Too Small a God to Worship

“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’”

1 CORINTHIANS 2:7-9

 

PONDER THIS

I’m not trying to prove to you that Jesus is the Messiah. True faith is rooted in evidence, but it goes beyond evidence; true faith becomes its own best evidence. We can’t find God based on human reasoning. Nothing will hold anything beyond its own capacity. Do you think you can cram God into your mind? Your mind doesn’t have the capacity to contain God. So, don’t try to eliminate God because you don’t understand Him.

To have a God that I can worship, He must be a God greater than my mentality. If I could understand God, God would be no bigger than my intellect, which is far too small a god for me to worship. If we could understand God, we wouldn’t need God, but we don’t have to understand Him to know Him.

When I was a little boy, my dad used to go off to work. I didn’t know where he went, nor what he did, but I knew he was my dad; I knew him personally; and I loved him. You don’t have to understand how God runs the mighty Universe to put your faith and trust in Him. I’m telling you by faith you can know the Lord Jesus Christ.

When have you tried to understand God and His ways? What happened?

How have you seen God at work in some of the ways you couldn’t understand at the time?

PRACTICE THIS

Go to a place in nature that reminds you that God is bigger than you and bigger than anything you can understand. Sit for a while, praying and praising God.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Christmas Solidarity

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8)

The assembly line of Satan turns out millions of sins every day. He packs them into huge cargo planes and flies them to heaven and spreads them out before God and laughs and laughs and laughs.

Some people work full-time on the assembly line. Others have quit their jobs there and only now and then return.

Every minute of work on the assembly line makes God the laughingstock of Satan. Sin is Satan’s business because he hates the light and beauty and purity and glory of God. Nothing pleases him more than when creatures distrust and disobey their Maker.

Therefore, Christmas is good news for man and good news for God.

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). That’s good news for us.

“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). That is also good news for God.

Christmas is good news for God because Jesus has come to lead a strike at Satan’s assembly plant. He has walked right into the plant, called for the Solidarity of the faithful, and begun a massive walkout.

Christmas is a call to go on strike at the assembly plant of sin. No negotiations with the management. No bargaining. Just single-minded, unswerving opposition to the product. We won’t be a part of making it anymore.

Christmas Solidarity aims to ground the cargo planes. It will not use force or violence, but with relentless devotion to Truth it will expose the life-destroying conditions of the devil’s industry.

Christmas Solidarity will not give up until a complete shutdown has been achieved.

When sin has been destroyed, God’s name will be wholly exonerated. No one will be laughing anymore.

If you want to give a gift to God this Christmas, walk off the assembly line of sin and don’t go back. Take up your place in the picket line of love. Join Christmas Solidarity until the majestic name of God is cleared, and he stands glorious amid the accolades of the righteous.

John Piper 

December 20

John 20:1-9

The Resurrection

[1] Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. [2] So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” [3] So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. [4] Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. [5] And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. [6] Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, [7] and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. [8] Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; [9] for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

Revelation 17

The Great Prostitute and the Beast

[1] Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, [2] with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.” [3] And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. [4] The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. [5] And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” [6] And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. 

When I saw her, I marveled greatly.  [7] But the angel said to me, “Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her. [8] The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come. [9] This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated; [10] they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while. [11] As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction. [12] And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast. [13] These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast. [14] They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

[15] And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages. [16] And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire, [17] for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. [18] And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.”

Job 38:22-41

    [22] “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow,

        or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, 

    [23] which I have reserved for the time of trouble,

        for the day of battle and war? 

    [24] What is the way to the place where the light is distributed,

        or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth?

    [25] “Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain

        and a way for the thunderbolt, 

    [26] to bring rain on a land where no man is,

        on the desert in which there is no man, 

    [27] to satisfy the waste and desolate land,

        and to make the ground sprout with grass?

    [28] “Has the rain a father,

        or who has begotten the drops of dew? 

    [29] From whose womb did the ice come forth,

        and who has given birth to the frost of heaven? 

