Tag: Acts

The Berean Standard

Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. — Acts 17:11

I’ve always loved a good theological debate. After delivering a sermon, there’s nothing better than engaging in meaningful conversations with people who want to dig deeper into the Word. It’s not about proving who’s right or wrong—it’s about sharpening one another as we seek to understand the truth.

The Bereans from Acts 17 are a perfect example of this approach. When Paul preached to them, they didn’t just take his word for it. They eagerly listened, then went straight to the Scriptures to verify his teachings. This wasn’t an act of defiance or distrust but one of deep respect for God’s Word. They understood that no human teacher, not even Paul, had the final authority—only Scripture could claim that.

There’s a lesson here for us. While pastors, teachers, and theologians are valuable guides, our faith cannot rest solely on their interpretations. There is no substitute for personal study of the Scriptures. God has given us His Word, and it’s our responsibility to read it, meditate on it, and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit for understanding.

When we approach the Bible this way, we honor God and strengthen our faith. Like the Bereans, we become noble-minded, discerning truth from error. It also transforms our conversations within the church. Rather than being passive recipients of teaching, we become active participants, encouraging one another to grow deeper in the knowledge of Christ.

So, dig into the Word. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or wrestle with difficult passages. And don’t hesitate to have those post-sermon discussions! When we engage with Scripture personally and thoughtfully, we grow not only in knowledge but in our relationship with the Author Himself.

The Limits of Human Expectation

The story of Peter’s miraculous release from prison in Acts 12 challenges the boundaries of what we believe God can do. Here we see Peter, imprisoned and facing death, suddenly freed by an angel. Yet, even as he walks out past guards and through iron gates, he assumes this must be a vivid dream rather than reality. It wasn’t until he found himself fully outside, alone and unchained, that he understood God had actually delivered him.

Peter’s initial disbelief highlights a truth we all face: our human expectations often limit our faith in God’s power. Even though Peter had witnessed Jesus’ miracles, he was unprepared for a supernatural deliverance in this context. His response invites us to examine how we might overlook or dismiss God’s work simply because it seems unbelievable.

1. God’s Works Often Exceed Our Expectations

In times of hardship, our minds may naturally shift to practical solutions, forgetting that God’s ways transcend the natural world. Peter’s experience reminds us that God is not confined by the limits of what seems possible. God’s power isn’t bound by prison walls, chains, or guards. When we place limits on what we believe God can do, we inadvertently put boundaries on our faith.

2. Trusting the Unexpected Path

Though Peter didn’t immediately grasp what was happening, he followed the angel’s guidance step-by-step. Each moment required trust as he moved into the unknown. Like Peter, we are sometimes called to walk forward in faith, trusting God’s direction even when we don’t understand the outcome. God’s path may look confusing or surprising, yet each step is an invitation to trust in His wisdom over our own understanding.

3. Recognizing God’s Hand in Surprising Circumstances

The incredible can seem unreal. When God works in ways that surpass our imagination, we may feel like it’s “too good to be true.” This story encourages us to open our eyes to God’s movements, even when they challenge our expectations. Sometimes, God’s work feels surreal because it doesn’t align with our limited view. When we learn to recognize God in the unexpected, our faith deepens, allowing us to see His hand at work in ways we might have otherwise missed.

4. Taking Comfort in God’s Extraordinary Plans

Peter’s disbelief doesn’t reflect doubt in God, but rather awe in the unexpected. This response shows that astonishment is a natural reaction to God’s grace. It’s comforting to know that God’s love often defies logic and reason. He’s not constrained by human limits but works freely to bring about His purposes, often in ways that surprise us. We are invited to embrace the wonder, allowing the mystery of God’s work to deepen our trust in His boundless power.

Peter’s story teaches us that faith isn’t about understanding everything God does but about believing in a God who surpasses our expectations. When life seems too daunting, and solutions seem too far-fetched, God invites us to broaden our faith, trusting that His power and presence reach beyond the limits of our imagination.

Rites, Rituals, or Relationship?

The vision given to Peter in Acts 10 was a pivotal moment that fundamentally changed the understanding of righteousness within the early Christian community. Peter’s vision didn’t just signal a shift in dietary laws or the inclusion of Gentiles; it marked a transformative shift in what it means to be right with God. No longer was righteousness about a series of rites and rituals or strict adherence to cleanliness laws. Instead, it became about redemption—a new covenant founded on grace, received through faith, and evidenced by the overflow of good deeds as a response to God’s love.

