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In these verses, Paul's final remarks teach us that God is full of mercy and that his saints are chosen from all walks of life and from all levels of society (1 Cor. 1:26–31). We find among Paul's companions a runaway slave (engaged in ministry), a restored backslider (now forgiven and full of zeal), a pastor (concerned for his flock), a doctor-turned-historian, and others who work with Paul in evangelism. The apostle Paul is able to accomplish his ministry only because of the faithfulness of many dear friends who have stuck by him and who've been helpful to him in his ministry. And in order to use them as an encouragement to the Colossians and to all the churches that would read this letter, he tells us a little bit about them. And it adds a very warm, personal touch to what is a very doctrinal letter. It also indicates to me something of the magnetism of his personality, and the deep, rich love of which he was capable, because of the fact that he had so many of these people with him for so many years, and they had such a deep loyalty and love for the man. Those who brought greetings (vv. 7–9) Two envoys Tychicus and Onesimus are two loyal and highly valued friends of the apostle Paul. They are envoys sent with the epistles to the Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon to inform and encourage the believers in those churches (Eph. 6:21–22). tychicus WAS THE MAN WITH A SERVANTS HEART. hE came from the province of Asia and was one of Paul's companions. The name “Tychicus” means fortuitous or fortunate; and indeed he was fortunate. We don't know much about him; there isn't much said in the Bible. He's mentioned five times, and every time it's very, very brief. But we know one thing: he lived up to his name, because he was a fortunate man to be able to spend as much time, in fact, as many years as he did in the ministry with the apostle Paul. He was a close friend who later would wait for him at Troas when Paul travelled to Jerusalem at the end of his third missionary journey (Acts 20:4) fourteen years later. Paul regards Tychicus as wholly reliable and a witness to his state in prison. He is a man with a servant's heart. He realizes this is a long journey. He's leaving his home, his job, his friends, the fellowship of his church; when we see him, as Paul writes Colossians, he's still with Paul; he's still around. He's stuck by him for a long time now. He went to Jerusalem with him. It may be that he returned with him. He for sure is with him now in the imprisonment in Rome. And at the end of Titus chapter 3, verse 12, he says, “When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis; for I have determined to spend the winter there.” Here's a loyal man. And you know what? He says, “I'm going to send him, Titus, to take your place,” either he or Artemas. We don't know which one he sent, but it may well have been Tychicus. Now what Paul wanted was – Paul loved Titus. Titus was the pastor of the congregations in the island of Crete, and Paul wanted Titus to come and spend the winter with him. Paul knew it wasn't only the winter of the year, but it was the winter of his life; and Paul wanted the fellowship and the love of Titus. And so he said to Titus, “Look, if you'll come and meet me in Nicopolis and spend the winter with me, I will send this man Artemas, or this man Tychicus, to take care of your church.” Now it's kind of an interesting thing. Here is a man who started out as a messenger, and wound up substituting for a very great man, the man by the name of Titus. The man with a servant's heart made himself available, and God used him in ways, I'm sure, he never dreamed possible. Now later on, I want you to notice something: Paul wrote the last letter that we believe he wrote, 2 Timothy chapter 4, verse 12, and he says this, writing to Timothy: “And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. The cloak that I left at Troas” – I'm glad he has that same problem that all of us have; he left his coat somewhere. “The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when you come, would you please bring it, and my books, and especially the parchments?” Good to know he's human, isn't it? He left almost everything there. So he says, “When you come, will you bring all that stuff I left over there?” Now you see, what he's saying here is, “Timothy, I want you to come and be with me; I need you. And in order that you can come and be with me, I know you'll have to leave your congregation in Ephesus so I'm going to send somebody to take your place.” And who is it? Tychicus again. He's making a career out of being an interim pastor, and he's filling in for some pretty, pretty high-class men: Titus and Timothy. He would reflect to both of those congregations the character of Paul, the life of Paul, the ministry of Paul; and they would love him because he would bring Paul to them. Now that's the kind of man he was. He was a messenger, and he was a pastor. In fact, he was anything Paul wanted him to be. We never find any bit of argument, we never find any bit of anxiety; we only find Tychicus doing what Paul told him to do. But this is a faithful servant. He loves Paul. He's loyal. He'll be a messenger; he'll be a pastor; he'll be anything. And Paul here has in mind sending him with the letter to the Colossians. He isn't going to pastor, he's just going to be a delivery boy. You say, “Well, that's not too tough.” Listen, if you knew what the trip was like from Rome to Laodicea and Colossae you might not say that. It's a long trip, a perilous trip. You had to cross Italy on foot, and then he had to sail the Adriatic, and then he had to cross Greece, and then he had to sail the Aegean. Then he had to walk, after he had landed at Miletus, up the steep Lycus River Valley to Laodicea and Colossae, and it wasn't easy; it was a very difficult journey. But Paul says, “He's going to come and he's going to bring the letter.” And you know something? He didn't just have the letter of Colossians, he had another letter too. You say, “Well, what other letter did he have?” Well, I believe, if you look at Ephesians 6:21, it says; “But that you also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that you might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your heart.” You see, that's almost an exact quote out of Colossians. So, now we know he doesn't have one letter, he's got two letters. Tucked somewhere in his robe is Colossians and Ephesians. And, incidentally, the book of Ephesians, it was not just written to the Ephesians. In fact, we find many manuscripts; and in the beginning of Ephesians there is a blank where it says, “Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, to the saints who are at blank.” You know why? This was a general letter to all the churches; it's just that one of the manuscripts we found happened to have Ephesus written in it. In the whole book of Ephesians there's not one allusion to a person in Ephesus. And also had; he had another letter: Philemon. He had the letter to Philemon. And look at verse 9 of Colossians 4: “And along with Tychicus I'm sending Onesimus.” See? And Onesimus was the slave that was returning about whom the book of Philemon is written The second thing he says – and this gets us into the thought that he is a servant's heart, “He is a faithful minister,” verse 7, and the word is diakonos, or servant. He is a faithful servant. He never attained prominence, he just served. He was an invaluable liaison between Paul and the churches; and he was faithful, he stuck with it. He was one of those 1 Corinthian 4 kind of stewards that was found faithful; he just did it, whatever it was. And you know something? There's no other way to get the work done, and Paul knew it. You've got to have people who have a servant's heart. He not only was a faithful servant of Paul but he was a fellow slave in the Lord. The first phrase has to do with Paul: “He is a faithful servant of mine, and a fellow slave in the Lord.” And Paul uses two different words. The first one is diakonos which just means servant. The second is sundoulos, which means bond slave. He is not a bond slave to Paul, don't confuse it. He's a bond slave to Jesus; he's just a willing servant to Paul. The New Testament words are important. onesimus a man with a sinful past is a runaway slave who is the subject of the Epistle to Philemon. Philemon was a convert of the apostle Paul. Verse 19 of Philemon he says that, “You owe to me your own self.” So he was a convert of Paul. And he's a very wealthy man; he owns some slaves. One of the slaves Philemon owned was a man named Onesimus, this man. But Onesimus didn't like living in Philemon's house, and he didn't like being a slave, so he ran away. And you know what a slave was to do when he ran away if he was caught? He was to give his life; he was executed. Runaway slaves were executed. But this one was willing to make the gamble, and he ran away, and he ran all the way to Rome. And you know what happened? Amazing thing: he ran right into the apostle Paul. And you know something? Just as the apostle Paul had led Philemon to Christ, the apostle Paul led Philemon's runaway slave to Christ. Isn't that amazing when you think there were two million people in Rome? Not so amazing when you see what God had in mind. Now Paul writes a letter, the letter of Philemon, and sends Onesimus back, and the letter says, “Say, Philemon, I know he ran away; but don't kill him. He may have gone away a slave; he's coming back a brother, and he's willing to serve you as