Manhattan Church of Christ Podcast

A sermon oriented around Matthew 18:1-4, 10-14. The central idea is that Jesus has the most complete yet challenging answer to the question "Who is Worthy?" Let's look at Jesus' incarnation, Jesus' actions, Jesus' teachings, and Jesus' death and resurrection. We can only conclude that Jesus has the authority from God to deem us all worthy. Not because of our works, but because of Jesus' faith.

Carl opens the service with "Lift Every Voice" the Black National Anthem. After a few testimonies (not included in the podcast) Carl speaks on Hebrews 11 and the great cloud of witnesses.

Exodus 16:1-31 Common English Bible 16 The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Sin desert, which is located between Elim and Sinai. They set out on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had left the land of Egypt. 2 The whole Israelite community complained against Moses and Aaron in the desert. 3 The Israelites said to them, “Oh, how we wish that the Lord had just put us to death while we were still in the land of Egypt. There we could sit by the pots cooking meat and eat our fill of bread. Instead, you've brought us out into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death.” 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I'm going to make bread rain down from the sky for you. The people will go out each day and gather just enough for that day. In this way, I'll test them to see whether or not they follow my Instruction. 5 On the sixth day, when they measure out what they have collected, it will be twice as much as they collected on other days.” 6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “This evening you will know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt. 7 And in the morning you will see the Lord's glorious presence, because your complaints against the Lord have been heard. Who are we? Why blame us?” 8 Moses continued, “The Lord will give you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning because the Lord heard the complaints you made against him. Who are we? Your complaints aren't against us but against the Lord.” 9 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole Israelite community, ‘Come near to the Lord, because he's heard your complaints.'” 10 As Aaron spoke to the whole Israelite community, they turned to look toward the desert, and just then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared in the cloud. 11 The Lord spoke to Moses, 12 “I've heard the complaints of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat. And in the morning you will have your fill of bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.'” 13 In the evening a flock of quail flew down and covered the camp. And in the morning there was a layer of dew all around the camp. 14 When the layer of dew lifted, there on the desert surface were thin flakes, as thin as frost on the ground. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” They didn't know what it was. Moses said to them, “This is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat. 16 This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Collect as much of it as each of you can eat, one omer per person. You may collect for the number of people in your household.'” 17 The Israelites did as Moses said, some collecting more, some less. 18 But when they measured it out by the omer, the ones who had collected more had nothing left over, and the ones who had collected less had no shortage. Everyone collected just as much as they could eat. 19 Moses said to them, “Don't keep any of it until morning.” 20 But they didn't listen to Moses. Some kept part of it until morning, but it became infested with worms and stank. Moses got angry with them. 21 Every morning they gathered it, as much as each person could eat. But when the sun grew hot, it melted away. 22 On the sixth day the people collected twice as much food as usual, two omers per person. All the chiefs of the community came and told Moses. 23 He said to them, “This is what the Lord has said, ‘Tomorrow is a day of rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. But you can set aside and keep all the leftovers until the next morning.'” 24 So they set the leftovers aside until morning, as Moses had commanded. They didn't stink or become infested with worms. 25 The next day Moses said, “Eat it today, because today is a Sabbath to the Lord. Today you won't find it out in the field. 26 Six days you will gather it. But on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be nothing to gather.” 27 On the seventh day some of the people went out to gather bread, but they found nothing. 28 The Lord said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to obey my commandments and instructions? 29 Look! The Lord has given you the Sabbath. Therefore, on the sixth day he gives you enough food for two days. Each of you should stay where you are and not leave your place on the seventh day.” 30 So the people rested on the seventh day. 31 The Israelite people called it manna. It was like coriander seed, white, and tasted like honey wafers.

The Big Question! Lk leads us with crowds through Nazareth, Capernaum, Opposition, Calling, Sermon. Centurion's faith, Widow's son: “Great prophet, God visiting his people.” Leads to John's question with revealing reflections. John is in prison for courage against Herod Antipas. He is training his own disciples. He's loves the desert, fasting. Jesus is at banquets, not fasting, etc. John told of him with fire and judgment. John knows Jesus, but he's disconcerting. Jn sends his question directly to Jesus: ‘Are you the one who is coming?' Israel's story & scripture throb in its words. An Answer in Deeds that Challenge Us to Recognize God Jes could say, ‘Yes, I am.' ‘How could you ask?' But Jes understands the question & knows the answer changes the world. He answers with actions. But even marvels must be a language to be an answer. Jes enacts words of Isaiah, Malachi. etc. Jes' deeds say God's ancient promises are here. Only the Messiah/God could do it. God's image comes to new, surprising clarity. Very disconcerting. Don't stumble! Looking for a King in the Wilderness Jes knows the crowds carry the same question/quest. They went out to John looking for a Messiah, an anointed King. Jesus pushes them to think deeply. They went into the wilderness seeking... What? A reed (Herod)? King? A prophet! John's own identity partly answered his question. He was gateway to a new era. He welcomed ordinary people, soldiers, tax collectors. Last prophet of the old, pointing to new. Pharisees rejecting John led to rejecting Jesus, refusing God's good purpose for them. John and Jesus, Different, Caricatured – Both Come from God People want God to be tidy with short clear answers. Who is coming? John came. Jesus came. Very different look, sharing the same great event, different roles. People had ready boxes for them. But what God is doing is vast, complex, real, beautiful, life-giving. You have to see it, live inside it. Wisdom & justice shine.

The authority and power that is embodied in your word is something I can recognize as authority, but it is of a wholly greater realm than the hierarchy I know and live. It gives life and health. It creates life. I see it. I recognize it. I know it's real. Simply say a word. That word will carry the gift of life across any distance, up and down any human hierarchy. That word gives life. That recognition of the reality of God's creative, life-giving authority and power in Jesus, the very presence of God in Jesus, that recognition, Jesus say, is “such a great Faith.” It is not defined by grasping details of doctrine or imposing rigorous practices useful though those may be. It is seeing, recognizing, knowing – in heart and mind and body, philosophically, emotionally, aesthetically, analytically, musically, with every part of my being – that here among us is the God who created us, sustains our life, who has loved and will love us forever. That's where Jesus is leading his disciples and every one of us. Notice, Luke doesn't even tell us that Jesus spoke a word. Those who'd been sent, Jewish elders and friends, simply returned. God had intervened, health and life had broken out. That slave was alive, thriving. A Great Prophet has risen among us. God has visited his people. Amen.

Scripture Reading 01.23.22 Exodus 1:1-14; 2:23-25 1 These are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household: 2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4 Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5 All the descendants of Jacob were seventy persons; Joseph was already in Egypt. 6 Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and sisters and all that generation. 7 But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them. 8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us.10 Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” 11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. 13 So they ruthlessly made the children of Israel work as slaves 14 and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of service in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves... ...Ex. 2:23 During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. 24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.

Now that he is safely dead, Let us praise him. Build monuments to his glory. Sing Hosannas to his name. Dead men make such convenient heroes. For they cannot rise to challenge the images That we might fashion from their lives. It is easier to build monuments Than to build a better world. So now that he is safely dead, We, with eased consciences will Teach our children that he was a great man, Knowing that the cause for which he Lived is still a cause And the dream for which he died is still a dream. A dead man's dream. By: Carl Wendell Hines Jr.

Extraordinary Teaching for Ordinary People We join Luke again as he lead us to see Jesus in the Sermon on the Plain (Lk 6). Crowds of people in need, hopeful, hurting, expecting, but what? healing, glory, Remember how amazing Jesus' teaching is in this sermon: love of enemies, rejection of possessiveness; generosity without expectation, etc. But these words are for ordinary people of all kinds. Jesus knows well that his hearers, even apostles, are sinful – “blind.” But still he sees them as growing, learning as disciples, coming to full formation so that they are like Jesus himself.

