42And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. 
 Acts 2:42–47 (ESV) 

32Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 
Acts 4:32–35 (ESV) 

Have you made assumptions about the Christian life that are holding you back from growing as a disciple?

1. "I know the Lord can change me, but it's going to take A LONG TIME."

17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 
 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) 

2. "Once I get a better UNDERSTANDING of the BIBLE I'll do better."

16For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 
 Romans 1:16 (ESV) 

3. "I have a PLAN and I already KNOW everything I need to do to get to where I need to be."

4And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; 5for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." 
Acts 1:4–5 (ESV)

Lesson Text "1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." Romans 6:1-14 (ESV)

1: Are you REFLECTING the NEW PERSON you are in Christ?

"4 But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. 5For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."" Genesis 3:4-5 (ESV)

2: Because of the CROSS, we are no longer ENSLAVED TO SIN. 

34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:34-36 (ESV)

3: The CROSS means it is FINISHED!

4: Choose to walk in the GRACE you have in CHRIST. 

5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 6I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me. Psalms 13:5-6 (ESV)

16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. 17So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, "What does this babbler wish to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities"—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean." 21Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. 22So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: 'To the unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28for " 'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, " 'For we are indeed his offspring.' 29Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead." 32Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, "We will hear you again about this." 33So Paul went out from their midst. 34But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. 
Acts 17:16–34 (ESV) 

Jesus changes how you see the world. Now that you see the world for what it truly is, what are you going to do?

From Paul's example in Athens:

1. Get ANGRY about the IDOLATRY and SIN that you see.

2. Be ANGRY enough to SHARE the GOSPEL.

3. Share the gospel with CONFIDENCE because it's the TRUTH that everyone needs to hear.

4. Love people enough to CONTEXTUALIZE the gospel without WATERING IT down.

Philemon was a mature and respected believer known for having a loving heart that REFRESHED other believers.

Matthew 11:28–29 ESV 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

When Onesimus got saved, his sins were FORGIVEN, he was FREED from the power of sin and death, he became a NEW CREATION, the Holy Spirit entered his heart and he became a part of GOD'S FAMILY.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

1 Corinthians 6:11 ESV 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Romans 8:1 ESV 1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

From start to finish salvation is all GOD'S WORK.

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

If you were Philemon, how would you have received Onesimus?

In May 2016, I launched my own suicide prevention ministry sprinting towards a world with zero deaths from suicide. I am on a mission to tell my story and get the world talking about suicide and depression. I would LOVE to talk to you about speaking to your organization, school, church, or youth group. For more information on my speaking, visit my Speaking Page here.

My life post-suicide attempt is far from perfect. I still battle depression and still occasionally hear that old voice telling me maybe I shouldn't exist but now I live for two magical words: This Moment.

Two words I hear over and over again in the most beautiful moments when I ask God why I survived. You survived for this moment.

Please contact me any time with questions or ideas on how we can partner to help fight suicide together.

1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 2Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 
 Philippians 3:1–11 (ESV)

John 3:3 ESV Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Ephesians 4:22–24 ESV to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Jesus changes your PERSPECTIVE on SUCCESS.

Matthew 13:45–46 NKJV 45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Jesus is the true pearl of great price, and having the privilege of knowing Him is worth trading in everything else in life.

Jesus changes your LIFE purpose. Your new purpose is to KNOW Him.

2 Corinthians 5:15 ESV 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Have you made TIME in your life to KNOW Jesus?

Lesson Text:

36 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered him, "Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward." 37Peter said to him, "Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." 38Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

The Lord sets the stage for REDEMPTION and RESTORATION.

6But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Jesus doesn't just RESTORE, He makes us STRONGER than we had been before.

Humility always precedes restoration.

1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 

Belief in the resurrection is rational:

1.) The claim of an empty tomb could have been easily INVESTIGATED and DEBUNKED.  

2.) If Jesus did not rise from the dead, the disciples LIED.

3. It was the wrong PLACE and the wrong TIME to start a             .

The Empty Tomb Reveals Three Things About God:

1.) God is FAITHFUL.

15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel."

5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

2.) God is POWERFUL.

4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

3. God is LOVING.

8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

The Empty Tomb Guarantees:

1.) ETERNITY.

2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

2.) SECURITY.

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

3.) DELIVERANCE.

18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

*Outline adapted from Paul David Tripp

57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. 59Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61and said, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.' " 62And the high priest stood up and said, "Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?" 63But Jesus remained silent. 
Matthew 26:57–63a (ESV) 

21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 
 1 Peter 2:21–25 (ESV) 

Jesus gives us an example of how and when to hold our peace:

3Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 
Matthew 26:3–4 (ESV) 

6"Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. 
 Matthew 7:6 (ESV)

2. Hold your peace when you know GOD'S WILL and others don't (or won't) UNDERSTAND.

11Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus said, "You have said so." 12But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?" 14But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. 
 Matthew 27:11–14 (ESV) 

Entrusted = to SURRENDER, to GIVE oneself over to another.