false humility

Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:7-11, ESV)

While it would be possible to follow Jesus' instructions for choosing seats with the opposite of humble motives - taking the lowest place SO THAT you can be moved higher - it's impossible in the heart. It impossible to humble yourself so that you can be exalted because actually that's just exalting yourself by faking humility. Humility can be faked to other people, but not in the heart, and that's where God's looking.

growth under the radar

He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”

And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.” (Luke 13:18-21, ESV)

The Jews expected God's kingdom to arrive with a bang but Jesus describes it arriving in an insignificant way and growing, slowly, into something very significant. Sometimes we see the kingdom of God advancing rapdily - such as the 3000 Christians added to the church on the day of Pentecost. But, more often we see it growing under the radar, with one person telling someone else the gospel, who then tells two more. It's slower and perhaps less noticeable, but it's significant, and we often don't see that significance until much later.

In our own lives we see a similar thing. We are often looking for the one sermon or bible study or prayer meeting or conversation that will produce dramatic change in us. More often it's low-key, long term growth. You might not leave church buzzing about the sermon or you might not have found the home group exciting this week but repeated exposure to God's word and God's people is the method God uses to cultivate our growth. It's only with hindsight that we can see the effects of that long term project. This should be a big encouragement to us - that Bible study, sermon, group, conversation, prayer or time invested in relationships may seem to have had little effect, but it is not wasted.

repeated lessons

In Luke 6:6-11 Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath, asking the question of whether it is lawful to do good and save lives on the Sabbath. There is no answer to that question but the Pharisees were filled with fury.

In Luke 13:10-17, Jesus does the same thing again, this time healing a woman and, in response to the Pharisees anger, he points out their hypocrisy as they would do good to an animal on the Sabbath but wanted this woman to come on another day to be healed. There is no response to that charge except we are told that it put them to shame.

In Luke 14:1-6 the same thing happens again, Jesus restates his question from chapter 6 and his accusation of hypocrisy from chapter 13. Again, the Pharisees could not answer and remain silent

They had no answers to Jesus' challenge, but they remained unmoved. Rather than being softened by repeated exposure to Jesus' life and teaching, their hearts became increasingly hard. We should see this as a warning. When we are consistantly challenged and convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit and continue to ignore it, our hearts are becoming a bit harder for the next time and eventually we're not only ignoring the sin but becoming angry at Jesus and plotting to remove his influence. Let's pray that God gives us soft hearts to repent of our sin and put our trust in him.

the timing of death

There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Luke 13:1-5

Jesus responds to these disasters in a different way to we might expect. First, he makes it clear that they did not occur as a direct punishment for those people's sin. But, secondly, he wont let anyone off the hook. Those people weren't any worse sinners than the rest of us, and their death should realise we need to repent before the same happens - that's not repentance to avoid the disaster, but to accept the one who determines what happens to us after the disaster. An early death may seem like a tragedy to us but the tragedy is death without Jesus, not the timing of that death.

lamb or ram?

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” (Genesis 22:1-2)

Isaac wasn't Abraham's only son. Was God wrong?

And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. (Genesis 22:7-8, ESV)

 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. (Genesis 22:13)

God provided a ram, not a lamb.

God wasn't wrong, and Abraham wasn't wrong about God. This event was about something much bigger and better. Later, in the same place, God did provide a lamb for the sacrifice, his only Son. 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) 

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29) 

they desired to see what we see

turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” (Luke 10:23-24)

Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” (John 8:56)

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. (1 Peter 1:10-12)

It can be easy to think that it would have been so much easier (or better?) to have lived at the time of Moses or Elijah or another Old Testament character. What could be better than personally witnessing God parting the red sea or sending manna or any of the other dramatic stories we read? 

Jesus (and Peter) in the passages above tell us it's the other way around. The prophets and even the angels looked forward to our day. They desired the day when God's promises weren't just promises anymore but fulfilled realities. The day when the message of the gospel, the good news about Jesus' life, death and resurrection, was fully known was the day in which they longed to live. If we think that message is less exciting, fulfilling or sufficient than the signs that pointed towards it, then we've misunderstood those signs completely.

beyond the miracle

Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country. (Luke 7:11-17, ESV) 

Unlike the centurion, these people weren't looking for Jesus to help them. Jesus just did it out of compassion!

