Gamaliel the sensible

S: Acts 5

34 But one stood up in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and commanded to put the apostles out for a little while. 35 He said to them, “You men of Israel, be careful concerning these men, what you are about to do. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, making himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves. He was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad. 38 Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown. 39 But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!”

40 They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name.

O:Though Gamaliel persuaded them not to kill the apostles, they still beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus. But they were not discouraged, and in fact rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ!

A: I have not been persecuted for following Jesus. I should be encouraged by the example of the apostles to keep on sharing Jesus.

P:  Father, may I stay true to you forever, and not be shy about the message of Christ. In Jesus' name, amen.

Christ over kings: Don’t be intimidated to not share the Gospel

S: Acts 4

18 They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves, 20 for we can’t help telling the things which we saw and heard.”

21 When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for everyone glorified God for that which was done. 22 For the man on whom this miracle of healing was performed was more than forty years old. 

23 Being let go, they came to their own company and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, “O Lord, you are God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them; 25 who by the mouth of your servant, David, said,

‘Why do the nations rage,
    and the peoples plot a vain thing?
26 The kings of the earth take a stand,
    and the rulers take council together,
    against the Lord, and against his Christ.’ (Psalm 2:1-2)

27 “For truly, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together against your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed, 28 to do whatever your hand and your council foreordained to happen. 29 Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.”

31 When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

O: When we think of the Holy Spirit coming down and shaking the apostles and send them out with boldness, we usually think of the 2nd chapter of Acts – Pentecost. But here we have another similar occurrence, and it happens right after they did another bold act – to stand up to the Sanhedrin telling them not to preach the Gospel.

We usually think of this as an example of when it is correct to disobey the properly constituted authorities above us – when man’s law goes against God’s law. But I hadn’t thought about how the Holy Spirit then came down in power again on them and led them out with boldness, and many more came to know Jesus as a result.

A: They quoted Psalm 2, to remind themselves that God is more powerful than the earthly authorities. The Bible generally tells us to be good citizens, obeying the authorities. But we usually are willing to defy the authorities in small matters – e.g. speeding – but then are wary of even going against popular opinion or feeling intimidated to share with our friends and family the hope that is in us. We need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit and be bold in sharing the love that Jesus has given us. Most of the time, in most situations, this isn’t even illegal. We merely feel intimidated. So, we need to overcome that feeling of intimidation.

P: Father, may I be bold in sharing your Gospel with my friends and family. May I do it in a winsome way, that draws people to you, rather than offends them and pushes them away, but help me to overcome any feelings of intimidation. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The Power of God, not our own power

S: Acts 3

12 Why do you fasten your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him walk?

19 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that he may send Christ Jesus, who was ordained for you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God spoke long ago by the mouth of his holy prophets.

O: Peter and John had mighty power, but it wasn’t their own power—it was the power of Jesus! This is the power that saves. Therefore all must repent and turn and be saved.

A: I confess that I know this in my head, but I often don’t know it in my heart. I lack faith, and yet, Jesus said, “if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!

P: Lord, help me to trust in you. Grow my faith. Let me see your miracles and grow more and more like Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.

There is a power,
Absolute authority that you possess
For all who receive him,
Those who will just say "yes"
Wake up!
It's time for you to realize just who you are
You're no more a stranger,
You are a shining star

Stand by the power,
The power of his light
Now is the hour
For you to stand by the power

Greater, stronger that any strength the world can find
Greater than light
Shining from deep inside
Rejoice! Lift your voice for victory already won
Eternal champions,
Power to overcome

Stand by the power,
The power of his light
Now is the hour
For you to stand by the power

Stand by the power, power of his light
Now is the hour for you to stand by,
Stand by, stand by the power.

Holy Spirit Afire!

S: Acts 2 2 Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak. 5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under the sky. 6 When this sound was heard, the multitude came together and were bewildered, because everyone heard them speaking in his own language. 7 They were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Behold, aren’t all these who speak Galileans? 8 How do we hear, everyone in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabians: we hear them speaking in our languages the mighty works of God!”

38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.”

