Acts 3 "Power In His Name"

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.” (v.6)

The crippled man who encountered Peter and John at the temple gate certainly didn’t do anything special to qualify for the miracle he received that day. He wasn’t even expecting much, just a coin or two. Instead, he was completely healed (v.16) and could walk for the first time in his life.

Since the beggar was a familiar sight around the temple, and since he was jumping around so excitedly, the healing created quite a scene. When Peter realized that the people were marveling at both he and John for what had been done, he immediately set them straight, “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk” (v.13)?

Peter wasn’t looking for glory or to set up some healing ministry. He had only one message to deliver. Jesus of Nazareth, whom Israel had rejected and condemned, is God’s “Holy and Righteous One” (v.14) and in His name alone is the forgiveness of sins and the power to heal (v.16).

As Peter showed us here, the glory, honor and praise for any miracle bestowed belongs to the LORD, not to the instrument used. 

The Truth: “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17) 

Acts 2 “True Fellowship”

"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." (v.42)

Genuine Christian fellowship involves much more than visiting over a cup of coffee in the church courtyard. While this is all well and good, true fellowship is loving one another, caring for one another, praying for one another, bearing one another's burdens, encouraging, instructing, and even rebuking one another in love so as to restore such a one back into fellowship.

In his book, Why Christians Sin, J. Kirk Johnston tells about a young Russian woman who, before the collapse of the Iron Curtain, was allowed to visit her relatives in Canada. She was a devout Christian, and her friends assumed that she would defect and seek asylum in Canada or the US because of the religious oppression in the USSR. But they were wrong. She wanted to go back to her homeland.

This Russian woman said that people in the West were too busy acquiring material things and not concerned enough about personal relationships (outside of what they could do for them). In her homeland, Christian fellowship was essential to their faith because it provided the support and encouragement they so desperately needed. 

We too should have this same attitude of true fellowship toward one another. Ministering to those around us with support and encouragement through; a word, a meal, a prayer, a room, or some other direct form of involvement. Just as Jesus came to serve and not be served, we too should look for those opportunities to show His love.  

The Truth “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another." (1 Peter 4:10)

Acts 1 "The Promised Holy Spirit"

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” (v.7-8a)

Here we have Jesus answering His disciples question concerning when He would restore the kingdom of Israel which was currently under Roman control. He does not give them a specific answer - no day or time, but stretches them to see that all events are under the loving control of God the Father. Meaning, there are some things we just will not know in this life. Therefore, we are to look to Him Who made all things and trust in His authority.

In the second part of our text, Jesus responds to their concerns (their prayer, actually), by promising them the power of the Holy Spirit. Having this inward comforter, they could “rest” in not needing to know everything and “know” that the power of His Spirit would be with them always. 

The same is true for us. To know the future is not precisely what we need. We need peace, rest, and the assurance that God is always with us. We can only find it in Him who holds the future in His hands. While answers to concerns are valuable and He often gives us such answers down the road, simply trusting in God and the comfort of His Spirit is infinitely better.

The Truth: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.” (Psalm 28:7)

Deuteronomy 34 “The Desth Of Moses”

 Then the Lord said to him, “This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants’; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. (v.4-5)

Why couldn’t Moses enter the Promised Land? Because of his sin of disobedience at Meribah dishonored the Lord (Psalm 106:32-33). As a result, when Israel was about to enter the land promised to their forefathers, Moses wasn’t allowed to go with them. Instead, at God’s direction, he climbed Mt. Nebo and from there God graciously showed him the promised land, before He called him home. 

Moses died at the age of 120 in good health. His last moments were spent privately with God, surveying the Promised Land and no doubt meditating on the greatness and faithfulness of the Lord. He died in peace, knowing that his labor had not been in vain. God Himself buried His friend and servant, and to this day the location of the grave remains unknown (v.6).

Moses' story encourages those of us who feel that our lives have been a mixed bag of regrets and successes. Psalm 90, written by Moses himself, provides us with a realistic perspective on our own lives and our human frailties. The psalm concludes with an earnest prayer: “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; and establish the work of our hands.” 

Like Moses, we must work diligently at whatever God has called us to do, but ultimately, we rely on God for the results—and our own legacy.

The Truth: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Deuteronomy 33 "He Loves His People"

“Indeed, He loves His people; all His holy ones are in His hands. They follow in His steps and accept His teaching.” (v.3) 

In chapter 33 Moses gives the children of Israel words of hope, encouragement, prosperity and direction, before he goes to be with the LORD. While his blessing was definitely spoken to the 12 tribes of Israel, I believe the same promises of love and protection can be applied to us today.

As believers in Christ, we are His beloved (Romans 9:25,11:28), loved as His children (Romans 8:15), heirs to the kingdom (Romans 8:17) and protected by His hand (Psalm 37:24, 136:12). We then, as His people by the grace of the gospel, follow in His footsteps and are guided by His teachings.

