Darryl’s Daily Devo: Recent Episodes
Darryl Byle
My personal devotionals shared to encourage and challenge others to grow to know God better through His Word.
My Acts series is recorded live from daily devotions given to my team of construction workers in Liberia, Africa.
20221101 Act 13:26-31Humility Cures Blinding PrideBlinding prideWhat is the solution to blinding pride?Jas 4:10 (ESV)10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.-Read Act 13:26-31-Act 13:26 (ESV) “Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation.Gen 12:3 (ESV)3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”-Act 13:27 (ESV) For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.Blinding prideHumble yourselves before the Lord1Co 1:18-31 (ESV)18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.-Act 13:28 (ESV) And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed.Blinding prideHumble yourselves before the LordSelf-centered perspective skews or twists our perception.God created the world to make sense.Sin/self clouds our perception of the logic of God‘s world.Blinding prideHumble yourselves before the LordOriginal sin: PRIDEIsa 14:14 (ESV)14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’1. Inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, accomplishments, rank or elevation in office, which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others.Pride blinds us to the truth!Blinding prideHumble yourselves before the Lord-Act 13:29 (ESV) And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb.Act 13:30 (ESV) But God raised him from the dead,regardless of man’s twisted perspective, reality is, God is accomplishing HIS purposes!Blinding prideHumble yourselves before the Lord-Act 13:31 (ESV) and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people.=Blinding prideHumble yourselves before the Lord1Co 1:18-25 (ESV)18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.Blinding prideHumble yourselves before the Lord-19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”Blinding prideHumble yourselves before the Lord-20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?Blinding prideHumble yourselves before the Lord-21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.Blinding prideHumble yourselves before the Lord22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.Blinding prideHumble yourselves before the LordPride blinds is to the truth. Don’t allow pride to control your perspective.Humble yourself before the Lord and HE will lift you up!Blinding prideHumble yourselves before the Lord
20221031 Act 13:21-25Time is God’s toolOne of the gifts of the spirit is patienceGod wants us to trust him and patiently wait HIS time.-Read Act 13:21-25-Act 13:21 (ESV) Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.Act 13:22 (ESV) And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’Act 13:23 (ESV) Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.2Pe 3:8-9 (ESV)8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.Time is God’s tool-Act 13:24 (ESV) Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.Act 13:25 (ESV) And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’Act 13:26 (ESV) “Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation.=Isa 40:29-31 (ESV)29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.Time is God’s toolIn your life there may be delays and challenges that seem to go on for a long period of time.Gal 6:7-10 (ESV)7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.Time is God’s toolManage your expectations – God uses time to attain His ends, His purposes.Time is God’s toolDon’t be impatient.Heb 5:11-14 (ESV)11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.Time is God’s toolGod uses times to transform us.Rom 12:1-2 (ESV)1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.Time is God’s tool
20221027 Act 13:16-20Testify to Goodness of GodWe can impact eternity when we testify to the goodness of God-Read Act 13:16-20-Act 13:16 (ESV) So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen.Paul was talking to people who recognized GodTestify to Goodness of GodAct 13:17 (ESV) The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it.Paul is speaking of God’s gracious and powerful acting for the Israelites Testify to Goodness of GodAct 13:18 (ESV) And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness.Paul testifies to God’s patienceTestify to Goodness of GodAct 13:19 (ESV) And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance.Paul testifies to the Sovereignty of GodTestify to Goodness of GodAct 13:20 (ESV) All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.Paul testifies to the grace and providence of GodTestify to Goodness of God=Paul summarizes for his listeners how God selected the Israelites, and increased them in Egypt then led them out.He phrases it that God “put up with them” ( v 18)God was doing the “doing“… “… He gave them… “, He destroyed.God was proactively working to position the Israelites where he wanted them.God is laying the ground from work for the Israelites and Paul is laying the groundwork for his hearers to understand how astonishing the gospel is.Testify to Goodness of GodThe gospel is not a fix to a problem that God did not see coming.God set this whole process in motion for the express purpose of glorifying His name.Testify to Goodness of GodHistory is part of God’s story. God set us within the bounds of time and we should use that for His glory by looking backward and seeing and reviewing what He has done and share it with others.Our testimony is the most powerful thing we can bring when sharing the gospel.How has God impacted your life’s?Rev 12:10-11 (ESV)10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.What are they testifying of?2Co 12:9 (ESV)9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.Jas 4:10 (ESV)10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.Testify to the greatness and the mercy and the grace of God! Glorify and honor Him!Exo 33:18 (ESV)18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.”Exo 34:6 (ESV)6 The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,Can you share how God has worked in your life to show you His character?MercyGracePatience LoveFaithfulness
20230304 BaptismAct 2:38 (ESV)38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.be baptized. This Greek word lit. means "be dipped or immersed" in water.G907 (Strong)βαπτίζωbaptizōbap-tid'-zoFrom a derivative of G911; to make whelmed (that is, fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism: - baptist, baptize, wash.Thayer Definition:1) to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk)2) to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one’s self, bathe3) to overwhelmPart of Speech: verbPeter was obeying Christ's command from Mat 28:19Mat 28:19-20 (ESV)19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”Peter was urging the people who repented and turned to the Lord Christ for salvation to identify, through the waters of baptism, with His death, burial, and resurrection.Rom 6:3-4 (ESV)3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.for the remission of sins. This might better be translated "because of the remission of sins." Baptism does not produce forgiveness and cleansing from sin.The reality of forgiveness precedes the rite of baptism (Act 2:41). Genuine repentance brings from God the forgiveness (remission) of sins (Eph 1:7) and, because of that, the new believer is to be baptized. Baptism, however, is to be the ever-present act of obedience, so that it became synonymous with salvation. Thus, to say one was baptized for forgiveness was the same as saying one was saved.1Pe 3:18-22 (ESV)18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison,20 because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,the answer of a good conscience toward God. The word for answer has the idea of a pledge, agreeing to certain conditions of a covenant (the new covenant) with God. What saves a person plagued by sin and a guilty conscience is not some external rite, but the agreement with God to get in the ark of safety, the Lord Jesus, by faith in His death and resurrection (cf. Rom 10:9-10; Heb 9:14; Heb 10:22).
Encouragement Heb 10:24-25 (ESV)24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.Act 13:13-15 (ESV)13 Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem,14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down.15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.”=Heb 10:24-25 (ESV)24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Emptied with purposeOut with the old – in with the new!Emptied to be filledPurge yourself of the things in this world and strive to be filled with the spirit!Emptied with purposePhp 2:5-7 (ESV)5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.Emptied with purpose2Ti 2:21 (ESV)21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.-Read Act 13:1-12Emptied with purpose-Act 13:1 (ESV) Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.Act 13:2 (ESV) While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”Emptied with purpose-Act 13:3 (ESV) Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.Emptied with purpose-Act 13:4 (ESV) So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.Emptied with purpose-Act 13:5 (ESV) When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.Emptied with purpose-Act 13:6 (ESV) When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus.Act 13:7 (ESV) He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.This man is pursuing God!-Act 13:8 (ESV) But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.Opposition is the norm-Act 13:9 (ESV) But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at himEmptied with purpose-Act 13:10 (ESV) and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?Also they need to clear a quart of this obstacle to truthEmptied with purposeHe was emptying the court of Sergius Paulus of filth and lies so that there would be room for the truthEmptied with purpose-Act 13:11 (ESV) And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand.Paul, guided by the Spirit, gave a limited consequence - grace in action Emptied with purposeIn grace, Paul is living room for transformation even in Elymas’s heart.Emptied with purpose-Act 13:12 (ESV) Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.Paul saw the needEmptied with purpose=Fasting and prayer are key elements in the preparation of being filled with the spirit and being an effective ambassador for Christ to the world.Php 2:5-7 (ESV)5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.Emptied to be filledOut with the old – in with the new!2Ti 2:21 (ESV)21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.Purge yourself of the things in this world and strive to be filled with the spirit!
Faith’s FocusA contrast in faith focusHeb 11:6 (ESV)6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.This isn’t a blind faithThis isn’t a faith in your faithThis is a specific, focused faith.This is a faith IN GOD!Faith’s FocusLuk 17:6 (ESV)6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.Small faith in an infinite, all-powerful God versus huge faith in self or man or anything elseFaith’s FocusMan crawling across the iceMust get across or freeze to deathTeam of horses roars down and crossesBoth get across but one is accomplishing far more because of full commitment, proven faithTested the ice vs just trying it out vs not crossing at all-(Setting)Act 12:12 (ESV) When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.Read Act 12:13-25-Act 12:13 (ESV) And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer.Act 12:14 (ESV) Recognizing Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate.Faith’s FocusAct 12:15 (ESV) They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!”Act 12:16 (ESV) But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed.Faith’s FocusAct 12:17 (ESV) But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.Act 12:18 (ESV) Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter.Act 12:19 (ESV) And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.Act 12:20 (ESV) Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king's chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king's country for food.Act 12:21 (ESV) On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them.Act 12:22 (ESV) And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!”Faith’s FocusAct 12:23 (ESV) Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.Faith’s FocusAct 12:24 (ESV) But the word of God increased and multiplied.Act 12:25 (ESV) And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.=Weak faith isn’t failingFailure comes with faith in the wrong solution Faith’s FocusFacing toward God or facing away from GodWhich way are you facing?Where are you aiming? Aiming for or away from God?It’s not the strength of your faith, it is the strength of what you have faith in!Faith’s FocusDan 4:28-37 (ESV)
Know enough to trust and obeyHow much knowledge is enough to obey-Read Act 12:6-12God takes Peter to a place where he is helpless - not in control. When God provides a means to get out, Peter does not even accept that it is reality - he thinks it’s a dream. When he finally accepts it as reality he heads for the body - the churchWhat is the underlying principle?Even when God’s hand is operating right in front of our eyes, our human prejudice can blind us to the truth.Know God well enough to trust and obeyGod is the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe - He has every resource available to Him.Even if I don’t understand how or what God is doing, I need to be obedient to what He directs me to do.Know enough to trust and obeyHow do I “know“?His SpiritHis WordHis BodyObedience does not require all knowledgeObedience requires FAITH!Know enough to trust and obey-Act 12:6 (ESV) Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison.God‘s timing is always perfect and he is coordinating ALL things for his purpose.-Act 12:7 (ESV) And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands.God provides the inputs we need.He sent an angel to provide directions to a confused PeterHe provided light in the dark cellGod gives us enough to obey-Act 12:8 (ESV) And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”Even though he didn’t comprehend what was going on, Peter obeyed the angels inputKnow (be wise) enough to obey-Act 12:9 (ESV) And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.Even when you don’t understand what is happening, keep obeying!Know enough to trust and obey-Act 12:10 (ESV) When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him.God provides input at the level that we needKnow enough to trust and obey-Act 12:11 (ESV) When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”When you realize the God has revealed His hand, has been working in your life, acknowledge Him!We are called to glorify GodKnow enough to glorify God-Act 12:12 (ESV) When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.=Pro 3:5-6 (ESV)5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.Know enough to trust and obeyPro 28:26 (ESV)26 Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.Pro 9:10 (ESV)10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.Know enough to trust and obeyJer 9:23-24 (ESV)23 Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.”Know enough to trust and obey
