Calvary Baptist Church - Canyon Texas - David Crump, Pastor

Luke 24:1-8

I wish I could take us back to the days before Jesus was raised, while Jesus was in the tomb.

I wish we could wait there at the tomb together, waiting and watching to see what would happen.

While we waited, we would have questions – just like his disciple must have.

They had seen Jesus die, saw him flogged, beaten, and finally crucified.

They would have wondered. We would have questions during those anxious three days.

Was Jesus overcome by the power of death and darkness?

There was so much darkness in Jesus’ sentencing and death.

Judas took money to betray him after the Bible says, “Satan entered him.”

The Pharisees plotted to have him killed so they could keep their positions.

The Roman government allowed Jesus to be killed even though they knew he was innocent.

The Roman soldiers mocked and beat him violently for sport.

The crowd rejected him and called for his blood to be on them and on their children.

Did their darkness overcome Jesus?

Was all the sin of mankind too much to bear?

For three days there was no answer.

For three days heaven was quiet.

For three days the disciples grieved.

For three days there was confusion.

But on the third day there was an answer.

On the third day there was an earthquake.

On the third day angels appeared.

On the third day the stone was rolled away.

On the third day Jesus body was not there.

On the third day, Jesus overcame death and darkness.

Hebrews 2:14-15

14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

Jesus overcame death and darkness.

He triumphed over them like a victorious king,

When he rose from the dead.

Will trouble triumph?

The disciples saw all their worst fears come to pass.

They saw Jesus arrested.

They saw him go back and forth to rulers, but none stood up for Jesus even though he was innocent.

They saw their leader beaten, mocked, flogged, humiliated.

Finally, they saw him killed in the most violent and brutal manner.

Would trouble triumph?

Would trouble overcome them too?

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

We all have trouble.

We all have suffering.

It can seem like our trouble will overwhelm us.

But in the resurrection, we see trouble does not overcome.

Jesus Christ overcomes.

You will not be overcome by trouble.

You will not be overcome because Jesus Christ is your King and He has overcome the world.

Can I be forgiven?

The disciples ran when Jesus was arrested. Peter failed.

James and John’s mom asked Jesus if they could have a special place in his kingdom.

They had all failed. They all fell asleep when Jesus needed them. They had all been selfish.

The Bible talks about sin a lot.

It is a powerful enemy.

It is not just an action, like I lied, or I lusted. It is a condition.

We lie or lust because we’re sinners. We’re broken.

Sin twists our thinking.

It makes us blind to our own faults.

Can I be forgiven? Is it too late? Have I failed too many times? Have I fallen too far?

Colossians 2:13-15

13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Jesus forgave our sins.

He canceled the charges against us.

He nailed them to the cross of Jesus Christ.

He made a public spectacle of all the powers opposed to him.

The resurrection proves that Jesus’ offering was accepted by God.

You are freed from punishment for your sin.

You are freed from guilt and shame.

You are no longer under condemnation from God.

You are free from all of that.

You are completely forgiven.

When you feel guilt, when you feel shame, when you find yourself avoiding God, remember…

“Jesus died for THIS sin that I’m struggling with.”

“God already accepted Jesus’ sacrifice for this sin and showed his acceptance by Jesus’ resurrection.”

You can be forgiven. It’s not too late.

Your sin can be put away forever.

You can be free from guilt and shame.

He died for your sin. He died so you could be forgiven.

So your relationship with God the Father could be restored.

All you have to do is believe in Jesus’ work on the cross.

John 10:1-6

vv. 1-2 People are the sheep. There is a pen where they are kept to keep them from wandering and protect them from wild animals. Shepherds would often sleep across the doorway of the pen to protect the sheep. There are thieves and robbers who try to sneak in vs. the shepherd who goes in the gate. Thieves are robbers – false shepherds, false prophets, including the Pharisees and Chief Priests.

vv. 3-6 “The sheep listen to his voice.” – There would be many flocks kept together. The sheep would respond to their shepherd’s voice and go with him.

Jesus would build a new community of people who would be his. They will respond to his voice. They respond when he calls. Do you know his voice? Have you heard his call? The way to know, you respond.

“He calls his own sheep by name.”He knows his sheep by name. More important than you knowing God; He knows you. He calls you by name.

