7/11/13

From Gary... My Linda and our two poodles (Buddy and Pal)

When I realized that my family in New Jersey didn't know that we have had a poodle for a few months now (Buddy, the white haired dog- alias the love sponge) I thought I would take some pictures today of both dogs. The golden haired poodle on the right was originally named Starman, but I changed it to Pal (after the first dog I had as a young child). We acquired him Wednesday from a rescue shelter in St. Petersburg. Good thing too, as he was about to be put down. How different Pal is than Buddy; extremely quiet and shy. But you can tell that at sometime in his past he was very abused. A genuine lap-dog; he will sit on your lap for hours with you petting him. We have a lot of work to do with him, as he never was trained and has to unlearn a lot of bad habits. As you might have already guessed, we both fell in love with Pal at first sight. When I was thinking about how different these dogs were, it occurred to me that people in the church have something in common with them. When a person becomes a Christian, oftentimes they have to change their ways. And it takes time and there are problems. Consider the church at Corinth for example....

1 Corinthians, Chapter 6

1 Dare any of you, having a matter against his neighbor, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 2 Don’t you know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Don’t you know that we will judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 4 If then, you have to judge things pertaining to this life, do you set them to judge who are of no account in the assembly? 5 I say this to move you to shame. Isn’t there even one wise man among you who would be able to decide between his brothers? 6 But brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers! 7 Therefore it is already altogether a defect in you, that you have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? 8 No, but you yourselves do wrong, and defraud, and that against your brothers. 9 Or don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortionists, will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 Such were some of you, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God.

If you look at the list in verses nine and ten, some things seem worse to us than others- but all sin is sin. Christians are forgiven the things that they did before coming to Jesus. The past doesn't really matter. It may take awhile to iron out the problems sin has caused, but with God's help- eventually, everything will be just fine. And this applies to the dogs as well- the combination of love and time can work wonders. Please pray for Pal, as he really needs it!!!!

From Bill Dayton... “To Pray Or Not to Pray!”

“To Pray Or Not to Pray!”

1 John 5:14-17; Jer. 11:13,14

7/7 13 PM

Introduction.

A. Is there ever a time that we should not pray for someone? (1 John. 5:16,17)

B. The passage says, "if anyone sees his brother sinning..." We may have heard rumors or we may have suspicions.

This is about what is visible in the behavior of our brethren: "If anyone sees..."

C. A brother may be guilty of sin, and the sin is not visible to us. We cannot detect it; we cannot see it; no

knowledge of it. Only God has perfect ability to see and know all sin. So whatever this verse is about, it relates

only to what is visible: "If anyone sees..."
I. Two kinds of sin are identified (1) sin that does not lead to death, and (2) sin leading to death.

A. First, consider sin that does not lead to death. Sin that does not lead to death is sin we repent of!

1. 1 Jn. 1:9. So sin that does not lead to death is sin we confess; sin we forsake and ask God to forgive.

2. When we see a brother commit a sin not unto death (repents), ask God to give that brother life.

B. Second, "Sin leading to death" would obviously be sin we see the brother continues in; does not repent of!

1. "I do not say that you should pray about that." Why? Because God will not give life to one who continues in sin.

2. "Sin leading to death; "willful rejection of God's grace and persistence in sin, that one will not repent of.

C. Verse 16 illustrates what verses 14 and 15 teach: Asking according to His will.

1. If you ask God to overlook sin a brother continues in, you are not asking according to His will.

2. If you ask God to give spiritual life to one who sins unto death, you are not asking according to His will.

3. We should never ask God to do something we know is against His will.

D. It is true and John grants that "all unrighteousness is sin," but there is "sin not leading to death."

1. Every form or kind of unrighteousness is sin. John isn't saying there is some unrighteousness that is not sin; it is

sin - but if the sinner turns from the sin in repentance, it is sin "not leading to death."

2. Sin is sin, but does not lead to (spiritual) death, when it is dealt with honestly, with repentance, confession and

request to God for forgiveness in Christ.
II. Jeremiah & John agree on this question.

A. Jer. 7:16. Why? Look at their transgressions in verses 6-11. The people were guilty of oppression, shedding

innocent blood, theft, murder, adultery, lying, idolatry and other sins.

