Sunday Preview, Text

Acts 7:35-60

35 "This Moses whom they disowned, saying, 'WHO MADE YOU A RULER AND A JUDGE?' is the one whom God sent to be both a ruler and a deliverer with the help of the angel who appeared to him in the thorn bush. 36 " This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt and in the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. 37 "This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, 'GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR BRETHREN.' 38 "This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness together with the angel who was speaking to him on Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers; and he received living oracles to pass on to you. 39 "Our fathers were unwilling to be obedient to him, but repudiated him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt, 40 SAYING TO AARON, 'MAKE FOR US GODS WHO WILL GO BEFORE US; FOR THIS MOSES WHO LED US OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT — WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM.' 41 " At that time they made a calf and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. 42 "But God turned away and delivered them up to serve the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, 'IT WAS NOT TO ME THAT YOU OFFERED VICTIMS AND SACRIFICES FORTY YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS, WAS IT, O HOUSE OF ISRAEL? 43'YOU ALSO TOOK ALONG THE TABERNACLE OF MOLOCH AND THE STAR OF THE GOD ROMPHA, THE IMAGES WHICH YOU MADE TO WORSHIP. I ALSO WILL REMOVE YOU BEYOND BABYLON.'

44 "Our fathers had the tabernacle of testimony in the wilderness, just as He who spoke to Moses directed him to make it according to the pattern which he had seen. 45 "And having received it in their turn, our fathers brought it in with Joshua upon dispossessing the nations whom God drove out before our fathers, until the time of David. 46 "David found favor in God's sight, and asked that he might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47 "But it was Solomon who built a house for Him. 48 "However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says:

49'HEAVEN IS MY THRONE,
AND EARTH IS THE FOOTSTOOL OF MY FEET;
WHAT KIND OF HOUSE WILL YOU BUILD FOR ME?' says the Lord,
'OR WHAT PLACE IS THERE FOR MY REPOSE?
50'WAS IT NOT MY HAND WHICH MADE ALL THESE THINGS?'

51 "You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. 52 " Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; 53 you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it."

54 Stephen Put to Death


Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. 55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56 and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." 57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse. 58 When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" 60 Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" Having said this, he fell asleep.
NASU

Sunday May 18, 2008

Acts 7:9-34

9 "The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him, 10 and rescued him from all his afflictions, and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he made him governor over Egypt and all his household.

11 "Now a famine came over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction with it, and our fathers could find no food. 12 "But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers there the first time. 13 "On the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph's family was disclosed to Pharaoh. 14 "Then Joseph sent word and invited Jacob his father and all his relatives to come to him, seventy-five persons in all. 15 "And Jacob went down to Egypt and there he and our fathers died. 16 "From there they were removed to Shechem and laid in the tomb which Abraham had purchased for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

17 "But as the time of the promise was approaching which God had assured to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt, 18 untilTHERE AROSE ANOTHER KING OVER EGYPT WHO KNEW NOTHING ABOUT JOSEPH. 19 "It was he who took shrewd advantage of our race and mistreated our fathers so that they would expose their infants and they would not survive. 20 "It was at this time that Moses was born; and he was lovely in the sight of God, and he was nurtured three months in his father's home. 21 "And after he had been set outside, Pharaoh's daughter took him away and nurtured him as her own son. 22 "Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds. 23 "But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered his mind to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. 24 "And when he saw one of them being treated unjustly, he defended him and took vengeance for the oppressed by striking down the Egyptian. 25 "And he supposed that his brethren understood that God was granting them deliverance through him, but they did not understand. 26 " On the following day he appeared to them as they were fighting together, and he tried to reconcile them in peace, saying, 'Men, you are brethren, why do you injure one another?' 27 "But the one who was injuring his neighbor pushed him away, saying, 'WHO MADE YOU A RULER AND JUDGE OVER US? 28'YOU DO NOT MEAN TO KILL ME AS YOU KILLED THE EGYPTIAN YESTERDAY, DO YOU?' 29 "At this remark,MOSES FLED AND BECAME AN ALIEN IN THE LAND OF MIDIAN, where he became the father of two sons.

30 "After forty years had passed,AN ANGEL APPEARED TO HIM IN THE WILDERNESS OF MOUNT Sinai, IN THE FLAME OF A BURNING THORN BUSH. 31 "When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he approached to look more closely, there came the voice of the Lord: 32' I AM THE GOD OF YOUR FATHERS, THE GOD OF ABRAHAM AND ISAAC AND JACOB.' Moses shook with fear and would not venture to look. 33 "BUT THE LORD SAID TO HIM, 'TAKE OFF THE SANDALS FROM YOUR FEET, FOR THE PLACE ON WHICH YOU ARE STANDING IS HOLY GROUND. 34' I HAVE CERTAINLY SEEN THE OPPRESSION OF MY PEOPLE IN EGYPT AND HAVE HEARD THEIR GROANS, AND I HAVE COME DOWN TO RESCUE THEM;COME NOW, AND I WILL SEND YOU TO EGYPT.'

