How Does a Church Handle Murderers?

Here is an interesting question coming under the field of ecclesiology. Most of the nation has heard about Mary Winkler, the wife of a Church of Christ pastor who killed her husband. She has confessed and is being held in the jail. Many in the church are calling for her release. This situation begs the question, How should the church respond in this matter? If this act happened at your church, as a member, how would you respond? How should we treat a confessed killer who is not only a church member, but is also the pastor's wife? Should we deny that she could have done this? Should we just pray for her and support the family and turn her over the State? What do you think?

Attack on Motherhood

Feminists attack stay-at-home moms for living 'unfilfilling lives.' I guess we're revisiting the 60's and 70's.

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=22931

Depression: Emerging from the Darkness (pt.4)

In our final look at depression, we are going to look at what can help and give some homework assignments that counselees can work on when trying to come out of depression.

B. What Can Help
1. Medical Treatments: Antidepressant medications are the best known and most popular treatments, but there are hundreds of proposed physical aids, and many of them can change the physical experience of depression. They will not give the counselee hope, but they might make him feel less miserable. Physical treatments are able to change physical symptoms but they are only able to change physical symptoms. They will not change the root cause.[1] If one cannot function, medication may be of use. However, it is unclear whether medication is any more helpful than counseling. Furthermore, medication has side effects. If a counselee is on medication have him withdraw very carefully if he decides he wants to come off the medication. Depression can also be caused by a number of medical problems. Have the counselee also consult a physician for a medical exam. Discussions about medications and other physical treatments tend to provoke strong and sometimes volatile responses. Some people are vehemently opposed to them if they have been hurt by them and others swear by them if they have been helped. Scripture takes a third position that encourages wisdom and opens our eyes to larger issues in the culture and keeps its focus on the heart.
2. Families and Friends: Encourage the counselee to thank, greet, pray, listen and touch friends and family members that are there to help. For families and friends, the relationship with the depressed person may not be reciprocal. This is the most obvious challenge for the family member or friend. There are some ways to deal with this issue. First, have the friend realize that he can no longer rely on natural affection. To help a depressed person, the friend needs an awareness of his own spiritual neediness, a growing knowledge of Jesus, and an eagerness to learn from others, including the person he would like to help.[2] What depressed people need are daily reminders of spiritual reality. The target is always Christ and Him crucified. Wisdom and love must dominate the relationship. Challenge the friend to persevere and never give up on the relationship.

IV. Homework Assignments
Have the counselee select one biblical story and read it every day. As he reads the story, he can write down ten or more applications. The goal of this exercise is to have the depressed person to meditate on something other then himself. Otherwise, the counselee’s mind will drift towards despondency. If the counselee can see merit in this strategy and is willing to do it, stay with the assignment until it is done.

Have the counselee find ten positive qualities in a friend. Have him write these down and send the list to that person.

Each day, have the counselee speak or write something that edifies others.

Have the counselee write out his purpose for living. Have him allow it to be revised by others and then have him memorize it.

Have the counselee listen to God’s Word. Use music that points him to Christ, or have him ask someone to read it to him to teach him what he is learning. Have the counselee be able to summarize what he has heard and to continue practice listening.
[1] Ibid., 210.

[2] Ibid., 224.

Depression: Emerging from the Darkness (pt.3)

Today we are going to take a more more in depth look at twelve causes of depression.

