Author: David Worcester

Lead Pastor of Compass Church http://CompassChurchSD.com #Jesus, #Family #ChurchPlanting #CollegeMinistry. #Missions http://GospelAppointments.com @collegiatecoll

Salvation Comes From No Other Name But Jesus – Acts 4:1-22

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From my reading in Acts 4:1-22 in the One Year New Testament.

Popular culture says that there are many legitimate faith systems and that ultimately all roads lead to God.

The Bible, on the other hand, is very clear that Jesus is the only way to be saved. It is an unpopular, counter-cultural message but one that needs to be shared if we are to stay faithful to the God and his word. Peter boldly proclaimed this when he was on trial.

“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

No one else but Jesus can save us!

 Why, you may ask? Because no one else is a legitimate sacrifice. All other humans and even religious teachers were flawed, sinful people. They may have taught helpful things but none of them were God in flesh, none of them lived a perfect life, none of them died as a sacrifice for the debt of our sins.

Debt is a huge issue in our society.

Many of us have credit card debit. All humans have a debt before God. It is called sin. When we sin, a debt is credited to our account that can only be paid by one person. When Jesus died on the cross, he paid our debt. Our choice is to receive his payment.

Jesus is the only way to be saved from our sin because he is the only sacrifice for our sin.

For those of us who have already accepted this message, I want us to learn from the messengers of this unpopular statement.  Here’s what Luke writes about them in the next verse,

“The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

It takes great boldness to share this message today as it did 2,000 years ago.

Your wiliness to share the gospel of Christ boldly can be a testimony to people that you have “been with Jesus.” Now we all don’t have to do what the apostles did in the same way.  But as a church, we must be a part of using our gifts to share this message.

If you are convinced that there really is “no other name” than Jesus, then you ought to be a part of sharing it whether those around you want you to or not. Peter and John were asked to stop telling others about Jesus and this was there response:

“Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19–20

If God is telling you to share Jesus with someone, do it!

It is better to obey God than to please men. We should have a passion to share about what we have experienced in Christ.

We have an urgent message that must be told so let’s tell as many as we can about the great salvation that we can find in Jesus!

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How To Experience Pure Refreshment – Acts 3

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From my reading in Acts 3 in the One Year New Testament.

A nice cold coke or dip in a pool on a hot day is what most people think of when they think of refreshment. But God offers us spiritual refreshment for our souls. This type of refreshment will lead to soul satisfaction and a more vibrant exciting life.

Peter gave the crowd he was preaching to the way they can experience refreshment in God’s presence.

“Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord” Acts 3:19-20

Now repent of your sins and turn to God..

Refreshment requires repentance!

In order to receive the refreshment you desire you must first repent. Repentance is the decision to turn from you sin and turn your life over to God. It is the choice to change the direction of your life.

So that your sins may be wiped away…

When you repent of your sin and trust Jesus to forgive you he will wipe away all of your sins through his shed blood on the cross. His death on the cross paid the price for all of your sins!

Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord…

Peter promised that you will be refreshed through knowing Jesus personally.

He will refresh you with his presence!  There is no greater joy than living in close relationship with God. In heaven we will experience his presence perfectly and we will be set free from all worry, pride, fear, and any negative thoughts. Now he helps us deal with these by offering us peace and refreshment in our daily lives.

Have you received the type of refreshment only Jesus can give? If not then why not receive Jesus today!

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The Most Exciting Life In The World – Acts 2:22-47

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From my reading in Acts 2:22-47 in the One Year New Testament.

Many people think that Christianity is boring.

But Christianity, when actually applied to your life, is the most exciting thing in the world!

After 3,000 were saved and baptized in one day. There were groups of Christians meeting regularly all over Jerusalem. Here’s a description of what there community was like.

 “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”

Talk about an exciting thing to be a part of!

  • They were passionately devoted to the Word, prayer and fellowship.
  • They experienced God’s power in supernatural ways.
  • They experienced generous community and the joy of serving one another other.
  • They enjoyed sharing meals together and celebrated the Lord’s supper.
  • They worshiped God.
  • They developed such a good reputation that people were coming in everyday and getting saved.

We are not commanded to copy all of their method, but we should learn from their passion.

When people experience this type of community I believe the lost will saved and people will motivated to live their lives for Jesus. If you have been board with your faith then find a community and dive in!

What can you do to engage more in this type of community?

If you already have a church how can you apply these principles to your current situation?

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The Radical Inclusivity and Exclusivity of Christianity – Acts 2:1-21

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From my reading in Acts 2:1-21 in the One Year New Testament.

The disciples had just received the Holy Spirit and were bursting of joy!  

They were speaking in the languages of the people around them who had come from many different countries for the festival of Pentecost.

The foreigners were amazed and wondered what had made these people act so boldly.  Others mockingly asked if they were drunk.

Peter answered them by quoting from the prophet Joel…

“In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike— and they will prophesy.” Acts 2:17–18

In other words SALVATION IS OPEN ALL TYPES OF PEOPLE!

All types of people will be saved and receive the Spirit! Sons, daughters, young, old, servants, men, women and the crowd he was speaking to were people from different nationalities and countries.

Everyone who is willing to turn from their sin and trust Christ is welcomed into God’s family.

Christianity is extremely exclusive in the fact that we believe that Jesus’ death on the cross is the only way we can be forgiven and receive eternal life.

Christianity is extremely inclusive in that anyone who chooses to follow him can be forgiven and invited into the family.

Peter ends by saying this…

“But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”Acts 2:21

Jesus is the savior of the whole world. To call on the name of the Lord is to make Jesus the Lord of your life. It is a choice to stop running your own life, receive Christ’s forgiveness, and choose to follow him!

So if you are part of EVERYONE, then you are invited to follow Jesus! 

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Summary Of The Book Of Acts In One Verse – Acts 1

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From my reading in Acts 1 in the One Year New Testament.

Acts is Act 2 of the new testament.

Jesus died and rose again then commissioned his disciples to go into all the world. In Acts 1 Jesus gives us an epic command that simultaneously serves as an outline for the book of Acts.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…

This same power that Jesus promised the apostles is available to us. The word for power here in the greek is…

Dynamis – “the potentiality to exert force in performing some function—‘power.’”

This is where we get our english word dynamite!  Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would give us dynamite power to be his witnesses.

If you have the Holy Spirit than you have been empowered as a witness.

And you will be my witnesses…

We are to be his witnesses. Witness is the greek word martys which is where we get our english word martyer.

We may not have to die for our faith but we are called to live for Christ and spread his message. 

A witness in a court room is called on to do one thing. Share their personal story. Jesus promised us that He would give us the power to share our faith. We all do this in different ways using different gifts but as a Church together we are to be able sharing the good news to all the world.

What are you currently doing to be a witness for Jesus? 

If you are afraid then remember that if you have the Holy Spirit living in you then you have the power to be an effective witness.

 …in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

God’s mission is global.

Notice it says Jerusalem AND Judea AND Samaria AND the ends of the earth. Jesus was telling them to simultaneously have a global vision and a local vision.

Many christian wrongly say, “Why do we have to go all the way across the world if there are plenty of people here to reach?” The short answer, Jesus told us to!  

We are to be witnessing to people here and sending people to witness all over the world.

Even with this direct command from Jesus it wasn’t until the people in Jerusalem got persecuted when they finally began to leave Jerusalmen.

Some of us are called to stay and reach our hometown, and others are called to go, some called to send by giving and praying, some are involved with welcoming internationals who have come to us, but all of us should be witnesses with global vision because that is God’s vision!

What can you do to be a part of this epic task of reaching the world for Jesus?

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In The Comparison Game, You Always Lose – John 21

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From my reading in John 21 in the One Year New Testament.

Comparison is a dangerous trap for any follower of Christ.

As a leader in ministry it is hard for me not to compare how God has blessed my ministry with others. If there is someone experiencing more success than I wonder why I’m not experiencing that and become discouraged. If there are people not experiencing as much visible fruit as me then it is easy to get proud.

Comparison ultimately leads to pride or discouragement.

Jesus had just broke the news that Peter would die a violent death. He then asked about what would happen to John. Jesus replied.

“If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” John 21:22

We each must follow Jesus on the path he has for us.

Each of us has a unique calling with unique challenges and opportunities. It is hurtful to compare our journey with others.

We are to run our race. Not someone else’s.

It is not helpful to be jealous of people who have more opportunities, or be overly happy if others suffer more than us.

The closer you are the easier it is to fall into the comparison game.

Peter and John were like brothers for three years of following Jesus. They did everything together. Because of this the comparison game was more natural.

I have three brothers who are all in ministry. It is a challenge to not compare my work with theirs.

What area of your life are you tempted to compare with others?

  • Money?
  • Experiences?
  • Relationship or Lack of?
  • Work success?
  • Popularity?

