People Over Possessions (P.O.P.) – Acts 4:32-5:11

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308px-Lipsanoteca_di_Brescia_(retro)

The church is the greatest place on earth!

The church is full of hypocrites and worse!

Which of the above statements is true? Both. The reality is that although Jesus is doing bigger things than ever in his church, there is still much wrong with us.

We see this in Acts 4:32-5:11, when Luke records the good works of God’s people like Barnabas and the selfish deed of Ananias, Saphira, and Satan. Will the rest of Acts bear out a community like Barnabas, one that is shaped by Jesus’ radical commitment to people over possessions? Or will this community be more defined by valuing possessions over people?

God gives a strong answer at the beginning of this fresh movement of his Spirit recorded in the book of Acts. The church will be defined by Jesus’ work, which is a work that exemplifies a commitment to people over possessions. Barnabas is a positive example of selling a field for the sake of the community. This is the exact opposite of Judas, who sold Jesus for money to buy a field.

[quote name=”Book of Acts” center=”true” float=”right” size=”one-third”]Ananias and Saphira, on the other hand, value possessions over people.[/quote] Ananias and Saphira on the other hand value possessions over people. Possibly in the pursuit of gaining a cool nickname like Joseph did (“Barnabas”), Ananias and Saphira choose possessions over people. They want a good name for their virtue, but they also want some good money in their pocket. The solution: lie. However, they cannot lie to God, and he takes this opportunity to remind this community what he is about: honoring his Son who honored people over possessions. Jesus put himself at our disposal for the glory of God, and his holy community will do the same thing. Ananias and Saphira are a warning shot to all those who will seek to use the church for their own purposes. Whereas the lame man in Acts 3 was a picture of the ultimate complete restoration of our created humanity, Ananias and Saphira are a picture of God’s judgment upon false members of the community. Does that mean they went to hell? It is possible that God used these foolish Christians to warn the rest of us, nevertheless mercifully accepting them into his presence. We will not know until Christ returns. Until then, may the Spirit so strengthen us to understand the love of Jesus so that we become a people marked by service to others, not service to money.

[button url=”http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%204:32-5:11&version=ESV” newwindow=”true” color=”red”]Acts 4:32-5:11[/button]

Questions for Conversation:

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Where did Jesus exemplify a love for people over possessions? How does this make you want to worship God?
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Read Leviticus 10. Do you see any parallel with the story of Ananias and Saphira?
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Where does Satan tempt us to be devoted to possessions over people today? Why is loving people more beautiful?
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Christian Education Classes – Summer 2013

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Our Christian Education Summer Classes (June 2- August 25)

Every Sunday from 11:00am – 12:00 noon

Preschool (Ages 2–4) Preschoolers learn that God keeps his promises. Taught by Mike & Melissa McClendon

Younger Elementary (Grades K–3) Children encounter Jesus through his powerful signs and wonders. Taught by Robert Mourad

Older Elementary (Grades 4–6) Pre-teens see the Bible as one story – God’s story of salvation through Christ. Taught by Rose Dunn

Middle and High School (Grades 7-12). Knowing the God Who Is – a journey through Scripture to discover the truth about who our God is and how to relate with him. Taught by Kevin McMullen and Chuck Assadourian.

Friendship Class (Special Needs Education)

Help your friends understand that God cares about how they feel. This life-application course helps friends talk to God about their feelings and work through them in a positive way. Includes tips for using the material with lower-functioning adults. We will also cover other topics about our relationship to God. Taught by Peggy Van Lowe and one adult/teen mentor for each student.

  

Adult Education

Exploring the New Testament II – Join us for the last quarter of our year-long exploration of the Scriptures. The goal is to enable us to better grasp each book and its relationship to the larger whole of the Bible. We will focus on many of the Apostle Paul’s letters, James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude and Revelation. Taught by Tim Carroll

The Acts of the Holy Spirit – Acts 1:8

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8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 3:1-4:31

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Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesushas given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001

The House and Family of God – Acts 2:36-47

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…36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

 

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001
by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
 

Pentecost: King Jesus’ Pouring – Acts 2:14-36

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Last week we learned that the book of Acts plays a key part in the unfolding drama of God’s work to restore his creation through Jesus Christ. As the church today we must, like the disciples in Acts, live faithfully, creatively and glocally. That is to say we must know where we are at in the drama (after Pentecost and before the second coming), creatively speak and act in keeping with where we are, and be mindful that the stage upon which the drama is playing out is global even as we improvise locally.

