8 Pentecost - Sunday

 

first posted 07/09/05

1 Samuel 14:36-45,      Jonathan Ransomed Romans 5:1-11,       Results of Justification Matthew 22:1-14       The Marriage Feast   Jonathan and his armor-bearer had acted in faith (obedient trust) and the Lord worked through him to win a great victory for Israel over the Philistines (1 Samuel 14:1-15). Saul wanted to pursue the advantage and destroy the Philistines while they were in retreat. But the priest told him to seek guidance from God. When Saul prayed the Lord did not respond, so Saul realized that there must be some sin arisen in his army that caused separation from God. Saul vowed that whoever was guilty of sin would be executed, even his own son, Jonathan   To resolve the issue he had the priest cast lots using the sacred Urim and Thummim. He separated himself and his son Jonathan from his troops, and the lot pointed to Saul and Jonathan. Again the lot was cast, and pointed to Jonathan. Saul asked what Jonathan had done, and Jonathan told him he had broken Saul’s vow of fasting (unintentionally, not having heard the vow; 1 Samuel 14:24, 27) by eating honey found in abundance in the forest. Saul vowed that Jonathan would be executed, but the people opposed Saul’s verdict, because it was Jonathan’s faith and action which had led to Israel’s victory over the Philistines (1 Samuel 14:6-15). The people vowed that Jonathan should not die because of what God had done through him. “So the people ransomed Jonathan, that he did not die” (1 Samuel 14:45b). Israel’s victory gave them peace from the Philistines.   Those who are justified (accounted blameless in God’s judgment) through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ have peace with God. Through Jesus we have received grace (unmerited favor) in which we stand (securely) and have joy in the hope of sharing God’s glory. Moreover, we can rejoice even in suffering, knowing we learn endurance through suffering, and character through endurance, and character produces hope that will not disappoint us because we have received and experienced God’s love through the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit.   While we were enslaved by sin and helpless to save ourselves, Christ died for sinners in God’s perfect timing. One might be willing to die for a good person, but practically no one would be willing to die for the loathsome (which as sinners we all were). “But God shows his love for us in that while were yet sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). If Jesus’ death accomplished our reconciliation to God by his blood sacrifice, certainly we can depend on our salvation from God’s wrath and eternal condemnation by his life (his resurrection to eternal life which we personally experience through the gift of the Holy Spirit). So we can rejoice in fellowship with God through Jesus Christ through whom we have received our reconciliation.   Jesus described the kingdom of God in a parable as a marriage feast a king had prepared for his son. At the right time he sent his servants to call those who had been invited, but they declined his invitation. The king again sent his servants to them to tell them that everything was ready and the food had been prepared. But the invited guests laughed at the invitation. They went about their business and interests. Some even attacked the king’s servants and abused and killed them. When the king heard this he was angry, and he sent his troops to destroy those people and burn their village.   The king told his servants that those who had been invited were unworthy. Instead the servants were to go out and invite whoever they might find. So the wedding hall was filled with all sorts of people, good and bad. When the king came in to see the guests he noticed that one person was present who had no wedding garment. He asked that person how he had gotten in and the person was speechless.  Then the king told his attendants to bind the person’s hands and feet and through him into “the outer darkness, where people will weep and gnash their teeth” (Matthew 22:13). “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14).   Sin (disobedience of God's Word) separates us from God. Jonathan had not been aware that he was sinning against his father and his king, but his sin separated him from God. God’s Word declares that the penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). Under the Old Covenant of Law instituted by God with Moses on behalf of Israel God provided forgiveness of sin through blood sacrifice. Either the sinner had to die, or an animal was substituted. Jonathan was condemned to death, but was redeemed by a substitutionary animal sacrifice. Israel’s victory over the Philistines through the faith and obedience of Jonathan gave them peace from the Philistines.     Jesus is the Savior and Messiah promised by God, whose blood sacrifice, once for all time and all people (who trust and obey Jesus), on the Cross, redeems us from the condemnation of eternal death, since all of us are sinners who have fallen short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). Jesus’ blood is the blood of the New Covenant (Matthew 26:26-28) of grace (unmerited favor; free gift) through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9; see God’s Plan of Salvation sidebar, top right)   Until the coming of Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit had been available only to certain priests and prophets. Priests used the sacred lots to reveal God’s will. Silence from God is a sign of separation caused by sin. If we experience silence from the Lord we should examine ourselves to see if we have unconfessed sin; we should consider whether we have wandered from obedient trust in the Lord. It is by the indwelling Holy Spirit of the risen Jesus (Romans 8:9 b) that our minds are opened to understand the Bible (Luke 24:45), and we are guided and empowered to know and do God’s will.   Those who are disciples, who are trusting and obeying Jesus, have been forgiven and are accounted blameless in God’s judgment and have peace with God. Forgiveness, salvation from eternal death, and reconciliation with God are the gift of God to be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). We can rejoice in the hope of eternal fellowship with the Lord in his heavenly kingdom, even in the midst of suffering. That hope is guaranteed by the indwelling Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16), which is a foretaste of the fullness of the eternal love, fellowship and glory to come.     The wedding feast Jesus described is the celebration prepared by God for the marriage of his Son, Jesus Christ, and his bride, the Church. That feast is illustrated in Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the multitudes (for example, Matthew 14:13-21) and the water turned to wine at the marriage at Cana (John 2:1-11). It is the fulfillment of the promise instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper, which believers celebrate in the Eucharist (the Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion; Matthew 26:26-29).      We have been given the invitation to join the wedding feast. The Father has supplied the wedding garment, by the blood of Jesus which cleanses us from sin. Anyone who will accept the invitation and act on it in obedient trust, put on the garment and come, will be welcomed, but the indwelling Holy Spirit which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey him (John 14:15-17) is the only “garment” that will gain our admission.   Many today are not taking God’s invitation seriously; they’re pursuing their own interests rather than responding to the Lord’s call, ignoring the fact that they have to respond by a certain day that the Lord has set (now; today; 2 Corinthians 6:2). Some are abusing or killing the servants who the Lord has sent to call them to the feast. The Lord has promised that there is a Day of Judgment coming, when the Lord will destroy the unworthy guests and their villages and homes with fire Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-8). Those who try to get into the heavenly feast any other way than by spiritual "re-birth" (John 3:3, 5-8) by the indwelling Holy Spirit through obedient trust in Jesus Christ will find themselves thrown into eternal darkness, anguish and torment.   Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)?  Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

