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On Sunday we looked into the exciting story book of Acts. The death of Jesus is a main emphasis in the book, but even more so is the importance of the resurrection of Jesus. The disciples spread the message of Jesus far and wide. But, they did more than speak about Jesus. The message of Jesus was accompanied by the honest, gentle, cheerful, and courageous lives that compelled the attention of their cities. Acts shows us that while the mission Jesus gave his church is big (go and tell the world!) God is sovereignly at work in and behind it all. God grants repentance, appoints people for eternal life, and opens people to respond to the gospel with faith. A firm belief in God’s Sovereignty is exactly what encourages the Christians in Acts to engage in evangelism. Will you pray for God to use our study in Acts to encourage us, challenge us, and change us?

The picture of a shepherd with his sheep is a beautiful image of our relationship with God. Thankfully, the metaphor is not a cowboy rounding- up cattle, or a bookish theologian merely providing right answers. We don’t need to be driven like cows and we desperately need more than accurate information. We need the experiential loving care of a good shepherd. In Jesus, we have a good shepherd who cares for his sheep by leading, providing, protecting, and laying his life down as a sacrificial Lamb for sinners (John 10:11-15). “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall never lack what I need.”

In Luke 15, Jesus teaches a trilogy of parables. In each parable, something is lost (a sheep, a silver coin, a wayward child). In each parable, there is also great rejoicing (the shepherd, the woman, the father). In the third parable, the wayward son returns home and is joyfully received by and restored to the father. The older son, however, who remained geographically near is also distant from the father, and Jesus does not say whether he was ultimately restored to a close relationship with the father, or not. It’s designed to make us wonder. The father meets both sons in their need — he sees the younger son far off and runs to him, and he notices the older son is not in the house so he goes outside to entreat him. The unconditional love of the father is what is highlighted as he relates with both sons.

To younger wayward children, the invitation is to come home to the father. He is watching and waiting to receive you. To older children who have remained geographically near the father through religion or morality (Luke 15:1-2), the invitation is to come inside with the father. In both cases, the need is to be rightly related to the father. Thankfully, Jesus truly is a friend of tax collectors and sinners!

In Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8, we learn how the early church worked through internal controversies about religious convictions on disputed matters. Instead of dividing and polarizing around our specific convictions, the welcome we have received by God in Christ enables us to live in peace and serve together in love. The gospel of Jesus enables us to study the Bible together, worship together, and fellowship together so that we "may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 15:6).

In Philippians 4:15-23 we learn about the importance, the joy, and the promise of financial ministry partnership. The Christians in Philippi did more than support Paul's efforts to advance the gospel. Their gifts would actually be a means God would use to provide them a reward of increased spiritual fruitfulness. In addition, as they give, they can trust God to provide for their needs in accordance with his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

King Solomon enjoyed honor, fame, and extraordinary wealth as arguably one of Ancient Israel's greatest kings. While everyone bowed to him, there was one person to whom he bowed — his mother, Bathsheba (1 Kings 2:19). In Proverbs 1 Solomon specifically warns the reader not to forsake their mother's teaching. Motherhood is one of God's ordained means to teach children in the "fear of the Lord" (Prov. 1:7).

In Ephesians 4 we find three attributes or attitudes that are necessary to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace - humility, gentleness, and meekness.

It's important to understand unity does not hinge on uniformity or unanimity. Nor does disagreement demand disunity. Doctrine rightly divided does divide, but it should divide between believers and unbelievers, between false teachers and teachers of truth — not between Christians who land on different yet faithful interpretations of scripture (where different interpretations are understandable and permitted because they are not fundamental core doctrines). Sadly, some doctrines divide that shouldn’t divide. First Timothy 1:1-7, “As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, (different doctrine, not false doctrine but different. Non-essential, heterodox teachings — teaching logical extensions of truth as truth itself).

Let us renew our commitment to be walking with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

In Philippians 4:10-14 as Paul gives thanks for the ministry partnership of the Christians in Philippi he writes about a secret he has learned. It is the secret of Christian contentment — learning how to be content whether experiencing a little or a lot, whether facing plenty or poverty. Paul explains the only way this is possible is through the strength found in Christ (Phil 4:13). 

In Psalm 86, David cries out to God with a heart distressed by trouble and anguish. Yet, woven through this cry are confessions and celebrations of God's graciousness, goodness, and steadfast love. The attributes of God provide David comfort, joy, and thankfulness even though he faces times of trouble. In this prayer David shows how God wants us to pour out our hearts to him and to rely on his perfect character. 

The Christian life is a battle. Believers must be prepared to fight every battle that life brings and the Apostle Paul knows that many of life's battles are fought in the mind. Philippians 4:8-9 is a call for Christians to do battle in their minds. In these verses, Paul has given a list of virtues that Christians are to think on, which in turn will result in peace; the God of peace being with them. Furthermore, Paul instructs believers to practice what they have learned, received, heard and seen in him. In other words, Christians are to example Paul as he exampled Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Much of the experience of a Christian's life is a result of their thought life. Philippians 4:8-9 instructs us to think about all that is good in Jesus. This is the antidote to a lack of peace. 

Goodbyes are difficult and often a source of sorrow. In John 16:16-22 the disciples were wrestling with a goodbye of their own as they pondered Jesus's announcement that they will not see him for a little while. Jesus encourages them by giving them a promise. He promises to turn their sorrow into joy (vs. 20). This is the power of the resurrection. The eternal joys offered by God and promised in Christ are rooted in the resurrection of Jesus for all who are united to him by faith.

The "Palm Sunday" events recorded in John 12:9-19 happen shortly after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Jesus enters the city declaring his kingship by fulfilling a prophecy from Zechariah 9:9. Riding into the city on the "colt of a donkey" instead of a war horse showed he is a gentle and lowly king. And yet, He is the powerful king we all need. He alone can overcome the curse and condemnation of death that we deserve.

In Philippians 4:6-7 Paul gives some direct instruction that both amazes and irritates, "Do not be anxious about anything." He goes on to explain the way we obey that command is by "praying about everything." This is the only path to experiencing the peace of God (vs. 7) in the midst of anxious circumstances. God's peace is what we need most because it alone is able to "guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

In Philippians 4:2-5, Paul entreats two ladies who were leaders in the church to put aside their differences and agree in the Lord. In addition, despite being imprisoned, he exhorts Christians to rejoice in the Lord at all times. Finally, he encourages Christians to have a reasonable or gentle spirit, knowing that the Lord's presence is near.

In Philippians 3:17-4:1, Paul invites his readers to imitate his example and not be deceived by other so-called Christians who show their spurious faith by living as "enemies of the cross." Instead of having a mind "set on earthly things" true Christians live with a conscience awareness their "citizenship is in heaven." In other words, Paul wants Christians to primarily live according to the politics of heaven. The politics of heaven are glorious, indeed! How might you remember your citizenship in heaven this week? Will you pray about this?