tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51891742024-03-06T20:15:30.813-08:00...deliriumthe personal blog of Brian ArmitageBrian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.comBlogger230125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-13143250737895889392010-04-15T12:42:00.000-07:002010-04-15T12:50:11.942-07:00It's Kinda Like When...Behold, <a href="http://therazorclown.wordpress.com">Razorclown Ministries</a>.<br /><br />It's a new blog where I'll post observations about life and faith, usually in a geeky vein. My latest post compares Christians and the Borg.<br /><br />I'll be using <a href="http://razorclown.blogspot.com">...delirium</a> to occasionally post life updates and other stuff that doesn't fit elsewhere.<br /><br />I'll keep posting fiction (at some point) on <a href="http://thepaperangel.wordpress.com">Paperangel Press</a>.<br /><br />Yup. I'm knee-deep in blogs. Now to actually update them.Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-18746341270534816992010-02-18T21:21:00.001-08:002010-02-18T21:37:07.930-08:00HumiletyI've got this thing where I hate being wrong. Makes me feel very icky inside.<br /><br />As I was journaling tonight, I found myself typing this:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Please shape my ministry, Lord. And increase my faith. Sort my thoughts and desires, and make sense of them. Show me, too, that I don't have to be right all the time. That I don't have to understand everything.<br /><br />You want me to be humble. With my faults.</span><br /><br />See, I take my own faults way too seriously. I can get pretty neurotic at times.<br /><br />As I continued typing, I made a reference to this blog by its name: <span style="font-weight:bold;">...delerium.</span> And when I did, I saw a little red squiggly line under the word. Spell check.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">No freakin' way,</span> I thought.<br /><br />Sure enough. I, the spelling nazi, have had a giant misspelled word at the top of my blog for <span style="font-style:italic;">seven years</span>.<br /><br />And I laughed... and corrected it.Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-21729869845413203552010-02-16T23:46:00.000-08:002010-02-16T23:47:40.074-08:00Giving Up ExcusesLent begins tomorrow. <a href="http://thepaperangel.wordpress.com">Paperangel Press</a> launches tonight.<br /><br />More to come.Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-1748746294095898932010-01-19T22:23:00.000-08:002010-01-19T23:06:11.030-08:00Pew, Pew, PewRead through <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=3+John+1&version=NIV">3 John</a> this evening, then played some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_warfare_2">Modern Warfare 2</a> online. As the Scripture was settling in my mind, I saw that <a href="http://fireskullsaerie.wordpress.com/">my brother-in-law</a> was online. We joined up and promptly started shooting at each other.<br /><br />He smoked me. Mercilessly.<br /><br />I'd come tearing over a grassy hill and get dropped. Different hill each time. He was sitting across the level with a sniper rifle, no doubt yawning as he picked me off. Mind you, we were in a game with 16 other people, so I felt a little picked-on the fourth time he shot me in the head.<br /><br />In the next round, we were on the same team. Didn't do too great that time, either. The opposing team had us pinned for most of the game, shutting us down with sniper fire on one side and a massed assault on the other.<br /><br />Grr. <a href="http://mholmes0073.blogspot.com/">Snipers</a>.<br /><br />Sometimes I get competitive. Sometimes I just get frustrated. When it feels like I'm getting trounced and my opponent is barely trying, I lean toward frustrated.<br /><br />But as I was being riddled with bullets, I thought of 3 John. It mentions this guy, Diotrephes. He's causing trouble for the church, shutting good people out and causing all manner of division.<br /><br />John says he "<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=3%20John%201:9&version=NIV">loves to be first</a>."<br /><br />I like winning, but I don't always have to. When I feel like I do, that's when a game - supposed to be fun, remember? - starts breeding anger. Pride left unchecked turns us against each other. Diotrephes reminded me of that.<br /><br />Last round, I got 6 kills, and died 8 times.<br /><br />Ah, well. Getcha next time, Dom.Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-17297142431440372102010-01-18T21:36:00.000-08:002010-01-18T22:12:52.344-08:00In All Its TruthOne of my deepest fears is that, no matter what I do or how hard I try, my actions just won't be enough. I'm afraid of my own inadequacy.<br /><br />Check this out:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">We have heard of your... faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth.</span> -from Colossians 1:4-5<br /><br />The Colossians' faith and love, Paul says, comes from their hope. But where does the hope come from?<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.</span> -Colossians 1:6b<br /><br />The truth of God's overwhelming grace has gotten to them. That's where they get their hope. And that hope manifests not just in emotion, but action. They <span style="font-style: italic;">bear fruit</span>, and it looks like <span style="font-style: italic;">faith and love.</span><br /><br />Paul goes on to describe the life he's praying that they'll experience. The life that God meant them to have. He talks about good works. Knowledge. Power. Endurance. Patience. Joy. Thankfulness. (see Colossians 1:10-12)<br /><br />He leads off the list with the one that's hardest for me to believe: a life that pleases God.<br /><br />There may always be parts of our lives that don't please God. But there are those that do. He loves when we get it right, and even when we try and fail. He loves us. He's proven that.<br /><br />Oh, how He's proven that.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.</span> -Colossians 1:13-14<br /><br />May we all understand His grace. May it humble us and encourage us. May we seek to please Him, and thank Him that we can.Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-66161625578897058912009-12-27T22:03:00.000-08:002009-12-27T22:21:59.115-08:00The Divine Conspiracy<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CTHERAZ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CTHERAZ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CTHERAZ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> 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mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">[this is the last lesson in my Acts series, and when i presented this lesson in Sunday School this morning at my church, i could tell i was going out on a good note. i'll explain at the bottom.]
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>
<br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Acts 8</b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br />This chapter in Acts records two very unlikely encounters, and the even more unlikely results. The Gospel reaches Samaria, a land with a history of enmity with the Jews. An evangelist preaches to a royal official of an African kingdom. In both stories, souls are added to God's Kingdom. God set up people and circumstances so that the Gospel would continue to spread. Today, he does the same. These stories illustrate two key truths of evangelism.