The response to the miracle is fear and glorifying God. In a similar, but perhaps more extreme, way to the fish miracle a couple of chapters ago, the people are not obsessed with the miracle but are suddenly awestruck and obsessed with the God who has done the miracle. If we don't look beyond the miracle to the one behind it, we've missed the point - the man will die again later with just a few more years on the clock. But if we look to the one who performed this miracle out of his great love for us - then that changes everything.

outstanding faith

After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well. (Luke 7:1-10, ESV)

As Jesus commends this man's faith, when he's usually pointing out a lack of it, we should pay close attention to what this man's faith is like.
Firstly, his faith comes from a place of humility. Although, the Jews describe him as someone who is worthy to have Jesus help him, the first thing out of his mouth (via his messengers) is "I am not worthy to have you come under my roof". He does not think Jesus owes him anything and recognises his humble position before Jesus, despite being a powerful man in the world's eyes. 
Secondly he believes Jesus has absolute authority. His faith consists of not a hyped up confidence that Jesus will do it, but a confidence that Jesus can do anything and a humble request. 
Do we want our faith to grow? Consider Jesus - your confidence in him will automatically grow. 

Abraham and infertility part 2

After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?”  And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.”  He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
 (Genesis 15:1-6, NIV)

God appears to Abraham in a vision with two great promises - that He is Abraham's shield and his very great reward. What better protection can you have than the creator of the universe, and what greater reward than God himself?

But everything is tied up in infertility for Abraham. How can there be talk of a “very great reward” when he has got no one to carry on the family line?

God is gracious. He doesn’t rebuke Abraham for letting infertility dominate his vision. He restates his promise that Abraham will have a son and Abraham believes him. Which is faith. Abraham takes God at his word and God counts it as righteousness. His behaviour has not changed here, Abraham will try to take matters into his own hands later. He has simply received the promise of God and believed. 

The promise that we needed to hear from God in this passage is not that we would have children, it is that we are given THE child, Abraham's offspring, Jesus. Jesus is our very great reward. The good news is not that we get something from God but that we get God! In Jesus' life, death and resurrection, in the forgiveness and acceptance and transformation that He brings, God has given us the best possible gift. There is nothing better he can give. There’s nothing better that he’s withholding. 

In the midst of infertility it often felt like he was withholding something better, but God slowly and graciously began to show us that He is our very great reward.

what fish?

And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. (Luke 5:11, ESV)

The disciples had just had the catch of their life and they left it to follow Jesus. They had just filled their boats with so many fish that they were sinking, they had never seen anything like it before during a lifetime of fishing, but all of a sudden fish didn't seem as important anymore. When confronted by Jesus' miracle, their thoughts do not turn to what they have gained, or what they could gain in the future. They are not overcome with excitement about the miracle, they are overwhelmed with their own sin and a desire to follow Jesus. Fish? What fish? We need to follow this man.

how to lose friends quickly

Luke 4:22a

And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth.

v28-29

When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff.

A dramatic change in public opinion during 6 verses. So what were "these things" that the people had heard to fill them with wrath?

v22b-27

And they said, “Is not this Joseph's son?” And he said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Physician, heal yourself.’ What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.” And he said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”

The suggestion that they could be overlooked and God could bless someone else left them fuming. The idea that God would be interested in the Gentiles had them wanting to kill Jesus.

This seems very primitive to us, we are disgusted by their racist attitude. But are there any people we think it would be outrageous for God to bless? Would the suggestion that God acts irrespective of our categories of good (us) and bad (them) fill us with rage? The idea that a blatent sinner could receive God's mercy but an apparently good person (relying on their goodness) wouldn't, is just as offensive in our culture as the Jews/Gentiles issue was then.

good news?

[John] said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. (Luke 3:7-18, ESV)

John's message may not immediately seem like good news. 

• calling people vipers
• calling for repentance
• dismissing their heritage
• warning of God's wrath
• instructing lifestyle changes
• talking about judgement

Indeed in the verses following the passage above, Herod throws John in prison so he certainly didn't think John's message was good. So how can it be described as good news in v18? 

