bsf lessons acts – Page 3 – The Notes are Good

BSF Acts: Week 8, Day 2, Acts 15: 1-12

Acts 15:1–12
Sumary: The question of ritual comes into play in the new church. Must someone become a jew to be a christian? Must they undergo circumcision and follow the Mosaic law to be saved through Christ. Paul, Barnabas and Peter say no.

Questions:

3. The christians at Jerusalem were footed in the jewish tradition and the teachings in the temple. The believers in Antioch were not, or at least not to the same degree.
4. The Jews were jealous (Acts 17:5). The Jews were prejudiced (Gal 2). The jewish believers may have felt outnumbered and still carried a subservient view (They were under Roman rule and this now brought them out of bondage as it had the Jews of Moses time.)

b. They believed that the Jews were God’s chosen people and saw the path to salvation only through their tradition and ritual.

c. He was “all in” for Christ. If salvation came through the gift of Jesus’ death and resurrection alone, then any requirement of works or ritual distracted from that covenent and lessened the gift. Rom 10:12 – “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile, the same Lord is the Lord of all…”

5. Peter refers to his vision of the sheet with all matter of animal, clean and unclean, and his subsequent understanding of the vision through the interaction of the Holy Spirit with Cornelius the centurion who received faith.

Conclusions:

The bible is so simple in its requirements – believe, change and be saved. Yet we can add such complexity. You must go through these classes. You must attend these meetings. You have to be baptized on this day. You were baptized in what synod, we don’t count that.

There is nothing wrong with teaching, with prayer and with being a shepherd to new believers, but the avenue to a relationship with Jesus Chris does not come with barriers that new believers have to jump over. Christ seems to be happy that we are on the right path.

BSF Acts: Week 7, Day 6 – Acts 14:20b–28

Acts 14:20b–28.

15. I think Paul and Barnabas strengthened and united the disciples through teaching, leadership, helping them establish organization and leadership, through prayer, through a pattern of worship and through hands-on-blessings?

16. Faith is like a muscle, to be strengthened it must be exercised which can be difficult. I want to encourage others to persevere and to establish a “faith exercise routine.” (something I need to do far more of myself)

Acts: Week 7, Day 3

Read Acts 14:8–18; Psalm 19:1–6; and Romans 1:18–32.

Summary: P&B move out of Iconium to Lystra and Derbe, smaller towns in the Lycaonians region. They preach and do miracles, but face a new challenge, the people want to worship them as gods rather than worship the true God of their message. P&B mourn, tearing their clothes, and attempt to set the people straight.

Questions

6. a. Preach first.

b. He listened and had faith to be healed

7. They were the messengers. They could not be confused with the master. The people wanted to accredit worship to them, which was the same as denying the only true on worthy of worship, God.

8. a. They worshiped “worthless things”. They had been allowed to go their own way.

b. Turn / No Longer — Worthless / Futile

9. a. There is no “ignorance” defense for not believing. God’s power and divine nature are evident in all creation and His work and blessings have been ongoing: rain, crops, food, abundance.

b. From all creation. From the bible. From Believers. From a thorough examination: it is the explanation with the least “leap of faith”.

c. It stands in opposition to their gods and belief system. Zeus is a child of Uranus and Earth. Hermes is a messenger These are man made gods as opposed to the one true God who created all.

Conclusion: The area that Paul and Barnabas are now in is a very large elevated plain. See this photo of the area. The area was ideal for raising sheep and the King of Galatia is said to have had as many as 300 flock of sheep of his own (anywhere from 12,000 to over 100,000 head of sheep) in this area, not counting those privately owned. Sadly, the people of the area appear, at least at this time, to be much more comfortable being sheep than shepherds. Interesting to note that the greek word, Lycaonia, literally means Wolf Land!

They speak a very different dialect and appear to have a difficult time seeing the depth and power of Paul’s message. They see the miracle, but like so many today, they can not see the bigger picture and try to process the miracle within their jaded mindset.

I recently read the formal report of a cardiologist who went to Joplin. He saw first hand the miracles that happened. People huddles in a closet who survive only to find the only walls in their house still standing is this one closet, or those lying in a bathtub who open their eyes to find their entire driveway and house ripped away, but their bathtub untouched. Through it, he first had heard the stories of the winged ladies who sheltered and protected these people. He knew it to be true enough that he wrote of it in his official newsletter to all patients and partners. But felt compelled to add the line “people have to believe in something.”

Acts: Week 7, Day 2

Acts 14:1–7

Summary: Paul and Barnabas preached “as usual”, effectively and boldy, in Iconium. God confirms His message of grace through miracles. The city is divided into two camps, Apostles and Jews. P&B learn of a plot to stone them so they leave for the outlying towns.

Questions

3. a. Effectively and boldly

b. Because I have learned to rely on the words of the bible and not my own, my witnessing is effective. However, I find that I am mostly bold in situations which probably do not require much boldness.

4. The word was spoken, many are saved, miracles are performed, but opposition was organized against the truth.

5. They rejected the message as being the truth and, as a result, fought it with the same fervor that Saul did before he saw the light. This is not a surprising reaction, although it is wrong.

Conclusion: Iconium, modern Konya, is on a roadway southeast of Pisidian Antioch by approximately 100 miles. According to last week’s notes, we learned that Romans considered a good day travel in this region to be about 16 miles so it would have taken the better part of a full week of travel to get here As you can see from maps of the area, Iconium is on a direct pathway, and roadway of that day, from Pisidian Antioch to Tarsus (Paul’s home town). The city, which was the capital of the area of Lycaonia, sits on the western edge of a great plain at 3600 feet elevation (more on this on Week 7, Day 3 Questions).

As the apostles head in the direction of Tarsus, they begin experiencing more of the fervor that Saul brought to the scene in his previous life. The Jews who stand in opposition to the truth, particularly now that “their God” is being co-opted into a God who is available to gentiles without them becoming jewish, is hitting a little too close to the core of what they hold as “theirs alone.” As a result, the passion against the truth is rising. Even with the authorities in Jerusalem, in opposition to Peter, we saw them mostly imprison, scold, and beat the Apostles. But, here, now, we see the people move quickly from treating them as guests invited to speak in the temple to something less that human that you would kill without trial by a mob throwing stones at it.

We will see Paul return to each of these places where seeds have been planted in future chapters of Acts and in the epistles. However, we also know that he felt the hatred of those who stood in opposition not only of him but of the grace of God. In 2 Tim 3:14 he recounts the persecution that he faced in this area.

Acts: Week 7, Day 1

2. There were three things that I found very interesting in this week’s notes.

The first was that Paul’s three missionary trips, the heart of his ministry, in total lasted only 10-13 years. What an amazing impact he made in such a short period of time. I have worked at jobs for more than 10 years and accomplished far, far less!

The second was the distance and terrain that Paul and his various companions travelled. In this first mission trip of 3 years, they spend almost 10 percent of their total time travelling from place to place, over treaturous seas and snow covered mountains on rickety bridges.. In each new town they have to find lodging and work (they supported themselves along the way so as not to be a burden or lead anyone astray.)

Third was the realization that the only reason that we have the writings of Paul is because God allowed him to be imprisoned. Had it not been for his forced solitude, it is clear that he would be in the field saving souls, not locked in a cell with someone documenting the notes, information and faith.

We are so richly blessed by the way that the Holy Spirit worked through this one man’s life. But, to me, the biggest realization is that the power of the Holy Spirit is ready and willing to work to that level again, today, in any devoted christian. Who knows what an amazing story our generation of believers may leave to childrena dn grand-children.

Acts: Week 6, Day 4

Acts 13:14b–41.

Paul preaches in the open synagogue at Pisidian Antioch. He explains that Jesus was foretold by and fulfilled the scriptures, that Jesus is the risen Lord and that through Jesus is forgiveness of sins and justification above what the law could ever provide.

9. a. 16,26,39

b. (1) 17: The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers, made them prosper in Egypt and led them out 19: Overthrew 7 nations and gave their land to his people

(2) 18: He endured their conduct

(3) 20-25: Judges to Kings to King David to John the Baptist

10. He has convicted me of my sins and provided me with God fearing people in my life who helped guide me into the bible, into BSF and into a church that adheres to the word of God.

11.27: in fulfillment of prophecy, Jews conspired against Jesus, 29: He was crucified and died and was buried. 30: raised from the dead, 31: seen for many days. 37: raised, never to decay

12. In the third section of this sermon:

a. 38: the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed

b. 39″ believe

c. Acknowledge Jesus as the Son of the Living God, my Lord and Savior and act appropriately for that acknowledgement

d. Those who scoff, wonder and perish.

e. They mock, deride and jeer at both the word of God and of the people that follow that word. They decide that we are too sophisticated, too advanced, too wise and that the bible is simply superstition. Theyridicule believers for not accepting that anyone’s beliefs are as justifiable and true as their own.

Conclusion:

Paul’s sermon resounds in the Nicene and Apostole’s Creeds. It is a simple statement of the facts. No cajoling. No pleading. No watering down. He simply states the historical promise, how that promise was fulfilled and the gift that fulfillment provides.

We struggle so often with what words to use to encourage a non-believer, that sometimes we skip over the most obvious: simply state the facts and let the Holy Spirit act.

Acts: Week 6, Day 2

2 Corinthians 11:23–12:12.

Paul addresses the Corinthian church teaching them about the real credentials of a faithful servant of Christ.

We have observed how Jesus did not meet the preconceptions of the Jewish people that he came to save. They expected someone bolder, taller, better looking, a warrior who would exalt them and conquer their oppressors. They were not looking for someone to save them from their sins, they were looking for a champion to make them feel better by knocking down the other guys for a change.

In much the same way, Paul did not meet the expectation of the Corinthian church and, in fact, some other false preachers had entered the scene who better met the image they had in mind. The other “super apostles” were better looking, more eloquent, dressed nicer, were friendlier. In other words, from an earthly perspective, they had better credentials to preach. Paul helps enlighten the church (and us) what real credentials look like.

3. 11:24 39 lashes; 11:25 beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, lost at sea; 11:26 homeless, dangers of loss of life from nature (sea, rivers) and men (bandits, Gentiles, own countrymen); 11:27 labored, sleepless, hunger, thirst, cold, naked; 11:28 anguish for churches; 11:29 tempted; 11:33 humiliation of being lowered in basket; 12:10 insults, hardships, persecution, difficulties

4. a. In 11:28 his anguish in concern for the church is greater than the physical abuse

b. Do I shrug when I see false teachings in the church and people being led away from the true word of God for a watered down version or does it cause me pain on par with physical beating?

c. This suffering was not a trivial thing, nor was it something put on display, it was simply who Paul was as a servant of the Lord. He didn’t cover it up but nor would he allow others to diminish it. If you fight the battle, you get scars.

Conclusion: How foolish we are if we believe there were false preachers in the early church and not today.

In attempts to reach to the unchurched or those that had been disillusioned by the church, rather than delivering the message of the rock and firm foundation, too many deliver a watered down gospel that, while it won’t do you much good, is really easy to swallow. They look the part, they dress the part, they read from the bible (selectively), they raise lots of money and sound really good. We all know them and the “churches” they form. But here is the deal. When we don’t stand up and speak out in the truth of the gospel, we allow them to dishonor the battle scars of great soldiers like Paul, James, Stephen and most importantly, Jesus Christ. The next time you hear a preacher say the words, “now the bible doesn’t really mean…” keep this in mind.

Bible Lesson 6: Acts 9:31 – 12:25

Aim: Jew or Gentile, there is only one way: Jesus

Last week we saw the conversion of Saul, and what a turn around that was – from persecutor to preacher. He saw the light. We also heard that Saul was being given a mission, to help spread the good news about Jesus to the Gentiles – people that weren’t Jewish. Now this caused quite a stir because the Jews were God’s chosen people, so was this going to be OK? Should they be invited, too?

So, as we begin to think about our lesson this week, picture this: William and Kate (Prince/Princess) are coming to your town and throwing a huge party that lasts a really long time. However, tickets to the event cost $1 bizzillion (a really, really big number). Is there any way you can buy a ticket? Is there anyway that anyone can pay that kind of price? Probably not even the queen. But, wait, they just announced that they are going to give away free tickets with only 3 requirements:

You have to accept the gift of the ticket. You can’t ignore it, or throw it away, or sell it, or anything like that.
You have to come in through the front door only, the door that is opened by the host to let in his guests. No trying to sneak in the back.
While not a requirement, it is strongly suggested that you act grateful for this amazing gift.

That is how things are with God. When Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, He paid the price for all of our tickets. And God wants everyone of us to accept that ticket and join the party. But he gets very frustrated when someone shows up with a fake ticket that they tried to make on their own. Or they try to sneak in some backdoor.

There is only one way into this party. It doesn’t matter who you are, who your parents were or how much you work to make your own ticket.

Division 1: Acts 9:31-10:48

In chapter 9 we have 2 amazing stories of healing and prayer. The power of the Holy Spirit is overflowing and as Peter travels outside of Jerusalem he is partaking in and witness the power of the Holy Spirit, not only in changed bodies, but in changed hearts and souls. The first is the story of Aeneas, so crippled that he had stayed in bed for 8 years. Then, with one blessing from God, he gets up and walks. Are you saying, we’ve seen that before – ok, how about Dead Dorcas? Her friends pray and talk about the gifts she has made and… back from the dead.

But in Acts 10, we get into the really interesting story of Peter and Cornelius. Peter was a Jew. Jesus came to the Jews. And when you are a Jew you live as a Jew. This isn’t a club, it is a way of life, every moment of every day. You mess up one thing, touch a dead animal by accident, brush against someone with a skin disease, and you can be living outside of the city for days or weeks.

I’m going to talk about the blanket and food restrictions. This meeting with Cornelius, in his house, eating and just how big of a deal that was. But the whole time God was working on Peter, from the inside out, to help him see God’s love for all.

Principle: God welcomes all who believe

Illustration: Picture the gates of heaven. In your mind, do you see a sign next to the door that says, Girls only, no boys allowed? Or boys only? Or only people with black hair allowed? Of course not. There is a big welcome mat saying all believers enter here.

Applications: Do you understand that God is bigger than skin tone, eye color, nationality or any other difference in humans?

Do you welcome into your church family people that don’t look, act or sound like you? Do you call them brother and sister?

What “rules” are you expecting people to jump through because that is how you did it when you were a new believer?

Division 2: Acts 11

The jewish born christians are troubled by this new understanding that Peter has received and they have no issue speaking up about it. Peter goes to Jerusalem, right to the heart of the discussion and lays out the facts. In one verse (18) they understand, “so, then, that’s how it is.” God said it, done deal. Meanwhile, Antioch becomes a hotbed of God’s spirit, Barnabas is dispatched, joined by Saul and the new church gets its legs.

Principle: God’s word unites believers

Illustration: Have you ever used the words, “Mom said” or “Dad says” or “the coach said to”? When you are in a family or on a team, it is important to know who is in charge and calling the plays. There is nothing wrong when you see someone heading a different direction to stop them and ask questions. But when the direction comes from God, it is best to get on board.

Application: When you have an issue, do you go to the source or chitchat rumor about it?

When you understand that a direction is spelled out in the bible, do you accept it or still want to argue?

Division 3: Acts 12

King Herod (Agrippa), seeks to build his political cachet by imprisoning some of the heathen christians. When that goes well, he murders James. Seeing how well that is received he imprison Peter, with plans to kill him as well.

(retell story of the Peter in jail, shackled, 2 guards, sound asleep, freed by H/S, Rhoda, the church praying)

Finally, King Herod get eaten by worms and dies – yuck!

Principle: God sets us free of earthly confines

Illustration: (I’m sticking with Peter and this story)

Application: If someone wanted to jail the christians, would they know you were one?

What are you losing sleep over?

Do you believe it when God answers your prayers?

What are you shackled to that God needs to set you free from? Past sins? Current guilt? Worry? Fear? Secrets?

Conclusion: In all that is happening, don’t miss the skill movement of the master’s hand in everything that is happening. I was reading an article on grand masters at chess. It pointed out that if you take any chess game, at any point in the game, and for less 2 seconds show the board to a master. They can go to another board and place every piece in place, where a non-chess player is doing good to get 3-4 pieces. God not only knows this board that we live on, He created it, and He is the Master of All.

Acts: Week 5, Day 6

Acts 9:31–12:25.

