Focal Passage: Acts 6:1-15 

Being in ministry and pastoring for over 40 years has given me many opportunities to experience the vast number of ways you can serve in the church. One such opportunity was a small congregation in Middle Tennessee where I was pastor. Being a small congregation created significant financial challenges. It also created some major campus maintenance issues as well. When our sanctuary heating and air conditioning system critically failed, we were forced to replace all the units. Because the units were so old, that meant we had to update our electrical systems to accommodate the new units and to bring it up to electrical codes. So, in order to meet the challenge, we trimmed the finances in every budget category. That meant custodial care, lawn maintenance, supplemental staff, secretarial help and maintenance. Everybody jumped in to help, even the pastor. I remember cutting grass, painting the preschool area, doing plumbing and electrical work, you name it, and we done it, until we had the current need met. 

We have a similar story in our study this week. The Church was growing very fast. This was creating some logistical problems and some social tensions within the congregation. Most of the Church at this juncture was comprised mostly of converted Jews. Later, the Gentiles would be added to their number. But not all the Jews were from Israel. Many were now being added from outside Israel. They were the Hellenist Jews. Even though they had everything in common, it seems that there was some favoritism being shone. The Hellenists Jews thought their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. Thus, with the rising tensions the Apostles called together the whole congregation.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Acts 5:29-42 

The word “worthy” is defined by the dictionary as having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in a specified way. When used biblically, it characterizes a believer who walks in a manner worthy of the calling with which he has been called and is one whose daily living corresponds to his blessed position as a child of God and fellow heir with Jesus Christ. 

We find it hard to rejoice in suffering. In fact, human nature drives us completely in the opposite direction. The only way this changes is if we recognize the cause of our suffering is of a higher value and greater worth. The Apostle Paul often remarked about the joy he received in suffering affliction because of Jesus. Why? Because it elevates us to a level higher than ourselves as we share in the suffering of Jesus who suffered for us in our redemption. It is easier for us to suffer for those we love. It may not be pleasant, but we know the reason we are experiencing it and the value is worth the price.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Acts 4:36-5:11 

As we begin our study this week, we see two stories about two similar events. Neither gives a great deal of information about the details, but only a summation of the very different outcomes. 

In Acts, Luke, as with his gospel, was more interested in his readers understanding the “why” rather than get caught up in the minutia of the particulars. We can assume that there were more to each of these stories than what Luke chose to include.  

For example, Luke doesn’t tell us why Barnabas decided to sell his land and give the money to the church. Similarly, we do not know why Ananias and Sapphira decided to do the same. All we know is that one had righteous motives and intent and the other did not.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Acts 4:8-21 

Sometimes I must admit that I really don’t understand the thinking of some people. Some will cling to a lie even though truth is staring them right in the eye. They would rather hold on to their preconception regardless of the evidence to the contrary. 

Mark Twain once quoted, “No amount of evidence will ever persuade a fool.” We may find this quote somewhat humorous, but it does contain an element of truth.  

When someone refuses to change their perspective knowing that it is false as evidenced by the truth is foolish. We see an example of that ideology in our passage this week. The Sanhedrin could see physical truth before their eyes but continued to reject the Holy Spirit’s proof. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Acts 3:12-26 

In our study today one might read this passage and say, “Wonderful story about a man getting healed. But how is that fulfilling the Great Commission?” The answer is context. 

You see we may think we are the ones that have to create our own opportunities to share Jesus. And we should be looking for those opportunities and be ready to give people a reason for the hope that is in within us. But, where we make the mistake is we sometimes try to force opportunities and that’s why we are not very successful in our witness.  

We must truly understand what Jesus commanded if we are to truly understand how we are to obey it. Many take the “Go” to mean it is all on them to make things happen. The “Go” in Jesus’ command in the Greek also can be translated “As you go.” Life is a linear path and is always moving. In other words, as we proceed forward in life, we need to be His witnesses in presented opportunities.  [Read more…]