Acts 5:27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
Acts 5:28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
The Bible tells us that we are to be blameless in the world, meaning that no one could honestly lay charges of sin to our account and be a reproach to Christ.
In this passage, we find a very different kind of accusation: the best kind! What a great thing to be accused of, filling an entire city with the doctrine of Christ! Notice their chief complaint: "You intend to bring His blood upon us..." or to paraphrase: "Don't make us feel guilty for sinning!"
Being a witness for Christ can be extremely unpopular, or at least the right kind of witness. You will probably not be hated for telling all your friends that God is love, but if you give them the other side of the Gospel (the fact that Christ had to die because their sin was under God's judgment), you might be less likely to be invited to the Christmas party.
So what was the apostle's reaction to the complaining? They reminded the audience that their words came from God, and could not be ignored. Not only did they refuse to back down from their position, but they added more accusation!
"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree..."
How's your witness this week? Probably not quite this bold, and neither is mine to be honest. So what makes the difference? These were not special people, or even exceptionally gifted people. They were unlearned fishermen. The difference is what came before this account in the previous chapter (4:29):
"And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word"
How could they be so bold and fearless? Because they knew they couldn't be! They had to fall on their face before God and beg Him to give them the courage to speak in the face of ridicule and danger. They undoubtedly remembered His words only a few months before:
"whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, He will give it to you..." John 16:23
Why do we not witness with power and boldness? Maybe we don't ask, and maybe we don't ask believing His promise to hear and answer.
What could this week be like if everyone on our Sunday School class, everyone in our church, got on their knees before God and begged Him to use them to proclaim His name to those who don't know Him, to fill them with truth and boldness? I have a crazy idea... Let's try it and see!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Easter Sunday!
Easter time is here! As children hunt for Easter eggs, many parents hunt for the right church where they can bring their entire family. Easter is a time when many people who normally do not attend church traditionally look for a place to worship with their families. We believe that VBC is the right place for you and your family this Easter! We will have a special service celebrating the resurrection of Christ, with a great Bible message from our pastor. Make sure your family knows this Easter that there is a place for them at VBC!
For more information, go to http://visionbaptist.com/main/page_events_events_easter.php
For more information, go to http://visionbaptist.com/main/page_events_events_easter.php
Friday, February 29, 2008
Rechabites
Jeremiah 35 tells the story of a group of people called the Rechabites. 300 years before this chapter, Jonadab instructed his descendents to not drink wine, eat grapes, or live in the cities. 300 years later, they were still obedient to these instructions. In vs. 16 God says this:
"Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto me"
Even though God had sent prophet after prophet to warn Israel to return to God an obey His voice, they refused to listen. He compared them to the Rechabites, who were willing to obey harsh and seemingly pointless rules just out of love and respect for their earthly father, Jonadab.
How often do we do this! We will obey people we love and respect, but when it comes to our Heavenly Father, we pick and choose which commands and precepts to obey. Think about this: what possible reason could we have to not love and respect our God? He loved us while we were yet sinners, and gave His only Son to die in our place. He bought us out of our sin, and gave us a home with Him. I John 5:3 says this:
"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."
He deserves all of our love and reverential fear, and His commandments are not grievous; or, they are not to hurt us or keep us back from any good thing!
If we obey those we love and respect, maybe we need to remember why He deserves that and so much more.
"Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto me"
Even though God had sent prophet after prophet to warn Israel to return to God an obey His voice, they refused to listen. He compared them to the Rechabites, who were willing to obey harsh and seemingly pointless rules just out of love and respect for their earthly father, Jonadab.
How often do we do this! We will obey people we love and respect, but when it comes to our Heavenly Father, we pick and choose which commands and precepts to obey. Think about this: what possible reason could we have to not love and respect our God? He loved us while we were yet sinners, and gave His only Son to die in our place. He bought us out of our sin, and gave us a home with Him. I John 5:3 says this:
"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."
He deserves all of our love and reverential fear, and His commandments are not grievous; or, they are not to hurt us or keep us back from any good thing!
If we obey those we love and respect, maybe we need to remember why He deserves that and so much more.
Whirlyball!!!
It's that time again: the Home Improvement Class has challenged the teens and singles to a winner-take-all match of whirlyball!! Our honor is at stake, and we have the advantage of experience, with the all-stars from last match (Ms Betty and Amy Coffey) lining up on the same team.
We will be playing from 2-4 PM, Saturday the 8th at exit 7 (Holcomb Bridge). The cost is $20 a person, and the satisfaction of trouncing the other classes will make it all worthwhile. Get your tickets now, they are limited and going fast!
We will be playing from 2-4 PM, Saturday the 8th at exit 7 (Holcomb Bridge). The cost is $20 a person, and the satisfaction of trouncing the other classes will make it all worthwhile. Get your tickets now, they are limited and going fast!
Celebration Sunday!
Vision is 2 years old! March 16th is the day that we celebrate 2 years of great ministry. God has been so good to us in so many ways, and has used us to help get the Gospel literally all over the world through the support of our missionaries.
Make sure you have made plans to be there for our celebration service; we will have great Sunday School teaching as usual, music from the Daybreak Quartet and the Vision singers, powerful verse-by-verse preaching, and a great time of food and fellowship at Will's Park after the service.
