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January-June 2005 Sermons
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Be Filled With the Spirit 050102
Ephesians 5:15-21
Few biblical teachings cause more difficulty for the modern Christian than the teachings concerning being filled with the Spirit. Too often the teaching grows out
of the experience. We need to let the word of God shape our teaching and then interpret our experiences in the light of the word. The experiences that God gives us are wonderful and we are to rejoice in them. They
are to walk alongside the word of God that is always relevant.
I. Sing and make melody.
A.
Music is very powerful. 2 Chronicles 20:20-23; Acts 16:25
B. Music should be part of our teaching. Colossians 3:16-17
C.
We have reason to sing for joy.
II. Give thanks always.
A. Linked to prayer.
Colossians 4:2
B. Cure for anxiety. Philippians 4:6
C. Covers all things. 1 Timothy 4:4
III. Be subject to one another.
A. This is perhaps the hardest.
B. As children of Abraham. Genesis 13:8-13
C. When we submit we trust God.
The fullness of the Spirit is an essential element in the Christian life. We need to guard the relationship we have with the Spirit of the living
God. We must never accept anything less than the very best God has for us. Don't settle for anything less than the fullness of God's Holy Spirit. Let the fruit of the Spirit be seen in our lives always.
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Wives and Husbands 050109
Ephesians 5:22-33
The world we live in seems to have little understanding of real love. So much emphasis is placed on physical acts as love and on the equality of
women and men that the true meaning is lost to most people. There is little question that men and women are different in physical as well as emotional matters. In every area there are differences and we should
celebrate those differences and allow them to build our relationships into God honoring ones.
I. Wives have special attributes.
A. Submission to her husband.
Genesis 3:16Proverbs 31:10-31
B. Respect for her husband. 1 Peter 3:1-6
C. Center of her home. Proverbs 31:10-31
II. Husbands have special attributes.
A. Love for their wives responsibility.
1 Peter 3:7
B. Sacrifice for their wives provision. Ephesians 5:28-30
C. To be their spiritual leader. 1 Corinthians 11:3
III. Together they build a life that honors God.
A. They are one new person.
Matthew 19:4-7
B. They are to enjoy one another. 1 Corinthians 7:1-5
C. They are to glorify God together.
We are to honor God and bring glory to Him in all that we do. This is especially true in the central relationship of human society marriage.
Marriage is being lost to many in our world. Men and women still live together without the Godly commitment called for in the bible.
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Children and Parents 050116
Ephesians 6:1-4
The strongest human relationship should be between husband and wife. The second strongest should be between children and parents. The longest human
relationship is usually between mates. Too often by the time parents begin to understand how to raise children they are pretty well grown. When these words were written society was no better than now. Across the
Roman Empire children poorly raised and parents were equally clueless. These words apply to us as well as the original audience.
I. Children
A. Obey your parents in the Lord.
Deuteronomy 12:28
B. Obedience proves relationship. Romans 6:16
C. This brings blessing. Deuteronomy 4:40
II. Parents
A. Do not provoke your children.
Colossians 3:21
B. Bring them up. Deuteronomy 6:6-7
C. The instruction of the Lord. Proverbs 22:6; 1 Timothy 1:5
III. Only God can make this happen.
A. The world fails to meet the needs of families.
B. The blessing begins with the Lord.
C. The bible gives clear direction.
We need to follow God's plan for our lives. It is very important that we do so since that is the only plan that is secure. If we will put our trust
in the Lord He will take care of us. He will also take care of our children and our children's children. Psalm 103:17
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The Joy of the Lord 050206
Nehemiah 8:8-12
When we think of joy in relation to the Lord too often we only think of the commands in scripture for us to express joy in the Lord. I think we
could do that better if we could see what our God rejoices in and then apply ourselves to the same things that is joy to the Lord. Our society today has often traded real joy for temporary happiness. The world gives
happiness and sin has a kind of pleasure but it is temporary. The joy of the Lord will take us through any of the pains and sorrows of this age.
