Sunday 5/15/2005
Acts 22.30-23.22 - So Paul is in prison- The commander brings him before the Jewish leaders- the High Priest - the Pharisees and the Sadducees - Paul tells them he has a clear conscience about what he as done- but the High Priest orders the men standing beside Paul to hit him-- Paul gets mad about that and insults the High Priest -- then he asks if he is on trial because he believes that the dead will be raised to life-- this is an on-going argument between the Sadducees and the Pharisees- so they start to argue with one another and can’t settle it- so the commander has Paul taken back to prison-- Then forty Jewish men vow to kill Paul and create a separate plot to get him- at the same time Paul’s nephew got wind of the whole thing and clues in the commander as to the plot of the Jewish men.-- But God wants Paul to preach in Rome yet - so we’ll see what happens-- the plot thickens!
Judges 19 - This is a horrible story of how evil men can get -- A man marries a woman - but she becomes unfaithful and goes back to live with her family- later the man decides he wants to try and talk his wife into coming back to him- so the man travels to where his wife and father-in-law live- after staying a long time he finally leaves- they travel to a city but can’t find a place to stay- finally the get a place to stay- they are in a house - when the men of the city come to the door- knowing there is a visiting man in the house- they want to have sex with the stranger-- but the owner of the house offers his daughter and the man’s wife if need be- the Levite shoves his wife out and the men of the town rape her all night long until in the morning she is dead--here’s the odd part- it’s not clear that this woman is dead- so the Levite throws his wife on the donkey and takes her home- the Levite has his wife cut into twelve pieces and has each piece delivered to each tribe of Israel with the message to think about how evil everyone has gotten since they left Egypt -- talk about a totally selfish act of sexual satisfaction on worse than an animal level-- God’s love is completely missing- this is sickening on so many levels- why would anyone treat a woman this way- in the offering and in the act?- it’s not only evil- it’s one screwed up culture
Psalm 44 - I need God to rescue me many many times when I’m in trouble
And perfect love and friendship reign throughout eternity - What is God like? - Love beyond understanding!
Don’t neglect God’s Word and the preaching of it- gladly hear and learn it.
John 20.19-31 - He breathed on them and said “Receive the Holy Spirit”-- I know the Holy Spirit is with me- but I want to feel Jesus breath - I want to touch him - I want his return
Luke 3.15-20 - One is coming who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire- Come Lord Jesus!
Psalm 113 - from the rising of the sun to the setting -Praise God- Praise the LORD!
Prayer- Jesus- I need you - I need you to walk with me in this evil world- I need you to forgive the evil that is in my heart - but I need you to lead and guide me through this evil world- people fight - people are cruel - people rape - we are a disgusting bunch - rise up from within us through the fire of your Spirit- cause your Church to take a stand to crush this evil - and this hate that we show one another- lead us with the love you have shown - lead us with the life you have shown - lead us with the fire of the Spirit in our hearts that we may be passionate in your grace - be passionate in active love towards one another and show the world your way - let your love speak loudly and boldly to all in my world - let your Spirit carry all Christians everywhere to call out - to step out- to act out the love you so freely gave all people. You are King - you are God- yes -- Come Lord Jesus! -- Come quickly - we love you - we need you -- and if you don’t come now- work your Spirit - your love and your will through your Church and through me this day. In Jesus name I pray --- Amen
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