From Prosperity. To the Pit. To Praise.

Psalm 30. A psalm of David.

A summary of Acts 10 and 11, revealing that nearness to God is available to all people of all nations, everywhere, because of Jesus.

In this scene of Acts we see a community at peace, a man healed, the marginalized cared for, and a woman brought back from death to life. These miraculous things were a preview of what is to come in fullness one day. The works of Jesus, pointing us to the ultimate work he has accomplished at his death and resurrection and we will fully experience at his return. In the power of his Spirit, we too can become a preview people, showing the world a glimpse of restoration.

The Spirit of God continues to work through ordinary men and women. Philip is one of those willing participants in God’s work, partnering with the Spirit to bring the message of good news of the Kingdom of God through Jesus, to even the least likely of people. God is building His family and community and gathering people from all tribes, tongues, and nations together, as one.

Acts 8 gives us a snapshot of another ordinary man filled with the extraordinary power of the Spirit of God. Philip traveled to Samaria to bring the good news of Jesus to a people traditionally hated by Jewish men and women. There, he encounters a man named Simon who is using another power to gain control and status in the community. Yet his power is no match for the power of God — so Simon wants the power the followers of Jesus possess and is willing to pay the right price for it.

It may seem like a strange, otherworldly story to us. But are there ways we try to obtain the favor, love, or power of God too? Do we try to earn or buy it, when it is freely given by Jesus?

Stephen was an ordinary man, who was filled with the extraordinary love, wisdom, and power of the Spirit of God. In this love and power, he was able to share good news with many. When he was confronted with those who were angered and threatened by the way of Jesus, the Spirit gave Stephen the words to retell the Story of their faith, and show how Jesus was the culmination of that Story. And when those same people were outraged by this story and began to murder Stephen, the Spirit gave Stephen a peace and strength allowing him to suffer in the same manner as Jesus — so that he would also share in his glory.

Today, we are invited into this same Story, to be filled by the same Spirit, to share in both the same suffering and glory.

As the good news of Jesus was spreading throughout Jerusalem and forming a new community of people, it was turning life upside down as everyone knew it. For some, they were radically exchanging everything they ever knew for a new way of life, even giving up their possessions in order to share and care for others. For others, it was a threat to their way of life, with the possibility of taking their control and power.

The news of Jesus brings Restoration to the poor in spirit; those who know they are in need.
The news of Jesus stirs up Resistance from the proud.
The news of Jesus brings Renewal for the one bringing the news.

The story of Ananias and Sapphira is one that often strikes fear and trembling… or sparks confusion. Yet, this story of an event that took place within the very first community of Jesus followers is important to see the holiness of God, the rebellion of people, and the unchanging gracious pursuit of God for His people.

There is no other name by which we are saved.

What does this statement claim? What does it mean? How did it radically transform a community of oppressed and scared people? What does it mean for us to carry the name of Jesus with us now? To be immersed into his name?

This is what Easter and the resurrection is all about!

In the book of Revelation, we find we are reading someone else’s mail. Jesus sent a message through John to specific churches in Asia Minor. But the Spirit has preserved these words to speak to us still today!

The final community addressed was the church in Laodicea. The common picture of a lukewarm church where Jesus stands knocking at the door is found in this letter. Yet, as we look deeper we may find this message cuts at our hearts even more than we assumed of it.