Simple, logical good news…

And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, “ ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’ And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, “ ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ Therefore he says also in another psalm, “ ‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’ For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about: “ ‘Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’ ” As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. (Acts 13:32–44)

Paul began a lengthy message reviewing the history of his listeners. He identified with them and they knew that he understood them. However he quickly moved to tell them about Jesus and how he died, and then this portion above to explain how that was part of OT prophecy. He was logical in showing that the familiar verses from the psalms applied to their Messiah, who is Jesus. 

Some Bible students say that this message had to be an edited version because it was too simple and not long enough to convince those who heard it. That could be true, yet from what they heard, they wanted more. This audience became interested in the good news from a simple yet logical message. 

This is an example for today too. Consider modern evangelists and how the simple messages of men like Billy Graham have affected thousands. In our church, all six pastors begin their message with stories we can relate to, everything from a tiff with a neighbor, to the difficulty raising children, or taking care of pets, or dealing with traffic. These pastors identify with our struggles as they share their own. Even Paul said, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (1 Timothy 1:15)

Then, and soon, they go into what the Bible says and how Jesus is the answer to our sinful lives. He died to bring us eternal life. Most of the time, the message is so relevant that myself and others feel as if we were the only ones on the receiving end. 

This is a God-thing. The Holy Spirit uses open sharing, His Word, and the trials of life to make His good news important to everyone and every situation. Those who hear it want to show up next week to hear more. Some started to attend because of a gentle inner urging and to their surprise, met Jesus and became part of His family.

In our city, other congregations present a simple yet logical message from speakers who have an honest and open heart. Many report a similar response. Those who desire to know God are finding Him when they hear the good news about Jesus. 

Dear Lord, You are the answer to every need, the desire of every hungry heart. Forgive us for at times making our message too complicated. Forgiveness of sin is simple. Being set free from the stress of life by a God who loves us is simple. The hardest part is dropping the idea that we can handle it ourselves — which is the core of the sin issue — “I can do it my way.” Thank You for the logical cure of hearing it told by those who admit they also have had the same problem.

 

The sound of unity

What is unity? Does it mean that everyone thinks the same way? This is the assumption of many, including religious cults. All their people must believe exactly the same. If they think outside of what they are told to think, they cannot be a member of that group. This unity would be like an orchestra that had only violins, or only saxophones.

Christian unity is not like that. It is oneness based on faith in one Person, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our unity, our orchestra leader. We may not have the same ideas, gifts, plans, and way of doing things, but when we are filled with His Spirit and following His direction, everything we do will fit the plan of God and be in harmony. This is an orchestra with all the instruments, each doing their part and following their score for the same piece of music. Together, the sound is incredible.

The Bible says the church is “the household of God” and “the Body of Christ.” It is a “whole structure” that is “joined together” with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. It grows by addition but also grows spiritually and is becoming “a holy temple in the Lord.” (Ephesians 2:19–21)

But God does not build His church the same way we would build an orchestra or a house. We talk about His ‘mysterious ways’ without thinking how truly mysterious they are! One of those mysteries is that He builds the church through the blood of the martyrs.

Stephen was the first. When he was stoned for preaching Christ, the rest of them scattered, but they continued “preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.” (Acts 8:4–8) Because of persecution, Samaria heard the music.

If I was forming a group and wanted unity, persecution would be considered a setback, not a catalyst, but God used persecution for His purposes. Jesus even told the disciples this mysterious and outlandish truth about persecution: “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:12)

If the church today was dispersed and threatened, I might be more than worried. How would I react? Jesus anticipated how His followers would fear opposition and be concerned about their response. He also anticipated what would become their priority; they would have such a strong desire to tell others that opposition would not stop them, but they would be worried about what to say when it happened.

For that, Jesus said, “Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” (Matthew 10:17–20)

This too is mysterious. God put such a desire in the hearts of His people to share the Gospel that they were more worried about loss of words than they were about loss of comfort, even loss of life. They were prepared to die for Jesus rather than freeze over at the mouth and stop telling others who He is and what He had done.

Paul had this incredible focus also. He went through non-stop trials because he wanted the good news known. He said, “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect (those God picked so they could tell others), that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.” (2 Timothy 2:10–13)

The key to such endurance is dying to self, not caring what happens to me because I’m not concerned about my own destiny. Because of that assurance, I can love others so much that I am willing to endure anything so they can be saved. This is about having the mind of Christ and being motivated by the heart of God.

When it happens to a group called the church, God uses the resulting unity as incredible music, drawing others to its sound. 

No more miracles?

The church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets” with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone, and it is “joined together” and growing. (Ephesians 2:19–21)

Before the church began and while Jesus was still on earth, crowds were attracted to Jesus by the miracles that He performed. Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” (John 3:1–2) Miracles are definitely attention-getters.

After Jesus ascended to heaven, there was a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit as the disciples declared the Word of God. People paid attention because they saw miracles happening and gathered in amazed curiosity. This was not popular among the religious leaders. They raged and plotted, but the disciples prayed. “Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:23–30)

Those miracles were also displayed through individuals. Philip is one example. He went to the city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ. The crowds with one accord paid attention to what he said, “when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.” (Acts 8:4–8)

All that being said, God used miracles to show His power, draw people to Jesus, and verify that He is with His people. These miracles were often outstanding and definitely “built” the church, caused His people to be united, and added to their numbers.

But miracles have a downside too, even before the church began. In Jesus’ ministry, the crowds gathered to hear Him, but when they kept coming after He miraculously fed them bread and fish, He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.” (John 6:26)

For these people, the sign not point them to the power of Christ as God who came to save them from sin. Instead, they thought of Him as a miracle worker who could fill their bellies. At times, I’ve wanted miracles for similar reasons. I’ve prayed for healing, for other things, not so Jesus Christ would be glorified, but that I would be made more comfortable.

Today’s devotional raises the question: why don’t we have supernatural events today? Miracles would pull people to listen and to want to know more about the God who does miracles, or so we might argue. But the Lord knows human hearts. If anyone would be drawn to Jesus Christ through a miracle, I am certain that He would perform it, but I suspect there are more “consumers” in the church than there are worshipers. We want God to make us comfortable, and if we are not seeking comfort, we might want a miracle for our own glory, rather than building up the family of god and drawing people to hear His Word.

If I were God, I would withhold any miracles rather than let my children be selfish about them.