Real Talk with Roderick
The Consequences of Keeping Company with Christ (Acts 4:13-22)
Introduction
Every sequence has a consequence. If we eat bad food, smoke, drink excessively, fail to get enough rest, and expose ourselves to lots of drama, we age faster and live less time. This has been proven by numerous studies.
Conversely, if we eat healthy, exercise regularly, drink in moderation (1 Timothy 5:23), and avoid stressful people and situations we tend to be healthier and live longer. Generally speaking, the quantity and quality of our life on earth is predicted by the nature of the things we put in it. Every sequence has a consequence.
There are consequences to spending time with people. We are influenced by the people we interact with. In the interactions of work, leisure, and love they rub off on us. The company we keep eventually and invariably contributes something to our conduct, to our conversation, to our contemplations, and to the essence of who we are - our character (1 Corinthians 5:6, 9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Timothy 2:22). Consider the words of the apostle Paul to the church in Corinth. He says, "Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits.'" And the converse is also true. That is, there are tremendous benefits to spending time with a good person.
People who consistently keep company with Christ are radically changed for the better. In His fellowship they receive His uncanny manners, His determination to win, His commitment to the Father's will, and His love for the lost. Such people eventually become chief change agents in Heaven's charge against the gates of hell.
Today's message will be show us what happens to fallen people who follow Jesus. They become courageous, more capable, and the cause of change.
(Acts 4:13-17)
13 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. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”
The confidence of the apostles could not be missed. However, it looked nothing like the confidence of the council (Galatians 1:14; Philippians 3:3-6; Acts 22:3). They were proud of their great learning, their positions as spiritual leaders, and their associations. These fishermen had none of those things and yet stood before them without fear. Although they lacked formal education they were not afraid to go into the temple and teach and could use logic and Scripture to defeat an opponent (Acts 2:16-22; 2:25-35; 4:11). Although they were not schooled in the work of leading the congregation they had no problem calling for people to repent and follow Christ.
As the council marveled at the boldness of the Galileans they suddenly became aware of the cause of the confidence, the basis of the boldness, and the source of their abilities: they had been with Jesus.
The rabble rousing rabbi from Nazareth had left a painful impression on the religious leaders of His day. His disciples' were leaving the same impression. F.F. Bruce says it this way:
None could match him in his sure handling of the scriptures, his unerring ability to go back to first principles for the confirming of his own teaching and the discomfiture of his opponents. And plainly he had imparted something of that same gift to his disciples. Not only so, but he had supported his teaching with the mighty works which he performed; now Peter and John were doing the same.
Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Book of the Acts (p. 95). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
Jesus pattern of life, poise under fire, and power to effect change for good was not forgotten. The memory is fresh in the minds of the men who murdered Him. And now they are confronted by a motley crew of men that are just like Him.
The consequence of keeping company with Christ has caused the disciples to have His character. They look like their Leader.
The apostles, men who once fled in the face of fierce opposition, now stand toe-to-toe with their enemies. They are confident, they are capable, and they are causing a change for good. Why? Even their enemies cannot deny the effects of spending time with Jesus. Robert Coleman, author of the classic Master Plan of Evangelism puts it this way
Jesus chose from the larger group about him the Twelve “that they might be with him” (Mark 3:14; see Luke 6:13). He added, of course, that he was going to send them forth “to preach, and to have authority to cast out devils,” but often we fail to realize what came first. Jesus made it clear that before these men were “to preach” or “to cast out devils” they were to be “with him.” In fact, this personal appointment to be in constant association with him was as much a part of their ordination commission as the authority to evangelize. Indeed, it was for the moment even more important, for it was the necessary preparation for the other.
Coleman, R. E. (2006). The master plan of evangelism (p. 35). Grand Rapids, MI: Revell.
The point is summarized in Mark 3:14
14 Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach
Much time alone with Jesus is the secret to becoming like Jesus.
Conclusion
What are we to do in the light of the truths advanced and affirmed by this passage? Going beyond mere intellectual ascent to these facts how should we then live? We must wholly reject the idea that we are condemned to the the criminal behaviors of our past. The notion that we can never have the skill and courage to explain the truth, defend the faith, or help do great and lasting good must be regarded as lies from the pit of hell. We have the mind of Christ and are destined to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). The key to better character is Christ. That is, if we are to escape in practice the gravity of our depravity we must spend time with the Lord Jesus Christ. How?
In His grip by His grace,
Roderick L. Barnes, Sr.
Real Talk with Roderick
Feeling Inadequate?
More important than the capabilities of the person called is the Caller Himself and the content of the person's calling. Your talent, or lack thereof, becomes irrelevant when you are summoned to serve; where we lack His grace is sufficient.
Real Talk with Roderick
Doing What Daddy Does (John 5:19-21)
Exegesis (John 5:19-21)
19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.
5:19 The Then Jesus answered (Ἀπεκρίνατο οὖν ὁ Ἰησοῦς) of John 5:19 introduces the Lord's response to the accusation of sabbath breaking. To understand the answer the reader must look back to prior discussion and in particular the murderous intentions of the religious leaders. His opponents have hurled two charges at the itinerant rabbi: sabbath breaking and blasphemy (John 5:18). But Jesus' response is best seen as being His apologetic for healing a man on the Sabbath and not as directly defending His claim to deity. He does not at this time take up the opportunity to argue His deity but uses the assumption of that truth when battling the censure of healing on the Sabbath.
Most assuredly (ἀμὴν ἀμὴν) reveals the weightiness of the words that follow and the solemn tone that comes with an answer to accusations of being a law breaker. And then Jesus explains the actions that brought on the dispute.
What is His explanation for healing on the Sabbath? Simple: The actions of the only begotten of the Father are also begotten of the Father. In effect, "I cannot do otherwise as I am a Son by nature bound to follow the leading of my Father. People, I am just doing what my Daddy does (John 5:17). My Daddy does not cease from the work of doing amazing good for those in need on the Sabbath." In His defense of His actions Jesus says that He is operating according the leading of His Father and normal living of His Family - the Godhead. The problem is only apparent and results from failing to regard His deity. Or the problem is in the Parent since the Son does not act apart from the Father. "You are upset with me because of what My Father has led me to do. But if you would just calm down and consider the fulness of my identity you would see that there is no blasphemy. ...and I cannot do otherwise."
Can do nothing,† nothing at all, denotes not only the dependence of the Son on the Father in His working, the negative side of obedience, nor only His imitation of the Father, the formal side of obedience, but also His working at the motion of the Father. The Father is the limit or the law, the Father is the example, and the Father is also the motive, the impulse of His action. The action of the Son is at every point begotten by the action of the Father. The negative side of the obedience of Christ consists in His being unable to do anything of Himself; the positive side consists in His seeing, His intuitive perception of the initiative of the Father (βλέπειν, comp. chap. 8:38, and ἁφʼἑαυτοῦ chap. 16:13).
Lange, J. P., & Schaff, P. (2008). A commentary on the Holy Scriptures: John (pp. 187–188). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
The Jews were perfectly right when in v. 18 they understood that Jesus made himself “equal with God.” This very relation of the Son to the Father makes it simply impossible (οὑ δύναται) that Jesus should do (ποιεῖν, now or ever) anything “of himself,” ἀφʼ ἑαυτοῦ, so that the thing would emanate from him alone and be done by him alone, separate and apart from the Father and thus deviating from and contradictory to the Father’s will—even as the Jews charged that Jesus was breaking God’s Sabbath law. Such a thing is possible for men; even Moses thus did a thing “of himself” (Num. 20:11, 12): but in the case of the Son, since he is the Son, this is absolutely excluded.
Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The interpretation of St. John’s gospel (p. 379). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.
