Today’s Reading: Joel 1:1–2:32, Acts 7:1–53, Job 18:1–21

Today’s Theme: God Restores

Today we look at God as our great restorer and rescuer, seen most clearly through Jesus, the better Joseph and Moses.

Joel 1:1–2:32

Fruitfulness brings joy

The vine dries up; the fig tree languishes. Pomegranate, palm, and apple, all the trees of the field are dried up, and gladness dries up from the children of man. (Joel 1:12, ESV)

Fruitfulness brings joy, in both the physical and spiritual. If joy is lacking, we need to ensure we are growing fruitfully in the Lord.

No word leads to no joy

Is not the food cut off before our eyes, joy and gladness from the house of our God? (Joel 1:16, ESV)

Again, no word from God means no Joy.

No word leads to suffering

How the beasts groan! The herds of cattle are perplexed because there is no pasture for them; even the flocks of sheep suffer. (Joel 1:18, ESV)

Without the word which brings Joy, God’s flock will suffer.

Sound the Alarm

Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming; it is near, (Joel 2:1, ESV)

Part of the Gospel is to warn off the wrath to come.

God’s army

The LORD utters his voice before his army, for his camp is exceedingly great; he who executes his word is powerful. For the day of the LORD is great and very awesome; who can endure it? (Joel 2:11, ESV)

This terrible force is God’s army because they are under His control.

Tear your heart

and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. (Joel 2:13, ESV)

God desires that these warnings draw His people in genuine heartfelt repentance, which is more than just an external show.

This is a cry to wayward saints (sinners were never with the Lord).

God’s character is clearly outlined here. God is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and wants to turn back concerning disaster for His people (in the same way a parent would prefer to not have to smack a child in love, if the child repents).

Our repentance will cause God to turn back from judgement too.

Jealous Love

Then the LORD became jealous for his land and had pity on his people. (Joel 2:18, ESV)

God showed His jealous love and zeal for the land whilst also having pity on His people, in response to the prayer of His people.

God restores

I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. (Joel 2:25, ESV)

I am so grateful that God is a God who restores what He had taken away in judgement.

It is also comforting to know that the Lord can restore years that were eaten away in sin or rebellion.

Satisfied in God

“You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. (Joel 2:26, ESV)

God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him.

The Promised Holy Spirit

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. (Joel 2:28–29, ESV)

Peter said this was fulfilled in Acts, on the day of Pentecost. We give God thanks that we live in these days.

Everyone who calls

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls. (Joel 2:32, ESV)

Salvation is available and offered to all who will call upon the name of the Lord.

Acts 7:1–53

Know history

and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’ (Acts 7:3, ESV)

History gives foundation and definition to our faith, this is why it is so important that we know our history as God’s people.

God our Rescuer

“And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household. (Acts 7:9–10, ESV)

Joseph was like an OT type of Jesus.

God remained sovereign in the midst of Joseph’s trouble, which gives us hope in the midst of ours.

Joseph, a type of Jesus

And on the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to Pharaoh. (Acts 7:13, ESV)

This is also a nod to Jesus, because at His second coming He will make Himself known to His brothers, the Jews.

Moses, a type of Jesus

He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand. (Acts 7:25, ESV)

Another type of Jesus, the first time He came to Israel they did not understand either.

Jesus, the Judge

But the man who was wronging his neighbour thrust him aside, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? (Acts 7:27, ESV)

This was the attitude of many in Israel, to Jesus too. Also, this gets to the heart of the problem why many from all nations, do not follow Jesus and obey God. It is because at heart, they do not want anyone to judge or rule them.

We need to make sure this wicked attitude is not in our hearts, homes or churches.

It all points to Jesus

“This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. (Acts 7:35, ESV)

Here, Stephen is making the point of his historical retelling clearer. He is trying to show his accusers that the entire History of the Jewish people, was pointing to Christ and how He would come in two parts, being rejected and suffering first and then coming a second time to rule.

Turn your heart to God

Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, (Acts 7:39, ESV)

May we receive and obey Jesus from the heart, and not turn back to the world in our hearts, we must guard against this.

Replacement gods

And they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. (Acts 7:41, ESV)

The calf for Israel today is a Christ-less Judaism, we must continue to reach them with the gospel. We must ensure that we do not have replacement gods in our lives.

