TEXT: ‘Many godly Jews were in Jerusalem that day for the religious celebrations, having arrived from many nations’ – Acts 2:5 TLB THOUGHT: Acts Chapter 2 records the historic Day of Pentecost when God filled the disciples with the Holy Spirit and they ran out into the streets of Jerusalem speaking in other languages the praises of God. The crowd that quickly gathered were amazed at what happened. The Bible heading for these verses is, “The Crowd’s Response”. Today’s Teaching highlights four responses and reactions that happened on that day which are still being repeated throughout the world. They were confused – ‘And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language’ – Acts 2:6 True Christianity does confuse people. It does not concentrate on rules and religious practices but a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ. Nor does it promote doing the best one can in order to please God, for it labels everyone a sinner but teaches that everyone can be saved. No more uncertainty of faith because Christians know their sins are forgiven and they have eternal life! For religious people like the Jews, the fact that works are not enough is confusing as is God...
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TEXT: ‘But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John’ – Numbers 11:23 NLT. THOUGHT: Why? One of the most common questions Christians ask. Why has God not healed me? Why has He not answered my prayer? I know the Bible promises it, so why have I not received it? Zacharias and Elizabeth would have asked similar questions concerning her barrenness. They knew the scriptures and promises of God but no answer came concerning their prayer for a child. Yet all that changed when one ordinary day became extra-ordinary. An angel appeared to Zacharias while he was doing his priestly duties announcing that God had heard their prayer. Elizabeth was going to have a baby who would be the forerunner of the Messiah. Let’s look into the background of this amazing encounter. 1. Delay had not initially dampened their faith They had history on their side, for their nation had started from those who found it impossible to bear children. Abraham had a twenty-five year battle over Sarah’s barrenness before she conceived. Isaac had to intercede for Rebekah and Jacob did the same for Rachel. The founding fathers all prayed...
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TEXT: ‘”Is there a limit to My power?” the Lord answered. “You will soon see whether what I have said will happen or not”’ – Numbers 11:23 GNT. THOUGHT: The gospels record Jesus commending someone’s great faith only on two occasions – the Centurion and the Syro-Phoenician woman. Remarkably both were Gentiles and outside of any right to the promises of God; both came to Jesus on behalf of someone else and both were rewarded according to their faith. Why do God’s people often display a lack of faith when in need or when the going is tough? Our text is God’s reply to Moses’ frustrations and doubts. What were the events that had led up to this statement? The Problem with God’s People They were comparing present life in the desert to what they once had They remembered Egypt’s meat, fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic but all they had in the wilderness was manna! They were complaining Manna was God’s miraculous daily provision. At times even the water was supernaturally supplied from a rock. Yet it was not enough, for later on they even said, ‘“Our soul loathes this worthless bread (Manna)”’ – Numbers 21:15. They were crying Just like spoilt children. No faith anticipating the...
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TEXT: ‘His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God”’ – John 16:29-30. THOUGHT: Part 1 in this teaching was about, “Who Jesus really is”. Part 2 concentrated on, “What is required once we have believed in Jesus as our personal Saviour”. In this third teaching we will study, “What Jesus will do for you”, particularly in response to your faith. Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath? – Matthew 12:9-14 Attending a synagogue, Jesus was asked this question. Watch out when the religious try to make their rules more important than your welfare. It is crazy when religion would rather have you stay sick than be healed through your new-found faith in Jesus. In response to this question, Jesus pointed out that people would care for their animals if they fell into a pit, even if it was on the Sabbath but a person was much more valuable. Then He healed the man with a withered arm. Instead of rejoicing over a wonderful miracle, it only inflamed the Pharisees’ hatred of Jesus and...
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TEXT: ‘His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God”’ – John 16:29-30. THOUGHT: Part 1 is about questions people asked trying to discover who Jesus really is. Christianity is about a person, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote in his epistle to the Philippian Christians, ‘That I may know Him’. He counted the knowledge of everything else inferior compared to the excellence of the knowledge of Christ’ – Philippians 3:8-10. When people, including His own disciples asked questions, Jesus showed them what is expected of anyone who follows Him. It is both demanding but doable! Part 2 helps us to understand what is required once we have believed in Jesus as our personal Saviour. Who is my neighbour? – Luke 10:29 A man came to Jesus with the question, ‘What shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus invited him to answer his own question and he replied, ‘Love God and love your neighbour as yourself’. Jesus commended his answer. Then, wanting to justify himself, the man asked, ‘And who is my...
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