 

8 Pentecost - Monday

 

first posted 07/10/05

1 Samuel 15:1-3, 7-23,       Obedience is Better than Sacrifice Acts 9:19b-31,      Paul’s Reception in Jerusalem Luke 23:44-56a      Jesus’ Death and Burial   Samuel was the spiritual leader of the people, although he had anointed Saul as king in obedience to God’s will. Samuel told Saul that Saul was to be the Lord’s instrument of judgment on Amalek (the Amalekites; who had attempted to prevent Israel from entering the Promised Land). Samuel warned Saul to hear and obey God’s command to utterly destroy all the Amalekites and all their livestock (1 Samuel 15:2-3; see Deuteronomy 25:19, 20:16-18). Saul and his army defeated the Amalekites but Saul and the Israelites took Agag, the king of the Amalekites, prisoner, and kept the best of the livestock and all the best of their possessions. They only destroyed completely the people, except for Agag, and only the possessions which Israel regarded as worthless.   The Lord told Samuel that the Lord regretted having made Saul king, because Saul had not obeyed God’s Word. Samuel was angry at Saul “and cried to the Lord all night” (1 Samuel 15:11). He got up early to go to find and meet with Saul. He was told that Saul had set up a monument to himself at Carmel, and then gone to Gilgal. Samuel found Saul, and Saul greeted him with a blessing of God and told Samuel that Saul had performed the commandment of the Lord. Samuel said that if what Saul had said was true, why was Samuel hearing the bleating and lowing of Amalekite livestock. Saul claimed the Israelites had brought the best of the livestock to sacrifice to the Lord. Samuel told Saul to stop lying. Samuel told Saul what the Lord had told Samuel during the night. Though Saul was just a common person without any great qualities, the Lord had anointed him king of Israel. The Lord had given Saul a mission to utterly destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions. Why had Saul disobeyed God’s command? Why had Saul seized the spoils and disobeyed God’s command?  Saul denied that he had disobeyed the Lord’s command, and blamed the Israelites for keeping the spoils to sacrifice to the Lord at Gilgal.   Samuel asked Saul if he thought that the Lord would more pleased with the sacrifice of animals than with obedience. Samuel confirmed that obedience is better than sacrifice. Rebellion or disobedience against God’s Word is worse than divination (seeking guidance from demons); stubborn resistance of God’s will is worse than sin and idolatry. Samuel declared that since Saul had rejected God’s Word, God had rejected Saul as King.   Saul of Tarsus (later called “Paul,” the apostle) encountered the risen, ascended Jesus on the road to Damascus and was struck blind. After his sight had been restored and he had been “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) by the gift of the Holy Spirit, he was with the disciples (Christians; see Acts 11:26), in the Church at Damascus. Immediately Saul began to proclaim Jesus as the Son of God in the synagogue. All who heard him were amazed because it was well known that he had arrested and imprisoned Christians and had come to Damascus on the same mission.   Saul increased in the strength of the Holy Spirit and “confounded the Jews by proving that Jesus was the Christ” (Messiah; both mean “anointed” in Greek and Hebrew, respectively; Acts 9:22). After many days, a plot of the Jews to kill Paul was discovered. Since the Jews were watching the city gate day and night, the disciples lowered Saul over the wall in a basket. When Saul came to Jerusalem he attempted to join the Christians there but they were afraid of him; they didn’t believe he was a disciple. Barnabas, a highly regarded disciple, vouched for Paul and told of Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus, and how Saul had preached the Gospel boldly in Damascus. Saul was allowed to associate with the Church at Jerusalem, and he preached the Gospel boldly. He argued against the Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews) and they sought to kill Saul, but when the plot became know the disciples took him to Caesarea, and sent him on to Tarsus.   Jesus had been crucified and was hanging on the cross, still alive. It was about noon, and from noon until about 3:00 PM there was a solar eclipse. Then Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit” and stopped breathing. The Roman Centurion saw what had taken place and he declared that Jesus certainly must have been innocent. The large crowd that had watched the crucifixion went home “beating their breasts” (a ritual of mourning). Those who had been followers of Jesus from Galilee, and the women who had accompanied and supported him, stood at a distance and saw what had happened. Joseph, a native of Arimathea (a village in Israel), was a member of the Jewish Council (the Sanhedrin, which had condemned Jesus and demanded his execution by the Romans). Joseph was a good and righteous man who had opposed the Council’s verdict. He went to Pilate and asked for custody of Jesus’ body. He took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid it in a new, unused tomb. It was (Friday), the Day of Preparation for the Jewish Sabbath which began at sundown. The women “who had come with him from Galilee (including Mary Magdalene) saw the tomb and how his body was laid” Luke 23:55). Then they went home and prepared the spices and ointments to be used to prepare his body for burial. The Lord had blessed Saul by making him “prince” of Israel (1 Samuel 10:1; Although Saul had the title of King, the Lord was the King of Israel, and Saul was reigning as the representative of the Lord by the Lord’s authority), although Saul had done nothing to merit God’s favor. Saul wanted the blessings without obedience to God’s commands. He built a memorial to himself instead of glorifying God by his obedience (1 Samuel 15:12 RSV). Saul thought he could substitute religious ritual for obedience to God’s Word. He tried to manipulate God’s favor instead of seeking to know and do God’s will. He tried to excuse his disobedience by blaming it on others, and by saying that he had saved the best to sacrifice to the Lord in worship, when in reality had given God, by his disobedience, only what Saul and Israel regarded as worthless (1 Samuel 15:9e RSV). Regardless of what Saul said, what he believed was demonstrated by what he did. The Lord is God whether we acknowledge him or not, but God has no obligation to be all that an almighty, loving and merciful God implies, to people who don’t trust and obey him. Saul of Tarsus, who became Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, revealed his conversion and spiritual “re-birth” (John 3:3, 5-8) by what he did. When Jesus rebuked him on the road to Damascus he responded humbly and respectfully (Acts 9:4-5), he obeyed what the Lord told him to do and he waited for further guidance from the Lord (Acts 9:6). He fasted and prayed in repentance as he waited (Acts 9:9, 11d). He believed the vision the Lord had given him and in the disciple the Lord had sent to restore his physical vision and give him the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. So the Lord’s promises were fulfilled to Saul. Other Christians were skeptical at first because what Saul was saying didn’t match what they knew he had done in the past, but as they came to know the re-born Paul, his conversion was obvious in his changed life. His former “allies” in his old life didn’t appreciate his conversion and they attacked and tried to destroy Paul, just as people had attacked and tried to destroy Jesus by crucifixion. The truth and power of the Gospel is available for everyone who is willing to see it. Jesus came into the world to show us that God is merciful, loving, faithful, all-knowing and all-powerful. Jesus is what God looks like in human form (Colossians 2:8-9; John 14:7-9). He came to show us how to live according to God’s Word, and to enable us to do so, by his Holy Spirit. Jesus’ words and deeds recorded in scripture testify to his goodness and faithfulness. As we trust and obey Jesus’ words and apply them we receive the fulfillment of his promises, and he will reveal himself to us personally through the gift of his Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17, 21, 23). What begins as the simple “yes” of faith becomes sure and certain knowledge and personal experience (John 6:68). Do we claim to be Christians without discipleship and obedient trust in Jesus’ words? Do we want spiritual blessings without yielding to God’s will? Do we give God only what we regard as worthless; what is left-over? Are we glorifying God in our words and actions or are we building “memorials” to ourselves? Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

