Acts 2:42-47 The Disciple Making Church

This Sunday will be our first service in the remodeled sanctuary. This is an exciting and overwhelming time in the life of our church. About four years ago, we began talking seriously about building, and through this process we have seen God’s hand working at every step. Of course, the building is beautiful and more spacious and we praise the Lord for His work among us. But what I find more amazing is that, by the grace of God, we have come through this entire project united together as a body. Sunday we have a new church building - but it is the church (all of you) that makes First Baptist Church such an oasis in the desert. I am thankful that God has brought us together to carry this baton that has been passed to us. And just like God led us through this building project, he will lead us to carry out His will as we commit ourselves to the gospel above all, feeding on the word of God together, and investing ourselves in making disciples. God is doing an amazing work among us (I’m not talking about the new building) and what we have at FBC is worth passing down to the next generation. It’s my prayer that no matter what state the word descends into, there will always be a place in Mulvane where disciples of Christ are made and grow strong.

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Acts 28:16-31 The Gospel Unhindered

Sunday we come to the end of our study in the book of Acts. It has been quite a journey through the text. In the first chapter, Jesus said His disciples would be witnesses to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. And that is what we have seen. We have followed the mission of His witnesses to all nations. We followed Peter, John, Phillip, Stephen, and Paul. We have seen much opposition to the spread of the gospel and the church. We have seen much hardship, suffering, and persecution of His witnesses, but we have also seen much faithfulness and perseverance as the Holy Spirit empowered them to be what Jesus commanded them to be. But this Sunday, we will come to the end of the story - or more accurately - the end of the beginning of the story.

As we look at the final verses in Acts, we will read an ending that isn’t quite what we are used to in good story-telling. We won’t have all our questions answered about Paul’s life. We won’t have resolution to the conflict we have seen through the last five chapters as Paul has gone from trial to prison to trial again. We won’t see him vindicated by those who oppressed and rejected him. In fact, we will see the same thing happen in Rome that has happened in every city in which Paul witnessed in. - THE SAME THING!

That isn’t the ending we want in the story, but it is the ending we need. Because the same will be true in our mission. This story is not about what happens to the messenger. This story is not about the messenger being vindicated in this life. It is about what Jesus is doing through His witnesses. It is about the gospel going forth to the world. That IS the story! And regardless of what events, cultural changes, political winds, or violent persecution arises, the gospel will continue being proclaimed until Jesus returns in glory. The gospel cannot and will not ever be silenced. To illustrate that point, God has allowed us the joy of baptizing believers in both services this Sunday. I hope you can join us in worshiping the King this Sunday.

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Acts 28:1-15 To The End Of The Earth

Over the next two Sundays, our journey through the book of Acts will come to an end. Yet the book doesn’t close with a final climactic ending. Luke leaves the story unfinished with Paul testifying unhindered in Rome. The story is not finished. Today, the church is still on the same mission begun so long ago by the first disciples. The gospel has gone out from Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and continues to go to the ends of the earth. Chapter 28 picks up after the shipwreck which left Paul and company on an unidentified land. Here we are informed they have landed on the island of Malta, off the coast of Sicily. Paul will spend three months here before setting sail again for Rome. Although Paul’s journey to Rome is stalled, it is not without purpose. Paul finds kind and compassionate people on the island who show hospitality and care to he and his shipmates. God also does miraculous works of healing through Paul for the people of Malta over those three months. The storm and the shipwreck were not without purpose. God has brought Paul to this island because even these kind, friendly, compassionate, and moral people also need the gospel to be saved. The message of Christ is validated here as it was in the Temple of Jerusalem through miraculous signs. God has brought the kingdom promised to Israel all the way out here on the shores of this island. And when Paul finally does get to the vicinity of Rome, the church is there ready to receive him, encourage him, and fellowship with him as God fulfills His promise and Paul makes his way into the city. The church in Rome, established by unnamed and unknown believers, is God’s instrument in the city & comes out to receive this brother in Christ. And here we see that although Luke has focused our attention on the Apostle Paul for much of the book of Acts, the church - together - is the instrument that brings the gospel to the nations.

