Week of 4/14-4/20: New God Indwells His Covenant People

Day Three: Acts 2:37-42 When they heard this, they came under deep conviction and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: “Brothers, what must we do?” “Repent,” Peter said to them, “and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” And with many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt generation!” So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers.

A GROUP OF COLLEGE STUDENTS was driving from Virginia to Florida. At 2 a.m.near Jacksonville, Fla., the driver of the car mistakenly took an exit that headed west toward Alabama. An hour later one of the passengers noticed the car was headed in the wrong direction and began to freak out.

“You’re taking us the wrong way. We want Florida, not Alabama!” The driver offered a few pitiful excuses, which were quickly met with sarcastic comments from the passengers. Thankfully, the decision was then made to turn the car around.

You would probably think someone was crazy if they were driving a road into Alabama, yet said, “Don’t worry; I know this road ends in Alabama, but I am pretty sure we’ll end up in Florida.” That doesn’t even make sense!

Ironically, many people believe they can live how they want to in this life and still end up in heaven. They feel that even though they have never given God a second thought that they should still be in eternity with Him.

The truth is that salvation requires a change of direction. It is not sufficient to say, “I know I need to turn around to get to Florida”. You actually have to turn the car around. In the same way, it isn’t sufficient to say, “I know I sin” and not turn your life around.

Repentance is just that: turning from your sin 180 degrees and turning to God. It’s more than just admitting you’ve sinned. “I am sorry I sinned, but I will keep doing my thing” is not repentance. That’s a cheap shot at an apology. Repentance means begging God for forgiveness then walking away from sin. It does not mean you’re perfect and that you will not sin; however, it does mean that you are now walking with God and His direction.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷Has there been a time in your life when you “changed direction” and gave your life to Jesus?

▷▷If you have given your life to Jesus, how does your life look now compared to before?

▷▷Take a moment and pray for your friends who need to give their lives to Jesus.

Week of 4/7-4/13: The Resurrection and Exaltation of King Jesus

Day One: Luke 24:1-8 “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. ‘Why are you looking for the living among the dead?’ asked the men. ‘He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, “The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day”?’ And they remembered His words.”

I SOMETIMES GET ACCUSED of having selective hearing. This accusation most frequently comes from my wife. She will ask me a question and I will respond. But by the time she walks away, I often completely forget the question she asked me! I always hear my wife’s voice, but I don’t process and comprehend the words that are spoken.

Does this ever happen to you? A parent or a teacher tells you something important, you hear them speak to you, but the statement doesn’t really sink in? Maybe you even answer, but five minutes later you completely forget the conversation ever happened?

For whatever reason, we all have conversations sometimes. You may even say that we often only “hear what we want to hear.” It seems like the disciples and the women experienced this same “hear what they want to hear” phenomenon when Jesus would speak about the end of His time on earth. He repeatedly told them about His death and resurrection, but they were still shocked when these events actually came to pass.

What would make the people around Jesus hear His words but not actually comprehend his message? Perhaps it was just too difficult to fathom until the events actually occurred.

Once the resurrection took place, the disciples and the women were able to connect the dots in their hearts and minds. Many people today grow up hearing about Jesus. But, like the disciples and women before the resurrection, they let the teachings of Jesus go in one ear and out the other. We can’t be one of those people! The teachings of Jesus cannot be viewed as some nugget of information to be filed away. The teachings of Jesus must be understood as foundation for living on mission for God!

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷What does the phrase, “you only hear what you want to hear” mean?

▷▷Does this phrase ever describe you? Why or why not?

▷▷How can we ensure that we both hear and comprehend the teachings of Jesus?

Week of 4/7-4/13: His Life - The Resurrection and Exaltation of King Jesus

Day Two: Luke 24:36-49 “And as they were saying these things, He Himself stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace to you!’ But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. ‘Why are you troubled?’ He asked them. ‘And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself! Touch Me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.’ Having said this, He showed them His hands and feet. But while they still were amazed and unbelieving because of their joy, He asked them, ‘Do you have anything here to eat?’ So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish, and He took it and ate in their presence. Then He told them, ‘These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. He also said to them, ‘This is what is written: The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day, and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And look, I am sending you what My Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.’”