Use life for what matters – today, this year. As you learn the reality of this God of love, seek his kingdom in this world and as far as you can reach. It's beyond you or any of us. God will bring it about, but we can align ourselves with that grace and love. Practice God's faithfulness and justice in all the relationships you touch or can influence. You are a beloved child of God. Use your life to let that love you've received flow to others. That's how to make a year and a life.

The presence of the Spirit does not take away the suffering or it power. But it changes it. The Spirit is the beginning, the “first-fruit” as Paul calls it, of that surprising, new creation, new life. The suffering in all its excruciating variety is part of death, part of mortality, part of “the slavery of being corrupted” that all of creation experiences. It is a crucial part of the whole story, but not the end of the story. That is the Good News of the Gospel. Jesus ultimately conquers death. We're allowed by God's grace to share in him and in that way to share in his victory. But now it's in the midst of a suffering world that we bear witness to his incarnation, bear witness to his cross, and bear witness to his resurrection. The Spirit is the first experience, as much as we can bear in this body, to the full experience of being God's children as God will ultimately reveal. Then the surprise! The great “Not Yet” that we can't even fully imagine. Evidently this body, so vulnerable that we sit in this room wearing masks even fully vaccinated, can be recreated by our Abba to truly share in his glorious life with all the self-giving love we see in Jesus. This is the hope that carries us through that bears the weight of our lives. We journey with God into the future. God gives us his Spirit now. We still endure suffering but we live joyfully by that Spirit.

Associate Minister, Kyle Swann brings us a message on John 1:1-4, 14; Hebrews 1:1-5a, 2:5-10 for this first Sunday of Advent.

hildren of the Merciful Father Thomas Robinson, Luke: Anointed with God's Spirit 17, November 21, 2021

An Open Call for Training in God's Real World In Luke, the Sermon on the Plain is the substantial beginning of Jesus' teaching of the Kingdom of God in a way that challenges the minds, imaginations, hearts, hopes, life aims, ambitions, ethical relations, and self-identity of his disciples. The great reward is the we gain ourselves as the children of God that God created us to be. Not shortsighted and distorted. It helps us begin to envision how God can do the grace-filled, loving things God does in Jesus and how we fit into that. Jesus is beginning to lead his disciples including us into the central mystery, the meeting place of God and us in Jesus. It follows the event of healing the withered hand on the Sabbath, which becomes a clear break with those recognized as the primary teachers in most of Israel – the Pharisees and instructors in the Law called scribes. They were calling Israel to a rigorous commitment to obedience to the Law. They argued that all Jews following practices that were originally intended for the priests, because the Jews were supposed to be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation (Ex 19:6).

Sabbath and the People of God Thomas Robinson, Luke: Anointed with God's Spirit 15, November 7, 2021 Luke6:1-16 Trans.TR Jesus' Disciples Pick Grain on the Sabbath 1 And it happened one Sabbath, that Jesus was walking through the standing grain, and his disciples started plucking and eating the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands. 2 Now, some of the Pharisees asked them, “Why are you doing what's not lawful on the Sabbath?” 3 Then in response Jesus asked them, “Didn't you ever read what David did when he himself was hungry, along with those with him? 4 How he entered into the house of God, and then taking the Loaves of the Presentation, he ate them and gave to those with him [1 Sam 21:1-6]. And it's not lawful for any to eat those loaves, except only the priests?” 5 And he used to say to them, “The Son of the Human is Lord of the Sabbath.” Jesus Restores a Man's Crippled Hand on the Sabbath 6 And it happened on another Sabbath, that he entered the synagogue and was teaching. Now a man was there, and his right hand was withered. 7 And the scribes and the Pharisees were closely watching Jesus, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, because they wanted to find a reason to accuse him. 8 Now he himself understood their ways of reasoning, and he said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and stand in the center.” And he rose and stood. 9 And Jesus said to them, “I'm asking all of you, whether it's lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save a life or to destroy it?” 10 And after looking around at them all, he said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored. 11 But these men were filled with mindless fury and they began talking intensely with each other what they might do to Jesus. Jesus Names Twelve Disciples as Emissaries 12 And it happened during these days that he went out onto the mountain to pray, and he spent the whole night in that prayer with God. 13 Then, when day came, he called together his disciples and selected twelve of them, and these he designated “apostles”: 14 Simon, whom he also named Peter (“Rock”), and Andrew his brother, and James (Jacob) and John, and Philip and Bartholomew, 15 and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called a zealot, 16 and Judas (Judah) the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a betrayer. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Exodus 20:8-11 From the Ten Commandments 8 Remember the Sabbath day, and consecrate it. 9 Six days you shall serve and do all your labor/occupation. 10 But the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God; you shall not do any of your labor – you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. 11 For in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day. Therefore, Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day and consecrated it. [Gn 1:1 – 2:3]

