The Cross: The Power of God

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (I Corinthians 1:18)

Christians have been accused of having a “slaughter house” religion because of our emphasis on the Cross of Christ. To those who are perishing, our insistence on the cross and not good works on the part of the seeker is foolish. Pride tells folks that if one is good enough he will be accepted of God and have eternal life. I cringe when I hear parents say to their child, “Now if you’re not good God won’t love you.”

The cross was a place where despised, common criminals, thieves and murderers were executed by the Roman government. It was the equivalent of the electric chair today. Two thieves were executed beside Jesus. Those around His cross assumed He was just another crook or else He would not be suffering such a death. And, then for Christians to embrace the cross and someone dying there looked foolish then and continues to look foolish in today’s modern world.

But, we know from Bible study and Christian experience that the cross is the power of God. Trust Jesus today. Go to Him by the way of the cross.

Not the Messenger but the Message

“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” ( I Corinthians 2:1-2)

The story goes of a preacher who could bring tears to his congregation by simply saying the word, “Mesopotamia.” He was an orator and master of the skills of public speaking. Not so with the apostle Paul. They said of him that his speech was contemptible.  (II Corinthians 10:10)

The message which Paul was delivering must be preached and taught with simple clarity. I have three  granddaughters. One is nine, another is three and the last is one. I want them to hear the gospel message with understanding. Paul’s message was the simple message of the Cross of Christ, His death and the price which was necessary to pay our sin debt.

When I preach I want the hearers to leave, not saying, “What a wonderful public speaker we heard today,” but, “What a wonderful Savior God in His love has given us.”

Words and Thoughts

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, Oh LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

Our Savior said that we would give an account for even our idle words. (Matthew 12:36) This is not speaking of just having a casual conversation with a neighbor, but it is telling us that we must guard what we say even in idle talk. The Psalmist said he wanted his idle talk to be pleasing to God.

The Proverbs tell us to, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)  I heard someone say, “We may not be what we think we are, but what we think, we are.” The Bible says He knows our thoughts afar off.

The reason the psalmist guarded what he said and what he thought is because of the reverence he had for the LORD: my strength and my redeemer. Do what you say and think meet the approval of God?

The Purpose of Jesus

“For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:17)

The purpose of the law was to show men the error of their ways and bring condemnation. The purpose of the Son of God is to seek and to save those who are condemned already. Jesus told the woman taken in adultery in the eighth chapter of John, “Neither do I condemn thee, go and sin no more.” The law had said the woman should be stoned to death. But Jesus offered to her what He offers every sinner, forgiveness of sins and a new life of salvation. You may receive your gift of eternal life by faith in Jesus, the Son of God.

The Gospel in a Nutshell

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

All of the Bible can be summed up in these twenty-five words above.

The greatest Person in the universe, God above all gods, demonstrated the greatest love ever known by giving the greatest gift ever given, His only Son, to die on a cross that even the greatest of sinners would not perish in the greatest punishment ever known, but would have the greatest life for now and eternity by accepting by faith the greatest gift ever given, available to all who will believe.

Condemned Already

“He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” 
( John 3:18)

Why should a person be saved today?

• One should be saved today because he is condemned today. David in his confession said, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.”(Psalm 51:5)  He was not saying his mother was a bad person but that from the time of conception he was a sinner. So are we all. 

• Second, a person should be saved today because there is no guarantee of opportunities to be saved tomorrow.

• Third, a person should be saved today because of the certainty of hell for those who die without Christ.

• Fourth, a person should be saved because of the anticipation and guarantee of heaven.

• Fifth, a person should be saved today because of the availability of salvation by simple faith in Jesus. He that believes is not condemned.

• Sixth, a person should be saved today because Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

• Finally, eternal life is a gift of God through Jesus Christ. Don’t turn down this precious gift.

Church Bosses

“I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.” (III John 9)

It would have been a dangerous thing to destroy one of the apostolic letters. It would be the equivalent of tearing out the pages of an apostolic letter in our Bible because we do not believe it or agree with it. The church boss, Diotrephes, did not receive John or his letter. Diotrephes wanted to be preeminent.

A church boss wants to be the final authority to make sure everything is done right in his eyes in the church. I have known men that in a business meeting who ruled with such a high hand the people looked at him to get his opinion on any issue before they would vote. He would rule on whether or not a church could receive someone for membership, even if they met Biblical qualifications. He enjoyed telling the pastor what he could and could not preach. He had “bluffed” his way into being the top leader in the church.

