Areas of Edification

Acts 9:31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

When there was peace, the church was built up and then it multiplied. Like a person who is born, before he starts producing more offspring, the church has to grow physically and all his limbs are expected to grow. Let us see in which areas the church should concentrate on growing.

1. Love

As per Ephesians 3:17, we are rooted and grounded in love. If this love fails, our foundation fails and we shake. In 2 John 1:6 we read love is obedience and in 1 John 2:5, this love is perfected as he grows. If our love does not increase, we are not in Him. In Rev 2:4 we read about the Laodicea Church which has lost its first love. This means that it is possible for a church to lose its love just like a wife who hates her husband but still serves him. This attitude which longs to have a relationship with the world by looking for excuses to be conformed to the world is dangerous to the church.

And it is important for us to love others and specially our neighbor as per 1 Thes 3:12.

2. Faith

This is the basic and the first expectation from the Church. It has to be faithful to its husband and it has to believe in its head or otherwise, the church cannot be a wife. There are many instances we read where Jesus was not happy about other people’s faiths. Ex: Mat 8:26, Mark 4:40 etc.  As per 1 Peter 1:7, our faith will be tested and perfected at every stage and when faith is strengthened, we are more and more ready towards glory. In Jude 20, we read that the faith is considered most holy as this is the first step we show to God. This is the only area where we are seen righteous.

As our faith grows, it is our responsibility that we encourage the faith of others to grow as per Romans 14:1-2. A person who eats anything for the glory of God is considered of more faith and a person who does not eat is considered of less faith. But the church has to accept and not criticize these men.

3. Prayer

As in Colossians 4:2 and many other verses, the church should devote itself to prayer. Prayer is the only time where the wife communicates with the Husband. Prayer keeps us dependent on God. This is also another area where we can lose our growth and so, we have to be sober as per 1 Peter 4:7.

4. Gifts

As per 1 Cor 14:1, we desire gifts and it is God who decides (Romans 12:6), we should earnestly try harder to excel in the gifts (1 Cor 14:12). A church prospers only when we excel in our gifts and not when we receive them. A lot of people may receive gifts but only when we excel in them, we become useful to the Church.

5. The word

II Timothy 3:16,17 says that scriptures are there for teaching, reproof, correction, training in righteousness that the man of God becomes complete. Here the steps should be noted really well and it is really good for us to hear, study, memorize and mediate the word as much as we can as in 1^st Psalm where a righteous man delights in the word. In Hebrews 5:14 we read how a person matures in the word that he constantly practices.

6. Fruits

In John 15:1, we read about the branch that does not produce. Unlike a human body, Christ teaches here that there will be limbs which are not fruitful and God’s plan on the Church is so high that He constantly cleanses and prunes it. As per Hebrews 12:11, the fruit of righteousness is brought forth when the Church disciplines its branches well.

7. Knowledge and Discernment

The growth of love should not be on emotions alone but in knowledge and discernment as per Phil 1:9. Like a bride which knows what the husband desires and how her man acts in different situations, the wife prepares herself. The bride also eventually knows who the husband trusts and who he does not. As per Hebrews 5:14, the power of discernment increases as the food solidifies more and more.

8. Holiness

When love abounds and increases, God measures us in terms of holiness as per 1 Thes 3:13. Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirt as per 1 Peter 1:2 and Lev 20:8. We present ourselves blameless before Him but He sanctifies us. This is done at the Cross (Hebrews 10:10 and Col 1:22). We shall let the Holy Spirit work more for sanctification.

Let the Church grow well so that it prospers.

Amen.

Peace and Edification

Acts 9:31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

When there was peace in the church, there was edification. It is necessary for us to utilize times of peace in our life. When God created earth, he separated day and night and he rested at night doing nothing. Joseph was very active during prosperity and made sure he had gathered all the grain and when there was famine, he was so strong that everybody came to him for food. We are expected to strengthen ourselves while we are in peace to be ready for hard times. The human body itself actually grows at night because the spine is relaxed at that time.