Look past this world

Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, (Acts 7:48, ESV)

Stephen wants them to get their eyes past the temple and the external observances of tradition and religion.

Have circumcised hearts

“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.” (Acts‬ ‭7:51‬, ESV‬‬)

This is the summation of Stephens’s lesson and appeal.

Lord, may we be circumcised in our hearts and help us to not resist Your Holy Spirit.

Job 18:1–21

The wicked trap

For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walks on its mesh. (Job 18:8, ESV)

This is true of the wicked, they are deceivers and are being deceived, like the Proverbs and NT teach. They will be caught in their own traps.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Acts 7

Today’s Reading: Hos 13:1–14:9, Acts 6:1–15, Job 17:1–16

Today’s Theme: Hope in God

Today’s theme looks at the hope we can have in God.

Hosea 13:1–14:9

God the only Saviour

But I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, and besides me there is no saviour. (Hosea 13:4, ESV)

God makes these exclusive statements that only He can make. He reminds the people and us about who He is, the only God and Saviour.

The good times test

but when they had grazed, they became full, they were filled, and their heart was lifted up; therefore they forgot me. (Hosea 13:6, ESV)

This is the test, do we forget God when we prosper and all goes well? Sadly this is often the case. We need to test our hearts, if God is our number one desire then we will not forget Him in good times.

Seize the opportunity

The pangs of childbirth come for him, but he is an unwise son, for at the right time he does not present himself at the opening of the womb. (Hosea 13:13, ESV)

Lord, help us to be wise and to seize the opportunity in the lifetime of the opportunity.

Death will be defeated

Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes. (Hosea 13:14, ESV)

This is a prophetic passage, in the end Jesus will defeat even death, there will be no more death.

Hope for Apostates

I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. (Hosea 14:4, ESV)

This verse shows the loving heart of God, and the amazing truth that there is even hope for the apostate to be healed and restored.

The ways of the Lord

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them. (Hosea 14:9, ESV)

God’s right ways are the litmus test of authentic faith; do we walk in the Lord’s ways? If we do, that is evidence of true conversion. If His ways are a stumbling block to us, we are not yet converted.

Acts 6:1–15

Social action

And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. (Acts 6:2, ESV)

This daily distribution must have something to do with the pooling of resources that was happening so that everyone had food etc.

Social action and service should not be pitted against the preaching of the Word, both are important, but the Pastor should be able to focus on the highly important task of studying the word to preach and teach it to the church.

Some in the West, play down this role and give very little time in their service to the exposition of the word. I thank God we are in a church where the expository preaching of the bible is central.

Ministry in the word

But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4, ESV)

Another good example for today’s churches; elders should devote themselves to the word of God and prayer. These spiritual disciplines are crucial in the lives of the church leaders, for the growth of the entire body.

Also note the context here; a deacon’s focus should be the social care of the church.

The power of the gospel

And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:7, ESV)

Another reminder of the power of the Gospel, many of the Jewish priests from the tribe of Levi were converted.

Unbeatable wisdom

But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. (Acts 6:10, ESV)

This is the kind of wisdom that the Holy Spirit gives to us as God’s people. We will speak with the kind of wisdom that cannot be refuted.

Also note the word “Spirit”; they were not able to resist the power of the Holy Spirit in Stephen. We need the Holy Spirit in order to be effective witnesses.

This is why when we speak the truth in the Holy Spirit, we are not met with reason or logic, but ignorance and violence.

Job 17:1–16

Hope in God

where then is my hope? Who will see my hope? (Job 17:15, ESV)

Job has been explaining in this whole chapter that he has no hope. Thank God for Jesus, we do have hope if we put our hope in God.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Acts 6

Today’s Reading: Hos 11:1–12:14, Acts 5:1–42, Job 16:10–22

Today’s Theme: The attributes of God

Today we read about just some of the wonderful attributes of God which should fill us with awe and faith. In the New Testament we see God’s order, structure and life in the early church.

Hosea 11:1–12:14

Called out

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. Hosea 11:1 (ESV)

This like much of the Old Testament has dual meanings on one hand it speaks of Israel but the New Testament also uses it to speak of Christ.

God has called us out of Egypt in a sense if we consider Egypt as representing the world system.

The motivation in all three cases (Israel, Jesus, us) is God’s love for us.

God, our loving Father

I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them. Hosea 11:4 (ESV)

God is a loving Father to His people Israel, be encouraged by this today that He loves you as a father, His leading in our lives is motivated by His love.

God is compassionate

How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. Hosea 11:8 (ESV)

God has great affection and compassion for His people, I just thank God that He is not like man.

We should be like God as Jesus showed us in His life and ministry. We should show compassion (compassion noun. – a deep awareness of and sympathy for another’s suffering.).

God, the true Lion

They shall go after the LORD; he will roar like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west; Hosea 11:10 (ESV)

God is the true Lion, He roars and His people come to Him. This is such a picture of authority and power, God is not some lonely man on a hill just wishing people would follow Him, He is a mighty, sovereign God in operation drawing and saving His people with all authority.

Don’t feed on wind

Ephraim feeds on the wind and pursues the east wind all day long; they multiply falsehood and violence; they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried to Egypt. Hosea 12:1 (ESV)

A picture of the futility of our pursuits without and against God. It is like feeding on wind, it will bring no satisfaction.

Also the winds of false doctrine are empty and cannot satisfy.

God the Wise One

I spoke to the prophets; it was I who multiplied visions, and through the prophets gave parables. Hosea 12:10 (ESV)

God declaring His glory as the revealer of visions and parables. Our God knows everything and is wise, these are two of His eternal attributes.

God’s guards for His people

By a prophet the LORD brought Israel up from Egypt, and by a prophet he was guarded. Hosea 12:13 (ESV)

The Prophet Moses was used as a guard for the people of Israel, this is also true today, our pastors are guards and shepherds over the flock. Paul admonishes the elders/pastors and leaders to watch over the doctrine, to guard and defend it. Doctrine matters.

Thank God for the guards he has given us.

Acts 5:1–42

Don’t be dishonest

and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 5:2 (ESV)

It was not that they were obligated to give it all, the problem here is that they were acting as if they gave the full price of the land when they did not as Peter mentions later.

The lesson is simple, we should not be dishonest.

You can’t lie to God

While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” Acts 5:4 (ESV)

This is the most foolish position any man can take. God is all knowing and wise, how can man lie to Him and hope to get away with it… well it happens all the time and shows the depravity and unsound thinking of our fallen nature. We need to be regenerated. We need the Holy Spirit.

Discipline from God

When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. Acts 5:5 (ESV)

God still uses this sort of discipline today. This one was recorded for our instruction but God will judge and chastise severely and openly to cut out rot and deception in the church.

Jesus died to save the church and will move to preserve her when necessary, but as noted earlier in today’s reading this is done mostly through pastoral leadership, good elders, exposition of the Bible and biblical church discipline which all give the church biblical discernment.

My own thought (it is possible that the Lord so drastically cut off these deceivers because the church was in such early days and this culture of falsity needed to be dealt with, also that maybe the elders were not yet trained and mature enough to deal with this sort of manipulation etc).

The Fear of God

And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. Acts 5:11 (ESV)

God’s purpose in this judgement was that the fear of God would be established in and through the church.

Church Leadership

Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. Acts 5:12 (ESV)

Again notice these are by the hand of the apostles and not just any believer.

Church Membership

None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. Acts 5:13 (ESV)

In those days joining the church was no casual thing. This is still the case in areas of the world where the church is persecuted. Let’s pray that the serious nature of church membership would be revived.

Delivered by Angels

“Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” Acts 5:20 (ESV)

The command of the angels shows the purpose in their mission to free the apostles was not for them to escape into hiding on this occasion but to Go, Stand and Speak the gospel.

Thank God that he sends angels in answer to our prayers to deliver His people.

Teaching the people

And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” Acts 5:25 (ESV)

Like Jesus, this was often the mission of the apostles. Man has been so deceived that teaching in the truth is one of his greatest needs.

Our creed

The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” Acts 5:30–32 (ESV)

Peters third sermon as it were and in it we find some good definition and summary of the beliefs of the early church.

The enduring Church

but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, Acts 5:39 (ESV)

…and time has proven that this is of God because we are still here today.

Elected to suffer

Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. Acts 5:41 (ESV)

Do we rejoice in being elected to suffer for His name, if not we need to check our hearts.

