Power-filled Command

 

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.””

— Acts 1:8

 

Never before have I been led to focus on the verbs of this verse. Let’s consider them together.

 

Jesus first said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” He was talking to His chosen apostles while eating with them. Jesus told them not to leave Jerusalem until His Father had given them His promised gift (vs. 4). This gift is what Jesus spoke about in verse eight, His Holy Spirit. Receiving that gift was very important or Jesus wouldn’t have mentioned it. It was so important that Jesus emphasized it as a command that sounded like, “Don’t leave until you receive the gift.” Jesus had no doubt God would give it. He and the Father spoke continually. This was their plan from before time. Jesus emphatically told His chosen apostles, “You WILL receive power” and it WILL come from the Holy Spirit (a personage in the triune Godhead). Jesus’ Spirit would empower and embolden the apostles. Jesus gives each Christian this promise; His Spirit will come upon us when we believe in Him for salvation. Don’t run out in your own steam living life like you did before you believed in Jesus. You’re supposed to live in the power of the Spirit, who leads you to live out God’s plan for your life. 

 

What was the second part of verse eight? Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses.” Upon looking at this, it may seem Jesus was just foretelling the future of His apostles. But if you look at the Greek words we consider future tense, you will note it’s an indicative. Indicatives are a future telling that carries a command. Jesus looked at the men and told them, “You WILL be.” It’s like a parent telling a child, “You WILL clean up your mess.” Like the parent’s command told the future about the child’s obedience, Jesus’ telling the future about what the apostles will be doing carried a command that resulted in their obedience. 

 

Several things to note here. Jesus didn’t just tell them to go make disciples. He gave them His power, words, heart for people, boldness, and courage by giving them the Holy Spirit. God doesn’t tell His children to do something without giving them the ability, desire, and tools to do it. Another note: Christians, whether called to live changed and godly lives or to go minister somewhere to someone, MUST rely upon the Holy Spirit. Trying to live godly lives cannot be done by human strength or ability. We must intentionally and assertively seek and take hold of the Holy Spirit for His purpose, power, and way to live godly lives. God gives us the gift of His Spirit to give us His power to live for Him. We must accept and take hold of it. 

 

Jesus still foretells the future of our lives. When we believe in Him for salvation, we will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit from the Father. And we will be His witnesses by and through our lives so that the people around us see Him at work in our lives and want to know more. Some Christians will be called to go to other cities, provinces, districts, and countries to show and tell about the love of God to anyone who will listen. Going and sharing the gospel is an imperative by Jesus for which He provides the power, words, strength, and will.

 

Will you choose to obey Jesus’ command? Will you assertively take hold of the power the Spirit gives to live changed, godly lives? If not, what difference is your life now than before you believed in Jesus?

The Cup

 

“And He (Jesus) was saying, ‘Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me, yet not what I will, but what You will.’” (Mark 14:36 [NASB])

 Jesus approached His final Passover. He and His disciples walked to Jerusalem to take part in the festivities and remembrances that week. The Jews recalled the times when I AM (Yahweh God) provided food for them in the wilderness. They remembered when the Spirit of God went from home to home and from one animal stall to another, killing the first-born of each species. Moses told the Jews to put the blood of a sacrificial lamb on their door frame to protect them from God’s judgment. The Spirit bypassed obedient Hebrews when exacting God’s vengeance against Egypt. During that night the Jews prepared for the journey they would begin the next day. They packed their belongings and asked their Egyptian neighbors for their gold, silver, and other assets. During this night, they made unleavened bread for the journey. Jesus traveled to Jerusalem like obedient Jews did to celebrate the Passover and the exodus from Egypt.

 Jesus and His disciples obediently journeyed to Jerusalem to thank God. They prepared and ate a meal together. Jesus knew, though His disciples did not understand fully, that His time had come. Soon He would be arrested and handed over to the Jewish religious leaders and Roman leaders. The purpose for His life on earth had arrived. The purpose for Jesus’ birth as a man was to provide a once-for-all perfect sacrifice for humanity’s sins. For this reason, He purposefully walked to Jerusalem.

