The Italian Memorandum

“You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.”

(Acts 2:28 ESV)

In our experience, the typical preaching emphasis of Acts 2 has been to use 2:28 to get to 2:38. Perhaps, it can be argued that the plan of salvation is so beautifully arranged in that one single verse of 2:38 that 2:28 is something of a stepping stone. However, we have found that Acts 2:28 holds real delight for those who have already been added to the church, according to Acts 2:41.

1. Acts 2:28 comes from Psalm 16, a Psalm of David. As such, Christians are reminded that Jesus is David’s ultimate Messianic subject (2:25). We are, therefore, a people of the Messiah: with a royalty behind us, and a majesty before us (2:30,37).

2. In Psalm 16:11, David speaks in the first person. The life of David was bound up in the coming of Messiah. Christians are people whose lives, also, are bonded to their Lord, inseparable with him—one with Christ, we say.

3. Acts 2:28 (because of the above observations) offers specific benefits:

a. Knowledge –         Cognitive (logos)
b. The paths of life – Moral (ethos)
c. Full of gladness –   Emotional (pathos)
d. Your presence –     Spiritual (theos)

– Robert M. Housby

“Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear”

(Luke 14:34-35)

Introduction: Salt (Greek, halas) has religious significance in the ancient world (TDNT, 228). Many moderns will not get this. But, for him that has ears to hear, salt will make a difference.

I. The Religious Significance of Salt

A. Used in OT worship (Ex. 30:35).
B. Re: Covenant (Num. 18:19; Lev. 2:13; 2 Chron. 13:5).
C. Used in the NT as the inner mark of the disciple

1. Mk. 9:49-50 (1 Cor. 3:13)
2. Col. 4:6
3. Matt. 5:13

II. Attempts Toward Salt Substitutes

A. The Dash ______________ of _______________.

B. The Accent on __________ rather than ________.

C. Why we substitute –

1. ______________________________________.

2. ______________________________________.

Conclusion: Redemptive living is about your religious salt. Are you in covenant? Are you involved in worship? Will you hear Jesus today?

(The following list has been adapted from the respected scholarship of G.R. Beasley-Murray, in his book, Baptism in the New Testament. “Baptism saves, not because water washes dirt from the body, but as the occasion when a man is met by the risen Christ” (pp. 264-265).

1. The forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).
2. The cleansing from sins (Acts 22:16; 1 Cor. 6:11).
3. Union with Christ (Gal. 3:27).
4. Union in his death and resurrection (Rom. 6:3-6; Col. 2:10-12).
5. Release from sins power and guilt (Romans 6:1-11, 17-18).
6. Participation in Christ’s Sonship (Gal. 3:26,27).
7. Consecration to God (1 Cor. 6:11).
8. Membership in the church, the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13).
9. Possession of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
10. New life in the Spirit and regeneration (Jn. 3:5; Tit. 3:5).
11. Help to live according to the will of God (Rom. 6:6-7; 11-14).
12. The answer of a good conscience toward God (1 Pet. 3:21).

From time to time, we meet people who have been exposed to a denominational type of Christianity, who reject what the Bible says about baptism. They make up their own little creeds about baptism and recite the doctrines of men rather than what the Scriptures affirm about it. They contend that baptism is an outward expression of an inward grace, and so forth. But, as the above scripture references confirm, Calvinistic–saved at the altar type experiences–are but human substitutes for the Word of God—“Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you” (1 Peter 3:21).

Would you obey the command to be baptized and become a New Testament Christian today? The benefits are for those who are Scripturally baptized.

– Robert M. Housby

“If anyone comes to me…”

(Luke 14:26)

Introduction: Luke 14:25-33 is about discipleship. The term “disciple” is used in this passage 3 times—beginning (v. 26); middle (v. 27); and end (v. 33).

I. 14:25 – Popularity in Perea

II. 14:26-27 –The Demands of Discipleship

III. 14:28-32 –Two Illustrations: Re: Counting the Cost

A. Tower building project (vv. 28-30)

B. Battle deliberations (vv. 31-32)

Conclusion: Jesus’ conclusion is expressed in 14:33.

[The following points have been adapted/revised from Dr. Evertt W. Huffard (Vice President/Dean and Professor, Harding Graduate School Religion) 2006-2007 Catalog]

In his book Spiritual Leadership, J. Oswald Chambers observed that, “Courage of the highest order is demanded of spiritual leaders—always moral courage and frequently physical courage as well” (Page 86).

As our world continues to slide into self-serving relativism, as families lose their stability…the cry for courage to lead grows louder. As good men and women hesitate to lead at all levels because we are such terrible followers, the courage to lead continues…As leaders at all levels seem to lack the will or strength to do what is right…models of courageous leadership becomes more difficult to find. To be people of moral courage is Paul’s admonition in 1 Corinthians 16:13 and 2 Timothy 1:7: “be men of courage” and “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline”

1. The courage to lead starts within our own souls (Mark 10:43-44).
2. Leadership in the home requires courage (Deuteronomy6:7-9).
3. Leading a church takes more courage than managing one (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15).

One reason for the decline in churches is overmanagement and underleadership. Too many congregations lack members with courage to confront conflict or assume responsibility for fear of criticism.

Lead your family today as the leader that God knows you can be. Lead with moral courage.

– Robert M. Housby

“A man once gave a great banquet and invited many”

(Luke 14:16)

Introduction: This parable (think spiritual application) teaches that the kingdom is like a ________________.

I. Background of the banquet (vv. 15-17) (Isaiah 25:6) –

II. Excuse Making 101 (vv. 18-20)

A. _________________ : _________________

B. _________________ : _________________

C. _________________ : _________________

III. What is learnt about the kingdom (vv. 21-24)

A. ________________________________________________

B. ________________________________________________

C. ________________________________________________

Conclusion: Luke 14:15-24 is the theological basis for, All Things Are Ready (#23): “All things are ready, come to the feast.”

“…they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one”

(Hebrews 11:16)

Growing up in northern Illinois, where fireworks were not legally sold, naturally I was overjoyed when my friend informed me that his family was traveling to Missouri and that he had plans to bring back boxes of fireworks. That summer was spent throwing firecrackers at passing cars from a concealed location across a canal, where the culprits could not be seen. The adrenaline flowed like soda that summer. Many years later (having repented of those deeds) and now living in Missouri, with Boomland so near, I could care less. Isn’t that the way it is with immaturity? We think that we know what we want out of life, and then when it comes our way we have lost interest. Still, the “precious faith” (2 Peter 1:1) is persistently and consistently precious. It does not wane with the years; sag with the tears; or feign with the rain. The Christian faith has a hope that begins in this life and reaches into the next.

Some Christian groups (individuals), in order to pursue their immature need for the pops and cracks of adolescence, must worship with the innovations of musical bands; religious garments; incense; statues of saints; holy water; ad infinitum. But, we did not so learn Christ (see Eph. 4:20). These sensual aspects of church worship are a better reflection of pagan culture, than the Acts of the Apostles (Eph. 4:17-24).

That happy place is neither Missouri nor Boomland, but heaven (Colossians 1:5). May your hope bring you to worship God daily, in the specific splendor of the simplicity which is in Christ (2 Cor. 11:3,4).

– Robert M. Housby

“You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just”

(Luke 14:14)

Introduction: Once again, parables are meant to make spiritual applications. Luke 14:12-14 is not typically how men think.

I. 14:12a “He said also…”

II. 14:12b Why is this even important?

III. 14:13 Oh?!

IV. 14:14 ___________, ___________

Conclusion: “For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). Will you respond to the invitation (R.S.V.P.)?