I. God rejoices in his creation and it in him.
A. How did he describe his creation? Genesis 1:31
B. The Psalmist proclaims it. Psalm 104:31
C. The creation affirms it. Psalm 148
II. God rejoices in his people.
A. With songs and gladness. Zephaniah 3:16
B. Even as Israel was being crushed he promised. Isaiah 62.5
C. He rejoices in his people. Jeremiah 32:36-41
III. God rejoices in our service.
A. Prayer give him joy. Proverbs 15:8 & 29
B. Our obedience gives him joy. 1 Samuel 15:22-23
C. Justice delights him. Proverbs 11:1 & 12:22
If we learn, and remember, what God rejoices in we will be able to rejoice in every situation. We will be able to sing the song of Habakkuk "Though
the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will
rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places." 3:17-19
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The Power of our Words 050213
Proverbs 16:23-24
The old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me", has often been repeated but never proven to be really true.
The power of words is really beyond our understanding. Different people respond in different ways but hurtful words always damage and destroy. Words are very spiritual. In fact, words are our way of connecting to
each other and to God. What we say is essential to our spiritual life.
I. God spoke us into being.
A. In the beginning. Genesis 1:26-27
B. He knows our name. Throughout the Bible
C. He calls us. Romans 8:27-30
II. What we speak has power.
A. Words cause pain. James 3:8
B. Words give blessing. Proverbs 16:24
C. An encouraging word. Hebrews 10:23-25
III. We need to speak out of God's call to us.
A. The dead can't speak. Ephesians 2:1-2
B. God gives life. Ephesians 2:4-10
C. We need to speak in response. Romans 10:9-10
Our words express who we are and whose we are. We need to guard our words and use them to honor and glorify God. We need to speak the words that
bring life to us when God speaks the words that call us to him.
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The Source of our Strength 050220
Ephesians 6:10-12
Too often Christians seem to believe we are dependent on our own strength to live the life we have been called to. We may not say that is what we
believe but we often act as if it were so. The Bible is very clear. God is sum, source and substance in every area of our life. He, and He alone, is the enabler. We are totally dependent on Him in every area of
life. When we try to operate in our own strength we fall back on our old life. What is god telling us in this passage?
I. Our strength is in the Lord.
A. He is everything for us. Romans 11:36
B. He is the source of life. 1 Corinthians 8:6
C. He gives security. Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:24
II. He has provided protection for us.
A. We need to "put off" and "put on". Romans 13:12
B. This resource is ours. 1Thessalonians 5:8
C. It comes from God. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 5:8-10
III. Our struggle is spiritual not human.
A. Our weapons are not flesh. 2 Corinthians 10:4
B. Our enemies are not human. 2 Corinthians 4:4
C. God freed His called ones. Ephesians 2:1-10
We cannot please God in our own strength. Only by His gift do we have the ability to serve Him. He calls us to Himself and He equips us to live to
serve. To Him be glory and honor in all things.
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The Belt of Truth 050227
Ephesians 6:13-14
When Pilate was confronted with the necessity of judging Jesus he asked a question that we should give serious consideration to, "What is truth?"
This was a response to Jesus' positive affirmation of His mission on earth. Jesus asserted that He has come into the world to bear witness to the truth. He added, "Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice."
This caused Pilate to pause and wonder what truth really is. The idea of truth is presented throughout the scriptures. Lets look at part of that.
I. God's word is Truth
A. The Psalmist proclaimed it. Psalm 119:142; 160;172
B. Jesus proclaimed it. John 17:17
C. It is summarized in the gospel. Colossians 1:5
II. The Holy Spirit is Truth
A. That is what Jesus called Him. John 14:15-17
B. He guides us into all truth. John 16:13
C. He enables us to share the truth. 1 Corinthians 2:12-13
III. Jesus is "the Truth"
A. How He described Himself. John 14:6
B. Truth came by Him. John 1:14-17
C. We find truth in discipleship. John 8:31-32
The armor of God begins with the belt of truth. The enemy's world begins and ends in deception. Truth is the very foundation of the Christian
world. I praise God that He has seen fit to give us the truth. Now what will we do with it?
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The Breastplate of Righteousness 050306
Ephesians 6:13-14
"Righteousness" is no longer in common use. It is a word seldom used and almost never (outside Christian circles) used correctly. Too often, if the
word is used, it is used as part of the phrase "self-righteous". This is true even when used by Christians. To be righteous is to be right and that is truly a problem for all who descend from Adam.
