The Spirit Comes When Jesus Leaves

John 14:15-17

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”

We can be guilty sometimes of throwing around powerful words without giving them the weight they are due. Love is one of those words. My wife and I say we love each other all the time. Sometimes it’s with true sincerity, and the tone in our voice, the look in our eye, and the total time-stopping focus that we give the message conveys all that we truly intend. Other times, we use it to end a sentence.

“Hey, can you pick up some milk at the store?” 
“Sure” 
“Ok, thanks, love ya.”

As believers, we say that we love God all the time. We repeat it over and over in our prayers, we sing it in our songs, it’s just a given. But what does it really mean to us?

Jesus is basically saying in this passage, “to be clear, love in my eyes (and in my Father’s) isn’t just a word. In fact, love looks a whole lot like obedience. And I’m well aware that sometimes obedience is difficult. Sometimes obedience is costly, and sometimes it seems impossible. But I’m going to send you a Helper, someone who will be with you, encourage you, teach you and help you accomplish the impossible. And just so you don’t think I’m all talk and no action, I’m about to show you what real love, real obedience looks like. And I’m going to ask you, with the help of the Spirit to live out that same kind of love in my name.” 

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • How do you know when someone truly loves you? 
  • Is there an area of your life where your love for God isn’t really expressed through obedience? How can you take a step in the right direction this week? 

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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Lying to God

Acts 5:1-11

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

Like the Garden of Eden, it did not take long for humans to mess things up in the church. What a shock! Anyway, during those days, the followers of Christ were poor and persecuted. So, the Spirit led them to bring all their money and possessions to give as all had needs. It was not a requirement but a blessing.

One would wonder why God killed Anannias and his wife. Was it because they chose not to give everything? No, the problem wasn’t that they withheld. The problem was that they acted like they gave all but only gave some. The Spirit led them to give, and they chose half-hearted obedience.

It’s like putting up a pretense that you are giving, serving, and leading, but actually not. So, Peter said give or don’t give, but stop pretending. 

The church was young. God protected His investment and made a statement that the movement of the church required total surrender and authenticity. 

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?

 

Why does God require total obedience?

What does it hurt to pretend?

What are areas in your spiritual life where you are pretending?

Today’s post is by Pastor Stephen Williams

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Sunday Edition

Good morning! We hope you’ll join us for worship today.  

On-Campus – Contemporary worship 9am and 11am, Blended 9:45am. 
Streaming online 9am and 11am at mybelmont.org/sermonsonline or facebook.com/mybelmont/live 

Verses for the week:

  • Monday – Acts 5:1-11
  • Tuesday – John 14:15-17
  • Wednesday – Ephesians 1:13-14
  • Thursday – Romans 8:15-17
  • Friday – Ephesians 4:30-32

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Small Group Discussion

We’ve been reading about the birth of the church after the ascension of Jesus this week. We’ve seen how Jesus didn’t leave His followers to flounder on their own, but commissioned them and empowered them with the Holy Spirit. 

Discuss with your small group what you’ve drawn from your reading this week and how God has spoken to you. In your discussion, consider the following topics: 

  • What were the requirements of those coming into the family?
  • What did “doing church” look like in the beginning?
  • How was the church characterized during that time?

You can also pull from the questions in each day’s reading and use the  HEAR method as your structure for discussion.

If you aren’t currently in a group we’d love to help you connect with one. Contact jon@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 Jon Price

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True Christian Love

Acts 4:32-37

“Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power, the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

“Our relations with one another are like a stone arch, which would collapse if the stones did not mutually support each other, and which is upheld in this very way.” Seneca

We witness something beautiful, noteworthy, and inspiring when something is working perfectly as designed. When a car is running “on all cylinders” we can feel the comfort, power, and thrill in how it sounds and handles.

I worked in a body shop for a short time before I headed off to seminary in my 20’s. Most of my responsibilities there consisted of sanding, sweeping, and doing general grunt work. One day my boss gave me a treat by allowing me to deliver a convertible jaguar to its owner after we had repainted it. It was a thing of beauty – tan leather interior, candy apple red coat with 18K gold trim. I floated down the coastal road, top-down listening to Acoustic Alchemy on the CD player (extremely rare and expensive at the time), and marveled at the craftsmanship. There were notable differences between this chariot of the gods and the Toyota Carolla FX that I was used to driving. 

The image we have of the early church in the first few chapters of Acts is of humanity at its best. We see the brand new bride of Christ running on all cylinders, evidenced not by flashy buildings or prominence in the community, but by selfless service, sacrifice, and genuine love for each other. The unity of the church had not yet been jostled out of alignment by competing agendas, a scarcity mentality, or diversions from its main purpose – furthering the gospel. 

We look back at this era and hold it as the standard of what the church should be. If we are fortunate and communally focused on what is truly and eternally important we may see something similar in our own fellowships, but sadly that is not the typical scenario. We hold back, protect ourselves, cling to our rights and every once in a while pray for revival in the land. But we must be the ones to change our hearts, our focus, and our actions. We were crafted for better. 

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • What is at the base of those things that would hold us back from being what we, as the church should be? 
  • What would it look like if you and I had the attitude of the believers in the early church? 
  • What are you willing to do to start in that direction? 

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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The First Gatherings

Acts 2:42-47

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Maybe you are like me. I can take a simple task and make it super complex. I can think about a situation or a task until it becomes complicated and confusing. I can do this with my walk with the Lord and my involvement in the church as well.

In our passage today, we get a picture of what the first gatherings of the early church looked like following Jesus’s death, resurrection and ascension.  Thank goodness, this wasn’t complicated or confusing.

Just before Jesus ascended into heaven, he told the disciples “to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). Thankfully, the disciples obeyed this command and the church was birthed.  The details are found in Acts chapters 1-2.  The disciples waited for the promised Holy Spirit to come and equip them with power. Almost immediately, three thousand individuals were added to the group of Jesus’s disciples at Pentecost (Acts 2:41).

This group of new believers (the 3000) then “devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching (Jesus’s life and ministry) and to the fellowship (the individuals that made up the church), to the breaking of bread (sharing fellowship meals and the Lord’s supper) and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). The outcome of their growing relationship with God made it possible for God to use them to meet the needs of others,“as any had need” (Acts 2:45).  Then, God was glorified and more disciples were made.

This is such a good reminder for me to keep church simple. I am so thankful for Belmont’s simple mission!  We are disciples who make disciples.  We do this through living and loving like Jesus. I need to stay focused on being a disciple through spending time in the Word, prayer, worship and fellowship with other believers.  Yes, it is about my relationship with God but that relationship with God should give me the desire to meet someone else’s needs.  My relationship with God should make me more compassionate and sensitive to other people and their needs. When I notice a need, I can pray and ask God how he wants to use me. Maybe I need to pray.  Maybe I need to give.  Maybe I need to help.  I can trust that God will use me to meet needs so He will be glorified through my actions and new disciples will be made.

Lord, please open my eyes to where I need to grow in my personal relationship with you today as I spend time in your Word.  Please show me a need that I can meet today.  Give our church opportunities to meet the needs of the hurting people in Calhoun so you will be glorified and more people will trust you as their Lord and Savior.

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  •  [questions bulleted]

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 Mindy Jordan

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