As Jesus followers, we are to be known as people who love others. But, we have to be honest with ourselves; outside of these walls, there is a lot of doubt as to whether Jesus' followers are, in fact, people who love others. Christians are being conformed to the patterns of our world rather than transformed by the sacrificial love of Jesus.Today we will spend some time reading Paul's thoughts on this (because church people not living into their identities as Christ-followers is nothing new). By meditating on this powerful song, I want to share with you how I am challenged to let go of "Cheap Unity" and embrace an identity that pulls me into unity with each of you in the shape of Jesus and the Cross.

Thomas Robinson, Luke: Anointed with God's Spirit 13, October 10, 2021 Jesus Heals Leprosy and Paralysis and More We're in the early days of Jesus Galilee ministry. Lk told us about Nazareth, positive response turns bad when Jesus talks about a Gentile widow and leper, Naaman. In Capernaum he casts out an “unclean being of power” (demon). He calls Simon as a disciple with no training, declaring himself a “sinful man.” Now two amazing healings. It's good to “hear a text for the first time.” Note how Lk makes the settings general. These are side by side for meaning. Lk leads us toward Jesus' ultimate meaning. Lk is using Mk with events that shaped controversy and clarify Jesus' distinction. Lk shows how Jesus sees varied human problems together. He heals fever like a “demon.” Gentiles, lepers, demons, paralyzed, sinful – all show human brokenness. Freedom from Exclusion First, the “leper.” (5:12-14) [Remember Naaman. In Lk 17, ten lepers, one Samaritan.] “Leprosy” a horrific disease: Mother Teresa, Father Damien, Dr. Paul Brand, Gift of Pain. But this is the “leprosy” law of Lev. 13-14 – long, strange. Not about the disease we call leprosy, but forms of skin scaliness, flaking (eczema, psoriasis), after burns or boils; leprosy in clothes, in walls of houses, etc. A visible sign of ritual uncleanness, impurity, like touching the dead, bodily emission, etc. But devastating result. Not sick or contagious, but excluded from human contact. This is an archetypal purity boundary. Jesus says it's now over. Jesus intentionally breaks the law, the boundary. Jesus touches and impurity doesn't flow to him, but the man is cleansed. We've had such boundaries! W.E.B. Du Bois, “the color line” (1903); a girl pregnant out of wedlock; a divorced person; a person who grows up with same-sex attraction and discovers that they're gay; sometimes a person who disagrees with “us” about church organization or worship practice. People didn't cheer when Jesus touched him. Jesus knows the assumptions are deep. Don't talk. Go offer the sacrifice. Let the priest certify you. Free your life. Freedom from Bondage Next, Lk really emphasizes the unity of human brokenness and Jes' power/authority to heal. It a teaching situation: Pharisees, law experts & God's power to heal. A man is disabled, can't walk, but maybe quite vocal and engaged. Lk & Jes both call him “human”/anthropos to show all of us in him. He & friends break open roof to get to Jesus. Wow, What a scene! Jesus sees faith in breaking roof boundaries. Jesus breaks back – through physical disability to human brokenness of sin, like Peter. Teachers are disabled; can't see how God heals the whole person – “blasphemy.” Jesus, son of the human (Dan 7:13-14), lives out God's authority to renew humans. Jesus raises the human to new life – to walk in freedom, whole, released, at home. This is the Gospel in anticipation. Jesus will take on our suffering, sin, & give life! A kind of ecstasy breaks out – even some Pharisees? But it's also scary. God engages not just mighty rulers but ordinary broken, bold humans like us. “Incredible things”!

