Tag evangelism

Heroes of Faith: Epaphras

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Epaphras
Preacher, Prayerful, Purposeful, and Persecuted

The New Testament gives us a strong picture of Epaphras in just a few verses. He appears in Colossians 1:7-8, Colossians 4:12-13, and Philemon 23. From these passages alone we see a man who lived as a faithful servant of Christ.

Epaphras was a PREACHER. “As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;” (Col 1:7).

The Colossians learned the grace of God in truth from him. He brought them the gospel. He also reported their love in the Spirit to Paul and those with him. The word reached Colossae through this man’s faithful work. He did not invent a message. He delivered the truth about Christ.

Epaphras was a PRAYERFUL man. “Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Col 4:12).

Paul writes that he was always laboring fervently for the Colossian brethren in prayers. His goal in prayer was clear. He asked that they might stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. This was not occasional prayer. It was constant and intense. He cared deeply about their spiritual growth and full obedience to God’s will.

Epaphras was PURPOSEFUL. “For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis” (Col 4:13).

His zeal reached beyond one group of believers. Paul bore witness that he had great zeal for the saints in Colossae, and also for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. He wanted the churches to stand firm and complete. His purpose matched the will of God revealed in the gospel. He worked and prayed so that the brethren would grow to maturity in Christ.

Epaphras was PERSECUTED for the sake of the gospel. “There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus” (Philemon 23).

Paul calls him his fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus. He shared bonds with the apostle. Faithfulness to the message of Christ brought hardship. Yet he continued as a servant of Christ even while imprisoned.

These four marks stand on the plain statements of Scripture. Epaphras preached the gospel as a faithful minister. He prayed with fervent labor for the perfection of the saints. He showed purposeful zeal for multiple congregations. He suffered as a prisoner for Christ. No extra details are added. The record is short, but it is complete and true.

The church today needs the same kind of servants.

Agape
spencer

Bearing Fruit or withered Fig Tree?

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“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” (John 15:8)

One morning Jesus felt hungry and saw a fig tree full of green leaves by the road. It looked healthy and promising. But when He got closer, there was no fruit at all. The tree had leaves but nothing to give. Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” The next day the disciples saw that the whole tree had withered from the roots.

That story is not just about a tree. It is about us. Jesus wants real fruit in our lives, not just the look of it. The Father cuts off branches that do not bear fruit, and He prunes the ones that do so they bear even more. Jesus is straight with us. He expects fruit.

What does this fruit look like? The Bible shows it in how we live every day. It is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are not just nice feelings. They show up in actions. When someone needs help, we give it. When anger rises, we choose peace. When people are lost, we point them to Jesus. Fruit is not just church attendance or looking spiritual on the outside. The fig tree had plenty of leaves. It looked good from far away. But up close it offered nothing. Jesus judged it for that.

Do we live like that fig tree today? We go through the motions. We say the right words and wear the right smile. From a distance we look like strong Christians. But inside there is no real fruit. No changed heart. No love that costs us something. No time spent helping others know God. Jesus notices. He still walks up close and checks for fruit. The withering of the fig tree shows us that empty religion does not last. God wants genuine life flowing from us.

The scary part is what happens when we stay empty. The fig tree withered because it had nothing to offer when the time came. Jesus expects fruit in season. Life brings moments when people around us need spiritual food. A friend loses hope. A neighbor wonders about God. A stranger feels empty inside. They look for something real. If they turn to us, what will they find? Will there be love that listens? Will there be truth from God’s word that gives life? Or will they walk away still hungry because we only had leaves?

The story of the fig tree is a warning but also a hope. Jesus did not leave His disciples confused. Right after the tree withered, He taught them about faith and prayer. He is always near for help to bear fruit. He is ready to supply what we need to bear fruit (2Cor 9:10).

Let us take this seriously. Let us stay connected to the true Vine every single day. When spiritually hungry people look our way, may they find real fruit. May they taste the goodness of God through our lives and want more of Jesus. The world is full of empty trees. Let us be different. Let us be branches full of life that feed those who need it most. This is from God’s word. The choice is ours. Will we bear fruit that lasts?

Agape
spencer

Hero of Faith: a little maid

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What would you do if you were a captured slave in a foreign land, living among your adversaries? What would you do if the master of the house suffered from the dreaded, incurable disease of leprosy?

