Whidbey Presbyterian Church

Taking a break

We're taking a two week break from our study in Acts.  Check back on May 9th to resume our lessons.

Click here to read any of the past lessons.

Fun on Fridays

Did you know that Wednesday was Earth Day?

Check out these links:

13 Ways You Can Go Green by Life as Mom

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Get rid of plastic bags!

Remember, the Earth is God's.  We are here to take care of it!

The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it,
       the world, and all who live in it;

 for he founded it upon the seas
       and established it upon the waters.

Psalm 24:1-2

Don't forget...

Dave Ramsey's Town Hall for Hope is today at 7pm (Pacific Standard Time).  At 6pm they will start broadcasting a "pre-game" show on the Fox Business channel.  Don't have Fox Business channel?  Click here to find the nearest location to watch this.

Young Adult Dinner

Young Adult Dinner

Saturday, April 25th

5:30pm

Enjoy a lovely dinner, fellowship, and meeting new people!

Childcare is available

10. Acts 8:1-4: Resisting Irresistible Grace

Archive of past lessons from this series can be found here.

This is week 10 of our journey through The Acts of the Apostles. Click here to read Acts 8:1-4 and return here to read my thoughts and post your own in the comments.

At the risk of taking a year to finish our journey through Acts (which could happen anyway, as we will be taking a break this summer) I just cannot get passed the first four verses this week. So, I’m calling an audible. Next time we’ll deal with the rest of the chapter, but for now we will look into these first 4 verses.

Stephen’s death had a dramatic impact on the early church. He did receive the funeral he deserved from devout men who disapproved of the Sanhedrin’s condemnation of him. The act however compelled the Hellenists (the group in which Stephen had been a leader) to leave Jerusalem.

I wonder if the Sanhedrin saw this as a victory?

Little did they know that God laughs at their foolishness. The Christian church was created to be a worldwide force - for all people and all races. God uses the death of his servant Stephen to advance His wonderful story around the world. Here we see the promise Jesus made back in 1:8 beginning to take shape.

Even though the 12 saw it as their duty to stay at their posts and continue their ministry in the city, these dispersed Christian did not abandon their newfound faith. They lived it out with zeal and passion. We learn from Paul himself in 1 Thessalonians 2:14 that the Christian churches in Judea were born in this time of persecution.

Next, we find out a little more about Saul. We think he was probably there at the trails of Peter and John. We know that he was there at the death of Stephen. Now we learn he in invading the home of Christians and dragging men and women off to jail.

Saul has emerged not only as the prime mover in this fierce persecution - he is ferocious in his participation. Something has happened to him since his watchful observation and approval at the death of Stephen. After that event, no Christian is safe from his wrath.

What happened to Saul as the stones were hitting Stephen? What happened to him as he saw Stephen look to the heavens and ask the Lord to receive his spirit?

I believe Saul is resisting a deep conviction that has pressed on him with unrelenting force. Seeing God’s spirit in Stephen event has caused a reevaluation of his life so deeply that he has shrank from it in horror and sought to quell this conviction by throwing all of his strength into this continued persecution. He is resisting this urging of God in his heart with every fiber of his being.

Irresistible Grace is one of the 5 points of Calvinism. Simply stated, this doctrine asserts that the Holy Spirit will never fail to bring salvation to those sinners whom He personally calls to Christ. He inevitably applies salvation to every sinner He intends to save, and it is His intention to save all the elect.

Saul heard the quiet whisper of Jesus in a way that scared him so intensely that he personally declared war on His very church. Saul did not want to be a Christ follower. He had power, status, and wealth. He did not need Jesus - He certainly did not choose Jesus.

But Jesus choose him.

The amazing thing about this grace is no matter how many Christians he persecuted, no matter the number of bad things he did, God’s hand was still on His shoulder. He could never escape his loving grasp.

Same with us - we never behaved good enough to earn the love of Jesus and we can never misbehave enough to lose it.

Try as he might to resist - this grace was irresistible. I am certainly thankful for that.

