Monday, September 28, 2015

On 10-4-15, Acts 8:9-24 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Simon is Rebuked or The Spirit is Not for Sale

Simon is Rebuked
 or 
The Spirit is Not for Sale
Acts 8:9-24
October 4, 2015




Commentary 
by
Jed Greenough



Whenever I read today’s scripture I always feel three things.  One I feel sorry for Simon.  Two I get frustrated with the limited message he and the others were given where he lived.  And three, I question the way Peter reacts towards a neophyte Christian.

People are easily impressed are they not?  Who would argue that people were impressed by the acts of Jesus or now at Simon’s time in the apostles’?

Have you wondered at how people fall away in droves after charismatic leaders?  And so it will be in the end times as we read in 2 Thessalonians 2.  We read of someone called the “man doomed to destruction”.  We certainly see what many will see as the great leader someone so bold that “he will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God.”

“The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives…”

Reading that, you can see how people were impressed with what Simon had been doing.  You can see how Simon in turn was impressed with the great things Philip had been doing.  But yet we read that even what Philip had done was incomplete as these people and Simon had only been baptized in Jesus name.

I hope when you read this scripture you will see the importance of being thorough in our teaching, complete in our learning and in our own need for discernment.

As teachers or shepherds it is important that we make sure what is being taught is not just the flashy but doctrinally thorough.  That there is an awareness of all levels of what is being taught from the group, class or pulpit.  This is vital to make sure that people are protected.  Just because it doesn’t mention it doesn’t mean that Philip did not have a failure here.

But there is also a responsibility for students or neophytes to make sure that they understand that they too have a role.  Jesus had many followers who sure liked being fed (John 6) but when the teaching became a little hard that was more than they bargained for.

The student must accept their role to learn, to question, to obey. to follow, yes, but not blindly.  Remember the message of God is delivered by men.

My personal opinion is that Peter over reacted to what was Simon’s error.  I will grant that Philip and Peter had much to do and were stretched thin.  Maybe they had to make their points and move on but I do not think we have that right or role in our churches.

Let us make sure that no matter how big or small our churches are that we are being protective of our new converts and of ourselves.

For Discussion:

  1. Discuss how new converts can be led down wrong paths.
  2. Discuss how those who are not properly led even years later can be led astray through a lack of proper teaching.
  3. Discuss the roles in the church and those position’s responsibilities with regard to this.
  4. Discuss those who are charismatic.
  5. Discuss how people emulate those who lead.
  6. Discuss things in the church that might be more flash than substance.
  7. What accountability really exists in your church for those who lead.
  8. Are those who are supposed to be a sort of check and balance where you worship really just a rubber stamp?
  9. As a scary example where I worship a recent vote gave 99.6% approval on a project that concerned spending millions.  I challenge anyone to take a poll of 1,000 people anywhere on any subject and see if that would come anywhere near that!  Is the pastor, elders or members being thorough, showing discernment or you fill in the blank.  What happens in 2 Thessalonians doesn’t happen outside the church but within.  Remember that.


Upcoming Lessons



10-11-15   Saul Earns Credibility or Saul Begins to Preach    Acts 9:19b-31
10-18-15   Peter Takes a Risk or Peter Preaches to Gentiles     Acts 10:24-38
10-25-15   Trusting the Spirit or Peter Defends His Actions    Acts 11:1-18











Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved

Monday, September 21, 2015

On 9-27-15, Acts 7:2-4, 8-10, 17, 33, 34, 45-47, 52, 53 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Standing Firm Against Opposition or Remembering God’s Faithfulness

Standing Firm Against Opposition 
or 
Remembering God’s Faithfulness
Acts 7:2-4, 8-10, 17, 33, 34, 45-47, 52, 53 

September 27 2015




Commentary 
by
Jed Greenough






Let’s face it, we doubt our spouses, our children, our bosses and our political or legal leaders.  Some of us have more of an issue with this than others.  Sometimes it is because we ourselves at times have been untrustworthy.

John 8:44 reads, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Isn’t that interesting?  In fact the entire chapter of John 8 is worthy of reading, with this idea of believing what you hear, believing what Jesus has promised.

The nice thing is that God cannot, will not, nor ever will lie.  When you read Numbers 23:19 “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” you see God’s character.

