Verse Of The Week (06/09/17)

Hindrances To Pentecost (Part 7) (Ac. 1:4-2:13)

Conclusion:

We must get beyond the hindrances and have Pentecost. Pentecost can be repeated!

Since we have the same hindrances to Pentecost as the initial 120 believers did, we must overcome those hindrances the same way they did. How did the initial 120 believers overcome those hindrances?

• They overcame them by prioritizing obedience (Lu; 24:49; Ac. 1:12-13).
• They overcame them by persevering in prayer (Ac. 1:14).
• They overcame them by preserving unity (Ac. 1:14; 2:1).

Hindrances To Pentecost (Part 6) (Ac. 1:4-2:13)

THERE IS THE HINDRANCE OF PHENOMENA (2:1-4).

Wind, fire and tongues – are they for today or not? That question caused (and still causes) a lot of attention, speculation and division. It is helpful to note that the phenomena are not for their own sake. 

Phenomena must always remain secondary to the purpose. Three purposes for tongues are given in Ac. 2:1-13.

• First, speaking in tongues is the initial, physical evidence of being baptized in the Holy Spirit (Ac. 2:4) for the purpose of being a bold witness (Ac. 1:8).
• Second, speaking in tongues assists in giving due worship to God (Ac. 2:11b).
• Third, speaking in tongues is a sign to unbelieving observers (Ac. 2:6-8, 12).

Your stance on speaking in tongues might vary from the classical Pentecostal viewpoint, but the truth around which we unite is that the Holy Spirit wants to move powerfully in your life, your church and your community.

THERE IS THE HINDRANCE OF PERSECUTION (2:5-13).

Those who disbelieve attribute what is inexplicable (supernatural) to what is explainable (natural). Some overhearing bystanders said that the 120 were drunk (Ac. 2:13). This was an example of rationalism.

If we're going to get to Pentecost and fulfill its purposes, then we're going to have to get comfortable with persecution. Right now in the United States, persecution isn't physical but verbal. Nonetheless, that is already too high a price for some Christians to pay. Many don't want to be embarrassed about anything having to do with faith in Jesus.

Hindrances To Pentecost (Part 5) (Ac. 1:4-2:13)

THERE IS THE HINDRANCE OF PERSEVERANCE (1:14).

Many people fail to experience all that the Holy Spirit has designed for them, simply because they give up.

• Anyone can pray once. Will you keep on praying?
• Anyone can wait a little while. Will you wait a long while or until the answer comes?
• Anyone can be in unity for a moment. Will you remain in unity until the promised power and blessing falls?

May we become people whose minds are stayed upon the Lord (Isa. 26:3). Let there be continuity, consistency and conviction in our seeking!

THERE IS THE HINDRANCE OF POLITY (1:12-26).

Judas had to be replaced, according to two verses quoted from the Psalms. The number of apostles had to be twelve, since Jesus gave a promise based upon that number (Mt. 19:28).

It wasn't that there was no occasion for a business meeting. The issue concerned what happens in a business meeting. In this business meeting, as in most, there was both selection and election. Two names were selected and then the people voted. Can you imagine the hurt, suspicion and division that business meeting could have caused?

There is nothing like a business meeting to test the spirituality of people!

Hindrances To Pentecost (Part 4) (Ac. 1:4-2:13)

THERE IS THE HINDRANCE OF PRIVILEGE (1:9-11).

Instead of privilege, how about we use the word 'blessing'? Can God's blessing be a hindrance? Read Hosea 13:5-6. Can a delightful or powerful spiritual experience be a hindrance? Yes, if that experience hinders you from pressing in for the rest of what God has in store.

The eleven apostles had received a promise and then encountered two men in white clothing. These two men were both seen and heard by the eleven apostles. Three apostles had already experienced something similar (Mt. 17:1-5). How easy it would've been to stay right there, camp out and not leave the place of blessing!

One of the greatest hindrances to what Jesus is about to do might be our preoccupation with what He has already done. Having just witnessed the Ascension of Jesus, who wouldn't have wanted to stay right there and keep on enjoying the afterglow? What did the two men say to get the apostles moving again? “Stop gazing at the sky! Jesus will return again. Right now, follow through with the command you were given.” (Lu. 24:49)

This doesn't mean that we shouldn't reflect upon past blessings, be grateful for them and then express that gratitude in praise.

Hindrances To Pentecost (Part 3) (Ac. 1:4-2:13)

THERE IS THE HINDRANCE OF PROPHECY (1:6-8).

The apostles wanted to know if it was the end time. Jesus preempted the question and basically told them, “Don't worry about that time; be concerned about this time.” In other words, “Keep your eyes on what I'm doing today, not just on what I will do at some point in the future.”

How divisive and distracting prophecy can become! While prophecy is filled with hope, what will happen in the last days should not distract us from pursuing what Jesus is doing in this day.

By the way, there is nothing wrong with prophecy itself. Titus 2:13 says that we are to be “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.”

Hindrances To Pentecost (Part 2) (Ac. 1:4-2:13)

Introduction:

1. Pentecost . . .

• It is the birth of the Church.
• It is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
• It is exciting to read about!
• It can be repeated today!

2. Did you ever think that, unless God Himself exercised His sovereignty, there is a good chance that Pentecost, as it is recorded, might not have happened? There was a series of hindrances that had to be overcome. If we are to experience a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit today, then those same hindrances must be dealt with.

Hindrances To Pentecost (Part 1) (Ac. 1:4-2:13)

Title: Getting To Pentecost 

Text: Acts 1:4-2:13

Theme: Hindrances to Pentecost

Exegetical Subject: What events happened prior to and right after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost?

Exegetical Complement: Prior to and right after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, there was Jesus' promise, the Ascension, a business meeting (to replace Judas), a one-accord mindset, supernatural phenomena and persecution.

Homiletical Subject: What are the potential hindrances to Pentecost today?

Homiletical Proposition: Since we have the same hindrances to Pentecost as the initial 120 believers did, we must overcome those hindrances the same way they did.

Continue Earnestly in Prayer (Ac. 1:14)

" . . . continued earnestly in prayer . . ." (Ac. 1:14, Weymouth)

It is one thing to pray once.  It is one thing to pray earnestly once.  Prayer that receives what God promised is continually earnest prayer.  Keep on praying earnestly!

How desperately do you want what's been promised?  It comes no other way except by active, patient waiting and continual, earnest prayer.  Don't disengage now.  You could be so close to receiving!

The Holy Spirit and Obedience (Ac. 5:32)

"And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him” (Ac. 5:32, NASB).

You have to do more than want the Holy Spirit, ask for Him or merely enjoy seeing Him move.  The Holy Spirit is given in response to obedience.  To obey the Holy Spirit, you first must know what He says.

Assuming a willingness to obey Him, the great need of the hour is men and women who recognize the voice of the Spirit.  I'm wondering if it is possible to speak in tongues and have little sensitivity?  It is possible to grow up in the church and become accustomed to someone else hearing and obeying the Spirit. You just go along to enjoy the ride.

Invest time learning to hear the Spirit for yourself.  Anointing requires this.  You cannot remain filled with the Spirit if you don't hear Him and obey Him.

What Did Peter Have and Where Did He Get It? (Ac. 3:6)

"But Peter said, 'I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!'" (Ac. 3:6, NASB)

Peter couldn't give what he didn't have.  He could only give what he did have.  What did Peter have? He had boldness, courage, faith, power and sensitivity to what God was up to at that moment.

Where did he get these things?  He got them from a lifestyle of communication with God.

Here are a few observations.
1.  The miracle was spontaneous but the preparation wasn't.
2.  The way to prepare for a miracle tomorrow is during prayer today.

PS:  It wouldn't hurt, during your prayer times, to ask God for increased, sensitized hearing.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit -- Associated With What?

When you hear the phrase "baptism in the Holy Spirit" what comes to mind?  One thing that comes to mind is "tongues" or "speaking in tongues."  Certainly the baptism in the Holy Spirit wasn't provided for believers just to speak in tongues.

 

Reading through Acts, you'll notice a pattern.  After receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit, it wasn’t long before recipients talked about Jesus.  Spirit baptism led to intense, consistent, verbal witness about Jesus Christ.  Peter and the eleven, Stephen, Philip and Saul followed this pattern.

 

Show me someone who claims to be baptized in the Holy Spirit yet never witnesses verbally and I’ll have some questions for him/her. 

The River Is Here

"Down the mountain the river goes,
It brings refreshing wherever it goes."

(Come on...you know you want to sing it.)

"Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." (Ac. 3:19)

To Whom Will Jesus Appear? (Ac. 10:39-41; Tit. 2:13)

At His coming, known as the Rapture, Jesus will only be seen by a select group.  Who are they?

• They are those who have been His witnesses.  As Jesus' followers, we should be His witnesses (Ac. 1:8).
• They are those who ate and drank with Him.  That's a picture of friendship and hospitality.  Jesus will come for those who, by their faith and repentance, have demonstrated they are His friends.  Such hospitality is mentioned in Revelation 3:20.
• They are those who expect Him to come (Titus 2:13).  How come we don't hear much about the Rapture anymore?

If you are not interested in being Jesus' follower, if you are not interested in the demands of friendship with Him (Jam. 4:4; Jn. 15:14), then you shouldn't expect to participate in the earth-altering, soon-coming, life-changing event known as the Rapture.

Neither a Critic nor a Blind Follower

Saturday I posted about a cougar in Apollo.  You can read the post here.

The whole thing turned out to be a fraud!