<br />
<br /><b>God may call us to witness to anyone.</b>
<br /><i>Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked. "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. - Acts 8:30-31
<br /></i>
<br />The eunuch seems like an unlikely candidate for conversion for a few reasons. This man was <i>an important official in charge of the entire treasury</i> of his queen. (Acts 8:27) We can assume that he was well-educated. And certainly, he was wealthy. Jesus' words for the rich are far from encouraging, on the surface. (Matt. 19:23-26) Yet, this is one of the easiest and most enthusiastic converts we've seen so far. God had already begun to put the pieces together. He had brought the eunuch to Judaism, and put him in the right place at the right time, with the right scroll in hand. In fact, God may have started the process when the Queen of Sheba visited Solomon. (1 Kings 10) Phillip, guided by the Spirit, capitalized on what was already there. He spoke directly into the eunuch's context, and the eunuch responded. Encounters with us may be steps along a non-believer's journey to Christ. We may be pieces of the puzzle that will, in time, fit together.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Are you ready to introduce people to Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Do you reflect Jesus to those around you?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /><b>Don't give up on anyone.</b>
<br /><i>They were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. - Acts 8:12-13</i>
<br />
<br />The Jews and Samaritans had similar roots, but they were not on speaking terms. There had been bitterness between them since Israel split into two kingdoms. (1 Kings 11-12) When Phillip arrived, there were long-standing cultural and religious barriers between the two peoples. Still, Jesus spent much time in Samaria, with mixed reactions from the people. (John 4:1-42, Luke 9:51-56) But no matter the history, Phillip and the other believers witnessed <i>wherever they went</i>. (Acts 8:4) And when the apostles got word that God was at work in Samaria, they left their prejudices behind, ministering not only to the village where Phillip was, but others as well. (Acts 8:25) Sometimes, those we think of as furthest from God surprise us by coming to Him. Not only is Phillip in Samaritan country, he is faced with a sorcerer who claims to be a divine being. Simon was probably the last person anyone expected to convert. But he did.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;">Have we written off certain people or groups as hopeless?</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p>
<br /></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p>[it was after this point that i said the following: <span style="font-style: italic;">At the risk of being controversial, let me name some examples. Homosexuals. Muslims. Atheists. Let's not write them off. God hasn't.</span> i believe God wanted me to say it, and was pleased that i did.]</o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p>
<br /></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p>[i realize how offensive that is for those who have been burned by the church. for those who believe that the last thing they need is a savior. for those who see Christianity as heresy.]</o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p>
<br /></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p>[thing is, i really do believe that accepting Jesus' sacrifice is God's chosen method of reuniting Himself with us. and Jesus went, in person, to people that lived in a way that offended Him, and showed them love.]</o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p>
<br /></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p>[for me to do otherwise would be un-Christian. because i said this to the Sunday School class this morning, too: <span style="font-style: italic;">It's because God doesn't give up on people that we're sitting in this room today.</span>]</o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p>[thank you for reading.]
<br /></o:p></span></p> Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-58611677801455814292009-12-18T22:44:00.000-08:002009-12-18T22:46:00.247-08:00Zealots<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CTHERAZ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:relyonvml/> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CTHERAZ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CTHERAZ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 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mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Acts 5:12-5:42</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Peter and John have thus far been arrested once for preaching.<span style=""> </span>Two church members have died suddenly in the face of their own hypocrisy.<span style=""> </span>Now, all twelve of the apostles are put in jail, threatened, and severely beaten.<span style=""> </span>Acts 5:17 records that the religious authorities had the apostles arrested out of jealousy.<span style=""> </span>The word <i>jealousy</i> in Greek is <i>zelos, </i>from which we get the word <i>zealous</i>.<span style=""> </span>Clearly, the apostles had some zeal of their own.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Zeal means focusing on the mission.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!” – Acts 5:29<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">God is not only granting the church incredible success, He is utterly humiliating the authorities.<span style=""> </span>But you note that the apostles say nothing about the jailbreak, or the fact that the Sanhedrin is simply rehashing their earlier threats.<span style=""> </span>They simply speak the Gospel, just as boldly as ever.<span style=""> </span>They don’t react with pride or fear: only determination.<span style=""> </span>Remember also, this is right after the fiasco with Ananias and Sapphira.<span style=""> </span>The church was increasingly faced with major distractions, but remained on message.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Sanhedrin had their own sort of zeal.<span style=""> </span>They were so wrapped up in their own perspective that they saw God's miracles as a hindrance. They impotently tried to intimidate the apostles, tried to impose their authority over them.<span style=""> </span>It took one of their most respected elders to get them to even consider the possibility that the apostles could be doing God’s work.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Are we more zealous in protecting our own interests than we are in advancing God's?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Do we miss miracles around us because we're looking for the payoff for ourselves?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Zeal means dying to oneself.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. – Acts 5:41<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Peter and John have already been arrested and threatened.<span style=""> </span>This time, the Sadducees target the apostles as a whole.<span style=""> </span>They seek to humiliate them by throwing them in jail, then flogging them.<span style=""> </span>But even when the apostles are physically beaten, they take it with a smile. They praise God for the pain, and they don't even slow down. To them, the Good News is still good, and God continues to empower them to deliver it.<span style=""> </span>They honestly don’t care what happens to them.<span style=""> </span>They preach that Jesus is the Lord over everything, and they prove it by their self-sacrifice.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Gamaliel remembered the rebels of the past, whose followers scattered when things got tough.<span style=""> </span>He was content to let the church prove itself.<span style=""> </span>If it were not God empowering them, they would be like all the others: self-preservation would kick in, and they would go home.<span style=""> </span>They didn’t back down.<span style=""> </span>Soon, the Greek word for <i>witness</i> would give us the word <i>martyr</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Do your priorities prove your faith?<o:p></o:p></span></p>Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-55464477711610521662009-12-11T17:00:00.000-08:002009-12-18T22:46:37.009-08:00Death by Dishonesty<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" 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style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b>Acts 4:32-5:11
<br /><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />We have arrived at the disturbing story of Ananias and Sapphira, who were both struck dead after withholding money from the church and lying about it. That consequence may seem drastic to us; after all, who among us has hasn't gotten away with worse? Why was their punishment so harsh? And what was their sin, really?
