The crippled man was lame from birth for thirty years. He is begging at the temple. The apostles are going to the temple at 3pm. They don't give this beggar money. Instead, they get his attention and he is commanded to walk. So he gets up and walks.
The people at the temple are amazed. They know this beggar. They know of his lameness. And suddenly, he is walking.
Looking Inward
But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: "'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.' "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him, "'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.' "Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, "'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool."' Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation." So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. - Acts 2:14-41 ESV
Rev. Dwight Yoo
Use of the WORD
For us to be good witnesses, we must use the word. There is hesitation on our part to bring up the Bible. Many Christians are excited about deed ministries. But we must use the word to minister well. We must have a balance of ministry between word and deed.
Christ-centered word
Peter was explaining the Pentecost and how Jesus has come... And the end of days approached. He explained how passages of the Bible spoke of Jesus as the Savior. He covered the old testament through the three major sections: the law, the prophets, and the palms. In each, Peter shows how they pointed to Jesus. He is the central figure of the entire Bible and at that time, the entirety of the Jewish scriptures.
The power of the WORD
We look at how three thousand were baptized and have some modern skeptical thoughts. We think that perhaps the people were less sophisticated.
But we forget, it was not easier back then. The Jews were greatly offended by the idea of a crucified Messiah. Greeks were polytheistic and very secular. It was not easier. So then, why? Because there is power in the WORD and in the gospel. The message itself as hard as it is to intellectually accept, is powerful.
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine." - Acts 2:1-13 ESV
Rev. Dwight Yoo
Era of the Spirit
Pentecost happened fifty days after the Passover. It was around the time of harvest, which aptly described God's harvest of souls for salvation. The Hebrew and Greek terms for the Holy Spirit were associated with wind and breath. But the Holy Spirit is not an inanimate thing; He is a person.
What is the Holy Spirit?
He is one of the three persons of the one God. He is not lesser or inferior to Jesus and God, the Father. He was hovering over the water at creation. He empowered people in the Old Testament. But this is a new period, the Holy Spirit will be poured out on all believers, young, old, male and female.
How then can one be filled with the Spirit, if they have the Spirit now and forever? How does that work? The clarification comes from the prior caution to avoid drunkenness. We are called to be influenced by the Spirit rather than strong drink.
So then, how do we know the Spirit is influencing us? The ministry of the Holy Spirit is one of spotlighting Jesus and glorifying God, the Father. He does not draw attention to himself, but rather points us to the Father and the Son. We can have periods of life where we are a source of grief for the Spirit. We go astray from the goodness of following God's desire for our lives.
Effect of the Spirit, Corporately
The Galileans were considered backwater, uncultured, and uneducated people. Hence, the surprise of the people around them. How could there be such learning of so many languages? It is the opposite of the tower of Babel. God is bringing back together that which divides us. He is reconciling all people. God brings all tribes and nations to salvation.
We, as believers, are called to live in community, not just in the community. We are to value the multitude of cultural expressions of faith and worship of God.
Effect of the Spirit, Individually
The Holy Spirit comes down as fire. It is to make our hearts burn with passion for God. He is here to empower us to witness to Christ and the Good News of salvation.
In the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, "Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people, and say, 'Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes? Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord . Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord . Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts, according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.'" On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, "Thus says the Lord of hosts: Ask the priests about the law: 'If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment and touches with his fold bread or stew or wine or oil or any kind of food, does it become holy?'" The priests answered and said, "No." Then Haggai said, "If someone who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?" The priests answered and said, "It does become unclean." Then Haggai answered and said, "So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, declares the Lord , and so with every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean. Now then, consider from this day onward. Before stone was placed upon stone in the temple of the Lord , how did you fare? When one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty. I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the Lord . Consider from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Since the day that the foundation of the Lord 's temple was laid, consider: Is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you." The word of the Lord came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, "Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother. On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the Lord , and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord of hosts." - Haggai 2:1-23 ESV
Rev. Dwight Yoo
Haggai prophesized to the generation that returned from exile. He spoke to them to turn from building their own houses and dedicate themselves to the Lord.
The first several messages of Haggai were of rebuke. The people responded by turning to God. They started working on a temple for God. But after weeks, the work was progressing slowly. The people were discouraged. So then God gives them a message of reassurance. Be strong; be courageous; take heart.
