Scripture: Psalm 145:13b, Acts 1:3, Acts 1:4-12, Ephesians 5:18, Matthew 5:16, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

How many promises are in the Bible? The number given by many different individuals and groups ranges from many hundreds to many thousands. We will settle on saying there are "lots and lots!"

Today, we take a look at several more of Jesus' appearances after His resurrection and explore three specific promises found in Acts 1 that are applicable to any believer's life.

Promise #1: Holy Spirit Promise #2: Witnesses Promise #3: Second Coming

Applications ⁃ Holy Spirit - given to all who believe. Ephesians 5:18 says, "keep on being filled with the Spirit of God." Listen to Him and seek His guidance. ⁃ Witnesses - disciples of Christ. Matthew 5:16 tells us to "let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Our witness flows from our faith in Jesus. We bear witness to Jesus with our actions and words (not to earn salvation, as it is a free gift through faith, but rather it flows from us in thanks for the gift of salvation.) We are called to be His witnesses in the world today ⁃ Jesus' second coming - a source of comfort and peace in the midst of a crazy world. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 assures of we will be raised to life forever with Christ.

Our salvation was won at the cross Our salvation was guaranteed at the empty tomb Our salvation is secured because Jesus is coming back!

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Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:6-8, Acts 1:15, Matthew 28:16, Matthew 28:20, 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Peter 3:18, 1 Peter 4:11

During the forty days between Jesus' resurrection and His ascension, Jesus saw many individuals and small groups, but He also saw over five hundred people at one time. Where was it, and when did Jesus see this large group of people?

Jesus kept showing up… ⁃ Jerusalem ⁃ Emmaus ⁃ Mount of Olives ⁃ Galilee (Pastor shares why he thinks that Jesus may have been in Galilee when He saw the 500. Pastor shares several pictures of the area around Galilee.)

Those Jesus appeared to had a heart to share the amazing news after seeing Jesus truly was alive.

Because Jesus is alive - because there are convincing proofs - what does that mean for our lives? ⁃ sharing the Gospel message ⁃ Obeying what Jesus had commanded

APPLICATIONS ⁃ Purpose: Testimony - The One who rose, changes our lives and He is coming back! Peter's testimony - 1 Peter 3:15 "but in your hearts revere Christ as lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." When God has changed our lives through Jesus Christ, that gives us a testimony, it gives us purpose to share our personal testimony with friends, family, strangers. Our testimony isn't just what we say, it's how we live, too.

⁃ Purpose: Maturity - We are to grow in our faith, in our witness, in our knowledge of the living God, and not remain baby believers. 2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen." We are not saved because we are mature, but rather it is because we're saved, we want to mature. We don't; want to remain baby believers, we want to grow up in Christ. And that gives Him glory, Our purpose is anchored and centered in the Lord Jesus Christ, our risen King. And we are to keep on maturing.

⁃ Purpose: Service - We are called to service Him with the gifts He has given us, with the time He has given us, with the opportunities and settings He has given us, 1 Peter 4:11 "If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen." Speak the words of God and bring joy and hope, conviction and power into the lives of others. And serve them in God's strength so that He is praised through the witness we share of Jesus and who He is. Be encouraged to serve Him with the gifts you've been given., to serve Him with your lives, your talents, your examples and in the opportunities He provides.

Our purpose is to live for Him - Not for ourselves - but for HIM!

Today, people are coming to faith in the Lord Jesus like never before, faith in Christ is exploding. And we are called to be part of that!!

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Our story picks up with Joash (the hidden royal) being brought forth at the age of seven and hailed as the king of Judah followed by the death of Athaliah. Peace reigns in Judah as we see over 100 years of four fairly "good" kings reigning in Judah from 835-731 B.C. These kings started well but didn't always finish well: Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah and Jotham.