III. Counseling Approaches
A. Dealing with the Reasons of Depression
1. Other People: Other people are the easiest cause to identify.
2. Adam and the Curse: Because of sin being brought into the world through Adam, our physical ill health, our hardships at our work and death will be factors in a depressive state.
3. Satan: Satan is an external cause for depression as he can have influence in a variety of ways in our lives. For the above causes, it is not encouraging to dwell on these but instead, remind the counselee that depression does come from somewhere.
4. Culture: Not only do we have to fight against our own sin, we also have to deal with aspects of our culture that “applaud our own sinful tendencies rather than rebuke them.”[1] Our culture has made life a “maelstrom” of decisions. People are pressured daily be decisions and making the wrong one can have catastrophic affects on a counselee, so they are told by our society. Furthermore, our society is a culture of the individual, self-indulgence, entertainment, boredom, and where each individual’s happiness equals the greatest good. As a result, these ideologies are anti-biblical. A source of depression will be a certain feature of the culture to which the counselee has absorbed into his life.
5. The Sinful Human Heart: This is the “heart” of depression. After discovering the external sources of our depression, we now consider the internal ones and the human heart is where it starts. Ed Welch states, “Your story, your interpretations, your motivations, and your beliefs come out of your heart.”[2] These factors then make up the center of one’s life. The natural inclinations of the heart are so that mankind is proud, selfish, indulgent, and greedy. The counselee should understand that this does not mean that his sin is causing his depression, but it will be evident. Second, the counselee should keep Christ close when dealing with this part of the journey out of the darkness. Have the counselee meditate on Psalm 130 as he grows in both the knowledge of God’s love and his own sin. Depression is an occasion and an opportunity for re-evaluating and changing one’s life through help of the Holy Spirit.
6. Fear: When depression is at its most severe, paranoia is one of its main features. Common fears that may contribute to a depressed state are a fear of death, a fear of the way you will die, a fear of the past recurring, and a fear from trusting in things that don’t last. Genesis 26:24, Deut. 31:6, Isaiah 41:10 all command us to not fear because the Lord will be with us. Furthermore, Isaiah 49:14-16 and John 14:16-18 also state that God will not forsake those whom he loves. There are two basic steps for the counselee to take in order to deal with his fears: the first is to confess his fears as unbelief. Much of our fears reflect our hearts as saying to the Lord, “I don’t believe your promises.” Second, examine Scripture and be confident in Jesus’ love and faithfulness.
7. Anger: Sadness + Anger = Depression.[3] Anger includes a broad spectrum of behaviors. Violent anger is just one expression of anger. Sadness can cover rage, as anger can be either “hot” or “cold.” Anger usually blames other people and not the counselee. The counselee must realize that he is angry because his rights and his glory, not God’s, have been violated. Grumbling or complaining fits within the larger category of anger because it is a kind of judgment and reflects our hearts stating something against God. The counselee needs to look at himself longer and harder then he does other people. He should learn to love others because if he does not love others, he does not love God. Secondly, the counselee is to trust and obey God’s Word. Since prayer is one of the places the heart is revealed, the counselee should allow it to test him and let the Spirit show him where his anger is in his life.
8. Hopelessness: Hope is risky.[4] The more one looks forward to something, the greater the chance there is of being let down. This sense of not wanting to be let down can contribute to depression. The counselee should try to understand that God is big and God is good. The counselee should realize that he chooses to be hopeless about things in his life. Like fear, the counselee is reluctant to trust God for the future, for fear of being let down. This states that he does not believe that God is big or good. Challenge the counselee to find new and emerging hopes.
9. Failure and Shame: Failure happens because the counselee determines that he does not measure up to someone’s standard. This standard is not God’s. Man chooses to trust in other people and their judgments, rather then God’s judgments. The counselee should try to realize that other people will never satisfy and that he becomes a servant to what he trusts in. There is a connection between failure and shame to anger. Anger is a judgment that we make about others and low self-worth seems to be a judgment we make about ourselves. The counselee can be encouraged that when he turns to Christ he can simply think less about himself. His successes and failures are noticeable but do not control him the way they did.
10. Guilt: Why do people feel guilty? People feel guilty because they should feel guilty. People feel guilty because they don’t confess their sin. People also feel guilty because sin has consequences. Finally, people also feel guilty because they think they must do something to be forgiven.
11. Legalism: Works righteousness is also called the “anti-gospel.”[5] Humans, however, prefer the old arrangement where they have to try to make it on their own. Doing this minimizes this glory of God.
12. Death: When life is examined apart from God, thoughts of death make perfect sense. When God is dead, there is no purpose, no future. A comfort to give the counselee is that he does not belong to himself, but is a child of God. God is the God of all comfort and that the father of compassion.

Tomorrow, we will look at what methods can help a counselee emerge from the darkness of depression.