5:20 The Father shows the Son His actions with the intent of moving His only begotten to do likewise. In revealing His works to the Son the love of the Father is shown to the Son. In doing the will of the Father in the way of the Father the love of the Son is shown to the Father. Chronologically the hotly debated actions of the Son are always after those of the Father. In this sense His works are begotten of God the Father and reveal what the Father is doing. Never does the Son of God move ahead of the Father. He is a leader that must, out of their relationship, be led. In this sense, for those who can resist the urge to ruthlessly refute strong statements, the Servant is not greater than His Master or the Father is greater than the Son (John 13:16; 14:28).
What Jesus says next is quite remarkable. Instead of trying to downplay the works that are so offensive to the religious leaders He says there are more to come. Who is to blame? Jesus says that the Father is going to show His Son greater works, knowing that imitation is inevitable, with the intent of causing the Son's critics to marvel. Do not miss that the goal of God the Father is not to move them to believe but to being bewildered.
5:21 Finally Jesus provides an example of the principles that He has been presenting. Jesus healed a man of his paralysis. But he also forgave his sin. In the latter work was the raising of the dead and the giving of life and the proof of His claim to be able to forgive sin.
Exhortation
• Some Jews are so serious about seeing the sin that they cannot hear what the sign is saying. It says Savior.
• His enemies are so mad about the miracle performed on a man on the Sabbath that they cannot begin to make out the meaning: It means He is Messiah.
• His foes are so fervent in their zeal to find fault that they have no time to form faith.
Jesus' ministry on earth was not random acts of kindness cut off by His courageous embracing of crucifixion. Whether we see Him turning water into wine (John 2:1-11), healing a man full of leprosy (Luke 5:12-16), raising a man four days dead (John 11:1-44), saving the life of a woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11), or rebuking the hypocritical leaders of His day (Matthew 23)... His actions were the outworking of the leading and example of His Father.
I have six boys. And I can tell you that a boy's behavior is determined primarily by one thing: the father's example. The son imitates him whether he wants to or not. It is in his nature to fixate on the living of his father or male role model and then start doing what Daddy does. Jesus said as much concerning His own life:
19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. (John 5:19, NKJV)
As Jesus deals with his angry detractors He explains his angst-causing actions as being the consequence of doing what His Daddy does. Dads, if we want to have a helping hand in the raising of men and women that can stand up for good in the face of growing opposition there is nothing better than showing them the way. The homily of our words is not nearly as loud and does not last nearly as long as the sermon said through our works. If we really want to help move our children in the direction of being honorable adults in a crooked and perverse generation we must exemplify honorable adulthood. What does that look like? Here are five things that will go a long way in helping show the way:
1. Fess Up and Forsake Sin - When you make a mistake make no excuses for it. Confess it and then repent. In the humiliation of confessing your crime and making restitution you will teach courage, humility, and the importance of holiness. Your children will see that integrity means more than image. It means I know that I will be remembered by some as the man who did not always make the right decision. But I am determined to be remembered by sons as the man who always endeavored to live in the light and make it right.
2. Forgive - Forgive people who fail you. Forgive people who fight you. Forgive your inveterate foes. Do not do it for show but do not fail to show your kids that Daddy is not going to hold grudges or get back at the people that hurt him. But go beyond sentiment and exemplify the character of God by doing something nice for the people that did you wrong. In the forgiving you will cast vision for character and conduct that counters the bitter racism of our own day and that will eventually conquer evil.
3. Help the Fallen - Be careful but also be intentional in providing real help to those who have screwed up real bad. Never wink at sin. But also never walk away from the person who is willing to change. Let your children see you associate with the fallen in a genuine effort to grieve with them, restore their spirit, and push them back into serving God effectively. (God Almighty, thank you for the saints who did this for me!)
4. Fight for Family - Generally speaking it is easier to destroy than create. And any fool can find a reason to forsake his family. But it takes real fortitude and faith in God to fight for something that is flawed, feeble, and yet the means by which God raises godly generations. Sometimes Mommy and Daddy will not be able to work it out. But real men have a real role in the raising of their own kids. You cannot be there often? That suck! But be there as much as you can. Christians are always complaining about taking how they are taking "Our Father who art in heaven" out of school. Much more damaging is the father who ain't there at all. Be there as much as you can, man!
5. Forge Ahead - What does this mean? This means never giving up. This means never giving in. Because winners never quit and quitters never win. (caveat lector: If you read it right it rhymed.) No matter what happens, Fathers, keep the faith. No matter how many times you fail show your children the excellence of being exceedingly determined to follow Jesus (Micah 7:8; Psalm 37:24; Proverbs 24:16; Job 5:19).
If you do these things there is no guarantee that your children will appreciate it immediately. But one day they will. One day the son that refused to preach will take up the example of his role model. (Thank you, Grandad.) One day the boy that rebelled against your every word will remember your determination to help him succeed... especially through the pain of chastening. One day, without realizing it, lessons that could not be taught will have been caught and your children will find themselves doing what Daddy did.
In His grip by His grace,
Flawed Dad
Real Talk with Roderick
(Acts 3:1-10)
(Acts 3:1-3)
1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.
3:1 We have seen these two men together in the past. When the Lord is transformed on the mountain Peter and John are there with James. They are together with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. We see them running together to the tomb of Jesus when the women say that the body is missing. And they are together in a boat when Jesus appears to them on the shore after His resurrection. Finally, when Jesus would talk with Peter alone these two men are not entirely separated; the disciple whom Jesus loved was compelled to walk nearby. And so we are not altogether surprised to see that Peter and John will be frequently found together in The Acts of the Apostles (Acts 3:1, 3, 11; 4:13, 19; 8:14).
They are a dynamic duo. Peter tends to be the speaker but John is always there, also with power, supporting the actions and words of his friend and fellow apostle. Their pairing may have been merely the outworking of their friendship. More likely it was also their commitment to the earlier commands and ministry conventions of Christ; He sent them by twos (Luke 10:1). And it is by twos that they are going to pray... and to preach if given an opportunity. It is by twos that Peter and John, still Jews and still practicing Judaism, are going to the second and last offering of the day. It would have been about 3:00 PM.
The time of the apostles’ visit was the “ninth” hour, three in the afternoon, i.e., the hour of prayer. It was also the time of the evening Tamid, one of the two sacrifices held daily in the temple.3 These had become prescribed times of prayer, and people would come to the temple at the sacrifice times to observe the ceremony and pray.
Polhill, John B. (1992). The New American Commentary: Acts (Vol. 26, p. 126). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
The apostles continued to live as observant Jews, attending the set services of worship in the Jerusalem temple. The two principal daily services accompanied the offering of the morning and evening sacrifices. One afternoon, as two of the apostles, Peter and John,6 went up the steps leading from the outer court to the inner courts,7 in order to be present in the Court of Israel for the service of prayer which accompanied the evening sacrifice (about 3 p.m.),8 they were arrested by the sight of a cripple who lay begging at the “Beautiful Gate.”
Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Book of the Acts (p. 77). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
Throughout the narratives of Acts, especially when Peter is present, their will be a problem and a display of apostolic power, a dilemma and a dispensation of spiritual truth, an evil adversary and actions of courage and correction. Get ready!
3:2 Luke introduces another character and thereby the problem: a certain man lame from his mother's womb. In the gospel of John we were introduced to a man with the problem of blindness from birth (John 9:1-7). In that record we are witness to the power of the Lord to help or heal in a way that was (1) unprecedented (John 9:30-33), (2) readily recognized as a sign, and (3) the cause of controversy (John 9). This man, carried to the temple to beg, was laid at gate of notable beauty. As people entered the temple to pray and to observe in reverence the sacrifice many would have had a heart that was prepared to honor God in giving to the poor (Proverbs 19:17; 28:27). This man's placement and timing was aimed at making the most of the moment.
They say that beggars cannot be choosers. However, those that would beg successfully must be careful in choosing the time and place when asking for alms.
It was prime time for receiving alms. The rabbis taught that there were three pillars for the Jewish faith—the Torah, worship, and the showing of kindness, or charity.4 Almsgiving was one of the main ways to show kindness and was thus considered a major expression of one’s devotion to God. With their minds set on worship, those who entered the temple for the evening sacrifice and prayer would be particularly disposed to practice their piety by generously giving alms to a lame beggar.
