Finding God's Will

Acts 1:15-26

15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said,

16 "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.

17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry."

18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.

19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

20 "For it is written in the Book of Psalms, "'May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it'; and "'Let another take his office.' 

21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us-one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection."

23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.

24 And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen

25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place."

26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

1. Make every decision in life in view of God’s plan of redemption. (Acts 1:15-26)

• What are the immediate ramifications for the gospel? (Mark 3:13-15; Acts 10:39-42; Ephesians 2:19-22; 4:11-16)

• What are the eternal ramifications for the gospel? (Matthew 19:28; Revelation 21:12-14)

2. Distinguish between God’s revealed will and God’s concealed will.

• God’s revealed will = stuff that IS in the Bible

• God’s concealed will = stuff that is NOT in the Bible

3. Always start with God’s revealed will.

• Trust the Bible as your authority. (Acts 1:16;

cf. John 17:12; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

• Let the Bible interpret your life. (Acts 1:16-20; cf. Psalm 69:25)

• Do what the Bible says. (Acts 1:20-22)

4. Look for God’s concealed will through the lens of God’s revealed will.

• Gather all the information. (Acts 1:23)

• Seek God in prayer. (Acts 1:24)

• Make sure your heart is right. (Acts 1:24)

• Trust in God’s sovereignty. (Acts 1:24-25; cf. 1 Chronicles 29:11-12)

• Make a decision and go with it! (Acts 1:26; cf. Psalm 37:3-5; Proverbs 16:33; 18:18)

Thanks Pastor Jim!

Born To Be Worshipped

3 responses to Jesus...

Matthew 2:1-12
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,
2 saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 "'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'" 
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him."
9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

1. Rebellion against Jesus
• We become threatened by him. (Matthew 2:1-3)
• We become hostile toward him. (Matthew 2:7-8,12; cf. 2:13-18)
2. Religion without Jesus
• We know the scripture but not the Savior. (Matthew 2:4-6)
• We have the answers but not the action. (Matthew 2:4-6)
3. Reverence for Jesus
• We diligently seek after him. (Matthew 2:1-2,9)
• We gladly rejoice in him. (Matthew 2:10)
• We humbly submit to him. (Matthew 2:11)
• We sacrificially give to him. (Matthew 2:11)
Thanks Jim!

BORN TO BE GOD

Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.

19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). 

24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,

25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Getting bogged down in the virgin birth...

1. The defense of the supernatural (Matthew 1:18-20)

2. The dilemma of Joseph (Matthew 1:18-20)

Getting the big deal of the virgin birth...

1. The virgin birth was necessary for God to be present

with us. (Matthew 1:22-23; cf. Genesis 49:10; 2 Samuel 7:13; Isaiah 7:14)

2. The virgin birth was necessary for us to be saved from our sins. (Matthew 1:20-21; cf. Genesis 3:15; Romans 5:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18)

3. The virgin birth was necessary for us to fulfill

our mission. (Matthew 1:22-23; cf. Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:46-49; John 20:21-23; Acts 1:8)

Thanks Jim!!

What Is Your Cross?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:27

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The cross not only saves us, but it continues to sanctify us. Have you read where Jesus said, “Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Mark 8:34b)?

Many people think that this means that our “cross” is a sickness, an unsaved spouse, or a cruel boss. However, a cross is not something that is forced upon you, over which you have no choice. A cross is something you willingly take up.

Jesus willingly laid down His life. He calls us to do the same. 

ACTION POINT:

Your cross is when you willingly die to yourself. You do this by saying no to sin and self, and yes to Christ.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

The Greater Miracle

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“I, even I, am the LORD; and beside Me there is no Savior.” Isaiah 43:11

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

It takes more of God’s power to save a soul through the cross of Jesus than it does to do any other thing. God had no difficulty creating the universe. The Bible tells us He spoke and it was so. But when God wrote salvation’s story, He went to great difficulty. Let me illustrate.

What if I held a service and had the power to straighten a cripple’s legs or to bring sight to the blind? The next service would be standing room only. Now I certainly want God to heal, but let me suggest a different scene. What if I held a service and a little girl walked down the aisle and gave her heart to Jesus? That is a greater miracle than opening the eyes of the blind, because the Son of God had to hang on a cross in agony and blood to purchase her salvation! Jesus did not come as a great healer or teacher, He came as a Savior.

ACTION POINT:

Ask God today to give you the heavenly view—for the angels in heaven rejoice each time one lost person receives eternal life. This is the greatest miracle.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Faithfulness, Not Miracles

BIBLE MEDITATION:

 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.” Matthew 24:45-46

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

It is sinful for us to ask God to prove Himself by a miracle or sign, though I guess we have all done it.

When I was at Stetson University as a young boy having my quiet time in the prayer room, I asked God to move a chair from one side of the room to the other. I told him, “I already believe You and I don’t want to insult You, but what a confirmation it would be to my heart and life if You would just do this small miracle.” Isn’t that dumb?

I am so glad that God didn’t let the devil nudge that chair across that room and get me hooked on some kind of hocus-pocus. Jesus said that asking God for a sign, like this, is evidence of an evil, adulterous heart (see Matthew 12:39). Oh, that God would find us not looking for miracles but faithful in all we do in His name.

ACTION POINT:

Singer/songwriter Steve Green has sung, “May all who come behind us find us faithful.” Are those coming behind you looking ahead and finding an example in you? Are you faithful?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Complete Payment for Your Sin

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.” Romans 3:25

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Propitiation is a big word that means satisfaction. Because God is a holy God, His anger and justice burns against sin. And He has sworn that sin will be punished.

There must be a satisfactory payment for sin.  But God said, “If I punish man for his sin, man will die and go to hell. On the other hand, if I don’t punish man for his sin, My justice will never be satisfied.”

The solution? God said that He would become our substitute. He would take the sin of mankind upon Himself in agony and blood – a righteous judgment and substitute for sin. 

His wrath burned out on the cross when His only Son died as man’s propitiation for sin. And this is love (see 1 John 4:10).

ACTION POINT:

Question: What can you bring Jesus today to repay Him for what He has done for you? Answer: Nothing could suffice. But “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my ALL!”

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers