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Published: 02 February 2017

People are fascinated with speculation about the “end times.”  Over my short life I have heard many times, “This is it, something big is about to happen, we are near the end.”  I would be the first to agree that these are the “last days” but not because of world leaders or earthquakes.  I believe we are in the last days because the author of Hebrews wrote, “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…” An over-emphasis on any singular doctrine causes us to read that doctrine into every text we’re studying.  That is often the case with the doctrine of “end times.”  There is a notable case in point this week.  Acts 3:19 has wonderful truth for present comfort but some scholars want to make it a fact for future reference.  Peter told the listeners to repent for the forgiveness of sins so that times of refreshment may come from the presence of the Lord.  If we don’t believe the Lord is currently present, it means He has to come before there will be times of refreshing.  However, if we believe that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, then times of refreshing are the result of repentance.  I was surprised at how many commentators suggested that the refreshing was something future rather than a current benefit of repentance.  Nothing in the text suggests that the Second Advent must come before refreshment is available.  In fact, it seems to indicate otherwise!  Repentance is followed by refreshment and then, at some point in the future Jesus returns for the restoration of all things.  The word “refreshing” in the text means to “restore breath,” to “relieve.”  Repentance has often resulted in refreshing for me.  Certainly with regard to the forgiveness of sins but beyond that to the simple (yet agonizing at times) process of admitting that God is right and I am wrong.  To walk with God, in agreement with Him, in His presence, is one of the most refreshing moments a person can have.  I’m not alone in the view that we can be refreshed today in the Lord’s presence.  AND, if we are refreshed today just imagine what it will be like when He comes!  Don’t over-emphasize eschatology…receive His comfort, love and life today…and keep looking for the “Upper-Taker.”

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Published: 27 January 2017

I know what I’m about to write about is not the “main point” of our text for Sunday.  I’m not sure I’ll do a great job with the main point even when we get to Sunday!  There is something rather subtle in Acts 3 that reveals a less than spectacular lesson that is merely in the shadow of the gospel.  Okay.  Disclaimer out of the way.  I think we miss the number of times that Bible characters did the best they could with what they had.   In the narrative for Sunday we learn that Peter and John had no money to give to the poor.  What did that make them?  They could have moped about contemplating how unfair it was to be serving the King in poverty but instead they went to the Temple to pray.  They were interrupted on their way by a guy who had been dropped off to ask for alms.  BAM!  In their face, another reminder that they had “no money for ministry.”  Yet, they offered the man what they did have—Jesus!  Of course the main point of this narrative (as we see in the rest of the chapter) is the Person and Power of the Redeemer and Restorer, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.  But, there is a lesson for those of us who think we need more before we can do anything at all.  I learned a lesson from my Greek Professor many years ago and it applies in various areas of life.  He reminded us that so often people do nothing when they could have done something even though it wasn’t everything.  We live in a less than ideal world and yet we crave the ideal before we live in the real.  For example, some people get no exercise because they can’t run—even though they could walk.  Some people never clean their house because they can’t clean it all—even though they could clean a room.  Some people never read their Bible because they don’t have 30 minutes—even though they do have 10.  You get the point.  If Peter and John had waited for the circumstances to be ideal, they would have never gone to the Temple to pray and they would have missed out on a glorious gospel opportunity.  Friends, let us do what we can, while we can, trusting the Risen, Present and Active Jesus to join us in our endeavors.