Job 16:10–22

The trinity

that he would argue the case of a man with God, as a son of man does with his neighbor. Job 16:21 (ESV)

Here is a nod to the Old Testament understanding / revelation of the trinity (God bringing a case before God).

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Acts 5

Today’s Reading: Hos 8:1–10:15, Acts 4:1–37, Job 16:1–9

Today’s Theme: Rebellion vs God’s Spirit

Today’s theme will look at the futility of our natural state of rebellion vs the supernatural empowerment of God’s Holy Spirit to live lives in faith and obedience to God and His word.

Hosea 8:1–10:15

Do not rebel against God

They made kings, but not through me. They set up princes, but I knew it not. With their silver and gold they made idols for their own destruction. Hosea 8:4 (ESV)

This is not a good place to be in, we should be careful not to walk in rebellion or God may leave us to our own plans in judgement.

This also reminds us that we must seek God’s guidance in all that we do.

Be careful about what you invest in

For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. The standing grain has no heads; it shall yield no flour; if it were to yield, strangers would devour it. Hosea 8:7 (ESV)

We should be careful where we spend our time, money and resources because we will reap what we sow.

Sacrifices are not an end in themselves

As for my sacrificial offerings, they sacrifice meat and eat it, but the LORD does not accept them. Now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins; they shall return to Egypt. Hosea 8:13 (ESV)

Sacrifices are not an end in themselves, we may make them and God not accept them because we only make the sacrifice to make up for the lack of love, affection, desire and obedience we have toward God.

Don’t be fooled into thinking you can appease God with religious duty. He is seeking a faithful and fruitful relationship with you not a phoney externalised religiosity.

God is no automatic impersonal force, the bible teaches us that God is a person and operates on the basis of relationship.

The deceitful pleasure of Sin

Rejoice not, O Israel! Exult not like the peoples; for you have played the whore, forsaking your God. You have loved a prostitute’s wages on all threshing floors. Hosea 9:1 (ESV)

Do we like the reward or pay off from prostituting our devotion to God with the world?

We must not be negligent to the fact that sin is pleasurable. We must recognise that this pleasure pales into insignificance when compared to the pleasures found in God.

Don’t get choked by things

For behold, they are going away from destruction; but Egypt shall gather them; Memphis shall bury them. Nettles shall possess their precious things of silver; thorns shall be in their tents. Hosea 9:6 (ESV)

This reminds me of those who heard the word but the cares of this life choke it out.

In Jesus own words from Matthew 13:22 “As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.”

You become what you love

Like grapes in the wilderness, I found Israel. Like the first fruit on the fig tree in its first season, I saw your fathers. But they came to Baal-peor and consecrated themselves to the thing of shame, and became detestable like the thing they loved. Hosea 9:10 (ESV)

The words “became detestable like the thing they loved.” reminds us that we become what we love. We have to be careful with our affections. Ultimately we should set our affections on God and become more like Him.

God hates the wicked (sinners)!

Every evil of theirs is in Gilgal; there I began to hate them. Because of the wickedness of their deeds I will drive them out of my house. I will love them no more; all their princes are rebels. Hosea 9:15 (ESV)

God does not just hate the sin as this verse and many others display. Also it doesn’t say He hates what they do. It says He hates them because of their evil deeds, man is culpable and responsible for his deeds before God.

Consider this, sin will not be consigned to hell for all eternity, sinners will.

We need to preach the full context of the Gospel that God is angry with us for our sin and will judge each of us personally for our sin because He hates one who commits sins. Yet because of His love for mankind He has made a way of escape and because of His particular love for His elect He has saved us.

The prosperity test

Their heart is false; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and destroy their pillars. Hosea 10:2 (ESV)

Riches and prosperity can test our hearts to see whether we are genuine or not, will our hearts prove to be false?

God must be our greatest treasure.

The political idols

For now they will say: “We have no king, for we do not fear the LORD; and a king—what could he do for us?” Hosea 10:3 (ESV)

This is the political state of the west where God is not honoured and leadership is scorned. We should consider this as we pray for our nations.

Ideas like Socialism, Communism and Capitalism all have consequences especially when belief in these political systems seeks to usurp God’s place and His personal and delegated pattern of authority.