I. We enter the world unrighteous.
A. We inherit sin that separates us from God. Romans 5:12
B. We act unrighteous. Romans 3:10-12
C. We are condemned because of this. Ephesians 2:1-3
II. Yet "the breastplate of righteousness is essential."
A. It protects our most vital organs.
B. It allows us to stand in the face of evil.
C. It is not our armor it is God's.
III. Righteousness is a gift of God.
A. Righteousness comes from God. Romans 1:16-17
B. It is gift through Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:30
C. In Christ we become righteous. 2 Corinthians 5:21
The gifts are received never earned. Wages are always to be earned. "The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ
Jesus our Lord." When we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God has raised him from the dead we are saved. Salvation gives us God's righteousness.
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Praising God In Christ 050320
Luke 19:28-40
When the crowd along the road into Jerusalem that Sunday near 2000 years ago praised God they were being obedient to the Spirit who prompted them.
They were rejoicing in the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. They just did not understand that completely. Before we consider them to be really spiritually "slow" let's remember that we too do not fully understand
these things. We should thank God that we do not have to understand everything in order to praise Him.
I. They were praising him for his mighty works.
A. They knew he had healed the sick. Matthew 4:23-25
B. Some may have eaten miracle bread. Matthew 14:13-21
C. They knew he had raised the dead. Luke 7:11-17
II. They were praising him for who he is.
A. He is God's word among men. John 1:14
B. He was the one who came to save his people. Matthew 1:21
C. He was God! John 1:1; Philippines 2:6 and John 20:28
III. We must also praise him.
A. He came to seek and save. Luke 19:10
B. He came to give life. John 5:19-24
C. He came to be King. John 18:32-37
As we think of those events so long ago we should remember that our only hope of life is in Jesus. We must praise him and let the rocks be silent
one more day. We must honor him by proclaiming him as our Lord and King in all matters.
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The Promise of Moses and All the Prophets 050327
Luke 24:13-27
What an amazingly sad time for the followers of the Christ. They had seen him brutally beaten, dragged through the streets of Jerusalem and taken
to the place of the Skull and there nailed to a cruel cross, lifted up and hung to die. For more than six hours he hung there and was mocked and ridiculed by many before he died. Then he was placed in a borrowed
tomb and his body disappeared. How could these things be understood!
I. Two of them had left and were on their way.
A. They were confused.
B. They were sad.
C. They were unable to see. John 20:14
II. It was necessary that these things should happen.
A. The angels had known it. Luke 24:6-7
B. Jesus had known it. Luke 9:21-22; 44-45; 18:31-44
C. It was fitting and right. Hebrews 2:10-11 and 14-18
III. He told them about himself in ALL the scriptures.
A. Moses had written of his suffering. Genesis 3:15
B. The prophets had spoken. Isaiah 52:13-53:12
C. All scripture speaks of Jesus.
As we celebrate Resurrection Sunday we must remember that our confusion and doubt is nothing new. Those who walked along side of him on earth
worshiped and doubted. He takes us to the place where we grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and where our faith is built up for the glory and honor of our Lord.
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Power for a Purpose 050403
Acts 1:1-11
Jesus' disciples had now seen him several times over a period of more than a month. He had shown them, again and again, that he had been raised
from the dead and was now empowering them to carry on his ministry to the world around. It is important that we recognize the commands of Christ have not been withdrawn. Praise his holy name neither has the power to
carry out the work been withdrawn. We need to commit ourselves to carry out his work in our world. When we do he will provide the ability.
I. He had experienced this power.
A. At his baptism Luke 3:22
B. In the wilderness (to be tempted) Luke 4:1
C. Power to serve. Luke 4:14-15; 5:15-17
II. He had promised this power.
A. Power to help, or guide, us. John 14:15-17
B. Power to understand. John 14:26; 16:13
C. Power to bear witness. John 15:26-27
III. This power had one purpose.
A. To be his witnesses. Matthew 5:14-16
B. To the uttermost parts of the earth. Matthew 28:18-20
C. Beginning with those nearby.
There are many evidences of the power of Holy Spirit on the people of God. Many times these evidences are very exciting and since we have human
natures we enjoy and even seek such. But we need to remember that the primary reason for the Holy Spirit's enabling is that we may be witnesses. In our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.
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You Will be my Witnesses 050410
Acts 1:1-11
Jesus' promise to his disciples was that they would be his witnesses. This promise is for us as well. In fact that has been God's purpose for his
people from the very beginning of time. Sometimes we act as though God will do the witnessing without our involvement. In fact God will often draw someone to himself without apparent human witness. That fact does
not excuse us from being his witness. We are either good or bad witnesses to the work of God in our lives.
I. There have been many witnesses.
A. Abraham. Romans 4:17-21
B. Moses. Hebrews 11:24-28
C. Rahab. Joshua 2:8-11
D. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Daniel 3:16-18
E. David. 1 Samuel 17:41-47
F. King Darius. Daniel 6:25-27
G. Zacheriah son of Jehoiada. 2 Chronicles 24:20-22
H. John the Baptist. Mark 1:4-8
- Those who met Jesus. Mark 5:19-20; John 9:24-25
J. The disciples. Luke 24:46-49
II. We are also to be witnesses.
A. Jesus' great commission. Matthew 28:19-20
B. The book of Acts is the story of their witness.
C. We must always be ready. 1 Peter 3:13-17
Jesus promised we would be witnesses. We should make every effort to be good witnesses. Our story needs to be told so that others will know that
Jesus will meet their needs also. Let's commit ourselves to being as effective as possible
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Witnesses in Our "Jerusalem" 050417
Acts 1:1-11
Jesus' first directive was that the joy of witnessing to the good news about His death and resurrection should be made in Jerusalem. For those who
stood there Jerusalem was to be their home base. It was not the home of all of them but it was the beginning point. For us "Jerusalem" is Stamford, Harpersfield, Jefferson, Davenport, Kortright, Gliboa, Blenheim and
Roxbury. In other words it is our home base. The place where we live, work, shop and play is our "Jerusalem".
I. They began with replacing Judas.
A. They devoted themselves to prayer.
Acts 1:14
B. They confirmed their actions with the Word. Acts 1:15, 16
C. They took action with leading of the Spirit. Acts 1:21-26
II. They took advantage of the next opportunity.
A. The day of Pentecost.
Acts 2:1
B. The Spirit prepared their witness. Acts 2:2-12
C. The disciples gave witness. Acts 2: 36-41
III. They took risks and prayed for boldness.
A. They went to the temple to pray.
Acts 3: 1-10
B. They witnessed in the courts. Acts 4:1-22
C. They sought courage from God. Acts 4:23-31
We need to follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before. We need to learn from them and then follow the Spirit and the Word into an
effective, prayerful, organized ministry of witness to the world.
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Witnesses in Our "Judea and Samaria" 050424
Acts 1:1-11
We are commanded to reach out beyond the local "Jerusalem". The second level of outreach is to the nearby areas, or people groups, not easy to
reach by our congregation. We need to focus on the command of Christ. His promise includes all the power we need to fulfill His commands. We need to have the same vision God has and then ask for direction. God is
always prepared to direct His people when their hearts opens to obey.
I. He promised power to reach out. (1:8)
A. Jesus promised the power.
John 15:26 & 16:13
B. The power is given to Jesus. Matthew 28:18-20
C. We must live by this power. Galatians 5:16-26
II. Our vision must have first been His.
A. We must see fields that are ready to harvest.
John 4:35
B. We must ask for laborers. Luke 10:2
C. We need to see opportunity. Acts 8:26-40
III. He will enable His people.
A. To do His work, His way.
John 14:12
B. To join with others to reach out beyond. Acts 13:1-3
C. To hear the Spirit and not follow the flesh. Acts 16:6-10
We need to follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before. We need to learn from them and then follow the Spirit and the Word into an
effective, prayerful, organized ministry of witness to the world.
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Why do you Stand Looking into Heaven? 050501
Acts 1:1-11
Going to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the End of the Earth is a big order. Just to go to our family is hard much less to all these other places
God wants us to go. It is much easier to come to church, attend a Bible study, say grace before most meals and pray occasionally than to actually "be witnesses". The angels stand in readiness to obey every command
of the Lord God. It would be easy to understand why they would be amazed at our slowness to respond.
I. The angels were obedient witnesses.
A. At His birth.
B. During His ministry. Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43
C. At His resurrection.
II. Yet disciples stand and gaze into heaven.
A. The original ones did.
B. Throughout history we have.
C. Today we would rather worship than witness.
III. We should be as grateful as others have been.
A. The woman at the well.
John 4:28-30 & 39
B. The man who delivered from demons. Mark 5:18-20
C. The man who was born blind. John 9:2
The Holy Spirit was given to empower witness. We have the power and the responsibility to go and tell. We will never have all the answers. We will
always have the One who has all the answers present with us. We are simply to be witnesses. We are to plant, or water, while God gives the increase.
