Message #325

"Treasure In Earthen Vessels" Part 1 of 2 - Acts 15:22-35

Sunday, May 27 2018

In this section of Acts 15 the apostles and elders of the church

in Jerusalem just resolved a serious dispute regarding the gospel.

This message discusses the gift of the Holy Spirit known as the word

of wisdom (1 Corinthians 12:7-8), and how this gift was exercised by

the Jerusalem church. Are you facing a difficult situation that would

benefit from a word of wisdom?

James 1:22 encouragement (1) Keep your eyes open for difficult situations

this week, (2) ask God for a word of wisdom, (3) share with a fellow

believer how God answered prayer. Read 1 Corinthians chapters 12 and

13. Read ahead in Acts 15:36-16:10 for part 2 of this message.

Related verses:

1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Ephesians 2:8-10

Acts 10:44-48

1 Corinthians 12:7-8

Luke 20:19-26

Acts 6:1-7

1 Kings 3:16-28

James 1:5

Luke 11:13

1 Corinthians 12:1,7,11,31

1 Corinthians 13

2 Corinthians 4:7

Calvary Chapel Reston Station

1950 Isaac Newton Sq. Reston, VA 20195

(703) 834-8100

http://www.calvaryreston.org/

Message #324

"Is Grace Enough?" - Acts 15:1-21

Sunday, May 20 2018

Context: the events in Acts 15 happen roughly two decades after God

brought forth the church (Acts 2). Our study will focus on the question

they were seeking to answer: Is grace enough? Are we saved by grace

through faith, or by our works? An unbiblical understanding of grace

will either cause legalism (as seen in Galatians 2), or license (which

Paul argued against in Romans 6).

Related verses:

Acts 10:43-48

Acts 11:2-3, 16-17

Romans 8:15-17

Hebrews 10:1-14

Matthew 23:4

Matthew 11:28-30

Acts 1:8

Hebrews 2:1-4

John 20:30-31

2 Peter 1:17-21

1 Peter 2:1-3

Galatians 2:1-21

Calvary Chapel Reston Station

1950 Isaac Newton Sq. Reston, VA 20195

(703) 834-8100

http://www.calvaryreston.org/

Message #323

Mother's Day 2018, "All These Things In Her Heart"

Sunday, May 13th 2018

Throughout the Scriptures, God expresses His grace to and through mothers

in ways that glorify Him, show us His character, and instruct us in His

ways. This teaching will focus on two such mothers: Rahab and Mary.

Rahab - introduced to her in Joshua 2:1-21. She fits perfectly the

description of a Gentile given in Ephesians 2:12. Though she did not know

much, when the word of God came to her she believed God and acted on His

word (Isaiah 66:2; Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:30-31; James 2:20-26). She

had greater faith in God's word than the twelve spies of Numbers 13,

and a model of John 20:29.

Mary - was of the line of David (Luke 3). Her heart was full of the

Scriptures (Luke 1:46-55). A virgin (Luke 1:26-38), who acknowledged

God as her Savior (Luke 1:47).

Related verses:

1 Corinthians 1:18-29

2 Peter 3:9

Joshua 2:12-13

Joshua 6:25

Matthew 1:23

Isaiah 7:14

John 1:46

Mark 3:21, 31-35

Matthew 10:34-38

John 7:3-5

Luke 2:19, 51

Acts 1:14

Calvary Chapel Reston Station

1950 Isaac Newton Sq. Reston, VA 20195

(703) 834-8100

http://www.calvaryreston.org/

Message #322

A Servant Is Not Greater Than His Master - Acts 14:21-28

Sunday, May 6th 2018

Here at the conclusion of Paul and Barnabas' first missionary journey

in Acts 14, we opened our study by comparing Jesus' words in John

15:20 and 16:33 with the experiences of Paul and Barnabas.

Paul gives to Timothy a great summary of this first journey in 2 Tim

3:10-11. He points to the Christ like example the Lord wrought through

his life, and how the Lord delivered him out of each hardship.

