The Presence of the Future

The Church is a miracle, not only because its founder is Jesus but also because of those who comprise it. The Church began with a marginalized group of uneducated, poor, politically powerless, economically challenged followers of Jesus. They were a marginal people living on the fringe of Roman society.

How can we explain that within two centuries this group became the most dominant influence in the world? The Roman Empire toppled without military or political power by followers of Jesus. The Emperor Constantine declared his allegiance to Jesus.

The book of Acts is a story of something that had happened to Christ’s followers after He arose and ascended. They received something that transformed them. They were filled with some transcendent power. It happened on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13) and was a fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. It ushered in a new age of the Kingdom that will be consummated with the second coming of Christ. When restoration is complete, we dwell together (a representative of every nation and tribe) with God in a New Heaven and a New Earth.

WHAT WAS PENTECOST ALL ABOUT?

“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place” (v.1). Why did the Holy Spirit arrive on that day? What was the Holy Spirit doing in them that was so significant?

1. Pentecost was the feast of the firstfruits

In an agrarian culture, harvest was very significant. When the “firstfruits” of the harvest were brought in and eaten, thanksgiving was made to God for their firstfruits and they celebrated God’s goodness. Israel’s harvest happened 50 days after Passover. This is where we get the word Pentecost, as it meant “50 days.”

2. Pentecost was a celebration

The Jews viewed Pentecost as the time when celebration was made for being delivered from slavery. It was 50 days after their redemption that God gave the Law through Moses to His people. Pentecost was a celebration of God meeting Moses face to face to give him the Law.

The Acts 2 event was 50 days after Christ was crucified, which marked the establishment of the Church as she celebrates the true “firstfruits.” The church received God’s power to go into the world as His representatives.

The Holy Spirit’s coming on the day of Pentecost tells us something about the purpose of the Spirit coming and what it means to be filled. When the Spirit fills you, you are brought into the presences of three things. Those present at Pentecost experienced this also:

1. The presence of the future
2. The presence of the Lord
3. The presence of the nations
   

More about this in my next post…

Believe and See

Resurrection and Life – Part 4

Which is it? "Seeing is believing" or "Believing is seeing?" How you answer this question is most clearly revealed by how you live life each day. I live in Missouri and we’re known as “The Show Me State.” This is probably how most of us in the Western hemisphere approach life. It’s how one of Jesus’ disciples viewed news of the resurrection of Jesus.

"Now Thomas, one of the twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the Lord!' But he said to them, 'Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." (John 20:24-25)

In our world “seeing is believing.” We live with a “Prove it to me” attitude. We need personal proof before we believe. Thomas said, “Unless I see the nail marks and touch his side, I’m not buying it.” He fits right in with today’s world.

In Jesus’ world, believing precedes seeing. You believe first, belief is translated into desire and desire becomes perseverance in the face of negative situations. Belief will bring us into seeing, despite what we feel, smell, touch, etc. It doesn’t make sense to roll the stone away from Lazarus’ grave. We smell the reality of death. But those with Mary and Martha acted and experienced the resurrection and life of God (see John 11).

Belief isn’t a feeling. It’s an act of obedience. When my dad died in my home as a teenager, I prayed and he came back to life. It was an act of obedience, not a feeling.

At Lazarus’ tomb, Jesus cried out, “Lazarus, come out!” Then the Bible simply says, “The man who had died came out…” (John 11:43-44). The dead moved, got up, responded to the voice of Jesus and walked toward that voice.

You can experience the resurrection power of Jesus today. When you hear the voice of Jesus, you don't always understand what it is, but he draws you. The voice of Jesus in your Spirit, something inside of you, wants to move toward that voice. When I first began to hear the voice of Jesus I wasn't sure about it. However, I just knew it was Jesus. He was dealing in my thoughts. I surrendered to him and my life was changed. When you move toward that voice, He will move toward you. You can experience the resurrection power and life of God.

Jesus told Martha, the sister of Lazarus, “…if you believed you would see the glory of God.” Will you believe? If so, you will begin to see.

Do You Believe This?

Resurrection and Life - Part 3

I’ve been stirred about how the resurrection of Jesus can make such a difference in life today. Even when Jesus’ friend Lazarus died, God’s ways were undeterred and still active. When Jesus arrived late, He said to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25,26)

Jesus not only said that He was the resurrection, He proved it! This is why we worship Him today. Jesus is saying, "I am the one who has authority and power to overcome the ultimate setbacks." Death is the ultimate setback. If Jesus has power over death then there is nothing He can't do in your life.