Town Hall for Hope by Dave Ramsey

I've talked about Dave Ramsey before, but boy am I ever excited for this Thursday!  You see, he's putting together a Town Hall for Hope for all of us to be a part of.  It is this Thursday, April 23rd at 5pm (Pacific Standard Time).  Did I mention it is live also?  Oh goodness...I just can't contain my excitement!

Who is Dave Ramsey, you ask?  He's a financial counselor who advises about money that way God intended it to be used.  He uses biblical principles to help people get out of debt and "live like no one else."  He has a syndicated radio show, a show on the Fox Business Network, many New York Bestselling books, and of course, Financial Peace Classes! 

But back to the Town Hall for Hope.  Dave Ramsey is sick of the media dramatizing the recession and scaring people.  Yes, some people are hurting because of this economy, but some people are also doing great too.  But the media only wants to cover the doom and gloom, not the hope in this recession. Dave is here to give it to us.  He will be broadcasting live from Oklahoma City and will talk about this economy and take questions via twitter, facebook, or youtube.  And did I mention that this event is free?  You can go to any place in your community and watch it.  Click here to find the nearest location.  This will also be airing on the radio stations that play his show.  And it will be airing on the Fox Business Network!  There's no excuse not to be a part of this!

And keep and eye out for Financial Peace coming to our church soon!  If you would like to get involved, please contact me!

Nicole

9. Acts 6:8-7:60: Stephen Said What?

Archive of past lessons from this series can be found here. 

This is week 9 of our journey through The Acts of the Apostles. Click here to read Acts 6:8-7:60 and return here to read my thoughts and add your own in the comments.

Stephen must have been a busy guy. In our study last week we read that he was the first of the seven listed to minister to the forgotten widows. Not only did he stand and preach it, he was living it. He is the first person we see in Acts, after the apostles, who is said to have performed wonders and signs. There is no question that Jesus has captured his heart and his love for Him is unquenchable. So much so that it will cost him his life.

Stephen is the next target of the Sanhedrin’s conquest to extinguish this new Jesus movement. They thought killing Jesus would have taken care of this. They were wrong. When having Peter and John arrested and beaten did not work, they did it a second time. Not only did they escape prison, thousands were joining this new, radical movement of Jesus followers. They had no idea what they had unleashed.

As the Sanhedrin finds itself in a losing battle, Stephen completely embarrasses their scholars in a debate. It seems as if they are not even sure who the opponent is anymore. Just a few chapters ago, they were barely giving a second thought to this band of misfits. Now with their world turned upside down, they still have not figured out they are fighting against a movement of God.

Then the Chief Priest asks Stephen in front of everyone, “What do you have to say for yourself?“

Stephen has plenty to say. Through 52 verses, Stephen speaks in a way they clearly understand.

He speaks about scripture.

He speaks about history..

He speaks about tradition.

He speaks about theology.

Starting with Abraham, through Moses, through the prophets, straight to Jesus. This is a history of the work of God through the nation of Israel.

But did you notice that Stephen never answers the question? He is asked what he has to say for himself and he never gives an answer.

“What do you have to say for yourself?“
I’ve got nothing to say for myself. It’s not about me. It’s about Jesus. What He did. What He is doing.
 
“What do you have to say for yourself?“
I’ve not nothing to say for myself. I’m just a sinner that needs God way more than He needs me. And the same goes for you - you need God.

“What do you have to say for yourself?“
I’ve not nothing to say for myself. You know that God stood before you in Jesus and you asked Him this same stupid, arrogant, ignorant question.

“What do you have to say for yourself?“
I’ve not nothing to say for myself. I’ve got nothing but God’s story. And I’ll preach that until my final breathe.

I’ve been baited with this question before. I have quickly answered it and in so doing proving my immaturity. It is so easy to rationalize your actions. To paint yourself in a good light. But the whole point of a relationship with Jesus is understanding that I don’t have anything to say for myself. If I did, I wouldn’t need Jesus.

The Sanhedrin was trying to make the issue about Stephen’s intelligence, reputation, and character. Showing great spiritual leadership and maturity, Stephen refused to be baited by the question and instead went right to the heart of the matter - God’s story and their rejection of it.
Doing so would cost him his life. The Sanhedrin is at a boiling point and running out of options. Here we read the story of the first martyr of the Christian church. He was aware that death was on him. He had lived for Christ - now he determined to die like Him.

He will become the first in a long line of revolutionaries to give their life standing for Jesus.

The mark of a great spiritual leader and true spiritual maturity is to be free of the desire to say anything for yourself and instead be consumed by God’s story.

That’s how I want to be....how about you?

-Justin-

Easter Sunday

After the Sabbath, as the first light of the new week dawned, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb. Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God's angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered snow-white. The guards at the tomb were scared to death. They were so frightened, they couldn't move.

 The angel spoke to the women: "There is nothing to fear here. I know you're looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed.

 "Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, 'He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.' That's the message."

 The women, deep in wonder and full of joy, lost no time in leaving the tomb. They ran to tell the disciples. Then Jesus met them, stopping them in their tracks. "Good morning!" he said. They fell to their knees, embraced his feet, and worshiped him. Jesus said, "You're holding on to me for dear life! Don't be frightened like that. Go tell my brothers that they are to go to Galilee, and that I'll meet them there."

Matthew 28:1-9  (The Message)

Christ has Risen!  He has Risen, indeed!

Holy Saturday

Late in the afternoon a wealthy man from Arimathea, a disciple of Jesus, arrived. His name was Joseph. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Pilate granted his request. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in clean linens, put it in his own tomb, a new tomb only recently cut into the rock, and rolled a large stone across the entrance. Then he went off. But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary stayed, sitting in plain view of the tomb.

Matthew 27:57-61  (The Message)

Join us tonight at 7pm as we renew our Baptismal vows or celebrate with those who are. 

Good Friday

Skull Hill

As they led him off, they made Simon, a man from Cyrene who happened to be coming in from the countryside, carry the cross behind Jesus. A huge crowd of people followed, along with women weeping and carrying on. At one point Jesus turned to the women and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, don't cry for me. Cry for yourselves and for your children. The time is coming when they'll say, 'Lucky the women who never conceived! Lucky the wombs that never gave birth! Lucky the breasts that never gave milk!' Then they'll start calling to the mountains, 'Fall down on us!' calling to the hills, 'Cover us up!' If people do these things to a live, green tree, can you imagine what they'll do with deadwood?"

 Two others, both criminals, were taken along with him for execution.

 When they got to the place called Skull Hill, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left.

 Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing."

   Dividing up his clothes, they threw dice for them. The people stood there staring at Jesus, and the ringleaders made faces, taunting, "He saved others. Let's see him save himself! The Messiah of God—ha! The Chosen—ha!"

 The soldiers also came up and poked fun at him, making a game of it. They toasted him with sour wine: "So you're King of the Jews! Save yourself!"

 Printed over him was a sign: this is the king of the jews.

 One of the criminals hanging alongside cursed him: "Some Messiah you are! Save yourself! Save us!"

 But the other one made him shut up: "Have you no fear of God? You're getting the same as him. We deserve this, but not him—he did nothing to deserve this."

 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom."

 He said, "Don't worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise."

 By now it was noon. The whole earth became dark, the darkness lasting three hours—a total blackout. The Temple curtain split right down the middle. Jesus called loudly, "Father, I place my life in your hands!" Then he breathed his last.

 When the captain there saw what happened, he honored God: "This man was innocent! A good man, and innocent!"

 All who had come around as spectators to watch the show, when they saw what actually happened, were overcome with grief and headed home. Those who knew Jesus well, along with the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a respectful distance and kept vigil.

Luke 23:26-49  (The Message)

Please join us tonight at 7pm to reflect in the Crucifixion of Jesus.