Good morning. Thank you for reading. I pray that you and yours are well.

Today we are going to begin a few sermons from the beginning of Acts. But before we begin, I would like to make a brief comment. I watched an argument on TV a few weeks back between a politician and a podcaster. The names do not matter, but the subject does.

The politician said we need to support Israel in bombing Iran, because the Bible tells us that those who support Israel will be blessed. The politician couldn’t remember the verse, but he was referring to the call of Abram, Genesis 12:3, when God told Abram that he will make Abram into a great nation,

“I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

The podcaster pushed back, rather surprised that he was using a Bible verse to confirm the United States should begin bombing Iran. 

The Bible is a non-fiction book. I have said this before. Many people disagree with me on this. History proves the validity and truth of God’s Word. The Bible is a non-fiction book.

However, using scripture to take authority for authorizing a specific bombing mission against Iran, for me is a reach. I agree with the podcaster here. I am a supporter of Israel, yet, I believe the time is over for our constant long term conflicts around the globe. Iran is evil. The leadership is extremely so. But Israel has to do what Israel must. We (the U.S.) must do what we must. Support fine, active involvement in a war, I’m not sure. Twisting scripture to advocate killing people, to me, is always a stretch.

I am sure that there are several, if not many valid reasons for authorizing a bunker-busting bombing mission against Iran. I just do not believe that any of these reasons are biblically based. 

For forty years, Iran has been killing Americans all over the world in the name of Allah. Just because they are a hate filled ideology using their god as a motivating force for violence, I do not believe that we should be basing our motivations for violence on the Most High God.  God teaches us differently. Deuteronomy 18:14-15, this is Moses speaking here.

“The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the Lord your God has not permitted you to do so. The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.”

We do not practice sorcery or divination. We should not have evil intent as our cause. Jesus died on the cross as much for the Iranian people, as for any other people. This verse, when added contextually to verses 21 & 22, enhances for us what Moses means.

“You may say to yourselves, ‘How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord? If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.”

In verse 15, Moses is describing how he is going to be replaced. In essence, this is Moses describing God’s succession plan for the prophets of Israel. Businesses do this all the time nowadays. Regularly replacing leadership. It’s time for Moses to leave, he will be replaced, his generation is aging out, a new prophet, chosen by God will take Moses’ place. Then, with each new generation, a new prophet will be chosen to be the next spokesman for God.

Versus 21 & 22, Moses confronts a very important concern for the Jewish people. How can they trust when a message has been given by any of these new, forthcoming prophets?  That’s a great question.

Moses gives an equally great response. It is very simple. If what the prophet says does not take place or come true, you should not be afraid of him. Translation: fear in this usage means trust. Moses is simply telling the people if what a prophet says ends up being wrong, do not trust him. Stone the false prophet, seek God to get another prophet. Solid, common sense advice.

Why am I telling you this, when we are just beginning our look at the book of Acts? Let’s go to one more passage from the Acts and then it will close the circle of understanding. Acts 3:22-26,

Peter is addressing an ever growing crowd of spectators. Peter and John were together, and Peter had just healed the crippled beggar at the temple gate called Beautiful. Peter quotes from Deuteronomy 18:15, which we just read. Peter, in Acts 3:22-26,

“For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.’ Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days. And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’ When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

Listen closely please. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all the prophecies concerning Moses, David, and Abraham. Jesus Christ, as Savior and Lord of all, is the culmination of God’s succession plan, the end of the line for all the prophets and spokesmen for the Lord that began with the reluctant Moses.

Jesus was to be a prophet like Moses, then foretold in Samuel’s declarations referring to David, and he was the offspring that would bring blessings to all people as promised to Abraham. Jesus was and is much more than a prophet. He is everything to all of us. The most important person, Savior, sacrifice, High Priest, Son of God, Son of Man, personage of the literal Truth of all creation. 

The first point that I want to make is this. Jesus is the fulfillment of all the blessings to all people as was promised to Abraham. Please note this means all people, including Iranians. It includes German people, it includes the colonial British people, all the way back, even including the brutal Roman Empire who officially crucified Jesus. So, I respectfully submit that we should not cite God’s Word as the reason to bomb the Iranians. Specifically, or any people generally.

Use any other reason you want, but not God’s covenant to Abraham, of which Jesus himself is the blessing for all people, Alpha to Omega.

My second point of emphasis is this, from verse 25: And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers.

We are heirs to the prophets and the covenant. That sounds wonderful, and it is wonderful, we are included in Jesus’ blessing of the world.

But here is my point, it is also now our responsibility. You and I, like Abraham, Moses, David, Samuel and all the prophets, up to and including Jesus himself, we are the New Covenant branch of God’s original succession plan culminated by Jesus. The work continues, the message needs to be carried forth through our generation, the Good News of Jesus Christ must be spread. For we are heirs of the Good News message of Jesus Christ.

So, do not tell me that it is my soul responsibility, as a pastor, to share the gospel message alone. Because that is a false doctrine. We are all heirs. You are just as much an heir in this bloodline as I am. 

If you are denying your responsibility and participation for the sharing of the Good News, are you not then also denying your responsibility for and the sharing in of the very blessings this covenantal bloodline extends to you? Do you forget that we actually share the very blood of Christ himself? The blood that avails so much and should be precious to each one who believes?

What has happened to the modern day church? How can our generation deny that we are indeed the modern day Church of Laodicea that is mentioned prophetically in the book of Revelation? Are we not  indeed lukewarm to Christ himself? Not me, do not include me in this Church of Laodicea. Job 13:15,

“Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.”

Do not allow your belief in bad theology to paint yourself into a corner of lukewarm belief at best, or down right sinful neglect of your Christian responsibilities at worst. 

God save us! How did the church get to this point? Listening to modern day false prophets preaching poorly sourced theology, that’s how. Now I’m not calling for anyone to be stoned, but we should not listen to them. 

Now, we are ready to begin the book of Acts. Acts 1:1-5, this is the disciple Luke speaking,

“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

The Good News message has been presented to the disciples, Jesus has left them to return to his Father. They now wait patiently for the coming of God’s Spirit. The Good News message with the addition of God’s Holy Spirit will explode a movement of God around the world. This movement has not stopped. It just has moved on to others, other areas, those who will participate in the sharing of Jesus’ story.

Churches are dying all around us. They are churches that make up the Church of Laodicea. Their message is a lukewarm message, comfortable for all to hear. It is a message that does not mention Christ’s death, nor any reference to his blood or the cross of Christ.

As a result these churches have no Spirit of God in them. So, as they have done, so they shall be judged. May God have mercy upon them. 

As for me and my house, I serve the Lord. I am an heir to the blessing who is willing to share this blessing with others. 

How about you? 

Let us pray, please agree with me,

Father forgive me for any lukewarm feelings that I have to your Word. Wash away my sinful reluctance to share the Good News message of Jesus. 

Please forgive me of all of my sins. Thank you for Jesus, my Savior and Lord of all. Thank you for your forgiveness and thank you for my salvation through my faith in Jesus.

Holy Spirit you are welcome in and around me, and wherever I go. Holy Spirit please reveal to me how to share the Word and the Good News message of Jesus with others. 

I pray for your divine appointments with others in which to share the message of Jesus.

Thank you for hearing my prayer. Your will be done, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God.

Blessings,

Thad Brown
Opportunity House
and Harmony Church
Concord