Year 2 Day 78
Pray (ACts) Read - Acts 21v1-16 Message - Scott Woodburn In the image I paint of myself in my head, I'm an incredibly brave man. If a building was burning I'd run into it. If a dog was drowning I'd jump into the water. If a store was being robbed I'd stand against the robbers. But would I really? Really, really? I'm not so sure. Usually our imagined self-image doesn't match the reality. In today's passage we realise the incredible strength and bravery of Paul. He is travelling to Jerusalem and finds himself in the house of Philip the evangelist in Caesarea (v8). Philip is one of the seven chosen back in Acts 6 and is called the evangelist due to his exploits in Acts 8. Paul stays with Philip for several days and soon receives a visit from the prophet Agabus (v10). Agabus doesn't bring good news. He takes Paul's belt and ties it around his own hands and feet and then he declares "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'" (v11). If Paul continued to Jerusalem he would, at the very least, be arrested. Immediately those with him urged him not to go to Jerusalem (v12). Why would he walk into such a dangerous situation? They loved and cared for Paul and so they beseeched him to stay far away from Jerusalem. His answer was amazing. "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." (v13). Paul didn't have a death wish and despite the clear danger in Jerusalem he was not acting like a fool. Instead the Apostle was utterly convinced about the goodness of God. We would see this in his letter to the Philippians to whom he famously declared "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1v21) If the Lord was to give Paul a long life then he would use it serving Christ in the church. Yet if the Lord was to call Paul home he looked forward to being with Christ which was and is better by far. Paul couldn't be persuaded and so his friends responded "Let the will of the Lord be done." (v14). Brothers and sisters, in this life we have no guarantees. Some Christians never seem to know dark clouds and others know only storms - there doesn't seem to be rhyme or reason. There are moments that it seems the Lord has totally forsaken us and has closed His ear to our prayers. Yet the Word says that there is rhyme and reason and that the Lord will never forsake His people. Indeed "we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8v28) I suspect when push comes to shove I'm not terribly brave and not the superhero of my imagination. But I pray for myself and for you that when the dark storm of suffering blows in we'll be able to say "Let the will of the Lord be done." Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q83 Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.
0 Comments
Year 2 Day 77
Pray (ACts) Read - Mark 3:20-21 Message - Alan Burke Families can be a royal pain can’t they? We may not see it when we are children but after a while they become complicated, relationships can be strained, fall outs can happen, yet many of us even with those things of complicated, strained relationships love our families dearly. They are those whom we are closest to. Here we are introduced to the family of Jesus and again the crowds are coming to Jesus, he is in constant demand not for what he was teaching but because he was a miracle worker. The reality of the constant demand of the crowds were far from idilic, here they were cramming in so much so that the disciples of Jesus are unable to eat. The crowds have become an obstacle to the mission of Jesus. In a sense there is nothing new here, we know this, the striking thing we are told is about the family of Jesus. When his family come to him likely Mary, Joseph, the brothers of Jesus, James and Jude, they are not there to support him or to rally round him, so that the disciples can get five minutes peace to eat, no they are there to silence him. “He’s out of his mind” they exclaim (21). The crowds crammed in and there on the outside the family of Jesus saying he’s out of his mind. For what ever reason they said this, they were ultimately in opposition to Jesus for they were blinded by sin. Yes, Mary was a sinner and so were the brother of Jesus, so much so that they thought Jesus was a mad man, that he was out of his mind! Here there is a reminder that if the family of Jesus Christ did not understand him, that they thought he was out of his mind, that we shouldn’t be surprised when those who are unbelievers in our family do not understand us. When they think that were just a wee bit strange, old fashioned, out of touch, all for believing in Jesus, for worshiping him, for reading our bibles, for praying. This is what we should expect from those closest to us if they do not trust in Jesus as Saviour. And today as we take our faith seriously, if we speak the truth of Christ and His kingdom then we can expect to be accused today of being barbaric, cruel, fanatics, evil, unloving as this society rejects God more and more. It will happen in our work places, and as we socialise. If you think I’m barking up the wrong tree just listen to the radio and hear what people say about Christians, watch how they are portrayed on Television and in films, were not longer a bit odd or strange, we are seen as evil holding back the world from progress. All who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Tim 3:12), but can we expect anything different when even the family of Jesus cried out he was out of his mind (21). Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q82 Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God? No mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, (Eccles. 7:20, 1 John 1:8,10, Gal. 5:17) but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed. (Gen. 6:5, Gen. 8:21, Rom. 3:9–21, James 3:2–13) Year 2 Day 75
