They Had Been With Jesus

 
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled.  And they realized that they had been with Jesus."
Acts 4:13

Peter and John were on trial before the rulers, elders, and scribes after they had healed the lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the temple.  Peter presented their defense, which really wasn't a defense, because all he did was boldly proclaim Jesus.  The leaders were amazed at the two apostles because they answered with clarity and confidence though they were untrained and not highly educated.  The only answer the religious leaders had for these two fishermen who spoke with such authority was that they had been with Jesus.

How excellent that what struck the leaders about Peter and John was not their great looks or powerful statures.  The council was not in awe of their great oratory skills, degrees, titles, or intellect.  They simply recognized that these guys had been with Jesus!

I pray this might be the same testimony of our church.  That we will be a people set apart from the ways of this world.  That the love and unity known here will be the evidence that we are a people who love and hang out with Jesus Christ!

O My Enemy?

 So Ahab said to Elijah, 'Have you found me,
O my enemy?'  And he answered,
'I have found you, because you have sold yourself
to do evil in the sight of the Lord.'
I Kings 21:20

Elijah had never pulled a sword on Ahab or physically assaulted him.  He never attempted to take his life or to rob his throne, yet Ahab saw him as an enemy.  Elijah had called the king to repent, and for the nation Israel to return to God, and because Ahab had sold himself to evil, he saw the prophet as an enemy.

In reality, Elijah calling Ahab to repent was a very loving and friendly act.  It would have been very unloving and unfriendly for Elijah to ignore and not confront the rebellion of Israel and her king.  Because Elijah would not turn a blind eye to the king's sin but called him out, Ahab hated him and considered him an enemy

You may have noticed that Christians may not be the most popular people around today.  Whenever we proclaim the Gospel it is a reminder to those who hear it that something is not right in their lives and they need to turn to God.  Like Ahab, most people don't want to hear that their lives are on a dead end road, so you might be thought of as rude, or pushy, or judgmental or even an enemy.  This should not surprise us because Jesus said it would be this way. What people might think of us makes it difficult, but ought not keep us from sharing.  Please pray everyday that in some way you will be able to with love share the good news!

What Shall We Do?

 "Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
Acts 2:37

It was Pentecost and Peter had just preached the first sermon of the newly birthed church.  Peter's message was simple and powerful as he clearly explained the good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.  After Peter had put forth the evidence and prophecies, he stated the clear conclusion that Jesus is both Lord and Messiah.  The people were convicted and three thousand received Jesus that day!

One of the reasons you might resist the gospel is that if you truly believe the gospel, that Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and in three days was raised from the dead, it demands a response.  One cannot be ho-hum about this powerful message.  The promise of salvation, freedom, peace, and life in Christ, begs an answer.

Those who heard Peter's sermon felt a powerful conviction and wondered, "What shall we do?"  Peter told them they needed to repent and be baptized.  His charge was that if they believed the gospel, there would be a change of direction and a willingness to live for Christ.  Do you believe the Easter message?  If so, you need to repent and turn to Jesus, and give your life over to His lordship.