John 10:7-10

v. 7 “I am the gate” There was a gate on the pens that open to allow the sheep to go out into pasture. Jesus is the only gate. (John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”)

v. 8-9 Whoever enters through me will be saved. The gate allows the sheep to pass between safety in the pens and supply for their needs in the pasture. Jesus gives his people safety and supply for their needs.

v. 10 The thief is out for their own interests – true of the Pharisees. They were afraid Jesus would stir up the crowds and cause the Romans to take away their power to rule – one of the reasons they plotted to kill Jesus. They wanted to keep their power, even if they had to kill to do it.

“I have come that they might have life and have it to the full.”

Eternal life has always existed in Jesus Christ.

John 1:4 “In him was life, and that life was the light of men.”

He gives eternal life to his sheep – not just ever-lasting life, but new life, life as a new creation, life with a restored relationship with God, life not under condemnation for our sin, life lived in the righteousness of Jesus, life lived in the favor of God, life being restored to the image of God, life forever in the presence of our creator, life one day to be fully his, fully restored, fully knowing God. That’s eternal life.

John 10:11-13

v. 11 “I am the good shepherd” Jesus is our shepherd.

God had promised through Ezekiel to send a shepherd for his people.

Ezekiel 34:23 “I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd.”

Jesus is the one, promised 600 years before.

He is the promised shepherd, sent by God to care for and lead his people.

In other parts of the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the “great shepherd” (Heb. 13:20) and “the chief Shepherd” (1 Pet. 5:4); and Rev. 7:17 says that “the Lamb . . . will be their shepherd.”

“The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

A shepherd might risk his life, but fully expected to live.

Jesus would lay down his life.

vv. 12-13 The hired hand – the Pharisees have self-interest, no real interest in the sheep.

John 10:14-21

v. 14-15 “I know my sheep and my sheep know me - as the Father knows me.

v. 16 “other sheep” you and I, united with Jewish believers in one flock, under our one shepherd.

v. 17 “The Father loves me b/c I lay down my life.” Jesus’ sacrificing himself is out of loving obedience to the Father, reveals the love b/n the Father and the Son.

v. 18 “to take it up again.” Like no one else in history, Jesus said, “I have the power to die and power to live again.”

vv. 19-20 Jesus’ words were true. His miracles proved his power and authority.

Jesus is your shepherd.

He will lead you.

He will provide for you.

He laid down his life for you so you could have eternal life.

Take time to meditate on that this week.

Jesus, you are my shepherd.

Lord, show me what you gave me when you died to give me eternal life.

John 15:1-4

v. 1 Jesus is the vine. This is OT reference to Israel, called the vine and grapes symbolized their fruitfulness in doing God’s work. (Ps 80:8; Is 5:1-7; Ez 19:10-14)

The Father is the gardener.

v. 2 Unfruitful branches are cut off. Not sure what these are. They are said to be “in me.”

But there is something false about them. They bear no fruit and are therefore, cut off.

All branches needs cutting. Even the fruitful ones are pruned.

The intent of pruning is to become more fruitful.

v. 3 You are clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

v. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you.

Jesus is going to express how our relationship is supposed to work.

He does so by saying, “I’m the vine, you are the branches connected to me.”

Our relationship with Jesus is to be a remaining, abiding, living with, dwelling with kind of relationship.

Just as a branch receives nourishment from the trunk, so we are with Jesus.

Remaining in Jesus is to be constantly living with him.

In our homes, at our jobs, in our classes.

In our daily lives, we are to abide in Jesus; not just quiet time, but all the time.

He is to be our constant companion in successes, failures, troubles, joys, sorrows.

Somehow in this abiding relationship with him, we receive what we need to grow and bear fruit.

Practice the presence of God.

Meditate on these verses.

Think about how he is with you throughout the day.

Pray to him throughout the day. “Lord, show me how to remain in you. Show me how this results in fruit in my life.”

John 15:5-8

v. 5 If you remain in Jesus, you will bear much fruit.

Apart from me you can do nothing.

v. 6 Branches that do not remain in me is thrown away.

v. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you.

Remaining in Jesus is to be constantly living in his word.

Surveys taken of Christians sought to find out how much time the average Christian spends in devotion time each day. The average was 5 minutes or less.

That is not enough time to cultivate a relationship with Christ.

It may be enough to read some verses, but that’s not abiding.

Limited abiding leads to limited fruit.

Challenge yourself to have your devotional time to be significant.

Spend at least 30 minutes, maybe an hour.

Put in the time – it’s not really about the time.

It’s about relating with Jesus, engaging God, listening to the Spirit.

None of us is perfect. We are all broken sinners.

This is why we need to abide with Christ, spend time reading and meditating on his word.

Passages on meditating on God and his word:

Joshua 1:8 “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth, meditate on it day and night”

Psalm 1:2 “On his law he meditates day and night”

Psalm 63:6 “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.”

Psalm 119:97 “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.”

Psalm 145:5 “I will meditate on your wonderful works.”

Carve out 30 minutes/day.

Make it the anchor of your day – to gain your bearings, remember the eternal truths, and get God’s perspective.

Think of it as a conversation.

Ask God, “come to me, open my mind and my heart.”

Quiet your heart and mind.

Read the Word.

Pray, “what do you want me to hear in this passage?”

Meditate, listen.

ACTS: adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication

Remember this is about abiding with Christ.

v. 8 God is glorified when you bear fruit, it shows you belong to his Son.

John 15:9-12

v. 9 I have loved you. Remain in my love.

Remaining in Jesus is to be constantly living in and showing his love.

Living in his love is to receive it, meditate on the great love that it took to motivate God to send Jesus to die for us.

The love that it took for Jesus to die for us.

v. 11-12 But to remain in Jesus’ love is also to show it.

When you do, there is joy.

Study found that the greatest thing someone can do to have more joy in their lives is to do something for someone else.

Each of the four Gospels is unique.

Matthew is written from a perspective that proves Jesus is the Messiah.

Mark is written from a brief, action-packed perspective, showing that Jesus is the Servant-Savior.

Luke is written from a historical perspective, very detailed, and focused on Jesus’ humanity.

More than 90% of John’s gospel isn’t mentioned in the other gospels.

There is no genealogy, no record of Jesus’ birth, transfiguration, temptation. There is no record of the appointment of the apostles. There is no account of Jesus’ parables, no ascension.

But what John recorded for us is a profound unfolding of Jesus’ divinity, even from the first verse.

John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Just in the first chapter, Jesus is described by six names.

• The Word – (1:1, 14)

• The Light – (1:5, 9)

• The One and Only – (1:14)

• The Lamb of God – (1:29)

• The Son of God – (1:34)

• The King of Israel – (1:49)

There are only eight recorded miracles in John, six of them unique to the gospel. Each one is recorded to demonstrate an aspect of Jesus deity or authority.

Jesus’ true identity is described by the titles he is given, specifically by who he said he is.

• I am the bread of life (6:35)

• I am the light of the world (8:12; 9:5)

• I am the gate (10:7)

• I am the good shepherd (10:11, 14)

• I am the resurrection and the life (11:25)

• I am the way, the truth, and the life (14:6)

• I am the true vine (15:1)

• I am (8:58)

John 8:48-59

v. 48 – “Samaritan” may be saying he was no better than a Samaritan because they thought he was lax in following the law. Or they may have been suggesting that his father was Samaritan.

“Demon possessed” trying to discredit him?

V. 49 “I honor my Father” Jesus, over and again in John says, I only do what I see my Father doing. I only say what my Father has given me. I only judge and give life because my Father has given me that authority. Always honoring, glorifying his Father.

v. 50 “There is one who seeks my glory” the Father glorifies the Son, specifically through the resurrection.

v. 51 “if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death” over and over John records Jesus as eternal. He is the life. But not only is he life, but he shares his life with men who will believe in him.

v. 52-53 “[they’re] all dead”

“who do you think you are?”

v. 54 “my Father glorifies me”

v. 55 “I know him and keep his word” Jesus is the only One who truly knows God and truly kept his word.

v. 56 “Abraham rejoiced at my day.” God told Abraham that through him all nations would be blessed (Gen 12:1-7; 15:1-21). Abraham saw this through the eyes of faith. Jesus, a descendant of Abraham blessed all nations through his life, death, resurrection, and offer of salvation.

v. 57 “You have seen Abraham?”

v. 58 “Before Abraham was born, I am” Jesus emphatically declared the same thing God had said about himself to Moses in Exodus 3:14.

