Harbor Rock Tabernacle

 In Acts 5, the Church hits it's first crisis--an internal sin that could have divided them and hurt their ministry. But the Church reacts with the right fear--awe of the Lord's holiness and power. This is a sharp contrast to the pandemic of fear and insecurity present in the world, caused by focus on self, the breakdown of the family and abandonment of faith in God. This contrast was similarly evident when the religious Council arrested the apostles and threatened them. But on Pharisee recognized that the apostles were fully trusting in the power and sufficiency of the Lord, and that nothing could stand against people He is protecting and using for His glory.  Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SmkVBmw5EU

 As the Early Church started to have influence, the religious leaders tried to suppress it but demanding that the disciples not talk about Jesus. The enemy uses these types of tactics--mocking, discrediting, demanding, stoking pride and offering alternatives--to try to stop us. But he can't overcome believers filled with the Spirit, and he can't dissuade those who have heard the truth and been changed by it. When the leaders challenged Peter and John, they were astonished by the presence of the same power and boldness that Christ had shown. And despite any potential insecurities, and this opposition, the disciples were undeniably equipped to fulfill Jesus' call to change the world.  Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5uq1vlv6Ug

 In the days following Pentecost, Peter and John had an interaction with a man who couldn't walk and was looking for financial assistance. But they knew that his real need was spiritual--hope that could only be found in trusting Jesus. They show great love for him by calling him to spiritual attention, and tell him that what he is really looking for in life will not be found in the material. But the man has to make a decision: Reject their help and Jesus outright, or trust Him completely? When he trusts, he is healed, and that impacts the people around him, and opens the door for ministry of calling them to decision. This man is a metaphor for the need of the world, and the Lord has given us His truth and His power to give them hope in Jesus.  Video of this service is available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szK364EV9Oo

 Acts 2 gives a powerful picture of the purpose, power, function and ideal of the Church. The standard it sets for us is simple but unusual, because it is based solely on the filling of the Holy Spirit, and believers taking a bold, public stand for the Lord and speaking God's Word without compromise. In a time when the Church wrestles with the inclination to reach people through strategies and conformity to the culture, this chapter provides a clear call to return to conformity to Christ, and the purity of His commission to us. The amazing outcome of thousands being saved and baptized, and the Gospel spreading, provides unmistakable proof that this is what the Lord blesses.  Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tSBE7WkxO4

 When we study the disciples in Acts, it may seem hard to relate to them in a practical way, because their responses and circumstances are so exceptional. In these times of uncertainty, we may struggle to react with hope, confidence and power like they did. But in the time between Jesus' ascension and the Spirit coming, they faced great uncertainty--Jesus was gone, they were outcasts, and the Jews and Romans both wanted to re-establish control. It would have been easy for them to be influenced by their emotions and step "back to normal". But the disciples "returned to Jerusalem", reminded of God's work and calling, and functioned with one mind, seeking the Lord and following His plan. The result was 120 people changing the world--a fact that stirs us to do the same.  Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Obt_BnoRZlc

 We often quote the verse where Jesus tells His disciples to "deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow Me", but we may wonder why we need to do that, when we have already seen saved, transformed and filled with the Holy Spirit. By connecting it to His death and resurrection, Jesus is calling us to the proof of our confession--a verification that we accept Him as Lord of our lives. Denying ourselves means aggressively putting off sin and resisting the desire to have what we want. As we do that, showing love for the Lord and others, He is gracious to bless us with four benefits that give us strength, assurance and effectiveness as disciples.  Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSZvhuHJm2A

One of the great challenges of walking by faith is whether we are willing to confidently trust the Lord's plans and leading with contentment, by yielding our own plans. We want to believe the concept that if we had everything go exactly as we wanted, we would be satisfied. But not only does that never happen, it is also a misguided thought. The wise men and Joseph & Mary both faced a sudden change in direction once Jesus was born, and because they fully trusted the Lord's provision, they followed that without hesitation. As we approach the uncertainty of 2022, their circumstances, and the response they all showed, reminds us of the futility of man's plans and the complete faithfulness of God's loving provision.  Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neluucHRmiw

 All throughout the Christmas account, we see the variety of reactions and expectations that people have about Jesus. Some want Him to be a warrior who does everything for them without any personal obligation. Others want a politician, who will negotiate everything without any personal responsibility. Many want an appeaser, who just excuses their sin without any personal accountability. But Jesus came to be the Saviour, born for each of us to offer us a new life of freedom.  Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE8QOjnps58

 All throughout history, people have been looking for a way to be saved and accepted by God. Because Jesus said He is the only One Who can save us, He is either a delusional fraud or He is our only hope. But even in the Christmas account and throughout His life, it is clear that mankind has a propensity to look for other options to shape Jesus into what we want. Some see Him as a warrior, others a politician, and many want Him to be an appeaser. But He was born to us to be our Saviour, proving our inadequacy on our own, and that life in Him, by His standards, is far greater than anything we can fathom.  Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY0pesuhyY8

 The amazing reality of the Incarnation is that the Son of God came here as a Baby. Jesus' birth shows the value of life, and God's offer of new life to all people. From a physical standpoint, His birth proves that unborn life is precious to the Lord, which is a stark contrast to the indifferent destruction of babies. From a spiritual standpoint, it shows that every soul is precious to Him. In response to this, we need to make an intentional, daily decision to ask for humility and follow Jesus' example. When we truly worship and adore Him, it fills us with joy, peace and contentment.