Podcast appearances and mentions of israel acts

In this forth section on the consummation of Jesus' earthly life and ministry, Luke documents how the disciples failed Him in the hours before His crucifixion. They fully expected Jesus to restore the kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:6). Thus, they were blind to Judas' betrayal and when Jesus was arrested, they fled to their own homes. Although Peter followed at a distance, He also failed, as Jesus informed him, denying that he knew the Lord. This would all change when Jesus was raised, and the Spirit was poured out upon them.

We are in a season where political tensions are high, yes. Our brains are in super-categorization mode, which is made all the easier by the signs on our lawns and the flags that fly in front of our homes. We are quick to put ourselves into categories—and even quicker to do the same for others. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Our Brains Like it Simple: Being Aware of the Way We Categorize  By Deidre Braley  Acts 9: 1-5 “But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”  The bell jingled as I stepped inside; my little dog Pablo leapt up to greet me, all shorn and shivering and desperate to leave. “How'd he do today?” I sighed as I scooped him into my arms. We had our usual exchange, the groomer and me: he'd been a nervous wreck (per usual), she'd done the oatmeal bath, we'd be coming back in six weeks. Pablo licked my face and begged me to go, but as the groomer handed me his next appointment card, she hesitated.  “There's uh…well, um…could I get your professional opinion on something?” And from under the cushions on her couch, she extracted a notebook: this secret prize, this shimmering of possibility. Amidst the shampoos and shears and flea treatments, this woman held out a collection of poems she'd been working on in private. “Would you read one and tell me what you think?”  She began to ask me how you know when a poem is done, and how you know when it's done well. We talked about the trickery of metaphor and the possibility of publication. Did we tear up at this recognition of kindred-ness—this realization that we were a little less alone in the world than we'd been before my dog's haircut? It's possible.  I share this with you because, before this interaction, I never would have known that our dog's groomer was also a poet. Our exchanges until that point had been limited to conversations around sensitive skin, clipper settings, and Venmo payments. But when she pulled out that notebook filled with poetry, I realized she'd been kindred all along—I just hadn't imagined or known it yet.  I'm afraid that I do this all the time, this designating of spaces and titles for other people. Apparently there's a name for this—it's called social identity theory. See, our brains like to make things as simple as possible, and for that reason, we subconsciously engage in this act of categorizing. We put people into groups so we can understand them better.1  While we can't fault our brains for trying to make things easier, there are spiritual implications that we need to be aware of, here. Because if we aren't aware of the categories we're putting people into, we may begin to make assumptions about the state of their souls that simply aren't true.  1 Saul McLeod, “Social Identity Theory in Psychology (Tajfel & Turner, 1979), Simply Psychology, October 5, 2023, https://www.simplypsychology.org/social-identity-theory.html Think of Saul, for example. As someone who was “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1), the disciples easily categorized him as an enemy. It's probably safe to say that none of them imagined that the Lord would ever be able to reach him—let alone use him—for the glory of the Kingdom. In fact, even after the Lord struck Saul blind and ordered the disciple Ananias to visit him and lay hands on him so he could regain his sight, Ananias said, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name” (Acts 9:13-14). In Ananias' mind, Saul was firmly in the ‘enemy' category.  But God did not relent, instead telling Ananias, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15).  Intersecting Faith & Life  We are in a season where political tensions are high, yes. Our brains are in super-categorization mode, which is made all the easier by the signs on our lawns and the flags that fly in front of our homes. We are quick to put ourselves into categories—and even quicker to do the same for others. We may even be tempted to make assumptions about what God thinks about people based on the categories we've put them in.  But even outside of politics, we may tend to hang back from certain people, never looking them in the eyes and considering that they, too, are children of the Living God. Never considering telling them about Jesus or the hope we have because we don't believe it will matter or make any difference to them.  If God could soften Saul's heart and then totally revolutionize his actions, perspective, spirit, and life, though, what makes us think he can't do the same for any single person he puts in our midst?  Today, let's look up and around, and let's catch ourselves in the act of categorizing the people we meet. Instead of putting them into neat and tidy boxes, let's remember that groomers can be poets, that Pharisees can be chosen instruments of God, and that the very people before us can be hungry for and receptive to the same hope we've been given.  Further Reading:  Here are some stories of other people whose categories made them ‘unlikely' to follow God—but they did. Be encouraged.  ● Rahab: Joshua 2  ● The woman at the well: John 4:1-42 ● Zaccheus: Luke 19:1-10 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The English noun gospel comes from the Anglo-Saxon term godspell, meaning "glad tidings." It is translated from the Greek evangelion, which means "good message." Originally, the phrase was related to news of military triumph. –https://www.gotquestions.org/gospel-good-news.htmlWhile mainstream Christianity has a relatively narrow definition or view of the Good News, e.g., limited to the New Testament and only relating to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, a broader, more scriptural perspective exists that is less taught, if taught at all.Didn't the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and others preach good news? What was their good news about?If the Good News is only about the death, burial, and resurrection of Messiah Yeshua, why did He teach and preach about it? What did He say is the Good News?Is the Good News about the Messiah, or is it of the Messiah?As is his usual practice, Rabbi Steve Berkson brings a more profound understanding to this topic by allowing scripture to define itself just as he has done in his other teachings.• Opener• Review• Acts 14:15 – Worthless matters?• Ephesians 2 – Excluded from citizenship of Israel • Acts 15:7 – The Good News brought to the Gentiles• Acts 15:35 – The Word of Elohim is a part of the Good News• Circumcision for salvation?• Acts 15:4 – Messi-Mutts?• Acts 15:8 – Giving them the Set-Apart Spirit • Acts 15:10 – This unbearable yoke?• Acts 15:12 – Let the Gentiles in• Acts 15:18 – Stop the pagan practices Listen to the Afterburn tomorrowSubscribe to take advantage of new content every week.To learn more about MTOI, visit our website, https://mtoi.org.https://www.facebook.com/mtoiworldwide https://www.instagram.com/mtoi_worldwidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@mtoi_worldwide You can contact MTOI by emailing us at admin@mtoi.org or calling 423-250-3020. Join us for Shabbat Services and Torah Study LIVE, streamed on our website, mtoi.org, YouTube, and Rumble every Saturday at 1:15 p.m. and every Friday for Torah Study Live Stream at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time.

The English noun gospel comes from the Anglo-Saxon term godspell, meaning "glad tidings." It is translated from the Greek evangelion, which means "good message." Originally, the word was related to news of military triumph. –https://www.gotquestions.org/gospel-good-news.htmlWhile mainstream Christianity has a relatively narrow definition or view of the Good News, e.g., limited to the New Testament and only relating to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, a broader, more scriptural perspective exists that is less taught, if taught at all.Didn't the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and others preach good news? What was their good news about?If the Good News is only about the death, burial, and resurrection of Messiah Yeshua, why did He teach and preach about it? What did He say is the Good News?Is the Good News about the Messiah, or is it of the Messiah?As is his usual practice, Rabbi Steve Berkson brings a more profound understanding to this topic by allowing scripture to define itself just as he has done in his other teachings.• Opener• Review• John 1 – The voice of one crying in the wilderness • The complete package• Isaiah 40:1 – See your Elohim!• Isaiah 40:10 – The Good News of relationship with Elohim• Isaiah 40:15 – You, responding correctly • The Good News is for gentiles also• Isaiah 40:19 – Molding Elohim into your image• Isaiah 40:28 – Prepare the Way of Yahweh?• Isaiah 41:1 – The scattered ones will come back• Do you believe He's that stupid?• Deuteronomy 30:11 – It's not too hard!• The Good News was anticipated• Acts 5:42 – The Good News, Yeshua Messiah• Acts 5:14 – All the words of this life• Acts 5:30 – To give repentance to Israel• Acts 5:32 – The Holy Spirit is given to those who obey ElohimListen to the Afterburn tomorrowTake advantage of new teachings every week. Please click the "LIKE" button if this podcast has blessed you.To learn more about MTOI, visit our website, https://mtoi.org.Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mtoiworldwideFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mtoi_worldwideYou can contact MTOI by emailing us at admin@mtoi.org or calling 423-250-3020. Join us for Shabbat Services and Torah Study LIVE, streamed on our YouTube Channel every Saturday at 1:15 p.m. and every Friday for Torah Study Live Stream at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time.

In this sermon well watch as Jesus disciples are filled with the Holy Spirit. Series:Acts Speaker: Matt Menzel Date: April 14, 2024 Text: Acts 3:22-26 To connect with us or find more resources visit us at www.wchurch.ca

Paul devoted himself . . . to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. But when they . . . became abusive, he . . . said . . . “From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” — Acts 18:5-6 The apostle Paul had become God's “chosen instrument to proclaim [Jesus'] name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel” (Acts 9:15). As Paul ministered across Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Greece, his method was to go first to Jewish synagogues and then to the Gentiles, sharing the good news of Jesus. Acts 18:1-8 describes Paul's ministry in Corinth. Some of the Jewish people there believed the gospel, but others “opposed Paul and became abusive.” So Paul shook out his clothes in protest and moved along, saying he would go and preach to the Gentiles. In Smyrna a similar situation developed. The church of Jesus was being persecuted by people who said they were Jews, God's original chosen people, but they were being influenced by Satan. Though Jesus' church there was healthy, it faced troubles. Jesus said he knew the people's affliction and suffering for being his followers. He also knew their poverty. In the bustling city of Smyrna business thrived, but unless you offered incense to the city's gods, you could not do business there. Without an income, you became poor. Yet Jesus said they were rich! The kingdom of God operates on a different scale: amazing grace! Friends, be strong in Jesus. All who are children of God in Christ will wear the victor's crown. Faithful Father, help us to be strong in testifying to your great faithfulness and love. Amen.

