The online
Bible teaching
ministry of
Stephen &
Brooksyne
Weber
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
Mobile users:
Visit Daily Encouragement on your mobile browser, hit "Add to
home screen" or "Add page shortcut." This creates an instant
Daily Encouragement App!
Search Daily Encouragement
A new message
is updated
most weekdays,
usually by
Noon Eastern
Time (USA).
(Click refresh or reload for current message)
(Click refresh or reload for current message)
Wednesday,
April 10, 2024
An
old iron rail
bridge along
the Schuylkill
River Trail
"With many other words he (Peter) warned them; and he pleaded with them, 'Save yourselves from this corrupt generation'" (Acts 2:40).
Yesterday
we went on a
bike ride
along the
Schuylkill
River Trail in
Berks and
Schuylkill
counties. When
riding we
usually look
around to
enjoy the
scenery but
looking down
yesterday we
saw a turtle
on the trail.
For
some reason it
just wasn’t
interested in
moving
off the trail,
perhaps
enjoying the
warming sun.
Brooksyne was
intrigued by
the pretty
orange flesh
coloring and
took a
closeup.
Daily prayer:
Father, we're
so thankful
that You did
not leave us
without a
Comforter
after Christ's
ascension to
heaven, but
You sent the
Holy Spirit to
give power to
believers on
the day of
Pentecost and
for all who
surrender
their lives to
Christ until
His return. In
response to
Peter's sermon
regarding a
corrupt
generation
such as ours
where
confusion
abounds, where
postmodernism
is embraced
and proven
historic truth
is rejected,
where people
seek to please
themselves
rather than
You I choose
to guard the
basic
spiritual
principles
presented in
Scripture and
exhorted by
teachers of
the Word. I
choose to be
faithful in my
calling to
live for You
today and for
all of
eternity.
Amen.
At one point the trail intersected with the Appalachian Trail so as I always do when I am on the AT I walked the entire width of the trail. The trail runs a length of almost 2,200 miles between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine, passing through 14 states.
Looking down off the trail to a church in Port Clinton, PA
"Warning
and Pleadings"
Message
summary:
Today
consider our
response to
warnings and
pleadings. We
still live in
a "corrupt
generation".
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
"With many other words he (Peter) warned them; and he pleaded with them, 'Save yourselves from this corrupt generation'" (Acts 2:40).
Yesterday
we went on a
bike ride
along the
Schuylkill
River Trail in
Berks and
Schuylkill
counties. When
riding we
usually look
around to
enjoy the
scenery but
looking down
yesterday we
saw a turtle
on the trail.
For
some reason it
just wasn’t
interested in
moving
off the trail,
perhaps
enjoying the
warming sun.
Brooksyne was
intrigued by
the pretty
orange flesh
coloring and
took a
closeup.But
we also knew
the turtle
needed to get
off the trail
lest it gets
run over. It
wasn’t the
safest place
to nestle
down.
Thankfully,
when we drove
back there was
no evidence of
a flattened
turtle or a
biker who had
fallen due to
hitting it!
But verbal
warnings and
pleadings
would be of no
value due to
some serious
communication
problems
between us and
the turtle.
Today
let's consider
a crucial
warning we can
all understand
if we
will listen.
Sadly, most
are not
listening, let
along heeding.
Peter's
sermon on the
day of
Pentecost
surely set the
gold standard
for apostolic
preaching. His
Spirit-empowered
message
focused on
Jesus Christ.
He warned and
pleaded with
His listeners,
and the
results
brought about
a remarkable
surge of
growth in the
new church and
set the early
pattern for
life as a
community of
believers
(2:41-47).
"With many other words". Peter's entire message contained more than the selections recorded in Acts 2. This summary of the sermon by Luke (who wrote the Book of Acts) takes less than 5 minutes to read, but this description suggests a much longer message!
"He warned them; and he pleaded with them". Peter's appeal ended with warning and pleading which is much less prevalent in today's preaching. So tempting to the preacher, particularly here in America, is to lovingly explain how Jesus can make your life better. But we all need hard preaching calling us to repentance and warning of the consequences if we do not repent.
The final phrase contains Peter's challenge (if you will the very first altar call), "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation". These words sound harsh and unloving today.
The word used for "corrupt" is skolios in the Greek (from which we get the English scoliosis, abnormal curvature of spine). It is also translated perverse, wicked, unjust.
Peter, of course, is using skolios figuratively to refer to conduct or lifestyle which deviates from God's standard, a turning away from the truth. Skolios refers to those things that are morally or spiritually corrupt. We speak of someone's behavior as "crooked" or dishonest. Here Peter is exhorting them to be rescued from outward perverted conduct which characterizes every unregenerate person (and in this case a generation), all of whom are crooked in mind, heart, and action, bent ethically in every depraved way imaginable! (Precept Online Commentary)
Indeed we still live in a "corrupt generation". This sermon would preach in any generation but it sure seems that, with the intensity of the corruption escalating year by year, it's especially fitting today.
Today let me, using the very same words of the apostle Peter, warn and plead with you, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation". We do so by repenting of our sins and placing our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter said many years later, "not living the rest of our earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God" (1 Peter 4:2).
"With many other words". Peter's entire message contained more than the selections recorded in Acts 2. This summary of the sermon by Luke (who wrote the Book of Acts) takes less than 5 minutes to read, but this description suggests a much longer message!
"He warned them; and he pleaded with them". Peter's appeal ended with warning and pleading which is much less prevalent in today's preaching. So tempting to the preacher, particularly here in America, is to lovingly explain how Jesus can make your life better. But we all need hard preaching calling us to repentance and warning of the consequences if we do not repent.
The final phrase contains Peter's challenge (if you will the very first altar call), "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation". These words sound harsh and unloving today.
The word used for "corrupt" is skolios in the Greek (from which we get the English scoliosis, abnormal curvature of spine). It is also translated perverse, wicked, unjust.
Peter, of course, is using skolios figuratively to refer to conduct or lifestyle which deviates from God's standard, a turning away from the truth. Skolios refers to those things that are morally or spiritually corrupt. We speak of someone's behavior as "crooked" or dishonest. Here Peter is exhorting them to be rescued from outward perverted conduct which characterizes every unregenerate person (and in this case a generation), all of whom are crooked in mind, heart, and action, bent ethically in every depraved way imaginable! (Precept Online Commentary)
Indeed we still live in a "corrupt generation". This sermon would preach in any generation but it sure seems that, with the intensity of the corruption escalating year by year, it's especially fitting today.
Today let me, using the very same words of the apostle Peter, warn and plead with you, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation". We do so by repenting of our sins and placing our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter said many years later, "not living the rest of our earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God" (1 Peter 4:2).
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, we're
so thankful
that You did
not leave us
without a
Comforter
after Christ's
ascension to
heaven, but
You sent the
Holy Spirit to
give power to
believers on
the day of
Pentecost and
for all who
surrender
their lives to
Christ until
His return. In
response to
Peter's sermon
regarding a
corrupt
generation
such as ours
where
confusion
abounds, where
postmodernism
is embraced
and proven
historic truth
is rejected,
where people
seek to please
themselves
rather than
You I choose
to guard the
basic
spiritual
principles
presented in
Scripture and
exhorted by
teachers of
the Word. I
choose to be
faithful in my
calling to
live for You
today and for
all of
eternity.
Amen.Brooksyne's
Note: As I
was reading
the message
today I
couldn't help
but think
about Moses
and the many
times God
spoke through
him to the
stiff-necked
Israelites
about their
rebellion and
the
consequence of
their
disobedience.
Moses
prepared his
last sermon
(Deuteronomy
31) and put it
to song so
that it would
be frequently
heard,
memorized and
a witness
against those
who chose to
be rebellious
and
stiff-necked.
Moses recited
all the words
of the song to
the assembly
and afterward
said to the
people, "Take
to heart all
the words I
have solemnly
declared to
you this day
so that you
may command
your children
to obey
carefully all
the words of
this law. They
are not just
idle words for
you - they are
your life. By
them you will
live long in
the land you
are crossing
the Jordan to
possess."
(Deuteronomy
32:45-47).
Afterwards the
Lord directed
him to Mount
Nebo in Moab
where he would
take his last
breath.
Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental
Resources
Today
we will share
some photos of
our bike ride
along the
Schuylkill
River Trail
This
section of the
Schuylkill
River is known
as the chutes.
Due
to a need to
bypass a
private
property the
Schuylkill
River Trail
uses this
newly built
ramp.
The
trail passes
an active rail
yard for the
Reading and
Northern
Railroad in
Port Clinton
PA.
At one point the trail intersected with the Appalachian Trail so as I always do when I am on the AT I walked the entire width of the trail. The trail runs a length of almost 2,200 miles between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine, passing through 14 states.
Looking down off the trail to a church in Port Clinton, PA
To
receive the
"Daily
Encouragement"
each
Monday-Friday
use our
sign-up form
or this
page to
subscribe to
our free email
list. You can
also subscribe
to the Wordpress
rss feed
or through a Wordpress
email
subscription.
(See the email
subscription
on the top
right side
after opening
this page.)
We
want to thank
all who
financially
support our
ministry.
We realize
there are many
fine
ministries and
causes
requesting
support but if
you would like
information
about making a
donation to
our ministry
see here.
In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.
To
donate
directly
online click
here.
(This will
open to a page
that
designates the
offering to:
Stephen and
Brooksyne
Weber -
700001-237376
serving in
specialized
chaplaincy
(Daily
Encouragement
is our
endorsed
special
chaplaincy
ministry).
If
you desire you
can also
donate
directly
through PayPal
using this link.
This will open
to a page that
states
"Brooksyne
Weber". We
keep this
option
available due
to the
familiarity,
convenience,
for
international
supporters,
and for those
who may not
need an
official
receipt. You
can also set
up for
recurring
donations.
In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.
You
can send a
check payable
to "Daily
Encouragement
Net" to:
Stephen
and Brooksyne
Weber
495
Kraybill
Church Road
Mount
Joy, PA 17552
To
donate
directly
online click
here.
(This will
open to a page
that
designates the
offering to:
Stephen and
Brooksyne
Weber -
700001-237376
serving in
specialized
chaplaincy
(Daily
Encouragement
is our
endorsed
special
chaplaincy
ministry).Thank
you,
Stephen & Brooksyne
Stephen & Brooksyne
2024
offerings YTD:
$7,065.00
Daily Encouragement on:
Wordpress
iHeart
radioPermissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. We do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version and a variety of other versions.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
© Copyright 2024 Stephen C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA