Please Speak Up!----- Saturday, May 8, 2010 by Dave Sonnenberg

PLEASE SPEAK UP


Saturday, May 8, 2010

by Dave Sonnenberg



"if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak up".



Those words, which were uttered to Saul 2000 years ago, are words that are uttered to us. Sure, we may not have them literally spoken to us by another, but let me say this- "people are begging to hear words of encouragement".

We deal with many people who are frustrated, frazzled, or simply overwhelmed. We deal with many who are pondering taking the next steps in faith, yet they are a bit uncertain and need nudging. We deal with many who need to know they have a friend or a neighbor who cares. We deal with many who would soar to new heights if they heard your voice and mine saying, "you can do it. give it a try!"

Speak up. Be a voice of encouragement for another person this week. Who is that person? Give some thought and take some action!


Acts 13: 13-41
13 Then Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John, however, left them and returned to Jerusalem; 14but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15After the reading of the law and the prophets, the officials of the synagogue sent them a message, saying, ‘Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, give it.’ 16So Paul stood up and with a gesture began to speak:


‘You Israelites,* and others who fear God, listen. 17The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18For about forty years he put up with* them in the wilderness. 19After he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance 20for about four hundred and fifty years. After that he gave them judges until the time of the prophet Samuel. 21Then they asked for a king; and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years. 22When he had removed him, he made David their king. In his testimony about him he said, “I have found David, son of Jesse, to be a man after my heart, who will carry out all my wishes.” 23Of this man’s posterity God has brought to Israel a Saviour, Jesus, as he promised; 24before his coming John had already proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25And as John was finishing his work, he said, “What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but one is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of the sandals* on his feet.”

26 ‘My brothers, you descendants of Abraham’s family, and others who fear God, to us* the message of this salvation has been sent. 27Because the residents of Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize him or understand the words of the prophets that are read every sabbath, they fulfilled those words by condemning him. 28Even though they found no cause for a sentence of death, they asked Pilate to have him killed. 29When they had carried out everything that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30But God raised him from the dead; 31and for many days he appeared to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, and they are now his witnesses to the people. 32And we bring you the good news that what God promised to our ancestors 33he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm,

“You are my Son;

today I have begotten you.”

34As to his raising him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way,

“I will give you the holy promises made to David.”

35Therefore he has also said in another psalm,

“You will not let your Holy One experience corruption.”

36For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, died,* was laid beside his ancestors, and experienced corruption; 37but he whom God raised up experienced no corruption. 38Let it be known to you therefore, my brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you; 39by this Jesus* everyone who believes is set free from all those sins* from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40Beware, therefore, that what the prophets said does not happen to you:

41“Look, you scoffers!

Be amazed and perish,

for in your days I am doing a work,

a work that you will never believe, even if someone tells you.” ’

Get Rid of the Jug Handles---- Friday, May 7 2010 by Dave Sonnenberg

GET RID OF THE JUG HANDLES!


Friday, May 7, 2010

by Dave Sonnenberg



I live about 3 miles from my church. It used to (I emphasize "used to") take me about 3 minutes to go one mile to the entrance to route 370. Then, it was a simple 2 mile quick "straight shot" down the highway (without interruption) to the 355 north exit at which point the church is at the light.

They are building a new highway which has radically altered my path. I jump on 370, go about 1/4 of a mile and then they take me to this goofy jughandle on a new ramp that forces you to do almost a complete circle and sends you back in the same direction you used to go. I go on that and it seems to me that this is the new "route" but I hope and pray that this route is not permanent because it will be nasty when it gets icy. It radically slows down traffic. It seems to be a major obstacle to a path that used to be clear. I hope it is just the way that they had to do it in order to create the new east west highway, but, you can't be sure!

Saul and Barnabas are a bit fired up today because some people have put up obtacles and curves that are not helping others see and expereince Jesus' ways. They seek to get these spiritual jug handles, hurdles, and annoyances out of the way so that people can follow Jesus. Our job as Christians is to communicate the love of Christ in word and deed with clarity. People need to see and experience it right away by the way we live our lives; they need not have us wait to get around to being a dedicated witness.



Acts 13: 1-12

13Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the ruler, tetrarch and Saul. 2While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ 3Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

The Apostles Preach in Cyprus

4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John also to assist them. 6When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they met a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet, named Bar-Jesus. 7He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and wanted to hear the word of God. 8But the magician Elymas (for that is the translation of his name) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9But Saul, also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10and said, ‘You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 11And now listen—the hand of the Lord is against you, and you will be blind for a while, unable to see the sun.’ Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he went about groping for someone to lead him by the hand. 12When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.

