Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Don’t Try This at Home

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Isaiah 5
NT: Acts 1
W&W: Proverbs 9

Today’s Reflection:
If you are following the scripture readings, you will read Acts 1 today. Acts reports the story of the early years of the Church’s life and mission. Chapter 1 opens with the following paragraph:

1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

This opening statement provides a great paradigm for Christians who are workers in Kingdom. (And all Christians are workers in the Kingdom!) After his suffering and resurrection, Jesus:

  1. Showed himself to the leaders he had chosen. Christian worker, seek to “see” Jesus! Invest in seeing Jesus before you attempt to represent him!
  2. Gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. We have been given the awesome privilege of having Jesus live through us! Make sure your behavior and words and attitudes convince others of the life and love of Jesus!
  3. Spoke about the Kingdom of God. This is a good one for me to be reminded of. I tend to speak of everything else. May our conversations always be full of grace!
  4. Gave them this command: Wait for the gift of Holy Spirit baptism. This admonition extends beyond the Day of Pentecost which we read about in Acts 2. I will repeat to you the words that Paul asked the church in Ephesus years later: “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?” (Acts 19.2) You’ve heard the disclaimer: “Don’t try this at home.” I would paraphrase that and say, “Don’t try to be a worker in the kingdom on your own. Be filled with the Spirit!”

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.3: We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

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