Pharisees' Frustration - June 30 Readings: 2 Kings 15-16, Acts 5:1–31, Psalm 78:26–32, Proverbs 16:12–14

Links to June 30 Readings: 2 Kings 15-16, Acts 5:1–31, Psalm 78:26–32, Proverbs 16:12–14

It had to be frustrating to be an opponent of the work of God in the Early Church. The Temple authorities had arrested the Apostles in an attempt to intimidate them and keep them from preaching about Jesus Christ. But the next day they got up thinking the Apostles were where they had placed them, safely housed in jail.

It was not so. The report came in that the men they had arrested were back out in the Temple courts proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. So, they arrested them again and tightened the screws a little, threatening them to stop their evangelistic work.

But the Apostles did not cooperate with that either. In Acts 5:29 they replied that they had to obey God and could not obey their commands. They continued to tell the world that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead no matter what anyone did to them.

The Pharisees could hate Jesus and could oppress those who sided with him, those who believed in and served him. But they could not stop the work of God in the church. They grew angrier and more aggressive because nothing they did worked. Every attempt to stop the church only served to advance the kingdom.

We can rejoice that nothing can stop the work of God in us and in his church. Opposition will come, even perhaps persecution, but the gospel goes forward. Satan can sow lies, but the truth prevails. When we serve Christ we can overcome any obstacle and endure through any hardship that is put in our path.

Father, come what may, I thank you for your power and your victory. 

When the Spirit Fills Me - June 29 Readings: 2 Kings 13-14, Acts 4:23–37, Psalm 78:19–25, Proverbs 16:10–11

Links to June 29 Readings: 2 Kings 13-14, Acts 4:23–37, Psalm 78:19–25, Proverbs 16:10–11

Much theological discussion, debate and even disagreement has been devoted to the question of what marks the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Some have asserted, contrary to the observation of this pastor, that those who are full of the Spirit are no longer subject to sin, but attain perfection in this life. Would that it were so, but it is certainly not my experience. Of course, the debate has raged throughout my life as to whether tongues or any other manifestation of the Holy Spirit is a necessary evidence of the fullness of the Spirit. It is not the purpose of a devotional like this to address such a topic

But when we examine the book of Acts, there is one universal evidence of the fullness of the Spirit. Nothing else happens every single time the Spirit shows up in power except this one event.

"...they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak God’s message with boldness." 

Throughout Acts, one thing happened universally when the Spirit filled believers - they proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ boldly. At Pentecost, many things happened, but the Word of God was proclaimed in power. In Samaria, in Caesarea, in every place the Spirit's fullness appears, those filled with the Spirit proclaim Christ. 

I can remember a dear old man in my last church who would come up to me after a particularly stirring or enthusiastic service and say, "You could really feel the Spirit here tonight, couldn't you, Dave?" And I know what he meant. There was a sweet, sweet Spirit in the place. 

But not enthusiastic worship, vibrant music, stirring preaching, or any emotion produced by these is a true marker of the work of the Spirit among the people of God. The primary work of the Spirit is to glorify Christ and if I am filled with the Spirit then that will be my goal. If the Spirit is filling me, my soul will overflow with the love of Christ and I will desire to make the gospel known to the entire world. More than that, all my fear - of rejection, of the reactions of people, of ridicule - will be overpowered and I will boldly speak of Christ. 

When the fullness of the Spirit falls, the name of Jesus rises!

Father, may the name of your Son rise on my lips as the Spirit fills every part of my being. May fear fall away in the desire to exalt the Name above all names. 

Why Were They So Angry? June 28 Readings: 2 Kings 11-12, Acts 4:1–22, Psalm 78:12–18, Proverbs 16:7–9

Links to June 28 Readings: 2 Kings 11-12, Acts 4:1–22, Psalm 78:12–18, Proverbs16:7–9

Peter and John were arrested and brought before the Council to answer for their deeds. What was their crime? It all started in Acts 3 when they found a man who was lame since birth and they healed him.

He had been sitting outside the temple all his life begging alms and the best the Jewish leaders could do for him was perhaps put a couple of coins in his cup from time to time. But along came this uneducated fishermen from Galilee claiming that the Nazarene had risen from the dead and speaking with authority and power. And these country bumpkins didn't put any silver or gold into the man's cup. They did something else - they raised him up.

That was the source of all the anger and resentment. They were the men in charge. Everyone looked up to them and revered them, but their religion was empty, devoid of the truth of God and the Spirit's power. Peter and John had none of their reputation, their money, their power and influence or their social standing, but they had one thing that the leaders envied. They had power.

That was the unpardonable sin of the Apostles. They were not rebellious or disrespectful. They did not organize opposition or undermine the religious leaders. But in the name of Jesus Christ they demonstrated the real power of God.

Empty religion can never abide the reality of the power of God working through the disciples of Christ. So, they came against them, arrested them, and tried to pressure them to stop preaching about the resurrected Christ.

In a sinful world such as we live in, following Christ may not bring us popularity. People may be offended, especially when they see the power of God at work within us. They may tell us to stop acting so strange, to go along with everyone else and to fit in with their ways.

