Repentance

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 51

 

Psalm 51:1

Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.

(NKJV)

 

Since none of us who are reading this is perfect, we have done things in our lives that are sinful and displeasing to a righteous God. When we become aware of these shortcomings, we have a choice. We can choose to ignore the warning and go on living in our sin, or do as David did in this psalm, repent and turn back to God. At the end of this post, you will have an opportunity to make that choice.

 

After Nathan has made his sin of adultery known to him, David prays for God to blot out his transgressions and cleanse him from his sin (Psalm 51:1-2). He then acknowledges his sin and that it is a sin against God and Him only (Psalm 51:3-4). David then acknowledges he was born in sin and in need of cleansing from sin (Psalm 51:5-7). David’s sin has robbed him of joy and gladness, and now he asks God for the restoration of his bones broken by sin, asking God to no longer hide his face from his sins and to blot out his iniquities (Psalm 51:8-9).

 

David continues by asking God to create a clean heart within him and not to cast him from His presence (Psalm 51:10-11). David then asks God to give him a clean heart and the renewal of a steadfast spirit so he can share his salvation with other sinners, and they are converted (Psalm 51:12-13). David desires deliverance from the guilt of his sin so he can offer praise to God (Psalm 51:14-15). David acknowledges that God does not desire sacrifice, something he could offer, but a broken spirit and a contrite heart (Psalm 51:16-17). David concludes by asking God to do good in His good pleasure to Zion, so God is pleased with their sacrifices of righteousness (Psalm 51:18-19).

 

David has committed the sins of adultery and murder, with his sins revealed to him by Nathan. Psalm 51 is David’s prayer of repentance for these sins. In his prayer, David,

• Asks God for mercy and to blot out his transgressions (Psalm 51:1-2) – Mercy in one’s life is not receiving what they deserve. Romans 3:23 reminds us that everyone has sinned and fallen short, missing the mark with God. The first half of Romans 6:23 reminds us that the penalty for sin is death, meaning that justice for our sin is death. Therefore, everyone, including David, needs mercy with God.
• David acknowledges his sins (Psalm 51:3-6) – In 1 John 1:9, the Bible tells us that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins. However, repentance is more than just telling God you have sinned but includes telling God you want to turn from your sin and follow Him. There is no mention in scripture of David committing adultery or murder again, leading to the belief his repentance was genuine.
• David asks God to cleanse his heart (Psalm 51:7-11) – In Matthew 6:21, the Bible tells us that our heart is in what we treasure. We often think of this verse in giving to God, but it also includes what has priority in our hearts. In David’s case, he stopped to look at Bathsheba bathing, and his heart desired her. This escalated to the sin of adultery and murder. Therefore, David asks God to cleanse his heart of this treasure, replacing it with a treasure to draw closer to God.
• David prays for restoration and deliverance (Psalm 51:12-17) – In this portion of the Psalm, David is asking God to deliver him from his sin and restore a right relationship with Him. One can experience this restoration today through Christ, who took the judgment for our sins, so we can become righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21). While David wrote this before the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, he is looking forward to the coming of the Messiah and the fulfillment of prophecy.
• David prays for God’s blessings upon Zion (Psalm 51:18-19) – One’s sins have consequences that can affect more than just the one sinner. The sin of adultery not only affects the sinner but also their spouse and family. The sin of murder affects not only the murderer, who may face death or life imprisonment, but also the family and friends of the person murdered. In his conclusion of this psalm, David prays to God out of a desire not to have his sin remove God’s blessings from Zion.

