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ReactorSTUDIES FROM BRETHREN IN CHRIST
SERMON MENU SELECTIONS9/23/2007 ~ Unchanging Church of God |
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"Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, ... ~ Acts 17:30-31
God allows for U-Turns. Sin is our greatest challenge and salvation our greatest need. ┌─> The men of the church in the Book of Acts were on fire for the Lord. ... "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too." ~ Acts 17:6 The Book of Acts is about Jesus Christ crucified, His resurection, - Him glorified. ~ Many people did not want to repent, to conform to God. Our task is to know Christ and to make Him known. ~ It's about converting people to the Lord's way of thinking, - fully obeidient to Jesus Christ. "And we are His witnesses to these things, ... ~ Acts 5:32 God's chosen people are not to be as frozen people, but His Growing and Going people. ... and preached Christ to them. ~ Acts 8:5 ... at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. ~ Acts 8:35 "... and you shall be witness to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." ~ Acts 1:8 ┌─> Thiry years later the Gospel was in Rome. <─┘ ( Acts 9:31 ) ... preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him. ~ Acts 28:30-31 - One theme of Acts is to clarify baptism. Certainly people should understand and obey the truth of baptism. → A person does what the Bible says about baptism because they want to be obediant to the Lord. ● It is said that the hardest commandment in the Bible is not baptism, but repentance. If you get people to change their minds about sin and self ~ and turn to the Lord, then the rest will fall into place. "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." ~ Acts 4:12 "... narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." ~ Matthew 7:13-14 The word of God is not popular but true. ... The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. ~ Acts 16:14 └─> Her hearing the salvation of Christ opened her heart.
No one will be forced into the Kingdom against their will. God has made Jesus a center piece of civilization. Not just opinion, but factual scriptural evidence should persuade one. ... and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. ... ~ Acts 11:20-24 "... testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." ~ Acts 20:21 "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." ~ John 12:32 ... reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, ... ~ Acts 17:2-3 Many today are skeptical and have heard the Bible has errors, → but really, where are these errors? ~ How do we know the Bible is the inspired word of God? The Bible itself is a miraculous book with dozens of messianic prophecies which is history written in advance; - miraculous foreknowledge. Many say they need a miracle to believe and have faith. Open the Bible to witness a miracle, Isaiah 52-53 has at least 15 prophesies about Christ:
Found in the dead sea scrolls, the Book of Isaiah is dated from 100 A.D. - It is proven that Jesus was spoken of and written about ~ before He was born. Our faith is a reasoned understanding based on evidence. God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing ... ~ Acts 10:38 Jesus' acts were public and widespread. His miracles were publicly witnessed and verified, ~ unlike tall tales told today of knowing someone who knows someone who was raised from the dead; miracles never seen. ┌─> David lived 1,000 years before Christ. ... Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. ... ~ Acts 2:23-28 Messiah not undergoing corruption is evidence of Christ's resurrection. "... an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, ..." ~ Acts 2:30 └─> God promised David to sit one of his descendants on his throne. Acts takes Old Testament prophesies and shows how Jesus has the unique fingerprint of the Messiah. ~ It's not what the Bible says, it's that it is, God's one and only Book. "... Behold, He is coming," Says the LORD of hosts. ~ Malachi 3:1 We have a great need for a savior and we have a great savior for our need. ⭩ ↓ ⭨ ... whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved. ~ Acts 2:21 NAMES OF JESUS IN ACTS.
