Acts 5:42 “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”

Two critical moments occurred in the history of the early church. The first came at the end of Pentecost when 3000 people were baptized in Jesus’ name and were filled with the Holy Ghost speaking with other tongues. The second occurred as Luke writes, Acts 2:42 “…they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:46 “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart”

Notice that the early church exercised worship and the Word in both the Temple and in their homes. Seeing that they did not have physical buildings as we have, it was their mission to expand and expound the Gospel in as many places as possible. While tradition ordered their steps into the Temple, the expansion of the first church happened primarily in their homes.

The home is a wonderful place. It is the place where we retreat and find refuge. Of course, there are exceptions to this narrative, but for the most part the home is the place where we relax. The modern day view of Christianity is one of compartmentalization: The home is our personal habitat and the church is the house of the Lord. We worship on Sundays at church and live normal lives at home. This was not the model of the book of Acts church. Homes were the locations of teaching, singing, and worship. The Temple was an overspill of the activities that occurred inside of their homes.

We must ignite prayer and the Word in our homes. Our personal living space cannot be off limits to God. If the Church is to be a place of overspill, then there must be another place where we are filled.

We are on a journey for a mighty revival and I believe it will come when we realize that our homes and daily living entail making friends and making disciples. Everyone must find someone and lead them to Christ. I am promoting bringing friends to our homes and then to the church. There is a revival waiting and it can be found in our homes.

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole

Politics have become one of the most divisive things in our world today. There is little debate over the raging differences that exist in our nation’s capital. From local governmental bodies to the halls of Congress we are seeing a polarization of immense proportions. While many are keenly aware of these divisions, history speaks to such factions. Europe has been overran numerous times. Africa has seen bloodshed. America was divided in the 1800’s as fathers took up arms against sons; brother against brothers in the Civil War. I am not submitting that our day is the only time of conflict. The difference is a great departure from biblical foundations.

As judges are appointed to fill empty seats, the Senate is given the task to interview each occupant. In an exchange with a conservative judge, Senator Cory Booker asked if Judge Neomi Rao believed gay relationships are a sin. The point of the inquiry was to point out that Judge Rao would be unqualified to sit on the bench if she thought that the LBGTQ community was sinful in practice. Senator Booker has been joined by a host of other congress people who also decry the idea that sex outside of marriage (a man and a woman) should be considered a sin. In fact, in his opinion, anyone who describes gay relationships as sinful should be removed from public office and government jobs.

You see, the next great division is about the Holy Scriptures. Political leaders are denouncing these biblical teachings. Sin with all of its definitions has been approved and the Bible is being outlawed. The political world is stepping into the church and removing the very foundation of our beliefs. So while there have been many wars and conflicts in world history, these days boast of a war between holiness and the works of the flesh.

The matter is not whether worldly men and women will demand the removal of biblical truths; the matter is whether Christians will stand up and be counted. Are we ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Are we hiding in the shadows, hoping not to be noticed that we are a set apart people, a holy nation, a royal priesthood? Hear me… we are The Church – The Bride that will be presented to Him without spot or wrinkle.

Let me answer the senator’s question. Yes. Sexual activity outside of marriage which features one man and one woman is a sin. Yes. All adulterers and fornicators are engaging in sinful practices and are acting in opposition to the Truth found in the Bible. Finally, “Yes” the precious Blood of Jesus Christ has been given to forgive and pay the price for the sin of the whole world.

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole

Ephesians 2:4-5 “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

American ingenuity and freedom have become interesting bedfellows. We are both creators while enjoying the benefits of self-expressions. Our constitutional platform is unlike anything in the world. W. Cleon Skousen wrote how Americans have leaped over thousands of years of struggle to come to this moment. However, with all of our self-will and open-door opinions, there seems to be a deficit in our thinking. Societal benefits have caused spiritual hindrances to the Church. In short, we are saved by Grace; not by ingenuity or intelligence.

Paul wrote that our salvation came by way of God’s love. He loved us when we did not know Him. He loved us when we were unlovable and had nothing to offer. No one came by way of their own knowledge or goodness. The Bible says that none are good and all have sinned. We did not come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ by our own initiative. It was not our ambition that brought us into this great salvation. We came by way of His Love.

The modern day believer doesn’t always recognize this fact. They think that they have earned their way into the church. They think that their opinions, responses, and feelings should account for something of significance. Some even think that spiritual lineage has allowed them access into the Body of Jesus Christ.

Paul said that we were all “dead in sins.” Paul submitted that our salvation came via a love that we cannot fully grasp. Paul writes about our limited comprehension of the Cross and our human sight. We look through a cloudy mix of understanding. Our eyes and spirit cannot fathom the depth of God’s love for us. The Cross itself was a perfect love. God robed Himself in flesh to die as a sacrifice for our sins. It was the pivot point of the whole world.

So tell me why we deserve to feel the Love of God. Somebody tell me what we have done to garnish the grace of this Holy God. I’m curious why we enter His house and wait for someone to prod us to praise a Savior Who gave Himself for our sins? Is it the music that provokes us to worship? Are we waiting for our favorite song or the right rhythm to rejoice?

I would rather just say, “I’m here to worship Him because of what He has done for me before I ever knew Him.” While we were dead, He died. He died so we can live. So… “Here I am to worship. Here I am to bow down. Here I am to say that you are God.”

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole

Before John the Baptist appeared on the scene, there was an obvious absence of Spiritual authority. The prophets had faded into the shadows of that older time even though the Temple work prevailed. John became an instant hit. His preaching was without a filter. His message was unique. Most of all, he did not mince words when it came to the deeds of his counterparts: the pharisees. However, the greatest statement of John’s ministry concerned himself and Jesus Christ. He said, “I must decrease and He (Jesus) must increase.”

John’s statement is better seen as a weighing scale of importance. God’s presence prevails when there is less of me, i.e., He can only increase if I am willing to decrease.

The greatest opposition that has the power to confine the work of the Spirit is the flesh. His glory is always proportionate to my pride. His authority is limited by my acknowledgment of my weakness. The greater my person, the smaller His Presence. The more profound my view, the less clear His Word.

God’s competition is not the devil. His competition is me. Satan has no power to resist God…but I do. God gave us the power to reject His love, favor, and truth. God wants to be great in our midst, but He can only work to the extent that we allow Him. He stands at the door and knocks. He is a knocking Savior, a gentle Redeemer. He is not an abrasive God that kicks down doors and demands us to serve Him.

He will not change my will. He has ordained my will to be an affront to His Authority, if I so choose. Incredibly enough, my will can supersede His divine order. Flesh, arrogance, and haughty spirits are the elements of a carnal man and they are the very things that crowd out the Glory of the Omnipotent Savior.

If we desire His glory, then we must become humble before Him. I must decrease in order for Him to increase. I must become empty of opinions and personal thoughts so that He can be the great God in my life. The ratio is set. Less of me means more of Him. Less of my will means more of His will. Go see Gideon. God does His greatest work when there are no resources left to manage. He does His most magnificent things when all we have is Him to lean upon.

His Glory can be seen, His power known, but all of it is contingent upon our choice. Heed the voice of the one crying in the wilderness.

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole