Thank you Calvary Chapel Old Bridge for hosting Answers in Genesis.
Yesterday I took my daughter Cassidy to the presentation, "Dinosaurs, Genesis and the Gospel." We both had a great time and learned much. At the dinner table we shared the short rhyme we learned that morning, marveling at God's amazing creation, “It’s designed to do what it does do and what it does do it does do well doesn’t it, don’t you think? I think it does, do you, I do, hope you do too, do you?”
Here are two additional links that will encourage great family discussion on the topic of Creation.
1. The Discovery Institute's evolutionnews.org In partnership with Focus on the Family the Discovery Institute produced a series entitled, TrueU featuring Dr. Stephen Meyer and is ideal for high school students. You can watch the introduction YouTube video below.
2. The Institute for Creation Research's That's A Fact videos. These short videos are the work of Dr. Rhonda Forlow and are excellent discussion starters. The link is science-essentials.org
Acts 13:5 reads, “Arriving in Salamis, they proclaimed God’s message in the Jewish synagogues.” Paul’s message in Acts 14:16-41 is given in response to an invitation by the leaders of the synagogue in Antioch of Pisdia. What are some reasons for their Paul and Barnabas beginning their ministry in the synagogue? What light does this shed on Paul’s affirmation in Romans 1:16 that the power of God is revealed “first to the Jew, and also to the Greek?”
Paul’s message in Acts 13 can be divided into two sections: verses 16:25 and 26-41. Beginning each Paul calls for the attention of his hearers, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen!” and Brothers, sons of Abraham’s race, and those among you who fear God…” What is the main point of each section?
Romans 4:25 declares that Jesus was “raised for our justification.” According to Acts 13:38-39, what does Jesus’ resurrection guarantee?
Look ahead to Acts 14:26-28 where Paul and Barnabas give to the Antioch church about the results of their missionary work. What impresses you about their report?
Acts 14:7 concludes, “And there they kept evangelizing.” To whom and where is the Holy Spirit promoting you to share the gospel? Where in your sphere of influence is God “opening a door” for you to spread His message?
Yesterday the New Jersey legislature’s judiciary committee heard testimony and passed a bill to legalize same sex marriage in New Jersey. The bill, entitled “Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act”, will be read again before going to a vote in the State Assembly and Senate.
Marriage between one man and one woman is much more than a cultural or religious tradition. Marriage was created by God and woven into His created order. Genesis 2:23-24 reads, “This one, at last is bone of by bone and flesh of my flesh; this one will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from man. This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh.” This is why the Bible describes such behavior as “exchanging the truth of God for a lie” (Romans 1:25).
If you are looking for a culturally informed biblical response on the topic of same-sex marriage I recommend the follwoing message by Albert Mohler.
How should we as Christian citizens respond to the current debate in our state?
First, pray. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 instructs, “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”
Second, be informed. The New Jersey Family Policy Council advocates for pro-family issues in New Jersey. You can sign up to receive their bulletins by email at njfpc.org or follow NJFPC on Facebook or Twitter.
Third, speak up. I agree with Mohler’s description of our role as Christians being “compassionate truth tellers.” Contact your state representative and voice your support for marriage. ALWAYS do with honor (1 Peter 2:17). Be bold sharing your convictions, but do so GRACEFULLY as Colossians 4:6 commands, “Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.” You can find a sample letter/email is provided from the New Jersey Family Policy Council.
Finally, make much of Christ and share the good news of the gospel. It is right that we care for our state and seek its welfare (Jeremiah 29:6) by promoting pro-marriage, pro-family legislation. However, political victories (or defeats for that matter) never result in new life. This only Jesus offers, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come” 2 Corinthians 5:17.
In Acts 8:15 the Lord assures Ananias of His plans for Saul, “Go! For this man is My chosen instrument to take My name to the Gentiles, kings, and to the Israelites.” This occurs sometime between 33-36 A.D. The first missionary journey does not take place until 47-48 A.D. How was God using this time in the life of Saul/Paul to prepare him for his mission?
Acts 9:20-25—
Acts 11:25—
Galatians 1:15-24—
According to Ephesians 2:10; 4:12; and 2 Corinthians 5:18, to what is every Christian called?
What is your ministry (mission)? How are you being prepared? Henry Blackaby in Experiencing God, challenges readers to ask themselves the following questions:
• Am I responding to all God already is leading me to do?
• Have I obeyed all I already know to be His will?
• Do I really believe that He loves me and will always do what is best and right?
• Am I willing to wait patiently on His timing and obey everything I know to do in the meantime?
