PBM Mar2013

PHISH BOWL MINISTRIES

March 2013

“Chummin’ for Saints until the nets are full”

Matthew 4:19

Dear Phish Bowl family,

I cannot believe that it is March already.  Time seems to be going faster and faster these last few years.  I do hope that it is a sign that our Lord is returning soon.  I know that I am ready.

I wanted to start off with some updates.  I’m doing well.  Ever since moving back to cell house 7 (the Big house-250 inmates), it seems like spring time to me.  I’ve always been a big city boy.  Father is working in me and around me and I am so thankful to be a part of this.   Now I say this, but for you who are not behind these walls, we have been spending a lot of time on and off of lockdowns due to some people not getting along very well.  With all of the ups and downs, it gives me a chance to shine brighter for Jesus and our study in Acts has helped big time!  I think of the hard time which Philip might have had to face, leaving home and friends (we never read of any travel partners of Philip) to go to a strange land to teach about Jesus our Savior (who, by the way, had just died a criminal death in the eyes of the world).  And I think that I have it bad!   

Let’s look at the next part of our study in Acts.  If I was into titling my teaching, I would call this one “Mysterious Ways to Go”.  Last month we read about Philip and the things that were being done in and around Samaria by Peter, John and Philip.  In today’s thinking, when you get a good thing going, don’t rock the boat.  But we are about to see Philip leaving that successful ministry to travel on a desert road.  Why?  Because Philip went where God sent him, even it is seemed like a demotion.  At first you may not understand Father’s plans, but in time, you will see that God’s way is the right way.

Acts 8:26-40        “Christ Is Preached to an Ethiopian”  ²⁶ Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. ²⁷ So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, ²⁸ was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. ²⁹ Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”³⁰ So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” ³¹ And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. ³² The place in the Scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth.  ³³ In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.” ³⁴ So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” ³⁵ Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. ³⁶ Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” ³⁷ Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” ³⁸ So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. ³⁹ Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. ⁴⁰ But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.

I’m sitting here just taking in what we just read and thinking of what to cover.  As you have heard me say many times, I would love to break this into at least 4 teachings, but our format just doesn’t allow that.  We are seeing the gospel of Christ leaving a purely Jewish audience and beginning to spread to the world.

²⁶ Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. ²⁷ So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, ²⁸ was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.

The angel of the Lord appeared many times throughout Scripture giving directions to people:
v Hagar                                Genesis 16:9
v Abraham                         Genesis 22:11-15
v Moses                               Exodus 3:2
v Balaam                             Numbers 22:22-35
v The Nation of Israel   Judges 2:1-4
v Gideon                              Judges 6:12, 21-22
v Samson’s parents       Judges 13:3-21                                                                        
v Elijah                                 I Kings 19:7, 2 Kings 1:3
v Joseph                               Matthew 1:20, 2:13
v Zechariah                        Luke 1:11
v Shepherds                      Luke 2:19
v Peter in prison             Acts 5:19, 12:7
v Philip                                 Acts 8:26
Without one single question recorded by Luke, Philip got up and went.  God handled the details.                      

Here’s some information that I read about the Ethiopian eunuch.  He was traveling home to Ethiopia, Africa which is south of Egypt from Jerusalem.  Now this was a long way to travel just to go to church, but he did and it looks like he was a gentile who converted to Judaism.  “Candace” was a title for a monarch of Ethiopia, similar to the way “Pharaoh” was used in Egypt and “Caesar” in Rome.  His position tells us that he was an extremely high and trusted member of that government.  Side note:  Deuteronomy 23:1 tells us that the Law prohibited a eunuch from entering “the assembly of the LORD”.  But Isaiah 56:3-5 speaks of eunuchs being accepted by God.  Now there is also a possibility seen in Greek writing that the word “eunuch” may have been simply a governmental title instead of its usual meaning which is a man who has been emasculated (not my word).

