Palmer St. Podcast: Acts 5

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 Authority of a Transformed Life

Theology doesn’t matter much to those who observe genuine transformation.  In John Chapter 9 Jesus heals a man born blind.  His neighbors immediately begin to talk about it.

Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, “Is not this he who sat and begged?”

Some said, “This is he.” Others said, “He is like him.”

He said, “I am he.”

Therefore they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?”

He answered and said, “A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight.”     – John 9:8-11

When Jesus makes big and obvious changes in us, the world can’t help but notice.  While a pathetic Christian life makes for a pathetic Christian witness, a transformed life wields remarkable authority.  Once the changes are made all we need to do is give Him the glory for the great things He has done. 

Let’s allow Him to do all that He wants to within us and give the world something to notice as we change.

Giving Christ the Credit

The woman with the flow of blood illustrates that faith need not be very vocal to be real and effective.  But the story also shows us that it’s important to give Christ the credit for all He does for us.  Let’s look at the story:

Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.  And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?”

When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’

But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.

And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”– Luke 8:43-48 (NKJV)

Perhaps she was simply shy; perhaps embarrassed about her condition.  People have many reasons to be less than public about their faith.  Nonetheless, many of our most private blessings deserve public attention for at least two reasons:

  1. Jesus deserves the credit in the eyes of others for what He does for us.
  2. Because others may be encouraged to trust Jesus for their own very private concerns. 

Palmer St. Podcast: John 5

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This week we’ll see Jesus heal a man at the pool of Bethesda who has had an infirmity for 38 years.  This will prompt a discussion with some of the religious leaders regarding the Sabbath.  In the process Jesus will make some radical claims regarding His deity.

Audio: John05.mp3

Study Notes: John05.pdf