Polhill, J. B. (1992). Acts (Vol. 26, p. 126). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
3:3 The man, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked them for a gift. It is certain that he did not expect anything more than financial assistance (Acts 3:5). But for that he had petitioned the wrong men (Acts 3:6).
(Acts 3:4-8)
4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.
Peter's eyes are fixed on the man. Why? Because he has been with Jesus and has learned to look at things differently. Where some will see only the obstacle Peter has learned to see the opportunity. Where some see only the problem Peter has learned to see the possibility. Where some see only a crippled man asking for a handout Peter sees the chance for Christ to provide some help up. The big fisherman can remember leaving the temple with Jesus and coming across a man who was born blind and seeing his Teacher make the most of that moment (John 9:1-11).
It was not too long ago that his Teacher taught him that the tragedy of a congenital defect can become the triumph of Christ's power on display. This apostle sees that this man's handicap is not a burden but a blessing because the glory of God's ability to help or heal is seen most clearly in the ones that are hopeless or dead.
The fact that he was born lame makes his healing all the more remarkable (cf. 4:22).
Polhill, J. B. (1992). Acts (Vol. 26, p. 126). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
The reference to “the name” is not incidental. In the biblical sense a name is far more than a label. It represents a person and is an extension of that person’s being and personality. To invoke the name of Jesus is to call upon his authority and power.10 In a real sense, then, Jesus through Peter continued his healing ministry. With a healing touch common to miracle narratives, Peter grasped the man’s right hand and lifted him up.
Polhill, J. B. (1992). Acts (Vol. 26, p. 128). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
Day by day he sat there at the threshold to the place of worship, but he could not enter. He was lame, blemished, and denied access to the inner courts (cf. Lev 21:17–20; 2 Sam 5:8).13 At this time not only had he received physical healing, but he had found spiritual acceptance as well. For the first time he was deemed worthy to enter the house of worship.
Polhill, J. B. (1992). Acts (Vol. 26, p. 128). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
On the present occasion, the very conduct of the former crippled man was itself a token, to those who had eyes to see, of the advent of the new age.15 Of the new age it had been said long before, “then shall the lame man leap like a hart” (Isa. 35:6).
Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Book of the Acts (p. 79). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
6 Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert. (Isaiah 35:6, NKJV)
Northwest Community Evangelical Free Church
(March 1, 2015)
Dave Smith
Sermon Series: THIS Jesus!
Water to WineStudy #1
(John 2:1-11)
Introduction: Searching for the REAL Jesus…
In his book, The Jesus I Never Knew, Philip Yancey describes an oil-based painting that hung in the church of his youth. It depicted Jesus with long blonde hair and blue eyes. Jesus is drawn as a shepherd with milky white skin gently holding a small lamb.
Yancey remembers that when he was a child he felt comforted by that image of Jesus. He liked to think of himself as that little lamb, cradled in Jesus’ arms.
From the perspective of adulthood, however, Yancey has come to have a very different “take” on that image. He now refers to it as a “Mister Rogers Jesus,” a Jesus with no hard edges. And, in retrospect, he recognizes that it is neither a very compelling nor a very biblical picture of Jesus.
There are lots of other images of Jesus out there.
A variety of Jesus’...
Some today view Him as a Che Guevara figure who is out to overturn the world’s governments by revolution.
Others see him as less aggressive. In one famous painting, Jesus is pictured knocking on the United Nations building, the Answer to international tensions, if anyone would just let Him in.
Modern opinions of Jesus hold Him to be a either a Galilean charismatic or an unorthodox rabbi, a Pharisee or an anti-Pharisee, an unkempt, radical, counter-cultural misfit or an hallucinogenic leader of a sacred mushroom cult.
There is truly no shortage of ways to view Jesus.
Near the end of John’s Gospel, we read that if all the things that Jesus did were written down, even the world itself would not be able to contain the books (John 21:25). Thousands of books have been written about Jesus - many of them very good books.
But except for a few scant references from the secular writings of His day, we all rely on the same basic source material. And the best and most reliable source material for learning about Jesus remain the four Gospel accounts found in the New Testament.
And frankly, we wish the Gospels gave us more.
About THIS Jesus...
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John give us very few details about His family life, childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood.
We don’t have a clue as to His physical appearance - except that He certainly was not a blue-eyed, blonde-haired male with milky white skin. We don’t know His height, weight, or muscularity.
In His lifetime, Jesus spoke to fewer people than have been in any of hundreds of stadiums Billy Graham has filled to preach about Him. And yet, today history divides by “before Christ” and “in the year of our Lord.” Today, people worship and curse in the Name of Jesus.
If you can gauge the size of a ship that has passed by the wake it leaves behind, then the ship of Jesus’ life was, without question, the largest ship in history.
Looking for THIS Jesus...
For every reason we could list, it is worth our while, every once in a while, to clear away the fog, do away with that Jesus and that Jesus and that Jesus and investigate THIS Jesus, the Jesus of the New Testament.
That’s because, of all the reasons to believe in Christianity, He is the most compelling.
It is not evidence for creation. It’s not the increasing archaeological evidence for Noah’s Ark or for Moses’ Exodus or for the downed walls of Jericho that drives us to embrace the Christian way.
It is the Person of Jesus.
A right understanding of Jesus draws us to faith, while the biggest show-stopper to faith is a faulty view of Jesus.
So, I propose that over the next several Sundays we allow the Apostle John to lead us into the understanding of Jesus he obtained via firsthand exposure. From now through the Sunday after Easter, we’ll be looking for evidence of what Jesus was really like from John’s Gospel.
John’s record of Jesus begins differently from the other three.
Matthew and Luke give us genealogies and birth narratives and the launch of Jesus’ ministry with temptations in the wilderness. Mark skips the birth stories and goes right to the temptations.
The other Gospels give us the Sermon on the Mount, the Transfiguration, and parables. John gives us none of that.
What John does do, however, is give us a very tightly focused picture of Jesus, and He begins at the beginning, the very beginning.
Listen closely to John’s opening. His first words have more in common with Genesis 1 than they do with Matthew 1 or Mark 1 or Luke 1.
Prologue to Consideration of a Saving Lord (John 1:1-51)
The Prologue (vv. 1-18)
Meet “the Word” (vv. 1-5)
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God.[3] All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. [4] In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. [5] And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
You and I hear the word “Word” and think, “A word.” Big deal.
But to John’s audience, the “Word” was a very big deal. The world was created by the Word of God. When the prophets thundered their messages, they would often begin, “The Word of the Lord…”
The Word is the communication and the revelation of God.
But John’s Word is more than that. The Word IS God. Not “godly.” Not “god-like.” Not “a god.” GOD. The Almighty.
And, in the Word was life.
Not dependent life, like ours. Independent life. The Word is the source from which all creation draws life.
And the life within the Word serves as a lighthouse, directing us to God’s life.
So John has introduced us to the Word. The Word is an eternal, creative, cosmic life force.
He now brings us in from eternity and infinity, crashing back in to the flesh and blood world of planet earth.
Meet John (vv. 6-8)
[6] There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. [7] He came as a witness, to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. [8] He was not the light, but came to testify about the light.
This is not John the author, the Apostle John, but the other John - John the Baptist. John the Baptist was a untamed and untamable man who dressed in unclean animal skins and ate locusts and honey. He is among the most intriguing characters in the Bible.
He enters the story of Jesus from the deserts to the east of Palestine, calling people to repentance by baptism in the Jordan River.
John was a no-nonsense ascetic. Leather-skinned from exposure to the wilderness and leather-lunged to condemn sin, he was all zeal and thundering passion for God.
John was a man sent from God, but John was not the star of the show. He was the prequel. He came to bear witness of the light that the Word shines into the darkness.