 

8 Pentecost - Tuesday

 

first posted 07/11/05

1 Samuel 15:24-35,       Samuel Departs from Saul Acts 9:32-43,       Peter heals Aeneas and Dorcas Luke 23:56b-24:11 (12)       The Empty Tomb   Samuel, the priest, had confronted Saul, the king of Israel, for disobeying God’s Word. Saul was to utterly destroy all the people and possessions of the Amalekites, but had taken hostage Agag, the Amalekite king, and had kept the best of the Amalekites’ livestock (1 Samuel 15:10-23). Saul confessed that he had sinned and disobeyed God’s Word because he had feared the people and had obeyed them. He asked Samuel to pardon his sin and return with Saul to worship the Lord, but Samuel refused to return with Saul; Saul had rejected God’s Word, so God had rejected Saul. Samuel turned to leave, and Saul grabbed Samuel’s robe and it tore. Samuel told Saul that God had torn the kingdom from Saul to give to a neighbor of Saul (i e, David) who was better than Saul, as Saul had torn Samuel’s robe. The “Glory of Israel” (God) doesn’t lie and does not need to repent, since he is unlike humans (Saul is the example of those who lie and sin). Saul acknowledged his sin again, but pleaded for Samuel to honor Saul in the presence of the elders and the people “and worship the Lord your (Samuel’s) God” (1 Samuel 15:30). Samuel returned to Gilgal with Saul and Saul worshiped the Lord.   Then Samuel had king Agag of the Amalekites brought before him. Agag thought that he had avoided execution, but Samuel told Agag that as Agag’s sword had made mothers childless, so would Agag’s mother be childless. Then Samuel cut Agag to pieces with a sword. Samuel then returned to his home at Ramah, and Saul went to his home in Gibeah. Samuel never saw Saul again, but Samuel grieved over Saul, and the Lord regretted having made Saul king of Israel.   As Peter was visiting churches in the region, he came to Lydda on the coastal Plain of Sharon. He met a man named Aeneas who had been paralyzed for eight years. Peter told him that Jesus Christ was healing Aeneas, and told him to get up and make his bed. The man did so, and all who witnessed it in Lydda and the surrounding region turned to the Lord.   At Joppa on the coast to the west of Lydda, a disciple (Christian), a woman named Dorcas (Greek for Gazelle; “Tabitha” is the Aramaic equivalent), fell ill and died. She was known and loved for her good works and acts of charity. Since the Christians at Joppa had heard that Peter was nearby in Lydda, they sent two men to beg Peter to come immediately. Peter came with them to Joppa and was taken to an upper room where Dorcas’ body had been placed. All the widows in the district were there, mourning for Dorcas and showing the clothing and coats she had made for them. Peter made them wait outside, and then he knelt and prayed. Then Peter said “Tabitha, rise” (Acts 9:40), and she opened her eyes. Seeing Peter, she sat up. He helped her stand up and then called the mourners and showed them that she was alive. Word of this miracle spread throughout the region and many became Christians as a result. Peter stayed in Joppa a long time, living with Simon, a tanner (an occupation regarded by Jews as defiling).   The Jewish Sabbath begins at sundown on Friday. Jesus’ body had been laid in the tomb, and the disciples observed the Sabbath rest. Early Sunday morning the women went to the tomb to prepare the body for entombment, and they found that the stone used to close the entrance had been rolled away. They entered, but there was no body. Two men appeared beside them in garments that appeared to glow (compare Luke 9:28-31). The women were frightened, and bowed to the ground. These men asked why the women were seeking the living among the dead. They reminded the women that Jesus had told them that the Son of man would be crucified and rise on the third day. They remembered Jesus’ words, and they returned to the disciples and told them what they had seen and heard. The women included Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James and others. The disciples were skeptical of the women’s story.    Samuel had declared God’s Word to Saul, but Saul had listened to his people instead. The Lord was Samuel’s God, but not Saul’s, because Samuel did what the Lord commanded and Saul did not. Saul thought he could worship the Lord after he had sinned, but he hadn’t truly repented. Saul wanted to appear before the people with Samuel, the priest, to validate Saul. When Samuel returned with Saul it was so that Samuel could carry out God’s will. It was Samuel, not Saul, who ordered Agag to be brought, and it was Samuel who carried out the execution. Agag thought he had escaped God’s judgment, but he was wrong; it just took a little longer in coming than Agag had expected. Saul thought he could go against God’s Word, and then confess to the priest and receive forgiveness without truly repenting and changing his ways. The difference between Samuel and Saul was obedience to God’s Word.   Because Saul had rejected God’s Word, God tore the kingdom from Saul and gave it to someone “better”, who was willing to do God’s will and obey God’s Word (David; ultimately Jesus, the Son of David; 1 Samuel 15:28). Because they rejected God’s anointed Savior and King God tore the kingdom from the Jews and gave it to the Gentiles [the Church; but understand that the Jews can be restored through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus; Romans 11:1-24]. This is a warning to the Church and to “Christian” nations, particularly America. “Worship,” without obedience to God’s Word does not secure the blessings and promises of God. “Confession” without true repentance does not secure forgiveness. “Religious” endorsement of political leaders doesn’t “validate” their administrations. “Ministry” without the authentic anointing of the Holy Spirit does not produce authentic “born-again” disciples of Jesus Christ.   Peter is an example of a “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) Christian disciple who learned and applied Jesus’ teaching, and was carrying on Jesus’ ministry through guidance and empowerment of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Peter had been radically transformed by the gift of the Holy Spirit, from one who had denied knowing Jesus to the high priest’s slave (John 18:26-27) to boldly proclaiming the Gospel and doing miracles of healing and restoration in Jesus’ name. (Acts 2:1-24). Peter had obeyed Jesus’ command to wait in Jerusalem until he had received the promised indwelling Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5), and was now carrying out Jesus’ command to make disciples and teach them to trust and obey all that Jesus teaches and commands (Matthew 28:18-20).   Jesus had told his disciples several times that he was going to be crucified and would rise again on the third day (Luke 9:22, 18:31-34), but they didn’t understand when Jesus said it, and they could not at first believe it when it was reported to them. Jesus spoke God’s Word (John 14:24) and Jesus is the fulfillment and embodiment of God’s Word (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus’ words are utterly true and reliable. Jesus said that those who trust and obey his words are the ones who are truly his disciples and who truly love him, and they are the ones who receive the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17, 21 23), the seal and guarantee and foretaste of eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). Jesus’ resurrection is the demonstration of his promise of resurrection and eternal life.   We have been given great promises in God’s Word, but we must trust and obey the Lord in order to receive them. Have we believed the eyewitness biblical accounts of Jesus’ resurrection? Have we believed the testimony of truly “born-again” Christians, those who have personally encountered the risen ascended Jesus, like Paul (Acts 9:1-18)? Have we sought and experienced “resurrection” from spiritual death to true spiritual eternal life through the indwelling Holy Spirit? Are we living in ways that glorify Jesus’ name and cause people to trust and obey Jesus, or are we listening to and obeying the people of this world? Do we expect God to forgive our sins while we continue to be disobedient to his Word?   Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

 

 

8 Pentecost - Wednesday

first posted 07/12/05

1 Samuel 16:1-13,       Anointing of David

Acts 10:1-16,       Conversion of Cornelius

Luke 24:13-35      The road to Emmaus

 

Samuel had separated from Saul because of Saul’s disobedience of God’s Word, but Samuel had continued to grieve for Saul. The Lord told Samuel to stop grieving for Saul, since the Lord had rejected Saul as King of Israel. Instead Samuel was to go to Jesse of Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse’s sons to be king. Samuel told the Lord that he was afraid Saul would kill him if he found out. The Lord told Samuel to take a heifer to offer as a sacrifice, and to invite Jesse and his sons to worship and share the feast. Then Samuel was to anoint the son of Jesse whom the Lord would reveal to Samuel.

 

Samuel did as the Lord had told him. When he arrived in Bethlehem the elders of the city were afraid and asked Samuel if his visit was peaceable. Samuel told them he had come to offer a sacrifice, and invited them as well as Jesse and his sons. When they came Samuel saw Eliab and he thought that surely Eliab would be the Lord’s choice, but the Lord told Samuel that the Lord is not influenced by outward appearance.

The Lord knows the innermost thoughts and motives of the heart, and had rejected Eliab. Jesse brought his sons before Samuel one at a time, and the Lord rejected each of them. Samuel asked Jesse if all his sons were present, and was told that the youngest son, David, was herding sheep.

 

Samuel told Jesse to send someone to fetch David, because they could not begin until David was present. David was handsome with beautiful eyes and ruddy complexion. The Lord told Samuel that David was the one who was chosen. Samuel anointed David in the presence of his brothers, “and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward” (1 Samuel 16:13).

 

Cohorts were garrisons of Roman soldiers spread throughout the provinces of the empire and serving as military police. Cornelius was a centurion of the Italian Cohort stationed in Caesarea at the time. He and his household were worshipers of God, and Cornelius was known to be devout, generous in giving alms and constant in prayer.

At about three pm he was praying and had a vision of an angel of God, who called him by name. Cornelius was terrified, and asked what the angel wanted. The angel assured Cornelius that his prayers and alms had been acknowledged by God. Cornelius was to send messengers to Joppa to fetch Simon Peter, who was staying at the house of Simon the tanner, by the sea. When the angel had delivered the message he left, and Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier from his aides, told them everything that had happened, and sent them to Joppa.

 

The next day at noon, as Cornelius’ messengers were on their way, Peter went up to the roof to pray. He became hungry, and while lunch was being prepared he fell into a trance, and saw a vision of something like a large sheet lowered from heaven by it’s four corners. There were all varieties of animals, reptiles and birds in it, and a voice told Peter to get up, kill and eat.

Peter replied that he had never eaten anything regarded as unclean according to Jewish dietary laws. The voice replied that Peter should not regard as unclean anything the Lord had cleansed. The vision was repeated two more times.

 

On the day of Jesus’ resurrection two of his disciples were going to Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking about the events of the crucifixion and resurrection. As they were talking Jesus approached and walked with them. They saw but did not recognize him. Jesus asked them what they had been talking about.

