Apustuļu darbi 4:1-22

Here is a photo from our Wednesday Bible study and a link to the MP3. Our journey through the Acts of the Apostles continues with the believers in Iskile. Acts 4 gives us the different reactions of the people to the preaching of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem. There were thousands that believed and were added to the church but there were those who rejected Jesus who were "greatly disturbed" and threatened the apostles not to teach anymore in Jesus name.

The same is true today, there may be a few thousand believers in Latvia but there are a couple million people who think that God is contained in a cathedral and does not belong in public discussion. Even some religious leaders discourage the direct preaching of the gospel of Jesus in public saying it's not going to work like that in our day in our culture. Remember when Peter fished all night and caught nothing, but at Jesus' word he let out his nets again and caught so many fish it was hard to handle. It was a lesson about fishing for men and like Peter, we understand it is obedience to God to preach the gospel and we believe that God has ordained to use to public proclamation of the truth to broadcast the gospel seed and trust that it won't return void but that God will draw the people to Jesus. If we faithfully and clearly present the gospel and it is not received, is it because the gospel is unacceptable or is it because the hearts are hard and unreceptive?

God gave us a plan for an evangelistic concert and gospel message in Ikskile for March 23 (Easter Sunday) and God has opened a door for us in the center of Ikskile to use the culture house or set up a sound system outside if it's good weather. Although some church people are opposed to such a public service we do have the support of the Latvian Evangelical Alliance and a few believers in Ikskile who do desire to reach their community with the gospel. There are many obstacles for pioneering a new church plant but greater than all the obstacles is our living God.

Apustuļu darbi 3

Here is the teaching from chapter three of the Acts of the Apostles with Latvian translation for those who subscribe to the podcast. Or you can download the MP3 here.

Apustuļu darbi 2:42-47

Wednessday, February 6, I taught Acts 2:42-47 in Ikskile. You can download the MP3 here. The text describes how the Lord added to the church those who were being saved. We focused on the model for the church found in Acts 2:42 to continue in 4 things:

1. The apostles teaching - for the equipping of the believers and growin in knowledge of Christ, we can New Testament
   
2. Fellowship - Sharing and having common
   
3. Breaking of bread - could mean eating meals together, remembering Christ's broken body and responding in worship.
   
4. Prayers - Communication with God
   

One thing that didn't make it on the MP3 is how Acts 2 illustrates the foundational teaching about baptisms (Hebrews 6:1-2)

1. In Acts 2:4, 17, 32 and 33 we see Jesus baptizing the disciples in the Holy Spirit and made them witnesses (see also John 1:33, Acts 1:5-8)
2. In Acts 2:38 and 41 we see the apostles baptizing new believers in water making them disciples (Matt 28:19). Water baptism does not save but it symbolizes our identification with Christ's death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4, Col 2:12, 1 Peter 3:21).
   
3. In Acts 2:42-47 we see the Spirit of the Lord baptizing all Christians into the body of Christ making them members of the church (see 1 Corinthians 12:13). This is the "one baptism" all true believers have in common (Ephesians 4:5) since some truely saved people have not been baptised in the Holy Spirit or have not been baptised in water, for example the thief on the cross to whom Jesus said, "Today you will be with me in Paradise" Luke 23:43.
   

Easton's Bible dictionary says that the baptisms in Acts "suggests the idea that it was by dipping the person baptized, i.e. by immersion." Therefore we seek to be obedient to Christ by being immersed in water, in the Holy Spirit and in the church. They say the best way to learn a language is not just studying the books but to be immersed in the culture. Isn't it also true that the way to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ is not just by studying the Bible ourselves, but by being immersed in the new testament church that continues in His teaching, fellowship, worship and prayer? The word "church" in Greek is "ek-klesia" which means "out-called" in other words, Jesus is calling believers to come out into the public gathering in His name. Get plugged in, get immersed in the church. If you are a part of the body of Christ then live like it, be blessed and be a blessing.

True Love Evangelism

Something about the video... this is the view from my bedroom of the main walking street in Ogre sped up 4 times. I am sharing the gospel with a few russian speaking boys around 16 years old. This is actually the third time I have shared with them since I met them in the summer. They were open but not ready to commit to follow Christ. One thing I like about the video is how you can see all the people that walk by all the time, which is a big motivation for evangelism.

true love evangelism.wmv

My Desire

The purpose of this video is to show at CCMB Sunday morning in order to encourage people to pray about joining an evangelistic team that will come in August 2008. We were asked long ago to produce a 60 second video, this is 65 seconds but I am hoping for 5 seconds of grace since I couldn't shorten the song anymore. I would have liked to share a broader scope of our ministry but with one minute I thought it best just to focus on this outreach aspect that relates more to those who God is calling to come in August. By the way, this song "My desire" by Jeremy Camp (a former Bible College class mate) has really been my hearts cry for everything I do, I live to do God's will and my desire is to be used by God. I will confess that often we do not see how God is using us to impact peoples lives and it can be discouraging, but we know we are in the center of His will even if we don't see many people coming to the Lord. Keep praying for souls to be saved. It's harder soil here and people can be cold to strangers but we see people open up slowly as they see we are trying to learn their language, music helps too.



my desire 2008.wmv

Apustuļu darbi 2:22-41

Last Wednessday in Ikskile, I taught Acts 2:22-41 focusing on Peter's presentation of the gospel on the day of Penticost. The gospel messages in Acts are great examples for us in preaching a Jesus centered message, based on the Scriptures and allowing the Holy Spirit to bring conviction to the hearers hearts. Next week we will see how the Lord added to the church those who were being saved. You can download the MP3 here.

February Prayer Requests

We would appreciate your prayers for our church planting mission. It's a spiritual battle trying to manuever through the obstacles on the front lines, but knowing there is an army of prayer warriors behind us, we find courage to press on.

1. Pray for Lena and the kids as they visit relatives in Boston Feb 5-14. Pray for Lena's mom, brother and sister-in-law to come to a saving faith in Jesus.
2. Pray for Brenten as he mans his post in Latvia without his family for 10 days, to stay focused on the Lord and be fruitful in the ministry.
3. Pray for the group Brenten is teaching in the city of Ikskile, that they would get grounded in the Word of God and equipped for ministry.
   
4. Pray for our preparation to have a big evangelistic outreach on Easter, we hope to rent the "Estrade" ampitheater in Ikskile which seats hundreds.
   
5. Pray about going to Latvia in August of 2008 to help us evangelize and serve short-term. Pray for Dennis Vaus as he will lead the team from Monterey.