Stewards of Joy

Nehemiah 8:5-12

Thank you, pastors and teachers who serve as today’s Levites.  Thank you for “reading from the Book, making it clear and giving the meaning so that people understand.”  Thank you for listening to God’s call on your life.

Thank you for attending Seminary or participating in other means of study and for taking your education seriously.  It’s because of your dedication that we can “celebrate with great joy, because we now understand the words that have been made known to us.”

Thank you for putting things into perspective and making lessons applicable to our lives.  The Bible is an eternal document that will live on because of stewards like you.  His Word survives because you continue to explain the meaning behind the stories.

During Advent, a special story will be retold which many of us have heard a hundred times, but you will bring it to life for those to whom it is brand new - the story of a baby who has and will continue to change the world.  May we all experience the joy of the Lord this Christmas.

Too Much Information!! - Acts 15:22-35

There were times when I was in school and a new subject was introduced, I would get confused in the beginning.  Often it seemed like I would never catch on, there seemed to be so much to it.  But the teachers would break it down for us, making it easier to understand the topic; especially when fed in small bites.  It became easier to swallow also, (sorry, I could not resist) allowing for minds to absorb the new subject and understand it better and more quickly. 


"It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things." (Acts 15:28-29)


Members of the early Christian church had much to learn and they too at times were confused. Some who were neither authorized nor qualified to teach the people, did so anyway.  Because they were not will equipped to teach, their instructions were not accurate and only made the new followers puzzled.  


Upon learning of this confusion, the apostles and elders chose some special men to instruct the Gentile believers.  They made it as simple as possible so as to encourage the people.  Christianity doesn't have to be difficult nor confusing when learned from the right teachers. Like students everywhere, anything new to the mind will take time and patience to learn.  If you have questions, seek out someone you know to be an ardent follower and ask questions.


Read Acts 15:22-35