What's Going On?

Psalm 68:1-10 / Acts 1:1-12

Nehemiah

Nehemiah 4:8-15 “And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. 9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night. 10 In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” 11 And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” 12 At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.” 13 So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” 15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work.”

Israel & Israel

It is not for you to know

Romans 11

v1 - Did God reject His People?

v5 - Still about grace

v11 - Jewish rejection enabled Gentile inclusion

v21 - No room for pride

v25-27 All Israel includes Gentiles

Galatians 3:7-9 “Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.”

A restored Israel includes ALL whose sins have been forgiven

ALL who believe the gospel are the sons of Abraham

This was ALWAYS God’s plan; not a contingency

A new age?

Beginning with Jesus leaving / sending of The Spirit

My Witnesses

2 Corinthians 5:20 “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

Revelation 12:10-11 “And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”

Everywhere

The fulfillment

Genesis 22:18 “and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.””

Galatians 3:8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.””

Ending with Jesus returning

Houses of Prayer

This is a view of the fledgling NT church

Not as mature or formalized

One congregation would become many - like disciples; many already existed

No Deacons yet, no business meetings, no denominational splits

Becoming more and more distinct from the Jewish synagogues

Who was there?

Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

What were they doing?

Waiting on the Lord

Being obedient

Being led

More Spirit

The Holy Spirit is come in full

There are periods and moments of amazing manifest presence, but no future second sending

The Holy Spirit empowers and enables us

Acts 2

1 Corinthians 12:3 “Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.”

The presence of the Holy Spirit means no less God on Earth than the days of Jesus’ ministry

When we meet, our God is with us. Christ Jesus is among us in the person of The Spirit

Church Family, we have no need to be confused about our purpose here on this earth and in this age. We also have no reason to back off or be discouraged due to circumstance or opposition; it let us remember The Lord, and get to work!