What Brings God’s Wrath

Romans 1:18

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.”

In Ohio, 2011, two women in their 80’s died in a car accident after two teenage boys covered up a stop sign as a prank. This misdirection brought about not only the unintended deaths but the response of the courts in the way of jail time for the boy instigating the prank.*

Unfortunately, misdirection has become a default strategy in our culture. Fake news is spread by those wanting to discredit their opponents and expedite their cause. It has caused division, fear, fighting, mistrust, and other harmful outcomes. But no misdirect is more harmful to us or odious to God than the suppression of the Truth of His Gospel and Kingdom. 

When we or anyone else acts in an ungodly or unrighteous manner, it covers over and distracts from His Son, His plan, and His grace. I use ‘we’ in that comment because Christians have been just as guilty (if not more so) of suppressing truth by our sin, our bickering, and our distractions that have very little to do with what we are commissioned to be about. We understand that those who do not follow God are suppressing His truth and will receive His wrath. But we need to understand that we can be just as guilty. As followers of Christ, we must be clear signposts, directing others to Him and His Kingdom. 

*https://www.grunge.com/23488/pranks-gone-wrong-accidentally-killed-people/?utm_campaign=clip

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • What in your life, actions, or relationships might be distracting, covering up, or suppressing God’s truth? 
  • Is there someone you need to go to and clear a path to God’s Kingdom that you might have previously misled through your sin? 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Jon Price

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Focus This Week

Romans 1:14-16

“I am under obligation both to the Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Use the HEAR method as you spend time with today’s scripture.

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

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Small Group Discussion

We’ve been reading this week about our mission to proclaim the name of Jesus.

Discuss with your small group what you’ve drawn from your reading this week and how God has spoken to you. You can also pull from the questions in each day’s reading.

The HEAR method is also an excellent structure for your discussion as a group. If you aren’t currently in a group we’d love to help you connect with one. Contact sharon@mybelmont.org or go to mybelmont.org/smallgroups

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Elise Jones

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A Martyr’s Role in a Missional Movement

Acts 7:54-60

“When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and gnashed at him with their teeth.  But he, being full of the Holy Spirit gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And said, Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. 

The witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit”.  Then he knelt and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

The stoning of Stephen caused even more persecution against the church at Jerusalem. But Stephen’s faith was a testimony and example to the other believers. As a result, as they scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria they continued to spread the good news of Christ. One young man, present at Stephen’s stoning and an enemy of Christ’s followers, would later become the most significant missionary for the early church. 

Never underestimate God’s ability to change a Saul into a Paul, and to take what looks like a defeat and create an unstoppable mission movement.  

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • How does Stephen’s martyrdom jive with your understanding of what should happen to those who love and are obedient to God? 
  • Is there someone you know that is incredibly hard for you to believe that they could ever change? 
  • Take some time to pray for that person, for your own faith, and for the boldness to share with them. 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Sue Benton,
group leader of Women of the Word

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Speaking Truth to Power

Acts 26:24-29

“And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”

The people of God have a long history of speaking truth to power: starting in Genesis through the prophets to Jesus, the disciples, Paul, and many more on down through church history. However, starting in the 17th and 18th centuries, our ancestors gave the government much of our mandate from the Lord such as care for the poor, the orphans, and widows, and medical care for the needy. Now we’re somehow surprised when governments want even more power and control and we must fight battles over issues like abortion which we can no longer in good conscience cede.

The Lord assigned these roles to us. They are the very innovations and radical ideas that spurred and supported the rapid growth of the church in the early centuries of its history. As the church, we must take back and redeem our original role—the one Jesus modeled.

How do we do this? In this scripture, Paul speaks truth to power in love. That’s a dangerous thing to do. It involves words and actions and sometimes “chains” (changing how we spend our “free” time, replacing things we want to do with the hard tasks the gospels call for, etc.) and maybe rejection by neighbors and friends—being thought to have “lost our minds.”

We must speak the truth to power, by our testimony and the way we live: modeling what we believe. The early church was out in the community meeting real needs—physical, emotional, and spiritual.

It is a dangerous, time-consuming, hard business. Jesus called us to be His disciples, not to have an easy life. Paul was in chains, but he still spoke the truth to power. There are no guarantees, but it is the mission Jesus gave us.

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • How do you feel about Jesus’ call to live life in this risky way?
  • How could it play out in Calhoun, GA?
  • What can you say (or alter or sacrifice) in your everyday life to make the change?
  • Are you willing to pay the price?

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Kay Whatley

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To Boldly Go

Acts 17:1-9

“Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.”

Have you ever been in a place you’re not wanted? My faith and my ministry have placed me there on many occasions. On the least terrifying incident, I attended a staff Christmas party for the faculty of a school where I was a middle school choral teacher. The soiree was in a very opulent home, richly adorned for the holidays. As I entered, the host led me to a room with much food and drink. My china plate was quickly filled with finger foods and I grabbed a can of soda. Another host was adamant about pouring my drink in a fine crystal goblet. I respectfully declined. In rooms filled with champagne flutes, brandy snifters, shot glasses, and beer mugs – there I was with a can of Coke. The host was quite unhappy with me and my “better than thou” can of coke. I respectively explained that my choice was for me. She made it clear I was not welcome and I soon departed after greeting most of the staff.

My most terrifying incident involved some street witnessing in a large city. A very large dude with his compliment of friends approached this young teen handing out tracks and praying for people. He took the new testament from my hands, tore a page out with his teeth, and proceeded to eat it. He then got nose to nose with me and said, “is there a scripture about that?” Without thinking about my situation I quoted Revelation 10:9, “It will be sweet as honey in your mouth, but it will turn sour in your stomach!” He had a perplexed look on his face and one of his friends laughed and said, “That was a good one.” One of the guys in the group said, “let the kid preacher alone, and let’s go drink and cause trouble.” Thank you, Lord, for saving me for another day.

In your walk with the Lord, there will come a day when you will have to boldly go. 

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • Have you ever been in an awkward and unwelcome position because of your faith? How did you respond? 
  • Why does God allow us to find ourselves in these situations and how do you think He expects us to handle it? 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Jim Sellers

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