightfully so, because it’s the only area we can see). Perhaps, this is why we herald one’s church attendance, good deeds, charitable giving, etc. as true signs of maturity. While these certainly characterize the believer, these tangible surface areas do not necessarily mark the true hypocenter. Take Acts 4-5 for instance. Barnabas makes a genuine contribution of faith–selling his land and give the proceeds to the apostles (4:37). Yet, Ananias and Sapphira follow suit, but from a completely different hypocenter. Both made generous contributions from two opposing hypocenters.

When we understand the difference between epicenter and hypocenter we can quickly begin to relate it with our personal experiences. We’ve all seen marriages that were “built on love”, yet the focal point beneath the surface revealed that it was for money, lust, position, fame, etc. May the Gospel not just be an epicenter of our life. May it become the hypocenter, the actual point from which all of our life exudes. Faith is more than a surface point. It goes where only God can see. Man relates to the epicenter. God relates everything to the hypocenter.

Application:
What is the hypocenter of your life? Is it really the same as the epicenter of your life?

What other Scriptural examples can you think of that describe the difference between the hypocenter and epicenter of a person’s faith? (Judas, wolves/sheep, etc.)

What are you showing on the surface that is not necessarily reflective of what’s true in your heart?

Prayer:
Father,

How I wish that I could always say that my epicenter, what is seen on the surface, is truly the hypocenter of my life. As it was with Ananias and Sapphira, I can do the right things with the wrong motive. Purify my heart and life today. Help me to genuinely live with the Gospel as my hypocenter. May the truth of Jesus Christ and the work of the Spirit truly by the focus point of all of my activity on the surface. That’s a sincere alignment and looks just like Jesus. May I become lost in Him today.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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