Notice Jesus doesn't ask Martha what she's feeling or thinking. There is a difference between what we feel and think, and what we believe. In times of disappointment or struggle, we are often persuaded by what we see or hear. It is easy to be directed by negative people around you. In high school I had learning difficulties and wasn't “college material.” Jesus came into my life my senior year and life changed for me. Jesus gave me a resurrection mentality. If Jesus can raise the dead then there’s nothing He can't do in your life if you believe.

"Jesus came to the tomb. 'Take away the stone,' he said. 'But, Lord,' said Martha, 'by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.’ Then Jesus said, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?’" (John 11:38-40)

Faith puts God between us and our circumstances. Faith gets us what God knows we truly need. However, it is not always what we want in the way we want it. God is not indifferent to your situation. Yet Martha's reaction mirrors most of us. She was caught up in the circumstances. She saw a dead body, a decaying body that smelled. We often live by our senses. Notice Jesus’ response, "Did I not tell you if you believed you would see the Glory of God?" (v.40)

What is it in your life you can't overcome? Following Christ means we no longer live merely “under the circumstances.” Jesus, the Resurrection, still lives, cares and acts. Do you believe this?

Delay Doesn't Mean Denial

Resurrection and Life - Part 2

Followers of Christ can often experience difficult situations and trials. We pray and our prayers seem to hit the ceiling and go no further. How are we to interpret a God who loves us, has power to help us, but the answer to our prayer doesn’t come? Why is there delay?

We see Jesus dealing with a family in crisis in John 11. He loved Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus. Yet when Jesus heard Lazarus was sick, “he stayed where he was two more days” (John. 11:5-6). Why did Jesus delay in responding?

Our culture values speed. We have microwaves, DSL, fast food, etc. and we demand instant gratification. We are disappointed when things are delayed, especially when God seems to delay! We get disappointed with God when he doesn’t do what we need when we feel we need it. Our desire fades, persistence vanishes and we want to quit.

Permit me a story about someone who handled "delay." Kurt Warner is a Super Bowl MVP and a champion. Kurt expressed how difficult it was when he was on a college football team and just warmed the bench. After college, he was bagging groceries and not playing football. He met his wife, Brenda, when she was a single mom on welfare, trying to raise children on food stamps. They didn’t quit. His answer wasn’t automatic, but he persevered. Today the Warners continue to have a deep faith in Christ, he is still a celebrated quarterback and they have a foundation for children. Delay doesn't mean denial.

Believers must learn to persevere amid delay. Perseverance is an action of faith. Perseverance is not dependent upon your circumstances or your frustrations, setbacks or disappointments. Perseverance is directly pinned to your faith (or lack of faith). Paul said “the love of Christ controls us” (2 Cor. 5:14).

Perseverance is action based on the promise of God. If God raised Jesus from the dead, there is no circumstance in your life God can’t turn around. Jesus delayed his coming to two sisters, but he did show up. He will show up in a new way and he will demonstrate his intention regarding the future. He will destroy our enemy, death. He will remove the pain that seems to permanently destroy relationships and bring decay.

All the circumstances of Mary and Martha would say there’s no hope. But Jesus came. Delay is not denial.

Resurrection and Life

Easter is the day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. When Jesus rose from the dead He changed history. Our entire dating system is based upon His resurrection.

However, the greatest proof that Jesus lives today is that He continues to change lives. The course of my life was changed by Jesus. I never intended on doing with my life what I am presently doing. This is true of all who follow Christ.

In John 11 we find the story of Lazarus and his family. This family is in trouble. The sisters, Mary and Martha, know that their beloved brother Lazarus is gravely ill, so they send word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick." (John 11:3). Notice they call Him LORD. They have faith He can do something about their desperate situation.

They also know of Jesus’ great love for people. He had invested himself in their family. Jesus is committed to people. He has invested himself in us. He is committed to you and has the power to change your life. When asked about how to pray, Jesus said to pray, "Our Father…." A father is someone who loves us and gives himself for us. "Who is in Heaven" speaks of God's power to act in our situation.