King Joash ⁃ Takes the kingship at age 7 ⁃ Jehoiada, the High Priest, is Joash's mentor, advisor and instructor ⁃ Spiritual reformation was taking place across Judah as Joash starts out so well with Jehoiada as his advisor - until Jehoiada's death ⁃ Joash then gets new advisors (2 Chronicles 24:17-18) and they led him astray, worshiping idols and God's anger came. ⁃ Zechariah is the High Priest after Jehoiada. Zechariah was Jehoiada's son. He tells Joash and his new advisors of their sin against God, so they plot to kill him. 2 Chronicles 24:20. Zechariah is stoned to death. ⁃ Hazael is victorious in bottles over Judah ⁃ Then Joash's assignation follows

Amaziah ⁃ Amaziah is Joash's son - Amaziah starts well but doesn't finish well, following the pattern of his father. ⁃ Mercenaries come from Israel ⁃ Amaziah is given victory as he acts on the words of God through a prophet. 2 Chronicles 25:9 ⁃ But then Amaziah brings idols back from that victory. 2 Chronicles 25:15. Again a prophet comes to Amaziah to warn him, but this time Amaziah doesn't listen. ⁃ He is then defeated by Jehoash, king of Israel and he too is assassinated.

King Uzziah (also known as Azariah) ⁃ Uzziah is Amaziah's son. 2 Chronicles 26:4-5 tells that he had godly counsel and as long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success. ⁃ He was an extremely capable king ⁃ Ruled for 52 years ⁃ In Israel, Jeroboam II was ruling. Uzziah and Jeroboam II expanded both nations to the original size of the kingdom at the time of David and Solomon. ⁃ New prophets arise during the reign of Jeroboam II and Uzziah: Jonah, Amos, Hosea and Isaiah ⁃ Their kingdoms experienced the glory days of David and Solomon ⁃ But then Uzziah does not finish well. His pride went to his head and he usurped the role of the priests in burning the incense and immediately gets leprosy. 2 Chronicles 26:16-17

King Jotham ⁃ Uziah's son, Jotham becomes king of Judah. 2 Chronicles 27:2. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but the people, however, continued their corrupt practices. ⁃ Battle with the Ammonites - Godly king who is victorious over the Ammonites. 2 Chronicles 27:6 ⁃ Prosperity & Spiritual decline begins. The renewal did not spread throughout all the people. ⁃ We see the growing power of their enemy in Assyria

Next week our story continues with the rise of the power of the Assyrians.

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Scripture: Acts 1:3, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, Galatians 1:18-19, 1 Timothy 1:13-17.

In today's study we take a look at a Credal Statement. What is a Credal Statement? ⁃ It is a fundamental of faith ⁃ It enable people to talk about what they know and believe ⁃ It is easily memorized ⁃ It is easily understood ⁃ It is easily shared

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 "What I received I passed on to you. And it is the most important of all. Here is what it is. Christ died for our sins, just as Scripture said he would. He was buried. He was raised from the dead on the third day, just as Scripture said he would be. He appeared to Peter. Then he appeared to the 12 apostles." (The Credal Statement in bold.)

Then Paul continues with verses 6-8, "After that, he appeared to more than 500 brothers and sisters at the same time. Most of them are still living. But some have died. He appeared to James. Then he appeared to all the apostles. Last of all, he also appeared to me. I was like someone who wasn't born at the right time."

Paul mentions three men in these verses: Peter, James (Jesus' 1/2 brother) and himself. 2000 years later we have evidences of authenticity: There is convincing physical evidence of Peter's home in Jerusalem. Pastor shares pictures. There is a bone box, The James Ossuary, which has also been discovered and has an inscription, "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus." The basic consensus of scholarly opinion is that this is very likely authentic.

Who were these men? Peter: denied Jesus publicly three times James: his brother, was an unbeliever - did not believe Jesus was who He was, and James ridiculed his brother Jesus Paul: persecuted and killed believers and denounced Jesus

Who did they become? ⁃ Peter became an apostle of Christ and bold preacher of God's Word. Even arrest, beatings, and threats didn't lessen Peter's determination to preach the risen Christ. ⁃ James, after seeing Jesus risen from the grave, became a believer and also became the leader of the early Christian church in Jerusalem. ⁃ Paul was born Saul and he persecuted believers, but after meeting Jesus on a walk to Damascus Saul became Paul the Apostle and defender of the Gospel.