Habakkuk 3:17-19, Luke 5:12-13

Peter's Story of Becoming a Follower of Jesus This is Luke's distinctive way of beginning the story of Jesus' disciples. Mark is much briefer. Jesus starts his ministry: confrontation (Accuser, hometown, beings-of-power, fever). Message: “Authority, power.” People throng for healing. Other towns. People push in. He sees two boats by Lake Gennesaret. Simon's! A fisherman's boat was found in 1986, 27 ft long, 7.5 wide, 4.5 deep. From 1st cent. Lk focuses on working fishermen. Jesus interrupts Simon indirectly, for teaching. Jesus challenges Simon with disruptive instruction. He could say no. But he's seen Jesus: “Master.” “On the basis of your word...” That clear authority! But Jesus doesn't know what he's saying. Or does he? He gets crew & unfinished nets. They row out on foolish task. But then the Catch happens! Two boats full of fish. This is the start of Peter's great story. Note how strange. Jesus is a teacher, the proclaimer of God's kingdom. But Simon's no student of scripture. Lk gives no content of Jesus' teaching. He's not grasped by Jesus' message. By what then?
 Lk want us to watch an ordinary man who really “sees.” Jesus' authority, power! It's not called miracle or sign. It just happens where Jesus is. Simon Peter sees! Seeing Jesus' Authority – Fearsome and Fascinating Peter's first reaction is No! He realizes this is a challenge to him. He sees himself. He knows he's not ready, not the right person: “a sinful man.” Ordinary person. But more. This is uncanny, fearsome. If this can happen, what's next? It's far too much. “Go away from me.” It's like casting out those “beings-of-power.” Luke wants us to see that Jesus comes not with an attractive teaching, clarifying philosophy, wisdom for successful life. That will come in compelling form! But if we're going to hear it, we need to “see” who Jesus is, his authority. Why listen! Peter stands for James, John and all the others who'll follow. Jesus comes not to give good guidance and advice, but to open a new world, change our thinking, bring us sinners into the healing grace and love of the Holy God who is Abba! Beginning the Journey of Learning Jesus “Don't be afraid...” But a new life opens. They leave the fish behind. And the boat! What's the language of fishermen? Boats, keeping nets in repair. Hard work through the night, Fish. Getting by. Jesus speaks to them in their own language. Not in words but experience. An empty lake becomes abundance. Where Jesus is. They let go, release (same word as “forgive”) everything. The ordinary traps, wrongs, enslavements of everyone's life. Lk 5-7 a lot about sin and release/forgiveness. They follow Jesus. They don't understand him. They start the journey. They've experienced his authority. They don't know where it will lead – but 2 boat- fulls! They're going to catch people, for life, for abundance, for God's promises. Go!

