3/4/22

[Acts 16, Proverbs 4]

H – Acts 16:30b, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

E – Salvation!

Acts 16 is a roller coaster ride for Paul, Silas, and Timothy. As they traveled, God closed doors and He opened doors for them to carry the Gospel. God opened hearts for the Gospel to be heard and many believed in faith. 

There was also moments where Paul, Silas, and Timothy were ridiculed, faced accusations, beaten, and shackled as prisoners. 

Yet, right in the middle of this roller coaster ride was God. From the mountain tops of witnessing salvation and the valley lows of being beaten and put in prison, they continued to pray and sing praises to the Lord. And, it appears to be evident that in their lowest moments that God moved the most. People witnessed persecution against them, and to hear them pray and praise could only mean one thing; they legitimately believed in who they were worshipping. So, people began to listen to them (16:25). 

One who listened was the jailer placed over them. When God moved He not only shook the foundations of the prison, but He began to shake the foundation of the jailers life. To the point the jailer asked the question, “what must I do to be saved?” The answer given = BELIEVE!

But, notice the evidence of belief from the jailer. 1) The jailer became compassionate. Taking care of the wounds that were inflicted to these men (16:33). 2) The jailer desired to hear and know of God. He wanted to be taught about Christ and the ways of Christ (16:32). 3) The jailer wanted others to hear about Christ. He brought his whole household forward to hear. He was not embarrassed  (16:32). 4) The jailer desired obedience from the beginning. He wanted to be identified as a Christ follower through baptism (16:33). 5) The jailer lovingly met the needs of these men (16:34). 6) The jailer rejoiced in what God had done for him and those in his household that believed. He worshipped before the Lord and others unashamedly. He knew he had a reason to (16:34). 

Think about what a Roman jailer must have been like. They were tough, blunt, unconcerned with the welfare of a prisoner, and certainly lacked compassion. And then, The Lord opened his heart. He believed and was changed. 

Real Genuine Salvation places a new desire within you. It changes you. You cannot stay the same. No matter the roller coaster, you know God is with you and you can’t help but pray and praise Him.

A – Continue to believe upon the Lord Jesus. Let my faith be evident through my actions. Let my praise be louder than my struggles. Tell others of Jesus. 

R – Lord God, thank you for my salvation. Thank you for rescuing me. Lord, I have reason to praise. Lord, continue to give me a desire to seek after you. Lord, help me to know that no matter where I am at in life that you are with me. Shake foundations. I pray we would witness others call out to you for salvation. I pray households would be changed, forever.

In Jesus Name!

[Acts 15, Proverbs 3]

H – Acts 15:28–29, “[28] For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: [29] that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

E – Burden!

God’s Word had penetrated the hearts of Gentiles. However, the religious Pharisees and some of the leading Jews were not pleased because they believed these Gentiles needed to go through the rituals of circumcision. The law of Moses was their measuring stick and if you couldn’t measure up then you were not accepted. There was only one problem. They failed to accept that salvation did not come from circumcision, but through the grace of our Lord and Savior and faith in Him (15:9). Therefore, these apostles and elders came to the conclusion that they were not requiring circumcision and observance of the entire Mosaic law (15:10), for salvation is by grace alone (15:11).

Being religious is burdensome. Going through the motions and having a checklist Christianity is burdensome. Keeping up with everyone else’s demands is burdensome. Trying to follow ancient transitions can be burdensome. Yet, surrendering to Jesus and following Him is not burdensome. 

I believe John helps us see this clearly in 1 John 5:3, when he stated, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.”

A – Don’t let the trap of tradition create burdens. Walk in faith to His great grace and commit to follow Him. For that is not a burden, but a blessing. 

R – Lord God, thank you for salvation. Thank you for your amazing grace. Thank you that being in a relationship with you is not a burden. Thank you God for the blessing that comes from obedience. Lord, help me to commit each day to following you. 

In Jesus Name!

[James 4, Proverbs 1]

H – James 4:4, “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

E – Did You Not Know?

James began Chapter 4 with a warning against worldliness. This warning called imitators of worldliness adulterers. It was literal unfaithfulness to God making this claim against spiritual adultery or turning away from God. 

But, notice the question at hand, Do you know know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? It’s interesting that if these people were genuine Christ followers that they would know what Christ rescued them from, called them out of, and called them to. 

When I give my life to Christ He calls me out of and away from worldliness. I repent (turn away) from my old sinful ways and turn to Him. I am a new creation. I am no longer a friend to the world or her ways. I am a friend of Christ.