Jumping Up Like Rudy-----Thursday, May 6, 2010 by Dave Sonnenberg

JUMPING UP LIKE RUDY


Thursday, May 6, 2010

By Dave Sonnenberg



Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

That was the chant the Notre Dame crowd was screaming at the top of their lungs in the final game of the season in the early 1970’s. Notre Dame’s football team was ahead of Georgia Tech with about 2 minutes to go and the crowd began to scream in unison for Rudy Rudiger to be put into the game.

Rudy, whose story was made into a movie, had walked on to the football team (his lifelong dream) with the only goal of being on the team. He went to great lengths to try get into the school, he worked odd jobs, had barely any money, struggled academically, but somehow- had a heart that wouldn’t give up. Finally, he was given a shot to be on the scout team- a practice squad to go up against the first string. In a nutshell, the practice squad was the punching bag for the first team to run over, pummel, destroy, etc. Rudy was a small guy and he would get run over time and time again in practice, yet would jump right up like the energizer bunny. He’d be getting hurt by guys 150 pounds bigger than him, yet he’d give 200% because he wanted to make sure they were ready for the game. He understood he wasn’t a star. He understood his job was to make them ready to play their game on Saturday. Sometimes the first squad was slacking off and the coaches kept pointing to Rudy as the heart and soul of the team- one who never gave up.

The Christian movement is filled with Rudy’s- people who put their heart and soul into living out their faith; who were not overwhelmed by obstacles or persecution or hardship. We see James killed today in the story- one of the key leaders in the early church. In the aftermath of the killing, however, we see the church not flee in fear but rather “advances” to make inroads in more and more peoples lives.

We live in times when it is easy to lose heart. We must hear the voices of the Christians who have gone before us cheering us on. We must hear them chanting our names and urging us to be faithful witnesses of Jesus today! When we jump up and take our faith seriously and try to follow Jesus’ words and example each day, we will help advance the cause of Christ- little by little.

The key question for us each day to ask ourselves- “are we helping to advance the cause of Jesus or are we helping to hinder the cause of Jesus?” Take note of your actions as you answer that question, not just your intellectual beliefs. How we live shows what we believe.

Help advance the cause of Jesus today!



Reading- Acts 12

About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. 2He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. 3After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the festival of Unleavened Bread.) 4When he had seized him, he put him in prison and handed him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. 5While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him.

Peter Delivered from Prison

6 The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. 7Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, ‘Get up quickly.’ And the chains fell off his wrists. 8The angel said to him, ‘Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.’ He did so. Then he said to him, ‘Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.’ 9Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel’s help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him. 11Then Peter came to himself and said, ‘Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.’

12 As soon as he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many had gathered and were praying. 13When he knocked at the outer gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. 14On recognizing Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the gate, she ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the gate. 15They said to her, ‘You are out of your mind!’ But she insisted that it was so. They said, ‘It is his angel.’ 16Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the gate, they saw him and were amazed. 17He motioned to them with his hand to be silent, and described for them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he added, ‘Tell this to James and to the believers.’ Then he left and went to another place.

18 When morning came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19When Herod had searched for him and could not find him, he examined the guards and ordered them to be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.

The Death of Herod

20 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they came to him in a body; and after winning over Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for a reconciliation, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. 21On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat on the platform, and delivered a public address to them. 22The people kept shouting, ‘The voice of a god, and not of a mortal!’ 23And immediately, because he had not given the glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

24 But the word of God continued to advance and gain adherents. 25Then after completing their mission Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem and brought with them John, whose other name was Mark.

Determined to be Generous----Wednesday, May 5, 2010 by Dave Sonnenberg

DETERMINED TO BE GENEROUS

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

By Dave Sonnenberg



Determination is one of life’s great gifts. Determination pulls the strength the lies within to achieve or make a difference. Determination is often believing that some goal is attainable but it requires effort or “sweat equity”.

One of the things that I appreciate about the book of Acts was the early church’s determination to be generous. They, as a community, set out tangible goals for everyone to shoot for- namely, “let’s not have a needy person among us”. They lived with a spirit of “each of us can contribute to lifting up the community”.

According to countless studies, being generous with our resources is actually more fulfilling than “accumulating countless things”. Sharing with others or with groups in need brings a greater sense of fulfillment than just obtaining things for ourselves. The early church seemed to understand that and they encouraged people make generosity part of their “natural defaults”. They seemed to move beyond “keep all for self” to a “live within means and be generous so that others have what they need” mentality.