Since the verse starts with “So”, we would try to understand the context which is that Paul had spoken boldly and disputed with the Greeks who sought to kill him. This was in his very early years (3 years after his salvation). The verse teaches us that when Paul was in Jerusalem, there was no peace but as soon as Paul had left the city, there was peace. When Paul has been sent to Syria, there was peace in Israel. This is something we can relate to all of us. As soon as we overcome a sin or learn a new teaching, we immediately start judging others and create disputes inside our churches or families. This shakes the peace inside the church.

In Romans 14:19, Paul himself writes to Rome about pursuing peace to edify others. Paul wants us to show peace to others to an extent where we may eat anything to gain him. Verse 16 says that Good can be spoken of as evil because of its non-contextual use. Our actions should be there to glorify God and not to prove ourselves as perfect. In verse 15, we read that our righteousness if displayed without caution, it invalidates the death of Christ. Romans 14:5, asks people to follow laws such as days and other external signs as per their conviction in their hearts (Holy Spirit’s guidance). Let us not force others into ways the Spirit leads us personally. Food is served according to the weather, altitude and local habits normally.

Isaiah 66:12 is one verse where Peace to the church is spoken of. Here, peace and glory of nations is given to the Church so that it serves food (breastmilk), progress (hip) and rest (bounce on the knees). This treatment to individuals from the church helps it to build every person to become stronger and edified. When this happens, we become happy and our bones are strengthened (verse 14). These three are necessities during peaceful times and the church ensures that we are nourished properly.

About food, we try have the kids in a good mood for eating and this is similar in our lives. It is not wise to given them food when they are enraged or hurt. But at most times, we give all our advices when people are filled with guilt and make them more furious. Parents and elders in church should speak with kids or believers when they are hungry and at the right intervals without stopping. Similarly, carrying in the hip makes the kid happier and it stops crying which shows how active a church or family should be in spiritual areas so that the kid is encouraged and learns new things by itself. Thirdly, there is rest and sleep in the church. The kid stops doing everything and loses itself in God’s presence and the assurance of His authority as in Mathew 11:28. This is required in any family or church. As per Mathew 11:28, we should remember that we are coming to Christ for rest and peace. Not to create chaos. It is good that we expect opportunities but a church is not opportunities alone but the first granting is rest.

We know Mathew 5:9 where peace-makes are called as sons of God. The verse says that “they shall be called” and not they shall be. When we believe in Jesus, we become or have the authority to become the sons of God. But for the world to see us and call us as sons of God, this quality is good evidence. Peace-making is a ministry in the Church so that any person who still does not forgive should be taught and encouraged to forgive so that they receive pardon from the father.

Let us understand that a church will not grow in strength and spirit unless we lose our differences and join together as in John 17:21 or otherwise, the world will now know that Jesus is God’s son and has come from Him.

Amen.

Suffering of Disciples

Acts 9:16 “For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

“For the sake of My Name” is a reason very much used in the Bible in different situations. In these situations, we should search how and why God makes His name the primary reason for performing goodness.

In 1 Samuel 12:22, Samuel tells Israel after warning them (about their request for a king and this was granted), that the Lord will not forsake His people for His great name’s sake. The name of the Lord is “I am what I am” which means that He will not bow or turn from His ways and He will always be the same. Here, Israel’s rejection of God may have made Him furious, but the Name of God forces Him to be patient if anybody repents.

Another important example is in Ps 23:3 where the Lord leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Since God is loving us so high, he would always be patient and kind towards us. But this patience and forgiveness will not help us be saved. He has to lead us into righteousness. That’s why for His name’s sake, which is “I am what I am”, God tries to change us like Him so that we can commune with Him.