In my upcoming blogs, I want to explore how we experience the resurrection power of Jesus in our lives today. Often today, people can feel they’ve lost this experience of God. In his book, "Raised With Christ", Adrian Warnock quotes Francis Schaeffer:

“Some Christians seem to think that when they are born again, they become a self-contained unit like a storage battery. From that time on they have to go on their own pep and their own power until they die. But this is wrong. After we are justified, once for all through faith in Christ, we are to live in supernatural communion with the Lord every moment; we are to be like lights plugged into an electric socket. The Bible makes it plain that our joy and spiritual power depend on a continuing relation to God.”

I am confident the love and power of the living Savior is continually active, transforming the lives of His people. Even amid difficulties, Jesus is alive. More on this next time…

BUILDING THE CHURCH THROUGH PRAYER: Part 7

FRONT-LINE CHURCH PRAYER MEETING IN ACTS 4 (continued)

We’re learning about kingdom focused prayer in the early church. In Acts 4, we’ve seen how the early church prayed so dynamically. Thus far we’ve uncovered:

1. They went to their own friends (v.23)
2. They told God who He was (v.24) “Sovereign Lord…”
3. They told God what He had done (v.24) “made the heaven and the earth…”

Let’s continue to understand how to offer “front-line prayers” from the early church’s example in Acts 4.

D. They told God what He had said (vv.25-26)

Effective prayer anchors on God’s word. His word is a lamp to our feet and light to our path. It is the bread of life and our pattern in prayer. Their prayer demonstrated they knew all power is in God’s hands. When these believers remembered Jesus’ death, they told God that He was able “to do whatever your hand and your purpose predestined to occur.” (v.28)

E. Their Request (vv.29-30)

In the midst of a threatening situation, notice these believers did not ask for survival or escape. They prayed to go forward in mission by being empowered to boldly speak God’s word. They asked for God’s help to go forward in mission by power to demonstrate God’s presence by healing, signs and wonders. Front-line prayer keeps one’s eyes always on the mission of God.

F. God’s Response (vv.31-33)

God’s presence is evident because after they prayed, the place was shaken. This demonstrated His power and presence.

They were filled with the Holy Spirit. These gathered believers received power to see the gospel advance and boldness to carry out the mission of God in their city. Paul declares to all who follow Christ, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but the Spirit of love, power and a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7)

As Christ’s church, we are called to be strong in prayer as we long to see His kingdom increase. To conclude this series on prayer, may Charles Spurgeon’s words stir your own prayer life with Christ…

“All hell is vanquished when the believer bows his knee in importunate supplication. Beloved brethren, let us pray. We cannot all argue, but we can all pray; we cannot all be leaders, but we can all be pleaders; we cannot all be mighty in rhetoric, but we can all be prevalent in prayer. I would sooner see you eloquent with God than with men. Prayer links us with the Eternal, the Omnipotent, the Infinite, and hence it is our chief resort…. Be sure that you are with God, and then you may be sure that God is with you.”

BUILDING THE CHURCH THROUGH PRAYER: Part 6

THE FRONT-LINE CHURCH PRAYER MEETING IN ACTS 4

Prayer is vital to building healthy churches. In Acts 4:23-33 we discover a meeting with “front-line” prayers that are after God’s kingdom purposes. Let’s see how they prayed.

A. They went to their own friends (v.23)

God calls us together into a church community. The Church is not a meeting you attend, but rather a family. Relationships are the key to life. “Two are better than one… for if one falls, his partner may help him” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

Relationships are also the key to multiplied strength. “One can put a thousand to flight and two can put ten thousand to flight” (Deuteronomy 32:30). They lifted their voices in passionate, intense prayer. Power is multiplied when we gather to pray.

B. They told God who He was (v.24)

Notice what they begin with: “Sovereign Lord.” They were driven to prayer by opposition but they tell God, “You are the Sovereign Ruler.” God is over all earthly powers. For example, Caesar’s decree that the world be taxed brought Mary to Bethlehem. God is Sovereign, not Caesar.

These believers prayed God’s Sovereignty. Their enemies thought they were doing their own will; but they were really fulfilling God’s will. What set this prayer meeting apart is that the Church knew He was God.

C. They told God what He had done (v.24)

“You made the heaven and the earth…”

It is good in prayer to remind ourselves of how big God is and all He has done. God has done some very big things. He bent the will of an obstinate Pharaoh. He divided the Red Sea. He shut the mouths of lions. He established your church. In prayer, we recall all He has done. This stirs worship in us and gives us confidence and clarity as we pray.

We’ll glean more from this prayer meeting in my next blog…