Category Archives: Bible

Good and Perfect Gifts

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James 1:17 reminds us:

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”  (NKJV)

The Father, through the Holy Spirit within each believer, has given each of us some kind of spiritual gift.  He wants us to use them for His glory to build up the body of Christ.  God gives each of us gifts.  There are no gift-less Christians.

1 Corinthians 7:7 (NKJV) … each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (NKJV) There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.

Gifts are something we need to use intentionally.  Every Christian has a gift, but not all use them.  We need to “stir them up” and make sure that we don’t neglect them – just as Paul had to encourage Timothy.

1 Timothy 4:14 (NKJV) Do not neglect the gift that is in you, …

2 Timothy 1:6 (NKJV) Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you … 

If you’d like some help in determining your gift(s) here’s a link to a little test that just may do the job.

www.spiritualgiftstest.com

Palmer St. Podcast: Acts 6

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This is a key chapter in that it introduces the role of the deacon or “servant” within the early church.  From this point on, we’ll see church leadership separated into the roles of elders and deacons or shepherds and servants.

One of the first deacons, Stephen, had a remarkable ministry, which brought him to the attention of the Sanhedrin, the ruling council in Jerusalem.  He was eventually brought before them where he was falsely accused.

Audio: Acts06.mp3

Notes: Acts06.pdf

Palmer St. Podcast: Acts 5

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Chapter 5 begins with the sobering story of Ananias and Sapphira, a couple that the Lord struck dead for their hypocrisy.  Ever wonder what it would be like if that happened more often?  We’ll then see God working wonders through the apostles.   That is followed by a confrontation between the apostles and the Sanhedrin led by the high priest, in the midst of which the twelve are released from prison by an angel.  The chapter ends with the apostles continuing to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Audio: Acts05.mp3

Notes: Acts05.pdf

The Simplicity That Is in Christ

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It’s easy to mix the gospel with other things.  I mean, there is so much in the way of spiritual teaching or human philosophy out there that is good, or potentially good, or seemingly good, or helpful, or that we know has been helpful to others we know.  Who can argue with something that works?

Well, no one has to argue with anything.  We just need to be sure we aren’t mixing it with the gospel.  If we’re building our lives upon that solid Rock of Jesus, then Jesus is everything we need.  All else optional at best, harmful at worst.  The Christian should desire the sincere milk of the Word and every word that comes from the mouth of God.  And that puts every other outlook in perspective.

Throughout Church history Christians have been led astray by Jesus and something – or something very close to Jesus.  Watch out for any other Jesus, any different spirit, any different gospel.  Paul put it like this to one of his churches:

“For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted-you may well put up with it! – 2 Corinthians 11:2-4 (NKJV)