Sermons From My Heart

What’s one of the hardest things you have ever had to do? For most of us, the answer is waiting, especially if we are sitting in a doctor’s waiting room. Frustration soon sets in. The disciples felt the same way, especially when Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem for the power He said would be coming to them. This was especially frustrating for Peter, who preferred to be doing something instead of waiting. Waiting is so frustrating because it means someone else or something else is in charge, not us. Being out of control and subject to the control of others reminds us of our finiteness and vulnerability.

The disciples wondered what type of power would be coming. Many people believed Jesus was going to bring a literal kingdom on earth. The disciples believed that this power would enable them to drive out the Romans and establish a Jewish kingdom. The disciples were not about to act on their own. They had the wisdom to wait and pray for guidance and leadership.

Jesus’ answer to the disciples’ question took their focus off their timetables and put it on to what they needed to do to spread the Gospel to the world. Along with focusing on when Christ will return, believers should also concentrate on witnessing to a dying world. Jesus will fulfill all the Old Testament promises in the future. When God fulfills His promises, He always exceeds our expectations.

Jesus told the disciples how the gospel would spread. The Holy Spirit gave the early Christians power so that their accomplishments were supernatural. The Great Commission appears in all four gospels as well as in Acts 1:6-14. Jesus promised that the disciples would receive the power of the Holy Spirit. This power would enable the disciples to do great things and be great witnesses for Jesus.

Jesus promised to send a guide and comforter. He sends the same guide and comforter to everyone-the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gave the disciples the same power it gives to everyone-the power of speaking, preaching the gospel, enduring life’s trials, etc. This power will be given to people who can accept Jesus’ authority over timing. God does things in his own time and in his own way. His concept of time is different from ours.

God wants to bless us with the power of the Holy Spirit. This starts with prayer and reconciled relationships with ourselves and the people in our lives. The process begins again and again throughout all our lives. When we receive this power, we can change lives and change the world.

When Alfred Nobel discovered an explosive element that was stronger than anything the world had known at the time, he asked a friend and Greek scholar for a word that conveyed the meaning of explosive power. The Greek word was dunamis, and Nobel named his invention “dynamite.” Dunamis is the same word that Jesus used when He told His disciples that they would receive dynamite power when the Holy Spirit came upon them.

When we get the power, we have a choice. God has chosen us to be His light of hope in a world that has been darkened by sin. We must choose to use that power by surrendering our lives to Him. We should not be like the Scottish lady at the turn of the 19^th century. She lived alone in a house on the west coast of Scotland. She was traditional and frugal. Her neighbours were shocked when she announced her plans to have electricity installed in her home.

Within a few weeks, the power lines were up and she had electric power, but the company noticed that she was not using the power. A company representative decided to visit her and find out why she wasn’t using any power.

He explained to her, “Your meter shows you’ve had power for three months, but you have scarcely used it.” She replied, “Oh, you see, I don’t use very much of it. Every evening when the sun sets, I turn the electric lamps on long enough to see that I can light my candle, and then I turn it off again!”

If we choose to live life in our own power, we will only accomplish normal things. If we choose to live life in God’s power, following His leading, our lives will be marked by the activity of God which can’t be explained by our own abilities.

God calls us to be His ambassadors in this world. He wants us to introduce Christ’s love and grace to people. We can only do this with the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s so easy to be mesmerized by the amazing power and miracles of God that we can become mere observers instead of active participants in what He wants us to do. God wants us to act, just like the angels told the disciples to act.

Christ’s work of salvation rests primarily on four pillars of truth: His birth, His crucifixion, His Resurrection and His ascension. The ascension was the exclamation point. It completely and finally demonstrated that His atonement had forever solved the problem that sin created. As believers, we are to be witnesses to His saving work, and like the original disciples, we are called by Jesus to spread the Good News to a world that desperately needs to hear His message.

Jesus did not want the disciples to be confused or discouraged by His ascension, so He sent the two angels to comfort them and order them to “get moving.” With the declaration in verse 11, the angels confirmed that the second person of the Trinity was then, and forever would be, God and Man. Just as He left, so would He return-in His glorified body. This is part of every Christian’s hope! Christ was the first fruit of the resurrection, meaning that when all things are made new, His followers will be made like Him.

When the disciples returned to Jerusalem, they were constantly grappling with the shock and emotions of what they had just seen and heard. They were embarking on a new chapter in history. So, what did they do? They prayed and drew strength from God as they went forward in faith to serve Him. The great preacher Harry Ironside once said that, “When God is going to do some great thing, He moves the hearts of people to pray. He stirs them up to pray in view of that which He is about to do.” The disciples needed that time of preparation, prayer and self-examination so they would be ready for the power to change the world.

The patience of the disciples was rewarded when, on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit arrived and touched them. The Holy Spirit gave them the power to accomplish many things, including the ability to preach to the members of the crowd in their own languages.

The events in Acts 1:6-14 are all part of God’s plan for redeeming the world. We are a part of His plan. We don’t know when the kingdom will come, but we do know that we are called to spread the Good News. We can do this by being in contact with people and infusing them with the Gospel. When we do, the power of the Holy Spirit in us will be released.

It’s our duty to tell others what we experienced when we met Jesus, and it is a duty that we should perform joyfully. For us the focus of our mission is at home in life’s most intimate relationships. It’s where people really know us. It has a focus at work and in the community where the consistency of our life and witness can be observed. How can we keep the gift of salvation quiet and not share it with others?

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013, pp. 1486-1487)
2. Jeremiah, David: A.D.: The Revolution that Changed the World (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers; 2015; pp. 40-44)
3. Jeremiah, David: Acts: The Church in Action, Vol. 1 (San Diego, CA: Turning Point for God;2006,2015; pp. 13-36
4. Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.
5. Ogilvie, L.J. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 28: Acts (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1983, pp. 36-48)
6. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible, New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
7. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, NKJV (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
8. “Devoted to Prayer.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmaillcom
9. “Power to Proclaim.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmaillcom
10. Michael Youssef, Ph.D., “Our Calling.” Retrieved from www.leadingtheway.org
11. Pastor Greg Laurie, “The Explosive Power of Pentecost.” Retrieved from www.harvest.org
12. Pastor Ken Klaus, “An Unstoppable Message.” Retrieved from www.lhm.org
13. T.M. Moore, “Kingdom Power.” Retrieved from www.colsoncenter.org
14. Jude Siciliano, O.P., “First Impressions, The Ascension of the Lord (A).” Retrieved from www.preacherexchange.org
15. Richard Neill Donovan, “Exegesis for Acts 1:6-14.” Retrieved from www.sermonwriter.com
16. Pastor Ed Young, “The Joy of Witnessing.” Retrieved from www.edyoung.com
17. Michael Youssef, Ph.D., “The Joy of Witnessing.” Retrieved from www.leadingtheway.org
18. Swindoll, Charles R.: Swindoll’s New Testament Insights on Acts (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers Inc.; 2016; pp. 20-26)

Several years ago, when I was working for a local lumber mill, the company had a contest where the employees were encouraged to come up with a slogan that portrayed the company’s mission. The slogan was to be used on all of the company’s promotional material. The winning entry was “Together We’re Better”, and it reflected the employees’ desire to work together to produce top-quality products.

Christianity can use the same motto, because together as Christians we can go a long way to fulfilling God’s call in our world. In order to do this, we need the power of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:8, Jesus told the disciples that they would receive God’s power through the Holy Spirit, and in John 17:1-11, Jesus prayed to the Father to send his power to all of Christianity through the Holy Spirit. Our definition of power is different from God’s definition of power. God’s definition of power is the ability to carry out a purpose-in this case, his work in the world. By coming together, we have even greater power.

