An unexpected day off enabled me to get ahead a little bit on service preparation. Thank You Father for unexpected blessings!

Acts 3:12-26 (<<click here to read the passage)

I’m an odd duck of sorts. I’m an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene but have served in the United Methodist Church (UMC) for almost 20 years now. They are considered sister denominations, with the Nazarene church branching off from the Methodists more than a hundred years ago. Doctrinally we’re not identical, but very similar. Probably the biggest difference for me is how we’re governed.

For example, both denominations have District Superintendents. If you’re elected to that position in the Nazarene church, you serve in it until you retire – most of the time but not always. In the UMC, those positions are appointed by the bishops who serve above them. They fill that role for four years or so and either return to pastoral ministry or possibly retire.

Local pastors then are always getting new faces, new ideas, etc. Of course, there are pros and cons but overall, it works well. One of the challenges is that we regularly have a new “boss”. Since we’re all on the same team, it’s best for all if we follow their directives. We listen to them and do our best to obey them. The bad thing is, pastors can have their own mindsets and are ofttimes not easily persuaded to change course, just because the new guy or gal says so.

When Jesus came on the scene, being the true Boss, He ruffled quite a few feathers – so much so, that, according to God’s plan, it led to His death. As we know, that was by no means the end of the story. Jesus conquered death and rose victorious!

In today’s passage, the Apostle Peter boldly proclaimed who Jesus was and what He had come to accomplish. Under the Spirit’s inspiration, Peter regularly quoted many Old Testament Scriptures – most fulfilling prophecy from of old.

In this sermon, he quotes Deuteronomy 18:15 by stating,

Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a Prophet [i.e., Jesus Christ] like me from your countrymen; you shall listen to Him and obey everything He tells you. Acts 3:22 AMP (emphasis mine)

Well for many, that didn’t happen. A majority of the Jewish religious leaders thought more along the lines of “Listen and obey that young upstart? Who is He that we should listen to Him? We’re in charge and will do as we well please!”

Peter goes on to say in verse 23,

Then Moses said, ‘Anyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from God’s people.’ NLT

This reference is taken from Deuteronomy 18:19 and Leviticus 23:29. (Keep in mind these are parts of God’s Law which they were to know inside and out.)

It shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he [i.e., Jesus Christ] shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him [and there will be consequences]. Deuteronomy 18:19 AMP (emphasis mine)

If there is any person who will not humble himself on this same day, he shall be cut off from his people [excluding him from the atonement made for them]. Leviticus 23:29 AMP (emphasis mine)

If they were truly listening, that had to sting. If they didn’t change their mindsets, there would be consequences…they would be excluding themselves from the atonement made for them.

Before we get too high and mighty about their attitudes, we mustn’t forget that we have to accept Jesus as the Christ – the Messiah – as well. And now that we know, there are no excuses.

Jan 18th, 2022, Tues, 7:18 pm