John, the author, shifts back to a focus on the Word now, emphasizing that the Word is a Person.
Meet the God-Man (vv. 9-18)
The rejection of the true Light (vv. 10-11)
[9] There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. [10] HE was in the world, and the world was made through HIM, and the world did not know HIM. [11] HE came to HIS own, and those who were HIS own did not receive HIM.
The transcendent, eternal, creative Word is a Person. And by the time we come to verse 11, we can’t resist the temptation to draw the line between the Word and Jesus!
Jesus came home to the Jews, His own people, who should have welcomed Him the way we welcome returning heroes. By and large they didn’t.
BUT those who did not reject Him found life, abundant, free, and eternal.
The reception of the true Light (vv. 12-14)
[12] But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, [13] who were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. [14] And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Very briefly we’ve traced the Word’s story from creation (“In the beginning was the Word…”), to a birth at Bethlehem when the light first shined (“the Word became flesh”) to Calvary where the light was rejected.
John’s Prologue gives us the heart of the Christian faith, and it is this: That the Word of God took on flesh for our salvation, in the Person of Jesus.
During the three years John spent as an apostle of Jesus, He lived with the Word. He walked the streets of Nazareth with the Word. He watched the Word’s healing hands at work and he heard the Word’s life-giving message.
When we think of seeing God’s glory, we may think of visions and miracles and spectacular shows of power. John says that in all human history, the glory of God was most clearly seen during the thirty three years of Jesus’ life when He lived “in the flesh.”
And THIS that we now read is the vision the Apostle John wants us to take forward into our exploration of Jesus.
Grace upon grace… (vv. 15-18)
[15] John testified about Him, and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.” [16] For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. [17] For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. [18] No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.
Anyone who believes in Jesus receives grace upon grace upon grace upon grace, wave upon unending wave of grace, from God.
On the day you trusted in Jesus for your salvation and passed from darkness into light, God gave you the gift of grace. The angels were jumping up and down, shouting, “He is forgiven! He is forgiven!!”
And on every day that follows, when you sin, because you are child of God through faith in Christ, the angels continue to shout, “He is forgiven! He is forgiven!!”
The wonder of grace never fades because we remember the enormous problem that our sin caused and the lengths to which God went to solve our problem.
He sent His only begotten Son, the eternal Word, to earth to be clothed in flesh and to offer Himself as a sacrifice on a Roman cross so that we could become children of God.
That’s John’s opening salvo, his Prologue. He continues the story of Jesus, tracing the most private season of Jesus’ early public life.
After Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, He began to collect disciples.
These first disciples included two from among the ranks of John the Baptist’s disciples, one of whom was Andrew. Then Andrew brought his brother, Simon (Peter), who followed Jesus. Then Jesus found Philip, who followed. Philip brought along Nathanael, who also followed.
So, by the time we come to the end of John’s first chapter, Jesus had five disciples.
The next chapter, where we’ll spend the remainder of our time today, begins with a time stamp (“on the third day” - i.e. the third day after the baptism), a place stamp (“in Cana of Galilee”), and an event stamp (“there was a wedding”).
The action takes place in the northern part of Palestine, in the region of Galilee, at the tiny town of Cana. Cana was a village located a few miles north of Nazareth (the city in which Jesus grew up) out on the plains mid-way between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean.
Transforming Water Into Wine (vv. 1-10)
A Wedding (vv. 1-2)
[1] And on the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee and the mother of Jesus was there, [2] and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.
Wedding guests
You would not likely have found John the Baptist at a wedding. He was a man more given to fasting than to feasting.
But it’s not strange to find Jesus there. Trace Jesus’ life through the Gospels and you’ll often find Him at parties and celebrations.
I have wondered if Andrew, the former follower of John the Baptist who was now following Jesus, might have had some difficulty with his new Rabbi’s willingness to eat, drink, and party.
John and his disciples would have never been invited to a party or to a wedding. Jesus was, evidently, exactly the kind of guy you would want at a wedding celebration.
Not that Jesus was some wild party animal. Only that nobody would have thought, “Oh, don’t invite Jesus. He’s such a wet blanket.”
Jesus was no grim-faced ascetic. He brought joy and abundant life.
Those who were hosting this wedding feast knew that Jesus and His followers either had family or friendly relations with the bride or the groom, so they invited them.
Weddings
In ancient Israel, weddings generally took place late in the day and often after dark so that the processions through the city streets would be lit by impressive torchlight.
The wedding event itself would begin with a parade of the groom and his friends to the home of the bride.
Once at her home, wedding guests would give speeches and toast the couple. Then the wedding party would walk to the groom’s house.
There, they would hold a brief religious ceremony, to be followed by the reception and a wedding feast.
By the time we are brought into this scene, the wedding is over and the reception is on.
Unlike our wedding receptions, though, which may last for some hours, a Jewish wedding feast might last for up to a week. This one had been going on for some time when a problem - a big problem - hits.
A Wedding Crisis (vv. 3-5)
Mary’s motherly remark to Jesus (v. 3)
[3] When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”
In the first century - and actually throughout biblical history - wine was a staple of the Jewish diet.
There have always been warnings against drunkenness, of course. But wine was a welcomed part of any celebration.
The guests at a wedding would taste the wine as they traveled from house to house. Sometimes, the couple would drink wine to seal their vows. And, at the reception (again, sometimes lasting for days), wine was served.
At this wedding in Cana, they have run out of wine. There is no telling WHY they ran out of wine, but THAT they ran out of wine was a serious problem. It was a breach of etiquette to stop serving wine.
When the wine runs out, the party’s over. When the wine runs out, the hosts have egg all over their faces. I read in one source that the couple could have actually been sued over the lack of wine.
So, this was a very sobering situation (sorry), and Mary let her Son, Jesus, know about it. It was, after all, only natural for Mary to look to Jesus at a time like this. She, of all people, knew who He really was and that He could do something about it.
While others may have had their doubts about Jesus’ identity, Mary was the one person who knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus was the Son of God.
She had given birth to other children after Jesus. Those conceptions were quite normal. Only Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
Mary has been waiting a long time, all of Jesus’ life, thirty years by this time, for her Son to reveal His true identity. To this point He has not performed a miracle. This would surely have been a convenient time for Him to do something.
And Jesus had a response to give to His mother.
Jesus: “Lady, I know My business.” (4)
[4] And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.”
By those words, Jesus made a dramatic turn in His relationship with His mother. No longer is she the one to whom He submits. He’s not her “little boy.” Now, He is in control, and He’s not taking orders from Mom.
His message is, “My timetable is My own. I’ll handle this. I don’t need your wisdom, your prompting, your suggestions or your nudges.”
When Jesus said these things, Mary graciously accepted her new role in her Son’s life. He is now her Lord - and she promptly spoke to the servants at the wedding.
Mary: “Servants - do His bidding!” (5)
[5] His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
Now it might have appeared to us that when Jesus said, “My hour has not yet come” He was refusing to take action. Not so.
He was simply refusing to act on anyone’s timetable but His own. He will perform His first miracle when He has decided that it is time.
My own sense is that Jesus had not gone to the wedding intending to identify Himself as the miracle-working Son of God. But He chose to do what He will now do in response to a need - and it won’t be the last time that Jesus alters His plans to meet someone else’s pressing need.
Mary seemed to know her Son well enough to know that He was going to do something and so she put the servants on notice that Jesus is, now, in charge. He is going to be giving them orders.
A Wedding Miracle (vv. 6-10)
The vessels for the miracle (v. 6)
[6] Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each.
In the home where the wedding reception was being held there were six stone waterpots holding a total of at least one hundred and twenty gallons of water.
These were very large and heavy containers, not the kinds of pitchers that people would carry around. They were kept out of view of the guests and held water that was used for ceremonial hand-washing.
The Jews of Jesus’ day took great pains to avoid ritual uncleanness. One rabbinic book of the first century has multiple chapters on how and when a person was to wash his or her hands.
