Sunday May 13, 2018

Epistle: Acts 18: 22- 19:12 A better Baptism, of Christ

Gospel: John 17: 1-26 The Prayer of our Lord for those who come to believe in Him

Psalm 72/73 How good is God to Israel, to them that are of a right heart!

My Friends,

We begin today by reading about a man, a Jew called Apollos. This man was eloquent and mighty in the Scriptures but he knew only the baptism of John which means that he knew the Lord through the teaching of John the Baptist and through his sound knowledge of Scripture which would be the Jewish Law and the Prophets, Apollos went down to Ephesus and began preaching the things of the Lord. Even though he knew only the baptism of John he was fervent in spirit in his preaching of the Lord Jesus. God can use a fervent spirit who is somewhat less informed much better than He can use one who may be fully educated but lazy or not so fervent in preaching the Gospel.

Apollos was also bold enough to go into the synagogue and preach the Gospel to those Jews in Ephesus. He was well learned in the Law and the Prophets and understood John the Baptist when he spoke of Jesus as the Christ and so Apollos being bold and fervent began teaching the Lord. This is two characteristics that one who is to preach needs to have. Understand that we need true knowledge though, it cannot be some untrue understanding, it cannot be a false understanding, it has to be true, it may not be the complete truth but what is spoken is truth. So many people today go off half cocked with a false understanding and not only is the truth not told but in their pride of their knowledge they will attack others for what they see as the other’s lack of understanding and truth. This is not Christian. This leads us to our next point.

Two Jews who learned from St. Paul, Aquila and his wife Priscilla heard Apollos preaching and realized that while he preached truth, he was lacking in some areas, so they took him aside privately and taught him in the ways that he was still lacking. We have more points here to learn from, Aquila and Priscilla showed love for Apollos and for the preaching of the Gospel. They took Apollos aside without making a big show of themselves in their pride of their knowledge. They were not puffed up in their taking Apollos aside; they were in fact humble and loving. Apollos also show another good Christian trait in that he was also humble and allowed two tent makers; one of them a woman, to take him aside and teach or further explain the ways of the Lord where Apollos was lacking.

How much can we learn from the reading of Holy Scripture if we ask first, pray, and then actually pay attention to what we read? We are all guilty of this and many other infractions as well. Pride is incredibly subtle and often times we believe we are doing some good when actually in our pride we are doing much harm. Pray on this.

Today’s Gospel is a marvel in itself. Our Lord is praying for everyone throughout time who will come to believe in Him. Here are some highlights; 1 These things Jesus spoke, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said: Father, the hour is come, glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You. 2 As you have given him power over all flesh, that he may give eternal life to all whom You have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: That they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth; I have finished the work which You gave me to do. 5 And now glorify You me, O Father, with Yourself, with the glory which I had, before the world was, with You.

How much can we learn from these verses? Jesus, as man, prays to the Father. The hour is come; Jesus is in complete control. He controls the time and events. He wants all to have eternal life that come to Him. This is eternal life; to know the father, the only true God, and Jesus the Christ whom the Father sent. Jesus is to return to the glory with the Father that He had before the world was created. Jesus has always been with God, there has never been a time when Jesus did not exist.

11 And now I am not in the world, and these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name whom You have given me; that they may be one, as we also are. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world; as I also am not of the world. 15 I pray not that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from evil. 16 They are not of the world, as I also am not of the world. 22 And the glory which You have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, as we also are one: 23 I in them, and you in me; that they may be made perfect in one: and the world may know that You have sent me, and have loved them, as You have also loved me. 24 Father, I will that where I am, they also whom you have given me may be with me; that they may see my glory which You have given me, because You have loved me before the creation of the world.

Oh all that call themselves Christian take a lesson. The Father will keep those who love our Lord. But what does this mean? Will we become financially rich and successful in all that we do because we say the name Jesus in public? No, as Jesus has stated, the world will hate us as it hated Him. Some will become successful and are required to assist those who are not because there will be those who are poor, sick, frail, born with afflictions. Jesus prayed that we are not removed from the world but that we would be kept from the evil, that we would not succumb to temptation to commit sin, it does not mean that we will not be tempted or tested or pushed to our limits. But that the Father would give us the strength to endure and persevere. Another lesson; that they may be one.

This is such a difficult thing to do isn’t it? So much hate, prejudice, discrimination, and violence both physical and in word that is done from one group to another. Are there complete fakers? You had better believe it. Are there many false prophets? We know that there are. Do we see pride in someone’s preaching while they attempt to disguise it by speaking about it and calling it a gift from God because they are just so good at being Christian? Of course we do. Are we told by many that we all deserve the good things in life and we can get them if we apply ourselves and tithe to them, whoever the speaker of the moment is? Of course we do.

What are we to do? Do not support them. Pray for them. Give to the poor and the widow and the orphan. Someone who preaches and asks for money for his own personal use so that he/she can afford some luxury? Do not support them. Pray that their heart will be changed.

Pray today with the Psalmist who says that God is good to the upright in heart. His feet had almost slipped because he was jealous of the lawless sinner who was at peace with himself and did not look up to God. This jealousy, this envy of the lawless and the false prophet is a downfall and leads to perdition. Do not be trapped by the desire of luxury and fine food, or big houses so that we give up our soul to the evil one. Pray that this does not come upon anyone.

God can do all things; there is no situation that we get ourselves into that God cannot help us out of. We simply must have the faith and believe. Keep in mind however; God's plan is far above ours. We suffer and we have plenty coming based on what God Himself has in store for us whether it is for purging, for testing, or for reward or necessity for our life. God is in control.

We do not know when this will end and the new beginning will be, in spite of the many modern prophets who make a living selling Jesus and the destruction of the world; we have no clue when it will be. In the meantime, it rains on us all, haters and lovers of Jesus. The sun shines on us all, haters and lovers of Jesus. We remain together in this world until that day. So take a lesson from the readings. Continue to praise and worship Jesus the Christ and the Father through Him. Never cease to pray and live according to the gospel. Allow the Holy Ghost to guide you. Love God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, with all of your mind, and with all of your strength; love your neighbor as yourself. You never know whose life you will change because of this love of God in you.

The light has entered the world and the times; they are a-changing.

If one does not have love for the soul of mankind and the desire that all come to the truth than one does not have Christ in them fully.

Little children, love one another; because this is our Lord’s command and if you fulfill this, nothing else is needed. Through love and because of love we will follow all of the commandments that we have been given. They are written on our hearts by the hand of Almighty God. We simply need to see them within us and follow.

Remember; if we confess our sins and repent, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all iniquity.

May the peace of our Lord Jesus the Christ be with you throughout this day and the rest of your life. May the Holy Spirit fill us all to overflowing so that everyone in whose path we cross may receive a blessing from our Lord Jesus the Christ.

Blessings

In Christ.