NASU

Acts 7:9-34 exposition

9 "The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him,

This is the summary of all that follows. No matter what catastrophe occurs God remains in control and those who love God may trust that God is with them. We are assured of this in Romans 8:28

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God , to those who are called according to His purpose. NASU

The question for those who would be faithful to God's Word then is not one of is God in control but will we believe, and will we live like we believe, that God's promise that He is with us, is true.

10 and rescued him from all his afflictions, and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he made him governor over Egypt and all his household.

God has many means at His disposal to accomplish His purposes. To attempt to describe them all here would be an unwise use of this time as whole books could and have been written on the subject. To accomplish His purpose with Joseph several are however, quite visible. The first is Divine permission. God permitted the sinful conspiracy of Joseph's brothers in order to place Joseph where God's purposes would be accomplished. God built into Joseph a character that made Him successful in all he did elevating him in Potiphar's house, and even after disgrace due to the selfish and lustful then spiteful conspiracies of Potiphar's wife, Joseph's character elevated his position in the prison. God intervened directly with Spiritual gifts of interpretation of dreams thus giving him audience with Pharaoh. His character and administrative skill (also called in the New Testament a Spiritual gift) elevated him again to the second position of authority in Egypt. God's hand is seen underneath all of this at times leading (interpretation of dreams), at times intervening (Pharoah's dreams), sometimes equipping (Joseph's character and administrative skills), and other times permitting actions which while sinful and morally accountable (Potiphar's wife's lust, the brothers' conspiracy) or catastrophic (the famine); all the while accomplishing God's purposes.

11 "Now a famine came over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction with it, and our fathers could find no food.

God sets the stage to reunite the brothers now that Pharaoh's dreams have come to prophetic fruition. The brothers find themselves, and their father's household, without food in Canaan, and must travel to Egypt where Joseph's management of Egypts food supply has prepared Egypt to endure. The point here is that God may use affliction to drive us from a comfortable place to the place of His will.

12 "But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers there the first time.

The brothers are sent to Egypt to buy food.

13 "On the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph's family was disclosed to Pharaoh.

Joseph, after the brothers are forced to return with Benjamin, Jacob's only remaining son by Rachel, (Jacob assuming Joseph to be dead), makes himself known to his brothers and offers them this forgiveness, recorded in Gen 45:4-8

4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Please come closer to me." And they came closer. And he said, "I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 "Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 "For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 7 " God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. 8 "Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt. NASU

Likewise after Jacob died forgiveness is offered again, the brothers fearing revenge, Joseph shows us that He understood God's role in permitting their conspiracy and his own misfortunes. Gen 50:19-21

But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place? 20 "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. 21 "So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. NASU

Only a perspective of understanding God's gracious and good will could allow Joseph to offer forgiveness of this degree.

14 "Then Joseph sent word and invited Jacob his father and all his relatives to come to him, seventy-five persons in all.

Their reconciliation accomplished another purpose, namely the repentance of the brothers. Should God not permit is to sin in ways we can sensibly experience the consequences, we would never know our sinful condition and never confess and repent. We would go to Hell believing we deserve Heaven. Once Joseph made himself known and forgave (as God makes Himself known and forgives) he reunited the family and brought them into the safety of Egypt.

15 "And Jacob went down to Egypt and there he and our fathers died.

Jacob and his household moved to Egypt, into Goshen, to live during the famine.

16 "From there they were removed to Shechem and laid in the tomb which Abraham had purchased for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

In hope of God's promise to give them the land of Canaan, their bodies are removed back to the land from which they had been displaced by famine. Abraham, had purchased this land in the same hope that it would be, as God has promised, a land for his descendants.

17 "But as the time of the promise was approaching which God had assured to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt,

Recall that God did not just promise Abraham endless blessing and happiness but that the road to the promise would be marked with suffering for his descendants. Gen 15:13-16

God said to Abram, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years. 14 "But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve, and afterward they will come out with many possessions. 15 "As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you will be buried at a good old age. 16 "Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete." NASU

After a season of peace and increase there arose another time when God's people would be tested by suffering in order to see with gratitude God's preserving and guiding hand. In the meantime the Israelites did increase in number preparing a great number of people to be broughtout of Egypt compared to the 75 who entered Egypt to join Joseph.

