OzThoughts – Friday, 26th June, 2009

OzThoughts – Friday, 26th June, 2009

Yesterday, I suggested a knowledge of history helps us understand today and ourselves. That is exactly the point Saul (Paul) makes in the meeting place in Antioch in Pisidia. He declared that because they did not understand what the prophets said
“They did just what the prophets said they would do, but had no idea they were following to the letter the script of the prophets, even though those same prophets are read every Sabbath in their meeting places.
After they had done everything the prophets said they would do, they took him down from the cross and buried him.”

Then Saul tells of the resurrection :

“ And then God raised him from death. There is no disputing that—he appeared over and over again many times and places to those who had known him well in the Galilean years, and these same people continue to give witness that he is alive.
"And we're here today bringing you good news: the Message that what God promised the fathers has come true for the children—for us! He raised Jesus, exactly as described in the second Psalm:
My Son! My very own Son!
Today I celebrate you!
"When he raised him from the dead, he did it for good—no going back to that rot and decay for him. That's why Isaiah said, 'I'll give to all of you David's guaranteed blessings.' So also the psalmist's prayer: 'You'll never let your Holy One see death's rot and decay.'”
Then Saul build on the facts of recent history of which there were many witnesss and tell his listeners what it means for them:
“ I want you to know, my very dear friends, that it is on account of this resurrected Jesus that the forgiveness of your sins can be promised. He accomplishes, in those who believe, everything that the Law of Moses could never make good on. But everyone who believes in this raised-up Jesus is declared good and right and whole before God.
"Don't take this lightly”

History speaks to us. A raised and living Jesus offers us his salvation.

And Saul gives a warning:
You don't want the prophet's sermon to describe you:

Watch out, cynics;
Look hard—watch your world fall to pieces.
I'm doing something right before your eyes
That you won't believe, though it's staring you in the face."

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4304.mp3 ]

Hail, thou once despised Jesus,
Hail, thou Galilean King!
Thou didst suffer to release us;
Thou didst free salvation bring.
Hail, thou universal Saviour,
Bearer of our sin and shame!
By thy merits we find favor;
Life is given through thy name.

Precious Lamb by God appointed,
All our sins on thee were laid;
By almighty love anointed,
Thou hast full atonement made.
All thy people are forgiven
Through the virtue of thy blood,
Opened is the gate of Heaven,
Peace is made 'twixt man and God.

Worship, honor, power and blessing
Thou art worthy to receive;
Loudest praises without ceasing
Meet it is for us to give.
Help, ye bright angelic spirits,
Bring your sweetest, noblest lays;
Help to sing the Saviour's merits,
Help to chant Immanuel's praise.
Author: John Bakewell (1721-1819) and others
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 109

Acts 13:26-41 (The Message)
26-29"Dear brothers and sisters, children of Abraham, and friends of God, this message of salvation has been precisely targeted to you. The citizens and rulers in Jerusalem didn't recognize who he was and condemned him to death. They couldn't find a good reason, but demanded that Pilate execute him anyway. They did just what the prophets said they would do, but had no idea they were following to the letter the script of the prophets, even though those same prophets are read every Sabbath in their meeting places.
29-31"After they had done everything the prophets said they would do, they took him down from the cross and buried him. And then God raised him from death. There is no disputing that—he appeared over and over again many times and places to those who had known him well in the Galilean years, and these same people continue to give witness that he is alive.
32-35"And we're here today bringing you good news: the Message that what God promised the fathers has come true for the children—for us! He raised Jesus, exactly as described in the second Psalm:

My Son! My very own Son!
Today I celebrate you!
"When he raised him from the dead, he did it for good—no going back to that rot and decay for him. That's why Isaiah said, 'I'll give to all of you David's guaranteed blessings.' So also the psalmist's prayer: 'You'll never let your Holy One see death's rot and decay.'
36-39"David, of course, having completed the work God set out for him, has been in the grave, dust and ashes, a long time now. But the One God raised up—no dust and ashes for him! I want you to know, my very dear friends, that it is on account of this resurrected Jesus that the forgiveness of your sins can be promised. He accomplishes, in those who believe, everything that the Law of Moses could never make good on. But everyone who believes in this raised-up Jesus is declared good and right and whole before God.
40-41"Don't take this lightly. You don't want the prophet's sermon to describe you:

Watch out, cynics;
Look hard—watch your world fall to pieces.
I'm doing something right before your eyes
That you won't believe, though it's staring you in the face."

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