Church Launch: The Basics…Bold Sharers of the Gospel
Devotions this week based on the Message: “The Spirit of God Launches His Church!”
The difference 50 days make.
It wasn’t a “Grow your Boldness in 40 days” book. It wasn’t a “How to Be Your Best after You’ve Been at your worst” podcast. It wasn’t a 40 day mentoring program by the best public speaker of the first century. It was a gift of God.
Boldness from the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Jesus had left 10 days earlier and told his followers to stay in Jerusalem and wait for this promise: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
Boldness turned into courage. Cowardice turned into conviction.
Peter who denied Jesus three times just 50 days earlier when the pressure was on by the opposition to Jesus boldly confessed he was a follower of Christ. The group that deserted Jesus in the Garden stood confidently in front of people from all over the Mediterranean world proclaiming the wonders of God. Those that yelled “Crucify him” Peter confronted with clarity with their sin of rejecting Jesus as the Messiah.
The Spirit turned the focus from fear of what is going to happen to me to a conviction of knowing that without faith in Jesus what was going to happen to them was eternal destruction.
This power of the Spirit did not end on Pentecost, but is still active and working in and among us today. The purpose of the power of the Spirit is to do what the Church was designed to do: Preach the Gospel and Make Disciples.
Will we have skeptics and opposition? Yep. It’s Ok – carry a concern for their soul to and speak the truth in love.
Will we have to confront sin? Absolutely, but we don’t do it with a judgmental “I’m better than you” spirit, but rather with a compassionate, “I’m concerned for you” and let the Spirit go to work with a conviction of sin.
But then we get the fun of sharing Jesus as Savior. This is the goal of the Gospel – that all would see the solution for sin is in the very one they sinned against.
Peter said it this way: “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).
Are you timid? Cowardly at times to engage in a spiritual conversation? I am too. But we are not alone in this work. The Spirit of God loves to give power to the weak and courage to the cowards.
Apply: Simply pray for the Holy Spirit to give boldness to your witness. Don’t be surprised when he gives you an opportunity to be bold!
Prayer: Spirit of God give boldness to the cowards, give confidence to the timid. As you came to the disciples with power, come on all who pray this with that same power to be your Church…proclaiming the Gospel and making disciples. AMEN.
Church Launch: The Basics…The Gospel Part 2
Devotions this week based on the Message: “The Spirit of God Launches His Church!”
If you are reading this, there is a Bible you can read.
For nearly 500 years, if you are an English speaking person you have been able to have a Bible in your heart language, your native tongue. William Tyndale is credited with completing an English translation of the New Testament in 1526 with a full version of the entire Bible completed by Mile Coverdale and published in 1535. Up until this era, the printed word of God was in Greek, Hebrew or Latin.
We take an English Bible for granted. We open our Bible app or pick up a printed version and think nothing of reading about the wonders of God in our own language.
At our May 2021 Pastors’ Study Club I gained a whole new appreciation for one of the miracles of Pentecost and the heart of God to make sure people hear the “wonders of God in our own language.” Dr. Chris Pluger and his wife Janine spoke of their work with Lutheran Bible Translators. This group of individuals has as a mission to bring the written word of God into the hands of 180 million people who do not have a Bible in their heart language.
He spoke of the 3.5 year project he completed in 2016 of bringing the New Testament to the Nsenga speaking people of Zambia, Africa. This group of 2 million people until 4 years ago did not have a Bible in their native language. Now they do. This video link is to the celebration they had when they received the New Testament in the Nsenga language for the first time.
LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1CmFNogDAE
Translation of the song:
We are happy, we have joy
We are very happy, we Nsenga people
Because you have given the Nsenga Bible
We are very happy, we Nsenga people
(NOTE: Dr. Chris and his wife are headed to Ethiopia in August of 2021 to oversee work on 20 more translations of the Bible. To receive his newsletter or support his work financially, go to www.lbt.org/pluger.)
The Spirit of God is intent on bringing the message of the Gospel clearly to the ears of people. It is true that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, but as the Apostle Paul said,
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
… 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:14-17)
At Pentecost, the Spirit of God ensured that those that were there “heard the wonders of God in their own language” (Acts 2:11) A project that humanly speaking would have taken at least 3.5 years for each language represented at Pentecost was done in 3.5 seconds with the gift of the Holy Spirit.
God has gifted us the message of the Gospel in our hearts. He has gifted us a printed copy of the Bible in our language. The Church, which includes each of us, was established by the Spirit of God to be the instrument to take the Gospel message and communicate it clearly in the language of those that need to hear. So receive the gift …and then let’s share it confidently (more tomorrow!).
Apply: What is your first memory of hearing the Word of God…or reading the Word of God? Perhaps you don’t have one. Take time this week to read your favorite chapter of the Bible and then thank God’s Spirit for giving you the Bible in your heart language.
Prayer: Spirit of God, thank you for giving to me the Words of God in the language I understand. Forgive me for taking it for granted. Inspire me to bring the word of God to others that they may hear, believe and be saved. AMEN.
Church Launch: The Basics…The Gospel
Devotions this week based on the Message: “The Spirit of God Launches His Church!”
So what are the basics of the Church? What are the essential components?
A professor of evangelism put it to us students this way.
“Evangelism pared down to its essentials is pretty basic. You need three things:
1) The Gospel.