Break up the hard ground

Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you. Hosea 10:12 (ESV)

This is a great call to repentance, restoration and sanctification. This can apply to us as well, Jesus said His yoke is easy and burden is light as mentioned in the previous verse but if we walk in wickedness, then we will burden ourselves with a great yoke and with work to do.

It is hard to break up hard uncultivated ground, but our lack of trusting in God will leave us with this great burden and work which Jesus did not intend for our neck. ( See next verse).

Acts 4:1–37

The promise of the Gospel

greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. Acts 4:2 (ESV)

This is a key message and promise of the Gospel. We need to let the world know that there is a hope for resurrection in Jesus to eternal life.

The Gospel is more than just the great escape from Hell.

The victory of the gospel

But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. Acts 4:4 (ESV)

Luke is reminding us here that this was a great victory, even though they were imprisoned, five thousand were saved.

If we are faithful in our proclamation of the Gospel, God will be glorified.

The Holy Spirit speaks

let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. Acts 4:10 (ESV)

As Jesus had promised, they would be filled with the Spirit when standing before accusers

Listen to the boldness of Peters declaration empowered by the Spirit… just wonderful.

Today we must also rely on the Holy Spirit to speak through us.

Jesus is the only way

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (ESV)

Peter outlines clearly the exclusivity of the Gospel message. Jesus is the only way.

Speak boldly

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 (ESV)

The confidence they spoke with reflected the Lordship of Jesus. We need to remember this, we can speak boldly because of who Jesus is and because we spend time with Jesus.

Speak from your experience with the Lord

for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20 (ESV)

Peter and John were not just speaking from what Jesus had taught them they were speaking from their experience with Him too. We must also do this.

God is Sovereign

while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:30 (ESV)

This prayer (verse 28 – 30) recognises God as sovereign even over the cross

This is what we should pray for when our faith comes under fire, Lord please give me boldness.

The apostles recognised that even the healing was not coming from some special gift possessed by them but God working through them.

Filled to persevere

And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31 (ESV)

Notice this time they were filled with the Holy Spirit to persevere in speaking boldly. We need this too.

Taking care of each others needs

There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Acts 4:34–35 (ESV)

This is the great vision of God’s kingdom which in some ways we have lost today. Crippled by pragmatism and conventional wisdom, we would see such devotion and abandon as irresponsible.

At the same time we must look at this in context, this did seem to be a special event at the start of the church. Later through Paul’s writing we hear that the church at Jerusalem was poor so he took a collection for them.

Also note that although land owners sold their land I’m sure they still had somewhere to live, Note also that in the mind of these believers Christ could return at any moment. It is a lesson for us about how we live our lives in this present world in regards to our possessions and the needs of others

Job 16:1–9

The Comforter

“I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all. Job 16:2 (ESV)

I must admit this made me laugh when I first read it this morning, but looking at it again we should be grateful that we have the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Acts 4

Today’s Reading: Hos 6:1–7:16, Acts 2:42–3:26, Job 15:21–35

Today’s Theme: The church or marks of a biblical church

Today’s theme is the church, we read about the marks of a biblical church from the account in Acts of the earliest church and the works of the apostles. We explore God’s plan for His people in our Old Testament reading which is manifested as the Church of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

Hosea 6:1–7:16

Remedial Discipline

“Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. Hosea 6:1 (ESV)

This is a call to repentance, we must like Hosea recognise that the purpose behind God’s discipline for his children is remedial.

God wants us to be reformed, never forget that God desires for you to grow and flourish.

Persevere as God’s Saints

Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:3 (ESV)

Hosea calls us to perseverance in seeking and knowing God, we can do this through His word.

We have been called to perseverance as Christians, our walk is not for the faint hearted. We need to press forwards with courage and zeal.

If you do not have an appetite for God and His word then you need to examine yourself and realign your priorities by the centering of your delight on God.

Love, the active ingredient

For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6 (ESV)

Again this cuts to heart of Hosea’s message. God wants love not sacrifice and to be known rather than to be given offerings. This means that God has no desire for external observances without inward truth.

This is why those that teach that even the ungodly and backsliding / rebellious Christians can benefit from tapping into divine principles are simply wrong. This sounds more like the new age… NO ..our God is a God who delights in genuine love and relationship. In fact love for and in God is the active ingredient that makes the “divine principles” and “promises” of God work.