John was one of the first Apostles, along with his brother, James. He was at the cross when Jesus died. At the cross John was entrusted with the care of Jesus’ mother. He was one of the first to the empty tomb. The very idea of Diotrephes slandering the beloved apostle with malicious words!

No Greater Joy

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (III John 4)

It makes parents happy knowing their children are successful in business or that they are employed in a well paying job and that they have a good work ethic. It is good to know that they are not lazy and that they are industrious.

But there is a greater joy, and that is to know our children walk in the truths of God’s word. To know they are saved and walk with Jesus is a greater joy.

There is a joy as great as the others. Gaius must have been one of John’s children in the faith. Gaius must have been walking with Jesus in the truth. I look back across the years and see some people whom I have led to faith in Christ and discover they are walking in truth. I have no greater joy.

The Holy House of God

“And the Jews’ Passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves and the changers of money sitting: And when He had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, ‘take these things hence; make not my Father’s house and house on house of merchandise.’” (John 2:13-16)

As many as three million Jews came into Jerusalem for the annual celebration of Passover with some of them traveling many miles. Merchants had animals for sacrifice for sale for those who could not bring such animals with them. There were the money changers ready to make money on those who traded their currency for Roman currency.

The house of God had become a market place. There was no reverence for the purpose of the building. There was little or no thought of the sacrifices the people before them had made. Their rationale was that the end justified the means.

The church house is not the church. But the houses of God across the land must be treated as holy. We must remember why the building was dedicated in the first place. We should remember the gifts and sacrifices the generations before us made to make the building possible. It ought to be the best kept building in the community. The “welcome” mat should always be at the door inviting saved and unsaved alike to enter.

The World’s Reception of Christ

“He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.”
(John 1:10-12)

It is hard to imagine that there were those who rejected Jesus when He came into the world. He was the creator of all things, but they did not recognize Him primarily because their eyes were blinded. There are those today who tragically refuse to recognize Him, the creator of all things.

He came to the Jews and the Jews did not receive Him. They looked for a political leader who would lead them out from under the rule of the Roman government. One of the problems today is that men are looking for a Messiah of their own creation who will fit their imaginations of a deliverer.

But, praise the Lord, just as there were those who received Him as He walked the shores of Galilee, there are those today who receive Him by faith, believing on His name. As a result of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, they are children of God. Where are you in your belief system?

Christian Assembly

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” 
(Hebrews 10:25)

The psalmist said that he was glad when they said let’s go to the house of God. At the church house or the house of God we meet with other Christians who share the same values that we have. But the church house is not the only placed we can assemble.

In the first century there were no big fine houses of worship so the Christians assembled in other places. There were “house churches” with people meeting in homes. They worshipped in caves or wherever they could assemble. The important thing is, they assembled together. The exhortation in Hebrews is on-going. It did not end. The exhortation is directed to us today.

I had a friend who stopped attending church. Years went by and he found himself assembling with other Christians again.  He told me that when he was absent the first Sunday he felt guilty. Then the second Sunday was easier with not as much guilt. It went on. He told me he got to the place that he did not care if he never went back to church. Then he realized what he was missing; food for his soul, fellowship with other believers, the encouragement from others and the worship of the lord.

Assemble somewhere with other believers this next Sunday. You will be a better person for having done so.

And in this Corner…

“…we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

In the warfare with Satan we are not fighting with long range weapons. We are up close and personal. We are in a wrestling match. Satan likes to fight dirty. He is like the dirty wrestlers on television. He will blind your eyes. He will bite and put a “sleeper hold” on you to disable you so that you cannot fight.

In our wrestling match with the devil we must put on special armor: loins girt about with truth, a breastplate of righteousness, feet covered with the shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit.

In your corner of the ring you must have Jesus to give you wisdom and strength. Remember that the devil is dirty and conniving. He will start hitting before the bell rings calling you out of your corner. Remember, it is a wrestling match, up close, not a long range fight with rockets.

Pass the Blessings on to Someone else

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (II Corinthians 1:3-4)

God is the God of all comfort. Who has not been comforted of God when going through the low places of life? God lavishes on us the comfort of His presence, the wonder of His compassion and the healing of His mighty hand. He understands our trouble and anguish having suffered in the flesh while walking on this earth.

I have a friend who is now in heaven, who had a cancerous tumor on a kidney which had to be removed from his body to save his life. I often said that if I were diagnosed with such an ailment and needed someone who would share in my pain, I would talk to my friend, Harold.