"... God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." ~ Acts 2:36
┌─> Seed refers to the virgin birth. ... And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, ... ~ Genesis 3:15 It was foretold that Christ would crush the devil. "... And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." ~ Genesis 12:3 The rest of the Bible is a fulfillment of this one verse. <─┘ The scepter shall not depart from Judah, ...until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people. ~ Genesis 49:10 The Messiah was from the tribe of Judah who was also a descendant of David. ┌─> The Book of Mormon says Jesus was born in Jerusalem which is not so. "... Bethlehem ... out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler ... From everlasting." ~ Micah 5:2 There were two Bethlehem’s in the Old Testament. Jesus was born in the southern one which was called the city of David and raised in the northern one as a Nazarene. ● Our faith is not based on some mindless tradition but on scriptural evidence that any honest open person can easily read and understand. ... according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior - Jesus - ~ Acts 13:23
Jesus came to rescue us from sin and death. "For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost." ~ Matthew 18:11 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 6:23 He took on our sin that we might see eternal life. ... who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness ... ~ 1st Peter 2:24 In this culture of blame, we are accountable for ourselves. Would we reject what Jesus wills us to be? So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. ~ Romans 14:12 " '... rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' " ~ Acts 4:11 Everyone should be more like Christ being transformed from the inside. Strength through peace in view of God’s own truth.. ... the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, ... ~ Acts 3:13 "But you denied the Holy One and the Just, ..." ~ Acts 3:14 "... and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses." ~ Acts 3:15 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ~ John 1:17 ○ Jesus is right and anyone who disagrees with Him is wrong. ... all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, ... ~ Acts 26:29 └─> A Christian. The murderous Rabbi Saul turned in to the faithful Paul. ~ The Lord specializes in lost causes and hopeless cases. ... "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; ..." ~ Acts 18:9-10 Those searching for a better life and to overcome the emptiness of sin, - searching to find the meaning of life, → will find it through the Gospel. Jesus Christ is the Savior of souls and the builder of men. The Lord has the power if we have the faith. ... "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on the earth." ~ Matthew 28:18 Acts is an example of the power and workings of the religion Jesus died to establish. ... and they spoke the word of God with boldness. ~ Acts 4:31 In times of trouble, people tend to turn to the true God. ... the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: ... ~ Acts 17:22-23 The message has always been turn back to God! ... you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. ... ~ Matthew 15:6-9 '... And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' ~ Matthew 15:9 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect ... ~ Colossians 2:23 Men think they are smarter than God. "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." ~ John 4:24 TYPES OF WORSHIP
The focus of worship is to please God first and not ourselves. Truth without spirit is dead. Spirit without truth is a delusion. Religious fervor without divine guidance is blind. Right attitudes precede the right acts of worship. We must be prepared in our hearts to worship God. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, ... ~ Acts 2:42-47 ATTITUDES OF WORSHIP
Then fear came upon every soul, ... ~ Acts 2:43 ... devout men, from every nation under heaven. ~ Acts 2:5 ... Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. ... ~ Matthew 6:9-10 God is far GREATER and more glorious than any of us. "... You are of this world; I am not of this world." ~ John 8:23
Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling. ~ Psalm 2:11 ↑ Happy and glad with respect for God. Worship should be God centered and not man centered. ~ Our God invites each ONE of us through Jesus Christ, → into His throne room, an unspeakable privilege. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, ... ~ Acts 2:44 I trust God wholeheartedly and want to please Him. ┌─> Abel was righteous, trusting and obeying God. By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, ... ~ Hebrews 11:4 ... And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. ~ 1st John 3:10-12 ... gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error ... ~ Jude 1:8-11 Cain's casual worship of God was called evil. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, ... ~ Hebrews 11:6 ~ Unity of spirit or mind is called for. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, ... ~ Acts 2:46 ... of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; ... ~ Acts 4:32 ... For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread. ~ 1st Corinthians 10:15-17 ... with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ Romans 15:5-6 ... First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. ... ~ Matthew 5:23-26 God wants us to be reconciled, for proper and mindful worship. ... if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. ... ~ Matthew 18:15 We need to draw close to one another. ● We should be joyful. If we have gladness in our worship, it eliminates worship weariness. "And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, Is it not evil? ... ~ Malachi 1:8 ┌─> Anything goes babbling to appease men. Worshipping God ignorantly - we bring Him the blind. Worshipping God half-heartedly brings Him the lame. └─> When will this be over? ... with gladness and simplicity of heart, ... ~ Acts 2:46 ... walking, leaping, and praising God. ... ~ Acts 3:8-9 And there was great joy in that city. ~ Acts 8:8 ⭦\╬/⭧ On what your HEART delights and your soul depends, this is your God. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, ... ~ Colossians 3:16 ... singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. ~ Ephesians 5:19 The only ordained and authorized instrument is the heart. A true sincere worshipper does not need constant external stimulus ~ to excite them about worship. → Worship should come from the inside ← ← and not temporarily forced from the outside. → ACTS OF WORSHIP
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. ... ~ Colossians 3:17 ... in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. ~ Acts 2:42 ┌─> He read from morning to mid-day. ... And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, ... ~ Nehemiah 8:5-6 When we listen to scripture we bow in our hearts ~ because God is speaking in view of eternity. → We will be judged by how we respond to the word of God. ... When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. ... ~ Acts 15:30-32 ... keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. ~ Revelation 1:3 We need to rededicate our lives each week to the Lord. He gave His all so that we can give our all to Him. ◈ Jesus must be valued above all or not at all. We live for Him who died for us. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. ~ Acts 2:42 ... "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." ... ~ Luke 22:19-20 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, ... ~ Acts 20:7 Giving fulfills scriptural needs. ... and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. ... ~ Acts 2:45 ... and they distributed to each as anyone had need. ~ Acts 4:34-35 Prayer is the voice of faith, it is the breath of the soul. ... and in prayers. ~ Acts 2:42 ... continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, ... ~ Acts 1:14 ... they raised their voice to God with one accord ... ~ Acts 4:24 "... but we will give ourselves continually to prayer ..." ~ Acts 6:4 ... and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. ~ Acts 6:6 ... constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. ~ Acts 12:5 Prayer comes from speaking to God from the heart. ... with gladness and simplicity of heart, ... ~ Acts 2:46 When we sing we exalt the greatness of God. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, ... ~ Acts 16:25 ... continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. ~ Hebrews 13:15 Sincere humble hearts who genuinely exalt the greatness of God from ◎ within. How real and ALIVE is God to you? SING OUT! Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly ... ~ Acts 6:7 Acts tells us what we must do to be saved. ... "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" ~ Acts 16:30 PROCESS OF SALVATION
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, ... ~ Acts 2:37-38 So I said, What shall I do, Lord? ... ~ Acts 22:10 '... Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' ~ Acts 22:16 Salvation is rescue from sin and death. ● One moment after death we all will behold eternity before us. ○ Will we have done what God has called us to do? The pieces have been given for a whole picture of what we must do. ... and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. ... ~ Acts 11:20-24 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. ~ Acts 19:20 ... "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, ..." ~ Acts 16:31 ... "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; ... ~ Acts 2:38 'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, ... ~ Acts 22:16 ... praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. ... ~ Acts 16:23-29 ~ Christians are on the edge of eternity. Christians Suffer for the sake of others, hoping for their transformation to be returned to the love of God, saved from the fate of sin. - Sin separates us from God, the source of light, life, and all that is good. Hell is in the outer darkness where weeping and gnashing of teeth is done utterly alone for all eternity. No one wants to go to hell. ... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, .... ~ Romans 3:23 "... if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." ~ John 8:24 Faith is acceptance of something as true, a reliance on that, → and then obedience to that. ... he who comes to God must believe that He is, ... ~ Hebrews 11:6 I believe that God is - Trusting and relying in Him as a rewarder - diligently seeking Him. ○ Our faith needs to be in the Lord and not ourselves. Our dependence is on God. "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; ... ~ Mark 16:16 ... whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved. ... ~ Acts 2:21-22 ... he rejoiced, having believed in God ... ~ Acts 16:33-34 One has to appeal for the help of God. ... Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. ... ~ Acts 2:23-32 You can not play games with God and win. If you look for the minimum requirement, you will miss the maximum benefit. ... He poured out this which you now see and hear. ... ~ Acts 2:25-35 Prophecy is history written in advance. ┌─> He would be sold for 30 pieces of silver. ... that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver ... ~ Zechariah 11:13 ... They pierced My hands and My feet; ... ~ Psalm 22:16 └─> Before crucifixion was even invented. ... He was wounded for our transgressions, ... ~ Isaiah 53:5 All these prophecies coalesce so that we may know Jesus the Christ is our one and only savior. God did all this to win us back. ... "Men and brethren what shall we do?" ~ Acts 2:36-37 Change of mind about sin leads to a change of life. ○ God is right and I am wrong ● ~ It is our will to serve God or to sin. We all have a conscience, a moral governor of right and wrong; When we violate that, it is God's means for us to reach out for Him. ... Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. ... ~ Acts 2:5 ... "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; ... ~ Acts 2:38 ... many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. ... ~ Acts 19:17-19 ... So I said, What shall I do, Lord? ... ~ Acts 22:6-10 ... I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand ... ~ Acts 22:11 And he was three days without sight, ... ~ Acts 9:9 Belief, repentance ... "... at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying." ~ Acts 9:11 ... Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, ... ~ Acts 9:13 "... he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel." ~ Acts 9:15 'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, ...' ~ Acts 22:16 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, ... ~ Ephesians 2:8-9 The claim is made that baptism is not necessary because it is a work and sufficient for salvation is just faith and grace. Why do humans try to set the terms of God? Many would like to believe that just belief is sufficient for salvation. "... whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." ~ John 3:16 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." ~ Romans 10:13 It is not said to “only” believe, but it is an appeal to all that Jesus is. "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?" ~ Luke 6:46 You shall march around the city, ... ~ Joshua 6:3 The Lord calls us to action. ... He said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" ... ~ John 9:6-7 The Lord asks us to respond to His word. Will we take action or ignore His instructions? ~ Baptism is not an avoidable work but a call upon the name of the Lord for forgiveness.
We should be elated that we have the opportunity to regain a relationship with God through Jesus. The petty minded miss the whole message of God’s declaration. ... created in Christ Jesus for good works, ... ~ Ephesians 2:10 Baptism is the beginning of a life of discipleship in following Jesus to heaven. ... He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ~ 1st John 1:7-9 ... To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. ~ Revelation 1:5 Baptism brings you into the body of Christ paid for by His blood. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - whether Jews or Greeks, ... ~ 1st Corinthians 12:13 ... When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ~ Acts 19:1-5 There is also an antitype which now saves us - baptism ... ~ 1st Peter 3:21 ... apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, ... ~ Acts 5:40 Baptism is necessary for salvation but it does not guarantee one will stay in Christ. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, ... ~ Acts 2:42 ... many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. ~ John 2:23 If one hears and believes, there is what must be done. Baptism saves because God chose it to. ... Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ... ~ Mark 1:9-11 ... "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" ... ~ Acts 8:36-39 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? ... ~ Romans 6:3-5 ... now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. ~ 2nd Corinthians 6:1-2 ... "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." ~ Hebrews 3:12-15 Jesus looks for open joyous humble hearts. The Kingdom of God is about joy, peace and righteousness. And we declare to you glad tidings - that promise which was made to the fathers. ~ Acts 13:32 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. ... ~ Acts 13:48-49 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. ~ Acts 13:52 Christianity is a blessing of comfort. There are blessings that come with the Gospel. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come ... ~ Act 3:19 If you do this a time of refreshing will come. ... "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; ... ~ Acts 2:38 Blessing of forgiveness. "... by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses." ~ Acts 13:38-39 Through Christ everyone who actively believes is freed from that which one could not be freed from through Law of Moses. We can be free of a guilty conscience. We can be free from being condemned before God. " '... of Satan to God, that they may receive forgivness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.' " ~ Acts 26:18 Sinners are on a death march to hell. Salvation is so great because judgment is so awful. "... God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities." ~ Acts 3:25-26 "... He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. ..." ~ Acts 17:30-31 It is a blessing to be able to obey the Gospel. And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved. ~ Acts 2:21 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." ~ Acts 4:12 "Him God has exalted to His right hand to be a Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins." ~ Acts 5:31 We come to the cross of Christ and Jesus shields us from the wrath of God. "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him." ~ Acts 10:34-35 ... "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life." ~ Acts 11:18 God is willing to accept any and all. Jesus is an equal opportunity savior. One can only make it to heaven with Jesus. ● Key is one must turn to Christ and turn from sin. Repentance is something you do in your mind and heart. One takes responsibility for choices. ... and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." ... ~ Acts 8:35-39 '... be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' ~ Acts 22:16 God does not accept excuses. You are either marching dead or alive. - Confident or questioning? If you believe, why do you delay? ~ We are blessed to have the fullness of spiritual life in the present! ~ In the knowledge of Christ. "... and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, ..." ~ Acts 3:15 "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life." ~ Acts 5:20 "... I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." ~ John 10:10 Christianity makes you a better person here and now. ↓ We have justification by divine grace and not human legalism. ... who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe ... ~ 1st John 5:11-13 ... why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples ... ~ Acts 15:9-11 "... from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." ~ Acts 20:24 "... for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." ~ Luke 18:9-14 Jesus condemned those who trusted in themselves, that they were righteous viewing others with contempt. "But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed." ~ John 7:49 └─> They felt spiritual superior through their efforts. "And the way of peace they have not known." ~ Romans 3:17 →Salvation through perfect rule keeping is an unbearable yoke. Faith involves obedience to God through submission to His will. The Pharisaic approach was a failed approach. ▲ Submissive obedience of faith ▲ and not ▼ Salvation by perfect rule keeping. ▼ Faith looks away from self to the ultimate trust in God and seeks to draw closer to God by pleasing God. And there was great joy in that city. ~ Acts 8:8 ... eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. ~ Acts 8:39 "... and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life." ~ Acts 11:18 ... he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of the heart ... ~ Acts 11:23 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. ... ~ Acts 13:48-49 Joy is a grateful reception of a gift. How much do you appreciate the Grace of God? Christians should be the happiest people in the world because we are children of God. " '... of Satan to God, that they may receive forgivness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.' " ~ Acts 26:18 ... He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light ... ~ Acts 26:23 ... "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, ... ~ Acts 18:9-10 A Christian has light. A Christian can see in the light of eternity. We are blessed in the fellowship of love. ... those who believed were of one heart and one soul; ... ~ Acts 4:32-34 One of the hardest things to do is get along with brethren because of anger and selfishness. ... they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. ... ~ Acts 9:26-27 ... "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." ~ Acts 14:21-22 ... gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done swith them, and that He had opened the door of faith ... ~ Acts 14:27-28 We need to see the BEST in each other. ... walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. ~ Acts 9:31 We have the comfort of the Holy Spirit. ... For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. ... ~ John 3:34-36 An infinite measure. <─┘ "... for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." ... ~ Acts 1:5-8 ... the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles. ~ Acts 1:26 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ~ Acts 2:1 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. ~ Acts 2:4 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? ~ Acts 2:8 ... "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words." ~ Acts 2:14 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. ~ Acts 2:43 The Apostles received a baptismal measure with power. ... Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. ... ~ Acts 8:15-19 The disciples had a miraculous measure. "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." ~ Acts 2:39 "And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him." ~ Acts 5:32 Today, we have a common measure in a relationship with God. Originally the Holy Spirit guided the Apostles by speaking to them. HOLY SPIRIT MEASURE
... the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot." ~ Acts 8:29 ... the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you." ~ Acts 10:19 ... the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for ... ~ Acts 13:2 ... it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden ... ~ Acts 15:28 ... "Thus says the Holy Spirit, ..." ~ Acts 21:11 ... walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, ... ~ Acts 9:31 "The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ ..." ~ Acts 10:36 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back ... ~ Acts 15:33 The Holy Spirit directly communicated with 1st century Christians. Today, we can have peace with God and one another. We also have the hope of resurrection. Our faith is we believe. ... concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead ... ~ Acts 23:6 "... Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?" ~ Acts 26:6-8 " '... may receive forgivness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.' " ~ Acts 26:18 We have hope of a better life to come. Jesus has died and left us a fortune; An inheritance of eternal life. ... And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. ~ Acts 13:48 "... the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." ~ Acts 20:32 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). ... ~ Revelation 21:25-27 Heaven’s gates are open with a welcome sign for all. We can have God's amazing Grace.