They stopped and appeared sad as they told him how Jesus of Nazareth, a prophet, had been condemned and crucified. They had hoped that Jesus was the one chosen by God to redeem Israel. It was now the third day since his crucifixion, and the really amazing thing was that the women had reported that Jesus’ body had disappeared from the tomb and they had seen a vision of angels who told them that Jesus was alive.

 

Jesus gently rebuked them as foolish for being slow to believe the scriptural prophecies. It was necessary for the Christ to suffer and die to fulfill God’s plan and receive his glory. Jesus began to show them from Jewish scripture (the Old Testament books of Law and Prophets) the fulfillment of prophecies concerning himself.

 

As the disciples neared their destination, they invited Jesus to stay the night, since it was near sunset. So Jesus joined them and at dinner Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it and gave it to the disciples, and they recognized him, but Jesus vanished from their sight.

They agreed that they should have recognized him on the road as he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. That very hour they returned to Jerusalem and told the other disciples what had happened and how Jesus had been revealed in the breaking of the bread. They learned that the Lord had also appeared to Simon Peter. 

 

David is the kind of person God chooses to accomplish his purpose. The Lord isn’t deceived by outward appearance, status, worldly power or wealth. The Lord looks on the heart, the inner thoughts and motives.

David was a humble shepherd boy God chose to be King of Israel, because David was a man with a heart to serve God, who would obey God’s will (Acts 13:22). Saul was tall and good looking, but he cared more for the approval of people than for God’s will and God’s approval. Because Saul rejected the Word of the Lord, the Lord rejected Saul. (1 Samuel 15:23c, d).

 

The Lord chose Cornelius to be a disciple because the Lord knew that Cornelius had a heart to worship and serve God, and when the Lord called Cornelius, Cornelius responded in obedient trust. Cornelius was a military leader, but he was terrified by the vision of an angel of God. But despite fear, he trusted and obeyed God’s Word. Cornelius and his entire household were blessed as a result of Cornelius’ spiritual leadership.

 

Peter is the example of a disciple the Lord uses to accomplish his purpose. Peter had been a fisherman and a Galilean with no formal religious training; not someone who would be highly regarded by the religious establishment in Jerusalem. On the night of Jesus betrayal and arrest, he had denied knowing Jesus three times to people who didn’t have much social, political or religious status (Luke 22:54-62). He had been in constant personal fellowship with Jesus for three and a half years or so, and he had obeyed the Lord’s command to stay in Jerusalem until he had received the promised gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49).

Since the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit was upon him mightily (compare 1 Samuel 16:13) and he had been noticeably transformed, boldly proclaiming the Gospel (Acts 2:1-42).  When the Lord taught Peter the need to change his heart attitude in a particular area, Peter accepted the Lord’s correction in obedient trust, and he was prepared and ready to minister to Cornelius and his household.

 

Jesus is God’s chosen and anointed Savior and King. God’s purpose has always been to create an eternal kingdom of his people who will trust and obey him. This life is a selection process for that eternal kingdom, and we are given the opportunity to choose for ourselves whether to enter that kingdom or not.

The meaning and purpose of life is to seek and find a personal relationship with the Lord (Acts 17:26-27). Jesus is the only way, the only door (John 10:7), to personal fellowship with the Lord and eternal life in God’s kingdom (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; See God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Jesus is the fulfillment and embodiment of God’s Word, and has been “built in” to the structure of creation (John 1:1-5, 14).

 

Disciples of Jesus who trust and obey him receive the gift, the “anointing,” of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17, 21, 23). Jesus is the only one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit (John 1:32-33). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that we are in Christ and have eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).

All of the scriptural prophecies are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The Lord reveals himself to us first through the scriptures. If we trust and obey him he will come to us and be present with us. It is the Spirit of the risen Lord who opens the minds of his disciples to understand the scriptures (Luke 24:27, 45).

 

Are you slow to believe God’s Word? Are you slow to believe the testimony of “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) Christian disciples who have experienced the resurrection of Jesus and testify that Jesus is alive?

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity  (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

8 Pentecost - Thursday

first posted 07/13/05

1 Samuel 16:14-17:11,       David and Goliath

Acts 10:17-33,       Peter Goes to Cornelius

Luke 24:36-53       Jesus’ Commissions his Disciples

 

The Holy Spirit which had been in Saul since his anointing by Samuel (1 Samuel 10:6), departed from Saul because he had disobeyed God’s Word and God had rejected him from being king (1 Samuel 15:23c-d). He was tormented by an evil spirit, and his servants suggested that he employ a musician to soothe him with music when he was being tormented by the evil spirit.

Saul told his servants to find a musician, and one of them knew that David, the son of Jesse of Bethlehem, was a good musician, a brave soldier, temperate in speech and companionable. So Saul sent for David. David’s father sent David to Saul with a donkey loaded with bread and wine and a young goat. Saul loved David and made him his armor-bearer. Saul asked Jesse to allow David to remain with Saul, and whenever Saul was afflicted with the evil spirit, David soothed him with his music.

 

The army of the Philistines gathered at Socoh in the region of Judah, and Saul and his army gathered nearby. The Philistines were on a hill on one side of a valley and Saul’s army was on the hill on the other side. A ten foot tall giant named Goliath came out from the Philistines to challenge the Israelites.

He had a bronze helmet and bronze armor on his lower legs, and he wore a coat of mail armor. He carried a bronze javelin with an iron point. Goliath shouted a challenge to Israel to send out a man to fight Goliath and the fate of the people would be decided by the outcome of the duel. Saul and his men were dismayed and afraid when they heard the challenge.

 

Peter had been praying and had seen a vision of a great sheet of cloth containing every variety of animal, both “clean” and “unclean” according to Jewish dietary laws. A voice from heaven told Peter that God had cleansed them, so Peter was to no longer regard any as unclean. Peter was still pondering this vision when the messengers sent by Cornelius arrived and called for Simon Peter.