    [30] The waters become hard like stone,

        and the face of the deep is frozen.

    [31] “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades

        or loose the cords of Orion? 

    [32] Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season,

        or can you guide the Bear with its children? 

    [33] Do you know the ordinances of the heavens?

        Can you establish their rule on the earth?

    [34] “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,

        that a flood of waters may cover you? 

    [35] Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go

        and say to you, ‘Here we are’? 

    [36] Who has put wisdom in the inward parts

        or given understanding to the mind? 

    [37] Who can number the clouds by wisdom?

        Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens, 

    [38] when the dust runs into a mass

        and the clods stick fast together?

    [39] “Can you hunt the prey for the lion,

        or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, 

    [40] when they crouch in their dens

        or lie in wait in their thicket? 

    [41] Who provides for the raven its prey,

        when its young ones cry to God for help,

        and wander about for lack of food?

Zephaniah 3

Judgment on Jerusalem and the Nations

    [1] Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled,

        the oppressing city! 

    [2] She listens to no voice;

        she accepts no correction.

    She does not trust in the LORD;

        she does not draw near to her God.

    [3] Her officials within her

        are roaring lions;

    her judges are evening wolves

        that leave nothing till the morning. 

    [4] Her prophets are fickle, treacherous men;

    her priests profane what is holy;

        they do violence to the law. 

    [5] The LORD within her is righteous;

        he does no injustice;

    every morning he shows forth his justice;

        each dawn he does not fail;

        but the unjust knows no shame.

    [6] “I have cut off nations;

        their battlements are in ruins;

    I have laid waste their streets

        so that no one walks in them;

    their cities have been made desolate,

        without a man, without an inhabitant. 

    [7] I said, ‘Surely you will fear me;

        you will accept correction.

    Then your dwelling would not be cut off

        according to all that I have appointed against you.’

    But all the more they were eager

        to make all their deeds corrupt.

    [8] “Therefore wait for me,” declares the LORD,

        “for the day when I rise up to seize the prey.

    For my decision is to gather nations,

        to assemble kingdoms,

    to pour out upon them my indignation,

        all my burning anger;

    for in the fire of my jealousy

        all the earth shall be consumed.

    The Conversion of the Nations

    [9] “For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples

        to a pure speech,

    that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD

        and serve him with one accord. 

    [10] From beyond the rivers of Cush

        my worshipers, the daughter of my dispersed ones,

        shall bring my offering.

    [11] “On that day you shall not be put to shame

        because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me;

    for then I will remove from your midst

        your proudly exultant ones,

    and you shall no longer be haughty

        in my holy mountain. 

    [12] But I will leave in your midst

        a people humble and lowly.

    They shall seek refuge in the name of the LORD, 

    [13]     those who are left in Israel;

    they shall do no injustice

        and speak no lies,

    nor shall there be found in their mouth

        a deceitful tongue.

    For they shall graze and lie down,

        and none shall make them afraid.”

    Israel’s Joy and Restoration

    [14] Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;

        shout, O Israel!

    Rejoice and exult with all your heart,

        O daughter of Jerusalem! 

    [15] The LORD has taken away the judgments against you;

        he has cleared away your enemies.

    The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst;

        you shall never again fear evil. 

    [16] On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:

    “Fear not, O Zion;

        let not your hands grow weak. 

    [17] The LORD your God is in your midst,

        a mighty one who will save;

    he will rejoice over you with gladness;

        he will quiet you by his love;

    he will exult over you with loud singing. 

    [18] I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival,

        so that you will no longer suffer reproach. 

    [19] Behold, at that time I will deal

        with all your oppressors.

    And I will save the lame

        and gather the outcast,

    and I will change their shame into praise

        and renown in all the earth. 

    [20] At that time I will bring you in,

        at the time when I gather you together;

    for I will make you renowned and praised

        among all the peoples of the earth,

    when I restore your fortunes

        before your eyes,” says the LORD.