Jesus expressed the eternity of his being and his oneness with the Father.

“I am eternal.” “I am one with the Father.”

All the gospel writers had a difficult task. How do you capture the life, death, resurrection of Jesus? How do you write about his authority, his glory, his teaching?

John 20:30-31

Imagine trying to describe the majesty, glory, and humanity of Jesus.

How would you do it? What would you say?

How has Jesus revealed to you that he is “I am.”

Greater Grace.

Hosea 2:14-15

God intends all our trouble to be a door into greater grace and greater revelation of his sufficiency for us.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

We sit back and let our view of God and life be shaped by constantly shifting feelings about our ever-changing circumstances. We choose to passively listen to circumstances when we need to [start talking back].

We act like Jesus' work on the cross and God's kindness toward us have no real bearing on our lives. Of course they do. Of course they matter. They matter in every circumstance of life.

Full sermon:

Hosea 2:14-15

God is talking through Hosea about how he is going to restore Israel.

He talks about Israel as an unfaithful wife.

"into the desert"- he will take everything away so she will finally see his kindness.

He simplifies life for her.

He takes away all the men of her unfaithfulness and all the things they gave her.

Why?

Because they were false. They did not love her like he did.

They confused her. He took them away so she could see her true husband's unconditional love and forgiveness to win her back.

"I will give her vineyards and the valley of Achor for a door of hope" (Hos 2:14). The valley of Achor was the "valley of trouble" where the Israelites fled from the battle with Ai after they were routed because of the sin of Achan (Josh 7:26).

The valley of trouble was an inlet to the promised land, the land of rest.

He will make your troubles the door of your hope and an inlet to greater grace.

God intends for trouble, suffering, hardship, sickness, failure, even sin, to be avenues into greater grace.

The things that discourage us the most are intended by God to show us more of his grace and strength. So trouble and affliction can be for me an opening for more grace. What I see as bad, God intends for my good, for greater revelation of his sufficiency for me.

When I walked through sorrow, He showed me his peace that passes understanding.

When I walked through sin, He showed me his amazing grace.

When I walked through fear, he showed me his concern for me and sovereignty.

When I walked through disappointment, he reminded me of his unconditional love.

When my world seemed out of control, he showed me he is the rock.

When my pursuits came up empty, he showed me his fullness.

God intends all our trouble to be a door into greater grace and greater revelation of his sufficiency for us.

Our problems are very real. Illness can affect not only the body, but the soul as well. Financial problems can drive you into despair. Worry over the lives and the souls of our children when they are struggling can seem endless.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

But these are not our greatest issue. Our greatest problem is that we are fallen creatures. We are warped by sin. Our hearts have a natural bent away from our Creator and toward sin. Our minds do not comprehend what we have lost and are content with the things of this world in place of a relationship with our Heavenly Father.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

Our greatest need is for healing, not of our bodies, but our souls. We need our hearts healed so we desire God over his creation. We need God to restore our souls. We need God to transform our minds to fix my misconceptions about him and about what is truly important.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

I am not saying that we should just shrug our shoulders when we go through trouble and try to act like it is no big deal. It is a big deal. But we need God to change our perspective.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

How do we fix our eyes on the eternal?

Don't sit silently and let your circumstances do all the talking.

When we have trouble, we let our trouble do all the talking.

We can't find our keys and we say, I'm so stupid.

We are late for school or work we get angry with other drivers who slow us down.

We have a disagreement with our spouse and we think it is hopeless.

CJ Mahaney in his book The Cross Centered Life writes, "We sit back and let our view of God and life be shaped by constantly shifting feelings about our ever-changing circumstances. We choose to passively listen to circumstances when we need to [start talking back]."

"We think with our feelings," Sinclair Ferguson. We allow our feelings to guide our thinking. Emotions are a wonderful gift from God. And our relationship with God should bring to our lives strong godly affections. However, our emotions should not be vested with final authority. This should be reserved for Gods Word alone.

We act like Jesus' work on the cross and God's kindness toward us have no real bearing on our lives. Of course they do. Of course they matter. They matter in every circumstance of life.

Talk back to your circumstances.

Your sin has been atoned for. Jesus died for that sin.

He stood in your place.

God has forgiven you and will help you, not because you are sinless, but because he is merciful.

Expend your energies admiring, exploring, expositing, and extolling Jesus Christ. Sinclair Ferguson.

Don't listen to your circumstances, talk back. Speak the truth.

This matters most: you are forgiven. You have hope. Your hope is based on the sacrifice of Jesus. Let this truth define your life.

So long as a man can find a fullness in any creature, He comes not to God. - Jerry Bridge.

Christian marriage is built on receiving God's unconditional love and then showing God's unconditional love to your husband or wife.

Here is the full sermon...

You save me and I'll save you.

John 4:7-18

Jesus is saying, "you are looking in men for what you can only find in me."

Make me happy.

Make me feel secure.

Make me feel significant.

Make me feel important.

Make me feel loved.

Make me feel worthwhile.

Make me feel accepted.

You cannot get from your husband or wife what you need from God.

But you'll try.

It is (fallen) human nature to look to anywhere but God for our needs.

Hosea chapter 11 is a sad chapter. God is reflecting on His love for Israel, but Israel kept going to idols.

Hosea 11:2 "The more I called Israel, the further they went from me."

Hosea 11:7 "My people are determined to turn from me."

So long as a man can find a fullness in any creature, He comes not to God. - Jerry Bridge.

Look to God for all that you need.

Release your husband or wife.

There is no joy in being a bottomless pit - or living with one.

The best your husband or wife can be is an imperfect vessel of God's love - just like you.

Go to God to be filled.

Get in His word. Meditate on him. (Psalm 16:8)

"I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

Find joy in his presence. (Psalm 16:11)

"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. "

Meditate on his love. (Psalm 17:7)

"Show the wonder of your great love."

Meditate on his acceptance of you. (Psalm 18:19)

"He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me."

Let him show you his love for you,

his purpose for you,

your significance in him,

His acceptance of you,

his delight in you,

His strength for you,

his peace for you...

Then you will be a vessel of God's love for your spouse.

You can come to your spouse empty or full.

You can come needy or with your needs met.

Christian marriage is built on receiving God's unconditional love and then showing God's unconditional love to your husband or wife.

God is glorious and loves to reveal his beauty and glory to us so that our hearts turn to Him.

He is continually winning us over, turning our hearts back to Him.

Psalm 3 - the first Psalm ascribed to David.

V. 1

"how many are my foes"

David had an army coming to hunt him down, directed by his rebellious son, Absalom.

2 Samuel 15, the story of Absalom's rebellion and King David had to flee Jerusalem.

Even some of David's friends had deserted him.

V. 2

They mock him, saying that the Lord will not take care of him.

They hint that God had forsaken David.

Why would they say that?

2 Samuel 11-12, David committed adultery with Bathsheba and conspired to have her husband killed.

2 Samuel 12-14, David's life was torn apart by serious family trouble.

2 Samuel 15-18, David's son has an army and is leading a coup to take over the kingdom.

It looks like God has forsaken David.

It appears that God's favor has ended.

You would think by these circumstances that God has abandoned him.

This is the most bitter situation, the fear that in the midst of serious trouble, that God will not help.

Have you been in that darkest place?

Have you been in fear that right at the time that you needed God the most, it looked like he wasn't there?

Listen to what David says in the midst of this darkness.

V. 3

David needed someone to come to his aid.

He needed someone to protect him from his enemies.

The king needed a king, a sovereign to protect him and defend him.

He says,

"You are a shield around me.

You bestow glory on me

and lift up my head.

He answers me."

Despite the circumstances, despite his own past sin, David says, "my trust is in God."

Circumstances do not dictate God's love or concern for you.

In those darkest times, God is there, revealing that He is your hope, your strength, your shield, your shelter.

In the deepest darkness of my life, I have found God; helping, comforting, encouraging, strengthening me.

In the midst of that darkness, I have found God to be there.

When I had no peace, He gave me peace.

When I was consumed by fear, he gave me strength.

When I was overwhelmed by worry, he was me shelter.

When I was surrounded by doubt and fear, He was my shield.

When I was crushed by my sin, guilt, shame, He took the burden from me.

This is why I love the Psalms.