I OFTEN GET AN ADRENALINE RUSH just by watching commercials for the armed forces.It doesn’t matter which branch of the services is being promoted: Marines, Army, Navy or Airforce. All of the commercials are inspiring and make me want to join!

There was a recent movie that followed the missions of one of the elite groups of the armed forces. It painted an amazing picture of the elite skills these men posses. As much as I would like to think that I could be a part of one of these groups, I know that I don’t have what it takes. These groups only take the best of the best.

This is the way that Jesus chose His special forces group, right? Didn’t Jesus only pick the best of the best to be His disciples? By no means!

After the resurrection Jesus appeared before his disciples and some still doubted. These are supposed to be the best of the best and they don’t even fully believe when Jesus is standing next to them!

There are no “best of the best” in Christ. We are all deficient in some way. Yet in spite of our shortcomings, Christ chooses to bless us and use us for His service. We don’t have to be in an elite group, we just have to receive His forgiveness!

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷Why do we often think that Christ is looking for the “best of the best”?

▷▷In reality, what is Christ looking for?

▷▷How do we become faithful servants of Christ?

Week of 4/7-4/13: His Life - The Resurrection and Exaltation of King Jesus

Day Three: Luke 24:50-53 “Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them. And while He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven. After worshiping Him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they were continually in the temple complex praising God.”

GROWING UP, I never got used to seeing my dad leave for an out-of-town business trip. Nearly every time, he would leave early Monday morning and return late Friday evening. Despite the fact that this was a regular occurrence during my childhood, I never got used to saying goodbye can’t remember a single Monday morning where I saw my father off and immediately felt normal and happy. Every single departure was difficult.

Reflecting back on these emotions makes Jesus’ departure from his disciples very interesting to me. Jesus left them for good and they responded in a shocking manner: they were filled with great joy. How could they see their Master leave for good and still be filled with joy?

They were filled with great joy because they finally realized the magnitude of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension. Upon witnessing Christ’s ascension, the disciples were not only filled with great joy, but were firmly resolved to live on mission for God.

There is something about being wrapped up in a story bigger than yourself that brings joy. The disciples knew there was going to be exciting days ahead after Jesus’ ascension. They stood side-by-side with Jesus for three years, and only now did they finally gain an understanding of Jesus’ full purpose here on earth. He didn’t come to merely befriend the disciples or even to merely teach them the right way to live. He came to offer Himself as a sacrifice so that the disciples may have the opportunity to experience everlasting life.

Further, Christ expected the disciples to take that message of salvation, full of worship and great joy, to the ends of the earth. Those expectations have not subsided. Christ still expects His disciples to take the message of the gospel to the ends of the earth, with a sense of worship and great joy.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷Why are we often sad when a loved one departs from us?

▷▷Why were the disciples “filled with great joy” when Jesus departed from them?

▷▷How should the disciples response guide our thinking and actions regarding Christ’s ascension?

Week of 3/31-4/6: His Life - The Suffering King

Day One: Matthew 16:13-16, 21-24 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!”... From then on Jesus began to point out to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, “Oh no, Lord! This will never happen to You!” But He turned and told Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns, but man’s.” Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.

DO YOU KNOW THE FASTEST WAY TO get a ton of Facebook comments? Post something that takes a strong political or religious stand. If you were to post a status condemning abortion or endorsing a candidate for president, you’re almost guaranteed to start a heated discussion. You’ll probably have supporters on both sides of the issue quick to offer encouragement or to call you names. You’ll have people politely show you where they think you went wrong in your thinking and you’ll have others that are quick to come to your defense. The thing is, Facebook allows us to have an open public forum on just about any topic we choose.

Jesus conducted a brief public forum of His own. He polled His disciples by asking what the people they encountered thought of Him. People’s opinions of Jesus were quite high, and, like today, it seemed like everyone had something to say about Him!

The thing we must keep in mind with these hot-button issues is ultimately our opinions don’t matter. The only thing that really matters is that our belief corresponds with, or matches, reality. Jesus wasn’t concerned with being popular or having a high approval rating. Jesus was concerned that the people’s opinion of Him matched the reality that He is the Messiah.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷How do you think the world would describe Jesus?

▷▷How would you describe Jesus?

▷▷How do you know which of these descriptions is better?

▷▷How can ensure our understanding of Jesus matches the reality of who Jesus is?

Week of 3/31-4/6: His Life - The Suffering King

Day Two: Matthew 26:26-29 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take and eat it; this is My body.” Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood that establishes the covenant; it is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins. But I tell you, from this moment I will not drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new way in My Father’s kingdom with you.”

I GREW UP IN A SMALL NORTH TEXAS town where sports is kingpin began my athletic career at the ripe old age of 5.The first organized sport I played was tee-ball, which is similar to baseball. The difference is the ball is placed on a tee, instead of being pitched by the opposing team

I vividly remember one of the first lessons I learned in tee-ball: “Get your body in front of the ball!” This means that it’s not good enough to simply stick your glove out and hope the ball lands in it.Instead; we were taught that we had to place our entire bodies in the path of the ball. Why, you may ask? So that if we happened to miss the ball with our glove, our body would stop the ball, and we’d prevent the opposing team from gaining extra basest put it another way, we were taught that we had to sacrifice our bodies for the sake of the team.

This same lesson was reinforced as my athletic horizons expanded. In high school, my basketball coach devised something he called “blood drills.” This consisted of the player starting on the baseline. The coach would roll the ball in the opposite direction, and the player would have to run and slide to get the ball. Then, the player would dribble back to the basket, only to find another coach waiting with a big blocking pad trying to prevent an easy lay-up. After these workouts, we all huddled in the locker room to compare court burns!

The purpose of the “blood drills” was the same as the lesson taught in tee-ball: You must sacrifice your body for the sake of the team. Interestingly, this is similar to what Jesus has already done on our account. At the last supper, Jesus explicitly told the disciples that He was sacrificing His body and His blood for the sake of humanity. While we sacrifice our bodies in small, insignificant ways, Christ gave the ultimate sacrifice. And with that ultimate sacrifice came complete and total victory over sin!

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷Why did Jesus sacrifice His body and His blood?

▷▷What benefits do we receive as a result of Jesus’ sacrifice?

▷▷How should Jesus’ sacrifice affect the way we live out our lives on a day-to-day basis?

Week of 3/31-4/6: His Life - The Suffering King

Day Three: Matthew 27:45-50 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over the whole land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling for Elijah!” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, fixed it on a reed, and offered Him a drink. But the rest said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to save Him!” Jesus shouted again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit.

I REMEMBER A CERTAIN TOY STORE in a mall my parents took me to when I was younger. This store was awesome! It was full of displays and demonstrations’ went from toy to toy, being totally engrossed in the experience.

As a kid it was easy to get lost in my own little world playing with the fun and unique displays. Unfortunately, for me, “getting lost” extended into physical realm as well. In the midst of my intense play session, I somehow got separated from my parents’ vividly remember the terror of finally realizing that my parents were no longer by my side felt completely alone and helpless. While in reality my parents found me in a few short minutes, those few minutes felt like forever!

I would not wish the fear I experienced during those moments on my worst enemy. Amazingly, Jesus willingly went to the cross where He took the sin of the world on Himself causing the Father turn his face away. For the first and only time in His life, Jesus experienced His father’s absence. Even though this experience lasted just for a short time, it probably felt like an eternity for Jesus.

This truth is vitally important to us. Now, because Christ took on the sins of those who put their faith in Him, we never have to be separated from the Father. The gospel tells us that Jesus took the punishment and wrath of God on our behalf. Now, we are able to rejoice in the fact that we can not only have a relationship with the creator of the universe, but we never have to worry about the terror of lostness again!

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷Why is the feeling of “lostness” so terrifying?

▷▷What is significant about Jesus experiencing this feeling of “lostness” when suffering on the cross?

▷▷How has Jesus defeated and overcome “lostness” in the world?