The (Holy) Spirit told Peter to accompany the men without hesitation, because the Lord had sent them. Peter went down and the men told him that they had been sent by Cornelius, a centurion who worshiped God and was highly regarded by the Jewish people. Peter invited them to stay overnight, and the next morning they went to Caesarea with some of the Christians from Joppa.

 

The following day they arrived at Cornelius’ house. Cornelius had gathered his family and close friends. Cornelius bowed down to worship Peter but Peter told him to rise because Peter was just an ordinary person like Cornelius. Inside, Peter found a large group of people. Peter told them that it was unlawful for Jews to visit in Gentile homes, but God had showed Peter that he should not consider any person “unclean,” so Peter had come with no objection.

 

Peter asked why they had sent for him and Cornelius told him about the vision he had seen four days ago of a man in radiant apparel (compare Luke 9:28-31), who had told Cornelius that Cornelius’ prayers and acts of charity had been remembered by the Lord. The man had told Cornelius to summon Peter and gave him directions to find him. So Cornelius had immediately done as he had been told. They were gathered to hear all that Peter would say by the inspiration of the Lord.

 

After encountering the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus, the two disciples returned to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples what they had experienced. As they were speaking to the group of disciples, Jesus appeared among them. The group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost. Jesus asked why they were troubled and confused. He showed them his hands and feet, and invited them to touch him to see that he had flesh and bones. While they were still incredulous and amazed in their joy, Jesus asked for something to eat and was given a piece of broiled fish, which he ate as they watched.

 

Then Jesus reminded them that he had told them that everything in the scriptures (Old Testament books of Moses, the prophets and the psalms) concerning Christ must be fulfilled. “Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures” (Luke 24:45). The scriptures prophesied that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, “and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). His disciples were witnesses to these things. 

“And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). Then Jesus led the disciples a short distance out of Jerusalem to Bethany (on the Mount of Olives. There he blessed them and departed from them (he rose from the ground and was taken from their sight by a cloud; (Acts 1:9). The disciples returned to Jerusalem with great rejoicing, and went often to the temple to praise God.

 

David is a forerunner and illustration of the Christ. David was the ideal king whose heart was committed and obedient to God’s will (Acts 13:22). David was God’s “anointed” King of Israel to replace Saul who was disobedient to God’s word. David had been “anointed” with oil and with the Holy Spirit at the Lord’s direction (1 Samuel 16:13).

 

The Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Christ; Romans 8:9b) is the Comforter (John 14:16 KJV; consoler) who comforts and strengthens us when we are tormented by evil spirits, and gives us the ability to offer that comfort to others (2 Corinthians 1:4). Though faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ we are anointed with the Holy Spirit as David was. Jesus is the “Christ” (Messiah; both words mean “anointed” in Greek and Hebrew, respectively). Christ is our “champion” who fights our spiritual battle with the superhuman enemy and gives us the victory. Jesus won the battle with “Goliath” (Satan) at the Cross (Hebrews 2:14-15). 

 

Peter is an example of a “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple of Jesus Christ who trusted and obeyed Jesus, who had received the “anointing” of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and was directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit. His mind was opened to understand the scriptures (Luke 24:45). He stayed in Jerusalem (the “City of God;” the equivalent is the Church) until he had received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49).

The Holy Spirit, the “Lord and Giver of Life” (in the words of the Nicene Creed) prepared him for ministry to the Gentiles and brought Peter and Cornelius together. The Lord gave Peter a message and understanding of scripture and brought together a group of people ready to hear and apply that message in obedience to God’s Word. Peter was fulfilling Jesus' command to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem (Luke 24:47). He was making disciples and teaching them to obey all that Jesus taught (Acts 10:26; Matthew 28:19-20).

 

The disciples had personally experienced the risen Jesus. They knew Jesus was alive. They had been trained and equipped to carry on Jesus’ ministry of repentance and forgiveness of sins as soon as they had received the “anointing” of the Holy Spirit. Peter and the other disciples received the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-11), and Peter immediately began preaching by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:14-40). [Paul (Saul of Tarsus) is the prototype of a modern “post-resurrection” “born-again” disciple who did not know Jesus during Jesus’ earthly ministry but who personally experienced the risen and ascended  Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19)]

 

God’s Word is always fulfilled; it is totally true and reliable. Everything the Bible prophesied about Jesus is fulfilled in him. Jesus has promised that he will return on the Day of Judgment to judge everyone who has ever lived. Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus and who have been “born-again” by the indwelling Holy Spirit, the seal and guarantee that we are in Christ and have eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16), will live eternally with the Lord in his heavenly kingdom. Those who have refused to trust and obey Jesus will be condemned to eternal death and destruction (Matthew 25:31-46; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

 

Are you ready for Jesus’ return? Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

8 Pentecost - Friday
first posted 07/14/05

1 Samuel 17:17-30,       David visits his brothers

Acts 10:34-48,       Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit

Mark 1:1-13       Jesus’ baptism

 

David’s father, Jesse of Bethlehem, sent David to visit his brothers who were fighting the Philistines. David was to take a half-bushel of parched grain, ten loaves of bread, and ten cheeses to be given to the commander of the unit.

 

Saul and his army were fighting the Philistines in the valley of Elah. David left early in the morning and came to the Israelite encampment as they were facing off against the Philistines. Goliath, a ten-foot tall well-armored giant, came out in front of the Philistine line and challenged Israel to put forth a champion to fight against Goliath as a contest to determine the fate of the nations. David heard the challenge. All the men of Israel were afraid of Goliath, and David heard them say that whoever killed Goliath would be well-rewarded by the king.

 

David asked the men around him what the reward would be for the one who killed Goliath, and asked how an uncircumcised Philistine could defy the armies of the living God. David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard him and became angry. He asked why David had abandoned his father’s sheep and come. Eliab accused David of presumptuousness and evil for coming there to see the battle. David asked why Eliab was picking on him, and turned away and resumed his discussion with another man. 