It is not good news in and of itself. It is good news because it is preparing the way and pointing to Jesus. Conviction of sin, repentance (and moral instruction) is only good news if Jesus is involved to bring forgiveness and transformation. Otherwise we are left with guilt and either own own efforts to improve or despair at our inability to improve. 

I sometimes describe sermons that "ripped my face off", by which I mean they were extremely convicting. Why would getting your face ripped off be a good thing. Well, it's not, in itself. I'm loving the face ripping conviction only because it makes the good news of the gospel so much sweeter. 

Till sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet

The more bitterness we taste in sin, the more sweetness we shall taste in Christ

Thomas Watson

 

his answers

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. (Luke 2:46-47, ESV)

Jesus wasn't just asking questions and listening, he was also giving answers! No wonder they were all amazed.

Abraham and infertility part 1

The story of Abraham came to mind often when we were struggling with infertility. While I knew it should be helpful, the encouragement wasn't immediately obvious. The life of Abraham and Sarah certainly shows that God can overcome infertility, which is great, but we weren't Abaraham and Sarah. God promised them a son, what if no such promise existed for us?

Through a gradual process, this story became a massive encouragement, with God showing us that this is about far more than Abraham having a son.

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:1-3, ESV)

God’s promise involves Abram having a child but the child is not the focus of the promise. The focus is much bigger; a great nation, a community of God’s people, blessed to be a blessing to all the families on the earth.

In the short term God was creating the nation of Israel who were to bless those around them. But the ultimate fulfillment of this promise is Jesus. One of Abram’s descendants will be God’s own Son, and that is the blessing for everyone on the earth.

This promise involves Abram’s offspring but it is primarily about God’s offspring. Like Abram, Jesus also left his Father’s house to go out into a foreign land. Jesus is the one that is now gathering a community around himself made up of every tribe, tongue and nation. He is the one that has the name above every other name but chooses to bless others, and in him everyone on earth can be blessed.

This story shows that God is able to overcome infertility and give someone a child. But it's about so much more than that. It shows that nothing, including infertility, is able to stop God’s plan of salvation.

Abraham’s story comforted us in our infertility. But the comfort is not necessarily drawn from the promise of God giving Abraham his own child, because I am not Abraham. The comfort comes from the promise of THE child. God has given us the greatest gift possible, the gift of his own son.

luke 1

Luke 1

John:

• (old) married, barren couple

Jesus:

• virgi

By an extraordinary purpose of God it was appointed that John should be born out of the common and ordinary course of nature.

scattered

And Saul approved of his execution.

And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city. (Acts 8:1-8, ESV)

Saul approves of Stephen's murder, was part of the great persecution that rose against the church, ravaging it, breaking down doors, dragging people off and locking them up. He set out to nip this message in the bud. But if you're setting yourself up against God then there's only going to be one winner. Instead of killing the church off, these events caused it to spread.

The people who were scattered went about preaching the word - that's not just for the professionals. We are all called to announce the gospel message.

Would the early (Jewish) Christians have taken the message to Samaria if it was left to them. Would they offer this good news to their enemies? As usual, what man (Saul) intended for evil, God intended for good.

Jesus stands

Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:54-60, ESV)

Stephen dies in the same way that he lived - full of the Holy Spirit. He sees a vision of the glory of God with Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Jesus normally sits at the right hand of God, his work is completed, he sits down at the throne, his sitting is significant. So it is also significant that he stands up as Stephen is about to die. Jesus was not absent when Stephen was stoned, this was not outside Jesus power or concern. Stephen was about to go to Jesus, and Jesus stands. 

Why "standing," and not sitting, the posture in which the glorified Saviour is elsewhere represented? Clearly, to express the eager interest with which He watched from the skies the scene in that council chamber, and the full tide of His Spirit which He was at that moment engaged in pouring into the heart of His heroical witness, till it beamed in radiance from his very countenance.  

Jamieson, Faussett and Brown 

He is usually said to sit there; but Stephen sees him standing there, as one more than ordinarily concerned at present for his suffering servant; he stood up as a judge to plead his cause against his persecutors; he is raised up out of his holy habitation (Zec. 2:13), comes out of his place to punish, Isa. 26:21. He stands ready to receive him and crown him, and in the mean time to give him a prospect of the joy set before him. [3.] This was intended for the encouragement of Stephen. He sees Christ is for him, and then no matter who is against him.

Matthew Henry 

As if it were just ready to receive him. Otherwise he is said to sit at the right hand of God.

Wesley

He has stood to receive Stephen’s testimony and to be his advocate. He has stood that he might come forward to be the judge of those who will trample upon God’s prophet. Jesus is rising from his throne to come to Stephen’s defense and to judge his persecutors.

Kevin Deyoung 

stiff necked

“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.” (Acts 7:51-53, ESV)

Stephen has been accused of blasphemy. He gives a long speech recounting Israel's history before concluding with this attack on the religious leaders. Using insults straight from the pages of the OT he calls them stiff-necked, uncircumcised in heart and resistant to the HS. He likens them to the repeated instances of God's people rebelling against him throughout their history. God's plan throughout history culminates in Jesus and they killed him. He is not the one guilty of blasphemy on this occasion, he is not the one guilty of setting himself up against God - they are. 

unfair opposition

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. (Acts 6:8-15, ESV)

Stephen is one of the seven people chosen for the practical task of the distribution of resources to widows. That doesn't mean that was all he did. He did it, and probably did it well but he was also telling people about Jesus. He is the first person other than the apostles said to be doing signs and wonders. He is full of grace and power - because of the Holy Spirit.

Stephen was obviously a respected and trustworthy man, a faithful believer in Jesus, someone full of the spirit, someone witnessing for Jesus - but that doesn't stop people sinning against him. We should not be surprised when some people attack us and speak falsely about us. We are told that they could not withstand the wisdom and Spirit with which he was speaking - they couldn't prove him wrong, but that didn't stop them stirring up lies about him and twisting his words. His face looked like the face of an angel, but that didn't stop his shotgun trial and eventual death. We should be ready for the fact that, no matter what we do, some people will oppose us and tell lies about us. We should pray that God helps us to respond like Stephen is about to  - with a gracious and clear explanation of the gospel 

practical leadership

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:1-7, ESV)

This is a classic church problem - organisation and adminstration of neccessary practical situations threatens to dominate and distract from the focus of the gospel. The twelve strike the right balance here - they recognise that caring for widows is important and needs to be done, and organised effectively. But they refuse to let that, or anything, detract from the mission of the church - spreading the good news about Jesus. 

Sensibly, this tasks is delegated to other leaders. Interestingly the criteria for choosing these leaders is primarily spiritual. They are not chosen on whether they are skilled enough for the job (although they would certainly need that), but the primary consideration is that they are men of good repute (they are living the christian life), full of the Spirit and wisdom and full of faith. The first thing to look at for any potential leader is whether they are Christian! Even if their "task" does not seem spiritual, the most important thing is their own relationship with Jesus.

stop teaching?

Acts 5:17-42

But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.

Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

The problem that the high priest and Saducees have with the early church is theological, but the reason for their severe reaction and desperation to stop this message is jealousy. The gospel was transforming people, it was causing a stir. The religious leaders were no longer in control and they wanted that back.

The miracle of the release from prison is to show that nothing can stop the gosepl spreading. It is not primarily for the apostles benefit, but to show the leaders and the people that God's message can not be locked up - he can simply open the doors back up again. The apostles understood this as they went straight back to preaching, not into hiding. 

Peter's short speech contains many familiar ideas from his previous sermons - they will obey God rather than man. Jesus is the promised Messiah. They were responsible for Jesus' death. God has raised Him from the dead. Jesus is in control. They should repent. Jesus died for the forgiveness of sins. The disciples are witnesses, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Gamaliel says that they should leave the men alone - if their message is man made, it will soon fade from peole's attention. If it is from God, they can't stop it anyway. History has proved him right. Nothing and noone can stop it.

The apostles were beaten and told no to teach about Jesus. So what did they do? They rejoiced that their suffering was in the name of Jesus and did not cease to teach and preach in Jesus name! One thing mattered to them - the good news about who Jesus is and what he has done. If their suffering draws attention to that, then praise God. And whether they were suffering or not, their life mission was to spread that news.

no nominal Christians

Acts 5:12-16

Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

The Holy Spirit is doing a lot of extraordinary work here, stuff that seems crazy to us. The fact that people were healed by Peter's shadow falling on them shows that it wasn't Peter himself healing people. God can do whatever he wants, he can heal people however he wants. 

There was a strange combination of  fear of joining the church (presumably due to events like Ananias and Sapphira's death) but also an esteem that the people had for the Christians. The people seemed to like the Christians but recognised that it wasn't a group that you could just loosely associate yourself with. There were certainly no nominal Christians warming the pews in Solomon's porch!

instant judgement

Acts 5:1-11 
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together 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.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

At the end of chapter 4 we hear about a community that shared possessions and met each others needs. It is clear that that happens as a result of the gospel, not as some enforced or even voluntary effort to create a community. It happened because they loved the person in need and recognized everything they had as a gift.

The problem with Ananias and Sapphira is not that they kept part of the money for themselves, as Peter makes it clear that the entire property was theirs to do whatever they wanted with it. The problem is that they were trying to pass it off as the full amount. They were trying to give the impression of generousity. They lied in order to protect or cultivate a reputation.

God judges them and they die. While this seems harsh, that is just due to the instant nature of it. We know that the result of sin is death, it is God's grace to us that this sort of instant judgement on our sin is unusual, but it is no less than they, or us deserved. It happened to that couple straight away, it could happen in 50 years time but it will happen unless we repent and trust in Jesus, who died that death in our place.

there's a branch coming

Isaiah 4

And seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying, “We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothes, only let us be called by your name; take away our reproach.”

In that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and honor of the survivors of Israel. And he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem, when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning. Then the Lord will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory there will be a canopy. There will be a booth for shade by day from the heat, and for a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain. 

The first verse of chapter 4 continues the thought of chapter 3. God is going to confront the people with their own shame, he will cut off his support and supply. The people will be scattered and directionless, here with women desperate to associate with a man to get rid of their shame.

These descriptions are bleak, but all is not lost. God's not cutting them off forever, he's sending someone - the branch of the Lord who is beautiful, glorious and fruitful in sharp contrast to the ugly, shameful, fruitless people (us!) described in the previous chapter. Their beauty has been shown up for the ugliness that lies underneath, but he is beautiful. Their pride and impressive outward appearance has been shamed and humbled but he is glorious. Their land is dry and barren since God has withdrawn his provision, but He will be fruitful.

he will wash away the filth, he will cleanse the bloodstains. This can only happen if justice is done. A justice that we now know was gloriously done on the cross. He will become their shelter and protector again. Their only hope is God. But what a place to put your hope!

forming community

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. (Acts 4:32-37, ESV)

These verses describe what a community transformed by the gospel looks like. They are united. They love each other to the degree that they are willing to sacrificially give to others in need. And they were spreading the message of Jesus' resurrection. This describes a type of church that we would all no doubt love to be a part of. But we can't afford to miss what has caused this.Jesus didn't tell them to set up this sort of community and then they went away and tried really hard to create it. This community was created becasue of the gospel - the good news about Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Jesus' followers weren't like this before the cross, the empty tomb and the holy spirit. If we are concentrating on forming this type of community, it will be incredibaly hard work probably doomed to failure. If we concentrate on Jesus, this sort of community follows.

boldness in the face of opposition

When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,

and the peoples plot in vain?The kings of the earth set themselves,

and the rulers were gathered together,against the Lord and against his Anointed’—for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:23-31, ESV)

After Peter and John have been told to stop spreading the message about Jesus, they go back to the other disicples and report what has happened. Their response is to pray. Their prayer recognises God's sovereignty and the futility of men setting themselves up against that sovereign God - they quote from psalm 2 about people plotting against God in vain and psalm 2 goes on to speak about God laughing at those plans.  