God is declaring over and over, "I am what you have been looking for. I can rescue and save. I am the Great King, protector of my people, comforter of the hurting."

Every time I needed something from God, I found that He was more than able to meet every need. Not only that, He was willing, wanting to help me.

God is glorious and loves to reveal his beauty and glory to us so that our hearts turn to Him.

v. 5

"I lie down and sleep"

David is so confident in God that he will defend him that he goes to sleep.

He does not stay up worried.

"the Lord sustains me"

v. 7

"Arise, deliver me. O "my" God.

His enemies are confident that God will not save him, but David is confident in his God.

V. 8

Victory is the Lord's and he grants it to his people.

David is confident in the grace of God, His love for me will not end.

Whenever I need Him, He is there, He is just Who I needed Him to be.

As you read through the Psalms, you will find the Psalmist reveal very personal struggles and triumphs.

He will refer to God as shield or strength or praise God for what He has done for him.

Let God speak to you in the Psalms, as He reveals his glory and beauty to you.

He is continually winning us over, turning our hearts back to Him.

He is all that you need,

Turn to Him, and praise Him for being beautiful and glorious.

1

The gospel and the church are empowered by God; they will triumph in his power.

2

In the face of imprisonment, beatings, and riots, God gave his people boldness to speak of their faith.

3

Acts 20:17-24

4

The gospel isn't accepted by every person, but it has power to change any life.

5

1 Timothy 1:12-17

6

People will not believe the gospel is important if they can't see that it is crucial in your life. - Life Application Bible

Here's the sermon:

The gospel and the church are empowered by God; they will triumph in his power. So, don't be intimidated by human theories or religions.

God's gospel and church will prevail.

In the face of imprisonment, beatings, and riots, God gave his people boldness to speak of their faith.

God worked through the disciples to spread the gospel all over the known world. You too can have courage and boldness to share your faith - ask him for it.

He can work powerfully through you.

I remind you of these things because I want to fan the flame of faith in you.

I want you to have faith to believe in Gods power to move powerfully to accomplish his will in you.

To spread his gospel and change lives everywhere you go, in your workplace, in family, school, and in every context.

I want you to remember, though that the gospel is not some social movement. The gospel has power and spreads throughout the world because it is the message of how God changes lives.

It changed my life.

It changed your life too when you first understood that God made a way to forgive you by removing your sin by sending his Son to take the punishment that your sin deserved.

Sometimes we think that some people are too far from Gods grasp, that it's too late for them.

Saul in chapters 8-9 was violently persecuting the church.

But he was not beyond the reach of God.

In chapter 9, God shows extraordinary grace to Paul.

He goes after him with lights and sirens.

And God forever changes his life.

Listen to Paul's final words to the elders from Ephesus...

Acts 20:17-24

The unstoppable gospel made a total change of life in Paul.

He was the chief persecutor of the church, then Jesus appeared to him and he became the greatest missionary of all time.

From persecutor of the church to...

"I consider my life worth nothing to me..."

"if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me"

"the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace"

Paul went from persecutor of God's people and scoffer of Jesus' teaching to finding his life's purpose and meaning in telling others about God's grace.

The gospel isn't accepted by every person, but it has power to change any life.

Listen to what Paul says about the change in his life...

1 Timothy 1:12-17

Paul was not trying to build an image, but be an example of God's grace.

He did not hesitate to tell his shameful past because he knew his failures would give other people hope.

Many times we raise our guard to keep people from seeing anything negative about us.

Communicating God's grace in overcoming your failures can be a powerful demonstration of God's love and forgiveness.

Listen to what he's saying, "because I am the worst sinner, I was shown mercy, so that god could display his unlimited patience."

He's saying, "if God could forgive my sin, he can forgive your sin."

"if God was patient through my ignorance and unbelief, he can be patient with you.

"People will not believe the gospel is important if they can't see that it is crucial in your life." - LAB

How has God been patient with you?

Did he forgive a time of rebellion in your life?

Was he patient with you while you were looking everywhere and anywhere but for him?

Was he faithful to you when you were faithless?

When you were under the weight of your sin, did you find his grace even grater?

Don't be afraid to let others know what Christ has done for you.

It can communicate how important the gospel is to you and God will use you as an example of his love and grace.

3 themes in Acts:

1. Everywhere they went, the disciples witnessed about their faith in Jesus.

2. They were persecuted, jailed, mobbed, killed.

3. The Holy Spirit gave the disciples power to spread the gospel.

Major theme: the triumph of the church.

Despite severe persecution, the church triumphed by the power of the Holy Spirit and the witness of courageous disciples.

Chapter 7 - Stephen was martyred.

Acts 8:1-3

What hope is there in the face of such opposition?

The Jewish leaders were willing to kill to stop Christianity from spreading.

The encouragement and boldness that the disciples had from being all together was gone.

What would happen to this fledgling movement?

What hope was there that it would continue?

Remember what the disciples did the very first time they were persecuted?

Acts 4:29-30

They prayed for boldness and for the Lord's power in the face of opposition.

What hope did they have now in the midst of such harsh persecution?

Their hope was that God would answer their prayer and give them the boldness to speak and to perform signs and wonders in Jesus' name.

Their hope was God's power.

Acts 8:4-8

The disciples were scattered, but everywhere they went, they boldly told of the hope they found in Jesus Christ.

And God's power was sufficient to overcome timidity within and persecution without.

The gospel spread not despite opposition, but because of it.

The gospel spread to Samaria by Philip, then to a eunuch from Ethiopia.

It could not be stopped.

Chapter 9 - the conversion of Saul

Acts 9:1-2

Here was a man willing to kill or imprison men and women to demonstrate his devotion to Judaism.

What hope is there in the midst of hatred?

The greatest enemy of the church found himself confronted by her founder.

God's power was sufficient to change him.

He became the greatest missionary the church has ever known.

Acts 13:1-5

This is the first missionary journey Paul and Barnabas - and a guy named John.

This isn't John the apostle, but John Mark who wrote the Gospel of Mark.

Acts 13:13

There is no reason given, but Mark left Paul and Barnabas in Perga to go home.

People have attempted to explain why:

1. He was homesick.

2. He resented the change of leadership from Barnabas, who was his cousin, to Paul.

3. He became ill.

4. He couldn't withstand the rigors of the journey.

5. Clay points out: He wasn't called to this trip like Paul and Barnabas, so he lacked the determination or God's strength.

Whatever the reason, it was bad.

Bad enough that Paul refuses to take Mark on the second missionary journey and the writer of Acts, Luke, says that Mark had deserted them.

Acts 15:36-38

This may not be the first time that Mark is mentioned in the scriptures.

In Mark's Gospel a young man who fled in such fear during Jesus' arrest that he left his clothes behind. He ran away naked.

Many scholars believe Mark was telling about himself.

John Mark had a tendency to run.

Do you?

Have you had times when you could have said something to testify about your faith but didn't?

Have you had times when you were in the midst of people who were talking or doing something you knew you shouldn't be a part of, but you just went along with it because you were afraid to stand out?

What hope is ther for a deserter?

What hope do we have when we lack courage to speak about our faith?

Let me tell you what happens to John Mark.

Acts 15:39-41

He and Barnabas returned to Cyprus to build the church.

Mark's Gospel appears to have come primarily from Peter.

He had heard Peter's accounts of Jesus' ministry and was one of the first to write them down.

In later years Paul would mention John Mark in at least 3 letters, and in 1Peter.

Near the end of Paul's life, he would write about John Mark.

2 Timothy 4:11

Whatever God did in the life of John Mark, Paul recognized his usefulness in ministry.

Maybe he was timid. Maybe he was afraid. Maybe he was a deserter.

That's not the end of John Mark's story.

God was not through with him.

What hope is ther for a deserter?

What hope is ther for a guy who runs away in the face of adversity?

God's power was sufficient to change him into a valuable instrument in building God's kingdom.

What hope do you have in tHe midst of fear?

What hope do you have in the midst of your own failures?

God's power through his Holy Spirit can overcome your fear, timidity, your failures.

It does not matter how you started the race, it matters that you know the One Who can help you finish it.

We were never intended to do the work of the kingdom on our own.

God's people were empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak boldly about their faith in Jesus.

The Holy Spirit is still available to empower believers today.

Ask God for His Spirit's help for strenghth, courage, and wisdom to do God's will.