Unlock the Mysteries

“‘To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.’”

ACTS 10:43

 

PONDER THIS

Would you like to understand the Old Testament? Well, there is a master key that unlocks the mysteries of the Old Testament: the Lord Jesus Christ. If you find a Christocentric approach to the Old Testament, it will burst into flame in your hands. As a matter of fact, if you read the Old Testament and you don’t find Jesus, you need to go back and reread it because you missed the message. The Old Testament is about the Lord Jesus Christ.

When people were challenging Jesus about His authenticity and His Messiahship, He looked them straight in the eye and said, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39). When Jesus Christ said that, the New Testament as we know it didn’t exist. It was being formed, but it was not yet written. He was talking about the Old Testament.

Without Jesus, the Old Testament is a list of unexplained ceremonies that won’t make sense. If you try to live by the Old Testament without the Lord Jesus Christ, you will not make it. If you try to read the Old Testament without Him as your lens, you are missing God there.

Have you ever tried to read the Old Testament? What did you learn?

Why do you think there sometimes seems to be a disconnect between the Old Testament and the New Testament?

PRACTICE THIS

Praise God for He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Christmas Is for Freedom

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. (Hebrews 2:14–15)

Jesus became man because what was needed was the death of a man who was more than man. The incarnation was God’s locking himself into death row.

Christ did not risk death. He chose death. He embraced it. That is precisely why he came: “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

No wonder Satan tried to turn Jesus from the cross — in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11) and in the mouth of Peter (Matthew 16:21–23)! The cross was Satan’s destruction. How did Jesus destroy him?

Hebrews 2:14 says that Satan has “the power of death.” That means Satan has the ability to make death fearful. “The power of death” is the power that holds men in bondage through fear of death. It is the power to keep men in sin so that death comes as a dreadful thing.

But Jesus stripped Satan of this power. He disarmed him. He molded a breastplate of righteousness for us that makes us immune to the devil’s condemnation. How did he do this?

By his death, Jesus wiped away all our sins. And a person without sin cannot be condemned by Satan. Forgiven, we are finally indestructible. Satan’s plan was to destroy God’s rule by condemning God’s followers in God’s own courtroom. But now, in Christ, there is no condemnation. Satan’s treason is aborted. His cosmic treachery is foiled. “His rage we can endure, for, lo, his doom is sure.” The cross has run him through. And he will gasp his last before long.

Christmas is for freedom. Freedom from the fear of death.

Jesus took our nature in Bethlehem, to die our death in Jerusalem — all that we might be fearless in our city today. Yes, fearless. Because if the biggest threat to my joy is gone, then why should I fret over the little ones? How can you say (really!), “Well, I’m not afraid to die but I’m afraid to lose my job”? No. No. Think!

If death (I said, death! — no pulse, cold, gone!) if death is no longer a fear, we’re free, really free. Free to take any risk under the sun for Christ and for love. No more enslavement to anxiety.

If the Son has set you free, you shall be free, indeed!

John Piper 

December 19

John 19:38-42

Jesus Is Buried

[38] After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. [39] Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. [40] So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. [41] Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. [42] So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

Revelation 16

The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath

[1] Then I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.”

[2] So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.

[3] The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became like the blood of a corpse, and every living thing died that was in the sea.

[4] The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. [5] And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, 

    “Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was,

        for you brought these judgments. 

    [6] For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets,

        and you have given them blood to drink.

    It is what they deserve!”

    [7] And I heard the altar saying, 

    “Yes, Lord God the Almighty,

        true and just are your judgments!”

    [8] The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire. [9] They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.

[10] The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish [11] and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds.

[12] The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east. [13] And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. [14] For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. [15] (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”) [16] And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

The Seventh Bowl

[17] The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” [18] And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. [19] The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. [20] And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found. [21] And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe.

Job 38:1-21

The LORD Answers Job

[1] Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

    [2] “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 

    [3] Dress for action like a man;

        I will question you, and you make it known to me.