Where are you drawing the line?Life: tragedy or comedy?Depends on where you draw the line for the end…What is “fair“? What is “right“? What is “sad“? What is “tragic“?A reminder that how we look at things and how God look at things are completely different.Where are you drawing the line?- Read Act 12:1-5Is this a tragedy?Where are you drawing the line?Jesus had foretold this…Luk 21:10-19 (ESV)-Act 12:1 (ESV) About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.From a human perspective this is NOT good… But…Where are you drawing the line?Act 12:2 (ESV) He killed James the brother of John with the sword,James was taken out by Herod with little commentary by the author of Acts. Is basically a footnote to the rest of the story. Is this a tragedy? This is really his exit to heaven!Where are you drawing the line?Act 12:3 (ESV) and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread.Is this a tragedy or is this just part of the adventure God is taking us on?Where are you drawing the line?Act 12:4 (ESV) And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.“Bad guys” have the upper hand… Should we be sad? What should our course of action be?Act 4:29 (ESV)29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,Where are you drawing the line?Act 12:5 (ESV) So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.=What is your focus when things don’t look good from a worldly standpoint?Where are you drawing the line?Death is not the end but a transition. Whether it is tragic or not depends on where the transition is to!What is “fair“? What is “right“? What is “sad“? What is “tragic“?We live in a tentPhp 1:21-23 (ESV)1Co 15:53-58 (ESV)2Co 5:1-6 (ESV)
Work for UnityGod’s purpose of giving His Spirit is to unite us - sinful created beings - with Him - the perfect Creator God.In this He shows boundless grace and He is calling us to show that same grace in pursuing unity here in our imperfect worldJoh 17:20-23 (ESV)20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.We must…Work for Unity-Read Act 11:25-30Work for Unity-Act 11:25 (ESV) So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,Work for UnityAct 11:26 (ESV) and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.Work for UnityAct 11:27 (ESV) Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.Work for UnityAct 11:28 (ESV) And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius).Act 11:29 (ESV) So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.Work for UnityAct 11:30 (ESV) And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.=Work for UnityEph 4:1-16 (ESV)1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.Work for Unity4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.Work for Unity7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,Work for Unity14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,Work for Unity16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.Work for Unity
Encouraging FaithFaith is a decision - we can encourage those who have made itAre you encouraging faith?Are you being encouraged in your faith? XxHeb 10:24-25 (ESV)24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.Encouraging Faith-Read Act 11:19-24-Act 11:19 (ESV) Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.Jewish believers…Encouraging Faith–Act 11:20 (ESV) But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus.These are those who had lived outside the district Jewish culture.Encouraging Faith–Act 11:21 (ESV) And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.God blessed this outreach.Encouraging Faith-Act 11:22 (ESV) The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.Barnabas’s qualifications included his encouraging heart and his common background of being from CyprusAct 4:36 (ESV)36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,Encouraging Faith–Act 11:23 (ESV) When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,Barnabas observed the heart change of these in Antioch and acknowledged that it was ONLY by gods grace but this could happen. Men’s hearts don’t change unless God is involved!His character came out as he encouraged them…Encouraging FaithThe focus of his encouragement was to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose.What does it look like?Encouraging FaithAct 13:43 (ESV)43 And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.Encouraging FaithAct 14:22 (ESV)22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.Encouraging FaithJoh 8:31-32 (ESV)31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”Encouraging FaithJoh 15:4 (ESV)4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.Encouraging FaithHeb 10:19-26 (ESV)19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,–Act 11:24 (ESV) for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.How was Barnabas’ faith beneficial in this process?=Encouraging Faith
The Holy Spirit is the crux of the matter (The basic, central, or critical point or feature)The connecting point to The Eternal GodGod is infinite - I will not attempt to describe or define Him but share the following perspective…One aspect of God as trinity:God the Father loves us- God the Father is the eternal source of all things - the Creator - and He is Spirit.Joh 4:24 (ESV)The Holy Spirit is the crux of the matter The connecting point to The Eternal GodChrist came in the flesh to reveal God to usCol 1:15-20 (ESV)The Holy Spirit is the crux of the matter The connecting point to The Eternal GodThe Holy Spirit unites us with GodThe Spirit is our eternal connection.Rom 8:16-17 (ESV)The Holy Spirit is the crux of the matter The connecting point to The Eternal GodJoh 16:13-14 (ESV)The Holy Spirit is the crux of the matter The connecting point to The Eternal GodRom 8:26-27 (ESV)The Holy Spirit is the crux of the matter The connecting point to The Eternal GodSpirit- confirms that we are God’s children - Speaks God’s Truth directly to our hearts- Intercedes directly with God for usCol 1:27 (ESV)The Holy Spirit is the crux of the matter The connecting point to The Eternal God-Read Act 11:1-18The Holy Spirit is the crux of the matter The connecting point to The Eternal God-Act 11:1 (ESV) Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.Act 11:2 (ESV) So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying,Act 11:3 (ESV) “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”Act 11:4 (ESV) But Peter began and explained it to them in order:Act 11:5 (ESV) “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me.Act 11:6 (ESV) Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air.Act 11:7 (ESV) And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’Act 11:8 (ESV) But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’Act 11:9 (ESV) But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’God has made US clean thru Christ’s bloodEph 1:7 (ESV)-Act 11:10 (ESV) This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven.Act 11:11 (ESV) And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea.Act 11:12 (ESV) And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house.Act 11:13 (ESV) And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter;Act 11:14 (ESV) he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’Act 11:15 (ESV) As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.Affirming SIGN-Act 11:16 (ESV) And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’Confirming sign-Act 11:17 (ESV) If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?”Eph 1:13-14 (ESV)The Holy Spirit is the crux of the matter The connecting point to The Eternal God-Act 11:18 (ESV) When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”What is the repentance that leads to life?What is life?The Holy Spirit is the crux of the matter The connecting point to The Eternal God
“A sign“ versus “THE sign“It is not about the “signs”, it is a about the eternal reality indicated by the signs.Examples of salvation with and without outward signs…Act 2:1 (ESV)1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.Signs are NOT the destination! What is the eternal reality God is highlighting?God‘s Spirit is being deposited in men!Act 2:41 (ESV)41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.Signs are NOT the destination! What is the eternal reality God is highlighting?Men are indicating their commitment to change, to be transformed to a new life style.Act 4:4 (ESV)4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.Signs are NOT the destination! What is the eternal reality God is highlighting?A commitment to a different course in life.Act 8:12 (ESV)12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.Signs are NOT the destination! What is the eternal reality God is highlighting?Outward sign of an inward change of heart motivation – starting on the course of transformation by renewing their minds.Act 8:14-17 (ESV)14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John,15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.Signs are NOT the destination! What is the eternal reality God is highlighting?SAMARITANS can be included in God‘s kingdom!Act 9:18 (ESV)18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;Signs are NOT the destination! What is the eternal reality God is highlighting?Outward sign of his N-word commitment to a new life!Look for the indications but don’t worship them.Baptism equals obedienceFruit of the spirit indicate transformation from the old to the newOutward signs are just that… Signs. They can be different but they serve the purpose of pointing to something God wants known.Signs are NOT the destination! What is the eternal reality God is highlighting?-Read Act 10:44-48-Act 10:44 (ESV) While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.What is God indicating with this?HE is indicating these are ones to be included in the Body.-Act 10:45 (ESV) And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.Signs are NOT the destination! What is the eternal reality God is highlighting?-Act 10:46 (ESV) For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared,Signs are NOT the destination! What is the eternal reality God is highlighting?-Act 10:47 (ESV) “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”-Act 10:48 (ESV) And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.=
What is the GospelRead Act 10:34-43Act 10:34 (ESV) So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,Act 10:35 (ESV) but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.Act 10:36 (ESV) As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),Act 10:37 (ESV) you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed:Act 10:38 (ESV) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.Act 10:39 (ESV) And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree,Act 10:40 (ESV) but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear,Act 10:41 (ESV) not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.Act 10:42 (ESV) And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.Act 10:43 (ESV) To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Created Equal under GodGod created us with inherent value!Our value is not in our position…Our value is not in our worth…Our value is not in our identity…Rom 3:21-24 (ESV)21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,Created Equal under GodWhat differentiates us is our response to God.-Read Act 10:24-33Created Equal under God-Act 10:24 (ESV) And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.Cornelius saw value in Peter…But he was about to learn that…Created Equal under God–Act 10:25 (ESV) When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.Cornelius made the common mistake of elevating the messengerCreated Equal under God–Act 10:26 (ESV) But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.”Peter got straight to the point - we are all just men!Created Equal under God-Act 10:27 (ESV) And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered.Act 10:28 (ESV) And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.What was God’s purpose in directing the Jews in this way originally?Created Equal under God-Act 10:29 (ESV) So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”Act 10:30 (ESV) And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothingAct 10:31 (ESV) and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God.Act 10:32 (ESV) Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’Act 10:33 (ESV) So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”=Created Equal under GodGal 3:28 (ESV)28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.Created Equal under GodGal 5:6 (ESV)6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.Created Equal under GodRom 1:16 (ESV)16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.Created Equal under GodRom 2:9-11 (ESV)9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek,10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.11 For God shows no partiality.Created Equal under God
Comfortable or Hungry?Walking in faith means being ready, willing, and able to move in any direction at any time to do whatever the Lord desires.“When I say jump, I want you to ask how high ON THE WAY UP!”2Ti 4:2 (ESV)2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.God doesn’t want us comfortable, He wants us ready!Relaxed or Ready?Joh 4:32-34 (ESV)32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.”33 So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?”34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.Comfortable or Hungry?Relaxed or Ready?-Read Act 10:17-23-Act 10:17 (ESV) Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gateGod‘s timing and God’s input are perfect.God repeated the message He gave to Peter three times. This was enough to pique Peter’s interest but not enough to have him understand the message.It shook Peter up and got him out of his comfort zone – he was pondering…God got him out of his arm chair and ready to consider something new and different.Relaxed or Ready?-Act 10:18 (ESV) and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there.Act 10:19 (ESV) And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you.Once God got Peter out of his comfort zone and wondering, then God could redirect him…Relaxed or Ready?-Act 10:20 (ESV) Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”Act 10:21 (ESV) And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?”Note that God has not given Peter all the information… He’s still wondering where he’s going. BUT he IS GOING!Relaxed or Ready?–Act 10:22 (ESV) And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.”God needed Peter to break out of his life long course of associating only with Jews. So God shook him up, got him out of his comfort zone, which opened the door for Peter to change direction.Relaxed or Ready?–Act 10:23 (ESV) So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.Peter didn’t dillydally… He got about doing that which god had open the door for him to do.Relaxed or Ready?=What are you hungry for? Are you satisfied and not for showing anything . Or are you hungry to know God and to do His will?Our human nature is to seek comfort and stability. We want to set a course and stay on it the rest of our lives.This mindset implies that we can have enough wisdom, insight, and foresight to set a perfect course one time and continue on. That in and of itself is obviously false. But in the bigger picture, we need to be willing and able to follow GOD‘s course, which we cannot/do not have the capacity to comprehend.What is your objective in life? What is your aim?To be comfortable? To be at ease? Or to be ready?!Relaxed or Ready?2Ti 2:4 (ESV)2Ti 3:10 (ESV)Relaxed or Ready?Php 3:12-15 (ESV)Relaxed or Ready?
Prayer - Bridge to Eternal ThingsPrayer is our bridge to GodWhat are we sending and receiving across that bridge?Prayer, at the most basic level, is communicating with God.God has given us a direct connection to Him through His spirit deposited in us.Rom 8:26-27 (ESV)26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.Stay in touch with God so that you are able to maintain course through all the waves and wind that will impact you throughout the day, throughout the week - throughout your LIFE!Practice Prayer-Read Act 10:9-16Peter was pursuing God in prayer… God honored that pursuit.Practice PrayerAct 1:14 (ESV)14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.Act 6:4 (ESV)4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”Cornelius Act 10:2 (ESV)2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.Rom 12:12 (ESV)12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.Php 4:6 (ESV)6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.1Th 5:16-17 (ESV)16 Rejoice always,17 pray without ceasing,-Act 10:9 (ESV) The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray.Peter was pursuing God-he was walking in the fear of the Lord.Jews set aside two primary times to pray and added a third -Act 10:10 (ESV) And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a tranceGod can direct our physical, emotional, mental, AND spiritual state-Act 10:11 (ESV) and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth.Heavens opening is a clear indication that this is coming from the holiest place-Act 10:12 (ESV) In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air.God is consistent about being inclusiveGod is also consistent about requiring us to engage our brains - few things are black and white.Ecc 3:11 (ESV)11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.Rom 1:19-20 (ESV)19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.Pro 25:2 (ESV)2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.-Act 10:13 (ESV) And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”Act 10:14 (ESV) But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”Peter is known for his impetuous nature.Mat 16:22 (ESV)22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.”-Act 10:15 (ESV) And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.”-Act 10:16 (ESV) This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to =Eph 6:13-18 (ESV)
Honor God and he will honor you.Walk in the fear of the Lord…In today’s passage we see a man who God honors to be the first gentile to formally receive the gospel.Honor God and he will honor you.-Read Act 10:1-8Honor God and he will honor you.- Eli was priest of Israel for many years - he knew God’s standards. - Eli‘s sons were living in direct opposition to God- Eli had to decide whom he would honor. He could not Honor both his sons in moral lifestyle and the holy God- By default, Eli chose to honor his sons, for he did not insist that their behavior conform to God’s standards.1Sa 2:27-31 (ESV)27 And there came a man of God to Eli and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Did I indeed reveal myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt subject to the house of Pharaoh?28 Did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? I gave to the house of your father all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel.29 Why then do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded for my dwelling, and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?’30 Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the LORD declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.31 Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father's house, so that there will not be an old man in your house.Honor God and he will honor you.- Eli would’ve argued that he was doing the best he could- God thought otherwise…1Sa 3:11-14 (ESV)11 Then the LORD said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.12 On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end.13 And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them.14 Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”Honor God and he will honor you.1Sa 4:17-18 (ESV)17 He who brought the news answered and said, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has also been a great defeat among the people. Your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured.”18 As soon as he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate, and his neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy. He had judged Israel forty years.-Act 10:1 (ESV) At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort,Act 10:2 (ESV) a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.devout - pious, dutiful, reverentfeared God - reverence, venerate, to treat with deference or reverential obedience Honor God and he will honor you.Act 10:3 (ESV) About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.”Act 10:4 (ESV) And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.Honor God and he will honor you.-Act 10:5 (ESV) And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter.Act 10:6 (ESV) He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”Act 10:7 (ESV) When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him,Act 10:8 (ESV) and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
Serve in faith Service is our calling!Answer your calling - serve in faithFaith motivates us to do good works even when it doesn’t make sense to the worldServe in faithWhen you do good things for others, God has built into you an affirmation – you feel good even though it may cost you.Dopamine and serotoninDo Good to Feel GoodWe were literally created to do good works!Answer your calling - serve in faith-Read Act 9:36-43Mat 5:16 (ESV)16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.Answer your calling - serve in faithEph 2:10 (ESV)10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.Answer your calling - serve in faithTit 2:7 (ESV)7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,Answer your calling - serve in faithTit 2:14 (ESV)14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.Answer your calling - serve in faithTit 3:8 (ESV)8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.Answer your calling - serve in faithHeb 10:24 (ESV)24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,Answer your calling - serve in faith1Pe 2:12 (ESV)12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.-Act 9:36 (ESV) Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.A follower of Christ and her actions showed where her heart was.Jas 2:14 (ESV)14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?…Jas 2:19 (ESV)19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!…Jas 2:26 (ESV)26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.Answer your calling - serve in faith-Act 9:37 (ESV) In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.Act 9:38 (ESV) Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.”Act 9:39 (ESV) So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them.Dorcas was doing!Answer your calling - serve in faith-Act 9:40 (ESV) But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.Peter was speaking to a dead body in faith that God had called him to raise that body back to life!Call Peter KNEW God well enough to know what he was going to do.Faith is not presumption – we don’t take action and expect God to fill in the gap.Faith is knowing the heart of God and trusting that He will act in accordance with who He is. Because He is faithful to His character, not because we have obligated him toAnswer your calling - serve in faith-Act 9:41 (ESV) And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.Act 9:42 (ESV) And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.Act 9:43 (ESV) And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.=Do what you were created to do!Answer your calling - serve in faith
Walk in the fear of the LordAct 9:31 (ESV)31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.What does it mean to walk in fear of the Lord?In reading the Bible you can see that the fear of the Lord is shown by awe and reverence for who He is.Pro 1:7 (ESV)7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.Awe and respect for God should guide and direct our every move!-Read Act 9:32-35Walk in the fear of the LordEverything you do and say should be motivated by awe and respect for God.-Act 9:32 (ESV) Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.Peter was carrying out his responsibility as an apostle – founder, descent one. He was checking on and encouraging those who are walking with Christ.Peter‘s motivation was to honor and glorify the creator God – his Lord and Savior.Walk in the fear of the Lord-Act 9:33 (ESV) There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed.Aeneas is not called a “disciple”. Yet Peter “found” him which implies that Peter was seeking!Walk in the fear of the LordGod can work His miracles on a non-believer just as easily as on anyone.Act 3:1-10 (ESV)1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.”5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God,10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.God can work His power on anyone He chooses. What is God‘s purpose in these miracles?His purpose is to glorify and honor His name and in His perfect wisdom He does so in many different ways.Don’t seek after things that benefit you…Walk in the fear of the LordFear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…Without reverence for God, you cannot be effective and, in the end, you WILL not be in heaven!Walk in the fear of the Lord-Act 9:34 (ESV) And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose.Peter does not claim any power himself, nor does he hesitate.Clearly Peter was communicating with God’s Spirit and knew the will of God to display His power at this instant and in this instance.Peter was walking in the fear of the Lord NOT in pursuit of his own glory or honor!Walk in the fear of the LordHerod and the people of Tyre and SidonAct 12:22-23 (ESV)22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!”23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.Walk in the fear of the Lord-Act 9:35 (ESV) And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.Obedience to the Lord reveals and unleashes His power to transform.=God has chosen to use us2Co 4:5-7 (ESV)Walk in the fear of the LordJob 28:28 (ESV)Everything you do and say should be motivated by awe and respect for God.
Building with differencesLove is the Key!Differences should build rather than divideEph 4:11-13 (ESV)11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,-Read Act 9:26-31-Act 9:26 (ESV) And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple.-Act 9:27 (ESV) But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.-Act 9:28 (ESV) So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.-Act 9:29 (ESV) And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him.-Act 9:30 (ESV) And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.Ecc 3:1 (ESV)1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:-Act 9:31 (ESV) So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.=Team work1Co 12:28-31 (ESV)28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.1Co 13:1-7 (ESV)1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
THE Son of GodChrist JesusChrist = anointed, that is, the Messiah Jesus = “Jehovah is salvation”Higher higher higher!We lift Jesus higher!Col 2:8-9 (ESV)8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,We are adopted - Christ IS GodThis is a key distinctive Spiritual concepts in temporal termsFamilyDirect descent vs adoptionPhp 2:5-11 (ESV)5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.-Act 9:19-22-Act 9:19 (ESV) and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.Act 9:20 (ESV) And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”Rom 1:3-4 (ESV)3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,Heb 1:1-5 (ESV)1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”?1Jn 4:1-3 (ESV)1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.-Act 9:21 (ESV) And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?”Act 9:22 (ESV) But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.1Co 1:18-19 (ESV)1Co 1:21-25 (ESV)21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.1Pe 2:15 (ESV)=Jesus is God in the Flesh
Anatomy of obedience:Hearing- Active listeningHonesty- Be frank with God – he already knows your heart, you’re not fooling anyone but yourself.Humility- Surrender your will, and your fears to GodHeeding- Act on what you knowGod uses imperfect people to impact imperfect peopleHe could do all of this on His own yet he incorporates people in the processDo you want to make a difference in eternity?Work on real obedience!Read Act 9:10-19 (start at vs 8)-Act 9:10 (ESV) Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”Are you listening for, and able to recognize, God’s voice in your life!This is a proactive thing – be looking for, listening for God’s input into your life!Hearing- Active listeningGen 22:1 (ESV)1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”Gen 31:11 (ESV)11 Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob,’ and I said, ‘Here I am!’Exo 3:4 (ESV)4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”1Sa 3:4 (ESV)4 Then the LORD called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!”Isa 6:8 (ESV)8 And I (Isaiah) heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”-Act 9:11 (ESV) And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying,Act 9:12 (ESV) and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”Why does God use this means?And why does He foretell both to Ananias and Saul?God knows how he created us – we need physical interaction, physical things.–Act 9:13 (ESV) But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.Act 9:14 (ESV) And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”Honesty- Be frank with God – he already knows your heart, you’re not fooling anyone but yourself.–Act 9:15 (ESV) But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.Act 9:16 (ESV) For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”There are times when God accommodates men’s doubts and weaknesses – not this time.–Act 9:17 (ESV) So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”Be humbleHumility- Surrender your will, and your fears to God–Act 9:18 (ESV) And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;Act 9:19 (ESV) and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.Heeding- Act on what you know=Active obedience bears fruit in eternity.Anatomy of obedience:Hearing- Active listeningHonesty- Be frank with God – he already knows your heart, you’re not fooling anyone but yourself.Humility- Surrender your will, and your fears to GodHeeding- Act on what you knowIn practice: what I’m doing with Conner’s circumstance.
Hear AND Heed! What could you do if you hear God‘s voice but do not heat it? … Do not obey. Direction change Repentance One of the most dramatic examples of God’s transforming power at work
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Act 9:1-9
Paul was strong willed - it took significant input to change his direction
Bottom line is he did change direction.
Hear AND Heed!
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Act 9:1 (ESV) But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
Saul was powerfully motivated - he felt he was doing this to honor God!
Jer 17:9 (ESV) 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Hear AND Heed!
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Act 9:2 (ESV) and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Act 9:3 (ESV) Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. Act 9:4 (ESV) And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
Rom 14:4 (ESV) 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
1Co 10:13 (ESV) 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Hear AND Heed!
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Act 9:5 (ESV) And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
God got Saul’s attention enough that Saul started asking questions…
1Jn 4:1-3 (ESV) 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
Hear AND Heed!
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Act 9:6 (ESV) But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” Act 9:7 (ESV) The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Act 9:8 (ESV) Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.
Hear AND Heed!
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Act 9:9 (ESV) And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
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Count the cost but heed the call!!
Mat 16:24-27 (ESV)
Hear AND Heed!
Php 3:1-15 (ESV)
Paul counted the cost! He willingly gave up all that he had gained in the world’s eyes in order to attain what was really valuable – those things in eternity!
Hear AND Heed!
In Pursuit of Knowing Him CAMP in the Word
The Bible was given to us to change our lives not just to increase our knowledge…
Getting to know God thru studying His Word
How is God revealing himself to me through his word today?
Joh 17:3 (ESV) 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
Capture a key thought or thoughts Analyze it Meditate on it Pass it on
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Read Act 8:26-40
Capture a key thought or thoughts Analyze it Meditate on it Pass it on
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Act 8:26 (ESV) Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place.
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Act 8:27 (ESV) And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship
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Act 8:28 (ESV) and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Act 8:29 (ESV) And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.”
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Act 8:30 (ESV) So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
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Act 8:31 (ESV) And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Act 8:32 (ESV) Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. Act 8:33 (ESV) In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” Act 8:34 (ESV) And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Act 8:35 (ESV) Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.
2Ti 4:2 (ESV) 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
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Act 8:36 (ESV) And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”
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Act 8:38 (ESV) And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. Act 8:39 (ESV) And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. Act 8:40 (ESV) But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
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Capture Key Thought(s): - God gave specific yet open-ended direction to Philip - Philip obeyed - Philip acted on what he knew with what he had - God used Philip’s obedience to open the door for the eunuch
Analyze the Key What eternal principles does this show me? - Obedience isn’t knowing everything then acting - God is looking for faith in action - God can use our finite capabilities to accomplish His infinite and perfect plans
Meditate on the Key What am I going to do about this?
Jas 1:22 (ESV) 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Act boldly in obedience Walk confidently in faith Ask “What would God have me do here and now?” Then do it!!
Pass it on
Heb 10:24-25 (ESV) 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Share what you learn - in an encouraging way - with those God brings into your life
Receive His Power! Receiving versus filled
God grants each one of us His spirit, fully indwelling in us at the point where He determines our hearts are fully His.
Eph 1:13-14 (ESV) 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Receive His Power!
From there filling is an ongoing process - maintenance is required because we live in a sin-filled world the world and where is this down and distracts us from the eternal truth of God.
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Read Act 8:14-25
Receive His Power!
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Act 8:14 (ESV) Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John,
Now the adventure begins…
Receive His Power!
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Act 8:15 (ESV) who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
They knees the process was not completed.
Receive His Power!
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Act 8:16 (ESV) for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
This is the start but God has more
Receive His Power!
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Act 8:17 (ESV) Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
God set this up at the outset to confirm his actions… From there we see that it’s without man intermediary.
Ethiopian eunuch
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Act 8:18 (ESV) Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,
Men believe that there is power but are unwilling to submit to the source - they try to control it…
Joh 2:23-24 (ESV) 23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people
Do what is necessary to
Receive His Power!
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Act 8:19 (ESV) saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
Human nature desires power. Supernatural power is very tempting.
Receive His Power!
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Act 8:20 (ESV) But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
God grants His Spirit as a gift. Delivery mechanism varies.
Pray to Receive His Power!
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Act 8:21 (ESV) You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
God’s Spirit comes not by the will of man but by God’s will and discretion
Receive His Power!
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Act 8:22 (ESV) Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.
God examines the heart
Our only hope is true repentance…
Receive His Power!
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Act 8:23 (ESV) For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.”
Get your heart right Receive His Power!
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Act 8:24 (ESV) And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
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Act 8:25 (ESV) Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
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God has granted us the blessing of living with a direct connection to Him through his spirit indwelling in us!
Zec 4:6 (ESV)
Isa 30:21 (ESV)
Receive His Power!
1Co 12:11-13 (ESV)
His spirit is where we get the power to accomplish things have eternal consequence…
Receive His Power!
2Ti 1:7 (ESV)
Eph 6:12 (ESV)
Receive His Power!
Be Amazed By God! Spiritual Inertia Be amazed by God!
What amazes you?
1) to throw out of position, displace 1a) to amaze, to astonish, throw into wonderment 1b) to be amazed, astounded 1c) to be out of one’s mind, besides one’s self, insane Part of Speech: verb
What breaks you out of your normal mode of thinking?
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Read Act 8:9-13
Inertia - A body at rest will stay at rest until acted upon by an outside force.
Physical and spiritual inertia
Friction and our external environment will suck energy out of us…
Spiritual inertia - sitting in one position, avoiding getting “rocked” or impacted by anything.
In order to make significant change I need to be seeking external input, external energy that will move me in the right direction.
Change requires and implies displacement, a change of position or perspective.
The enemy of transformed thinking is complacency…
Be amazed by God!
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Act 8:9 (ESV) But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great.
Inputs in our lives can be good or bad. Those things that move us need to be monitored closely – make sure they are moving us in the right direction!
Be amazed by God!
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Act 8:10 (ESV) They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.”
The world will need us AWAY from God. It will either slowest down or change your direction. Don’t let it!
Be amazed by God!
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Act 8:11 (ESV) And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.
Magic is a façade! It looks good but it has no substance. It’s just an illusion.
This is similar to the promises of the world end they look good but have no substance, they will never truly satisfy you just leave you hungering for more.
Work to be amazed by God!
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Act 8:12 (ESV) But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Bapti
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Act 8:13 (ESV) Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
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What can we do to be amazed by God?
Rom 10:17 (ESV) 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Heb 10:24-25 (ESV) 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
God has put eternity in the hearts of men - don’t allow that desire for external input to be misapplied!
Seek His input, not the world’s!
What amazes you about God?
Joh 17:3 (ESV) 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
God has called us to continually pursue understanding and knowing him because that is how we change – we are amazed when we get to know him better.
Rom 12:2 (ESV) 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Don’t allow yourself to be complacent, to be “comfortable“
Constantly ask what you can learn about God.
Praising God it’s an act that exercises our amazement. As we look at the good that he does we begin to see that it is not normal. It displaces are thinking, shifts are minds, and energizes us to appreciate him more.
Be amazed by God!
Joy of our salvation Our joy is proportional to our comprehension of what God has done
The Word What is the Word? What is the Gospel? What is the Good News?
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Act 8:4 (ESV) Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
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Act 8:5 (ESV) Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.
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Act 8:6 (ESV) And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. Act 8:7 (ESV) For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. Act 8:8 (ESV) So there was much joy in that city.
What was the source of joy?
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The more we comprehend the truth of the Kingdom of God, the more we value it.
Our joy is proportional to our comprehension of what God has done
Mat 13:44-46 (ESV) 44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl out f great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Our joy is proportional to our comprehension of what God has done
Eph 2:1-10 (ESV) 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Understanding the truth of the Gospel brings joy
Our joy is proportional to our comprehension of what God has done
Real Victory! Total submission to God’s Spirit!
Death and imprisonment… Where is the victory? It is in overcoming our flesh and it’s control of us. Sin destroys man which is why God is destroying sin.
Victory is in freedom from the control of the flesh and total submission to the control of the Spirit. This is what we were created for and this is where we will find true fulfillment.
Without a comprehension of God, this life quickly turns into an empty, meaningless exercise in self-fulfillment and empty desire appeasement.
Our victory is in breaking free from this temporal lie and captivity to self and soaring on into eternity with God!
Act 5:41 (ESV) 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
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Read Act 8:1-3
Victory is in freedom from the control of the flesh and total submission to the control of the Spirit.
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Act 8:1 (ESV) And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
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Act 8:2 (ESV) Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.
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Act 8:3 (ESV) But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
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Eternal perspective!
Victory is in freedom from the control of the flesh and total submission to the control of the Spirit. This is what we were created for and this is where we will find true fulfillment.
From God‘s perspective, imprisonment is not a bad thing.
God is in TOTAL control! These circumstances are all part of his plan.
If you can comprehend and live with this truth in mind, life is an awesome adventure! If you cannot comprehend this truth then life is a terrible tragedy.
So it becomes a truism that the joy in your life is directly proportional to your faith in God!
Proportional…
Remember that God is meting out every circumstance with purpose.
1Co 10:13 (ESV)
This doesn’t mean that we will “escape“ every temptation… Look at Peter denial of Jesus.
Luk 22:31-32 (ESV)
Victory is in freedom from the control of the flesh and total submission to the control of the Spirit.
Rom 8:28 (ESV)
What are “all things“?
Things that make us uncomfortable, things that challenge us, things that force us to rely on God more…
Victory is in freedom from the control of the flesh and total submission to the control of the Spirit.
Php 4:6-8 (ESV)
“These things…” are the things that are from God, not from the world.
Rom 5:3-5 (ESV)
Victory is in freedom from the control of the flesh and total submission to the control of the Spirit.
Strive for THIS victory in your life today!
Fruit of faith
Transformed by God’s Spirit!
This is what it looks like to live life to the full!
Focus on The transforming power of God that flows from a total focus and worship of God!
Christ in you the hope of glory!
God’s character and His Spirit flowing through Steven in ACTION!
Living life so full of the Spirit that you walk right thru circumstances and temptations that normally derail mankind.
Over the last several days we’ve been walking through Steven’s speech, seeing some of the characteristics and underlying Biblical and eternal principles that God is revealing in it. - Be who God called you to be - Issues of the heart - Stay on target! Focus on honoring and glorifying God - The Perfect Script - Trusting the Master weaver - Growing to know Him - Created to worship Worship is the fruit of a heart seeking to honor and glorify God
- Signs of life! Faith = action
Now we see Steven, FULL of the Holy Spirit, living out the heart character of God! Now we see the fruit of faith!
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Read Act 7:55-60
This is what being transformed by God’s Spirit looks like!
God has given us many examples of commitment to him. Two examples are the statement by Job and the three Hebrew children before the fiery furnace.
Job 13:15 (ESV) 15 Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face.
These are more than words - Job lived this out. This IS the Fruit of faith!
Dan 3:15-18 (ESV) 15 Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn…. ….who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
This is the Fruit of faith
It is my desire to live AND die with this heart attitude, with this total focus on honoring and glorifying God.
Wouldn’t it be awesome to live in this world with such a direct and solid connection with God that the circumstances of this world are irrelevant and have no impact on your state of mind?
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Act 7:55 (ESV) But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
The crowd is going crazy and about to rush in and kill him but Stephen is steadfast in his course, completely unaffected by anything in the worldly realm…
This is the Fruit of faith
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Act 7:56 (ESV) And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
Stevens eyes were NOT on his circumstances…
This is the Fruit of faith
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Act 7:57 (ESV) But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Act 7:58 (ESV) Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. Act 7:59 (ESV) And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Steven was totally focused on the eternal. He was literally being stoned when he said these words!
This is the Fruit of faith
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Act 7:60 (ESV) And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
His actions are COMPLETELY different and contrast sharply with the normal human response.
This IS the outward sign of inward change! Christ in you transforms your response from a worldly selfish one to a Godly selfLESS response.
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This is the life God has called us to - to live so full of his presence, his spirit, his power, that we are completely unaffected by the circumstances around us.
Unaffected by… …the Temptations that surround us …our flesh’s demands and desires…Totally focused on honoring and glorifying him in EVERY thought and action
Signs of life!
Faith = action Having a truth without living it is worse than not having it
Stephen has walked through the history of the Jews and their consistent rejections of God‘s spokes people.
Joseph is rejected by his brothers end of our founding fathers of the Israelite nation.
Moses was rejected by the Israelites when he first tried to work on their behalf.
The Israelites again rejected Moses while he was on the mountain speaking to God – they asked for guards that would go before them.
They limited God‘s influence in their life to the temple – they lived their life as they wanted to outside of that
The old testament shows us the tendency of mankind through the actions of the Israelites.
Israelites rejected God’s leading and direction consistently throughout their history.
Their claim to faith in God was proved false by the way they lived
Is there a sign of life – eternal life – in your life?
Looking for signs of life!
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Read Act 7:51-54
Having the truth but not living it is worse than not having it.
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Act 7:51 (ESV) “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.
What is circumcision? An outward sign of an inward change… What are actions? Outward signs of inward change
Looking for signs of life!
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Act 7:52 (ESV) Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered,
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Act 7:53 (ESV) you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”
to keep from being snatched away, preserve safe and unimpaired
The Israelites were given the privilege of the revelation of God’s character but they did not hold it in higher steam or keep it pure and holy.
They used it for their own and rather than for the purpose God intended
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Act 7:54 (ESV) Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.
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Stephen spoke the truth and the response of the council revealed their heart… Was not one of repentance but of anger and self righteous indignation
2Co 7:10 (ESV) 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
Jas 1:22-25 (ESV) 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Rom 2:28-29 (ESV) 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
Signs of life!
Faith = action Having a truth without living it is worse than not having it
Stephen has walked through the history of the Jews and their consistent rejections of God‘s spokes people.
Joseph is rejected by his brothers end of our founding fathers of the Israelite nation.
Moses was rejected by the Israelites when he first tried to work on their behalf.
The Israelites again rejected Moses while he was on the mountain speaking to God – they asked for guards that would go before them.
They limited God‘s influence in their life to the temple – they lived their life as they wanted to outside of that
The old testament shows us the tendency of mankind through the actions of the Israelites.
Israelites rejected God’s leading and direction consistently throughout their history.
Their claim to faith in God was proved false by the way they lived
Is there a sign of life – eternal life – in your life?
Looking for signs of life!
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Read Act 7:51-54
Having the truth but not living it is worse than not having it.
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Act 7:51 (ESV) “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.
What is circumcision? An outward sign of an inward change… What are actions? Outward signs of inward change
Looking for signs of life!
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Act 7:52 (ESV) Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered,
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Act 7:53 (ESV) you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”
to keep from being snatched away, preserve safe and unimpaired
The Israelites were given the privilege of the revelation of God’s character but they did not hold it in higher steam or keep it pure and holy.
They used it for their own and rather than for the purpose God intended
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Act 7:54 (ESV) Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.
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Stephen spoke the truth and the response of the council revealed their heart… Was not one of repentance but of anger and self righteous indignation
2Co 7:10 (ESV) 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
Jas 1:22-25 (ESV) 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Rom 2:28-29 (ESV) 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
Created to Worship!
Ecc 3:11 (ESV) 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
We are aware that there is an eternity and God has put a hunger in our heart to discover it, to discover HIM!