I am grateful for people in my life who exhibit extreme generosity (the sharing of time, talent, and resources) for their enthusiasm is a great witness and encouragement.

I believe that if we are determined to be generous, we can and will be. Are we determined enough?



Acts 11:18-30

19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews. 20But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. 21The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord. 22News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; 24for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord. 25Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they associated with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians’.

27 At that time prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine over all the world; and this took place during the reign of Claudius. 29The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers living in Judea; 30this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

The Promise of Criticism-----Tuesday, May 4 2010 by Dave Sonnenerg

THE PROMISE OF CRITICISM


Tuesday, May 4, 2010

By Dave Sonnenberg



“You will be criticized. Your motives will be questioned. People will disagree with you. You may be viewed skeptically by some.”

We might not want to put that on any enlistment brochure for the Christian life yet, it’s true. If we live by faith and err on the side of grace and mercy as Jesus did, we will challenge people, most notably ourselves. What is comfortable in life is to live with the understanding that we are part of the “inside group” and others are part of the “outside group”. What is even more comfortable is to think that those on the “outside” deserve to be there. What is really challenging is to reject the comfortable and challenge ourselves to treat “the other” as a beloved child of God- especially those different from us or those we choose to not associate ourselves with. If we live daring lives, we will hear the challenge to expand our embrace and sphere of care to include more people. Some will criticize us for that, but we need not give in or be overcome by that criticism. Peter was not overcome by that criticism in his day for welcoming the Gentiles nor should we in our day.

Acts 11: 1-18

11Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. 2So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, 3saying, ‘Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?’ 4Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, 5‘I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me. 6As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7I also heard a voice saying to me, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” 8But I replied, “By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.” 9But a second time the voice answered from heaven, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” 10This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. 11At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were. 12The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, “Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter; 14he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.” 15And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. 16And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 17If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?’ 18When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, ‘Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.’

Expanding Horizons----Monday, May 3, 2010 by Dave Sonnenberg

EXPANDING HORIZONS


Monday, May 3, 2010

By Dave Sonnenberg



Sometimes it takes an act of God to “expand our horizons”. Sometimes we are so set in our ways that we can’t see the gifts that another person brings to the community or, better yet, we may not even “see the person”.

Cornelius is not a part of the Christian community in the story we see today but, he is what Jim Forbes calls a “precious consenting other”- someone very sensitive to the Christian cause, to the cause of Jesus in this world, yet not integrated with the larger Christian movement. Is his acceptance in the community his fault or because of a lack of interest or because the community is not open to welcoming him?

Jesus gets through today to one of the established group members, Peter, and finds a way to get through his preconceived notions of “who is in and who is out”. He somehow is able to show Peter that a guy liked Cornelius, a gentile (non-Jew) could be welcomed into the cause of Jesus.

Who is outside the community today that we need to include? Who is someone “precious” in our lives who is sensitive to the cause of Jesus but not a part of an intentional Christian gathering of some sort?



Acts 10

In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. 2He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. 3One afternoon at about three o’clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, ‘Cornelius.’ 4He stared at him in terror and said, ‘What is it, Lord?’ He answered, ‘Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; 6he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.’ 7When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, 8and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa.

9 About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. 12In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. 13Then he heard a voice saying, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ 14But Peter said, ‘By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.’ 15The voice said to him again, a second time, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call profane.’ 16This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven.

17 Now while Peter was greatly puzzled about what to make of the vision that he had seen, suddenly the men sent by Cornelius appeared. They were asking for Simon’s house and were standing by the gate. 18They called out to ask whether Simon, who was called Peter, was staying there. 19While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Look, three men are searching for you. 20Now get up, go down, and go with them without hesitation; for I have sent them.’ 21So Peter went down to the men and said, ‘I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for your coming?’ 22They answered, ‘Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.’ 23So Peter invited them in and gave them lodging.

The next day he got up and went with them, and some of the believers from Joppa accompanied him. 24The following day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25On Peter’s arrival Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, worshipped him. 26But Peter made him get up, saying, ‘Stand up; I am only a mortal.’ 27And as he talked with him, he went in and found that many had assembled; 28and he said to them, ‘You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. 29So when I was sent for, I came without objection. Now may I ask why you sent for me?’

30 Cornelius replied, ‘Four days ago at this very hour, at three o’clock, I was praying in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling clothes stood before me. 31He said, “Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon, who is called Peter; he is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.” 33Therefore I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. So now all of us are here in the presence of God to listen to all that the Lord has commanded you to say.’

Gentiles Hear the Good News

34 Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’

Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit

44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, 46for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, 47‘Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ 48So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.