18 until THERE AROSE ANOTHER KING OVER EGYPT WHO KNEW NOTHING ABOUT JOSEPH.

The pharaohs should have passed down, not only the stories of their kings, but also of the way in which God had preserved them through a great famine. A nation forgets God's providence to its own peril as we shall see in Egypt. We cannot afford to take credit for greatness and increase and claim it was our own skill which gained our blessings. Egypt's rulers not only forgot gratitude to God but even to the people through whom God's preservation had come.

19 "It was he who took shrewd advantage of our race and mistreated our fathers so that they would expose their infants and they would not survive.

When man forgets God anything is possible. Without God human nature will take any action which seems practical to achieve what it believes to be good ends. Pharaoh saw the growing numbers of Hebrews as a threat to his own race and nation so he proposed history's first “final solution” requiring the killing of all male Hebrew babies at birth to bring an end to the line of the people who he saw as a threat.

20 "It was at this time that Moses was born; and he was lovely in the sight of God, and he was nurtured three months in his father's home.

For reasons known only to God, Moses was given favor and permitted to live. Some may consider God cruel to allow some to live while other die. Yet can we not also marvel at God's favor in allowing a few of us to live? The tragedy of death in our world is a consequence of our sinful condition. That we live at all is due to God's grace. Consider how many children are lost to abortion, miscarriage, death in birth and infancy. Consider how vulnerable a human baby is. That any of us survive is something of a miracle. Moses, living in a time where male children were ordered to be killed, yet through God's favor he lived and survived first at home and then in the house of Pharoah.

21 "And after he had been set outside, Pharaoh's daughter took him away and nurtured him as her own son.

With no other option but to place moses in a basket at the edge of the Nile, hidden in the weeds, his mother entrusted Moses' care to God. She did not comply with the ungodly order to kill her child but instead hid her child and and was found by none other than Pharaoh's own daughter who chose, knowing full well that this was a Hebrew baby, she chose to adopt him as her own. Moses' own mother became his nurse and Pharaoh's daughter became his mother. No doubt God's hand can be seen in the “fortunate circumstances” of his finding.

22 "Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds.

He was blessed to receive an education and life unlike his Hebrew brethren. Hebrews 11 in the “Hall of fame of faith” tells of his early life this way. Hebrews 11:23-27

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.

NASU

The advantages Moses gained in Egypt were not able to keep him from following God's leading. No blessings of position, wealth or lifestyle should keep us from forsaking it all if Christ so calls.

23 "But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered his mind to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel.

Walking among the Hebrew slaves for whatever reason the inspired writer tells us Moses chose to “visit” his brethren and thus begin his own path to owning his place as one of God's people.

24 "And when he saw one of them being treated unjustly, he defended him and took vengeance for the oppressed by striking down the Egyptian.

Taking action on his own without having yet met God at the burning bush, Moses stuck and killed an Egyptian slave master.

25 "And he supposed that his brethren understood that God was granting them deliverance through him, but they did not understand.

According to the inspired writer of Acts and indeed the inspiration of Stephen's words to the council we are informed that in some way Moses had a sense of his calling before receiving and understanding it directly. Following Stephen's defense we begin to see how the case is being built which will follow in the latter half of Stephen's speech, which shows how the Hebrews would misunderstand and reject the prophets' ministries and ultimately reject them as well as the Christ Himself.

26 " On the following day he appeared to them as they were fighting together, and he tried to reconcile them in peace, saying, 'Men, you are brethren, why do you injure one another?'

Attempting to Lead his brethren in righteousness he intercedes in a fight between two Hebrews.

27 "But the one who was injuring his neighbor pushed him away, saying, 'WHO MADE YOU A RULER AND JUDGE OVER US?

Even as Moses calls them “brothers” also pointing to their need to live as brethren and not quarrel, he is rejected by these men who valued their quarrel more than righteousness .

28'YOU DO NOT MEAN TO KILL ME AS YOU KILLED THE EGYPTIAN YESTERDAY, DO YOU?'

Further, they reject Moses on account of his own sin in murdering the Egyptian, thereby rejecting the Truth because of the faults of the messenger. May we avoid this error and never reject what is true from God's Word simply because God uses flawed messengers. The Word remains true.

29 "At this remark, MOSES FLED AND BECAME AN ALIEN IN THE LAND OF MIDIAN, where he became the father of two sons.

Moses had little choice but to flee, his sin having been found out. This was God's own plan however placing Moses in a position to hear anew God's own call and plan for him. In the meantime Moses continued life as he was able, marrying and fathering children.