Would you tell your mistress about a possible cure in Israel? “And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy” (2 Kings 5:3, KJV).

Would she even believe you? “And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel” (v. 4).

Would the master believe the secondhand report and pass it on to the king? Would the king believe? “And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment” (v. 5).

Surprisingly, something about the faith of this little maid compelled these people to believe her and take the necessary steps to seek the cure. “And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy” (v. 6).

At the next stage, fear and doubt arise. “And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me” (v. 7).

You may already know the rest: Elisha hears of the matter, summons Naaman, and instructs him to dip seven times in the Jordan. Naaman rages and turns away at first, but his servants reason with him. He obeys, dips seven times, “and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean” (v. 14).

That’s the familiar part. But did you know Jesus mentions this healing? “And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian” (Luke 4:27). Notice the key phrase: “none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.” Jesus reveals that, despite many lepers in Israel during Elisha’s time, none had been healed—only Naaman!

The implications are remarkable. This means the little captive maid, who set everything in motion toward God, had likely never seen a case of leprosy cured in her life! Yet she knew. She believed. And she lived with such consistent faith as a stolen child in a foreign land that, when she spoke of the cure, they believed her!

It reminds me of our faith today, as Peter sums it up: “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8-9). Will anyone believe our report?

Agape

spencer

What Can We Say Shen We Don’t Know What to Say?

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“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15).

Being a personal worker is hard. Not only does the personal worker need to be able to present the truth with love, we must also combat error. I’ll admit it, I’ve often taken the “you’re wrong here’s why” approach to evangelism.

 Almost on a daily basis, especially Since I started preaching in Borger, I am told fantastic stories of how folks claim to have been saved. At no point is there ever a “thus saith the Lord” with a bible book, chapter, verse reference.

What do we say after those kinds of tales? It’s too easy to shake your head and close off the conversation because we don’t know how to respond.

I’ve discovered a better way, and I want to share it with you. Instead of running away, I see it as an opportunity to share the true Gospel, (Romans 1:16).

It’s called the “As for me…” principle as found in Joshua 24:15. The Apostle Paul used a similar tactic on Mars Hill. “Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands” (Acts 17:22-24).

Here’s how it works. First, I ASK if I can open up to them about my own salvation. I then tell them how I was SAVED according to the commands of God. I had to Hear the gospel (Matt 7:23-29). I Believe that Jesus is the Christ (John 8:24). I Repented and continue to live a penitent life (Luke 13:3). I have Confessed and continue to Confess Jesus before all (Matt 10:32). I was Baptized in Water, just as the Lord commands to have my sins washed away (Mar 16:16; Acts 2:38), and I strive to be Faithful to the Lord all the days of my life even if doing so causes me hurt (Mat 28:20; Rev 2:10). “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2Tim 1:12).       

Sometimes there are questions about what I’ve said. I answer by saying, “I’ve FOUND that there are many discrepancies between what people say and what God teaches in His word. This next part is important. I ask if I can show them what I did. Then OPEN an actual printed bible for them to see and read for themselves.

I READ to them, (or let them read) those passages that I saw when I first learned the truth. Sometimes I need a few MARGIN notes to remind me where they are. I let the gospel be the power of God unto salvation and not myself for the converting of the soul. Whenever I’ve relied on my own ability to quote scripture, I’ve been met with resistance. One person said, “Satan quoted scripture too.” That push back was helpful because it revealed to me what people are thinking whenever I have quoted verses (even if accurately). It’s hard for people to argue against the Word. They’ll try, but they’ll fail.

Finally, I have no EXPECTATIONS of them. Certainly, my desire is that they come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved, but that’s God’s work. My job is to scatter the seed on the ground of the heart (see Mark 4:14-20). “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” (1Cor 3:6).

Agape,

Spencer

Go here For some helps with scripture when sharing the gospel.

STEPHEN’S Face

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When I first read the account of Stephen in Acts 7, I thought he had brought it upon himself, because he had said, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye” (Acts 7:51). If you’re going to call someone stiffnecked, you ought to expect them to be angry.

As the years went by, and I continued to read and study, it became apparent that Stephen did not deserve death for what he said. He told them the truth. The blame lies on those who heard him. Here’s how I came to that conclusion.

The account actually begins in Acts 6, not 7. Before we even hear of Stephen, a description is given of those who should serve the Grecian widows. “men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom” (Acts 7:3). In verse 8 it says that Stephen was full of faith and power.

Then, as he spoke of Jesus, those that heard could not resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke, (v10).

There was one more description of Stephen in verse 15.

“And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15).

These three verses about Stephen show us that all that he spoke were inspired by the HOLY SPIRIT, even those final hard words of truth about the hearts of his hearers. We cannot know the hearts of men, but God does. Stephen spoke the TRUTH as revealed by the Spirit.

Therefore, his execution by stoning of the mob was a persecution for righteousness’ sake, even as the Lord spoke about in the sermon on the mount, (Matt 5:10-12).

Stephen wasn’t speaking erratically, but with PURPOSE. He had shown himself to be a defender of the faith (Jude 3), and a deliverer of truth (Acts 7:2-53).

 We can see the beginning of his reward in the next verses, “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55-56). This speaks of reward. The view of Stephen’s heavenward gaze reveals God’s approval.

As we continue to look closely at his speech, this next statement reveals his heart about those who are stoning him. “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60). This is what truth loving people say, and are not the words of hatred. His last words are words of forgiveness to seek EXONERATION for his attackers.

Stephen became for us an example of one living for Jesus with NO FEAR, No flinching, No whining, and No doubt. His boldness is an answer to the prayer of the Apostles, “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word” (Acts 4:29).

The final chapter of Stephen’s story is the beginning of another man’s story, the young man named SAUL. “…and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul” (Acts 7:58). But that is a story for another day.

Agape,

Spencer

Spencer is an evangelist for the Franklin & Juniper st church of Christ in Borger Texas.

Do you love your enemies?

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you LOVE your ENEMY?

“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”    (Luke 6:27-36).

All this month we’ve been talking about LOVE. Here’s a recap.

Love the LORD week 1;

First, GOD IS LOVE. (1John 4:8)

Second, GOD LOVES. (1John 4:9)

Third, HE LOVED US FIRST. (1John 4:19)

Last, GOD DIED FOR US. (1John 3:16)

Love OTHERS week 2:

Love The Brethren. (John 13:34)

Love Others. (1Thess 3:12)

Love to Visit the needy. (Jas 1:27)

Love our Enemies. (Luke 6:27)

Love His Appearing week 3:

We Look for His return. (Luke 12:37)

We Obey Him. (Luke 6:46)

We add Virtue, etc. (2Pet 1:5-11)

We Endure this life. (Matt 10:24)

This week we’ll look at the Lord’s command to Love our Enemy.

It’s unambiguous that we are to love our enemies. Who our enemies are varies. As much as it lies within us, we try to live at peace with all men (Rom 12:18), but there are some that just don’t like us, are rude, mean, or antagonistic to the church. It matters not why; Jesus taught us to LOVE our ENEMIES.

How are we to LOVE an ENEMY?

First, with EMPATHY. We need to have empathy for we were once enemies to the Lord.

“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Romans 5:10).

“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1Cor 6:9-11).

No matter what a person may say to provoke us, we must remain NICE. The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God (Jas 1:20)

“And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same” (Luke 6:33).

This teaching doesn’t mean we put ourselves in harm’s way. Paul avoided many attacks on his life by the Jews, but he still desired they be saved.

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Rom 10:1).

This next one is difficult, but we need to have a heart to EVANGELIZE.

Some will, some wont, but you’ll never know until you try. We seldom think about, nor even desire to teach an enemy the truth of the gospel.

I ask myself this question whenever interacting with an “enemy;” Could I invite them to worship despite our conflict? Look at this example:

Jesus sent Ananias to Saul of Tarsus to teach him the gospel. “Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem” (Acts 9:10-16).

Within the command to love our enemy is to be Merciful.

“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6:36).

Merciful means… compassionate, experiencing deep pity (lamentation) as God has for people who look to Him for help in their difficult situations. Consider the example of the stolen servant girl who told Naaman of a cure for leprosy. (2Kings 5:1-3). “Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.”

Finally, and very importantly, YOUR forgiveness depends on it. Let’s read from our passage in Luke:

“For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil” (Luke 6:32-35). To love only those that love us is no better than the enemies themselves. Look at what Jesus taught:

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”

(Matt 6:14-15; Mt 18:35; Mr 11:25-26; Eph 4:32; Col 3:13).

People mistake these concepts as having to take abuse, pain, etc. That’s a mistake. We have authority to avoid our enemies attacks, if we do it without sin, and without denying the Lord.

Think about the Apostle Paul in Acts 23:12-31. Some of the very people he was trying to reach with the Gospel had sworn to lie in wait for him so they would have occasion to ambush and kill him. He loved those in Judaism who were persecuting him (Rom 10:1-3), but that didn’t mean he had to be killed if it could be avoided (see, Acts 9:25; 2Cor 11:33).

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good”

(Rom 12:19-21).

–Spencer

Lesson from 1Peter 2: by your Good WORKS

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“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your GOOD WORKS, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

(1Peter 2:12, emph seb)

What are the good works. There are 5 key things to remember about good WORKS.

  • Firstly, they must be according to the WILL of God (authorized through scriptures; 1Pet 4:2; Eph 2:10).
  • They need to be ONGOING in our lives (habitual; cf Titus 2:7; 3:8, 14).
  • Thirdly, we need to be constantly READY & willing from the heart to do them (Titus 2:14; 1Tim 6:18; 2Co 8:12).
  • We can KNOW what they are and be taught them (Heb 10:24; Titus 3:14)
  • Lastly, they are to be SEEN, but not to be seen from pride (1Pet 2:12; 3:1, 16)

The faithful Christian will LEARN, PRACTICE, & MAINTAIN good Works all the days of their life. Here are all the passages in the New Testament that speak about good works.

GOOD WORKS;

Mt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Joh 10:32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

Acts 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

1Tim 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

1Tim 5:10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

1Tim 5:25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

1Tim 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

2Tim 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Titus 3:14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

1Pet 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

GOOD WORK:

2Cor 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Col 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

1Tim 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

2Tim 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

Heb 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The person that teaches there is nothing for a person to do to become a Christian and to remain faithful has obviously never read the scriptures.

There is a purpose behind good works. Peter says, “which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” He is talking about using our good works to win others to Him (cf 1Peter 3:1-2; 15).

Spencer

Lessons from 1 Peter: how to be READY

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but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear: (1Peter 3:15

READ. 1Tim 4:13; 2Tim 3:14-17; Act 17:11

EAGER. Acts 26:2

ALWAYS. See Paul, Acts 23:1; 26:2

DEFENSE, not defensive. 2Tim 3:15-16.

YOU can do it. Eph 3:3-4; Titus 1:11

the Life of Peter in 2 Periods

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Peter’s life could be divided into two different periods of his life for the purpose of studying it…

Before Pentecost, with the pivotal point being found in John 21:15-19.

After Pentecost, which runs from Acts 2 through Acts 15.

A simplified outline of his life could be described in these few words.

He was…

A PASSIONATE and often impetuous man. He was an EYEWITNESS to the Life of Christ and heard God’s voice from Heaven. He was TESTED by Satan as seen in his denial of Christ.

Afterward he was EVANGELISTIC, even facing death for his preaching. He was a REPENTANT man as seen in his zeal to preach and his writings.

This bulletin will supplement our Sunday morning Bible study as we study the inspired letters of the Apostle Peter.

BEFORE PENTECOST.

“And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona:” (John 1:42a)

We’re introduced to Peter at the SEA of Galilee (Matt 4:18). He is married as seen when Jesus heals his mother-in-law (Matt 8:14-15). He was still fishing when he is called to be a constant companion of Jesus (Matt 4:19-20). It’s after this second calling that he forsakes all to follow Jesus. He verbalizes this after his call to be an Apostle. “Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee” (Mark 10:28)

As he followed Christ, he was included in an INNER circle of 3 that witnessed certain key events, one of which is the transfiguration of Jesus (Mark 9:2-9; cf. 2Peter 1:17), where they hear the voice of God.

Because of his often impetuous and passionate personality, it was he that requested to MIRACULOUSLY walk on water with Jesus (Matt 14:28-31). It’s only when he takes his eyes off the Lord and looks at the storm that he begins to sink requiring the Lord to reach out to save. “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.”

It was Peter that took Jesus aside to rebuke Him and OBJECTED to His dying as the Lord was predicting (Matt 16:22). It was also Peter that OBJECTED to the washing of his feet by Jesus (John 13:8). “Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet.”

Then, at the lowest point of this period, he denied Jesus after His arrest saying, “I know NOT this man of whom ye speak.” (Matt 26:31-35; Mark 14:71; John 18:15-18; 25-27). What makes this especially difficult for Peter is that he and the Lord make direct eye contact upon his 3rd denial.

“And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice” (Luke 22:61)

A pivotal point in this period of his life is his breakfast by the sea with Our Risen Lord (John 21:15-19). It’s here he learns that his life is about to change even more dramatically.

“This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.”

AFTER PENTECOST.

“thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.” (John 1:42b)

On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up with the COMPANY of the other eleven Apostles to deliver the first sermon in the New Testament age. They preached the gospel which is the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus. He commands the believers, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:14-38).

Even though 3,000 souls were added to the church after that first sermon, the next day he is in the Temple continuing to EVANGELIZE. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). Through their efforts the church continued to grow in the first days (Acts 4:1-4).

It was Peter who was given the assignment to PREACH to the gentiles (Acts 10). Being summoned to the house of Cornelius, he PREACHES the gospel to them, giving them the same command he gave to the Jews. It was the same command given him by the Lord. “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized” (Acts 10:47; cf. Mark 16:15-16)?

As bold as he was, Peter is not without fault as seen in a moment of HYPOCRISY when he separated himself from the gentiles when those of the circumcision came to Antioch (Gal 2:11-14). But Peter is a man of HUMILTY and repentance. Holding no grudges, he acknowledges Paul’s teaching in his second letter (2Peter 3:15-16).

Another part of Peter’s story in Acts is during the persecution of Herod. Herod had killed James, and had imprisoned Peter. He escapes through ANGELIC help. The danger doesn’t deter him in the least. He goes to encourage the brethren and continues to preach the Gospel (Acts 12)

One of the last times we hear of Peter in Acts is in Acts 15. It was through his SPEECH along with that of Paul, Barnabas, and James that the church rejoiced with comfort (Acts 15:7-11, 31) knowing that the gentiles, along with the Jews, may be saved through the blood of Christ.

I hope this summary of the life of Peter aids us in our study of his inspired letters.

— spencer

Spencer is the evangelist for the Franklin and Juniper church of Christ in Borger, Texas.

6 Verses that COMPEL me

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When speaking about being compelled, we often think that someone is forcibly moving us to do something we don’t want to do.

God doesn’t do that. We obey God because of our love for Him, and because of our reverential belief in who He is, and what He can and will do.

We do this willingly because we believe Him.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

We’re willing participants.

Another way of saying compelled is with the word motivation. I am emotionally motivated by God’s word. We know the will of God only through His divine word. The Bible has many motivating passages, but I wanted to look at just 6 passages that COMPEL (motivates) me to be a better child of God.

The first is what CHRIST said He will say on the judgment day. “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46; cf. Mat 7:21-23)

Another equally compelling passage is about OBEYING the gospel. “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:” (2Thess 1:8; Heb 5:8-9). False teachers claim that there’s nothing a person can do to be saved. But that’s why they’re false teachers.

Moving on to living Godly in Christ, this next passage compels me to do better. “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:” (Col 3:5). To MORTIFY your members is to kill off sin in your life. That’s serious language. He’s not advocating self-harm, rather he’s illustrating the seriousness of sin.

Within this same chapter, Paul adds details that continue to motivate me to living Godly, “PUT off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.” “PUT on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;” (Col 3:8-17)

Some wonder why I’m so vocal about the Bible. When we realize our helpless condition, and the salvation only through Christ Jesus, we are compelled to obey the Gospel. Then comes the realization that people you love are lost if they die in their sins. Therefore, I’m compelled to EVANGELIZE to the lost world. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1Cor 6:9-11; cf. Mat 28:18-19)

The last, but certainly not the least passage that compels me is actually several; those passages about LOVE. It’s best to read them and let them be their own commentary…

  1. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Mat 22:37)
  2. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” (1John 5:3)
  3. “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” (1John 4:7-8)
  4. “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,” (Luke 6:27)
  5. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (1John 2:15-17)

Which bible passages compel you?