Jesus in John 17:6 mentions that “I have revealed Your name to the people you have given me out of the world”. Until Jesus came, the name was not known to the people. The Name of God “I am what I am” is not understood by people because we do not know the glory of “I am”. But Jesus, through His perfectly sinless life, had shown that no matter what the world tries to tempt of pressurize us, we can stay Holy and perfect. In the whole Bible, Jesus in this chapter calls God as Holy Father (v11) and Righteous Father (v25).

The term “must suffer” is at most times misunderstood or not prioritized in Churches. The current generation in lost in plenty of luxuries and have started to believe that suffering is optional to Christians and God wants us to prosper in life. In Mathew 10:22, the Lord clearly mentions that we will be hated by all because of His name. Because of the holiness and perfection God is, the sign of a true disciple is that others hate us. If we try to please men, we are not in line with the Name of God. Jesus has very clearly mentioned that we should pass through suffering in order to enter heaven. There is no other path. In 2 Timothy 3:12 Paul issues the statement to all. But in Philippians 1:29, Paul uses the word Granted meaning we requested God for suffering so that we can enter heaven and God granted this wish to us.

Mathew 16:24, 25 shows how Jesus wanted us to deny ourselves and that is the only way. This is important for every Christian to deny luxury, honor or comfort and come forward and willingly take up our own cross. That’s why Jesus says that if we lose our lives for His sake, that is if we willingly give up whatever we think life is, we can gain real life. 1 Peter 4 is a very important chapter which deals and explains this subject to us. The first verse explains how flesh had ceased from sin and it ends how we entrust our souls to Christ because of our doing good.

 God says “I will show you” this path. This is something that God recommends us so that we would come to His glory. In Psalms 32:8, God shows how He teaches us, then shows us a path towards glory, keeps an eye on us in this path so that we do not take any deviations or get discouraged and advices us whenever we need them. This progression is very important in every Christian. In Genesis 12:1, God says this to Abraham even though he had started towards Canaan. But we need to see Canaan as God shows us.

We should embrace suffering not for our selfish needs but for His Name’s sake as Jesus mentioned in the prayer, “Hallowed be thy Name”. For His name to be holy, we should come out of this world according to John 17:14 so that we would prove His name to be Holy.

Amen.

Bearing the Name of Jesus

Genesis 9:15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.”

Paul is predestined for a very important purpose which is to carry the Name of Jesus to the world. For the first apostles the Lord wanted them to be witnesses of Jesus in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and then the ends of the world. But Paul is expected to start outside first, then kings and after that to come and show the love to the children of Israel. This is a perfect example of the first being the last and the last being the first. The only condition and expectation for a person to start proclaiming the Lord’s Name is repentance and baptism.

In Acts 10:40,41 Peter explains that Jesus did not appear to everybody after resurrection but to chosen ones only.  Jesus could have appeared to everybody, but He appeared to specific people only because these people, with their lives would prove to the world that Jesus is alive. Without a proper exemplary life, it is impossible to preach resurrection to the world.

Let us see using some examples how Paul carried the Lord’s name:

Gentiles

In Acts 16:25 onwards, where Paul and Silas are in a Jail in Philippi, they were singing hymns by midnight praising God and all prisoners were listening to Paul and Silas. There was an earthquake and the chains were loosened and when the jailer wanted to kill himself, Paul shouts “we are all here”. This means hearing the songs of Paul and Silas the inmates were touched in their hearts and they did not go out of prison. A few hours of our life would carry the Lord to the gentiles. We read that the Jailer is asking Paul “What should I do to be saved?” He knew that the happiness and the goodness in the prisoners is salvation than the freedom and authority he enjoys outside prison.

In Acts 17:19-20, in Athens after Paul had been preaching Christ, the locals who were already looking for new things to learn heard newer and strange things for them to understand and asked them to explain. When we preach Jesus to brothers of other religions, we try to convince them that they would receive things that they expect and we just become in line with other ways. Our way is newer and strange to what the world expects. We have to preach salvation to them which they never did. Salvation is the Name of Jesus and that’s what Jesus wanted us to carry to the ends of the world.