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Acts 27:27-44 An Anchor In The Storm Part 2

Sunday, we pick up where we left off in Acts 27. This chapter is devoted to the arduous sea voyage of Paul to Rome. Jesus told Paul in Acts 23:22 that Paul was being sent to Rome. But from the beginning of their voyage Paul was at the mercy of the wind and the decisions of others which led them into a violent storm. We saw that God’s promise doesn’t mean an easy journey. But we also saw the anchor which Paul held onto through all the obstacles and trials. He trusted in the promise of God. He told the people on the ship that an angel appeared telling him that he would get to Rome and no life would be lost, only the ship. And Paul tells them that he has faith in God that it will be as he has been told.

As we work through verses 27-44, we will see that God’s promise is also the only peace in the storm. Paul’s actions are opposite from the sailors and soldiers as the ship ultimately wrecks. But the peace that we see in Paul is not often what we think of as a "peaceful" response in the midst of trial. He is not passive, inactive. He does not "let go and let God." He acts with wisdom, with common sense as he prepares the men on the ship for what will be needed. The peace he demonstrates is peace that the promise will come to pass by God’s providence through their actions and decisions. It is a peace that is striving for the goal. And finally we see that God’s promise is always faithful. Even when the soldiers themselves decide to kill all the prisoners and threaten God’s promise that no life will be lost, we see God providentially working all things to fulfill his word. He is able - He is faithful to bring his witnesses all the way home. I hope to see you all this Sunday.

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Acts 27 An Anchor In The Storm (Part 1)

Acts 27 sees the beginning of Paul’s long journey to Rome. After all the trials and the two years of imprisonment, Paul is finally going to Rome just as Jesus promised him in Acts 23:11. It seems that Paul’s mission is no longer "on hold" and he is sailing by the will of God to the place God has ordained him to go. I would think there would be a brief note about the journey and then Luke would pick up telling us how Paul continued to witness in Rome, but that is not what happens here. Quite the opposite. Paul has a promise from Jesus that he will get to Rome, but every leg of this journey is fraught with difficulty from the winds, other people’s bad decisions, and an incredibly powerful and dangerous storm which ultimately shipwrecks the vessel. In fact, the 44 verses of chapter 27 are completely taken up with the difficulty and devastation of this journey. But how can this be? Paul is not Jonah. He is going exactly where God told him to go and doing exactly what God called him to do. As far as Scripture is concerned, Paul is directly in the center of God’s will - he is being faithful to his calling as a witness. And yet, all this suffering and difficulty swirls around every move he makes. 

What we find here is that even though Paul bears a promise of God that he will reach his destination safely, it doesn’t mean the journey will be easy. And even when it looks like Paul is at the mercy of the wind, other people’s decisions, and the massive storm, Paul holds to the only anchor that is sure and certain. He holds to the word of God. When everyone else has lost all hope of being saved, Paul can say "I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told." (Acts 27:25)

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Acts 26 Hope On Trial

As we near the end of the book of Acts, we come to a climactic point in the book and in the narrative story of Scripture as Paul gives his defense before King Agrippa. Here before this Jewish King, Paul will finally get to give a full testimony without being interrupted by ridicule or riots. And as we examine the text of Paul’s defense, we find that it isn’t really a defense at all. Paul uses this opportunity to connect his preaching and his message with the promise of God to Israel. He shows us that the reason he has undergone all the trials and tribulations in the last five chapters is because of his "hope in the promise made by God to our fathers." In this speech, we find the thread that connects the whole of Scripture to the preaching and mission given to the church. And we see what it is all about. We see what Paul’s trials are all about, and what God’s big story is all about - It is the hope of resurrection through the Messiah Jesus Christ.

But as Paul weaves his masterful narrative and shows Agrippa all these things, we start to see something else. Toward the end of Paul’s defense, we find that it isn’t Paul who is on trial here. It is King Agrippa himself. Not only is Paul explaining that the Messiah of God has commissioned his preaching in fulfillment of the promise of God, but he is actually engaging in his mission right here as he seeks the salvation of Agrippa and all those listening to him. Not only will we see the importance of our mission to make disciples and how we engage it, but we will receive a clear, concise explanation of the grand storyline of God’s Word and how it all fits together.

