https://youtu.be/kI6q6oxSVeg

“The Debt I Owe”

Acts 21:15-36 NKJV

James was the recognized leader of

the Jerusalem church. Paul is coming under his authority giving him a detail

account of his missionary efforts.

We find out in ch. 24 that Paul had

brought a collection for the Jerusalem church, as a sign of unity

James tells Paul of the rumors of him

and how it has produced hostility in the Jewish people, and so he offers a

solution- purify himself according to Jewish custom

Paul, submitting to James’ authority,

thought it a good thing to become like the Jewish believers in order to bring

unity among the gentile and the Jewish converts.

What exactly was James concern?

1.It was not a salvation issue, both

men agreed that salvation was in Jesus alone and not in the keeping of the law,

but for matters that were not sin; it was a means of unity

2. It was not about Paul teaching

that circumcision was not necessary for salvation, but about what Paul was

teaching the Jews who live among the gentiles

3. it was not about the moral law,

but about Jewish customs

In a word, should Jewish believers

continue to observe Jewish cultural practices? Cultural practices were a

nonissue if one believes they are saved by grace.

EX: There is a long history of church tradition. It is a nonissue to say the Lord’s prayer or recite the Apostles Creed, as long as one does not believe that those things are what saves you. Advent, etc. these are customs and traditions

Paul agrees to shaving his head, as a

Nazirite vow and purify himself in the temple:

1. join four others in purification

rites

2. Paul should pay their expenses

Paul submitted to James authority-

there was an agreement in doctrine and ethically, but a concession in the area

of practice.

The purification ritual fell under

“matters indifferent” and a truly emancipated spirit such as Paul’s is not in

bondage to its own emancipation.

It was not a quid pro quo, but a

sensitive mutual Christian forbearance for the sake of unity

Paul then is accused falsely by the

Jews ironically, that this should be the charge against Paul at a time when he

himself is undergoing purification so that he would not defile the temple.

The question then is:

why would Paul put himself through all this agony?

Paul was a debtor.

Romans 1:14 “I am debtor both to

the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So,

as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome

also. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God

unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the

Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:

as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

What does it mean to

you?

1. It is God who works

in you.

v.19 Paul reported what

God had done through his ministry to the gentiles- not what Paul had done with

God’s help.

Did you know that the

apostle Paul changed his own name? (Paul being the Roman counter part for Saul)

https://youtu.be/NavIbqPRzZE

2 Sam 3- Now then do it. Sauls house getting weaker- Davids house stronger, The kingdom is divided north and south. In this time- who your king was is everything- provides protection. Abner is 2nd to ishbosheth, but ish is losing- must make a move. So Abner makes a big move- sleeps with the concubine- power move to get over on him-  Goes to david- make a covenant with me- I’ll help you be king- I’ll bring isreal. David says- if you bring me back my wife. Goes to the elders of Israel- go to david- tells them the prophetic words. So he goes to David- says- I talked to Benjamin- its all good. Abner goes with his 20 men- They make him a feast- Abner says Ill go gather isreal- . Joab comes back from a raid and the men tell him that abner was there (Abner killed his brother Asahel) . Joab disrespects David- and says that you had your chance to kill him, but you didn’t. Joab meets him at the gate to kill him. David hears about it- distances himself from Joab. He mourns over abner- follows the coffin- they weep- they realize that it was joab that killed abner and not davidLet me walk you through this story- Explain it all and then go back (explain story)

So what do we focus on? 2 sam 3:17 Now Abner had communicated with the elders of Israel, saying, “In time past you were seeking for David to be king over you. 18 Now then, do it! For the Lord has spoken of David, saying, ‘By the hand of My servant David, I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and the hand of all their enemies.’ ”Now do it. Abner speaking words he should have spoken to himself, but also to Joab, EldersNow then do it- Quit living for yourself Micah 2:1-2 READ This is the heart of AbnerAbner was completely self seeking in this story- He sleeps with Rizpah to pull a power move on Ishbosheth- He’s the one who installed him! Why? V1 Sauls house was weaker and Davids stronger- He knew that he had a limited time to act to secure his place within the new administration- he gets so incensed that Ish. Is afraid of him! (This is narcissistic behavior- its meant to push it on Ish. As the perpetrator- not that Abner did this unrighteous act)He had been talking to the elders, he knew the truth- david was to be king, not ishFrom 10k feet, it appears that Abner has a change of heart- he goes to David- BUT- “make a covenant with ME”…. “I will bring Israel” Abner doenst make kings, GOD does!Proverbs 3:27  Do not withhold good from  those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so. (He should have just repented and helped David with no return)Not going to be talking a lot about David today- but he makes the feast- Honorable to do 4 enemy. Shows again- his heart- But he HAD to because of the unification of N/S KingdomAbner goes to the Elders and says ‘Now then do it” for them to make David King