[1] Ibid., 115.
[2] Ibid., 124.
[3] Ibid., 153.
[4] Ibid., 165.
[5] Ibid., 189.

Depression: Emerging from the Darkness (pt.2)

A week or so ago, I posted an introductory post on the problem of depression. We are now going to look at part 2 in the counseling review which I have written and are going to focus on what Scripture says about depression. Again, much of this manual is endebted to Ed Welch and his book Depression: A Light for the Path.

Scripture Passages Dealing with Depression: The Lord will reveal himself to those who seek Him. Ephesians 1:17-23 promises to have the “eyes of your heart enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you,” and “what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,” and finally, “what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe.” Ephesians 3:14-19 is a prayer for spiritual strength. Pray that God will strengthen you with power “through His Spirit in your inner being.” Why? “So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” The counselee should focus on claiming these promises of God. Psalm 62:8 states to trust God in all times because He is our refuge and to pour out your heart to him. John 6:29 states that our mission is to believe in the one He has sent. Psalm 130 is a passionate section of Scripture that cries out to the Lord. The book of Ecclesiastes teaches us to not chase after created things and focus on ourselves, but instead, focus on God for that is where we find meaning in our life. Romans 8:28-29 states that all things work together for the good of those who love Jesus so that we can be conformed to the likeness of the Son. Therefore when we suffer, there is a point. Paul explains the point in suffering in Romans 5:3 when he states, “We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 15:3 states that through endurance and the encouragement of Scripture we might have hope.

Tomorrow, we will look at different counseling approaches and further our study on the causes of depression.

Blue Like Jazz Review

Critique on Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz which, unfortunately, is being devoured by disenfranchised young evangelicals.

Press Here

Hope for the Future (pt.2)

The following is part II of the lesson. Audio will be up later.

26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because[a] the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[b] for those who are called according to his purpose. 29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

III. We have hope in our current situation (v.26-27)

a. Our prayers are helped by the Spirit (v.26) – In our current situation, our prayers are guided and helped by the Holy Spirit who indwells our souls. The Spirit helps us in our weakness in that when we are praying, but do not know what to pray, or do not want to pray (every Christian has experienced this) the Spirit helps us pray because He knows the will of God. We can have hope in our current life because we know that the Spirit helps us pray.

b. Our hearts are searched by the Spirit (v.27) – Not only does the Spirit help us pray, he intercedes for us in accordance to God’s will. Sometimes when things do not go our way in life, it may have been because God knew what was best for us and protected us in this way. God is in control and we can have hope in this fact.

IV. We have hope in our future glorification (v.28-30)

a. All believers will be comforted (v.28) – As we await glorification and eternal life, we can have comfort that all things that happen in believers’ lives work together for God’s master plan. This is comforting when things don’t go the way we have ‘planned.’

b. All believers will be conformed (v.29) – Furthermore, it is comforting that in God’s divine foreknowledge, He has known who would accept Him, and as a result has predestined that these believers will be conformed to the image of His Son…now, through progressive sanctification and completely, in Heaven.

c. All believers will be glorified (v.30) – We can also have hope in that those God has predestined, he has also called. We all have a purpose in life. We are all called to do ministry no matter what our situation. If we are children of God, adopted to be his heirs, we are called to minister for His kingdom. Furthermore, as being called to ministry, we are also justified before God. Jesus has paid our sin penalty and we not guilty as charged. And for those who are justified before God, we will able to be glorified in the Resurrection. This my friends, we can have hope in.

part 1b

Hope for the Future (Romans 8:18-30) pt.1a

18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

In this passage of Scripture, Paul talks about how we as believers, have a certain hope in our future glorification. This passage gives us four hopes that we will have realized when we are glorified in Heaven.

1. We have hope in our current bondage (v. 18-22)

a. The bondage of suffering will pass (v.18) – Even though we will suffer in life, it will pass. And in our glorification in Heaven, the suffering that we went through on earth will be a distant memory. According to Romans 5:3, suffering brings perseverance which brings character which gives hope. This hope will be realized and our suffering will pass. We have hope in our current bondage in that these days living in a fallen world will pass.

b. The bondage of creation will pass (v.19-22) – Why does creation wait in eager expectation for the sons of God to be redeemed? Because Scripture tells us that all of creation, along with mankind, was subjected to the curse of the fall. Therefore, creation – animals, plants, and the earth itself is seeking to be liberated from the bondage that man’s sin has placed on it. Don’t forget that along with childbirth, God placed a curse on the earth itself (Gen. 3:17). Why are their tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters? The main reason for these terrible atrocities is because of sin’s effect in creation itself, further evidence that we live in a fallen world. In verse 22, it is interesting that Paul uses the curse of childbirth to rely how the earth itself is feeling, thus the two curses that God placed on mankind have some type of relationship. The good news is that we can have hope, as can creation, that when we reach Heaven, even the earth will be released from bondage.

II. We have hope in our future restoration (v.23-25)

a. Our bodies will be restored (v.23) – Our spirit also groans for the time of redemption. Many Christians, especially later in life, because of the effect in living in a fallen world, coupled with the blessed hope of seeing Jesus face to face, yearn to be in God’s presence. This sinful body that is subject to decay will miraculously be resurrected into a new glorified body when Christ conquers the earth. We have hope that our bodies will be restored.

b. Our souls will be restored (v.24-25) – We were saved in this hope. The word ‘hope’ typically carries a different meaning in our language. It carries the meaning of imagining or wishfully thinking and desiring something. However, the biblical definition of this word means for of having a definite faith in that something will happen. Therefore, when we use the word hope, it is more then vain, English-language hope that is mentioned in today’s world. Indeed, this faith-filled hope was what enabled us to be saved (“For in this hope we were saved”). Paul then states that hope that is what is seen is no hope at all. Therefore, with our hope we wait patiently for our souls to be saved and experience eternal life with our Creator. We have hope that our souls will be restored.

Audio on Depression (pt.1b)

Audio on Depression (pt.1)

Experiment with Audio Blogging

Depression: Emerging from the Darkness (pt.1)

Well, as soon as I lament about not having enough to blog, here comes something. The following is part of a counseling manual that I am working on about depression. I will post the rest in the following days.

Depression: Emerging from the Darkness

1. Definition and Description of Depression:
A. Definition: There are two types of depression that one might experience. The first and less severe is called Dysthymic Disorder, or more commonly referred to as situational depression. The more serious type of depression is classified as Major Depression, or clinical depression.[1]
B. Description: Depression has often been described as being submerged inside a black hole. Some have even called depression their own private “hell.” Depression smells of being desperately alone, impending doom, deep wells, and emptiness. Depression also feels like meaningless pain and torture that has no end. Nothing seems to matter. One feels like he is always sick and often thinks that he is going insane. Depression, to the person experiencing it, is a prison with no way out.
C. Development: According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, ed. 4 (DSM IV), the building block for “Depressive Disorder” or “Bipolar Disorder” is a “major depressive episode.”[2] In order to classify as being clinically depressed, one has to “test” positive for five of nine symptoms. The checklist includes include a depressed mood most of the day, diminished interest in activities, significant weight loss, frequent insomnia, psychomotor agitation, frequent fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, diminished ability to think, and recurrent thoughts of death.[3] Situational depression accounts for two of six similar categories. There are many theories as to what causes depression. Most likely, the cause of a person’s depressed state is multi-faceted and complex. In the next section, we will look at a biblical interpretation of the causes of depression.

II. Biblical Diagnosis and Explanation:
A. Causes: First and foremost, what needs to be understood about depression is that is a form of suffering. There are five causes of suffering that may contribute to depression. The first cause is other people. A glance at the Psalms will show that half of them are cries to the Lord because of oppression by others. A second cause of suffering is our own selfish desires. Our anger, selfishness, wants, and sinful desires and actions contribute to our suffering. A third cause is our bodies. Ed Welch states, “Since sin entered the world, our bodies gradually weaken and waste away. Diseases, deterioration from old age, post-partum struggles, and possible chemical imbalances are just a few of the physical causes relevant to depression.”[4] A fourth cause is Satan. Satan is the father of lies, and according to the book of Job, can afflict us in a variety of ways. While Satan is not omnipresent, his demons are also active agents in spiritual warfare. Finally, a fifth cause is God himself. As Ed Welch astutely remarks, “God is over all things, and nothing happens apart from His will. To believe anything else is to opt for a universe that is random and out of control, without a guiding hand bringing all things to a purposeful and awe-inspiring conclusion.”[5] God is a cause of suffering because He is in control.[6] Among these five causes, there are some unknown causes that we may never know and God may never reveal.

[1] Edward T. Welch, Depression: A Stubborn Darkness, (Winston-Salem, NC: Punch Press, 2004), 27.

[2] Ibid., 28.

[3] Ibid., 28-29.

[4] Ibid., 39.

[5] Ibid., 41.

[6] These five causes may be found on pages 39-41.

blog desert

To those faithful readers,

Sorry about the lack of posts. I typically try to post something substantial, theological, and edifying. However, working 35 hours a week, plus going to school, and trying to graduate, and being married with a demon dog and a pregnant wife...it's hard to find time to blog or topics to blog about. Any suggestions?

The Power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:1-17)

"1There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.[a] 2For the law of the Spirit of life has set you[b] free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin,[c] he condemned sin in the flesh, 4in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Heirs with Christ 12So then, brothers,[d] we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons[e] of God. 15For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" 16The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

In this passage of Scripture, Paul tells the Romans about the workings of the Spirit and how it affects our lives. Paul gives three ways that the Spirit is powerful and working in our lives.

I. The Spirit is powerful because it sets us free (v.1-8)

A. It has set us free from sin (v.1-2)
There is no condemnation. When we are in Jesus, we are safe from the eternal fires of Hell. The Spirit has set us free from death and sin’s control over our lives. Sin no longer has control over us. It may have some power over us, but we can defeat sin through God living inside of us via the Spirit. The Spirit is powerful because it has set us free from sin’s grip, and only God can do that.

B. It has set us free from ourselves (v.3-4)
By sending his own son, Jesus, God has conquered sin. By following the law, by doing good things, we could not save ourselves and God knew this. By doing this, we may live ‘righteous’ lives through the Spirit. We cannot live righteous lives apart from the Spirit living in us. The Holy Spirit is powerful because it has set us free from ourselves and our selfish ways of living which keep us from being able to worship God wholly.

C. It has set us free from death (v.5-6)
To live a life that is centered on oneself will equal death – it will equal eternal death, as well as spiritual death. If we are believers and we live our lives for ourselves, then we will never have ‘life and peace.’ The Spirit is powerful because it has set us free from the pains of death.

D. It has set us free from hostility (v.7-8)
When we are living for ourselves, we are hostile to God and our lives are out of sort. The Spirit is powerful because it has set us free from being hostile enemies to God.

II. The Spirit is powerful because it gives us life (v.9-11)
In order to belong to Christ, one must have the Spirit of Christ in them. The Spirit makes us alive in righteousness. If the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is in us, then surely it can give us life…i.e. save us. The Spirit is powerful because it gives us life when we deserve death.

III. The Spirit is powerful because it gives us status (v.12-17)

A. Status as slaves (v.12-13)
We are slaves to the Spirit once we accept Christ. The Spirit is powerful because it gives us status as slaves to Christ and not to death.

B. Status as sons (v.14-15)
When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior we are His son. We are adopted into is family. The Spirit is powerful because it gives us status as His son who lives comfortably under the roof of a new and loving Father.

C. Status as heirs (v.16-17)
When one gets adopted into a family, he has equal rights the father’s household. The Spirit gives us status as heirs to the Father’s kingdom. And if we are fellow heirs with Christ we will not only suffer with Him, we will also be glorified with Him in the future.

Babyname Poll

This is what my baby looks like this week. By the way, every body thinks the baby is going to be a girl because of the insanely high heartrate of 173 as of last visit. If it does not go down tremendously, then the "experts" say it most likely will be a girl. With that said, Emily and I can't seem to agree on names. Therfore, I would like for you, the readers, to vote for your favorite name. The name in parentheses is the name she will be called.

