The Facebook Porch------ Wed April 14 2010 by Pastor Dave

THE FACEBOOK PORCH



Wednesday, April 14, 2010



The early followers of Jesus like to hang out in a public place called Solomon’s Porch. It was a public place located in the temple complex/campus where people passed by often. They debated there, had conversations there, and extended care in that setting. It was a 1st century gathering spot to “do ministry.”



For all the time people spend on Facebook, perhaps we can start to see that as a form of Solomon’s porch. A place to do more than just post pictures, play games, and tell the world what cereal we are eating. Facebook, if we can claim it, is a good venue for extending our Christian compassion and concern to others for it is a place where many gather daily.



At the Facebook “porch”, we can build up relationships. We can share an inspiring Bible passage on our profile. We can extend an invite or tell someone we are praying for them (or better yet. . . dare to write a prayer for them). We can be a presence with a purpose—seeking to enrich the lives of others, to build others up. That is really what the followers of Jesus were doing in the temple. Hanging out, talking, and seizing opportunities to share the faith in word and deed in a way that was timely. Those opportunities are there daily on Facebook just as they are in face to face encounters. We need to minister in both settings. See yourself as god’s representative on the Facebook Porch.







Today’s Text- Acts 3: 11- 4:5

11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s Portico, utterly astonished. 12When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, ‘You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. 14But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, 15and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.

17 ‘And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. 19Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, 20so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah appointed for you, that is, Jesus, 21who must remain in heaven until the time of universal restoration that God announced long ago through his holy prophets. 22Moses said, “The Lord your God will raise up for you from your own people a prophet like me. You must listen to whatever he tells you. 23And it will be that everyone who does not listen to that prophet will be utterly rooted out from the people.” 24And all the prophets, as many as have spoken, from Samuel and those after him, also predicted these days. 25You are the descendants of the prophets and of the covenant that God gave to your ancestors, saying to Abraham, “And in your descendants all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 26When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you, to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.’

Peter and John before the Council

4While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, 2much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. 3So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4But many of those who heard the word believed; and they numbered about five thousand.