listening and sharing

Good afternoon friends,
Today I'm really excited for Alan's concert at Laurelton with a great picnic lunch for all. I hope you can make it from 1:30-3. The weather couldn't be better, and I know it's going to be a great time.

Our passage continues with the early church leaders discussing how and whether gentiles coming to faith in Christ need to follow the law of Moses in terms of food and circumcision. The outcome is important, but today I want to focus on the process. People listen to each other and take turns sharing their experience. That's a good way to approach most difficult decisions: listening and honest conversation.


God bless,
Sam

Acts 15:6-21

6The apostles and the elders met together to consider this matter. 7After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “My brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that I should be the one through whom the Gentiles would hear the message of the good news and become believers. 8And God, who knows the human heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us; 9and in cleansing their hearts by faith he has made no distinction between them and us.


10Now therefore why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” 12The whole assembly kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles.


13After they finished speaking, James replied, “My brothers, listen to me. 14Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. 15This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written,16‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; from its ruins I will rebuild it, and I will set it up, 17so that all other peoples may seek the Lord— even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called. Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things 18known from long ago.’


19Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, 20but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood.21For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every sabbath in the synagogues.”

sleepy

Good morning friends,
This morning we start Paul's farewell tour on the way to Jerusalem for the last time. This story will also strike a chord with anyone who's ever fallen asleep during a sermon.

Blessings on your day,
Sam

Acts 20:1-12

After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples; and after encouraging them and saying farewell, he left for Macedonia. ²When he had gone through those regions and had given the believers much encouragement, he came to Greece, ³where he stayed for three months. He was about to set sail for Syria when a plot was made against him by the Jews, and so he decided to return through Macedonia. ⁴He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Beroea, by Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, by Gaius from Derbe, and by Timothy, as well as by Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia. ⁵They went ahead and were waiting for us in Troas; ⁶but we sailed from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we joined them in Troas, where we stayed for seven days.

7 On the first day of the week, when we met to break bread, Paul was holding a discussion with them; since he intended to leave the next day, he continued speaking until midnight. ⁸There were many lamps in the room upstairs where we were meeting. ⁹A young man named Eutychus, who was sitting in the window, began to sink off into a deep sleep while Paul talked still longer. Overcome by sleep, he fell to the ground three floors below and was picked up dead. ¹⁰But Paul went down, and bending over him took him in his arms, and said, ‘Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.’ ¹¹Then Paul went upstairs, and after he had broken bread and eaten, he continued to converse with them until dawn; then he left. ¹²Meanwhile they had taken the boy away alive and were not a little comforted.

welcoming the weak

Good evening friends,
I'd like to remind you that we're starting our new Boulevard discussion series: "Asking big questions when you don't know the answers." We're meeting at 8:30 at the Boulevard to talk about questions of life, meaning and whatever questions you might have. All are welcome regardless of what you believe.


Today's reading reminds us to use our gifts and strength to help others, not just ourselves. It also reminds us that everything begins with Christ. In Christ, God welcomes us at our worst and makes us one family in faith. Knowing that, we should also welcome each other graciously.

God bless,
Sam

Romans 15:1-7

We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. ²Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor. ³For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” ⁴For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.

⁵May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, ⁶so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁷Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

questions on the road

Good morning brothers and sisters,
First I'd like to remind you about the exciting opportunity to participate in the Christian Life and Witness Class offered by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association over the next three weeks. It is a series of three classes focused on deepening our faith and sharing that faith with others. From the preview I received at a pastor's gathering, the quality and style is excellent. I think you'll find it refreshing, encouraging and challenging. The class is offered Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings from 7-9 and Saturday mornings from 10-noon at various sites. I'll be attending the class on Saturdays at Bridge Builders Church at 1787 Norton Street (between Waring and Goodman). The class is free and is an great opportunity to deepen your faith and hear a different perspective than you'll normally hear from me.


Today's reading takes place Easter afternoon. Two of Jesus' disciples are going to a nearby town after hearing the report of the women who went to Jesus' tomb and found it empty. As you read, try to imagine being one of Jesus' disciples processing the crazy last week of his life.

God bless,
Sam

Luke 24:13-24

¹³Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, ¹⁴and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. ¹⁵While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, ¹⁶but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. ¹⁷And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 

¹⁸Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” ¹⁹He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, ²⁰and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. ²¹But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. 

Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. ²²Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, ²³and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. ²⁴Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.”