None of this is possible aside from the knowledge of God found in the special revelation of His word… it is not acquired by relativity because the truth is absolute and settled.

Deal with it today

For with hearts like an oven they approach their intrigue; all night their anger smolders; in the morning it blazes like a flaming fire. Hosea 7:6 (ESV)

Like Paul said, we should not let the sun go down on our anger in Ephesians 4:26 “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,”

If we hold on to things overnight, it will smoulder and a root of bitterness and anger will start to take root. We have been called to live in peace and freedom.

What is taking your strength?

Strangers devour his strength, and he knows it not; gray hairs are sprinkled upon him, and he knows it not. Hosea 7:9 (ESV)

What is it that is taking your strength, be sure to know and prioritise accordingly?

We need to take personal inventory of our lives, where is our time, our thoughts, our money and our energy being used?

We need to plug the leaks and take hold of the reigns. Don’t go into a drift and be taken along by the busyness of life.

Don’t be silly

Ephraim is like a dove, silly and without sense, calling to Egypt, going to Assyria. Hosea 7:11 (ESV)

Lord keep us from being silly and without sense. Help us to run to you and not to the apparent help of this world.

Jesus calls us to wisdom in Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”

Desire God

They do not cry to me from the heart, but they wail upon their beds; for grain and wine they gash themselves; they rebel against me. Hosea 7:14 (ESV)

It seems that the heart of rebellion amongst God’s people is our lack of desire for Him and the strength of our desire for other things. Lord help us today to have joy filled, healthy desires for You and the things that please You.

Acts 2:42–3:26

4 Marks of a biblical church

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42 (ESV)

It is just wonderful to have this record of how the first of the early churches functioned, it should be remembered that all the members of this first Christian community were Jewish.

Here are 4 marks of a biblical church. The first is sound doctrine, followed by active fellowship, keeping of the sacraments and finally commitment to prayer.

Devoted to Apostolic Teaching

They were first of all devoted to apostolic doctrine. For us today we should be devoted to the bible and the sound exposition of it by our pastors and by tried and tested men in church history like Spurgeon and others God has raised up today like Piper. As they seek to build us up as God’s people that we might know God and live for Him, growing in the Lord daily.

There is no new doctrine in the church only cults come up with new things all the time. This is why our doctrine should be driven by the teaching of Jesus and the apostles of the New Testament.

Active Fellowship

They engaged in fellowship, this is one of the unique qualities of the church, without heartfelt, sacrificial and loving fellowship the church would be little more than a college of learning. The fellowship is what makes the church community into a family of believers living out their lives on mission together in accountability and mutual care.

Those who say they do not need fellowship break with the pattern of this the first ever church and the admonitions of scripture.

Keep the sacraments

The breaking of bread means they were keeping the sacraments that Jesus instituted at the last passover meal with the disciples which is the Lord’s supper and later we see the sacrament of baptism. These two are crucial to a church, they are rituals of faith and identification with Christ that MUST be practised by a church that professes to follow Jesus.

I think God gave us sacraments to humble us and remind us that we can’t do things just the way we want to and there are some things that should unite us all. Also, just like the sacraments of the Old Testament, they would display our faith and obedience, although doing them without faith and love are without effect as mentioned earlier and is in fact dangerous.

Commitment to Prayer

Finally the church was marked by a commitment to prayer. The church could do with reminding of this today, God has called us all to engage in corporate prayer. I would go as far as to say that if we are not praying we are committing a sin of omission. Jesus quoted the Old Testament and said His Father’s and His house is a house of prayer.

Also when we look at the pattern of Christ’s life it was marked by prayer. As a church we must pray. Notice it says “the prayers” it is likely the apostles wrote prayers that people would pray like the Psalms and we should not neglect this practice privately and corporately today.

God’s glory and order in the church

And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. Acts 2:43 (ESV)

This tells us that those observing the church stood in awe of what God had done, this should still be the case.

Also notice that many signs and wonders were done, but not just by anybody, they were done by the leaders, the apostles.

The church would not be a safe place if it was a free for all and any untried and untested person could lay hands and perform miracles in Jesus name. In the same way the church would be unsafe if the pulpit were open to novices to lead the church into heresy.

God has order in the church, elders (including pastors) are there to minister to the people in order that God gets the glory, these are men that must be qualified through a tried and tested life.