Peter’s initial reaction in Acts 10, where he recoils from the idea of eating anything “impure,” represents his ingrained adherence to the Law as the means to holiness. But God responds by shifting his perspective: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean” (Acts 10:15). This response encapsulates the gospel’s transformative power, a shift from “do this to be clean” to “you are clean; go and live it.” The moment Peter understood that no external act of cleanliness or ritual was needed to enter into right standing with God, it opened the door to something remarkable—a new motivation for good works rooted in gratitude rather than obligation.

Under the old covenant, a person’s deeds were often driven by a sense of duty. Rites and rituals maintained a relationship with God, but it was a relationship heavily weighted by the need to maintain purity and fulfill ceremonial obligations. In Christ, however, we’re given a different foundation: the righteousness of Christ. Our standing is secure because Jesus accomplished what we could not; He was the “once for all” sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10). This assurance allows us to perform good works as an act of devotion and gratitude, rather than as a duty imposed by law.

The beauty of this reversal lies in the order: we’re not working our way to holiness, but rather, we’re invited to let holiness work in us and through us. Paul writes about this transformation in Ephesians 2:10, saying, “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” In other words, good works are the fruit of our relationship with God, not the root.

Peter’s encounter led him to a new way of seeing both God and people. The call to holiness was no longer an isolated adherence to the rules, but an invitation to reflect God’s love to all people, Jew and Gentile alike. When he declares in Acts 10:34-35, “God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right,” it’s a revelation: holiness has been redefined. Relationship—not ritual—takes precedence, and our lives become expressions of this connection.

Today, it’s easy to slip into a mindset where we still feel that “being right with God” is something we have to maintain by doing enough, serving enough, or sacrificing enough. But Jesus already accomplished the “enough.” Instead, we’re called to let His redemption flow outward, so that our deeds become acts of gratitude. This order reversal isn’t just freeing; it’s empowering. We no longer need to strive to make ourselves right with God but are free to let His righteousness transform us and touch the lives of others.

The gospel has always been about a journey from ritual to relationship, from rule-following to redemption. Through Peter’s vision, we’re reminded that in Christ, our acts of love and service are not attempts to earn God’s favor; they’re joyful responses to a favor already given. As we live out our faith, may we remember that we are free to serve, free to love, and free to walk in holiness—not as a way to reach God but as the beautiful outworking of having already been reached by His grace.

If We Want to SEE Jesus, We Need to NEED Jesus

The account of Stephen in Acts 7 stands as one of the most powerful examples of faith under fire. Known for his wisdom and filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen is brought before the Sanhedrin on false charges. As he boldly shares the truth, he faces increasing hostility, yet instead of shrinking back, he experiences something extraordinary. Scripture tells us that “Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55). Even in the face of death, Stephen’s unwavering focus on Jesus fills him with a peace that goes beyond understanding.

What happens next is equally incredible. While the crowd stones him, Stephen echoes Jesus’ own words on the cross: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). It is a remarkable picture of forgiveness and love toward those who were killing him. This ability to forgive so profoundly did not come from a position of self-sufficiency or inner strength but rather from a deep, desperate dependence on Christ. In Stephen’s darkest hour, his need for Jesus led him to an encounter with Jesus, even allowing him to reflect Christ’s love in his final breaths.

Stephen’s story teaches us that when we truly recognize our need for Jesus, we open ourselves to see Him at work in ways that transform us. If we want to experience the peace that passes understanding, the courage that stands firm, and the love that forgives even the deepest wrongs, we must admit our need. Our need creates space for God to fill us with His strength, His peace, and His love. Just as Jesus appeared to Stephen in that moment, He draws near to those who call on Him with a humble heart.

If we want to see Jesus, we must need Him—our deep dependence on Him is not a sign of weakness but the pathway to true strength and peace. Just like Stephen, our need for Jesus can enable us to love and forgive even when it seems impossible, reflecting the One who forgave us.

Are You Worthy of Suffering?

In Acts 5, we see an astonishing response from the apostles. After being arrested and ordered not to speak in the name of Jesus, they remain steadfast, and the authorities have them flogged to intimidate and discourage them. But instead of leaving in pain and discouragement, they leave rejoicing, “because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name” (Acts 5:41). The apostles’ attitude is counterintuitive and deeply inspiring, revealing how they embraced suffering as a sign of faithfulness to Jesus. This response invites us to consider the transformative power of viewing hardship through a Kingdom lens.