To do anything of spiritual significance, we need perseverance and tenacity. We cannot serve based purely on our personal expectations, desires, and feelings. We will desert our commitments and abandon godly convictions.
A promise
God empowers us by his presence. He is the God that parts seas. The one who brought Israel out of Egypt. We may not be enough, but God is enough. He has all the resources and ability to complete the work.
A principle
Do not repudiate small beginnings. The temple was as nothing to the Israelites. But God works through unimpressive and inconsequential looking tasks. The temple they were building did not measure up to the prior temple built by Solomon. But God works through this little temple... to foreshadow the greater temple, Jesus, who opens the way to God and greater glory and peace than any temple the people would build.
A perspective
The leader of this building project was Zerubbabel. And he was discouraged with this work. How can one who leads in spiritual work persevere? They must know that God is behind this work. God will see this through to completion, so we can work hard. Zerubbabel was reassured that God has chosen him. He needed not fear the political realities, the enemies around then, and the unknown circumstances that lie ahead. He was important to God and he promises to make him like a signet ring. A valuable symbol of power that was always heals close at hand. We as sons and daughters of God through Christ can claim this same promise.
A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth. O Lord , I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord , do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy. God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His splendor covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand; and there he veiled his power. Before him went pestilence, and plague followed at his heels. He stood and measured the earth; he looked and shook the nations; then the eternal mountains were scattered; the everlasting hills sank low. His were the everlasting ways. I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction; the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble. Was your wrath against the rivers, O Lord ? Was your anger against the rivers, or your indignation against the sea, when you rode on your horses, on your chariot of salvation? You stripped the sheath from your bow, calling for many arrows. Selah You split the earth with rivers. The mountains saw you and writhed; the raging waters swept on; the deep gave forth its voice; it lifted its hands on high. The sun and moon stood still in their place at the light of your arrows as they sped, at the flash of your glittering spear. You marched through the earth in fury; you threshed the nations in anger. You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. You crushed the head of the house of the wicked, laying him bare from thigh to neck. Selah You pierced with his own arrows the heads of his warriors, who came like a whirlwind to scatter me, rejoicing as if to devour the poor in secret. You trampled the sea with your horses, the surging of mighty waters. I hear, and my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters into my bones; my legs tremble beneath me. Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us. Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord ; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God , the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. - Habakkuk 3:1-19 ESV
Rev. Charles Han
A prayer of Transcendent joy
No crops means no seeds for the next year. No oil, no food. No herds mean no meat or milk. This is not just a Monday or a bad day. This is a catastrophic disaster. Utter desolation. The coming invasion will bring all these things to pass. So what does this joy have to do with anything? It is a joy not rooted in the things of this world. It is a joy that is not displaced by suffering. It does not make light of suffering nor does it make us immune. This joy remains in the midst of suffering and pain.
A prayer of Big Picture Faith
Rejoicing in God in the midst of suffering does not come naturally. It comes from exercising our faith. How can we rejoice in the Lord during life's trials and pain? By faith. Regardless of the troubles of the next generation or the circumstances of this life, the repentant will be saved and the unrepentant enemies of God will be judged. Come famine, slavery, oppression... God will still save and judge. The final outcome is already set.
A prayer of Unconditional Commitment
Have you found your deepest joy in God himself? This will keep us during those tough times. We go to God for material provision and health. But how about times of adversity, tribulation, and trouble? This is how we know we love God. It is a promise of faithfulness during times of trouble and times of plenty.
Job 13:15
Daniel 3:16-18
Romans 5:3-4
Shall not all these take up their taunt against him, with scoffing and riddles for him, and say, "Woe to him who heaps up what is not his own— for how long?— and loads himself with pledges!" Will not your debtors suddenly arise, and those awake who will make you tremble? Then you will be spoil for them. Because you have plundered many nations, all the remnant of the peoples shall plunder you, for the blood of man and violence to the earth, to cities and all who dwell in them. "Woe to him who gets evil gain for his house, to set his nest on high, to be safe from the reach of harm! You have devised shame for your house by cutting off many peoples; you have forfeited your life. For the stone will cry out from the wall, and the beam from the woodwork respond. "Woe to him who builds a town with blood and founds a city on iniquity! Behold, is it not from the Lord of hosts that peoples labor merely for fire, and nations weary themselves for nothing? For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. "Woe to him who makes his neighbors drink— you pour out your wrath and make them drunk, in order to gaze at their nakedness! You will have your fill of shame instead of glory. Drink, yourself, and show your uncircumcision! The cup in the Lord 's right hand will come around to you, and utter shame will come upon your glory! The violence done to Lebanon will overwhelm you, as will the destruction of the beasts that terrified them, for the blood of man and violence to the earth, to cities and all who dwell in them. "What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols! Woe to him who says to a wooden thing, Awake; to a silent stone, Arise! Can this teach? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in it. But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him." - Habakkuk 2:6-20 ESV
Rev. Dan Whang
The woes against evil
The first set of verses about woe are a taunting song. It is a song sung to enemies who have fallen. The Chaldeans were greedy. They stole, plundered, and enslaved people for their own desires. God promises that the people they plundered will themselves be plundered by those very people. No concern for the lowly poor or those who were struggling. They built houses far from others on high. Places with gigantic gates. Financial security and personal ambition can do horrendous things to the human heart. We forget that what we have is grace from God.
The Chaldeans killed people to control them. They have hearts filled with violence. We may not kill people but we all may find that we have violent hearts. We desire to bully, control, take advantage of or oppress others. We can yell or lecture those who disturb or impose on us. We are not innocent.
Sexual immorality will only bring shame. The wrong person, at the wrong time, outside the desire of God... It brings shame to the person on that screen. It feels sex trafficking.
Idolitry is serving something other than God. Looking for hope in created things rather than the Creator. Whether it be wealth, talent, comfort or any other variety of things... We depend on it save or teach us. Idolitry can lead into all these kinds of sin that the Chaldeans practiced.
Silence before the temple of God sounds so nice. But really it is the judgement of God. He will bring justice. He's fed up with injustice and suffering as well.
Promises of hope
God's plan to save is coming. The earth will be filled with the glory of God. Jesus will come and will restore all things. Justice will come. The glory will submerge all things.
Spreading His glory
Practice gentleness and compassion. Give kindness in return for evil. We leave vengeance for God. Seek accountability in battling sin. Find time to pray and keep a right perspective.
The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw. O Lord , how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you "Violence!" and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted. "Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, who march through the breadth of the earth, to seize dwellings not their own. They are dreaded and fearsome; their justice and dignity go forth from themselves. Their horses are swifter than leopards, more fierce than the evening wolves; their horsemen press proudly on. Their horsemen come from afar; they fly like an eagle swift to devour. They all come for violence, all their faces forward. They gather captives like sand. At kings they scoff, and at rulers they laugh. They laugh at every fortress, for they pile up earth and take it. Then they sweep by like the wind and go on, guilty men, whose own might is their god!" - Habakkuk 1:2-11 ESV
Rev. Dan Whang
How do we reconcile all the evil around us with the idea of a good God?
Cry against evil
The prophet cries to God. He is speaking to God about all the brokenness around him. Strife, perverted justice, and violence were all around. The prophet asked how long? Why does God not hear Habakkuk? If God is in charge, why then is would filled with such evil? How can a good God allow this?
This is an act of faith. The prophet goes to God with his complaints. Why go to God, if you don't believe God cares or God can do anything about it?
God's answer to evil
God's response is strange. It doesn't make much sense. God says that the prophet would not understand the answer. God replies that he has been raising up the bigger and badder people. The nation of Israel was turning from God and His commandments. So God says that He's bringing more trouble from outside the nation. The Chaldeans, Babylonians, would take the Israelites captive. But this was not an act of anger, it was how God was saving people. He was preparing the way for Jesus so that the good news could spread more easily through the gentiles. This was because there would be synagogues and Jews amount these other nations. There would be a place for the future disciples to go and share the news of salvation through faith in Christ. But this only makes sense in hindsight. The prophet, Habakkuk, could not have understood why God responded with more seemingly bad news when the prophet was crying of injustice... So then what? We must trust that God's plan for us is for our good, even when it doesn't appear to be so.
