Tuesday 13 August 2013
10 things single people wish married people wouldn’t say…
10 things single people wish married people wouldn’t say…: pDear lovely-married-Christian-people, you may think you’re being empathetic and encouraging when you dish out these crackers to your single friends. But, you’re not. Here are some handy tips on being a bit more inclusive…/p
Monday 12 August 2013
A View on The Church.
Acts
2:42-47
New
American Standard Bible (NASB)
42
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to
fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43
Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking
place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and
had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and
possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day
by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to
house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of
heart, 47 praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord was
adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Four
Commitments (2:42)
The
outpouring of the Spirit produced not just momentary enthusiasm but four
continuing commitments: to learn, to care, to fellowship and to worship. The
apostles' teaching probably included an account of Jesus' life and ministry,
his ethical and practical teachings, warnings about persecution and false
teaching, and the christocentric Old Testament hermeneutic.
But at its center was the gospel message. And so today, to devote oneself to the apostles' teaching means evangelism as well as edification (4:2; 5:42; 15:35).
But at its center was the gospel message. And so today, to devote oneself to the apostles' teaching means evangelism as well as edification (4:2; 5:42; 15:35).
The
apostles' fellowship and breaking of bread was a sharing of possessions to meet
needs and of lives in common meals (2:44-46). What an inviting way of life for
our day, when "loneliness drives people into one place, but that does not
mean that they are together, really" (Ogilvie 1983:74).
Finally,
Luke portrays prayer as integral to the church's life (compare 4:24; 6:4; 12:5;
13:3; 20:36). It is the essential link between Jesus and his people as they
carry out his kingdom work under his guidance and by his strength (4:29-30;
6:6; 8:15; 14:23; 28:8). The reputation of the vital, growing Korean church as
a praying church shows that the maxim is indeed true: "the vitality of the
church was a measure of the reality of their prayers" (Williams 1985:39).
A
Caring, Joyful, Transparent Fellowship (2:44-47)
In
expression of their Spirit-inspired togetherness, the believers pooled their
resources. Individuals voluntarily sold property and goods, contributed the
proceeds to a fund from which any Christian (and possibly non-Christians as
well) could receive help, as he or she might have need. What a standard for
today's church! Indeed, "what we do or do not do with our material
possessions is an indicator of the Spirit's presence or absence" (Krodel
1986:95).
The
community lived out its commitment to the apostles' teaching by gathering each
day in the temple courts to hear instruction. They probably met in Solomon's
colonnade, at the eastern end of the court of the Gentiles (5:12; compare
5:20-21, 42, and Jesus' practice—Lk 20:1; 21:37). In the temple they also
fulfilled their commitment to prayer as they engaged in corporate worship.
Daily
the community broke bread together in homes—sharing a meal, beginning it with
the bread and ending it with the cup of the Lord's Supper (Lk 22:19-20; 24:35;
Acts 20:7, 11).
With constant intimacy, exultant joy and transparency of relationship they enjoyed the graces of Messiah's salvation in a true anticipation of his banquet in the kingdom (Lk 22:30; compare Acts 16:34). It was a gracious witness to the people (laos), "Israel as the elect nation to whom the message of salvation is initially directed" (Longenecker 1981:291).
With constant intimacy, exultant joy and transparency of relationship they enjoyed the graces of Messiah's salvation in a true anticipation of his banquet in the kingdom (Lk 22:30; compare Acts 16:34). It was a gracious witness to the people (laos), "Israel as the elect nation to whom the message of salvation is initially directed" (Longenecker 1981:291).
Today
growing churches manifest the same "metachurch" pattern: celebration,
joining in large gatherings for worship and instruction, and cell group,
meeting in home groups for fellowship and nurture.
Impact:
Church Growth (2:47)
Every
day the Lord Jesus by his Spirit saved some, incorporating them into their
number. God's plan is for churches to grow. The challenge for us is, "Will
we meet the Scriptural conditions for growth: a dedication to be a learning,
caring, fellowshipping, worshipping church?" Will we meet the one
essential condition? "As empowering follows petition, so evangelism and
Christian unity or community follow Pentecost. The empowering, moreover, is
repeatable. So pray!" (Talbert 1984:17).
IVP
New Testament Commentaries are made available by the generosity of InterVarsity
Press.
Reformation
Study Bible
2:42
the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the
prayers. This is a summary of the essential elements needed in Christian
discipleship. They are elements the apostles had learned from their experience
with Jesus: His teaching about His person and work (Matt. 16:18, 19; Luke
24:46) and their Christian responsibility as His followers (Matt. 5–7), the
fellowship of Christ with His disciples (John 13), the Lord’s Supper—the
breaking of bread (Matt. 26:17–30), and His prayer life for and with the
disciples (Matt. 6:5–13; Luke 11:1–13; John 17).
Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.
1. 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
and to take him at his word;
just to rest upon his promise,
and to know, "Thus saith the
Lord."
Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!
2. O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
just to trust his cleansing blood;
and in simple faith to plunge me
neath the healing, cleansing flood!
(Refrain)
3. Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
just from sin and self to cease;
just from Jesus simply taking
life and rest, and joy and peace.
(Refrain)
4. I'm so glad I learned to trust thee,
precious Jesus, Savior, friend;
and I know that thou art with me,
wilt be with me to the end.
(Refrain)
The Old Rugged Cross
1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged
cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the
dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.
2. O that old rugged cross, so despised by
the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his
glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary.
(Refrain)
3. In that old rugged cross, stained with
blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,
for 'twas on that old cross Jesus
suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me.
(Refrain)
4. To that old rugged cross I will ever be
true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he'll call me some day to my home
far away,
where his glory forever I'll share.
(Refrain)
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