A) Abigail Easterlin (Abby)

B) Laura Beth (Laura Beth)

C) Hannah Elizabeth (Hannah)

The Wisdom of God

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."

20Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. "

1 Cor 1:18-25

This passage of Scripture always comforts my soul. If there ever was a group of verses that stressed the need not to "win a theological argument" with non-Christians, it is this one. The Gospel of Christ is a stumbling block to Jews - they stumble because they cannot accept what Christ has done for us. The gosple of Christ is also "foolishness" to Gentiles. Those who do not believe in Christ think that his claims are indeed, foolish. How can God come to earth and die for mankind? Well, he has and we can confidently rejoice in this Truth, the Gospel is the "wisdom of God."

How can we Share the Gospel Effectively? (pt.1)

How can we Share the Gospel Effectively?

The following is part 1 in a three part series on how believers can share the gospel effectively. This question is often posed by people who want to share Christ, especially with people they know, but do not know where to begin. How do we share the Gospel with our friends?

The first way that we can share the Gospel by praying for opportunities (Acts 4:23-31)

23When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, "'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? 26The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed'--

27for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. "

1. We are praying to our sovereign Lord (v.23-24)

We are praying to God who is the ruler and creator of all. The first thing the disciples did when they approached the Lord in prayer was to praise him with adoration. God is in control of all and he is sovereign. Jesus did not chase down the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-22. When he was told what he needed to do, he left and rejected Jesus and Jesus let him leave. The Lord is ultimately in control of the salvation of others. Our job is to present the gospel, not make people accept, because it is their decision. We are praying to our sovereign Lord who is ultimately in control.

2. We are praying for our enemies (v.25-28)

Peter and John are quoting Psalm 2. They are acknowledging that Herod and Pontius Pilate and all the people involved in Jesus’ crucifixion were only acting within God’s will. They were enemies of Jesus but God used them to fulfill His purpose. Also, Romans calls unbelievers “enemies of God.” Before we accept Christ, we are at odds with God. Likewise, Our enemies are the people who are not Christians. But, instead of wanting to harm them, like some militant Muslims, we are to pray for them, because without Christ, they are doomed. All people that are lost, who we are praying for, are our enemies. They are at odds with God and are desperate for redemption. We should pray for our "enemies."

3. We are praying for boldness (v.29-31)

a. Boldness to be faithful (v.29)

They prayed that they would be granted that they would share Christ with boldness. In Acts 17:32-34, upon preaching to the Athenians, the text tells us that some "sneered" at him but some accepted his message. People will either accept or reject the Gospel. And when they reject it, it may not be a good situation for faithful believers. Indeed, Christians have been persecuted for over 2,000 years. When people reject our message, we should, like Jesus, move on. We are called to be faithful in our message, but the conviction comes from the Spirit, lest we can boast.

b. Boldness for results (v.30)

They prayed for the Lord to heal and that signs may be done by His name...not their own. It is for Jesus’ name, not ours, that we witness. We do not witness to make "another notch in our belt." Often, we may be asked the question,“How many people have you led to Christ?” This question is evil. First, it is not "us" who leads people to Christ, it is the Spirit. A better question would be, "How many people have you spoke to about Christ?" Pertaining to healing mentioned in this vers, n this day and age, the miraculous is less common. However, people also need spiritual healing. We should be bold in our prayer for results.

c. Boldness for conviction (v.31)

When they prayed, the place was "shaken" and filled with the Holy Spirit. It is only through the Spirit that we will be able to faithfully proclaim the Word of God. We have to allow the Spirit to touch our hearts in order to do evangelism right. It is only through conviction, a heart change, that we will desire to share the Gospel. Pray for your heart to develop a burden for the lost.

In conclusion, we can share the gospel first and foremost by praying for oppurtunities. We can pray for opportunities by knowing who we are praying to (our sovereign God), who we are praying for (lost people), and what we are praying for(results).