[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (SSEU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]
ACTS
8:9-25
Simon
was impressed with the works of God. He wasn't convicted. It's one thing to be
impressed and sought after, it's another thing to be convicted and be
converted.
That's
one of the problems I see in certain ministries of Apologetics. Their preaching
are oriented to impress people, and not designed to convict the sins of their
listeners.
Nobody
enters heaven because they are impressed with God. If so, God would have shaken
heaven and earth every now and then. Our Lord Jesus, Himself refused to work
miracles when demanded. Those who had seen His miracles didn't believe too. It
is through repentance and faith in Jesus that brings the wonders in life!
As
a preacher, I look at great men of God and would like to be like them, but that
could possibly be compared to Simon wanting to be like Philip and the Apostles.
As
a preacher, I would like my hearers to listen to me attentively. No sinners
want to be offended; they want their ears to be tickled. It's easier to impress
them by quoting this and that, talking this and that, but I am called to preach
nothing else but only Christ!
ACTS
9 Reflection:
5
unique characters:
1.
Saul the terrible being converted and becoming a trophy of Grace for Christ.
2.
Ananias, a timid disciple who restored sight to Saul the terrible.
3.
Barnabas, who knew powerful Apostles, brought Paul to them.
4.
Peter the Cephas
5.
Simon the host of Peter the Cephas.
All
of them, appointed by God, each having his own calling into the ministry!
I've
had enough of Paul and Peter😝 I don't think I have the courage of Ananias to go and
preach to RSS people. I do not know great people like Barnabas did, to
introduce anyone to them. But maybe I can think of Simon the tanner, and work
on developing hospitality all the more!
ACTS
10:31
"And
said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in
the sight of God.’"
What
a wonderful God we have! No impartiality in Him (v34). Whoever calls on Him
will be saved. Cornelius, a gentile called on Him, and God saved Him.
Whoever
seeks God will find God. But we know it is God who first seeks us. He is the
one who stirs up our hearts to seek Him. We are lost sheep. Jesus is the real
seeker. The person to be found is the lost one, a sinner. Sinners are dead
people needed to be awakened by the Spirit of God. Ought we to give all credits
to God for our salvation!
As
we see, God's means of Salvation is the gospel. Peter went and proclaimed the
gospel. God didn't just justify Cornelius for those prayers and alms in Caesarea.
That's why I am delighted in the ministry of the gospel because it is the only
way to save sinners.
Unreached
people need the Gospel to hear and believe and obey. God is not going to save
those Sentinelese in Andaman and Nicobar Islands or those in Amazon jungles
without hearing the gospel!
Lord,
stir up a passion to weep for the lost and to reach out to them! For I was once
lost and was found by Your grace through Your preachers!
ACTS
11
v7
"Rise, Peter, kill and eat."
v9
"What God has cleansed you must not call common"
Hmm!
If you aren’t eating pork, you are wasting your life! 🤣😂
Joke
aside! But praise God that He hasn't restricted us! Israelites were chosen to
be the people of God in the Old Testament. They were to live a different life; thus,
they had those dietary laws. In the NT, the people of God are Christians. There
is no distinction between a Jew and a Gentile, thus there is no need for
dietary distinction.
v18
confirms it: "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to
life." Guys, let's enjoy pork with thanksgiving😇 Btw, I'm texting this just after eating pork! 😂
ACTS
12
Herod
killed James the apostle for preaching the gospel (v2). Herod enjoyed persecuting
Christians and arrested Peter again (v4). But God freed Peter and eventually
killed Herod (v8, 23). And with or without persecution, Christians continued to
spread the gospel, and more were saved (v24)
The
work of Satan is real. And I think even these many restrictions and responses
to Covid19 have the hands of Satan. But God is sovereign. And His people shall
prevail! There lies my hope, assurance, joy, and peace!
ACTS
13 OBSERVATION FROM PAUL'S SERMON
Tone
and mood is exhortation/
encouragement (v15)
Audience: chosen people of God and those who fear God (v16)
Theme: God raised up for Israel a Saviour—Jesus (v23). The
most repeated word is "raised".
His
main exhortation starts at v38 till 41. His exhortation is mostly a negative—warning
and ended with a stern warning of doom "lest you marvel and perish"
(v41)
His
Outline: 3 times he
addressed "Men" "brethren" and they serve as his sermon
outline.
I.
16-25 God in His promise gives Jesus as Saviour for Israel.
II.
26-37 (but they killed Him) but God in His promise raised up Jesus
III.
38-42 God promises to justify (forgive, save) anyone who believes in Him
Illustration: from Old Testament
Main
Theological Doctrine:
Justification by Faith (v39)
Main
Implication/Application:
there is justification (forgiveness) when we believe Christ. v38-39
In
short, Believe or Perish!
ACTS
14:22
“Strengthening
the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and
saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.’”
If
I am living a very comfortable life, well, I must question whether I am really
with Jesus or with the world!
If
I haven't suffered or lost anything because I chose to follow Christ, well,
it's not the Christ of the Bible.
If
I am not rejoicing in all the mundane things of life (boredom, wants,
challenges, sin, trouble, sickness, and anything), well, I may as well quit
Christianity.
If
I am looking for a prosperous, secured, and peaceful future, well, Jesus didn't
promise those for His ministers, what He promised is tribulation and the sufficiency
of His grace in it!
If
the lovingkindness of God is not better than life, well, neither heaven nor God
is a matter of joy!
But
God is my joy! God is my Salvation! God is my life! And therefore, my life is
worth living, suffering, and dying! Thank You, Lord 🙏