    [4] “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

        Tell me, if you have understanding. 

    [5] Who determined its measurements—surely you know!

        Or who stretched the line upon it? 

    [6] On what were its bases sunk,

        or who laid its cornerstone, 

    [7] when the morning stars sang together

        and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

    [8] “Or who shut in the sea with doors

        when it burst out from the womb, 

    [9] when I made clouds its garment

        and thick darkness its swaddling band, 

    [10] and prescribed limits for it

        and set bars and doors, 

    [11] and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,

        and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?

    [12] “Have you commanded the morning since your days began,

        and caused the dawn to know its place, 

    [13] that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth,

        and the wicked be shaken out of it? 

    [14] It is changed like clay under the seal,

        and its features stand out like a garment. 

    [15] From the wicked their light is withheld,

        and their uplifted arm is broken.

    [16] “Have you entered into the springs of the sea,

        or walked in the recesses of the deep? 

    [17] Have the gates of death been revealed to you,

        or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? 

    [18] Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth?

        Declare, if you know all this.

    [19] “Where is the way to the dwelling of light,

        and where is the place of darkness, 

    [20] that you may take it to its territory

        and that you may discern the paths to its home? 

    [21] You know, for you were born then,

        and the number of your days is great!

Zephaniah 1

[1] The word of the LORD that came to Zephaniah the son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.

The Coming Judgment on Judah

    [2] “I will utterly sweep away everything

        from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD. 

    [3] “I will sweep away man and beast;

        I will sweep away the birds of the heavens

        and the fish of the sea,

    and the rubble with the wicked.

        I will cut off mankind

        from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD. 

    [4] “I will stretch out my hand against Judah

        and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem;

    and I will cut off from this place the remnant of Baal

        and the name of the idolatrous priests along with the priests, 

    [5] those who bow down on the roofs

        to the host of the heavens,

    those who bow down and swear to the LORD

        and yet swear by Milcom, 

    [6] those who have turned back from following the LORD,

        who do not seek the LORD or inquire of him.”

    The Day of the LORD Is Near

    [7] Be silent before the Lord GOD!

        For the day of the LORD is near;

    the LORD has prepared a sacrifice

        and consecrated his guests. 

    [8] And on the day of the LORD’s sacrifice—

    “I will punish the officials and the king’s sons

        and all who array themselves in foreign attire. 

    [9] On that day I will punish

        everyone who leaps over the threshold,

    and those who fill their master’s house

        with violence and fraud.

    [10] “On that day,” declares the LORD,

        “a cry will be heard from the Fish Gate,

    a wail from the Second Quarter,

        a loud crash from the hills. 

    [11] Wail, O inhabitants of the Mortar!

        For all the traders are no more;

        all who weigh out silver are cut off. 

    [12] At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps,

        and I will punish the men

    who are complacent,

        those who say in their hearts,

    ‘The LORD will not do good,

        nor will he do ill.’ 

    [13] Their goods shall be plundered,

        and their houses laid waste.

    Though they build houses,

        they shall not inhabit them;

    though they plant vineyards,

        they shall not drink wine from them.”

    [14] The great day of the LORD is near,

        near and hastening fast;

    the sound of the day of the LORD is bitter;

        the mighty man cries aloud there. 

    [15] A day of wrath is that day,

        a day of distress and anguish,

    a day of ruin and devastation,

        a day of darkness and gloom,

    a day of clouds and thick darkness, 

    [16]     a day of trumpet blast and battle cry

    against the fortified cities

        and against the lofty battlements.

    [17] I will bring distress on mankind,

        so that they shall walk like the blind,

        because they have sinned against the LORD;

    their blood shall be poured out like dust,

        and their flesh like dung. 

    [18] Neither their silver nor their gold

        shall be able to deliver them

        on the day of the wrath of the LORD.

    In the fire of his jealousy,

        all the earth shall be consumed;

    for a full and sudden end

        he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.

