Acts 29 Daily -- Acts 8

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ACTS 8…

1Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. 3But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.

NOTE that it was the scattering of the church of Jesus, due to the great persecution against them, that spread the Gospel message outside ofJerusalem.

4Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. 5Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them. 6The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing. 7For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. 8So there was much rejoicing in that city.

Philip’s ministry was interrupted by a powerful local magician by the name of Simon…12But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. 13Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed. 14Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, 15who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.
Remember that the first time we see the Spirit come upon the believers in Jesus was in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). But now there are other believers, Samaritan believers in Jesus, who need the Spirit to come upon them. The apostles sent Peter and John over toSamaria to oversee this first-time baptizing of the Holy Spirit coming upon them. By Peter and John coming from Jerusalem, this kept the continuity of the Spirit’s work. Later we’ll see the Spirit coming upon a group of Gentile believers and then He will come upon a group of John’s disciples. All of these were first-time events of the Holy Spirit coming upon believers to not only be with them, but to dwell within them eternally. Now, whenever a person becomes a believer, the Spirit comes upon him/her at this initial moment of faith.
25So, when they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans. 26But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, "Get up and go south to the road that descends fromJerusalem to Gaza." (This is a desert road.) 27So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go up and join this chariot." 30Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" 31And he said, "Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.… 34The eunuch answered Philip and said, "Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?" 35Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. 36As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" 37[And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."] 38And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing. 40But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea.

This entire passage is a series of divine appointments…
Philip went into the normally forbidden area of Samaria and found an incredible response to the message of Jesus.
Even Simon, the magician, came to Jesus.
The message spread throughout the surrounding villages in Samaria where Peter and John went preaching on their way back toJerusalem.
Philip was sent for an appointment the Lord already had set up with the Ethiopian Eunuch, who was searching out the Scriptures.
Then, the chapter ends with Philip being sent down to Azotus for other appointments from their up the coast to Caesarea.

DIVINE APPOINTMENTS happen continually in our lives. Some are scheduled appointments that you know you are facing for the day. Some are spontaneous appointments where you know the people, but you didn’t know you would be seeing them. And others are surprise appointments with people you don’t even know. This is why I teach a very basic life principle…WHEREVER YOU ARE, BE ALL THERE…WITH JESUS AS YOUR PARTNER! Divine appointments…God sets them up; all you must do is show up! That’s the best way to fulfill your primary purpose in life—TO LOVE GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.

In the name of Jesus,
Tim Timmons
tim@timtimmons.com

Acts 29 Daily -- Acts 7

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ACTS 7…

After Stephen had been falsely accused, he uses the opportunity to speak one of the longest messages recorded in the Bible. He rehearses the history of God working with the people of Israel through their leaders over the centuries. When he gets to Moses, he says…
20"It was at this time that Moses was born; and he was lovely in the sight of God, and he was nurtured three months in his father's home. 21"And after he had been set outside, Pharaoh's daughter took him away and nurtured him as her own son. 22"Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds. 23"But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered his mind to visit his brethren, the sons ofIsrael. 24"And when he saw one of them being treated unjustly, he defended him and took vengeance for the oppressed by striking down the Egyptian. 25"And he supposed that his brethren understood that God was granting them deliverance through him, but they did not understand. 26"On the following day he appeared to them as they were fighting together, and he tried to reconcile them in peace, saying, 'Men, you are brethren, why do you injure one another?' 27"But the one who was injuring his neighbor pushed him away, saying, 'WHO MADE YOU A RULER AND JUDGE OVER US? 28'YOU DO NOT MEAN TO KILL ME AS YOU KILLED THE EGYPTIAN YESTERDAY, DO YOU?' 29"At this remark, MOSES FLED AND BECAME AN ALIEN IN THE LAND OF MIDIAN, where he became the father of two sons. 30"After forty years had passed, AN ANGEL APPEARED TO HIM IN THE WILDERNESS OF MOUNT Sinai, IN THE FLAME OF A BURNING THORN BUSH. 31"When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he approached to look more closely, there came the voice of the Lord: 32'I AM THE GOD OF YOUR FATHERS, THE GOD OF ABRAHAM AND ISAAC AND JACOB.' Moses shook with fear and would not venture to look. 33"BUT THE LORD SAID TO HIM, 'TAKE OFF THE SANDALS FROM YOUR FEET, FOR THE PLACE ON WHICH YOU ARE STANDING IS HOLY GROUND. 34'I HAVE CERTAINLY SEEN THE OPPRESSION OF MY PEOPLE IN EGYPT AND HAVE HEARD THEIR GROANS, AND I HAVE COME DOWN TO RESCUE THEM; COME NOW, AND I WILL SEND YOU TOEGYPT.' 35"This Moses whom they disowned, saying, 'WHO MADE YOU A RULER AND A JUDGE?' is the one whom God sent to be both a ruler and a deliverer with the help of the angel who appeared to him in the thorn bush. 36"This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in the land ofEgypt and in the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. 37"This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, 'GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR BRETHREN.' 38"This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness together with the angel who was speaking to him on Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers; and he received living oracles to pass on to you. 39"Our fathers were unwilling to be obedient to him, but repudiated him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt, 40SAYING TO AARON, 'MAKE FOR US GODS WHO WILL GO BEFORE US; FOR THIS MOSES WHO LED US OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT—WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM.' 41"At that time they made a calf and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands.