Someone is going through what you have gone through. God comforted you. Now it’s your turn to be a comfort and a blessing to someone else. Pass it on.

Is it Well with Your Soul?

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (III John 1:2)

Christians as well as non-Christians have sickness, crippling diseases and suffer from health issues. Paul had his thorn in the flesh. Epaphroditus was near death with some unnamed sickness. One of the greatest prayer warriors I have known was confined with crippling arthritis.

Apparently Gaius was a strong Christian but was in poor health with some unnamed malady. John prayed that Gaius’ health would improve and his health would prosper even as his soul prospered.

If the bodies and souls of folks would be equally healthy, a health epidemic would probably be declared. Oh, that today people were as conscious of the health of their souls as they are of the health of their bodies. We feed our bodies and go to the gym to exercise and neglect our souls forgetting our bodies will lie cold in the ground while our souls live on eternally.

Let There be Peace

“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years should be fulfilled…” (Revelation 20:1-3)

The thousand years is mentioned six times in seven verses. It is what we call the “Millennial Reign of Christ.” It is His kingdom age. It is during that time that there will be perfect peace on earth. The prophets tell us the lion will lie down with the lamb. A child can play with a serpent. Agricultural production will be unsurpassed. There will be no wars because nation shall not lift up sword against nation. We will know what peace on earth is like without Satan stirring up hatred and corruption. There will be no crime, no locks on the doors of our houses and no fear.

We can have individual peace now only as people repent, turn to Jesus and allow Him to rule and reign in their hearts and lives. Peace conferences and songs about, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin in me” are all just wishful thinking without the Prince of Peace.

Does Jesus Care?

“Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:38)

When your little ship is about to sink in the storms of life, it is easy to think that God doesn’t care. You may think that God has His attention on bigger, more important things to do than to keep your ship from sinking.

The devil would have us believe that the Lord has abandoned us in our storm. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The devil would have us forget that the Lord Jesus heard their cry, stilled the storm, calmed the waves and delivered them safely to shore.

He cares for us. A song says, “Does Jesus care when I’ve said good-by to the dearest on earth to me? And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks, is it ought to Him does He care? Oh yes He cares, I know He cares: His heart is touched with my grief…” 

They did the right thing: they called out to the Master of the sea and He calmed their storm. He will do the same for you.

Our High Priest

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)

The high priest of the Old Testament did two primary things. First he offered a sacrifice for sin. Second, he made intercession for the people. That is what Jesus, our High Priest did at Calvary. It is what He is doing every moment of every day at the right side of God. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, having lived among us in the flesh and experiencing the things we experience. He was tempted to do evil by Satan (Matthew 4:1-10). He was tempted by trials in His life. We have experienced Satan’s effort to lead us astray, the same as He did to our Savior. We have faced life’s difficulties and hardships, riding out a storm, being hungry and thirsty, and being alone when everyone has forsaken us.

Therefore, we can come boldly to the throne of grace, and find grace to help in time of need. He understands the human make-up. He has experienced the same things we experience. Come to him with your trials, burdens and temptations to do evil.

In Her Tongue is the Law of Kindness

“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” (Proverbs 31:26)

When my mother died my siblings and I were thinking of something to put on her tombstone. The little clichés seemed too trite. We chose this verse in Proverbs and it is engraved there for all to see. She never spoke in an unkind way to any of us. She was the mother who set the example for all to follow. If you had a Godly mother you can probably find a verse in the “virtuous woman” passage in Proverbs 31 that fits her.

The other woman in my life is my sweet wife. When I first met her she was about fourteen years old and teaching a room full of wiggly four and five year old children. She and I have been blessed with two children, five grand-children and two great granddaughters. As Proverbs states, “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” (Proverbs 31:28) I can only imagine where I would be without those two precious women in my life to encourage me and pray for me.

Your Adversary, the Devil

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”(I Peter 5:8-9)

You have probably seen a special on television about wildlife and how they survive. The old lion lurks in the tall grass. At night he makes a menacing roar and puts fear in the other animals. In the daytime he locates his prey, sneaks quietly through the grass. But now he is not roaring. He is being very quiet and sinister. When he considers himself to be close enough to overtake his targeted animal he pounces on him with every ounce of fiber in his body. He overpowers the helpless animal and kills him. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter likens the devil to that old lion.