<br />
<br /><b>Ananias and Sapphira's deaths are not unprecedented.</b>
<br />Similar situations occurred in the Old Testament. Think of Korah and his followers. They rebelled against Moses, and the earth opened under their feet. Soon after, God sent a plague that killed thousands. (Numbers 16) Think of Achan, who took spoils of war against God's command. He, his family, and everything he owned ended up buried in rocks in the Valley of Trouble. (Joshua 7) The results of rebellion against God are drastic in Israel's early history.</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />Note that Ananias and Sephira are struck down in the infancy of the church. In either case, if corruption were to be tolerated, it could set the tone for generations to come. In order to keep Israel or the church holy from the start, God was willing to go to great lengths.</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />Furthermore, as Dr. Ravi Zacharias notes, the time of the Exodus was thick with miracles, proofs of God's presence. The early church was similarly surrounded by supernatural displays. There was no excuse for them to doubt; thus, the consequences of their sins were appropriate.</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Are we wise enough to learn from others' mistakes? As in the rest of life, some of the most valuable lessons in the Bible can be learned from those who set a bad example.</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /><b>Ananias and Sapphira were guilty of hypocrisy.</b>
<br />In John, Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the <i>Spirit of truth</i>. (14:17, 15:26, 16:13) Thus far, the church has been humble, honest, bold, and generous to the point of self-sacrifice (Acts 2:45, 4:34), in keeping with the character of God. Ananias and Sephira's action ran counter to the holiness that the Spirit was cultivating in the church. If they wanted to look more holy and generous than they were willing to act, they were at the least prideful and self-centered. If they were directed by the Spirit to donate the funds, but didn't and lied about it, they were rebellious and greedy. Whatever their motive, they exemplified what Jesus railed against the Pharisees for doing: having a false outer appearance while neglecting true holiness (Matt. 23:25-26).</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />The Holy Spirit desires us to grow in holiness (2 Cor. 7:1, Eph. 4:22-24). God's goal is not for us to merely appear holy, but to truly be holy, as He is (Lev. 19:2, 1 Peter 1:15-16). Honesty is an essential part of that. Honesty with Him, with ourselves, and with each other. It is crucial for the life of the church. Accountability only works when we are genuine and open. Much-needed conviction can only take hold when we recognize what we have done. And our prayer life loses strength when we hide from God.</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p> <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">How honest are we with God, ourselves, and one another? Is there something left unsaid in prayer, accountability, or within ourselves?</span>Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-15670197108488235462009-12-11T07:00:00.000-08:002009-12-18T22:46:37.010-08:00Why Connection is Everything<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CTHERAZ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CTHERAZ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CTHERAZ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> 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font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Acts 3:1-4:31<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">
<br /><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We look back in awe at the courage and faith of the early church, the incredible miracles that surrounded them, and the overwhelming growth they experienced. Even when persecution arose from the religious and political authorities, the church did not so much as slow down. What was their secret? They were solidly connected with God, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We see, through their example, what a difference connection makes.
<br /><b>
<br />1) Connection gives us access to God's power.
<br /></b><i>“It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.” -Acts 3:16
<br /></i>The Sanhedrin ran headfirst into a problem: you can't argue with a transformed life. Though the disagreed with the apostles' spiritual beliefs, they had nothing to say against the miracle standing before them. (Acts 4:14) Note that it was not the beggar's faith that healed him: it was Peter's. (Acts 3:6) Peter's faith allowed something to happen in another person's life that had never happened before. (Acts 3:2) And Peter doesn't even take credit for it! (Acts 3:12) Not for the miracle, and not even for his own faith. Without God's grace, there's nothing to put our faith in. Peter was ready to give up after his betrayal, but Jesus showed him grace, and restored him. Now, Peter is doing his part: taking that faith and putting it into action.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Does our faith press the limits of the impossible?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If not, we have only to connect with God more, and deeper. He does not expect all of us to come upon that kind of faith suddenly; but He wants us to grow our connection to Him more and more.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
<br />2) Connection attunes us to God's heart.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. –Acts 4:13</span></i><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
<br /></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Look at the choices Peter and John make. They see past the beggar's immediate problem to the deeper issue. They boldly address the crowd when it suddenly gathers. (Acts 3:12) When they are on trial, they answer even more boldly to the people that have authority to punish them. (Acts 4:13) And when they are released, they pray not for an end to the persecution facing them, but the courage to move forward despite it. (Acts 4:29) The Spirit in them not only guides them to capitalize on the opportunities around them, but is changing their hearts to look more and more like God's. They are in tune with His will, and His character.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Are we becoming more like Him every day, or less?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Again, the answer is connection. By learning His character in the Word, praying to Him constantly, and using any other means of grace He gives us, we cultivate the connection between us.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.6in 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
<br />When they were ordered to stop preaching Jesus, Peter and John said, "We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." They were on a God-given mission, and were accomplishing it by the power and leading of the Spirit. For them, as it should always be for us, connection was first.<o:p></o:p></span></p> Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-14930883042368326592009-12-10T17:00:00.000-08:002009-12-18T22:46:37.010-08:00The Fellowship<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CTHERAZ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CTHERAZ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CTHERAZ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> 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mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNoSpacing">Acts 2:42-47
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<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">With the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost, the world changed forever. Even in the moment, the lives of those that joined the followers of Jesus were made new. These were conversions that altered the lives of those that converted. They devoted themselves not just to God, but to the church. And because the Spirit guided them and they gave themselves to it, the church began to accomplish its purpose.
