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Truth #3- Acts Is A Book of "Action"
Truth #3 - ACTS IS NOT ABOUT A “JESUS
FAN CLUB”
Because the
story of Jesus is so impressive…God among us! God speaking a language we can
understand! God acting in ways that heal and help and save us! There is a
danger that we will be impressed, but only impressed. As the spectacular
dimensions of this story slowly (or suddenly) dawn upon us, we could easily
become enthusiastic spectators, and then let it go at that. We just become
admirers of Jesus, generous with our “oohs and ahs”, and in our better moments
inspired to imitate him.
It is Luke’s
task to prevent that. To prevent us from becoming mere spectators to Jesus,
fans of the Message. Of the original quarter of writers on Jesus, Luke alone
continues to tell the story as the apostles and disciples live it into the next
generation. The remarkable thing is that it continues to be essentially the
same story for us today in our generation of 2012!
As you read
the book of Luke (vol. 1) and then read the book of Acts (vol.2), you’ll
wonder…are these the same guys in the book of Acts that were in the book of
Luke?
You know…
The ones who
doubted in Galilee? The ones who argued in Capernaum? The ones who ran for
their lives in Gethsemane?
As you read
you’ll wonder…are these the same men? The answer is NO!
It is not
the same men. They are different. They have stood face-to-face with God. They
have sat at the feet of the resurrected King. They are different.
Within these
men and women dwells a fire not found on earth. Christ has taught them. The
Father has forgiven them. The Spirit indwells them.
THEY ARE NOT THE SAME!!!
And because
they are different, so is the world!!!
We are going
to read about their adventures in 2012. We are going to be encouraged. We are
going to listen to the Holy Spirit for our own lives.
And what God
did to them…he longs to do for you!!!
These people
in Acts have not formed the “Jesus Fan Club.” They are not impressed with what
He has done or said to the point of ooh and aahh.
They are not
spectators…they are participators!!
Published on Monday, January 30, 2012 @ 11:40 AM CDT
Why The Book Of Acts? Truth #2
Truth #2 - ACTS IS A
BOOK OF “ACTION”
Notice it is called “Acts,” not “Reacts.”
It is about the initiative and action of the Holy Spirit in
the lives of the followers (disciples) who were once cowardly, unsure, and
ignorant. Those men, who had learned to follow Jesus for three years, were now
learning to lead!
In this sequel to his Gospel, Luke reports that those early
disciples mobilized the church so effectively that they reached entire cities
and saturated whole countries with the gospel (19:10).
The action described in this book shows God empowering men
and women who decide to stand for God with the Holy Spirit. They determine to
be influencers. Despite their lack of human qualifications, they begin to
penetrate their society.
God accomplished this primarily through ordinary people with
little in the way of education, political clout or prestige.
Next…Truth #3
Published on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 @ 1:20 PM CDT
Why The Book of Acts? Truth #1
When you look at the book of Acts there are three truths that are evident. These are not just observations, but truths that are obvious in all 28 chapters. As you read Acts these three truths must be kept in the forefront of your mind and heart. If you neglect to see the book of Acts in the context of these three truths then Acts becomes just a book of history and some stories about people who lived in the first century.
Truth #1 – STORY OF JESUS DOESN’T END WITH JESUS
The Book of Acts is more properly a continuation of the Gospel of Luke and could be considered volume 2 of that gospel. It has been said that as the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) presents Jesus going about preaching the gospel and calling people to repent, so the Book of Acts presents Jesus continuing his preaching ministry through his witnesses whom he sent out into the world.
Believers empowered and anointed by the Holy Spirit became the continuing vehicle (literally the physical body) through which the message of redemption and restoration travelled. In other words, what began as God’s role…incarnated and extended in Jesus Christ…now is being transmitted through his church.
The Book of Acts reports how the gospel of Jesus through his witnesses was spread in ever widening circles to Jews and Gentiles alike. Acts is a sequel to the life of Christ in the Gospels and it records the spread if the Christianity from Jerusalem to Rome.