Acts, along with being an instruction manual, shows us how God delivered His word to us. ... And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, ... ~ Acts 2:42 The Lord's people are distinctive following the word of Jesus Christ. Without the divine guidance of God, the church becomes a social club buried under the rubbish of human invention.
The Lord's church is the Lord's people patterned after the Lord's word. So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. ~ Acts 19:20 The Lord's word has power if we have faith in it. ... devout men, from every nation under heaven. ~ Acts 2:5 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." ~ Acts 2:40 Our response to God is a life or death matter. ... had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord ... ~ Acts 9:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. ~ Hebrews 10:31 ● The Essence of Reverence is submission to divine authority. Many people in the religious world say they believe in God or the Bible, and then they add all kinds of things to religious services, ~ NOT what God has said, ~ but what they want. → The fear of the Lord is to respect what God has delivered. ... I worship the God of my fathers, ... ~ Acts 24:14 One can STAKE their life on the word of God. "The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet ... ~ Deuteronomy 18:15-19 ... every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people. ~ Acts 3:22-23 Jesus is God's ultimate final prophet. The Koran states Muhammad is the seal or greatest of the prophets. The Bible states that there would be the prophet, the New Law giver, - who would be Jesus Christ.
... when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; ... ~ John 16:13 One can only break themselves in not listening to Christ ~ searching for another way. ● Jesus is the divine prophet who speaks the mind God. ○ Jesus is Lord over His Kingdom. ... ... preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ ... ~ Acts 28:31 Does God control your life? ~ It is about what He wants, not what we want. ... He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. ... ~ Acts 17:31 Jesus will be our final judge. We are all free to think, to say, and to do, what we want to, ... but we will have to take responsibility for that. → God made us free willed moral agents. The conservative way to scripture is the only safe way to obey God's will. ● If we respect divine Biblical authority, we need to reject human standards of divine authority. ┌─> Emotionally moved (deceived). A long time (tradition). <─┐ ... he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. ~ Acts 8:9-11 └─> Claiming greatness (Religious shyster). They all gave heed. <─┘ There can be a circle of madness or mass hysteria. The majority of people in religion can be wrong ~ especially if people have the herd mentality. If it is past Apostolic age of divine revelation in the first century, then it has no foundation in original God inspired truth. ... he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, ... ~ Acts 8:12 ~ Key to understanding is what does the Bible say? Much of what the Bible says is common sense and it does include specifics. "Remember Lot's wife." ~ Luke 17:32 └─> A command, an example. God either instructs us by showing us or telling us directly or gives us information which we are to infer or deduce from. ... "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." ~ Luke 9:62 Use of common sense, God's pattern on any subject is that you take what God has said on that subject and stay within that. Some say the Lord's Supper is to common if it is done every week. Some say doing it once a year makes it more special. What does the Bible say? ... in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, ... ~ Acts 2:42 The Lord's Day, the day of Pentecost fell on a Sunday (an example) with an inference of weekly. ┌─> First day of the year?; quarter?; month?; - Week! - (Apostolic example). Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, ... ~ Acts 20:7 ┌─> We are commanded not to forsake the assembly of those faithful. ... not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, ... ~ Hebrews 10:24-25 ┌─> Collections are for the saints. Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders ... so you must do also: On the first day of the week ... ~ 1st Corinthians 16:1-2 └─> Another example of frequency of assembly. Benevolence out of the collective treasury was for saints only. ... and divided them among all, as anyone had need. ~ Acts 2:44-45 ... and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet; ... ~ Acts 4:34-35 They contributed to the treasury. Peter had a treasury available to him. ... "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: ..." ~ Acts 3:2-6 This is an example of someone who had a benevolent need that was not helped out of the church treasury where they were helping those who were church members out of the church treasury. All are called to help as ambassadors of Christ. ... as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, ... ~ Galatians 6:10 This is an individual responsibility. <─┘ ... So when they had appointed elders in every church, ... ~ Acts 14:23 └─> Example of plurality of elders in every church. Some churches have a single pastor or elder and this is not a new testament pattern. Silence beyond the scriptures is prohibitive, that is a lack of authorization. Why is it that the church of Christ has none of the following: NOT FOUND IN WORSHIP
Silence of the scriptures does not mean permissive but rather prohibitive. Teaching doctrines with no authority. <─┐ ... some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, ... ~ Acts 15:24 Do not assume beyond what God has said, and teach that. Our faith ends where the light of divine revelation goes out. - The practical power of the word of God. ... I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, ... ~ Acts 20:32 The word of God will change you from the inside out. If you are not being transformed from the inside out, you are not letting the word sink in. ... receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. ~ James 1:21 ... I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus ... ~ Acts 26:9-11 ... fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? ... ~ Acts 26:14 └─> Changed his mind when confronted with the truth. Paul who formerly hated Christ became the foremost purveyor of Christ. ● It is Christ's power within us that changes us. ○ ... had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of the heart they should continue with the Lord. ~ Acts 11:23 From sinner to Saint. Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." ~ John 14:6 ~ Jesus wants to change you for the better and take you to heaven with Him. ... and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. ~ Acts 17:11 To read a chapter in the Bible takes 10 minutes. Many people watch television 4 hours a day. How much time do you give to God's word? How much do you thirst God? ... for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. ... ~ Acts 11:26 ~ They had regular Bible study. Participation shows your spiritual health, if you have a spiritual appetite. ~ They were comforted in the word of God. ... had peace and were edified. ... ~ Acts 9:31 There will be those that despise the word of God. ... he killed James the brother of John with the sword. ~ Acts 12:1-2 Herod killed James and arrested Peter. ... because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. ... ~ Acts 12:23-24 God's purpose will not be defeated. ... - to whom we gave no such commandment - ... ~ Acts 15:24 ... to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: ... ~ Acts 15:28 ... When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. ... ~ Acts 15:30-33 ... teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, ... ~ Acts 15:35 Focus on what the word teaches. "... take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me." ~ Acts 27:20-25 God is greater than any problem that we face. We read the Bible to know that we are not alone, to join our hearts with the eternal truth. Acts shows each member having an active involvement in their faith. ... those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. ~ Acts 8:4 "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." ~ Acts 4:20 The mentality was each one teach one. ... encouraged them all that with purpose of the heart they should continue with the Lord. ~ Acts 11:23 ... grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, ... ~ Acts 4:29-31 One must go from a static saint to an active disciple of Jesus. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. ~ Acts 16:5 There are core members in the church down to people on the fringe, strong members verses weak members. ~ There are the 5,2,1, talent members. ... to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, ... ~ Matthew 25:14-18 However, every Christian must be trained and equipped to be the strongest and best Christian they can be. Each of us must be willing to be in a pattern of growth. → We are not going to heaven if we are not willing to grow ... and to help others to grow also. ~ Christianity builds on itself. ... And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. ~ Acts 11:26 What is a Christian? ~ A Christian is a follower of Christ. ● Job number one for Jesus was saving souls. If Jesus had a heart for the lost, we should have a heart for the lost. → Jesus' passion was to teach the Gospel. We could all use a faith lift as active messengers of Jesus.
