I finished Acts today. Nothing really stuck out in regards to worship practices. One thing however that is admirable is Paul's devotion. In the last half of the book of Acts we see what was a religious zealot, eager to kill all Christians turn into a leader in the Church. I guess when people express concern about God not being able to "handle" their past you can point them to Paul.
Another aspect of Paul's life is in his devotion. This is no doubt a byproduct of his commitment to worshiping God. Several times he is beaten, whipped, and imprisoned but yet he never chooses to deny the name of Christ. That is bold faith.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Acts 7 - 16
In Acts 16 we read the account of Paul and Silas in prison. The text reads that they were "praying and singing hymns." Eventually there's a big earthquake, the guys are left unchained, but they don't go anywhere. As a result the jailer asks, "What must I do to be saved."
Talk about evangelism! So many times I look at my set list and wonder what a new person in our church would think. Too fast, too slow, too boring, too peppy. There's as many opinions as there are people. The funny thing is I doubt if Paul and Silas asked each other what their "set list" should be. It was their actions - their obedience - that ultimately led the jailer to want to give his life to Christ. I think sometimes there is too much emphasis placed on the mechanics of our services, and not the impact of our actions.
Talk about evangelism! So many times I look at my set list and wonder what a new person in our church would think. Too fast, too slow, too boring, too peppy. There's as many opinions as there are people. The funny thing is I doubt if Paul and Silas asked each other what their "set list" should be. It was their actions - their obedience - that ultimately led the jailer to want to give his life to Christ. I think sometimes there is too much emphasis placed on the mechanics of our services, and not the impact of our actions.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
John 15:19 - Acts 6
If John 3 is the essence of describing God's love then Acts 2 is the same when it comes to articulating a worshiping church.
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Suppers), and to prayer.
We place so much emphasis on that text. The part that always confuses me is that sometimes the church looks so different than the church of Acts 2. To think that their whole lives centered around those actions. Is that difference just a typical cultural difference, or are we being disobedient in some aspects? I'm sure good arguments could be wagered for both sides.
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Suppers), and to prayer.
We place so much emphasis on that text. The part that always confuses me is that sometimes the church looks so different than the church of Acts 2. To think that their whole lives centered around those actions. Is that difference just a typical cultural difference, or are we being disobedient in some aspects? I'm sure good arguments could be wagered for both sides.
John 6 - 15:18
As I'm reading in John it really is startling how different the writing styles are from the other two Gospels. It just seems as if John had an entirely different purpose.
Another one of those accounts I have read a few times now has been where Mary and Martha were hosting Jesus. You may be familiar with it. Mary is engaged in conversation with Jesus while Martha is busy doing work in the kitchen. If Mary and Martha were to take personality tests today I'm guessing Mary would have been very relational while Martha would have been Type A and task-oriented. Just guessing...
I am so Martha sometimes. I like checking things off the list and priding myself in a job well done. I don't think that's all bad...in fact I'm convinced that is how God made me. On the flip side though I realize this is a huge hazard when it comes to relationships. Relationships with my family, friends, and ultimately God.
As I've mentioned already in this blog I'm afraid that sometimes my motivation has been more to prove my self-discipline then to study and read all of God's Word. As the final days draw to a close (only 11 left) I hope and pray that the Holy Spirit will allow all that I read to really penetrate who I am and who He wants me to be.
Another one of those accounts I have read a few times now has been where Mary and Martha were hosting Jesus. You may be familiar with it. Mary is engaged in conversation with Jesus while Martha is busy doing work in the kitchen. If Mary and Martha were to take personality tests today I'm guessing Mary would have been very relational while Martha would have been Type A and task-oriented. Just guessing...
I am so Martha sometimes. I like checking things off the list and priding myself in a job well done. I don't think that's all bad...in fact I'm convinced that is how God made me. On the flip side though I realize this is a huge hazard when it comes to relationships. Relationships with my family, friends, and ultimately God.
As I've mentioned already in this blog I'm afraid that sometimes my motivation has been more to prove my self-discipline then to study and read all of God's Word. As the final days draw to a close (only 11 left) I hope and pray that the Holy Spirit will allow all that I read to really penetrate who I am and who He wants me to be.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Luke 20:20 - John 5
"And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle."
I've often wondered what my job would be like if we were still living under the Old Covenant. I guess I'd work at the Temple and have some sort of role in it's maintenance or sacrifices. I'd doubt I'd be High Priest, but I'm guessing I'd be around the Temple.
I have now read three versions of the above passage and I always try to imagine the scene. This curtain kept all the normal people...the sinners out. The sanctuary was only meant for those who were consecrated and made holy.
Once Jesus died this was torn (and it seems that it was with violence and drama) so that all could access God. Jesus is now our High Priest and we are no longer dependent on an earthly go-between.
Yes being a worship minister in the new covenant is likely very different.
I've often wondered what my job would be like if we were still living under the Old Covenant. I guess I'd work at the Temple and have some sort of role in it's maintenance or sacrifices. I'd doubt I'd be High Priest, but I'm guessing I'd be around the Temple.
I have now read three versions of the above passage and I always try to imagine the scene. This curtain kept all the normal people...the sinners out. The sanctuary was only meant for those who were consecrated and made holy.
Once Jesus died this was torn (and it seems that it was with violence and drama) so that all could access God. Jesus is now our High Priest and we are no longer dependent on an earthly go-between.
Yes being a worship minister in the new covenant is likely very different.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Luke 10 - 20 19
Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."
I think this is the MOST important concern currently facing the American Christian.
I think this is the MOST important concern currently facing the American Christian.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Mark 9:14 - Luke 9
I just realized that I did not post yesterday. I did read, but I guess I forgot to post. Anyway, I'm going to break my own rule and post one thought for both day's reading.
Throughout the Gospels there seems to be this trend of Jesus going up on a mountainside and being alone. The Scriptures say he worshiped God alone. I think our culture has lost a lot of what it means to be alone.
Often we hear of people having "alone time" but many times it is to feed themselves...which isn't all bad. What I'm concerned about is my desire to have alone time with God...for him to feed me. After 70-some days of intense reading I realize that my desire is often to check this off my list...not to allow God's word to transform me. Perhaps we should evaluate our alone time and what's the real motivation for having it...especially compared to Jesus' example.
Throughout the Gospels there seems to be this trend of Jesus going up on a mountainside and being alone. The Scriptures say he worshiped God alone. I think our culture has lost a lot of what it means to be alone.
Often we hear of people having "alone time" but many times it is to feed themselves...which isn't all bad. What I'm concerned about is my desire to have alone time with God...for him to feed me. After 70-some days of intense reading I realize that my desire is often to check this off my list...not to allow God's word to transform me. Perhaps we should evaluate our alone time and what's the real motivation for having it...especially compared to Jesus' example.
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