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<br /><b>1) The church is meant to help us grow spiritually.
<br /></b><i>They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching... to the breaking of bread and to prayer. -Acts 2:42</i>
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<br /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Body of Christ is uniquely set up to provide accountability, encouragement, and a forum to worship. Sure, we could praise God by ourselves; but the collection of testimonies and stories in the Body gives us fuel we would not otherwise have. Even the structure of a worship service provides focus. We could pray by ourselves, and should; but the budding church did not miss out on the power of gathering to pray. We at Crossroads have seen the fruit of it, too. Certainly, we can gain insight in our personal Bible study time; but the church provides teachers who are called and trained specifically to study the Word and listen for God in order to preach and teach.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Has churchgoing become mechanical us? Do we need to re-train our hearts to seek God in our religion?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>
<br />2) The church is meant to be a family.</b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /><i>They gave to anyone as he had need. -Acts 2:45</i>
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<br /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">God has been more generous with us than we could ever account. He has lavished patience, forgiveness, and acceptance on us, along with innumerable other blessings in our day to day lives. The early Christians displayed that generosity to one another, and we are called to do the same. They saw that their brethren were in need, and stepped up. It doesn't say if they sold their surplus goods, or gave sacrificially. Either way, they gave what they had to take care of their family. Fellowship is not only about the mutual feelings of togetherness, but the community itself. It is a community in which everyone has a share: the Body of Christ. It's the nature of the church to be a family. The Church is meant as a source of strength for us all, and a means for God to deliver His grace to us.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;">What are we doing to reach out to our "brothers and sisters" to make them truly like brothers and sisters?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;">What needs do you see in your church friends that you could help address? How can you help the church nationwide, or overseas?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>3) The church is meant to multiply.</b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /><i>And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. -Acts 2:47</i>
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<br /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Is it any wonder, with a community that loving? With a people that self-sacrificial? The new Christians were defying the status quo not only with their controversial beliefs, but with their uncommon devotion to one another. Miracles surrounded them. They were generous, joyful, and bold. They gained a reputation that drew people in. Note also that even for the early church, worship was not confined to the temple. Praising God flowed naturally into their homes, and their daily lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;">How are we modeling Jesus and the Church to the world? What impression do we put forth in our daily lives and our worship services?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Do we make room for God to meet and move us in our daily routines?</span>Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-65008031187623849702009-12-10T07:00:00.000-08:002009-12-18T22:46:37.011-08:00The Harvest<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CTHERAZ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CTHERAZ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" 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{margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Acts 2:22-41<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />Today, a church would make national headlines if it added 3,000 people in a year. 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem, the church gained 3,000 people in a single day. The Spirit worked in Peter and the disciples, giving them not only the words, but the languages in which to speak. Then, Peter's sermon sealed the deal.
<br />
<br />We are, each of us, called to spread the Gospel. At some point, the time will come for us to witness verbally. Peter's sermon illustrates several key principles of evangelism:
<br />
<br /><b>1) A good witness speaks the hearer's language.</b>
<br /><i>"Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs,, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know." -Acts 2:22b<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />Not only does the Spirit provide the means to speak to the crowd, but Peter works from their frame of reference. Note that Jesus' parables center largely around farming and shepherding, which would be immediately familiar to the crowds following him. Peter starts with the miracle taking place before their eyes, and moves to the signs Jesus performed. Everyone knew about Jesus' miracles, and many in the crowd had doubtless seen them firsthand. Suddenly, the convictions that follow are that much more personal, hit that much closer to home. He starts with what they agree on, and moves to the more controversial, difficult issues.</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Does our witness bring the word to people, or do we expect them to come to us? Do we speak into their lives, their circumstances?</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /><b>2) A good witness keeps the focus on God.</b>
<br /><i>"Men of Israel, listen to this..." -Acts 2:22a</i></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />Peter has already risen to prominence in the church. He is, as he speaks, fulfilling Jesus' blessing on him that he will be the rock on which the church is built. (Matt. 16:18) Furthermore he is in the midst of a miracle. The Spirit has poured out an amazing blessing on him, which the crowd does not have. Peter has a few he could be proud and superior. But instead, he's on point. He doesn't turn the focus to himself. He doesn't even focus on the tongues of Pentecost except in their function. He places the focus squarely on God, and on the mission he's been given.</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Does the way we speak return the focus to God, or take it away from Him? Do we miss opportunities to witness by focusing too much on our own preferences and agendas?</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>God does miracles for a purpose; do we miss that purpose wrapped up in how it directly affects us?</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /><b>3) A good witness doesn't back down from the truth.</b>
<br /><i>"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." -Acts 2:36<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />They were <i>cut to the heart</i>. (v.37) This is what Peter and the Spirit were going for. They wanted the crowd to be stricken. Horrified. But not so the disciples could feel better than them. Not so the Christians could assert their superiority over them. No, there was a goal in mind: godly sorrow leads to repentance. (2 Cor. 7:10) If the method was brutally direct, the aim was no less clear. "Repent," says Peter. "Save yourselves." He didn't just shock them. He didn't merely scare them. <i>He pleaded with them</i>. (v.40)</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>The time will come when we have to speak the hard truth in love. Does pride creep into our witness? Or are we, even when we have to be firm, always focused on the truth and the mission?</p> Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-70617281955275522112009-12-09T18:00:00.000-08:002009-12-18T22:46:37.012-08:00Simon and the Spirit<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CTHERAZ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CTHERAZ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CTHERAZ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> 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mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b>Acts 2:14-21</b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /><span style=""> </span>Peter's sermon on Pentecost reveals several ways that the Holy Spirit wants to work in us.