Take that advice yourself Abner! You make David King! Quit with your negotiations and self-seeking behavior. Quit vying for influence and position. SUBMIT TO HIS LEADERSHIPSame as the disciples in NT- Whats in it for ME? (Luke 9, mk 9, mt 18- Least- Like a Child)Posturing, scheming, conniving, are not what God intends for his people. David is a Christ figure (Son of David). Ultimate king and authority and Abner REFUSES to submitWhat does it mean to you?You cant live for Jesus and yourself at the same time. This is a constant theme in preaching because it’s a constant theme in the Bible. OT stories of Baal worship, idol worship, Its all self seeking- because they wanted to control their Gods, not be controlled by GodsPeople set limits in their relationship with God. “I’ll serve you until this____) and then they stop serving God, because there is a demand they don’t want to meet.  Death to self is keyPhilippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit,

https://youtu.be/XwPr-Uuya-k

Spiritually Fit

Romans 12:1-2 New King James Version (NKJV) Living Sacrifices to God 12 I beseech[a] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your [b]reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

You’ve probably read this scripture or even heard it before in sermons This is a powerful scripture if we take the time to analyze what it is actually saying Although often times scriptures like these can be overlooked but Christians need to cling to scriptures like this It says to present our bodies a living sacrifice. (like a gift, we want it to be perfect for God) Not just the parts we want to offer It is not just referring to our physical bodies but our whole body, mind, soul, and spirit as well Jesus sacrificed himself that we may be saved He doesn’t ask much, well except lay your life down and die daily for Him That means you lay everything at the feet of Jesus Your goals, plans, desires, dreams, and relationships That’s how we continue to renew our minds By constantly seeking Him, because that is all our life should be about We should be yearning to honor God with our whole lives not just the parts we want to give him. By the end of this sermon hopefully I will have given you practical ways that you can present your body a living sacrifice and renewing your mind

Story about working out

The main thing I realized through this was that these things nutrition, the workout, and rest can be applied to our spiritual lives as well

Nutrition

Where are you getting your nutrition from?

Is it from the things of God, like the word, worship, prayer, church, sermons and godly relationships

Or does most of it come from the world. Movies, music, social media, or ungodly relationships

If we want to honor God with our whole lives, we must make Him the priority over everything

Everything we say or do should be filtered through His word

Joshua 1:8 New King James Version (NKJV)

8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you[a] shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

His word should be the primary source of our spiritual nutrition

It shows us the character of God and what he expects from us

It encourages us when we’ve become weak

Its inspiring to see the way He loves us and the extent that He goes to show us how loved we are by Him

It also shows us the uncomfortable things, the stuff in our lives that need to be changed

The word teaches us how to die to self through the examples that God has laid out from the people in the bible

If the word isn’t a priority in your spiritual life then you are off the mark

Believe me its easy to let the word fall to the wayside.

In past I’ve allowed that to happen in my own life

What I do is make it the first thing I do

Reading in Nehemiah

Theses people listened to the word for half of the day

For some people the only scripture they see is when they see a scripture someone else posts on facebook

If you let the word fall by the wayside then where does your nutrition come from. Is it the people around you?

I want to be very clear on this because the bible is very specific

There are people that you do not need to associate with

Psalm 1:1-2 New King James Version (NKJV) 1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the [a]ungodly,

https://youtu.be/xOq5VWVk4Mc

Four D’s of Blood 2 sam12-32 READ-

The

Blood of Defiance (Defiance starts in the heart- it’s the desire of the

individual)

Abner’s disobedience cost others their lives 31 But the servants of David had struck down, of Benjamin and Abner’s men, three hundred and sixty men who died.This never would have happened- but the collateral damage of Abner was that his defiance caused other people’s problems in their lives.  His rebellion produces bloody deathPeople died because of Abner- the 12 and the 360- because he took over God’s planHe wanted Ishbosheth to be king instead of David- and in the end- hundreds of people diedPro 17:11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God;  the messenger of death will be sent against them.The Bible is clear- you reap what you sow- blood on the hands of abner because of his defianceYou would think after 12 died that Abner and ishbosheth would have relented and repented- nThis spirit of rebellion and defiance of Saul carried on into his son and leader- abner

1 Sam15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.”It has seeds of rebellion at its foundation and core- it can never be blessedGod never blesses rebellion- A rebellious child can never receive the blessing of their parentsThe story of the Prodigal is not that his father blessed his rebellion- it was that the rebellious son came to himself and begged for mercy- there could be no blessing any other way. What does it mean to you?