In Acts 17:27, Paul explains how God is waiting for people to turn to Him. Paul promotes Jesus as a Lord who created the world and is eagerly expecting us to understand God is not very far from us.

Kings

Presenting the name of Jesus before Kings and authorities is a very important task we have to take. This action defends the gospel and makes way for others to come to Christ. In acts 24:14-15, Paul explains to Felix that Christianity is not a sect that creates confusion but it agrees with what the Jews already believed, which is resurrection. But the Jews had not experienced it yet. This is a progression to their original beliefs and not a cult. This way of presenting Christ requires training ourselves and eagerness to defend Christ and no matter what, do not forsake Him.

In Acts 26:22-23 we read Paul standing before Agrippa and Festus, Paul further explains that this Jesus is whom the Jews were expecting and Jesus suffered and by raising up, He proclaims light to all those in darkness. The way Paul proclaims Jesus before these men is very encouraging to us (till verse 29).

The Children of Israel

God uses the word Children of Israel instead of Israel because these are people who had settled outside Judea. In Romans 1:16, Paul writes that Salvation is to the Jews first. But Paul explains here that it is not something outside God and His will, but is the power of the same God the Jews worship. That’s why I am not ashamed to preach things that contradict with my knowledge but I am proud to speak these words.

In Acts 13:34-35, Paul preaches to the Jews in Antioch about the resurrection of Jesus which would help them never to return to corruption. This opportunity is great and wonderful to all the Children of Israel.

This call to preach to others is very important to all of us. Jesus says that Paul is a chosen instrument of Mine. We are His instruments.

Amen.

Being a Vessel

Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. “

The Greek word for the vessel here is “skeuos” which is translated as a vessel or apparatus that is useful as much as a wife is to a husband. This is the expectation of God when He had chosen us to minister for Him. This call is not for Paul alone but to all of us because we need more such vessels in the current world to carry Christ to the busiest generation of all times. This generation is strongly convinced that money is everything and it is very hard to be completely honest and humble like Jesus was. We encourage self-confidence and promote prosperity as a blessing from God. For this generation to understand Christ, we need vessels who carry the name of Jesus. We are chosen for this purpose. If we are faithful in this responsibility, God will glorify us with higher responsibilities and power.

To be such a vessel that Carries Jesus, there are some conditions to be fulfilled. As in 1 Thes 4:4,5 we are expected to hold our own vessels (bodies) to be holy and honorable. Any impurity will make us unworthy candidates in God’s kingdom. Nobody keeps a gold or a silver vessel along with other clay pots and clean them together. We may use them less, but they will be used when we have important guests. Paul explains this in 2 Timothy 2:19-21.

It is required for us to understand how we are pre-destined or already chosen as vessels and with a purpose. Even before we were born, God had planned what our roles are in His kingdom and how we will serve that in this earth. This is why whoever Jesus called, he had predestined them for a purpose. We read that in Ephesians 1:4. Jesus went to people and saved them. When people came to Christ, not all were saved. In the event of the Canaanite women in Mathew 15:28, after begging Jesus so much, her desire only was fulfilled. The Lord did not mention anything about salvation here. In Mark 7:29 we read the Lord telling the woman to “go your way”. But after been chosen we may still fail like many examples in the Bible.

Another person in the Old Testament who was chosen was Zerubbabel in Haggai 2:23. Here we read Him to be a chosen instrument that is honored to be like a signet ring. This call is so powerful and given to us where Jesus said “What you shall bind on earth will be bound in heaven”. We are carrying the authority of God to the world. Jesus explains this clearly in John 15:15, 16. “Whatever we ask in the Father’s Name, He may give it to you” is the highest position we can imagine. But for this Jesus lays two preconditions where we bear fruit and this fruit should abide.