<br />
<br /><b>The Spirit transforms.</b>
<br />Peter stands up in front of a crowd of thousands and proclaims Christ. This is a change of pace from the night of the Passover, just 50 days ago. Then, he denied Jesus rather than risk getting in trouble with the law (Matt. 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-27). He'll be in trouble with the law again soon, and this time, he won't back down. Jesus has forgiven him, the Spirit has empowered him, and Peter is a different man for it. He isn't shy about it, either; he doesn't just sit back, vaguely grateful but ineffective. He goes to work. Through his ministry on Pentecost, and for years after, everyone can plainly see the Holy Spirit working in him.</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>How has the Spirit transformed you? And how can you use that transformation to witness to the world?</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /><b>The Spirit guides.</b>
<br />You might expect Peter expect to say something stupid at this point. Like when he tried to tell Jesus He was wrong. (Matt. 16:21-23) If you were one of the people in the crowd, you might not expect much from the big dumb Galilean standing up in the middle of the ruckus. But the sermon that follows is eloquent, on point, and effective. Notice also, Peter could have let that "wine" comment slide, but he didn't. In fact, he used it to open his sermon, answering the criticism of the ignorant. Peter doesn't respond to the "wait, aren't these guys just Galilean hicks?" comment. No, he steps up to defend the work of the Spirit. That's what happens when Jesus and the Spirit get involved.</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Are we ready to follow that "I think I should" feeling? To embrace opportunities as they arise?</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Are we humble concerning ourselves, and jealous concerning God? Are we ready take punishment if we have to, but unwilling to compromise the truth?</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /><b>The Spirit illuminates.</b>
<br />Where does he get this stuff? He's a fisherman! Maybe he heard the Scripture in the synagogue. Perhaps he heard from one of Jesus' lessons. But we know this: Jesus "opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures," (Luke 24:45) and Jesus told the disciples that the Spirit would remind them of everything Jesus taught. (John 14:26) Watch Peter weave together the words Old Testament. The Spirit is putting everything together. Matthew Henry said this: "It is observable that though Peter <i>was filled with the Holy Spirit</i>, yet he did not set aside the scriptures, nor think himself above them." Nothing of the value of the scriptures is lost by the indwelling of the Spirit; indeed, His presence illuminates the Bible to us, and allows us to gain more.<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">
<br /></span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Do we allow God to speak to us through the Bible? Are we waiting for God to speak to us, all the while leaving the Bible unopened? Or, are we checking off the Bible box day to day, rather than taking the time and attention to let the Spirit speak?</span></li></ul>Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-85579013199304843382009-12-09T07:00:00.000-08:002009-12-18T22:46:37.012-08:00Signs and Wonders<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CTHERAZ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CTHERAZ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CTHERAZ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> 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{margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Acts 2:1-13
<br /></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Signs and Wonders<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Jesus announced His advent with stars and angels.<span style=""> </span>Here, the Spirit makes His grand entrance on the day of Pentecost, kicking off the church with an amazing display of power.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /><b>1) God's miracles are for a purpose.</b>
<br /><i>Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?" –Acts 2:12<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Remember when the Pharisees asked for a miracle, and Jesus said no? (Mark 8:11-13) Jesus tells us the purpose of doing miracles: to draw people to God. (John 10:37-38) Look at the strategy at work here on the day of Pentecost. It's a holiday, and people from all over (Acts 2:5-11) are in Jerusalem for the festival. Jesus has departed, and is waiting to usher in the age of the Spirit-led church. So, what does He do? He comes down and miraculously grants His followers the power to speak in other languages. He told His followers to be witnesses, and empowered them to do so.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;">What miracles are we praying for? Remember to pray for God to show Himself to the world through us in miraculous ways.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /><b>2) Sometimes we're the miracle.</b>
<br /><i>All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. –Acts 2:4<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">So many of God's miracles involve people doing something they could simply not do otherwise. Here, we have His disciples preaching in languages they don't even know. God gave Samson supernatural strength to fight the Philistines. (Judges 13-16) Jesus gave His disciples the authority to heal the sick and drive out demons. (Matthew 10:1) He kept Paul alive in order to reach Rome and preach. (Acts 28:1-6) The Spirit desires to empower us to do God's work.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Are we doing things we couldn't do without God? Do we take the risks He calls us to take?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Do we witness to the fact that God has healed us?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /><b>3) Some will see and not believe.</b>
<br /><i>Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine.” –Acts 2:13</i><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">For some reason, people will sometimes just not get it. Hail fell to the hot sands of Egypt, and still Pharaoh refused to submit to God. (Exodus 9:34) Sometimes that's because of stubbornness and pride, which can overshadow brilliant arguments, loving care, and even blatant miracles. Sometimes, it's because they don't know enough, or haven't seen enough. It's not up to us how people will react. It is only up to us to obey the God who loves the ignorant and the stubborn, and patiently, continuously seeks them out.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Do we face opposition graciously, or vengefully? Are we ready to embrace our enemies, or bite their heads off?<o:p></o:p></span></p> Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-67232321192262026132009-12-08T18:00:00.000-08:002009-12-18T22:46:37.013-08:00Replacing Judas<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CTHERAZ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CTHERAZ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CTHERAZ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> 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<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Judas is one of the most disturbing figures in scripture. How can a man who walked alongside Jesus Himself go so wrong? What was he thinking? We may never know the reasons behind his betrayal, but we can learn from it.