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Our Spiritual Mother 050508
Galatians 4:21-31
When Mother's Day comes around we usually look to the bible to tell us about a mother or to tell us about an ideal of motherhood. This Mother's Day
I want to us to look to the basis of true motherhood. Paul points us to the source of our spiritual life. It is natural to think of the source of our physical life as our natural mother. Well the source of our
spiritual life is either a slave or a free person. We are either committed to the flesh or to the spirit,
I. In the natural, Eve was the mother of us all.
A. She was given to be with Adam.
Genesis 2:18
B. She is the source of human life. Genesis 3:20
C. She is the source of death. 1 Timothy 2:13-14
II. In the spiritual the Bible refers to two mothers.
A. Hagar who corresponds to physical Jerusalem
1. Abraham's sin.
2.
Ishmael's birth
3. Representing the Law and bondage.
B. Sarah who corresponds to spiritual Jerusalem.
1. The chosen wife of Abram.
2. The chosen mother of freedom.
3.
Representing the Spirit and freedom.
III. Our Spiritual mother should be Sarah's daughter.
A. Adorned with the imperishable beauty. 1 Peter 3:1-6
B. Believing that God is able. Hebrews 11:11
C.
She became the mother of a multitude. Isaiah 51:2
In the same way today's mothers need to be careful to dress themselves with inner beauty; believe that God can do all that needs to be done and be
prepared to bring many people to faith in Jesus. The kingdom will grow, homes will be made havens of rest and our communities will be much better places to be at.
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The Fellowship of the Faithful 050501
Acts 2:42-47
The first church fellowship grew out of the movement of Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The Spirit descended and the gospel was proclaimed in
many different languages. Peter stood and guided the witness by showing how God had used the death of Jesus to bring eternal life to those who would be saved. Three thousand came to faith in Christ that first day
and the church was born. Then they began to develop a process of fellowship that should be renewed in every generation.
I. They devoted themselves.
A. To the Apostle's teaching and fellowship.
1 John 1:2-3
B. To the breaking of bread and prayers.
C. Awe swept over the church. Hebrews 12:28
II. They were committed to one another.
A. They met needs, physical and spiritual.
Acts 4:32-35
B. They spent time together. 1 John 1:7
C. They had glad and generous hearts. John 16:22
III. The consequence of this was new converts.
A. They had favor with all the people.
Colossians 4:5-6
B. The Lord added to their number. Acts 5:14-15
C. Daily people were being saved.
The early church fellowshipped with each other and with God and the world around was changed by the power of God. A loving fellowship becomes a
channel that God works through. Lets pray that our fellowship will also produce many changed lives.
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Growth of the First Church 050529
Acts 2:41-47
The first church fellowship grew and developed rapidly. Many people came to Christ and the challenge of Acts 1:8 began to be fulfilled. They were
commanded to go to the world without neglecting the local people. Different people came in different ways and became part of the same fellowship. Beginning with 120 on the day of Pentecost 3000 was added by that
evening. They committed themselves to each other and to Christ. The result of that was many more and structure to build on.
I. The leaders continued to minister to individuals.
A. They went to pray. Acts 3:1
B. They saw the needs. Acts 3:2-6
C.
They were threatened for their compassion. Acts 4:13-21
II. The needs called for more structure. Acts 6:1-7
A. Inequality raised its ugly head.
B. The Apostles acted quickly.
C. Many priests came to faith.
III. The church was scattered by persecution. Acts 6:1-3
A. The people continued to share the word. Acts 8:4
B. Samaria and the regions beyond began to be reached.
C. Saul was converted and began to preach. Acts 9:1-22
To share the good news of Jesus is the most important thing we can do. If you have not yet given your life to Christ ask Him if it is now time for
you to do that. If you have friends and family who do not know Christ ask Him how you can best do that.
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The Message of Christ Reaches Out 050605
Acts 10:34-43
In today's message we see Peter breaking from his tradition and going to visit with Gentiles in order to witness to them of the risen Christ. Going
outside his Judea into "Samaria" meant going to another culture. In this case it meant witnessing to Roman soldiers and their families. He did not hesitate because God had forcefully convinced him he must. The
result was an outward expansion of Christianity. The same thing can happen today here in our "Judea".
