Scripture References: Acts 5:1-11
fter the resurrection of Jesus his followers were called, not to go through the motions of religion, but to be the church. They did this in spite of the uncertain times that they lived in. In this study through the book of Acts we will discover what it looks like for us to be the church in the season that we are going through; a season where we are not even able to gather together!
The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! Those were the first words that Jesus used when he began to preach. He went throughout Galilee, teaching and proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom. He said that the Kingdom of Heaven was for the poor in spirit, for the meek, for the pure in heart, and for the persecuted. He said that the self-righteous could never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. He told us that the thing we should be seeking first and foremost in this life is the Kingdom of God and his righteousness. If we do that, he will take care of everything else. Let’s abandon our anxious pursuit of the treasures of this earthly kingdom and instead live as citizens of the Kingdom of God.
The word ‘Advent’ comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning ‘coming’ or ‘arrival.’ As Christians, we use the four weeks leading up to Christmas to meditate on the incarnation of Christ; his first coming when he was born in Bethlehem. We should also be anticipating his Second Coming; the time when our mighty King will return and every knee on earth will bow to him. Let’s use this Christmas season to become more aware of what we are bowing down to. What we are worshiping. Let’s make sure that our total allegiance is to King Jesus.
Praise and thanksgiving do not come naturally to us in our fallen condition. What comes to our hearts and our lips with ease is complaining about what we don’t have and making excuses for our shortcomings. This happens because we forget who God is and what he has done for us.