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<br />1) Appearances can be deceptive.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>“He was one of our number…” –Acts 1:17<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br />When Jesus named his betrayer, did you notice that no one said, "It's Judas, isn't it?" No, they "stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant." (John 13:22) They went around the table, one by one: is it me? (Matthew 26:22) He really did minister alongside them, like Peter said. Judas shocked everyone when he sold out his master.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;">This is why we are told not to judge. The apparently holy may fall, and the scum of the earth may repent. Jesus alone knew what was coming. Likewise, God knows us, what we're capable of, and what he wants from us. (1 Sam. 16:6-7)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;">This is why we need accountability in our beliefs and our actions. If we are not honest with one another about our inner thoughts, they can consume us. Whatever Judas' reasoning, we can be sure that his perspective was corrupted. Do you have a small group or accountability partner? Do you come to church regularly? Do you inspect yourself in the Word?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">2) Following God means truly submitting to God.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>“…and shared in this ministry.” –Acts 1:17<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br />Judas not only walked with Jesus, but shared in His ministry. He witnessed, and perhaps even performed, miracles. He heard and saw the same things the other apostles did. When we hear the accounts of the apostles going out to preach and perform miracles, it doesn't say "except Judas." (Matthew 10:1) In the end, though, his agenda was more important to him. He tried to force his will on Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;">This is why Jesus spent so much time describing the heart behind the Law. God's will is to connect us to Himself through Jesus. (Matt. 7:21-23) His goal is to re-create His heart in us. If Judas had that heart within him, could he have sold Jesus out?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">3) Our choices can limit God's options.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>“…this apostolic ministry, which Judas left…” –Acts 1:25<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br />What would have happened if Judas hadn't killed himself? Now, we can only speculate. Note that it is Peter who takes the lead in finding Judas' replacement. Peter, who had denied knowing Jesus in order to protect himself, but was forgiven and reinstated in the end (John 21:15-19).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Do we take choices out of God's hands in our own lives? Ignoring the Spirit's leadings and God's commands minimize or negate opportunities for God to do His work.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;">What causes us to lose hope? The cross is bigger. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. (Rom. 8:38-39) Do we believe that?<o:p></o:p></span></p> Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-80558494889765657102009-12-07T23:45:00.000-08:002009-12-18T22:46:37.013-08:00From the Ground Up<meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.1 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> </style> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="CENTER"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b>Acts 1:1-11</b></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Just under 2,000 years ago, it was a handful of oppressed Jews in a small pocket of the Middle East. The Acts of the Apostles shows us our roots. It shows us how the church began, and the great lengths to which God went to preserve it and uphold it to this very day.
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<br />The first eleven verses of Acts are a powerful reminder of what the church is all about. In this short passage, we have the fundamentals of our faith.
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<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size:100%;">1) Jesus died and rose again.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> <i>"After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive." -Acts 1:3</i></p> <ul><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Jesus' death and resurrection prove his love, his authority, his agency in our lives and is the essence of the Good News. Without this fact, there is no church. </p> </li><li> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Is Jesus the source of your hope? Does the Cross overshadow everything else in your life?</b></p></li></ul><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">2) The Holy Spirit lives in us<span style="font-style: italic;">.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">"<span style="font-style: italic;"></span><i>You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you." -Acts 1:8a</i><i>
<br /></i></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>"Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with</i><sup><i> </i></sup><i>water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." -Acts 1:4-5</i>
<br /></p><ul><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%;">We are not merely followers of a religious system, struggling to overcome our weaknesses and achieve a higher state of being. Jesus' sacrifice made us right with God. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit, God Himself, empowers us to live. The Spirit guides our words, inspires our choices, changes our hearts, and transforms us from within to look more and more like God. The church is defined by the leadership of the Holy Spirit.</p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%;"><b>Is it He that guides you? Do you really seek Him, listen for Him? Are there places where you seek to keep Him out?</b></p> </li></ul> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />3) We are on a mission.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." -Acts 1:8b</i></p> <ul><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The church exists to build up the faithful, worship God, and spread the Gospel to the world, as defined by Jesus himself. These are his last words before his ascension. </p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">As we study Acts, watch for the word <i>witness</i>. It's everywhere. It is the inescapable purpose of the church: to display and tell of the glory of God to everyone who needs to see it and hear it. And that's everyone.</p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>How can you contribute to the mission?</b></p> </li></ul> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />4) <span style="text-decoration: none;"> Jesus will return.