Grace Bible Church, of Seabrook, MD Sermons

2 Corinthians 13.5-11

Prepare to Be Tested

Challenge Your Mentality (2 Cor. 10.1-6)
Challenge Your Physical Comfort Zone (2 Cor. 11.23-29)
Challenge Your Character(2 Cor. 13.5-11)
Challenge Your Character (2 Cor. 13.5-11)

Embrace Discomfort (5a)
Look for Opportunities to Test Your Authenticity (5b)
Experience Jesus in Yourself and in Others (5c-6)
Love the Truth No Matter What (7-8)
Aim for Restoration (9-11)

Acts 26.12-32

1. Integrate Paul’s Trials with Our New Testament
2. Gain a Better Perspective (Philippians)
   1. Feel good about God's work in people (1.3-7)
   2. Empty yourself like Jesus did (2.1-7)
   3. Release the past (3.13-15)
   4. Learn the secret of contentment (4.10-13)

• A. Feel good about God's work in people (1.3-7)
• B. Empty yourself like Jesus did (2.1-7)
• C. Release the past (3.13-15)
• D. Learn the secret of contentment (4.10-13)
   

Boil Life Down to Core Principles (24.22-27)

Get Involved in Church Life (18.1-20.38)

1. Give the gift of a gentle spirit (1 Cor 1-4)

2. Receive the gift of identity (Ephesians)

3. Move from Receiver to Giver (Acts 20.35) (Uncover Who God Made You To Be)

1. Employ Strategic Simplicity (13-14) 
2. Navigate Basic Challenges
    Process Conflict Well (15.36-41)
    Work for Social Justice, but Live the Gospel (16.35-40)
    Reject Demagoguery (Media & Manipulations) (17.1-9) 
    Cultivate a Noble Heart & Mind (17.10-15)
    Celebrate the Sovereignty of God (17.16-34)
2. Get Challenged with God’s Bottom Line
    Build People, not Movements (18.1-17)
    Get Involved in Church Life (18.24-19.41)

Acts 17.1-34

1. Employ Strategic Simplicity (13-14) 
2. Navigate Basic Challenges
   1. Process Conflict Well (15.36-41)
   2. Work for Social Justice, but Live the Gospel (16.35-40)
   3. Reject Demagoguery (Media & Manipulations) (17.1-9) 
   4. Cultivate a Noble Heart & Mind (17.10-15) (Not Trust Issues and Skepticism)

Acts 14.8-28

1. Employ Strategic Simplicity (13-14) 
2. Navigate Basic Challenges
   1. Process Conflict Well (15.36-41)
   2. Work for Social Justice, but Live the Gospel (16.35-40)
   3. Reject Demagoguery (Media & Manipulations) (17.1-9) 
3. Get Challenged with God’s Bottom Line

Lessons from the Jerusalem Council

1. Summon Courage for Apostolic, Pioneering Leadership - Acts 11.19-22; Acts 15.1-11 (Peter)
2. Find Evangelistic, Enthusiastic Salesmen & Implementers - Acts 11.23-26; Acts 13-14; Acts 15.12 (Paul and Barnabas)
3. Judge with Prophetic Discernment - Acts 15.13-19 (James)
4. Temper Things with Sincere Pastoral Care - Acts 15.20-29 (The Elders and Apostles) (Things Take Time!)

Cultivate the Fear of the Lord

1. Define What Thanksgiving Is (1 Cor. 1.1-9)
2. Admit the Obvious Problem (Rom. 1.21)
3. Establish the Proper Goal (2 Cor. 11.3)
4. Take a First Step (Phil. 4.4-8; 1 Chron. 16.34; 1 Thess. 5.18)

Acts 11.1-26

Rules and Righteousness
1.  Why are we so quick to rake people over the coals? (1-3)
2.  What is our one defense against critical spirits? (4-7)
3.  What was Peter’s biggest hurdle to overcome? (8-10)
4.  How do we move from law to grace? (11-18)
5.  Once the floodgates are opened, what do we need? (22-26)