Psa 16:11 (ESV) 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
We were created to live in the presence of, and fellowship with, God.
We were created to worship God
Worship is really the expression of our priorities - what is most important
We were created to KNOW God! Constantly and continually pursue a better understanding of him and who he is, his character.
The more we understand who He is, the more we desire to honor and glorify Him, which is the end purpose of all creation.
The more we know Him the more we want to honor and glorify him, the more we will put Him and His honor and glory as our top priority. The more we will WORSHIP him.
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Act 7:37 (ESV) This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’
This was an overt, straightforward prophecy of Jesus coming
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Act 7:38 (ESV) This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us. Act 7:39 (ESV) Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, Act 7:40 (ESV) saying to Aaron, ‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’
We were created to worship
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Act 7:41 (ESV) And they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and were rejoicing in the works of their hands.
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What does it mean to worship something?
Worship is really the expression of our priorities - what is most important…
What motivates you? What is most important to you?
Are you motivated by God?
Psa 29:1-2 (ESV) 1 A Psalm of David. Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
Or are you motivated by some THING?
What god’s are you serving?
It really boils down to one of two things: self or God!
Gal 5:19-24 (ESV) 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Slave to that which you obey/WORSHIP
Rom 6:16 (ESV) 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
1Co 10:31 (ESV) 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Seeking a Holy God He is not a tame God!
At judgment we will all fall on our knees and worship Him but until then He has left it up to us to seek to know Him
Pro 8:17 (ESV) 17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.
Heb 11:6 (ESV) 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Grow to Know His Holiness
Joh 17:3 (ESV) 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
Do you recognize and acknowledge God as holy?
Response to a Holy God
Reject Him because we do not acknowledge His existence
God sent the one they rejected.
How well do you know and understand God?
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Read Act 7:30-36
In the first 80 years of Moses‘s life we do not see God acting overtly – outwardly super naturally. He was taking Moses on a journey to understand and honor him.
Job 42:5-6 (ESV) 5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; 6 therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
Isa 6:5 (ESV) 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”
Grow to Know His Holiness
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Act 7:30 (ESV) “Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush.
What was God doing in those 40 years in Moses‘s life?
Joh 17:3 (ESV) 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
God worked on Moses for 80 years before we see Him appear in a supernatural way - burning bush
Grow to Know His Holiness
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Act 7:31 (ESV) When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and as he drew near to look, there came the voice of the Lord:
Recognize His voice
Grow to Know His Holiness
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Act 7:32 (ESV) ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare to look.
Pro 9:10 (ESV) 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Grow to Know His Holiness
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Act 7:33 (ESV) Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.
Grow to Know His Holiness
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Act 7:34 (ESV) I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.’
God’s message to Moses was not about Moses - it was about God’s plan and purpose and what He wanted Moses to do.
Grow to Know His Holiness
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Act 7:35 (ESV) “This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.
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Act 7:36 (ESV) This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years.
God established His relationship with Moses well enough that Moses was steadfast throughout 40 years
Grow to Know His Holiness
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Weak thin fiber spun together then woven into a tapestry…
All the fibers together being aligned with God’s purpose in His timing…
The Perfect God working with imperfect people
Pro 19:21 (ESV) 21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
Read Act 7:22-29
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Misperception and misdirection don’t hinder God from accomplishing his purposes
Stephen, standing before men who were bent on silencing him by whatever means necessary, boldly spoke the truth. He was not concerned about the outcome but only that he do what God called him to do.
This was part of the Master Weaver’s Plan
Our best efforts and worst failings WILL be used by God for His glory and our ultimate good.
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Act 7:22 (ESV) And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.
He had some fiber… He had some strengths but they weren’t focused or aligned with God’s purpose - yet.
This was part of the Master Weaver’s Plan
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Act 7:23 (ESV) “When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.
Moses took off in a direction HE thought was going to accomplish God’s ends… God let him do it.
This was part of the Master Weaver’s Plan
Pro 19:21 (ESV) 21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
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Act 7:24 (ESV) And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. Act 7:25 (ESV) He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand.
Moses supposed… and was wrong
Pro 19:21 (ESV) 21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
This was part of the Master Weaver’s Plan
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Act 7:26 (ESV) And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?’ Act 7:27 (ESV) But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?
Moses thought others would recognize and support his efforts… but they didn’t
This was part of the Master Weaver’s Plan
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Act 7:28 (ESV) Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ Act 7:29 (ESV) At this retort Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.
Fear motivated Moses and we know God does not want us to fear. Yet God used that response of fear to place Moses where God wanted him next - training in the wilderness… to lead in the wilderness!
God was preparing Moses for the job ahead of him…
This was part of the Master Weaver’s Plan
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Acknowledge God’s hand at work, look for it, yield to it.
You may not recognize God at work, you may not see how He is going to use what He is taking you through, but KNOW He will pull all the threads together to make the final story the one that HE is telling.
When things happen in your life - good or bad – you can say with confidence “This was part of the Master Weaver’s Plan!”
The Perfect Script …a script? God’s script is perfect … and in His sovereignty He is guiding ALL elements of His script - good and bad - to fulfill it perfectly.
In this world we see evil… Job David Solomon Jeremiah
Hab 1:2-3 (ESV) 2 O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? 3 Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.
God goes on to answer Habakkuk’s complaint but it reinforces the reality that…
Our sovereign God’s script is perfect - trust Him!
In today’s passage we will see that God’s plan doesn’t look fun… God’s promise involves trials!
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READ Act 7:17-21
When faced with man’s threats the early church acknowledged and leaned on God’s sovereignty…
Act 4:24-29 (ESV) 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’— 27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever YOUR hand and your plan had PREDESTINED to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,
Our sovereign God’s script is perfect - trust Him!
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Act 7:17 (ESV) “But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt
Our sovereign God’s script is perfect - trust Him!
What was the promise?
Gen 15:13-14 (ESV) 13 Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. 14 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions.
Gods PROMISE included trouble and trials…
Remember what Jesus told His disciples on the night He was betrayed?
Joh 16:33 (ESV) 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Our sovereign God’s script is perfect - trust Him!
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Act 7:18 (ESV) until there arose over Egypt another king who did not know Joseph. Act 7:19 (ESV) He dealt shrewdly with our race and forced our fathers to expose their infants, so that they would not be kept alive.
All things - including things we see as evil - happen for a purpose
Our sovereign God’s script is perfect
Paul, when talking about the purpose of the Law…
Rom 7:13 (ESV)
The purpose of the law was to contrast good with evil. “This is good, this is bad”
Our sovereign God’s script is perfect
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Act 7:20 (ESV) At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God's sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father's house,
Our sovereign God’s script is perfect
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Act 7:21 (ESV) and when he was exposed, Pharaoh's daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son.
God used Moses’s exposure – Which was intended to be his death sentence – as the means to bring him into Pharaohs family…
Our sovereign God’s script is perfect
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Isa 55:8-9 (ESV)
Rom 8:31 (ESV)
Put your trust in the sovereign God who has laid out all of the universe for HIS purpose! You can trust him with everything.
Know and pursue him! All other things are secondary.
Stay On Target!
God’s Purpose will prevail
Don’t allow circumstances to change your pursuit of God - stay on target!
God uses opposition as well as conformance to accomplish His purpose
Israel’s opposition to God’s purposes, in spite of which and by means of which those purposes were accomplished.
Read Act 7:9-16
Don’t allow circumstances to change your pursuit of God - stay on target!
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Act 7:9 (ESV) “And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him
God gave promises thru and to Joseph. His brothers were human and desired those promises for themselves - jealousy
Gen 37:4 (ESV) 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.
Gen 37:8 (ESV) 8 His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.
Accept what God has given you, be satisfied with it, thankful for it, and make the most of it.
Be who God has created you to be.
Don’t allow circumstances to change your pursuit of God - stay on target!
Php 4:11-13 (ESV) 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Don’t allow circumstances to change your pursuit of God - stay on target!
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Act 7:10 (ESV) and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household.
Was this a quick process? An easy process?
17 - Sold as slave by his brothers Falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife Jailed Betrayed by those he helped 30 - Raised to Governor
13 years
Don’t allow circumstances to change your pursuit of God - stay on target!
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Act 7:11 (ESV) Now there came a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers could find no food. Act 7:12 (ESV) But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first visit. Act 7:13 (ESV) And on the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph's family became known to Pharaoh.
Don’t allow circumstances to change your pursuit of God - stay on target!
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Act 7:14 (ESV) And Joseph sent and summoned Jacob his father and all his kindred, seventy-five persons in all. Act 7:15 (ESV) And Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, he and our fathers, Act 7:16 (ESV) and they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.
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God‘s perspective is the big picture.
The drama that was Joseph’s life is just one small part of the whole picture.
Bottom line, we all live and die inside the working out of God‘s plan.
Don’t allow circumstances to change your pursuit of God - stay on target!
Php 3:12-14 (ESV) 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
PRESS ON!
Both Circumcision and Baptism are outward SIGNS of inward heart change.
Outward signs of a heart totally submitted in obedience to God
God looks at the heart…
Is your heart totally submitted to God?
1Sa 16:7 (ESV) 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”
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Act 7:8 (ESV) And he gave him the covenant of circumcision. And so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.
God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision…
As Christians, God has given us the institution of baptism as an outward SIGN of our internal heart change.
Is your heart totally submitted to God?
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Act 7:9 (ESV) “And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him Act 7:10 (ESV) and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household.
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Rom 4:7-13 (ESV) 7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” 9 Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the SIGN of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. 13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
Abraham was fully submitted to God, trusting him completely… That is faith!
Is your heart totally submitted to God?
Act 2:38 (ESV) 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Ethiopian eunuch…
Act 8:36 (ESV) 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”
Faithfulness and obedience accept the role God has called us to and fulfills it to the best of our ability.
Faith and obedience enable us to fulfill our part of God‘s perfect plan
Heb 11:1 (ESV) 1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Act 7:1-7
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Act 7:1 (ESV) And the high priest said, “Are these things so?”
What things?
Act 6:13-14 (ESV) 13 and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.”
Stephen didn’t address the false accusations but took the opportunity to use the very “law” they accused him of being against to point to Christ.
Stephen was faithful and obedient to present the gospel message he had been commissioned to give.
Be who God calls you to be.
Stephen walked boldly down the path to his martyrdom without hesitation. This is what God called him to and he embraced it without hesitation.
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Act 7:2 (ESV) And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, Act 7:3 (ESV) and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’
God called Abraham to leave his birthplace and his family and go to an unknown place. God rarely leads toward comfort and the status quo.
Abraham was faithful and obedient even though he was being called to an unknown place.
Be who God calls you to be.
Change is uncomfortable but realize that He is about transforming us.
Rom 12:1-2 (ESV) 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Be who God calls you to be.
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Act 7:4 (ESV) Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living. Act 7:5 (ESV) Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot's length, but promised to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, though he had no child.
Abraham had a part in God’s plan but it wasn’t to possess the land. Abraham fulfilled his part - he was obedient AND satisfied with the role God called him to.
Obedience is doing that which you are called to do and not reaching for more or getting distracted by other things.
Be who God calls you to be.
Abraham was the father of faith. He acted and lived out his entire life without ever seeing that which God had promised - possession of the promised land.
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Act 7:6 (ESV) And God spoke to this effect—that his offspring would be sojourners in a land belonging to others, who would enslave them and afflict them four hundred years. Act 7:7 (ESV) ‘But I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.’
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God’s Narrative will be played out. Seek to know and understand what He is calling you to do and pursue it wholeheartedly!
God takes the Israelites thru this process of slavery before He brings them to the promised land for HIS purpose. Was this punishment? NO! God had purpose in doing it so his name would be glorified!
Be who God calls you to be.
Embrace all that God brings into your life as opportunity to trust Him more for the things that you CANNOT see!
Power with Purpose God’s power doesn’t accomplish man’s ends.
This passage proceeds the stoning of Stephen – the first Christian martyr recorded in the New Testament.
Act 6:8-15
God shows power and signs and wonders yet Stephen is arrested…
What is up with that?!
