Read: Acts 1:1-5
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach. (v. 1)
I have a friend that I have known since college days. I was once his pastor before leaving to teach preaching at Western Theological Seminary. He was concerned that the academic life would dull my love for God—which is actually a legitimate concern. If you spend most of your time talking about God rather than talking to him, it can have a dulling effect. So out of this concern my friend would regularly call or text me to simply ask, “Tim, do you still love Jesus?” Sometimes his question annoyed me, but I knew all along it was the right question.
Do you remember the Shema Israel? God’s people carried these words deep in their souls from the time of the exodus and were commanded to recite them to their children every day and to themselves every time they left their homes or returned to them; “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart . . .” (Deut. 6:4-5).
That’s the primary resource for our journey through the book of Acts, and it is hidden in the name to whom the writer Luke addressed Acts—Theophilus! Theophilus quite literally means “lover of God.” Loving God, with all our heart, soul and mind as the Shema Israel commands us is critical. Loving God is the minimum pre-condition for a long obedient journey. Welcome to the journey!
As you pray, confess your love for God and ask him to help you love him more.
About the Author
Dr. Timothy Brown is the Henry Bast Professor of Preaching and President Emeritus at Western Theological Seminary where he served from 1995-2021. Tim continues to actively coach and encourage former students and pastors who seek help in their preaching life and he has become a certified public school substitute teacher so that he can continue investing in the lives of young people. He is married to Nancy and together they have three children and ten grandchildren.
