Exploring God’s Word with Brad Thurston

Apology for last week’s rant.  God’s Kingdom is greater than any nation in this world. His rule is just.  We see through a mirror dimly.  The roles of politics and the church are different and require different skills, talents and gifts.  Some can be learned, others are relational.  Don’t envy someone who is called to be a politician. They have hard choices to make. From war to social security, po...

“He has told you, mortal one, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 Read Text  Explain Text Primary focus of this passage Vs. 2 they welcomed us – throughout Luke -Acts, the theme of hospitality has been an important symbol of receptivity of God’s visitation. See Lk 5:29; 7:36-50; 9:4-5; 10:1-16, 38-42...

Introduction to our missions' program The ministry of Jesus ““The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed, To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”” Luke 4:18-19  The Commission of Jesus: “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, sayi...

The traditions of the eucharist. Communion, closed, open, traditional, meals, fellowship with results: strength, resolve, hope, wisdom, understanding, presence of God. Read and explore Text. Notice , before the big event, a daily investment in small faith steps prepares us for the great storms of life! Paul started by being faithful in little things along this great path he is living. Sea of Adria...

Ask Jan to tell the story of meeting Daniel in LaMadd. Read Text Explain text:  The “we” begins again after stopping in chapter 21. Luke and Aristarchus are part of the team. Chain of command: Owner, Captain, then Roman centurion.  This one of Caesar’s cohorts! Innocence of Paul shown in Sidon. Trip to south of Turkey, and the to a new ship.  The Alexandrian ship is taking grain from Egypt to Rome...

Introduction: How sad it is when sharing the Gospel that some people reject it outright. My encounter with a motorcycle gang in Thirsk. Drawing board with the story: Almost persuaded Read Text Explore text Response from Festus Paul asserting the reality of the resurrection of Jesus as being sane and credible Basing this on the law and prophets and addressing Agrippa as to his decision.  It is a cl...

Introduction  Sharing a testimony: before meeting Jesus, A Jesus encounter, what is my life like afterwards? Read Text Explain Text Obedience to the heavenly calling:  Proclaiming repentance             Turn to God             Perform deed consistent with repentance  Testifying to Moses and the Prophets             Messiah must suffer Be resurrected  Proclaim light to first to the Jews and then to...

Introduction  Life is short, enjoy it, or eternity is long, better prepare for it! Read Text Explain text. What does “kicking against the goads mean?”             The 4 things it means to Paul: Notice he talks about the “saints”. Verse 10 gives us the answer based on what he “did” in Jerusalem based on what “he thought was good to do. I imprisoned many I gave approval to put to death I punished I...

Examine the text and point to: Private discussion between Festus and Agrippa. Points to Resurrection  Public discussion between Festus and Agrippa. Points to lack of evidence What does this tell us? The need for political maneuvering- no longer able to do Jews a favor.  Even the unsaved know that Paul holds to the resurrection. “and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, you...

Recounting the story: A demonic plan – not about religion, culture or philosophy, but plain evil. How did a boy find out about the plan? How did the boy get to Paul? Why did the commander take him aside personally? God overrules the enemy because he knows all and has ways to confound the enemy to accomplish his purposes.  God repeated his purpose several times over the last year in many different...

Recounting the story: A demonic plan – not about religion, culture or philosophy, but plain evil. How did a boy find out about the plan? How did the boy get to Paul? Why did the commander take him aside personally? God overrules the enemy because he knows all and has ways to confound the enemy to accomplish his purposes.  God repeated his purpose several times over the last year in many different...

The Gospel is unfettered! Paul’s defense: His Innocence with a clear conscience – The chief priest is an example of sin and the law being abused. Why did he order Paul to be hit? For pronouncing the Devine name, speaking out of turn, or claiming a clear conscience? The testimony of Jesus resurrection and thus the Messiah of Israel? How did Jesus see his witness? Both to the mob and now to the Sanh...

The Riot in Jerusalem and Paul’s initial response: He is at Peace. At this point he diverts from Jesus’ path since he is not going to die for the sins but yearns to see those who are his persecutors saved, even as he was saved as a persecutor of the Way. He has been mistaken as a polluter of the temple, and as an Egyptian revolutionary. Now he has the chance to share who he is and why.  But the pr...

The Battleground The grounds for a charge against him:             A misunderstanding             Hostility against Paul What to do? “I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction....

The conundrum is to know how to deal with your leaders when you disagree with them.  How do you submit to them in matters that you see differently? Here is the struggle:  on the one hand Paul does not dispute that he is a Jew, that he understands the Law, he circumcised Timothy whose mother was a Jew, thus making him a Jew.  He does make vows and keeps them as well as shaving his head.  He underst...

Easter Sunday 2023 Looking at the effects of the resurrection of Jesus! reasons to rejoice!

Acts 21:1-14 Paul is reminded of the dangers awaiting him in Jerusalem, all along the journey there, yet he faithfully continues to arrive for Pentecost. This message examines his motivation, beyond just wanting to bring the offering for the poor.

Looking forward verses 25-31 28. Be on guard and shepherd the church.  How? “Until I come, give your attention to the public reading, to exhortation, and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was granted to you through words of prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evid...

This is true of Paul in meeting with the elders from Ephesus. We go from reporting facts to reporting his teaching at this location.  We will hear much more that will be reported of what he says in the coming chapters, but this is a new literary shift for Luke who is not just recording events now.  And Paul’s instructions are very illuminating especially when you take time to view this in the cont...

This next section of Acts helps us understand both the level of insight Paul has to the growth of the movement called: The Way, and the price he must pay for reaching the Lost.  It demonstrates to us, how he has accessed the very core of the Father’s heart: his amazing great love for those who do not love him.  The prophetic insight of where Father is leading him: I must go here, there, and reach...

My nephew Wilson Frazier is heading up a ministry that encourages prayer in the workplace. Businesses across the USA are seeing real benefits from allowing their employees to pray together. Here he is being interviewed by a radio station In Louisville Kentucky.

Introduction There is a difference in fighting a battle in your own strength, or letting God fight for you.  In the OT there are several different cases where the situation seemed hopeless and yet God performed miracles to save his people.  From Jericho to Gideon’s 300, from Elisha and the army against Dothan who was captured and taken to Samaria to have peace with them and stop two wars. [1]   Th...

The “rebaptizers” or Anabaptists in Germany. Almost a curse word.  We fought the wrath of both the catholics and the Lutherans as they held to a very traditional understanding that the sprinkling of water made you a “Christian”. The act of faith was not needed or involved in the act of salvation. Gal.5:6 says circumcision is nothing, only faith expressing itself through love! A bold start: The ext...

From radical to powerful             Unusual and counter traditions, especially contrary to status quo when the status quo is sinful.  Radically pure and upright.  Leading young people to the Lord and getting them free of drugs, obedient to parents good in school, and having the local churches against us, parents against us, and evangelical churches unwilling to even pray with us. Fear after 9/11...