Microchurch Minute
How do you disciple other believers that are young in the faith? Are you confident in your knowledge of the bible, cautious to direct only what is truly required in the Christian faith? Previously, we read that the barrier between Jews and Gentiles had been leveled by Christ’s action in making the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Then all that believe Jesus is the true Son of God and died for our sins receive the free gift of salvation. In Acts 15 we see Gentiles being misinformed by “religious leaders”’. Luckily the apostles took action in returning to locations with new believers to address them directly with the Good News and holy truth. It makes sense that the gentiles had felt overwhelmed by the misinformation being presented. We too, need to make sure that we are not adding burdens to our spiritual brothers and sisters. Ultimately, we all just need Jesus and the bold truth of salvation. Have you had a turning point or event in your spiritual life that you can pinpoint as a solid moment that changed the trajectory of your walk with God? Don’t be afraid to share it! Your past allows you to relate to who God places in your circle of influence, don’t shy away from relating to those that He leads you to. “I was one way and now I am completely different”. We are all called to seek wise council, we are all called to rely completely on Jesus. While here on earth, never stop pursuing the unity that our spirits long for. God designed us to live life together. He designed us for community. Embrace it, run to it, bring others into it!
Microchurch Minute
Good morning church family, special thanks to those of you that were able to attend Sunday as we discussed Acts 16. We get to see Paul and Silas be led by the Holy Spirit, even though it led to their being jailed. Do you feel that you are fully aligned with the Spirit, to the point of following Him into circumstances that will be met with opposition? Human nature tends to steer us away from any sign of conflict, we are all intrinsically looking for the easy route. But even when circumstances took a turn as the jail crumbled and they broke free, the prophets still didn’t flee – but instead stood their ground and saw the jailer come to salvation, bringing his entire family with him! What a blessing they got to experience watching the ripple effect of their obedience follow through and result in the saving of souls. When we are following the path God has laid before us, we can rest assured that we will be blessed with peace in our hearts, even in the face of trials. When we are on His path, He is guiding and holding us. God already has the best possible outcome for our lives, and He will continue to use us, even in our human rebellion, for His divine purpose. Instead of running into life head on, take a step back, ask that God includes you in the plan that He is orchestrating. Allow yourself to be filled with His message and share it where He leads. He will use you where He places you. God doesn’t always call the qualified. But as we say yes to His call, he will qualify the called. I challenge you to ask to be His hands and feet.
Microchurch Minute
Hello church family, I pray that you are having a restful and joyous Holy Week. We began our gathering reading record accounts of Jesus’ riding into Jerusalem from all four prophets. Though Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all have slightly varied accounts, we can confidently rest in the truth that Jesus was fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy in His act of riding a young donkey into town. What do we learn about Jesus here? He arrived humble, on a colt, symbolizing His willingness to serve and work for His people. Jesus showed His strength in complete surrender to the Father’s will. “HOSANA” shouted the masses as they gathered to wave their palms in honor of their King and Savior. These people knew that Jesus was the son of God, they knew that He was their source of victory. Yet, how fickle humans can be as the same crowd would soon be shouting crucify. Where do you find yourself in that crowd? See, they praised Jesus but did not persevere through the impending hardship. When we are finding that what we see God doing isn’t meeting our expectations, are we spiritually bound to continue through the muck with Him? Here on earth, He has turned the idea of royalty upside down. The first came to be last, the greatest came to be the least. The high and mighty came to earth to be served. It’s time then for His people to lay down our crowns and follow Jesus as He is.
We know that Friday is good because Sunday is coming. In your joy of anticipated resurrection, let us not forget the truly horrific suffering that took place. The agony that Christ endured on the cross, the sacrifice He gave with your name in his heart.
Microchurch Minute
As we concluded Holy Week with the joy of Easter Sunday, we read through all resurrection accounts in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Why is the resurrection important? By completing the seemingly impossible task of rising from the dead, Jesus laid the cornerstone of our faith. Jesus is the only man to defeat death! It validated His earthly claims that He truly is the Messiah, He knew that He would be killed and raised on the third day. We can rest assured in this claim as a multitude witnessed His resurrected body on earth in the days before His ultimate ascension to sit at the right hand of the Father. Not only that, but Jesus chose to first reveal Himself to female followers. Women, who had no societal standing at the time, were elevated in their importance to Him. Jesus truly does flip the script on earth, when He elevates both women and children and their importance in the kingdom of God. God demonstrates His ultimate power and shows us that He is trustworthy, by fulfilling ancient prophecies. He is worthy of praise, glory and all authority. There is no resurrection apart from Christ. It is why we gladly participate in baptism, to demonstrate that by accepting the truth of Jesus’ act on the cross, we are able to also defeat death by dying to our earthly selves and being raised again as a new creation through the power of the Holy Spirit. Wow! As believers, we have divine peace, knowing that this earthly life we live is not the end for us. While the feeling of losing our loved ones to earthly death is never an easy season to walk through, we can have faith the spiritual family that has gone before us are eternally alive and well with their Heavenly Father! Death has lost it’s sting, we have eternal paradise to look forward to. Rejoice, my friends, that He is risen!
Microchurch Minute
Hey there, church family! We had a great time gathering Sunday as we jumped into Acts 17 to keep along with Paul’s journey as he went through Thessalonica, Berea and Athens. We can learn valuable lessons at each of his stops. Thessalonica was a Roman powerhouse that thrived under the rule of Caesar, meaning that any claim challenging Caesar’s supremacy was immediately shut down as a form of political rebellion. But that didn’t stop Paul, from his actions we learn that declaring the good news of Jesus should never cease, even when it is widely unpopular or uncomfortable. Berea had the advantage of being a much smaller city, with the freedom to explore what they heard from Paul, while being wise enough to test all of his claims against scripture. Isn’t this what we are also called to do? We are so grateful to have individuals in our lives and church that are blessed with he gift of shepherding. But never let that take away from the urgency in you personally knowing what is written in the bible. Finally, we see Paul’s heart in distress as he enters Athens, finding a plethora of idols and false gods. I think that it’s beautiful when God stirs that discomfort in our souls and encourages us to lean into those people that so desperately need to hear the truth. Paul made sure to share the gospel in public settings, as the general population welcomed new ideas. It was imperative that he found them right where they were, outside the walls of the temples. I’m willing to bet you have multiple opportunities on a regular basis to level with the social crowd God has placed you in. Take the time to listen well, so that you can build a rapport that will allow them to accept the truth in your message and the loving nudge toward Jesus.
Microchurch Minute
Three Main Takeaways from Acts 18:
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God provides encouragement and people for the mission (vv.9-11):
As Paul faced resistance, God appeared to him in a dream and declared “Do not be afraid… I have many people in this city.” Regardless of your leadership level in the church, we can all use reassurance from the Lord that He is going ahead of us to prepare hearts and circumstances for the Good News to be received.
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Faithful partnership strengthens ministry (vv.2-3, 18-28):
watch what we see from Aquila and Priscilla, they not only worked with Paul, but hosted him, learned from him and eventually were able to disciple Apollos. They faithfully used their gifts of hospitality, eagerness to learn and abilities to teach to greatly impact believers in the Kingdom.
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The gospel flourishes even amid opposition (vv.6-17):
Contrary to popular belief, resistance doesn’t stop God’s plan, but in this case was use to highlight the power of His message. We see Jewish opposition and legal challenges that would be enough to discourage anyone. But the conversion of Crispus, support of Titus Justus and the way Gallio dismissed charges all contributed to a strategically fruitful period for this major city.
