- LOOKING BACK TO LOOK FORWARD -v. 14-21--- - Peter quotes Joel. Reminds us that all-- scripture points to Jesus and his work-- - -Last days- - all time after Jesus' death-- and resurrection-- - Context - -The Day of the Lord--- - Peter uses Joel's message of Judgment to-- establish need for repentance----- THE RESURRECTION -v. 22-28--- - Validates testimony of Jesus, appealing to-- his might works, miracles, prophecy-- - Peter continually uses scripture -Psalm 16--- to validate message of Jesus----- THE LORD AND CHRIST -v. 29-36--- - We know David spoke not of himself but of-- Jesus in the Psalms from Psalm 132-11-- - Christ said all scripture -Old Testament--- spoke about him -Luke 24------ EFFECT OF PENTECOST SERMON -v. 37-41--- - Holy Spirit convicts hearts-- - If convicted - repent and be baptized-- - 3,000 persons were saved

Title- Why does God Save-----Scripture- Exodus 14----Thesis-----One of the most frequent questions is, Why---One of the most important questions is, Why-----Why are you here-----Why does God save-----Why can God Save-----Why would God Save-----God saves so that God's people will praise----Our God--- 1. Sovereignty - meaning -supreme power or authority.-----Our lack of faith leads us back to our Egypt---- 2. Knows what is True - meaning -in accordance with fact or reality----- 3. Protects his people - meaing -keep safe from harm or injury.-----God uses the same means to protect and the bring judgement. The parting of the sea- safety for the jews, and drowning for the Egyptians.----How did God's salvation feel- seeing God bring death to the Epyptians, and savlation to the Jews.----Why did Jesus come-----Why would a Holy God save a sinner like you-----Because of His Love-

Thesis- Self-denial that seeks the benefit of others is following Jesus--Self-denial is not---1. being severe and austere like the Pharisees-2. being emaciated or deprived--Self-denial is---1. to bear with patience and endure other' weaknesses - v1-a. If the bible calls it sin, it is- if it does not, be redemptive--2. to accommodate-preferring other's benefit above ours - v2-4-a. don't be a people pleaser-b. seek edification of the other--3. to walk in unity despite our differences - v5-a. Unity is difficult-b. Amos 3-3--4. Conclusion - v7-a. What is harder-, To accept others or to have been accepted by God--b. Ponder often on how much you have been loved--c. Oh that we thought less of self and more of others- - CS Lewis

Thesis- What was the purpose of the Day of Pentecost-----FULFILLMENT OF JESUS PROMISE -v. 1-4--- - -Pentecost- , penta - 50-- 50 days after Christ resurrection-- - Tied to Old Testament - Leviticus 23-4-7-- - Promise of Spirit --- Luke 24-49- Acts 1-4-5,8- John 16-7-13-- - Holy Spirit coming as evident to all --- heard --sound--- saw --appeared--.-- - Key- They were filled with Spirit----CONSEQUENCES OF SPIRIT ON APOSTLES -v. 5-11--- - All were amazed at spiritual Galileans-- - All heard in their own language----WHAT DOES SPIRIT COMING MEAN- -v. 12-13--- - Many questions- -What's going on--,-- -Is Peter drunk--, -Are they crazy---- - Answer- John 16-14-15. Spirit declares Christ-- and what he did, who he is. John 15-26-27.----CONCLUSION- The coming of the Holy Spirit is to declare, glorify and magnify Christ- not to make available supernatural acts for man to glorify himself.

Thesis- The Gospel will ALWAYS advance regardless of what man does, and in that, we believers should rejoice.----GOSPEL RIVALS -v. 15a,17--- - Not a false gospel, but wrong motive-- - -envy- - jealous, desire, covet-- - -rivalry- - compete, strife, quarrel-- - Envy is one of commandements- Exodus 20-17-- - Envy is against Jesus- Mark 15-8-11-- - Detractors may have legitimacy of Paul's-- message if he was in prison----GOSPEL REINFORCERS -v. 15b, 16--- - See God in all circumstances-- - Even accept truth from those with wrong motives-- - Believers rejoice when Christ preached anywhere----CONCLUSION- We should always present gospel, but not with wrong motives - not to -make someone right- in our eyes- but to push them to Christ.

A. Paul is expanding on his exhortation to deal with our differences.----B. v 10 -13 Recap and Repetition - do not condemn-do not despise - all will give an account - Do not hinder the walk----C. V14 -15 Jesus fulfilled the law - remember the Gospel in your differences.--i. Paul is discussing dietary rules but we can translate to other things----D. V17-23 - Paul summarizes-repeats instructions and teaching.

Paul appeals to their common faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and exhorts them to think in redemptive terms of one another----1.Be welcoming to those who differ.--a- -Receive-, and do not judge and contend----2.Love in spite of your differences.--a- If you are strong, don't look down at the scrupulous person.--b- If you are weak, do not condemn the strong for doing what you disapprove.--c- Let us be kind to one another, we don't know their story.----3.Remember that the Gospel transcends our differences.--a- vs 4- we are not the judge of God's servants, they stand or fall before Him---b- vs 5-8- Remember that others are also seeking to please God, as much as you are---c- vs 9- do not condemn those who have been forgiven.

Thesis- There is a general suffering that is common to all humans due to the Fall in which sin entered the world. But there is a more specific suffering associated with the advance of the Gospel that is called persecution.----1. IMPRISONED FOR GOSPEL -v. 12--- - Even in hardship, gospel can be shared-- - every circumstane is opportunity to-- share gospel----2. IMPRISONED FOR CHRIST -v. 13--- - Every situation is chance to trust Christ-- - Do you exude Christ in every situation----3. IMPRISONED FOR OTHERS -v. 14--- - Paul's imprisonment didnt just effect-- those he communicated with inside prison,-- but it encouraged those outside prison-- - Others Christian convictions can embolden-- us to promote the Gospel-- - Confidence comes from the Word--- - 2 Timothy 4-2-- - Matthew 5-18-- - Psalm 119-89-- - 1 Peter 1-24-25----CONCLUSION- Christ suffered the ultimate persecution for the Gospel - whipped, beaten, crucified- but accepted it for the joy that that Gospel message proclaimed. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Him, proclaiming the same message -2 Corinthians 5-20-21-.

40 Days - verse 3--The Promise of the Father - v4-- - Joel 2-28-32--Baptism with the Holy Spirit - v5-- - Luke 3-16-21,22-- - Mark 1-8--Jesus -last- words-conversation during the 40 days - v6-8--Kingdon of Israel-- - OT - Isaiah 43-10- 49-6-- - NT - Acts 13-47--The Ascension-- - Luke 9-34-36, Mark 14-62, Luke 21-27