I was reminded through an email from a congregant that although we are part of what God is up to we also have to remember that we are not at the center of it all; we are not the main characters on stage. This week we engaged Acts 2 and the crucial event of Pentecost. Peter made that congregants point beautifully. Pentecost, as some might suspect, is not about us and our experience of the Spirit as much as it is about Jesus’ exaltation to the right hand of God and expansion of His kingdom. Jesus is at the center of it all.

Scottish Theologian Sinclair Ferguson put it well in his book The Holy Spirit,

[quote name=”Sinclair Ferguson”]”Pentecost, like the visible manifestations of every coronation, is by its very nature sui generis [of its own kind]. It is no more repeatable as an event than is the crucifixion or the resurrection or the ascension of our Lord. It is an event in redemptive history (historia salutis [history of salvation]), and should not be squeezed into the grid of the application of redemption (ordo salutis [order of salvation])….That is not to say that Pentecost has no existential dimension or contemporary relevance. But it does mean that we should no more anticipate a ‘personal Pentecost’ than that we will experience a personal Jordan, wilderness, Gethsemane, or Golgotha. While such language has been popularly employed it is theologically misleading. Pentecost itself is no more repeatable than is the crucifixion, the empty tomb or the ascension.”[/quote]

It is important to remember that Pentecost is about Jesus expanding his kingdom because it helps us to remember that:

1. Jesus is center stage
2. We are not center stage
3. Our experience of the Spirit is secondary to the main event
4. The Spirit is poured out by Jesus so that we might make Christ known
5. Jesus will always remain at the right hand of the Father as King of his expanding Kingdom

The flow of the relationship (covenant) between God and his people is from heaven to earth. Pentecost therefore exemplifies the Biblical priority of God’s grace and descent to us.

As I studied the passage I think that the best way to see Peter’s point in how he ultimately answers the question “What does all this mean?” (2:12). “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah” (Acts 2:36).

[button url=”http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:14-36&version=ESV” newwindow=”true” color=”red”]Acts 2:14-36[/button]

Questions for Conversation

[box icon=”info”] Peter quotes many Old Testament passages? What about his audience made that a wise choice?[/box]

[box icon=”info”] Much that could have been said about this passage was left out due to time. What did you most want to hear about also? Are there still questions lingering on your fingertips about this passage? Type them out and send them to us.[/box]

[box icon=”info”] Where does it matter in our life as a congregation, your family’s life or yours that Jesus’ being King is what Acts 2 is about? What needs to change as a result? What can you be encouraged about?[/box]

14th Day Ladies – Tuesday, May 14, 2013

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Ladies of Crossroads will meet at Nancy’s house 13531 Pleasant Colony Dr. on Tuesday, May 14th from 10:00am – 12:00 noon.

The topic is: “Taking Root in Your Pot”

Information: During this month’s ‘Fellowship-with-a-Focus’ we will discuss both plant & spiritual growth as we create a beautiful potted plant to take home with us! All flowers and dirt will be provided. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn gardening from our own Master-gardener (Nancy)!
Please bring along a 8-10 inch pot of your choice – green thumbs are not required.

Bible verse: “..And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. (Ephesians 3:17b-18)

Congregational Meeting – Sunday, May 5, 2013

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Dear Crossroads,

Please mark your calendars for Sunday, May 5th for a meeting after Sunday
School at 12 p.m. to elect new church officers.