Where’s the rebellion in your life? The problem with rebellion is that its easy to see in others and hard to see in ourselvesIf I asked you to think of someone you know who is rebellious- you could think of oneBut what area of rebellion is in your heart? Not in your actions. Your heart-thoughts-desiresThe seeds of the mind get planted in the heart and produce crops of bloody rebellionPsalm 68:6 God sets the lonely in families,  he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.It’s a bad place- we don’t want to live there- we get nothing good there- College- library to bathrooms promoted to stairways- sportscenter- Another guy did it, so I followed suit- and the main guy watching us didn’t even care- once over- REBELLIONDeuteronomy 9:7  “Remember! Do not forget how you provoked the Lord your God to wrath in the wilderness. From the day that you departed from the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against the Lord.That’s brooms- How much more when our heart is rebellious towards the Lord?The OT is full of stories of rebellion and the fruit of it- we should destroy it in our lives!

The

blood of Division (Division is the fruit of defiance- rebellion breeds division

with others)

Abner and joab are watching these 12 by 12 go at it- 16 And each one grasped his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent’s side; so they fell down together. BLOODSHEDIshbosheth was never intended to be king- Saul in 1 sam lost the right to kingship  and upon his death- Abner took it upon himself to make Ishbosheth (Sauls son) king- 2 sam 2:8 READThe men of Judah made David King because they knew he was the rightful king- but the line of Saul (Israel) was not seeing it that waySaul was told he would not be king- 1 Samuel 13:14  READ2 sam 2:4 Then the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, “The men of Jabesh Gilead were the ones who buried Saul.”It caused a riff in the Nation of Israel- some followed Israel and some followed David in t...

https://youtu.be/2fBYGkxd0pw

We have been talking about and are finishing up our messages this month about the “Reach More” campaign and today is the day that we make our commitments to the Lord for 2020At the end of Service I will ask you to write your commitment on a card, and Kasey will gather them in a basket in the back- He is the only one who knows who tithes what. I don’t know how much people tithe. I don’t even know what Jay, Kevin, Todd tithe. I do know they tithe. I wont know who is committed and who gave how much. I know that the Leaders have committed to ________ but I don’t know how much each one did. Between God and themWe have been talking about the value of the local church- and our desire to pay off this building to the Glory of God. So more will worship him and serve him. So we can establish this church as an ark of safety as we await Christs return. So we can preach the Gospel with no restraints. This message is titled- 7 Churches and 5 Crowns. 7 Churches of revelation- most of them were rebuked, but one was praised. We want to be a church that is praised when Christ returns. We want to earn our Crowns and lay them at the feet of Jesus in  heaven. Through the Church

Christians don’t talk about rewards much- but they are there. The Local church is the greatest vehicle to be a Biblical Church and earn the rewards and crowns the Bible promisesThis is why we want to build and defend our local church- not at the expense of othersBook of Revelation 7 churches IN Rev 2-3Ephesus, The Loveless Church: Hardworking, hated evil, looked good, but their hearts were wrong. Missing LovePergamum, The Worldly Compromising Church: This was the church of tolerance- sins like immorality, idols, cults and heresies Thyatira, The Wrong Doctrine Church: had faith love and good works. Patient, but doctrine allowed sexual sin, idolatry and paganism They were corrupt Sardis  The Spiritually Dead Church: asleep spiritually except for a remnant. Encouraged to revive themselves by faithLaodicea, The Lukewarm Church:  This church only received rebuke. Neither hot nor cold. Relied on things of this world and riches- they were a half-way church. Smyrna, The Persecuted Church: No rebuke, but under physical hardship, promised to not get second death- encouraged to stay faithful unto deathPhiladelphia the faithful churchThe Spiritually Alive Church: Philadelphia did well. No rebuke. Never denied Jesus. Huge promise for them in Heaven. All these churches Jesus said- “ I know your works” Jesus knows what Churches are what and what they are doing- as he’s watching OUR CHURCH we want to have the LONG VIEW- I don’t know when Christ is going to return, but we are here today because 2000 years of Christians have maintained Churches. They have passed the torch to us for this timeI hope he comes back NOW but our job is to pass this torch to the next generation!Our Children’s Children may be the ones who are running this church when Christ returns

SO AS A CHURCH- We don’t want to be loveless- we want to operate in love in everything. Love is the heart of God. Good biblical love- not false agape love 2 Cor 8:24  Therefore show to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf.We don’t want to be tolerant of Sin- “it is reported among you”  We don’t want to tolerate sin in ourselves or others. 1 cor 5: 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.We don’t want to have wrong doctrine- We want to preach correct doctrine that is biblical 2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires,

https://youtu.be/re2OsOmwhYc

“Follow Me”

Hello FVC, it’s good to be here again, praise God. We will be in

Acts tonight, chapter 21:1-14. In this portion of scripture, we will read about

Paul’s journey, Following Jesus, being led by the spirit, to Jerusalem.

1st, I want to make sure we don’t take what the Lord has to speak

tonight for granted. God is good right! Prepare to Listen to what God has to

say to you. Pray, open your hearts and be ready to receive.

Remember, just as the Pharisees with hardened hearts, they didn’t

receive Christ. Let’s not do the same and reject what the Lord has to say.

Let’s prepare to receive this message.

My wife always quotes this one particular scripture, around the

house, or in the car or wherever…

Proverbs 14:12… There is a way that seems right to a man, but its

end, is the way of death. I’m like babe, I know… then I always feel

convicted after.

Let’s all

Pray and get ready for the sermon.

--Let’s Pray--

 Let’s READ -- Acts 21:1-14

Paul travels past many places, Cos – Rhodes – Patara - Tyre –

stayed with disciples, hears a prophecy- went to Ptolemais – stayed at Philip

the evangelist house.  A man named Agabus

came down from Judea, and gave Paul’s 2nd prophecy) saying, so shall

the Jews in Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the

hands of the gentiles. BUT… in verse 13 (Here it is) listen to what Paul says… “For

I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of

the Lord Jesus.”

Paul was adamant, persistent and absolutely sure about dying to

self, taking up his cross, following Jesus Christ.

Paul knows what awaits him in Jerusalem…the spirit told him long

ago… He knew the cost, of taking up his cross. The two accounts of them

prophesying to him was not news. This was just confirmation of what was to come,

He knew what he was bound to. The Holy spirit already told him.  

How are you

listening to the Spirit?

Inthe previous chapter, says…in Acts 20:22-24

22 And see,

now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that

will happen to me there, 23 except

that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and

tribulations await me. 24 But none

of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I

may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from

the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Also…. In Acts 19:21… It says..

“When these

things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed

through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have

been there, I must also see Rome.”

We see that it’s a purposeful

act on Paul, to do God’s will and follow Jesus Christ, no matter the cost!

Paul walked out, the great commission Jesus gave us all, that we read in… Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus said, 19“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

And we see in…Matthew 16:24 (NKJV)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yos4H9PT2jE&feature=youtu.be

Luke 8:3 From Their Substance

ASK- Leave this week and pray and ask God what he would have you sacrifice for 36mosNow becomes the day when we talk about money because money is the means by which we are going to pay down the building to reach more for God’s glory- because it costs money. You would think when a church says “lets pay off the building for God” that it wouldn’t create so many questions, but man- it sure does. It shouldn’t. But it does. THIS WILL GROW USIf I said- “we’re having an old sock drive to rid our house of socks” some people would lose itThis is what this message is about- I want you to realize that any money you give to God is something you should want to do because its for His Glory and the furtherance of His kingdom. Zech 7: 5 “Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me—for Me? 6 When you eat and when you drink, do you not eat and drink for yourselves?That was about Israel, the messianic kingdom, the new Jerusalem, but the heart behind it is this- why do you do what you do? Why do we even have church? Do you give money to get money? Go to church to have friends? Is it for YOU or HIMI never want to start a message with an apology- but I need your grace this morning- This is a fair biblical message- but because of the relentless grumbling and complaining from people in churches forever about money- anytime a pastor talks about money its uncomfortable-It shouldn’t be- but people go from the nice people to something completely different when it comes to money- Leave churches, attack pastors, churches, ministries over money.My kids always ask for money- I still love them. So do their sports teams, college high school, hospitals, political campaigns, missionaries, non-profits etc But I don’t get upset about itAn advertiser can change your heart to make you want to buy their junk, but you give in to gain the adoration of men- and a preacher talks about your money and you want to attack the man of God who is trying to get you to do big things for Jesus and his church. You still watch TV?

And if a preacher is taking advantage of you- He’ll go to Hell for it. Phil 1 I’m not sure you know how a non-profit works. The profits go to Jesus- not to individuals “I totally trusted him until he started talking about my money” Who’s money is it exactly?I don’t own this building. No person owns the building. The organization does. 1 Chron 29 16 “O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name is from Your hand, and is all Your own. 17 I know also, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You.I’m not trying to coerce you- I want you to get it down in your spirit so you can give willinglyNot trying to Guilt you, shame you, manipulate you, You’ll notice- every week I challenge youIt is actually not even a huge number- if everyone would tithe and sacrifice- One year. ONEEveryone is in a different financial situation- but God’s word gives no provision for those who manage their money inefficiently to be exempt from the support of the Lords houseTalking about money is only uncomfortable for people who Love their money more than God. Don’t tithe. Aren’t generous. Are ruled by Money. Aren’t saved. Want stuff they don’t needMatthew 6:24 [ You Cannot Serve God and Riches ] “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

https://youtu.be/F5Qv9jPperE

A baby’s wet diaper                                                                       Acts

20:13-38

This

evening I want to talk to you about comfort and change

Mark Twain once said, “The

only person who likes change is a baby with a wet diaper.”

Comfort

does not allow for change -unless that change enhances our comfort or increases

it.

Getting

out of our comfort, physically, mentally, and spiritually requires change!

In 1927

two brothers in Monroe Michigan gave us a right to be comfortable.

The

introduced the Lazy boy- you have worked so hard all day or all week, grab a

drink, put your legs up, watch tv  and

stay comfortable – and from there it went down hill

Today, our

society is doing everything to make sure that we preserve our comfort

Convenience (comfort) has become our number on desire.Drive through coffee and food Microwaves Tesla – self driving carsAlexa

There is

no issue with these services (I use them) The real issue is that one discipline

translates to another.

When it comes to our spiritual growth, we seek comfort

Comfort

* a state of physical ease and freedom from pain

or constraint.

* the easing or

alleviation of a person's feelings of grief or distress.

Luke 9:23

Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to

come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [a]daily, and follow Me.

God is asking us to die to self

John

12:24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the

ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much [a]grain.

How are

we to do this if in every other area of our lives, we are trying to do the bare

minimum

It’s impossible!!!

In the

Bible, we have promises of comfort – but its only after an affliction or when we are about to

go through one.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4   

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the

Father of mercies and God

of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation,

that we may be able to comfort those who are in any [a]trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of

death,

I will fear no evil; For

You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Psalms 119:76 Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, According to Your

word to Your servant.

Psalms 119:50 - This is my comfort in my

affliction, For Your word has given me life.

Matthew 5:4 - Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be

comforted.

No one

is comforted for their own gain. Its all about suffering, serving etc

Isaiah 49:13 - Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O

earth! And break

out in singing, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted His people,

And will have mercy on His

afflicted.

To get rid of spiritual comfort and welcome Godly change:  we MUST do the following – we learn this from Paul

There MUST be an urgency to do the will of God

https://youtu.be/FUXRWaxjBTE

Donuts for Jesus 1 cor 10:31

Let me cover this again- The reach more campaign is for us to pay off our building to Reach more with having more, Save money, Ensure legacy, Move forward. Solid Place to WORSHIPWe can save 400k if we pay off- build churches, plant churches, missions, solid place hereWe want to be a Church that honors God, that multiplies. All the Elders are in agreement. Church has no money problems- This is what the Lord asked us to do. (They are coming for us)Asking you to pray this month-24 NOV Mo sacrifice Jan for 36 mos, don’t have to. May change for you if things change. No pressure. Just what the Lord is asking us to do- Come 24nov readyI am going to preaching messages this month to get you to see why we should do thisThe short answer is- We’re doing it for God so others will come to praise him in His ChurchLast week we talked about the benefit of Churches and church buildings. This week- I want you to understand why Bringing God Glory is the only thing that matters on this Earth

Are You Saved?

