Church Of The Lost Sheep

'Paul remained two whole years in his own rented quarters and continued to welcome all who came to him— proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord  Yeshua  the Messiah with all boldness and without hindrance.' Acts 28:30-31- this is the last entry written in the Book of Acts [This is the  24th  lesson of  this series ] The Book of Acts was written by Luke, a follower of Christ. It was a companion book (a sequel) to the Book of Luke, both of which he wrote to a person named Theophilus (Theophilus is both an actual name and an honorific title), so that Theophilus can be certain of everything he was taught about Jesus of Nazareth. Luke told him that he have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, and that he decided to write an orderly account for Theophilus. As already mentioned in previous lessons, these letters (these books) have been written for believers. Ordely Account The Book of Luke was about the life of Jesus u...

'For all the law is fulfilled in one word,  even  in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!"' Galatians 5:14-15 [This is the  23rd  lesson of  this series ] We are living in an age where more and more people who used to believe in God or the concept of a God, are abandoning the idea of God. People think it is because of the technological advancements of humankind. Or that people are smarter now. Or people have access to the internet, an online community, or because of Youtube, Tiktok, the Hubble Telescope, SETI, aliens or whatever. Whatever it is, it is not that. People have always been people. People have always been about the here and now, or about themselves. And it is even more evident today, people do not know how to wait anymore. People are easily bored. People don't care about anyone but themselves. And people are easily duped, which is surpris...

"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You established— what is man, that You are mindful of him? And the son of man, that You care for him? Yet You made him a little lower than the angels, and crowned him with glory and majesty! You gave him dominion over the works of Your hands. You put all things under their feet:" Psalm 8:4-7 in the Tree of Life Bible Version [This is the  22nd  lesson of  this series ] We are living in exciting times. The increase in knowledge, discovery and exploration has been unprecendented. The most powerful human made telescope has just shown the world the most vivid images from deep space. James Webb Space Telescope https://www.nasa.gov/webbfirstimages And there will be even more amazing images to come out. Differing Viewpoints What those who do not believe in God are saying is that they are sure that there is life out there. Yes, even if they have no physical evidence. Their o...

“I am the Good Shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not from this fold; those also I must lead, and they will listen to My voice. So there shall be one flock, one Shepherd." -Jesus of Nazareth, 1st century John 10:14-16 in the Tree of Life Version [This is the  21st  lesson of  this series ] We are living in an age where everyone has the ability to connect with everyone, in real time. All it takes is a smart device with a mic, camera, speaker and monitor, and wi-fi. It will just be a matter of time, until everyone, can be together, as if all in one huge congregation. Everyone can see and hear the same thing, where ever they may be in the world, any time zone -- everyone, regardless of race and location will be of one flock. Seems Impossible Back in the 1st century, Jesus of Nazareth was talking about things that seems impossible or unbe...

"You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh,  that is,  of the heart." -Apostle Paul, writing to the 1st believers in Corinth, 1st century 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 in the King James Version [This is the  20th  lesson of  this series ] We are living in an age where everyone is skeptical, yet everyone is easily deceived at the same time. People investigate for themselves, yet they also readily believe and are even following blindly what others are saying or doing. New Testament Bible Because no one would typically say this, we need to mention that the Christian bible is a compilation of letters, letters written by followers of Christ in the 1st century. They weren't meant for the world. They were written for believers. More often than not, Jesus called peopl...

'And He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.' -Jesus of Nazareth, 1st century Luke 10:2-3 in the Berean Study Bible Version [This is the  19th  lesson of  this series ] We are living in a post pandemic world, in a postmodern society (or at least in a world where people have a postmodern mindset). These words of Jesus from back in the 1st century is actually still true today as it was in that century, and in every century and generation since. It will continue to be true now and in the coming generations (if we even get there). In fact, it got truer every passing century. Except in several places, in several generations, where and when the wolves ran with the lambs, disguised in sheep's clothing (but that's another lesson for another day). Post Modern So what is a postmodern mindset? Let us read an excerpt fr...

Whoever Becomes Simple Again "At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, “Who gets the highest rank in God’s kingdom?” For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, “I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom. What’s more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it’s the same as receiving me." -Jesus of Nazareth, 1st century, speaking to His disciples Matthew 18:1-5 in the Message Paraphrase Version [This is the  18th  lesson of  this series ] Scene from The Chosen GOD In our world today, we have pushed aside the concept of a Creator. We have taught science or the theory of evolution as the absolute truth. We have pitted one against the other. We were taught that the Old Testamen...

'"Because a loveless world," said Jesus, "is a sightless world. If anyone loves me, he will carefully keep my word and my Father will love him - we'll move right into the neighborhood! Not loving me means not keeping my words. The message you are hearing isn't mine. It's the message of the Father who sent me. "I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left - feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught.' -Jesus of Nazareth, 1st century, speaking to His disciples John 14:23-27 in the Message Paraphrase Version [This is the  17th  lesson of  this series ] Love Is How We Are Able To See People are b...

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so also you must love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” -Jesus of Nazareth, 1st century John 13:34-35 in the Tree of Life Version [This is the  16th  lesson of  this series ] Legacy of Love Jesus didn't leave behind a religion. Jesus left a legacy. It is His love. It is the same selfless love He left His disciples. And this love is the evidence that they were His followers. This is how they are different than everyone else, from those who do not believe in God and from those who do, particularly distinguishing them from those whose relationship with God is all based on head knowledge, on showmanship, on rituals and traditions, from legalists and the religious. The main issue we see with Christ followers today is that as long as they identify or worse lift up their pastor, minister, church leader, their congregation, t...

'And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."' Acts 2:38 in the English Standard Version [This is the  15th lesson of  this series ] This will be the 3rd installment of this lesson, the 1st is The Church and the 2nd is Believed & Baptized . In this 3rd part we will close out Acts 2:38. Receive The Gift of the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit has always been the most mysterious if not the least known Person of the (Christian) God. Many believers can spend all their days without personally encountering Him (the Holy Spirit). This subject of discussion is actually a delicate one. Different believers believe differently, and most are unyielding in their beliefs and their traditions. This especially, on the topic of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit or the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and particularly over the gift of speaking in tongues. We wi...

"And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that  Jesus  is  the Christ. But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his  garments and said to them, “Your blood  be  upon your  own  heads; I  am  clean.  From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named  Justus,  one  who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized . Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I...

'Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added  to them.  And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one ac...

" And one of them, a lawyer, asked  Him  a question, testing Him, Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 22:35-40 in the Recovery Version [This is the  12th lesson of  this series ] The religious leaders at the time of Jesus tried again and again to question Him, trap Him, discredit Him, destroy Him. Yet they were always unsuccessful (even after they schemed to have Him killed). These blind guides, without knowing it, were more concerned with having their moment, being in the spotlight, shining in the present time (being famous in their time) than what's in the future and helping people reach eternity in heaven.  They were so sure of themselv...