Pray (ACts) Read - Acts 20v17-38 Message - Scott Woodburn As a reformed Christian I do not recognise the authority of bishops or popes over the church of Jesus Christ. Instead it is my belief that the office of elder is the highest office in the church. The Apostle Paul describes the duties of an elder (called an overseer) in this way "The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil." (1 Timothy 3v1-7) In the Presbyterian church we highlight two types of elders, ruling & teaching. I don't find this distinction helpful. Paul states that every elder should be able to teach (1 Timothy 3v2) and James warns that "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness." (James 3v1) So briefly we can say that the eldership is a serious business. Each elder is an overseer over the people of God. Each elder should be well versed in the Scriptures and able to teach and elders will ultimately be accountable to the chief elder the Lord Jesus Christ. We see a beautiful picture of true eldership as Paul bids farewell to the Ephesian elders. Paul is on his way to Jerusalem (v22) and he knows that he will not see these men again (v25). His final advice is telling. He reminds them that he has preached to them the whole counsel of God (v27). In plain terms Paul has proclaimed every inch of God's revealed truth. The church elder should expect this from those who preach and the church elder should expect it from themselves. The church of Christ needs to be well fed on the Word and it is the responsibility of the elder to ensure everything from Genesis to Revelation is preached and taught in the local church. Not only this but the elder is to pay attention to himself and to the flock (v28). It's here that we see the oversight of the elder. He is to keep a watch on his own life. Is he regularly attending to the means of grace? Is he much in prayer? Is he taking seriously his call to teach the flock? As he asks these questions of himself, he asks them of the people of God as well. The reason for this is clear. Paul warns "I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them." (v29-30) Here is the danger to any congregation in any age. The world is not neutral to the things of Christ, Jesus warns "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." (Matthew 12v30) Satan rages against the church. False teachers and other such wolves long to sink their teeth into fellowships. Other men teach twisted things to gather crowds around them. What can be done in the face of such aggression? Elders are to watch themselves and the flock. They are to be alert (v31) and constantly on guard against the attacks of the enemy. Peter would put it this way "So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you" (1 Peter 5v1-2) Finally we respond to our elders with maturity and grace heeding the words of the apostle "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you." (Hebrews 13v17) Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q81 What is forbidden in the tenth commandment? The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate, envying or grieving at the good of our neighbor, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his. Year 2 Day 74
Pray (ACts) Read - Mark 3:13-19 Message - Alan Burke If we are familiar with the history of the people of God then we know big things happen on mountains, and the number twelve is significant. Think of Moses on Mount Sinai, how had formally constituted the old covenant community and there were twelve tribes of Israel (Ex 19:1-25; 20:18-20). Here in Mark’s gospel, as we move from the chaotic, intense, emotional scene of the crowds crushing Jesus beside the lake as those from all over the Israel of old coming to Jesus (7-8, Isa 43:5-6), we have Jesus on a mountain with those whom he wanted and from them he appointed twelve. Another mountain, another twelve, Jesus here is starting a new age and a new community, fulfilling Moses’ work and stepping into His role as mediator of the new covenant and a new community who are united in him. Those whom Jesus calls here have nothing in common except the call of Jesus on their lives, apart from him they cannot have community. Jesus chose these twelve men for the specific purpose that they might be with him and that he might extend his mission through them, that they could go where he could not because of the crowds and his fame. The promise of a future ministry is fulfilled initially in the mission of the Twelve to the Galilean villages (Ch. 6:7-13) as they went out to preach and drive out demons, but it finds its wider significance in the apostolic mission after the resurrection. I want to pick a few of these names out, Simon to whom Jesus gave the name Peter meaning little rock. Think about him, the story of Peter in this Gospel reveals one who is anything but rocklike. He wrangles with Jesus about his messianic role (8:32–33) and when things get rough and there is hostile scrutiny he’s like a feather (4:5–6, 16–18) and goes on to denies his Lord three times (14:66–72). Think of James and John, sons of thunder. They are shown hankering after glory and riches that they think should abound when Jesus ascends his throne, they want the best seats in the house, to sit on the king’s left and right, who cares about the other apostles, the other ten. Then there is Judas, he comes last in the list, his name is not the name Jesus gave him but the church. Ideal poster boys, legends they are not. What they were is flawed, failures time after time. In spite of the failures of the Twelve, there was a purpose in them being called, for they were called according to the plans and purpose of God. Nobody forced Judas to become a disciple, he chose to follow Jesus; he made his own decision to become a learner disciple, to enter the school of Jesus, and he stayed with our Lord during His earthly ministry for three years. Ultimately he would just like the Pharisees, just like the crowd reject Jesus. Judas was not genuinely converted. That ought to give us pause as we consider the states of our own souls. These along with all who follow Jesus, were and are united together through Jesus Himself. There was nothing but the effectual call of God in hearts and lives that gives them common faith in the Savior drawing such people together. The same is true today, Jesus alone can unite people of varying backgrounds and who hold varying opinions into one body in service to the Creator. I may not know the difference between Boyzone or Westlife, I may not speak or understand Spanish or German, but I know that if you are united to Christ then these things are not important for you are my brother or sister and what unites us is not these things but Christ who brought about a new community in him through faith. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q80 What is required in the tenth commandment? The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition, (Heb. 13:5, 1 Tim. 6:6) with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbour, and all that is his. (Job 31:29, Rom. 12:15, 1 Tim. 1:5, 1 Cor. 13:4–7) Year 2 Day 73
Pray (ACts) Read - Acts 20v7-16 Message - Scott Woodburn What's the perfect length for a sermon? Some argue that we can't concentrate for longer than 20 minutes. I've heard others who make the case for 45 minutes at least. One man I'm aware of had a ministry filled with 7 minute sermons and the late Noel Agnew told me that they were 7 minutes packed with truth. I'll leave you to decide how long a sermon should be but I suspect I know Paul's thinking on the issue. Paul would soon be called to travel once more and so spent his final night speaking to his brothers and sisters until midnight (v7). We immediately see Paul's concern for the church. He loved them and wanted them to be well grounded in the truth and so he spoke God's Word to them for as long as possible. Unfortunately one young man called Eutychus drifted off to sleep and as Paul continued to speak long into the night, Eutychus sank deeper into dreamland (v9). Tragically as he slept, he fell from his window seat on the third floor and was killed (v9b). In the presence of an Apostle such an event was not the end of the story. Paul took Eutychus in his arms and said “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” (v10). Eutychus was restored to life bringing much comfort to the flock (v12). I smile when I see what happens next. Paul wasn't finished speaking! It's late and a young man has died and been brought back to life but Paul has more to say! He eats with his brothers and sisters and continues to speak to them until daybreak (v11). As we read this passage it challenges our attitudes to the preached Word. We all struggle to pay attention to the sermon. At times we switch off completely from it. On other days we remember a story or an illustration but little else. On occasion we long for something a bit more exciting. Amazingly Paul had those opinions directed at him too. One of the criticisms he endured in Corinth was that he had nothing to say. His critics would argue “Paul's letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” (2 Corinthians 10v10) Brothers and sisters, a mark of the spiritual health of a congregation is their attitude to the preached word. A spiritually healthy church understands that the Lord has ordained the means of preaching to gather and perfect His people. A spiritually healthy church will work hard at preparing themselves to receive the Word. A spiritually healthy church will seek to discipline themselves to listen well as the Word is preached. A spiritually healthy church will consider what they have heard and seek to apply it to their lives. The death and healing of Eutychus was exciting but Paul's address was what the church required. It is still the same. Jesus once told a story about a rich man who died and went to hell. He begged Abraham to send a poor man from heaven as a warning to the rich man's brothers. Instead Abraham pointed the rich man to the Word "Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And the rich man said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’” (Luke 16v29-31) We don't need tricks, smoke machines or miraculous deeds. We need much of Jesus and we find Him abundantly in the Word of God. Heed the Word preached and rejoice in every opportunity to receive preaching "for the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths." (2 Timothy 4v3-4) Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q79 Which is the tenth commandment? The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s. Year 2 Day 72