They also pray about the ongoing mission - they aren't praying against their opponents and they are not praying explicitly about their own safety, they are praying that God would give them the boldness to continue spreading the gospel. They know that this will only happen through the power of the Holy Spirit 

When we face opposition, we can tend to take it to heart. It devastates us. Everything seems doomed. And the opposition we face is often nothing more than the potential that people might think we are a bit weird, it's not in the league of the disciples experience. We have a lot to learn from this passage. People set themselves up against God but it is futile because God is sovereign. And because God is in control, I don't need to panic or be anxious - his plan will not be thwarted by this opposition. I don't then need to just suck it up and act like I'm not bothered, I need to pray that God will give me boldness, recognising my own lack of courage and depending on the power of the Holy Spirit to enable me to participate in God's mission.

shut it down

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old. (Acts 4:13-22, ESV)

The HS had given them boldness to speak about Jesus in the face of opposition and that was noticeable to the authorities. There was nothing special about Peter and John, the difference was that they had been with Jesus.

The authorities recognised that they could not deny the miracle, but they were desperate to shut down the message. "Sadly, the leaders were motivated by fear of losing power and influence rather than by a desire to glorify God, to be faithful to his Word, or to spread the true knowledge of salvation." ESV study bible

The disciple's boldness continued - they recognised that their was a limit to their obedience to human authorities, and that limit was reached when their instructions conflicted with God's.

same message

On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:5-12, ESV)

Being filled with the Spirit does not only result in spectacular, dramatic events like the multiple languages of Pentecost. Here, Peter is described as being filled with the Spirit as he answers the ruling authorities. The Spirit gave him the courage to speak about Jesus. 

There could be no doubt about the message from the early church - it is all about Jesus. Peter makes it clear again that:

• the crippled man was healed in Jesus name
• they crucified Jesus
• God raised Jesus from the dead
• OT prophesy is about Jesus
• Salvation is found only in Jesus

 Peter, and the early church, were thoroughly Christ centered.  

cutting off your supply

Isaiah 1 tells us about God's hatred for the empty religion of the people. In chapter 2 we read about how the presence of God will shatter idolatry and bring pride down. Chapter 3 starts to explain how this is going to happen. How can the heart of the people be moved inside the religious shell? How will the people understand the emptiness of idols and the majesty of God? The answer is not pretty. 

God is going to remove his support and supply from his people. Food, protection, civil and religious leadership. God is going to let them suffer.

Why is He doing this? Because their speech and their deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence (v8). They proclaim their sin, they are proud of it. They have oppressed others. They will be given what they deserve.

The people look impressive and are proud of that appearance, but God is going to remove the mask and show up their utter shame. Very strong language is used - the daughters of Zion who are currently "mincing" around will have their "secret parts laid bare". There will be rottenness instead of perfume, baldness instead of hair.

This is God's grace. Without this, they will continue as they are, without him. God is going to confront them with their natural state without Him - they need to see what that is really like in order that they can return to him. Having their whole world turned upside down is worth it if it results in a cry of desperation to God. God is too committed to their good to leave them in their sin.

response

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. (Acts 4:1-4, ESV)

Peter preaches very similar sermons in chapters 2 and 3. In both cases, a lot of people believe but we also see the other response that the gospel can have after this second sermon. We should expect both negative and positive reactions to the good news about Jesus. His own words divided opinion and it was no different for the early church. Often we either expect only negative reactions and so are reluctant to even share the gospel. Or we only want to do it when we think there will be a positive reaction. Our mission is to share it. The reaction is out of our hands.

some stuff about Jesus

While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's. And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.” (Acts 3:11-26, ESV)

Peter uses the occasion of the healing to preach another sermon about Jesus:

• not new, but the fulfilment of the OT - god of abraham, isaac and jacob. he is THE prophet who was prophesied about. He is the one Samuel and every after (or before) him spoke about. The fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham
• personal responsibility for his death - you delivered him, you denied the holy and righteous one, you asked for a murderer, you killed the author of life
• a pardoxical statement that sums up what we do in our sin - we kill the author of life. We want to cut ourselves off from the one who created and sustains us, which will obviously inevitably lead to our death. but we stubbornly assume we can find life somewhere other than it's author.
• resurrection - as it turns out, you can't kill the author of life! He is alive.
• witnesses - not claiming he is alive in my heart or anything like that, they are eyewitnesses to his resurrection
• his name - the healing has taken place due to faith in Jesus name
• ignorance - we need to recognise our ignorance
• Jesus' death was the fulfilment of God's prophesied plan. People acted sinfully but God knew what he was doing
• repentance - that is the response to hearing the news of the gospel
• results - sins blotted out, times of refreshing (Spirit), restoring all the things God has spoken about
• God intends to bless us by turning us from our wickedness

where is the focus?