When we see suffering for the sake of Christ as a privilege, it shifts our focus. First, it strengthens our resolve. The apostles understood that suffering was part of following Jesus — who Himself was mocked, beaten, and crucified. By identifying with Him in their hardship, they were bolstered rather than broken. This outlook not only encouraged them but reinforced the very core of their message: that Jesus is worth everything, even suffering.

Second, their response affected their persecutors. Joy in suffering defies human logic, especially for those expecting fear and submission. The apostles’ reaction must have confounded the authorities, showing that their faith could not be crushed by physical threats. This boldness makes the Gospel even more compelling, illustrating that God’s love gives a strength that can’t be explained away or easily suppressed.

Finally, this courage impacts those who are watching. Others in the early church would have witnessed the apostles’ joy amid suffering, likely feeling both inspired and emboldened to live with similar dedication. Today, our response to trials can serve as a powerful testimony, inviting others to see that Christ’s worth far surpasses any hardship.

Embracing suffering for Christ reveals the strength of our commitment and provides a powerful witness to others. When we respond with joy, we join the apostles in demonstrating that true life is found in following Jesus, whatever the cost.

Not All the Answers

At the beginning of Acts, Jesus’ disciples ask Him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). In their minds, this was the right question. After all, they had walked with Jesus through His ministry, His death, and His resurrection, and the natural next step seemed to be the re-establishment of God’s kingdom. But Jesus, instead of providing a direct answer, redirects their focus. “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority,” He replies, “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:7-8).

The disciples’ question highlights our common desire for clarity and control. Like them, we often want answers about God’s timeline or specifics of His plan. But Jesus reminds us that some things simply aren’t for us to know. Instead of giving a detailed roadmap, He offers us something better: the Holy Spirit’s guidance and empowerment.

In our own lives, the Holy Spirit continues to guide us through uncertainties. God knows that we, like the disciples, will not always have all the answers, and He encourages us to lean into His presence rather than our understanding. The Spirit’s role is not just to give us information but to transform us into people of faith and trust. As we surrender our need for control, we can grow in faith that God, who holds all knowledge and power, is directing our path.

God asks us to trust Him even when we don’t have all the answers. As Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Our focus is not meant to be on securing every answer, but on becoming more responsive to the Spirit, following Him as He leads us forward with wisdom, patience, and courage.

What is the Wrath of God?

When we think of or hear about the ‘wrath of God’, the temptation is strong to imagine a vengeful God having a fit of rage and throwing fistfuls of lightning bolts down on a wicked populace to strike them dead. This idea comes from the capricious human-like gods popularized in Greek and Roman mythology, this is not the God of the Bible.

“Nice try, cowboy!” I hear some retort, “If God is not wrathful like Zeus or Jupiter, then explain Lot’s Wife (Genesis 19:26), Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:6-7), and Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) !”

These are all examples of disobedience stemming from lack of proper respect for God. Lot’s wife looked back when she was explicitly told not to do so. Uzzah reached out to touch the Ark of the Covenant when that was expressly forbidden (after choosing to transport the Ark in a way OTHER than what God’ had instructed), and Ananias and Sapphira lied to the church and withheld God’s portion from Him. So God met out the ultimate punishment for this after rescuing her family (Lot’s Wife), restoring glory to Israel (Uzzah), and raising the church (Ananias & Sapphira).

This was not some reckless decision based on a whim. These were consequences for actions taken in defiance of God. And as I read today’s Psalms of Asaph, I noticed a trend…

In Psalm 80 Asaph feels like God is blessing another nation due to Israel’s disobedience. But is this the case? Was God blessing Israel’s oppressor? Or was Israel a decidedly weak nation being propped up by Yahweh? Was God blessing ANOTHER nation, or did He simply remove His hedge of protection from Israel and allow the attacks of their enemies to proceed unencumbered? This is the wrath of God.

Is Psalm 81 we see that God WANTS to rescue us, He loves us! His sincere desire is that none should perish, but that all would come to a saving knowledge of Christ Jesus. However, He will not override our free will. God has chosen to restrain Himself so that only those who freely choose Him will draw near to Him, and those same people will be saved. So what happens to the rest? That is the wrath of God.

In Psalm 82 we see a scenario where God sits in judgement of all the other gods and warns them of the folly of their wickedness. Of course those gods do not exist (except in the minds of the people who created them), so the people who “follow” them are the ones who will bear the responsibility for the actions of their “gods”. This is the path of destruction. This is the wrath of God.

The worker earns his wages (1 Timothy 5:18). And the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). This is the wrath of God. It’s really not that complicated.