How in Antioch God delivered them by having them expelled out of the city

(Acts 13:50)

How in Iconium God delivered them from a violent attempt by Gentiles

and Jews to abuse and Stone them. God made them aware of the plot and

so they fled to Lystra (Acts 14:4-6)

How in Acts 14:8-20) the people of Lystra wrongly treated Paul and

Barnabas as gods after a miraculous gift of healing by God, and shortly

thereafter sought to stone Paul to death. God's deliverance came by

way of either divine preservation and healing or by miraculously raising

Paul from death (if this is the event Paul alludes to in 2 Cor 12:1-10).

We saw how God's definition of deliverance didn't always mean the

absence of pain and suffering. Rather it was seen through God's

ability to keep Paul and Barnabas serving the Lord and keeping the

Great Commission faithfully amidst great opposition and what many might

consider failure.

Next we focused on Acts 14:21-22, and let the Scriptures answer the

question: How did Paul and Barnabas strengthen the souls of the disciples

and exhort them to continue in the faith?

Related verses:

1 Thes 2:6-20 (especially verse 8)

Acts 14:23

1 Tim 3:1-7

Titus 1:5-2:9

Eph 4:11-16

John 16:33

Calvary Chapel Reston Station

1950 Isaac Newton Sq. Reston, VA 20195

(703) 834-8100

http://www.calvaryreston.org/

Message #321

A Miraculous Misunderstanding - Acts 14:1-20

Sunday, April 29 2018

In Acts chapters 13-14, Luke highlights events in Paul and Barnabas'

first travels as they obeyed the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20)

Persecution arises because

. of the word of God (Matt 13:21; Mark 4:17);

. the cross of Christ is an offense (Gal 5:11; 6:12)

Paul would remind Timothy later that all who desire to live godly in

Jesus would suffer persecution (2 Tim 3:12)

. we saw persecution arise for Paul and Barnabas at the end of Acts 13:49-52

We tackled the question:

What would God have us learn from times when He does the miraculous?

Related verses:

Psalm 106:7

Heb 3:16-19

Acts 14:3

John 5:36

Luke 4:18-19

Luke 7:22

Matt 11:20-27

Acts 14:2, 4-6, 11-19

2 Cor 11:22-33

2 Cor 12:1-10

Calvary Chapel Reston Station

1950 Isaac Newton Sq. Reston, VA 20195

(703) 834-8100

http://www.calvaryreston.org/

Message #320

"The Responses to the Gospel, Part II" - Acts 13:44-52

Sunday, April 22 2018

Here in the closing verses of Acts 13, we examine the rejection of the

gospel by those with whom Paul and Barnabas shared Christ. We ask how

should we respond when the word of God is rejected? When people reject

the gospel, how do we stay encouraged?

Opposition to the things of God that springs forth from envy - Matt 27:18;

Mark 15:10; John 12:19

Responding to those who reject the gospel - Luke 6:22-23; Matt 5:11-12;

We should expect to suffer for the name of Jesus - Acts 9:16; Acts 5:40-42

And yet as we abide in Christ (John 15), even when the gospel is rejected

we can bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

Staying encouraged when the gospel we live and share with others is

rejected, is the fruit of being rooted in Christ and having His word

define our expectations and interpret our experiences. See Rom 5:1-5;

2 Cor 8:1-5; 1 Thes 1:6-10

We can be encouraged because we know the purpose of God in allowing

rejection and trials. See 1 Peter 1:1-9; 1 Peter 4:12-19

Related verses:

2 Peter 3:18

Psalm 42:2

Mark 4:15

1 Peter 2:2

Deuteronomy 8:3

Matt 4:4

Luke 4:4

Calvary Chapel Reston Station

1950 Isaac Newton Sq. Reston, VA 20195

(703) 834-8100

http://www.calvaryreston.org/

Message #319

"Growing Strong Through Suffering" - 1 Peter 5:6-14

Sunday, April 15 2018

Jesus told Simon Peter (in Luke 22:31-32) that though he was about to be "sifted like wheat," Jesus had prayed for him, "that your faith may not fail." Jesus added, "And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." Jesus knew that in God's strength, we not only can endure, but we can grow strong and come through our suffering better equipped to strengthen our brothers.