B. While practicing all this sin they would "come and stand" before God in His house and claim they were permitted

to do such things (see verse 10).

1. God spoke to them about their rebellion, but they did not listen or answer (verse 13).

2. God said to them, "I will cast you out of My sight." Thus God said, "do not pray for this people." They were

continuing in sin, leading to their own destruction.

C. Jeremiah 11:13,14; 14:10,11

Our prayers to God should always be in harmony with His will. We should never ask God to compromise; to overlook sin people continue in. We should never ask Him to do something He has said is against His will.

From Jim McGuiggan... GLORY DOES FOLLOW!

GLORY DOES FOLLOW!

There's a God-denying look about things in this life and world. For some humans life is one long war, from the cradle to the grave; even for some of those who are devoted followers of the Christ. Their battle is not only against the hosts of spiritual wickedness in heavenly places it is against all the things that make their lives miserable. They despise the sin that so easily shames them, the sin that sometimes makes their profession of loyalty to Christ seem like hollow words when sin swaggers in with an arrogance that rises out of its almost unvarying success in their lives. But for all their weakness, they seethe with a holy hatred against their enemy and in their true Master’s name they daily plot and work toward the complete and final overthrow of the usurper.

Along with sin, these people wrestle with pain and aches, with loneliness or bewilderment, with the tormenting loss of loved ones, with cancerous lesions or twisted limbs, with days that are too long and nights that are too short or hours of darkness that never seem to come to an end in a bright new dawn—nothing but more leaden skies. There’s pulsing pain in the head or failing kidneys, swollen knuckles and joints that burn like acid, fatigue that goes beyond description; weariness that brings with it the darkness of depression and a sense of utter uselessness and unwantedness.

But there they are, these hurting people, banded together, all in the army of the Christ, battling with enemies that surround and harry them, sometimes cutting them off from their fellows. And sometimes, separated from the main body they’re caught up in the tangle of roots and hollows, ditches, bogs and boulders; feeling their strength oozing away while their enemies fight on tirelessly.

But one day (as a recent movie presented it), in the middle of what seems to be unending conflict, unexpectedly they'll find themselves completely alone, and filled with glad wonder as they walk in glorious sunshine through fields of waist-high, waving grain. They haven’t a pain or ache, not a hint of care as they walk toward people on a beautiful green hill, people with glory-filled faces, people whose faces they begin to recognize, people who are excited to see them, who welcome them back into their long lost and precious company, people they had missed for so very long. No more worries about dying because they’ve already done it—and they’ve entered paradise with all its glory, joy-filled reunions and abundant life.

Didn’t a British prime-minister, Lloyd George, many years ago, tell of the death of a Welsh miner who’d had a hard life of it, and when his friends wanted to bury him in the churchyard, they had a difficult time finding space for the grave. In the end, between the towering monuments that pressed all around it, they dug a narrow, unbricked slit in the ground, barely wide enough, and laid him to rest in it. Like thousands before him he had spent his years since boyhood in the dark, cramped, tunnels; lying flat and burrowing into the coal-face, breathing in dust and dampness, all to provide for the family. Aged before his time he died long before he was old. The friend standing over the grave, said: "Well, Davie, my boy, you have had a narrow time right through life, and you have a very narrow place in death, I’ll tell you; but never you mind, old friend, I can see a day dawning for you, when you will rise out of that narrow bed, and find plenty of room at the last. Ah! I can see it coming! I can see the day of the resurrection! I can see the dawn of immortality! There will be room, room— room, even for the poor!" And wouldn’t that be heaven for all those whose lives have been cramped and stifling? Room! Room to breathe, room to run, room to dance. Wide open spaces where a man can fill his lungs with clean air and sing and shout in the light of day and hear the echo of his joy echoing off mountains and across valleys from which the damp and the choking dust have been forever banished!

So your loved one has finished the course and you miss her/him beyond words. I have some real sense of your devastation but I know you must, at the same time, be rejoicing for her. The enemies are past, the pain’s gone, the fears and doubts have been swallowed up, the bewilderment is a thing of former days. How could you not—even in your own pain—how could you not rejoice for her?

How joyful she must be now. She who never sought the limelight is now speechless with the pleasure she must be experiencing in the presence of her Lord and all those "celebrities" we’ve known from the Story down the years. What a crowd of questions must now be answered for her while we wrinkle our brows in digging and searching. How thrilled she must be for you, now knowing what’s ahead for you. You whom she has loved so long. "Oh, won’t he just love all this," she’ll be saying to herself. Now knowing the depths of pleasure and peace, now knowing the limitless potential for life that we can’t know on this side of death, she can hardly wait for you to make the transition so you too will experience this overflowing, teeming, life-filled life.

So there’ll be no faith crisis for you in your awful loss. The Story you’ve believed and sung and spoken about for so long and so faithfully is too much a part of you for that. You have been an inspiration all your life and you’ll be even more of an assurance and inspiration when people see your response to this trial that has now come on you.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Jim McGuiggan... Emma died the other day

Emma died the other day

Some righteous people have a cold and wintry way with them; little kids don't play around their doors, the needy don't call on them and the strugglers with life don't have the nerve to ask for understanding from them. They're upright, don't you understand, and it's a fine thing to see; but they haven't been able to add warmth to that righteousness and there are enough of them around that a little girl felt the need to pray, asking God to "make all the bad people good and all the good people nice."

Not all the righteous are like that; some are like the shadow of a massive rock in a burning desert and like a stream in a dry and barren land; reliable and at peace; the fevered and high-strung are refreshed just by being in their presence. There are those of us who lose our way in life in the struggle to be good and we'd give up on the effort altogether except that now and then we meet someone who makes us believe that goodness is possible and that it's worth pursuing. People like that are sometimes called "Emma".

Emma Maloney died a couple of days ago, a few days after a major stroke, gently and quietly, the way she lived her sometimes tough but happy life. Maybe I've met a woman with a sweeter spirit but I don't know when or where.

In the middle of hard times, many years ago, in trust-filled faith she was immersed into union with her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ and she never looked back.

When we go looking for her, we'll know where to find her.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Jim McGuiggan... Death and the believer

Death and the believer

Didn’t a British prime-minister, Lloyd George, many years ago, tell of the death of a Welsh miner who’d had a hard life of it, and when his friends wanted to bury him in the churchyard, they had a difficult time finding space for the grave. In the end, between the towering monuments that pressed all around it, they dug a narrow, unbricked slit in the ground, barely wide enough, and laid him to rest in it. Like thousands before him he had spent his years since boyhood in the dark, cramped, tunnels; lying flat and burrowing into the coal-face, breathing in dust and dampness, all to provide for the family. Aged before his time he died long before he was old. The friend standing over the grave, said: "Well, Davie, my boy, you've had a narrow time right through life, and you have a very narrow place in death, I’ll tell you; but never you mind, old friend, I can see a day dawning for you, when you will rise out of that narrow bed, and find plenty of room at the last. Ah! I can see it coming! I can see the day of the resurrection! I can see the dawn of immortality! There will be room, room— room, even for the poor!" And wouldn’t that be heaven for all those whose lives have been cramped and stifling? Room! Room to breathe, room to run, room to dance. Wide open spaces where a man can fill his lungs with clean air and sing and shout in the light of day and hear the echo of his joy echoing off mountains and across valleys from which the damp and the choking dust have been forever banished!

So your loved one has finished the course and you miss her beyond words. I can only guess at your devastation but I know you must, at the same time, be rejoicing for her in Christ. The enemies are past, the pain’s gone, the fears and doubts have been swallowed up, the bewilderment's a thing of former days. How could you not—even in your own pain—how could you not rejoice for her?

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... The Promise Of The Father (1:4-5)

                          "THE BOOK OF ACTS"

                  The Promise Of The Father (1:4-5)

INTRODUCTION

1. Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He gave His apostles
   instructions...
   a. Not to depart from Jerusalem - Ac 1:4
   b. But to wait for the Promise of the Father - ibid.

2. The apostles had heard of this Promise before...
   a. From Jesus Himself - Ac 1:4; cf. Jn 14:16-17,26; 15:26; Jn 16:12-13
   b. Related to their being baptized with the Holy Spirit within a few
      days - Ac 1:5
   c. Of which John the Baptist spoke - Lk 3:15-16

[But even long before John and Jesus, God began making promises about the
Spirit...]

I. THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

   A. THE PROPHECY OF JOEL...
      1. The Spirit would be poured out on all flesh - Joel 2:28-29
      2. Sons and daughters would prophesy, young and old men see
         visions, dream dreams
      3. God's Spirit would be poured out on His menservants and
         maidservants

   B. THE PROPHECIES OF ISAIAH...
      1. God would pour His Spirit on Israel's descendants, like water
         on dry ground - Isa 44:3
      2. Another prophecy related to the promise of the Spirit - Isa 32:15-17
         a. Found in a section with Messianic implications - cf. Isa 32:1
         b. The result of this pouring of the Spirit:  justice,
            righteousness, and peace - cf. Ro 14:17

   C. THE PROPHECIES OF EZEKIEL...
      1. One recorded in Eze 36:26-27
         a. God promises to put His Spirit "within you" (an
            indwelling?)
         b. Who will cause (enable) one to walk in His statutes and
            keep His judgments
      2. Another prophecy that might relate to the promise of the
         Spirit - Eze 39:29
         a. A prophecy that looks beyond the captivity and restoration
            of Israel
         b. One that might not have been fulfilled until the coming of
            the Messiah

   D. THE PROPHECY OF ZECHARIAH...
      1. The Spirit of grace and supplication to be poured out on the
         inhabitants of Jerusalem - Zec 12:10
      2. Prompting people to look upon Jesus whom they have pierced,
         and mourn because of Him - cf. Ac 2:32-37

[Whether the prophecies of Ezekiel and Zechariah have reference to a
promise that would be fulfilled in the age of the Messiah may be
questionable, but certainly the prophecies of Joel and Isaiah demonstrate
that God promised an "outpouring" of the Spirit in a special way.  Let's
now return to...]

II. THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

   A. THE PREACHING OF JOHN...
      1. He spoke of One coming who would "baptize you with the Holy
         Spirit" - Mt 3:11; Mk 1:7-8; Lk 3:16; Jn 1:33
      2. While he himself administered a baptism in water, there was
         One coming who would be the administrator of a baptism with the
         Holy Spirit
      3. The promise was made to large crowds; its nature and full
         extent revealed in its fulfillment 
         a. We know that it is somehow tied to the events of Pentecost
            in Ac 2:1-4
         b. Because of Jesus' comments in Ac 1:4-5

   B. THE TEACHING OF JESUS...
      1. The Spirit would be given to those who ask the Heavenly Father
         - Lk 11:13
      2. The Spirit would be given as "living water" to all those who
         thirst and come to Him in faith, and drink - Jn 7:37-39
         a. Might this "living water" be "the gift of God" Jesus
            alluded to earlier? - cf. Jn 4:10-14
         b. Note again the comparison of the Spirit to water in
            Isaiah's prophecy - Isa 44:3
      3. To His apostles, Jesus promised the "Spirit of truth" who
         would...
         a. Be a Helper, and abide with them - Jn 14:16-17
         b. Bring to their remembrance all things Jesus taught them 
            - Jn 14:26
         c. Bear witness of Christ, together with the apostles - Jn 15:26-27
         d. Convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment - Jn 16:7-11
         e. Guide the apostles unto all the truth, including things to
            come - Jn 16:12-13
         f. Glorify Jesus, by taking of what is His and declaring it to
            them - Jn 16:14
      4. Jesus told His apostles to wait in Jerusalem until they
         received the "Promise of the Father" - Lk 24:49; Ac 1:4-5
         a. Which He clearly connects to the baptism of the Spirit
            spoken of by John
         b. In which the apostles would receive power, and be
            eyewitnesses - Ac 1:8

   C. THE PREACHING OF PETER...
      1. On Pentecost, Peter connects the Spirit's outpouring to Joel's
         prophecy - Ac 2:14-16
      2. Then, in the course of his sermon, Peter...
         a. Speaks of the outpouring of the Spirit as a promise Jesus
            received from the Father - Ac 2:33; cf. Ac 1:4-5
         b. Offers the gift of the Spirit to all who repent and are
            baptized - Ac 2:38
         c. Says the promise is to them and others - Ac 2:39
            1) What promise does Peter have in mind?
            2) What promise would have come to mind to his hearers?
            3) Would it not have been the promise he just alluded to?
               a) The promise received by Christ, and poured out by
                  Christ - Ac 2:33
               b) I.e., the Spirit which Jesus Himself promised to
                  believers - Jn 7:37-39
               c) Which Peter would later say was given to those who
                  obey God - Ac 5:32
            4) "That we are right in referring the word promise, in
               this sentence, to the promise of the Holy Spirit just made
               by Peter, is evident from the fact that this is the only
               promise made in the immediate context." - J. W. McGarvey
            5) "For the promise... - Of pardon, and the gift of the
               Spirit." - B. W. Johnson
            6) "Acts 2:39 shows that the gift of the Holy Spirit is to
               all, Jews and Gentiles, who accept that call of God." 
               - David Lipscomb

   D. THE TEACHING OF PAUL...
      1. Regarding those who have been saved - Tit 3:4-7
         a. Have experienced a washing of regeneration and renewal of
            the Holy Spirit
         b. Have benefited by the Spirit poured out on us abundantly
            through Jesus Christ
      2. Regarding those who have been baptized - 1Co 12:13
         a. Have been baptized by the Spirit into one body
         b. Have been made to drink into one Spirit
      3. Regarding those in whom the Spirit dwells -

         Ro 8:9-13;Ep 3:16; 1Co 6:18-19
         a. Their mortal bodies will be given life
         b. No longer debtors to live according to the flesh
         c. Are able to put to death the deeds of the body
         d. Are to flee immorality because their body is a temple of
            the Holy Spirit
      4. Regarding those who have believed - Ga 3:14; Ep 1:13-14;

         2Co 1:22; 5:5
         a. Have received the promise of the Spirit through faith
         a. Have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise
         b. Have received the Spirit as a guarantee (deposit) of our
            inheritance
      5. Regarding those walk after the Spirit - Ga 5:16-25
         a. Will not fulfill the lust of the flesh, the works of the
            flesh
         b. Will produce the fruit of the Spirit, because they live in
            the Spirit
 
CONCLUSION

1. In this lesson we have seen the following...
   a. Old Testament prophets promised a special dispensation of the
      Spirit to come
      1) One that would include the manifestation of special gifts
      2) One that would enable the people of God to keep His will
   b. John and Jesus promised a baptism of the Spirit, administered by
      Jesus
   c. Peter in his first gospel sermon...
      1) Proclaimed this promise to be fulfilled with the outpouring of
         the Spirit - Ac 2:16,33
      2) Offered the Spirit as a gift to all who obey the gospel - Ac 2:38-39
   d. Paul in his epistles...
      1) Wrote much about the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of
         the Christian
      2) Referring to the Spirit as "the Holy Spirit of Promise"

2. In view of "The Promise Of The Father" related to the Holy Spirit...
   a. We should not be surprised to read more of the work of the Holy
      Spirit in Acts
   b. In both the life of the church and in the lives of Christians

To what degree and in what way the Spirit continues to work today can be
ascertained by a careful study of the New Testament (please see my
series, "The Holy Spirit Of God"). 

Have you experienced the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy
Spirit, made possible because the Father kept His promise to pour out His
Spirit abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior?  Let Peter show you
how...

   Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be 
   baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;
   and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise
   is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as 
   many as the Lord our God will call." - Ac 2:38-39

From Mark Copeland... Many Infallible Proofs (Ac.1:3)

                          "THE BOOK OF ACTS"

                      Many Infallible Proofs (1:3)

INTRODUCTION

1. Luke begins the sequel to his gospel with a reminder...
   a. That his gospel described things Jesus both did and taught - Ac 1:1
   b. That it covered events leading up to His ascension - Ac 1:2
   c. That Jesus presented "many infallible proofs" of His resurrection
      - Ac 1:3

2. The importance the resurrection of Christ cannot be
   overemphasized...
   a. It was the keystone of apostolic preaching - 1Co 15:14
   b. It is the foundation of our faith - ibid.
   c. If it did not occur, our faith is empty!

[We can be thankful that our faith in the resurrection of Christ is not
"empty".  It is based upon "many infallible proofs"!  What were these
infallible proofs?  They involved...]

I. THE APPEARANCES OF CHRIST

   A. TO MARY MAGDALENE...
      1. Described in Mark's gospel - Mk 16:9-11
      2. Expanded upon by John in his gospel - Jn 20:11-18
      -- She saw Jesus and talked with Him

   B. TO THE OTHER WOMEN...
      1. As revealed in Matthew's gospel - Mt 28:9-10
      2. Where Jesus reiterated what the angel had said - ibid.
      -- They touched Jesus and worshiped Him

   C. TO TWO DISCIPLES WALKING IN THE COUNTRY...
      1. Described in Mark's gospel - Mk 16:12-13
      2. Elaborated by Luke in his gospel - Lk 24:13-32
      -- They walked with Him, talked with Him, and ate with Him

   D. TO PETER ALONE...
      1. Reported after the testimony of the two disciples - Lk 24:33-35
      2. Mentioned by Paul in his epistle to the Corinthians - 1Co 15:5
      -- He saw Jesus

   E. TO THE APOSTLES WITH THOMAS ABSENT...
      1. Described in detail by Luke - Lk 24:36-43
      2. Also by John - Jn 20:19-25
      -- They saw Jesus, He ate food in their presence

   F. TO THE APOSTLES WITH THOMAS PRESENT...
      1. A week later, as described by John - Jn 20:26-31
      2. Mentioned by Paul in his epistle to the Corinthians - 1Co 15:5
      -- Convincing Thomas, who would not believe unless he could see
         and touch Jesus

   G. TO SEVEN DISCIPLES BY THE SEA OF GALILEE...
      1. Including Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, James and John - Jn 21:1-2
      2. While they were fishing, and then eating together - Jn 21:3-25
      -- They saw Him, ate breakfast with Him, talked with Him

   H. TO FIVE HUNDRED BRETHREN AT ONCE...
      1. Recorded by Paul in his epistle to the Corinthians - 1Co 15:6
      2. Possibly in Galilee as directed by the angel and Jesus -

         Mk 16:7; Mt 28:10,16-17
      3. Possibly when the Great Commission was first given - Mt 28:18-20
      -- A large number, ruling out any vision or hallucination

   I. TO JAMES THE LORD'S BROTHER...
      1. Recorded by Paul in his epistle to the Corinthians - 1Co 15:7
      2. Who previously did not believe, but then became a disciple 
         - Jn 7:5; Ac 1:14
      -- Convincing a brother in the flesh who had his doubts

   J. TO THE DISCIPLES WITH ANOTHER COMMISSION...
      1. Recorded by Luke in his gospel - Lk 24:44-49
      2. This time in Jerusalem, shortly before His ascension - Ac 1:3-8
      -- They studied with Him for days, as He taught them from the
         Scriptures

   K. TO THOSE PRESENT AT HIS ASCENSION...
      1. Recorded in Mark's gospel - Mk 16:19-20
      2. Also by Luke in both of his books - Lk 24:50-53; Ac 1:9-12
      -- They looked steadfastly as they saw Him ascend

[The number of appearances certainly qualifies as "many".  But in what
way can we say these appearances qualify as "infallible proofs"? 
Consider the strength of...]

II. THE DISCIPLES' TESTIMONY

   A. THE NATURE OF THEIR TESTIMONY...
      1. Their testimony appealed to empirical evidence
         a. I.e., evidence derived from experiment and observation
            rather than theory
         b. They refused to accept second hand evidence - Mk 16:11,13;
            Jn 20:25
         c. They saw, heard, and touched Him - 1Jn 1:1-2
         d. They ate and drank with Him - Ac 10:40-41
      2. There is no way they could have been deceived or deluded
         a. If all they had were individual dreams, visions, or
            hallucinations...perhaps
         b. But they testified that Jesus appeared to them in groups as
            well as to individuals
      -- Such eyewitness testimony is the same sort of proof used in
         court today