 

Repentance is a 180-degree turn from sin towards God. It represents the first step to receiving salvation from God because sin separates us from God. It is more than saying I am sorry and about receiving forgiveness and salvation from a merciful God. Repentance should also result in a life transformation from a life of sin (Romans 12:1-2). Salvation from sin is through God’s grace and not something we can earn by our good works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Romans 10:9-10 tells us that if we confess a genuine, heartfelt belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for our sins, we will be saved. If you are reading this and have never prayed to accept this gift from God, I encourage you to do so now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

If you meant what you just prayed, know God has forgiven all your sins and that you now have a right relationship with God and are a child of God (Romans 8:16). Like any relationship, it grows as we get to know each other. While God already knows all about us, we must study the Bible, the word of God, to learn more about Him. If you just prayed, I encourage you to find a Church that teaches the truth of the Bible so you can learn more about the Lord. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

The Rewards and Costs of Serving Christ

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 6

 

Acts 6:7

Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

(NKJV)

 

As a church, like any other organization, grows, it will grow to be more than one man, or a small group of men or women, can manage. This is what the early church experienced in Acts 6, with them handling the situation through appointing additional men to the ministry. However, this did not mean the church did not experience added persecution, as illustrated by accusations of Stephen, one of the men appointed, of blasphemy. There are rewards and costs to serving Christ.

 

The number of disciples in the church is growing and with it, the needs of ministry with the widows of the Hellenists neglected in the daily distribution (Acts 6:1). The twelve apostles summoned the multitude of disciples, telling them it was not desirable that they leave the word of God to serve tables (Acts 6:2). The apostles instruct the disciples to select seven men of good reputation, who are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom to appoint over the business of the daily distribution so the apostles can continue in prayer and ministry of the word (Acts 6:3-4). This pleased the multitude, and they chose seven men, including Stephen, bringing them to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them (Acts 6:5-6). After this, the word of God spread, with the number of disciples multiplying greatly, including many of the priests who were obedient to the faith (Acts 6:7).

 

Stephen, one of the seven chosen who was full of faith and power, did great signs and wonders among the people (Acts 6:8). A group from the Synagogue of the Freedmen arose and began disputing with Stephen, but they were unable to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which Stephen spoke (Acts 6:9-10). They then secretly induced men to say they had heard Stephen say blasphemous words against Moses and God (Acts 6:11). This stirred up the people, elders, and scribes, and they seized Stephen, bringing him to the council (Acts 6:12). In the council, they set up false witnesses, claiming they heard Stephen say blasphemous words against the Temple and the law (Acts 6:13). They claimed to have heard Stephen say that Jesus would destroy the temple building and change the customs given to them by Moses (Acts 6:14). However, when those in the council looked at Stephen, they saw his face as the face of an angel (Acts 6:15).

 

Massive church growth is resulting in the need to appoint others to serve in the ministry so the apostles can devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. Stephen, one of the seven appointed to serve in the daily distribution, does great signs and wonders, drawing the attention of persecutors. This passage illustrates two things that are part of a growing church. First, a growing church needs more people to ensure the needs of those the church ministers to are met. The growth of the early Church and its commitment to addressing the needs of those in the church (Acts 4:32-35) have led to some being neglected in the daily distribution. The Church had two choices: the apostles could take time away from prayer and teaching the word to meet these needs, or they could appoint men to cover these aspects of ministry. Fortunately, they chose the latter, and the Church continued to grow.

 

However, a growing Church that spreads the Gospel represents a threat to those who reject Jesus Christ or who see Him as a threat to their religious stranglehold on those in their religion. Jesus represented a threat to the religious power of the religious leaders of the Jews over the people, and he had to be silenced (Luke 22:1-6; Mark 14:1-2; Matthew 26:1-5). It is possible that the continued church growth through the ministry of men like Stephen was a continued threat to those same religious leaders, so they must silence him as well.

 

Those called to serve in some form of ministry for the Lord Jesus Christ will suffer persecution because they represent a threat to the world system (John 16:33). In our present time, the Church represents a threat to the spread of a woke culture and must be silenced. Unfortunately, some churches react to this persecution by softening their message or even adopting wokeness in their teachings, claiming a loving God would not be against one having love and pleasure in their lives. While John 3:16 does tell us that God loves the world, to receive eternal life, one must believe in Jesus Christ. The Greek word translated belief in this text indicates one having more than a belief in the existence of someone, but a complete trust in someone. This would include obedience to that person's teachings. Jesus said that He and the Father are one (John 10:30), telling us that Jesus is God and was present at creation when God created both male and female people (Genesis 1:27). God also formed each of us in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13), meaning we were alive before our birth, with ending a pregnancy murder. Yes, God is a loving God, but to genuinely believe in Him and receive eternal life, one must place one's complete trust in Him and His Word.

 

If you have never prayed for the forgiveness of your sins and to confess your belief in Jesus as your savior, I invite you to do so now by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

This prayer is not some magical prayer but must be a genuine expression of your heart. If that is why you prayed, rest assured your sins are completely forgiven, and you have eternal life. I now encourage you to let someone know of your decision. I also urge you to find a church of truth, teaching from the Bible that is empowered by the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

God the Righteous Judge

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 50

 

Psalm 50:23

“Whoever offers praise glorifies Me;
And to him who orders his conduct aright
I will show the salvation of God.”

(NKJV)

 

 

God is a righteous judge who will judge each person, but He judges His people differently than those choosing not to believe in Him. The judgment of those choosing to become a child of God is a judgment of rewards, whereas the judgment of unbelievers is a judgment of rebuke. A wise man will choose the judgment of rewards, and everyone reading this will have an opportunity to become a child of God at the end of this post and avoid the judgment of rebuke.

 

Psalm 50 begins with the psalmist, Asaph, declaring God is the Mighty One, the perfection of beauty shining forth from Zion (Psalm 50:1-2). Asaph continues by declaring God shall come and not keep silent with a devouring fire before Him and tempestuousness all around Him (Psalm 50:3). God shall call to the heavens and the earth from above so that He may judge His people (Psalm 50:4). The call from above is for the saints of God to gather to Him, those that have made a covenant with Him by sacrifice with the heavens declaring His righteousness for God Himself is Judge (Psalm 50:5-6).

 

As the God of Israel, God will testify against His people (Psalm 50:7). God does not intend to rebuke the sacrifices of Israel, which are continually before Him, for God does not need a bull from anyone’s house, or a goat out of their folds (Psalm 50:8-9). All the beasts of the forest, cattle on the hills, birds of the mountains, and the wild beasts are the Lord's, so he could just take one of them (Psalm 50:10-11). If God were hungry, he would simply take an animal he created, raising the question to ponder of whether God needs to eat or drink (Psalm 50:12-13). Instead of sacrifice, God desires His people to offer thanksgiving and to pay their vows to Him (Psalm 50:14). This comes with a promise that those calling upon Him in the day of trouble will experience deliverance and will glorify God (Psalm 50:15).

 

The psalm then addresses the wicked by asking them what right they have to declare His statutes or take His covenant in their mouths, seeing that they hate instruction and cast His words aside (Psalm 50:16-17). The wicked consent with thieves and partake with adulterers with evil and deceit spewing from their mouths (Psalm 50:18-19). The wicked even speak against their own brothers, their mother’s own son (Psalm 50:20). The wicked have done these things and God has kept silent with the wicked thinking God is like them, but God will rebuke them and set them in order before the eyes of His people (Psalm 50:21). God then issues a warning to the wicked who have forgotten God to consider their ways lest He tear them to pieces with His rebuke and there is no one to deliver them (Psalm 50:22). God promises to show the salvation of God to those who glorify Him and order their conduct according to his Word (Psalm 50:23).

 

God is the righteous judge with everyone subjected to His judgment, but God judges His people and the wicked differently.

 

• God’s people (Psalm 50:7-15) – This is not a judgment of rebuke but one to correct His people. (Psalm 50:8). In the Old Testament, God’s people would offer animal sacrifices for their sins, which did not actually provide atonement for sins but pointed to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross to once and for all forgive sin (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 10:4). Instead of animal sacrifices, God asks His people to be thankful to God and to fulfill their vows to Him, promising to deliver them when they call upon Him when in trouble (Psalm 50:14-15).
• The wicked (Psalm 50:16-23) – This is a judgment bringing rebuke upon those who have forgotten God, and who do not live in obedience to the word of God (Psalm 50:16-21). It comes with a warning to offer praise to God and live obediently to His word so God will show them His salvation (Psalm 50:22-23).

