Awake Us Now

In Acts 11:26 we read that the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. "Disciple" is the most used word in the New Testament to describe followers of Jesus. It is used 261 times. The word "Christian" is used only 3 times in the New Testament. Brothers and sisters, believers, followers are also used but "disciples" is Jesus' favorite word to describe His followers.

Matthew 29:19-20 - the Great Commission - Jesus says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

The other 2 uses of Christian:

1. Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?"
2. 1 Peter 4:16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

The New Testament word appears to be invented by the opposition, a derisive term patterned after the names of Roman political parties; Example those following Herod = Herodians, or followers of Pompe = Pompeians.

Christian = Christ followers. Or "Christ-ers."

Followers of Jesus accepted and reveled in the name. In the writings of non-Christian people we see them embracing that term.

"And the tribe of the Christians so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared." - Josephus, Antiquities, Book 18 (ca. 93A.D.)

Another example from an adamant unbeliever:

"Consequently, to get rid of the reports, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilat…" Tacitus, The Annals, Book 15 (ca.118 A.D.)

Christian is all about the Messiah, the Christ of God, the Lord Jesus our Savior and the world's Savior. It's also about our mission to bring others to Christ where there is healing, forgiveness, and hope of eternal life.

We are called to bear His Name with joy, confidence and power!!

Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.

View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class

For the full list of videos in this series, Dig Deeper, https://www.awakeusnow.com/dig-deeper

For more check out our Sunday series, God ACTS! https://www.awakeusnow.com/god-acts-then-now

Join us Sundays

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True freedom is living the full life that God always intended us to possess. In Jesus, we are freed from bondage to sin and are now free to please God!

Some Biblical virtues mirror God's character, but this one -- thankfulness -- exalts God's character. Thankfulness promotes humility in us and strengthens our faith. ThankLESSness, by contrast, is an exceptionally dangerous sin.

God's Gospel Goes Global

After Peter told the story of his vision and going to Joppa to the home of Cornelius, we read in Acts 11:18 that "… the believers in Jerusalem had no further objections and praised God saying, 'So even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.'" And now the barriers that had existed between the Jewish world and the non-Jewish world are down in a single moment. The believers in Jerusalem that had grown up as devout Jewish people had their eyes opened to understand the new age that God promised had arrived. AND God's Gospel Goes Global!!!

Then + Now

• GOD's Plan - His plan and intent have always been to win the entire world to Himself. God's plan is coming to fruition. Romans 10:12-13 we see that there is no difference between Jew and Gentile because the Lord saves all who call on Him.

In verse 19 and 20 we read that those scattered by the persecution following Stephen's martyrdom are spreading into Cyprus, Phoenicia and Antioch sharing the gospel message to Jews and Greeks. Peter's ministry to Cornelius opened the flood gates!! Verse 21 tells us that the Lord was with them and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

We see the gospel exploding in Antioch, a place with many from multiple backgrounds and cultures, a wealthy city and an incredibly immoral city and this is where the Gospel explodes!! Unbelievers discover what they are living for has no lasting value, leaving them empty. Does this sound like the world today? It is there that God desires to bring the Good News that changes people lives, transforming them from the inside out, that brings an eternal destiny, and great joy and He does that through His people then and NOW!

• God's People - God uses His people to do mighty things. He desires to use us to touch our families, neighbors, and even our enemies with His word and his love. In verse 22 the news of the spread of the Gospel got back to the church in Jerusalem, so they send Barnabas to Antioch. Barnabas was from Cypress and was known as an encourager and once he saw what the grace of God was doing there, he encouraged the new believers to persevere in their faith with all their hearts, just as we need to do TODAY!

• God's Grace - God's breaks into our lives because He is good, not because of anything we have done, but because He is gracious. It is all based on what Jesus did at the cross. We all need to encounter that grace and know that God cares for us. His grace is powerful and changes lives, families, marriages, communities and the world both then and NOW!.

• God's Leaders - Through Barnabas a great number of people are brought to the Lord. And Barnabas goes to Tarsus to bring Saul to Antioch. God assembles a great group of leaders, an amazing team uniquely qualified to carry out God's plan. In verse 26 we read that great numbers of people in Antioch were taught for an entire year by this leadership team, equipping God's people to know God, His Word, His guidance, His direction, and His Holy Spirit. These leaders were specially needed in a corrupt age, in a corrupt city, because if God's people are not equipped they will fall prey to the enemy. Today we see God continuing to raise up leaders to do His work, in His strength and with His guidance and Holy Spirit.