   B. THEIR TRANSFORMED LIVES...
      1. Prior to the resurrection, Jesus' disciples were afraid and
         without hope
         a. They fled at his arrest - Mk 14:50
         b. Peter cowardly denied Him three times - Mk 14:66-72
         c. Women mourned His crucifixion - Lk 23:27
         d. His disciples were sad - Lk 24:13-17
         e. His disciples hid behind closed doors in fear - Jn 20:19
      2. After the resurrection, they fearlessly praised God and
         proclaimed Jesus!
         a. Praising God in the temple - Lk 24:52-53
         b. Proclaiming Christ despite persecution - Ac 5:28-32,41-42
      3. This transformation is strong evidence for the resurrection!
         a. "If the disciples were totally disappointed and on the
            verge of desperate flight because of the very real reason of
            the crucifixion..."
         b. "...it took another very real reason in order to transform
            them from a band of disheartened and dejected Jews into the 
            most self-confident missionary society in world history." 
            - Pinchas Lapide, former Chairman of the Applied Linguistics
            Department at Israel's Bar-Iland University (TIME, May 7, 
            1979)
      -- Their transformed lives is strong evidence of the
         resurrections of Jesus         

   C. THEIR HIGH MORAL STANDARD...
      1. They taught others to live holy lives - 1Th 4:1-7; Ep 4:25
      2. They lived their own lives in an unimpeachable way - 1Th 2:3-12
      -- Does this sound like people who propagated a lie?

   D. THEIR PERSONAL SACRIFICES...
      1. The apostles endured much suffering because of their testimony
         - 1Co 4:9-13; 2Co 11:23-28
      2. All but one died martyrs' death because of their testimony
      3. Even Jesus' brother, James, was thrown off the temple and then
         clubbed to death for his testimony!
      -- There was no motive (fame, power, wealth) for them to
         persistently lie! 

CONCLUSION

1. Jesus gave His disciples "many" proofs...
   a. He appeared to them many times during forty days
   b. He spoke with them, ate with them, let them touch Him
   c. He met with them in groups, large and small, as well as
      individually

2. Such proof was "infallible" for them...
   a. Not a single eyewitness recanted his testimony of the
      resurrection
   b. They endured great hardship throughout their lives because of
      their testimony
   c. They were willing to die for their testimony, and many did!

3. We too have "many infallible proofs", because of...
   a. The nature of their testimony
   b. The transformation that took place in their lives
   c. The high moral standard they taught and lived
   d. The personal sacrifices they made

Why not allow such proof to transform your life as it did those disciples
in the first century...? - cf. Jn 20:30-31

From Mark Copeland... Letters To Theophilus (Ac. 1:1)

                          "THE BOOK OF ACTS"

                      Letters To Theophilus (1:1)

INTRODUCTION

1. The New Testament is a collection of 27 books...
   a. Containing gospels, history, epistles, and prophecy
   b. Some written to people at large, others to individual Christians
      and churches

2. It may surprise some that over one fourth of the NT was written to
   one individual...
   a. Luke and Acts contains more than 27% of the total words in the NT
   b. Both were addressed to a man named Theophilus - Lk 1:1-4; Ac 1:1-3

[With much of the New Testament written to just one man, it may be of
interest to further examine the relationship between the author and his
recipient, and the two letters between them...]

I. THE AUTHOR OF THE LETTERS

   A. THE GOSPEL OF LUKE...
      1. Though unnamed, church tradition supporting Luke as the author
         is both early and unanimous - ESV Study Bible
      2. Luke was a physician, thought to have been a Gentile, possibly
         from Antioch - Co 4:14; cf. Eusebius' Ecclesiastical History,
         3.4.7

   B. THE BOOK OF ACTS...
      1. Also unnamed, but obviously the same author as Luke's gospel 
         - cf. Ac 1:1 with Lk 2:1-4
      2. The "we" sections require a companion of Paul, and Luke is
         mentioned in Paul's epistles - Col 4:14; 2Ti 4:11; Phm 24 

[The "beloved physician" who often accompanied Paul in his travels had
ample opportunity to collect the information shared in the gospel of Luke
and the book of Acts.  As for...]