 

In the New Testament, this difference in judgment comes with two judgments by God.

 

• The Bema seat judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10) – 2 Corinthians 5:10 says that all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Since Paul is speaking to believers, this is a judgment reserved for those who believe in Christ. It is not a judgment of sin because a believer’s sin was atoned for on the cross (Hebrews 10:4). This is a post-rapture judgment where God judges believers and rewards them for the things they did when on the earth in service to God.
• The Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) – This is a judgment reserved for unbelievers and is a final judgment of sin. Psalm 50:22-23 issues a warning to anyone who has forgotten God: seek salvation before it is too late, or be torn to pieces by God's rebuke, with no one to deliver them.

 

There are different judgments by God, a judgment giving rewards to those who become children of God, and rebuke for those choosing not to become children of God. The stakes are high with the consequences of not choosing to become a child of God, suffering His rebuke, and not receiving His reward. If you are reading this and have never experienced the Salvation of God by professing a heartfelt belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (Romans 10:9-10), I urge you to do so now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

 If you just prayed, rest assured that God has totally forgiven you and that you are a child of God (2 Corinthians 5:21; John 1:12). Find a Church that teaches the truth of the Bible so you can learn more about the Lord. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Continued Persecution and Miraculous Intervention

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 5:17-42

 

Acts 5:42

And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

(NKJV)

 

Persecution was a common occurrence in the Church in the Book of Acts, with God making miraculous intervention, as seen in this text. The Church today faces persecution when it takes a stand for biblical truth in a woke culture. The question each Church must ask is, will it compromise or back off on declaring biblical truth to avoid persecution or take a stand like the Church in the Book of Acts?

 

The apostles are arrested with the Sadducees placing them in the common prison, but at night an angel visits them and opens the prison doors, commanding them to stand in the temple and speak to the people (Acts 5:17-20). In obedience, the apostles enter the temple early in the morning and taught while the high priest and those with him called the council together, asking that the apostles be brought to them (Acts 5:21). Those given the task of bringing the apostles do not find them in the prison and report back that while the prison doors were shut and guarded, the apostles were not there (Acts 5:22-23). This caused the high priest, the captain of the temple, and chief priests to wonder what the outcome would be (Acts 5:24).

 

Someone then comes to them and reports that the apostles are in the temple teaching the people (Acts 5:25). The captain went with the officers and, without violence, out of fear of being stoned by the people, brought the apostles to the council (Acts 5:26-27). The high priest reminds the apostles that he strictly commanded them not to teach in the name of Jesus and that they were filling Jerusalem with their doctrine and intending to put Jesus’ blood on their hands (Acts 5:28). Peter asks the council if they should obey God rather than men, letting them know they are witnesses of Jesus death, resurrection, and ascension to be with God the Father (Acts 5:29-32).

 

This infuriated them, and they plotted to kill the apostles (Acts 5:33). However, Gamaliel, one highly respected as a teacher of the law, commands them to put the apostles outside (Acts 5:34). He tells the council to consider whether these men should be killed, and cites two instances of men starting movements that came to nothing (Acts 5:35-37). Gamaliel advises the council to leave the apostles alone, telling them that if the movement is not of God, it will also come to nothing, but if it is of God, they will be fighting against God (Acts 5:38-39).

 

The council agrees with Gamaliel and calls the apostles back, beat them, and command them again not to preach in the name of Jesus (Acts 5:40). The apostles depart, rejoicing that they are counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus (Acts 5:41). The apostles did not stop but continued to teach about Jesus daily in the temple (Acts 5:42).

 

In obedience to the Great Commission (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20), many believers are being added to the Church, representing a threat to the religious establishment. This is the same threat felt by these religious leaders when Jesus was around and amassing a following. The possibility of the council executing the apostles for their belief was very real since that is exactly what they did to Jesus. Most of these apostles would be executed for their faith but now was not the time. As the book of Acts unfolds, we will later see that these apostles turned their world upside down (Acts 17:6). What an example for the church to follow.

 

The current woke movement is threatened by the truth of the word of God preached in the churches, daring to declare biblical truth.

 

• Abortion on demand – In Psalm 139:13-14, the psalmist reminds us that we were formed by our creator in our mother’s womb, and that we are wonderfully made. If one stands on this biblical truth, support of abortion on demand for the convenience of the mother is to kill a person who is a creation of God. This person will be born and have an opportunity to accept God’s gift of salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9), becoming a disciple of Christ.
• Homosexuality and gay marriage – God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of the sin of homosexuality (Genesis 19:1-29). The Apostle Paul condemned the practice in Romans 1:18-32, indicating homosexuality remains a sin even in the New Covenant. A Church professing to stand on Biblical truth cannot compromise by ignoring what the Bible says about this sin.
• Gender reassignment – In Genesis 1:27, the Bible clearly states that God created people as male and female. This is also how we were formed in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-14). To later decide I should be the other gender is to tell God He has made a mistake in how He formed me. If God can make mistakes, he is no different than any of us. The Church must stand on the biblical truth that God created us as male or female and has a plan for us to serve him from that gender.
• Critical race theory – When God created Adam and Eve, we are told He created them as male and female, but there is no mention of what race they were (Genesis 1:27). In addition, John 3:16 tells us that God so loved the world and that whoever believes John 3:16 in Him shall have everlasting life, with no mention of race. This is because race is not important to God, who loves all humanity, sending His son to die for the sins of all. Critical race theory gives preference to certain races who are deemed to be oppressed when the truth is all races are oppressed with sin (Romans 3:23). All races need Jesus to save them from their sins, and why Jesus died for us all (2 Corinthians 5:21).

 

The church of the Book of Acts stuck to its mission of making disciples and stayed true to biblical truth. The question we must ask is, will the Church today do the same, or compromise on truth to be socially acceptable and politically correct? In light of the woke culture in which we live, I pray the Church will follow the model provided in the Book of Acts.

 

I now want to invite anyone reading this who has not prayed for the forgiveness of the sin in their lives (Romans 3:23), and who has not made Jesus the Lord of their lives, to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

If you just prayed, let someone know of your profession of faith or comment on this post. I also urge you to find a church of truth, teaching from the Bible that is empowered by the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

The Confidence of the Foolish

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 49:1-20

 

Psalm 49:15

But God will redeem my soul from the power of ^[f]the grave,
For He shall receive me. Selah

(NKJV)

 

Confidence is something every person needs, but it is crucial to ensure one’s confidence is in the right thing. David, the King of Israel who experienced many victories in battle, tells us that his trust was not in his weapons of war, but in the Lord (Psalm 20:7). As you read this post, I encourage you to consider where you place your trust and if you want to place your trust in the Lord, you will have an opportunity to do so at the end of this post.

 

Psalm 49 is addressed to all peoples and inhabitants of the world, whether of low or high esteem and regardless of whether they are rich or poor (Psalm 49:1-2). The psalmist will speak wisdom from a heart meditating on the things of the Lord, using a harp to deliver his message (Psalm 49:3-4). This audience includes us all, so we should all listen.

 

The psalmist then asks why he should fear in the days of evil when iniquity is all around him, nipping at his heels (Psalm 49:5). Those trusting in their wealth cannot redeem their brother nor come up with a sufficient ransom for his salvation (Psalm 49:6-7). This is because the price of the redemption of our souls is costly, with the opportunity to acquire a ransom by coming to Jesus (Psalm 49:8-9).

