In Acts 4-6, we are still witnessing a Church community that is unified and growing. We’ve witnessed the church respond to external challenges and now we get to see its response to the first two internal challenges. 

So far in the book of Acts the Apostles have faced much opposition, but in the midst of it all they have remained obedient. When man’s commands clash with God’s commands, it’s God’s commands that take priority. We see that they have a complete obedience in which they are loving God with their heart, soul, mind, and strength. 

In Acts 3, we are introduced to a man that became accustom to being transported to the temple daily just to beg the worshipers. His hope would be in the charity of the people and not the God of the temple. As he is redirected, we all see our dependency should only be on Jesus.

The promise has finally arrived and He’s a true game changer. The Spirit comes and fills Jesus’ disciples and powers them for ministry. This first ministry opportunity brings various people together to hear the proclamation of the best news ever.

Today we use the word unprecedented to describe events that we have never seen before. The book of Acts recounts a changing world and the birth of the Church. It begins with instructions and the promised Holy Spirit.

John 21 gives us some insight into the time between Jesus’ Resurrection and Jesus’ Ascension. He appeared to his followers to further instruct, encourage and spend time with them.

The guilty man was set free, the innocent man was mistreated and convicted as if he committed the guilty man’s crimes. The highest display of injustice has become the greatest gift possible for humanity.

During the Advent season we remember the birth of our Lord. In this passage the Apostle John sees a vision that forces us to think beyond just the Nativity scene itself. We see that there is a cosmic battle that has been raging since the garden and the birth of Christ is not just a story but it is the event kicks off the crushing of the head of the dragon the serpent of old.

God gives careful instructions for the pastors He’s charged to care for His people. 2 Timothy lays out some of the instructions Paul gives his son in the ministry, Timothy.

We often miss the good things the Lord accomplishes in our times of trouble. In his hands our most troubling situations become spectacular.