15. I am learning from these lessons that the more I give up to God the more I receive in power and peace. It has made me question why I tend to hold onto stuff until it is simply too much to bear and, then finally, I relent it to God. It sounds insane, but it is like I am trying to impress God with my ability to take care of stuff. I know… when I think about it, it doesn’t make sense to me either. The story this week of Peter, the night before his “trial” and probably execution is chained to two guards, on a prison floor, sleeping like a baby. It makes me think about all of the times I wake up in the middle of the night or can’t sleep. My prayer is to remind myself of these lessons. God wants a humble heart, a heart that He will fill up with the power of the spirit and give peace in the midst of whatever is happening.

Acts: Week 5, Day 3

Acts 10:1–11:18.

In Caesarea there was a Roman centurion named Cornelius who loved God and worked to honor Him through generosity and prayer. An angel appears and tells him to send for Peter in Joppa.

Meanwhile, Peter on a rooftop in Joppa has a vision of a sheet being lowered and various animals presented to him to eat, including those who were “unclean” by the law of moses. While pondering this vision, the 3 messengers from Cornelius arrive.

Peter and his entourage go to Caesarea and enter and dine with Cornelius, a fact that would have also been in violation of the law since Cornelius did not follow Jewish dietary law in the prep of food or even in the decoration of his home (prayer at the doorpost, etc.)

Peter receives the revelation of his vision – all belong to God: “God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” Peter witnesses about Christ and, without any altar call at all, the entire household present receives the Holy Spirit with proof in the speaking of tongues. Peter calls for them to be baptized.

Peter catches flack from Jews for extending the gift of the Holy Spirit to non-Jews.

5. a. v2: “He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly”

b. I believe others, particularly friends and family, see me as a man devoted to God.

6. (Challenge) Acts 10:9–18; Leviticus 17:10–14; Leviticus 11 Leviticus 20:25.

a. Unclean

b. Act 10:15 – God made it clean. The price of sin was paid by the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Mat 5:17: the law has been fulfilled

Rom 14:14-17: kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

7. a. 12: Get up, kill and eat; v15 do not call anything impure that God has made clean; v19 go with the men without hesitation

b. v21, the men were there; v22, A holy angel told him to have you come to his house

c. 33: we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us., 34: I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism. 44: while still speaking the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message

8. Unquestioning obedience and humility to God’s direction. He said go, they went. The act of Cornelius, a centurion, bowing at Peter’s feet who was an outlaw, simply because God had directed him to this man, therefore this must be a man of honor in God’s kingdom.

9. (Challenge) no, it says who fear him and do what is right.

The fear of the Lord is a gift of the Spirit (Isaiah 11:2)
Even the spies of the sanhedrin recognized that Jesus “taught what is right” Luke 20:21
Jesus is the only way (John 14:6)

10. To follow jewish law was akin to running a marathon. Each step counted and you were in it for the distance. And now, with the death and resurrection of Jesus and the advent of the Holy Spirit, there is a big banquet the runners are enjoying. But how unfair it seems to them that these gentiles (non-runners) are showing up at the banquet. They aren’t saying they can’t participate, they just want them to go run the race first.

Conclusion: God’s patience and self constraint amazes me. Sometimes he is very clear and exact with us and sometimes he presents us with a message in such a way that we have to take it in and steep in it for a while to really internalize the message.

Last week we had God revealing specific instructions to Ananias, go to this house on Straight street, meet with this guy. He couldn’t have been more clear if he had just plugged it into his calendar. And even this week to Peter: go downstairs, there are 3 men looking for you, go with them, don’t hesitate.

I was doing some work with furniture this week and this story reminds me of it. Think of it this way. The specific directions God gives us are a lot like furniture cleaners. You spray it on, you wipe it off – clean. God says it, you do it – clean. The less specific information God gives us is more like paint stripper. You spray it on, wait for it to soak down in and get under the surface so that it works on cleaning from the inside out.

This is a major shift in reality for these jewish Christians: that they would now be dining with gentiles, associating with them as family, foregoing dietary law to spread the good news. Peter is not a young man and he notes that he has never eaten something unclean. This is a really big change. Now, God could have told him and Peter probably would have followed. But, God was so much wiser and more patient. He revealed his message to Peter in such a way that it could soak down in and then work on changing Peter’s views and perceptions from the inside, rather than just on the surface.