The prayer that Jesus prayed in John 17:1-11 is known as the High Priestly prayer because Jesus offers prayers for himself, his apostles and followers-just like the High Priest offered prayers for people in the temple. Something else that Jesus prayed was for unity. After his Ascension, the disciples were united in prayer. Unity exists through prayer. Jesus prayed for unity, and the disciples prayed together to draw upon the only source of power that they had before they received the Holy Spirit-prayer. Christ’s unity still exists today, as can be seen through local ministerial associations and food banks. In both cases, men and women from different denominations come together to do God’s work in the community. Just think of how powerful our churches would be today if each and every one of us would pray constantly, devotedly, and with one mind!

We are also united through our common belief in eternal life. Eternal life is not reserved until we die; rather, it is something we can share now through Jesus. We receive eternal life the moment we have faith in Jesus and begin to have a relationship with him. We don’t just receive the gift of eternal life. We also have the privilege of having a vibrant, growing relationship with the Creator of all that exists. We receive this gift every week when we gather together to hear Jesus give glory to God by revealing God’s compassion, forgiveness, love and healing to us.

Jesus also prays for everyone who does his work in the world. He prays for us because he knows that the world will reject our message. The unity Jesus prays for will protect us from the grand predator-Satan. Our unity protects us-not some doctrinal purity or statements, not theology or worship. When Jesus prays for glory, he is asking for God’s presence to be felt throughout the world through our words, thoughts and deeds. Our purpose on earth is to glorify God. We must never give up in the face of persecution, because Jesus never gave up, even when he was on the cross. When he said “It is finished!” he was giving a strong affirmation that the work God gave him to do during his time on earth was now finished.

True life is all about knowing God and knowing Jesus. It is centered on our relationship with God, and that relationship comes through knowing Jesus. When Jesus prays for us, he is after something deep in us and in the heart of God.

Jesus did not pray that all believers would agree. The source of our unity is not in human structures or denominations such as Anglican, United, Baptist, Roman Catholic, etc. It is in Jesus Christ. Our unity gives us strength in difficult times, for there really is strength in numbers. It reminds me of some of the words in the song “United We Stand”. It was recorded in the late 1960s by a group called the Brotherhood of Man. The words I am thinking of are:

For united we stand

Divided we fall

And if our backs should ever be against the wall

We’ll be together, together, you and I

In order for our unity to be successful, we have to learn to work together in the things we are to do. When we pray together and work together, it increases our capacity to do God’s work in our world.

Jesus’ High Priestly prayer proclaims our hope and certainty. Jesus and God have glorified each other. Jesus has come from the Father. We are embedded in Christ as Christ is embedded in the Father. We belong to God and are on our way to unity with him and with each other. Unfortunately in our world, divisions can and do happen, often with negative consequences. God gives himself to the godless so that he can receive them into divine communion through atonement, and we should do the same. We are to be one with each other just like Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit are one with each other.

When we divide people into categories of race, religion, sexual orientation or where they live, problems can occur. One only has to think of the Holocaust or genocides like those that took place in Bosnia, Rwanda, Darfur and other places to see that this is true. It is also true in our own back yard. For example, one day, in the village where my family lived, my father was in the post office picking up the mail when a lady came in and started talking to him. At one point she asked him which church he attended (which was not one of the two churches in this particular village). After he answered her question, she said, “Well!! That’s what I was afraid of!” She turned around and stormed out of the post office!

When we come together as one body, our prayers and deeds are a very potent force to be reckoned with. We speak to God when we pray, and in return he touches, embraces, shapes and changes us through the gifts he gives us. We are to use these gifts wisely and for the benefit of the world. Sometimes we have to ask for help, but when we work together, we glorify God with integrity, with devotion, and through service and the words we speak.

As children of God, we are united in one faith in a living God who has revealed himself to us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. We are united in faith in Christ whose word fills us with faith. We are also united in faith in the Holy Spirit whose presence guides us through life. Although we are one in faith, we have to put that faith into action, especially by being one in service. It is in serving that our faith becomes real. When we serve one another, we serve Christ. He is the inspiration in our lives. He is the living example of faith in action. He is the Lord, the Master of our lives and the heartbeat of our faith-and that faith becomes real when we go forth as one in service.

For most people, life is about getting the most stuff, and that expresses the consumer mentality that our society has today. Unfortunately, this emphasis is empty, because no matter how much we have or what we buy, there’s someone out there with more stuff and better stuff. If we live for stuff and prestige, our life is hollow, empty and meaningless. It is like the story of the burglar who was arrested and brought before a judge for trial. He was found guilty, and before he was to be sentenced, the judge asked him if he had anything to say in his defence. The burglar said, “Well, Your Honour, it’s like this. The more a man has, the more a man wants”. The judge replied, “Is that so? Well, I’ll tell you what I’m going to do. I’m going to sentence you to 15 years in prison. How many more would you like?”

A couple of weeks ago, our rector delivered a speech at our Diocesan Synod after delegates debated and voted on a resolution asking the bishop of the Diocese to grant permission for a blessing of same-sex couples who have had civil marriages. While it is not my intention to enter into the debate on the issue of same-sex marriages or blessings, some of his remarks are appropriate in light of my sermon today, and so I would like to close with some of the words from his speech. He said:

We are a church in which divergent/opposing theologies are able to exist and stimulate each other when we focus on our relationship with Jesus Christ. Changes in the practices and theologies of our church do not necessarily mean that what has been important to us must be abandoned. We have a place for ideas and concerns that are different and we are able to hold the biblical and Christian ideal and the reality of a broken and damaged world in a dynamic tension from which all sides should be able to witness to the love and saving power of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is at the core of our Christian Faith and our Anglican tradition.

We can’t convert the world from its emphasis on self to a life in Christ unless we are united in purpose-unless we love one another. When we ignore the will of God in order to have our own way, the result is discord and disunity. Unity begins with us. We have to be proactive. We have to pull together. We have to keep going. We may never achieve 100 % unity, but if we work toward it, we will be going in the right direction. If we stand together, we can withstand the fiercest elements the world throws at us.

Bibliography

1. Exegesis for Acts 1:6-14. Retrieved from www.sermonwriter.org
2. Jude Siciliano, OP, “First Impressions: 7^th Sunday of Easter (A)” Retrieved from www.preacherexchange.org
3. Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, NASV
4. Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Part of Wordsearch Bible software package
5. ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch Bible software package
6. Notes from Peter Anthony’s Bible Study on the Gospel of John, Fall 2010-Winter 2011
7. Jim Collins, “Success Scripture of the Wee”. Retrieved from www.beyondpositivethinking.org
8. Rebecca Barlow Jordan, “Perseverance”. Retrieved from www.crosswalkmail.com
9. Lead Like Jesus Online Devotional. Retrieved from www.messagingstudio.com
10. T.M. Moore, “Work Matters”. Retrieved from www.breakpoint.com
11. Dr. Reginald Smith, “Jesus Prays for You!” Retrieved from www.thisistoday.net
12. The Rev. Dr. Barbara K. Lundblad, “Still Praying After All These Years”. Retrieved from www.day1.org
13. The Rev. Larry Hill, “We Are One”. Retrieved from www.day1.org
14. Billy Graham, “Did Jesus Give Up Hope on the Cross?” Retrieved from www.arcamax.com
15. Dan Clendenin, “Everyone Has a Name”. Retrieved from www.journeywithjesus.net
16. Scott Boder-Saye, “Long Division”. Retrieved from www.religiononline.org
17. Lee Griess, “One in Faith and One in Service”. Retrieved from www.esermons.com
18. Richard E. Gribble, CSC, “Reevaluating Our Mission for Christ”. Retrieved from www.esermons.com
19. Dr. J. Howard Olds, “Resurrected Glory”. Retrieved from www.esermons.com
20. Mark Ellingsen, “The Majesty of God’s Love”. Retrieved from www.esermons.com
21. Kendall McCabe and Michael L. Sherer, “The Seventh Sunday of Easter”. Retrieved from www.esermons.com
22. The Rev. Billy D. Strayhorn, “Blast From the Past”. Retrieved from www.esermons.com
23. Exegesis for John 17:1-11. Retrieved from www.sermonwriter.org
24. The Rev. Billy D. Strayhorn, “So That We May Be One in Christ”. Retrieved from www.sermonwriter.org
25. Dr. Keith Wagner, “In a Different World”. Retrieved from www.sermonwriter.org
26. Rev. Donald Lawton, “A Call to Move On”. Speech delivered at the 143^rd Synod of the Anglican Diocese of NS and PEI on Friday, May 27, 2011
27. Roland McGregor, “Easter 7, 6/5/11”. Retrieved from mcgregorpage@intenex.net