Some thirty years later, Simon- then known as Peter- wrote a letter to scattered believers suffering more and more persecution. He did not have to persuade them that persecution might come, because they already were experiencing it. We sometimes need to be reminded that we can expect suffering during our lifetime. (Acts 14:22.) Wanting the believers to be equipped to live victoriously despite their suffering, Peter gave them a series of reminders on how they (and we) can grow stronger in the midst of suffering. In short, Peter was doing just what Jesus had predicted about Peter more than three decades earlier: strengthening his brothers.

In this message, we looked at the ways we can grow strong during times of suffering and trials, as seen in Peter's letter to the scattered Christians, in 1 Peter 5:6-14.

Related verses:

2 Corinthians 1:4

2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 17-18

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Hebrews 12:2-11

James 1:2-4

James 1:12

Romans 5:3-5

Romans 8:28

Proverbs 3:5-6

Ephesians 6:10-18

2 Timothy 1:8-12

1 Thessalonians 1:6

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Romans 8:35-37

Genesis 50:18-20

Acknowledgment: For pointing out in this passage (1 Peter 5:6-14) Peter's four strategies for "growing solid through suffering," I learned from, and am indebted to, notes from a 1992 message on these verses by Pastor Steven Cole (Flagstaff Christian Fellowship).

Calvary Chapel Reston Station

1950 Isaac Newton Sq. Reston, VA 20195

(703) 834-8100

http://www.calvaryreston.org/

Message #318

"The Responses to the Gospel, Part I" - Acts 13:42-52

Sunday, April 8 2018

Today we focus on verses 42-43, how Paul and Barnabas persuaded those who believed to "continue in the grace of God."

Context: We've been studying Paul's first recorded sermon in Acts 13:16-41. This message consisted primarily of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament) which Paul used as a lens to understand the then recent events concerning Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.

Jesus Himself declares that the Scriptures testify of Him (John 5:39; Luke 24:27, 44)

. The resurrection of Christ is the ultimate evidence that Jesus is the promised Messiah of the Scriptures (in Acts 13:30-37, Paul quotes from Psalm 2, Isaiah 55, and Psalm 16) to establish this point

What should I expect when I share the gospel, when I share the word of God? Expect to encourage those who receive the grace of God to continue in that same grace. This is an aspect of discipleship Jesus commands us to in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20)

. The gospel doesn't end once a believer shares it and God saves the sinner. It continues as we come alongside the new believer to help them and encourage them to continue to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus.

. True believers will abide in Jesus' word, will know the truth, and be set free by that truth (God's word). We considered this by examining John 8:30-59.

. Belief is not just mental agreement with the truth, rather genuine belief is observable through a life that grows in both grace and truth (2 Pet 3:17-18)

. We are encouraged to be diligent (to study, to work hard) as we learn to rightly handle (learn so we can explain) the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15)

. Why? For all Scripture is useful in teaching me what and what not to believe, and teaching me behaviors to avoid and those to adopt, so through it we become thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim 3:16-17)

. Each member of the church is important (1 Cor 12:12-31)

. Yet we are not ignorant of the different ways in which people receive and respond to the word of God (Mark 4:2-20)

Calvary Chapel Reston Station

1950 Isaac Newton Sq. Reston, VA 20195

(703) 834-8100

http://www.calvaryreston.org/

Message #317

The Foundations of the Gospel, Part V - Acts 13:23-41

Sunday, April 1 2018

Context summary:

Paul reviews Israel's history from the Passover (Exodus 12), to whom the Passover foreshadowed, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). "For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us." (1 Corinthians 5:7b)

What was John the baptist's message? (Acts 13:24)

John the baptist called all to "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (Matthew 3:2)

John was a fulfillment of Isaiah 40:3 (NKJV) The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God." (See also Matthew 3:3 and John 1:23)

John pointed to the long awaited Messiah, identified to him by God. See Matthew 3:16-17 and John 1:29-34. Also 1 Corinthians 2 regarding how these things are revealed to us by the Holy Spirit.

Application? We are called to call all to repentance (to turn away from sin), and point people to Jesus as John did. We've been given the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-21).

Old Testament Scriptures which foretold of the Messiah's suffering and mission (Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, and Zechariah 12:10.