As Stephen spoke in our scripture for today He reminded them of their character as men just as Jesus did in the aforementioned John 8:44 and God’s character as just mentioned in Numbers 23:19.

It is a very interesting quandary is it not, or at least frustrating that some believe and some do not?

We know that no one is worthy (Romans 3:10).  We see Jesus say no one can come to the Father unless He enables them (John 6:44).  We see those that didn’t believe Stephen and we read the words of Jesus to certain Jews in John 8 also mentioned previously who did not believe in Him and we read of the early church growing by 3,000 Jews who did come to faith at once in Acts 2.

Those that Stephen talked to did not believe but how many countless have read what he said about God’s faithfulness and Stephen’s faith in that and have come to believe?

They are living proof of Hebrews 6:18 which reads, “God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.”

Don’t you love that?  They fled to take hold of the hope.  I guess we don’t have to understand why some believe and some don’t we just have to tell them God’s truth and we will just have to wait and see what happens. 


’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.



For Discussion:

  1. Discuss whether for you this scripture is more about God’s faithfulness, the character of men or standing up for God.
  2. Discuss the faith of Abraham versus our faith.
  3. Discuss why Stephen gave a history lesson they already knew.
  4. Discuss why omitted verses from this chapter must be included for clarity.
  5. Discuss the anger expressed for the facts Stephen had said in verses 51-54.
  6. Discuss their anger then for what Stephen said in 55-56.
  7. Discuss the issue of those who hear and believe and those who hear and do not.
  8. I wonder, would it be possible for you to sing the song from way back in 1882 Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus by Louisa M. R. Stead  in your class?  It would be cool!





Upcoming Lessons


10-4-15     Simon is Rebuked or the Spirit is Not for Sale    Acts 8:9-24
10-11-15   Saul Earns Credibility or Saul Begins to Preach    Acts 9:19b-31
10-18-15   Peter Takes a Risk or Peter Preaches to Gentiles     Acts 10:24-38
10-25-15   Trusting the Spirit or Peter Defends His Actions    Acts 11:1-18











Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved

Monday, September 14, 2015

On 9-20-15, Acts 5:27-29, 33-42 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Witnessing to the Truth or Speaking Up for God

Witnessing to the Truth
or
Speaking Up for God
Acts 5:27-29, 33-42

September 20 2015



Commentary 
by
Jed Greenough





I can tell you right now I cannot put down in words something this week that will do justice to what I feel about today’s scripture.  That is how much I want you to weigh the words of today’s scripture.

In Matthew 10:32-33 we read, “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.”

It is with much confidence that I say that whoever fails to take the opportunity to speak up for God or witness about Him when they could is in effect disowning Him.

That can be in our daily lives as that “small” voice of the Spirit nudges you to speak or witness and you fail to do so.  And it will happen in droves as the “rebellion” occurs and the people fall away as we read in 2 Thessalonians 2.  

Failing to speak up in the barber chair when given the opportunity is not the same as taking on the literal or figurative mark of the beast but as I’ve quoted before from Aaron Tippen’s song, “You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll  fall for anything.”  Meaning that when things get tough and if you haven’t got the practice of speaking up for God it sure won’t be easy to do then.  It seems even if must be a bit selfish in our thoughts that this alone would motivate some to witness.

I think we must place the act of witnessing above all other things in the church.  Ahead of financial peace, ahead of socials, ahead of addiction counseling, ahead of how to be a grown up man or woman or how to be couples.

We are pretty good about those things as churches but most of us as churches are not giving as much emphasis on this the most important of issues.

It starts with the new convert who receives the word in the fertile ground with continuing nurturing growth and it continues in your class room and from the pulpit and with periodic refresher courses whatever that might be.  Go bowling once and you throw more gutter balls then strikes.  Become a professional bowler but take enough time off from practice and yeah your game is going to suffer.

I challenge you to start speaking up for God every time you know you should or can.  I challenge you to get your Sunday School class involved to get it established in your church.  I challenge you to motivate your church to take it seriously.

How much of an impact could 100 or 1,000 or 10,000 of us who are studying these words make?  How do you think you will feel when on That Day He acknowledges you?