I. Peter had been convinced to break with tradition.
A. He had seen a vision. Acts 10:9-16
B. He was shown that he must accept all people.
C.
He could not say, "No" to God.
II. Peter shared the gospel willingly.
A. In every nation people may come.
Romans 3:23-30
B. The story of Jesus is for all. Romans 10:9-13
C. Everyone who believes in Him is forgiven. Colossians 2:13-15
III. The result was a powerful move of God.
A. Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles.
1 Corinthians 12:13
B. The older believers were amazed.
C. The new believers were baptized in obedience. Matthew 28:18-20
The same process goes on today. God calls us to go to people we do not understand and whose lifestyle is different than ours. He does not call us
to act like them or join them in error but to show the Jesus and let the Spirit of God bring them to salvation. The world we live in will change as we obey God.
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The Gospel to the Ends of the Earth 050612
Acts 13:1-3
Acts 1:8 calls us to begin at home and then progressively go further and further out with the gospel of Christ. We see this command beginning to be
fulfilled as that great church in Antioch of Syria heard from God that it was time to follow those men and women who had gone out after Pentecost and after the persecution that followed the death of Steven with a
team of missionaries who would establish churches. They would not just win people to Christ they would now provide bases for the gospel to reach the ends of the earth.
I. God had gathered a base at Antioch.
A. There the gospel was open to all.
Acts 11:19-21
B. The work was cooperative. Acts 11:22-24
C. The leadership base was enlarged. Acts 11:25-27
II. The fellowship of leaders listened to God.
A. An interesting combination.
Acts 13:1
A Black man, Jewish leaders and a royal.
B. They were worshipping and fasting. Matthew 9:14-17
C.
Holy Spirit gave direction. Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 12:2-11
III. Holy Spirit had prepared Barnabas and Saul (Paul)
A. Barnabas, the encourager. Acts 4:36-37
B. Saul the persecutor turned apostle. Acts 9:10-16
C.
A team willing to obey.
There is a great blessing for the person willing to honor Christ by obeying the Spirit and then carry the gospel to their family, neighbor, friend
and even enemy. There is a great need in our area for the gospel to be spread to Stamford and the surrounding communities (Our Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria). New churches will be planted and many lives will be
brought in obedience to Christ.
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Every Day Should be Father's Day 050619
1 John 3:1-3
The Fatherhood of God is the greatest blessing for those who are Christian. Our earthly fathers are sometimes a disappointment and are always
temporary. They continue in our memories but their physical presence leaves far too soon. Our heavenly Father will always be with us and is never a disappointment. As John tells us in this passage it is the greatest
level of love that God should call us His children. How should we then live?
I. What kind of love has God given us?
A. His love comes before ours.
1 John 4:10
B. He gave His Son. John 3:16
C. He shows His love. Roman 5:8
II. He has called us His children.
A. The right to be His children.
John 1:12-13
B. Through faith. Galatians 3:23-29
C. Children from all over the world. John 11:52
III. How should we then live?
A. We are being transformed into His image.
Romans 8:29
B. He has given us His nature. 2 Peter 1:3-4
C. We should grow in purity. 2 Corinthians 6:14
We have the perfect father as our example. We men should seek to live like Him in every possible way. We should remember His love, compassion and
mercy and pattern our lives like His. All of us should let every day be father's day and recognize our Father in heaven with gratitude and commitment to live like His children.
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Changing the World We Live in 050626
1 John 3:1-3
Jesus said we must permit the children to come to Him. Throughout the scriptures God's people are commanded to teach one another the truth,
beginning with the good news of His salvation then going on to spiritual growth and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. The church has the command to witness in Jerusalem (Stamford), Judea (surrounding area),
Samaria (people who are not like us) and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8 Our Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria can best be reached through the ministry of your Sunday School.
I. We must share the good news of Jesus.
A. God sent His Son.
John 3:16
B. He shows His love. Roman 5:8
C. When we are asked we must tell. 1 Peter 14-16
II. We must give them an example.
A. Our teaching must be sound.
Hebrews 13:7-9
B. Jesus taught. Matthew 4:23
C. He commanded us to teach as well. Mathew 28:18-20
The ministry of Sunday School is the ministry of reaching people and teaching people. Not just the children all ages must know and do. We can give children
of non-Christian and unchurched families an example to live by. We can reach out to the families of the children we have reached and lead the parents to the gospel.
See also:
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