The Messiah would be despised and rejected (Isaiah 53:3, fulfilled in Matthew 27), and would die in the company of the wicked (Isaiah 53:9a, fulfilled in Matthew 27:38), but be buried in among the wealthy (Isaiah 53:9b, fulfilled in Matthew 27:57-60). Both Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus would work together to take the body of Jesus down from the cross and prepare his body for burial. Then they laid Jesus' body in the tomb (John 19:38-42).

What was the promise made to the fathers which Jesus' resurrection fulfilled? (Acts 13:32)

Answer is found in Acts 3:24-26 (NKJV) 24 "Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days. 25 "You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ['And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.'] 26 "To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one [of you] from your iniquities."

This promise to bless all the families of the earth through the seed of Abraham pointed to the risen Christ. The blessing was in turning us away from our sin. Foretold in Genesis 12:3; Genesis 22:18; Genesis 26:4

The glory of Jesus' resurrection and blessings tied to God raising Christ from the dead.

Christ's resurrection is the guarantee of our own (1 Thessalonians 4:14 and 2 Corinthians 4:14)

Christ's resurrection provides us an eternal High Priest who always prays for us (Romans 8:34 and Hebrews 7:23-25)

Christ's resurrection justified all who believe in Him (Romans 4:25)

Christ's resurrection is the affirmation of Jesus' claims to being the Son of God (Romans 1:4; see John 5, especially verse18 and John 10, especially verse 33)

Christ's resurrection provides believers a living hope and a glorious inheritance to look forward to and live in light of (1 Peter 1:3-4 and Ephesians 1:11-12)

Application? By being joined to the risen Christ, believers live fruitful lives (Romans 7:4 and John 15)

Warning? Christ's resurrection declares whom God will judge the world through. Acts 17:30-31 (NKJV) 30 "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 "because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."

Calvary Chapel Reston Station

1950 Isaac Newton Sq. Reston, VA 20195

(703) 834-8100

http://www.calvaryreston.org/

Message #316

The Foundations of the Gospel, part IV - Acts 13:22-23

Sunday, March 25 2018

Paul's background revisited

Phil 3:3-7

The Davidic Covenant

2 Sam 7; 1 Chron 17, focuses on verses 1-14; Psalm 89:1-4, 30-37; fulfilled in Isa 9:6-7; Luke 1:30-33

Abridged list of Christ's purpose in coming

Purpose introduced with John 12:27-28;

To preach the kingdom of God, Mark 1:38, Luke 4:43;

To raise up all whom the Father gave Jesus, and that everyone who sees the son and believes in Him may have everlasting life, John 6:39-40;

To shed His blood for the remission of sins, Matt 26:28;

To fulfill the Law and the Prophets, Matt 5:17;

To call men into radically committed discipleship, Matt 10:32-39;

To destroy the devil, Heb 2:14;

To give His life a ransom for many, Matt 20:28;

Sufferings and Glory foretold in the Old Testament, 1 Pet 1:10-12;

To redeem us, Rev 5:8-12;

To die for our sins, 1 Cor 15:3-4, Isa 53, 1 Pet 3:18, Rom 4:25, 1 Pet 2:24, Heb 9:22, 28; 1 John 4:10, Rom 3:25, Gal 1:4, John 1:29;

To redeem us from the curse of the law, Gal 3:10-14;

To adopt us into His family, Gal 4:4-5;

To deliver us from this present evil world, Gal 1:4;

For us to live by faith in Jesus who loved us and gave Himself for us, Gal 2:20;

For the weakest member of the household of faith, 1 Cor 8:11;

For people of every tribe, tongue, people, nation, Rev 5:9;

For all, 1 Tim 2:6; for the unjust, 1 Pet 3:18; for sinners, Rom 5:8; for the ungodly, Rom 5:6

To taste death for every man, Heb 2:9;

The benefits of Christ's death is not received automatically, but laid hold of by faith, Rom 3:25; 1 Tim 4:10

The Davidic Covenant's relation to Palm Sunday? Matt 21:1-9

Calvary Chapel Reston Station

1950 Isaac Newton Sq. Reston, VA 20195

(703) 834-8100

http://www.calvaryreston.org/