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Acts 25 When Trials Go On And On

Sunday as we continue in Acts, we will talk about many things that we have seen before in the previous few chapters. As we saw Paul’s trial before Felix last week, we will see his trial before Festus this week. Acts 25-26 is really one unit, culminating in Paul’s longest speech in Acts as he testifies before King Agrippa, Governor Festus, military tribunes, and the leading men of the city. And through it all we will see God still providentially working to fulfill His word, Paul continuing to answer false accusations with truth, and continuing to be faithful as the witness Jesus has called him to be. In short, he does the same thing we saw him do before in previous chapters. The difference here is that between chapter 24 and 25, Paul has languished in prison for two whole years. Over two years, it seemed that God hadn’t moved. Paul may have felt that God was silent as he could do nothing but wait and hope. And then, when something finally does happen, Paul has to go through the same accusations, the same plots, the same dog and pony show trial as he did two years ago. But even when the trials and sufferings of living for Christ go on and on, when there doesn’t seem to be any break in the tribulations that smash against our lives, we see that God is still working for His purposes and we are still called to be faithful as witnesses commissioned for Him.

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Acts 24 A Faithful Witness On Trial

We are steadily approaching the conclusion of our exposition in the book of Acts. This Sunday we will look at chapter 24 in its entirety. In chapter 23, Paul was sent to the governor in Caesarea for his own protection. A plot to kill him was providentially discovered and the Roman Tribune sent Paul to Felix under the protection of the Roman army. Now in chapter 24 Paul will be tried by Felix. In this chapter we see the first of several trials in which Paul will bear witness. Through them all, as Paul is on his way to Rome, he shows himself faithful to his calling to bear witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. As all faithful witnesses of Christ, Paul is facing lies and false accusations of his beliefs and behavior. But in chapter 24 he shows all believers how to remain faithful to our calling through the persecution and biases of this world. He speaks the truth from a clear conscience toward God and men, taking every opportunity to share the message of the gospel to all people. There is much to learn from this chapter as we ourselves face mounting misinformation in the world about what Christianity is and what the Bible teaches. Because we will have to work quickly to get through all of chapter 24, it will be beneficial for us all to read the chapter before Sunday. I hope to see you there.

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Acts 23:12-35 Resting In God's Providence

As we examine Acts 23:12-35, we will see God’s providence as he works to fulfill His purposes in the ordinary and unexpected events of this life. God will send Paul to Rome just as He promised, yet He will not do so through miraculous deliverance. He will do so through the schemes of the enemy, the unexpected appearance of a relative, and the selfish intentions of the authorities. Yet in all these unpredictable and unexpected "happenings" God is in control. We might not know what God is doing through certain situations, but we know that He knows what He is doing, and we can trust His providence.

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Acts 22:22-23:11 Wisdom For Witnesses In Hostile Situations

This Sunday we find Paul in a very unenviable situation. In fact, it looks utterly hopeless. Paul has been mobbed and arrested by the Romans. The Roman Tribune allowed him to speak to the crowd in the hopes that he would calm them and disperse them. Last week we examined what Paul said to the crowd as he explained the testimony of how the Lord Jesus transformed and called him. However, Paul is not allowed to finish his proclamation to the mob in the Temple courts. As we pick up in Acts 22:22, the crowd again goes berserk at the mention of Paul being sent to invite the Gentiles into God’s covenant. At this point, things go from bad to worse. From Acts 22:22-23:11 we will examine how Paul navigates the impossible situation he now finds himself in. Though Paul does not act sinlessly throughout the next events, we do see some principles of wisdom in his actions that Jesus’ witnesses must understand in order to be faithful in hostile situations. Whether we are speaking of overt persecution and attacks from the world or hostility from individuals to whom we bear witness, we must be ready to give a defense for the hope that is within us, and to do so with gentleness and respect. Sunday we will see how to do so even when circumstances seem chaotic and hopeless.

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Acts 22:1-21 Prepared To Make A Defense

Paul speaks to the crowd that just mobbed him in the temple court. He delivers the testimony of how Christ transformed his life

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Acts 21:27-40 A Witness In Chains

This Sunday we will look at the rest of chapter 21. This will be part 1 of Paul’s first defense after his arrest. Acts 21:27-22:29 is actually one unit so we will take it in two parts. Over the course of Paul’s journey back to Jerusalem multiple people warned him not to go because imprisonments and afflictions awaited him. And once he arrived in Jerusalem, he was immediately confronted with a problem among Jewish Christians. They had heard rumors about his teaching about Moses and Jewish customs. To ease the consciences of the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, Paul humbles himself and participates in a purification ritual in the temple. Our text Sunday picks up as he is in the temple doing just that. While Paul is doing all he can to honor God, keep peace among the churches, and show love to the Jewish Christians, he is accused and mobbed by the Jews in the Temple court. They are intent on killing him and the only thing that stops them is the Roman garrison stationed there. But things go from bad to worse as Paul himself is arrested and put in chains. From this point in Acts, Paul will not again be a free man.

Christ’s witness are accused wrongfully and treated unjustly all through scripture and all through church history. Jesus has sent us into a fallen world intent on using any means necessary to silence His message. It should not come as a surprise when suffering, affliction, and even imprisonment happens to disciples because of their witness for Christ. We are often slandered, misrepresented, and demonized in the culture and media. And things may get alot worse in the near future. But what we see in this passage is Paul sees all this injustice and affliction happening to him because God has called him to it. Paul sees this as an opportunity to preach the gospel to this mob intent on killing him. He understands that God’s priority is the glory of His name and the furthering of His kingdom. Paul’s safety, comfort, and preference is irrelevant. God places his witnesses where he wills so that they will be His witnesses especially through hardship. So even when obeying Christ means risk to our health, safety, reputation, or comfort - we can be faithful knowing that this world is not our home, and this life is meant for honoring Jesus.

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Acts 21:17-26 All Things To All Men

As we continue in Acts 21 this Sunday, we are quickly coming to the last time that we see Paul as a free man. Over the last few weeks, we have seen much of Paul’s heart for Christ and for the gospel mission. Last week in Acts 21:1-16, we saw Paul committed to finish the course Jesus had set him upon, despite everyone around him counseling against it. Paul said that he was not only ready to be imprisoned but ready to die for the name of Jesus. That is what Jesus commands of all those who follow Him. Jesus said, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it." (Mark 8:35). In Acts 21:17-36, we find that Paul was not only willing to give his physical life but was also willing to humble himself and lay down some of his personal liberties in Christ for the sake of unity among the body of Christ. As he enters Jerusalem and meets with the elders of the Jerusalem church, they share that misinformation has been circulating about him among the Jerusalem church. The Jewish Christians have been told that Paul is teaching all Jews outside of Jerusalem that they must stop living like Jews in order to be faithful to Christ. To remedy this, they propose Paul go through a "purification" ritual in the temple so that the Jewish Christians will know these things are not true. That sounds like something Paul, who rails against anyone suggesting the law (or any part of it) can be added to the gospel, would never do. But he does! Why? That is the question we will examine this Sunday.

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Acts 21:1-16 Faithful To Finish The Course

There is definitely alot going on at FBC! I am thankful for our church’s faithfulness to follow God’s calling wherever He is leading. That is exemplified in our text for Sunday. In Acts 20:1-16 Paul is on his final journey back to Jerusalem as a free man. As he spoke passionately to the Ephesian elders in ch. 20, he told them that in every city the Spirit was revealing to him that imprisonment and afflictions awaited him in Jerusalem. Yet, Paul did not sway from his calling. As we follow him on his return journey, Paul will stop in several places and minister to believers in the churches of different cities. The love and hospitality between all the believers is striking as Paul and his ministry team lodge with different believers. But everywhere Paul stays, everyone around him warns him not to go to Jerusalem. Indeed, even his own ministry team will join the chorus to keep him from heading into danger and tribulation. They love him dearly and want him to avoid suffering. This has a profound effect upon Paul’s heart, but he does not deviate from what he knows Jesus has called him to do. He is quite literally following in the footsteps of his Lord. 

Paul is devoted to the will of Christ despite what everyone around him thinks and despite the consequences that he knows will result. He is living out Jesus’ call for the one who would follow Him to "deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Him."