We are told to resist him, steadfastly in the faith. Our problem is that we do not take him seriously. We jokingly tell ourselves the devil doesn’t exist. Hal Lindsey wrote a book entitled, “Satan is alive and well on Planet Earth.” In it he admonishes all of us not to take Satan lightly. We would not deny that there is a very strong current above Niagara Falls. Trying to fight the devil in our own power is like trying to swim against the current of the Niagara River a few feet above the falls. Or, facing Satan alone is like going into a cage with a lion and attempting to fight him with our bare hands. We must have the Lord living in us for the power we need to resist the devil. Receive Christ and allow Him to fight the devil as he prepares to attack you.

The Caring Christ

“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” (I Peter 5:7) 

Our lives have a tendency to become full of worry and anxiety. We don’t know where to turn as we worry over finances, health, family and a host of other cares.

Our Lord gives the invitation, “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Many similar invitations are found in the Bible. I think of Paul’s instruction to the church of Philippi when he said in Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.” The word, “casting,” is to be found with the people casting their garments on the donkey on which Jesus would ride into Jerusalem. The idea is to cast all your cares on Him because He always keeps on caring for you.

 I heard of an old fellow who was reluctantly riding in an airplane for the first time. When they landed someone asked him, “How did you like your plane ride?” He answered, “Well, it was o.k. I guess. But I never did put all my weight down.”

Put all your weight of cares down on Him because He is able to deliver you safe and sound.

Tomorrow Never Comes

“Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” (Proverbs 27:1)

It is easy to put off planting a field of corn today in hopes that tomorrow will be a better day. “I’ll do it tomorrow. There’s plenty of time.”

I have it heard it said by more than one person, “I plan to be saved sometime but not today.” I talked to an older unsaved gentleman in the coronary care unit of our local hospital. As I witnessed to him he was more serious than I had seen him in previous visits at home. His response to me was, “Let me get out of the hospital and you come by the house and I’ll do it then.” Shortly after getting out of the hospital he died of a fatal heart attack. I spoke to a young man who said, “Not now. I’ll do it sometime.” That was twenty-five years ago. He is still lost.

The same uncertainty of tomorrow applies to those of us who are dedicated Christians. “I want to go by and witness to that fellow tomorrow.” But something happens in our schedule that hinders us from ever going. I knew a seventy-five year old man that was weeping as he spoke to our young people. He said that he knew God was calling him into the ministry as a teenager. He planned to do it soon, he said. But he put it off year after year. He admonished our youth to do what they know they should do because all we have is today. He said, “Tomorrow never comes.” 

Weeds in your Prayer Path

“I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone was thereof was broken down.” (Proverbs 24:30-31)

When I was a child I enjoyed watching Ma and Pa Kettle and their laid back ways of living. Almost every show had Pa Kettle going through the front yard gate. It would fall off the one hinge that held it. Then he would look at it, scratch his head and say, “I’m gonna fix that thing one of these days.” But it never got fixed.

I knew someone who had a rock fence around the front yard. It was completely gone in some places, rocks were scattered. In the same community there was a man who did not allow one little weed or unwanted bush to grow in the fence row.

I read of a discouraged missionary serving the Lord in a foreign land. He was talking to his supervisor about his discouragement. The supervisor said, “I noticed that there are weeds growing in the path that leads to your place of prayer. Have you gotten too busy to pray, or are you just neglecting your prayer time?”

How does your prayer path look? Is it grown over with weeds? Don’t be too slothful to pray.

At Jesus’ Feet

“… And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard His word. (Luke 10:39)

The Booth Brothers have a beautiful song they sing with these words: “Look for me at Jesus feet.” The lyrics speak to the listener saying that if I get to heaven before you do, when you want to find me, look for me at Jesus feet.

Sitting at Jesus’ feet implies humility on our part. Mary wanted to be still in the Lord’s presence. She had a desire to be with Jesus and listen to His teaching of His word.

Jesus complemented her on the choice she made of worshipping Him and not being busy serving Him. In observing some churches today I think we feel we have not had church unless we have worked ourselves into a frenzy.

Sit at His feet, hear His word and worship Him. We can be a Martha after we have worshipped Him.

Training Children

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

In my possession I have a beautiful walking stick given me by a friend. It is sassafras wrapped around by a vine when it was in the wild. As my friend was making it he removed all the bark and vines and varnished it. The stick was trained by the vine around it as it grew. I have seen tall trees growing with a severe crook close to its base training it to grow with that obvious crook.

Dogs may be trained by their masters to do all sorts of tricks. Horses are trained to jump over barriers. Many animals and plants are trained. Without the training there would be no skills.