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's. And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 

Acts 3:1-11 ESV

This healing was dramatic, it caused a stir, it caused crowds to gather around Peter and John  in the temple but, even with all the drama, the healing itself was not the focus. The man was healed in the name of Jesus and Peter used the opportunity of the crowds gathering  to point to that name again. He didn't tell the people - yes God (or even Jesus) can heal and he can do it again, bring out all the sick - even though that is true. The focus of attention is the healer not the healing, the healing is just the context and catalyst for people to hear about Jesus

cut to the heart

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:37-41, ESV)

The people who heard Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost were "cut to the heart" and respond. This is a work of the Holy Spirit because, a couple of chapters later, after a very similar sermon, the hearers respond in anger. Peter's job is to "bear witness" to Jesus, the Holy Spirit does the work on the heart. We cannot make people respond, we cannot convict people of sin, we cannot transform hearts, we cannot produce faith. Thankfully, there is someone who can!

their response involved:

• repentance - they had to acknowledge their guilt before God
• baptism - a public recognition of a spiritual reality
• the name of Jesus - this was no re commitment to Judaism or a slight tweak to their existing beliefs, it was about one person only - Jesus
• forgiveness - they (like me and you) were responsible for the death of Jesus. They are sinners. We are sinners. But forgiveness exists. It is possible through Jesus
• Holy Spirit - it's not just forgiveness and then back to square one. It's the gift of the Holy Spirit transforming us into his likeness
• others - this wasn't just for them but for their children and those who were far off. God doesn't save a certain "type" of person. no one is beyond God's power to save.

isaiah 2

Isaiah 2

When God shows up in the Bible, people are generally terrified and fall on the floor, afraid for their lives. Isaiah reminds the people 9and us) that there is going to be a day when that happens to all of us. He tells us three times that we will be on our faces when God shows up in his glory (v10,19,21). Everything that we trust in, every idol that we cling on to will be shown up for what it really is. For the nations at that time that was things like the cedars of lebanon and the ships of tarshish that brought wealth and power. Or the towers and fortified walls that made them fell safe and secure. For us it's the security of the well-paid job. Or the status of the area we live in. On that day, Isaiah tells us, everything that seems big, important and powerful now will be brought low. Only God will be exalted on that day.

When faced with God, people will cast away their idols (v20). So what is the solution to our idolatry? Look at God, not man

Stop trusting in mere humans,
    who have but a breath in their nostrils.
    Why hold them in esteem?
Isaiah 2:22 

respectable rebels

Isaiah 1

God's children have rebelled against him, they no longer know him, they are sinful, they have forsaken him, despised him, utterly estranged from him.
They are in a bad state - desolate country, burned cities, overthrown by other nations

What is God's message? Stop the false religion. He's had enough of the sacrifices, doesn't delight in the offerings, can't endure their assemblies, hates their feasts, wont listen to their prayers. They are doing the practices that God told them to do but their hearts are not in it, shown by their lack of justice and compassion on the weak.

So what does it look like for people to rebel against God? It could look like open blasphemy and blatant sin. But it could look like this - people keeping all the religious rules and expectations - had their kids christened, never miss church, committed to all the special activities at Easter and Christmas, financially contributing to the church, serving on a few committees. But without a heart that loves God. Doing those things is not bad, but its becomes bad if you think that by them you are pleasing God. It becomes bad if you think that those excuse your lack of love for others. they become bad if they are just part of a life that is centered on you.

The faithful city has become a whore - strong language. No justice, no compassion, loving bribes, running after gifts - selfish. God's not overlooking that, he is going to come and restore justice and righteousness. That will involve destruction for the wicked, unless they turn to God.

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:

though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red like crimson,

they shall become like wool.

If you are willing and obedient,

you shall eat the good of the land;

but if you refuse and rebel,

you shall be eaten by the sword;

for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 1:18-20, ESV)