 After Jesus celebrated the Passover and began giving its new meaning of the “Lord’s Supper,” He and His disciples walked to the Mount of Olives, where they often prayed and He taught them. During this time, Judas Iscariot prepared to betray Jesus. He took thirty pieces of silver from the Jewish religious leaders and sought a time to betray Jesus. Jesus knew who would betray Him. He realized, because He is 100% divine, He would be given into the hands of men who would crucify Him. The Son, like the Father, knows all things. That He knew His disciple would betray Him weighed heavily on His heart. As the Son of Man (100% God and 100% man), Jesus understood He would experience the pain of being nailed to a cross, having His side pierced by a spear, and gasping for breath. As a man, Jesus probably felt trepidation and needed strength to finish His purpose on earth. His human mind and heart possibly dreaded what He understood must be done. This gives new depth of meaning to John 3:16. God (Father, Son, and Spirit) loves us so much that He willingly sent His Son to earth in the form of a man to die the death of judgment for our each of our sins. Jesus, God with us, came to us and for us, willingly and knowingly living on earth as a man to die a slow death of asphyxiation for each person. He did this so whoever believes in Him as the Son of God, the Messiah, will have eternal life and forgiveness of sins.

 Jesus said in Mark 14, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me, yet not what I will, but what You will.” Jesus called out, “Daddy!” That speaks of a close relationship with the Father. He then states fact; God is Sovereign and can do anything. Anything, like keeping one from death and from the hands of angry, evil, and scared men. Anything, like making a way for His created and rebellious humans to have an eternal relationship with Him. God is the source of all power. Jesus knows the Godhead is all-powerful. He also knows no other way was available to provide redemption from sins. A sin sacrifice was required, and it could not be just anything. This sin sacrifice had to be perfect, without blemish or stain from sin. The only sinless being is the Godhead-Father, Son, and Spirit. God provided the perfect sacrifice through the death of the Son of Man and Son of God, Jesus the Messiah. With this understanding, Jesus made His final statement in this verse. He said, “Not what I will, but what You will.” The humanity of Jesus submitted to the perfect, divine will of the Godhead. He willingly walked to the cross to be crucified, pierced, and to suffocate so humanity could be saved from their sins and death.

 The Father did not leave Jesus to walk to His mortal death alone. In Luke 22:43, Luke tells us, “An angel from heaven appeared to Him (Jesus) and strengthened Him.” The Father realized the mortal flesh was weary and frightened but determined to do His will because of His overabundant love for each person. Luke continued in verse forty-four by saying, “And being in anguish, He (Jesus) prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” [NIV] Jesus prayed for the strength to walk to His death. He prayed for each person to believe in Him. Jesus prayed so fervently that sweat became profuse, like a river of blood flowing from an arterial vein. The angel encouraged, strengthened, and upheld Him for the purpose for which He humbly gave up His place on the throne in heaven. Jesus’ decision was deliberate before He left heaven, while He walked and taught on earth, and as He prepared for Judas’ betrayal, the Jewish religious leaders’ antagonism and unbelief, and Pontius Pilate’s handwashing. This One who died for the sins of each person was betrayed, mocked, tormented, and found unworthy for a governor to be held accountable.

 Considering what Jesus did and said in Mark 14:36 and Luke 22:43, are any of us ever willing to make these statements to God? Have any of us lived out God’s purpose this determinedly? Have we made a genuine sacrifice of ourselves to God’s plans and purposes? With Jesus as our model, I realize few people make this ultimate stand for God. This purpose in life requires a total surrender of heart and will to God’s plans. Jesus understood this profound surrender. To give oneself in total surrender to God means giving the right to oneself-one’s whole heart, mind, body, and spirit-to obey God in His purposes to save every person before he or she mortally dies.

 Just as Abba gave strength to Jesus to walk the road to Calvary, He gives us the strength to walk according to His plans. Those plans may be to help someone with food, offer shelter for someone without a home, or donate to a charitable organization. It may also mean leaving home and country to live where most people have not heard about Jesus and walk with them telling them about Him. Walking with unbelievers often means being willing to sacrifice our lives. The key to each of these tasks and others God asks of believers is God, not us. God created. He sacrificed and redeems. God cleanses. He calls and strengthens. Then, God walks with those who willingly offer to Him what He asks of them. God gives each person what she or he needs to live abundantly in a loving, growing, and eternal relationship with Him.

Jesus didn’t ask for a kiss, but Judas gave it.

He asks us to believe in Him; He paid the price.

 Are you willing to give your all-heart, soul, body, and spirit-to God? He will give you the strength and everything you need to follow Him. All things are possible with God.