     Just prior to crucifixion, a person was scourged with a whip which had thongs that were braided with sharp objects such as nails. As an act of public humiliation, criminals carried their own cross to the place of execution, and once there, were stripped naked before being fastened to the cross, either with rope or nails. Being tied to a cross with ropes was less painful in the beginning, but would leave the victim to hang for a longer period of time, even days, which would make the experience more painful in the end. Some who were tied to the cross are recorded to have lasted for nine days. Nailing a person to a cross was more painful from the beginning and would have led to a quicker death. The body would hang between three to four feet from the ground. Sometimes a soporific was given to the victim to help numb the senses. In Jesus case, it was “wine mixed with myrrh” (Mark 15:23), which our Lord rejected because it would have clouded His thinking (Matt 27:34). In some situations the Romans would break the victim's legs which would hasten death, but according to Scripture, Jesus was already dead by the time the soldiers considered doing this (John 19:32-34). Unger notes, “In most cases the body was allowed to rot on the cross by the action of the sun and rain or to be devoured by birds and beasts.”[1] We know that Joseph of Arimathea, a disciple of Jesus, came to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body, that he might bury it, and Pilate granted his request (Matt 27:57-60). It's most likely that Jesus was crucified in April, AD 33.[2]      The cross of Christ became central to the message of the gospel. The apostle Paul was sent by the Lord Jesus “to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void” (1 Cor 1:17). Paul was not concerned with human sophistry, winning arguments, or impressing his audience by means of rhetorical prowess, but merely with presenting the simple message of the cross of Christ, which brings eternal salvation to those who trust in Jesus as their Savior. Paul continued his line of reasoning, saying, “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God...[and] we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:18; 23-24). Paul summarized his message when he said, “I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Cor 2:2). The image of a crucified Savior seems entirely foolish to a world that creates its saviors out of strong heroes; strong in the human sense of one who can save himself and others. Jesus is certainly strong; after all, He's God! And He does save forever those who come to Him in faith. However, the humility of the cross, with all its offense and shame, leaves no place for human wisdom or pride; for one must admit it was his sin that placed Messiah on the cross to be judged and die. To come to Jesus as a crucified Messiah requires humility, for one must honestly look at oneself from the divine perspective and admit he is a lost sinner in need of a Savior. A Savior who was willing to lay down His life and bear the punishment of the guilty. This requires truth, to see oneself from the divine perspective as utterly sinful and lost. And it requires humility, to admit one it powerless and cannot save himself from a damnable future to which he is certainly headed. It is the work of Messiah that saves. Nothing more is required. Jesus paid it all. W. E. Vine notes, ‘“The Cross of Christ' does far more than express the fact of the infinite love of God to man in the death of His Son; it exposes the enmity of the human heart against God, reveals the true nature of sin as in the sight of God, and makes known the impossibility of bridging, by any human effort, the chasm that separates unregenerate man from God.”[3]Wendell Johnston adds: "The cross stands at the center of Paul's theology (1 Cor 1:23). He saw this humiliating and cruel instrument in a new light—as the extraordinary opportunity to boast in his Savior (Gal 6:14). The shameful cross stood for everything the world despised and thus His allegiance to Christ separated him from the world. Jesus' death was like a magnet drawing the outcasts of the world to Christ (John 12:32). It makes human wisdom foolish (1 Cor 1:27) and weak people strong (1 Cor 1:25), and it breaks the spirit of the proud and lifts up the meek and humble (1 Cor 1:28). Because of His death Jesus breaks the shackles of those in bondage who believe in Him. The Cross brings peace to those in fear (Heb 2:14–15), and it unites Jews and Gentiles into one body (Eph 2:16). The Cross brought complete fulfillment to the system of the Mosaic Law and did away with all the regulations standing against humanity (Col 2:14–18). Because of the Cross, God gives eternal life to those who believe (Rom 5:18). The Cross, which to the world seemed proof of defeat, became the means of triumph (Col 2:15)."[4]      The cross represents the love of the Father, as “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). And it represents the love of Jesus for us, as Paul wrote of “the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Gal 2:20b).      Paul saw himself as crucified with Jesus, as he wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ” (Gal 2:20a). The words “crucified with” translates the Greek verb sustauroō (συσταυρόω), which means one is crucified with another. This is used in a literal sense of persons crucified in physical proximity to each other, such as “The robbers who had been crucified with Him”, that is, Jesus (Matt 27:44; cf., Mark 15:32; John 19:32). But Paul uses the word in Galatians 2:20 in a spiritual sense, in which he is identified with Christ on the cross. This same spiritual identification truth is for all who have trusted in Christ as our Savior, for to be “crucified with Christ” means that we are identified with our Lord in His death, burial, and resurrection. God sees us there are the cross, with Christ, dying with Him. Paul states, “our old self was crucified with Him” (Rom 6:6), and “we have died with Christ” (Rom 6:8). Furthermore, we partook of His burial, resurrection, and ascension, for “we have been buried with Him” (Rom 6:4), and “raised up with Christ” (Col 3:1; cf., Eph 2:6a), and even now are seen to be seated “with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:6b). Concerning Galatians 2:20, William MacDonald states: "The believer is identified with Christ in His death. Not only was He crucified on Calvary, I was crucified there as well—in Him. This means the end of me as a sinner in God's sight. It means the end of me as a person seeking to merit or earn salvation by my own efforts. It means the end of me as a child of Adam, as a man under the condemnation of the law, as my old, unregenerate self. The old, evil “I” has been crucified; it has no more claims on my daily life."[5] Who Crucified Jesus?      The question is sometimes raised as to who crucified Jesus? According to Chafer, “Closely related to the contrast between the divine and human sides of Christ's death, is the question: Who put Christ to death? As already indicated, the Scriptures assign both a human and a divine responsibility for Christ's death.”[6] According to the testimony of Scripture, Jesus' death on the cross was the result of: 1) God the Father who sent Him, 2) Jesus who willingly went to the cross, 3), Satan who worked through others to help crucify Him, 4) unbelieving Jews, and 5) unbelieving Gentiles. The Bible verses that address the various persons involved in the crucifixion of Jesus are intermixed. That is, a passage might address God the Father and Jesus, or Jews and Gentiles, or Satan and Jews, etc. It is from these Scripture passages that the following categories as recognized. God the Father Sent Christ to Die      Who crucified Jesus? The ultimate answer is God the Father. The Father was motivated by His love for us to save us; therefore, His plan of salvation involved sending His Son into the world to die in our place. The record of Scripture is, “But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief” (Isa 53:10a), and “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16a), and “this Man [Jesus], was delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23a), and Peter, praying to the Father, said, “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 purpose predestined to occur” (Acts 4:27-28), and “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all” (Rom 8:32). Chafer notes, “Human hands might inflict physical suffering and death as any victim would die, but only the hand of God could make Christ a sin offering, or could lay on Him the iniquity of others (2 Cor 5:21; Isa 53:6).”[7] Jesus Willingly Went to the Cross      Though the Father sent Jesus into the world to be an atoning sacrifice for sin, He did not force Him onto the cross. Jesus consented to come into the world and go to the cross and die for us. He voluntarily laid down His life. The writer of Hebrews states, “Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, ‘Sacrifice and offering You have not desired, but a body You have prepared for Me'” (Heb 10:5). Jesus, in hypostatic union, speaking from His humanity, said, “Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of Me) to do Your will, O God” (Heb 10:7). Constable notes, “Jesus was not some dumb animal that offered its life without knowing what it was doing. He consciously, voluntarily, and deliberately offered His life in obedience to God's will.”[8] Jesus' voluntary death on the cross is found in several passages. Jesus said, “I lay down My life for the sheep” (John 10:15), and “no one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative” (John 10:18). Paul wrote, “Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma” (Eph 5:2), and “Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Eph 5:25), and “the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Gal 2:20), and “who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed” (Tit 2:14). The writer to the Hebrews tells us that Christ “offered up Himself” (Heb 7:27; cf., Heb 9:14). Satan Was Instrumental in Jesus' Crucifixion      The very first prophesy related to the cross is found in Genesis, when God told Satan, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel” (Gen 3:15). Concerning Genesis 3:15, Chafer notes, “it is implied that Satan did what he could in the exercise of his power—directly, or indirectly, through human agents—against the Savior.”[9] Satan's seed refers to all those who reject God and Christ and are part of Satan's kingdom of darkness.[10] Jesus said to unbelieving Jews, “You are of your father the devil” (John 8:44), and all unbelievers are “the sons of the evil one” (Matt 13:38). These were used by Satan to help in the crucifixion of Christ. On the night before Jesus' crucifixion, John records, “During supper, the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him” (John 13:2). During the meal, Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me” (John 13:21), and “After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore Jesus said to him, ‘What you do, do quickly'” (John 13:27). Here we observe a coalescence of Satanic and human activity to betray Jesus to those who would crucify Him. In this regard, Satan was the motivating force behind Judas, his willing instrument, to bring about the death of Jesus.[11]      In the Garden of Gethsemane, the chief priests, officers of the temple, and Jewish elders came to arrest Jesus (Luke 22:52a), and He said to them, “While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power of darkness are yours” (Luke 22:53). Those who came physically to “lay hands” on Jesus were the Jewish authorities who conspired to kill Him. God, in His sovereignty, permitted this to happen, because it served His greater purposes to bring about salvation through the cross. But even though it was their hour to act, these men were not acting alone, as Luke's reference to “the power of darkness” demonstrates that Satan was behind them, driving them on as his agents of lies and destruction. Later, Luke would use the term darkness as a symbol of the sphere of Satan's authority (Acts 26:18), as would Paul (Col 1:13). Unbelieving Jews Crucified Jesus      Though it was the Romans who actually placed Jesus on the cross and drove the nails, it was, according to Scripture, unbelieving Jews who conspired and lied about Jesus to have Him crucified (Matt 26:3-4; John 11:53). At the time of Jesus' trial before Pilate, the Jews who were present all shouted, “Crucify Him” (Matt 27:22). God permitted Jesus' crucifixion, both by the Jews and Romans, because it served His greater purpose. Luke recorded Peter, who said, “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death” (Acts 2:22-23). Clearly this address was to the “Men of Israel,” who rejected Jesus and “nailed [Him] to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death” (Acts 2:23; cf. Acts 4:10; 5:30; 10:39). In Acts 4:27, Luke recorded that there were “gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus…the peoples of Israel” (Acts 4:27), to crucify Him. Paul wrote about “the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets” (1 Th 2:14b-15a). Unbelieving Gentiles Crucified Jesus      Though many unbelieving Jews were directly responsible for collaborating in the crucifixion of Jesus, it was Gentiles who actually did the work of placing Him on the cross. That's what Jesus foretold His disciples, saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up” (Matt 20:18-19). It was said of the Roman soldiers, “After they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him” (Matt 27:31). Luke records in Acts, “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” (Acts 4:27).      As Christians, we must not see Christ dying at a distant time or place. We should see our own hands driving the nails that put Him there and then lifting the cross. The crucifixion was not only for us, but by us. It was our sin that necessitated His death and judgment. We must see Jesus bearing all our sin and paying the penalty of the Father's wrath that rightfully belongs to us. In May 2006, I wrote the following poem as I thought about the role I played in placing Jesus on the cross. Christ to the Cross (by Dr. Steven R. Cook) I and the Father led Christ to the cross, Together we placed Him there; I pushed Him forward, no care for the cost, His Father's wrath to bear. Christ in the middle not wanting to die, Knelt in the garden and prayed; Great tears of blood the Savior did cry, Yet His Father He humbly obeyed. So He carried His cross down a dusty trail, No words on His lips were found; No cry was uttered as I drove the nails, His arms to the cross were bound. I lifted my Savior with arms spread wide, He hung between heaven and earth; I raised my spear and pierced His side, What flowed was of infinite worth. Like a Lamb to the altar Christ did go, A sacrifice without blemish or spot; A knife was raised, and life did flow, In a basin the blood was caught. Past the incense table and the dark black veil, To that holy of holy places; The blood of Christ was made to avail, And all my sins it erases. Now this Lamb on a cross was a demonstration Of the Father's love for me; For the Savior's death brought satisfaction, Redeemed, and set me free. Now I come to the Savior by faith alone, Not trusting in works at all; Jesus my substitute for sin did atone, Salvation in answer to His call.   Dr. Steven R. Cook   [1] Merrill Frederick Unger et al., “Cross”, The New Unger's Bible Dictionary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1988), 264. [2] See Harold Hoehner's book, Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ, pages 95-114. [3] W. E. Vine and C. F. Hogg, Vine's Topical Commentary: Christ (Nashville, TN; Dallas; Mexico City; Rio de Janeiro: Thomas Nelson, 2010), 108-109. [4] Wendell G. Johnston, “Cross,” ed. Charles R. Swindoll and Roy B. Zuck, The Theological Wordbook, Swindoll Leadership Library (Nashville, TN: Word Publishing, Inc., 2000), 77–78. [5] William MacDonald, Believer's Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1880. [6] Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1993), 49. [7] Ibid., 51. [8] Tom Constable, Tom Constable's Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Heb 10:5. [9] Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, vol. 3, 49. [10] The seed of Satan ultimately relates to the coming Antichrist, who will, during the time of the Tribulation, seek to destroy Israel and prevent the coming of Jesus to rule over the earth. See Arnold Fruchtenbaum's comments on Genesis 3:15 in his book, The Book of Genesis, Ariel's Bible Commentary. [11] On a separate occasion, after Jesus was born, Satan wanted to kill the baby Jesus. The apostle John—operating from divine viewpoint—records that Satan, “stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth, he might devour her child” (Rev 12:4). But Satan's attack was not direct; rather, King Herod was his tool to accomplish the nefarious deed. Matthew records the account in his Gospel (Matt 2:1-23). Herod was the human agent who wanted to kill Jesus, but Satan was the motivating force behind the attack.

The death toll from Israel's war on Gaza has exceed 10,000 in less than four weeks, according the Gaza health ministry. Plus: Suella Braverman launches a war on rough sleepers using tents; and George Osborne again lets slip the reality of British politics. With Michael Walker and  @NoJusticeMTG .

“From beyond the rivers of Cush, my worshipers, my scattered people, will bring me offerings.” — Zephaniah 3:10 The man who met Philip in our reading today was from Ethiopia, which was “beyond the rivers of Cush.” (Cush was another name for Egypt.) People from many lands knew about and worshiped the God of Israel (Acts 2:5-11), and the Ethiopian man had traveled to Jerusalem to worship God at the temple there. On his way home, the man was reading from the book of Isaiah, and he was puzzled. Isaiah had written about a man who “was led like a sheep to the slaughter” and was “deprived of justice” (see Isaiah 53:7-8). Now, Philip had been led by the Spirit to meet the Ethiopian man, and he was able to explain that Isaiah was prophesying about Jesus, the innocent one who died on behalf of all sinners and was raised to new life. Here, as the Spirit worked, Philip was able to share the good news of Jesus with a man who was ready to receive the gospel in faith. Then, when the Ethiopian man saw some water up ahead, he said, “What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” And he was right—the Spirit of God had arranged for him to hear the good news through Philip, and the man had come to faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ. So they went into the water, “and Philip baptized him.” From there, the Ethiopian man “went on his way rejoicing,” and he was likely one of the first people to share Jesus with others in East Africa. Holy Spirit, thank you for bringing the good news to us, and help us to share it with others everywhere. Amen.

From Come Follow Me:“When we are on the Lord's errand,” President Thomas S. Monson promised, “we are entitled to the Lord's help” (“To Learn, to Do, to Be,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 62). We are not entitled, however, to a smooth road and an endless stream of successes. For proof of this, we need look no further than Paul the Apostle. His errand from the Savior was “to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). In chapters 22–28 of Acts, we see Paul fulfilling this errand and facing great opposition—chains, imprisonment, physical abuse, a shipwreck, and even a snake attack. But we also see that Jesus “stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul” (Acts 23:11). Paul's experiences are an inspiring reminder that the Lord's call to “declare [His] gospel with the sound of rejoicing” comes with this promise: “Lift up your hearts and be glad, for I am in your midst” (Doctrine and Covenants 29:4–5; see also Matthew 28:19–20).The thoughts, ideas, and beliefs we express on this channel do not officially represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  For additional information or official statements, please visit the website below.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints:https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng#biblestudy #oldtestament #religion #churchofjesuschrist #ldspodcast #christianpodcast #missionary #lds #biblestories #christ #faith #faithinchrist #scriptures #bookofmormon #doctrineandcovenants #pearlofgreatprice #temples #houseofthelord #mormon #mormonbeliefs #chritiansandmormons #god #endure #ironrod #faithineveryfootstep #generalconference #prophets #followtheprophet #commandments #love #service #charity #keepstriving #keeponstriving #gospelgrowthandgoodtimes #become #newtestamentSupport the show

From Come Follow Me:If anyone seemed like an unlikely candidate for conversion, it was probably Saul—a Pharisee who had a reputation for persecuting Christians. So when the Lord told a disciple named Ananias to seek out Saul and offer him a blessing, Ananias was understandably hesitant. “Lord,” he said, “I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints” (Acts 9:13). But the Lord knew Saul's heart and his potential, and He had a mission in mind for Saul: “He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). So Ananias obeyed, and when he found this former persecutor, he called him “Brother Saul” (Acts 9:17). If Saul could change so completely and Ananias could welcome him so freely, then should we ever consider anyone an unlikely candidate for change—including ourselves?The thoughts, ideas, and beliefs we express on this channel do not officially represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  For additional information or official statements, please visit the website below.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints:https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng#biblestudy #oldtestament #religion #churchofjesuschrist #ldspodcast #christianpodcast #missionary #lds #biblestories #christ #faith #faithinchrist #scriptures #bookofmormon #doctrineandcovenants #pearlofgreatprice #temples #houseofthelord #mormon #mormonbeliefs #chritiansandmormons #god #endure #ironrod #faithineveryfootstep #generalconference #prophets #followtheprophet #commandments #love #service #charity #keepstriving #keeponstriving #gospelgrowthandgoodtimes #become #newtestamentSupport the show

Message by Pastor Jeff Schreve on Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Pastor Chris Waldvogel  ~  The Ascension of our Lord (Observed)   First Reading:  Acts 1:1-11 Epistle:  Ephesians 1:15-23 Gospel:  Luke 24:44-53 The post May 21, 2023 ~ “Restoring the Kingdom to Israel” ~ Acts 1:1-11 and Luke 24:50-53 appeared first on Beautiful Savior Fargo.