God has purpose in ALL things…
God will accomplish ALL His purpose perfectly!
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Act 6:8 (ESV) And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.
Power with purpose - showing His hand to those that are willing to see it
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Act 6:9 (ESV) Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. Act 6:10 (ESV) But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.
Power with purpose - impacting the eternal destiny of those who will be impacted…
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Act 6:11 (ESV) Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”
Those that will NOT will have the testimony against them…
Isa 41:4 (ESV) 4 Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.
From the beginning thru the end God has purpose for ALL the events that happen, good and bad
Isa 46:10 (ESV) 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
God will accomplish ALL His purpose perfectly!
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Act 6:12 (ESV) And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, Act 6:13 (ESV) and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, Act 6:14 (ESV) for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.”
Man clings to his performance.
God had purpose in the law but that purpose was to POINT to the need for Christ!
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Act 6:15 (ESV) And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
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We leave Stephen standing before the men who will ultimately murder him. But God is showing clearly that He is empowering and supporting this man.
God has purpose even in this!
God establishes his chosen ones to the END!
1Co 1:7-9 (ESV) 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
What is the end?! When Stephen is stoned?
NO! It is the day of our Lord Jesus Christ and the transition to eternity!
God uses his power with purpose toward THAT end!
He protects us from Satan’s efforts to separate us from him ETERNALLY but he does not remove us from the trials in this world.
Isa 46:10 (ESV) 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
God‘s purpose WILL stand! We can have faith in this we can trust our LIVES to this!
Pressing on into and toward God‘s faithful purpose!
Top Priority First Importance!
Act 6:1-7
Act 5:42 (ESV) 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
This is the starting point we need to bring everyone to.
Core message of the Bible: Jesus Core purpose of disciples: (be a disciple) and make disciples.
First things!
1Co 15:3 (ESV) 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
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Act 6:1 (ESV) Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. Act 6:2 (ESV) And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.
Note that they did not deny the need to serve tables but only that teaching and preaching was THEIR calling and priority.
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Act 6:3 (ESV) Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. Act 6:4 (ESV) But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
What is the ministry of the Word?
Neh 8:8 (ESV) 8 They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
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Act 6:5 (ESV) And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. Act 6:6 (ESV) These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. Act 6:7 (ESV) And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
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Core message of the Bible: Jesus Core purpose of disciples: (be a disciple) make disciples.
Mat 28:18-20 (ESV)
Outward sign of inward change Like circumcision - comes as a sign of what has happened inside NOT as the mechanism to accomplish that change.
One body
Eph 4:11-13 (ESV) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
Rom 12:4-8 (ESV) 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Nail down your purpose!
Core message of the Bible: Jesus Core purpose of disciples: (be a disciple) and make disciples.
Top Priority: Figure out what you going to do about Jesus! Get into the Body of Christ!
If you are part of the body of Christ, figure out how he wants you to work to build that body up in love. That is your top priority!
Entropy is a measure of the randomness or disorder of a system.
Act 5:30 …whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. Act 5:31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. Act 5:32 And we are witnesses to these things
Act 5:33-42
1Co 14:33 (ESV) For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,
Everything God does has order in purpose.
Satan and the world on the other hand…
Joh 10:10 (ESV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
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Act 5:33 (ESV) When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. Act 5:34 (ESV) But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. Act 5:35 (ESV) And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. Act 5:36 (ESV) For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing.
This is the concept of entropy – the order this man was trying to put together fell apart when he was taken out.
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Act 5:37 (ESV) After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered.
All man’s efforts result in nothing!
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Act 5:38 (ESV) So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail;
Every kingdom, every structure, every effort of man will ultimately and in decay.
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Act 5:39 (ESV) but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, Act 5:40 (ESV) and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Act 5:41 (ESV) Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
Gods church is being built up IN SPITE of the destructive energy aimed at it!
Mat 16:18 (ESV) And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
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Act 5:42 (ESV) And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
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All of God’s creation is orchestrated explicitly. Nothing about the universe, the earth, or the human body is haphazard.
There are patterns and laws of nature. God is a God of order. Of systems. Of science.
He designed everything on Earth so that human beings can live in a way that they wouldn’t be able to on any other planet.
God is Lord over it all. He designed it all for our benefit because He loves His children. Because God is consistent, we can have hope because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever
Heb 13:8 (ESV) 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Who is your Director? Choose who you will obey Who is directing you Who are you taking direction from
To whom is obedience owed?
Who is owed obedience? Who is due obedience? To whom do you owe obedience? Obeying real Authority
Act 5:25-32
Rom 13:7 (ESV) 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Rom 6:16 (ESV) 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
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Act 5:25 (ESV) And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” Act 5:26 (ESV) Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
Luk 12:4-5 (ESV) 4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!
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Act 5:27 (ESV) And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, Act 5:28 (ESV) saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” Act 5:29 (ESV) But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
This is the special term for the obedience which one owes to authority. The apostles were living out Jesus admonition…
Luk 12:4-5 (ESV) 4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!
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Act 5:30 (ESV) The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. Act 5:31 (ESV) God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. Act 5:32 (ESV) And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
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Who are you going to obey?
Php 2:5-8 (ESV) 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Dan 3:16-18 (ESV) 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Jos 24:15 (ESV) 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Who is your Director? Man, your desires, or God? Choose today who you will obey!
Words of Life… … Of first importance…
Act 5:17-24
Lots happening here including a miraculous rescue from prison.
What struck me was “… all the words of this life.“
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Act 5:17 (ESV) But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy
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Act 5:18 (ESV) they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. Act 5:19 (ESV) But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,
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Act 5:20 (ESV) “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”
What are the Words of this Life?
Act 5:30-32 (ESV) 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
Key Points: - Christ lived and died with purpose - Opened the door for repentance - For forgiveness of our Sin - He was raised by God - Exalted by God - Men are witnesses - God’s Holy Spirit is witness
Jesus Christ came into this world to provide abundant and eternal life to spiritually dead people.
John summarized it this way in his first epistle…
1Jn 1:1-4 (ESV) 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
Paul summarized it this way…
1Co 15:3-8 (ESV) 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas… to the twelve… 6 …more than five hundred brothers 7 …to James, then to all the apostles. 8 …to Paul.
Key points: - Christ, the Messiah - Came to earth - Lived and died purposefully - To resolve the separation issue between perfect God and imperfect man - God raised Him from the dead - And provided witnesses - Men - His spirit - To affirm His involvement and intent.
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Act 5:21 (ESV) And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
These men were living out the obedience God called for… … at the risk of their lives. They WILL be beat for this move.
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Act 5:22 (ESV) But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, Act 5:23 (ESV) “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” Act 5:24 (ESV) Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to.
Righteousness leads to high esteem!
Do you want to be held in high esteem for the right reasons?
Live this life in the righteousness of Christ!
It’s not easy but it has infinite eternal benefits!
Act 5:12-16
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Act 5:12 (ESV) Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico.
A portico surrounding the temple's Court of the Gentiles. This was also where Jesus had taught about the Good Shepherd
God used the apostles to confirm His message
2Co 12:12 (ESV)
Heb 2:3-4 (ESV)
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Act 5:13 (ESV) None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem.
What caused fear? Why would it take daring to join them? We saw one key reason earlier in this passage…
Act 5:5 (ESV)
1Co 11:30-32 (ESV)
High esteem > Fruit of righteousness
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Act 5:14 (ESV) And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,
Mat 5:16 (ESV)
Joh 13:35 (ESV)
You’ll be known by your good works
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Act 5:15 (ESV) so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.
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Act 5:16 (ESV) The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
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God introduced his Holy Spirit‘s ministry with power and clarity. He focused mostly on the apostles as the administrators of that power.
Why were they held in high esteem? Because they were ministers operating within the power of God as opposed to the hypocrites like Ananias and Safira who were called out.
They had been verified by the power of God. Not only through the miracles but through the discipline God carried out on Ananias and sapphire.
Fear of being found out and held accountable for hypocrisy helped maintain the purity of the church at the outset.
Righteousness is valued and held in high esteem. God’s character at work attracts man’s attention. We saw this earlier…
Act 2:47 (ESV) “…favor with all the people…”
1Pe 3:14-16 (ESV) “…suffer for righteousness' sake…”
Isa 45:8 (ESV) “…salvation and righteousness may bear fruit…”
Php 1:9-11 (ESV)
It is us living out the character of God that transforms the world
Col 1:27 (ESV)
Mat 5:13-16 (ESV)
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Impact the world for eternity by living out in the righteousness you have through Christ’s Spirit living in you!
What are you “filled” with? What are you focused on?
Focused and filled describe where our mind and our heart are.
Check your focus.
Act 5:1 (ESV) But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, Act 5:2 (ESV) and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himSELF some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Root of man’s problem… SELF!
What is the sin here? What Godly desire have they twisted?
Greed and pride - affirmation from others
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Act 5:3 (ESV) But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your HEART to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?
Sin originates at the heart level – the action is really fruit of the heart motivation.
Mat 12:33-35 (ESV) 34 “…out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
Mat 5:28 (ESV) 28 …has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
I found this concept of being spiritually filled 14 times in the Bible. Of those, 10 of them were in Luke and Acts – the books that Luke wrote. Paul uses the phrase in Ephesians:
Eph 5:18 (ESV) 18 …but be filled with the Spirit,
Filled is is to not have room for anything else. I think of times when I have had this type of focus…
When I am playing goal keeper in a football match and someone is dribbling the ball toward me to score, I am not thinking about anything else - my mind is “filled“ with that moment and those things.
We have all probably experienced this at some point… An immediate desire or emotion seems SO critical and overwhelming that we MUST yield to it! …we must have it!
All other things are eclipsed by that.
Reality is those things can be like holding your finger in front of you so that you can’t see a whole building or forest…
Yet in hindsight I have found that all I needed to do was say “no”. James tells us this and his admonition:
Jas 4:7 (ESV)
Good things can be this way just as well as sin.
I can be totally focused, “filled“ with speaking the truth about God or I can be totally focused or “filled“ on fulfilling my selfish desires.
Clear reference to the Holy Spirit as being equivalent to, yet distinct from God.
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Act 5:4 (ESV) While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”
As we discussed yesterday, this was not communal living but selfless living. Ananias and Saphira owned the property with no obligation. When they sold the property there was no obligation – it was completely theirs to do with as they wished.
They have a desire for affirmation from both man and God. Peter points out that the root issue is their intent to deceive God. All sin is against God because all sin contradicts His character of truth and grace.
Psa 51:4 (ESV) 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned…
Act 5:5 (ESV) When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.
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Act 5:6 (ESV) The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
Typical Jewish custom was burial on the day of death, especially for those that were great sinners.
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Act 5:7 (ESV) After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Act 5:8 (ESV) And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” Act 5:9 (ESV) But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Act 5:10 (ESV) Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Act 5:11 (ESV) And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
ekklēsia ek-klay-see'-ah
Act 4:32 (ESV) Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.
Unity and selflessness go hand in hand.
Selfishness destroys unity.
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Act 4:33 (ESV) And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
This is the unifying focus…
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Act 4:34 (ESV) There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold
How do we define needy? It can be a relative term - relative to or dependent on who’s perspective you look from.
Coaching kids on a ski hill - Need better phone - Need new skis
Walking in Gbarnga - Need new shoes - Need a new shirt
Working at the clinic - Need malaria medicine - Need surgery
NEEDY, a. Necessitous; indigent; very poor; distressed by want of the means of living.
So how are we to discern?
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Act 4:35 (ESV) and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
By doing it in this manner, they were able to discern which need was greatest… They had finite resources and needed to distribute them wisely.
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Act 4:36 (ESV) Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Act 4:37 (ESV) sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
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No one has unlimited resources except God.
We are called to be good stewards of the resources God gives us.
Key principles: 1. Let go of ownership - acknowledge God’s ultimate ownership. 2. Prayerfully consider how God would have you use the resources He has placed in your hands. 3. Work to make objective decisions 1. Seek counsel or outside input to discern where God would have you use or place HIS resources. 2. Take the resources to a plurality of people in authority who are submissive to and guided by the Spirit. 1. They should humbly seek God’s wisdom
Selfishness hoards or misuses the resources. Selfishness is never satisfied and desires to gain from the process.