Have you ever wondered how you can reach and teach people who don’t know Christ? If so, you can learn from the example Paul used in the passage from Acts 17:22-31.

Paul approached the subject of his message from the viewpoint of the Greeks. He did not use flattery. He complimented them on their pursuit of spiritual knowledge.  He used something familiar to the Greeks to introduce them to something that they weren’t familiar with. The Greeks accepted all gods, but in case they forgot any gods, they built an altar to an unknown god. The Greeks were searching for knowledge. They didn’t have to look any further than Jesus. If we are looking for knowledge, all we have to do is look for Jesus. Paul proceeded to tell them about the one god they overlooked in their pursuit of spiritual knowledge.

Paul understood the character of his audience and tailored his message to them. He acknowledged their gods and then proceeded to teach them about the god they knew as “the unknown god.” In doing so, he gently tried to convince them that their worship of multiple gods was foolish. He spoke of God as the Creator of a world who could control every event and could not be confined to temples. The Creator does not need to depend on us for happiness. The Creator created life, and so we depend on Him.

Paul developed his theme carefully. He emphasized four points:

1. As the Creator, God can’t be contained.
2. As the Originator, God has no needs.
3. As the Sovereign of the universe, He has a purpose. He is accessible to everyone.
4. As the source of life, God does not depend on us. We, on the other hand, depend on Him.

Paul applied his message to the needs of the Greeks. God wants people to repent so He can grant them unmerited favour.

After laying the groundwork, Paul moved on to the main point of his message. Jesus has been revealed. His authority was validated when he rose from the dead. Paul introduced the concept of resurrection into the Greeks’ concept of the universe. The Greeks considered the concept of resurrection to be absurd. Paul brings Christ into the picture by pointing out that the Resurrection proves Jesus as God’s Man who will one day judge the world in righteousness.

Standing amid countless idols created by humans, Paul made the point that humanity does not create God. In fact, the Greeks’ own poets had recognized that God created humans, not vice versa.

Everyone can learn about God, and Paul provided the Greeks with the same opportunity. He encouraged the Greeks to search the Scriptures and find the proofs of his existence. They were invited to learn about God’s perfection and His laws. God is near to us because the proofs of his existence and power are all around us.

God’s purpose is for us to seek the Lord, in the hope we will search for Him and find Him. When we look for God, we are looking for a God who is already known to us. He invites us to search for Him, and He promises to reward our search.

How should we defend our faith when people ask us to explain the hope that is in us? We can follow the example Paul used with the Greeks. We can start by acknowledging points of common interest. At the same time, we must hold our ground in matters that strike at the nerve of Christian faith. This is an uneasy, unresolved tension that witnesses to Christ learn to live with.

The gospel sounds different every place it is told, because it is connected linguistically, culturally and personally to humanity. That’s why Paul chose the approach he used when he preached to the Greeks. Paul explained that Jesus fit within basic Greek religious ideas, but Jesus also confounded them by being something new and unfamiliar.

Paul met the Greeks on their own time and at their own place. He set a good example for us as Christians to follow. Instead of expecting people to come to church and learn about God, we can teach them about God by meeting them where they are-at work, at home, in school, in clubs or in groups and so on. We must be involved in our world. In a society where technology and communications change rapidly, we must search for new ways to relate to people (including non-Christians) and preach the Good News.

How can we do this? Well, for example, we can:

1. Spend time understanding the people who live in this world of new media and communications.
2. Follow the Twitter feeds and Facebook posts of those who are not Christians. They pay attention to the same social issues and problems that Jesus encountered though His ministry.

For example, James and his wife were at church one Sunday when they noticed a new couple sitting not far from them. After the service, they walked up and greeted them. The new couple asked where they lived, so James described his neighbourhood and talked about how nice it was.

The same question was asked to the new couple, who lamented about where they were living. They said that in the few weeks since they moved in, not one of their neighbours had stopped to say hello.

The two couples parted, got into their cars and drove home. As James and his wife were pulling into their driveway, they were shocked to see the new couple…pulling in the driveway just next to theirs.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013, pp. 1517-1518)
2. Swindoll, Charles. R.: Swindoll’s New Testament Insights on Acts (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers; 2016, pp. 348-350)
3. Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.
4. Ogilvie, L.J. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 28: Acts (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1983, pp. 252-255)
5. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible, New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
6. C. Clifton Black, “Commentary on Acts 17:22-31.” Retrieved from www.workingpreacher.org
7. Matt Skinner, “Commentary on Acts 17:22-31.” Retrieved from www.workingpreacher.org
8. Daniel Clendenin, Ph.D., “From Synagogues and Sanctuaries to Bars and Boardrooms: The Apostle Paul at the Aeropagus.” Retrieved from www.journeywithjesus.net
9. The Rev. Hardy Kim, “Proclaiming Christ in the New Aeropagus.” Retrieved from www.day1.org
10. Dr. Randy Hyde, “Seeker Unsensitive.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
11. “How to be a Light Where God Has You.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
12. Richard Neil Donovan, “Exegesis for Acts 17:22-31.” Retrieved from www.sermonwriter.com

Hello boys and girls!

Do any of you have a special toy or stuffed animal or blanket? Why are they special?

Boys and girls, all of us have something special that comforts us. For you, it’s a special toy or a favourite stuffed animal or blanket. For many of us adults, it’s something like a doughnut and cup of coffee from our favourite coffee shop! J

The one thing that all of us as believers have is the Holy Spirit. It guides and comforts us, especially when we are sad or having problems. Even the disciples had the Holy Spirit, and they were with Jesus since the start of his ministry. Let me tell you the story.

The disciples were sad because Jesus was going to leave them. He was their friend and teacher. He told them not to be sad, because he was going to send them another helper who would remind them of everything he did, said and taught. That helper’s name was the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would help the disciples grow the church by helping them to do God’s work in the world.

Boys and girls, we can also have the Holy Spirit. All we have to do is believe in Jesus and confess him as our Saviour. If we do, he will send us the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit will help us to do God’s work in our world. That work can be anything from caring for the sick, helping around the house, or telling other people about Jesus. Are you ready to help Jesus?

Let us bow our heads for a moment of prayer. Dear God, thank you for your love. Thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross for us. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort us. Help us to teach, guide and comfort others, just like you teach, guide and comfort us. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN. ��6�

What would qualify a person as a “real Christian?” What daily practices would they have to observe? What would they have to know? These questions and others like them would be interesting topics for an information session or a class for new believers. There is one basic thing that each and every Christian must have to be a real Christian. It is the Holy Spirit.

