*Apologies for sound quality on this one
Acts 26
As Paul stood before the court, he poured out his testimony. He had seen a wonder that had changed his life. Yet, he found his story dismissed.
The world is full of false wonders, hoaxes, and deceptions - but that does not mean that all wonders are false.
The gospel of Jesus is a world-changing wonder, and generations of believers testify to its reality and power. This wonder must be at the center of our mission.
We must be born again.
The Lord has brought us this far, and He is faithful.
As I leave for sabbatical, I am confident of the Lord's provision for all of us. The first eight years at St. Timothy have been wonderful, and I am convinced that the best days are still ahead.
~Fr. Micah
Each one has been given a manifestation of the Holy Spirit for the common good.
The Holy Spirit empowers all believers to build the church and the Kingdom.
Today we look at 1 Corinthians 12:7
By this we know -
The apostle John wrote his first letter to a church in doubt. There had been division and question, and so he writes a short letter that is full of reassurance. Concluding, he writes that three testify - the water, the blood, and the Spirit. These three still reassure us of our faith in a world of doubt and question.
What about church planting? In Acts 11, we learn about a group of ordinary believers that began one of the most influential churches in the ancient world - through faithful witness and the favor of God.
Structure and Stretch
Early believers in Jerusalem needed to make a choice. Stay or Go. The situation was dangerous.
The way they responded in Acts 8 shows us so much about mission. Some stayed and some went, but the creative tension between them allowed for a remarkable new mission to the Samaritans.
The way we face matters. 1 John 3.
The early church was frustrated because it's experience of sin did not match its expectation of righteousness. It's still a problem today!
John wrote to assure them (and us) of God's love and progress in us, even if what we are is not what we will be someday.
He is the propitiation for our sins! (1 John 2:2)
That's a mouthful, but it's important.
Today, we ask what it takes to be a good person. What qualities make us "good"? The Bible teaches that the bar is imposisbly high, but in the resurrection of Jesus, God has made a way to prevent and repair sin, and remain in fellowship with God.
Thomas demanded proof of the resurrection. In John 20, Jesus appears to his disciples, but Thomas was out, and didn't want to take their word for it.
People still demand proof. As Jesus had comapssion for Thomas, He still has compassion, and leaves us evidence of his ongoing, living, presence in the lives of HIs people.
The Journey from the Tomb.
As Mary and Mary walked to the tomb - it had been a long night. Their joy had turned to sorrow and they were full of questions about what might come next. But thier disbelief turned to understanding, which turned to faith, and into purpose as the Risen Lord met them. All believers take the same journey from death into life!