 

Peter had gone to Caesarea at the invitation of Cornelius to expound the gospel to Cornelius and his household, by the direction of the Holy Spirit. Peter said that he had discovered that God shows no partiality for any person or group of people. Any one who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to God. The good news (gospel) which Jesus proclaimed is that people can have peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord above all. Jesus began to proclaim this good news throughout Judea and Galilee after his baptism by John the Baptizer. God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power, and Jesus did good works and healed all who were afflicted by the devil, by the power of God who was with Jesus. His disciples are witnesses to all that Jesus did.

Jesus was put to death on a cross, but on the third day God raised him from the dead and revealed him to those who ate and drank with Jesus after his resurrection, who were chosen by God to be his witnesses. Jesus commanded his disciples to preach the good news and to testify that Jesus is the one designated by God to judge the living and the dead. All the prophets (the Old Testament scriptures) testify that every one who believes (trusts and obeys) Jesus receives forgiveness of sin.

 

As Peter was preaching, the Holy Spirit came upon all who were listening, and the Jewish Christians (from Joppa) who came along with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been given to Gentiles. They knew that the Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit because they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Since they had received the Holy Spirit there was no question that they were ready and worthy of baptism, so Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Peter and his fellow Christians were invited to stay and remained for a number of days.

 

The gospel (i.e. “good news”) of Jesus Christ begins with the fulfillment, by John the Baptizer, of Isaiah’s prophecy of a messenger to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah (Christ). John appeared in the wilderness preaching water baptism in repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Large numbers of people from Jerusalem and all of Judea went to him, confessing their sins, and were baptized in the Jordan River.

John wore camel hair clothing and a leather belt, and he lived on locusts and wild honey he foraged in the wilderness. John’s message disclosed that John was not the Messiah but only the most menial servant heralding the coming of the Messiah. John’s mission was to prepare the people by water baptism (with confession and repentance of sin) so that they would be ready to receive the Messiah, who would baptize (“anoint”) them with the Holy Spirit.

 

Jesus came to John from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan River. When Jesus came up from the water, John saw the Holy Spirit descend and remain upon Jesus in the form of a dove (see John 1:31-34). A voice from heaven declared that Jesus is God’s beloved Son, and God is well pleased with him. The Holy Spirit immediately drove Jesus into the wilderness for forty days to be tempted by Satan, and angels ministered to him.

 

Eliab thought his little brother had just come to “sightsee.” Eliab didn’t think David was old and big enough to join the fight of God’s people against their enemy. Eliab thought he was older, stronger and wiser, and that David was talking big, but would be unable to back up his words with action. But Eliab was wrong; David had been sent by his father with a specific mission, and God had a purpose to be accomplished through David.

David had been “anointed” with the Holy Spirit (1 Samuel 16:13). David was called by God to be the “champion” of his people to deliver them from their enemy. David is the forerunner and illustration of the Christ. In a sense he is a herald of the coming Messiah. Jesus is the “champion” of his people who delivers them from their superhuman enemy, Satan.

 

The Lord was working in the lives of both Peter and Cornelius to bring them together so that the gospel of Jesus Christ could be extended to the Gentiles. Peter is an example of a “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple of Jesus Christ. He personally experienced and testified to the resurrection of Jesus. He was carrying on the ministry of Jesus to bring spiritual healing and peace with God through obedient trust in Jesus Christ. Peter had received the “anointing” of the Holy Spirit, was able to lead others to that anointing by the power of the Holy Spirit within and through him, and was able to recognize the anointing of the Holy Spirit in others. He stayed with the new disciples and “discipled” them.

 

Jesus promised the “anointing” of the Holy Spirit to his disciples who trust and obey him and that he would personally manifest himself to them through the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17; 21; 23).  He fulfilled that promise, beginning on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13).
 
Sin is disobedience of God’s Word. God’s Word says that we have all sinned and fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23). If we deny our sin we call God a liar and are only deceiving ourselves (1 John 1:8-10). The penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). Jesus is God’s only provision for our forgiveness and reconciliation with God (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

 

Every one who trusts and obeys Jesus receives forgiveness, and comes into fellowship with the Lord through his Holy Spirit. Jesus is the example of life lived by the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, and he is the only one who baptizes his disciples with the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). It is possible for one to know personally for oneself whether they have received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2).

 

John the Baptizer’s ministry was to call people to confess their sins and to change from disobedience and unbelief to obedient trust in the Lord. The scriptures were fulfilled. Jesus came in human flesh; he was crucified and rose to eternal life from physical death.

 

Jesus has promised to return to judge the (both physically and spiritually) living and the dead (Matthew 25:31-46). Jesus is the perfect and righteous judge. He came and lived in our world in our flesh, but without sinning. He knows every detail of our innermost thoughts and motives. He will judge us fairly and impartially. His disciples are commissioned to prepare people for the Lord’s return on the Day of Judgment by calling them to confess their sins, turn to obedient trust in Jesus Christ and grow to spiritual maturity and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through the “anointing" of his Holy Spirit.

 

Are you ready for Jesus’ return? Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

8 Pentecost - Saturday

first posted 07/15/05

1 Samuel 17:31-49,      David Kills Goliath

Acts 11:1-18,       Baptism of Gentiles

Mark 1:14-28      Jesus Calls Disciples

 

Goliath had challenged Israel to send forth a champion to fight Goliath to decide the battle between Israel and the Philistines. David had told Israelite soldiers that Goliath was a heathen who had defied the armies of God. David’s words were reported to Saul and Saul had David brought to him.

David said Israel should not fear Goliath, and he volunteered to challenge Goliath. Saul didn’t think David was qualified; he was a young boy who had never trained for war, and Goliath was a ten-foot tall giant who had trained for war from his youth.

David replied that he had fought and killed lions and bears while shepherding his father’s sheep. “David said, ‘The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine’” (1 Samuel 17:37). So Saul agreed to let David challenge Goliath, but he had him put on a bronze helmet, a coat of mail armor and a sword.

David was not accustomed to armor and could hardly move with it, so he took it all off. He took his wooden staff, and he selected five smooth stones from a stream and put them in his shepherd’s purse. With his sling in his hand he approached Goliath.