... And they realized that they had been with Jesus. ~ Acts 4:12-13 One's faith through Jesus allows one to see through the delusions of this world. Distractions do not lead to God. 1st CENTURY CHRISTIANS REALIZED:
... and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. ~ Acts 4:29-31 Jesus transforms us to have boldness in the courage of calm. ... looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel. ~ Acts 6:15 A devout believer shines the light of God. ~ If we do not have anything worth dying for, ... then we don't have anything worth living for. ... praising God and having favor with all the people. ... ~ Acts 2:47 ... the people esteemed them highly. ~ Acts 5:12-13 Our lives must match the message we proclaim. Do you walk the talk? ~ One must live the word. Jesus makes one genuine and not a hypocrite. ... "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here." ... ~ Acts 16:22-30 They kept their poise under persecution. ... they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. ... ~ Acts 5:19-21 ~ You can kill us but you can't stop us. ● There is an urgency for the Gospel to be spread. Currently, 5 people die per second from the Earth, to pass into vast and never-ending eternity. That's 432,000 people dying per day. → Sin is the cancer of the soul. ○ The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the cure. Checklist:
These are the essentials, then it is a lifelong process of discipleship. The central thing is are you willing to follow Jesus. "... not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. ..." ~ Acts 6:2-4 Don't get sidetracked from preaching the Gospel. ... describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. ... ~ Acts 15:2-4 Issues will arise but don't loose the focus of saving souls. ... "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell asleep. ~ Acts 7:60 It involves a heart of compassion for the lost. Compassion motivates you to say the right things. ... serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials ... ~ Acts 20:19-21 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, ... ~ Acts 8:30 ... he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily ... ~ Acts 17:16-17 ... Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. ... ~ Acts 19:30-31 There is a zeal to make contact with the lost. We can have ongoing motivation if we have joy in serving the savior. ... rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. ... ~ Acts 5:40-42 Are you a Christian that lives to keep from going to hell ~ instead of a Christian that lives to go to heaven? Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, ... ~ Psalm 51:12-13 Are you excited about being a Christian? ... I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men. ~ Acts 24:14-16 Paul maintained a sincere conscience before God. - The most miserable person is the one ○ with one foot in the church and one foot in the world. ● ~ "I ought to go to church but I really don't like to." ~ Either you get in or you get out. Struggling in our choices may mean that our heart is divided. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ~ Philippians 1:21 One's faith has to be clear. "... but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains." ~ Acts 26:25-29 No matter the circumstance, one's faith will supply the confidence to endure. For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 1:12 ... "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, ... ~ Acts 18:9-10 God and one faithful believer is a majority anywhere. ... The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? ~ Psalm 27:1 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? ~ Psalm 118:6 The Lord has the power if we have the faith. We need to get in touch with that part of us that will live forever. ... the hope and resurrection of the dead I am ... ~ Acts 23:6 There is a hope of the resurrection of life beyond the present. ... For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. ~ James 4:14 ... sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ~ Romans 8:18 ... For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. ~ 2nd Corinthians 4:17-18 ... Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. ~ Acts 6:9-10 Wisdom is the practical application of knowledge. ... But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ. ~ Acts 9:19-22 One gains wisdom through the study of the word and association with fellow mature Christians. ~ Do you believe that if you do God's will you will go to heaven? Do you believe that if you don't do God's will you won't go to heaven? ⭨ This is what the Bible teaches. ⭩ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 5:10 All are at different stages of devotion. ... they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant. ~ Acts 13:5 ... they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem ~ Acts 13:13 John Mark was a quitter. ... John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, ... ~ Acts 15:36-39 ... She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son. ... ~ 1st Peter 5:13 ... Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. ~ 2nd Timothy 4:11 One failure in life does not make you a flop. Learning is part of being successful. Christians are saved to serve. ... keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. ... ~ Jude 1:20-25 ~ Is your faith in the Lord, not man (yourself)? God has delivered and He waits to see what we will deliver as individuals. We need to find the LIGHT from within. ◎
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