Christian Passover Seder Script - 1 Hour Length

Jews across the ages have celebrated the Seder meal to remember the Passover when God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, to the promised land. We Christians share in this lineage, as we are delivered from the wrath of God by the precious blood of Jesus Christ our savior. 

To that end many Christians are beginning to practice a Christian form of the Jewish Seder feast, to celebrate all Jesus has done for us. Here is a guide for a messianic seder, with a one hour estimated length. 

FORMAT:

Welcome – Opening Prayer

-Explain the Seder meal - The Seder meal is designed to remind us of the Israelites’ experience of Egyptian slavery, and how God redeemed them from Egypt. The Seder shows us that the Passover holiday is a commemoration of both suffering and joy.

As Christians we can celebrate this special ceremony, and let it remind us of how Jesus Christ became our Passover sacrifice, who delivers us from sin and judgment, and into acceptance, holiness and love. Tonight we will gather as the disciples did, on the night before Jesus was betrayed and crucified, to remember all Jesus did for us.

We pray today: “May all who are enslaved throughout the world come to know freedom. May all who are free, appreciate the blessings of abundance. And may all of us dwell in the house of God and give thanks for our good fortune as we celebrate the Seder together.”

From John 13: “It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God”

To begin we light the candles. The woman of the house recites the following prayer:

Woman of the House: Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Thy Spirit and commanded us to shine brightly for Him.” (After candles are lit)

Symbolic Hand-Washing
Urchatz (oor-KHAHTS (oor-KHATS))

John 13:4-5 “so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

Pour water from a cup once on each hand over a sink or basin, declaring: “Christ bless you today”

Older Daughter: (goes to the door and opens it for a moment as a sign that the poor and lonely are welcome at our table and in our hearts. Welcome! Welcome! All: (Stand for a moment as a sign of respect for the poor, the helpless the homeless, the homebound and the lonely.)

Kiddush, First Cup: The Cup of Sanctification

Next is a blessing recited over the first cup, the Cup of Sanctification (also called the Cup of Blessing). This first cup is meant to sanctify—to set apart—the rest of the evening as a holy occasion. We fill the cup until it overflows, as in Jewish tradition a full cup is a symbol of joy.

From Psalm 23: “My cups overflows”

Passover moves us to rejoice and celebrate God’s goodness

to His people. As a symbol of freedom, we drink comfortably leaning to the left.

Leader recites: “Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.”

The Questions:

(youngest in the room reads)

Why is this night different from all the other nights?

In what ways do you find this night different?

In 4 ways do I find this night different

On all other nights we may eat chametz and matzah but on this night, only matzah.

On all other nights we eat many vegetables, but on this night only maror.

On all other nights, we don’t dip even once, but on this night we dip twice.

On all other nights, we eat either sitting up or reclining, but on this night, we all recline.”

Leader: ‘We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt, and God brought us out with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. And if God had not brought our ancestors out of Egypt, we and our children and our children’s children would still be subjugated to Pharaoh in Egypt.”

Leader: “We too were once slaves to sin, and God brought us out with his strong hand of mercy, Jesus Christ, and an outstretched arm of forgiveness. If God had not sent Jesus, we and our ancestors and our children and our children’s children would still be subjugated to Satan in the grips of sin.”

Psalm 114
1 When Israel came out of Egypt,
Jacob from a people of foreign tongue,
2 Judah became God’s sanctuary,
Israel his dominion.
3 The sea looked and fled,
the Jordan turned back;
4 the mountains leaped like rams,
the hills like lambs.
5 Why was it, sea, that you fled?
Why, Jordan, did you turn back?
6 Why, mountains, did you leap like rams,
you hills, like lambs?
7 Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord,
at the presence of the God of Jacob,
8 who turned the rock into a pool,
the hard rock into springs of water.

Psalm 2:7-12 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:
He said to me, “You are my son;
today I have become your father.
8 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron[b];
you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”

Serve the flat bread.

We remember with great thankfulness, that Jesus gathered with his disciples in the upper room: “22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”

Taste the bread, it reminds us that when the Israelites prepared to leave Egyptian slavery for the promised land they could not make normal bread, but they made flat bread, to carry with them in their bags more easily. And I want you to break the bread before you eat it. It reminds us that Jesus Christ body had to be broken for us, broken to give us new life, broken because of our sins, broken to give us wholeness. Take it and eat.

Serve the Horseradish.

Horseradish (bitter herbs) Taste the bitter herbs that remind us of the bitter affliction of slavery in Egypt. And our past slavery to sin before Christ saved us.

2nd Cup - The Cup of Deliverance/Plagues - "I will deliver you"

This cup reminds us of the deliverance of God, though we suffered in the bitterness of sin and brokenness, God came to us, to begin to rescue us, and deliver us. Think about how he did it in your own life.. as we drink

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine, who delivered us and continues to deliver us from the slavery of sin. Amen”

Serve the Parsley with salt water to dip in.

Taste the parsley dipped in salt water. Taste it remember the bitter tears of God’s people shed when they were enslaved. And it reminds us today of the bitter tears of our slavery to sin and death, before Jesus saved us. It reminds us of the tears Jesus wept in the garden of Gethsemane. And the tears of our afflictions as we walk the road of Jesus in this life, carrying our crosses daily.

Serve the Haroseth.

Taste the haroseth. The mud the Israelite slaves had to use to make bricks to build the wealth of Egypt for the pharaoh. It also reminds us as Christians of the dust that we came from, the dirt of sin that we once dwelled in, and how Jesus saved us from the mud and filth of sin through which we deserved destruction.

Present the bone. (The lamb)

View the bone, hold it. It represents the Passover lamb, that was slaughtered by the Israelites on the night that the angel of death came throughout Egypt, killing the first born sons of the Egyptians, but passing over the doors of those who had slaughtered the Passover lamb and placed it's blood on their doors.

In the same way Jesus became our Passover lamb so that the wrath of God would Passover us, because we are washed in the blood of Jesus. Not a single bone of Jesus was broken when he was nailed to the cross.

3rd cup - Cup 3: The Cup of Redemption - "I will redeem you"

Jesus said: 24 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” -Mark 14:24-25

“Blessed are you Lord our God, King of the Universe, who provides us the blood of your son Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our sins and the redemption of our souls.”

Serve the eggs.

Taste the egg, it reminds us of springtime, the springtime of a new day for Israel as God led them out of Egypt and toward the promised land, a land flowing with milk and honey. And as Christians it reminds us of new life, because we have been born again, like a chick is born, born new, of the Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus our savior. It reminds us of the empty tomb, that Jesus Christ rose again from the grave to give us new life.

4th cup - Jesus 2nd coming - Cup 4: The Cup of Hope - "I will take you"

Welcoming Elijah The fourth and final cup of wine is now filled. An additional cup is then filled and set aside for the prophet Elijah (Eliyahu).

The fourth cup, we celebrate the hope of the second coming of Jesus Christ, as it says “I will take you.” Jesus will come, and take us to heaven one day soon.

The oldest goes and opens the door, and says, “Maranatha, come Lord Jesus.”

“Blessed are you Lord our God, who sends your Son again to defeat the devil and reward your people with eternal life!”

Dayyenu (closing ceremony)

Pronounced dah-yeh-noo, meaning,”It would have been enough.”

All stand with cups and take a sip after each response.

Presider: Had God just saved us from slavery and not taken care of us in the wilderness…

All; Dayyenu, Dayyenu. It would’ve been enough.

Had He just fed us with manna and not made us His chosen people.

All: Dayyenu, Dayyenu. It would’ve been enough.

Had He given us kings to lead us and not promised a Messiah.

All: Dayyenu, Dayyenu. It would’ve been enough.

Had He sent prophets and angels and not His only Son.

All: Dayyenu, Dayyenu. It would’ve been enough.

Had Jesus just instructed us and not healed our infirmities.

All: Dayyenu, Dayyenu. It would’ve been enough.

Had Jesus healed our infirmities and not died for our sins.

All: Dayyenu, Dayyenu. It would’ve been enough.

Had He died for our sins but not risen to free us from death.

All: Dayyenu, Dayyenu. It would’ve been enough.

Had He freed us from death and not sent His Holy Spirit.

All: Dayyenu, Dayyenu. It would’ve been enough.

Had He sent His Spirit and not promised to be with the Church

All: Dayyenu, Dayyenu. It would’ve been enough.

Had he promised to be with the Church and not set a place for us at His eternal supper.

All: Dayyenu, Dayyenu, It would’ve been enough.

Had he promised to set a place us at His eternal supper, but not promised to come again to get us.

All: Dayyenu, Dayyenu, It would’ve been enough.

Yet he did all of this, and more, promising us a place in the new heavens and new Earth, praise the Lord! Maranatha, come Lord Jesus!

All: Dayyenu, Dayyenu, it is more than enough!

Closing Prayer:
Thank you God, for all the blessings you have bestowed upon us! You led us out of Egypt, slavery, and oppression. You brought the plagues against the Egyptians, slew their firstborn, and brought us their wealth.

You split open the red sea, then drowned our oppressors. Thank you for taking care of us in the desert for 40 years. You fed us manna, gave us sabbath, then brought us to mount Sinai to give us the Torah and your commandments. Thank you, oh God, for bringing us to the Land of Israel, making us a great nation.

And thank you God for sending Jesus Christ, born to the virgin Mary. Thank you God for how he healed the sick and the lame. Thank you God that he spoke the truth, and gave us bread from heaven, his own flesh and blood. Thank you that he was crushed for us on the cross, to remove our sins, and give us new life. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who dwells with us now. Thank you that Jesus Christ will return to set up his kingdom on this Earth one day soon.

The Miraculous Power of the Holy Spirit

“A shadow moved across dusty hills and slipped into a country shack. The Spirit moved past the others there, to a sleeping girl. This teenage peasant girl would be astonished to know that the Spirit hovering over her bed had traveled across galaxies to find her. The voice of an angel later spoke to her, giving her instructions. And she gave a simple response. Even now she felt very little as he whispered a command and a miracle took place in her womb. She stirred ever so slightly, unaware that the fullness of God now dwelt in the microscopic cells that were the beginnings of a boy. In the months to come, her belly would swell until she felt like she was going to explode. She would go through the crucible of a mother’s labor, until Jesus was born. Mary would wrap him in rags and present him as God’s gift to the world.

After birthing Jesus, she would keep a home for her carpenter husband and give birth to several more children. Mary would manage her children in primitive, impoverished conditions, working her fingers to the bone til she dropped off to sleep exhausted at each day’s end. She would grow old before her time, worn and stooped over by the harsh conditions of a difficult life. At the cross, her poverty would be so pronounced that her crucified son would tell a disciple to take her into his home. We last see her after the resurrection of Jesus, in the upper room. She is listed among the rest, no greater than anyone else in the room. After that, we get no further mention of her in scripture.

This is the real Mary. In a sense, she is no different from the rest of us. Like us, she had admirable qualities and glaring faults. Jesus even gently corrected her several times. Though her conception of Jesus was miraculous, the Bible never presents her birth as immaculate. She is not a perpetual virgin. She was born a sinner like the rest of us. Yet she was the most blessed of all women, given the privilege of carrying, birthing, and nurturing the only begotten son of God. She also bore the excruciating sorrow of watching her beloved son be rejected, despised, betrayed, tortured, and crucified." -Robert Petterson, The One Year Book of Amazing Stories (abridged, edited)

It’s not Christmas, so why are we talking about Mary? Well, I want you to think about Mary, and the supernatural event in which she became pregnant with Jesus.

She was an average person, but she lived a holy life with God. She was humble, and had a servant attitude. And then the day came when the angel spoke to her, and her response was simple: Yes, I receive it. May it be so.

I want us to connect that simple faith to receive from God that Mary had, to the disciples, and how they received the baptism or infilling of the Holy Spirit.

And hopefully we can also see today, that we like Mary, can simply receive from God, if we’re ready, power from heaven, to do great deeds in Jesus name.

Jesus had told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem to receive the Spirit. And so the disciples waited, in the midst of the festival of harvest. There were thousands of people in the capital city of Jerusalem at this time. A heavenly wind suddenly blew threw the area. Flames of fire rested on each of the disciples and they began to speak in the languages of numerous people who were visiting Jerusalem during that time. The crowds were astonished, hearing the power of God in their own languages. But some in the crowd accused them of being drunk.

This is our context for the situation we discuss today, that took place two thousand years ago. The Lord made sure many people heard and saw this incident.

The crowds gathered around. And I love how the NASB renders this verse: "Peter took his stand." All the eleven stood up, and they were bold.

First point today, a disciple of Jesus is ever increasingly bold in their faith. That is the concept of taking a stand. And I think it’s a process. At first we’re nervous to pray with someone or share our faith. But, pretty soon, we take an opportunity to bless someone. Then we do it again. Soon we’re trying something even more bold. And that process leads toward more and more boldness.

Verses 14 say this: "Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.”

Peter raised his voice, speaking loudly so the crowd could hear him. And he began to give an address.

He says to them, let me explain this, and listen carefully.

Verse 15, “These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!”

There is always a division when God does something. Some will turn toward it and say, that’s God at work. And others will sneer at it, and say it’s just a coincidence, it’s just this, it’s just that. They explain it away.

Second point, a disciple of Jesus understands that some will reject the message. We must accept this fact, and move forward. Everyone must make their choice. I try to remind myself, I can’t save everyone, but God will point me toward those who are ready to hear. Also, never underestimate a few words spoken at the right moment. A faithful disciple knows timing. Timing is key. At the right moment, it can change everything.

Peter goes on to explain: Verse 16: "No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel…"

This event was a fulfillment of prophecy given by the prophet Joel in the Old Testament. Joel wrote these words 800 years before Jesus was born.

It’s interesting we don’t think this way, in terms of prophecies, but the Jews did. It’s a good reminder, that God knows every day what will occur before it happens.

A disciple of Jesus knows prophecy is real. And it continues to this very day.

Peter is going to quote from Joel 2:28-32.

Jesus often spoke of the Holy Spirit as a guide and helper for believers, who would remind people of the words of Jesus, he would convict us of sin, and lead us into all truth. When Jesus breathed on the believers in the upper room, in John 21, they received the Holy Spirit. Yet he also told them to wait in Jerusalem to be baptized in the Spirit. That’s what we’re talking about today, which is a separate experience.

Holy Spirit presence means guidance and presence.
Holy Spirit baptism means supernatural power. 

As it says in verse 17...

Verse 17: “In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.”

We see Peter quoting three distinct supernatural experiences.

The first is to prophesy. The Holy Spirit empowers you in a way, where you know something, about someone’s life or future, and you tell it to them.

The second is a vision. The Holy Spirit gives you a vision, where you see something, you aren’t asleep, and you have a vision from God, often with the purpose that you share it with others.

The third is a dream. This is no weird stress dream, this is the Holy Spirit giving you a dream that communicates a mystery to you, often about the future.

Next point, a disciple experiences the supernatural from God. Because they’ve said yes to it through faith.

Do you believe in prophesy, visions, and dreams? I think many of us secretly don’t really believe. We doubt such things still happen. But they happen everyday. And if we aren’t experiencing them, maybe it’s because we’ve decided they aren’t possible. But the Bible tells us they are. And the Bible is always right. So maybe it’s time to change our theology!

Now this doesn’t mean that every time you turn around you’re seeing a new vision or dream. It tends to be rare and for a particular purpose, but, don’t discount it in your life. God can do anything!

Next, verse 18: "Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy."

It’s interesting often in the Bible it will reference only men, it will say “brothers.” Many of our modern translations change it to “brothers and sisters” but right here in the original Greek it is saying both men and women will have these giftings. This is an explicit declaration, women equally share in Spirit gifting.

I hope we all already know that, but if we don’t, there it is.

“I can’t be a powerhouse disciple because I’m not a man" is of course, nonsense.

Next, verse 19: "I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.”

Not only are we as God’s disciples called to the supernatural, God himself also personally will show wonders and signs in the sky and on the Earth.

Blood, Fire, and Billows of Smoke are all references to future judgment, that will take place in the end times described in the book of Revelation.

As disciples we know that one day, there will come a time of great trouble on the Earth, called the tribulation, where God will judge the nations. We see intense imagery therein, like a third of the oceans turning into blood. We see the fall of Babylon in Revelation, burned with fire. We see the bottomless pit that Satan is thrown into, that pours out billows of smoke. This is apocalyptic imagery. 

Peter is citing scripture to stir people up. He wants them to realize that this reality we live in now, where we wake up each day, brush our teeth, eat breakfast and go to work, is temporary. The sun goes up, the sun goes down, but one day, everything will change. And a day of judgment is coming.

He continues, verse 20: “The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.”

In fact, if it’s true that Jesus was crucified on April 3rd, AD 33, we know astronomically that a blood moon occurred that night. I'm speculating of course, but it's an interesting fact. 

But this refers to a future time again, in the end times, referencing Revelation 6:12, the breaking of the sixth seal, where the sun goes dark, and the moon turns the color of blood.

Before the coming, it says, of the day of the Lord. The day of the Lord is the day of judgment, when all of us will be evaluated based on how we lived. Were we faithful or were we living a double life? Were we true Christians, or did we live with one foot in and one foot out? Did we live in secret sins, or did we live holy lives? All the truth will come out on that day.

Next point, a disciple of Jesus is preparing for the day of the Lord. And how does one prepare for the day of the Lord? By developing a close relationship with Jesus, and by putting sin out of our lives radically.

And Peter tells every single person at this gathering, how to escape the wrath that is coming on the world.

Verse 21: “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

There is a pathway out of this wilderness we find ourselves in. It requires us to turn toward the God we so often seek to escape, and to allow Him to be Lord over our lives, and to change us into what he desires us to be.

And just because you’re at church on a Sunday doesn’t necessarily mean you’re on that path. It’s a good thing, don’t get me wrong, but ultimately only you know if you’ve really given your heart to God.

The disciple of Jesus, is in fact one who is committed to helping others know that they need to call out to Jesus to be saved.

That is our chief commitment, it’s what we promote, it’s what we tell others about, it’s the central focus of our lives, telling others about the Nazarene, and how he can change their lives. Nothing else matters more in this world, but that people would know Him.

So Peter has pointed to the crowds, who have just witnessed a supernatural wind blow through the city, the reality of the power of the Holy Spirit. All people, in this new era of God’s kingdom will receive supernatural giftings, prophesy, visions, dreams, and many other gifts.

Power in the Spirit, given at Pentecost.
Miracle and the supernatural in the end times.
The danger of coming judgment.
And the need to call upon God to be saved.

Now Peter is going to point the crowds directly toward Jesus.

Verse 22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.”

I want you to notice how brilliant this statement is from Peter. Jesus of Nazareth, a man, who lived in a particular place, was accredited by God to you.

Accreditation is a powerful thing. If something is accredited in our society it means it’s been tested in numerous ways to make sure it has met clear standards of quality and evidence.

Jesus is a message to us, accredited in certain ways, accredited how? By God to you, from God to you, proven by miracles, signs and wonders.

Every miracle, sign and wonder Jesus did, turning water into wine, feeding the five thousand, walking on water, raising Lazarus from the dead, they all proved clearly that Jesus was the son of God. 

God did miracles through Jesus. Do you think also, that Jesus, through the Holy Spirit could do miracles through you? Greater things, you will do, Jesus said. Because Jesus went to the right hand of God.

Through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, through faith, through Jesus Christ, anything is possible.

And this brings us to our teaching of Jesus for this message, from Matthew 19:26, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

We can't walk in the supernatural ourselves. It's impossible by human reason. But with God dwelling within us, suddenly anything is possible. The Holy Spirit is God within us. But what happens when that Holy Spirit within us goes from indwelling, to baptism, or "filled with"? Suddenly, something special happens. God can do a miracle through you. Yes, you. Because the power that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you. But we must go from Holy Spirit within, to baptized in blazing fire. How do we do that? By believing that anything is possible, and receiving it by faith. 

Peter continues, verse 23: "This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross."

Peter emphasizes again, that all of this was planned by God, a deliberate plan, to provide a pathway for lost humanity. Peter says it clearly, you, with the help of wicked men, put Jesus to death. We all played a part in that, yet Jesus was willing to do it, to make a way for us home.

A disciple knows, that the blood of Jesus was something their sins played a part in. They know the cost Jesus paid. They know a deep gratitude in their hearts for what Jesus did. 

Lastly, verse 24: "But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him."

This is the gospel, God raised Jesus from the dead. It says God freed Jesus from the agony of death, death could not hold Jesus, because Jesus was holy and pure. And so Jesus is our living savior today.

So in conclusion today, what is the key principle, for a disciple of Jesus to follow from our scriptures today?

Before we get there, let’s review our main points.

A disciple...

1.  Is ever increasingly bold in their faith
2.  Understands some will reject the message
3.  Knows prophecy is real & God is in control
4.  Experiences the supernatural power of God
5.  Is preparing for the Day of the Lord
6.  Is committed to telling others about Jesus
7.  Has a deep gratitude for what Jesus did

And now the key principle...

A simple truth: A disciple walks in the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit Baptism, for the purpose of proclaiming Jesus.

This supernatural event, of the tongues of fire, the supernatural blowing wind through the area, was all a work of God. The disciples simply waited for it, and received it when it came.

Same with Mary, at the beginning of our message, she was humble, faithful, waited, and when God spoke, she simply agreed to receive.

So it is with us as well, these are works of God, we ought to walk in them, and then, anything is possible. Dare to believe. Honestly, dare to believe. We so often limit ourselves by what we think is possible. Go beyond the religious dogma. Throw out the box you keep your idea of God in! 

Believe that God can do anything, even through you. Because the Spirit of God lives in you. That is my challenge to you today, dare to believe for more, the strange, supernatural, the glorious, the exceedingly amazing work of God in your life. And even Christ working through you, to do something miraculous. Anything is possible, with God. Believe for more! Bigger, wider, deeper faith. Supernatural faith.

Prayer: Father, we repent of limiting you, we repent of putting you in a box. We repent of seeing the supernatural in the Bible and then refusing to believe that you do the same today. Forgive us Lord for placing human limitations on what you can do in the world and on what you can do through us. We turn now and dare to believe in the God of the supernatural. We turn to you now Father, and we ask not just for the Holy Spirit within us, but the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the blazing fire that landed on the disciples at Pentecost. Do miracles through us Heavenly Father, we ask for it today, and we receive it today, by faith, in Jesus name, amen. 

How to Make a Difficult Decision as a Christian

In 1971 during the Vietnam war there was a Vietnamese translator who worked with a famous Christian evangelist. He translated him as he traveled throughout Vietnam during the war. This young translator was named Hien Pham. Unfortunately, Vietnam fell to the communists, and Hen was arrested for his work. He spent years in prison. “After Hien was released from prison, he secretly began building a boat with about 53 other people to flee communist Vietnam. Just before they were going to leave, four Viet Cong soldiers came to his door and accused him of planning an escape.

At first, Hien lied and denied it. The soldiers left—but afterward Hien felt convicted. He felt he was taking control away from God. He prayed that if they came back, he would tell the truth.

A few hours before the escape, the same four men returned. They asked him again if he was escaping.

This time Hien answered:

“Yes, I am with fifty-three others. Are you going to imprison me again?”

Instead of arresting him, the men leaned forward and whispered:

“No. We want to escape with you.”

So the group grew to 58 people, and they escaped by boat into the South China Sea. During the voyage, a violent storm hit. Hien shared that those four Viet Cong turned out to be fishermen, and their sailing skills were what got them safely to Thailand. Without them, they would have died at sea.” -Tim Campbell, illustration

What if Hien had ignored the conviction of the Holy Spirit? He might’ve never made it safely to America. Well, today we’re talking about a process for decision making. How do we make decisions as a church and as individuals in accordance with what God wants?

For this we continue our series, Follow Me, and today we consider how a disciple makes decisions. We pick up in Acts where we left off, just after the moment Jesus had ascended into the sky.

It had been an unforgettable moment. Jesus their dearest friend, their Lord, rising into the heavens. Then angels appearing telling them Jesus would return again one day.

But today we get the details of what happened immediately after.

From Acts 1:12: “12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 

So the ascension of Jesus took place on the Mount of Olives, which is about a half mile outside Jerusalem, and after this event they head back to the city.

Verse 13: "When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.”

So they’re in Jerusalem, at the upper room they’ve been staying in over the festival. And we’re told who is present. We have all of the eleven remaining disciples of Jesus, led by Peter.

Let’s see what the disciples did as they gathered in this upper room.

Next, verse 14: "They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers."

So, we have the eleven disciples, and the women followers of Jesus here as well, this would’ve included Mary Magdalene, Salome, and Joanna, among others. We also see Jesus’ mother present. And what’s interesting is we have Jesus’ brothers present, James, Joseph, Simon, and Jude. You’ll recognize James and Jude, because they wrote books of the New Testament, named after them.

It says they joined together constantly in prayer. They are spending every day together, praying.

Being constantly united in prayer, unites us in the Spirit, and pushes us forward toward the will of God, like riding a wave into God’s unveiling plan.

But if we miss prayer, particularly praying together, I think we begin to miss the will of God, and blunder forward unaware of his plans and purposes. Then we just kind of make it up as we go along, and miss what he really has for us.

Are you following his route or have you carved your own path through the woods, and landed in the wrong place? It’s never too late to redirect your course toward his will. As soon as you acknowledge Him, as the scripture says, and ask for the course correction, God will start cutting a path for you toward what he originally desired for your life.

It’s kind of like how we enter an address into our GPS, but then we start going the opposite direction. Still the GPS keeps rerouting, replotting the course to get you to where you need to be. It’s never too late to get to where God wants you.

The key truth we must understand today is that we aren’t really in charge of our lives.

Next, verse 15: In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)

Peter is in leadership. It’s kind of like the structure of a church today. You have the pastor who is the shepherd of the flock, you have the other apostles, who are kind of like the elders, and you have the 120, kind of like a church congregation. Quite fascinating.

Next, verses 16-17, Peter says..., “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”

Peter is addressing the situation that occurred the night Jesus was betrayed. He is referencing Judas, and how Judas led the guards to come and arrest Jesus. And Peter reminds the gathering, that all of this was prophesied in the Old Testament.

Notice it says, that Judas was a guide for those who arrested Jesus. And I think in the context of what it means to be a disciple, we must remember that at times, the enemy will attempt to use us.

It happened to Peter himself, who one moment proclaimed Jesus as the messiah, and the next, Jesus told him, get behind me Satan. In a faith community, we can be used by the devil if we aren’t careful. We can end up being a guide for the evil one, for his purposes and will. Self gets in the way, and the devil can influence us, often through pride, or wanting our way. Guard against it.

Next, in verses 18-19 we get Luke, the observer who is recording the events of Acts, give us information on what happened to Judas after he betrayed Jesus.

Verses 18-19: 18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

This is a gruesome depiction. We see Judas purchased a field with the thirty pieces of silver, other accounts say he returned the thirty pieces of silver, and the field was bought by the Sanhedrin. Either way, the field came from the payment Judas received. Certain accounts say Judas hanged himself, here we’re told he fell headlong, and his body burst open, (perhaps both are true) and his intestines spilled out. Judas was punished for his sin.

Next we see Peter continue his speech, verse 20: “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms: “‘May his place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in it,’
and, “‘May another take his place of leadership.’

Peter quotes psalm 69:25 and psalm 109:8. Notice as leader here, Peter sees what happened to Judas, he connects it with scripture immediately understanding, that all this happened according to God’s will. And a replacement was needed.

Peter continues, verses 21-22: "21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

Now comes the challenge, who do we replace him with? I’m sure there were many who had traveled with the disciples from the beginning.

Peter knows that Jesus commanded them to be witnesses. So the person in question had to have been with them from the beginning, and saw the things Jesus did, his life, his death, and resurrection.

How do you go about making a difficult decision? Peter looked to scripture. I hope we also look to scripture. Inspired by the Spirit as well. And it filled a current need.

Scripture, Spirit, Need. But still, how do we know who or what to do?

Next verse 23: "So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias."

The church take nominations, or perhaps it was handled by the eleven disciples, we don’t know, but we do know that through a process of nominations, they called forward two men, Joseph and Matthias.

We often do this when we’re attempting to make a decision. We gather together a list of options. We say Ok, I can do this, that, or the other thing. That’s wise. If you have a tough decision to make, about anything, work, a relationship, faith, life choices, sit down and write out your options. Here’s what I can do. So we narrow it down with wisdom and knowledge.

What did they do next? Verses 24-25: Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.”

Then they prayed. Lord, show us. Lord, show us your choice. Not ours, but yours.

Once we’ve narrowed things down through scripture, and in prayer, we step into a new kind of prayer: A direct inquiry to the Lord. We may often ask: "Lord guide me, Lord, show me the way." But this prayer is very direct, "Lord, which of these options is the correct course to take?"