 

The Philistine drew near in full armor and with a shield-bearer. When he saw that David was just a youth he was contemptuous and asked if David thought he was a dog, since David came to him with a stick.

Goliath cursed David by his gods, and told him that David’s flesh would be food for buzzards and animals. David replied, “You come to me with a sword, and with a spear and with a javelin; but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel” (1 Samuel 17:45). David told him it would be Goliath’s flesh that would be food for the birds and beasts, “that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give you into my hand” (1 Samuel 17:46-47).

 

Goliath came forward to engage David and David ran to meet him. David hurled a stone with his slingshot, and it hit and penetrated Goliath’s forehead and he fell on his face, dead.

 

The apostles and Christians in Judea heard that Gentiles had received God’s Word (the Gospel of Jesus Christ). When Peter returned to Jerusalem, he was criticized by the group of conservative Jewish Christians known as the “circumcision party” who insisted that Christians must keep Jewish laws, such as circumcision.

Peter told them that he had been praying and had seen the vision of all varieties of (ritually) clean and unclean animals, and had been told not to regard what God has cleansed as “unclean.”  The vision had happened three times, and at that very moment three men from Caesarea arrived seeking Peter. The Holy Spirit told Peter to go with them showing no prejudice. Six Christian brethren from Joppa went with Peter to Cornelius’ house in Caesarea.

 

Cornelius had told them how an angel had appeared to him telling him to send to Joppa for Peter, who would declare a message by which Cornelius and his household would be saved. As Peter had begun to preach, the Holy Spirit came upon Cornelius’ entire household, just as it had originally come upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost (Acts Chapter 2).

Peter “remembered that Jesus had said that ‘John baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 11:16; see Acts 1:5; fulfilling John’s prophecy: John 1:33). Since God gave the Gentiles the same gift (the indwelling Holy Spirit), how could Peter (or any person) oppose what God had done. That ended the argument, and they glorified God for giving the Gentiles repentance which results in true, eternal life.

 

John the Baptizer had been arrested (by Herod; Matthew 14:3) when Jesus began his public ministry in Galilee, “saying, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand; repent (return to obedient trust in God, and believe in the Gospel (accept the message that Jesus is the Messiah, God’s anointed Savior and King).

 

Walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus called to two brothers, Simon (Peter) and Andrew, who were fishing with a thrown net. Jesus called them to follow him and he would make them become “fishers of men” (Mark 1:17). They immediately dropped their net and went with Jesus. Further down the shore, Jesus saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee in their boat mending nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left their father, the nets and boat, and followed Jesus.

 

They went into Capernaum and on the Sabbath Jesus began to teach in the Synagogue. People were amazed at the power and authority of his teaching, which they had never experienced in the teaching of the scribes (teachers of Scripture; the Bible; the Law of Moses). There was a man with an “unclean spirit” who cried out asking if Jesus had come to destroy them, and acknowledging that Jesus was the “Holy One of God” (the Messiah; Mark 1:24).

Jesus commanded the demon to be silent and leave the man. The demon convulsed the man and came out of him with a shriek. The people were amazed and discussed among themselves, saying that this was a new teaching, and that Jesus had authority even over demons. News of these things quickly spread throughout Galilee.

 

David had learned to trust in the Lord. He had experienced the Lord’s deliverance in the past and had come to know the Lord’s power and faithfulness. He recognized that the contest between Israel and the Philistines was a spiritual battle. He stepped out to confront Goliath not relying on armor or his own skill or strength, but in God’s power.

 

David is a forerunner and illustration of the Christ, God’s anointed Savior, our “champion” who fights and defeats the superhuman enemy, Satan. David is also an example of the “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) Christian disciple through whom God works to accomplish God’s purpose. The Lord “discipled” David in the ordinary events of life as David learned to trust and obey him, causing David’s faith to grow to spiritual maturity.

 

The Church needs to be led by “born-again” disciples. In order to do that, they must make “born-again” disciples. It is by the Holy Spirit that our minds are opened to understand the scriptures, and God’s specific will is revealed. Peter is an example of a “born-again” Christian disciple.

The Lord was working in the lives of Cornelius and his household to prepare them to receive the gospel; it was the Lord who told Cornelius to send for Peter, and Peter was being prepared by the indwelling Holy Spirit for that specific ministry. In contrast, the circumcision party was motivated by their own human understanding instead of seeking and relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

 

Jesus began his public ministry by calling people to repent (to turn away from following their own will and desires, and become obedient to God’s will) and to believe in the gospel (the “good news;” to accept the message that Jesus is the Messiah, God’s anointed Savior and eternal King).

 

Jesus calls us to be disciples. Disciples are not a special category of “Super Christians;” “Christians” is the name first given in Antioch to disciples of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26). When Jesus calls us, we need to leave the way we used to live and the things that would interfere with following Jesus, and we must begin to follow him, learning to live a new way. We need to learn what Jesus teaches and to trust and obey Jesus so that we can receive and be guided and empowered by his Holy Spirit.

 

Jesus came to show us how to live according to God’s will and to be empowered by his Holy Spirit. Jesus demonstrated resurrection from the dead to eternal life. Jesus’ death on the Cross made it possible for his disciples to receive the gift of his Holy Spirit (John 16:7). Jesus was more than just baptized or filled with the Holy Spirit, but he demonstrated the power and authority his disciples can have through his indwelling Holy Spirit.

 

Peter’s life is an example of how the gift of the Holy Spirit can change a person and give them power and authority they never had before. Peter denied knowing Jesus to the menial servant of the high priest on the night of Jesus betrayal (Luke 22:56-57), but from the Day of Pentecost onward Peter preached Jesus with boldness (Acts 2:14-36)

Through the gift of the Holy Spirit we can grow in trust and obedience to God’s Word and be used by God to accomplish his purpose as David was and as Peter was. Only Jesus can baptize us with the Holy Spirit, which he gives only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). Are we seeking teachers who teach with the power and authority of the Holy Spirit or are we seeking teachers who will “tickle our ears” and tell us what we want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3-4)?

 

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?