November 8
Acts 3:1-5:42
The persecuted church and the American church are vastly different. Many in America play it safe. Christians in America make a proclamation of faith, then add Jesus into their lives only to a certain extent. In the persecuted church, believers are either all in or not in at all. As we read through the book of Acts, realize the early church after Pentecost was the persecuted church and it thrived. Many would be surprised to learn that the fastest growing church in the world now is in Iran, and is mostly led by women. In the documentary, "Sheep Among Wolves Volume II", those interviewed in what one calls "the Iranian awakening", states concerning this church, "It owns no property, no buildings, no central leadership, and is predominantly led by women." Clearly understanding their risks, they state, "We know that if they get us, the first thing they will do to us as a woman is rape us and then they will beat us and ultimately they will kill us," one believer said. "This decision we have made that we want to offer our bodies as sacrifices. Because I have this thought when I wake up, that when I leave, that door I might not come back." They state that their goal is not planting churches but rather making disciples. As they put it, "Disciples forsake the world and cling to Jesus 'till he comes. Converts don't," the leader said. "Disciples aren't engaged in a culture war. Converts are. Disciples cherish, obey, and share the word of God. Converts don't. Disciples choose Jesus over anything and everything else. Converts don't. Converts run when the fire comes. Disciples don't." Pastor Lloyd Pulley, recently returned from a trip to Africa and described those he met there having this same type of commitment and determination.
We read the account of Ananias and Sapphira.They allowed hypocrisy to consume their actions. It was not that they had to give everything and lay it at the apostle's feet to be used by the community, it was that they pretended to do so. We are not told why, whether it was for appearances or for lack of trust. We read Peter's comments to Ananias just before he dies in Acts 5:3-4, "But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” We then move onto to yet another confrontation between Peter alongside some of the other apostles and the religious council. Once again the council threatening them with their lives to remain silent, Peter states openly that he will choose to follow God, and not man. before launching into another gospel presentation to those assembled. We read the finality of this confrontation in Acts 5:40-41, "And they agreed with him (Gamaliel), and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
There are believers and there are disciples. Believers make a mental assent to the things of God. Disciples allow their hearts, minds and actions to align themselves with God. Disciples are in a living, breathing relationship with the One True God. It doesn't mean that disciples will not sin, for we are all sinners, but the consciences of disciples are closely knit to God. Remember in Matthew 28:19-20, in the Great Commission, we were not told to make believers, but disciples, as we read, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. The question remains, which are you and which are you making, believers or disciples. Coming into a life of faith is more than an altar call or a prayer spoken forth. It is a life which moves forward dedicated to God and the things of God.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: