OPENING PRAYER
"Man Shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God"- Matthew 4:4- "My mother and brothers are those who hear the Word of God and do it" - Mark 8:21
Having received this day as a gift, I (We) thank You Holy Trinity, for through Your goodness and patience You were not wrathful with me (Us), and idler (s) and sinner (s), neither have You cast me (Us) down in my (Our)sins...But You have shown Your love towards me (us) and have guided me (us) to keep my (our) daily watch to glorify Your power...Enlighten my (our) mind (minds) to study Your teachings in Scripture...Help me (us) to apply what I (we) learn and to praise You with all my (our) heart and glorify Your Holy Name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever...Amen!!!
Shine within my (our) hearts, loving Master, the pure Light of Your Divine Knowledge, and open the eyes of my mind that I may understand Your teachings...Instill in me (us) also reverence for Your Blessed commandments, so having conquered sinful desires I (we) may pursue a spiritual way of life, thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to You...For You, Christ my God, are my light, and to You I (we) give, glory, together with Your Father and Your Holy Spirit, now and forever...Amen!!!
CHANT PSALM 23
INTO YOUR HANDS LORD YESHUA (JESUS CHRIST) WE COMMIT OUR SOULS AND BODIES, BLESS US AND HAVE MERCY ON US AND GRANT US ETERNAL LIFE!!!
ACTS 3- STUDY GUIDE & BREAKDOWN
EVANGELISM: A LAME MAN IS HEALED
ACTS 3:1-10
3:1: AT THE HOUR OF PRAYER, THE NINTH HOUR: The apostles were observing regular Jewish hours of prayer, just as believers had done for centuries- (Psalm 54:18; Daniel 6:11): The practice of praying at the FIRST -(6:00 am), THIRD (9:00 am), SIXTH (12:00 noon), and NINTH (3:00 pm) and TWELVETH (6:00 pm)
hours of the day carried over into the Church from the start, this practice continues to this day in the Orthodox Church in private prayers, in monasteries, and is some other parishes: see also (Acts 10:3, 9, and 30):
3:1-10: THE APOSTLES PARTICIPATE: not only in preaching and teaching but also in healing as well: The sacraments of healing manifests God's presence in the Church and confirms the message of the gospel!!!
3:6: IN THE NAME: See my notes in John 14:13-14- posted to my page!!!
PETER'S SERMON AT SOLMON'S PORCH
ACTS 3:11-26
3:11: SOLOMON'S PORCH- is in the temple area
3:12-26: PETER'S SERMON CLARIFIES: several truths concerning Yeshua (Jesus): (1): He reveals the identity of Yeshua (Jesus), by whose POWER the lame man was healed: He is God's suffering SERVANT (v. 13, THE HOLY ONE (v. 14) of God, THE PRINCE OF LIFE (v .15), The Christ foretold by the prophets (v. 18): (2): As prophesied, Christ was rejected, for the leaders had Him KILLED (v. 15): But God raised Him, and the apostles are WITNESSES to that Resurrection- (v. 15): (3): THE REJECTION OF CHRIST shows profound ignorance of God's saving activity- (vv. 18-20): (4): The only saving response the people can make is to REPENT AND BE CONVERTED (v. 19), which is a thorough change of mind and heart a radical shift of one's thoughts, and actions (5): The rewards of conversion include forgiveness of sins, renewal, and confidence in the glorious Second Coming of Christ- (vv. 19-26):
3:26: REPENTANCE: always bring blessings from the Lord: Some fear TURNING AWAY from sin makes life hard to bear: Instead, through repentance, life that was only existence is transformed into real living- that is, living in faith, love, joy, and confident hope!!!
ACTS 4- STUDY GUIDE & BREAKDOWN
PETER AND JOHN ARRESTED & BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN
ACTS 4:1-22
4:1-2: SADDUCEES: See my Acts 23:8
4:12: THE NAME OF CHRIST: is not simply a verbal pronunciation, but indicates His Will, His Life, His Person, and His very Presence: Salvation in the name of Christ indicates salvation in His eternal being: As Christ is the One and only Son of God, salvation can only be found in Him!!!
4:13: UNEDUCATED AND UNTRAINED: refers specifically to religious education: this lack of religious training stands in contrast to the expertise of the Sanhedrin: The wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit transcend earthly religious training , for God works in the humble and simple as well as in those who are formally educated or influential!!!
4:16: THE ADMISSION OF A NOTABLE MIRACLE: without a faithful response illustrates the hardness of the human heart where there is no repentance!!!
4:19: WHILE GOD COMMANDS OUR OBEDIENCE: to governing authorities -(Luke 20:25; Romans 13:1-7), Obedience to God comes first: when the two are in conflict, the believer must follow God and be willing to accept the consequences!!!
PRAYER AND POWER
ACTS 4:23-31
4:24-30: THIS PRAYER: follows a traditional liturgical of praise, remembrance of God's work, and petition: SIGNS AND WONDERS (v. 30) are requested, not as ends in themselves, but in order to give BOLDNESS to the preachers and to confirm the WORD they speak- (v. 29):
4:31: WHILE THE HOLY SPIRIT: continually abides in the Church and in all true believers, His presence is experienced again and again in liturgical assemblies and in recurring Pentecostal outpourings- see how quickly the petition of the apostles- (vv. 29, and 30)- was answered!!!
GIVING FOR THE COMMON GOOD!!!
ACTS 4:32-37
4:32-37: See my Notes- on Acts 2:44-45: THIS MANDATE: for the Church is not communal living per se, but to be willing to do what is necessary for the good of the community: BARNABAS- (v. 36) Is highlighted as an example of Christian generosity!!!
1 THESSALONIANS 5:14-15:
Now exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all...See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all...
-Be Watchman for the sheep, be confident teachers so the unruly can see!!! Comfort the worried when they are afraid, and always uphold the weak stand for them!!! Be patient to all regardless of the situation keep our bearings turn to the Lord for His Wisdom... Never render evil for evil it will accomplish nothing, it's just a temporary relief, lastly always do what's good for all and even ourselves, shun evil and do good, stand for good, imitate Christ always!!!
END WITH THE LORD'S PRAYER
JPCE SPIRITUAL TALK
NEVER HOLD BACK
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
JEHOVAH SHALOM!!!