Christ came to deliver me from the enemy and when I do not flee wordiness and surrender all to Him then I am in camp with the enemy, against God. James makes it clear. You can not set your heart on the world and please God. I can not have one foot in and one foot out. I’m either all in or not. 

Did You Not Know This?

And John would confirm, 1 John 2:15–16, “[15] Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”

A – Daily apply James 4:7-10 – 1) Submit myself to God, 2) Resist Temptations of all kinds, 3) Draw Near To God, 4) Repent on any Known Sin, 5) Receive Forgiveness, 6) Let Conviction take root, 7) Humble Myself to Hear from and Respond to His Spirit. 

R – Lord God, Thank you for loving me. Thank you for calling me out of the world. Lord, help me to wisely discern worldliness. Convict me of pride, jealously, and greed (4:1-3). Help me to know that my life in You is more valuable than anything I could gain or earn in this world (4:13-14). May my passion be for you and flow from you. 

In Jesus Name!

[James 2, Proverbs 25]

H – James 2:14, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?”

E – Real Faith – Real Works

I’m currently preaching through 1 Thessalonians. The current sermon series is “Real.”  Last week I preached on ‘Real Christianity’ from 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3. In James 2 you also see a picture of real Christianity. Matter of fact, all we have to do is open up the Bible and we will see example after example of what real faith, real belief, looks like. 

James probably wrote the most simple example of what real faith actually is. Real Faith, Real Christianity is active in works. I can almost hear and see it. You may have already squinted your face or shuck your head, saying “but, in Ephesians 2:8-9 it says……!” Hear me out. I think we get hung up on the word “WORKS.” I do too. I have made the statement time and time again that God did not create you and I to be human doings, but human beings. Doing speaks of working for something, being speaks of being in something else. But, my doing does not save me. Well then, why “works”?

What if works is not what you and I think it is? What if I’m equating works to an 8-5 job? What if I’m thinking works is what I earn to accomplish a means (like money, a house, vehicles, etc.)? What if I’m thinking like a job that I work at until I can’t or I’m good to retire and live off what I’ve already done? But, what if works was simply “active obedience”? What if works is not working for something, but from somethings? Ah, that changes things. 

You see, a verbal testimony alone is not adequate evidence that true saving faith is present. Only works of obedience can prove the presence of genuine faith. If someone says they have faith but lacks the resulting evidential works, one must doubt that he has been saved. I can claim all I want to, but if there is not active obedience to the saving faith of Jesus in my life, my life and faith is actually dead. Unchanged lives do not have faith in Jesus. Being faith in Jesus is active (1:22), you can’t help but to live a changed life (notice I did not say perfect). A faith that doesn’t use you for Jesus is not faith in Jesus. My obedience to Jesus compliments my intellectual verbal faith in Jesus. 

(I don’t know any other ways to put it!)

Don’t be foolish, my verbal confession of faith in Christ apart from active obedient in Christ is useless and dead (1:20).

A – Seek The Lord. Allow Jesus to change me anew. Be active in my obedience. 

[I can start with the Great Commandment and Great Commission].

R – Lord God, thank you for saving faith. I know my faith in you is real because only you could change, are changing, and will change a person like me. Lord, I need you like flowers need rain. I need you to pour your spirit out in my life. God I desire to remain in you and you in me. Help me. Convict me of the moments that I’m working for my salvation and not through my salvation. I pray my faith would be genuine to others and all they would see is Jesus. God, I pray for others that think they are saved by something they did but have never allowed you to change their life. Lord, would you reveal yourself to them and would we see a great surrender. 

In Jesus Name!

[James 1, Proverbs 24]

H – James 1:12, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

E – A Great Reward!

The book of James is an amazing book. James is the half brother of Jesus. When Jesus began his earthy ministry undoubtedly James thought that his brother was crazy (Mark 3:21), yet through Jesus death, burial, resurrection, and ascension he became a servant; knowing He was truly the Messiah (1:1). 

The intro to James begins with trials. Trails the twelve tribes in the Dispersion were facing. Trials of various kinds. These trials mainly had to do with persecution, but lead into so many other aspects of life. 

The call to trails is to remain steadfast (1:4, 12) or persevere. It is a call with a promise; you will receive a great reward, the crown of life. The question that comes is, How do I persevere? How do I remain steadfast?

A – Well, there are 4 truths that God lead on my heart from this passage:

1. Seek the Wisdom of God (1:5). I need wisdom. I need discernment. I need clarity. 
2. Humble Myself Before God (1:9-10). I need to humble myself before God instead of being humbled by God. In other words I do not need to allow my pride, arrogance, and selfish confidence to bring me low. When I begin ‘low’ or humble I can think look ‘high’ or to the Lord. 
3. Be Self-Controlled (1:14). The temptation that comes from trials is to do what ever your own desires is to do. But, I don’t need my desires. I need the will of God. 1 Peter 5:8 describes why I need to be self controlled and alert. It is because the enemies desire is to devour me in my sin. Yet, when I’m self-controlled and resist the enemy firm in my faith, I experience the power and victory of God. 
4. Be Changed By The Word of Truth (1:18). It is the Word of God that changes lives, reveals our great need, gives us application to live by. The only cure for my flesh is His Word. The only cure for my unholy actions is His Word. Action in The Word of Truth leads me to produce fruit and walk in the realization of my gift. That is why I don’t just want to hear the Word, but be a doer of the Word (1:22). 

R – Lord God, thank you for your Word. Thank you for help when we call out for it. Lord, grant me wisdom for today. Help me discern the voice of truth from the voice of error. Lord, I need you today. I don’t want to be lacking. 

In Jesus Name!

[Acts 14, Proverbs 23]

H – Acts 14:21–22, “[21] When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, [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.”

E – Perseverance!

I can’t read the book of Acts without asking, “How?” How was Paul and the Apostles able to keep going? “Why?” Why did they keep going when they could have quit and run to safety?

There was an attempt to mistreat and stone them in Iconium (14:5). Paul was stoned and dragged out of the city considered dead in Lystra (14:19). They persevered in travel back to the believers in Antioch. 

Yet, they continued to boldly and intentionally preach the Gospel (14:7). They did not waver. They persevered in the purpose God had called them to (14:26). 

The answer to the “why” is simply because they believed in what they were speaking about. They had full confidence and full belief in the Gospel. They could not not speak about Jesus, for they knew the power of Christ to save and rescue. The Gospel was worth everything to them because this world had nothing it could offer to give them peace. 

The answer to the “how” is because they were filled with His Spirit and power. They took time to strengthen their souls, encouraged one another to continue in the faith, and expected the persecution coming (14:22). They knew the “how” to continue could only be Christ in them and through them. 

A – The Gospel is worth everything. Perseverance of the Saints should be a by-product of the Gospel in and through my life. Make sure that I’m growing in faith, being strengthened in and through His Spirit – through His Word. Make preparations for when persecution may come my way that I will boldly proclaim truth and not give in or give up. 

R – Lord God, thank you for salvation. Thank you for life. Thank you for hope. Thank you for protection. Thank you for assurance. Lord, would you continue to pour your Spirit out on me? Give me the patience to endure, the power to proclaim, and the passion to persevere. 

In Jesus Name!

[Acts 13, Proverbs 22]

H – Acts 13:38–39, “[38] Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, [39] and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.”

E – Through This Man!

Paul was bold in his testimony of The Messiah. Paul knew who he was, where he came from, what he did, and how God drew him to Himself. He knew the rescuer and the rescue. Being Paul knew darkness and had experienced light, he had to tell somebody. This Jesus had rescued him from darkness, death, the grave, and hell. 

Paul’s testimony began from the beginning: Abraham, God’s choosing of Israel, Egypt, the Judges, their Kings, and The Savior of Israel – Jesus Christ; His death – burial – resurrection. This testimony was important because it gave proof that Jesus was the true Messiah (13:26). 

Because Jesus was the true Messiah it is only through Him that forgiveness of sin can occur. Jesus alone can atone for our sins. And, the only way our sins can be forgiven is to turn from our sin (repent) and call upon the name of The Lord (Romans 10:9-10).

When I call upon the name of the Lord in belief, He frees from everything. The word frees in the greek means to justify, which means that I am innocent before God. There is no part of the law that I could have kept to earn my salvation. But, because of my belief and confession of Jesus I am now innocent, cleared, and pardoned to have a right relationship with God the Father. That could only come through His Son, Jesus. 

Through this man I have forgiveness, I’ve been cleared innocent, and I have abundant life (now and forevermore). 

That should be worth telling someone that “Through This Man” I’ve been set free and you can too. 

A – God has given me a testimony. Boldly proclaim it. When people listen, help them understand. When others don’t listen, shake it off (13:51). Don’t let anyone discourage me from telling the story of Jesus. It’s my story and no one can contradict it (13:45). 

R – Lord God, thank you for salvation. Thank you for forgiveness. Thank you for the peace of being cleared innocent before you. Thank you for the opportunity to be in relationship with you. Lord, I don’t want to get over my salvation. Would you give me the boldness today to tell someone the Gospel and its truth. Lord, I want to see others believe. 