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>"This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1:11</i></p> <ul><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">It's fitting that the angels' implied meaning is "get moving!" We can't call the day when Jesus will return, but we know for certain that he will. It will be a day of hope and fear for humanity. </p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Everyone will see the truth, in the end, and all the excuses will run out. Just as we have a single lifetime on Earth, the world as we know it will not last forever. That truth should both excite and humble us. The enemy's time is short; so is ours.</p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>What has God called you to do before the end comes?</b></p> </li></ul> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">When the church took root and began to grow, these facts are what gave it strength. We, too, must continue to draw our strength, our purpose, from the foundation that God has laid for us. If we deviate from these truths, we are lost. </p> Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-80436018709812410182009-12-07T22:56:00.000-08:002009-12-07T23:02:45.144-08:00Last time, on ...deleriumMuch has happened since the last post. Oh, so much. The honeymoon, by the way, was great.<br /><br />I'd blame my lack of blogging to the mad crazy schedule leading up to the wedding, with Thanksgiving shortly after, and I might just be able to get away with it. But here's a sad fact.<br /><br />I promised God I'd make the time to write. Since then, I've typed a few scraps. Excuses fail when you've made a promise.<br /><br />So, to kickstart this old blog o' mine, I'll be posting my notes from Sunday school! I've been developing and teaching a Bible study on the Book of Acts. If you wanna come listen, be at my church on Sunday mornings at 9:15. Crossroads Christian Fellowship, 5501 Dewey Drive, Carmichael. You love it.<br /><br />Check back here shortly!Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-69199678228470853062009-10-04T23:13:00.000-07:002009-10-04T23:47:12.119-07:00Who SeesWhat patience, His, to watch our stumblings,<br />having paid for every one,<br />and then with yearning heart to seek us,<br />only then to watch us run.<br /><br />The longing gaze of He Who Sees is<br />bearing down upon the blind<br />who scratch and scrabble for some purchase,<br />solid ground long left behind.<br /><br />The scale His, the weight, the measure,<br />His the standard, His the bar<br />that not one of the prideful fallen<br />have approached yet by afar.<br /><br />And yet in whispers, shouts and screaming,<br />deep within, and far above<br />He speaks aloud, and proves in power,<br />evermore, His word is <span style="font-style: italic;">love</span>.Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-46843511690890675772009-09-29T00:35:00.001-07:002009-09-29T01:07:45.237-07:00Burden of Proof<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1q_W8Kbts-lQlU2qR3YObWOcnyw5-AcZp0v72f0Y3KrkkisfxLsr5bsKaIv_j2cxqJBmdL3-7RqG7mlQXFnLYSZ4Wy8fQ5-EEwvxQ-bu0RoobWjG93T_x6LBQ-8SxG1z3RaRW/s1600-h/photo-737382.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1q_W8Kbts-lQlU2qR3YObWOcnyw5-AcZp0v72f0Y3KrkkisfxLsr5bsKaIv_j2cxqJBmdL3-7RqG7mlQXFnLYSZ4Wy8fQ5-EEwvxQ-bu0RoobWjG93T_x6LBQ-8SxG1z3RaRW/s320/photo-737382.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386789806634199538" border="0" /></a></p>In front of the courthouse in downtown Sacramento is a sculpture. A <br />fountain. The chaotic, curving shapes remind me of nothing so much as a series of distorted antlers, flowing from one to another. There is a single break in the jagged ring, one small gap where the pieces don't quite come together.<br /><br />If the sculpture were a criminal case, the jury would have to acquit.<br /><br />I spent a month on the jury for a rape case. I listened as the district attorney worked methodically, laying out the evidence piece by piece. Asking every question from every angle. Setting out an array of facts, emphasizing certain points seemingly at random. I don't envy his task: how can you convince twelve people of anything at all, let alone beyond a reasonable doubt?<br /><br />The defense attorney countered at every point he could, seeking to stab holes in the picture the prosecution sought to form. The events of the night in question blurred. Testimonies and lab results and photographs all smashed together to form a disjointed, self-contradicting image.<br /><br />I know now why attorneys make closing arguments. The DA stood and spoke, and the chaos took shape. And unlike the fountain outside, the pieces came together.<br /><br />I wasn't expecting it. It took a few days in the jury room for myself and the other eleven to settle our minds. Between the first day and the last, we had some strange conversations. We guessed at motives and argued about their relevance. We spun off on tangents and took hours to come back to the black-and-white instructions the court clerk had left us. I wasn't ready to vote guilty when I walked into the room for the first time. Only a few were. Maybe, on some level, we were already convinced. Maybe we just needed time for our souls to be sure.<br /><br />It's a weird thing to look someone in the eye after convicting them of rape. Weird to be okay with the anger you see there. Even weirder to receive, after it's all over, a certificate of appreciation for your service.<br /><br />During jury selection, the judge asked if anyone had served on a jury before. To each person that had, she asked if it was "a satisfying experience." I was intrigued by the question then, and I understand it even better now. I understand the odd, tense relief of taking the vote, and having it unanimous.Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-49465535639629496612009-08-22T23:06:00.000-07:002009-08-23T00:44:28.147-07:00JubileeI remember telling Ashley. On and around New Year's, I get a sense of what the year to come will be like. Strangely, it's been pretty accurate over the past few years. A handful of minutes into this year, I remember telling Ashley: this year, long-held dreams will come to pass.<br /><br />Jen and I are getting married in November.<br /><br />I'm a licensed minister of the Wesleyan Church. Pastor Brian.<br /><br />Those two things blow my mind every time I think about them. They're unbelievably wonderful, and really scary. They fulfill old longings, and require me to grow. They're part of me becoming who I was always meant to be.<br /><br />I kinda don't know what to do with myself, sometimes. I'm utterly amazed by what God has entrusted me with. How He's blessed me. Sometimes, I don't get it. I forget how unbearably generous He is. What high hopes He has for us. It's stunning to me.<br /><br />About a year ago, God started working on me in an area that was always a bit of a problem: my desire for a wife. It got obsessive at times. He wanted me to stop worrying, stop striving, and trust Him. He'd wanted that for years, but about a year ago, he really began to push me to grow. In the end, I did as He asked. I surrendered my longings; I told Him I'd wait for Him to move, and just trust Him.<br /><br />He moved.<br /><br />Dreams aren't meant to remain dreams when they're part of God's design. He has plans, and He wants to carry them out. In us. I have plenty of dreams and desires still to entrust to God. This year, He has returned two of my greatest to me, with His approval.