After the nomination process, six months of training, and some very
thorough examinations, the Crossroads Session is pleased
to recommend the following men:

– Randy Kee for ruling elder

– Kevin McMullen for deacon

– Leonard “Van” Van Lowe for deacon

Please review the biblical qualifications in 1 Timothy 3: 1-13 and Titus 1: 6-9
and make an extra effort during these next five weeks to spend some time with
these men in order to make an informed decision when we vote on May 5th.

The Promise of the Holy Spirit – Acts 1:1-11

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The Promise of the Holy Spirit

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4 And while stayingwith them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

 The Ascension

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

 

True Spirituality: Physical, Public and Pneumatic – Luke 24:36-53

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PneumaticIt’s either this or it’s that, but it can’t be both, right? Some things really are life or death, black or white, good or bad, apples or oranges. Dichotomies can be helpful. Dichotomies can also be unhelpful or false. God’s people have been known to make unhelpful distinctions between their “spiritual life” and their “home life”, “social life”, etc. When I recently asked a friend of mine in the Carolina’s what he thought Christians meant by their “spiritual life” he said, “Quiet times, prayer time and Sundays”. Is this really what constitutes Biblical spirituality? Is true spirituality just the private time we have with God? Is spirituality only about those specific times we gather with others to do religious things and focus on the desires of the soul? Or, is spirituality about the body AND the soul? Does it concern the private AND the public life? And finally is spirituality wholly a work of man OR fully the work of God?

[quote name=”” center=”true” float=”right” size=”one-third”] The answer appears in Jesus’ resurrection and ascension as recorded in Luke 24:36-56.[/quote]The answer appears in Jesus’ resurrection and ascension as recorded in Luke 24:36-53. Luke’s record turns us to the answer that true spirituality is physical, public and pneumatic. Christ has bodily risen as the Lord of all creation: True Spirituality is Physical. Just as Jesus is raised flesh and bone, he is about the business of redeeming us body and blood. Christ calls his disciples to preach repentance from sin in all areas of life: True Spirituality is Public. Just as we are to be a part of the movement to call people to pray and read their Bibles we also are to call for proper use of money, excellence in engineering, and justice in warfare. Ascending to the Father Christ will pour out his Spirit upon his disciples: True Spirituality is Pneumatic. Just as the disciples are given understanding regarding their mission they are told to stay put till they are clothed with power. Without the grace of the Spirit of Christ they could do nothing and neither can we.

Here’s the rub: if we see spirituality as only applying to the reasonable soul (Plato), the private world of values and not the public world of facts (Enlightenment), and a work of only man or only God (Pelagius or Hyper-Calvinists) we ultimately fail to grasp the goodness of the gospel. False dichotomies are like Pied Pipers leading us to the wrong places for help. When we don’t see that Christ came to redeem the body we will tend to look to others for that need. If we think that Christ’s authority doesn’t extend to the workplace or our bank accounts we will look to other guides as our ultimate hope. We may even grasp the bodily and global implications of the gospel and yet fail to see how God promises to empower us to live out the implications. Thinking we can accomplish it on our own will only lead to pride; thinking it is completely God will only lead to confusion. Jesus won the promise of the Father for us through his death and resurrection. We have not earned or deserved the forgiveness or power we receive by the Holy Pneuma (Spirit). Yet, by his presence in our lives we are being restored and are a part of God’s work to bring restoration to his good creation.

If you are interested in reading more along these lines there are intriguing reads like Creation Regained by Al Wolters, Living at the Crossroads by Goheen and Bartholomew or anything by Christopher J.H. Wright.

[button url=”http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2024:36-53&version=ESV” newwindow=”true” color=”red”]Luke 24:36-53[/button]

Questions for Conversation

[box icon=”info”]Which dichotomy do you see as most problematic for you:

  • Christianity is about the reasonable soul NOT the physical body
  • Christianity is about the private religious life NOT the public life.
  • Christianity is about my doing spiritual things for me NOT me being empowered to respond to the resurrected Christ.

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[box icon=”info”]What is the biggest problem you are facing in life right now? How are you dealing with the problem? Is your way of dealing with it working? How does the resurrection give clues as to how you might better respond?[/box]