O: The apostles were encouraged by the resurrection and had regathered as we saw in Acts 1. But it wasn't until the Holy Spirit came in power that they were energised to go out and evangelise, and 3,000 people were saved the same day.

A:  We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. When we get saved, we have been indwelt by the Holy Spirit as the seal of our salvation, but we might still be on the throne of our own lives.

We need to surrender every part of our lives to God, and put Jesus on the throne.

Otherwise, we will remain carnal Christians and lack the abundant and fruitful Christian life. Just like we received Christ by faith, we receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit by faith. Here is a web page from Cru.org explaining how.

P: Father, I confess again to You my sins and invite Your Holy Spirit again to fill me and keep filling me, so that I can walk in Your power. In Jesus' name, amen.

In that room upstairs when we met to pray
And it all began I'll never forget the day
The fire fell, The Spirit came
And nothing will ever be the same.

The fire fell, The Spirit came
And nothing will ever be the same.

Your sons and daughters are prophesying
in the streets,
Get ready!
Your young are seeing vision and your old
are dreaming dreams.
Get ready!
This is the beginning of the ending,
The day before the Day of the Lord!
Get ready for the day that God is sending,
When the sun is gone and the moon has turned to blood!

Hear the Spirit shoutin' good news from heaven today!
Get ready!
He is reaching out to rescue all who call upon His name!
Get ready!
This is the beginning of beginnings,
The day that brings the mercy of God.
Get ready for the grace the Lord is sending,
While he offers you salvation through His blood.

For God has sent a mighty Man among you
To save you from The Judgement with His life;
And this same Jesus who was crucified,
He is risen! He is Lord! His is Christ!
Yes, this same Jesus who was crucified,
His is risen! He is Lord! He is Christ!
He is Christ!

Jesus worldwide

S: Acts 1

8“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”

O: Acts 1:8 is Luke’s version of the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20. As we are empowered by the Holy Spirit, we will be witnesses to bring Jesus’s message throughout the world.

A: So let us be his witnesses. We are his ambassadors to everyone we meet. “The Gospel according to you.”

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
Are read by more than a few,
But the one that is most read and commented on
Is the gospel according to you.

You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day
By the things that you do and the words that you say,
Men read what you write, whether faithless or true,
Say, what is the gospel according to you?

Do men read His truth and His love in your life,
Or has yours been too full of malice and strife'
Does your life speak of evil, or does it ring true'
Say, what is the gospel according to you?

- Arthur McPhee

P: Lord, make my life a prayer to you. I wanna do what you want me to. No empty words, and no white lies. No token prayers, no compromise. I wanna tell the world out there, you’re not some fable or fairy tale that I’ve made up inside my head — you’re God the Son, you’ve risen from the dead.

Ikan bakar and Chapati breakfast chat with Jesus

S: John 21

O: It seems as if the disciples went back to their old careers in Galilee after all that happened. And there was Jesus, repeating his first miracle with Peter, to throw the nets on the other side of the boat, which triggered their recognition.

And this resulted in the Jesus making ikan bakar and chapati for them for breakfast 😁. 

Then the famous triple affirmation for Peter, after Peter’s triple denial at the chief priest’s house, “Do you love me?” And triple commandment: “Feed my sheep.”

A: Jesus reaffirmed Peter, then had a task for him to do. Likewise, Jesus affirms us, but we are to then follow him. If we love him, we should keep his commandments. Feed his sheep. Be his ambassadors to a lost and dying world who desperately needs him.

P: Father, just like Peter, I mess up, but father, just like Peter, you restore me and call me back to service. May I obey your call faithfully. In Jesus’ name, amen.

He’s alive!

S:John 20 30 Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

O: Jesus’ resurrection was the culmination of his life and death. Jesus died for our sins, then rose from the dead, so now we can believe the son of God, and in believing, we have life in him!

A: As we have died with him, let us live with him.

P: Father, may I live in you, walk in your ways, follow your paths. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

The Passion of the Christ

S: John 19

O: And can it be that I should gain an interest in the saviour’s blood? Died he for me, who caused his pain. For me, who him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

A: In gratitude for Jesus dying for me, I should live for him.

