Internet censorship

I was scrolling back through my blog post and have found something interesting. My blog has become a record of internet censorship. Many of my posts from YouTube the content has disappeared. This is largely due to YouTube getting rid of thought they disagree with. This is truly terrifying as we watch history being wiped away. Soon you will be able to trust very little you see on line as the conversation of humanity is twisted to fit the despicable needs of our horrendous overlords. Never trust those who wish to silence others. How far are we going to let this go? 

“Where they burn books, they will also ultimately burn people.”

                                                                                                    Heinrich Heine 

The Star of Bethlehem

Acts 2:4-13

 

Acts 2:4-13

And They Were All Filled with the Holy Spirit

Act 2:4  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 

Act 2:5  And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 

Act 2:6  Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 

Act 2:7  And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 

Act 2:8  And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 

Act 2:9  Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 

Act 2:10  Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 

Act 2:11  Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 

Act 2:12  And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 

Act 2:13  Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. 

           1.      The Indwelling – vs. 4*

a.       They were indwelled with the Holy Spirit for the first time

                                                              i.      While it may appear, at first glance, that there was a time when the Disciples were Christians and did not have the Holy Spirit it is dangerous to read into this story too much. This is a transitory period of time between the old and new covenants.

                                                            ii.      Scripture is clear that it is impossible to be a Christian and not be indwelled by the Holy Spirit

1.       Romans 8:9 

                                                          iii.      The seeming delayed indwelling of the Holy Spirit speaks to the transitory period that the Church was in.

1.      The Samarians that had previously believed in Christ - Acts 8:14-17 

2.      The Gentile believers - Acts 10:44-48 

3.      A left-over pocket of believers that were baptized with the baptism of John the Baptist

a.       Acts 19:1-6 

b.      The miraculous manifestation

                                                              i.      They were not speaking with babbling; they were speaking clearly in other languages they did not know.

c.       The Holy Spirit gave them clarity of speech

                                                              i.      Tongues is not something random but something that was foretold in the Old Testament scriptures

1.      The primary gift of the Holy Spirit to be pursued is not tongues but rather love - 1 Corinthians 14:1 

2.      Tongues are limited in their benefit - 1 Corinthians 14:3-4 

3.      Tongues are a sign of pending judgment - 1 Corinthians 14:21-22 

4.      Tongues are a sign to those who have hardened their hearts in unbelief and are no longer sensitive to the word of God.

a.       Isaiah 28:11-13 

          2.      The Drawing – vs. 5-6*

a.       The audience is drawn to the manifestation of power with a divisive effect

                                                              i.      The audience is mainly devout Jews, there in Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Pentecost – vs 5

                                                            ii.      They each received a simultaneous translation of what the Disciples were saying. This did not bring comfort but rather fear. They had never heard God praised in their own languages like this before. God is revealing His intention of drawing all the peoples of the earth to His Son. – vs. 6

1.      Acts 1:7-8 

           3.      The Marveling – vs. 7-11*

a.       The unlearned speak with clarity – vs. 7-11a

                                                              i.      They could not believe that those they looked on with distain, were speaking with such distinction in a vast array of languages

b.      What were they speaking? – vs. 11b

                                                              i.      They were quoting the Psalms in the native tongues of the audience

1.      Psalm 145:8-17 

           4.      The Response – vs. 12-13*

a.       Some wanted to know more

                                                              i.      These people would be a part of the birth of the Church - Acts 2:41 

b.      Some mocked

                                                              i.      Those that hardened their hearts would viciously persecute the believers

1.      First, they questioned the legitimacy of the believers

a.       Acts 4:6-7  

2.      Then they threatened physical violence on the believers

a.       Acts 4:17-18 

3.      Then they imprisoned the believers - Acts 5:17-18 

4.      Then they began to kill the believers - Acts 7:57-58; 2 Timothy 3:12

 

"The Coming of the Holy Spirit" - Acts 2:1-21 (7.24.16) - Pastor Jordan ...

Acts 2:1-3

 

Acts 2:1-3

The Day of Pentecost

 

Act 2:1  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 

Act 2:2  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 

Act 2:3  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 

 

         1.      The Day When Prophesy is Fulfilled – vs. 1a

a.       Passover – celebrated near the crucifixion of Jesus on April 14^th

                                                              i.      1 Corinthians 5:7 

b.      Feast of First Fruits – Begins the day after Passover is a picture of Christ’s resurrection

                                                              i.      1 Corinthians 15:20 

c.       Day of Pentecost – 50 days after the feast of first fruits. It is a celebration of the harvest. It also commemorates the giving of the Law, 50 days after the Exodus.

                                                              i.      Leviticus 23:15-16 

                                                            ii.      Psalm 126:5-6 

                                                          iii.      Romans 16:20 

          2.      Gathered in One Accord Power – vs. 1b

a.       They were now prepared to receive the promise of Christ

                                                              i.      John 7:37-39 

 

 

          3.      An Overwhelming Presence – vs. 2

a.       This is not something that they had earned or deserved in any way. It was an answer to the prayers of Christ for His Church

                                                              i.      John 17:11 

                                                            ii.      John 17:21-23 

b.      The answer to the prayers of Christ is an overwhelming power of unity given to His people

                                                              i.      1 Corinthians 12:12-13 

           4.      An Individual Baptism – vs. 3

a.       The cloven tongues of fire represent that the work of the Holy Spirit is not just a work with a larger group but a transformation of the heart of the individual within that group.