2) Someone who needs the Gospel, and
3) Someone to share the Gospel.”
I would say that this is true not only of evangelism as a discipline but the Church as God established it. Any one of these eliminated and the Church has no reason to exist.
But there seems to be something missing. There was something missing prior to the first Pentecost as well. We have the Gospel. We know there are people who need the Gospel and we know we are here to share the Gospel. So why doesn’t it happen?
We chicken out. We lose courage. We get discouraged. We worry about how we will be seen. We worry about how people will react to us.
That has to change.
So God did…by sending his Holy Spirit in a powerful way to ensure the message of the Gospel was clear, empower the disciples to share the Gospel boldly, and worked on the hearts of 3000 people to receive and believe the message of Jesus as the Savior.
We need the Spirit to do the same in us and with us today as well.
The Spirit brings us back to the Gospel and ensures that it is communicated clearly.
Because it can honestly get lost in the clutter of church. The “customs,” the “rules,” the “rituals,” “the politics,” etc. can all get in the way, overshadow and clutter the heart of the Church’s purpose and existence: The clear message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus.
Peter quoting the prophet Joel put it this way:
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:21)
There are not many ways to heaven. There are not multiple expressions of faith that lead to heaven. Jesus is as he said he is “The way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
This message of the Gospel of Jesus is the GIFT of the Holy Spirit to the Church. There is NO OTHER place that is designed and set up to simply proclaim Christ. The church wasn’t initiated to be a social club, wage social justice, or cure the ills of world conflict or homeless crisis. The church has two purposes: Preach the Gospel. Make disciples. Period.
It’s time we get back to the basics and ask the Spirit to kindle in us the conviction that “Salvation is found in no other name…” (Acts 4:12) and remind us that at the heart of what we are here to do for “every tribe, nation and language” is to share the message of who Jesus is and what he has done.
Apply: Where have you personally or in your observation of the Church noticed that it has drifted from its purpose to preach the Gospel and Make Disciples? How can you be part of refocusing the church on its mission: Preach the Gospel…Make Disciples?
Prayer: Spirit of God, clarify and make us confident always that there is only one way to heaven and that is through Jesus Christ. Lead us to embrace the calling once again to share this message of grace and truth boldly and confidently. AMEN.
Church Launch: Pentecost: Where it all started…
Devotions this week based on the Message: “The Spirit of God Launches His Church!”
Sometimes it’s helpful to go back to the beginning to reset the present.
We can get off track and need to be reminded what is most important.
This week is an opportunity to do that as a Christian Church…as individuals.
This morning I invite you to simply read through Acts 2, the account of Pentecost. Ask yourself, “What are the miracles of God’s Spirit that happened on this day?” And “Are those miracles happening still today?”
2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 “ ‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
22 “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 David said about him:
“ ‘I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will live in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.’
29 “Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand
35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Apply: What aspect of Pentecost event would have impacted you most if you were there?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for beginning your Church in such an amazing and powerful way. Help me to see in your start the essence of what you want your Church to be. AMEN.
Hope Comes with Victory: Seven Keys to Victory: Leadership
Devotions this week based on the Message: “Hope Comes with Victory!”
Where is God?
It seems hard to reconcile sometimes what we see in our country and communities when it seems like the forces that are removing God from the public sphere are stronger than those that are trying to bring his message to hearts.
It’s hard to reconcile evil when it shows up daily in our news feed and experienced in our personal lives.
It’s easy to blame God for all that is happening. And perhaps it’s natural and in some ways an acknowledgment of the authority and leadership of God.
That is…if God is truly in control, why does he allow all the evil and injustice and persecution against his people to exist?
After all, the saying goes: “Everything rises and falls with leadership.”
There’s much to unpack in those statements, however if we are going to see victory in life and the power of the message of Jesus prevail over evil, we must trust our leader.
Here’s the truth:
Ephesians 1: 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Jesus is ruling over everything for the benefit of his church.
So while I don’t always understand what God is up to, a statement of truth like this forces me to ask a different question.
Instead of “God where are you?” it’s “God where are you?”
Wait that’s the same question. Perceptive! However one is asked with a heart of doubt and implies, “God I don’t think you are here.” The second is asked with a heart of faith and implies, “God I know you are here, reveal to me how you are showing up.”
In some of the greatest challenges of history, God showed up and his kingdom prospered and prevailed. The Roman government did everything they could to kill off Christianity – it thrives to this day and the Roman empire is gone. The pandemics of the ages gave Christians the opportunity to care (Black Plague; Spanish Flu; Covid; etc. Racial unrest gives the Gospel to unify hearts around the value of every person and the healing forgiveness we need. I could go on. In every struggle, hardship, difficulty and dare I say evil, is an opportunity for the power of the Gospel to show up in a powerful way.
Why? Because Jesus IS the leader. And every leader will see and take advantage of every opportunity for the win of the Gospel.
And we get to share in that victory as members of HIS body, the church.
So don’t despair. Here’s the truth:
1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:56-58)
Enjoy living today and each day in the victory Jesus gives to you!
Apply: What situation in your life are you blaming God for being absent? What does he reveal to you if you consider he was present or is using an awful experience for your blessing and benefit?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for ruling over all things for my benefit as a member of your church. Amen.