I've been talking about being jealousable, about how jealousability itself is an argument, and have referred to the Lord's blessings as the key. There's more to say about all of those in Romans 11:13-15. The subtitle for all these messages (now up to part 3) has been “The Blessed Option.” But what is the “Blessed Option”?Rod Dreher published a book in 2017 called _The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation_. (The men read Dreher's follow up, _Live by Lies_, in Men to Men a couple years ago.) Benedict was a 5th-6th century monk; our Omnibus students read his _Rule of Saint Benedict_ to get an idea of how monks were to conduct themselves in a monastery. The basic gist of the Benedict “option” is that the culture is already lost, and Christians should be separating themselves and building institutional bunkers so that when civilization collapses we will have preserved the faith and our culture in order to come out from our shelters and rebuild. The image on the front cover of the book is of Mont-Saint Michel, a tide-*island* in northern France, an isolated and self-contained society. Preserving has a place. But not long after that some others started to argue for “The Boniface Option.” Boniface was a Benedictine monk turned missionary who took the gospel throughout Europe in the 8th century. The story is that that Boniface came to a group of pagans worshipping Thor's Oak, and they believed that if you touched it Thor would kill you with a lightening bolt for your desecration. Bonficae chopped it down and they repented and were baptized in Christ's name. Though he was martyred for his faith years later without putting up a fight, those who prefer the Boniface Option are less about preservation and more about pressing forward; they aren't necessarily looking for a fight but they aren't running from one either. That's good too, right? All are yours. And not to be too third-wayism about it, why not *the Blessed Option*? By grace through faith we build communities because Jesus is Lord, by grace through faith we battle strongholds and destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). We father sons to respect their fathers so that our sons would also pursue and enjoy fatherhood. We pray against and vote against and laugh at those who make laws against the parents who don't want their boys to believe gender lies. We're blessed to worship the Lord Jesus as an assembly on Sundays, and we're blessed to boldly announce that Jesus is Lord in the public square. The blessings are God's *riches* to us, salvation riches that are felt in soul and that come out our fingers; we present our bodies as living sacrifices. These riches include individual *and* group, even world, assets. These God-given riches are God-ordained means to “make Israel jealous” (Romans 11:11), and this kind of jealousy over blessings moves the Jews to believe for salvation. Their jealousy is not the end state, but a call to faith. We'll see that again in verses 13-15.Paul denies that Israel has stumbled to a final fall, and shows the sequence of how Israel's rejection of Christ led to the salvation of Gentiles leading to the Israel's jealousy and then full reconciliation to Christ for amplified riches for all. We saw an argumentative denial (11a), an argumentative sequence (11b), and an argumentative amplification (12). There are a couple more parts to the argument in verses 13-15. What does Paul do about this in light of God's covenant word to Israel? He magnifies jealousability.# An Argumentative Strategy (verses 13-14)While Paul's argument has been applicable to Jews with questions as well as to any Gentiles paying attention, he addresses Gentiles directly. > Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. (Romans 11:13–14 ESV)Why call them out? First because they are a special concern of his. Paul was *the* **apostle to the Gentiles**. Paul had been saved to preach salvation to the Gentiles. The Lord told Ananias to go heal Saul/Paul, and after Ananias balked, the Lord said that Paul was “a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). When Paul told his conversion testimony to King Agrippa, Paul said that the Lord told him:> “I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” (Acts 26:16–18 ESV)Peter was the apostle to the Jews, Paul to the Gentiles. So he addresses the Gentiles in the Roman church with a sense of responsibility, but responsibility for their jealousability. He wanted the Gentiles to see his efforts as a pattern for them. Provoking jealousy was conscious conduct; **I magnify my ministry** (τὴν διακονίαν μου δοξάζω). The **magnify** is the same Greek word from which we get *doxology*. Paul praised his work of blessing-bringing so as to show it to be great. There was no embarrassment, but intention. And it's an odd way to say it if all he meant was that Gentiles were praying the prayer. He was deliberately seeking to provoke jealousy by pointing out God's salvation blessings. It was a strategic argument, **in order to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.** The “my fellow Jews” is actually “my (own) flesh.” I get that people wonder whether Jewish DNA can be isolated, and what about those who have some percentage of Jewish blood in their ancestry. Especially for us, 20 centuries after Paul, and who knows how many more centuries of possible confusion there could be before these promises are fulfilled. But the Lord knows, and if He can and does raised the dead, He can and will be able to gather Israel. Paul thought his ministry would provoke **some**, while anticipating the *fulness* (τὸ πλήρωμα, verse 12) later, that “*all* Israel will be saved” (verse 26).What would make them jealous about his ministry? A ministry that resulted in the sort of blessings that Israel was looking to the Lord for, as found in the Old Testament, as sung in Psalms. They could be called “Deuteronomic blessings” (a term Doug Wilson uses), the kind that come when God's people obey Him.These blessings are found in every thumb's width, all the spheres, from center to circumferences. I gave a variety of specific examples last Sunday, but add to that list medicine and healthcare, words, wood work, wine and whiskey, beer and books, received in thanks and employed in the name of the Lord. To the degree that these are comprehensive blessings, visible among the nations, it's no distraction to see more Gentiles coming in. Actually, this ministry will extend “until the fulness of the Gentiles has come in” (Romans 11:25), an elect number who will be saved, and *then* “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26).Election to salvation (chapter 9) makes no contradiction with jealousable arguments (chapter 11). Conversion to the true God, confession that Jesus is Lord (chapter 10), consecration as living sacrifices (chapter 12), standing out from those conformed to the world. It is our transformation that is jealousable. # An Argumentative Renaissance (verse 15)In verse 12 he had the “if this, then how much more that” argument from lesser to the greater. He comes back to a similar pattern. > For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? (Romans 11:15 ESV)The contrast is between rejection and acceptance. They stumbled over the Stone, they did not receive Jesus as Lord. That led to the gospel going out to the nations, **the reconciliation of the world**, not that every individual person without exception would believe, but that tribe, tongue, or language does not limit the kinds of people who receive salvation blessings. This will be true and glorious diversity. As in verse 12, the riches would be amplified at Israel's full inclusion, so Israel's **acceptance** will be like **life from the dead**. While it could be taken as individual regeneration, and while it certainly includes that, the argument is for something more. It is an argumentative renaissance.Of course “The” Renaissance is the revival of art and literature and original sources in the 14th-16th centuries. But it comes from the French *re-* ‘back, again' + *naissance* ‘birth'. It is to be born again, like life after death. And thinking about that broad movement in history a few centuries ago might give us a small idea to what life from the dead will look like in the future. Or consider the imagery in Ezekiel 37:1-14. A valley full of dry bones, that come together, sinews and flesh returned, covered with skin, and given *breath* “that they may live” (verse 9). “These bones are the whole house of Israel” (verse 11). Thus says the LORD God: “I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land” (verse 14). Salvation, riches, *more*, reconciliation, *more*, life from the dead; “a blessing far surpassing in its proportions anything that previously obtained in the unfolding of God's counsel” (Murray).# ConclusionThe lack of specific strategies spelled out, but under the full certainty of fulfillment, says, 1) think about it, and 2) go for it. See Romans 12, 13, and 14-15. Think about the blessings that cause others to ask us about our hope as in 1 Peter 3:15.The world will be transformed as if made alive from the dead. How we *live by faith*, founding new things in Jesus' name, or go down fighting in Jesus' name. This is the *blessed option*, magnifying His greatness and His goodness to us unto the whole earth being filled with His glory.----------## ChargePaul described the self-indulgent widow as “dead even while she lives” (1 Timothy 5:6). To *live* while you live is then not self-indulgent, but finding pleasure in the promises of God to bless the work of your hands (Psalm 90:17). To have life from the dead means fruitfulness for others. Make much/magnify all your work in Jesus' name.## Benediction:> His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (2 Peter 1:3–4, ESV)

It is regrettably commonplace for expositors, even conservative ones, to state that the doctrine of the resurrection was not plainly taught in the Old Testament. But the event of Christ's resurrection came in the middle of human history, and Paul calls this event the “hope of Israel” (Acts 28:20; cf. Acts 25:19). The resurrection of Christ from the dead caught everyone by surprise... but it should not have.

Join us for Sunday worship at 10:30AM 225 Cleveland Ave S, St Paul, MN 55105Adult Formation and KidsLife Classes (Ages 2 - 12th Grade) at 9:15AM Sunday worship is also streamed live via Zoom. The link to the stream may be found on our website (linked below). Church Website: https://citylifetc.org/Denomination Website: https://pcanet.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citylifetc

Jason Seville, Pastor of Del Ray Baptist Church. Preached on December 25, 2022.

Acts 21:1-6 ESV And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.[a] 2 And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. 4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed 6 and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home. THE CHURCH IS PRAYING Paul, Luke[the writer] and and others left Miletus, a port on the southwest corner of modern-day Turkey, and round the peninsula until they reach Patara on the island of Rhodes. From here, they headed straight to Tyre on the coast of Phoenicia, north of Galilee. They spent a week in Tyre while the ship unloads before sailing south to Ptolemais and Caesarea Maritima. Luke seemed interested in making sure that there would never be any doubt about the route their ship took while he was onboard. Something to note here. Paul could have visited the proconsul who came to faith in Jesus ay Cyprus (see Acts 13:12). Or, he could go north to Paul's home church in Syrian Antioch. But, he did not. The Holy Spirit compeled him to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost (see Acts 20:16). Paul was so determined although he knew he will face arrest and persecution. His was the courage to obey God despite of the consequences. After several years of edifying the churches in Galatia, Macedonia, and Greece and planting a church in Ephesus, Paul has finally landed at Tyre on their way to Syria. Apparently, the Holy Spirit has warned some in the church in Tyre, as well. But as the Holy Spirit revealed to them the information, they misinterpreted what they are meant to do with it. God has warned them to encourage Paul, not attempt to protect him. Previously, God said to Ananias that Paul "is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel" (Acts 9:15). God also told Ananias, "For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name" (Acts 9:16). God allowed his suffering as an integral part of his mission. And Paul had no qualms about it, too. However, as they were about to leave, the church finally realized that the most effective way they can protect Paul was to pray. Luke recollected, “All, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed.” Prayer moves the Hand that moves the world. Paul's life and ministry revolved around prayers. He told us to pray continually (Eph 6:18; Phi 4:6; Col 4:2; 1 Thess 5:17). The church that learn to pray lacks no power and advances surely. ------------------------- Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

