Tagged: Bible Study

“And with that he died.” –Acts 7:60 When we know the risen Christ personally and deeply, our love for Him is stronger than the fear of death (see Sg 8:6; 1 Jn 3:16; 4:18). Satan can no longer enslave, control, or paralyze us through our fear of death (Heb 2:15). Like Stephen, we will speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15), even if it means being martyred. Like Paul, we will consider it a privilege (Phil 1:29) to bear our “share of the hardship which the gospel entails” (2 Tm 1:8) and even to risk our lives daily for love...

” ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ Jesus replied: ‘This is the work of God: have faith in the One Whom He sent.’ ” –John 6:28-29 As we enter into the third week of the Easter season, some of you have walked with the risen Christ, listened to Him interpret the Scriptures, and recognized Him in the breaking of the bread (see Lk 24:15, 27, 30-31). Like millions of Christians throughout the centuries, you have cried out: “It is the Lord!” (Jn 21:7) After meeting your beloved older Brother raised from the dead, you’ll never be...

“Yet I know, my brothers, that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did.” –Acts 3:17 Contrary to the old sayings, ignorance is not bliss and what you don’t know can hurt you and others very much. In addition to sin, ignorance was the cause of the worst crime ever committed – our murder and execution of God by crucifixion on Calvary. Paul taught: “None of the rulers of this age knew the mystery; if they had known it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Cor 2:8). We “perish for want of knowledge” (Hos...

“The word of God continued to spread, while at the same time the number of the disciples in Jerusalem enormously increased.” –Acts 6:7 The early Church needed more workers for the harvest (Mt 9:37). The believers were feeding hundreds of people in their community meal and a whole group was overlooked (Acts 6:1). More workers were needed. They brought this to the attention of the community, which selected “seven men acknowledged to be deeply spiritual and prudent” (Acts 6:3). Can your church community do the same? Can you raise up seven deeply spiritual men for full-time service? Most church communities...

“If their purpose or activity is human in its origins, it will destroy itself.” –Acts 5:38 If you play your cards right, compromise your principles, and do whatever it takes, you can be successful by worldly standards, pass yourself off “as someone of importance,” and build up “quite a following” (Acts 5:36-37). Of course, in the end your life will come to nothing and destroy itself (Acts 5:36, 38; see also Lk 9:24). If you decide to follow Jesus, deny your very self, and take up the cross daily (Lk 9:23), your life will seem to be a joke, an...