                                                              i.      They are baptized with the Holy Spirit – a onetime event

1.      If you do not understand your permanent position in Christ, you will never overcome sin

a.       Romans 6:1-6 

2.      Those who do not believe in the firmness of justification make a mockery of the sacrifice of Christ

a.       Hebrews 10:10-14 

                                                            ii.      They are now to be filled with the Holy Spirit – a continued process of transformation

1.      Although they are baptized with the Holy Spirit that day, we see many times when the filling of the Holy Spirit came upon them with greater power and effect.

a.       Acts 4:8 

b.      Acts 4:31 

c.       Acts 7:54-56 

d.      Acts 9:17 

e.       Acts 13:52 

2.      A greater filling is accomplished by the yielding of the heart of the believer to the will of the Holy Spirit

a.       Romans 6:11-14 

 

Acts 1:12-26

 

Acts 1:12-26

A Time to Pray

Act 1:12  Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. 

Act 1:13  And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. 

Act 1:14  These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. 

Act 1:15  And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) 

Act 1:16  Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. 

Act 1:17  For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 

Act 1:18  Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. 

Act 1:19  And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. 

Act 1:20  For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. 

Act 1:21  Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 

Act 1:22  Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 

Act 1:23  And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 

Act 1:24  And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 

Act 1:25  That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 

Act 1:26  And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. 

 

1.       The Response – vs. 12-14

a.        They are alone – vs. 12

                                                                           i.      After the ascension of Christ, the disciples return to Jerusalem

1.       They must have felt terribly lonely as they walked away from where they had watched Jesus ascend into heaven. Yet they move immediately to obey the commandment of Christ. - Luke 24:49 

                                                                         ii.      They gather in the upper room – vs. 13

1.       A place for quite meditation and prayer

2.       All of the disciples are there with the exception of Judas Iscariot

                                                                       iii.      They Pray – vs. 14

1.       The women were there

2.       The mother of Jesus was there

3.       The brothers of Jesus were there

a.        James, Joseph, Simon and Jude

                                                                                                                                                   i.      At first, they were hostile to Christ but later became instrumental to the first century church

1.       John 7:5; 1 Corinthians 15:7 

2.       The Replacement – vs. 15-26

a.        They are broken – vs. 15-22

                                                                           i.      The paramount problem with the group is the sin of one of their number. The sin had left a gaping hole in the cohesion of the group. Something needed to be done to prepare for the future work of the Lord.

1.       Peter stands up – vs. 15

a.        Peter has the courage to stand, not because he is special but because he humbled - John 21:15-17 

2.       Peter turns their attention to the truth of scripture – vs. 16-20

a.        Judas known aforetime – vs. 16a - John 17:12 

b.       The betrayer of Christ – vs. 16b - John 6:64 

c.        Numbered among the faithful – vs. 17a

                                                                                                                                                   i.      It is a terribly grievous sin to have been offered the truth of God’s forgiveness and reject it

1.       Hebrews 10:29 

d.       Obtained a place of influence – vs. 17b

e.        Accepted a bribe – vs. 18a

f.        Died in a disgusting manner – vs. 18b

g.       Is remembered in infamy – vs. 19 - Matthew 27:3-10 

h.       Was predicted of old – vs. 20 - Psalm 109:8 

3.       Peter reminds them of the qualifications of Apostleship – vs. 21-22

a.        A replacement was necessary to be a witness of the resurrection

                                                                                                                                                   i.      Matthew 19:28 

b.       One of the qualifications was they had to have known Christ before and after His resurrection

                                                                                                                                                   i.      John 15:27; Acts 4:33 

b.       They attempt to heal – vs. 23-26

                                                                           i.      Two men who are believed to have fit the qualification are picked – vs. 23

1.       The problem with this is that all the previous Apostles were picked by God

a.        Luke 6:13; Acts 10:39-41; Ephesians 4:11 

                                                                         ii.      They ask God to authenticate their choice – vs. 24-25

1.       It is doubtful that their process of choosing a disciple was wrong or that they were not listening to God but rather that their timing was off. God simply honored this request at a different time.

a.        This could be why Paul kept insisting the following despite the choice that was made that day

                                                                                                                                                   i.      Paul was an Apostle born out of due time

1.       1 Corinthians 15:8-9 

                                                                                                                                                 ii.      Paul was an Apostle to the Gentiles - Galatians 2:8 

                                                                                                                                               iii.      While Paul did not witness the ministry of Christ, he insists that he one of the witnesses of Christ’s resurrection. - 1 Corinthians 9:1-2 

                                                                       iii.      Matthias is chosen by the throw of the dice – vs. 26

1.       While Matthias was numbered among the other 11, at least for the time being, he is never mentioned again in scripture. Whatever your interpretation of the result, God was preparing this fractured broken group for great things. God shows His power through frail and fragile humans.

a.        Acts 2:32-36