by Lon on December 21, 2009
Continuing our journey through the Gospel of John
19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was.
20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Christ.”
21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”
He said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
He answered, “No.”
22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ ”
24 Now some Pharisees who had been sent
25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know.
27 He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Who or what do people see when they see you? Do they mistake you for Christ?
It’s intriguing the way John did not allow himself to simply be categorized and instead when pressed chose to describe himself through a quote from Isaiah – ‘a voice of one calling in the desert’. What do you think he might mean by this?
Baptisms are not technically mentioned in the scriptures before this time, however it can be tied back to Jewish purification rites. Why of all the many rituals to draw from did John the Baptist choose baptizing with water?
by Lon on September 14, 2009
You can read the passage here
v2 “The islanders showed us unusual kindness” – what would it look like if followers of Jesus were known for ‘unusual kindness’?
v3-10 It’s amazing how quickly people’s responses change. They’re perception of Paul went from a guest, to a murderer, to a god. How do we stay resolutely faithful to Christ in the midst of people’s changing views of us?
v11-16 Paul finally arrives in Rome. “Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him” House arrest doesn’t sound so bad.
v17-30 He had to pay rent, and many came to visit him. He explains and declares the “kingdom of God”. Which I find fascinating because the book of Acts begins with Jesus and the disciples using the statement ‘kingdom of god’, but i’m not sure i hear it much after in Acts. It seems to be something lived out. And yet the book of Acts ends on this note as well.
The book of Acts is book-ended by this pronouncement of the “Kingdom of God” and it’s King. That concludes our journey through Acts. What did you learn? What were you surprised to find out? Were you surprised by anything that wasn’t mentioned in the early church? What does it all say about how we ought to be living out the kingdom as a community?
by pomankwan on September 7, 2009
I totally agree with J. I. Packer’ s saying on the biggest challenge for Christian ministers in the 21st century. He said: “I think every minister must insist that each member of his congregation be involved in ministry. Then the local church can become a body of serving people and united as a team of ministers. We have too many people who say, ‘I support the church with my money, and I’m there on Sunday. What more do you want of me?’ The answer of course is, ‘We want a great deal more of you! Have you awakened to the fact that you are in ministry? Are you trying to take responsibility to help someone else move forward spiritually?’ …. everyone has a spiritual ministry to and responsibility for other people.””
By: J. I. Packer, Source: Reformed Theological Seminary newsletter, Spring 1999, pg. 10-11
Do you think our community is facing the same challenge?
by Lon on September 7, 2009
You can read the passage here
v1-3 It still amazes me how this is real history that we’re reading about and it’s not some imaginary fairy world. The places mentioned are real tangible locations that are around today… italy, asia, cypress, etc.
v9 Why had sailing become difficult because it was ‘after the Fast’? Were they drained of energy or was something else going on?
v10 “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” Probably not what you want to hear. Do you see signs of pending disaster in your life, our community, our city?
v21 Paul says I told you so.
v30 In an attempt to escape the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down… how often have you wanted to escape from God’s plans for you… especially when there are difficulties ahead?
v43 Why is it that after they had landed – the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life?
by Lon on September 1, 2009
Read the passage here
- Paul takes another opportunity to share his story
- Paul – “Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?” – I find philosophically believing this an obvious conclusion – seeing the miraculous is a completely different story.
- On his road to Damascus story – ‘everyone ‘fell to the ground’ – I wonder if this will be akin to what it says in Philippians about how every knee shall bow?
- Festus – “Your great learning is driving you insane” – Has anyone ever said this to you?
- v28-29 – Paul does not stop short of desiring the King to follow Christ, but goes on to declare his hope for all people
What conversations about your life and faith have you had lately with others?
What are your hopes and intentions when you engage others?
by pomankwan on August 30, 2009
My ex–boss of my age has been diagnosed with lymphoma in early spring. After a series of chemotherapy, she is gradually recovering. She shared her difficult moments of life with me in the email saying her journey was not only full of pain, loneness, grief, sadness but also grace, hope, and comfort. I thank her for telling me how God’s grace came upon you. She reminded me of 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.
Her experience helped me to understand that our very weakness allows the resurrection power of Christ to strengthen us moment by moment. Our troubles should not diminish our faith or disillusion us. We should realize that there is a purpose in our suffering. In the eyes of God, our problems and human limitations are different from our perception.
Philip Yancey in “Where Is God When It Hurts?” broadened the list of “advantages to being poor” (written by a Catholic nun named Monica Hellwig) to include all who suffer.
1. The poor know they are in urgent need of redemption.
2. The poor know not only their dependence on God and on powerful people but also their interdependence with one another.
3. The poor rest their security not on things but on people.
4. The poor have no exaggerated sense of their own importance, and no exaggerated need of privacy.
5. The poor expect little from competition and much from cooperation.
6. The poor can distinguish between necessities and luxuries.
7. The poor can wait, because they have acquired a kind of dogged patience born of acknowledged dependence.
May we all have the spiritual gain through our weaknesses and suffering. Our ultimate hope when we are experiencing terrible illness, persecution, or pain is the realization that this life is not our destination. I believe that with my ex-boss’s blessings from God through all resources and networking, she can help more people who are suffering. May we gain the same spiritual insight in our suffering. This is also the mission of Christ.
by Lon on August 18, 2009
Read the passage here
Paul is found on trial here before governor Felix. The high priest and his lawyer (already an interesting combination) are accusing Paul of stirring up riots. Paul loosely defends himself, and stays centered on the opportunity of sharing his faith in Christ and his hope in the resurrection.
It’s interesting how he states that he has ‘the same hope in God as these men’. There’s something Christ-like about being able to find common ground.
But as the story goes, sometimes you’re just left hanging. Paul is left in prison as Felix stalls on a decision for two years. No release. No resolution. Just left waiting.
What about you?
Read the entire passage here
- the spirit of God urged others to tell Paul not to go to Jerusalem – Paul chose to disagree with their pleas… interesting.
- “there on the beach we knelt to pray” – i never noticed this before – what a beautiful scene
- Paul might be ‘free in christ’ but he still adapted himself to customs and traditions
- Paul says he is ‘a citizen of no ordinary city’ – another phrase that fascinates me for some reason…