<br /><br />I'm still stunned.Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-28176803314117012662009-06-15T23:04:00.000-07:002009-06-15T23:06:06.529-07:00LongsufferingIf God weren't as patient as He is, I'd be so screwed.<br /><br />I can't imagine dealing with someone like me from His standpoint. And yet time after time, He does. And He makes sure the stories get recorded and passed down to us, so we know.<br /><br />Abram laughs at Him when He promises him he'll have a son in his old age. Moses thinks of every excuse why he's not the guy to lead Israel out of captivity, then begs Him to send someone else. Gideon asks not just for one sign, but a series of signs to prove that God is who He says He is. Elijah runs and hides when the going gets tough. Jonah refuses his task and jumps on a ship to Spain. The apostles desert Jesus when the authorities come armed.<br /><br />And I stand there stuttering “I can't do it!” whenever He calls me to a ministry that doesn't come to me easily. Or one that does.<br /><br />This is God we're talking about. God, who doesn't just abandon us to failure. God, who helps His servants.<br /><br />Abram had a son when he was 80. Moses is arguably the most revered figure in Jewish history. Gideon is remembered as a mighty warrior and a savior of Israel. Elijah is known as perhaps the greatest prophet of the Old Testament. Jonah actually delivered the message that saved thousands of people, though he still rebelled against God in the end. The apostles died at the hands of those who tried in vain to stop them from proclaiming Jesus to the world.<br /><br />And I have all their examples to look back on. Not to mention the miracles He's wrought in my own life.<br /><br />I often feel inadequate to the tasks before me, and maybe I am. But God is not. And I can be sure that anything He has called me to do, He will empower me to do.<br /><br />I know that in my mind. I just need my heart to agree.Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-43863820950147628732009-05-16T17:02:00.000-07:002009-05-16T17:03:05.383-07:00Who says?<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNcgBMFYRj2n734OxXuDODcpApjlLZsZU95wfq3J0LoCMgjVslFevGJBDJpQxTwJabi636L0cBMFLIrA3PXeGQQ8pr7FCb7uc0F9ihMh0nXNz1okhAYssNTI1dqMVjGM3PJ9f/s1600-h/photo-785384.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNcgBMFYRj2n734OxXuDODcpApjlLZsZU95wfq3J0LoCMgjVslFevGJBDJpQxTwJabi636L0cBMFLIrA3PXeGQQ8pr7FCb7uc0F9ihMh0nXNz1okhAYssNTI1dqMVjGM3PJ9f/s320/photo-785384.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336576690644538018" /></a></p>Yeah. What.Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-69151101966196580572009-04-11T21:21:00.000-07:002009-04-11T22:00:26.362-07:00Day 40<p>Lent is a season of fasting. The day before Lent begins is, for some, the biggest party of the year. In New Orleans, they actually change the rules for Mardi Gras; things that are illegal on any other day of the year are allowed on Fat Tuesday. May as well live it up now, the logic goes, if we're gonna have to be all pious for a month plus. At least, that's how it started. Now, people join the party without knowing why.</p><p>The entire point of Lent is to remember. To understand Easter better, and all that leads up to it. To deliberately draw near to God. So I think, if we really had the right perspective, the biggest party of the year would start tomorrow.</p><p>It's almost Sunday. When the fasting ends, and the feast begins. Remember why. It's worth celebrating.</p>Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-27987466302518697872009-04-11T18:41:00.000-07:002009-04-11T19:12:39.502-07:00Quiet<p>Golgotha was quiet, and had been for a day. The guards and the onlookers had long since departed. The two dead thieves still hung from their crosses, mouths open as though still in a weary plea for mercy.</p><p>Only one desperate soul remained on the hill. Incensed. Seething. Muttering hatefully.</p><p>"This isn't over... this is <em>not</em> over...."</p><p>But he knew it was. He knew it was over the moment Jesus said it was. Finished. Done. The moment Jesus cried out and took it all.</p><p>Had they seen? They had to have seen him. The moment he realized that it wasn't his plan that was coming to pass. That single moment of shock.</p><p>When all the sins of the world piled onto God's only son. When the hideous blackness descended, and was still not enough to block the Glory blazing out from him. When Jesus breathed his last, and took it all with him.</p><p>When all Satan's work fell apart before his very eyes.</p><p>He stared at the ground where the cross had been driven. There, he caught sight of a stone, spattered with blood. The blood.</p><p>Satan roared. He then took a long, long moment to steady himself.</p><p>"This is <em>not</em> over," he snarled, and stormed from the hill.</p>Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-92131497592423284132009-04-09T22:59:00.000-07:002009-04-09T23:30:01.026-07:00Later You Will Understand<p>This is where the story begins to take a turn for the worst.</p><p>It's a festival in Jerusalem. The Jews are celebrating the power of God, eating the Passover meal together as families. Jesus takes it a step further. He, God himself, stoops low and washes their feet. He sets for them an example of humility. And he commands them, "as I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34) A mandate. Hence, Maundy Thursday.</p><p>But only hours later, Jesus is in chains. The apostles are scattered. Peter, terrified, is denying that he even knows his friend and master. The only innocent man is on trial, and will soon be unjustly condemned.</p><p>Yet, a plan is unfolding. Older than Rome, older than Earth, and older than time. In the beginning, Jesus knew this was coming. And he accepted it willingly.</p><p>Remember that tomorrow. On the most horrific day ever to be called Good.</p><p>"Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." -Jesus (John 13:8)</p>Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189174.post-60145341879452758042009-04-08T23:31:00.000-07:002009-04-09T00:00:28.365-07:00And Counting<p>"Hey. Simon."</p><p>Silence.</p><p>"...Pete? You awake?"</p><p>"Mmph. Go to bed, Johnny."</p><p>"You think it's gonna happen soon?"</p><p>"...what's gonna happen soon..."</p><p>"The abomination and everything. What the Rabbi was talking about today."</p><p>"He said he didn't even know that."</p><p>"I know. It's just... he's been acting so different lately."</p><p>"Yeah. I know. Like something big's coming."</p><p>"So I'm just wondering."</p><p>"...I dunno, Johnny. Maybe. But you remember what he said."</p><p>"Be ready."</p><p>"Be ready. So that's our job. Don't worry about it. Just keep waiting."</p><p>"Says Peter, the patient one."</p><p>"Tch. I wouldn't be sad if he restored Israel tomorrow. I just..."</p><p>"...don't know."</p><p>"Yeah. But I think you're right. Something big's coming."</p><p>"I hope so."</p><p>"Me too."</p><p>Silence.</p><p>"...don't worry about it, Johnny. Get some rest."</p><p>"Yeah... hey. Do you think he's gonna do something during the Passover?"</p><p>"Mmm. Dunno. Should be good."</p>Brian Armitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00587987342773599383noreply@blogger.com1