Daniel 2:21 declares of God’s sovereignty, “He removes kings and establishes kings.” What does God’s judgment of Herod in Acts 12:20-23 have in common with His judgment of the following rulers?
Exodus 8:28-32; 14:5-28—
Daniel 4:28-37—
Daniel 5:13-30—
Isaiah 14:3-23—
Acts 12:24 records the second of four times Luke uses the expression, “so the word of God increased” (ESV). How was God’s sovereignty on display in each of these occasions?
Acts 6:7—
Acts 13:49—
Acts 19:20—
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply what you learned as a result of this study?
It was a thrill to stand shoulder to shoulder with my wife and my church family pledging to do my marriage unto Christ. I'm excited by what God will do in our families, church and community as a result of commitments made last weekend. Here's the prayer we prayed at the conclusion of the conference: Dear Father,
I need you. I cannot love and respect like this. But I know You hear me when I ask You to help me. Forgive me where I have been unloving and disrespectful. I open my heart to You, Father. I will not be fearful nor angry at You or my spouse. I see my partner in a whole new light. I forgive my spouce. I will appreciate my partner as different not wrong. I am actually excited, Lord. Fill my heart with love and reverence for You. Ultimately, this is about You and me. It isn't about my spouse.
Thank You for this enlightenment. My greatest reward comes from doing this "unto" You.
Prepare me this day for those moments of conflict. I especially ask You to put love and respect in my heart when I feel unloved and disrespected. There is no credit for loving and respecting when it is easy. I believe You hear me. I anticipate You responding to me. I have on my heart what is on Your heart. I thank You in advance for helping me take the next step.
I believe You will reward me throughout eternity for what I do in my marriage. I believe an eternal first moment is coming in which I will be overwhelmed. Today, I renew my commitment to believe that everything I do toward my spouse matters to You. Noting is wasted. When I am loving and respectful during a conflict, this contributes to my eternal reward. Salvation is a free gift through Jesus Christ. I cannot earn this. But rewards come in response to what I do daily in the home. My eye has not seen, my ear has not heard and it has not entered my heart what You intend to do in response to my love and respect in the home. Thank You for revealing this to me. I am humbled.
I believe this brings conviction to my spouse if anything will, but I don't do it for that reason.
I believe this will influence my children. I am committed to leaving a godly legacy.
I believe this matures me and reveals my freedom of spirit. My marriage is a test and a tool.
And I believe this touches Your heart as I do this "unto You." I do this out of love and reverence for You because You love me. It's between You and me. I am a true believer. In Your Name, Amen.
Below is a link to five radio broadcasts of Family Life Today where Dr. Emerson gave a summary of Love and Respect. Enjoy and be encouraged.
Those of us who were at Love and Respect last week were motivated by Nehemiah’s challenge, “Do not be afraid of them (those who opposed the building of the wall around Jerusalem). Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” (Nehemiah 4:14, ESV) We gather each month because we want to encourage each other to fight for our holiness, our family and our church.
As important as the call to fight the “good fight” is, we, especially as men, need to know when not to fight! We know our fight should not be against people (Ephesians 6:12). While we must fight for our holiness (Philippians 2:12-13) we must never fight for our salvation (Romans 3:21-22; Ephesians 2:9). This is the biblical truth is called “passive righteousness” whereby God has not only forgiven our sin, but also credited to us Jesus’ positive righteousness. At our Bible study this Saturday, January 14th (8:00-9:30 AM), we’ll take a closer look at the implications of this truth in our lives. Far from being a mere heady theological discussion, this truth affects how we view all our relationships, especially with God, our wife, and our children.
If you missed last month, or just want a refresher, check out this message on lesson two of the Gospel Centered Life given at The City Church in Fort Worth, TX.
What insights does Peter’s remark in Acts 4:27 provide as to why Herod had James killed and Peter arrested?
Read Acts 12:4-6. Why did Herod go to such extraordinary lengths to secure Peter? How might the experiences of his grandfather, Herod the Great, and uncle, Herod Antipas, influence his decision? (See Matthew 2:1-15; 14:3-11.)
James is the first apostle to be martyred. This combined with the imprisonment of Peter represented a great setback for the church. Luke writes in Acts 12:5, “So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church” (ESV) How does verse emphasize the importance of prayer in the early church?
The prayer that the church engaged in was “intercessory” prayer because they appealed to God for Peter. What do the following scriptures command regarding intercessory prayer?
2 Corinthians 1:11—
Ephesians 6:18—
1 Timothy 2:1—
James 5:16—
Read Hebrews 11:32-40. How might this Scripture give insight as to why Peter was miraculously rescued and James was not?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply what you learned as a result of this study?