But there is no power in that. The work of God is done through those who walk in God's ways and give themselves completely to him. He then performs his acts of power through them in this world. Better to seek the presence and power of the living God than to seek the influence, status and approval of the world. Generally, you cannot seek both.

Father, forgive me for the way I tend seek the approval and pleasure of people. May I live for you and be a channel of your grace and power. 

Future Generations - June 27 Readings: 2 Kings 9-10, Acts 3, Psalm 78:5–11, Proverbs 16:5–6

Links to June 27 Readings: 2 Kings 9-10, Acts 3, Psalm 78:5–11, Proverbs 16:5–6

There is an old saw that says, "The Church is always one generation from extinction." The thing is, this one is true. Christianity must not only be passed from person to person, but from generation to generation. The children God gives to the families of the church must be raised to be warriors in the Kingdom of God, servants of the Most High and those who treasure eternal things over the temporal.

In Psalm 78:5-7, the Psalmist discusses the importance of raising children to serve God.

He commanded our fathers to teach to their children so that a future generation— children yet to be born—might know. They were to rise and tell their children so that they might put their confidence in God and not forget God’s works, but keep His commands.

As I grow older my life becomes less about what I will do or what I will be and more about what my children and grandchildren will become. I have no idea what the future will hold for any of them, but my prayer for them is the desire of the Psalmist's heart - that they might not "forget God's works but keep His commands."

There is no formula that magically produces children who love God, but neither is there a great mystery about the strategy. There are three things I would remind parents and grandparents who wish to influence future generations.

First, children will tend to mimic our behavior more than our words. We must not only speak the words of God to our children but in our imperfect way we must walk the ways of God. The hypocrite who talks the faith but does not live it does irreparable damages to the future generations. Our model gives credibility to our message.

Second, we must relentlessly ground our children's lives in the Word of God. Biblical illiteracy is a huge problem even among kids raised in so-called "Bible-believing" churches. If we really believe the Bible we will make sure we teach it clearly to our kids.

Finally, we must fill our children with a sense that their lives are meant to have eternal import. They are not just here on earth to get an education, find a job, raise a family and have a happy life. They are here to serve Christ, to make Jesus known everywhere and to exalt him day by day.

Father, may the generations to come know you. May they not forget the good things you have done, but may they walk in your ways. Help me to be an influence on them for your kingdom. 

Loving the World - June 26 Readings: 2 Kings 7-8, Acts 2:42–47, Psalm 78:1–4, Proverbs 16:2–4

Links to June 26 Readings: 2 Kings 7-8, Acts 2:42–47, Psalm 78:1–4, Proverbs 16:2–4

Jehoshaphat was a good king, a man who followed the ways of God and honored him, but he made a huge mistake in his life. He also befriended and partnered with Ahab, the wicked king of Israel.

A few days ago we read the story of Ahab's death, how Jehoshaphat went with him into battle against the enemy. Ahab surrounded himself with false prophets who told him exactly what he wanted to hear. Go up to victory, Ahab. Nothing can stop a great man like you. Jehoshaphat knew it was a setup and he asked to hear from a prophet of God. Micaiah was the prophet who spoke the truth Ahab didn't want to hear and refused to heed. He died for that mistake.

Jehoshaphat was a good king but he made a very bad friend. He stepped across a line that we face on a daily basis. We cannot isolate ourselves in this world. We have to engage a sinful society - we live in it, shop in it, drive in it, study in it, and work in it. In fact, the sinful people we engage on a daily basis are the purpose of our existence. We are here to bring them to the Cross for salvation.

But there is a line we must not cross. We are commanded not to be conformed to the ways of this world, but instead to be transformed, to be like Christ. While we engage this world in the name of Christ, we can never adopt its values, love its pleasures and the things it provides. We must walk circumspectly (how old-fashioned that sounds) and focus our lives on the glory of God. That is the line we must not cross.

Somewhere along the line, Jehoshaphat crossed that line and he paid a dear price for it. In 2 Kings 8:16 we are introduced to Jehoram, Jehoshaphat's son who succeeded him to the throne. He did not follow in his father's ways but adopted the ways of his father-in-law, Ahab. Verse 18 says it all.

He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for Ahab’s daughter was his wife. He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. 

He married Ahab's daughter, molded himself to the ways of Ahab and did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Jehoshaphat's compromise and his partnership with Ahab produced a bitter fruit in his son's life.

It only got worse with his grandson, Ahaziah. 2 Kings 8:27 gives the divine judgment on his life.

He walked in the way of the house of Ahab and did what was evil in the Lord’s sight like the house of Ahab, for he was a son-in-law to Ahab’s family.

He continued the spiritual absorption of the kings of Judah into the sinful ways of the kings of Israel and received the judgment of God for it.

The lesson here today is a difficult one. We must not be legalists, living by specific rules we have made up. Nor ought we isolate ourselves from sinners who need Jesus. But our values, our spiritual life, needs to flow from Christ, the Cross, the Word and Spirit of God, not from the sinful world.

When we allow ourselves to be absorbed into the world's ways, the price will be high, not only in our own lives, but in those of our children and grandchildren.

Father, may I engage this world, but live for you. May I love sinful people enough to love you first and to live for your glory and nothing else.