The Start Of The Church Acts 1:1-11

Have you ever gone to a training seminar, retreat, or convention before? I used to love going to youth ministry training conventions; they were always filled with wonderful ideas. I was constantly impressed with how they prepared us for ministry.

All of the general sessions, modeled the techniques we were to dig deeper into during the more personal breakout sessions, and then there was always a gigantic ballroom set up with venders who could supply us with resources that were meant to give the final preparations for reaching the youth in our care.

Our scripture passage today gives us a picture of Jesus final instructions to his apostles before sending them out and ultimately starting the church. ““Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus was explaining how God was going to send them the Holy Spirit. They had been watching Jesus serve others for three years, they had even been taught privately by their Savior, and now God was providing the final resource they would need to reach the lost, The Holy Spirit. The great thing is that we still have this amazing gift to continue growing the church and God’s Kingdom.

Read today's passage at Biblegateway Acts 1:1-11

Revelation 3:14-22 - To a Wealthy Church in Laodicea

Have you ever been thirsty? You take a swallow of what you think is ice-cold water; instead you end up with a mouthful of lukewarm water? When that happened to me, I wanted to spit it out.

Christ is about to spit out the Church of Laodicea for their lukewarm faith. Christ looks at the works of the Church and doesn’t like what He sees. The members claim to be Christian, yet what they do and how they live doesn’t reflect true faith. They are more excited and on fire about their accumulated riches. They are neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm.

Christ tells the church He wants totally committed hearts or none at all. He tells them what they need to do, “Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!” (v 19b The Message)

Christ is looking at you and me as individuals and as part of the church body. Are we showing lukewarm faith, or are we on fire? Are we indifferent and uncommitted or excited and enthusiastic? Is Christ reprimanding us or praising us?

Christ is knocking at our door. He wants to generously pour out His grace on us. He wants us absolutely committed to Him.

When our faith is expressed through a commitment to glorify God, prayer and worship become more meaningful. God's love is more real and our faith comes alive in our hearts. Without thinking, we use what God has given us to bless others and are blessed in return. Isn’t this the faith God wants to see?

Read today's text, Revelation 3:14-22, on Biblegateway. Use the back arrow to return to this page.