Bible Study with Jairus – Acts 13 The Paradox of Salvation: God's Election and Man's Free Will   One of the big questions that frequently arises in Christian circles is the relationship between God's sovereign election and man's free will. Does God choose who will be saved, or is it determined by our own subjective choice? God's Election and Man's Subjective Will Acts 13:48 says, "And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed."[1] How can we understand this verse? How do we know who is appointed by God to eternal life? Are we saved by God's election or by our own free will? One prominent evangelist said that as Christians approach the gates of heaven, they see a sign that reads, “Whoever believes shall have eternal life.” However, after they pass through the door, they turn back and see a sign that says, “You were chosen before the creation of the world.” In other words, before salvation, we make a choice. After salvation, we realize we were chosen. Before a person is saved, debating election is unhelpful. For an unbeliever, the only message is “believe.” Satan wants us to waste time debating who is “chosen before the creation of the world” and miss the salvation that is right in front of us. God chooses us first, and then he works to win our hearts. For instance, God chose Isaac's son Jacob, and eventually captured Jacob's heart (despite his resistance). This story demonstrates the importance of God's unconditional election, despite human resistance. However, our free will also plays a very important role. If we choose to harden our hearts towards God continually, he may allow us to refuse his free gift. Acts 13 gives a good example of this concept. The false prophet Bar-Jesus was strongly opposing the apostles' words. Acts 13:7 says, "[Bar-Jesus] was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God." Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, rebuked Bar-Jesus. He said that Bar-Jesus would become blind, and he did. Astonished, Sergius Paulus believed in Jesus. Sergius Paulus made a choice to believe. In Acts 24, we see another person who was interested in Christ. The governor Felix and his Jewish wife Drusilla enjoyed listening to Paul talk about Jesus Christ (Acts 24:24). Felix understood Christianity and was concerned about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment (Acts 24:22, 25). He was counting on Paul to send him money, so he often sent for Paul and conversed with him. But there is no record that he believed. Instead, Felix left Paul in prison to do the Jews a favor (Acts 24:27). My personal guess is that Felix wasn't saved, while Sergius Paulus was. Why? Did these men make a choice, or did God choose one and not the other? God wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). So in a general sense, God has chosen everyone. But the difference in our hearts—that is, our free will—will bring about completely different results. God does not interfere with our free will. Are we worthy of God's eternal life? If our heart is willing, we will receive God's life. For "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9). Why did the disciples shake the dust off their feet? Acts 13:51 says, "They shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium." Why shake off the dust? Some Bible teachers believe that the power of the Holy Spirit could be transmitted through handkerchiefs, water, Peter's shadow, etc. Similarly, when a believer is in a city that is against God, evil spirits can be transmitted through mediums such as dust. This theory may sound a bit exaggerated. I believe that they shook the dust off their feet as a prophetic act with spiritual implications. For instance, Moses threw a branch into the water, making it sweet. This was a prophetic act. It was God who made the bitter water sweet, but this prophetic act allowed Moses to demonstrate his faith. Baptism is another example of a prophetic act. Baptism is a physical action that shows our attitude or obedience to Christ. It shows that God is baptizing us into Him. Similarly, when the disciples shook off the dust from their feet, it was a visible external act that prophetically expressed the invisible truth. God had drawn the line. This city was clearly in rebellion against him.   Breaking ungodly soul ties Shaking the dust off one's feet is somewhat similar to "breaking ungodly soul ties," a concept taught in the Healing and Deliverance Ministries. This theory teaches that if we have an ungodly extramarital sexual connection with someone or if we watch pornographic videos, we will develop ungodly soul ties with other people and evil spirits. The Bible tells us that when we join ourselves to a prostitute, we become one flesh with the prostitute. But when we join ourselves to the Lord we become one spirit with Him (1 Corinthians 6:16-17). We need to repent, confess our sins, and declare that we are breaking these ties so that the Holy Spirit can help us break free from them. Then we will not be further influenced by the evil spirits entering through these soul ties. If we are not willing to repent, God will not force us to do so. He does not violate our free will. But these ungodly soul ties are the entrance through which the evil spirits continue to attack us. All who oppose the Lord's work are participating with evil spirits; these evil spirits want to drag them into hell. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "The guilty one is not he who commits the sin in darkness, but the one who causes the darkness." Who is the creator of darkness? Satan, of course. Satan and the evil spirits have designed various methods of deception and temptation. They want to harden and darken people's hearts, influencing them to reject salvation. We must break free from Satan and the influence of evil spirits. Then we can be saved and choose faith. Disconnect from Satan and Evil Spirits and Choose Faith The next two stories in this chapter show us that longing for God brings very different results than living in jealousy and selfishness. In this chapter, Paul preaches in the synagogue about Jesus' death and resurrection and the history of Israel (Acts 13:13-43). He explicitly states that Jesus, the descendant of David, is the Savior of Israel (Acts 13:23). The Israelites crucified Jesus because they did not know who he was. But God raised Jesus from the dead. The Bible says, “After the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God." (vs. 43) The hearts of these people were open, and they accepted Jesus Christ. But the next paragraph records the story of some Jews who turned against Paul and Barnabas because of jealousy. The next Sabbath, nearly the whole city came to hear Paul and Barnabas. Verse 45 says, "But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him."  Evil spirits took advantage of these men's jealousy to build strongholds and ungodly links within them. Their hearts began to harden, and they ultimately rejected salvation. Paul told the people that since they rejected the word of God, he must go to the Gentiles to preach the gospel. He said that God had sent him to be a light for the Gentiles and to bring salvation to the ends of the earth (Acts 13:47). Angered, the Jews "incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district" (Acts 13:50). Both Paul and Barnabas shook off the dust from their feet, left Antioch, and went to Iconium. This story is consistent with Jesus' teachings. Jesus told his disciples, "And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.” (Matthew 10:11-15). God gives us free will to test our hearts. He wants to know if we will voluntarily love Him and choose Him. Our heart is important to God. If our heart accepts God, we are worthy of His salvation and will receive His peace. But if our heart does not want God, we are not worthy of His salvation and will be disciplined by Him in the future. Although Satan and the evil spirits have created darkness to deceive us, God has prepared the light of the gospel. The sunlight from on high has visited us, to guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:78-79). But if we refuse to be guided by this light, we will remain in darkness. Conclusion The question about God's election or man's free will is addressed by several stories in this chapter. God chose us and sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our salvation. But we must also choose him with our own free will. God never forces us to change our hearts. But He hopes that we will choose Him and be worthy of His salvation.   [1] All Scripture quotations are taken from the English Standard Version unless otherwise noted.

  Summary: Sorcerers (v.6) were like magicians (cf.Ex.7:10,11). But Bar-jesus is also said to be a “false prophet” (Acts 13:6), so he probably practiced the kind of religious sorcery that “bewitched” the Galatians (Gal.3:1), i.e., false doctrine. And that's sad, … Continue reading →

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way- for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel- --Acts 9-15---1- The vessel - Saul - Paul-2- A chosen vessel-3- A vessel for a particular use--The first in a series on the illustration of a vessel in scripture.

Featuring Lead Pastor Collin Cooke Support Passages: Isaiah 56:3-5

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain” (Revelation 5:12), who by His cross has conquered sin and death. With His blood, He has “ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9). This same Lord Jesus visits people of all nations and calls them to Himself by the Gospel, even as He “was revealed to the disciples after He was raised from the dead” (John 21:14). He restored Simon Peter to faith and life, and He commissioned him to feed His lambs and tend His sheep (John 21:15–17). Likewise, He revealed Himself to Saul of Tarsus and brought him to repentance, so that the persecutor of Jesus might carry and confess His name “before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15).

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain” (Rev. 5:12), who by His cross has conquered sin and death. With His blood, He has “ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9). This same Lord Jesus visits people of all nations and calls them to Himself by the Gospel, even as He “was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead” (John 21:14). He restored Simon Peter to faith and life and commissioned him to feed His lambs and tend His sheep (John 21:15–17). Likewise, He revealed Himself to Saul of Tarsus and brought him to repentance, so that the persecutor of Jesus might carry and confess His name “before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15).-----Visit our website: https://www.trinitysheboygan.org/​​​​Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person!Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-ASupport the show

Acts 7:1 - 60

Monday, 14 March 2022   Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. Acts 5:34   The events to this point have led the members of the council to become furious at the words of defense spoken by the apostles. In addition, it said that those in the council “plotted to kill them.” With that, a voice of reason now stands up within the council. Luke begins the note concerning him by saying, “Then one in the council stood up.”   This person probably heard the grumblings of some of the people and knew that their words were contrary to both reason and to the Law of Moses. Their violent speech and actions of the leadership had led to the crucifixion of Christ, and now His followers were standing before the council with the same type of anger being cast towards them. Luke next identifies him as “a Pharisee named Gamaliel.”   The name Gamaliel means “Reward of God.” Being a Pharisee is a key point. As a Pharisee, he accepted the premise that there is a resurrection, and also that there are angels and spirits. This is seen later in Acts –   “And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. 8 For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.” Acts 23:7, 8   As this is the case, he would at least be sympathetic to the words of the apostles concerning Christ, and he could actually accept that the unexplained release of the apostles from prison could have been accomplished by an angel. The latter point is not noted in the account now. And yet, it is otherwise hard to imagine that the council did not ask about it, even if Luke does not record the conversation (see the life application in the commentary on Acts 5:24).   Because of his views, he will be a voice of reason toward the situation now being brought before the council. Of this person, Gamaliel, Paul will later note in Acts 22:3 that he was brought up at his feet. The meaning is that he personally studied under this man. Hence, Paul's doctrine followed after Gamaliel and it was from this source that Paul's grounding in Scripture was then used by the Lord to bring the message of life in Christ and the name of Jesus “before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15).   Of this person, the following is noted by Albert Barnes –   “...this man was the teacher of Paul Acts 22:3, the son of the ‘Simon' who took the Saviour in his arms Luke 2, and the grandson of the famous ‘Hillel,' and was known among the Jews by the title of ‘Rabban Gamaliel the elder.' There were other people of this name, who were also eminent among the Jews. This man is said to have died 18 years after the destruction of Jerusalem, and he died as he had lived, a Pharisee. There is not the least evidence that he was a friend of the Christian religion; but he was evidently a man of far more liberal views than the other members of the Sanhedrin.”   Luke next notes him as “a teacher of the law.” The meaning is that he instructed others in the law (as noted above concerning Paul), but he also would have interpreted the law, learned the traditional views of the scholars of the law before him, preserved the traditions of the Jewish culture and society, and so on. These things can be seen in how Paul, his student, presented himself before a tribunal later in Acts –    “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. 5 They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.” Acts 26:4, 5   Paul's life was modeled after the teachings of Gamaliel, and his conduct and teaching – even as a believer in Christ – are to be understood from that perspective. His training and knowledge are certainly one reason why the Lord chose him for his apostolic ministry. Understanding the type of man Gamaliel was helps us to understand the reasoned passion Paul had concerning the things he knew about Jesus and how they stand in relation to the Law of Moses. For now, Luke continues with his word about Gamaliel, saying that he was “held in respect by all the people.”   Even if the Sadducees and others disagreed with his beliefs, it is of note that those in the council still held Gamaliel in high regard. They were willing to listen to his thoughts and consider his arguments. This shows that he was understood to be a man of intelligence and reason. In this notable state, Luke next says that he “commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while.”   From what will be said in the verses ahead, it is obvious that the discussion would only embolden the apostles to persevere in the spreading of their message if they knew what it was that will be stated. To avoid this, and to allow the movement of the apostles to either grow or die out without prejudice, they were to be removed from the deliberations.   What is interesting is that what is said in the council is, in fact, recorded by Luke. That means that someone who was in the room was aware of what was said and recalled it for Luke during his investigations leading to the writing of the book of Acts. Hence, it could be Gamaliel himself, or even Paul that heard and remembered the words that will next be looked at.   As a side note, the Alexandrian text says “men” instead of “apostles” in this final clause. Thus, many translations, going back as far as the Latin Vulgate, follow this wording. This will explain the change for those who notice the difference.   Life application: Above, the training and knowledge of Paul is noted. It was because of his in-depth knowledge of the Law of Moses and his grounded belief in his training as a Pharisee that he was able to piece together so much of his theology. It is true that God inspired Paul to write out his epistles, but what is inspired is still based upon what Paul knew and how he perceived the world around him in relation to the law and of its fulfillment in Christ.   For example, though the author of Hebrews is not identified in the epistle, it is highly likely that Paul is its author. To understand why this is so, refer to the introduction to the commentary by the Superior Word on Hebrews. Whether it was Paul or not, it is someone who had an extensive knowledge of the law, and who obviously believed in the resurrection, angels, and spirits. He further was able to take that knowledge and weave together a sound and reasonable discourse for the Hebrew people to understand that Jesus is the fulfillment of these things.   This is what Paul does throughout all of his letters though. His training as a Pharisee made the obvious connections to Jesus jump out of the law that he once lived under. From there, he was able to fully and rightly discern what even the other apostles could not quite grasp (see Acts 11 and Galatians 2 for example). In this, Paul – more than any other – was able to see that everything he had grown up with and been trained in was to find its fulfillment in Christ –   “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.” Colossians 2:16-19   Today, we will also look at the words of Paul based on how we perceive our relationship to the law. The same words are read by those who accept that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes (the correct view), and to those who believe the law is still in effect for all people, in part or in whole (the heretical view).   The difference is in their understanding of Paul's words, meaning in relation to Christ as the fulfillment of the law or in relation to the law which Paul had once been under. The only way to get beyond the law is to properly understand its purpose in relation to Jesus. And the only way to do that is to read the Bible in its proper context. Once it is understood that that law was only a stepping stone on the way to Christ and not an end in and of itself, only then does the law find its proper place in our thinking about the magnitude of what Jesus did for us.   Keep reading the Bible, and do not be led astray by those who would reinsert the law into our lives. It is a law that could never save anyone. Only in coming to Christ can we find the true hope that God has set before us. Thank God for our hope. Thank God for Jesus!   Lord God, You have taken real people, from all walks of life and from all kinds of interesting situations, and You have used them and their experiences in order to reveal to us Your intent for humanity, expressing these things in Your word. How great You are to show us such things so that we can know the proper path that leads us to Jesus. Yes, how great You are! Amen.

We apologize for the technical difficulties yesterday Gog, Magag? The cost of gas through the supply chain The war in Ukraine California Cannabis Competition Happy 8th Birthday Luke Keeping Ukraine in our prayers Myth meets reality Caller Michael from New Jersey with a wrong number? November 25th trip to Israel ------------------ Acts 14:8-18 (ESV Strong's) Paul and Barnabas at Lystra 8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them. Acts 14:19-28 (ESV Strong's) Paul Stoned at Lystra 19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch in Syria 24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples. ------------------ 5 Core Values of SWAT 1. God's Word 2. Prayer 3. Evangelism 4. Discipleship 5. Community ------------------ https://swatradio.com/ SWAT - Spiritual Warriors Advancing Truth Call us Toll-Free at: +1-844-777-7928 Email Us a Question: ask@swatradio.com FIND A SWAT MEETING Woody's Bar-B-Que 226 Solano Rd Ponte Vedra, FL 10611 Wed. 6:30-7:30 am IHOP 3250 Hodges Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32224 Wed. Night 7-8 pm Salem Centre 7235 Bonneval Rd Jacksonville, FL Wed. 12:00-1:00 pm Jumping Jax House of Food 10131 San Jose Blvd #12 Jacksonville, FL Thursday 6:30-7:30 am The Village Inn 900 Ponce De Leon Blvd St. Augustine, FL Friday 9:00-10:30 am Woodmen Valley Chapel - Woodmen Heights Campus 8292 Woodman Valley View Colorado Springs CO 80908 Thursdays 8-9:15 pm