The Truth: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Deuteronomy 32 "The Song Of Moses"

“So Moses came with Joshua the son of Nun and spoke all the words of this song in the hearing of the people. Moses finished speaking all these words to all Israel, and He said to them: “Set your hearts on all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe; all the words of this law. For it is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life, and by this word you shall prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess.” (vv.44-47) 

For forty years Moses had led the people. During that time he had constantly communed with God, and in the course of that communion had received many charges. The writing of this song was one of the last things he was told to do (Deut. 31:21). Moses was to write a song that would stir the hearts of the people (from generation to generation), that when they went through tough times, they would turn back to God. (Deut. 31:21)

Music is a very powerful form of communication. It can help us recall words and ideas we might otherwise forget. It can burn a message into our hearts and minds. God knew that the Israelites would forget Him when they entered the Promised Land (v.20), even forsake Him and turn to idols (v.16-18). Because of this, He asked Moses to compose a song to remind the Israelites of their past closeness with Him, their eventual rebellion and provide a way back into His grace.

Today, music has a strong influence in our society. So much so that it can be seen in the ears of millions of people every day wearing earphones while; driving, walking, working out, in classrooms, restaurants, bus stops, malls, offices, the work place, you get the picture. The point is, the message of the music stays with us. It reminds us of people, places and events, like a timeline of our lives.

This was the purpose of the song of Moses for the children of Israel, to remind them of their rebellious ways and to bring them back to God. This applies to us as well. No matter how far we may have strayed, God is calling us back to Himself. All we have to do is listen to His song (call), repent and follow Jesus.  

The Truth: “So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.” (Joel 2:13)

Deuteronomy 31 "God's Guarantee"

Then Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance. The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (v.7-8)

Here Joshua is being commissioned as Moses' successor by the command of God. Joshua had proven his capacity for leadership by; successfully leading the military effort against the Amalekites, showing courage when the twelve spies returned from their exploratory mission to the Promised Land and demonstrating a faith/belief that God's power would defeat the giants in the land. He had also seen God act miraculously to bring them out of Egypt, and believed that God had the power to bring the Israelites into the Promised Land.

Even with Joshua's impressive resume Deuteronomy 31 reiterates that God (not Moses nor Joshua), was ultimately the leader of the Israelites. He was the one going before them, the one who ensured their victory. Bringing the people into the Promised Land was God’s work. He was going to do it. But God almost always does His work through men and women who make themselves available to Him. Sometimes people wrongly say, “It is all the LORD, it’s all the LORD.” True, God does His work, but He does it through people. Moses had the confidence to lead the Israelites based on the assurance that God was with him and would never leave him, and now this guarantee is being given to Joshua (v.8)

Men of encouragement like Moses are a blessing. Moses knew that Joshua might be wavering, so he encouraged him, and pushed him forward to be more than he perhaps thought he could be. God uses encouraging people to help us fulfill the destiny He has for us. Joshua was now going to be the man; but the work was still the LORD’s: He is the one who goes before us all. 

In a world where we can’t always depend on guarantees, God’s promises will last through all time and eternity. Because He is eternal, He can give us an eternal guarantee.

The Truth: “For the Lord will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you His people.” (1 Samuel 12:22) 

Deuteronomy 30 "Choose Life"

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days..” (v.19-20)

Most have heard of the infamous John Wilkes Booth who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. But have you heard about Edwin Booth, John's eldest brother? Edwin, a well-known actor, was waiting at a Jersey City train station when he saw someone slip and fall off the platform. Edwin quickly grabbed the man's collar and pulled him to safety-rescuing him from serious injury or death. Who was the man he saved? Abraham Lincoln's son Robert, a soldier in the Civil War. How ironic that the man who saved Lincoln's son had a brother who would soon kill the president. One saved a life; one took a life. One chose life; the other chose death.

Under the terms of the Old Covenant, Israel had a choice: life or death, good or evil. It was up to them. God was going to glorify Himself through Israel one way or another. How it would happen was really their choice. And if obedient, they would see blessing. If disobedient, then Israel would surely perish - It was up to Israel and based on their conduct.

It is essential for us to understand that we, in Jesus Christ, do not relate to God on the terms of the Old Covenant, but on the terms of a better covenant: The New Covenant. Under the New Covenant, my relationship with God is not based on what I do for God, but on what Jesus has done on my behalf. There is, of course, more to the New Covenant than this, but this is one crucial distinction between the two covenants. If this Old Covenant is inferior to the New Covenant, and if there was a high price to pay for rejecting the Old Covenant, should we not know there is an even greater penalty for rejecting an even greater covenant? (Hebrews 10:28-29)

Therefore, like Israel, we too have a choice between life and death. We can receive Jesus as our Savior and live with Him forever, or we can reject Jesus and be in darkness forever without Him. The best choice is clear. Receive God's gift of His Son Jesus. Choose life!

The Truth: "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)