What did these three have in common? ⁃ They had all failed Jesus ⁃ A denier ⁃ A radical ⁃ A persecutor ⁃ All come to faith in the Risen Lord ⁃ Their lives are changed ⁃ They give powerful testimonies to Christ's love for all sinners What else do they have in common? ⁃ The PARDON of Christ - Forgiveness in full. ⁃ Each of their stories is a story of redemption in Jesus and a testimony that not a single one of us is beyond the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁃ In these three men we see that God saved the worst of us so that He might save all of us. Their changed lives are a testimony to the heart of God wanting us all.

How do their stories speak to us today?

Applications of the Pardon of God ⁃ Christ's mercy and grace is for us too - 1 Timothy 1:13-14 "I used to speak evil things against Jesus. I tried to hurt his followers. I really pushed them around. But God showed me mercy anyway. I did those things without knowing any better. I wasn't a believer. Our Lord poured out more and more of his grace on me. Along with it came faith and love from Christ Jesus." ⁃ Christ's saving power is for us too - 1 Timothy 1:15 "Here is a saying that you can trust. It should be accepted completely. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the worst sinner of all." ⁃ Nothing we have done can cause Jesus not to want to win us over to Himself ⁃ Nothing that would cause Him to say He's done with us ⁃ God wants ALL to be saved. ⁃ Christ's patient renewal is for us too- 1 Timothy 1:16 "But for that very reason, God showed me mercy. And I am the worst of sinners. He showed me mercy so that Christ Jesus could show that he is very patient. I was an example for those who would come to believe in him. Then they would receive eternal life."

Incredible Love - Incredible Grace - Incredible Pardon And Jesus' mercy and grace, saving power, patient renewal and incredible love are for us, too!

Paul, Peter and James were living examples of God's incredible grace - we too are living examples of His incredible grace.

Pardon - God offers pardon, forgiveness to all who will repent and believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and we become the children of God…. FOREVER!!

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Scripture: Acts 1:3, Luke 24:36-47, John 14:27, Philippians 4:7.

What does the sermon series "Forty Pus Ten" mean? There were forty days from Jesus' resurrection to His ascension. Pastor will focus on the convincing proofs of Jesus resurrection demonstrated in what Jesus' final words and actions during the forty days and will show us how they still speak to our lives today. There were ten days from Jesus' ascension to the Day of Pentecost. Pastor will focus on what happened on Pentecost and what that means for our Christian walk and daily lives. Jesus lives! This is the most important event of the planet since creation! Join us and see why!

Our study for today is on the evening of Jesus' resurrection. They are experiencing fear, confusion and uncertainty. They've heard some of the stories going around that Jesus was alive and risen from the grave but just days earlier they had seen Him arrested, crucified, put to death and placed in a tomb. They were not expecting a resurrection!

On Resurrection Sunday morning the tomb had been found empty. As they gathered together in fear in a locked room, there was also confusion. They had heard the reports of people seeing and talking to Jesus. There was uncertainty - how could this be true? And then, "While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you.'" Luke 24:36

How is this story relevant for us today? All of us has encountered fear and Jesus speaks to us, just as He spoke to His followers that day: "Peace" Shalom. He spoke into their fears, confusion and uncertainties and He speaks Peace to each of us into our lives to our fear, confusions and uncertainties.

Jesus goes on and says why are you troubled? Why do doubts rise in your minds and then He shows them His hands and feet. In effect saying that it really is Him! He tells them to touch Him and then He eats food - He's in the flesh, He is alive.

He goes on to tell them how all that is written about Him in the Old Testament must be fulfilled and as He continues it begins to become clear to their minds - Jesus opens their mind explaining the what the Scripture declared all along has been about Him. Then He goes on to say what's ahead, "He told them, "This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Luke 24:46-47

What this means for us today - because Jesus is alive it changes everything and it changes each one of us!

It changes: ⁃ How we look at life ⁃ The way we handle difficulties, fears, uncertainty, doubts and troubles ⁃ The way we look at the future ⁃ What matters in life

It gives us: ⁃ A reason for living ⁃ True living - forever!

Application ⁃ The call is personal to encounter Jesus Christ. To encounter Him and His Peace ⁃ We are called to heed the scriptures and to listen to them. As we listen - He comes into our hearts ⁃ We are called to experience a new mind - the Holy Spirit changes us from within.