For Discussion:

  1. Discuss the roll that our individual gifts of the Spirit play in the ways we witness.
  2. Discuss what a Sunday School class can do to improve a church in this regard.
  3. Discuss ways you have failed to witness.
  4. Discuss ways you have successfully witnessed.
  5. Discuss ideas you have for witnessing.
  6. As a class project choose a number like 50 and come up with 50 ways to witness.
  7. Discuss how to overcome fear.
  8. Discuss the most extremely serious ways possible where we must acknowledge God before men both doing so and failing to do so.
  9. Discuss examples where people have been called before the authorities for witnessing.  This might be school, work or some place in the world.
  10. Discuss when people flee when their message is not welcome.
  11. Discuss Gamaliel’s statement.
  12. Discuss verse 41.
  13. Discuss verse 42.
  14. Odds are your class, your church, the majority will not accept the challenge.  Will you?



Upcoming Lessons


9-27-15     Standing Firm Against Opposition or Remembering God’s Faithfulness     Acts 7:2-4, 8-10, 17, 33, 34, 45-47, 52, 53 












Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved

Monday, September 7, 2015

On 9-13-15, Acts 4:34-5:10 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Sharing with Sincerity or Sharing All Things

Sharing with Sincerity 
or 
Sharing All Things
Acts 4:34-5:10

September 13, 2015



Commentary 
by
Jed Greenough



“Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.”  This was not included today because we stopped at verse 10 and I think it should have been don’t you?

Obviously fear was a part of what we read.  Part of verse 5:5 says, “And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.”

Fear means many things but with healthy fear comes healthy respect, wisdom and truth and a lack of the same leads to a messed up Christian and a messed up faith.  I can see no other answer for some of the questions as to why the church is the way it is today.

Now this has a lot to do with sharing, which is what most of us will look at today when we have our lessons.  That is, not to be feared into sharing but to share with sincerity.  A lack of sincerity is like one rotten apple which spoils the whole barrel of apples.  

So what questions roll through your head when you read today’s scriptures?  Did you think I don’t like this?  They were apparently giving way more than a tithe so what was the problem?  This is extremely severe and over the top not just once but twice?  Are we supposed to be living like this today, selling everything we have and living in a sense communally?  

All those are fair questions and I think great for discussion.  I do not think it would be a stretch at all to say that many over the last two thousand years have read those words and thought this is what they did and this is what we are to do.  That would be great if the spirit was right wouldn’t it?

If you have ever thought about most of our church today and compared it to this you would see how far we have strayed from it.  Members who you don’t know who are hungry or who have bills unpaid.  Members who have a death in the family and you didn’t know or you didn’t give condolences to.  Members who have talents of teaching or giving who don’t have the opportunity to use those talents.

Churches, unless we start new ones that seek to healthily copy this, are not likely to resemble this at all.  But what they can do is attempt to do what it takes to follow the spirit of what we read from today’s scripture.  How do you think that might be accomplished?

Well it is a scary proposition, but what about whenever a church that is growing seeds a new church instead of adding on to an existing structure.  This way members don’t fall by the way side.

How about having staff members (even unpaid ones) who's job it is to make certain that every individual is known?  How might you know someone?  Are they involved?  What are their talents?  What are their needs?  Just because they are in a group is it the right group a year later?  Just because they decline something once do they want it now?

I’m not sure I am making my point but if you think about the consistency of what God wants maybe you’ll understand.

In Leviticus 1, Jeremiah 6 and 7, Psalm 50, Isaiah 1 and other places we read about God not wanting sacrifices but we know He prescribed them.  You know when you read what David said in Psalm 51:16-19 that David figured it out.

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
My sacrifice, O God, is[a] a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart
    you, God, will not despise.
May it please you to prosper Zion,
    to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
    in burnt offerings offered whole;
    then bulls will be offered on your altar.



God wants sincerity.  We must know each of our members as best we can if we are to meet their needs the way God knows us.  This is how God is with us and this is the way we should be in the church towards each other.  When members see we are sincere towards them they will learn in turn how to be sincere towards God.

Then and only then can we expect to teach and understand how we are to live and give as a church.











Upcoming Lessons

9-20-15     Speaking Up for God or Witnessing to the Truth    Acts 5:27-29, 33-42












Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved