Here God goes head to head against Satan. Though the conflict is carried out between God and Satan’s emissaries. Usually we concern ourselves with the will of God. At least from an intelectual perspective. In reality we generally just do what we want. God’s will has become so abstract to the Christian community we merely pay it lip-service. God’s cosmic agenda is big and bold and beyond our immediate responsibility.

But let’s face it. We are at war, spiritual war. All Paul and Barnabas were doing was being true to the mission God has given in Acts 1:8 to go to the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Cyprus was a microcosm of that mission. It became clear to Paul that the political leadership in Cyprus had to hear the gospel. In Paul’s mind that was commander intent. At all costs, if its the last thing he might do, Cyprus would know of Christ and his cross. Satan did not want the politicians on Cyprus to know of Christ. Such was the will of Satan. Paul realized for every intent of God there is an intent of Satan. Cyprus just happened to be the particular hill they were fighting over.

Kirkwood and moving to Trim Street are our Cyprus. It is a flashpoint of conflict with Satan. He does not want us to move to Trim Street. If he can keep us from crossing that street, making that move, taking on a challenge bigger than ourselves, dreaming about generations instead of dreaming about ourselves, he has won. His commander intent is to stop you from going to Trim Street and advancing the gospel in Kirkwood and Broome County. If he  can keep you here he can contain you for another generation and he will have won. We know what God’s will is. He is going to build his church, including one on Trim. We know what Satan’s will is, to keep us from moving forward and crossing the street. The question that remains is what is your will? Are you really going to let Satan keep you from moving to Trim Street?                WHB

The early followers of Jesus were “branded” Christians. What started out as a derogatory remark has become the nameplate of Christ’s church. “Brand” had gone through its own cycle of use and scrutiny, just like Christianity. In the Old West it was considered an honor to be referred to as someone who “rode for the brand.” Generally reserved for cowboys who were committed to the particular outfit they rode for. Branding has come a long way since then. Today it is generally used as a marketing term. Marketers attempt to identify a product with a symbol. The goal of branding is to connect people with a product and get you to commit to it. Needless to say in our cynical society branding is often looked upon with disdain.

The early followers of Christ were looked upon with disdain. Their cross-carrying Savior who took away sins was an object of ridicule. In this text we encounter followers of Christ who ride for the brand. They actively promote him. The text says, they were “preaching the Lord Jesus.” In today’s culture preaching is looked upon with cynicism (don’t preach at me) or it is considered in a corporate worship context (the sermon in a service). But in this text it is simply announcing the good news of Christ and his cross. They were selling the brand. Granted, many of us will be disturbed by the idea of selling/marketing Jesus. But the fact of the matter is that we have no problem marketing other things/people that we find valuable/helpful to us and to others. If you have a good Dr., you tell others about him. If you got a great deal at a store, you tell where others can get the same deal. If you found a mechanic you can trust. You are his best advertisement. We are always promoting the things that we see important. Are we promoting Christ? That’s what those who ride for the brand do.

The text goes on to express that those who ride for the brand are faithful to the brand, transformed by the brand and take care of their own (others who associate with the brand). Do you ride for the brand? Those who do have been transformed internally by the power of Christ’s cross through the activity of the Holy Spirit. The internal transformation (as expressed in Barnabas) is demonstrated through external expression (aka Saul the converted Pharisee who persecuted Christians). Christ works in us and then works his way out of us.

What is working in you? The  text begins with “those were scattered because of the persecution” (v. 19). “Persecution” means “crushed”. When crushed Christ spilled out of the early followers of Christ. When you are crushed, what/who comes out of you? What’s your brand?                                       -WHB

What we all need to participate in is the “Barnabas factor.” Were it not for Barnabas Paul would have been left out in the cold. He plays two major roles in Paul’s life. First, as advocate and then as mentor. As an advocate Barnabas did what so many of us won’t take the time to do. That is listen. Which is central to being an advocate. He took it even further when he chose to believe Paul’s story and actively speak on his behalf. Barnabas spoke for Paul and it was by his word that Paul gained entrance to the church at Jerusalem. Barnabas is in every way Jesus-like for this is exactly what Christ has done for us before the Father. “We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous” (1 John 2:1). Jesus brings us through the front door of his death and resurrection to a heavenly audience with God the Father. No back room deals here. But the public demonstration of the matchless love of God. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes on his will not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

As mentor he becomes a guide to Paul. In their early travels it is “Barnabas and Paul”  but by the end of their journeys it is, “Paul and Barnabas.” We need to be the flame that ignites a soul for Jesus. Making investments in people’s lives with the hope of nurturing faith in Christ. The Church does not need more “stuff”. We already have everything we need, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3). What we need is to give of ourselves. We are the light of the world and that light can not be extinguished, for it is Christ. Ask God to place upon your heart one person for whom you must advocate and mentor. Then be the flame that ignites a soul for Jesus.            WHB

The apostle John begins to weep bitterly at the idea that no one is worthy or able to unravel the scroll. As if the deep mysteries of God are tightly woven within it. The scroll is the future; inaccessible, unobtainable, beyond the limits of our reach.

“Behold, the loin of the tribe of Judah has overcome so he can open the scroll. It is through the cross that Christ unlocks the future. He is the key to our destiny. The cross is not the place of loss but the means of gain.

“And I saw between the throne, a lamb, as if slain.” The loin became a lamb. Do not be deceived. As a lamb the lion is pure and undefiled. The cross wounded him but it did not tame him. Even now, he bears the scars. And he will for an eternity. It echoes a harsh reminder of the sting of death and the penalty for sin. He fore bore our iniquities, he was wounded for our transgressions.

Our savior is a ferocious warrior who will not be defeated. On the cross he won the day and made a way for us into the future. The crucifixion is the day the lion became a lamb and won the day for man.        WHB

The Acts narrative experiences a major shift with the introduction of Stephen. Luke has laid the literary groundwork for his explosion into the narrative; tension with the Jewish leadership, rise of the hellenist in the church and a growing church but with a narrow vision. Stephen would become the catalyst for radical expansion of the church both geographically and ethnically. Stephen took the words of Jesus literally, “go to all nations and make disciples.”

Allow me to assuage your confusion. Stephen is a hellenistic Jew. That means he is more comfortable in greek culture than he is in jewish culture. Some might say he was downright worldly. But he becomes a deacon and begins preaching the gospel to of all people, other hellenistic Jews. He is at the synagogue of the Freedmen. It means what it says. They were a synagogue of x-slaves. The strange this is that they accuse Stephen of blasphemy. Suggesting the law of Moses would be abolished and the temple would be torn down. The text tells us false witnesses accused Stephen but I expect in some way they were not all that far off. Up till now the church was co-mingling with Judaism. I think Stephen saw the inevitable break. Christianity and Judaism were not the same. Jesus has seen to that. He had fulfilled the Law and the temple of his body had been torn down (crucified) and rebuilt (resurrected) in three days.

Stephen is Jack Bauer. He is the first one in the door. He sees the future and his choices make him a trailblazer in ministry. He becomes the first martyr. Luke quite intentionally speaks of Stephen’s stoning in the vein of the cross. Guilt drives the crowd mad and they proceed to stone Stephen. He is the one who’s face is like an angel. He is the one who sees Jesus at the right hand of the Father. He is the one who in his last breath says, “forgive them.” The text echoes the golgothic narrative.

Stephen is like Christ, his Savior. Just about the time the Church was about to settle into its comfortable existence, Stephen caused a blowout. Things would never be the same and there was no going back. The church needs its Stephen’s. Who will be Jack Bauer?  WHB