Seeing these large containers, Jesus spoke to the servants.
Jesus’ really unappetizing instructions (vv. 7-8)
Fill the waterpots (v. 7)
[7] Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim.
So, quick. What do you think was going through the minds of the servants when they heard this command?
I suspect that they were confused. They were wondering what in the world this Jesus guy has in mind.
It was their job to keep the waterpots sufficiently filled for various hand-washings, but now they have to fill them, and that’s going to be a job.
If you’ve ever had to haul water, you know that this would have taken some time and some effort. But they did what Jesus commanded and filled them all up to the brim.
Then, He gave His next command, which probably caused the servants to turn queasy.
Present it to the headwaiter (v. 8)
[8] And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the headwaiter.”
The headwaiter at this wedding was the one responsible for tasting the wine before it was served. So why in the world would Jesus want the servers to take the hand-washing water to him?
That water was fine for washing hands, but it wasn’t suitable for drinking. It wasn’t potable.
When I went camping to West Texas a couple of weeks ago, my brother-in-law and I were hiking up a stream bed in a canyon. The canyon actually had flowing water that looked crystal clear, like you could just kneel down and drink.
We knew better. On a previous trip up this same canyon we had found that some wild donkeys (donkeys, by the way, who had a very diminished sense of personal hygiene) had made a filthy mess of the creek just upstream. The water wasn’t potable and we weren’t about to drink without treating or boiling it.
Of course first century Jews didn’t know about microscopic pathogens in water, but they did know that there was drinkable water and there was undrinkable water.
The water in the stone pots was not suitable for drinking - but Jesus had just told them to serve some of it to the headwaiter.
They must have thought, “I know what Mary said, but this Guy can’t be serious! When the headwaiter finds out it is only water - and that it is THAT water, he’ll have our jobs, or worse.”
Not one of the servants had a clue as to what Jesus was up to. He didn’t wave His arms over the waterpots. He didn’t issue a command to the water to turn into wine. He never touched the water or the pots. As far as they know, Jesus was instructing them to serve hand-washing water to the boss.
But, obey Jesus they did. They filled the waterpots. They dipped pitchers into the water. They walked over to their boss, dreading what was going to happen when he took a drink.
But as they poured from the pitcher to his drinking goblet, he and the servants saw not the dirty water they had poured in, but the deep blush of aged wine!
The headwaiter is impressed (vv. 9-10)
[9] When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom [10] and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.”
He is not impressed with the miracle, because he didn’t know that a miracle had taken place. He’s impressed with the quality of the wine.
There is no response recorded from the bride, the groom or the guests because what had really happened wasn’t widely known.
This miracle was like a lot of my jokes. Subtle. My jokes are often so subtle that nobody gets them. And nobody “got” this miracle, either, because Jesus did it under the radar.
He could have been dramatic about it. He could have waved His hands, muttered an incantation, and then presented the headwaiter with the water-turned-wine, Himself.
But He didn’t do that. Jesus minimized the exposure of His power in this first miracle so that the only ones who “got it” were His disciples.
And that explains the punch line, the point, of this water-to-wine event. John doesn’t wrap up with, “And they lived happily ever after”, but this:
[11] This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.
Of all the responses they might have had, they believed.
They certainly might have become afraid of Him. They might have been impressed with Him. They might have sought to use Him (after all, someone who could do magic tricks could come in pretty handy.)
Instead, they believed in Him. They came to trust in Him more than they had before.
The end game of God’s work in the lives of Jesus’ followers is always that we would trust Him and our faith would grow.
So, the bottom line of this episode in the life of Jesus is what it says about Jesus. It is a “sign”, John tells us, pointing to something beyond itself.
It was a sign that shouted, “Trust Jesus! He is more than man. He is the God-man who can do what only God can do.”
Yes, this “sign” signals that Jesus is trustworthy. But as I have thought about the wedding in Cana this week, I have wondered if this sign signaled something else.
Conclusion:
Think of all the miracles Jesus performed and you’ll find that there is more often than not an element of genuine, deep, human need.
A crowd is really, really hungry; a little girl is at the point of death; a blind beggar is desperate to see; a demon-oppressed man needs freedom.
Here, there is none of that. The only pain likely to be caused by the absence of wine at this wedding is the pain of embarrassment. So why do it? Let’s read this sign carefully to see what it says.
Jesus turned hand-washing water into fine wine. He started with a most common element - H2O - made morecommon by its purpose (wash water), and transformed it into something noble.
THAT water was the very picture of drudgery and legalistic formalism. Jesus made it tasty. He took something that symbolized a pain and made it a pleasure.
That’s what Jesus does. He takes the ordinary and makes it shine.
He took plain and common people like Simon Peter, Andrew and Nathanael and Philip and turned them into courageous apostles whose lives were transformed by a transcendent purpose.
He’s doing the same thing today with you and me.
Now, I am a no-big-deal, hand-washing-water kind of a guy. I do very normal things. My job happens to be at a church, but I go to work every day, like you. I love my family, like you. I exercise, read, take out the trash, go camping, do yardwork, drive, eat. Just like you.
But because of Jesus, my everyday, ordinary, H2O life is layered with transcendent meaning and purpose. Same for you.
Jesus infuses every activity with richness. Every interaction with someone holds potential for a God break-through. Every event brings an invitation to pray to Almighty God. All day we are “on mission” for Jesus’ Great Commission.
And our H2O lives have become fine wine, transformed by the same Jesus who built faith into the first disciples at Cana.
And if you are doubtful that Jesus could ever or would ever do this with you, consider this “sign” one final time.
Remember that the headwaiter at the wedding wasn’t impressed that he was tasting wine. He expected to taste wine. He was impressed that the wine was so tasty. He expected poorer quality. Jesus created a better quality of wine than would have been expected at the tail end of a feast.
And how much wine was created? It was between one hundred and twenty and one hundred and eighty gallons. For the end of wedding feast in a tiny village. One hundred and eighty gallons of wine. Really?
That’s waaaay more than would have been required. But Jesus went overboard (just like He went overboard in the feeding of the 5,000 and the 4,000 by providing more than enough food) to show that it is His desire and plan to bless and to transform extravagantly.
His grand plan is to make of you such a stunning and impactful player in His kingdom that people will look at you and say, “Look at what God has made out of her! Look at how God has used him!”
The same Jesus who turned hand-washing water into fine wine in Cana is actively at work, transforming you.
Real Talk with Roderick
Stuff Just Got Real (Acts 2:40-47)
Real Faith (Acts 2:40-42; Luke 9:41; 11:29)
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
The message of Peter did not end with the words of Acts 2:38-39. He went on at length pressing people for a decision. How did the fisher of men do this? He testified. In the many other words were declarations of what he and the other apostles had seen, had heard, and had handled with their own hands (Matthew 17:1-9; John 20:26-28; 1 John 1:1). In the many other words there were no doubt mentions of the many infallible proofs (Acts 1:3) that had served to convince the apostles that Jesus was risen from the dead with authority and power. Peter pressed the issue of salvation by clearly communicated the facts surrounding the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. In doing this he worked to convince the convicted listeners to do something.
How did the fisher of men press? He exhorted them. Merely making the truth known was not enough. The Spirit-led proclamation was also an impassioned call to believe and be baptized: "Be saved from this perverse generation." There was summons in his sermon. It was an in-your-face beseeching and an unapologetic characterization of the those who would not hear and heed the call to repentance. The man had become like his Master and now preached like him; Jesus had already named the people of that time Perverse Generation.
As hard as it was to hear it was a message of mercy and hope. In it God was extending His hand yet one more time to the very people that had killed his Son.
But there was a way of deliverance from the judgment which such faithlessness must inevitably incur. The deliverance of which Joel (Joel 2:28-32) had spoken was to be enjoyed by a remnant of the whole people; so now Peter urged his hearers to make sure, by a repentant calling on the Lord, that they belonged to this remnant and saved themselves from that perverse generation.
Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Book of the Acts (p. 72). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
Those who accepted the apostolic admonition of Peter responded immediately in the obedience of believer's baptism (Acts 2:41). They knew that it was not enough to agree with Peter or attend prayer meetings.
Real Fear and Real Fellowship (Acts 2:43-45)
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
Signs and wonders had been done by the Spirit through Jesus (Luke 4:14-19) and were now being done by the Spirit through the apostles (Acts 2:43). This is what the prophet Joel had, by the Spirit, predicted (Joel 2:30; Acts 2:19). Seeing the signs and wonders produced a reverent fear among the people.
The former signs said that Jesus is both Savior and Lord; they were the credentials of Christ. These latter signs say that the apostles are sent by Jesus and that their words should be heeded as His words; respect is due. Godly fear or reverence manifest in respect is the appropriate response when we in the presence of heaven-sent authority.
Luke now tells the reader that the fellowship was not characterized by cowering before the apostles and morbid fear of their decisions. He says that it was a community of caring, of sharing possessions, and bearing one another burdens.
Real fellowship is seen not in merely sitting together on Sunday but also in relevant expressions of love Monday through Saturday. It is more than singing songs and saying Amen in the theatrical pauses of self-absorbed preaching. It must meet needs!
Real Favor (Acts 2:46-47)
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Do not miss the fact that daily life for the new church involved unity in the fellowship (with one accord), the regular practice of communion (breaking bread from house to house), and worship (praising God). Their unity, solemn meal, and regular worship were enough to make people notice. In fact, though some would not join their growing number, they recognized their fellowship as being good and looked upon it with favor.
Real Talk with Roderick
I've Got the Power (Acts 2:5-13)
(Acts 2:5-6)
5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.
The sound of Jesus' disciples declaring the wonderful works of God cannot be ignored (Acts 2:5-6,11). When His followers had been baptized with the Holy Spirit they began, as led and enabled by the Spirit, to speak in other tongues - and not too quietly. When the devout Jewish men from every nation under heaven hear their excited voices they respond by going to investigate.
As the curious multitude begins arriving on the scene where the sound is coming from it is a bit much to take in. A crowd that has come looking for answers gets something else: confusion. Why? This scene does not make sense. Imagine it. Regardless of where you are from you hear people in this group exalting God in your native tongue. And this is all the more remarkable because the people doing this have a hard time speaking their own language.
The Power of God in a yielded person
works to make them worship and to
make those who watch... wonder why.
(Acts 2:7-11)
7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”
It does not take long for the arriving observers to take stock of the people making the noise: Look,... all these who speak are Galileans.
How did the crowd know that the people speaking were Galileans? There were a few things that may have marked the Spirit-filled group as being from the region of Galilee. Of those things accent ranks foremost. Remember, the multitude was drawn by the sound of their speech. It would be natural as they neared the group to be able to hear them with increasing clarity. Arriving at the place where the apostles and other disciples were speaking in tongues it would have been obvious to people of that time and region; the Galilean accent could not be hidden.
“The pronunciation, the dialect, ἡλαλία of the Galilæans was defective in the utterance of the gutturals, so that no distinction was perceptible between ה ,ע ,א. Besides, the Galilæns also pronounced the שׁ like ח.” De Wette. The pronunciation of the people of Galilee was uncouth and indistinct; hence they were not allowed to read aloud in the Jewish synagogues. The Talmudists relate a number of amusing anecdotes about the curious misunderstandings occasioned by the indistinctness of pronunciation in Galilee. See Friedlieb, p. 84.
Lange, J. P., & Schaff, P. (2008). A commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Matthew (p. 498). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
Galilaean speech was easily recognized because of its loss of laryngeals and aspirates; cf. A. Neubauer, “The Dialects of Palestine in the Time of Christ,” in Studia Biblica, I (Oxford, 1885), p. 51; G. Dalman, Grammatik des jüdisch-palästinischen Aramäisch (Leipzig, 1894), pp. 33–40, 42–51; F. Rosenthal, Die aramäistische Forschung (Leiden, 1939), p. 108 n.; E. Y. Kutscher, Studies in Galilaean Aramaic (Bar-Ilan University Press, Israel, 1976)
Only weeks prior to all of this Peter, in a moment of terrible weakness, attempts to deny association with on-trial Jesus. But try as he might his accent gives the big fisherman away:
73 And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” (Matthew 26:73, NKJV)
The onlookers are all amazed and marveling. These devout Jews cannot
What looked like a horrible handicap was actually God's plan for ensuring that the disciples understand this simple truth:
The Holy Spirit is Himself the sufficiency
of the weak for the work of being a witness.
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Let us not miss what it seems that the crowed did or could not observe: There is no mention made of the multitude marveling about the sound of the wind or the divided tongues of fire that sat upon each of the recently baptized disciples (Acts 2:3). While the sound of wind and flames were apparent to the people who were baptized it seems that those who had not received the Holy Spirit either (1) arrived too late to view the tongues of fire or (2) were not able to see the tongues of fire. In either case this sign was not mentioned by the people that entered the company of Jesus' disciples; it seems that they were only given the words of Jesus witnesses - in their own tongues.
Some signs are sent to simply to say, "I am with you!"
They come to create confidence that Christ is in me.
(Acts 2:12-13)
12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Wha-ever could this mean?” 13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”
When the power of the Spirit to bear witness begins working in you there will often be two responses.
Real Talk with Roderick
How Is Your Foundation? (Matthew 21:42)
My grandparents built a humble home on the east side of San Antonio. Although it was very unremarkable I thought it was grand. One day as I was standing on the porch of their home looking at the brick columns I noticed somthing. I remarked to my grandfather that "Most of the bricks have some sort of rough place and extra concrete on them." It was then that he told me that the house was made of used or leftover bricks. They were not good enough for the former building. But they had made a great home for us.
As Jesus nears the end of His earthly ministry it becomes painfully obvious that the rulers do not regard Him as someone with whom ministry can be built. There is terrible irony in the fact that Jesus was rejected by His own people. However, He was and is in fact the foundation of living. Apart from Him we can do nothing!
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’? (Matthew 21:42)
How is your foundation? That is, what are you building your life on? A great job? A good marriage? Romance? Promoting the success of children? Civic duty or the promotion of your nation? Ministry? None of these things are bad investments of time. But they cannot be the basis for life. If the answer is not Jesus the answer is wrong. (Ministry and Jesus are not the same thing. The former is a calling but cannot save or give lasting peace. The latter calls, saves, and gives everlasting life.) You are in fact building on sand and the results will be tragic.
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:24-27)
Stop building on a bad foundation. Start today building on a good foundation: Jesus Christ. It will mean the transfer of trust and hope from something that looks promising to Someone that is proven.
In His grip by His grace,
Roderick L. Barnes, Sr.
Pastor of Unusually Great People
Three Rivers Community Church
Matthew 15:21-28
21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” 23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” 24 But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” 26 But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” 27 And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
Real Talk with Roderick
Moving On (Acts 1:15-26)
Between the ascension of the Lord (Acts 1:9) and the arrival of the aforementioned Anointing (Acts 1:5,8; 2:1-4) there is a period referred to as those days (ταῖς ἡμέραις - Acts 1:15). It was during those days that the disciples of Jesus spent their time together in prayer and supplication in an upper room (Acts 1:14). At some point in the mean of that while Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples1 to address an issue: Judas is gone.
Peter's description of the that state of affairs is interesting. Rather than starting with the negative fact that Judas was no longer in their number he begins with the positive - Scripture had to be fulfilled (ἔδει πληρωθῆναι τὴν γραφὴν). Does it matter? Certainly! It is the difference between seeing first the problem and seeing first the hand of Providence. It is the difference between focusing on Judas' failure and focusing on Scripture's fulfillment. Some people naturally look at a situation and become overwhelmed by the sight of obstacles. Others look into the same situation and see the opportunities. It is hard to be an effective leader if you can only present the problem; to truly inspire people you have to also see clearly the problem and the possibilities that exist in the same dark situation.
Godly leaders see the enormity of intimidating issues in light of the fact that with God nothing is impossible. They confront their problems with a courage that comes from confidence in the risen Christ, the meaning of His cross, and the calling that is on their lives.
Peter is such a leader. And according to the calling that is on his life he is again, having been restored and supernaturally enabled to understand Scripture (Luke 24:45), strengthening his brethren (Luke 22:32).
Among them Peter takes the leading place, as to a large extent he did during the period covered by the Gospel narrative. His denial of Jesus in the courtyard of the high priest might well have discredited him irretrievably in his colleagues’ eyes, but the risen Lord’s personal appearance to him and recommissioning of him rehabilitated him and ensured for him a position of leadership never to be forfeited.67
Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Book of the Acts (p. 44). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
The Positive Perspective of Peter (Acts 1:16-19)
The rugged fisherman addresses his fellow disciples with a candid and positive description of what has taken place: Scripture has been fulfilled.
9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me. Psalm 41:9 (NKJV)
Peter cites two passages, one regarding the removal of Judas from his place and position, the other regarding the filling of his vacant place by another. Both passages deal with the enemies of the theocracy during David’s time; it is thus that they apply to Judas who by his traitorous act stands forth among these enemies as their chief representative. All those enemies of David’s time are the type of whom Judas became the great antitype. It is thus that the Holy Spirit spoke about Judas in advance. When he spoke through David, Judas was fully foreknown. When he quotes Ps. 69:25, Peter renders the LXX quite exactly and makes only verbal changes that retain the full meaning. David’s plural is, however, made a singular because the passage is used specifically with reference to Judas.
Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles (pp. 48–49). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.
The Prescription of Scripture According to Peter (Acts 1:20-22)
Peter anticipates the work that is coming and he sees something wrong with the state of affairs: we are down one apostle. He has accepted the call on His life and the summons to strengthen His brethren (Luke 22:32). To see the significance of what Peter is doing we need to consider his profile:
Did Jesus know that Peter was going to do this? Did Jesus know that the big fisherman would taken it upon himself to lead his fellow disciples into a decision, a destination, and a new disposition on recent events. He counted on it (Luke 22:32).
the decision to move on is sometimes more important than the direction.
Regardless of what many think about whether or not the disciples should have chosen another apostle we need to be mindful of three things: (1) Peter is a leader chosen by Jesus to take charge, (2) he sees a problem with the missing man, and (3) he is willing to get out of the boat and even fail in trying to get them closer to Jesus. I will follow a man like that - especially after Jesus has opened his understanding.
Peter is pressing his team to acknowledge the failure, to focus on the fulfillment, and to forge ahead.
The Product of Peter's Positivity (Acts 1:22-26)
Making it Plain
Footnotes
1disciples in NKJV but ἀδελφῶν in the NU text.
Real Talk with Roderick
While We Wait (Acts 1:9-14)
Obey (Acts 1:9-11)
His final words are the "these things" (ταῦτα εἰπὼν) from Acts 1:4-8. Among these things are two commands: (1) wait for baptism (Acts 1:4) and then (2) be witnesses (Acts 1:8). Regarding the latter, God's goal of having witnesses for Himself is ancient (Deuteronomy 4:6; 30:19); even Creation is called to serve Him in this capacity (Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:19-20). If there is no one ready to raise their voice to declare God's goodness the stones under our feet are ready to do the job (Habakkuk 2:11; Luke 19:40). It was to this great work that Israel was called out from among all peoples - to bear witness to the nations. But where Israel failed to fulfill this calling the Son of God succeeded (Luke 4:16-19). And those that become His disciples take up His work by becoming His witnesses. When describing the ongoing witnessing mission in the work of Jesus and the life of His disciples FF Bruce says it well:
The close relation between God’s call to Israel, “you are my witnesses,” and the risen Lord’s commission to his apostles, “you will be my witnesses,” can be appreciated the more if we consider the implications of Paul’s quotation of Isa. 49:6 in Acts 13:47.32 There the heralds of the gospel are spoken of as a light for the Gentiles, bearing God’s salvation “to the end of the earth”; here “the end of the earth” and nothing short of that is to be the limit of the apostolic witness.
Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Book of the Acts (p. 36). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
Regarding the command to be witnesses (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8), the heavenly hosts are leading by example and encouraging the disciples to get going with the work:
Luke intends his readers to understand these men to be angelic messengers, like the two men who appeared to the women at the empty tomb of Jesus “in dazzling apparel” (Luke 24:4).39 In both instances the fact that there were two suggests that they are viewed as witnesses, two being the minimum number for credible witness-bearing (Deut. 19:15). On the former occasion the two men bore witness to Jesus’ resurrection; here they bear witness to his forthcoming parousia.
Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Book of the Acts (p. 38). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
Indispensable Preparation (Acts 1:1-2)
Before presenting more history to Theophilus (meaning: dear to God) Luke speaks summarily about his previous writings. He tells his recipient that the former account is to be regarded as a comprehensive (πάντων) record of Jesus' works and words (Acts 1:1). Modern readers have come to know that prior work as The Gospel According to Luke. That record stops at the point when Jesus, having given his disciples a work for insight and a word of instruction, was taken up into heaven (Luke 24:51):
* A Work for Insight: His Teaching and His Touch (Luke 24:44-48) - It is imperative that these men, soon to become the leadership for His church, understand the faith they will promote. How else will they be able to teach others (Matthew 28 :18-20)? And so Jesus teaches onthe history of His ministry, the violence that had recently transpired, and now His own resurrection from the dead. The things that have happened are all to be seen as fulfilling prophecies presented in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms (Luke 24:27, 44). But more than His teaching is needed. If the truth of God is to be really received there must be a softening of hard hearts, an opening of blind eyes, and a sharpening of dull minds. And so, beyond expounding upon the Scriptures the men are changed (Luke 24:45). Jesus gave them a new aptitude for understanding Scripture (1 Corinthians 2:14-15).
Opened he their mind (διηνοιξεν αὐτων τον νουν [diēnoixen autōn ton noun]). The same verb as that in verses 31 and 32 about the eyes and the Scriptures. Jesus had all these years been trying to open their minds that they might understand the Scriptures about the Messiah and now at last he makes one more effort in the light of the Cross and the Resurrection. They can now see better the will and way of God, but they will still need the power of the Holy Spirit before they will fully know the mind of Christ.
Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Lk 24:45). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.
* A Word of Instruction: Tarry (Luke 24:49-53; Acts 1:2) - The Promise of His Father was none other than the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49). Lest the disciples begin to believe they could start reaching the world based on strong resolve (Matthew 26:30-35; Luke 24:46-48) Jesus makes it clear that they do not yet have the power to do the job. Thus He commands them to wait in the city of Jerusalem until the power was received - the Person of the Holy Spirit. He would enlighten the disciples, enabled people to receive their message, and empower them for the work of being witnesses. The command to preach in His name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem, could not begin until they had been equipped like John the Baptist (Luke 1:15) and Jesus Himself (Luke 3:21-22; 4:16-19).
Witnesses are appointed by God and anointed for the work. Apart from both His election and enabling they cannot be effective.
Infallible Proof Examples (Acts 1:3)
What were the infallible proofs of Jesus' resurrection. There were many (John 20:30; 21:25). What follows is a sampling of what is recorded in the gospels and one provided by a former enemy of Jesus.
* Displaying Scars from His Crucifixion (John 20:19-29) -
* Displaying Signs from their Calling (John 21:1-23; Luke 5:1-8)
* Disclosure to their Larger Company (1 Corinthians 15:5-7)
He Ain't Here - Part 1 (John 20:1-2)
It is early Sunday morning and in the cover of darkness heartbroken women are going to the tomb of their recently fallen Rabbi, their former Leader, and the One they believed to be Messiah in order to show genuine if not effective kindness (Mark 16:1; Matthew 28:1). Only a few days earlier these devoted followers had watched their innocent Jesus vilified by His enemies, suffering with the results of a scourging that had taken chunks of flesh away from His back, and then crucified before their eyes. And then they saw and heard His pain as He hung on a cross in shame crying out to His Father about being forsaken (Psalm 22:1; Mark 15:34). Finally they saw His body buried (Luke 23:52-55); they were eyewitness to the place of Jesus burial and thus they know exactly where to find it even in the darkness of dawn (John 19:39-40). Their plan is to anoint His bloodied, broken, and now decaying body with an offsetting aromatic collection of spices.
Why are they doing this? Jesus' body had already been prepared with nearly 100 pounds of myrrh and aloe before it was buried. Were they unaware of what Nicodemus (John 3:1; 7:50; 19:39-40) had done? This seems unlikely as they were present when the body was buried and such a large quantity of spices and wrappings would have been noticed. Further, the wrapping would have taken time. Since the women were present when Jesus died and when He was buried it is logical to think that they were near when the body was prepared by Nicodemus. Why are they doing this? Because such was their devotion:
These things were all part of their dedication to Jesus. And even after His passing their devotion undaunted. Their plan, in view of what had already been done for Jesus' body, is not necessarily logical but it is loving. They are at the tomb in the wee hours of the morning to anoint a decaying body that had already been prepared for burial because they love Jesus. It is illogical but the acts of love keep coming. As we think on their crazy love for Jesus we are reminded of God's crazy love for us (John 3:16). But things are not going according to plan.
They saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb (John 20:1). Based on the other gospel accounts we know that they also noticed the body was gone and that they tried to tell these things to the other disciples. But the other disciples could not understand what had happened (Luke 24:11-12). Two of Jesus' closest disciples go to see for themselves. What they find will leave one disciple confused and the other disciple convinced.
Real Talk - When Diplomcay Fails
Nehemiah 13
At one point Nehemiah becomes unglued and decides that diplomcay is no longer an option.
Listen in on this Real Talk to learn about when diplomacy fails.
Real Talk with Roderick Barnes
Now and Later
--- The Gospel According to John Chapter 1 Verses 40 through 42 ---
40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first foundhis own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, "You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas" (which is translated, A Stone).
When the Lord is introduced to Simon, the fishermen, it is indicated that the invitation and that the invited men are all a part of a plan. What initially looks like human initiative on the part of Andrew is eventually revealed to be heavens idea. Upon seeing the fishermen Jesus declares who Simon is and the now of that moment and who he will be later. And that now he's Simon the fishermen son of Jonah. That's not a particularly impressive summary. But, on a more personal level it convays the Lords knowledge of men. Apart from anybodies testimony he knows who he is the son of. He knows what he does. Then there is the declaration of future things. Simon shall be called Cephas.
Now in the absence of miracles that prove Jesus to know the hidden things of the present and the outcome of future events, that statement must have been more than a little arbitrary. It maybe even came across as arrogents. I can imagine Simon thinking "who do you think you are telling me what I will be called in the future". But it too in a future time on a personal level would speak volumes of hope to a man who's loyalty was later to be found to be wanting.
Simon is going to become a follower and he's going to pledge allegiance to Jesus, but he's going to fail. He's going to fail miserably, but Jesus speaks about those things that are not in the light of the fact that he knows one day they will be. Where many would be willing to write off Simon because he deserted Jesus in his greatest time of need. Jesus sees in the distance when his devotion would be the stuff of legend. And he keeps on investing in him. Indeed Jesus declared in the new name Cephas (which is translated as Stone) that one day the man would be stallwart, staying the course in the face of threats even as he is lead to his own crucifixion.
Just like Simon, the Lord knows you now and later. Jesus knows who you have been, who you are and who his grace can make you to be. The journey toward a life that is the stuff of legend begins with accepting his invitation now. How? It cannot be any simpler than the decision to place the treasure of your trust in Jesus. That transfer of trust is clearly seen in the day to day decision to learn from him. Love him by keeping his commandments and love his people. It won't be easy, but it will be a life that is pardoned of sin and full of purpose. And, it will be a life that is full of amazing pleasure in Jesus. When? Now and later. I got a poem for you, it's called Now and Later.
Whatever mistakes we have made,
The grace of God is greater,
Through it the debt of sin was paid,
For peace both now and later.
In His grip by His grace
Roderick
Real Talk with Roderick Barnes
Let Them Come
We can be certain that God is pleased when the whole family attends church together. Family is His idea and church is His idea for helping families with the difficulty of living honorable lives in the midst of ever increasing evil. But sometimes, for various reasons, the parents are not ready to go to church. (There are no good excuses but that is beside the point of this post.) Whatever the reasons are that keep Mom and Dad at home or out of fellowship with their local church... it should not cause the children to miss out.
Bring those kids to a place where they can learn about the abundant life that comes with knowing Jesus. That is His will! Eventually the kids, living with a fallen nature in a fallen world, will realize their need for a Savior; even out-of-church-for-a-while parents can serve God by helping their children get to a place where people are glad to tell them about Jesus. It would be better if you went with your little ones. But until that day... let them come.
In His grip by His grace,
Roderick
Real Talk with Roderick
Got What You Need?
We are always on the hunt for more stuff? Sweaters, shoes, the latest cell phone, cars, a romantic relationship, popularity, more power in the office, and chocolate. Sometimes the effort is so intense that we lose sight of whether or not we can afford, keep, or maintain the stuff we want if or when we get it. We just want it.
But do we have what we need? There is nothing wrong with having a nice car, a nice house, a nice job, and a nice spouse. But if you had all of that stuff and did not have peace with God you still would not be happy. More than anything else we need forgiveness, friends, and fellowship with our heavenly Father. And it is God's desire that we have those things... through Jesus.
Today is a great day to get what you really need most. How? Ironically it begins with giving. You and I get what we need most when we place our faith in Jesus. This means making a decision to follow and learn from Him daily. What comes with that? I won't lie to you; it comes with trouble (2 Timothy 3:12). Many will not understand or accept the new life that starts when you begin trusting in Jesus. But it also comes with the peace of being free from the penalty of sin; Jesus already paid that price. It comes with a new family of people that have also made the decision to trust in Christ. It means that your soul, the essence of your life, is safe and that real abundance is yours (John 10:10).
Get more stuff if you want. But above all get what you need. And if you need a church home... come check us out.
In His grip by His grace,
Roderick
36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? - Jesus, The Gospel of Mark 8:35-37
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. - Jesus, The Gospel of John 10:10
Real Talk with Roderick
been missin' yoU
The church is usually regarded as a building. Stain glass windows, a raised pulpit, a piano and organ, and old pews. Or maybe a cool auditorium with high tech sound, huge flat screens, and a great coffee shop in the foyer. Things like this come to mind when people are invited to go to church. But church has almost nothing to do with the location.
The Church is a group of people, in all of their many faults, that have committed to following Jesus and helping each other do the same. Where they meet is irrelevant. What matters is that they meet to encourage one another in the difficulties of this life, to hear the true words of the Bible in order to stir them up to do the hard stuff, and to give thanks for the many blessings that God has given. You could do that alone? Not really. God has designed us for Himself and to serve one another. We are quite capable of giving thanks by ourselves. But what kind of Jesus follower is content to stay home and not serve in the local fellowship. That is not what Jesus did; he left home and came here to serve.
Each follower of Jesus has been equipped to help the whole. And when you keep your part at home you miss the encouragement you should be getting... and giving. Let me invite you to come to church this week? Three Rivers? That would be nice. But not really. No, I am inviting you to come to Jesus for forgiveness and then to the local church nearest you to engage in life with others. You should be there to be built up in living for God. And you should be there to help others in their walk.
It has been too long. Been missin' yoU.
In His grip by His grace,
Roderick