In 1 Cor 1:27-29, Paul writes that God has chosen us because we do not want to honor ourselves but God. Whoever considers himself wise and strong would and should be shamed and thrown off its power but we who are humble in our hearts would we empowered. Being vessels who carry the Name of the Lord (2 Cor 4:7-9), it is important that we carry the death of Jesus and only then the life of Jesus will be manifested in our lives. The world may persecute us but cannot destroy.

Bearing the Name of Jesus is the eternal purpose of us, the vessels. When where and how is something God decides. As per Romans 9:21-24, there are vessels which are destined for destruction and they do not carry the name of Jesus. There is nothing we can do about it and it is God’s eternal choice on them. This explains why God is patient towards the corrupt and sinful. But if we are called to show the riches of God’s glory to the world, we should ensure that the Name of Jesus is carried with reverence and humility. As we know that the Name has authority, the vessels those carry the name should always be consecrated and separated from other tasks.

Let us focus in our lives that the Name of Jesus is shown to the world through our actions and our words. If we do not choose to ignore the world and love Him as per Mathew 6:21, we cannot become such vessels. We will allow garbage to be mixed with the most precious content and we will bring disgrace to Him. Let us Christians, understand the importance of our call.

Amen.

Lessons from Paul’s Salvation

Acts 9:4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

We read in the end of chapter 7 and the beginning of 8 about how Saul was happy with the death of Stephen and how he started to persecute the church. We look at him as a villain but we can read that he was a young man and had learned the Torah from Gamaliel. He was faithful to what he had understood and what he had learnt. Paul was in fact very happy that he was serving Yahweh and so he proceeded further to Damascus (around 350 km) from Jerusalem to bind men and women who were of this Way.

But when we read the emotion in “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” we can see a similar phrase in “Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani” where Jesus was actually forsaken by God the father because of the sin Jesus was carrying. A similar pain Jesus receives when the church, his body was persecuted. We need to remember that Jesus did not complain once during his suffering on and before the cross. But here when the church is offended, Jesus comes to defense. This is the importance of the Church to Christ and us. We need to honor this body of our Lord. Even when Jesus had allowed Saul to destroy the church in Jerusalem because of its immovability from Jerusalem, Just before Saul could make one step in Damascus, Jesus had spoken with Saul so that this church would not be hurt in anyway by Saul. We also have to understand that it is His church and we have to honor it. Christ will do the protection.

Jesus calls names twice in four occurrences: with Martha in Luke 10:41, Peter in Luke 22:31, God the Father in Mathew 27:46 and here in Acts 9:4. All these four instances mention how Surprised Jesus was at the other person’s actions. He could not understand how Martha could ignore the word from God to please God. He was worried that Peter would obey the devil and deny Christ. Similarly, Paul’s persecution was not expected by Jesus and that’s why He asks “why?” Even though Paul was trying to please God with the knowledge he had, Jesus received that as persecution. We can try to please God with our knowledge but still can hurt Him.

Salvation from this situation comes when light comes to our life. Here God, instead of the metaphor uses the object light itself in Paul’s way so that Paul sees the glory of Christ. That’s why Jesus says “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting”. When this Light (Jesus) has come into Paul’s life, he starts seeing things differently about Jesus. As in John 3:19-21, we have to come into this light so that we clearly see us comparing with the glory of Jesus. This presence of Jesus in our life changes our attitude, ambition and pursuits and we progress towards glory. We should allow this light to come into our life.

The first instruction Jesus gives Paul is to “Arise”. We read the same phrase given to Ananias in Acts 9:11. We have to rise from this situation we are in and obey God so that He will work in our life. But if we do not rise and stay put, Christ cannot come into our lives and cleanse us. This is unfortunately required for ministers too. They have the tendency to stay in their homes. Unless men of God rise, there is no revival.

