The Church, Part 28

Acts 8:9-11 NKJV

Luke 22:31-32 ESV

Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV

I. One of satan's greatest tactics is deception.

John 8:31-32 ESV

John 8:34-47 ESV

We are strong united; we are weak divided.

Acts 8:12-13 NKJV

II. The word of God destroys all deception.

John 17:17 ESV

1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV

Romans 10:17 NKJV

James 4:7-12 NKJV

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 NKJV

Romans 8:31 ESV

1 John 4:4 ESV

Galatians 5 ESV

Acts 8:6-7 NKJV

I. Rejoice in the Lord. (In the seen and unseen; in the known and the unknown)

Let your joy source be Jesus; not in what He does to make temporal life what you want it.

Philippians 4:4 ESV

Your circumstances can’t be the source, or the steering wheel, of your joy.

Psalm 100:2 ESV

II. Rejoicing comes from relationship, not results, or revenues.

Christians who can continue through difficulty; who can rejoice through difficulty, do so because their daily relationship with the Father, through Jesus Christ, is a reality in their life that no temporal agent can affect.

Col. 3:4 ESV

The Church, Part 26

Acts 8:1-5 NKJV

I. Leaders lead.

Leadership is example.

Philippians 2:1-12 ESV

Remember His Words

Luke 23:2624:12 ESV

Hope - to expect, or confide, trust. Confident expectation. Confidence.

Hope brings:

1. Peace

2. Comfort

3. Assurance

4. Encouragement

5. Strength

6. Joy

7. Boldness

Hope in Christ means:

I. Hope Now

1 Timothy 1:1 ESV

1 Peter 1:3 ESV

Romans 12:12 ESV

Romans 15:13 ESV

1 Corinthians 15 ESV

1 Corinthians 15:19 ESV

Hope in Christ means:

II. Hope Later

Titus 2:13 ESV

The resurrection of Christ gives us hope now and later because:

1. He did what He said He would do (rise from the grave). "Remember His words."

2. He will do what He said He will do (return for His people). "Remember His words."

Romans 14:8 KJV

Romans 8 ESV

The Church, Part 25

Acts 8:1-4 NKJV

II. The struggle doesn't negate the call.

Mark 16:15 KJV

We must not allow anything to cancel/silence the call.

Matthew 28:19-20 ESV

Persecution disrupts, and often destroys, comfort. Comfort is the enemy of progress.

Persecution forces a change to the status quo, but the status quo is the anchor to movement.

To have victory in the struggle we must remember and commit to:

1.Earnest effort - 1 Corinthians 15:10; Colossians 1:29-2:1 KJV

2. Putting off what hinders - Hebrews 12:1; 1 Timothy 4:7b-8, 15-16 KJV

3. Singleness of mind/Eyes on the goal - Matthew 6:19-24, Hebrews 12:1-3; 1 Peter 1:13 KJV

4. Pain/The struggle - Hebrews 10:23-39 ESV

1 Peter 5:6-11 ESV

2 Thessalonians 2:3 NKJV

Matthew 24:10-13 ESV

Hebrews 12 ESV

The Church, Part 24

I. The gospel is a treasure to hand out, not to hoard up.

2 Corinthians 4:1-7 ESV

Romans 1:16 KJV

Hebrews 4:12-13 NKJV

2 Corinthians 4:818 ESV

The Church, Part 23

2 Corinthians 5:1-11 NKJV

Matthew 10:28 KJV

Acts 7:54-8:1a NKJV

2 Corinthians 5:6-7 NKJV

Philippians 1:21-23 NKJV

I. Remember that Christ is the Great Reward.

Philippians 3:8 ESV

When the reward is greater than the cost, you give all.

Luke 14:25-35 NKJV

John 15:18 KJV

If your faith isn't strong enough to bring you to gather faithfully with saints in times of freedom, then why would you believe it will be strong enough to when that freedom is gone?

If your faith isn't strong enough for you to share it with sinners in a time of freedom why would you believe it will be strong enough in time of persecution?

In truth, we need to get over ourselves and get moving with the gospel.

Sermon: The Church, Part 22

"Nothing happens until something moves."

"Faith is believing what God says and then acting on it."

I. Faith is trusting what God says and then acting on it.

Acts 7:1-53

Fears we battle in witnessing:

Fear of failure

Fear of ridicule

Fear of hostility

II. Fear cripples faith.

Fear is the greatest control tactic.

If we are controlled by fear, we can't walk by faith.

The Church, Part 21

Acts 6:8-10 ESV

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 NKJV

I. We should speak truth in love, godly wisdom, and Spirit-filled power.

Every motive and move of the Christian should be driven by love.

Acts 6:11-15 ESV

The enemy will do anything to get us out of who we are to be and what mission we are to accomplish.

II. We should be ready for every scheme the enemy tries to hurl at us.

1 Peter 5:8 NKJV

Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV

A. Our only hope is the power of Christ.

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

B. This is not new and you aren't the only one.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

2 Corinthians 4:7 ESV

Philipians 1:19-21 ESV

"Nothing happens until something moves."

The Church, Part 20

Acts 6:4 NKJV

I. Leaders/pastors are placed in churches so that the church grows together and goes together.

Eph. 4:1-16 ESV

Hebrews 13:7 ESV

Hebrews 13:17 ESV

1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV

Acts 6:5 NKJV

II. Our unity in submitting to God's order, will, and way is a key that unlocks, and often reveals, the mighty works of God.

Acts 6:6-7 ESV

1 Peter 5:6 ESV

James 4:6 ESV

Acts 6:7 ESV