 

When the wise, rich, and wealthy die, they must leave their wealth to others, believing their houses will last forever, and that they will leave a legacy, having their lands called by their names (Psalm 49:10-11). However, the truth is that man, like the beasts of the earth, will perish (Psalm 49:12). This is the folly of the confidence of fools and those approving their sayings (Psalm 49:13). These foolish individuals are like sheep laid in the grave with their beauty consumed by the grave and the upright having dominion over them (Psalm 49:14). In contrast, the psalmist has confidence the Lord will redeem his soul from the power of the grave and receive him (Psalm 49:15).

 

The psalm concludes with the psalmist telling us not to fear when one becomes rich and when the glory of his house increases (Psalm 49:16). The confident fool will die and not be able to take his riches and wealth with him and see his glory descend into the pit after him (Psalm 49:17). While the confident fool lives he blesses himself, with people praising him, but he will go with the generation of his fathers and never see light (Psalm 49:18-19). A man with honor lacking understanding of God is like the beasts that perish (Psalm 49:20).

 

The psalmist addresses the confidence of fools who trust in their wisdom, wealth, and riches to take care of them. While these things may provide comfort in this world, they are insufficient as a ransom for a fallen soul. The psalmist, David, reminds us to place our trust in the Lord (Psalm 20:7). Jesus told us that He was the way, the truth, and the life, not a way, a truth, and a life (John 14:6). In this psalm, the psalmist mentions the costly price for the redemption of souls (Psalm 49:8). Jesus, although never sinning, paid the ransom for humanity’s souls through his death, burial, and resurrection (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 10:9-10). This is the cost of our salvation, with Jesus the only one able to pay the cost, with salvation available to all through the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9).  

 

It is foolish to trust in the created things of this world and wise to place one’s trust in the creator instead. However, this goes against what is popular in our culture, which tells us to work hard to amass worldly wealth so we can live the good life. While there is nothing wrong with acquiring wealth, when the acquisition of wealth is our treasure, that is where our heart will be instead of belonging with the Lord (Matthew 6:21). An evil, wicked, and fallen world needs to see God’s people bringing forth good things from a heart full of the treasure of God’s Word and not evil things (Matthew 12:35). My confidence is in the Lord and not the riches, wealth, and wisdom of the world. As believers, we must lose conformity to the world and its system and allow our minds to be transformed and renewed by the Word of God.

 

If you have never prayed for God to forgive your sins and to make Him the treasure of your heart, I invite you to do so now by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

 If you just prayed, rest assured that God has totally forgiven you and that you are a child of God (2 Corinthians 5:21; John 1:12). Find a Church where the truth of the Bible is taught so you can learn more about the Lord. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Power in the Church

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 5:1-16

 

Acts 1:8

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be ^[c]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

(NKJV)

 

Both truth and the holy Spirit are vital in the Church. Jesus tells us that knowing the truth sets us free (John 8:32), while there is liberty in the presence of the Holy Spirit which is in all believers in Jesus as Savior (2 Corinthians 3:17). In this text we see demonstrations of the power of God in the church, one showing what can occur when one is dishonest and one showing the power of God at work in the Church. For the Church to have the power it needs to carry out the Great Commission, it must have a balance of Spirit and Truth.

 

Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold a piece of land and held back a portion for themselves, giving the remaining portion to the Church (Acts 5:1-2). Peter confronted Ananias about keeping part of the proceeds received from the sale of the land, reminding him that while he owned it, it was his own, but when it was sold, he lost control over it. Peter then confronts him about lying, reminding him he was not lying to men but to God (Acts 5:3-4). Upon hearing these words from Peter, Ananias fell down and died, with the young men coming in to take him and bury him (Acts 5:5-6).

 

About three hours later, Sapphira entered and was asked by Peter whether she and Ananias had sold their land for a specified amount; she replied, "Yes" (Acts 5:7-8). Peter then asked her why she had conspired with her husband to lie to the Holy Spirit, letting her know those who had buried her husband were at the door and would carry her out as well (Acts 5:9). She also fell down dead with the young men carrying her out and burying her as well (Acts 5:10). This brought great fear upon the Church (Acts 5:11).

 

Through the hands of the apostles, many signs and wonders happened among the people as they were all in one accord in Solomon’s porch (Acts 5:12). None of the rest gathered at Solomon’s porch dared to join them but they held the apostles in high esteem (Acts 5:13). However, believers were increasingly added to the Lord, both men and women, with them bringing out the sick into the streets hoping that at least the shadow of Peter would fall on them as he passed by (Acts 5:14-15). People from the cities surrounding Jerusalem also brought sick people and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they were healed (Acts 5:16).  

 

Power in the Church through the Holy Spirit, bringing wrath upon those lying to the Spirit and healing to the sick and possessed through the Apostles.

• Judgment (Acts 5:1-11) – One could interpret this passage to indicate that God requires one to give all of what they receive from the sale of something they own to the Church or face death. However, this does not align with other scriptures that indicate forgiveness of sins (1 John 1:9). Instead, Ananias and Saphira probably told the apostles they were selling some land and would bring all the proceeds to the Church, but instead held some back and lied to Peter about what they sold the land for. This is likely because Peter did not confront them about keeping some of the proceeds back, but about lying about what they sold the land for. This would constitute pilfering and not acting in good fidelity towards God and His Church (Titus 2:10). While death for this lie may seem like a harsh punishment, there is sin that leads to death (1 John 5:16), Had this lie gone unpunished, Satan would have gained a foothold of lying going unpunished in the early church (Colossians 3:9).
• Healing and deliverance (Acts 5:12-16)- There is a continued demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit in the Church, with many new disciples added to the Church (Acts 5:14). Believers meeting at Solomon’s porch at the temple were of one accord, something that would not have been possible if believers lied to one another without consequences (Acts 5:12). This unified demonstration of God’s power caused many to come from surrounding cities, bringing their sick and tormented for healing (Acts 5:16).

 

The two events recorded in this passage remind us of what Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well, that true worshippers worship in Spirit and truth (John 4:23).

• Truth (Acts 5:1-11) – For one to be able to discern truth from a lie there must be a standard of truth. Truth can be viewed as a measure taken with a standard of measurement, so a builder can discern how much material he will need to do the job. For the Church, the standard of measurement is the Bible, God’s word. This is the standard of truth that reveals Jesus to us and is the truth that sets us free (John 8:32). The sad fact is that many professing Christians, and even some in ministry, do not regularly study the Bible to know this liberating truth.
• Spirit (Acts 5:12-16) – In Acts 1:4, Jesus commanded the disciples not to leave Jerusalem until receiving the Holy Spirit. These men walked with Jesus, the truth (John 14:6), but head knowledge of the truth would not be enough if they were to carry out the mission of sharing the Gospel (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:5; Matthew 28:19-20). However, there must be a balance of demonstrations of the power of God through the Holy Spirit with Biblical truth, so worship is not just an emotional outburst with no life-changing truth.

 

As we continue to pray for revival, we must pray for a return to Biblical truth from the pulpit and the empowerment of the Spirit in delivering this truth.

 

I now want to invite anyone reading this who has not prayed for the forgiveness of the sin in their lives (Romans 3:23), and making Jesus the Lord of their lives, to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

If you just prayed, let someone know of your profession of faith or comment on this post. I also urge you to find a church of truth, teaching from the Bible that is empowered by the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Praise and Glory to God

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 47-48

 

Psalm 47:6-7

Sing praises to God, sing praises!
Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
⁷ For God is the King of all the earth;
Sing praises with understanding.

(NKJV)

 

I like reading the Psalms because they are a collection of men offering heartfelt praise and crying out to God. In these psalms, the psalmist offers praise to God as King over all the earth and his glory in Zion, the city of God. At the time of the writing of these psalms, God dwelt in the Temple in Jerusalem, but now He lives in the hearts of those who believe in Jesus (1 Corinthians 3:16). However, does the glory of God shine from our temple?