II. THE RECIPIENT OF THE LETTERS

   A. THE GOSPEL OF LUKE...
      1. Was written to "most excellent Theophilus" - Lk 1:3
      2. Theophilus means "loved of God"
      3. The appellation "most excellent" suggests a government
         official - cf. Ac 23:26; 24:3; 26:25
      
   B. THE BOOK OF ACTS...
      1. Was written to "O Theophilus" - Ac 1:1
      2. Note that the honorific title "most excellent" was dropped,
         about which we will comment later

[Not much more is known about the identity of Theophilus, but what is
said about him has led to some interesting possibilities about...]

III. THE PURPOSE OF THE LETTERS

   A. THE GOSPEL OF LUKE...
      1. "that you may know the certainty of those things in which you
         were instructed" - Lk 1:4
      2. Theophilus had undoubted heard many things about Jesus and his
         followers - Lk 1:1; cf. Ac 17:6-7; 28:22
      3. There is evidence that Luke composed his work partially to
         prove that neither Jesus nor his followers were politically 
         dangerous to the Roman government - ISBE, "Theophilus"

   B. THE BOOK OF ACTS...
      1. To continue the story begun in the gospel of Luke - Ac 1:4
      2. Some have concluded that Theophilus was the magistrate who
         heard Paul's case in Rome and that Acts (and Luke) was a legal 
         brief in Paul's defense - ISBE, "Theophilus"
      3. The abrupt ending of Acts prior to Paul's trial before Caesar
         lends support to the idea that it may have initially served as a
         "legal brief" in Paul's behalf - cf. Ac 28:30-31

[Luke's purpose in writing these two letters to Theophilus was to inform
him about the life of Christ and the growth of the early church.  How
were these letters received by Theophilus...?] 

IV. THE EFFECT OF THE LETTERS

   A. THEOPHILUS' CONVERSION...
      1. We noted that Luke dropped the honorific title "most
         excellent" in his second letter - Ac 1:1
      2. This has led many to conclude that Luke's relation to
         Theophilus had changed, that receiving Luke's gospel resulted in
         Theophilus' conversion
      3. For Christians did not use honorific titles to address one
         another - cf. Mt 23:8-12

   B. PAUL'S RELEASE...
      1. There is evidence that Paul's first appearance before Caesar
         led to his release
      2. After which he had time to travel, according to his plans
         written in his prison epistles - Php 2:24; Phm 22
      3. During which he wrote his first epistle to Timothy, and the
         one to Titus

[Even if the letters were originally intended for Theophilus, may have
even served as a "legal brief", their inspiration by the Spirit of God
has long been acknowledged.  Leading one to inquire about...]

V. THE VALUE OF THE LETTERS

   A. FOR CREATING FAITH IN CHRIST...
      1. Many have used Luke's gospel to introduce people to Jesus
         Christ
      2. It is the most extensive of the four gospels, written in
         chronological order - Lk 1:3
      3. Penned by a professional man (physician), with a view toward
         historical accuracy - Lk 1:4; 2:1-2; 3:1-2

   B. FOR OBEYING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST...
      1. Luke records many examples of conversion in the book of Acts 
         - e.g., Ac 2:36-41; 8:30-38
      2. We read of the evangelistic methods and message of the early
         apostles and preachers
      3. For assurance of our own salvation, we can compare our own
         conversion experience with those in Acts; were we told the same
         gospel, did we respond in the same way?

   C. FOR UNDERSTANDING THE CHURCH OF CHRIST...
      1. Acts contains the only record of the first thirty years of the
         early church
      2. It describes establishment, growth, organization, and worship
         of the church - e.g., Ac 2:42; 14:23
      3. Comparing Luke's record in Acts with the religious world
         today, we can see how far people have drifted from following 
         Jesus as the Way

CONCLUSION

1. Two letters, written to one man, sometime in the early 60s A.D....
   a. Who would have thought a simple correspondence would have the
      impact it did
   b. Of course it is due to their inspiration and preservation by the
      Spirit of God!

2. Have you given yourself the opportunity to read these two letters? 
   Do so, and you...
   a. Already have read one fourth of the New Testament!
   b. Will have the opportunity to learn much about Jesus, His
      salvation, and His church!

Along with the rest of the New Testament, you can "know the certainty of
those things in which you were instructed"...