John 14:15-21 is another part of Jesus’ farewell discourse to his disciples. Jesus has just told the disciples that he is going to be crucified. Now he is telling them that he will not leave them alone because he will send the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will guide them and remind them of everything Jesus said, taught and did. In that sense, Jesus will be with them forever.

The disciples saw the risen Christ and knew the truth about Jesus and his relationship to them. They would live because Jesus lived. In other words, Jesus would live on because of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit would live in the disciples just like the Holy Spirit lives in all believers. Because the Holy Spirit lives in all believers, they will show their love for Jesus by keeping all of his commandments. By keeping his commandments and doing Jesus’ work in our world, the Holy Spirit and Jesus live in all believers.

The Holy Spirit’s role in our lives is the same role the Holy Spirit had in the lives of the disciples. He is a helper, teacher, guide and encourager. He continues to do Jesus’ work. He gives us gifts that are based on the character of Christ. In return, we are to work in the Spirit and obey God.

John 14:15-21 marks a change in the relationship between believers and the world. Until this point, Jesus has defined the world to include all of humanity that is opposed to him because of sin. Now, there arises a difference between the world and those who believe in Jesus. Both groups are opposed to each other.

Those who believe in Jesus and his death and resurrection are inseparable from Jesus, especially through the Holy Spirit. We will see Jesus in heaven, but in the meantime we have the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit allows believers to see Jesus even though he is no longer with us. Since we “see” Jesus, it stands to reason that he can “see” us. Therefore, he can see whether or not we are obeying him. As we continue to obey him, our spiritual sight gets stronger.

The Holy Spirit came into the world just like Jesus came into the world, the only difference being that the Holy Spirit could not come until Jesus completed his work of salvation. Just like Jesus is under the authority of God, the Holy Spirit is under the authority of Jesus. Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit are the same person, but they are also three different people at the same time. They are like the three sides of a triangle, hence the term “Trinity.”

The Holy Spirit will always stand beside God’s people. The Holy Spirit is referred to as “the Spirit of truth” because truth is part of the nature of the Holy Spirit’s mission. The Holy Spirit testifies to God’s truth and brings people to the truth through conviction that leads to repentance and faith.

When the Holy Spirit is present, Jesus is present. When Jesus is present, God is present. John 14:15-21 helps us to understand the Christian life and God’s will for our lives. It allows us to see things as Christ sees them. The Trinity teaches us to love unconditionally and respect boundaries and roles. John’s Gospel sees love as the key to following Jesus.

At this point in our church year we are getting ready for Pentecost. During these weeks between Easter and Pentecost we have been describing what it means to be a Christian and a church. Jesus’ resurrection has changed us into a people who are living beyond the power of death. The Scripture readings we have heard since Easter Sunday are full of references to the Holy Spirit and the work the Holy Spirit will do among believers. In John 14:12, Jesus said that the disciples would do greater works than he did. That is because Jesus in his human body could only be in one place at one time, whereas the Holy Spirit can dwell within all believers, wherever they are, all the time. To do this, Jesus said in verses 14 to 16 that the disciples would need prayer, obedience and the Holy Spirit. The greater works referred to are the proclamation of the fact of deliverance and the hope and promise of salvation.

God wants to reveal himself to us and he reveals himself to us through Jesus, but only if our hearts belong to Jesus. That’s why Jesus revealed himself to only a select few people after his resurrection. He knew that there were a lot of people who refused to believe that he rose from the dead. In other words, their hearts did not belong to Jesus.

Loving Jesus means wanting him because he is desirable. It means admiring him because he is infinitely admirable. It means treasuring him because he is very valuable. It means enjoying him because he is enjoyable. It means being satisfied with all that he is because he is infinitely satisfying. It is the response of the reawakened human soul to all that is true and good and beautiful and embodied in Jesus.

The Holy Spirit is just like Jesus, so following the Holy Spirit is no different from following Jesus. The only difference is that the Holy Spirit’s leadership is invisible instead of physical. The Holy Spirit is the exact image of both Jesus and God.

No one can produce the love we need to do God’s work except the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will help us obey Jesus’ instructions because it gives us revelation from God’s word. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are controlled by the Holy Spirit, he changes us and his love flows from us. This lifestyle of obedience will increase our trust in God. We will be able to commit to obeying God, and our study of the Scriptures will be consistent.

The Holy Spirit can transform us once we understand it. It will help us to model the type of Christian behaviour that we want to teach other people. If our behaviour is unbelievable, we will deceive ourselves in the long run. When the Holy Spirit changes us, we will be able to withstand all of life’s problems. We will have peace in our hearts. We will have hope when we are hurting. This will only be possible when Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the centre of our hearts and thoughts.

No man-made idols will be able to withstand the truth of God’s love if we open our hearts and invite the Holy Spirit to live in us. Money will not make us happy, because the Holy Spirit teaches that happiness can’t be bought. Power and control are not important because the Holy Spirit teaches us that truth, kindness and love are more important.

When the Holy Spirit is in us, it shows that we love Jesus. We must always ask ourselves what the condition of our love for God is. How do we respond to God’s love for us by loving others? We often think of God’s love as being unconditional, but this passage from John’s Gospel concludes with two conditions for receiving God’s love-keeping Jesus’ commandments and loving Jesus. These two conditions are so interdependent that Jesus binds them together as if they were one. When we love Jesus, we will obey his commandments and we will not find them burdensome. On the contrary, we will obey them joyfully, because the Holy Spirit inspires us to go into the world and share God’s love, even if the world can’t or won’t accept this message. The world doesn’t know the Holy Spirit of truth and love yet, but if we allow God’s truth and love to speak through us, the world will know this life-changing, life-saving message.

Bibliography

1. Exegesis for John 14:15-21. Retrieved from www.lectionary.org
2. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, NKJV (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013)
3. Swindoll, Charles R.: Swindoll’s New Testament Insights on John (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan; 2010)
4. Frederikson, R.L. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 27: John (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1985)
5. White, J.E. in Holman Concise Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1998)
6. ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 10 Bible Software package.
7. Rick Renner, “Jesus’ Last Lesson for the Disciples”. Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
8. Dr. Charles Stanley, “A Lifestyle of Obedience.” Retrieved from www.intouch,org
9. Dr. Charles Stanley, “Our Constant Companion.” Retrieved from www.intouch.org
10. Dick Inness, “Show Me-Don’t Tell Me.” Retrieved from www.actsweb.org
11. Jim Cymbala, “The Power to Love.” Retrieved from www.billygraham.org
12. Pastor Ken Klaus, “Taking God’s Hand.” Retrieved from www.lhm.org
13. John Piper, “If Anyone Loves Me He Will Keep My Word.” Retrieved from www.desiringgod.org
14. Dr. Ed Young, “Do You Love Me?” ”. Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
15. Jude Siciliano, O.P., “First Impressions, Sixth Sunday of Easter (A).” Retrieved from www.preacherexchange.org
16. Lectionary Homiletics, Vol. XXV, No. 3 (St. Paul, MN: Luther Seminary; April/May 2014)
17. Johnathan Shively, “Evangelectionary for Sunday, May 25, 2014.” Retrieved from www.evangelismconnections.com
18. The Rev. Jason Cox, “Paul: Appealing or Appalling?” Retrieved from www.episcopaldigitialnetwork.com

“Let not your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know and the way you know.”

Isn’t that comforting? It is not surprising that these words are often read at funerals. Jesus said these words to his disciples shortly before his arrest and crucifixion. He knew that they would be upset by his death and ascension, and he wanted to comfort them.

These words are part of his farewell discourse as written in John 13-17. Jesus was preparing his disciples for his departure. Jesus came to earth from his father, and now he was preparing to go back to his father’s house. It is the same house all believers will go to one day.