⁹ Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”³⁰ So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
There were plenty of differences between Philip and this eunuch that Philip could have used as an excuse to not to start a conversation: racial, religious, and money class differences.  Philip could have used any of these to avoid doing God’s work.  He could have talked himself out of it by telling himself that the eunuch’s guard would think he was a robber, a beggar or just a fool.  These things did not stop him.  Philip went!  I have to ask myself, “Do I follow God this simply and completely?  Do I share Christ as boldly when I have to cross over to the other side”?  I like how Philip shares the Lord and he uses great tools.  First is patience: He waited to find out where the man was in his understanding and second was to meet him there.

³¹ And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.   
The eunuch spoke what many have said or felt over the years.  Do you encourage others around you to ask questions about the Bible or do you make them feel stupid when asked by not meeting them where they are currently in their understanding?  I once was pulled aside by a pastor for asking an elementary question in Bible study and was told not to ever do that again as I was more mature than that.  I never asked another question until my fall from Grace.  Now you can have my church title and I will keep asking and answering questions.  We need patient, humble Saints in our churches to help explain Christianity to all who inquire.

³² The place in the Scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth.  ³³ In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.” ³⁴ So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?”

Some people think that the Old Testament isn’t need today.  Phish Bowl does not believe this.  Philip led this man to faith in Jesus Christ by using the Old Testament and the story of Jesus the Christ.  God’s entire Word is for all people in all ages.  The eunuch was reading Isaiah 53 and there is no better picture of Jesus the Christ than in this passage.  Philip took advantage of the opportunity to talk about Jesus.  How did he do this?  First Philip followed the Spirit’s leading, secondly Philip began right there and thirdly, he pointed to Jesus.

³⁵ Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 

Note this:  Philip used the Scriptures, not some other book.  Just God’s Word.

³⁶ Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” ³⁷ Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” ³⁸ So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 

Most of the earlier Greek manuscripts do not include verse 37.  It may have come from the early church and put here because there is no record of the conversion between Philip and the eunuch prior to baptism.  Water baptism is an outward, visible sign of one’s identification with Christ and with the Christian community.  This was one of the first acts of new converts in the early church.  By getting baptized, he was publicly proclaiming his faith in Christ.  Baptism sends a powerful message to family and friends about one’s obedience in Christ.

 ³⁹ Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. ⁴⁰ But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.

Suddenly, Philip was transported some 20 miles to his next new job site for Jesus, spreading the message of Jesus to even more gentiles.  The next time we will see our old friend Philip is in Acts 21, some 20 years later and he is still being a faithful witness of Jesus.

Let me ask you something.  At work when you hear, “I’m worried about my job, my future, my marriage, my children or I’m afraid of dying”, think about this being your passing chariot, an open door for the Good News of the Gospel.   When you are on the yard and hear, “I don’t like myself, nobody likes me, should I be involved in this or that, what does God have to do with all of this”; it could be your passing chariot, an open door for the Good News of the Gospel.  What if you heard, “My cancer is back, my wife is leaving me, my mom died, I have no one to call”, this too could be your passing chariot.  Be ready to ask and answer those all important questions about this life and the one to come. (Be prepared in season and out).

Keep this in mind: listen and adapt His message to the needs of the one in front of you; don’t wait for others to adapt to you, learn your lingo, come to your meeting, to enter your safe Christian bubble.  Listen to them, love them and lead them to our King.

Saints, the reason for Phish Bowl Ministries is to encourage everyone to love the people in our own Phish Bowl with the message of Christ’s love for them, to meet their needs, to show them a life changing relationship with Jesus through the Word and your walk.  This is done by studying God’s Word verse by verse, prayer and fellowship.  My fellow Saints, I pray for you and love you.  Remember that it is a Spirit filled life journey to understand God. There is soul healing in God’s loving Word and in the Church of the Messiah’s Misfits.  Remember my chains as I remember yours.  Watch!  Hold fast in the faith.  Be brave and be strong to the end.  Let all you do be done in love.

Semper fidelis!  Love your brother, Timothy.  I Corinthians 16:13-14

Phish Bowl Ministries is an outreach of:

Calvary Chapel Loveland
276 E. 29^th St.
Loveland, CO  80538

PBM Feb 2013

             PHISH BOWL MINISTRIES

“Chummin’ for saints until the nets are full” Matthew 4:19

February 2013

Phish Bowl friends and family,

It looks like we made it two months into 2013 and the world has still not ended.  This means that there is still time to reach others with the love of our Lord Jesus the Christ!

I wonder have you been urged in any way to reach out to someone you would normally not talk to after reading about Philip last month and his example of dealing with whatever personal issue that he had to overcome to go to Samaria for our Lord?  I know that I look at situations differently because of his example.  I “try” not to avoid some people and when looking around the chow hall for that “right seat”, I now see opportunities to reach others for Christ.
Part of being a Christian is overcoming our own ideas and putting on the mind of Christ.  Putting on the mind of Christ is why we study the Bible, sitting with other Christians to see what the Holy Spirit has revealed to them.  Then, we go back to the Bible and see if it lines up with Christ.  If we don’t do this, our Christian walk will look anything but Christian and we won’t know when someone comes to us if he is teaching the truth or if he is teaching things for self-promotion.

Let us read about one of those times.  We’ve moving on to the second of three parts of Philip’s journey which is recorded in the Bible; it is a big part.

9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. 14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.  18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perishes with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” 24 Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”  25 So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

There are a few things in my study that have gotten me thinking.  We will come to them as we study God’s Word line by line.  Last month Philip “crossed over the tracks to the other side”, by Jewish thinking.  Philip will teach us another important lesson about the Christian life this month. First he showed us that we need to drop all hang ups when we become a follower of Christ.  Secondly, to know the difference between whom your close friends are.  Do you hang with Simons or do you fellowship with Peters and Johns?

9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.

The thing that first pops out at me is that Simon is a self-boaster. As a follower of Christ, Paul has told us that if we boast, to boast in Christ alone. In the following verse, that is exactly the act which Philip shows to us.  Why was Simon a self-boaster; so that all people would give him the attention which he desired?  Do you know anyone around you who is always telling you about what they know to make themselves seem more knowledgeable than you, or will point out how they do this or that, making themselves out to be a better Christian?  Self-check: am I that person?

12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

Philip was different; we know that he was a man full of the Spirit (Acts 6:5) and a compassionate man since he chose to minister to the Samaritans, and that the message concerning the Kingdom and Christ resulted in “many men and women being baptized”.  Don’t overlook this!  Simon believed and was baptized!  When we read about this, it takes 3 minutes or so; but Philip spent months loving on the Samaritans and Simon, and the result was saved men and women!  Do you think that God’s work is always done in a night?  Sometimes it is, but most often we need to invest a lot of time and love to witness the growth of a seed.  The Lord tells us about seeds and we need not overlook the fact that Simon seemed to be more focused on the miracles and signs and what Philip was doing, than learning about Jesus.

14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,

I have read a lot about why Peter and John came to help their old friend Philip.  Who is this Philip?  In the research that I have done, he is called “Philip the Deacon” or “Philip the Evangelist”.  He is not to be confused with Philip the Apostle.  By this time, church history records that there was a difference already being made.  Justin Martyr and Tertullian (around 150 A.D.) record this information.  In this passage it is Philip the Apostle who is being referred to.  (See Acts 6:5).  So it seems that with this new movement of the Holy Spirit by someone who is not an Apostle.  This is a big change from the Jewish system that the Pharisees preached and with which the apostles had grown up with.  God was now working through common people.  Remember that at this time of the early Church, there was still debate going on whether the non-Jews, “gentiles” and half-Jews, “Samaritans” could be saved and receive the Holy Spirit.