The Home Improvement class, taught by pastor Austin Gardner, has been one of the most exciting and fastest-growing class at Vision, and our class goal is 26 people in attendance for this special day. Grab few invitations, and let you friends, neighbours, and co-workers know that Vision is the church for them!
Make sure you have made plans to be there for our celebration service; we will have great Sunday School teaching as usual, music from the Daybreak Quartet and the Vision singers, powerful verse-by-verse preaching, and a great time of food and fellowship at Will's Park after the service.
The Home Improvement class, taught by pastor Austin Gardner, has been one of the most exciting and fastest-growing class at Vision, and our class goal is 26 people in attendance for this special day. Grab few invitations, and let you friends, neighbours, and co-workers know that Vision is the church for them!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Unloveable
I was reading in Luke 14 this morning about the parable of the great supper. The servants were sent to invite the noble friends, who all found some excuse for not being able to come, and the master sent his servants out again, but this time to the poor, the maimed, the crippled, and the blind, that they could enjoy the great feast.
God has called us, His servants, to take His invitation to all men. I wondered as I read this passage how many times I have kept the invitation to myself because I didn't think that a certain person was worth the effort. If someone asked me whether I thought the Gospel was for a few or for all, I would immediately say that it was for all. But I don't always live like I believe it.
My problem, and the problem of many people, is that I forget that I was never one of those "noble friends"! I was one the unloveable poor who could never hope to deserve sitting at the table with the King. I forget that I wasn't always a child of the King, and I do not deserve to be.
Do you remember being one of the unloveable ones? Do you remember how it felt to be separated from God, with no hope? We need desperately to remember where we were, not just where we are, if we are going to have a real burden for the world!
God has called us, His servants, to take His invitation to all men. I wondered as I read this passage how many times I have kept the invitation to myself because I didn't think that a certain person was worth the effort. If someone asked me whether I thought the Gospel was for a few or for all, I would immediately say that it was for all. But I don't always live like I believe it.
My problem, and the problem of many people, is that I forget that I was never one of those "noble friends"! I was one the unloveable poor who could never hope to deserve sitting at the table with the King. I forget that I wasn't always a child of the King, and I do not deserve to be.
Do you remember being one of the unloveable ones? Do you remember how it felt to be separated from God, with no hope? We need desperately to remember where we were, not just where we are, if we are going to have a real burden for the world!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
My Valentine' Day Card
Well, its that time of year again. The time when I traditionally join the ranks of the millions of American men who flock to the nearest Wal-Mart (on the day of, of course. Does anyone actually do this before the 14th?) to stand shoulder to shoulder with their fellow clueless man in the card aisle, looking for all the world like a lobotomy patient trying to remember which shoe goes on which foot.
Am I supposed to get the romantic gushy kind, or something that makes her laugh? Should I spend my entire lunch break racking my brain, or just play Russian Roullette and hope that it turns out like a beer commercial?
That was me this afternoon. I couldn't find anything that even remotely resembled our relationship, or even anything that I thought would get a laugh, but everyone knows that you have to buy a card for your lady on Valentine's Day! Or do you.......?
I have decided to break the rules this Valentine's Day, because the only reason I was going to buy a card was because it is what our commercial culture demands. I figure, I know my wife better than any moron at Hallmark (and $5 for a stinkin piece of paper?????), and why not put my card where I can tell the whole world (or the 2 people that read this, thanks Mom and Dad!) how much she means to me! Melissa, I am thumbing my nose at the system. Here goes.
Melissa,
There are no words deep enough to describe how precious you are to me. I thank God every day, because somehow I get to wake up next to the sweetest, kindest, sexiest woman God ever made. I will never deserve your love, but I want you to know how invaluable it is to me. You complete me, you fulfill me, and you captivate me without even trying! Thank you for loving God, thank you for always making me want to serve Him more. You make me feel like I can slay giants, you strengthen me and comfort me more than you will ever know. I love you, happy Valentine's Day.
Your Valentine,
Scott
Am I supposed to get the romantic gushy kind, or something that makes her laugh? Should I spend my entire lunch break racking my brain, or just play Russian Roullette and hope that it turns out like a beer commercial?
That was me this afternoon. I couldn't find anything that even remotely resembled our relationship, or even anything that I thought would get a laugh, but everyone knows that you have to buy a card for your lady on Valentine's Day! Or do you.......?
I have decided to break the rules this Valentine's Day, because the only reason I was going to buy a card was because it is what our commercial culture demands. I figure, I know my wife better than any moron at Hallmark (and $5 for a stinkin piece of paper?????), and why not put my card where I can tell the whole world (or the 2 people that read this, thanks Mom and Dad!) how much she means to me! Melissa, I am thumbing my nose at the system. Here goes.
Melissa,
There are no words deep enough to describe how precious you are to me. I thank God every day, because somehow I get to wake up next to the sweetest, kindest, sexiest woman God ever made. I will never deserve your love, but I want you to know how invaluable it is to me. You complete me, you fulfill me, and you captivate me without even trying! Thank you for loving God, thank you for always making me want to serve Him more. You make me feel like I can slay giants, you strengthen me and comfort me more than you will ever know. I love you, happy Valentine's Day.
Your Valentine,
Scott
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