The story of Jesus doesn’t end with Jesus. It continues in the lives of those who believe in Him. The supernatural does not stop with Jesus.
Luke makes it clear that these Christians he wrote about
were no more spectators of Jesus than Jesus was a spectator of God. They are in
on the action of God, God acting in them, God living in them. This also means,
of course, in us…today!
Published on Monday, January 16, 2012 @ 11:36 AM CDT
Reset
Dear Victory Family and Friends,
Happy New Year and in particular…Happy 2012!
I want 2012 to be the best year ever in my life of 56 years. Why not? Why can’t you and I have the best year ever in our life? Who says we can’t? Who says that we can’t have a walk with God in 2012 that is always fresh…satisfying…and passionate? I know you and I can have this kind of relationship and walk with God this year. I really believe that you and I can hear the voice of God and feel His presence like never before!
In a world filled with Twitter, Facebook, and so much noise and clutter, we can get easily distracted and “gunked up” spiritually. We can get bogged down in our relationship with God. But, it doesn’t have to be this way. There is a way to hit the “reset” button and find the thriving life God promises.
So, where do you begin? First, you start by wanting and desiring a passionate, fresh and satisfying walk with God. You have to want this! Being nonchalant about your walk with God will not do it. You have to WANT fresh fire of His Spirit. You begin with the desire and the want to. Now, if you do not have the desire or want to, then ask Jesus to give you the desire to want Him in 2012. He will do so.
Second, get involved in Awakening at Victory. At Victory we are setting aside 21 days from the clutter and noise of this world in order to focus our hearts, souls and bodies on the fire and passion found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Come and go with me on this 21 day journey to “jump start” our hearts in the fresh fire, passion and power of the Holy Spirit. Clear your calendar of non-essential stuff. Turn off the noise for 21 days that fills our heads! When you do, God’s voice will become clearer in your soul. Also, His voice will bring passion and fire to your heart and daily walk with Him. So, set aside Jan. 8 – 28 to pray, fast, read, fellowship with other passionate believers and give yourself to Awakening.
The third thing to do is believe. Not just believe for the sake of believing. But believe God and His Word for you personally. Everyone is different. Height, weight, skin color, economics, big city, small town, educated, no formal education and so on. BUT…there is one factor that you must remember and understand. The Holy Spirit is poured out on all flesh. There is no less Spirit for some and more for others! He is God and He fills any person that wants passion, fresh fire, satisfaction and fulfillment in their relationship and daily walk with Jesus Christ.
We “kick-off” Awakening this Sunday and I also begin preaching through the book of Acts for 2012.
See you Sunday,
Pastor Mike
“This will be your best year ever…If it is your best year spiritually."
-Stoval Weems- Awakening
Published on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 @ 11:58 AM CDT
Perseverance and Persistence 2
You have probably heard how Abraham Lincoln lost every
election but one prior to his getting elected president of the United States.
You may have also read how Thomas Edison failed more than a thousand times
prior to inventing the incandescent light. Edison’s view of failure can shed interesting
light on the word persistence. Rather than failing, he believed that he
succeeded in finding ten thousand ways not to invent the incandescent light. In
other words, the process of elimination is a vital part of the invention
process. Edison went on to say that he knew he would soon succeed because he
ran out of ways that didn’t work. Where would we be today if it weren’t for
Edison’s great persistence?
What about your world? What will it be like if you
persevere as a father or mother? How might the world be different if you
persevere as a student to finish your degree or start a new company? What about
the work of Jesus Christ on the earth? What will Christ be able to accomplish
in and through your life if you persevere to do what He asks of you?
Here is a “little secret” that many people do not know.
Trying and failing is a risk one must bear in order to be able to try and
succeed. Why? Because personal failure and personal rejection are necessary
precursors to your success. You can beat up on yourself and whine about how you
messed up again, or you can reread Scripture on God’s desire to bless you if
you will align yourself with the principles of God’s Word.
More next time in
“Don’t Give Up on Yourself.”
Pastor Mike
Published on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 @ 10:44 AM CDT