 

The psalmist begins Psalm 47 by telling all the people to clap their hands and shout to God with the voice of triumph because the Lord is Most High and awesome and King over all the earth (Psalm 47:1-2). As the awesome King over all the earth, God will subdue the peoples of the nations and put them under the feet of the people of God, choosing our inheritance (Psalm 47:3-4). God has gone up with a shout and the Lord with the sound of a trumpet (Psalm 47:5).

 

Four times the psalmist urges us to sing praises to God and to our King, because He is King of all the earth, praising with understanding (Psalm 47:6-7). God reigns over the nations from His holy throne (Psalm 47:8). The princes of the people have gathered together, the people of Abraham, because the shields of the earth belong to God, who is greatly exalted (Psalm 47:9).

 

The psalmist begins Psalm 48 by declaring that the Lord is great and to be greatly praised in the city of God on His holy mountain (Psalm 48:1). Mount Zion is beautiful in elevation and the joy of the whole earth, the city of the great King who is in the city’s palaces and a refuge (Psalm 48:2-3). Kings pass by and behold Mount Zion, marveling but also troubled, and hasten away (Psalm 48:4-5). These kings have fear like a woman in labor and like when an east wind breaks the ships of Tarshish (Psalm 48:6-7). The psalmist declares what he has heard, that God will establish the city of God forever (Psalm 48:8).   

 

The psalmist reflects on his thoughts of the lovingkindness of God in the midst of His temple (Psalm 48:9). He reflects on praise going out to the ends of the earth with the right hand of God full of righteousness (Psalm 48:10). He says to let Mount Zion rejoice and the daughters of Judah are to be glad because of the judgments of God (Psalm 48:11). The Psalmist encourages the people to walk about Zion to count her towers and mark her bulwarks (defensive structures), and to consider her palaces so they can tell them to the next generation (Psalm 48:12-13). The psalm ends with a declaration of God, our God forever and ever, our guide even to death (Psalm 48:14).

 

In these psalms, the sons of Korah praise God as the ruler of all the earth and His glory in Zion.

• Psalm 47: Praise to God, the ruler of the earth – The nations and peoples of the earth have kings and leaders over them, but the psalmist in this psalm reminds us that the Lord Most High, the King over all the earth, will subdue the peoples and nations under the feet of his people. A Godly leader leads under submission to the will of God (Romans 13:1), and knows earthly leaders are human with faults, but God is perfect and faultless.
• Psalm 48: The glory of God in Zion – In the old covenant, God dwelt on earth in the Temple on Mount Zion. So beautiful was this temple and city that kings marveled at it but were also troubled and hastened away (Psalm 48:2-5). God’s glory brings fear to those who are not part of His kingdom but comfort to His people (Psalm 48:6-8). The psalmist encourages us to find refuge in the God of Zion and to declare it to the next generation (Psalm 48:12-14)

 

True worshippers worship God in Spirit and truth (John 4:23), a balance of worship that each Church must achieve.

• Truth – This must be the foundation of worship to ensure worship is of God and not a celebrity pastor. Without biblical truth, worship can devolve into an emotional outburst designed to give everyone an experience, making them feel good, but without a foundation of truth. This is like one building his or her spiritual foundation on sand and not the solid foundation of biblical truth (Matthew 7:24-27).
• Spirit – Moving worship from head knowledge to heart relationship. While knowledge of biblical truth is crucial and sets us free (John 8:32), worship in truth without the Spirit can become an academic exercise that lacks power and a relationship with God. Before the coming of Jesus, the world had truth in the written word of God, but Jesus gave flesh to the word so we could have a relationship with it (John 1:14; 14:6). The Samaritan woman met the word of God in the flesh and brought revival to her city by telling others about it (John 4:28-30).

 

To enter into a relationship with God, one must pray for God to forgive his or her sins and profess their belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to save them from their sins. If you are reading this and have never made this profession of faith, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

If you just prayed, rest assured that God has totally forgiven you and that you are a child of God (2 Corinthians 5:21; John 1:12). Find a Church where the truth of the Bible is taught so you can learn more about the Lord. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.