30 "After forty years had passed,AN ANGEL APPEARED TO HIM IN THE WILDERNESS OF MOUNT Sinai, IN THE FLAME OF A BURNING THORN BUSH.

Now eighty when His former life would have seemed almost forgotten God now appears to Moses having, according to God's own timing, chosen this moment to call Moses to do what Moses sensed a calling to do forty years before. Often God's timing of our call is much later than we would imagine. We must not reject it because it would seem too late.

31 "When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he approached to look more closely, there came the voice of the Lord:

32' I AM THE GOD OF YOUR FATHERS, THE GOD OF ABRAHAM AND ISAAC AND JACOB.' Moses shook with fear and would not venture to look.

God reveals Himself to Moses as the God of his fathers. Moses shows Holy fear in response, certainly not expecting to encounter Almighty God in the wilderness while tending sheep as a a foreigner and an old man.

33 "BUT THE LORD SAID TO HIM, 'TAKE OFF THE SANDALS FROM YOUR FEET, FOR THE PLACE ON WHICH YOU ARE STANDING IS HOLY GROUND.

Moses response was fear, yet God instructs him in something better than fear, reverence. True worship is not in the mode of our own response to God but in the reverent response which God calls for. We cannot please God with whatever we choose to offer, but will please God always with obedience in even something as simple as Moses removing his shoes. The point here is that as we encounter God, He instructs us in worship and righteousness.

34' I HAVE CERTAINLY SEEN THE OPPRESSION OF MY PEOPLE IN EGYPT AND HAVE HEARD THEIR GROANS, AND I HAVE COME DOWN TO RESCUE THEM;COME NOW, AND I WILL SEND YOU TO EGYPT.'

Having endured eighty years of life as both a prince and a wilderness dwelling shepherd Moses is informed that God's plans have included all Moses personally and the Hebrews as a people have experienced and that now is God's time for their release. Moses is to be the instrument chosen by God for this task. We may never expect God's timing or path to make perfect sense to us. Our is to obey and in the end to see how God works all things out according to His perfect plan and for our good. I'll finish with a reminder from Romans 8:28

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God , to those who are called according to His purpose. NASU

In Christ and on the Shepherd's Path,

Mark

Sunday 4-13-08- Freed to Proclaim

Acts 5:12-21a

12 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico. 13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. 14 And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number, 15 to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. 16 Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.

17 Imprisonment and Release

But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. 18 They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said, 20 "Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life." 21 Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach.

NASU

Acts 5:12-21a Exposition

12 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico.

God continued to bless the Apostles with the power through the Holy Spirit to prove the gospel they proclaimed with “many signs and wonders” These were done publicly so that they began to draw both positive and negative attention as we shall see. Meanwhile the believers were “in one accord” and continuing to meet together publicly in the section of the temple known as Solomon's portico. This was where Jesus in John 10:23 and following was when he declared “I and the Father are one.” It is also where Peter had delivered his second sermon. The word for “one accord” can mean one passion, and associate with breathing hard. There may be an intentional connection between breath and the common analogy of the Spirit as wind or breath, yet the word (homothumadon) is adequately translated “one accord, or in agreement. Certainly the work of the Spirit drew them together into agreement and gave them a passionate sort of unity that allowed the church to grow so rapidly. We likewise should ask for the Spirit to give us unity of Passion for Jesus and His Gospel. It is obvious that this sort of unity is not accomplished by a watered down, least common denominator message designed not to offend. If it were it would not have aroused the passionate responses from friends and foes alike.

13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem.

Lukewarmness and compromise belonged on the outside of the group of believers among those who were afraid for their reputation or indeed their safety's sake to associate with the believers. Yet the conduct of the growing church led none to declare them scandalous.

14 And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number,

As a result more and more people came to believe and join with the church. The means of growth seems to be a passionate unity, and the power of the Spirit. This by no means discounts the clear preaching of the gospel which we have seen undergirds all of the apostles' actions and indeed in their prayer at the end of chapter four provided the reason for their desire for the Spirit's power and boldness.

15 to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them.

Here we see a couple of developments. The church begins to be a place where people come to receive help. Also those on the outside begin to associate the power with the person of Peter as though it was association with him that could heal them. The world misunderstands Christian leaders sometimes making them celebrities and assuming of them more power than they themselves have. Not understanding the Spirit they look to the men themselves. Positively, it is this interest in coming to the church for help that provides the believers and especially the apostles the opportunity to proclaim the gospel to them.

16 Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.

Notice the church does not turn them away but does what it is able for them, not judging their motives, but caring for those who were indeed in one way or another “afflicted” and healing them. So also we should do what the Spirit empowers us, either naturally or even supernaturally, to do for those who come to us. This means using the resources at our disposal, and always prayer, to help those who come to us in need.