• God's Teaching - we need to be instructed in the Truth. It is a matter of connecting what the Bible says to the life of a believer.
• Orthodoxy - right opinion - Beliefs - essential to be grounded in God's truth - the message of Christ's forgiveness.
• Orthopraxy - right practice - Conduct - knowing how to live our lives in a fallen world. It's not just head knowledge, it is about heartfelt, Spirit-guided living - conduct that becomes a follower of Jesus.

Titus 2:11-14 - the grace of God offers salvation to ALL people and teaches us to live self-controlled, godly lives as we await Christ's return.

• God's Mercy - In verses 28-30 we read that Agabus, a prophet, predicts a famine, so the disciples decide to support the believers living in Judea. In the mercy of God they reached out to those in the midst of famine, then. Today, God's mercy shows in us as we walk by faith and follow the Holy Spirit's leading.

… and God's Gospel continues to Go Global!

This week's READING ASSIGNMENT:

Acts chapter 11-12.

Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.

Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/god-acts-then-now

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Join us Sundays live or on demand from our website

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We are to be strong in the Lord (with His strength), and to put on the full armor of God (His equipment), so that we are both prepared and equipped for spiritual warfare!

Kindness is not weakness. Kindness reflects the character and strength of God, and is seen throughout the ministry of Jesus Christ. Followers of Jesus should show that same character in their lives!

Jesus not only taught the importance of forgiveness, He practiced it, even from the cross (Luke 23:43). The example of Jesus and the magnitude of His love changes people and gives them the power to forgive even the most bitter of enemies!

Our devotion to the Living God is demonstrated in the way we love other people - including even our enemies. Genuine love is the truest expression of right doctrine (teaching) - and without love, the doctrine collapses.

Using the Bible and Roman sources, Pastor teaches us about Centurions.

In Sunday's message we met the Centurion, Cornelius. (See teaching here https://youtu.be/yjK_CB20Fk0) Acts 10:1-2 Cornelius was a centurion in the Italian Regiment.

What we know about Centurions

• Backbone of the Roman Army
• Tested and dependable leaders
• Commanded 80-100 soldiers - 6 Centurions to a Cohort (600) and 10 Cohorts to a Legion (6000)
• Mentioned more that 20 times in the New Testament - Luke 7:1-10, Matthew 8:5-13, Matthew 27:54, Mark 15:39, Luke 23:47, Acts 10:1-7, Acts 21:32, Acts 22:25-29, Acts 23:17, Acts 23:23, Acts 24:23, Acts 27:1ff
• Viewed in very positive terms in the New Testament -

Pastor speculates that these centurions shared their stories with each other and that knowing the stories influenced their actions toward believers

Pastor closes with the proclamation of the centurion at the foot of Jesus' cross who said as Jesus died, "Surely he was the Son of God!"

Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.

View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class

For the full list of videos in this series, Dig Deeper, https://www.awakeusnow.com/dig-deeper

For more check out our Sunday series, God ACTS! https://www.awakeusnow.com/god-acts-then-now

Join us Sundays

https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

Or watch from our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@AwakeUsNow/videos

Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Unlike happiness, joy is not an emotion, dependent on particular circumstances. Joy is anchored in God, and through Jesus it is triumphant even over the sufferings of this world!

Growing Gracefully In Joy - We are living in a time of chaos and uncertainty, a time of unbridled anger on all ends of the spectrum and if ever there was at time that the people of God needed to remember and reflect the joy of the Lord, THIS IS THE TIME!

This is a great time to be growing in joy as we rely on the Holy Spirit to empower and strengthen us every day and in every circumstance and situation.

The Bible is full of joy, 440 times it is mentioned. God brings joy to the lives of His children. The joy of the Lord is our strength!

Pastor answers these questions: Where does joy come from? How is joy developed? What nurtures joy? What hinders joy?

Many of us are living in fear, wondering about the things that are coming. Fearful about what may happen in the coming months. But the Bible has clear teaching in the scriptures about Joy.

These are: Joy... Is anchored in God Is a choice Is sometimes hindered Is not circumstantial Is triumphant

Using a book by Jerry Bridges, "The Practice of Godliness," Pastor sets forth several

Aids to JOY... 1. Confess and forsake sin 2. Trust in God 3. Take the long-range view of life 4. Give thanks in all circumstances

God IS faithful!

Scripture sources: Luke 10:21, James 1:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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