The events surrounding the early church at Pentecost are so exciting. It’s hard to imagine what it must have been like, being there when the Holy Spirit fell on them all in the upper room. With a unique sign resembling tongues of fire setting on each one, the Spirit came, indwelt, and filled them. They left the upper room and began ministering in great power. One of the first evidences of that supernatural power was demonstrated as the disciples began sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with those gathered in the city for the holy season which culminated with Pentecost.

There were Jews from many different countries, speaking different languages. As the disciples began testifying Christ in their own language, the foreign visitors to the city heard them in their native languages. Such a spectacle quickly spread throughout the city. A large crowd gathered to witness firsthand this unusual sight.

Peter recognized the opportunity, and began to loudly declare the gospel to the crowd. They were not only amazed by their ability to understand Peter, they were moved by his message. On that day, three thousand souls came to trust in Christ as a result of Peter’s Spirit-filled preaching.

We look at Peter’s great accomplishment on that day in awe. We thrill at the miraculous demonstration of ‘tongues,’ and marvel at the huge number of conversions. It is easy to relegate such accomplishments to the early church, believing such results can no longer be seen today.

I find it interesting that the Lord made special note of an event that occurred prior to Peter’s preaching. The supernatural power of God fell mightily on that day, but it did not happen without a special gathering first. Notice the first couple of verses describing that wonderful day, in…

Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Notice, it says, ‘they were all with one accord in one place.’ The disciples were all present and engaged in church. If roll had been taken, it would have been complete. Even a casual look around the room would reveal faces filled with hope and anticipation for what the Lord was about to do.

That which set the stage for God’s miraculous power on the early church, is that which will bring the same today. Let’s make church attendance a priority in our lives, and make sure we engage our hearts and minds each time we come.

As Peter begins to recognize that his life on earth would soon be over, he wrote a second letter expressing his concern over the growing apostasy he had witnessed and that had been reported to him. The establishment of the church of Jesus Christ weighed heavily upon Peter. He had given his life to see it grow. The attacks against it had been brutal, and had given the old apostle cause for great concern.

It was with those concerns weighing on his heart that he wrote in…

2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Peter wanted to see the church grounded in faith and in the Word. He had seen the damage done by those who had joined the church, but had not grown substantially. They had been prime targets for the devil’s arrows, and had been taken out one by one. Peter was unwilling to accept any more spiritual casualties.

In this brief verse, Peter identified the sources of strength that were available to believers both then and today. He knew that the attacks could be vicious, but he also knew that ‘greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.’ Those believers could find their victory by accessing what he wrote about here.

First of all, Peter referred to His divine power. The Lord has made His supernatural, victorious power available to His children. We are not left to ourselves to fight spiritual battles. We are given armor and weapons to ward off and defeat the wicked ones that fight against us. The Lord was given ‘all power in Heaven and in Earth,’ and it is in that power that we graciously have access.

Peter declares that all that power that we need for any issue or area of our lives is available to us. That power is to keep us energized, and keep us righteous, reflecting the image of our Leader and Guide. As we access that power, we can be assured of coming through each and every attack victoriously.

Gratefully, we are given the means whereby we can access that life-giving, victory-assuring power. He wrote that ‘all things that pertain unto life and godliness,’ are accessed ‘through the knowledge of Him that called us.’ In other words, as we search the Scriptures to learn more of our blessed Savior, and develop a closer, more intense relationship with Him, we will receive all the power we need for each of life’s trials and hardships. And, we will come through them being made more like Christ along the way.

The greatest source of strength that we can tap into to help us both fight our spiritual battles, and supply the strength for endurance, is found by learning more about Jesus. Though it seems too simple to be true, its application works, and is the most effective tool we have to get through this life for His glory.
 

We live in an age of countless competing voices. We can access sermons being preached by someone from every denomination, on any topic, at any time of the day or night. It is not uncommon to have similar topics being lauded upon by two or three preachers at the same time; all you have to do is scroll through your Youtube channels. Never before have we had such availabilities. At the click of a mouse, we can find virtually anything at any time.

With so many preachers and so-called Bible teachers at our disposal, how do we know who we can trust?

Paul warned Titus that there were preachers in his day that were causing all sorts of trouble. He was deeply concerned over Jews who were infiltrating their churches and spreading doctrines that were damnable. He expressed his concern in…

Titus 1:10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

The ‘circumcision’ was a reference to Jews. There were many Jews who were highly motivated to stop the teaching of salvation by grace through faith alone. They were convinced that one had to add certain Jewish works in order to be truly right with God. One of their most aggressive teachings was the addition of circumcision to salvation. They believed that no one could be truly saved without being first circumcised to show their allegiance to the Law of Moses. Paul called them ‘unruly and vain talkers and deceivers.’

Those who made it their mission to infect others with false doctrine had become deadly to the work of Christ. Many had fallen victim to their teachings, as a ‘works’ salvation sounds so sensible. To those reared in a Jewish environment, the concept of justification by faith alone was often too much to swallow. Too many that had heard the gospel, and had started to be swayed by it, quickly fell away when confronted by a false teacher.

Why would these false preachers and teachers be so motivated to steal hearts away from the gospel? At first, it would seem like they were simply on a misguided, but sincere effort to keep their Jewish faith intact. By spreading lies and deceptions about Christ and His work of grace, they were preventing many from leaving their Jewish roots.

That which stirred in their efforts was simply their love for money. In some way, they were being financed in their work. Perhaps the local synagogue put up resources to fund anyone willing to discourage the work of the gospel of Christ. Whatever the source, there was a money trail that led to their perseverance.

The false preachers and teachers in our day are motivated the same way. There is apparently big money in working against the gospel. Consider the contrast. They work to lay up treasures now, while we who love the gospel work to lay up treasures in Heaven.

Paul often interjected flowery greetings and salutations in his epistles. He was often fluid in his compliments when referring to various churches, but none received the obvious praise and affection as did the churches in Macedonia. When Paul spoke of the churches at Thessalonica, Berea, and Philippi, he could not say enough. He could not hide his love for them, and praised them for their spiritual growth and influence.

One of those churches, the one at Philippi, committed themselves to the prayers and support of Paul personally. There were times the church there was the only one remembering Paul with supplies and communications while he was in prison. Paul referenced their special care for him often.

The church at Philippi demonstrated an obvious gift of giving. Though they themselves were suffering from intense persecution, they gave ‘beyond their power,’ or ability. The Philippians were willing to sacrifice their own needs to supply those of Paul.  He had become their ‘missionary of choice,’ and funneled as much as they could toward him.

Paul was so blessed by their generosity. Of course, their gifts were a blessing to him and an encouragement. But their greatest impact was the message their sacrifice sent to him; they loved him dearly, and wanted him to know it.

In writing to thank them for their gracious support, he included a subtle warning. To the church that was so quick to give abundantly, Paul warned that they be careful in their giving. He wrote in…

Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

Paul challenged them to continue to grow in their discernment. He commended their generous hearts, but warned that they should be careful to give wisely. As in the world today, there were unscrupulous people infiltrating the churches. Some learned that the church was a soft target when it came to giving. Because of the vibrant teaching on giving by our Lord, believers tended to be quick to giving to requests, sometimes before considering their true need. Mournful appeals were hard to ignore, adding to the difficulty of thorough evaluation.

Because the Macedonian churches were generous givers, Paul encouraged them to continue being generous, but to add to their giving more discernment. They would be wise to pray for wisdom before giving, and ask plenty of questions. The purpose was not to keep them from giving, but so that their giving could be blessed by the Lord.

Let’s be givers; but let’s also be discerning.