Acts Series
Cornelius $600
Reflections by the Artist on
Cornelius-Acts 1
We know God by his actions and by His words. He spoke the world into existence. He called out to Abram and brought him into a promised land. He brought Jacob’s family safely through a drought, and then called his descendants into a land flowing with milk and honey.
He spoke to Abram so that through one man many would know God. He saved Jacob so that through one family many might see God’s power. He blessed Israel so that they could be a blessing to the entire world.
By giving his very words to Moses, his astonishing grace came down from heaven to transform a people. When the Holy Spirit is given to Cornelius, a Gentile believer, this same grace broke out again to continue his redemptive plan from the Jews, to the entire world.
We sometimes forget that we live in a brief moment of redemptive history. We want to hold on, to keep, to contain God’s grace. But we are meant to share it. The Holy Spirit guides us to action, to movement. We can no more contain God within our 21st century boxes than the 1st century Jews could.
He was, and is, and is to come.
S. Jewell S. McGhee 09-12-09
Cornelius-Acts 1
We know God by his actions and by His words. He spoke the world into existence. He called out to Abram and brought him into a promised land. He brought Jacob’s family safely through a drought, and then called his descendants into a land flowing with milk and honey.
He spoke to Abram so that through one man many would know God. He saved Jacob so that through one family many might see God’s power. He blessed Israel so that they could be a blessing to the entire world.
By giving his very words to Moses, his astonishing grace came down from heaven to transform a people. When the Holy Spirit is given to Cornelius, a Gentile believer, this same grace broke out again to continue his redemptive plan from the Jews, to the entire world.
We sometimes forget that we live in a brief moment of redemptive history. We want to hold on, to keep, to contain God’s grace. But we are meant to share it. The Holy Spirit guides us to action, to movement. We can no more contain God within our 21st century boxes than the 1st century Jews could.
He was, and is, and is to come.
S. Jewell S. McGhee 09-12-09
Boxes and Spheres $500
Our access to heaven is not through what we have done, but only by God's work in our life.
Antioch $100
Reflections by the Artist on
Antioch: Acts 12
When a pebble drops in a puddle, the whole puddle reacts. It is a fluid, connected whole. When your pinky toe has an ingrown toenail, it makes your whole body feel ill and weak. The church is also a kind of living organism. It is connected, and has always been connected through the mouths; hands; feet of those who’ve brought the gospel to others.
How can I believe unless I hear? And how can I hear unless someone preaches… “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” We have seen the gospel message going out, first from the mouth of Christ to his disciples; from his disciples in Jerusalem to Jews in Jerusalem; from the Jews now to the Gentiles. And here in Acts 12 we rejoice with the early church as the Gentiles begin to share the good news.
Can you imagine the line of message-bearers that connects you to Jesus? I look back and see my parents, who heard the message from their parents, who heard from a certain preacher in the 50’s, who heard from…all the way back to an early believer, to an apostle, to Jesus.
The church in Antioch begins to grow and bear fruit. Jerusalem sends Barnabas to help nourish and train them. Barnabas sends for Paul, who continues to grow and encourage the church. And when the church in Jerusalem is suddenly in great hardship and famine, this fruitful, young church is enthusiastic to care for them.
We are one body in Christ. As the Holy Spirit breaths life into one church, the whole Church is refreshed.
S. Jewell S. McGhee
09/26/09
Antioch: Acts 12
When a pebble drops in a puddle, the whole puddle reacts. It is a fluid, connected whole. When your pinky toe has an ingrown toenail, it makes your whole body feel ill and weak. The church is also a kind of living organism. It is connected, and has always been connected through the mouths; hands; feet of those who’ve brought the gospel to others.
How can I believe unless I hear? And how can I hear unless someone preaches… “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” We have seen the gospel message going out, first from the mouth of Christ to his disciples; from his disciples in Jerusalem to Jews in Jerusalem; from the Jews now to the Gentiles. And here in Acts 12 we rejoice with the early church as the Gentiles begin to share the good news.
Can you imagine the line of message-bearers that connects you to Jesus? I look back and see my parents, who heard the message from their parents, who heard from a certain preacher in the 50’s, who heard from…all the way back to an early believer, to an apostle, to Jesus.
The church in Antioch begins to grow and bear fruit. Jerusalem sends Barnabas to help nourish and train them. Barnabas sends for Paul, who continues to grow and encourage the church. And when the church in Jerusalem is suddenly in great hardship and famine, this fruitful, young church is enthusiastic to care for them.
We are one body in Christ. As the Holy Spirit breaths life into one church, the whole Church is refreshed.
S. Jewell S. McGhee
09/26/09
Procounsel $100
The gifts we have been given were given to be shared.