Something Greater

Happy Rejoicing | Acts 5:41-42 Peter and the apostles had been imprisoned, interrogated, slandered, disbelieved, minimized, oppressed and beaten by the Jewish High Priest and council of religious rulers. And the apostles left happy. They left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. Acts 5:41-42 (ESV) REJOICING: chairo (to be "cheer"ful, calmly happy or well-off; used as a greeting or farewell) "Rejoice" is a good way to translate the Greek word that describes the emotion felt by the apostles after severe mistreatment. The English word derives from the Latin, gaudere (to give joy, to gladden). "Joy" is from the same word, meaning the emotion resulting from the acquisition or expectation of good; gladness or delight. The definition of "joy" includes happines...

Contentment in Giving How did Paul describe stewardship? Paul devoted the entire ninth chapter of 2 Corinthians to the subject of giving and generosity, ending it by describing giving to others as a gift from God: "Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15 (ESV) The wonderful goodness of giving to others was a gift that exceeded Paul's ability to adequately describe . Today, I want to focus on four elements that makes giving to others a wonderful gift of God. The four elements rest upon each other, forming a triangle with four layers . Our study in God's Word today will explore this triangle, beginning at the top and digging deeper and deeper into God's Word, uncovering what lies beneath, until we see God's grace supporting it all. At the top of the triangle is cheerfulness: "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians...

Resurrection Power "[Christ Jesus] was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 1:4 (ESV) The Holy Spirit's power declared Jesus to be the Son of God, resurrecting Him from the dead. DECLARED: horizo (to mark out or bound, "horizon"); from horion (a boundary-line, a frontier); from horos (a bound or limit) The power of the Holy Spirit dramatically changed the limits of life. Jesus was no longer bound to ordinary limits of life and death... death no longer could control Him. The boundaries of Jesus now extended even to God. The Holy Spirit removes boundaries and limits. "If Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit ...

Hearing and Measuring "Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you." Mark 4:24 (ESV) The King James Version of this verse more accurately follows the original Greek: "Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given." Mark 4:24 (KJV) The emphasis of this verse is upon hearing with understanding . Jesus earlier ended a message to a crowd by saying, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." (Mark 4:9) The disciples of Jesus lacked understanding, just as much as the crowd. They asked Him to explain why he spoke obscurely, using symbolic stories or parables, rather than plain, simple language. His answer indicated that the stories were a proof or test: "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that they may indeed see but not ...

Prepared for Death "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." Luke 2:34-35 (ESV) "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29 (ESV) "Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Matt 26:26-28 (ESV) Jesus was born to die, and He knew it . His death was preached by prophets centuries before His birth. He was described as a Sacrifice and a Lamb for slaughter . I believe Jesus knew His destiny even when He was still an unborn baby . Every lullaby sang by his ...

IT FEELS SO GOOD TO GRIPE It feels so good to complain! To have someone empathize with you...for someone who understands the pain and frustration...for someone who can nod in agreement and look amazed at the suffering you've endured. But complaining is not entirely socially acceptable, is it? A friend can only stand so much of my griping...it starts to depress them! The second re-airing of my woes is more than the same friend can stand. There comes a time when the listener must politely edge away before being forced to shout, "Enough already! Get a grip! Buck up! Count your blessings!" I'm reading Paul's letter to the Colossians and I am noticing how frequently, and passionately, Paul complains. But, in contrast to my complaining, Paul manages to make his griping holy and victorious . How does Paul get away with it? He almost brags about his suffering, but the way he does it, griping glorifies God and encourages his readers. Let's look at Paul's...