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Monday, 10 January 2022   Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: Acts 4:8   Standing before the leaders gathered at Jerusalem, Peter and John were just asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” Now, in response to that, Luke records, “Then Peter.”   As is the norm, Peter is the one who speaks on behalf of both. It was he that was given the keys of the kingdom of heaven as detailed in Matthew 16 –   “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.'” Matthew 16:17-19   The idea of the “keys of the kingdom” will be more clearly understood as Acts progresses. For now, it is also of note that it was also Peter who was given the main commission by the Lord to “Feed My sheep.”   Peter is given specific authority and the responsibility, and so he is the one who the narrative focuses on. Luke next notes that Peter is “filled with the Holy Spirit.” This is something explicitly said to the disciples of Jesus concerning their ministry –   “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 12:11, 12   In fulfillment of that, Peter is filled with the words and the wisdom of God to respond in the manner determined is best for the situation by Him. As this is so, the exact and perfect words necessary to fulfill His purposes will be realized. Israel had rejected Christ and crucified Him. They bore the national guilt of what occurred.   Like in Acts 2 and again in Acts 3, Peter's testimony now will be sufficient to unmistakably demonstrate that Jesus was and is their Messiah. They will have the freewill to repent of their actions and be healed, or the words Peter will speak will testify against them as a nation. The collective guilt will remain, and Acts will stand as a valid witness against them that their rejection and subsequent punishment by the Lord is justified.   This begins to be seen once again in the words of Peter now. As such, Luke continues, noting that Peter “said to them.” The council of rulers, elders, scribes, and priestly class – meaning all of those who should know and recognize Christ from Scripture, and who bear the authority for national decisions – are being addressed by the Lord's messenger, filled with the Holy Spirit. It is in this state that Peter begins, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel.”   There is an underlying ominous tone for the nation with these words. The high priest was the mediator of the sacrificial system of the covenant. It is a minutely detailed system that was set up to anticipate the work of Jesus Christ. But a main point of that system was that various levels of authority within the nation required particular sacrifices for guilt.   In other words, when the high priest sinned, the sacrifice and the blood of the sacrifice had to be handled differently than for the common people (see Leviticus 4:1-12). This is true with a ruler of the people (see Leviticus 4:22-26) and of a sin committed by the entire congregation (see Leviticus 4:13-21).   However, because Christ had come and fulfilled the typology of all of these sacrifices, and because He had then brought the Mosaic Covenant to its fulfillment and annulment, those in these positions must come through Him to receive atonement – meaning the high priest, the rulers, and indeed the entire congregation. The national guilt exists, and it cannot be cleansed apart from acceptance of the work of their Messiah.   A clear note from the Lord's mouth demonstrates this –   “Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.” Matthew 23:1, 2   These rulers sat upon the seat of Moses. They administered the legislative aspect of the covenant. Along with the high priest who administered the sacrificial parts of it, they should have known better. They were responsible for knowing Scripture and understanding the time of their visitation. But they failed in this. The national guilt rested upon them. Peter is, once again, speaking to them in hopes of removing this guilt. If they reject His words, which are now recorded in Acts, they will stand as a witness against them.   Life application: Luke 12 is cited above. Again, Jesus said, “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say” Luke 12:11, 12.   Have you ever heard anyone quote this, claiming that their words are inspired of God because of Jesus' promise? If so, what is the problem with that? The answer is that Jesus was not speaking to or of them. Rather, he was speaking to His disciples, under the law, and in relation to the events that would relate to that particular context, and into the issuing of the New Covenant.   With Scripture complete, we now have the full and complete word of God to guide our speech before the world. It stands as the witness to God's workings in Christ. We are to know Scripture, and to stand – by faith – upon its words.   This does not mean that people will not be filled with the Spirit during the church age. It is quite apparent that they are from Paul's words. But when Paul says, “Be filled with the Spirit,” it is passive in the Greek – ἀλλὰ πληροῦσθε ἐν πνεύματι (alla plērousthe en Pneumati).   Paul's words thus mean that we are not actively filled with the Spirit as Peter was. Instead, we receive the full measure of the Spirit the moment that we believe the gospel and are saved. Just as a man who marries a woman will never get more married, we will never get more of the Spirit. But just as a spouse can get more of his or her spouse through yielding to the other, the Spirit can get more of us as we yield our lives to God. In this, we are passively filled with the Spirit.   How does this come about? It comes about through study of the word, prayer, talking to God, rejoicing in the wonders of God, fellowshipping with other believers, praising God, etc. In our active pursuit of the things of God, we will be passively filled with the Spirit.   When a cup is filled, the cup doesn't do anything active. It receives the wine because it is in a state ready to receive it. We must be in the proper state to receive the filling of the Spirit, and it isn't in the manner that Pentecostals and Charismatics insist.   Let us honor the Lord with our lives and in our actions. In turn, we will be filled with the Spirit.   Lord God, thank You for our sealing with the Holy Spirit upon our faith in Christ. Now, may we be responsible with that event and yield ourselves to You, being filled – even to overflowing – with the joy of the Spirit and the life in Christ that we now possess. To Your glory we pray! Amen.

A chosen instrument That's what God said to Ananias about Saul, who had experienced a radical conversion on the road to Damascus. God said, Saul is “a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name to the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). And there might be a temptation with a passage like this to make the encounter so specific to Saul that we miss what it has to say about ordinary, non-Apostolic believers like you and me. Are we not also “chosen instruments”? Does God not also have a specific ministry for each of us? Are we not also gifted and placed, each in our own sphere of influence, to carry out the mission? The answer is yes, yes, and yes! And as we look at Acts 9:1-19a, we'll see the Word come alive for each of us as we walk through the account of Saul's conversion to Christ. Sermon Notes The Acts of the Apostles(Chapters 8-12) A chosen instrument Acts 9:1-19a Pastor Todd Dugard October 17, 2021 When I am“a chosen instrument”of God, I will have...... ...a before-Christ-after-Christ story (9:1-2) ...a personal encounter with Christ(9:3-7) ...an altered life-trajectory because of Christ (9:8-9, 16) ...an ongoing relationship with Christ (9:10-15) ...a sense of belonging in Christ's church (9:17-19a)

A chosen instrument That's what God said to Ananias about Saul, who had experienced a radical conversion on the road to Damascus. God said, Saul is “a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name to the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). And there might be a temptation with a passage like this to make the encounter so specific to Saul that we miss what it has to say about ordinary, non-Apostolic believers like you and me. Are we not also “chosen instruments”? Does God not also have a specific ministry for each of us? Are we not also gifted and placed, each in our own sphere of influence, to carry out the mission? The answer is yes, yes, and yes! And as we look at Acts 9:1-19a, we'll see the Word come alive for each of us as we walk through the account of Saul's conversion to Christ. Sermon Notes The Book of Acts A chosen instrument Acts 9:1-19a Pastor Todd Dugard October 17, 2021 When I am“a chosen instrument”of God, I will have...... ...a before-Christ-after-Christ story (9:1-2) ...a personal encounter with Christ(9:3-7) ...an altered life-trajectory because of Christ (9:8-9, 16) ...an ongoing relationship with Christ (9:10-15) ...a sense of belonging in Christ's church (9:17-19a)

1. Netanyahu: Either Deter Hamas or Conquer Them 2. Republicans Want Clarity on Israel Support 3. Democrats Strong Support for Israel Softens 4. Israel Acts on Morals Not Pressure: Former Mayor 5. Congress Debates January 6th Commission

1. Netanyahu: Either Deter Hamas or Conquer Them 2. Republicans Want Clarity on Israel Support 3. Democrats Strong Support for Israel Softens 4. Israel Acts on Morals Not Pressure: Former Mayor 5. Congress Debates January 6th Commission

Israel Acts Like Israel [Peaceful Globalist Review Ep. 307] --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ephrom-josine/message

We should humbly worship our infinitely transcendent God because he has mercifully reached into every corner of the world to seek and save the lost.

To support the ministry and get access to exclusive content, go to: http://patreon.com/logicalbiblestudy Luke 7: 18b-23 - 'Are you the one who is to come?' Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraphs: - 547 (in 'The Signs of the Kingdom of God') - Jesus accompanies his words with many "mighty works and wonders and signs", which manifest that the kingdom is present in him and attest that he was the promised Messiah. - 453 (in 'And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord') - The title "Christ" means "Anointed One" (Messiah) .Jesus is the Christ, for "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power" (Acts 10:38). He was the one "who is to come" (Lk 7:19), the object of "the hope of Israel" (Acts 28:20). - 544 (in 'The Kingdom of God is at hand') - The kingdom belongs to the poor and lowly, which means those who have accepted it with humble hearts. Jesus is sent to "preach good news to the poor"; he declares them blessed, for "theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (abbreviated). Got a Bible question? Send an email to logicalbiblestudy@gmail.com, and it will be answered in an upcoming episode! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daily-gospel-exegesis/message

Final sermon from Acts series focusing in on the ultimate reason Jesus came for Israel, and why their rejection has lead to hope for the whole world. 

PROPHECIES OF THE KINGDOM’S RESTORATION, Chapter 4 of Kingdom of God volume 3   Pages 39-48   When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? (Acts 1:6)   After the resurrection of Christ, He appeared to the Apostles who asked Him, “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6) Three things are brought out in this question: (1) the kingdom once existed, but it was no longer with them; (2) it had to be restored; and (3) since Jesus did not do it then, meant that it would be later. Nearly 2,000 years later, it still has not been fully restored because His Kingdom has not yet ruled over all the other kingdoms of the earth.   That which is lost must again be found, or it will forever remain lost. The Protestant Reformers tried to teach about the Kingdom of God, but even they could not see it clearly because of all the smoke and fog created by the sectarian pagans, popes and priests. God was not unmindful of this dilemma and foresaw it from the beginning of time. Prophets and apostles foretold the restoration and final triumph of God’s Kingdom in the last days. http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=141

As the guys of The Revealing take a break, please enjoy this Thursday service from Associate Pastor Robert Ingle.

Do you like waiting? Me neither. In Acts 11, eight years have passed since Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus in Acts 9. At his conversion, he was told that “he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15), but that hadn’t exactly happened. Instead, he’s in Tarsus, Turkey. But, literally out of the blue, things begin to change. The same can be true of us. At times it can seem as if God has forgotten about us, but of course, He hasn’t. The question is what to do while you’re waiting.

Ron JonesEzekiel 37:1-10 (NKJV) The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. 3 And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.” 4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.” ’ ” 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. 9 Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ” 10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. Isaiah 45:2-3 (NKJV) 2 ‘I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron. 3 I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel.Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV) 6 So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, ’Says the Lord of hosts.Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV) 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, John 3:16 (NKJV) 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begottenSon, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.Acts 1:8 (NKJV) 8 But you shall receive powerwhen the Holy Spirit has come upon you; andyou shall bewitnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea andSamaria, and to theend of the earth.” Acts 22:20-21(NKJV)20 And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ 21 Then He said to me, ‘Depart,for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ ”Acts 2:4(NKJV)4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:40(NKJV)40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Acts 4:8 (NKJV) 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: Acts 4:11 (NKJV) 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’Acts 4:13 (NKJV) 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:29-31(NKJV)29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were

BE PRESENT Everything that we do as youth leaders is built on a foundation of trust. Trust is built with being present in the life of your student. Your student will not care what you know, until they know that you care. You need to be present in order for students to know that you care. When you are present as a youth leader, you begin to create an environment of community for those you are going to minister to. javascript:;You read throughout Acts how present people were - and you see the kind of life change that people went through. Acts 2:42-47 - the fellowship of the Believers There was devotion to teaching, and fellowship, and eating together. Those who believed were together and had things in commonThey sold possessions for each other, and distributed the proceeds to each other. They were there for each other. They had glad and generous hearts towards one another. Acts 9 when Saul is converting to the faith. God speaks to Ananias and tells him to go look for Saul. Ananias is afraid that he will go to jail, but God tells him in verse 15 - that Saul (later Paul) was a chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel - Acts 9:15We know the kind of man that Saul became, but part of his story is Ananias being present to minister. So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit” - Acts 9:17Acts 8 Philip speaks with the Ehtiopian EunuchAngel of the Lord tells Philip to go to Gaza where he meets this Eunuch. Eunuch was reading passage (reading Isaiah)Philip helps explain what the passage means and shares the gospel. The Eunuch sees a body of water and wants to get baptizedDesires to move forward in his relationship with God.  BEING PRESENT ALLOWS OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY. How do we do this? 3 things BE PRESENT PHYSICALLY Show when you’re supposed to show up.  BE PRESENT MENTALLY  BE PRESENT RANDOMLY  Part of building great trust with students is  also showing up in random parts in your students' lives. ConcertsFootball gamesRecitalsBirthday partiesFamily lunches and dinners (when invited)Christian clubs (when invited)You also randomly show up to things that are hard. Memorial servicesHospital visitsDeath of family membersDivorce Bad days at schools 

Revelation 20:1-6 When the disciples asked Jesus; “...Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6), what did they mean?  If one was to ask such a question today in the vast majority of the theological colleges across the Western world, one would receive an answer that would be far from adequate in explaining the true nature of the disciple’s inquiry.  You see, for many today, the concept of a millennial kingdom does not even figure into their eschatological thinking.  For the amillennialist, the future kingdom of God is the present kingdom of God, and any hope of a golden age of righteousness and peace upon the earth is certainly not realised in some distant event, but in the last 2000 years of Church history as the gospel has been being preached in all the world.  For the postmillennialist, they would acknowledge a coming golden era of some arbitrary length, but they would argue that this “millennium” of triumphalism will be ushered in by the Church and not the Lord Jesus at His Coming!  Both groups would undoubtedly, deny that God has any future purposes for Israel during this time, which runs totally contrary to what the disciples thought when putting the question to Jesus, “...Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”     In this teaching, we examine the position of premillennialism in light of Revelation 20:1-6, and try to understand the role of the Church and the place of Israel in this coming future kingdom, over which shall rule Messiah at His Second Coming.

Shift Series: Victory November 3, 2019 Acts 9 Verse of the Week: “And Saul said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus’” Acts 9:5 1. Do not give up hope “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” Acts 9:1 “As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground” Acts 9:3 & 4 “Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.” Acts 9:8 2. Stop living by yesterday’s news “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem” Acts 9:13 “Saul is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel” Acts 9:15 “Brother Saul” Acts 9:17 3. You can change your legacy “immediately Saul began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues” Acts 9:20 ‘“Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus’” Acts 9:5

-Sung Psalm- 115-----Last time we saw that we need faith - and we need patient endurance. Here's that same word -patient endurance- again. As you hear about the rule of the beast - as you hear about the suffering that he inflicts on the saints - you are called to endure patiently. You are called to believe in Jesus------I know - sometimes it looks a whole lot more like tribulation and endurance - and not very much like -kingdom------When do the good times start, Lord- Are you at this time going to restore the Kingdom to Israel- -Acts 1-6-8-----But Jesus says, -it is not for you to know times and seasons, that the Father has fixed by his own authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you...-----And ever since Pentecost, the power of the Kingdom has gone forth in the apostolic witness.----And that power is made known to you today- Because Jesus is Lord. No, we do not yet see everything under his feet. Bt we see Jesus - we see him by faith - sitting at the right hand of God, crowned with glory and honor - because he suffered - he endured - he tasted death for everyone-

Threatened with the judgment of deportation to Babylon because of the wickedness and covenant breaking of the nation, the prophet also sets for the hope of future glory. The typical near-far interpretation of these prophecies apply. Judah will be returned to her ancient home after 70 years. However, the Lord looks much further into the future and declares that there will be a glorious restoration of all things.--The Jews anticipated this as a restoration of the kingdom of Israel -Acts 1-6-8-. We would suggest that the restoration has a much broader scope. Adam was given the original dominion mandate -Genesis 1-28-. Adam and all His offspring lost that dominion right through sin. God is going to restore that dominion plan through Jesus Christ, the Second Adam and all who are -in Christ.-

“Our young men are going into the professional fields because they don't 'feel called' to the mission field. We don't need a call; we need a kick in the pants. We must begin thinking in terms of 'going out,' and stop our weeping because 'they won't come in.' Who wants to step into an igloo? The tombs themselves are not colder than the churches. May God send us forth.” -Jim ElliotIn Christ, a brand new Life has been made available. It is one of His power, His message, His forgiveness, His love, and His presence in this present evil age. The interval between the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the birth of the Church is an interesting but understandable one. Jesus’ call for them to “wait for what the Father” (Acts 1:4b) has promised, being the coming of the Holy Spirit, places the eleven in a time where patience was paramount. However, they do not waste this time, opting to appoint another to take Judas’ place, making them twelve again (Acts 1:21-26), and spending this time in prayer along with other believers (Acts 1:14). But Jesus’ prescription to “wait” was necessary because the twelve needed power to accomplish the mission that He was placing before them. Acts 1:1-5.The book of Acts is Luke, Part II. Luke, the physician, addresses “Theophilus” once more (Luke 1:3), explaining the contents of his first letter. In his Gospel account, Luke had documented all that Jesus “began to do and teach until the day when He was taken up” (Acts 1:1b-2a). This refers to Jesus’ miracles and instructions while on the Earth bodily, lasting up until the time that He was crucified, resurrected, and had ascended (Luke 24:51-52). In Acts 1:3, Jesus is said to have presented Himself alive “by many convincing proofs,” furthering the case for His bodily resurrection. We are then told that a period of forty days took place between His bodily resurrection and His ascension into heaven (Acts 1:9), in which He was speaking with the apostles regarding the Kingdom of God. Why would the subject matter of the Kingdom of God be the focus of His post-resurrection/pre-ascension ministry to the apostles?From Matthew 21:43we see that Jesus makes a definitive claim against the nation of Israel, stating, “the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it.” This was not a declaration that the Kingdom was to come in the establishment of the Church, nor that the kingdom had come in some “mystery form” while Jesus was ministering on Earth, but that the fruits that would have been, and will be produced in the Kingdom when it comes would be produced in the Church Age as a sign of judgment against them. Israel’s unbelief had cost them a first-century start to the Kingdom of God in which the Messiah would be reigning on the throne (Matt 12). This statement would have some bearing on Jesus’ conversation with the apostles, no doubt. But this does not mean that the nature of the kingdom has changed in some capacity. It is still literal, still political, still earthly, and still to come in the future.Some have concluded that the Kingdom of God came with Jesus and was established in a “spiritual” sense while He was on Earth. Peters writes, “Is it conceivable, can it be credited, that such special chosen ones, upon whose testimony the faith of others was to be founded, should, aftertheir own preaching, afterall their private and public instruction for several years, and afterthe particular ‘forty days’ (Acts 1:3), ‘speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God,’ be ignorant of the fact (if it be as alleged) that a promised Kingdom was (as eminent theologians now gravely inform us) actuallyin existence?No! such a supposition is damaging, fatally so, to preachers and Teacher, and cannot possiblybe entertained.”[1]The apostles were not aware, in any fashion, that the Kingdom of God had come. In fact, we see Jesus moving in a different direction, yet one that is consistent with His teaching during the Upper Room Discourse (John 13-16), which was taught at a time “post-rejection.” In Acts 1:4, Jesus calls the apostles together and tells them to “wait for what the Father had promised,” being the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7-15). Jesus then connects the Spirit’s coming with the words of John the Baptist. “For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:5). In Matthew’s Gospel, John’s words are recorded where he says, “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matt 3:11). Notice the similarity with Jesus’ words in Acts 1:5speaking of John baptizing with water. Yet Jesus goes on to speak of another baptism, that being of the Holy Spirit. In John’s case, we see the mention of being baptized with “the Holy Spirit and fire.” This should not be understood as relating two separate baptisms, but one and the same.We must remember that the word “baptism” needs context in order to determine what is meant by the original author. Not every mention of “baptism” is speaking of an immersion in water. The meaning of baptism is that one is immersed in, or identified with, something. This is the case that we find before us. If we move forward to Acts 2:3, we read, “And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.” This captures the baptism of which John the Baptist and Jesus spoke. To be baptized with fire is to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. This is not a water baptism, but a fire baptism, a spiritual identification with the Holy Spirit. At the present time, the apostles had no power. Therefore, they could not minister effectively as Jesus had called them to do. So, He told them to wait for the necessary Power to arrive.Acts 1:6-8. The apostles “coming together” in Acts 1:6 speaks to the event of 1:4 where we are told that Jesus “gathered them together.” Note the nature of their question to the Lord. “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). This question is revealing in at least two ways. First, the anticipation of the apostles’ question tells us that the kingdom had not yet arrived, that it was still forthcoming. Second, the apostles understood that the coming of the Kingdom of God as Jesus preached it was a kingdom that was to be “restored” to Israel. The word “restored” means “to change to an earlier good state or condition, restore, reestablish,” and “to return someone to a former place or relationship, bring back, give back, restore.”[2]The apostles understood that only Jesus, the Christ of God could restore this Kingdom, being that He is its King. We must ask ourselves what the apostles might have been thinking of when considering an ideal time of reigning in Israel’s history. Without question, their conception of the “Kingdom of God” is the time of David and Solomon’s reign when Israel was at its most prosperous on the Earth.Peters writes, “The tenor of the narrative shows that in alltheir conversations respectingthe Kingdom nothingwas said that changedthe faith of the apostles. They still held the belief that they had authoritatively preached. The proof is found in the question (v. 6), “Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the Kingdom to Israel?” This is admitted by all—very reluctantlyindeed by some commentators and writers—to mean that they still believedin a restoration of the Davidic throne and Kingdom under the reign of the Messiah. The reply of Jesus, as we already had occasion to observe, confirmstheir belief; for instead of rejecting their idea of the natureof the Kingdom, He takes that for granted as substantially correct, and only refers to the timewhen it should again be restored to Israel as something reserved by the Father, thus meeting the question proposed which related to the time.”[3]Undoubtedly, Jesus’ emphasis on the subject of the Kingdom of God is what had brought this question about. However, now was not the time for the Kingdom to come. It would be at another time. It was not wrong for the apostles to ask Him about it, and He does not rebuke them for their inquiry. However, Jesus does redirect their thinking and He starts by affirming that the Father has another time planned for the promised Kingdom to come (Acts 1:7). This was the Father’s business. The timing of the coming of the Kingdom of God was not to concern them, which is a point that would have saved our “date-setter” friends a lot of trouble. Instead, Jesus set a mission before the apostles, and by extension the Church, that was to be what occupied their time until the coming of the Kingdom. “He does not tell them their kingdom is abandoned, or merged into a spiritual conquest of all nations: He plainly infers that every promise of God is still intact; but assigns to them the immediate ministry of the new gospel age.”[4]Jesus tells them, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8a). This point resonates with Jesus’ earlier call for the apostles to “wait for what the Father has promised” (Acts 1:4b). What is most often neglected in many contemporary observations of this verse stands as its most indispensable part. It is the essential element to all effective ministry, and yet it is often glossed over. Tozer notes, “Some good Christians have misread thistext and have assumed that Christ told His disciples that they were to receive the Holy Spirit and power, the power to come after the coming of the Spirit… Christ taught not the coming of the Holy Spirit aspower; the power and the Spirit are the same.”[5]He goes on to say, “’Ye shall receive power.’ By those words our Lord raised the expectation of His disciples and taught them to look forward to the coming of a supernatural potency in to their natures from a source outside themselves. It was to be something previously unknown to them, but suddenly to come upon them from another world. It was to be nothing less than God Himself entering into them with the purpose of ultimately reproducing His own likeness within them.”[6]God the Spirit is the power that accomplishes the task at hand. This is why Jesus mentions it first before telling His disciples that they would be His “witnesses” (martyresbeing where we get the English word “martyrs” from). A “witness” is one who testifies to what they have seen and heard (Acts 4:20; 1 John 1:1, 3). Jesus would ask of the Father and the Father would send forth the Power needed to testify to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and that all who believe in Him would be saved from the wrath of God to come. This is a message that will not suffice without the power that IS the Holy Spirit. A message fueled by the flesh meets fear and intimidation and will yield no results. Fruit cannot be expected from dead things. However, the Spirit, living, active, indwelling, and leading the believer in Christ cannot help but to produce fruit because therein lies all of the power.There are four arenas that are presented for the testifiers of Jesus Christ to go. First, we have “Jerusalem,” which would be considered the place of the apostles’ “home base operations.” For the believer in Christ, it would be the place where you are. Start where you are in testifying about Christ. There is no better place than where you find yourself currently to begin being obedient to this command.Second,we have “in all Judea,” meaning the region that contained Jerusalem. One might liken this to their “county” in America, or one’s province if you happen to find yourself in France, for instance. This calling would be to go beyond the city and into the rural areas, the regions that lie around the place where you find yourself. Third, Jesus mentions “Samaria,” and does so close on the heels of “Judea.” Samaria was the middle region in between Judea in the south and Galilee in the north. However, this was a place that Jews avoided at all cost, seeing that it was made up of people who were the offspring of Jews and Gentiles cohabitating. The Jews of first century Israel despised Gentiles and considered them “unclean” at best (See Acts 10:9-18, 34-35, 42-45). This gives us a better understanding. Jesus is saying, “go where you normally wouldn’t go.” Think about who you disagree with. Maybe you have some hidden prejudices that keep you from certain people or certain places. Jesus says go beyond those and see that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone. Every person living is a sinner in need of salvation, and Jesus has freely provided salvation for every person. Every person needs to hear of His free gift of eternal life.Finally, Jesus calls us to be witnesses “even to the remotest part of the Earth.” How far do we go? Forever. We keep going and we do not stop going. Our lives are not ones of staying but of going and all four arenas need to be told of the love of God in Christ Jesus. One doesn’t need to be a missionary; one just needs to be obedient. We don’t need any formal training; we just need to be willing to talk. There doesn’t need to be any special planning; there just needs to be a willingness to be used where you are. There is no need for psyching ourselves up for the task; we always have the authority and presence of Jesus Christ and the indwelling Spirit. Our greatest concerns in leaving this command undone is our greed, fear, unwillingness, worldliness, and pride. All of these are the SELF-LIFE and all of these call for our repentance, for all of these keep us from going and testifying of the death and resurrection of Christ. All of these keep the lost from being saved. In writing on the prophet Jonah and his call from YHWH to go to the city of Nineveh and preach there, Merrill writes that “the mission strategy is somewhat different from the normal Old Testament pattern inasmuch as Israel was essentially to be a magnet to which the peoples would be attracted and thus attracted to Israel’s God. In Jonah’s case the command was to go, anticipating perhaps the New Testament centrifugal model of the church reaching out to the ends of the earth with the gospel message (Matt 28:19-20; cf. Acts 1:8).”[7]This is an excellent observation. Just as Jesus had already said, we are to “Go!” The Church of God is not to be a stagnant entity that causes others to marvel at its pomp and circumstance, but a people thriving in the New Life that Christ gives and powerful due to the Holy Spirit’s presence, going and reaching out to the lost. The church’s focus is to be as much outward (evangelism) as it is inward (discipleship). One can easily see that the latter gives way to the former and the former supplies the latter. This is God’s glorious plan for the Church to move forward. In fact, it is the only plan.Acts 1:9-12.This section is straight-forward. Finishing this command, Jesus ascends into heaven out of the disciples’ sight. His last words before leaving them was that they were to be His witnesses, all around the world until His kingdom comes. Last words are important. Out of all of the things that Jesus could have communicated to them, He told them this. This is how important “being His witnesses” is to Him. And so it is today with us.Upon ascension, two angels appeared and told the apostles that Jesus would return to Earth in the same way; descending from the clouds. He will come again! He is now preparing a place for His people (John 14:2-3). He will come again and receive us unto Himself and we will be with Him always. In the meantime, we are to be about His business: testifying to the salvation that He has provided and making disciples. If we were to combine the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20 and the call to be Jesus’ “witnesses” in Acts 1:8, we would say:Every believer in Jesus Christ is a ministerto the Body (Matt 28:18-20) and amissionaryto the world (Acts 1:8).The focus of the believer is twofold, calling the unsaved to be saved and for the already saved to go on being saved. This is evangelism and discipleship, justification and sanctification, being saved from the penalty of sin and continually being saved from the power of sin in our lives, receiving eternal life and experiencing abundant life, coming into relationship with the Father through the Son and experiencing fellowship with Him on an ongoing basis, answering the invitation to know Him and enjoying intimacy with Him, having peace with God and experiencing the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, being granted a holy position before Him and cultivating a holy practice in Him, believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and abiding with the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no other goal, no new vision or revelation, no new program to employ, no other way of relating. It is evangelism and discipleship, with the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the center of all that flows out of the Church. The greatest fulfillment that we will ever experience in this earthly life is in getting a taste of the Life to come as we testify about Christ and teaching believers about His glorious grace! It is all about Him, not us. Our greatest ambitions cannot compare to the glorious riches that we already possess in Christ. Are we taking advantage of those benefits, or has SELF blocked our access to the depths of His grace?Make the wise decision to heed the Word of God: share Christ with the lost knowing that the power of the Holy Spirit is with you, and make discipleship a priority, knowing that the authority of Christ and His continual presence will never leave you. God has made Himself known by His Word. How blessed we are to be His people and to share in making Him known to the world![1]George N. H. Peters, The Theocratic Kingdom of Our Lord Jesus, the Christ, vol. 1 (New York; London: Funk & Wagnalls, 1884), p. 366.[2]BDAG, p. 111.[3]Peters, The Theocratic Kingdom, vol. 1, p. 430–431.[4]Lewis Sperry Chafer, The Kingdom in History and Prophecy(Chicago: The Bible Institute Colportage Association, 1936), p. 72.[5]A.W. Tozer, God’s Pursuit of Man(Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2015), p. 91.[6]Ibid., p. 93.[7]Eugene H. Merrill, Everlasting Dominion: A Theology of the Old Testament (Nashville, TN: B & H Academic, 2006), p. 499.