15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

When Peter and John saw the Lord working in the Samaritans, they were convinced that the Holy Spirit was for all who believed.  Why then did Peter and John have to pray for them to receive the Holy Spirit when we are taught that the  moment we believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit is deposited in us to live.  I already have my beliefs, but I would like to cover two counter-points just to be fair.
1.        Catholicism teaches that the Sacrament of Confirmation is separate from Baptism.
2.      Charismatics have used it to justify the Doctrine of Baptism in the Spirit as a second work of grace.
3.      (Mine) The likely reason for this delay was to keep the Samaritan Church united with the Jewish church.  This event has been called the “Samaritan Pentecost” as it parallels the Pentecost presented in Acts 2.

This was a big moment in Christianity because this was the first time that Christianity was not and add-on to the Jewish faith.  At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was given to the Jewish people.  Now the Holy Spirit was given to “half-Jewish” people and when we get to Chapter 10, all will be declared clean and the Holy Spirit will be given to Gentiles.

Peter, who denied Christ three times, was now going to be the voice to usher in the new ministry of the Holy Spirit three times.

1.        Jewish Pentecost (Chapter 2)
2.      Samaritan Pentecost (Chapter 8)
3.      Gentile Pentecost (Chapter 10).
This will be the fulfillment of Acts 1:4-8.

God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit are now and forever, for all who believe, no longer just for the Jews.  This is the most important thing.  The biggest change in God’s relationship to mankind was the revelation of the work of the Holy Spirit at this time.  Rather than being a temporary visitor to us, the Spirit becomes a permanent resident (PTL), and this was, and still is, to go to the end of the earth.

18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perishes with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”24 Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.” 

Side note:  I have a big problem with people who use the church to become rich and tell me it’s God’s will.  I don’t see in the apostles’ lifestyle that they were wealthy.  We are called to help others, not help ourselves.

Simon did not understand this concept and he went to Peter and John and asked to buy the ability to bestow the Holy Spirit on people.  Why; for selfish reasons; to have power, to make money, or to gain fame?  God doesn’t give us abilities to enhance our own lives.  He grants us gifts so that we may bring glory to Him by the building up of others.  When you find yourself wishing or wanting the limelight, check your motives.  Do look to see what Christianity can offer you.  Spend your time serving God and others with the gifts you were given.

Peter and John eagerly shared Christ wherever they went.  What a change!  Acts 8:14 seems to tell us that Peter and John made a non-stop flight straight from Jerusalem to Samaria and now after this, these two will never see things the same.  John will not go back to Jerusalem but instead end up pastoring in Ephesus and Peter also ends up all over the place throughout Acts. Next month, we will see Philip going to another unlikely person.  These men did not see evangelism as an event for an appointed time, but more of a way of life.    Jesus was (still is) life! Convinced of the Resurrection, change by relationship with Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit, they looked for the chance to talk about Jesus to ANYONE, not just a few chosen ones of some special club or group.

Do we think in these terms and do we act this way?  If not, what does that say about us?  Just a thought.

I am doing well and loving what Jesus is doing with me and around me.  Since moving back to Cell house 7, I have little downtime which is good.  I also learned that I’m more of a big city boy.  Little pods are good for a time of rest, but living with 249 other men allows me to grown in action for Christ.

Church, the reason for Phish Bowl Ministries is to encourage everyone to love the people in our own Phish Bowl with the message of Christ’s love for them, to meet their needs, to show them a life changing relationship with Jesus through the Word and your walk.    This is done by studying God’s word verse by verse, prayer, and fellowship.  My fellows Saints, I pray for you and love you.  Remember that it is a Spirit-filled life journey to understand God.  There is soul healing in God’s loving Word and in the Church of the Messiah’s Misfits.  Remember my chains as I remember yours.  Watch!  Hold fast in the faith.  Be brave and be strong to the end.  Let all you do, be done in love.

Semper fidelis!  Love your brother, Timothy.  I Corinthians 16:13-14

Phish Bowl Ministries is an outreach of

Calvary Chapel Loveland, 276 E. 29^th St., Loveland, CO  80538