17 But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy.

Now arises certain men whose worldly and religious power is threatened by this new movement. It is no coincidence that some of these were Sadducees who denied the resurrection and any supernatural aspect to the Jewish faith. Certainly this new movement with its healing and proclaiming of a resurrected messiah flew in the face of their education, teaching, and thus their position and power.

18 They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail.

Unable to resist the apostles with reason, evidence, or any legitimate means of persuading the people not to follow the apostles, they resorted to the use of their civil authority and physical force and jailed them. The gospel may not be dis-proven by any legitimate means and therefore those who proclaim it will often be resisted by illegitimate force and abuse of worldly authority.

19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said,

God's authority is greater and God has the means at his disposal to allow His mission to succeed even when resisted by natural and seemingly irresistible means. I n this case an angelic messenger is sent not on;ly to provide physical release but also a clear instuction as to what should be done with their freedom.

20 "Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life."

The apostles are directed by the Word of God through this angel to return to their task of publicly telling people about the life that is given to them by the Gospel. They are to proclaim the whole message, avoiding any possible temptation to limit their speech to what would not offend and they are to do so publicly not in secret.. This I believe clarifies the purpose of their release. It was not for their safety, or so that they may be free to go into hiding. It was so that God's message could continue to be delivered. Likewise are we delivered from sin and death and given forgiveness and eternal life. It is not so we may live in fear of sin, nor should we willingly continue to sin. It is not so that we may retreat into the safe walls of Christian sub culture and seclude ourselves from society. We have been freed to proclaim the Life given through the gospel. Anything less is an improper use of our new freedom.

21 Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach.

As we should, so the apostles obeyed. Some would question the need for preaching, believing that people do not wish to hear it or claiming that God may save those he has predestined with or without our efforts. Any such teaching is un-Biblical and a rejection of our calling. If for no other reason we must proclaim the gospel because we are commanded to. We cannot call God, Lord or even God, and willfully do other than God commands. So regardless of whatever outcome we may imagine we are called to proclaim the Gospel.

Sermon for Sunday 4-6-08

Acts 4:32-5:11

And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), 37 and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Acts 5

5:1 Fate of Ananias and Sapphira

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife's full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4 "While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." 5 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. 6 The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.

7 Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter responded to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?" And she said, "Yes, that was the price." 9 Then Peter said to her, "Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well." 10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.

NASU

Acts 4:32-5:11 Exposition

And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.

Following the rapid growth of the new believers in the wake of the Apostles' and the church's newfound, Spirit-filled boldness, the church is found to be in agreement of unity. They are described as a plethos or a multitude, signifying their number, so it is remarkable to find this unity; of “one heart and one soul”, living as valuing each other as much as each ones own self. Naturally this unity led to a changed view of possessions, no longer viewing goods as “mine” and “yours” but treating their goods as community property. Not in a socialistic sense of control but in a sense that they valued their community and their mission over their personal needs and wants. They were now a part of something bigger..

33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.

Their prayer in the previous section continued to be answered: The Apostles preached and displayed the ongoing power of God; They stayed to the message for which they had been threatened, namely, the resurrection of Jesus Christ; God continued to allow them to experience His Charis from which we get Charisma to mean both giftedness and grace. In short they were experiencing the gifts of God while they were letting loose of the things which they might have claimed to “own”.

34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales

The church may have seen poverty but those in the body were not permitted to remain in need because from the resources of the community they willingly shared to provide for others as though for their own selves. Recall they were after all “of one heart and soul”. We would not allow our own selves to be in need for long before attempting to provide for ourselves. They treated others needs as though it was their own need. How this was done was by those who had houses and lands selling these holdings and releasing the money from the sales. To follow we shall see that this was a specific work of the Holy Spirit but it makes us accountable now top at least consider what God would have us do with our own holdings. If we are to be led by the Spirit, then any decision concerning our possessions should seek the calling of God.

35 and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

The apostles now emerge as leaders being the closest to Jesus and now seeming to qualify as elders, entrusted by the people, to make decisions concerning the distribution of goods to those in need. It would seem that their position as spiritual leaders here qualifies them to be practical leaders and decide best what the Spiritual duty requires.

36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement),

Here is our first sight of Barnabas who will emerge among the leaders and earlier missionaries of the church. His character as “Son of encouragement” will emerge as well throught this episode and through the chapters to follow. The word for “encouragement” can also mean “Consolation and is the Greek parakleeseoos of the same root as the title paraklete which is given by Jesus to the Holy Spirit when the Spirit is called “Comforter”. Barnabas may be closely associated with the work of the Holy Spirit in his life by this title.

37 and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.

He is identified as one of those who sold his land and brought the proceeds to be shared.

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,

2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife's full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles' feet.

The picture here is one of deception. Placed alongside the description of Barnabas' and the other's sharing of their proceeds, the mention that Ananias wife had “full knowledge” and the way in which the portion was “laid at the Apostles' feet” like the others indicates something amiss in their choice to withhold a portion. See too Peter's words to see this is something other than a generous gift that merely happened to be less than what others had brought.

3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?

Ananias' action is seen as inspired by Satan and a lie to the Spirit, an attempt at deception, perhaps even a pretending or a faking of the Holy Spirit's work through its similarity to the genuine work in those who did not withhold. The following verse will show more.

4 "While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God."

Ananias did not sin until he chose to act deceptively with his gift. The Land was his, the money was his. It is clear that he was free by the Peter's understanding to do with it as he wished, yet he conceived in his heart a plan to give as though he were giving more. Our deceptions, we can learn are not just to men but also when done before God who knows all, are attempts to deceive God or to disregard God's full knowledge of not only our actions but our motivations.

5 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it.

Peter has not harshly judged Ananias or unjustly accused him. Not a hand was raised against him, yet God, in whose hand is all life, confirms the truth of Peter's words when Ananias falls dead. God has not changed as some would estimate, between the Testaments. The same God who loved and forgave David in the Old Testament, also took the life of Ananias and Sapphira in the new. As in the days of the Exodus when God swallowed up may of the Israelites in the desert for their disobedience, demonstrating His very real and holy wrath toward sin, so God again shows it in this episode. One cannot be sure why in this case God chose to act in such a way, except that God is sovereign and all He does is right. The results of His actions are shown to follow. “A great fear came over all who heard of it”. Those who saw would not consider it lightly to attempt any similar deception. We should never believe God to be weak or sin to be excusable.

6 The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.

There is little to say here except the body was dealt with as needed. As for the soul of Ananias and soon Sapphira, nothing is said. We are given insufficient evidence to know if they are in heaven or hell. Such is the problem with those who die having a life of questionable witness. Those who live are robbed of any assurances concerning their loved one. All we have is to trust in God's Goodness, Justice and Holiness. Certainly more comfort is available when a person dies a believer, living a consistent witness in striving toward a holy life until his or her last day.

7 Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.

Sapphira appears now the body having been removed three hours ago. She does not know of her husbands fate and perhaps a congratulation from Peter for her and Ananias' generosity. We cannot know for certain, but what is sure is that she from ignorance of her husbands fate continues the deception.

8 And Peter responded to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?" And she said, "Yes, that was the price."

Peter questions her specifically, providing her the opportunity to either show ignorance, had she been uninformed of her husband's business affairs, or to choose to tell the truth. Instead she adds to her previously silent complicity to the lie with her own active attempt at deception.

9 Then Peter said to her, "Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well."

Peter again confronts the lie and points to the fact again that the issue is deception and now adds that they conspired together to test the Spirit of the Lord. It was not enough to lie but also they did so in a way that showed contempt for the very real work of the Spirit in driving the generosity of those around them. Peter prophetically announces that she will be likewise carried out.

10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

Again God confirms the justice of this indictment in taking her life as well. She too is taken and buried.

11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.

The result of the fear among believers and other who heard was to allow all to know that the Spirit, like the Father, was not to be toyed with, treated deceptively, or invoked without due reverence. Fear of God, is the beginning of wisdom, as it says in Proverbs, and leads us into due reverence and worship. Our dealings with God in all areas of life should include due reverence.

Pray to be filled: Commentary for 3-30-08

Acts 4:13-31

Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. 15 But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to confer with one another, 16 saying, " What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 "But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name." 18 And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, " Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; 20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard." 21 When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened; 22 for the man was more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

23 When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, "O Lord, it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM, 25 who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,

'WHY DID THE GENTILES RAGE,

AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS?

26'THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND,

AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER

AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.'

27 "For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur. 29 "And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, 30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus." 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.

NASU

Acts 4:13-31 Exposition

Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.

Three things were notable about these Apostles: First they were confident, bold, and fearless in proclaiming the risen Jesus as the Christ and His power. They did not back down when challenged by the authorities and even went so far as to announce to these men their sins in rejecting their Messiah. Many a person will proclaim an idea or make a complaint against a person or even an authority, but when challenged will back away, retreating, apologizing or attempting to soften the impact of their words. The apostles increased the intensity of the focus of their message when challenged and made no compromise in its meaning.