God-focused: Beginning with Thanks

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken throughout the whole world.” Romans 1:8

Paul told the Roman Christians he was thankful for them. He spoke about a people he had never met. Paul expressed thanks for the future-theirs, and his with them.

Paul was thankful the world knew of the Romans’ faith. People heard Roman emperors expelled the Jews from Rome. Since the Roman Christians worshiped in Jewish temples at first, they experienced similar persecution without expulsion.

Paul desired to be with the Roman believers. He was thankful in advance he could enjoy their companionship. Paul anticipated giving them further knowledge of the gospel. He wanted western believers to be able to stand firm in their faith.

Still, Paul didn’t expect only they would benefit from his visit. He wanted to be encouraged by/with them. Surely Paul’s faith was greater than that of the Roman Christians. Yet, Paul said together they would be encouraged mutually. For this, Paul was thankful.

Paul’s travels created home bases for him in the east. He’d never been to the west. Paul needed a home base in Rome. Often growth in faith comes from standing with other believers supporting each other. Christianity is a faith in community. We meet to pray, study the Bible, worship, encourage, and grow stronger in knowledge and faith to proclaim the Gospel. Paul understood he needed a home base for encouragement and growth in faith.

Paul began his letter to the Romans with thanks for them-past, present, and future. We must begin our day thanking God for who will enter our lives-Christians for growth and encouragement or unbelievers to hear the Gospel.

Lord, help us recognize the importance of being in a community of believers and seeking unbelievers with whom to share Your Gospel

Are You Listening? (redux)

           

             John, in his gospel, wrote many things. He wrote the whole book with the sole purpose being “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31 [NASB]) John showed throughout this book ways we, as hearers and readers, can know Jesus is the Son of God. He gave us his personal testimony. He told the testimony of the Gospel through Jesus’ signs and miracles, through the Spirit, and through the Word (God’s inspired Word). Yet, there is something we – Christians and ministers - must do. Paul stated in Romans 10:14-15a, “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent” [NASB]? Unless we who know God personally tell others about Jesus, the salvation of the world, people will not come to know Jesus the Christ.

            In John 13:15, Jesus used the word “example.” He used this word only once when He taught His disciples. Before the Feast of the Passover, after being with the disciples for almost three years teaching them by word and action, He washed the disciples’ feet. Jesus took His tunic off and wrapped a towel around Himself as a servant would. He gave this example to His disciples; they were to be servants to each other. Jesus reinforced this "example" He showed and spoke to them. Later in chapter 13, He told the disciples in verses thirty-four and thirty-five, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35, [NASB]) Earlier Jesus said He was the fulfillment of the Law, but stated they must follow the Shema. The Shema is a Jewish Law combining Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18, “You shall love the LORD your God withyou’re your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27 [NASB]). The first Jesus called the greatest commandment. The latter is the second greatest commandment. At the end of His time on earth with His disciples, Jesus added another. In John 13:34-35, He taught them to love each other so that all people would know they were His disciples. These commands cover love of God, love of others (outside the faith), and love among disciples (Christians).

            How are people to know Jesus? They come to know Jesus by Christians coming to know them. John, in his Gospel, stated many times Jesus knew what people thought, what their past was, if they grumbled or complained, and if certain people needed a miracle or sign so they could believe. Jesus knew and knows all people. He spoke into their lives at the point of their need. Consider Mary and Martha. Jesus could have gone to their home in Bethany before Lazarus died, but He knew them and He wanted God to receive glory. Mary and Martha believed Jesus is God’s Son and believed there would be a resurrection on the last day. They did not know that Jesus had power over life and death. By waiting until Lazarus was truly dead (four days after his death), people believed Jesus had power over life and death, God received the glory, and the faith of Mary and Martha grew. You can look at other miracles in the book of John and see this occur often– Jesus’ power over that part of life would be revealed, God would receive glory, and the faith of people would increase or occur for the first time. Jesus knows people and what they need. He meets people at the point of their need - when they are at the end of their understanding and knowledge - so that God’s power is the explanation for any good/miracle that occurred. The question remains: how are people to know Jesus?

            More often than not, people come to know Jesus through His disciples speaking truth into their lives. Let me say it again, “People come to meet and know Jesus through Christians getting to know them.” By getting to know people,

·         We hear them tell us about themselves, their families, their interests, and their religious experiences.

•  We Christians – paid and unpaid - listen intently and hear where people express hurt.
• We hear and realize they are human, too.
• We believers hear with our ears and with the heart that Jesus regenerated in us through His love.
• We hear their physical and spiritual needs.