Yet there is balance - the New Testament believers retained ownership until directed by God.
We don’t read of any dying of starvation so that others could eat.
Let go of things - be selfless NOT selfish! Seek God’s guidance and direction Pursue honoring Him with all that you have.
Managing God’s resources
God has given us life and with it ability with which we can honor Him. Each one of us should be looking for how we can honor him with the resources we have been given. Those resources include the ability to accomplish things.
2Th 3:6-10 (ESV) 6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
A Submissive Heart
Energized by obedience!
Pursuit of God - desiring to live out conformance of His character to honor Him NOT for personal gain
David and Job
Act 13:22 (ESV) 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’
Job 13:15 (KJV) 15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
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Act 4:23 (ESV) When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. Act 4:24 (ESV) And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them,
Sovereign Lord comes from the Greek word “des-pot’-ace”: an absolute ruler (“despot”): - Lord, master.
Acknowledging God‘s absolute and total authority and control of all things!
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Act 4:25 (ESV) who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? Act 4:26 (ESV) The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’— Act 4:27 (ESV) for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, Act 4:28 (ESV) to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.
These disciples are laying out the truth of what happened to Jesus – from the world‘s point of view a tragedy – from their point of view a triumph of God‘s sovereignty.
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Act 4:29 (ESV) And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,
No request for reduction of threat but boldness and strength to carry out their commission.
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Act 4:30 (ESV) while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
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Act 4:31 (ESV) And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
God affirms their response with a supernatural outward occurrence - shaking of the physical place - to correlate with the inward refreshing of His Spirit.
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One thing I love about this passage is that the believers were not frightened or discouraged by the trial Peter and John went through but rather energized and even exhilarated!
They were committed to living their every day lives with a focus on and conformance to God’s character. That their efforts met resistance was an affirmation not a discouragement.
It is easy to imagine that this group of people was somehow more “perfect“ than any other assembly at that time or sense. But the reality is, as we see them live out their lives in the balance of Acts and throughout the New Testament, we see that there were plenty of imperfect aspects to their existence.
This affirms a principle that God has been pointing toward throughout the history of man: it is not the outward appearance or performance that he judges but the heart to pursue and know him.
1Sa 16:7 (ESV) 7 … the LORD looks on the heart.”
And He rewards that! This is the “perfection” God is looking for - a heart that is truly His, one that is seeking after Him.
Mat 7:7-8 (ESV) 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Ask, seek, and knock! Pursue a deeper and better understanding of God! Come talk to me – I’ll be glad to walk with you in that journey!
Spirit empowered obedience
Embrace rather than reject Run to, not away from, the Spirit!
To Obey Or Not Following God‘s Spirit’s leading
Act 4:13 (ESV) Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
Contact with eternal perfection transforms us!
2Co 5:17 (ESV) Eph 4:22-24 (ESV)
Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom - in Him and thru my interaction with Him, I am transformed and able to discern beyond my human capacity.
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Act 4:14 (ESV) But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.
Sin likes to be hidden. They recognized that their agenda of silencing the Gospel was contradicted by the evidence standing before them. Rather than admit it and change their thinking, they chose to be silent and then go behind closed doors to continue to pursue their illegitimate agenda.
Personally, it is a HUGE red flag if I ever feel that what I am doing cannot be done in the public eye before others.
God’s Spirit convicts and that conviction comes in the form of shame – we are ashamed of our sin. So our natural reaction is to hide it or cover it up.
Don’t go there! Listen to the Spirit’s conviction! ———————————————————
Act 4:15 (ESV) But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, Act 4:16 (ESV) saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
They stated out right the truth yet their self-centered lust for power and control overrode the conviction of the Spirit to do the right thing.
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Act 4:17 (ESV) But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.”
While what these men were doing was condemnable, God continued to give them grace to move forward in their error. His grace has purpose. Remember, Saul who would later be called Paul and write a majority of the New Testament, was in this group. God‘s grace left the door open for him to turn around later.
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Act 4:18 (ESV) So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Act 4:19 (ESV) But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,
They know what is right because they are being led by God’s Spirit. He is convicting them - energizing them to speak the truth with boldness
2Ti 1:7 (ESV) 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Peter and John stay on target and do not get distracted by the threats or even the danger to themselves. Obedience to the Spirit’s conviction is their focus. The power of the Spirit acting thru them enables them to accomplish far more than was humanly possible.
Act 4:20 (ESV) for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
Controlled by the Spirit
2Co 5:13-15 (ESV)
When we submit fully to His leading, then we are operating from an eternal perspective which may make no sense to the world. But operating from an eternal perspective WILL enable us to make an eternal difference!
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Act 4:21 (ESV) And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. Act 4:22 (ESV) For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
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Do you want to be transformed? Do you want to act with wisdom? Do you want to be confident that what you were doing is the right thing? Follow the spirit leading, the spirit conviction!
Do NOT deny him, quench him, or hide from him!
Embrace God‘s conviction and allow him to transform your life!
Act 4:1 (ESV) And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, Act 4:2 (ESV) greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
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Act 4:10 (ESV) let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. Act 4:11 (ESV) This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. Act 4:12 (ESV) And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
= The Sadducees were a strong opposition of the Gospel BECAUSE it claimed resurrection as it’s foundational principal.
Pharisee’s opposed Jesus because Jesus focused on the fulfillment of the law and the transition from external rules pointing toward the perfect Law of Christ to Spirit’s leading and the internalization of God’s character through our adoption into God’s family.
In Acts we see the Sadducees oppose the apostles because of their focus on the resurrection as the affirmation and confirmation of Christ’s deity and saving work
Christ’s resurrection is the core message of the Gospel.
1Co 15:3-8 (ESV) 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
Resurrection is the proof of God’s stated solution to our sin/self/separation problem.
Adam and Eve chose to separate from God…
Gen 2:16-17 (ESV) 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
Separation from God - no eternal hope or destination other than separation from all that is good in God.
Christ declared Himself the Way…
Joh 14:6 (ESV) 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
What separates us from God is the destructive power of death.
Resurrection = Christ’s absolute sovereignty over ALL things
We can put our whole faith and trust in Him.
Rom 8:31-32 (ESV) 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
This is why Paul said…
Php 3:7-14 (ESV) 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord… 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Act 3:17 (ESV) “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
God points out many times that His grace covers ignorance…
Jesus on the cross:
Luk 23:34 (ESV) And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
Which flows into the concept of grace covering ALL our failings
Luk 6:27-28 (ESV) 27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
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Act 3:18 (ESV) But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Act 3:19 (ESV) Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
I want to come back to this concept of repentance…
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Act 3:20 (ESV) that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,
This is pointing towards Grace SECOND coming…
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Act 3:21 (ESV) whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.
Is correlates with what we get to practice now “… Renew your mind…”
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Act 3:22 (ESV) Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. Act 3:23 (ESV) And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’
Pride prevents us from listening…
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Act 3:24 (ESV) And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. Act 3:25 (ESV) You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ Act 3:26 (ESV) God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.” All have opportunity, not all will take advantage of it.
Mat 7:13-14 (ESV)
What is the narrow gate? It is repentance in humility.
So what does this “repent “look like? Is this the, “whoops, I’m sorry, all right, let’s move on!”
Repent. This refers to a change of mind and purpose that turns an individual from sin/self to God. Such change involves more than fearing the consequences of God's judgment. Genuine repentance requires action, no mere academic change of mind, nor simply regret or remorse.
John the Baptist called for repentance as a radical turning from sin that inevitably became manifest in the fruit of righteousness
Mar 1:4 (ESV)
And John expected fruit…
Mat 3:8 (ESV) 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.
In my own life I have to deal with my own repentance and the repentance of those around me.
Luk 17:3-4 (ESV)
2Co 7:10 (AMPC)
1Jn 1:8-10 (AMPC)
I need to look for the transformation of my heart – a desire in my heart to do differently.
This is the repentance I want to cultivate in myself and those around me.
One of the biggest battles mankind faces is the battle with pride. It comes out in every opportunity because it is ever present in our flesh. In failure and success we are battling pride.
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Act 3:11 (ESV) While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's. Act 3:12 (ESV) And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?
Peter addresses directly the key source of conflict in our spiritual life - pride.
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Act 3:13 (ESV) The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.
Peter is addressing the Jews and so he is giving them a clear description of the God that they are familiar with along with the prediction that they know of in the suffering servant to help them best understand and grasp the truth he is talking about.
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Act 3:14 (ESV) But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, Act 3:15 (ESV) and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.
Speaking the truth is an absolute necessity in sharing the gospel. It is necessary to bring out our imperfect standing before a perfect God. The truth of our failings is the foundation for the need of salvation.
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Act 3:16 (ESV) And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
Here Peter highlights the reality of faith versus personal virtue.
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Let’s go back and look at Peter’s statement denying that his piety or virtue was the source of this miracle - it hits on a hinge point of the human condition. The key that impacts our eternal destiny - pride.
Act 3:12 (ESV) And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?
Here is the crucial human battle. Whenever we are interacting in the supernatural or being used by God, our flesh swells up and our pride claims to be the source or the reason for the power being displayed.
Adam and Eve proved that our flesh wants to be the one in control.
Gen 3:6 (ESV) 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
Satan is the great manipulator. He desires to be in control. Satan is condemned for that very thing – desiring to take the place of God.
Isa 14:13-14 (ESV) 13 You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’
Reality is there is only one God, and we are not Him. That is why God is so opposed to pride – it destroys the possibility of a relationship with Him.
Jas 4:6 (ESV) 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Paul highlights our perfect example in Philippians…
Php 2:5-11 (ESV) This is our call: to humbly admit who and what we are and go to God. He WILL graciously lift us up far beyond anything we could ever deserve or hope for.
He will use us to impact eternity both in our lives and in the lives of others!
This is worth living for!
Eternity is impacted by your decisions in this world
Use circumstances to impact eternity
Worldly circumstances do not dictate or indicate eternal destiny! But worldly circumstances CAN be used to change our eternal destiny. — Act 3:1 (ESV) Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
9th hour was 15:00 or 3 o’clock Jews have three times of prayer nine, noon, and three. These are the times that Daniel prayed in the Old Testament when his adversaries caught him and got him sent to the lion’s den…
Peter and John are going to worship at a place dedicated to the worship of God but managed and controlled by people who dishonored God. Why? Why not start their own synagogue? Establish their own temple? They did not go to the temple of Diana or Zeus or Molech…
They were not about earthly organizations and structures but about honoring God and making disciples. When rejected at the place built to honor God they did go to private residences…
They use the worldly circumstances to the best of their ability to accomplish their eternal task – make disciples. — Act 3:2 (ESV) And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.
This was not an injury that would be could be healed over time. It was something the man was born with.
Alms are a way for men to acknowledge the value of everyone God has created. We should be acknowledging their inherent value in this act, not lifting ourselves up.
Alms should be for those who are in need not those that can provide for themselves.
He who will not work will not eat — Act 3:3 (ESV) Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. Act 3:4 (ESV) And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” Act 3:5 (ESV) And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. Act 3:6 (ESV) But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”
One of the questions I find useful to ask myself throughout life but especially when reading God‘s Word - How is this impacting eternity?
Think of this man’s life - he just lays around all day, other people carry him where he needs to go, other people give him money for his needs…
Think about what the life goal of many people is in this world… To have nothing to do, sit around all day, have other people meeting your needs, no responsibilities… This is the worldview of “retirement“ or the idyllic life. NOT!
This man had no freedom, he was totally reliant on others and was unable to improve his own situation very much.
Getting healed gave him the freedom to be the master of his own “destiny” and yet, did it change his eternal destiny?
He goes from being totally dependent on others in a very demeaned position to freedom to take control of his temporal life and yet his eternal destiny has not changed. — Act 3:7 (ESV) And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Act 3:8 (ESV) And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. Act 3:9 (ESV) And all the people saw him walking and praising God, Act 3:10 (ESV) and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. — This man’s physical circumstances changed dramatically in this story yet the big story was when he gave glory to God! That is an indication that his ETERNAL circumstances have changed! Our temporal circumstances do not limit or control our eternal destiny. Our temporal circumstances should point us to the ultimate eternal solution – a full commitment to a lifelong relationship with God that will take us into eternity as an adopted child of His!