Zephaniah 2

Judgment on Judah’s Enemies

    [1] Gather together, yes, gather,

        O shameless nation, 

    [2] before the decree takes effect

        —before the day passes away like chaff—

    before there comes upon you

        the burning anger of the LORD,

    before there comes upon you

        the day of the anger of the LORD. 

    [3] Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land,

        who do his just commands;

    seek righteousness; seek humility;

        perhaps you may be hidden

        on the day of the anger of the LORD. 

    [4] For Gaza shall be deserted,

        and Ashkelon shall become a desolation;

    Ashdod’s people shall be driven out at noon,

        and Ekron shall be uprooted.

    [5] Woe to you inhabitants of the seacoast,

        you nation of the Cherethites!

    The word of the LORD is against you,

        O Canaan, land of the Philistines;

        and I will destroy you until no inhabitant is left. 

    [6] And you, O seacoast, shall be pastures,

        with meadows for shepherds

        and folds for flocks. 

    [7] The seacoast shall become the possession

        of the remnant of the house of Judah,

        on which they shall graze,

    and in the houses of Ashkelon

        they shall lie down at evening.

    For the LORD their God will be mindful of them

        and restore their fortunes.

    [8] “I have heard the taunts of Moab

        and the revilings of the Ammonites,

    how they have taunted my people

        and made boasts against their territory. 

    [9] Therefore, as I live,” declares the LORD of hosts,

        the God of Israel,

    “Moab shall become like Sodom,

        and the Ammonites like Gomorrah,

    a land possessed by nettles and salt pits,

        and a waste forever.

    The remnant of my people shall plunder them,

        and the survivors of my nation shall possess them.” 

    [10] This shall be their lot in return for their pride,

        because they taunted and boasted

        against the people of the LORD of hosts. 

    [11] The LORD will be awesome against them;

        for he will famish all the gods of the earth,

    and to him shall bow down,

        each in its place,

        all the lands of the nations.

    [12] You also, O Cushites,

        shall be slain by my sword.

    [13] And he will stretch out his hand against the north

        and destroy Assyria,

    and he will make Nineveh a desolation,

        a dry waste like the desert. 

    [14] Herds shall lie down in her midst,

        all kinds of beasts;

    even the owl and the hedgehog

        shall lodge in her capitals;

    a voice shall hoot in the window;

        devastation will be on the threshold;

        for her cedar work will be laid bare. 

    [15] This is the exultant city

        that lived securely,

    that said in her heart,

        “I am, and there is no one else.”

    What a desolation she has become,

        a lair for wild beasts!

    Everyone who passes by her

        hisses and shakes his fist.

The Glue That Holds the Church Together

“And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.” ACTS 10:39-42

 

PONDER THIS

There must be the personal confidence when you start to share your faith. If you’re not sure about your own faith, you’re not going to make a soul winner. Peter said, “We are witnesses of all things which He did.” That is a powerful statement! There is no reasonable way on earth to dispute the witness of these early apostles. You think about who was witnessing. These twelve apostles gave a united witness of what they’d seen and heard, saying, “We are eyewitnesses.”

They were a very different group of people with the same conclusion. Think about the category of persons. There was the Apostle John, who was young, observant, and philosophical. There was Peter, a loudmouth fisherman. There was Simon, who was a political zealot. Nathaniel and Thomas were somewhat skeptical. Matthew was a little dishonest in his business before he got saved. Andrew was kind and compassionate.

In the Body of Christ there are so many different kinds of people. What would happen if we went into a church and asked the question, “What holds you people together? How do you have this unity? Where does this spirit come from? What is the glue that holds the Church together?” Is it preferences? Is it race? Is it culture? No, it has been and always should be Jesus. We’re so different, but we need to come together in unity around the One we know and worship.

Do you experience unity with the Body of Christ? Why or why not?

What gives you confidence in your faith? How do you share that with others?

PRACTICE THIS

Talk to a friend from church about what it looks like to have only Christ in common.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers