The Book of Acts
Last week we started this great new series on the book of Acts that will run through the summer. It has been great for me personally just to dive in and to really study this great book. If anyone is interested I came across a great commentary on Acts that has me totally engaged. IT will probably wind up being the first commentary I read cover to cover. My father kicked off the series last week with a great introduction and this week I picked up by preaching on Acts 1:13-14. In my opinion, this passage is the key to the book of Acts and all the great things we see that happened. Its about corporate prayer, and not just corporate prayer…I mean corporate PRAYER. The greek word which becomes a key for the entire book is the word prosketereo which is the word in the greek language that means the highest of commitments. It means to latch on and not let go- This is the determination in which they were praying. The passage also contains another key “Lukan” word and thats homothumadon which is this oneness of heart and purpose that is referred to often in the book of Acts. I hate to use a formula but here is the way i see it… Prayer that will not give up no matter what + a unified focus on Godly priorities and promises = Incredible power released, Its just a matter of time. We (I include myself in this) need more prosketereo and homothumadon in our lives. Prosketereo doesnt just mean consistent prayer but persistent prayer. Their is a difference. Jesus when teaching the disciple about prayer modeled and taught consistency in prayer but he also taught persistence. He actually told two parables in the book of Luke illustrating this. In the one in Luke 18 he says he told the parable of persistence in Prayer so that we would pray and not give up. I dont know if you find that interesting like I do. Sometimes I just feel like, Well I prayed about it GOd knows, my part is done. But is it? Paul talks about Epaphares wrestling in prayer for the people in Ephesus. Do we know how to wrestle in prayer? “Give up” there in Luke 18 literally means to become spiritless. I know there are things in my own life that have to go back on the prayer list and I have to be determined to “Pray it through”. Prosketereo prayer is the indispensable element of any ministry that is advancing the kingdom of God in their sphere of influence.
What I learned from this weekend…
This last weekend was a win on so many levels for our church that i thought I’d share some of the things I observed and learned Here are some things…
- It was amazing to see so many new faces in church for a sunday service. First, People were genuinely excited to bring their friends and family to church. Second, after the service people wished they had brought more of their friends to church. That is a slam dunk, home run, gaol hitting win for us. I think its a great thing when the general population of the church have this feeling like they should have brought more people to church. I pray that that happens all the time and not just for a special event.
- My friend Gareth is always telling me that we need context to convey content. There was no greater example of that this weekend. While I am sure Michael Franzese has success no matter where he goes simply because of the fascinating story he has, There is no doubt he was a perfect fit in the Utica-rome area. So many italians, so many wanna-be mobsters, so much environment to receive what he had to say.
- I was reminded that salvation is often a process. If you were to listen to Michael’ testimony you would see that it took years for this person to finally come to a place of full commitment to Christ. Church has to be more committed to the process as much as instantaneous transformation. Both happen, but their has to be a commitment to both.
- IT is important to have something that brings people back after an event like this. In our case our plan is we have our local News anchor speaking for Father’s day this weekend. Bill Worden, (I call him the face and voice of the Mohawk Valley), will be speaking. I think you would be hard pressed to find many people in the Mohawk valley who don’t know that name. I look forward to Bill’s message, I know he;s been working on it for months.
What a weekend!
This past weekend we had mobster turned evangelist Micahael Franzese at out church. All I can say is the guy was a perfect fit for the Utica-Rome area culture. We canceled our Saturday night service and had two Sunday Morning services. I couldn’t believe how many people who normally would never come to church came to our church this weekend. Thats the goal right? Between Utica and Rome over 1200 people were in our church this weekend- that’s about 350 more than our regular weekend attendance for our campuses in Utica/Rome. Rome had at least triple or more than the amount they normally have. Utica was so packed we set up 40 chairs in the Lobby because there was no room in the sanctuary. I’ll post more specifics of what I learned from this weekend tomorrow. Im not kidding when I tell you Michael did a great job. At the end of the service I got to do the alter call and hands were flying up all over the place. All I can say is I look forward to more weekends just like this one!
My little Lelly…
This is from my recent vacation. My youngest daughter, Lelly (in the aqua Blue), always seems to make us laugh. I thought I’d spread the love. Check it out.
AWWWWEUHAWWWE AWWWEUHaHHH LOL