Luke 4:31-44Traveling with Jesus: Jordan, Wilderness, Nazareth, CapernaumLuke is leading us into the heart of Jesus' ministry, pointing out distinct scenes that give us tools to understand what's to come. It's no ordinary biography because Lk knows Jes' living identity in his own life, in communities of believers, & world. We hear words of Gabriel, Mary, Elizabeth, Simeon, et al, even Jesus – who he is.Jesus is baptized in the Jordan: God's affirmation: “My beloved Son.” (3:21-22) Then, testing by Accuser in the wilderness: “if you're son of God…” “Worship me.” (4:1-13)The Accuser departs. Jesus goes home to Nazareth with the Spirit. (4:14-30). In the synagogue he reads Isaiah's words to express his identity and mission: Anointed, Spirit, Good News, Poor, Sent, Release for Captives & Oppressed, Sight for Blind….Release from Powers that Blind, Capture, and Oppress UsEach word has multiple facets that the Gospel illuminates. Each facet is contested. Jesus will heal the blind, but the people in Nazareth are blinded & can't see Jesus. They certainly can't see welcoming outsiders, Gentiles like Naaman. Who are the captives/oppressed? Yes, all oppressed by Rome. Many enslaved in war/piracy. Jesus goes to Capernaum. (Cana & Magdala on the way.) Synagogue, teaching, authority. Lk points us to events one Sabbath (like Mark). The Accuser departed but not beings & structures of power (daimonion) that seize human life. But the being tells facts: Jesus is God's Holy One! Why silence? He knows but without trust. Blindness. Will Jesus destroy an enslaving power? Yes. But he gives release/ forgiveness to man. Oppression, exile result from human wrongs that enslave. God proclaims new release.People look on with astonishment. They talk: Message (logos), authority, power together, actually removing corrupting spirits. Noise, not understanding, spreads all around.Jesus goes to Simon's house (future Peter). His wife's mother is held/oppressed with fever. We learn that Jesus had treated the daimonion like he treats any disease. He has the power of the creator to release and renew. He gives the man (or Mary Mag.) back his life & identity. He releases Simon's mother-in-law. She responds in service.Jesus healed on the Sabbath, but in evening people feel free to come. And they bring every disease & enslavement. We hear cries of truth: “Son of God,” “Anointed King,” but people have no way of grasping that yet. Paradox of a reality-breaking message. Lk helps us see what blind crowds couldn't. They want help. Jesus touches each one.Announcing the Healing Kingdom of GodLk also wants us to see how amazement & need become demanding. Jesus goes to the wilderness. Crowds try to keep him (captive) from leaving them (reverse Naz). Jesus refuses. He returns to the words of Isaiah. Good News for poor/everyone is God's Kingdom. Not kingdoms; not to Herod in Tiberias! He goes to villages, people. The healings are signs toward that deep reality of God's healing, forgiveness, release that will heal human brokenness & death beyond imagination. Can we see?Jesus is sent with a purpose that must unfold. Everything we expected will be remade!

Kyle Swann preaching on 1 Peter 1:13-2:3

A Glimpse Behind the Curtain of Jesus' Work Lk lets us hear God's affirmation at Jesus' baptism and review humanity behind Jesus. We're about to go to Nazareth, but first a glimpse of wider, unseen reality. All events of Jesus' life bear a vast weight of expectations, hopes, ideas of God. Lk takes us, as a writer can, into experiences beyond our reach, but recognizable. Jesus is Israel in Wilderness, led by God. Hungry. Israel grumbles: the Accuser/diabolos. 
 Stylized, parabolic conversation. Testing, Tempting. Humans involved & at stake! Lk gives us no inner thoughts, but striking patterns that help us explore meaning. A Stone & a Loaf – What's Really Going On? What's the temptation? Not a sin to make bread. What does ‘son of God' mean? Is it true? Surely not like hungry Israel. Surely it blocks out suffering. What's happening? Accuser doesn't know. Jesus goes directly to Israel's story. Dt.8. All food is God's gift. ‘Give us today...' No challenge. But can God's son be a hungry human, broken. 40 days & hunger aren't weakness, but strength to become God's broken bread! Power & Glory – Who Owns the World & History? Accuser knows it's about a kingdom. “Kingdom of God” (4:43). Instant view of world's real kingdoms & authority. Augustus owns it, 2:1. Handed over to Accuser. Now, a Faustian bargain. Sell soul / Worship me & I'll give your heart's desire: all kingdoms. Power of politics, money, fame, violence, pleasure, etc. are gods we glorify as real. The Accuser is deceived! The world belongs to the Lord, creator: Ps 24:1. Son of Man gains all peoples, nations. Dn 7. Messiah receives ends of earth: Ps 2:8. Really?! Jesus goes to the center: Great command & meaning: Dt 6. Love God, Worship God.
 All other claims to power are passing and usually destructive. Only by putting love of a God of Love at center can life/hope be transformed. Jesus is the substance! Can I Pull God out of Hiding? – Testing God Finally, the Accuser wields our innate doubt. God won't let himself be displayed, proved. We want to cross-examine, judge God. Signs! From the Temple top, make God come out of hiding, prove himself. Prove your own faith. Today, a most popular challenge! Scripture describes many signs, but none compel belief. God hides himself: Isa 45:15. God's presence is there, hidden in plain sight for eyes like Simeon's, Anna's, Mary's. God in Love wants a relationship of faith & love with us humans. That means freedom! We can reject God, rebel, do huge damage, or we can respond in love. God's power doesn't stop us. No test we can impose. God is more than power; God is love. That love is clear to open ears & hearts so as to see Jesus' self-giving love in Death/Life. The Accuser is dumbfounded. Jesus takes Good News of his new kingdom to the people.