P: Father, help me to remember your great love and sacrifice when I am tempted to sin. Amen.

Not of this world

S: John 18

10 Simon Peter therefore, having a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11 Jesus therefore said to Peter, “Put the sword into its sheath. The cup which the Father has given me, shall I not surely drink it?”

...

36 Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my Kingdom is not from here.”

37 Pilate therefore said to him, “Are you a king then?”

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I have been born, and for this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

O: The Jews expected the Messiah to have a political kingdom like David. However, Jesus wasn’t here to build a political kingdom, but his kingdom was not of this world.

As believers, we need to be careful not to try to make his kingdom of this world. Yes, we should be salt and light and influence the world, beyond making disciples, but we are not to enforce by force.

Christians since the time of Constantine had made this mistake — but we see how the church had time and time again been corrupted by this.

A: Let us be salt and light, and be his ambassadors to this world. Let us be, as Jesus intended, known by our love, and not by our hate.

P: Father, help me to be salt and light, and a good ambassador for you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

We are pilgrims in a strange land
We are so far from our homeland
With each passing day it seems so clear
This world will never want us here
We're not welcome in this world of wrong
We are foreigners who don't belong, ooh...

We are strangers, we are aliens
We are not of this world

We are envoys, we must tarry
With this message we must carry
There's so much to do before we leave
With so many more who may believe
Our mission here can never fail
And the gates of hell will not prevail, ooh...

We are strangers, we are aliens
We are not of this world
We are strangers, we are aliens
We are not of this world

Jesus told us men would hate us
But we must be of good cheer
He has overcome this world of darkness
Soon we will depart from here, ooh...

We are strangers, we are aliens
We are not of this world
We are strangers, we are aliens
We are not of this world

Unity

S: John 17

²⁰ Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who will believe in me through their word, ²¹ that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me. ²² The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one; ²³ I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me and loved them, even as you loved me.

O: Jesus wanted us to be one as he and the father are one. Yet we’re so disunited. A lot of it has to do with dualistic thinking — a mindset that divides the world into opposites, such as good vs. evil, us vs. them, or sacred vs. profane. This kind of thinking, argues Father Richard Rohr, author of Breathing Underwater, is limited and can lead to exclusion, conflict, and a lack of spiritual depth.

Father Richard Rohr doesn’t deny the existence of concepts like good and evil, or the reality of opposites. His critique of dualistic thinking is not about rejecting these categories entirely but about challenging how we often use them in limiting and divisive ways. He distinguishes between dualistic thinking—which categorizes everything into binary opposites—and non-dual awareness, which acknowledges the existence of opposites but holds them in a more integrated, less judgmental manner.

Rohr writes in Breathing Underwater, 

No one catches the wild ass by running after him, yet only those who run after the wild ass ever catch him. If both Pope Leo X and Martin Luther had meditated on that line, we might have avoided the acrimony of the initial Protestant Reformation. The pope emphasized that we had to run and “work for our salvation in fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12), while Luther held the more radical Gospel position of free grace and no one really needs to run at all. God’s love is a totally free gift, as Paul taught (Romans 9:11–12, 11:6, and throughout). Both Luther and the pope were right and also both misunderstood and marginalized one another, which later Catholic–Lutheran dialogues now admit. We did not have much non-dual consciousness in those days, but we largely operated with what A.A. rightly calls “all or nothing” thinking, and which I call dualistic thinking.

Early in my Christian walk, I fell under the influence of Christians who taught a very exclusivist gospel  — you must use the King James Version, the Catholics are going to hell, etc. Even after I got under more sound Biblical leadership, I still was skeptical of Catholics and Orthodox, and thought that Calvinists also were suspect. 

But when I was doing my Ph.D. at the University of Illinois, I joined the Graduate InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and found myself in a fellowship with Baptists and Catholics, Arminians and Calvinists, Lutherans, Orthodox, and many others. These were denominations that back in the 17th century were at war with each other and persecuted each other, yet now, they were united to reach the campus for Christ. Sure, they still had their theological disagreements, and after the fellowship meetings might adjourn to a coffee shop and argue theology, but the arguments were in a brotherly manner, seeking to understand each other’s points of view and undergirded by the recognition of our common faith.