I want to encourage you to take Jesus words to heart next time you are tempted to compare…

“What is that to you? You must follow me!”

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The Purpose of The Gospel Of John – John 20

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From my reading in John 20 in the One Year New Testament.

In my ministry circles if there is ever a new believer or non-believer who is interested in reading the Bible most people recommend they read John first.

Why The Book of John?

Of all 65 other books in the Bible why do people say to start in John? The answer is in John’s statement of the purpose of his book.

“Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:30–31

John was written that you may believe.

John specifically chose the miracles and stories to help us believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah! If you read this gospel with that theme in mind then you start to see how over and over Jesus is inviting people to come to him and believe.

John was written to change your life!

Through believing we can experience true life in his name. This life is life as God originally intended for us to live. The gospel of John gives you the knowledge about Jesus and the tools you need to start living a full meaningful life in Christ.

John basically wrote “Jesus 101”.

I am so grateful for all the amazing insights that we get in John which we don’t get in the other gospels. So if you have never read it then what are you waiting for…

Read the gospel of John!

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The Most Important Word In History? – John 19:23-42

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From my reading in John 19:23-42 in the One Year New Testament.

The one of most powerful words in history was proclaimed by Christ on the cross.

We need three english words to translate one powerful greek word. After being beaten, spit on, whipped, mocked, nailed to a cross, and having taken the sins of the world upon himself Jesus said this.

“It is finished!” John 19:30

The greek word for this is Tetelestai which means

“to bring an activity to a successful finish—‘to complete, to finish, to end, to accomplish.”  – Louw Nida Lexicon

Jesus finished what he started.

He finished his life-saving work by dying for our sins, in our place. His death was sufficient to forgive all of our sins.

He never has to die again. His one death was enough. As the writer of Hebrews says Jesus is the “author and perfecter of faith.”  Heb 12:2

I am very grateful that Jesus finished his mission. We should let it be an inspiration for us to finish the race God has given each one of us.

Jesus finished a race that is harder than we could imagine.

Because of he died for you, your past can be completely forgiven, you can have an exciting purpose for living, and a place awaiting you in heaven. Christ’s finished work on the cross is the basis for our faith.

We must trust that what he did on the cross was enough and that when he said “it is finished” there is nothing we can add to our salvation.

Jesus sacrifice was enough. We must place all our faith in that and seek to finish the race that God has given each one of us!

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He Called Himself The Son Of God – John 19:1-22

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From my reading in John 19:1-22 in the One Year New Testament.

Those who say that Jesus didn’t claim to be God do not understand the Bible.

Even those who were trying to crucify him used the fact that Jesus clearly and regularly claimed divinity.

“The Jewish leaders replied, “By our law he ought to die because he called himself the Son of God.” John 19:7

Jesus told them he was the Son of God because he was.

Jesus was crucified for telling the truth about himself. Many people reject Jesus as the Son of God and want to look to him as a good teacher or example. But Jesus never meant to be those things alone. His primary mission was to freely give up his life as a sacrifice for our sins.

“You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.” John 19:11

Before Pilate issued the death sentence Jesus had already accepted it from his Father.

Jesus was the son of God and sacrificed himself willingly for us.

It is not enough just to understand, “Jesus died for you.” You must turn from running your own life and give your life to following Jesus.  Receive his forgiveness by faith and he will transform you into a new person!

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What Is Truth? Jesus Is! – John 18:19-40

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From my reading in John 18:19-40 in the One Year New Testament.

Our culture does not believe in absolute truth when it comes to morality and faith.

It is very popular to believe what is “true for you” but not for me. Logically this does not make sense. 2 plus 2 is not sometimes four it is always four.  There are things that always are true! Why do we approach morality and faith differently than every other part of our lives?

Jesus was on trial before his crucifixion when Pilate asked, “So you are a king?”

Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” John 18:37

Jesus testifies to the truth.

Jesus only speaks only truth. Those who actually are seeking truth and love truth will hear the ring of truth in Christ’s words. What he says is 100% true. Here’s Pilate’s response.

“What is truth?” John 18:38

Our culture is wondering the same thing and thinks it’s unattainable. The answer is Jesus.

Jesus is the absolute truth.

He is the only person to be 100% truthful in his life. If we accept him and the truth he teaches God will give us true freedom!

Truth is not relative. Jesus is God. Jesus is the only way to salvation. Christ’s teachings are the way we should live our lives. This is what I am banking my life on, and that’s the truth!

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