Tag Archives: God

Pastor Wrinkles :House On Fire Pt. 4

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The Word of God is a bridge that connects Earth with Heaven and Heaven with Earth.- Joseph Elon Lillie

I have really been enjoying this discussion through the book of Acts. So far five of you have popped in on the discussion. Let me encourage you to read and put in your thoughts concerning the thought strand. Let’s make this a real discussion class. If you have missed any of the class questions you can catch up here: http://wp.me/P39vIx-Gh

Now on to today’s class.

Read over some of the comments from the last classes. Are any of these new thoughts for you? How have they changed your view of the disciples after the resurrection of Jesus?

When last we left the disciples they had just elected Matthias  to fill Judas Iscariot’s position. They were all waiting in Jerusalem for the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Here is what happened.

2 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested[a] on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” Acts 2:1-13 ESV

Between Acts 1:9 ( Ascension Day) and Acts 2:1 (Pentecost) was a period of 10 days

Pentecost is one of the seven feasts of Israel. Each of them reflect a different aspect of  Messiah.

The four spring feasts are:

Pesach- Passover/ Jesus is our Passover lamb protecting us from the death angel

Unleavened bread- Jesus is our sinless Messiah

First Fruits-  Jesus was the first to be raised from the dead. He is the first fruits of our salvation.

Shavuot- Pentecost/ The Holy Spirit descended

The three fall feasts are:

Rosh Hoshanah- Yom Teruah, “The blowing of the shofar”. symbolic of the great in-gathering of the saints by Messiah (rapture of the church)

Yom Kippur- Day of Repentance/ day when Messiah shall judge

Succot- Feast of Tabernacles/ the Kingdom banquet/ marriage supper of the Lamb

Here is some information about Pentecost-

Shavuot, the Festival of Weeks is the second of three major festivals with both historical and agricultural significance (the other two are Passover and Sukkot). Agriculturally it commemorates the time when the first fruits are harvested and brought to the temple. Historically it celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. It is customary to stay up the entire first night of Shavuot and study Torah and then to pray as early as possible in the morning.

Do you think this practice may have had any bearing on the coming of the Holy Spirit? Why or Why not?

Pastor Wrinkles: House On Fire Pt. 3

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The Word of God is a bridge that connects Earth with Heaven and Heaven with Earth.- Joseph Elon Lillie

The Word of God is a bridge that connects Earth with Heaven and Heaven with Earth.- Joseph Elon Lillie

Welcome to episode three of our study through the book Of Acts, House on Fire. If you missed our previous  sessions they can be found here: http://wp.me/P39vIx-Gh

When last we left our intrepid disciples, they were watching Jesus ascend into Heaven. The master had left them specific instructions that they were to remain in Jerusalem until they received the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Let’s pick up the narrative at this point.

Acts 1:10-26

10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.[a]

15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong[b] he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

“‘May his camp become desolate,
    and let there be no one to dwell in it’;

and

“‘Let another take his office.’

21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

I would like to start with a question from verse 15. We know from this verse that 120 returned to Jerusalem and waited for the “baptism in the Holy Spirit”. We also know from I Corinthians 15:6 that Jesus appeared to over 500 people after his resurrection.

Why do you think 480 people were missing from the upper room experience?

Now let’s talk about what went on in the upper room during those 10 days. We have a small glimpse here of how the disciples “waited” for the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

How do these verses change your understanding of the command from Jesus, “wait for the promise of the Father”? Does this change your understanding of “waiting on God”?

Pastor Wrinkles: House On Fire Pt. 2

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I have been enjoying the on-line discussions I have started with Angela and Debby in the book of Acts. If you missed our first discussion question it can be found here: http://wp.me/p39vIx-Ei

Now onto our next question from Acts:

The Bible says that after his final teaching Jesus ascended into Heaven.

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9-11

Mel 5

The last thing the angels tell the witnesses to the ascension is that Jesus will come again. That second coming is described in Zechariah and Revelation.

“A day of the Lord is coming, Jerusalem, when your possessions will be plundered and divided up within your very walls.

2 I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. 3 Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle. 4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. 5 You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake[a] in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.” Zech. 14:1-5

“Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.”

Imagine the emotions being experienced by the disciples during the ascension. How would you feel if you were there?

Now imagine being a witness to the return of Jesus. How will you feel on that day? What do you imagine the emotions of others you know will be? What feelings does this motivate inside of you?

Pastor Wrinkles: House On Fire Pt. 1

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I was recently charged with the responsibility of holding a discussion class on the book of Acts over a twelve week period. Some of my readers have asked if I could share the class as an on-line discussion because they could not make it out to the Wednesday night talk backs. I have never tried such a thing before; But I figure, what’s to be lost by giving it the old college heave-ho? So let’s all have a discussion on the book of Acts shall we?

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”

6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:1-8 NIV

Some quick notes as we begin:

The Book of Acts is addressed to Theophilus which basically translates “God lover” or  “Friend of God”. He could have been a real person or maybe the book is simply addressed to any person who loves God.

The Book is officially entitled The Acts of the Apostles, but it is important to note  the chief actor in the book is the Holy Spirit through the apostles.

The author of this book is traditionally accepted as Luke the physician who accompanied the apostle Paul on his missionary journey. This is the testimony of the early church fathers: Eusebius, Clement, Origen, Irenaeus, and Tertullian. Further both the Gospel of Luke and Acts are addressed to Theophilus seeming to make them two parts of a whole.

The book is dated to around 63 A.D. and covers the span of time from around 33- 63 A.D. when Paul was imprisoned in Rome. Neither Paul’s death (65 A.D.) or the fall of Jerusalem (70 A.D.) are mentioned.

Here is my first question for discussion:

Acts 1:1-8 mentions that Jesus taught many things after his resurrection. We see some of these teachings in Acts 1:1-8/ John 20:19-21:23/ Luke 24:13-49/ Mark 16:9-20/ Ma 28:16-18

Create a list of  things you see Jesus teaching post resurrection. If you could only sit in on one of these teaching which would you choose? Why?

I will give you a few days to ponder this first question before I post the next. I look forward to our discussion. 🙂

Pastor Wrinkles: Socks With Sandals

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I admit I am a bit of a rebel…at least when it comes to foot wear. I find myself bucking the conventions of podiatric propriety all the time. I wear socks with sandals on a regular basis 100_2902

 and I almost always wear white socks with my black suit and dress shoes.

Pastors by definition live in a fish bowl. Our lives are open for all to see and criticize down to the finest detail (even our footwear believe it or not). Right or wrong, it’s a part of the vocation we all learn to live with and pattern our lives around.  I suppose how I choose to dress my feet is my little way of sticking it to the man. 🙂

All kidding aside though, we all “wear socks with sandals” in certain areas of our lives.  There are  things each of us have decided we are just going to be stubborn about. Sometimes our stubborn streaks are given to nothing more serious than wearing socks with sandals or whether or not we will eat broccoli. Yet there are also times when we pitch the battle flag on more serious hills and determine that no matter what people say, come hell or high water, we aren’t giving ground.

When our nonnegotiables are based around biblical holiness we should keep them no matter what people say; But there are times when our nonnegotiables  flaunt Scripture and God’s purposes. We know it. We recognize it. Our best friends and even our pastors are warning us off and yet we still insist on “socks with sandals” even after God has told us to get with His fashion trend.

My question to you today is:

What area of your life is a “socks with sandals” area?

Is your stubbornness healthy or self-destructive?

If it is self-destructive what are you going to do about it?

Pastor Wrinkles: Shaken & Stirred Pt. 4

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Here is the next excerpt from Sunday morning’s sermon.

If you missed any of the earlier portions they can be found here:

http://wp.me/p39vIx-zf

Here

http://wp.me/p39vIx-zt

And here

http://wp.me/p39vIx-zz

We were  discussing the believer’s need to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I have often heard it said that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is not for everyone. Yet Peter said, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2: 39.

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is for everyone!

Hear me Christian, if you will receive His baptism you will also receive His freedom  from condemnation sin and failure: For where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.

The final point I want to make today is … being filled with the Spirit involves releasing the Spirit through our lives. Many believers will recognize God’s ownership of their lives and will receive His baptism but they never come to know the Christian life that shakes and stirs because they never release the Spirit through their lives in faith. So many are living dull, drab, lukewarm lives even while believing and receiving because they are not releasing the gifts in living and ministry. We can have great powers of recognition and wonderful willingness to receive from God the free gifts of salvation and supernatural power but these gifts were never meant to be held in a reservoir. They are meant to be poured out like a river and only when we pour the gifts out through faith-filled victorious living and ministry will our Christian lives be shaken and stirred with the vitality that Jesus desired.

You say, ‘I am baptized with the Holy Ghost.”

Great! I would ask,  “What are you doing with the baptism? ”

Your answer should not be, “Well I am a prophet to the pastor.”

You know what a prophet to the pastor is don’t you? That’s someone who comes to the pastor and says “ Pastor I think God wants you to do thus and so…. Have fun!”

Releasing the Spirit doesn’t involve you telling other people what to do. It involves you living and doing everyday according to the giftings God has poured out in your life. Paul the apostle said,

 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your  faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:3-8

So Christian…

Have you recognized Jesus as Lord and have you recognized His Spirit’s ownership of your life?

Have you received the powerful baptism in the Holy Spirit?

Are you releasing the gifts of the Holy Spirit through faithful living and the ministry He has directed you to?

Let’s pray: Father God, I thank you for sending your son Jesus to die for my sin. Forgive me of all I have done wrong in this life and come into my life as my personal Lord and Savior. Send your Holy Spirit to live in my heart and cause me to be born again so that I can begin a new life with you. Lord I willingly open myself to your Spirit and all the gifts He has to offer. Lead me in using your gifts as you direct I declare right now I am willing to be used by you in any way that you desire. In Jesus name A-men

Did you just pray that prayer for the first time or as a rededication of your life to Christ? Drop me a line and tell me about your experience!

Pastor Wrinkles AKA Pastor J

Pastor Wrinkles: Shaken & Stirred Pt. 2

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We ended yesterday’s excerpt by stating… ” God’s desire is for you enjoy your relationship with Him! ”

This is borne out by Scripture for God has said,

“You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; … ou have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” Hebrews 12: 18, 22-24 NIV

For that reason He has commanded us to, “stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” I Tim. 1:7          

How do we accomplish this? By coming away from the world’s way of doing things “excess” as Paul tells us in Ephesians chapter 5 and by being filled with the Spirit of God.

I want to share with you three keys to being filled with Spirit and for the sake of memory each key begins with the letter R

Being filled with the Spirit involves…

Recognizing the Spirit. Specifically we need to recognize that if we are born again then the Spirit of God now lives inside of us. Born again is not a term we use a lot anymore. Maybe we should use it more because it helps us to understand what actually happens when a person becomes a Christian. Christianity is not just a decision of the mind. It’s not just a changing of philosophies. In fact, at the heart of it becoming a Christian is not about us deciding anything at all. It is more about us accepting and receiving the truth and the truth is that we are all born dead in our sins. It is about accepting the fact that from our conception we are sold under sin and we are completely helpless to change that fact no matter what we decide. Truthfully, as a non- Christian the best I can do is trade socially unacceptable sins for socially acceptable sins. It makes me look better to other sinners but it never changes my standing with God.

Becoming a Christian is about realizing that the only way I will ever become acceptable to God is if I let Jesus into my life to do His work. And when I accept and invite his work He sends the Holy Spirit to live in me and I am born again. Paul tells us that when we are born again by the Spirit of Christ we are no longer counted guilty of sin because we are no longer the same people. We have literally been spiritually born again and we have become new creations in Christ capable of doing and being things we were never capable of doing or being before. The time has come for us to start being filled with the Spirit by recognizing that as we are born again we are lived in by the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit doesn’t live in a building. He doesn’t live in Cornerstone church. He lives inside the people of Cornerstone church. For this reason Paul the apostle said in I Cor. 1:19 “19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

Not only does He dwell in us, He owns us. Holy Spirit is not a renter. God does not sublet. He owns!

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body  and in your spirit, which are God’s. I Cor. 6:20

 

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. I Peter 2 :9

When you were born again you became the renter and Holy Spirit became the landlord. How does that change your view of your relationship with God?

Join us for more tomorrow!