Jesus is ALIVE! His resurrection is not only the most significant event in the history of the world, it is the most important thing in each of our lives.

No matter what we are going through - the fact that He is alive and that we by faith receive what He offers: forgiveness, hope, assurance and life forever —- that changes everything!

Pastor closes with the words from the chorus of a song from Bill and Gloria Gaither.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!

Life is worth living, just because He lives!!!

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Let's dig deeper into today's question by exploring five additional questions about Christ's upcoming return.

1. Will Christ actually return in the flesh? Yes, Jesus will actually return in the flesh. Here's some words from the angels. Acts 1:11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Coming back the same way He left. At the Mt of Olives, visibly, physically to reign. 2. How will every eye see Him? We live in a unique age where we can witness things around the world in real time. Revelation 1:7 "Look, he is coming with the clouds," and "every eye will see him, even those who pierced him"; and all peoples on earth "will mourn because of him." So shall it be! Amen." (See also - Daniel 7:13 and Zechariah 12:10) What seems impossible will be a reality, we all will see Him. 3. Why so many different interpretations of Christ's return will be like? There are basically 4 views of Christians of the Book of Revelation: ⁃ PRETERIST - everything in the book of Revelation was fulfilled for those 1st century believers. ⁃ HISTORICIST - What the book of Revelation does is it tracks Christian history until the very end of time when Christ returns. ⁃ FUTURIST - say what the book of Revelation portrays is the events that are yet to come and will happen in the last days of our planet's history. ⁃ IDEALIST - maintain that what the book of Revelation does is it gives us timeless truths and principles that have always been true and will be until Jesus returns. 4. Why all the different views. Who is right? Pastor posses a "what if": What if they are all right? What if God intentionally gave this so that people of every age would see what needs to be seen to stay close to Him. ⁃ PRETERIST - what if the book of Revelation really did have remarkable application to the 1st century believers ⁃ HISTORIST - What if the book of Revelation does track the Christian history til Christ returns ⁃ FUTURIST - What if the book of Revelation will be fulfilled in some future ways. ⁃ IDEALIST - What if the book of Revelation applies in every age because what it says is timeless and true. God is brilliant - He can and does brilliant things! Differing interpretations doesn't make the Bible unclear - it means that God is amazing!

Common Beliefs of each differing view: ⁃ Missionary Age - great commission ⁃ Great tribulation ⁃ Rapture ⁃ Millennium ⁃ Physical return of Christ ⁃ Resurrection of the dead ⁃ New heavens and New Earth

Early believers put together basic statements of the fundamentals of the Bible. Examples Nicene Creed says, "I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come." and the Apostle's Creed says, "I believe in… the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting." They chose short summations of basic agreed on biblical beliefs and leaving out the details, acknowledging the wide diversity of interpretation around what Jesus' return will look like and because we will find out the details when He returns.

The first advent Jesus came as a humble servant and laid down His life for us all. For His second advent Jesus comes in glory!

5. What are the sign of the times that indicate the eminent Second Coming of Jesus? Signs of the times: ⁃ Gospel to the entire world Matthew 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." ⁃ Persecution, apostasy & deception Matthew 24:9-11 "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. "At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many." ⁃ Warfare, earthquakes & famine - Mark 13:8 "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains." What we have observed since Jesus' first advent, these signs are closer together. ⁃ Israel's return Luke 21:24 "They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled." About 40 years after Jesus spoke these words in 70AD they happened and now in 1967, after nearly 1900 years, the Jewish people have returned.

In Matthew 24:42 we are told by Jesus, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." How do we stay awake? We keep our eyes on Jesus! The Savior of the world. God is for us! He's coming back and the day is fast approaching!

May we trust the Lord Jesus with all our hearts and rejoice in the salvation He won for us at the cross as a gift by faith.

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"Assurance" tackles centuries-old questions: Can I know for certain, what is my eternal destiny? Can I be sure of salvation? Can I know I'm going to heaven? Can I know my sins are forgiven? Can I know that God loves and cares for me? Pastor shares some life-changing truths that will show us the ASSURANCE we need for answering these questions!