We are to train up our children in the way they should go. Without Godly training from their parents children will grow up like wild animals. Someone said of my children long ago, “They are growing like weeds,” meaning it as a complement. I thought to my self, “I hope they are not growing as weeds. It takes no skill, patience or knowledge to grow weeds. Weeds need no training.” There is too much Godless training which answers the question of what has happened to our society. Parents, take charge. Perhaps someone should train the parents. 

Learning from the Scriptures

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

From Paul’s vantage point the scriptures consisted of the Old Testament. The New Testament had not been written yet. He is making reference to the Old Testament. The purpose of the Old Testament was for our learning and that through patience and comfort of the scriptures we would find hope.

From the Old Testament we learn about the wrath of God, but we also learn about the forgiveness of God through His son, Jesus.  In the Old Testament we learn of God’s displeasure of sin, seen in His destroying mankind with a flood, and His destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah for their wickedness. But, we learn of the Good Shepherd who gives his life for the Sheep. We learn of the cross and the redemption of man through the One who would be led as a sheep to the slaughter. We read from the prophets of the Babe to be born in Bethlehem who is destined to rule the nations.

But, Paul does not mean to imply that the New Testament is of no value. From our vantage point we can see God’s entire redemptive plan for man. Build your hope on those things written about in the Bible.

Follow God

“Be ye therefore followers as dear children.” (Ephesians 5:1)

We are to follow God as children. It is as though there is a path that God makes for us and we will not go wrong following that path. Let me give you two illustrations.

On a particular snowy day when snow was more two feet deep, a certain man could not get to work. He decided he would go to the local bar. On his way he became aware that his little boy was following him. The father asked his son, “Where are you going?” The little boy said, “I’m following your footsteps, Daddy.”

God had called a man to preach the gospel and be a pastor. But, before he could preach he had to sell all his farm equipment and livestock. He witnessed to many lost people and led them to Christ. He helped the needy and made many hospital visits. His little boy said, “Dad, when I grow up I want to be just like you.”

The first dad was leading his son down a wrong path. The second was leading his son in paths of righteousness.  We can choose to follow the Lord or follow Satan. For a good life that ends well we must be followers of God, as children following Godly parents.

Godly Treatment of Others

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Peter asked Jesus, “How many times shall I forgive somebody who has done me wrong, till seven times?” Jesus responded, “Not until seven times, but until seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21) If my fourth grade math is still correct, that’s four-hundred and ninety times. By that time you have learned to forgive your fellow man as soon as he offends you. This epistle is addressed to a local church, made up of weak, sinful individuals, just like the churches of today, the one you are a part of. 

The reason you and I can forgive is because, if we are believers, God has forgiven us for His Son’s sake. In the same manner we are to have forgiving attitudes. We must practice kindness to each other and be tenderhearted as Jesus was.

We will run more people off with unkindness, holding grudges and ill will than good outreach visitation can bring in. Be kind one to another.

Continuing Stedfastly

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42)

These new believers started their race when they received Christ as their Savior and then continued on, as the Bible says, stedfastly not turning back and not quitting.

They continued in four areas. First, they continued in the apostles’ doctrine. The New Testament had not yet been written. But the doctrine of the apostles was the doctrine Jesus had taught them. It was the doctrine that would be printed in the Bible as the doctrine we know today.

Second they continued in fellowship. Fellowship is a word that means, “To share together.” Before we can have fellowship with others we must have fellowship with God.

Third, the breaking of bread is the Lord’ Supper, where we remember the suffering and death of our Savior. Jesus has instructed us to do this, “In remembrance of me.”

Finally, they continued in prayers. Paul would write later, “Pray without ceasing.”  (I Thessalonians 5:17) 

These new believers were serious about their faith. It is a good thing to remember that if we are serious about our faith that we “continue stedfastly.”

Growth of a Church

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there wore added unto them about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41)

It is good for a church to have additions and experience growth. The Jerusalem church heard the message then they gladly received the word and were baptized.

The text says there were about three thousand souls added to the one-hundred and twenty. We can attribute such an expansion in one day to the presence of the Holy Spirit just as Jesus had promised. Second, there was a sermon from the word of God.

For numerical and Spiritual growth to take place there must be preaching and teaching of God’s word and there must be a dependence on the Holy Spirit. We may not experience a one day in-gathering as they did, but like a seed planted in the ground, it will germinate and produce fruit. Be faithful.