Focal Passage: Acts 9:32-43 

In our study for today we will be discussing an issue that many have difficulty with. Can someone be an instrument through which healing can take place? 

We all have heard examples where someone claims to have been healed through the powerful prayer or action of other individuals at a religious gathering. But we also know that not everyone who suffers from a physical condition is healed. 

Jesus healed a lot of people, but even He did not heal everyone. Even though many were, there were also many who returned home with their problem. The same is true today. There are many people who return home from these “healing services” still bearing their malady.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 18:5-16 

In this six-week study on sidekicks in the Old Testament we would not quickly assume David to be numbered as one of the subjects  David is one of the most pivotal names in the Bible. He is the king who starts a dynasty that is ultimately fulfilled in the person of Jesus the Messiah.

However, contained within all the biographies of the great men and women of the Bible are humble beginnings. In I Samuel 18, David is not the king. Rather, he is the faithful servant of the envious and hateful King Saul.  

Give your best as a follower. In the preceding chapter David killed Goliath, solidifying his renown in the land. In chapter 16, the prophet Samuel anointed David as the future king of Israel.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Acts 9:3-16 

There are times in our life when we may have done things that we thought were right but later we discovered were wrong. At first, we may feel zealous about our actions but something in the back of our minds begins to prick our conscience. Even though we think what we are doing is right, it just doesn’t feel comfortable for some reason.  

In this week’s passage we see such a scenario in the life of a man named Saul. We would later come to know him by his Greek name Paul. Paul was a devout Jew. He was also a fervent Pharisee who had received his spiritual instruction under Gamaliel. This was the same Gamaliel we see in Acts 5, warning the Sanhedrin to be careful how they dealt with the preaching of the Gospel because they may find themselves fighting against God. Obvious, that was what Saul discovered about himself. But God had other plans for Saul. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Acts 8:26-39 

In this week’s study, we find that Stephen has been martyred and a great persecution had broken out against the Church. 

The Apostles were driven out of Jerusalem by the Jewish authorities and scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. But not all of them were forced to leave Jerusalem. It seems that many of the Jewish believers were allowed to stay, but the Hellenists Jewish believers were forced to leave the city.  

Philip, being a Hellenist Jewish believer, was one of those who was driven out. He went to Samaria and began preaching about Jesus. His message was well received and many put their faith in Jesus as the Christ. In fact, the believers had grown to such a number that it caught the attention of the Church still abiding in Jerusalem.   [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Acts 6:1-15 

Being in ministry and pastoring for over 40 years has given me many opportunities to experience the vast number of ways you can serve in the church. One such opportunity was a small congregation in Middle Tennessee where I was pastor. Being a small congregation created significant financial challenges. It also created some major campus maintenance issues as well. When our sanctuary heating and air conditioning system critically failed, we were forced to replace all the units. Because the units were so old, that meant we had to update our electrical systems to accommodate the new units and to bring it up to electrical codes. So, in order to meet the challenge, we trimmed the finances in every budget category. That meant custodial care, lawn maintenance, supplemental staff, secretarial help and maintenance. Everybody jumped in to help, even the pastor. I remember cutting grass, painting the preschool area, doing plumbing and electrical work, you name it, and we done it, until we had the current need met. 

We have a similar story in our study this week. The Church was growing very fast. This was creating some logistical problems and some social tensions within the congregation. Most of the Church at this juncture was comprised mostly of converted Jews. Later, the Gentiles would be added to their number. But not all the Jews were from Israel. Many were now being added from outside Israel. They were the Hellenist Jews. Even though they had everything in common, it seems that there was some favoritism being shone. The Hellenists Jews thought their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. Thus, with the rising tensions the Apostles called together the whole congregation.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Acts 5:29-42 

The word “worthy” is defined by the dictionary as having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in a specified way. When used biblically, it characterizes a believer who walks in a manner worthy of the calling with which he has been called and is one whose daily living corresponds to his blessed position as a child of God and fellow heir with Jesus Christ. 

We find it hard to rejoice in suffering. In fact, human nature drives us completely in the opposite direction. The only way this changes is if we recognize the cause of our suffering is of a higher value and greater worth. The Apostle Paul often remarked about the joy he received in suffering affliction because of Jesus. Why? Because it elevates us to a level higher than ourselves as we share in the suffering of Jesus who suffered for us in our redemption. It is easier for us to suffer for those we love. It may not be pleasant, but we know the reason we are experiencing it and the value is worth the price.  [Read more…]