Called to generosity

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, Acts 2:46 (ESV)

This gets to the heart of this passage about having all things in common. Some take this model too far and make it like a communist idea while others ignore it as a fad of the first church.

The fact is that this shows another great principle of any church and its people and that is the necessity of generosity. Notice there is no prescription of tithes, weights and measures here like in the Old Testament, instead this giving is done with a joyful, willing heart of generosity… we must be generous and give.

If (as in modern days) we want to use the OT principle of tithing (10%) as a guide to what we give that is fine although it does raise a danger of heartless, joyless and frankly unwilling and ultimately ungenerous giving by following the principle without our hearts being in it and our affections in giving remaining unmoved.

So we should give all we have with a generous, grateful and joy filled heart.

The Church, God’s project

praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:47 (ESV)

A reminder at the end of the chapter that this first church in Jerusalem was the Lord’s great project, not Peter’s or anyone else. Also it reminds us that the Lord saves us and draws us into fellowship with the church.

Work in Jesus name

But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” Acts 3:6 (ESV)

Peter did this in the name of Jesus, so this miracle would bring glory to Jesus because it was done in His name.

The church must minister in Jesus name, not our own name.

Also notice that these men were not wealthy, contrary to the teaching of prosperity gospel proponents.

Preach the gospel

And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? Acts 3:12 (ESV)

The miracle was a draw for the people to hear the preached word. The bold and public declaration of the Gospel is a distinctive mark of the true church.

If God performs a miracle through us we should use it as an opportunity to preach the Gospel.

Preach from the Bible

The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. Acts 3:13 (ESV)

Peter relates to the audience of Jews in the temple, by calling on the name of God in a way that they were familiar with “God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers”.

We should also use this method today to reach both Jews and Gentiles. The Old Testament is where we find the rich roots of our faith. The Old Testament was the only bible Jesus and the New Testament church had.

The principle is that the church should preach from the bible.

Jesus, Author of life

and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. Acts 3:15 (ESV)

What an awesome title, Jesus is the author of life, that means He started life, He wrote the book of life, He is God.

Power in Jesus name

And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. Acts 3:16 (ESV)

Lord help us today to have faith in the name of Jesus, there is power in the name of Jesus… but not in a magical way, there is power when we call upon his name in faith.

A biblical church will trust in the name of Jesus

The call to repentance

Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, Acts 3:19 (ESV)

The great imperative, the call of the gospel, to repent. Peter makes it very clear (for the Easy Beliveists of our day) that repentance means we need to turn back to God, it is only when we repent that our sins which are many will be blotted out.

A true church will call people to repentance in mind and actions. Repentance and saving faith are inextricably linked.

Living in the gap

whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. Acts 3:21 (ESV)

This is the gap the Jews did not foresee, we are living in the gap now. Jesus is in the heavens and will come again at the restoration of all things when He consummates His kingdom.

While the church is in this age we are called to be the light of the world, ambassadors of the King and His kingdom proclaiming the good news.

The exclusive gospel

And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ Acts 3:23 (ESV)

There are no grey lines here, Jesus is the only way. Anyone ( Jews, Gentiles, rich, poor, educated, religious etc) who do not follow Jesus will be destroyed in the ultimate judgement of hell.

Our gospel message is exclusive, any church that does not hold to the core doctrine that Jesus is the only way to salvation is no church at all.

Love the sons of covenant

God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.” Acts 3:26 (ESV)

Appealing to the Jews as sons of the covenant and reminding them that God sent the prophets and Jesus to them first is a great way to reach them today.

God loves His people the Jews and wants them to repent and be saved.

A biblical church will love Gods people the Jews, seeking their salvation in Jesus, not seeking to replace them.

Job 15:21–35

The trap of emptiness

Let him not trust in emptiness, deceiving himself, for emptiness will be his payment. Job 15:31 (ESV)

Although the basic assertion that the wicked have terrible lives is not true, this statement really is true because Paul picks this up in the New Testament reminding us that the wages of sin is death.

Also as saints we need to recognise what emptiness can represent for us. It could be a film, television, a conversation, a book, a website. What is it in our lives that is empty because we will reap nothing good from it.

Replace emptiness by living for God and His people, the Church of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Acts 3