Pray (ACts) Read - Mark 3:7-12 Message - Alan Burke The chaotic, intense, emotional scene of the crowds crushing Jesus that we have here is bracketed with the Pharisees plotting to kill Jesus (6) and the evil spirit confessing who he was (11). The Pharisees rejected Jesus and ultimately the crowds had rejected him, for they had rejected Jesus in favour of who they wanted him to be. Then there is the evil spirits who are the only ones who recognise who Jesus is by falling before him in mock worship (11). Even though the peoples Messiah had arrived, God’s anointed king, the Son of God it is only the evil spirits who knew and confessed him to be the Son of God. Today I want you to consider something here from the response of the evil spirits. The evil spirits confessed who Jesus was, but a confession does not make a disciple. These evil spirits knew who Jesus was was, but it reminds us that a confession of faith, an affirmation of the truth does not mean that one is a disciple. Think about it, the evil sprits cried out “you are the Son of God”, and Satan himself knows Jesus as the Son of God, that through Jesus all that has been made has been made, Satan knows that Jesus rose from the dead, he knows that Jesus died on the cross, Satan knows all these things, the evil spirits know these things but none of them are disciples. A confession of faith, an affirmation of the truth mean does not mean that you are a disciple. You can know the truth, you can even believe it, you can confess the truth, say that you claim it, but unless you submit to the Lord Jesus, unless you repent and believe, you are not a disciples. For the gospel means that we believe and obey, Jesus taught us that the gospel also demands a respond. We thought about that briefly from the great commission a few weeks ago, as Jesus sent his disciples out to make disciples, teaching them to obey everything he commanded. Unless we get that, unless we confess and obey, unless we are willing to fall at his feet and lay everything before him, then we are refusing to submit to his rule in our life. People may have a confession, so did the evil spirts they confessed, people can affirm the truth of what the Scripture teaches, but unless they submit to his rule then they are not a disciple. Jesus should be Lord of our desires, Lord of our relationships, Lord over our priorities, Lord over all. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q78 What is forbidden in the ninth commandment? The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own or our neighbour’ s good name. (1 Sam. 17:28, Lev. 19:16, Ps. 15:3) Year 2 Day 71
Pray (ACts) Read - Acts 20v1-6 Message - Scott Woodburn A few weeks ago I was preaching down towards Newcastle on a gloriously bright Sunday afternoon. As I was about to climb into my car and head for evening worship in Crossgar I was approached by an elderly lady. She told me that she once had travelled to New York city to begin a new life with her husband. It was there that she had heard the Gospel for the first time and both she and her husband were saved. Soon they were back home in Northern Ireland but she was always thankful for the Lord's sovereign hand taking her to the USA. She thanked me for my clear presentation of the Gospel and wished me well for the future bringing encouragement to my soul. Last week I was down visiting my mum and dad and had to go to Wyse Byse on the Woodstock Road as my mum needed a picture put on the wall immediately! Just as I walked into the shop a man offered me a Gospel tract. I took it from him and thanked him for his efforts. He asked me if I was saved and soon he and I were standing on the Woodstock speaking about the Gospel and getting to know one and another. He encouraged me to keep preaching the Gospel and I extended to him my hope that some would be saved as he proclaimed Christ in East Belfast. I suspect theres nothing too exciting about the stories I have just shared and if you have read today's passage there is nothing too exciting there either. We are told about Paul's travels and we're told about Paul's companions. Often in Acts we see such accounts and can quickly skip to something a little bit more exciting. But brothers and sisters, lets pause for a moment or two. In these verses we are told twice that Paul's ministry was one of encouragement. He encouraged his disciples (v1) and he had encouraged the saints in Macedonia (v2). Encouragement is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as "words or behaviour that give someone confidence to do something" We could put it another way and say that in the church encouragement is expressed in words or behaviour which give our fellow Christians the strength to keep walking towards glory. Encouragement is vital for the health of the Christian church because despite our brave faces each one of us knows that Christianity is not an easy path. The enemy is faithful and constant in his discouragement. He reminds us of our faults and belittles us in our work and causes pettiness and division to abound. What do we need when Satan tells us of our inability? Encouragement. Brothers and sisters I challenge you to become someone who goes out of their way to encourage those around you. It might be a gentle word of thanks or appreciation. It might be a bunch of flowers or card through the door. It might be a text or email. It might be praying with someone. However you choose to do the work of encouragement, be faithful and zealous in it. The enemy is always active and we must therefore seek to be energetically encouraging. It will require time and effort and may see you having to put aside pettiness and gripes but look around your church and remember that these brothers and sisters are people for whom Christ died. Encourage them in their walk. Help them to fix their eyes on Christ. Refresh the hearts of God's people, for in this way you will make the carried burdens of the church a little bit lighter to bear. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q77 What is required in the ninth commandment? The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbor’s good name, especially in witness bearing. |
Alan
|