In Jesus Name!

[Acts 11, Proverbs 18]

H – Acts 11:23, “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,…….”

E – Building Bridges!

After Peter’s witness to the Gentiles he returned to Jerusalem. When he entered the Jews had a bone to pick with him, “You’ve been with the uncircumcised – unclean – unholy and even ate with them, you unholy backslider.” (I’m dramatizing in my own words 10:3). They were not happy until Peter explained what took place in Acts 10 and concluded with these words, “who was I to stand in God’s way?” (11:17).

Now a report had been sent of another group being added to the mix of outreached; The Hellenist, which were non-Jew Greeks. So, the “mother church” in Jerusalem wanted to validate these claims and they sent Barnabas to validate and examine the new outreach. Was this real? They probably sent Barnabas because he was different. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit, and active in his faith. He was known as the “Son of Encouragement”. If anyone could help build a bridge between two cultures and ethnicities, it was Barnabas. And that he does. 

Once Barnabas arrives to Antioch it doesn’t take long for him to figure out that it was indeed real. Antioch had been evangelized and he saw the evidence of God’s great grace. Notice what takes place. 

He encouraged and exhorted them to 1) remain faithful to the Lord, 2) persevere with purpose given through the Gospel. 

But, it goes even deeper. Barnabas doesn’t leave them. He doesn’t say congratulations, good luck, we’re rooting for you, just do what everyone else is doing and you will figure it out. No! He sent for Saul (Paul) to come to Antioch and for a whole year they discipled (taught) these believers. 

A -Don’t Stand in God’s Way, Live With Purpose, Share The Gospel, Be an Encourager, Build Gospel Bridges, Disciple Believers (Especially new believers), Send The Discipled Out to Make More Disciples. 

R – Lord God, Thank you for saving me and giving me purpose. Help me Lord not to squander my purpose away. Lord, use me to be an encouragement to others, a bridge builder in the community, and have Gospel impact where you have placed me. I pray I would be able to see the evidence of your great Grace in this community. 

In Jesus Name!

[Acts 10, Proverbs 17]

H – Acts 10:34, “So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,……”

E – No Partiality!

It was no secret; Jews hated Gentiles. Jews did not want to associate with folks they considered uncommon and unclean, which was everyone other than Jews. It is interesting however that this is not the heart of God. God had sent Jesus to die for the world, all humanity, every tongue, tribe, and nation. So, to have a hatred for people that Jesus had died for was not of God. 

The Lord gives Peter a dream, while he is hungry; of all kinds of animals, reptiles, and birds. The Lord then tells him to go rise, kill, and eat (10:13). This was not literal, but Peter didn’t know the meaning until some folks that were considered to Jews unclean showed up. It could have been one of those sanctifying moments for Peter – “I hear you Lord, you love them, and I will too.”

1 John 4:20, “If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.”

A – Love God, Love People, Share The Gospel with All People.

R – Lord, Thank you for loving me. I pray I will be able to love people the way you have called me too. I pray, Lord God, that you will allow me to be light in darkness and salt in the midst of blah-ness. Lord, I pray all people see Jesus in and through me.

In Jesus Name!

[Acts 9, Proverbs 16]

H – Acts 9:4, “And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

E – One With Christ!

This passage is eye opening to the relationship a Christian has with Christ. Paul had been persecuting Christians. He approved Stephen’s execution (8:1), he lead the persecution of Jerusalem (8:2), and he was headed to Damascus to do the same (9:2). Paul breathed out threats against, beat, and murdered Christians (9:1). Yet, he physically never saw Jesus or laid his hands on Him. Or did he?

According to Christ we are part of His Body. We are one together, with Christ being the head. 

1 Corinthians 12:12, “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.”

1 Corinthians 12:27, “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”

This is why Jesus, in Spirit, could ask Saul (Paul), “why are you persecuting me?” To persecute Christ Body is to persecute Christ himself. 

This should let us know the value that Christ has for those that follow Him. We are considered one together in a relationship that binds us for eternity. He loves His body and I’m part of it. 

A – I’m part of Christ body and I should view myself as such. He is in me and I am in Him. Therefore, I should protect this body; spiritually, physically, and emotionally. I shouldn’t let anything else take root that is not holy and righteous before Him. 

R – Lord God, thank you for allowing me to be part of your body, part of your family. It is truly the greatest honor I have. Lord help me to protect myself and do nothing to hinder or harm the body. I want to grow in you and be used by you for your Glory. 

In Jesus Name!