That unity and fellowship was a taste of heaven. I think most of us will be surprised when we get to heaven some of the people we see there who believe differently from us. The Kingdom of God is bigger than we usually envision.

A: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35. Sometimes it’s so hard, because of sin, or just because someone rubs us the wrong way. Yet, that’s what Jesus calls us to do.

P: Father, fill me with your love, and teach me to love others as you have loved me. When I am tempted to respond in kind when I’m offended, please help me to see them as you see them, and to respond with your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Comfort in the Land of Many Tears

S: John 14

• Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me.
• I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.
• Whatever you will ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it. 
• If you love me, keep my commandments. 
• I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever: the Spirit of truth, whom the world can’t receive; for it doesn’t see him and doesn’t know him. You know him, for he lives with you, and will be in you. 
• I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more; but you will see me. 
• Because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 
• One who has my commandments and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him.
• Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
  

O: We live in this “land of many tears” but Jesus is here for us. The Holy Spirit counsels us.

A: We can rest in his peace even as we love him and obey his commandments.

P: Father, thank you for your your love for us. Thank you for your assurance. Help us to not be anxious as we abide in you.

The way, the truth and the life

S: John 14

O: Jesus is the way to God. If we love, him, we should follow what he says. God will empower us via the Holy Spirit. We can rejoice in him.

A: Keep Jesus' commandments.

P: Let me heed the Holy Spirit and keep your commandments. In Jesus' name, amen.

 God sent his son, they called him Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Because he lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because he lives, all fear is gone,
Because I know he holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because he lives!

Serving the Servant King

S: John 13

O: Jesus demonstrated servant leadership. Knowing Judas would soon betray him, he took the part of a slave and washed the disciples’ feet. Verse 10 makes it clear, this included Judas’ feet!

Based on what Jesus said in verses 14-15, some churches made this a regular practice — in fact, the Pope does this every year. Simon Peter, whose bravado would be shown false soon, himself learned this servant leadership.

Servant leadership goes against our natural human nature when we come into positions of leadership. That's why there have been so many leaders who have violated this. Yet, this is what Jesus calls us to.

A: We need to stay humble when we’re put in positions of leadership.

P: Lord, make me like you, please make me like you.
You are a servant; make me one, too.
O Lord, I am willing, do what you must do
To make me like you, Lord, please make me like you.

Rise up!

S: John 11

O: “Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.”

“Lazarus, come out!”

“Free him, and let him go.”

Yet the chief priests and Pharisees failed to see the miracle but instead sought to kill Jesus!

A: Jesus brings us to life! And calls us to come out! Will we heed his call or will we reject it?

We are faced with many challenges and sometimes we don't understand the reasons. Just like Martha said, “Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.” It didn’t make sense to her that Jesus would wait till after it was “too late” to show up. Yet, God had a good reason: “I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe.”

So let us believe, and rise up!

P: Father, I believe. Help me in my unbelief. May I never be like the religious leaders who miss the whole thing and tried to kill Jesus instead. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

He knows, He cares

S: John 10:9-18

⁹ I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out, and will find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. ¹¹ I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹² He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn’t own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them. ¹³ The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand, and doesn’t care for the sheep. ¹⁴ I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I’m known by my own; ¹⁵ even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶ I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd. ¹⁷ Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father.”

O: Jesus knows our troubles and he cares. He is our good shepherd. He lays his life down for us.

A: As we go through the difficulties in life, we can trust God cares for us.

P: Father, as we go through these difficulties, though we are tempted to feel there’s no solution, there’s no way out, we know you always keep your promises. You know our struggles and you care. And you were wililng to lay down your life for us. O Lord, I believe. Help me in my unbelief. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Dia Mengerti, Dia Peduli
(He knows, He cares)

English translation of the song:

Verse 1
Sometimes we feel
There is no open way
No more time
It’s too late

Verse 2
God never lies
He always keeps His promises
For those who believe
Miracles are real

Chorus 1
He understands, He cares
About the problems that are happening
He understands, He cares
About the problems we are facing

Chorus 2
But one thing He asks
Is that we believe
Until the miracle becomes real