You can’t die to yourself unless you’re saved. And you have no desire to Give God glory if you’re not saved- You can’t do everything for Jesus if you haven’t been saved. The American Church is filled with unsaved people. People who haven’t been converted. Born again, made new, new life, Christians, saved, redeemed, delivered, but CHANGED2 Cor 7: 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.1 vigilanceWalking worthy to please God-  2. Separating yourself from sin and looking internally for more sin 3. Holy indignation against sin Do you hate sin? Both in yourself and others? 4. reverential fear of God. Fear of his wrath and retribution 5. Strong desire to honour God in the future (looking ahead) 6. godly sorrow produces zeal for the glory of God and Christ 7. revenge on sin. Punishment on the self and others for their sin 8. Trying to make restitution  9. reparation trying to stop all mischief 10. diligence in the spiritual performance of all our duties If you don’t have any of that, you have to ask, are you saved? Did you come to God in sorrow for your sin, and ask him to forgive you and receive you, and when he did- were you elated that he accepted you? Did it change your life? When I got saved I went and Got a bible and read it. No one followed up with me. No one drug me to church. No one called me out and discipled me. No one told me how to live. I had Got SAVEDI knew I had offended God with my life and I needed to be forgiven and live for him. The false conversions are the ‘asked for forgiveness, but nothing changes”, fresh start, new beginning, feel different, find peace, find meaning, repair a relationship, purpose, influence, I am not the same I was when I was 15- because of sanctification- but the moment has sustained me

Romans 6:6  knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.The Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23).  your sins have caused a separation between you and God (Isaiah 59:2), and the wages is death (Rom. 6:23 And that you’re under wrath of God (Eph. 2:3). The only way is through Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 5:1).  You must turn from your sins towards Christ- but you need to have SORROWHave you been cut to the heart? Have you received forgiveness and newness?

https://youtu.be/XBZGc-T8PFY

That sermon was a Snoozer!

Acts 20:1-12

Matt’s snoozer story

Luke narrates how Paul left Ephesus, having spent the best

part of three years there during his 3rd missionary expedition, and

then traveled place to place until his final destination, Jerusalem.

Paul now traveled through that area. He spent several months

revisiting the Macedonian churches he founded on his second missionary journey,

speaking many words of encouragement to them.

Paul arrives in Greece, were he stayed three months- where he

pays the Corinthian church a painful visit recorded in 2 Corinthians 2:1.

It was during this visit to the Corinthian church that Paul

wrote his letter to the Romans. (Isn’t the history of the Bible beautiful? How

it’s all woven together)

Paul continues his travels and is accompanied by several men

from different regions, Luke joins them perhaps in Phillipi- these men being

the fruit of his missionary efforts to various regions.

They spend a week in Troas where only one incident is

recorded- the dramatic sleep, fall, death and resuscitation of a young man

named Eutychus.

“On the first day of the week” v.7

Luke is following the Roman calendar- this day is Sunday and

is the earliest evidence we have for the Christian practice of gathering

together for worship

The purpose of their assembly was to  “break bread”, which was understood as the

Lord’s supper in the context of a fellowship meal, as in the upper room in

Jerusalem

Paul spoke to the people, and because he intended to leave

the following day, kept talking (prolonged his address) until midnight. The

meeting began at sunset, at the conclusion of their day’s work.

The meeting was held in a private house, upstairs, so that

the atmosphere became stuffy and oily from the many lamps.

Eutychus was seated on the window ledge- he is called a young

man, but in verse 12 the word is rendered “lad” or “boy” making him between the

age of 8-14, and he was gradually sinking into a deep sleep- Greek renders it,

“he was completely overcome by sleep” and so he falls from the 3rd

story and dies.

Paul suspends his sermon and rushes downstairs and like

Elijah with the son of the widow at Zarephath and Elisha with the son of the

Shunammite woman, Paul throws himself on the boy and brings him to life as if

this is no small thing…..

the crowd goes back upstairs, partakes of the Lord’s supper

and Paul continues his sermon until daylight.

What can we take away from this story?

Luke is describing to us what was going on- what the Bible

describes is not always what it prescribes

We do not have liberty to copy what took place- assembling in

a house on the 3rd story, meeting in the evening, using oil lamps

for light or listening to a lengthy sermon nor do we omit what this story

omits- speaking in tongues, prophecy, singing songs of praise or Scripture

reading.

People want a NT church- “they met in houses”, well then sell

all that you have and give to the church and we will divide it as we see

necessary.

But it does seem to appear that they met on the Lord’s day

for the Lord’s Supper and that this was a regularly schedule meeting and

practice in Troas.