The Acts Church Hour

By the mercy and grace of God the Father, the Vinedresser we have been joined to the true Vine, Jesus. It only through our union with Jesus, the true Vine that we can produce any fruit that is pleasing to God. For those who are not “in Christ” they produce no fruit pleasing to God and will be gathered one day to be burned in the lake of fire forever. The branches that are in the true Vine are bein...

The nation of Israel was led out of Egypt, passed through the water, led into the wilderness to be tempted, failed to keep the law perfectly, and because of their sin judgment and exile came. Christ, the true Israel of God came of Egypt, was baptized by John the Baptist, tempted in the wilderness and succeeded, and then succeeded in keeping the Law perfectly. Jesus the true Israel of God would be...

The story of Abraham and Isaac is about a father and son on a mountain but is a type and shadow pointing to what would occur nearly 2,000 later in this same area between the Eternal Father and the Eternal Son. God the Father would send His Son, His only begotten Son to fulfill the promise He made on Moriah that on the mount of the Lord a sacrifice would be provided. This would be fulfilled in Jesu...

With the agony of the cross in view, knowing the separation from the Father awaits, knowing the wrath of the Father awaits as He hangs on behalf of His sinful sheep, and knowing the sting of death awaits, He says “Get up, let us go from here! The cup of wrath awaits and there is no other way to satisfy the wrath of God to leave the sheep peace than through His death on the cross! With that knowled...

These men had left everything they had to follow Jesus and He would soon be leaving them as His hour is at hand. He would not leave them empty handed but would rather leave them something priceless: His peace. This peace is only possible by His death on the cross as His death would satisfy the wrath of the Father on behalf of His sheep as He would die in their place. He brings us peace with the Fa...

One day God’s wrath will be revealed upon all ungodliness and those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. When He comes on the Last Day, He is looking for righteousness. Those who are unrighteous will face the immutable eternal wrath of God that will be poured out. All those who are descendants from Abraham by faith are covered in the righteousness of Christ and will be spared from the wrath...

We are all guilty of breaking the law of God and needing someone to be our advocate before the eternal God. Jesus is our paraclete who when called upon, stands at our side and advocates in our behalf before the Father as He is the original Paraclete. When He left earth and ascended to the Father, He did not leave us alone, but rather sent another Paraclete to guide us, teach us, strengthen us, and...

To see Jesus is to see the Father as Jesus was exegeting the Father. The love of the Father was being explained by the Son as He was dying on the cross to redeem all that the Father had given Him and loved before the foundation of the world. All those who are regenerated will love God and this is because He loved them first and in regeneration caused their heart to beat with affection for Him for...

Melchizedek is noted to have no recorded genealogy or documentation of his birth or of his death. The Old Testament presents Melchizedek specifically and solely as a king and priest providing neither his genealogy that preceded him of his genealogy that succeeded him so that He would symbolize an “eternal king and priest” since he had no record of documentation of birth or death (Melchizedek did h...

To deny that Jesus is the only way to the Father is to deny God Himself as these words were spoken by the second person of the Godhead as He spoke what He was commanded by the first person of the Godhead. To deny that Jesus is not the only way to the Father is to declare God a liar. Let God be found true, though every man be found a liar.  Who else was perfect? Who else could atone for sins? Who e...

Jesus went to prepare a place for His elect and our place for eternal rest is guaranteed. Our inheritance is being reserved for us and we are being reserved for our inheritance. His sheep will not get to the front desk of our eternal home and hear “we can’t find your reservation,” “your reservation has been lost,” or “we don’t have enough rooms.” The reservations of all the elect were made before...

The wrath of God upon the wicked and ungodly came via the flood in the time of Noah. Only those who believed God and by faith entered the ark were saved from the coming wrath and death. The flood was a foreshadowing of the judgment on the Last Day and the ark was foreshadowing of Christ who saves us from the wrath to come. All those who by faith believe in the work of the cross, enter through the...

As Jesus is nearing His departure from His disciples and from this world, He instructs them that the mark that will let the world know they are His disciples is their love toward one another. The same is true for Christians today as God’s word does not change. Christians should be the most merciful, gracious, forgiving, patient, and loving people as we have had the most mercy, grace, patience, and...

John was seated on Jesus’ right side which in our culture if the seat of honor. However, in their culture the one seated on the left was considered to have the seat of honor. It was custom that the host would give the guest of honor who would have been seated on their left the first of the bread that had been dipped which was known as the sop. As a result, many believe that Judas was seated on Jes...

Abel was a shepherd who offered a Lamb sacrifice to God which was accepted and pleasing to God. Abel’s “innocent” blood which poured into the ground still speaks. However, Abel was a type and shadow pointing to Christ who is the Good Shepherd and the Lamb of God who was innocent and killed by envious and evil men. His sacrifice was pleasing to God and His blood will speak forever for His sheep!  

Christ has led by example as the Sovereign God humbled Himself and became a servant to ransom those who were His. If the Sovereign can be a servant, then who are we to think that having a servant’s heart in all humility is beneath us. Let us contemplate the depths of the humility that Jesus displayed and as His followers mirror Him. The greatest weapon in destroying our pride is the Holy Spirit br...

The Sovereign God left His glory in Heaven and humbled Himself by taking on the form of a servant. He humbled Himself unto death even death on a cross. It would be this death by this suffering servant that would cleanse all that were His. After He has completed His work, He put back on His garments of glory and returned to the Father to rule and reign forever. What can wash away our sins and clean...

Christ is referred to as the Last Adam. In the story of Adam and Eve we see a foreshadowing of Christ and His bride, The Church. As Adam was put to sleep (which can be used to describe death) to make his bride, Christ died on the cross to purchase His bride. Adam’s disobedience and sin resulted in him and his bride getting kicked out of paradise. However, the last Adam’s obedience and Him taking t...

Do we seek the approval of God or man more? If we please God, it doesn’t matter who we displease. If we don’t please God, it doesn’t matter who we please. Let us as Christians be bold and courageous in our witness for Christ. Let it be the desire of our hearts to seek His approval in all we do. Because as Isaiah saw Him and declared He is Holy, Holy, Holy!

God sovereignly hardened the hearts and blinded the eyes of the majority of the people of Israel. This was done in accordance with the ordained and predetermined redemptive plan set from the foundation of the world. If their hearts were not hardened and they had believed in Him, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory and there would be no salvation for anyone. Through this hardening and t...

Sitting on the side of a mountain, the greatest preacher ever, delivered the greatest sermon ever. The words that He spoke have all authority and are all truth. We have heard His words. Do we believe His words? Do we act on and obey His words? If so, we are standing on the rock of ages and can say with all sincerity, affection, and love: Lord, Lord!

Jesus knew that He could not be saved from this hour as it was for this hour that He came. He knew the anguish, horror, and pain that was to come, but for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross (Heb 12:2). He endured the cross so that He would see the fruit of His harvest. His harvest includes Jew and Gentile as Him being lifted up would result in Him drawing all men. This hour would re...

The Greeks who came to the Passover wanted to see Jesus and worship, but in their worship, they were kept at a distance by the dividing wall. However, the dividing wall would soon be destroyed when the Son of Man, who is the Bread of Life, like the wheat would fall into the earth and die. It would be in His suffering and His death that Christ would be glorified which would also result in the bring...

Not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but those who do the will of the Father.  A profession of faith does not save anyone, but a possession of faith does. “Lord, Lord” speaks of true affection for Jesus. However, those who are not true believers although they may declare they love the Lord in actuality do not love Him. How can one be sure that they are numbered amon...

The Magi were king makers in their land. Jesus did not need their approval, but rather they came to worship the King of Kings. The gifts that they brought speak to His kingship, His death, and His burial. However, following His resurrection He ascended to sit beside the Ancient of Days which He is currently reigning as King over all!