Replacement TheologyDoes the assembly (or church) replace Israel?Deut 10:12-13Deut 6:4-6Numbers 15:37-38Who is Israel?Who is the law ascribed to?Messiah is our linkEph 2:12-13Has the New Testament Church replaced Israel?Acts 7:37-38Acts 19:24-41Gentile converts were to be accepted even before the time of Messiah.Deut 10:17-19Isaiah 56:3-8The sons of the foreigners can join themseles to Yahweh.A home for all nations.Acts 15:13Yahweh is faithful.Romans 11:1-2Yahweh will not cast his people away.Psalm 94:14Jeremiah 31:35-40Romans 3:1-2Romans 9:4-51st Chron 17:20-22You are a holy peopleDeut 7:6-8He didn't choose them becuse they were mighty.Deut 9:4-6Israel to be a good witness to other nations.Deut 4:5-8How Isreal was to witnes to others.Isaiah 4:10With whom are the covenants made?Jeremiah 31:31-33Hebrews 8:8Do these things apply personally to us?Isaiah 51:7If you don't believe the words of Moses how are you going to believe the words of Messiah?John 5:47Israel has a marvelous futurePsalm 102:15-16Isaiah 2:1-4Micah 4:1-3Revelations 21:10-13The assmebly doesn't replace Israel... the assembly is Israel.Support the show (http://www.halleluyah.org)

Intro: We live in a world that believes less and less in absolute truth. People are skeptical of everything they are told, especially if historically believed. “Post-truth” the Oxford dictionary’s 2016 word of the year: an adjective relating to circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than emotional appeals. 1. All the Words in Scripture are God’s Words a. The Bible claims this about itself i. The Scriptures contain direct quotes of God’s words. “Thus says the Lord…” (Num 22:38; Deu 18:18-20; Jer 1:9; Ezek 2:7) “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write…” (Rev 2:1) ii. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” (2 Tim 3:16) iii. Prophecy was produced by men carried along by the Holy Spirit. “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Pet 1:21) iv. The words of Scripture were spoken by the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:16, Psalms 69 and 109 are said to be words which “the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David.” v. Jesus quoted the OT as from the mouth of God. In Matt 4:4, in Jesus’ repeated citations from Deuteronomy to answer every temptation, he said to the devil, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” b. Application: to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God. c. All the words in Scripture are completely true and without error in any part i. “You are God, your words are true.” (2 Sam 7:28) ii. “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.” (Ps 119:89) iii. “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” (Prov 30:5) iv. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Matt 24:35) d. Application: God’s words are the ultimate standard of truth i. “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (Jn 17:17) e. The Bible is trustworthy – New Testament affirmation i. Jonah was in the whale (Mt 12:40) ii. The men of Nineveh repented after Jonah’s message (Mt 12:41) iii. The queen of the South came to hear Solomon (Mt 12:42) iv. Elijah was sent to the widow of Zarephath (Lk 4:25-26) v. On the day Lot left Sodom, fire and brimstone rained from heaven (Lk 17:29) vi. Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness (Jn 3:14) vii. Elijah spoke with God (Rom 11:2-4) viii. The people of Israel passed through the sea (1 Cor 10:11) ix. Abraham gave a tenth of everything to Melchizedek (Heb 7:1-2) x. The world was created by the Word of God (Heb 1:3) xi. Eight people were saved by the ark (1 Pe 3:20; 2 Pe 2:5) xii. God turned Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes, but saved Lot (2 Pe 2:6-7) xiii. Balaam’s donkey spoke (2 Pe 2:16) xiv. The details of the history of Israel (Acts 13:17-23) 2. Westminster Confession of Faith (1642-46) Chapter 1: of the Holy Scripture IV. The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, and obeyed, depends not upon the testimony of any man, or Church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God. 3. Is the Bible divine? (Or did men create it?) a. The Bible is the Word of God (2 Tim 3:16) 4. Is the Bible true? (Can it be trusted?) a. God is true (Titus 1:1-3) b. The Word of God is true (Jn 17:17) c. The NT writers affirmed the OT as true d. Jesus affirmed the OT as true

Restoring the Roster of God’s End-Time Israel (Acts 1:12-26) CrossWay Community Church October 14th, 2018

1. Take your next step.A mans heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9The steps of a man are established by the Lord, where he delights in his way; Psalm 37:23The they gathered around him and asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom of Israel?" Acts 1:6He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:7-82. Continually surrenderTherefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-23.When you experience real grace, you can face the real you!