These same words comforted the early Christians, especially when they were being persecuted. They also give us comfort today. When something terrible happens, we often ask “Where is God?” This is only natural. Jesus asks us to trust him in the midst of our confusion. The special comfort is to believe and trust in Jesus. When life gives us hard knocks, we can let go of uncertainties and believe that Jesus has prepared a place for us in our heavenly home because we can trust him.

The phrase “Do not let your hearts be troubled” might seem a little ironic to us as we gather for worship. After all, whose heart isn’t troubled? All of us have had turmoil in our lives at one time or another. It doesn’t matter if the turmoil is caused by problems within our family, at work, among our friends or even within our churches.

Jesus has already made many dwelling places for us here on earth. Some of these places are places of worship such as a church. Here we can be unburdened from past wrongs. Here we can be ourselves and get help carrying life’s burdens. It is at times like these and in places like a church  where God shows us unconditional love, mercy and surprises.

These places are tailor-made for all of us, both as individuals and as a faith community. They remind me of the words of a song that was popular in the late 1970’s. It was recorded by Peter Frampton and is entitled “I’m In You” It describes how Jesus comforts us here on earth. The first verse goes like this:

I don’t care where I go

When I’m with you

When I cry you don’t laugh

‘cause you know me

I’m in you, you’re in me

I’m in you, you’re in me

‘cause you gave me the love

Love that I never had

Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament teachings that there is only one way to God and one way to see God. Jesus’ ministry and character reveal and reflect God’s character of love, forgiveness and grace. God works through Jesus and he works through us thanks to the Holy Spirit that lives in us. We, like the disciples, can do even greater works than Jesus did thanks to the Holy Spirit.

The disciples could do works that would be greater than the works Jesus did because they could go out into the world. Each and every one of us can also do great works because we can go out into the world and do what Jesus and the disciples did. The disciples had the privilege of working for God and knowing the purpose for their lives. We can also have the same privilege and purpose. Jesus will guide us in the direction he wants us to go. He will help us to “keep our eyes on the prize.”

The reason why Jesus went away was to secure our future. He prepared a heavenly home for us. Jesus is the only way to heaven. Most people today, if asked why they think God will let them into heaven, would say that God will let them into heaven because they try to be good and go to church. They also believe that if their good deeds outweigh their bad deeds then God will let them into heaven. Man’s pride believes that God somehow owes him a place in heaven or eternal life as a reward for good deeds, earnest effort or sincerity. We can’t earn our way to heaven. Belonging to a particular church or a particular denomination won’t get us into heaven. Jesus is the only way to salvation. Jesus is the only way to heaven.

We, like the disciples, dread death and the separation it creates. Death and separation are Satan’s stronghold, and the only remedy is faith in an unshakeable God. This faith will help us to do God’s work in our world. When we pray to God in faith, we glorify God. When we glorify God, we can do great things for him. Praying to God in faith is the cure for anxiety. We pray because we believe in prayer. Prayer is the result of our deepest belief in God. In order for us to believe in God and do his work in our world, we have to have intimacy with God.

Sometimes we are afraid to pray to God because we are afraid that God will turn down our requests. Prayer is not about getting God to do what we want him to do. It is about releasing God’s will on earth. God even said “no” to Jesus when Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus had to submit to God’s will, and we must obey God’s will. That is the only way God can be glorified in life.

Jesus is exalted by God to the highest place in the universe. That is why everyone has to bow down before him. That is why Jesus said that no one can come to God except by going through him. Jesus bridged the gap between God and man that was created by the sins of Adam and Eve. In return, we are to spread the Good News of salvation.

Jesus and the Father are one. Jesus is the perfect representation of both our heavenly Father and our heavenly home. In fact, one reason why Jesus came to earth was to show us the Father. Jesus showed us what God is like and what God likes. God likes to be glorified and when our prayers glorify him, they will be answered in his own time and in his own way. Our prayers glorify him when they are offered in Jesus’ name. Jesus will return one day to take us to our heavenly home. Will he find us doing what he told us to do, or will he find us doing nothing?

If we follow Jesus, we must obey his instructions. We have to surrender our way of doing things, even if it means suffering for his sake. We have to trust that his promises will come true, even if other people say that Jesus is no longer relevant. He is the way to eternal life even when we are surrounded by death. We must keep our eyes focused on heaven so we won’t be distracted by the things of the world. In other words, we must have an eternal view of life.

The way to God means following the narrow road to salvation instead of the wider road to damnation. The wide road is travelled by people who follow the ways of the world. The narrow road is travelled by people of faith. Sometimes we don’t know what lies ahead on the narrow road, but we can be thankful that Jesus has laid out the steps we have to follow. He won’t lead us astray. He will provide for our needs. He will shape our character and define how we are to live godly lives. He will show us the words, deeds, characters, and attitudes we are to have in life’s joys, sorrows and difficult moments.

Those who follow the narrow road will rejoice when Jesus returns because they have been redeemed by his blood. His return will fulfill our hopes and dreams. Those who follow the wide road will mourn because his return will bring their judgment. They did not believe that he died and rose again for their sins, so they are doomed to spend eternity in hell. If we follow Jesus, our hearts will not be troubled.

Some of you may remember a children’s TV show called “The Friendly Giant” It ran on the CBC Television Network in Canada from 1958 to 1985. At the start of each show, the Friendly Giant said that he would “hurry over first and go in the back door so I can lower the drawbridge down and open the big front doors for you.” He would then arrange the furniture for his guests. In other words, he prepared his home for visitors. Similarly, Jesus went to heaven to prepare a place for us to go to. Going home fulfills the longing we have for God. Only God can fulfill the emptiness of our souls.

Bibliography

1. “The Friendly Giant” Retrieved from www.en.wikipewdia.org
2. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible (Brentwood, TN: Worth Publishing; 2013)
3. Swindoll, Charles R.: Swindoll’s New Testament Insights on John (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan; 2010)
4. ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 10 Bible software package.
5. Frederikson, R.L. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 27: John (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1985)
6. Radmacher, E.D.; Allen, R.B. & House, H.W.: Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1999)
7. Barry, J.D., Grigoni, M.R.; Heiser, M.S.; Custis, M; Mangum, D.; & Whitehead, M.M.: Faithlife Study Bible (Oak Harbour, WA: Logos Bible Software; 2012)
8. Os Hillman, “Father, Son and Holy Scriptures?” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
9. Pastor Jack Hibbs, “Words to the Wise Devotional, John 14:1-3”. Retrieved from wttw@calvarycch.org
10. Selwyn Hughes, “Christianity is Unique” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
11. Jim Burns, “Good Intention, Wrong Destination” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
12. Pastor Bob Coy, “Eternally Covered” Retrieved from www.activeword.org
13. Calvin Aardma, “Revealing the Father” Retrieved from www.thisistoday.net
14. Anne Graham Lotz, “He Will Be Looking for You” Retrieved from www.angelministries.org
15. Berni Dymet, “Boarding Pass” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
16. Pastor Bob Coy, “Eyes on Eternity” Retrieved from www.activeword.org
17. Gwen Smith, “Don’t Say No” Retrieved from www.girlfriendsingod.com
18. Reginald Smith, “Trust Me” Retrieved from www.thisistoday.net
19. Skip Hertzig, “Purpose” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
20. Joni Eareckson Tada, “Word of the Father” Retrieved from www.joniandfriends.org
21. Anne Graham Lotz, “God Reaches Down to Man” Retrieved from www.angelministries.org
22. Exegesis for John 14:1-14. Retrieved from www.lectionary.org
23. Jude Siciliano, O.P., “First Impressions, 5^th Sunday of Easter (A), May 18, 2014.” Retrieved from www.preacherexchange.org
24. Rev. Grace Imathiu, UMC, “Room Enough for All.” Retrieved from www.day1,org
25. Lectionary Homiletics, Volume XXV, Number 3 (St. Paul, MN: Luther Seminary; April/May 2014)

What’s next?