The Gospel of John Week 22 Scripture: John 17:1-21.

Pastor starts today's class off with an interesting observation. The other three gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke mention the prayers of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, but John does not. John talks about the prayer that occurred before Jesus got to the garden, the prayer He prayed on the way there.

When we put those two different sets of prayers together (the ones from John on the way, and the ones from the other writers at the Garden) it gives us a greater sense of Jesus' heart during this evening, but also of the assurance the He had from the Father that this is going to turn out for our deliverance.

In Hebrews 12:2-3, we are encouraged to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men that you may not grow weary and lose hope." And so we are blessed by Jesus' obedience and faithfulness so that we also do not grow weary or lose hope, but that we see and understand that God is in control.

Jesus and His disciples have left the upper room and are walking to the Garden of Gethsemane. In John 17:1-2 we see Him pause on His way to the garden to pray what has been referred to as the "High Priestly Prayer."

Jesus begins with, "Father." It's personal and it's an example for us to be personal with God as well. Jesus says, "Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you." The Father is glorified by the obedience of Jesus, His Son, by Jesus being obedient even unto death on the cross.

Jesus continues, "For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." What is eternal life? It is eternal life to know the Father and know the Son and to be in relationship with the Living God.

In verse 6 Jesus starts to pray for His disciples and we see the love He has for them. He sees them as precious and loved. He looks past their mistakes and loves them and He looks at us the same way, He looks past our mistakes and loves us. We are precious to Him. We don't need to remember our failures and allow those to control us. We remember what God says about who we are and allow Him to guide and direct us as His loved children.

As Jesus' prayer continues we see Him blessing them, interceding for them and praying for their protection. And He prays for them to be protected in the power of the Father's name. God's name IS His character and Jesus has revealed His name, His character, because if you want to know what the Father is like, you look at the Son.

Jesus goes on to pray that he wants the full measure of His joy within His disciples. He says this knowing that in just a bit He will be arrested, tried and crucified. But what He also knows is that there is victory coming. He focused on the outcome, that of giving us an eternity with Him for all who believe in Him. And that's what He wants them to hold onto, too. And he prays for their protection from the evil one and that they would be set apart for the Father's work and His purposes.

Then Jesus' prayer moves from the 12 to pray about us. verses 20-21, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."

Pastor talks about how Jesus continues to pray for us and believers today. In Hebrews 7:25 we read, "Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." (Intercede is to pray for). Jesus is praying that we will live in unity with God and one another. We want to love as He loved, obey as He obeyed, speak as He speaks, follow as He followed. To go where He goes.

He prays unity of the believers, so that others, non-believers, the world, will know that God the Father sent Jesus because of His love for us and that is the love we share together and with others.

We should flee religion and rush to the Father, seeking out a relationship with Him through faith in the Lord Jesus and becoming transformed. It's not about knowing certain facts, it's about knowing God. It's not about knowing the answer to how to get to heaven. It's is about knowing the One who get us to heaven!!

Jesus says, "no-one comes to the Father, except through Me." And that is Jesus; prayer, complete unity, unity with Him, even as He and the Father are one.

Jesus goes on with, "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world." Wow, He wants to spend eternity with us. We are truly loved! We may live in His presence and live in relationship with Him, basking in His love and taking to heart what He has promised: "I am always with you, even to the end of the age."

And then we read that when He had finished praying, Jesus left with His disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. (And they continued to the Garden of Gethsemane.)

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⁃ The Gospel of John study is part five of five of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. ⁃ The Gospel of John may be one of the most powerful books ever written. Many people have come to faith after reading only this book of the Bible. Scholarly and archeological discoveries in recent decades give us new insight on details in the Gospel of John. We can now understand it as the most Jewish rather than the most "Gentile/Greek" of the Gospels, and when we do that we see many things that we missed before.

Our 2 year study of the gospels is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time!

No matter what we have done, God calls us to repent and turn to Him. The example of Manasseh shows how God can use even the most despicable individual to demonstrate His grace and power.

We all have blind spots. Wouldn't it be great if Jesus could help us see them? He can... and He will!