No one who forwarded the picture is at fault.  We wanted to believe such an unusual thing occurred in our town. We were taken.  We didn't think to double-check the information.  Why would we?  We trusted the people who sent it.  In the end, a bit of embarrassment.  We'll get over it.  No big deal.

Want to know what is a big deal?  Accepting everything the preacher says every Sunday only because he's a preacher.  Remember that the preacher is human.  To be human is to be fallen. To be human is to be capable of error.  You believe the preacher would never deliberately shade the truth.  That doesn't mean he never says something inaccurate or incomplete.  Preachers have listened to their own recordings and thought, "What?  Why did I say that?  That's not quite right." Sometimes the mind and tongue don't cooperate.  Sometimes we haven't been as prepared as we should have.  Nevertheless, we are responsible for what we said.

We know you will forgive us.  Many times you didn't even notice.   Thank you for your graciousness!  However, you owe it to yourself to be familiar with your Bible.  Copy a page from the Bereans:  "Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so." (Ac. 17:11)

Don't Forget Judea (Ac. 1:8)

"...and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." (Ac. 1:8)

Jerusalem.  This is the locality of your church, the place where your church meets.  If you're at Apollo Assembly of God, then "Jerusalem" is Apollo.  If you attend a house church, then "Jerusalem" is the neighborhood in which you meet. Simple, right?

Judea.  I'll get to that in a minute.

Samaria.  This is your state and region.  Within them are people who have less in common with you.  They dress differently, speak differently and think differently.  They still need to be reached for Jesus!  You're glad to support such organizations as Teen Challenge.  When the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association hosted a crusade in the big city near you, wholeheartedly you led the charge.  You're not against working with other churches and denominations to accomplish regional or statewide impact.

The remotest part of the earth. Global missions.  You're moved each time you hear the phrase "unreached people group".  When a missionary comes, you pledge prayer and finances to that ministry.  You might have even gone on a missions trip.  You're invested, willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill Mk. 16:15.

Question.  What about Judea?  What about the area within your church's 15-mile radius?  What are you doing to reach that area?  It's not that you're disinterested.  It's not that you think it's someone else's job.  You don't believe it's the job of the area "megachurch."  I know resources are limited.  Take a minute and dream, though.  If resources weren't an obstacle, what would you do in your "Judea"?  Write it down.  That's vision, brother.  God gave it to you.  He will cause it to happen.

Prayers that Work (Ac. 4:23-31)

Is anyone else tired of prayer that doesn't seem to work?  Here is a pattern that works.

• Know what God has done (v. 24).
• Know what God has said (vv. 25-26).
• Affirm that God's sovereignty (vv. 27-28).
• Mention brief, specific requests (vv. 29-30).
• Stay for the after-glow (v. 31).

The key to this pattern is time. 

• You need time in God's Word.  Without that, you don't know what God did or what He said. 
• You need time to pray.  Rushed prayers lack something.  Just because you prayed the right words doesn't mean you prayed with the right heart.  Heart work takes time. 
• You need time after you say, "Amen."  Don't be in a hurry to leave God's presence when you're done speaking.  What if He wants to speak?  What if He wants to start doing what you asked? 

Collision of Faithfulness (Ac. 3:1)

Acts 3:110 relates a miracle.  Where did it begin?  Was it when Peter and John noticed the beggar?

I think it had to do with faithfulness and discipline.  The supernatural followed the natural.  For Peter and John it seemed natural to be at the temple for the hour of prayer.  God's faithfulness then collided with theirs.

God doesn't have to add His "super" if you're not willing to provide the "natural."  Your faithfulness is a platform, an opportunity.  God cannot bless the faithfulness you didn't show.  Expect a miracle, but expect to have a part in it.  God doesn't have to use you, but many times scripts you into the plot.

Lifestyle Awe (Ac. 2:43)

It is one thing to have occasional bouts of awe.  Something supernatural happened and you were awestruck.  What a miracle you witnessed!  That's fun, right?

The formative church continually felt a sense of awe.  They kept on being overwhelmed and expectant.  God kept on doing the miraculous.  Back and forth it went.  What a fun atmosphere!

God can do miracles anytime He wants.  The wild card is His worshipers.  Will they maintain a sense of awe?  Here is the only way I know how that happens -- expect God to move and then celebrate when He does.  Make His name the talk of the town.  Never settle.  Don't call anything He does "just a little thing."

When It's Time to Pray, Pray (Ac. 1:15)

The 120 gathered in the upper room to wait for Jesus' promise (Ac. 1:4).  They continued in prayer (Ac. 1:14).  Peter got up and started a business meeting.  Oh, it was spiritual.  He quoted the Bible and talked about fulfilled prophecy.  This wasn't evil activity, yet it distracted the 120 from prayer. 

When it is time to pray, then pray.  Don't make prayer an add-on or after-thought.