In the process of listening to them,

•  We Christians earn that person’s trust.
• We remember where Jesus met our need, physically and spiritually.
• We remember where Jesus came to us, met us, healed us, and forgave us, and where we gave our lives to Him.

Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 6:26. The birds of the air wear beautiful plumage, have their food needs met, and are sheltered in God’s beautiful trees and bushes. The birds did nothing; God provided for their needs. God will provide more so for the needs of His created people. Jesus stated that in Matthew 6. God provides for spiritual needs as well as temporal needs. Jesus built relationships or strengthened them at the point of a person’s need. He wants to be the provider of everything each person needs. We must build relationships, too, and through building these new relationships and listening, the people give us the opportunity to speak about Jesus - show how He changed our lives, met our needs - physical and spiritual, and how He can be the fulfillment of their own needs now and for eternity.

            Consider the “I AM” statements in John’s gospel. Jesus said seven things that John recorded. Jesus said,

•   “I AM the Bread of Life.”
•  “I AM the Light of the world.”
•   “I AM the gate for the sheep.”
•   “I AM the good Shepherd.”
•   “I AM the resurrection and the Life.””
•  I AM the True Vine.”

Each of these has a temporal and spiritual element to it. Jesus came to be everything a person ever needs –bread, light, shelter, guidance, life and hope, and eternal sustenance/salvation. Jesus is the fulfillment of all our needs before we ever know we have the need for them.

• God provided manna in the wilderness for the Israelites to feed them for a day. Jesus became the Bread that would feed our spiritual need forever.
• God gave a pillar of fire before the troops of Israelites as they found their way to the Promised Land. Jesus is the Light to lead us to eternal life in God’s Kingdom.
• God provided a gate by which to keep out the wolves. Jesus is the gate that keeps the devil and his demons out when we have given our lives to Him.
• God provides shepherds for the sheep who protect them, such as David was for the actual sheep of his father and for God’s people Israel. Jesus is the Shepherd who will not run away, but will fight the wolves to keep us protected in His hands. He protects those who are His own.

·         No one before Jesus had ever beaten death and come back to life. Jesus died to be victorious over death so His children would receive resurrection from the grave at the end of the time. Death does not have any hold on those who call themselves His disciples. Jesus gives eternal life to His disciples.

            God provides sustenance and guidance now to His children. He also provides eternal life forever. God, through His indwelling Holy Spirit, provides the eternal guidance and remembrance of all He taught us through our lives and the ones who went before us. He gives us hope and guidance as the True Vine. We are His, adopted by Him, and grafted into His vine so nothing can separate us from Him. Jesus gives us what He stated in the seven I AM statements now and for eternity.

            We must get to know people as Jesus knows people. We must hear them express themselves, their life, and their beliefs. Only by listening will we gain their trust to speak into their lives. Only by listening will we be able to contextualize the message of Jesus’ salvation for that particular person at that specific moment in their lives. This is relationship. Our telling the Gospel to them after listening is contextualizing the Gospel for them. That is how FIRE helps us. FIRE is Family, Interests, Religious experiences, and Evangelism. FIRE makes us intentional in getting to know Jesus better each day, to have a growing relationship with Him. We must have a daily relationship with Jesus so we are learning more through His Word and through prayer with Him. Without this daily relationship, we may not know a passage of Scripture a person needs to hear as he or she speaks to us. FIRE lets us know a person’s thoughts on their needs so we can share with him or her how Jesus can fill his or her needs here and eternally. FIRE is how Jesus met us through others and it is how He will meet other people more often than not. (See “How to Tell the World: F.I.R.E.)

            The questions now to consider include the following.

•  How is your relationship with God? Are you close to Him or has it been a while since you read His Word or prayed to Him?
• How are your listening skills? Are you a keen listener and often hear a word from God? Are you a devoted listener of other people or do you hear some of what they say and then begin thinking about what you will say?

            We must be in an active vertical relationship with God. We must also know how to have a horizontal relationship with other people. Jesus did this well. He was very relational and showed by example how to be in a relationship with God and with one another. Jesus died on the cross because of these relationships - with the Father and with humanity.

Look at it this way. (See picture below.)

Each of us has to make a decision:

Are we willing to get to know people like Jesus knows each of us so we can tell them the great news of Jesus Christ?