That’s the question many of us are asking these days. We’re in a state of uncertainty. As I speak, the world is in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here in Nova Scotia, many of us are still in a state of shock or mourning after the recent mass shootings. Many of us are scared. Domestic violence and calls to mental health crisis lines are both on the increase.

The passage we just heard from John’s Gospel is known as the parable of the good shepherd. Jesus is our shepherd. People who truly belong to God listen to and believe in the words of Jesus. We must distinguish his voice from all the other voices we hear in our daily lives and follow Him in faith. He provides the security of an eternal kingdom, but people often look elsewhere for their spiritual and eternal security. No forces other than our own can snatch us out of His good care and keeping. There is no security in the law, only unbelief. Christianity is not about Christians behaving themselves. It is about hope for those who do not have any-including all of us. All we have in ourselves is doubt and fear-and nothing there is certain.

Life cannot be conquered, but it can be delayed, put on hold or made dormant. When we retreat to the safety and comfort of our own personal sheepfolds, we can’t fully enjoy the fullness of a life lived in God. Life is not the same as existence. Ease does not bring joy, and less demanding often means less fulfilling.

Jesus came to give us eternal life, offer us forgiveness, set us free from guilt and sin, and give us a fuller, meaningful life here on earth. We can live abundant lives because he can provide forgiveness from sin. In order to seek the gifts he offers us, we have to continually follow him and obey him without reservation. Don’t we all want to experience the joy of living and moving in grace-filled rhythm, in tune with something larger than ourselves? Don’t we all want the sense that we are living and moving in perfect rhythm to the song of the Christian life?

Fear is our new neighbour, just like it was for the people the apostle John wrote his Gospel for. We have nothing to fear if Jesus is our good shepherd. He loves us and cares for us like a shepherd cares for his sheep. This is the kind of love that is needed in our churches, schools, homes and communities. It is the type of love Jesus calls us to show.

Jesus is talking about real sheep. He is talking about us. He is speaking the word that will bring us from the places of comfort and safety that we have built around us. When we retreat to our safe places, we miss out on taking part in the fullness of life with God. Staying in the safe places is easy, but it is not life. Jesus calls us from our safe places to a life in Him-a life where He will walk with us and protect us.

Bibliography

1. Craig Condon, “Jesus, the Good Shepherd.” Retrieved from the author’s sermon library.
2. Rev. Ann Sutherland Howard, “How to Love Like a Mother.” Retrieved from www.huffpost.com/entry/love-like-a-mother_b_5266622
3. The Rev. Adam Thomas, “The Young Leaders Series III: The Sheepfold.” Retrieved from www.day1.org

This passage reveals how serious sin is to the Lord. Moses angrily broke the stone tablets to symbolize that Israel had broken the covenant. Although Aaron shifted the blame and made a feeble explanation, Moses was right to confront him before confronting the people.

The people knew God, but they refused to glorify Him. They devised a substitute for the praise, glory and worship that belong to God. They had to have a visible image, something they could see and touch. This mistake is not just made by primitive people. It is a common sin that most of us commit.

Part of leadership’s responsibility is to restrain their people from doing what will bring them harm or judgment. Aaron tried to shift the blame to something else. He wasn’t willing to face up to the truth.  Failure to do this brought shame on the Lord and His chosen people in front of their enemies.

This is a good example of comedian Flip Wilson’s famous line: “The devil made me do it.” When we try to shift the blame, we deceive ourselves. We shift between self-pity and self-blame. Either extreme is destructive. Self-pity can turn us into cringing nothings. Self-blame can drain us of power and make us impotent to live creatively and responsibly.

All sin is wrong. It doesn’t matter what the size of the sin is. All sins separate us from God. It is only when we accept personal responsibility that the process of repentance and restoration can begin to work in our lives.

Life is full of consequences. All of us must sit down and accept the consequences of our actions. Our capacity to follow the example of Aaron is almost infinite. We often choose to be in denial until we are far from reality.

God forgives sin and wickedness when we repent and come to Him in faith, but that does not mean that we will not suffer the consequences of our actions The Levites knew that when it comes to the conflict between good and evil, neutrality can’t exist. Submission to the Lord is hard to do, but His will is more important than family and national ties. Moses interceded for the people he loved so much, hoping he could atone for their sin. Of course, as a sinner himself, Moses could not so, but his words convey the picture of the sacrifice of Christ, which was able to make atonement for humanity.

Moses’ intercession on behalf of the Israelites is an overwhelming lesson in love and concern. He made it clear to God that he wanted to die with his people if they were not spared. He offered the greatest sacrifice he knew-his own relationship with God and his hope of eternal salvation.

There is a great difference between prayer and intercession. Prayer is what we do for ourselves. We pray for blessing, health, and protection. Intercession is when we stand in the gap for others.

Moses was Christ-like as he offered himself. We can never be the atonement for sin as Christ was, but we can play a Christ-like sacrificial role. When we intercede for others, they will be protected. In doing so we will be willing to take the blows.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; pp. 116-117)
2. Dunnam, M.D. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 2: Exodus (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1987; pp. 328-336)
3. Stanley, C.F: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible: New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
4. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
5. “Moses.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
6. Greg Laurie, “Are All Sins the Same?” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
7. Pastor Dick Woodward, “A Banquet of Consequences.” Retrieved from crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
8. Dr. Paul Chappell, “Blaming the Fire.” Retrieved from daily@dailyintheword.org

A mother was once asked by a census-taker how many children she had. She replied, “Well, there’s Billy and Harry and Martha and…”. “Never mind the names,” the man interrupted, “Just give me the numbers”. The mother angrily replied, “They don’t have numbers, they all have names!”

This might be a funny story, but in our modern world this is oh so true. We are often reduced to numbers and statistics, especially by the government. Here in Canada, our governments- municipal, federal or provincial-know us by our Social Insurance Numbers, and that identity is included in almost all of our lifetime records and transactions. We are no longer identities to our governments, only our “number” is. Even our opinions are reflected by numbers in survey results. No wonder many people have an “identity crisis”.

Thankfully, our Saviour Jesus Christ is not like this. He knows each and every one of us by our names, just like a shepherd knows each and every one of the sheep in his flock. Personal names and identities are important to God, especially his own; therefore, it is not surprising that Jesus knows us by our names. After all, he is the Good Shepherd.

The parable of the good shepherd and his sheep is a reference to God’s intimate knowledge of all of us. A good shepherd looks after his flock and knows his sheep. Sheep are not the brightest animals in the world. They seek the security of the flock and blindly follow the lead of the shepherd. When several flocks are grazing together in a field, they are still able to distinguish the voice of their own shepherd and follow his movements, clap, voice, etc. Sheep need a leader not because they are dumb, but because they know they can’t go it alone. They need someone to lead and to guide them.

Jesus is our shepherd. People who truly belong to God listen to and believe in the words of Jesus. We must distinguish his voice from all the other voices we hear in our daily lives and follow Him in faith. He provides the security of an eternal kingdom, but people often look elsewhere for their spiritual and eternal security. No forces other than our own can snatch us out of His good care and keeping. There is no security in the law, only unbelief. Christianity is not about Christians behaving themselves. It is about hope for those who do not have any-including all of us. All we have in ourselves is doubt and fear-and nothing there is certain.