The shocking scene of the children of Israel urging Aaron to make a “god” for them, because of their impatience in waiting for Moses to come down from his meeting with God, cannot compare with the next statement Stephen shares with his hostile audience…42"But God turned away and delivered them up to serve the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, 'IT WAS NOT TO ME THAT YOU OFFERED VICTIMS AND SACRIFICES FORTY YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS, WAS IT, O HOUSE OF ISRAEL? 43'YOU ALSO TOOK ALONG THE TABERNACLE OF MOLOCH AND THE STAR OF THE GOD ROMPHA, THE IMAGES WHICH YOU MADE TO WORSHIP. I ALSO WILL REMOVE YOU BEYONDBABYLON.'

NOTE what is said here…the children of Israel brought along other gods to worship on the side throughout their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. They were not single-minded in worshipping Yahweh, but included many ADD-ONS on their journey. This is precisely what we do today. We become impatient with what God is doing or not doing, then ask for some sort of god more tangible. And, in order to feel most comfortable that we’ve covered all our bases, we collect so many add-ons to our faith and we infuse these add-ons with great importance. ADD-ONS are normally externals or tangibles. An add-on might be a certain form of baptism, church membership, denominational affiliation, keeping a certain list of righteous acts or avoiding certain things as the most sinful. But ADD-ONS take away from the centrality of the message—the centrality of God. This is why we are so stubborn in our beliefs of JESUS PLUS NOTHING!

Stephen goes on to say… 44"Our fathers had the tabernacle of testimony in the wilderness, just as He who spoke to Moses directed him to make it according to the pattern which he had seen. 45"And having received it in their turn, our fathers brought it in with Joshua upon dispossessing the nations whom God drove out before our fathers, until the time of David. 46"David found favor in God's sight, and asked that he might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47"But it was Solomon who built a house for Him.

48"However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says: 49'HEAVEN IS MY THRONE, AND EARTH IS THE FOOTSTOOL OF MY FEET; WHAT KIND OF HOUSE WILL YOU BUILD FOR ME?' says the Lord, 'OR WHAT PLACE IS THERE FOR MY REPOSE? 50'WAS IT NOT MY HAND WHICH MADE ALL THESE THINGS?'

God doesn’t live in our church facilities or in our altars…He is more awesome than that, can’t be localized or limited in that way. Then he turns the corner and goes directly at them with… 51"You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. 52"Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; 53you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it."

Well, they didn’t like it and, as we’ll see, they will actually kill Stephen over his attitude and message. This shouldn’t be surprising. Jesus warned His disciples that they would be hated by the world, because of their relationship with Him. But, who is this “world” that will hate us? I’ve always been liked by the world…the only trouble I’ve experienced has been with the religious world. After reading John 15:18-27 where Jesus speaks of this, it is clear that the “world” He is referring to is the religious world. Jesus never made the non-synagogued world unhappy, but all His trouble came from the people of the synagogue (the church). There’s nothing more lethal and ugly than a group of religious people with a passionate anger and a Bible verse.




In the name of Jesus,
Tim Timmons
tim@timtimmons.com

TODAY IN INDIA

It's Thursday evening here and we about to gather for dinner. We are having full days of fellowshipping, counseling, encouraging and meet people from all over the world! As you know, Stephen, the key man God has used to begin a mentoring House of Peace abmong the Tibetan people, passed away and his funeral was earlier this week. When we arrived yesterday, we first met with the family and then had our own, private graveside service with the family. It was most moving, indeed.

All day today we have been hanging out with leaders from Nepal, India, Bhuton, Switzerland and France. What an amazing experience to share to enjoy fellowship with one another from our various cultures! We also have had opportunity to meet with a few of the mentors who have been given the position of Ambassadors to the poor in the spirit of Jesus of Nazareth. These are young Buddhists who are diligently following the teachings and principles of Jesus...just like the early disciples of Jesus. We will be with them all tonight at the House of Peace.

We have also been meeting with the family to discuss the future of mentoring here without Stephen. I am so encouraged with what the Lord has opened up for continuing the mentoring here. I'll share more later.

Acts 29 Daily -- Acts 6

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ACTS 6…

Here in chapter 6 a problem occurs and the early fellowship responds to it…
1Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3"Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4"But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 5The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.
A practical problem arises within the fellowship and immediately a practical solution is put in motion. NOTE that the congregation of disciples were gathered together to figure out a solution. They didn’t call a meeting of all of the church members, but a meeting of the disciples. There were no church members…only disciples. The solution was to place 7 men into a service-kind of ministry…some call them deacons or ministers. You see, this service ministry was needed not only to solve the problem at hand, but it freed the disciple leadership to do two things…
1. To devote themselves to prayer.
2. To devote themselves to the ministry of the word.