Devotion to Christ’s character Unity of focus Singleminded Leaders serve Serve
Act 2:42-47
Fellowship, Unity - Love
Joh 13:35 (ESV) 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
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Act 2:42 (ESV) And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
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Act 2:43 (ESV) And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
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Act 2:44 (ESV) And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
Not commune living but holding lightly
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Act 2:45 (ESV) And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
Retain ownership and sold as the Lord led…
Need not greed. Because someone has something does not mean you need it.
Php 4:11-12 (ESV) 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
Pro 30:8-9 (ESV) 8 Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, 9 lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.
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Act 2:46 (ESV) And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,
Generous - aphelotēs - af-el-ot'-ace simplicity, singleness
Unity and other centered focus
Human nature versus God’s nature
Selfishness versus selflessness
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Act 2:47 (ESV) praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Why did they have favor with all people?
Exhortations to love and unity…
Rom 12:10 (ESV) 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Rom 13:8-9 (ESV) 8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Rom 15:5 (ESV) 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
Gal 5:13-14 (ESV) 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Heb 10:24-25 (ESV) 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
1Pe 4:8-10 (ESV) 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
This is the type of lifestyle God is calling Christians to: selfless service of others – always looking out for the best of others!
this is the example Christ gave and it is the one he called us to copy. If we live this way, the world will sit up and take notice!
favor with all the people
Sometimes when you purchase something in a package, there will be a note that says “Some assembly required.“
What happens to you during your life are the “parts” for what you will be and do in eternity. God has given them to you and now you have to choose what you’re going to do with them, how you are going to respond.
Christianity: Some action required!
Act 2:33-41
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Act 2:33 (ESV) Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.
When God’s hand is revealed we ought to sit up and take notice!
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Act 2:34 (ESV) For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, Act 2:35 (ESV) until I make your enemies your footstool.”’
Jesus walked in full obedience to God. Once He had accomplished what God called Him to accomplish, God took Him to heaven and cultivated the fruit of His efforts for the balance of time.
Walk in obedience to God. He uses our feeble, finite efforts and works outside the realm of time and space to accomplish HIS purpose.
Zec 4:6 (ESV) 6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.
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Act 2:36 (ESV) Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Act 2:37 (ESV) Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Heb 4:12 (ESV) 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
His Spirit works with the Truth of the Word to provide the conviction which opens the door to transformation. We must act when we are convicted or we will become dull of hearing.
1Th 5:19 (ESV) 19 Do not quench the Spirit.
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Act 2:38 (ESV) And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Here is the action point!
Eph 1:13-14 (ESV) 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
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Act 2:39 (ESV) For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” Act 2:40 (ESV) And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” Act 2:41 (ESV) So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
1Co 2:1-5 (ESV) 1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
I am not a “pastor” or trained theologian. I am a man who was convicted by God’s Spirit and determined to pursue Him by His grace.
If God is convicting your heart, take action! Don’t sit and let it fade away. You only have one life to live, use it to impact eternity - for yourself and those you interact with!
Christ as Lord
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Act 2:22 (ESV) “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—
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Act 2:23 (ESV) this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. Act 2:24 (ESV) God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
Remember what Jesus said to Martha on the way to Lazarus‘s tomb…
Joh 11:25-26 (ESV)
Heb 2:14-15 (ESV)
Jesus is NOT just a great “spiritual warrior” in conflict with Satan. Jesus is the Creator God in the flesh!!
Joh 1:1-4 (ESV)
Look how it all ends…
Rev 19:19-21 (ESV)
Rev 20:1-3 (ESV)
Rev 20:7-10 (ESV) This is the Christ who offered himself up to be crucified! No mere man – Almighty God in the flesh!
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It is no wonder then that all of the apostles focus on the resurrection – the clear illustration of the power of God over the thing mankind sees as the ultimate end and most often fears most: DEATH.
David was given prophetic insight…
Act 2:31 (ESV) he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. Act 2:32 (ESV) This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.
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Peter’s next sermon…
Act 3:15 (ESV) 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.
Peter’s closing statement…
Act 3:26 (ESV) 26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”
Peter’s declaration before the Sanhedrin…
Act 4:10 (ESV) 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.
Apostles before the Council Act 5:30
Peter to Cornelius Act 10:40
Paul and Barnabas at Antioch Act 13:30
Act 13:33–34
Act 13:37
Paul before the Areopagus
Act 17:31 (ESV) 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
Jesus is NOT just a great spiritual leader. He is the Creator God in the flesh!!
Act 2:14 (ESV) But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.
The newly appointed apostle, Matthias, was with them and they were all standing, representing the truth of Christ. No more hiding behind locked doors for fear of the Jews!
Joh 20:19 (ESV) 19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
Peter is actually stepping out boldly under the power of the spirit and declaring the truth.
2Ti 1:7 (ESV) 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
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Act 2:15 (ESV) For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.
Peter speaks to the lie then speaks the truth.
Jews calculated from sunrise making it about 9 AM.
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Act 2:16 (ESV) But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: Act 2:17 (ESV) “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;
“The last days“ refers to the entire period of time spanning from the coming of Christ to His return.
Heb 1:1-2 (ESV) 1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
1Pe 1:20-21 (ESV) 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
1Jn 2:18 (ESV) 18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.
Joel’s prophecy sweeps through an immense portion of time starting with the release of the Spirit. These other signs correlate directly with the end times including the tribulation.
Visions and dreams are present in the book of Acts but not universal. Peter and Paul are the primary ones noted to have them in Acts. God will increase the use of these as the End draws near.
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Act 2:18 (ESV) even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
To prophesy is to “tell forth“ the divine counsels and to predict future events especially in relationship to God and His kingdom.
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Act 2:19 (ESV) And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; Act 2:20 (ESV) the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. Act 2:21 (ESV) And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ =
God‘s spirit is the means and the mechanism for all that he will accomplish in this world. We are the vessels in conduit through which his power flows.
2Ti 1:7 (ESV) 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
We have this treasure inside our imperfect human flesh…
2Co 4:7-18 (ESV)
Circumstances do not affect us when we are walking in the power of the spirit!
We are called to live out the character of Christ – this is how we manifest him in our mortal flesh!
Act 2:1 (ESV) When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.
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Act 2:2 (ESV) And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
Joh 3:8 (ESV) 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
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Act 2:3 (ESV) And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.
Exo 3:2-5 (ESV) 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”
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Act 2:4 (ESV) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
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Act 2:5 (ESV) Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. Act 2:6 (ESV) And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.
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Act 2:7 (ESV) And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? Act 2:8 (ESV) And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?
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Act 2:9 (ESV) Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Act 2:10 (ESV) Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, Act 2:11 (ESV) both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”
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Act 2:12 (ESV) And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” Act 2:13 (ESV) But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
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Let’s look briefly at a very deep subject…
Act 2:4 (ESV) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Baptized/indwelling vs filled vs convicting
Eph 5:18 (ESV) 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
Seems to be part of the process of the act of baptism - God fills us up
Eph 1:13-14 (ESV) 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Rom 8:9 (ESV) 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
Baptized 1Co 12:12-13 (ESV) 12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
Convicting: Joh 16:7-8 (ESV) 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
United in Purpose Unity is the aim of Christ for His Body
God’s Spirit is not yet present and resident in this body, so this passage takes place under the old covenant’s parameters.
Act 1:12-26
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Act 1:12 (ESV) Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.
2000 cubits or 3000 feet… Just over half a mile. This was the distance that the Israelites had to walk while passing through the wilderness in the encampment God laid out.
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Act 1:13 (ESV) And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.
Upper room here may refer to the room where they had the last supper. But upper rooms were very common in Jerusalem and throughout that culture.
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Act 1:14 (ESV) All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
Unity was the signature or identifying characteristic of this assembly.
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Act 1:15 (ESV) In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said,
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Act 1:16 (ESV) “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.
Act 1:17 (ESV) For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.”
Act 1:18 (ESV) (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.
Act 1:19 (ESV) And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
Act 1:20 (ESV) “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “‘Let another take his office.’
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Act 1:21 (ESV) So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Act 1:22 (ESV) beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.”
I am reminded that Peter has had several instances where is impetuosity or need for immediate action has led to mistakes. In light of the fact that God called Paul as an apostle, there is a distinct possibility that this was human reasoning leading.
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Act 1:23 (ESV) And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.
Clearly the monumental decision as to who was to be one of the guiding leaders in the founding of the church was decided with the involvement of the whole church body, not just the sanctified leaders.
Although there is question as to whether this process was fulfilling God‘s purpose or man’s, either way what we see is a very unified, non-divisive decision taking place on a very big element. In many ways this illustrates faith in God. Get your direction and move. Trust that God will resolve any issues by His sovereignty.
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Act 1:24 (ESV) And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen
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Act 1:25 (ESV) to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”
— Act 1:26 (ESV) And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
United in Purpose Unity is the aim of Christ for His Body
Joh 17:9-23 (ESV) Eph 4:11-16 (ESV)
It is God‘s intent that we be unified, not divided, in our differences. We can accomplish that by taking on Paul’s perspective on differences…
Php 3:15 (ESV)
Spiritual power is not of this world.
What is real power? One of our world leaders spoke of having an iron fist inside of a velvet glove. The Bible uses the term meekness to describe this concept…
True power is the ability to remain steadfast in purpose or not crushing or overwhelming those around you or standing against you.
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Act 1:6 (ESV) So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
Disciples had a vision of worldly power and worldly kingdoms… This is not at all where God is going with this. He is looking at the bigger picture of eternity. ———————————————————
Act 1:7 (ESV) He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
It is interesting that Jesus does not correct their perspective but points toward the coming of the Holy Spirit. Remember that the Holy Spirit will be the one that reveals all things and teaches all things…
Joh 14:26 (ESV) 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
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Act 1:8 (ESV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
What is this “power”? It isn’t what the disciples are thinking. None of this is. Let’s go through the balance of this passage and then we’ll come back to that…
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Act 1:9 (ESV) And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
God uses clouds as a kind of clothing of his glory multiple times in the Bible.
Mar 9:2-8 (ESV) 2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.
Mar 13:26 (ESV) 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
Mar 14:62 (ESV) 62 And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
Rev 1:7 (ESV) 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. ———————————————————
Act 1:10 (ESV) And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,
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Act 1:11 (ESV) and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
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Let’s look at this Spirit and the power that Jesus is referring to… 2Ti 1:6-7 (ESV) 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Paul spoke directly about the function of this power
2Co 10:3-5 (ESV)
Look at how he described it to the Ephesians…
Eph 6:10-18 (ESV)
Tag-team transition: Jesus for Holy Spirit
Jesus’ work opened the door for the Spirit to come and dwell with imperfect men - Perfect God in-dwelling imperfect man ———————————————————
Act 1:1 (ESV) In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,
Dedication to Theophilus (Theophilus means "lover of God," ) Luk 1:1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, Luk 1:2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, Luk 1:3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, Luk 1:4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
Jesus opened the door for our reconnection with God that was lost in the Garden of Eden…
Submission to the Holy Spirit IS the renewal Paul refers to in Romans…
Rom 12:1-2 (ESV) 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
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Act 1:2 (ESV) until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. Act 1:3 (ESV) He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
Luk 17:20-21 (ESV) 20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”
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Act 1:4 (ESV) And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me;
Joh 14:16-17 (ESV) 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. Joh 14:26 (ESV) 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
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Act 1:5 (ESV) for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Joh 16:7 (ESV) 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
Eph 1:13-14 (ESV) 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. God’s Spirit is our direct connection to God…
Rom 8:26-27 (ESV) 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Thru The Spirit, God enables me to live differently in this world.
2Pe 1:3-4 (ESV) Grab onto this great treasure that enables you to live this life with eternal purpose - WALK THRU THE DOOR JESUS OPENED!