Dr. Thomas Robinson preaches on Acts 3:1-26

Baptism within a Long History Lk comes to Jesus' Baptism. Only 2 verses! Focused on 2 signs: Holy Spirit and Voice from God: Jesus as God's beloved son, God's delight. As with birth and crucifixion, Lk interprets it by the narrative surrounding it. Here, John's ministry and arrest and a long genealogy. Wider, Recall Jesus in Nazareth (Lk 4): Reads Isa 61: Lord's Spirit, Anointed. Gabriel to Mary (Lk 1): Mary's Son, Son of Most High, Throne of his father David, Holy Spirit, Son of God. Glory & promise surround his baptism/plunging in water. Lk puts John's arrest before Jesus' baptism. Not to distance Jesus from John, but the glory of God's Son like the greatness of the prophet doesn't protect from suffering. Like Mary isn't protected from the sword through the soul. Jesus is baptized to affirm & embody the “change of heart & mind” that John proclaimed for God's people. Son of God, Son of David, Son of Mary and Joseph Baptism brings together Spirit & Father around Son: comm-unity of Love in “Trinity.” Spirit is power in God embodied in Jesus. Power in Jesus' ministry, Power in Acts. Signs are important: Dove (Jn 1), Wind, Fire (Act 2, Jn 3), Gift to include all people. “You are my Son whom I love” echoes deep in scripture. Back to Isaac & Abraham (Gn 22); Israel in Exodus. David's Son/Messiah (2Sam 7); Servant in Isaiah. Here the voice of God gives a simple emphatic statement: “In you I take delight!” What does it mean? Nothing bad can happen? The whole Gospel is answer! That's the journey! God's delight, Jesus' delight, the Spirit's power includes God taking on human sin & suffering, conquering death, creating new Life, bringing all peoples into one body. Standing on the Shoulders of the Past After 2 verses on Jesus' baptism, 15 verses on genealogy. 76 generation back to Adam. Important for people then, also for Lk. It adds to the meaning of Son of God. Note: We can't know the source. People compiled gens. We have gen. also in Mt 1. Overlap in names before David, but David to Joseph almost entirely different. Both gens. of Joseph as supposed father. Human kinship is important but challenging. In relation to Mt, notable that in Lk, David is the only king in the list. Not a royal line but ordinary people, like Simeon, Anna, Mary, Joseph. The royalty comes from God. But through Joseph we look back on names, most unknown after David, that span Israel's life with God. Then extend before Abraham to “son of Adam, son of God.” Jesus embodies all humanity's relation to God as beloved children, God's delight. Those unknown names stretch out across history to tell of all that flows into Jesus. Pompey, Maccabees, Alexander, 2nd Temple, Babylonian exile, Temple destroyed, time of prophets, divided kingdom, etc. So many broken hopes wait on Jesus' life!