This is a picture of pure fellowship and ministry in action…the top leader-disciples devoted themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word while the service ministry disciples handled more of the administrative responsibilities. These seem to be the two basic functions of leadership within the fellowship. And when the fellowship is simply functioning in this way, the growth will be inevitable both in quantity and quality.
7The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

Now here is what blows my mind as far as how these service ministry disciples functioned. They were not just administrators…they were the disciples who worked in the trenches…from house to house. NOTE verse 8…
8And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.
Did you get that? Stephen was full of grace and power and performed great wonders and signs among the people. This level of leadership spent their lives right in the middle of ministering to the needs of the fellowship. We’ll see more of this later in Acts.

So, here’s what we have here in the early fellowship…
1. Leaders who devoted themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word of God…we might call them elders.
2. Leaders who did the work of the ministry in the trenches of life…we might call them deacons and deaconesses.

So, where are the committees? Where is the board of trustees? Where is the senior pastor? Where is the Sunday School? Where is the youth ministry pastor or the music pastor? Where’s the missions pastor, the small groups pastor or the program pastor? Are these really necessary within the fellowship of believers or are they necessary “evils”?

It seems the more pastors and leadership heads you have, the greater the distance is between leadership and the people. In fact, if you are becoming so large and so organized, you may run the risk of being too cumbersome or find yourself putting all your energies into making your “service” most attractive for the many spectators you will inevitably be producing. Maybe the early fellowship was on to something after all. Maybe this simplicity of leadership is at the core of why the early fellowship grew so fast and did so in multiples.

2 major questions come up for me here…
FIRST—Do you know any pastors who are able to devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word? Or, are your pastors too busy in meetings, making decisions that really don’t matter in the eternal scheme of things?

SECOND—Do you know any deacons who are going house to house performing miracles among the people? Or, do your deacons spend most of their time in meetings, making decisions that really don’t matter in the eternal scheme of things?

So, wouldn’t it be better for us to get back to the simple ways of the early fellowship around Jesus—where the Jesus-fellowship itself is the attraction and not the entertaining show…where we function in a dynamic, lively organism rather than a dull, dead organization that must be continually pumped up…where we are into the vibrant movement of the Acts of Jesus rather than building more monuments? Jesus said, “I will build My church.” I think what Jesus is looking for is for us to give up building the church and spend our time and energy BEING THE CHURCH.



In the name of Jesus,

Tim Timmons

tim@timtimmons.com

Acts 29 Daily -- Acts 5

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ACTS 5…

Let’s move past the Ananias and Sapphira story that is in direct contrast to that of Barnabas and see what was happening in the fellowship.

12At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico.13But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. 14And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number,

17But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. 18They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail. 19But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said, 20"Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life."

The disciples of Jesus weren’t able to be locked up…the message of this life must be shared! So after they were freed by God from the jail, they went back into the Temple to continue teaching about Jesus. The jail-break and the freedom the disciples felt to continue to lift up the NAME OF JESUS embarrassed the religious leadership. So, they brought them back in, giving them strict orders not to speak in the NAME.

Peter responded to this…“We must obey God rather than men….” This infuriated these leaders badly enough that they intended to put them to death! Then God used a Pharisee by the name of Gamaliel, who was a teacher of the Law, highly respected by all the people. Gamaliel was one of Paul’s teachers, too.

"Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. 36"For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37"After this man,Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. 38"So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; 39but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God."

NOTE this very carefully…the Lord uses here a religious leader to calm the angry leaders down and to put everything into perspective. Who was this man?

1. He was a well-respected man.

2. He was a God-fearing man.

3. He didn’t have all the answers.

4. He was willing for God to demonstrate Himself by the fruit of the situation.

Gamaliel seems to have a heart bent toward the Lord, seeking His will and ways. You know, there are lots of people like Gamaliel out there, who may not be the “right” denomination or hold to the “right” doctrines and beliefs as you believe you do. Who was it that God used to gather the people of Nineveh to hear Jonah preach? It was the king! You see, our Lord is greater than our denominational or non-denominational affiliation and more awesome than our finite doctrinal boxes we have established. HE IS THE GOD OF GODS! So, be careful to keep out of His way, when He has a plan to raise up a leader that doesn’t quite fit your list of “righteous” people.

NOTE the continuation of the movement…

42And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

This is how it works! It’s not only in Jerusalem, but the teaching and preaching of Jesus as God’s Messiah is going on continually throughout the world! God continues to open doors that no man can shut and shut doors that no man can open! He is awesome!



In the name of Jesus,

Tim Timmons
tim@timtimmons.com