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Acts 20:28-38 Faithful Pastoral Ministry Part 2

Sunday we continue examining Paul’s final words to the elders of the Ephesian church in Acts 20:28-38. As we saw last week in verses 17-27, Paul began by reminding them of his example among them. He lived and served among them for three years with humility and tears, despite the trials he faced. He taught the whole counsel of God unapologetically and therefore was innocent of anyone’s blood. Paul gave this reminder as an example of what the pastors of the church must do now that he is leaving them for good. As we examine the rest of his speech (v. 28-38) Paul moves to the direct exhortation of what pastors and church leaders are called to do. Without ambiguity, he lays out their responsibility before God as well as the ways and means they are to fulfill their calling.

This passage has been particularly convicting and formative for me over these last two weeks. Here we find God’s infallible testimony of what elders / pastors are called to be and to do. Here we find Paul’s pastoral theology and practice laid out in the Holy Scriptures, and it is here that the church is informed as to what God expects of those who are called to teach and lead as overseers of Christ’s church. Sunday we will look at what it must look like for the God called pastors to "shepherd the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood." We will also examine the under-shepherd’s call regarding "keeping watch" for the "fierce wolves" that arise from outside and inside the church.

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Acts 20:13-27 Faithful Pastoral Ministry Part 1

With all the incredible things happening at FBC, I though about taking a break from Acts for a few weeks. I assumed I would focus on what the church would need to do - who we needed to be during this time. But, as we have seen so many times, God has placed us in the exact text we need, at exactly the right time. Sunday we will continue in Acts 20, examining the final instructions that Paul gives to the elders (the pastors) of the church in Ephesus. He is on his way back to Jerusalem and instead of stopping in Ephesus, he stops nearby and calls the leaders of the church out to meet with him.

Because of the depth of Paul’s speech to the Ephesian elders, we will break it up into two parts. This Sunday we will look at the example of Paul’s life and ministry (v.17-27) and next Sunday we will look at his exhortation for the elders to shepherd and oversee the church of God in v.28-35. But it would do well for you to prepare by reading the entire passage.

In our text Sunday (v.17-27), Paul reminds the elders of the example that he set for them in the three years he served the Lord among them. He reminds them how he lived, how he taught, and how with humility and tears he invested into them. He reminds them of how he preached the gospel to all people, leaving nothing out from the whole counsel of God. Paul isn’t just telling them these things to jog their memory. He is putting forth his ministry as an example of how they are to shepherd the church as he leaves them for the last time. Paul’s speech to the Ephesian elders shows the body of Christ the calling, responsibility, and demands of those whom God calls to shepherd His church. Yet the application of this passage does not end there. As Paul gives the example of his ministry we see an example of the heart and practices for all those who make disciples.

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Acts 20:1-12 The Ministry Of Encouragement

One of the commands of disciple-making and the Christian life is for believers to encourage one another. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Many more commands to encourage one another are found throughout the New Testament. As we examine Acts 20:1-12 this Sunday, we will see the importance of Paul’s ministry of encouragement among the churches. 

Acts 20 begins the last phase of the book. Paul begins heading back to Jerusalem where he will be arrested and taken to Rome. Acts 20 is Paul’s farewell tour of the churches among his missionary journeys. He will never return to them again. Therefore, he spends significant time and energy visiting them again to encourage them in verses 1-12. The rest of the chapter chronicles Paul’s farewell speech to the Ephesian elders. Paul understands the importance of encouraging one another as we see the day approaching. 

When the Bible speaks of encouragement (also translated exhort or comfort), it isn’t just patting each other on the back and saying kind words. Encouragement is not just telling people they are good enough, strong enough, smart enough, or more able than they think. It is to come alongside another believer bringing Christ-centered truth and help to their greatest need. It is reminding other disciples of God’s promise and the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is to help other disciples stand in truth regardless of the circumstances. That is what Paul is doing in these verses.

But what does that have to do with a young man falling asleep, tumbling to his death, and being raised miraculously by Paul? We will discover that together Sunday. 