 Foundational Truths: The Bible is God’s self-revelation.God is the Eternal, Sovereign Creator; all that He creates is good.Man is a responsible agent, held to a moral standard.Sin originates within a person, separating us from God.God declares one righteous by faith alone, apart from works.What is the grand purpose of all history and existence? Many people would point to the salvation of the lost, but this is actually only one piece of the total pie that YHWH will accomplish in history. The grand purpose for all of history and existence is God’s glory! The salvation of men and women is one of many things that contribute unto this end. Ryrie explains, writing, “Scripture is not man-centered as though salvation were the main theme, but it is God-centered because His glory is the center. The Bible itself clearly teaches that salvation, important and wonderful as it is, is not an end in itself but is rather a means to the end of glorifying God (Eph. 1:6, 12, 14).”[1] That being said, the establishment of a literal, earthly, political theocracy in which Christ Jesus reigns supreme is the pinnacle of glory unto God, “when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet” (1 Cor 15:24b-25). If this is God’s mission in history, and if He has communicated this fact to us in the Scriptures, it should be our driving mission as well, for no purpose is greater than God receiving maximum glory all of the time for eternity!In Daniel 7:13-14 the thesis statement of the Bible is recorded. The goal of all history and existence is that Jesus Christ would be glorified in establishing His kingdom on Earth, exercising an “everlasting dominion.”God’s desire is that men and women would have a ruling capacity upon the Earth alongside Christ in this future time. This is first found in Genesis 1:26-28. We are told that God made man and woman in His image, after His likeness, as rulers over the fish, birds, cattle, andcreeping things, being fruitful and filling the earth, subduing it, and ruling over it. Some translations use the term “have dominion” (ESV, KJV, NKJV, Darby). The idea is that man was to dominate the creation in alignment with His Creator. McClain notes, “In the Genesis account of the creation of man, the very first of the divine injunctions laid upon him was regal in character… Thus among other important likenesses to his Creator, man was given a limited sovereignty in relation to the earth.”[2]Only man and woman were created in His image and likeness. This cannot be said about any other creature that the Lord has made. This creative act was before the Fall of man, making it a pure and holy calling. YHWH was operating with man in a sinless, unmodified environment. Also, this establishes human beings as superior to all other forms of life in creation. Thus, from the very first chapter in Genesis we have YHWH sharing His ruling responsibilities with men and women, establishing a kingdom of rule on Earth.With the introduction of sin into the human race (Gen 3:1-7), the right to rule was forfeited by Adam and Eve and the mantle was taken up by Satan and his demonic forces (Psa 82:2-7; John 14:30; 2 Cor 4:4). The “kingdom on earth” became a playground for sinful exploits and satanic deceptions as the human rulers of this world were swayed into flesh-patterns of decision-making that satisfied the wisdom of man rather than being in alignment with the holy council of the Creator God by His Word (Gen 6:1-4; Rom 1:18-32). The propensity is toward godlessness.In Genesis 9:1b, YHWH commands Noah and his descendants to be fruitful and multiply and to fill the earth. What is noticeably missing from this command is that the call to “have dominion” is absent, showing that this right was forfeited in the Fall.YHWH is serious about real estate. Every kingdom needs a place in which to reside. For the Jews, this land is in the Middle East, between Egypt and Iraq. With the call of Abraham and the promises that were made to him, we see that “land” is guaranteed to him and his descendants (Gen 12:1d, 7). This is restated again and again (Gen 15:7-21; 17:8) also being communicated to Isaac (Gen 26:3) and Jacob (Gen 28:13). Even by goinginto Egypt, Jacob is told that YHWH would “make you a great nation there” (Gen 46:3).YHWH’s affection for Israel is seen in the Exodus time, calling them His people (Exod 3:10), His son, and His firstborn (Exod 4:22). All of these are terms of personal possession, as well as terms used for those who would be heirs of what was to come.It is clear that the revelation of Scripture thus far (and throughout the rest of the Old and New Testaments) points to the Lord’s fulfillment of the dominion command with progressive revelation working toward the future coming Kingdom of Jesus Christ.The greatest way that YHWH is glorified through people is when they trust His Word and walk forward in obedience. Such obedience causes them to inherit a place of regal responsibility in the coming Kingdom of Christ. In the history of Israel, who are looking forward to the Messiah who will “restore the Kingdom to Israel” (Acts 1:6), inheritance is conditioned upon obedience. This historical event sets up a perfect picture for the Church Age saint in what it is to “trust YHWH fully” so that he or she will receive an inheritance.Numbers 13:1-16. YHWH calls upon Moses to send out spies made up from the leaders of each of the twelve tribes to see what the Promised Land looked like since they were being led to inherit it. By selecting leaders, these men already understood the pressures and responsibilities that came with leadership. Some have equated the sending of spies as an act of unbelief by Israel, but this is proven false in Deut 1:21-23. The Israelites wished to plot out a way to go up to the land and see the cities that were to be taken first (Deut 1:22b). We are told that this request pleased Moses (Deut 1:23).Verses 4-16 give a detailed account of the men selected for this mission. Of particular note is Caleb in v.6 (whose name means “faithful” and is a derivative of the Hebrew for “dog”), and Hoshea (whose name means “salvation, deliverance”) in v. 8, also called Joshua in v.16 (actually “Jehoshua” meaning “YHWH is salvation”), Moses’ 2nd in command.Numbers 13:17-25. Repeatedly, we have the Land of Canaan referred to as a land “flowing with milk and honey” (Exod 3:8, 17; 13:5; 33:3; Lev20:24). Was it true? This expedition served in answering many questions about what they were to expect.o What is the caliber and number of men that they would be fighting?o What places are best for habitation?o What is the estimated time of initial survival?o What battle strategies need to be considered?o What will be required to overcome the structures that they are living in?o Is the land abundant or scarce for food and supplies?This was not haphazard operation. The Israelites sought to be prepared and their surveying the land is in keeping with wisdom.The journey of the spies is impressive. In the course of 40 days (13:25), the spies journeyed from the Wilderness of Zin, which is the southwestern curve of the Mediterranean Sea, up through the main land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean, to the northern point of Rehob located in Lebo-Hamath which is southern Syria (13:21). Just 3 miles north of Hebron, the spies cut down a massive cluster of grapes in the valley of Eshcol to bring back as evidence of the land’s abundance. The length of this journey is roughly 480 miles round trip!Numbers 13:26-33. When the spies returned, they gave a report to Moses, Aaron, and the congregation of Israel. The land was bursting with abundance just as YHWH had said (13:27)! However, the spies also spoke of the opposition that lay in wait for them. This report was exactly what Moses asked of them (compare the questions of 13:18-20 to the report in 13:27-29). Everything in the spies’ report in 13:27-29 is true. Details are given as to the people and their locations. “The Semitic Amorites and Jebusites lived in the hill country, along with some of the non-Semitic Hittites who had migrated into the region from eastern Anatolia. The term Amorite can refer in general to a number of the inhabitants of the Levant, including those in areas known today as Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, and Palestine.”[3]Obviously, such a report, no matter how truthful, would cause anxiety among Israel. We must keep in mind that the Israelites are not warriors, or fighters, or generals, but are men and women who had just come out of a slave mentality and who, apart from the Living God, would not be alive at this moment in history. Caleb, who was one of the twelve spies (13:6) brought the people to a hush and immediately called them to walk forward in what YHWH had already told them. YHWH’s promises served as Caleb’s confidence. Caleb demonstrates an excellent leadership principle in v. 30: Clear direction is most needed in a troubled time.The response from the other spies (being 10 of them because Joshua was siding with Caleb-14:6) showed that they had allowed their present circumstances to overshadow the eternal promises of YHWH. Verse 32 seems to communicate that the 10 spies gave a bad report, seeking to persuade Israel to disobedience. Verses 32-33 also communicates that embellishments were conveyed, telling the people that the land “devours” its inhabitants, that those who live there are overpowering and enormous in size, making the Israelites seem like grasshoppers in their wake. This description is nothing short of elaborate and dramatic for the purpose of stirring up fear in the people.The mention of the Nephilim in v. 33 has caused some debate. The Nephilim were last mentioned in Genesis 6 as the result of demons cohabitating with human women. While many have written saying that this is impossible, the passages they cite do not serve in giving an explanation of improbability. However, if we simply take God’s Word for what it says and understand that He is telling us the truth about things that we would not otherwise know, we see that this event brought about the great judgment of the Flood!With the Flood being global, and the Nephilim being mentioned, one would draw the conclusion that the Nephilim perished in the Flood. This is a correct understanding. The reason for their name resurfacing in this situation is because the sons of Anak (13:22, 33) were actual giants that lived in the land (much like Goliath later). The Israelites, knowing their Genesis history, would be further led to not enter the land if the 10 spies used the word “Nephilim” to strike fear in the people. Thus, it is not that the Nephilim survived the flood, but that their name was used for the purpose of persuasion.Numbers 14:1-5. The Israelites’ response is one of anguish, letting their emotions run the train right off the tracks. In reading v.2-4, it is evident that their responses are thoughtless and careless, disregarding the goodness that YHWH had showed them in setting them free from slavery and providing for them in the desert. Notice the list:o It would have been better to have died in Egypt (14:2b)o It would have been better to have died in the wilderness (14:2b)o What is God doing? Why has He brought us here to kill us? (14:3a)o Our wives and children will be taken from us (14:3b)o Egypt held a better future for us (14:3c)o Let’s get rid of Moses and go back to slavery (14:4)It is both astonishing and sad. And, it’s not too far off base from how we respond when the emotions are running high and the eternal character of God is questioned because of our present circumstances. The report of the spies had eclipsed the promises of God. Let it sink in for a moment: the Israelites are crying out that slavery in Egypt is a better future than being with YHWH.Moses and Aaron’s response to the situation is one that is unexpected, but definitely right: They fell on their faces before the Lord, submitting themselves to YHWH before the people.Numbers 14:6-10. Joshua and Caleb, the two spies that were trusting in the promises of God to them, tore their clothes in disgust at this incident. They pleaded with the people to not lose sight of what God could do in bringing them into the land. One important point communicated in v.8 is the statement, “if the LORD is pleased with us.” Caleb and Joshua knew that the covenant that they had received in Exodus 19 and 20 was conditional and that YHWH was not obligated to bring that particular generation of Israelites into the Land that He had promised them. They continued pleading with the people, “do not rebel against the LORD” (14:9), noting that the people of the land will be the Israelites’ prey, easily devoured because YHWH fights for them!It is difficult for 2 men to reason with a million or so disgruntled and discouraged people. The response that they received was carnal, calling for their stoning. This is a very possible response in our lives when one’s emotions are running the show, the person is not thinking soberly, and truth is asserted to try and bring stability to the situation.YHWH, in His glory, then appears before the people.Numbers 14:11-19. YHWH’s response is one of obvious frustration. From v.11, the chief problem in their ranks was unbelief, even though numerous signs had been given to convince them otherwise. YHWH’s anger is understandable, but the response given is in the form of a test for Moses. Does Moses still trust in YHWH? What if YHWH were to wipe out all of the Israelites and start over with Moses? Should this be the way that YHWH deals with unfaithfulness and unbelief? Taking another step that seems unnatural, Moses steps forward. “Moses interceded for Israel to protect the Lord’s reputation with the Egyptians, who would charge the Lord with inability to complete His deliverance of Israel and thus deny His power. Second, the Lord’s loyal love was the basis on which the Lord could forgive His people.”[4]There are two things that are intriguing in this passage. First, the central point is YHWH keeping His Word, which Moses appeals to in v.16. This is exactly the response that YHWH wants from us every time. God’s Word is paramount and what He has said about a matter, subject, or situation is always right regardless of what the world, politicians, scholars, or fellow Christians may say. Second, this appeal comes to a close with Moses referring to God as Adonai (“Master” v.17). Moses then recites Exodus 20:4-5 to YHWH, praying back His Word to Him and focusing in on His “chesed,” His loyal love for His chosen people Israel.Numbers 14:20-23. YHWH pardons Israel’s sin. Sin is deserving of death, but YHWH graciously lets them live. The Lord then states clearly that His glory will fill the earth (14:21). This is God’s specific goal for the Israelites, that they would bring great glory to God so as to illuminate the whole planet to His goodness and grace (Deut 4:6-8). YHWH notes that the Israelites had put Him to the test ten times and for so doing, they would not be the ones who inherited the Promised Land. You may say, “but didn’t YHWH forgive their sin and pardon them?” To that, theScriptures say, “Yes.” But this pardon resulted in their not dying. This does not mean that there were no consequences for their actions. Because of their unbelief, they would not inherit the Land. YHWH’s seeks to accomplish His promise by bringing the people into the Land to inherit it fully, and He will do so in keeping with His Word (Gen 12:1-3).Numbers 14:24-35. The Lord notes that Caleb was different. What set Caleb apart was that 1) he had a “different spirit,” with the word for “different” meaning “another” spirit, being contrasted to the people, and 2) he had “followed Me fully,” showing that faithfulness in God’s promises is what gained Caleb his inheritance in the Land.Starting in 14:25, new directions are given and the children are to go back into the wilderness. There, they would die over a period of 40 years, one year for each of the days that the spies were in the land receiving validation of all that YHWH had promised them (14:33-34).A harsh lesson to learn is that Moses, Aaron, Caleb, and Joshua were free of guilt in this situation, but because of the disobedience of the people, they still had to lead them through the forty years of wilderness. The unbelief of the Israelites costs these four men and their families dearly, even though they were faithful. Numbers 14:36-38. The consequences for the instigators of this travesty were not spared. While they were not responsible for the responses of the Israelites, they were the “tempters” that led them into unbelief. These men “died by a plague before the LORD” (14:37), which means that they dropped dead right before the people. The text then re-emphasizes the fact that Joshua and Caleb would inherit the land.This passage is a real-life, historical event that communicates an important theological truth to the Church Age saint.The Israelites were “passed over” by applying the blood, being saved from physical death (Exod 12:13). The Church is saved from spiritual death when they apply the blood of Jesus Christ, which can only be applied by faith (Rom 3:23-26; Eph 2:8-9).It is not until after their deliverance (“salvation”) that the Israelites were given instructions on how to live (Exod 20:1-20). They were fully accepted before this, demonstrating that their obedience was not contingent on their standing before God (Exod 3:10). The Church is justified before God by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone (Eph 2:8-9). It is not until after one is born from above that they are to be discipled (taught) in all that Christ has commanded (Matt 28:19). Any condition of works or obedience beforehand is not in keeping with the Old Testament picture being painted.Upon receiving instructions, the expectation was for the Israelites to apply what they had learned, having voluntarily agreed to be in a covenant relationship with YHWH (Exod 19:8). Upon receiving instructions, the Christian is to move forward in applying those instructions, having been given a new capacity, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, in living a new life (Heb 5:11-6:3). Believing and obeying are two separate things, properly represented by the terms “justification” and “sanctification” (Col 2:6).Unbelief kept the Israelites from inheriting the Land that they were promised, meaning that YHWH would have to fulfill this promise (for the promise is certain) with another generation of Israelites. This blatant rebellion, despite all of the evidence and provision that had set them up for success, was judged by YHWH ending in the eventual death of all who rebelled against Him (Num 13-14). The Israelites, instead of enjoying the abundance that waited for them in the Promised Land, would wander in the wilderness to the end of their days (Num 14:33-34). The Israelites were never cast out of the family of God, for they were believers in God (Exod 14:31). However, they were disciplined because of their disobedience and rebellion, and did not inherit the Land.For the Church, walking with the Lord (Eph 4:1), loving one another (John 13:34-35), and considering another better than ourselves (Phil 2:3) are all applications of the doctrines that we have been taught. Failure to live this new life will result in believers in Christ not inheriting the future coming Kingdom of Jesus Christ on Earth (1 Cor 3:15; 6:9-10; Gal 5:19-21; Eph 5:5).The concept of “inheriting the Kingdom” is not the equivalent to Heaven. If one believes in Christ, their eternal destiny is already locked up securely in their permanent relationship with the Father (Eph 1:13). However, one’s fellowship with the Father is a different story. Fellowship is cultivated by obeying what Christ has commanded (John 14-16). In fact, a love for God is evidenced in the obedience of the Christian, and no other way. Inheriting the Kingdom is the same as having a rich entrance into the coming Kingdom of Christ. This would be contingent on the Christian being a co-heir with Christ in the Kingdom, meaning that they were given a favorable reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Cor 3:11-15; 2 Cor 5:10). This often entails suffering for His Name’s sake (Matt 5:3, 10-12, 19-20; 6:4, 6, 18 Rom 8:17; 2 Tim 2:12). It is by rebellion, pride, and self-promotion that we lose out on the opportunity to reign with Christ (Matt 6:1-2, 5, 16, 23-24; 7:21-23, 26-27).Will you trust the Lord for your daily life, direction, and decisions? There is no greater place, that yields no greater reward and accomplishes no greater glory for God, than being in the center of God’s will all of the time. This end is inseparable from knowing, trusting, and doing His Word. [1] Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Dispensationalism, Rev. and expanded. (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 1995), p. 48.[2] Alva J. McClain, The Greatness of the Kingdom: An Inductive Study of the Kingdom of God (Chicago: Moody Press, 1968), p. 42-43.[3] R. Dennis Cole, Numbers, Vol. 3B, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), p. 223.[4] John MacArthur Jr., ed., The MacArthur Study Bible, electronic ed. (Nashville, TN: Word Pub., 1997), p. 217.

What is the Culture of the Church??? Church-The word church in the Bible comes from the Greek word ecclesia, which means a called out company or assembly. Wherever it is used in the Bible it refers to people. It can be a mob (Acts 19:30-41), the children of Israel (Acts 7:38), and the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 5:25, 32). The church is people!!!! Called from invited into!!! Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground." (‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭26-28‬ NIV) 3 Things Make up the Church He played A Family- He planted a family in the garden. We are called to be a family. He made us in His Likeness "We were created to host the Presence of God-When Adam breathed his first breath, the first thing he saw was the Face of God!!! Be fruitful and multiply- Expand the Family!!! Paul- It was the House of God- We are the family of God It was a Bride- Host the presence of the Bridegroom to be in Love!!! It was a Body- Be the Hands and Feet of Jesus!!! Do the work that Jesus did!!! The Wineskin or Container Or Family The Wine is the Presence "Give them a drink" But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me." (‭Ruth‬ ‭1‬:‭16-17‬ NIV) This covenant relationship set her up for her greatest moment for all of History to David to Jesus!!! When you find your people, you find your Destiny!!! Show me who you hang out with and I will tell you your calling!!! The 5 people you hang out with the most is what molds you!!! Your calling is larger than you!!! It involves people!!! Find your people!!! You can find a lot of things online, but you will not find family!!! Find your people who will sharpen you, Iron sharpens iron!!! Then the Lord said to Moses, "Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, 'I will give it to your descendants.' I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. Moses said to the Lord, "You have been telling me, 'Lead these people,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, 'I know you by name and you have found favor with me.' The Lord replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. (‭Exodus‬ ‭33‬:‭1-2, 12, 14-15‬ NIV) We host the presence of God!!! He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. (‭Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬ NIV) "Our Father" the family, not my father, but our!! All of creation is groaning and moaning for the Sons and Daughters of God!!!

At Pentecost God, through Jesus, began to give the Holy Spirit to the church starting with Israel; ultimately opening up the kingdom of God to the world through the church.

VRCC Notes ET Tapper Power from on High Acts 1 Pt3 September 24, 2017 Thy Kingdom Come… Acts 1:6-7   Before Jesus ascended to heaven, His disciples asked a question..."Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6) To which they were told it was not for them to know the times or seasons – (Acts 1:7) Was Jesus speaking about an earthly political kingdom or a spiritual kingdom?   Jesus taught about His coming Kingdom… To the Disciples… Mk 4:10-11 - 10 But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. 11 And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, (Mk 4:30-34) To the Pharisees… Lk 17:20-21 - 20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’[a] For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” To Pilate… Jn 18:36-37 - 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” THE RESTORED KINGDOM…    WAS PROMISED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT... Isaiah 9:6-7 - 6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;And the government will be upon His shoulder…And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end…    WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT... Lk 1:31-33 - 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”    WILL SPREAD TO ALL NATIONS - Matthew 28:19 - 19 Go therefore[a] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,   GOD HAS MADE JESUS LORD OVER ALL… Ep 1:20-22 - 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.   EVERY KNEE WILL BOW AND TONGUE WILL CONFESS JESUS IS LORD… PHILIPPIANS 2:9-11 - 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.   Have you bowed your knee to Jesus and confessed Him as Lord of your life? Do it today…☺

We haven’t lost the desire to know the times and seasons of God’s calendar. Books flood the marketplace, offering clues to the end of time and the meaning of certain political decisions and astronomical occurrences in the heavens. It has been true since the first couple ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. We still clutch to the notion that if we knew everything God knows, we would be fine. So, we speculate. As the book of Acts opens, Jesus has spent 40 days since his resurrection appearing to various groups of disciples. His topic during that period was the kingdom of God. As he approached his ascension, his disciples asked a calendar question. “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). Jesus answered, but not with a simple “yes” or “no.” He answered the question they needed to ask and gave them the information they needed for the season they were in. He had earlier demonstrated that mankind does not need to know the specific dates on God’s calendar when he said that even he (as man) didn’t know. (See Matthew 24:36.) In his answer, he redefined the concepts of Israel, the kingdom, and restoration. They had pictures in their minds regarding all of these things that needed to be replaced by greater and clearer pictures.