Can there really be agreement?

I've been in church my whole life. Born and raised on the pews and in the classrooms and spanked, on a number of occasions, by God fearing spiritual giants (or at least they seemed that way to me!). The one thing I've learned over nearly 40 years in and around the ministry... you never have complete agreement. At least, I've never seen it.

Even if everybody believes something should be done everybody doesn't agree on WHAT should be done. Someone is always the winner and someone always the looser.

But in Acts 15:25 something miraculous, incredible, a sign, a wonder from God Himself happens! I read this morning the words, "they were in complete agreement." Wow! It was incredible! It can be done! There can be agreement! It is possible! (or at least it was possible.)

And in verse 28 of that same chapter the key to coming to agreement in the church is uncovered for the generations. Are you ready? Here it is:

"It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us."

The key to agreement. The formula for togetherness and cooperation! I am so happy! What? You don't see it?

In almost every decision that has ever been made that same line from verse 28 would be written this way, "it seemed good to me" and so I did it. We are so wired to get our way and fight for what we want that we often forget about the "us" and never even mention the Holy Spirit - what could He possible have to say anyway?! We don't consider the Holy Spirit (who speaks only what He hears from the Father) and so we take His place in the formula, It seemed good to us.

Look, the church is NOT a democracy it is a Theocracy - God rules, He placed Christ Jesus in charge as the Head of the church. So, what Jesus wants is all that matters. Nothing else. If it helps "us" do what He wants then it ought to be done as soon as possible. And what does Jesus want? The same thing His Father does and the Holy Spirit enables us to do - "everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9) which means He wants everyone to experience Life Change through Jesus!

That's what we're about! That's what we must rally around! That's our battle cry! Changed Lives! Can I get an Amen (which means "so be it" and is a statement of affirmation)? NO? let me guess, you don't agree.

A little Red Bull for your soul.

The commercial says Red Bull gives you wings... I've never had one but I seriously doubt it. But I get the metaphor - Red Bull is supposed to pick you up and get your motor going when you feel worn out.

Did you know that you can get spiritually worn out too? There are times when you're just going on auto-pilot and you really need a pick up! I discovered my today while reading in Acts 13.

So here's some Red Bull for your soul! in verse 41 (Paul quotes from Habakkuk 1:5) where God says, "I am doing something in your day, something you wouldn't believe even if you were told about it." That just stirred my spirit! I'm believing that God is going to do something here at Real Life that we wouldn't have believed if someone had told us about it. We're seeing the signs of what is to come already. Lives are being changed and God's Spirit is moving among us! Hasn't there been a "different" feeling in worship lately? I think God may be getting ready to blow the roof off this place for His Glory!

But it gets even better! If one can of Red Bull is good - two is better right? verse 38 - "through this man, Jesus, there is forgiveness of YOUR sins, everyone who believes in Him is DECLARED right with God!" Isn't that amazing?!

In this world of performance - you have to do right, look right, talk right, walk right, think right, and out do everyone else there is this truth... Through Jesus there is forgiveness of YOUR sins. You can have freedom. You can have peace. You can have real life. Because everyone who believes in Jesus has been DECLARED right with God. You didn't have to earn it. You didn't have to talk, look, dress, walk, work just right - God declared you right.

Wow! forgiveness and righteousness by Jesus from God. better than a Red Bull.