In Biblical times, sheep were often placed in a fenced-in area at night for their protection. If the sheep pen had a gate, the shepherd could close and lock it and go home; however, many sheep pens did not have a gate. Instead, there was an opening. A shepherd would then lie across the opening to keep predators out. Just as the shepherd controlled the entrance to the sheep pen, Jesus controls our entrance to heaven. In fact, Jesus is the only way to heaven. As Jesus once said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me”. Our comings and goings are through Jesus.

This might seem narrow-minded to some people, but it was Jesus who in his perfect mind and perfect planning paved the way for us to be reconciled to God. He did this by giving himself to us. For us he emptied himself of his deity and took on human form and became a lowly, humble servant-just like a shepherd is a lowly, humble servant. We can have all of the world’s goods, but we would still be empty inside. The only person who can truly satisfy us is Jesus. If we allow Christ to live in us, we will have an abundant life. His love encourages us and empowers us so that we will obey him out of joy and thankfulness.

As a gate-keeper, Jesus provides both protection and freedom. He gives us helpful boundaries and keeps the enemy at bay. We can trust him more than we can trust the world around us. Jesus warns us about those who would lead people far from the truth, especially false teachers and some TV evangelists. These false prophets are like junk food. They look so appealing, but a steady diet of their “spiritual junk food” will hurt us in the long run. Jesus loved people and cared for them just like a shepherd cares for his sheep.

Those of you who have ever held a yard sale might have been in a situation where a customer found an item that he or she wanted, but did not want to pay the price you were charging. Well, our spiritual life is the same. There are people who are looking for joy, peace and love in their lives. When someone tells them that they can have all of that and more just by believing in what Jesus did for them on the cross, they do not want to pay the price.

Sheep can’t spend their entire lives in the sheepfold. After all, there’s no food in the sheepfold. The sheep might be comfortable and safe in the sheepfold, but the sheep must follow the shepherd out of the fold in order to find sustenance, in order to live. In the same way, Jesus calls out to us. He speaks the word that will bring us out of the places of comfort and safety that we have built around us.

Life cannot be conquered, but it can be delayed, put on hold or made dormant. When we retreat to the safety and comfort of our own personal sheepfolds, we can’t fully enjoy the fullness of a life lived in God. Life is not the same as existence. Ease does not bring joy, and less demanding often means less fulfilling.

A good shepherd is also willing to lay down his life in order to protect his flock. He will use any weapons he has at his disposal (including his staff) to fight off predators. Jesus as our shepherd willingly laid down his life so that those who believe in him would be protected from both sin and the wrath of God’s punishment. Those who love, follow and obey God will be in the devil’s sights. His eye will be on us when we take the battle to him. He also gave us the armour of God that Paul refers to in Ephesians chapter 6 so that we might be better able to protect ourselves as we fight the temptations of Satan and the world.

Satan has no power to stop us from walking with God. He can never own us because we have been redeemed by Jesus’ death and resurrection and we are forever in him. Our greatest challenges often come after our greatest victories. The devil will always be there to challenge whatever God has done. He is always looking for our vulnerabilities. Jesus became the door to salvation for us. He gave his life for the great flock of humanity so that anyone who believes in him can become part of God’s flock.

Jesus came to give us eternal life, offer us forgiveness, set us free from guilt and sin, and give us a fuller, meaningful life here on earth. We can live abundant lives because he can provide forgiveness from sin. In order to seek the gifts he offers us, we have to continually follow him and obey him without reservation. Don’t we all want to experience the joy of living and moving in grace-filled rhythm, in tune with something larger than ourselves? Don’t we all want the sense that we are living and moving in perfect rhythm to the song of the Christian life?

The world tells us to measure our lives by the limited time we have here on earth, but the life we have in Christ is so much better than that, because the life we have in him is eternal life. We disrespect Christ when we do not live up to the potential and possibilities Jesus has made available to us. When we settle for a listless and lackluster life of going through the motions and pursuing meaningless plans, we tell Jesus that his work has no effect in our lives.

We as sheep are unambiguous people who are to be cared for. We can’t enter Jesus’ flock by deeds, philosophy or ritual. We have to come through Jesus. The voice of the good shepherd helps us when we have to make difficult choices-choices about who we are, what we believe, and what really matters to us. He whispers his love for us. He calls us into an ongoing relationship with him. All we have to do are three things:

1. Confess our sins and admit that we need a saviour.
2. Trust Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.
3. Believe that our sins are forgiven and that our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

We must be careful not to let our zeal for God fade. We were created to live a full and abundant life that was paid for by Jesus so that we can enjoy God’s full blessings. Are we living the abundant life, or are we just getting by? How do we leave time in our lives for these blessings? We have to make time for the joys of the abundant life. We have to stay close to the one who makes the abundant life possible-Jesus.

When we come to Jesus that does not mean that our life will be perfect and carefree. In fact, the storms of life might become stronger because of the devil. Jesus does not protect those he loves from bad things happening but uses bad things to fulfill his plans for our lives. When we suffer, he is glad not because we are suffering, but because through suffering we have the chance to grow in faith and display his glory-and that is the very purpose of our existence.

Bibliography

1. Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, NASV
2. ESV Study Bible
3. Notes from Peter Anthony’s Bible Study, Winter 2011
4. Kenny Luck, “Become an Effective Warrior for Christ”. Retrieved from www.EveryManMinistries.com
5. Sheila Schuller Coleman, “Wake-up Call Number One”. Retrieved from www.hourofpower.cc
6. Dr. Jack Graham, “Living an Abundant Life”. Retrieved from www.crosswalkmail.com
7. Christopher Harris, “The Ultimate Disrespect”. Retrieved from www.streamingfaith.com
8. Rebecca Barlow Jordan, “Gate”. Retrieved from www.crosswalkmail.com
9. Phil Ware, “Heartlight Daily Verse”. Retrieved from www.crosswalkmail.com
10. Glynnis Whitwer, “Would I Know Him?” Retrieved from www.crosswalkmail.com
11. Bill Bright, “Why Jesus Came”. Retrieved from www.crosswalkmail.com
12. John Eldredge, “Christ’s Abundance”. Retrieved from www.newlife.com
13. Bill Bright, “An Identity Crisis?” Retrieved from www.crosswalkmail.com
14. Walt Larimore, “The Spiritual Wheel”. Retrieved from www.christianitytoday.com
15. Neil Anderson, “Your Journey toward Christ”. Retrieved from www.crosswalkmail.com
16. Greg Laurie, “After the Dove”. Retrieved from www.crosswalkmail.com
17. Selwyn Hughes, “The Last Word is Life”. Retrieved from www.crosswalkmail.com
18. Dr. Charles F. Stanley, “The Lord, Our Shepherd”. Retrieved from www.crosswalkmail.com
19. Dr. Charles F. Stanley, “Jesus: The Only Way to Heaven”. Retrieved from www.crosswalkmail.com
20. Sharon Jaynes, “Just What You’ve Always Wanted”. Retrieved from www.crosswalkmail.com
21. Kelly McFadden, “The Truth versus the Lie”. Retrieved from www.crosswalkmail.com
22. Dr. Charles F. Stanley, “Rekindling the Fire”. Retrieved from www.crosswalkmail.com
23. Mike DeVries, “Living in Rhythm”. Retrieved from www.crosswalkmail.com
24. Mary Southerland, “First Class Living”. Retrieved from www.crosswalkmail.com
25. Dr. Jack Graham, “How You Can Experience Abundant Life in Christ”. Retrieved from www.crosswalkmail.com
26. Steve Arterburn, “Called by Name”. Retrieved from www.crosswalkmail.com
27. Joel Osteen, “Thriving Every Day”. Retrieved from www.joelosteen.com
28. Anne Graham Lotz, “More to Life”. Retrieved from www.angelministries.org
29. Rev. Billy Strayhorn, “The Voice of the Shepherd”. Retrieved from www.sermonwriter.com
30. William Loader, “Easter 4”. Retrieved from www.staff.murdoch.edu.au/~loader/MtEaster4.htm
31. Jerry Goebel, “I am the Door”. Retrieved from http://onefamilyoutreach.com/bible/John/jn_10_01-10.htm
32. Craig Condon, “Shepherd to Lost Sheep-Do you Read Me? Over”. Sermon preached in 2008
33. Rev. Adam Thomas, “The Sheepfold”. Retrieved from www.day1.org

Have you ever wondered what heaven is like? Acts 2:42-47 offers us a glimpse of heaven here on earth. The early believers joined together in faith, hope and love in the best ways possible. The reading from Acts is a picture of the early church. It suggests what the Holy Spirit can do. The Holy Spirit gives Christians the power to provide mutual service that reflects God’s justice, mercy, love and compassion. The Christian community exists not for our sake, but to care for its most vulnerable members and to be the means by which God’s gift of salvation is extended to others.

The apostles were eyewitnesses of Christ’s life, and they taught what they knew about Jesus and the Old Testament witness about Him. The apostles were likely in awe of the power they now had. They knew that it was not their power but God’s power. They knew that they had a responsibility to use that power wisely.  

The early church was a healthy church. It was devoted to teaching, fellowship and celebrating the Lord’s Supper. It was a growing church. It was a joyously united church. It was a worshipping church. A healthy church today shows the same characteristics.

The early church believed in fellowship or holding things in common or sharing things together. The early church also continued steadfastly in the breaking of bread and in prayers. When these believers assembled, they prayed both spontaneous and memorized prayers from their Jewish roots. God demonstrated the authority of the apostles through the miracles they performed, confirming the Gospel they preached and inspiring awe and reverence of Him. In the days following Christ’s ascension into heaven, this amazing power was moving into the church, and God was adding to their number every day. Every day, people were thinking, “I want some of that.”

Our worship is a witness to people both inside and outside the church. For example, when nonbelievers go to church, they are checking everything out. They are taking everything in. What kind of witness are we to the people sitting near to us? Non-believers will form an opinion about God and Christianity largely based on what they see. As the old saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

The early believers also opened their hearts to each other. They saw the best and worst of themselves, but they still loved one another, and they shared that love by sharing what they owned with one another. The early believers shared what they owned because they were generous and committed to one another, not because they were required to do so. The fellowship of the early church expressed itself in open hearts, open hands and open homes.

Fellowship means that all Christians have the same hope of heaven-the same joys, the same hatred of sin and the same enemies. They have the same subjects of conversation, of feeling and of prayer. Revival leads to fellowship. It unites us with fellow Christians, and it unites those who were separated by sin with us when they repent and turn to God in faith. God’s grace unites us in seriousness and solemnity.

The passage from Acts depicts the life of the early Christian community as a model for Christian life today. Unfortunately, most Christians don’t follow this model. Our individual and communal lives should reflect our experiences of God’s grace and action in and among us. The early Christians realized that devotion to Jesus involved a commitment to a new way of thinking and living. A Christian lifestyle that appreciates the study of Scripture, generosity and caring doesn’t happen easily or automatically. It requires intention, effort and choice.

The early church is an example of what happens when the living Christ sets us free to fulfill His purpose for His people-that they become one with Him and with each other. If we as Christians want to be one with Christ, we must take time to be together to listen to each other, care for each other and be there for each other. Christians are partners with Jesus and other believers, so it is our spiritual duty to encourage one another in faith, righteousness and obedience. If we want to grow in faith and fulfill the mission Jesus has given us, we must regularly gather together for teaching, worship, encouragement and prayer.

Opening our hearts to one another means sharing our lives with them, and that’s what the early believers did. Christian lives can’t be lived in isolation. They are connected and work together just like all of the parts of a human body work together. Our churches can often be described as a group of people sitting in a circle with their chairs facing in. Paul and Luke want us to turn our chairs back to back and face out in a fellowship of the gospel. When we face out and reach out we have an outlet that fills our church with the young life of new believers.

God uses life’s circumstances to prepare people to receive the Good News. We can target people and take them to dinner and testify to the truth of Jesus through our words and the example of our Christian lives, but they will remain green to the Gospel. Only when God Himself moves in their hearts to ripen them through a circumstance or condition that is beyond their own ability to solve will they receive the Gospel.

The early believers also opened their homes to each other as places of worship, and in doing so followed Paul’s commands as written in Hebrews 13:2 and Titus 1:8. A well-known minister made the following comment:

“Something holy happens around a dinner table that will never happen in a sanctuary. In an church auditorium, you see the backs of heads. Around the table, you see the expressions on faces. In the auditorium, one person speaks; around the table, everyone has a voice. Church services are on the clock. Around the table there is time for talk.”

In some ways, the church today carries on this tradition.  For example, members often meet in one another’s homes in small groups for Bible study or informal gatherings.

An essential part of worship, the Lord’s Supper-also referred to as breaking bread or Communion-causes believers to look back to the cross, forward to the coming of Christ, and inward to the condition of their heart.

The early believers were passionate believers. They were so excited about their faith that they couldn’t wait to go to church. They loved being with fellow believers, sharing their faith and the Lord’s Supper and being encouraged by other believers. They were so eager that they met together every day! If only people today were that eager!

The result of these activities was the growth of the church. Everyone who observed the lives and prayers of the early church experienced a sense of awe of God and his presence. The church grew and found favour with people both inside and outside of the church. The love of the people was a testimony, especially to those who did not agree with the apostles’ teachings. Oh, how we need this today.

The early church turned its world upside-down for Christ. They taught the doctrine of Christ, their fellowship centered on Christ, they remembered Him in communion, they communicated with Him in prayer, and they exalted Christ in worship. As the 21st century church focuses on Christ in this way, the Spirit will turn its world upside-down as well.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013, pp. 1490-1491)
2. Jeremiah, David: A.D.: The Revolution that Changed the World (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers; 2015; pp. 49-56)
3. Jeremiah, David: Acts: The Church in Action, Vol. 1 (San Diego, CA: Turning Point for God;2006,2015; pp. 70-73)
4. Pastor Mark Jeske, “Devoted to Worshipping Together.” Retrieved from www.TimeofGrace.org
5. Barnes’ Nots on the New Testament. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.
6. Pastor Bobbly Schuller, “The Early Days.” Retrieved from www.hourofpower.cc
7. Ogilvie, L.J. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 28: Acts (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1983, pp. 71-74)
8. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible, New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
9. Stanley, C.F., The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
10. Pastor Dick Woodward, “A Fellowship in the Gospel.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@corsswalkmail.com
11. Pastor Greg Laurie, “You Are Being Watched.” Retrieved from www.harvest.org
12. Dr. Lanie LeBlanc, “2nd Sunday of Eater/Divine Mercy Sunday.” Retrieved from volume2@lists.opsouth.org
13. Richard Neill Donovan, “Exegesis for Acts 2:42-47.” Retrieved from www.sermonwriter.com
14. Pastor James MacDonald, “Picking Apples.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
15. Johnathan Kever, “A Healthy Church.” Retrieved from www.preaching.com
16. Matt Skinner, “Commentary on Acts 2:42-47.” Retrieved from www.workingpreacher.org
17. Scott Schauff, “Commentary on Acts 2:42-47.” Retrieved from www.workingpreacher.org
18. Daniel Clendenin, Ph.D., “Apostolic Devotion: The Actual Historic Tradition.” Retrieved from www.journeywithjesus.org