Second: They were uneducated and untrained, even “ignorant” depending on the way one translates the Greek word idiotai which to our ears gives the force of its meaning being similar to our own word “idiot”. They were not thought to be mentally deficient but sufficiently untrained as to have their teaching considered doubtful. Their amazement comes from the bringing together of their confidence and their incongruous position of a lack of training. In short their speech would have been more suited to a trained debater or scholar than to working class Galileans.

Third: what draws together the two previous things is the third notable, the fact that they had been with Jesus. They were speaking from a position of having been among those close to him and eyewitnesses of His ministry. It is unlikely that the leaders would have considered the Apostles eyewitnesses of His resurrection since they did not believe it, but they would have considered that they were insiders to Jesus' ministry of apparent miracles which now seemed to be spreading among His followers.

These things left them amazed. What was it about having been with Jesus? That made these men so bold?

14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply.

Their amazement left them without reply to the apostles' speech and the were all the more without reply because of the evidence before them of a man healed who all knew to have been crippled. This was no “ringer” brought in by frauds who had him act ill then show a feigned “miraculous” recovery. His fraud would have to have been begun long before this event as all knew him to be the man whom others, unrelated to the apostles, carried daily to the gate to beg alms.

15 But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to confer with one another,

With no reply the Council begins to discuss what to do. The danger all of us face when left with undeniable evidence of God is that we may look for a response which we can make other than the one Gods asks fro, namely: repentance and faith. These men conferred together to come up with a response which as we shall see more suits their own desires than any faithfulness to God or evn integrity in the face of the facts.

16 saying, " What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

By their own admission they lack any evidence to deny the truth of the miracle in the face of a public who had seen for themselves. It required no faith to believe the fact of the healing. What requires faith is to believe the words of the apostles are in fact the Word of God and something to be believed and trusted. Scripture informs us that we have sufficient evidence to believe that God exists but we still deny Him His due worship, not based on evidence, but on our own willing choice give our worship to another. Consider Rom 1:18-23

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

NASU

God's wrath is revealed justly against those who would willingly be ungodly and unrighteous in ignoring evidence and suppressing the truth. The Council attempts to continue the unregenerate pattern of humanity in looking for a solution that works for them and required no submission to the call of God to believe. The low status of the apostles, the people's previous rejection of Jesus, and the potential threat to their own power and institutions are too offensive to allow true repentance and faith.

17 "But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name."

Their decision is to attempt to use their power, authority, and influence to coerce the apostles to stop their preaching of Jesus' Name. Their intentions are to prevent any further spread of this message among the people. Perhaps “good” intentions to preserve the public order, but ultimately, had the apostles obeyed it would have resulted in the suppression of God's chosen means of salvation, Faith in Christ, through the preaching of the Gospel.

18 And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

Assuming they still had the authority to command men to obey them in matters concerning their religion, the Apostles are summoned by the council and instructed to be silent concerning the Person and name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, " Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge;

The apostles reach the crux of the argument immediately. Denying the Word of God is disobedience to God. A man cannot act in the name of God and command others to deny or suppress the Word of God namely the good news concerning Jesus Christ. This is why it is foolishness when a worldly authority tells a Christian minister to pray but to refrain from praying in Jesus Name. When faced with the choice of obedience to human authority or obedience to God we must always choose to obey God first despite whatever consequences we may face.

20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."

Added to the force of their argument is the fact that they are speaking of things which they have observed and not mere ideas which may be taken as a matter of opinion or be subject to debate.

21 When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened;

The Council's hypocrisy is shown all the more when without any real cause, that is any legal basis, for persecuting the apostles they resort to threats before releasing them. Their fear of the people was the only thing which restrained them from harming the Apostles further as even they had to acknowlege that the result of these events was an increase in divine worship among the people. The work of God will lead all who would respond to it to greater worship regardless of the human source of the work. The Apostles low worldly degree was no discouragement for many from glorifying God in what had occurred. The council on the other hand had a greater fear of the people than they had of God. We see this when they willingly threaten the Apostles but will not carry it far enough to anger the people. There is little thought to the prospect of angering God.

22 for the man was more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

The people's amazement is notable for the age of the man. His age would have made him more credible, no mere child, as well as more remarkable since he had been crippled all that time and was now healed.

23 When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

The Apostles turn to their fellow believers to report the threats, the orders of the council and the events which had occurred. We must likewise turn in moments of personal difficulty and dilemma to the body of other believers in our own congregations to seek God's will.

24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, "O Lord, it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM,

Wisely the congregation turns not to their own ideas first but to Worship and prayer. God is acknowledged as sovereign over all having made all things. Our sovereign God is certainly capable of managing our dilemmas as much as he can manage the earth and the mysterious chaotic sea.

25 who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,

'WHY DID THE GENTILES RAGE,

AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS?

Turning not only to prayer but also to the Written Word of God they see in David's psalm a parallel to their own situation. The Spirit inspired the Words of Scripture and included such events in its accounts as to inform us when we find ourselves on a similar path. Here we find in the Early Church's recognition of David's words as inspired by the Holy Spirit, an early and important support for the doctrine of inspiration of Scripture. In a practical sense the beauty of Scripture is that it shows the continuing history of the people of God and we may know from it that others have been this way before and God has dealt graciously, mercifully, and kindly with them as well.

26'THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND,

AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER

AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.'

If you were to look up this psalm, Psalm 2 you would no doubt find the word translated here “Christ” rendered “anointed”, leading you to believe it refers to David alone as the Lord's anointed king over Israel. Yet the early church quickly, prophetically, and inspired as David was by the Spirit, Show David's experience to point to the eternal king of Israel, the Christ. It shows that if they treated David with contempt as the Lord's anointed king, how much more would the world hold contempt for the Christ.

27 "For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,

Here the believers add their own spontaneous prayer recalling the actions of the people, Herod the Half-Israelite King and Pilate the Gentile Roman Governor. As we shall see this is not to inform God of information which they believe Him to be ignorant of, but to converse with their God concerning their own trials and to seek their place in God's plan.

28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur.

Here we see they believe the abuses of the people and the leaders of Jesus were done to fulfill God's plan and not in opposition to it.

29 "And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence,

Now their pray brings to God the present struggle and they ask not deliverance from it but faithfulness in it. They wish to play their part with all diligence and specifically they ask for boldness to speak the Word, the Message of God, with confidence in the face of confidence-shaking persecution.

30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus."

They ask too that their credibility come not from themselves but from the signs and wonders and healings which they must rely on God to do. Do we have the boldness to likewise ask for God to provide the evidence of our message rather than our own simple arguments and evidences? The early church grabbed so much attention because in addition to a message of hope their was a power from God evident in their work which left doubters speechless. They could threaten and kill the bodies of the messengers but they could not discredit the message or its very visible and real power. Dare we ask the same?

31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.

Their prayer was answered with both an immediate display of power in the “shaking” of the place and in the general way in which the many now began to speak with the boldness they had requested. It is important to note that again it says they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. God seems to honor our requests to be filled with the Spirit. This should be our foremost prayer before any others. May we be filled with the Holy Spirit and live it out in whatever way God chooses to work, speaking the message of our faith in Jesus Christ with all boldness.

In Christ and on the Shepherd's Path,
Mark

Text for 3-30-08

I am glad to be returning to the series on the Book of Acts this week. Here is the text that I will be using to continue.

In Christ and On the Shepherd's Path,

Mark

Acts 4:13-31

Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. 15 But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to confer with one another, 16 saying, " What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 "But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name." 18 And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, " Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; 20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard." 21 When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened; 22 for the man was more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

23 When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, "O Lord, it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM, 25 who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,

'WHY DID THE GENTILES RAGE,

AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS?

26'THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND,

AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER

AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.'

27 "For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur. 29 "And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, 30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus." 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.

NASU

He is Risen Indeed!

Just a brief note to remind one and all that the most important day of the year begins in exactly fifty minutes from the time I started writing this. It is the day when we specifically set aside time to remember that God became one of us, suffered our rejection, died on a cross, and rose from the dead. Our celebration of Easter, of more descriptively, firstfruits or Resurrection Sunday, begins tomorrow. God loves us enough to accomplish salvation for all those who will confess their sins, turn from them and follow Jesus Christ, believing in Him and trusting in Him alone for salvation. You are free to disbelieve, but the consequences of being wrong are more severe than the consequences of making an error and believing in Jesus and finding the whole thing to be false. The non-believer has to face the possibility of Judgment and eternal separation from God (the source of all good) in Hell. The believer, should he be wrong, faces only the same meaningless result that comes at the end of life which the atheist promises, a cessation of life, and a life having missed what may have been a few pleasures (although one might argue whether these selfish pursuits were indeed pleasures) and having lived a life in joy, hope, and service to others. Should that life end with no resurrection for ourselves we will not be around to care about it. But should we disbelieve and be wrong and this life end with resurrection and judgement we will find ourselves most miserable.
Our hope, our joy, our life is made meaningful and complete through faith in our resurrected Lord Jesus Christ, He is Risen...
He is Risen indeed!
In Christ and on the Shepherd's Path,
Mark