Prayer of the Week: Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Sunday, February 7th
Read: Acts 2, Psalm 10:7-12
Pray: O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the church prayer list – May Mott, Lyle Hansen
Monday, February 8th
Read: Acts 2:1-9, Psalm 10:13
Pray:
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the church prayer list – Carolyn Coburn, Bill Cates
Tuesday, February 9th
Read: Acts 2:10-19, Psalm 10:14
Pray:
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the church prayer list – Carolyn Coburn, Bill Cates
Wednesday, February 10th
Read: Acts 2:20-29, Psalm 10:15
Pray:
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the church prayer list – Royce Pierson, Joyce Hughes
Thursday, February 11th
Read: Acts 2:30-39, Psalm 10:16
Pray:
Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the church prayer list – Jasper Gunter
Friday, February 12th
Read: Acts 2:40-47, Psalm 10:17-18
Pray:
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the church prayer list: Haiti
Saturday, February 13th
Pray:
Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Read: Acts 3-4, Psalm 10:13-18
From the church prayer list: Sunday services
CrossTalk – February 7th, 2010
Scripture Focus: Acts 2:1-21, 40-41
Today’s scripture focus is about the sending of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. In last week’s story, Jesus had told the disciples not to leave Jerusalem until this promise was fulfilled. About 120 of them spent the next ten days in constant prayer together. We don’t exactly where they were during this time. Possibilities include the room they had rented for the Passover meal (the Last Supper), the home of Mark’s mother (where Peter later went after escaping prison), a synagogue, or a room in the Temple itself. Great crowds had gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost, one of the three major feasts of the Jewish people, which took place fifty days after Passover. Pentecost celebrated the giving of the Law to Moses. There could not have been a more perfect time of place for the message of the good news to be revealed to people from “every nation under heaven.”
We’ve been talking about the recipe for revival. A revival is a special movement of God that brings the church into complete focus on our mission of spreading the good news. Many wonder why we don’t see revival very often in our day. When we look at the events that preceded the sending of the Holy Spirit in today’s scripture, we must ask ourselves if we have met the requirements. Have we obeyed Jesus commands? Have we prayed? Have we remained together? If we can honestly answer “yes”, then we must leave the rest up to God’s perfect placement and timing. When it seems like God is not moving, we can be assured that He’s preparing us for something big!
Once again we find God doing three things. There was a sound like a mighty wind, a sight like flames of fire over each of their heads, and speaking in foreign tongues. Scripture records two reactions from the crowd of God fearing Jews who had gathered in Jerusalem for the feast – bewilderment and mocking. Peter stood up under the power of the Holy Spirit, and his sermon greatly affected the crowd, for 3000 of them responded to the good news and were baptized. The chapter closes by describing the program of the early church – daily meeting together, both publicly and privately for worship, fellowship, and prayer.
We often read Acts 2 and wonder why God doesn’t move that way in our time. Today, 3000 people in China will become Christians. They have a “Pentecost” every day! Without formal recognition by the state, their program is very simple – they meet together in their homes for teaching, sharing of food, and prayer. God is still moving mightily among our generation today, in Asia, Africa, South America, and even in parts of Europe. His desire has always been and continues to be to pour out His Spirit on His children.
CrossGroup Discussion Questions
1. What’s the most exciting thing that happened in your life last week?
2. What part of the ten day waiting period do you think was the hardest for the disciples? Why?
3. Is there any part of this scripture that jumps out at you?
4. Is there any part about which you have questions?
5. What do you think it would take to see 3000 people a day come to Christ in America?
CrossWords – 1.31.10-2.6.10
Prayer of the Week:
O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Sunday, January 31st
Read: Acts 1, Psalm 10:1-6
Pray: O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the church prayer list – May Mott, Lyle Hansen
Monday, February 1st
Read: Acts 1:1-5, Psalm 10:7
Pray:
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the church prayer list – Carolyn Coburn, Bill Cates
Tuesday, February 2nd
Read: Acts 1:6-10, Psalm 10:8
Pray:
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the church prayer list – Carolyn Coburn, Bill Cates
Wednesday, February 3rd
Read: Acts 1:11-15, Psalm 10:9
Pray:
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the church prayer list – Royce Pierson, Joyce Hughes
Thursday, February 4th
Read: Acts 1:16-20, Psalm 10:9
Pray:
Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the church prayer list – Jasper Gunter, Jack Henderson
Friday, February 5th
Read: Acts 1:21-26, Psalm 10:11-12
Pray:
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the church prayer list: Haiti
Saturday, February 6th
Pray:
Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Read: Acts 2, Psalm 10:7-12
From the church prayer list: Sunday services
CrossTalk – 01.31.10
Scripture focus – Acts 1
Acts is a sequel to the gospel of Luke. Luke wrote both books to “Theophilus”, which means “lover of God”. This was probably Luke’s patron. Acts chronicles the rise of the church, from Jesus’ ascension to the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman empire. It tells of the struggles that faced early Christians, as well as their victories.
One of the questions facing the second and third generations of Christians was “Did Jesus really physically arise from the dead, or was it just His spirit?”. Luke makes it very clear in Acts 1 that Jesus spent 40 days (remember – the period of testing) giving His followers “convincing proofs” that He was indeed alive, including eating food with them. Jesus spent His time with the disciples teaching about the Kingdom, so it was natural for the disciples to ask “when?”. Jesus instructs them to wait for the power God will give to them, rather than try to know things only God can know.