We read the phrase “It is hard for you to kick against the goads” in verse 5. Here, Jesus mentions that He has already placed the yoke on Paul’s shoulders but he is kicking the goad causing pain to himself and his progress. This should be compared with Peter’s call where Jesus already had planned his future in “Come, I will make you fishers of men” in Mathew 4:19. We never understand that Jesus has already planned our future and placed responsibilities and at many times suffering on our shoulders to glorify us in the end. We read this sentence in Acts 9:16 when God speaks to Ananias. In Mathew 24:6, Jesus Himself says that the persecution must happen so that the kingdom of God would come. We should  pray for the government so that we would live a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way 1 Tim 2:1,2. We should not pray that these sufferings should not happen at all. We are like a woman that’s waiting for her child’s birth and should not pray to escape labor pain.

Let us try harder to come to Christ, the light so that this transformation happens in our life. When we pass through the light, we actually start God’s will in our life.

Amen.

Three types of men from Acts 8

Acts 8:1 And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Saul (Later, Paul) was heading a great persecution in Jerusalem and the death of Stephen sparkled energy to the authorities and they wanted to persecute everybody. But God’s wisdom is larger than their plans. Till this persecution started, the church was in Jerusalem with about 8000+ members. But when persecution started, it became 12 with people who knew and were chosen by Jesus. Verse 3 in many translations say Paul was destroying the Church and God did not come to defense immediately. The size of persecution could be understood with the reference in Acts 11:19. The reason is that till this time, the Church has constrained itself inside Jerusalem and had not moved outside. God allows His own body to be persecuted for its own growth. This is necessary.

We are going to study the three first fruits of this persecution mentioned in Chapter 8. We can categorize ourselves in any of these types.

1. Phillip:

Till this time, Phillip was in the Church doing administration. But when Stephen, his fellow worker in the Church was killed, there was no fear in Him. Samaria was around 70 miles away from Jerusalem and he was there preaching. The verse says that he was preaching Christ. This type of gospel preaching is so effective that immediately, there was healing, acceptance, concentration and results. A similar phrase can be read in Romans 16:25 where this preaching strengthens and brings glory to God the Father through Jesus Christ. The methods on how this preaching was done can be found in verse 12, where Phillip exalts the name of Jesus Christ and introduces the kingdom of God to them. This is much more effective than preaching about other’s mistakes and using other lies to bring people to Christ.

Philip was a humble person as he had performed many miracles in a city and had brought great joy to a whole city and when if the Holy Spirit was not given to them after his ministry, he did not complain but sent word for the apostles to lay hands. This method is not a standard, but needed for the situation for the acceptance of Samarians who were rejected by the Jews. When God gives or does not give something, it is required of us to receive what is given.

Philip was the first person to be carried away by the Holy Spirit. In all other cases including Jesus in Mathew 4, the Spirit instructed men but here, the Holy Spirit for the first time had carried him away for ministry. We need to understand the involvement and excitement of God when Phillip was producing really well.

2. Simon:

This person can be found in any church who had received the word and had immediately accepted and baptized. But the original identity of being a super spiritual person is not lost at all. The intentions are all the same as before. The old person has not died and we still have all the old ambitions and desires controlling us as in Ephesians 4:22-24. The bible does not mention what his fate was because, repentance at this stage could have saved him. This is a bond of iniquity where we search God for wrong intentions. This is harder for cleansing than most other sins as it brings corruption inside. It is required that this is ridiculed.

3. The Ethiopian Eunuch

This person’s desire made God send Philip to him. This is the best example of thirst towards righteousness. Since he was an eunuch, he cannot worship God in full. He is going back from the heart of the Church where there were around 8000 believers. He has good excuses to not touch the bible again ever as we read his frustration in verse 31. But he was patient and hopeful on the way back. This is faith that moves mountains.

When the good news about Jesus was preached, He gave himself for baptism and accepted this with joy. Some history says that he carried the gospel to Ethiopia and nearby.

Let us have our desires and submission like these two men and learn from Simon’s mistake.

Amen.