Author: Don Guthrie

Don Guthrie is the Senior Pastor at FBCSA.

Spirit-filled witness

Re: Verse reading–Acts 2:1-41 (day seven)

“And they began to speak. . .as the Spirit was giving them utterance.”–v 4

When I was a young believer, I was made to feel guilty for not “sharing my faith”.  I don’t know whether this was intentional, or not.  I do know that I was told, again and again, that it was my “duty” to present Christ to everyone I met–strangers, members of my family, roommates, people I sat beside on airplanes.  And, the less I did so, the more guilty I felt.

I wish someone had helped me focus on the Holy Spirit.  Him–the Great Communicator. Me–the conduit and co-laborer.  I wish they had helped me read Acts 2.  When He fills with power. . .we speak.  Not something forced and awkward.  Joyful witness!

I am reminded again today and with a grateful heart.  HE gives power.  HE draws men to Himself.  HE gives utterance.  The focus is never on me.

All flesh

Re: Verse reading–Acts 2:1-41 (day one) 

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams”–v 17-18

Pentecost was what God promised!  What John predicted.  What Jesus prepared us to receive. (See John 20:22)  The blessings of God’s Spirit poured out on all flesh!   Not “all” in the sense of “every”, but “all” in the sense that no one is excluded by gender or age or social standing.  Sons/daughters.  Young/old.  “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”–Romans 10:13.  Whoever is saved will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit–Acts 2:38.

In the Old Testament era, the Holy Spirit came to a small, selective group of people.  In the New Testament era, the church age, He comes in power to ALL OF US.

Taken up into Heaven

Re:Verse reading–Acts 1:1-14 (day seven)

“My first account. . .(was) about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day He was taken up into Heaven, after He had, by the Holy Spirit, given orders to the apostles.”–v 1-2

We call it the ascension.  An amazing end to an amazing life.  (And not actually the end–that’s the point.)  As the disciples watched, Jesus was physically lifted up into Heaven.  (Please see the stained glass window on the East end of the Great Hall)

To meditate on this truth is to expand your mind. Jesus is still alive!  Still a man.  Sitting beside the Father– counselor, Son, Sovereign and intercessor.  As active in the world as ever!

Please notice.  Before leaving, the LORD (He takes this title seriously) gave ORDERS to the Apostles. (Every text repeats this emphasis.  See Mark 16:19, Acts 1:9)  His absence will not mean loss of momentum.  He will act (until He comes) through us!

Those who wait upon the LORD

Re:Verse reading–Acts 1:1-14

“And gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised.”–v 4

“Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings as eagles.”–Isaiah 40:30-31

Supernatural strength!  It is what God has promised us.  Power to do what is required.  Faith for holy works.  Peace that passes understanding.  Love that conquers hate.  Courage stronger than fear.  A supernatural wind to lift you higher than your own wings/effort ever could.

To have this great assistance, we must surrender to the will of God and also the timing of God.  No one conjures up the Spirit like a seance, nor controls the calendar of His work.  We must want what He wants.  We must want it when He wants it.

Wait, dear friend.  Trust His plan.  Trust His timing.

Other people’s things

Re:Verse reading–Philippians 2:1-11 (day seven)

“Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”–v 4.

When Paul thought about unity,he realized pride is always the problem.

When he thought about pride, he realized SELFishness is the way it usually presents. Proud people aren’t always arrogant, just SELF-centered.

So, Paul taught the Philippians to look after the interests of others.  To care “for their things” (literal translation).  To develop (and practice) the ability to listen to what others are saying.

Like opposing sides in an angry protest, we often shout our opinions without any real attempt to hear what others are saying, feel what they are feeling, value what they are valuing.

“Many a man would rather you heard his story than granted his request”–Phillip Stanhope.  “Big egos have little ears”–Robert Schuller.

You, my brother?  How are you doing on God’s assignment to look after the things of others?

Civic-minded

Re:Verse reading–Philippians 2:1-11 (day one)

“Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”–v 4.

It is the opposite of Charlottesville.  The opposite of the new, nasty norm in contemporary American politics.  Rather than look out for ourselves (our race, our political party) followers of Christ will look out for the interests of others.  We will ask a different question.  What is best for all parties?  What is wise and fair for everyone involved?

Not an easy assignment, I agree.  It requires time to hear each other.  Time to consider opinions/feelings not my own.  Even so, it is a better path.  Learned from the “Prince of Peace”.

“A kingdom divided against itself will not stand” said the same Prince on another day. And no one should imagine that our nation will be the exception.

Want to build a church?  Want to build a city?  The Savior will teach us how.

Am I willing?

Re:Verse reading–James 2:14-26 (day seven)

“But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?”–v 20

Hard question.  Important.  Requires some soul-searching.  Am I willing to learn/know God’s truth?  Willing to change the way I see things?  Or, just looking for an opportunity to argue, determined to convince God to “see it my way”?

Sometimes, if I am honest, it’s the latter.  Not really open to change, not really listening for a new perspective, not really considering a new position or direction, I want what I want. End of sentence.

Deep in the human heart is a stubborn switch that has significant power–power to allow spiritual progress, power to resist it.  It is called “the will”.

“If anyone is willing (same word that James used) to do His will, he will know whether the teaching is from God.”–Jesus (John 7:17)

Stubborn pride is a locked door. Ask yourself.  Am I willing?

What’s the use?

Re:Verse reading–James 2:14-26 (day one)

“If a brother or sister is without clothing. . .and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ and yet you do not give them what is necessary . . .what use is that?”–v 16

A question that a pragmatist would love.  A solid standard by which religion must always be evaluated.  What’s the use?

Ophelos is the Greek word.  It mean’t “advantage or profit or progress”.  Same word that Jesus used in Mark 8:36.  “What does it profit (opheleo) a man if he gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”

So. . .(is your honest hat on?) If we bottom-lined your faith, would the world show a profit?  “I care not much for a man’s religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.”–Abraham Lincoln.  OK, but what about your neighbor, your city, your church?   What useful thing will come to the world this week because you believe?

Free at last!

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 8:1-15 (day seven)

“in great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.”–v 2

It was a supernatural outcome.  No question.  A grace (gift) from God.  An unthinkable equation unless the Spirit of God is present.  Affliction+joy+poverty=generosity?  Yes!

The Macedonians were in a difficult chapter.  But with every new hardship, they seemed freer from anxiety, more ready to serve Christ.  They wanted to help.  Begged for the privilege to do so.  It was amazing!

Paul had seen this miracle before.  Until a person knows the Spirit of God, he/she is captive to the world and its threats and dangers.  Ruled by fear. Obsessed with self.  Once a person is filled with the Spirit, he/she is set free from these earth-bound priority-prisons. Freedom comes!  And generosity!

“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture says, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ “–Jesus (John 7:38)

 

Christian generosity

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 8:1-15 (day one)

“There are many hearing me who now know well that they are not Christians because they do not love to give.  To give largely and liberally, not grudging at all, requires a new heart.”–Robert Murray McCheyne.

“And Zacchaeus said, ‘Look, Lord!  Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor’. . .Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house.’ “–Luke 19:8-9

“In a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their generosity.”–2 Corinthians 8:2

The Macedonian miracle is not unusual in Christian history.  It is, in fact, the norm!  God gives!  Joy comes!  Recipients become givers!

Generosity is a learned virtue.  A proof of new life.  For God so loved the world He GAVE. For the church so loved God that we GIVE in response.

He does not fail in His generosity.  We dare not fail in ours.