We have record of two statements spoken by Jesus in this story. One was a command – “Stay in Jerusalem.” This was a scary command for followers of the One who had recently been crucified there! Would they be safe? The other statement was an instruction – “You will receive power.” By remaining in Jerusalem, the disciples would be perfectly positioned to serve as witnesses when God’s promise to them was fulfilled during the feast of Pentecost.
Acts 1 gives us the only really detailed account in scripture of the Ascension, though it’s mentioned at other places. This event almost serves as a semi-colon, or pause, between the two great exclamation points of Easter and Pentecost. This story shares some similarities with the Transfiguration. Both took place on a mountain, both involved Jesus being enveloped by a cloud, and both had two heavenly witnesses.
Christians today often struggle with the same questions as the earliest ones. Is the story we celebrate real, or is it just symbolic? When is Jesus going to come back? First, we have the witness of those early apostles. Second, we have the witness of our own hearts. As back then, we can’t spend our time trying to understand things that are beyond us. Instead, we must focus on remaining at the place where God would have us until His promises to us have been fulfilled. Then we’ll have all the power we need to serve as His witnesses, through our word and life.
CrossGroup Discussion Questions
- What’s the most exciting thing that happened in your life last week?
- What is the Kingdom of God? Is it here now?
- When you are in a situation that requires patience, how do you cope with it?
Today’s Sermon
Text – Acts 1:1-14
Theme – Jesus gave instructions
Doctrine – “I believe…in the Holy Ghost”
Key need – When will we see revival?
Key truths –
- The disciples had questions.
- We have questions.
- Jesus gave instructions to the disciples
- Jesus gives instructions to us
CrossTalk – 01.24.10
Current scripture scope: Matthew 1-4
For Today:
1. Go around the room and have everyone share about their week.
2. Open up for prayer requests. Once everyone has shared, have class prayer in whatever manner you choose.
3. Read today’s scripture focus and background, found below.
4. Ask the following discussion questions, letting as many answer each one as would like.
- What was the most difficult temptation faced by Jesus in today’s story?
- What’s the best defense against temptation?
- How can we know our lives are successful?
Matthew 4
The Temptation of Jesus
1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[a]“
5Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
” ‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[b]”
7Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[c]“
8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[d]“
11Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Jesus Begins to Preach
12When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. 13Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
15“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, along the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles—
16the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.”[e]
17From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
The Calling of the First Disciples
18As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20At once they left their nets and followed him.
21Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Jesus Heals the Sick
23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. 25Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis,[f] Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.
- Matthew 4:4 Deut. 8:3
- Matthew 4:6 Psalm 91:11,12
- Matthew 4:7 Deut. 6:16
- Matthew 4:10 Deut. 6:13
- Matthew 4:16 Isaiah 9:1,2
- Matthew 4:25 That is, the Ten Cities
Background
This chapter is easily divided into two sections – the temptation of Jesus (1-11) and the beginning of Jesus’ ministry (12-25). The phrase “led by the Spirit…to be tempted” (v1) is hard for us to interpret. Does this mean that God tempts us to sin? The word “then” at the beginning helps us out some. The Spirit had just descended on Jesus at His baptism (chapter 3) and is immediately leading Jesus to the desert. Jesus had to go through a period of testing for the same reason He was baptized – for God and for us. If Jesus’ baptism could be viewed as Jesus’ call to ministry, then chapter 4 is His preparation for ministry. Why forty days? This is the scriptural number of testing.
A young man asked his grandmother, a holocaust survivor, what it was like to starve. “Don’t eat for three days and you’ll see,” she replied. Hopefully none of us will face starvation, but no life is without struggle. How do we endure when times of testing come? Jesus empowers us with His example. He was 100% God, but He was also 100% human. To follow Jesus means to follow Him into the wilderness. It is also to know He’s been there before us, and overcame.
The second half of the chapter deals with Jesus’ early ministry. Now that John has been imprisoned, Jesus continues his ministry. He even preaches the same message at John preached – “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near” (compare 3:2 and 4:17.) Anytime a biblical writer mentions something twice it is especially important. Two is the biblical number for emphasis. Jesus ministered primarily in Galilee, considered the most troublesome of the Judean provinces, both politically and spiritually. As He travels and preaches, He begins calling followers, and heals the sick. Chapter four is an excellent introduction to the next six chapters of Matthew, in which Jesus preaches His most famous sermon, performs ten extraordinary miracles, and sends out His disciples. We see the foundation of this ministry set in today’s reading.
Do you want to be successful? Success isn’t defined by popularity, material possessions, or even personal satisfaction with life. Success is simply discovering what it is God wants you to do, then doing it. By this definition, Jesus was the most successful man who ever lived. Since we are His followers, we are called to be successful as well. Like Jesus, through the leading of the Spirit we can discover what God’s purpose for our life is, and be empowered to fulfill it. Matthew 4 teaches us there are no shortcuts to success. The principle still holds true for us today – if we endure the wilderness, God will send His angels to attend to us, and our lives will change our world.
