CFBC & BDAY
CEDAR FALLS BIBLE CONFERENCE + BIRTHDAY FUN
We are on Day 2 of running the VBS at the Cedar Falls Bible Conference, and it happens to be my birthday! It’s hard to believe I’ve been helping Becky with this for over 20 years. I’m 45 today and still the 'Game Guy'! I like to get out there and play the games. Sometimes I still think I can move like I did 20 years ago, but recovery takes quite a bit longer. Thankfully, I have handed off much of the responsibility to my kids and other great young helpers.
The Cedar Falls Bible Conference is a highlight each year for my family. Bonds have been formed through it for our kids. And it gives us the opportunity to share the good news of Jesus with about 120 students all week. It is amazing to see how these students grow over the years, and to hear how they are continuing to walk with the Lord.
It’s not every day that we encounter opportunities to share the gospel with this many people, but as I mentioned on Sunday, God has placed each of us in certain situations to participate in making Him known.
GENTILE PENTECOST - ACTS 10
This past Sunday we focused our attention on Acts 10:34-48. It is a significant passage in the storyline of the Bible, because it signals a massive shift. Many scholars call this passage the “Gentile Pentecost” because of the parallels to Acts 2.
The gospel, which brings peace with God for ANYONE who would believe in Christ for salvation, was now being proclaimed to the Gentiles by Peter. The Holy Spirit was poured out on all who heard the message. And they were speaking in tongues and praising God. And they were commanded to be baptized. Peter then stayed at Cornelius’ house for several days, implying that he ate with them. This was a massive shift for the Jew. And it signaled that God had broken down the dividing wall of hostility between these groups through Christ. They now had fellowship with God and one another through Jesus! God had blown open the door for salvation to reach the ends of the earth. The gospel is for ALL PEOPLE!
3 Application points I highlighted on Sunday:
#1 – Proclaim the gospel without partiality. (Acts 10:34-43)
God does not show partiality. We shouldn’t either.
The gospel message is about who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Peter describes the life and ministry of Jesus. And he focused on his death and resurrection. Peter was a witness to Christ, sent to preach and testify that Jesus is the Lord and Judge, that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name (Acts 10:43).
LOVE YOUR CHURCH
I mentioned a book that I am reading with the Deacons. It is called “Love Your Church” by Tony Merida. If you haven’t read it, I would encourage you to check it out.
In his chapter on Witnessing, he speaks of ‘Engaging with people in your networks.’
Consider these 5 categories:
Identify 5 people in each of these groups. And think about how you can: Pray for them, Invite them, Serve them, Give Resources to them, and Share the Gospel with them.
#2 – Receive forgiveness and peace through Christ. (Acts 10:44-46a)
In Acts 10:34-43, Peter described the message he shared as the gospel of peace. This reminds us that the good news of Christ is a proclamation of peace with God and with one another. Christ came to this earth, died on the cross, and rose again, so that all who receive Him by faith are granted peace with God for all eternity! A peace that we can have now and experience now!
This peace comes through Jesus, who died in our place, taking upon himself the punishment we deserve from the Judge. God now declares us Not Guilty. Innocent by faith in Christ!
I think we sometimes forget that, even as Christians. And when we sin, we still live under that guilt and condemnation. And we try to appease our guilty conscience by doing good works.
What we need to do is rest in Christ! Receive His forgiveness! And recognize that Christ died to bring us peace!
You can have peace with God today!
#3 – Welcome all believers as family. (Acts 10:46b-48)
Now that the gospel was received by the Gentiles, the Jewish Christians were amazed. Peter was amazed and recognized that they couldn’t withhold baptism from them.
Baptism was an act of obedience for those who trusted in Christ for salvation. It was the outward sign of the inward change that had taken place. And it was the initial act of identification with the new covenant community.
These new Gentile Christians were then baptized and welcomed in the family. Peter then further showed his acceptance of them by staying with them for a few days.
This also serves to highlight the importance of not just making a decision for Christ, but being a disciple of Christ. We need each other to grow in our walk with the Lord.
I conclude as Pastor Garrett Kell rightly observed – “God’s people are to get the gospel to the ends of the earth. It’s what Jesus calls us to be about. When you look at your to do list today, it always needs to start with ‘make disciples among the nations’, ‘be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ And everything else that you do has got to be under that heading if you are a believer.”
Today is about far more than celebrating and enjoying a birthday! It is about celebrating the unity and peace that we have in Christ!!
Let’s look at our “To Do” List and participate in making Christ known.
Who do you want me to be praying for that you are investing in? Let me know!
We are on Day 2 of running the VBS at the Cedar Falls Bible Conference, and it happens to be my birthday! It’s hard to believe I’ve been helping Becky with this for over 20 years. I’m 45 today and still the 'Game Guy'! I like to get out there and play the games. Sometimes I still think I can move like I did 20 years ago, but recovery takes quite a bit longer. Thankfully, I have handed off much of the responsibility to my kids and other great young helpers.
The Cedar Falls Bible Conference is a highlight each year for my family. Bonds have been formed through it for our kids. And it gives us the opportunity to share the good news of Jesus with about 120 students all week. It is amazing to see how these students grow over the years, and to hear how they are continuing to walk with the Lord.
It’s not every day that we encounter opportunities to share the gospel with this many people, but as I mentioned on Sunday, God has placed each of us in certain situations to participate in making Him known.
GENTILE PENTECOST - ACTS 10
This past Sunday we focused our attention on Acts 10:34-48. It is a significant passage in the storyline of the Bible, because it signals a massive shift. Many scholars call this passage the “Gentile Pentecost” because of the parallels to Acts 2.
The gospel, which brings peace with God for ANYONE who would believe in Christ for salvation, was now being proclaimed to the Gentiles by Peter. The Holy Spirit was poured out on all who heard the message. And they were speaking in tongues and praising God. And they were commanded to be baptized. Peter then stayed at Cornelius’ house for several days, implying that he ate with them. This was a massive shift for the Jew. And it signaled that God had broken down the dividing wall of hostility between these groups through Christ. They now had fellowship with God and one another through Jesus! God had blown open the door for salvation to reach the ends of the earth. The gospel is for ALL PEOPLE!
3 Application points I highlighted on Sunday:
#1 – Proclaim the gospel without partiality. (Acts 10:34-43)
God does not show partiality. We shouldn’t either.
The gospel message is about who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Peter describes the life and ministry of Jesus. And he focused on his death and resurrection. Peter was a witness to Christ, sent to preach and testify that Jesus is the Lord and Judge, that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name (Acts 10:43).
LOVE YOUR CHURCH
I mentioned a book that I am reading with the Deacons. It is called “Love Your Church” by Tony Merida. If you haven’t read it, I would encourage you to check it out.
In his chapter on Witnessing, he speaks of ‘Engaging with people in your networks.’
Consider these 5 categories:
- Familial: people in your family
- Geographical: people in your neighborhood
- Vocational: people at your workplace
- Recreational: people you play with or hang out with
- Commercial: people you see at shops
Identify 5 people in each of these groups. And think about how you can: Pray for them, Invite them, Serve them, Give Resources to them, and Share the Gospel with them.
#2 – Receive forgiveness and peace through Christ. (Acts 10:44-46a)
In Acts 10:34-43, Peter described the message he shared as the gospel of peace. This reminds us that the good news of Christ is a proclamation of peace with God and with one another. Christ came to this earth, died on the cross, and rose again, so that all who receive Him by faith are granted peace with God for all eternity! A peace that we can have now and experience now!
This peace comes through Jesus, who died in our place, taking upon himself the punishment we deserve from the Judge. God now declares us Not Guilty. Innocent by faith in Christ!
I think we sometimes forget that, even as Christians. And when we sin, we still live under that guilt and condemnation. And we try to appease our guilty conscience by doing good works.
What we need to do is rest in Christ! Receive His forgiveness! And recognize that Christ died to bring us peace!
You can have peace with God today!
#3 – Welcome all believers as family. (Acts 10:46b-48)
Now that the gospel was received by the Gentiles, the Jewish Christians were amazed. Peter was amazed and recognized that they couldn’t withhold baptism from them.
Baptism was an act of obedience for those who trusted in Christ for salvation. It was the outward sign of the inward change that had taken place. And it was the initial act of identification with the new covenant community.
These new Gentile Christians were then baptized and welcomed in the family. Peter then further showed his acceptance of them by staying with them for a few days.
This also serves to highlight the importance of not just making a decision for Christ, but being a disciple of Christ. We need each other to grow in our walk with the Lord.
I conclude as Pastor Garrett Kell rightly observed – “God’s people are to get the gospel to the ends of the earth. It’s what Jesus calls us to be about. When you look at your to do list today, it always needs to start with ‘make disciples among the nations’, ‘be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ And everything else that you do has got to be under that heading if you are a believer.”
Today is about far more than celebrating and enjoying a birthday! It is about celebrating the unity and peace that we have in Christ!!
Let’s look at our “To Do” List and participate in making Christ known.
Who do you want me to be praying for that you are investing in? Let me know!
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