What teaching of Jesus are the disciples following? I think it goes back to the sending out of the 72 in Luke’s gospel. Jesus sent out 72 of his followers to minister, to heal, and to cast out devils. They came back, and Jesus celebrated with them.

Luke 10:21-22 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

As Jesus taught us, our Father has hidden the mysteries of God from those who think they are great, the prideful, and he has chosen to reveal it to little children, to the humble, to those who are willing to come to the Father like a little child, and simply ask, "Daddy, what should we do?" This gave Jesus great joy to speak this truth.

And I think it should also give us great joy, that Jesus has given us this radical access to the Father. The Son has chosen to reveal the Father to us, and so we enjoy access. But we must choose to utilize it. Come as a humble child. And that’s just what the disciples do.

How little we see that happen in big businesses, how little we see that on college campuses, even among Christians it is rare for us to stop and say wait a minute, God is here, right now, and we can ask Him! And indeed we must.

The humility here is what we need, to let go of control of our own lives, and let God be in control, and ask Him for guidance. But I worry we think asking God’s guidance is doing what we want, and then getting his feedback about how to go about doing what we want.

That’s all backwards. We should instead ask God to show us what he wants, and then ask for his guidance to do His will. Big difference there.

So, last verse today, how do the disciples discover which of the two men is called to be the next apostle?

God reveals the answer to them in a supernatural revelation, through casting lots.

Verse 26: "Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles."

Casting lots is mentioned in certain places in the Bible, but this is the only place in the New Testament where the church makes use of casting lots. We don’t really know from history what this might’ve looked like. We know it was practiced by the high priest in the Old Testament to discern God’s will.

It may have been sticks painted different colors, or stones of different colors, dropped from a bag, or perhaps they had Matthias and Joseph pick stones from a bag. We simply don’t know.

Sometimes in our own lives, we may ask God for a sign or we may “lay out a fleece” for him. And God does sometimes work in that way. But we're also told in scripture to be cautious to not test the Lord. 

Don't demand an answer for everything. Very often the answer from God is: "Trust Me." 

You'd be astonished the number of times I'm seeking an answer from the Lord, and the answer I get is two words: Trust me. 

I can often tell God does not like it when I ask for timing on a particular issue. When I ask Him something he often shares generously with me, but it seems like He desires I not seek to know specific timing on most issues, and that tracks with scripture.  

But as the church today we do not practice the casting of lots. Why not? Well notice this incident, the timing of it, it’s after the resurrection of Jesus, but before the sending of the baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. So, it’s reasonable to assume it was never practiced again, because after Pentecost, all believers would have the presence of God within, the Holy Spirit to speak to them. Indeed, throughout the rest of the Acts we never see casting lots mentioned again. 

In any case, the lot falls to Matthias, and he is chosen to replace Judas, as one of the twelve apostles.

In conclusion today, let’s put it all together. First, how do we make a decision as a church?

Notice the process they went through here. Peter, the "pastor" prayerfully reflects and seeks to do God’s will by replacing Judas.

He discusses this with the 11 disciples, kind of like elders, or a church board, the leadership team. And they address it prayerfully.

Then, they bring it also before the 120 followers of Jesus, kind of like bringing it to the church congregation, who prayerfully seek God’s will as well.

They nominate two leaders, or in a different situation they may list several ideas.

They prayerfully narrow things down through wisdom.

Then they ask God, which one? For the church here, they cast lots, but for us today, after Pentecost, we pray, fast, and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

As we wait on the Lord, and pray, we receive an answer in some form.

The last step then, having heard from God is, we take action in accordance with what he said.

That’s how the church ought to function.

Now, how about you in your life choices? Now let me be clear, this isn’t a process we go through when we’re wondering what pair of pants to put on in the morning. This is for important decisions.

Think of yourself like Peter in this scenario, you are the "leader" in your life.

So a decision is before you, something big, something you need guidance on.

First thing you do is go to the word and prayer, and consider what to do.

Think of the eleven disciples, like your wife or husband, children, family, closed friends. You talk to them about the decision you’re considering to make, and get their feedback, hopefully prayerfully.

So then perhaps you take it to your church community, to people you know in the church, for guidance, kind of like the 120.

In all this you begin to narrow down your options, and after seeking God in prayer, counsel from family and your faith community, you go to God directly, and simply ask Him the question, which way should I go Lord? Here are the options I’ve narrowed it down to.

And God may say, that one, or this one, or not yet, or none of those, or here is something you didn’t even think of. Be open to anything he may say. He may simply say: Trust Me. 

Lastly, having discovered God’s will, through the Holy Spirit, we take actions in accordance with what God has said. Or we simply wait in faith.

This is the way of a disciple of Jesus. Last time, we talked about how our journey is spirit birthed and spirit empowered.

Our second principle of being a disciple today is this: Having the Humility of Listening for and Obeying the Voice of God.

But perhaps at the very heart of it is this: Loving the voice of God. Loving to do His will. And for that, we need a heart like His. We need a fresh Pentecost in our lives. Which I believe God will provide, if we ask with a full heart.

Prayer: Father in Heaven, I confess that my heart doesn't naturally incline toward you when I make a decision, I too often look to my own ideas. Lord I repent, and I turn to you. Please forgive me Father, and I ask for a fresh fire of the Holy Spirit. God, I turn to you, and seek to do your will, I forsake my own plans and lay them aside for your perfect purposes, in Jesus name, amen. 

Healing the Wounds of a Divided Nation

Jesus once said, “a house divided against itself cannot stand” (Matthew 12:25).

We find in our nation, that we are more divided ideologically than ever before. The division exists between progressive ideology and traditional ideology. Who are we as a nation? Are we evolved animals moving toward a utopian future through technology, science, and progress, free to make and remake reality around as we see fit, because all truth is relative? This is the ideology of a great many in our nation. Or are we really made in the image of God? Are we fallen beings, living in a fallen world, attempting to bring the light of Christ to all peoples?

What do you believe about reality? What is actually true?

I am one of those who believe that God is really real, that he really does care about the future of this nation, and I also believe that those who believe differently than me, are not my enemies, but people that I can live in peace with, even if we disagree, and yes, I do hope that I can help win some of these people to Christ, through the love of Jesus.

And I also believe, God is not done with this nation, despite our many sins. He is still at work in the affairs of America. Despite all the debates and infighting and even violence that has grown in our nation, I still see a hope for our national future.

This moment in history makes me think back to a time after the American revolution, when a conflict took place between Great Britain and the United States called the war of 1812.

A conflict arose that led to British troops attacking Washington D.C. and burning the nation’s capital to the ground. American troops had attempted to strike British controlled Canada but had failed. And as the capital burned to the ground, I’m sure for many Americans it seemed like a great dark moment in the history of our nation.

But do you know what’s quite astonishing, is what happened next. A great storm, possibly including a tornado, struck the city, and this storm was so fierce it caused the British troops to flee the city, and retreat to their ships. I’m not making this up, Google it. The hand of God was at work in those moments.

But the British weren’t done yet, they moved in force to attack the key American city of Baltimore, on the coast, with numerous ground troops, and a massive fleet of ships, bombarding Fort McHenry, the fort that protected the city.

Thousands of cannon balls were flying for 25 straight hours, bullets, fires burning, smoke, mortar shells, rockets, and it looked like such a dark moment for the nation. First the capital, now Baltimore.

At this moment, there was an American lawyer, young guy, onboard one of the British ships, trying to negotiate for the release of one of the prisoners, and they held him captive until the battle was over. So he stood and watched all this happen, his name was Francis Scott Key. 

He was trapped all night on the British ship, hour by hour he watched, and as dawn broke, and the smoke began to clear over the fort, he saw something that changed his life and gave him hope. He saw a giant American flag, still waving over the fort. It was 30 feet by 42 feet. The fort held. And this young lawyer penned these words on a scrap of paper…

“And the rockets' red glare,
The bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night
That our flag was still there.”

We’ve been in a fierce battle as the body of Christ in the last few years. The enemy, the demonic forces, principalities and powers have had their way in our nation in certain ways, though we’ve pushed back diligently in prayer and action.

I believe God would say to us: You are doing better than you realize.

God has been training us for a new battle I believe. All these struggles we’ve been through have been getting us ready. And we may feel today a bit like America did in the midst of the war of 1812, capital burned, cities under attack, but if we persevere through this great contest, which is the battle God has chosen for our generation to fight, we may yet see through the sin, and darkness, and spiritual warfare, and prayers and fasting, and weeping, that our flag is still there. There is yet hope.

And what our nation needs, as things get darker, is not for us to yell at one another, but, for us to go out with healing ointment, to pour oil into the wounds of the people of the nation.

After the civil war, a conflict much worse than our current divide, Abraham Lincoln gave one of the greatest speeches ever shared.

Think about the malice and hatred, after nearly 750,000 Americans died. We get mad at each other about politics. How would we feel after nearly a million had been killed? Yet Lincoln sought to heal the wounds and bring the nation back together, so he said…

The famous quote from Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, delivered on March 4, 1865: "With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds..."

As we pray today, let us remember, our prayers and our actions, ought to bind up wounds.

Ezekiel 34:4 "You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost."

Let it be said of us, by the power of Christ in us, we strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back those who went astray, and searched diligently for the lost.

When we felt such an urge within to want to fight back, instead we fought in prayer, we spoke in truth, and we loved the people who called us enemies. And many of those enemies became our friends in Christ. We know who the real enemy is, and it's not people, it's the Satan and his evil forces.

So in closing, I want to share a scripture with you from Romans for this moment: 

Romans 16:19-20 "Everyone knows you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to see clearly what is right and to stay innocent of any wrong. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."