“ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” —Acts 4:11-12 Wherever the cornerstone of a building was set that determined the location of the rest of that building. Everything was to be aligned with that cornerstone— everything plumbed and leveled from it. If a person tried to plumb and level each stone by itself and not work off the cornerstone then the building would not turn out to be like it should. Jesus is the cornerstone of our lives. If lives are not “built—plumbed…

…you killed the Author of life… —Acts 4:15 The author sat at the table during his book signing. People were excited to have a copy of his new book signed. His works of creation in book form were in high demand. All of his works were original. Jesus, the Author of life. He is the creator and sustainer of all life (John 1:1-4; Colossians 1:15-18: Hebrews 1:1-2). You killed Him! I killed Him! The Jews and Romans were there at the time to actually put Him to death, but it was for your sin, my sin, the Jew’s sin, the Roman’s sin, the world’s sin that He died. The gospel,…

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. —Acts 2:42 Some areas where people may be devoted to are their spouse, family, work, other relationships, a sport and there are so many other possibilities. You can tell what a person is devoted to because that is where they spend their time, talent and treasure. As followers of Jesus are we devoted to hearing, learning and applying His Word? Are you able to disciple a person who has just come to the Lord by relaying to them what the Lord has taught you through the experiencing of His Word? Do…

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” —Matthew 28:19-20 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.…

Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor. When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. —Matthew 27:1-5 Suicide… when life…

Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. —John 17:18 They were sent to the front lines in the battle. This was to advance the cause and not to retreat. When they were sent they were expected to take ground and not to give it up. Those who sent them had great anticipation for them to succeed. So it is with Jesus. He was sent into the world by His Father with a plan to succeed and He did accomplish all He was intended to. According to the verse above Jesus has now sent us into the world. Matthew 28:16-20 says, “Then the…

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. —John 16:33 What is a promise? It is when someone gives their word about something— “I take you as my wife/husband until death parts us. It is a verbal or written contract— marriage license. It is an assurance— I will be there at 10am. When a person gives a promise it is a pledge that they will absolutely do something. Jesus gives us 3 promises in the verse above: 1- We can have peace in Him. 2- In this world we…

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. —John 15:5 Take away the branches from the main stem of a tomato plant and you will not get any tomatoes. Take away the branches from the main stem of a pepper plant and you will not get any peppers. Take away the branches from the trunk of an apple tree and you will not get any apples. Take away the branches from the trunk of an oak tree and you will not get any acorns. Take away the…

Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. —John 14:21 Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. —John 14:23 “Yes, dad” the child said when asked to clean his room and off he went to do so. “Yes, mom” her daughter said when asked to do the dishes and off she went to do what was asked of her. When asked to do something by a parent, by a teacher, by an employer and the answer is yes shows at least respect. A blatant “no” would surely bring conflict between the one requesting something to be done and the one being asked to do…

But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” —-Matthew 26:24 They had been friends from their youth, but John always seemed to have better things happen to him. He was well liked, had a very pretty girl friend and a good job. Troy became jealous and when an opportunity presented itself to betray his friend for money and have John sent off to prison for life, Troy did it. He thought that he not only would have the money, but also have an opportunity to “comfort” John’s girl friend and maybe end up marrying her…