An accountant: weighing carefully the credits and the expenses; and in the end, not counting his own life dear to him, compared to his God and how he can serve him.
A runner: who had a race to finish, and nothing would keep Paul from finishing the race with joy
A watchmen: there to bring forth the whole counsel of God’s word
Wow.. There's really so much more. So much more, to this life. :)
2.19.2010
Acts 19
There was this debate about whether those "disciples" are really christians already, because they had not received the Holy Spirit and know little about it, but they knew of a Messiah.
4. What happened here?
a. It’s a tough issue, and full of debate, whether these Ephesian disciples were actually Christians or not before they received this remarkable filling of the Holy Spirit.
i. On the one hand, they are called disciples - and appear to part of the company of Christians in Ephesus, things that would not usually be said of them if they were not actually Christians.
ii. On the other hand, they know so little about Jesus; and they are baptized in water again, this time in the name of Jesus.
iii. So were they Christians already or not? It’s tough to say - but certainly, Paul perceived they lacked something of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
b. What about you? Would someone look at your life and see a conspicuous absence of the Holy Spirit - His peace and power - in your life? What do you see when you look at your own life?
i. These Ephesian disciples sensed their need to get right with God, and knew the answer was in God’s Messiah - but they had gone no further than that. They need to go all the way, trust in everything Jesus is and everything He had done, and to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Is this where you are at?
ii. “Have ye then received the Spirit since you believed? Beloved, are you now receiving the Spirit? Are you living under his divine influence? Are you filled with his power? Put the question personally. I am afraid some professors will have to admit that they hardly know whether there be any Holy Ghost; and others will have to confess that though they have enjoyed a little of his saving work, yet they do not know much of his ennobling and sanctifying influence.” (Spurgeon)
iii. God always wants us to go deeper. We have sipped where we might have drunk deeply, we have drunk deeply where we might have waded, and we have waded where we might have gone full out and plunged in!
c. What if you don’t really know? “Perhaps I’m walking in the fullness of the Holy Spirit right now, perhaps I’m not. I don’t really know.” If you are walking in it, you will know!
i. “Give a man an electric shock, and I warrant you he will know it; but if he has the Holy Ghost, he will know it much more.” (Spurgeon) This isn’t something to hope about; we can know - just as much as you know if you have a house, and a family, and that there are four quarters to the dollar, you can know you are filled with the Holy Spirit.
ii. Many Christians know little or nothing - mentally or experientially - of the Holy Spirit. Paul’s question applies to each of them just as much as it applied to those Ephesian disciples.
Wow, this is some deep thoughts. Haha, i don't think my life/mentality is that deep yet :( perhaps now, i'm just still looking and seeking for things that i think really are worth nothing when compared to this full understanding and knowledge of Christ.
I can know i am filled with the Holy Spirit. Am I?
God will stoop down to meet us even in our crude superstitions. This never means that God is pleased with our superstition, but that in His mercy He may overlook them to meet a need.
4. What happened here?
a. It’s a tough issue, and full of debate, whether these Ephesian disciples were actually Christians or not before they received this remarkable filling of the Holy Spirit.
i. On the one hand, they are called disciples - and appear to part of the company of Christians in Ephesus, things that would not usually be said of them if they were not actually Christians.
ii. On the other hand, they know so little about Jesus; and they are baptized in water again, this time in the name of Jesus.
iii. So were they Christians already or not? It’s tough to say - but certainly, Paul perceived they lacked something of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
b. What about you? Would someone look at your life and see a conspicuous absence of the Holy Spirit - His peace and power - in your life? What do you see when you look at your own life?
i. These Ephesian disciples sensed their need to get right with God, and knew the answer was in God’s Messiah - but they had gone no further than that. They need to go all the way, trust in everything Jesus is and everything He had done, and to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Is this where you are at?
ii. “Have ye then received the Spirit since you believed? Beloved, are you now receiving the Spirit? Are you living under his divine influence? Are you filled with his power? Put the question personally. I am afraid some professors will have to admit that they hardly know whether there be any Holy Ghost; and others will have to confess that though they have enjoyed a little of his saving work, yet they do not know much of his ennobling and sanctifying influence.” (Spurgeon)
iii. God always wants us to go deeper. We have sipped where we might have drunk deeply, we have drunk deeply where we might have waded, and we have waded where we might have gone full out and plunged in!
c. What if you don’t really know? “Perhaps I’m walking in the fullness of the Holy Spirit right now, perhaps I’m not. I don’t really know.” If you are walking in it, you will know!
i. “Give a man an electric shock, and I warrant you he will know it; but if he has the Holy Ghost, he will know it much more.” (Spurgeon) This isn’t something to hope about; we can know - just as much as you know if you have a house, and a family, and that there are four quarters to the dollar, you can know you are filled with the Holy Spirit.
ii. Many Christians know little or nothing - mentally or experientially - of the Holy Spirit. Paul’s question applies to each of them just as much as it applied to those Ephesian disciples.
Wow, this is some deep thoughts. Haha, i don't think my life/mentality is that deep yet :( perhaps now, i'm just still looking and seeking for things that i think really are worth nothing when compared to this full understanding and knowledge of Christ.
I can know i am filled with the Holy Spirit. Am I?
God will stoop down to meet us even in our crude superstitions. This never means that God is pleased with our superstition, but that in His mercy He may overlook them to meet a need.
2.16.2010
Acts 18
God has a special timing for everything in our lives. If Paul could have discerned it, the Holy Spirit was really saying, “wait” when he wanted to go to Ephesus, instead of “no.” Sometimes God says, “wait” and He always knows what He’s doing when He says it!
Acts is really an inspiring, exciting and interesting book! Must always consciously remind myself that this is not a fictious story, but a true-blue-earth account, history! God is really amazing in all the works done through Paul's ministry and many others. He must have travelled to many places to preach the word of God, and to continue to strengthen the disciples!
And my computer is down with some virus :/ everytime the virus notic appears it has this omen-feeling tune. zzz :/
Acts is really an inspiring, exciting and interesting book! Must always consciously remind myself that this is not a fictious story, but a true-blue-earth account, history! God is really amazing in all the works done through Paul's ministry and many others. He must have travelled to many places to preach the word of God, and to continue to strengthen the disciples!
And my computer is down with some virus :/ everytime the virus notic appears it has this omen-feeling tune. zzz :/
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