Acts 13:13-40 (Yes, it's long, I will let Paul and the prophets do most of the talking) Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John left them and returned to Jerusalem. But going on from Perga, they arrived at Pisidian Antioch, and on the … Continue reading The Devastating Blow
Category: Jesus
The Great Famine
Acts 11:27-30 Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. And in the proportion that … Continue reading The Great Famine
The Reckoning; With Reason and Recapitulation
Acts 11:1-18 Now the apostles and the brethren who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. Let me stop here for dramatic effect. Don't you think that John, James, Andrew--maybe not Thomas because he is a doubter--would all be thrilled that the gentiles were receiving Christ? We will … Continue reading The Reckoning; With Reason and Recapitulation
The Path of Peter to all Peoples; Part 2, The Prayer of Cornelius
Acts 10:1-23 Now there was a certain man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, a devout man, and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people, and prayed to God continually. About the ninth hour of the day he clearly … Continue reading The Path of Peter to all Peoples; Part 2, The Prayer of Cornelius
The Path of Peter to all Peoples; Part 1
Acts 9:32-43 Now it came about that as Peter was traveling through all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years, for he was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; … Continue reading The Path of Peter to all Peoples; Part 1
The Persecution Primer
Acts 8:1-3 And Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul … Continue reading The Persecution Primer
The Stirring Up of the Scribes
Acts 6:7-15 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. And yet they were unable to cope with … Continue reading The Stirring Up of the Scribes
The Great Escape and Another Stabbing Sermon
Acts 5:17-32 But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy; and they laid hands on the apostles, and put them in a public jail. But an angel of the Lord during the night opened the gates of the prison, … Continue reading The Great Escape and Another Stabbing Sermon
The Hands and Shadows of the Apostles
Acts 5:12-16 And at 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. But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. And all the more believers in the Lord, … Continue reading The Hands and Shadows of the Apostles
The CONGREGATION
Acts 4:32-37 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own; but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant … Continue reading The CONGREGATION
The Collapsing Council’s Confirmation
Acts 4:13-22 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were marveling, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. But when they … Continue reading The Collapsing Council’s Confirmation
The Cornerstone Confession
Acts 4:5-12 And it came about on the next day, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent. And when they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, … Continue reading The Cornerstone Confession
The Incarceration Incarnation
Acts 4:1-4 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees, came upon them, being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in jail until … Continue reading The Incarceration Incarnation
The Greater Gift
Acts 3:1-10 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. And a certain man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in … Continue reading The Greater Gift
Lie of Lies
Matthew 27:62-66; 28:1-5; 12-1 Now on the next day, which is the one after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, and said, “Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I am to rise again.’ “Therefore, give orders for the grave to … Continue reading Lie of Lies
Beyond Belief
Matthew 27:27-36 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him. And they stripped Him, and put a scarlet robe on Him. And after weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they kneeled … Continue reading Beyond Belief
The Day of Days
Matthew 27:1-10 Now when morning had come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death; and they bound Him, and led Him away, and delivered Him up to Pilate the governor. Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, … Continue reading The Day of Days
Destination; Denial
Mathew 26:69-75 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a certain servant-girl came to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” And when he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw … Continue reading Destination; Denial
True Israel on Trial
Law and the Law-giver Matthew 26:57-68 And those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. But Peter also was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the … Continue reading True Israel on Trial
The Kiss of Death
Matthew 26:47-56 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came up, accompanied by a great multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I shall kiss, He is the one; seize Him.” … Continue reading The Kiss of Death
The Penultimate Passover
Matthew 26:26-30 And while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for … Continue reading The Penultimate Passover
Brotherly Betrayal?
Matthew 26:17-25 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand; I am to … Continue reading Brotherly Betrayal?
Pure Perfume Poured in Preparation
Matthew 26:6 then, blah blah blah, 7 then, blah blah blah, and so forth -13, then, more blah blah blah. Remember, like the book Matthew, My missives build on each other. "Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper..." Bethany was a village, just outside of Jerusalem, near the Mount … Continue reading Pure Perfume Poured in Preparation
The Passover is Coming…
To a Close If you are here for health, wealth, happiness, style, lifestyle or breaking news about President Trump, I can't offer any of that. But if you are willing to read, it may change the way in which you think. Matthewew 26 1:5 "And it came about that when Jesus had finished all these … Continue reading The Passover is Coming…
The Slothful Slave
Matthew 25:14-30 For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves, and entrusted his possessions to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Immediately the one … Continue reading The Slothful Slave
The Foolish Five; Twice
Matthew 25:1-13 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. “And five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. “For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along … Continue reading The Foolish Five; Twice
Signs of The Times?
Matthew 24:32-41 “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender, and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; even so you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. “Truly I say to you, this generation will … Continue reading Signs of The Times?
An Awesome Assembly
A Beautiful Beginning A Concerted Calling A Dire Day An Efficacious Edification A Fantastic Fellowship Matthew 24:29-31 “But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken, … Continue reading An Awesome Assembly
Back to the Future, Again
Matthew 24:15-28 Jesus continues to answer the disciples' questions of, when, and what were the signs of his coming and the end of the age? We have a lot of questions, two are important to consider as we read the context. One, to whom was this written? Second, and more importantly, to whom was Jesus … Continue reading Back to the Future, Again
It’s The End of the World as THEY Know It
Matthew 24:3-14 And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one … Continue reading It’s The End of the World as THEY Know It