Bible Shorts

Acts 2:36 says has Peter preaching his first (though very succesful - about three thousand became Christians that day) sermon "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ--this Jesus whom you crucified."

I'm struck by the way the church, my church, I don't so much preach the gospel but expect that because I act like a Christian, people will see it and say "Oooh! I'd like to become just like you!".

In the past, we have seen popstars claim to have a 'Christian Faith', but apart from speaking about it, they've said that they wanted people to see Jesus in the guitar - as if people would be so impressed by how good they were, they'd start going to church so that they could be as good. Such people were called attention seekers who wanted the glory of the world.

Are we risking the same result as they as we expect people to see Jesus in the dinners we give, the songs that we sing or the way we flash our church's disco lights?

Social work is important. The church was instructed to look after the poor and to heal the sick; these things are essential. But these things are not telling people what they need to hear. Peter told the people that they were responsible for cruifying Jesus. He didn't tell them that Jesus can make them feel nice, wanted and important (though He really does), but He told them that they were sinners!

How many people, upon coming to the judgement seat will be sent to hell saying "Well, they fed me alright, but they never mentioned this!"?

Feeding the hungry, helping the poor, healing the sick are all important, extremely important! But are we looking to comfortably send people to hell?

And we organise 'healing meetings', 'faith meetings' and so on, but where did these happen in the Bible? Jesus preached the kingdom, and people got healed. Peter preached salvation through faith in Jesus, and people got healed. These were signs that the message had validity, not tools in order to make the message interesting! Without the message of the kingdom, these would have meant nothing. These people didn't organise 'healing services' and hope that people would see the miracles and go "Oooh! There's clever! Think I'll become a Christian now!".

In 1Corinthians 1:22-25, Paul says; "For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks [gentiles] search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."

This is not a get-out for looking after the needy; James makes it clear that if we neglect that, we have no faith. But where is the message? Are we being ambiguous, hoping that our smile will convey the love of Jesus? Will they know what to do with our collective smile?

Where would we be if the church in Acts relied on such things to do the preaching?
Not here.

The book of Proverbs says that it is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to seek out a matter; and everybody would seem to want to be a king. Looking at the rich and famous, you may believe that knowing the mysteries of life is not for you because you're too busy living your life and only the likes of Madonna or Britney Spears can discover the ancient mysteries of life.

But as these personalities satisfy their selfish and egocentric pursuits by following the mutilation of the pure religion delivered to Israel by Moses, you can rest assured that although you may not have the self confidence, looks or the luck of the entertainment industry's greatest, you have access to the revelation of the oldest, greatest and most important mystery of all;

In Colossians 1 Paul writes; "... Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. "

Jesus is the revelation of the mystery of God. You don't have to go and recharge your phychic energy in a tomb, you don't have to wear a red bracelet, you don't have to worry that your essential value relies on being able to keep up with the ever changing trends which are advertised and popularised by the shallow stars of the media; Jesus (who is called Immanuel - 'God With Us') has brought you fellowship with the Father, the Creator; God. Your relationship with the purpose of existence is made possible and real by Jesus.

Do you feel unwanted? Do you feel that you're not worth much? Jesus came and died for you, so that you can have a relationship and friendship with God. From the very core of your 'being', you can know that your existence is not without purpose, that you are not an accident but rather, God loves you and wants you to get to know Him better and better every day.

For centuries, there was a mystery; But now the mystery has been revealed and the humble are the ones who shall find it.