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Acts 19:21-41 The Gospel Confronts Culture

In the final section of Acts 19:21-41, we witness a riot in Ephesus. A group of silversmiths who make idols for the great temple of Artemis in Ephesus recognize that their business has slowed down considerably. People have changed. They are no longer buying their idols and visiting the Temple of Artemis. The leader of the silversmiths, who’s name is Demetrius, correctly diagnoses the problem. That guy named Paul has filled the province of Asia with the teaching of Jesus Christ. The gospel has gone forth in not just Ephesus, but all of Asia and it has changed people’s lives. Churches have been planted and souls have been saved. And because of the gospel’s advance in this region, the culture has changed. Paul and the disciples have not been picketing the temple or causing disturbances to get idolatry outlawed. They have been plodding along day after day, sharing the gospel and making disciples.

This is how cultures are turned to the living God - one heart at a time. A society’s culture (meaning their shared values, beliefs, and way of life) doesn’t come from anything except the hearts of the people within the culture. In order to turn a culture back to God, people’s hearts must be changed and only the gospel can do that. Idolatry wasn’t diminishing in Ephesus because of any political or social action. It was diminishing because more and more people were being won to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit was changing their values, beliefs, and practices.

But we must also be ready, because when people’s idols are threatened they lash out just as this emotional mob does in Ephesus. They are enraged that their goddess Artemis and her temple were being dishonored. They had their identity wrapped up in their idolatry so when it was threatened, they devolved into an emotional frenzy shouting "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" Yet here we are two thousand years later - there are no more Artemis worshipers. Her temple in Ephesus is in pitiful ruin - but the gospel of Jesus Christ still stands and still saves. There is hope for culture. There is hope for lost loved ones. There is hope for eternity. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation. And our call is to plod along for all of our lives sharing that good news and watch God change lives.

Acts 19:8-20 Power In The Name

"Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven..." That is what Jesus taught the disciples to pray. And that is indeed our prayer today. Christ’s followers long for the day when the kingdom of God is fully consummated in a new heavens and new earth, where there is no more sin, suffering, sickness, death, or evil. When everything will be as God intended in the garden of Eden forever. And as God moves miraculously in the book of Acts, we have seen that kingdom breaking into reality as diseases are healed and evil spirits are cast out. The kingdom of God is advancing in the gospel’s spread and all the effects of the fall flee before it.

As we study Acts 19:8-20, we see power of Jesus’ name as the gospel continues going forth conquering the domain of darkness. In this passage, Paul stays in Ephesus for over two years preaching and teaching in a single location and God uses him to reach the entire Roman province of Asia. But also we find a very strange occurrence of miracles here, even for the context of Acts. God brings healing and deliverance from evil spirits through the handkerchiefs and aprons of the Apostle Paul. Even Luke calls these "extraordinary" miracles.

Through these "extraordinary" miracles and the preaching of Paul, the name of Jesus is infamous in the city of Ephesus. So much so that some professional Jewish exorcists begin using the name of Jesus in their business as a magic formula to wield His power over spirits. And when you compare these two scenes together, you see the power of Jesus name. Seven exorcists are overpowered by a single man with an evil spirit as the domain of darkness reigns over fallen man. Parroting Jesus’ name offers no help for those who don’t know Jesus. But, so great is our King and the gospel of His kingdom that in His name, an inanimate napkin conquers the darkness of this world. The power of Jesus name is such that even the most feeble of instruments is used mightily for His kingdom. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. And His kingdom has come in power in our hearts.

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Acts 19:1-7 Almost Disciples

Sunday we will examine the first seven verses of Acts 19. These verses are infamous for being misused as proof-texts by many different groups. One need only read through Acts 19:1-7 to understand how various theological groups hang their hat on this passage. In the text, Paul runs into some "disciples" as he returns to Ephesus. Paul asks if they received the Spirit when they believed. They reveal that they are actually disciples of John the Baptist and Paul tells them of the fulfillment of John’s ministry in the gospel of Jesus. These disciples of John received the gospel and are Baptized into the name of Jesus. Yet it isn’t until Paul lays his hands on them that the Holy Spirit falls on them and they begin speaking in tongues and prophesying. 

Sunday we will address the many questions concerning this passage. Why does the Holy Spirit delay coming until Paul lays his hands on them? Why does Paul ask about their baptism? What does it mean to be baptized in Jesus’ name? Why do we see tongues and prophesying happen again? As we study the passage we will seek clarity on all these questions, but this text is also the word of God for the church today, so the most important question we will answer is, "What is the Spirit saying to us in this text, and how must we respond?"

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