a slave and a brother in Christ. So open your arms of love and take him, will you?” And so here's Tychicus with Philemon, the letter in his pocket, and Onesimus the slave walking beside him. Paul writes the letter to establish in Philemon's heart acceptance for a returning slave who's now a brotherHe has been recently converted and now serves Christ as Paul's ‘beloved brother' (v. 9). Paul is not interested in status or wealth, but in spirituality and faithfulness. Tychicus and Onesimus are both brothers to Paul through grace, men who were happy to help out and use their gifts under Paul's direction, accepting and recognizing that he was the Lord's servant. They are sent to ‘comfort hearts', that is, to encourage the Colossians to keep the faith and to obey the Word of God. And in the letter to Philemon he says, “Onesimus is” my very heart. Onesimus is my very heart. Those who sent greetings (vv. 10–14) Three messianic Jews (vv. 10–11) Aristarchus, Mark and Justus are fellow workers and long-term Jewish friends of Paul. These men worked with Paul for the glory of Christ in the local churches. They were team players who shared the same agenda as Paul for the church's growth and well-being and were not too busy ‘doing their own thing' to help out. Their ministry blessed Paul personally because he was encouraged by their friendship. The word ‘comfort' (v. 11) speaks of consolation and relief. We get the English word ‘paregoric' (‘a medicine that soothes pain') from the Greek used here. aristarchus is the man with a sympathetic heart. Now Aristarchus' name appears elsewhere in the New Testament in association with the town of Thessalonica. It's very likely that he came from that town. And at Ephesus, you remember Paul ministered at Ephesus for three years; and during those three years, Aristarchus was with him. And you remember when finally in Ephesus the riot broke out? When the riot broke out, Aristarchus and Gaius were seized by the mob, and Aristarchus found out what it was to be a prisoner. They recognized him as one of Paul's companions, and so they seized him. Now that's in chapter 19. Now Paul decides to go to Jerusalem. You know what happens? He takes Aristarchus along. So he goes on that trip. Paul gets on the boat. You remember he was captured as a prisoner in Jerusalem, then he was moved to Caesarea on the coast where he stayed as a prisoner. And then finally, in Acts 27, he gets on a boat to go to Rome to be tried in Rome, and he's a prisoner on the ship; and Acts 27:2 says when he got on the boat, Aristarchus was with him. Had Aristarchus been with him through all the imprisonment? Very possible. Very possible since the time he identified with Paul in the city of Ephesus, and escaped from the riot, and went to Jerusalem. From that time until now he has stayed with Paul; as a prisoner in Jerusalem, he hung around. Caesarea, he may have hung around. On the ship – and you remember what a ride that was. Read Acts 27 again. I mean that was something exciting, and he was there. Now here he is back in Rome. And guess who's there? Aristarchus. And Paul calls him “my fellow prisoner.” And the guy hasn't committed a crime, he just hangs around with criminals, so he spends his time in jail. came from Thessalonica (Acts 27:2) and he was with Paul during the riots at Ephesus (Acts 19:29). From Acts 20:4 we see that he also waited for Paul with Tychicus at Troas as Paul made his way back to Jerusalem. It is thought by some that he travelled with Paul as his slave or, alternatively, that he was taking a lift back home; whatever the truth is, he is also a prisoner in Rome at this time (Paul calls him ‘my fellow prisoner'). He was a volunteer willing to suffer for the kingdom of Christ. mark is the man with a second chance the cousin of Barnabas and the writer of the second Gospel. Twelve years prior to this, Mark and Barnabas had left Paul after a disagreement about whether Mark should accompany them on their second missionary journey. In Paul's opinion, Mark had been disloyal and cowardly when he deserted them at the end of their first missionary tour (Acts 15:36–41). Mark's relationship with Paul is now restored and he is fully engaged in the Lord's work and in full fellowship with the Lord's people. In 2 Timothy 4:13 Paul said that Mark was very useful to him for the ministry, thus assuring us that Mark's restoration to faithfulness was a permanent thing (see also 1 Peter 5:13). This is so encouraging as it tells us never to doubt the grace of God and his promise to keep us from falling. Mark is no longer a liability to Paul and is to be welcomed as a fully committed co-worker of Christ. Mark is forgiven both by God and by Paul. We should not withhold our love from those whom Christ has redeemed and restored. Restoration is a wonderful certainty because God promises it in Christ (Eph. 3:20–21; Jude 24). justus, the man with a strong commitment also called Jesus. His was a common name among the Jews. A man called by that name was nominated as a replacement apostle for Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:23), while another of the same name lived in Corinth and was a supporter of Paul (Acts 18:7). If the Justus of Colossians 4:11 is neither of these two (and that is what most commentators think) then he is mentioned only here in the New Testament and represents the ‘unknowns' in the Lord's service: those myriads of believers—ordinary people—with nothing particularly special to note about them, who yet have been chosen and given grace to be ‘fellow workers for the kingdom of God'. No matter how ‘unknown' believers may feel in their own little place, they contribute to the growth of the kingdom when they use their gifts and walk in obedience to Christ. Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today. “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32 Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten. hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don't go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
The conversion of Paul - Acts 9:1-19 - 1st June 2025 PM - Andy Ruffhead by St Paul's Leamington Spa
Instead of asking, “Am I past my prime?” we should be asking:“Am I living this stage of life with purpose and perspective?” Ecclesiastes invites us to live in light of eternity—not to despair over what we’ve lost, but to rejoice in how much time we still have to glorify God. Whether your “second act” looks like a new calling, a slower pace, or mentoring others—you’re still in the story God is writing. Think of Sarah, Paul, Noah—some of their most meaningful work happened later in life. “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” – Ecclesiastes 12:13 That’s your calling, whether you’re 18 or 80. Join the Conversation:We want to hear from you! How are you embracing your current season of life? Have you discovered a new purpose in your “second act”? Leave a comment on today’s episode, or share your story on Instagram using #Lifeaudionetwork. Let’s encourage one another to live well—no matter what chapter we’re in. Full Transcript Below: Looking Forward to the Second Act By: Laura Bailey “Anyone who is among the living has hope —even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!” Ecclesiastes 9:4 NIV Turning my head from side to side, lifting my eyebrows, and pulling back the skin around my chin, I wondered if it was time for me to start an anti-aging routine. I turn 40 in six months, and truthfully, until a few weeks ago, the approaching descent into middle age didn’t bother me. Most of my friends are in their forties and fifties, and their lives seem to be thriving; they didn’t take going over the hill as their life was over. Instead, it was almost as if they started living. Most were experiencing the perks of older children or an empty nest, reaping the benefits of a successful career, or embracing a slower pace where they could finally stop and smell the roses. And yet, I couldn’t shake the persistent accusing voice that dominated my thoughts, “the best years are behind you.” We live in a society that elevates youth over maturity, but God’s word says the opposite. Proverbs 16:1 tells us that gray hair is a crown of glory, and Job 12:12 shows that more trips around the sun bring more profound knowledge and rich experiences to our lives. Scripture tells us to honor our elders, to respect them, and to glean wisdom from their lifetime of lessons. The “second act” of our lives can be even better than the first half, especially if we live with the proper perspective. The book of Ecclesiastes invites readers to experience the benefits of a life in light of eternity. One of the book's central themes is the reality of our mortality, which shouldn’t drive us to despair but encourage us to ask, “Am I using my time on earth well?” What does it mean to live life well? Solomon, Ecclesiastes's author, tells us in verse 12:13, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” God created humanity with a purpose to glorify Him and make Him known. As the author of our lives, God divinely appoints the days, when we will be born and depart from this earth. Every stage, season, decade, or year serves a purpose, as Ecclesiastes 9:4 tells us that while we have breath in our lungs, we have hope! Not only that, but our lives have a purpose, no matter how many candles are on the cake. We don’t have to fight the signs of aging, cling to the memories of yesterday, or long for youth. Instead, we can embrace God’s plan and purpose for a new life stage. Perhaps, like Sarah, in our second act, the Lord grants a request we’ve been praying about for decades ( Genesis 21:1-7). Maybe God will call us to a completely different career path, project, or passion, like Paul ( Acts 9). Or, potentially, God will make room for you to rest, shedding the weight of the responsibilities of your younger years and having time to invest in the next generation before you go to glory like Noah ( Genesis 6-9). I don’t know what the Lord has planned for me next. Truthfully, my life is not what my 18-year-old self would have envisioned for my forties. But it is beautiful, and I am assured that it will be infinitely better than I had planned because of God’s providence. I am learning that God is more interested in my heart’s posture than my productivity. This allows me freedom and grace to age well, knowing that I am fulfilling my purpose as long as I bring God glory and honor. And well, that looks different in different seasons of life. I pray that as the years tick by, I grow in spiritual maturity and biblical wisdom and that my life always looks more like Christ today than it did yesterday. The best is yet to come, if not in this life; those of us in Christ have the promise of eternity. The end of earthly existence is not the end but only the beginning. May we use the time the Lord grants us well, making the most of every season as we live in light of eternity. Intersecting Faith and Life: A friend once encouraged me to stop asking, “What does God want me to do?” and instead think, “Who does God want me to serve?” This season, take some time to consider your current circumstances. Who can you serve, show God’s love, or pray over? For Further Reading: Hope if You Aren’t Living Your Best Life Now The Aging Process: Life is Seasonal Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
John 11:3 Phileo is a word that expresses deep friendship, affection, and warmth, love between close companions. 5, 11 They were more than disciples; they were friends. 8 Stone you – 10:31-32 Jesus, undaunted, knew that God would guide and protect him. 9 Look fellows, I am doing God's will. Everything is going to be all right. I am not afraid, nor should you be. You are with me. 14 Sleep – focus your attention on the living and not the dead. 16 Thomas' reaction could be interpreted as confidence or sarcasm and fear. 17 Four days The Widow's Son at Zarephath – Elijah (1 Kings 17:17-24) The Shunammite Woman's Son – Elisha (2 Kings 4:18-37) A Dead Man Who Touched Elisha's Bones – (2 Kings 13:20-21) Jairus' Daughter – Raised by Jesus (Mark 5:35-43; Luke 8:49-56) The Widow's Son at Nain – Raised by Jesus (Luke 7:11-17) Lazarus – Raised by Jesus after four days in the tomb (John 11:1-44) Tabitha (Dorcas) – Raised by Peter (Acts 9:36-42) Boy falling out window – Raised by Paul (Acts 20:7-12) Yes, in the time of Jesus, the custom in Jewish culture was to bury the dead on the day of death, just as it is today. One of the clearest prophetic signs comes from Jonah's experience: “Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” (Jonah 1:17 KJV) Jesus himself referenced this as a prophecy of his own death and resurrection: “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:40 KJV)The post Christ Series 1: Lazarus: Forerunner of Christ first appeared on Living Hope.
The True Meaning of Faith | Misuse vs. Biblical Faith ExplainedIn this foundational teaching, we explore the true meaning of faith according to Scripture—rooted in trust, obedience, and covenant relationship with God—not as a “force” to control or manipulate spiritual outcomes.We begin with the biblical truth from Ephesians 2:8-9, showing that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works or mystical force.We then correct false teachings such as “faith as a force” or “the faith of God,” often based on misinterpreted verses like Mark 11:22. Faith is not a power you wield—it is trust in God rooted in relationship and obedience.Using examples from Genesis, Deuteronomy, Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews, we establish that faith is always relational and Christ-centered, never mechanical or self-powered.We also unpack Hebrews 11:1, showing that “faith is the substance/confidence” fully aligns with the biblical view of trust in God demonstrated through action.Finally, we dive into the spiritual gift of faith (1 Cor 12:9), showing real examples from Elijah (1 Kings 17) and Paul (Acts 14) where this supernatural trust led to miraculous outcomes.Whether you're seeking clarity, correcting error, or growing deeper in your understanding of biblical faith, this episode will ground your faith in truth, covenant, and Christ.Ephesians 2:8-9, Mark 11:22, Genesis 15:6, Hebrews 11:1, Romans 3:22, Galatians 2:16, 1 Corinthians 12:9Subscribe for more teachings rooted in the Word and centered on the Messiah!
Welcome back to the podcast! One of the most powerful tools we have as believers is our personal testimony—our story of encountering Jesus and experiencing His transforming power. In today's episode, we'll look at Paul's approach to this while he stood trial.--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you're looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --The Apostle Paul provides a masterclass in sharing one's testimony in Acts 25–26 when he stands trial before Governor Festus and King Agrippa. His defense is not just a legal argument but a compelling gospel presentation. Today we'll talk about five steps to sharing your testimony effectively. But first, a couple of introductory comments to set this thing up…A. Look for Divine Encounters EverywhereSome people wait for the perfect opportunity to share their testimony, but it never comes. They expect a “divine encounter” to be obvious and heavenly, but usually it's just another moment in an otherwise ordinary day. In fact, it could even be on your worst day that God drops an opportunity on your lap. That's what seemed to happen with Paul:Acts 24:27 (NLT) 27 After two years went by in this way [Paul in prison after being falsely accused], Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.Paul didn't take a break from sharing his faith when he was imprisoned and on his way to Rome for trial. Every step of the way, wherever he found himself, he looked for opportunities to tell people his story - and more importantly the gospel story. Here's how he said it to his understudy:2 Timothy 4:2 (NLT) 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not….Swan - Possibly ref. Peter as well for those who believe they have screwed up too badly to credibly share the Gospel???1 Peter 3:15 (NLT) …And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. When it comes to sharing your testimony, don't wait for the perfect opportunity. Be ready to share your story on the good days and the bad days. Any moment can be a divine encounter; you just have to be looking for it.Great conversation starters:“If you could have one miracle, what would it be?”“On a scale from 1 to 10, how close do you feel to God?”B. Put Yourself in a Seeker's ShoesPaul was a genius when it came to communicating the gospel to different types of people. He started with his people, the Jews. Then he moved on to the Gentiles. In these chapters he's… Acts 25:17-19 (NLT) 17 When his accusers came here for the trial, I didn't delay. I called the case the very next day and ordered Paul brought in. 18 But the accusations made against him weren't any of the crimes I expected. 19 Instead, it was something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive.1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (NLT) 22 … Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do...
The most unlikely convert - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings. How did these two factors - the grace of God and the assistance of the Church - combine in your own conversion, or in your own growth in the faith? When did you experience the signs of God's intervention? When and how did the Lord refer you to the Church?
Lutheran Preaching and Teaching from St. John Random Lake, Wisconsin
January 25, 2025
Your words were found and I ate them
Visit chewthebible.com Stephen to Saul to Paul - Acts 22 - Chew the Bible - Season 3 - Aaron Yancey #chewthebiblepodcast #creatorsearchinsights #christiantiktok #eareyemedia #ajy87dotcom #missouri --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/chewthebible/support
Your words were found and I ate them
'Paul replied, ‘Brothers, I did not realise that he was the high priest; for it is written: “Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.”' Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, ‘My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.' When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.) There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. ‘We find nothing wrong with this man,' they said. ‘What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?' The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks. The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, ‘Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.' The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. More than forty men were involved in this plot. They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, ‘We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.' But when the son of Paul's sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, ‘Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.' So he took him to the commander. The centurion said, ‘Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.' The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, ‘What is it you want to tell me?' He said: ‘Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him. (Acts 23:5-20, NIV)
A sermon by Pastor Israel Mendez. Listen along as ACC Downtown journeys through the life of the apostle Paul.
A sermon by Pastor Ryan Proudfoot. Listen along as ACC Downtown journeys through the life of the apostle Paul.
We come now to the famous story of Ananias and Sapphira, the moral of which is sometimes thought to be “what happens to chintzy tithers.” But actually, that is not it at all. Many more layers are involved. It is also worth noting that we come across three men named Ananias in the book of Acts. We have this man in our text (Acts 5:1), we have the man who was used to bring Saul of Tarsus into the covenant (Acts 9:10), and the high priest who was so hostile to Paul (Acts 23:2; 24:1). In a figure, we have Achan, we have Joshua, and we have the king of Jericho.
a) The Antioch Church Sends a Delegation (Acts 15:1-4)b) The Council Hears Peter, Barnabas, and Paul (Acts 15:5-12)c) James Gives His Judgment (Acts 15:13-21)d) The Council Sends a Letter (Acts 15:22-35)
A sermon by Pastor Ryan Proudfoot. Listen along as ACC Downtown journeys through the life of the apostle Paul.
Evangelism Lessons from Paul (Acts 26) - October 6, 2024 by OrlandoGrace
I recognize that another event outside this building has the attention and hearts of many of us in this room this morning.Show of hands: How many here know and remember Pastor Kenny and his wife Malaina, who we sent out last year to plant a church in the Orlando area? Well, as we meet here this morning, Horizon City Church, led by Kenny, is having their first public gathering in Winter Garden, Florida.I don't think it's any coincidence that at the very time when we're turning our focus to being welcoming witnesses that we remember, and pray for, a man who embodies what it means to be a welcoming witness. So, if you feel a little distracted this morning, I get it. In fact, you might do well to keep Pastor Kenny in mind during this message, as a living lesson in being a welcoming witness.To be clear, what's going on in Winter Garden, and what's going on this morning at 1524 Summit Avenue, is vastly more important that any marathon or any American football game in London or anywhere else in the world.Growing Up and OutThis is now the fifth in a series of six sermons, called “We Are Cities Church,” on our vision and values. As we're approaching our tenth anniversary as a church (this January), we have found ourselves in a new season of church life. In broad strokes, you might see our first five years, from 2015 until COVID, as a time of being planted. And these last four years have been a time of becoming rooted here on Summit Avenue. Now we sense ourselves coming into a new season — of what? What would you call it? What do you call the next phase after being planted and rooted? What is an acorn planted and rooted for? To grow tall and wide. To stretch up high in worship and spread out in witness to the world. We're in a season of new growth and stretching and spreading our branches — of bearing fruit, we pray, and dropping acorns we hope will become new churches.So, for this new season, we've considered how we might freshly express our unchanging mission: we want to make joyful disciples of Jesus who remember his realness in all of life. And we have a fresh fourfold way of talking about the kind of disciples we hope to be and multiply. Each of the four brings together two realities to clarify with an adjective what kind of nouns we mean.First, we are Jesus worshipers. This is the vertical aspect, the up-reach. We are not just theists, or even monotheists; nor do we simply admire Jesus as a great moral teacher. Rather, we worship Jesus. That's what it means to be Christians. We not only worship God but worship his Son.Second, we are joyful servants. That is, we are not dour servants, doing our duty while biting our lip. Nor are we shallowly happy sluggards sitting around dedicated to self-service. Rather, we aim to have happy hearts behind our helping hands. We gladly provide shade for those scorched by the sun, and strong branches to give safety for those harassed by wolves.Third, we are generous disciplers. What do we say here — providing life-giving sap? We are not miserly mentors, nor generous donors, but generous disciplers — up close, involved, giving of our own time and energy to help others grow in the faith. Last week we saw this vision in Acts 20 of personally speaking God's word and living his word in real life while investing in the lives of a few. “Disciplers” is the big addition to our previous way of talking about a threefold calling as worshipers, servants, and missionaries. We still say worshipers and servants, but now we've added disciplers, and updated missionaries to witnesses.So, fourth and finally, we are welcoming witnesses. Here we're talking outreach in particular. Not just up in worship, and in through service and discipling, but out in Christian witness to an unchristian world.Welcoming witness means we are not okay being cold, off-putting witnesses; nor are we warm, welcoming pushovers. We are welcoming witnesses: those who open wide their arms to others to make Jesus known and enjoyed.So, we give the rest of this message to welcoming witnesses, and here's how we'll proceed. First, let's go to Acts 2, and the string of texts that follow it, and see the welcoming witness of the early church, and how it grew. Then let's consider what it means to be a witness, and then what welcoming adds to witness. You can call these three truths for our welcoming witness.1. The church and the gospel grow together.Acts 2:40 says that Peter “bore witness” to the gospel of Jesus, and verse 21 says that the people “received his word” — we'll come back to this. Then twice we hear about additions, that is, growth:Verse 41: “there were added that day about three thousand souls.” Verse 47: “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”And this is the beginning of this remarkable theme in the book of Acts — the word growing, increasing, multiplying.So we hear in Acts 4:4: “many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.” So the (gospel) word is heard and believed, and the number grows.Then Acts 6:7: “the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem . . . .” Number grows, as word grows. Specifically, number multiplies as word increases.Then Acts 12:24, very simply: “the word of God increased and multiplied” — many more heard and believed and joined the church. So too in Acts 19:20: “the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.”The word, the message of the gospel, grows as people hear and believe in Jesus and are added to the church. Word growth and church growth go together.What If GodNow, I know that some of us hear that — all that adding and increasing and even multiplying — and think, Oh no, I just want a small church. We look around this room and think, There's already enough people here. Already too many! No more increasing, please. Okay, maybe just a little adding here and there, but no multiplying!We might think of it in terms of church size, but perhaps that's really a misplaced diagnosis. I suspect it's not really about church size as much as the rush and pace and complexities and relentless frenzy of city life. Our modern metropolitan lives are so crazy, we just want church small and simple, thank you. But our discomfort with gospel growth may really have more to do with our unrecognized calling to the city.You know what's good about city life? There are so many people nearby. And you know what's so hard about city life? There are so many people nearby.To be honest, just about all of us at Cities Church have small-church preferences. And you know what? It turns out a lot of us have small-church preferences. So many of us, in fact, that after a while, we small-church people find each other, and don't have a small church anymore.What might help us is to do business with the time and place to which God has called us. Brothers and sisters, you live in a very large city. Twin Cities. Depending on who's counting, this is the 12th to 16th largest metro in the United States. And this is where God has put you, whether you own it or not. Maybe God's loosening your roots and means for you to head to the hinterlands, but for now, if you live in the TC metro, you live in a very populated urban and suburban area. My hope for us as a church is that we would recognize our present calling, and embrace it, and persevere in it, and let it inform our expressed desire for small church.I get it. Most of us have some native bucolic longings that in the complexity and stress of city life we might try to pour into church life. Brothers and sisters, there are other ways to channel your rural dreams than into a church on Summit Avenue. Drive out-state to an apple orchard next Saturday, or get an AirBnB for a weekend. Take a trip in Duluth; visit the Brainerd Lakes area or Boundary Waters. Explore MN. Drive across South Dakota. And then come back to the big city, and own that we are a church in the city, and that it is good to have so many people nearby, and so many people to bring close to Jesus and into joyful discipleship.It would be very easy to look around week after week and think we don't have any more space. We don't have room for witness. We don't have room to welcome others in. We don't have space for more baptisms, at least not many.As pastors, we are wrestling in this season, and want you to wrestle with us, Lord, what are you calling us to? We want the gospel to increase and multiply. We want the church to grow and mature. We want to generously disciple many, and send them out like Pastor Kenny, and add to our number those who are being saved. Would you join us in praying for it? And would you join us in praying for Macalester? Amazingly, we've been seeing a new trickle of students from Macalester. What if God would be pleased to turn that into a stream, and into a river? What if God sent us 100 Macalester students? What's your gut response to that? Is it, “Oh no! We don't have room for many more people!” Or does your heart burn, “Yes, yes, do it, Lord, answer our prayers, make us a welcoming witness to Macalester, and Summit Avenue, and in these surrounding neighborhoods”?2. You are never alone when you witness to Jesus.The key verse that sets the program for the whole book of Acts is Acts 1:8: “…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”Because of Acts 1:8, we often use this word “witness” for “sharing our faith” or “speaking the gospel.” Have you ever stopped to ponder what this word “witness” means for us as Christians?What is a witness? A witness is someone, who, for the good of others, chooses to testify to something they have seen or heard. Usually the witness did not choose to see or hear what they did. They didn't initiate the experience. The event chose them, so to speak. And then, for the good of others, they choose, they agree, to testify in court.So, to be a witness is both humble and brave. Something happened that you didn't do, but you saw it or heard it. And now, for the benefit of others, you testify to what you saw or heard or know.John the Baptist is a classic example of the witness: He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. (John 1:7-8)Brothers and sisters, pressure's off! You're not the light; you're just the witness. Jesus is the light, not you. It's his work, not yours. It's his grace, not yours. But this I know: I once was blind, but now I see. I'm not the light; he's the light. Look at the light!And not only do we witness like John but we never witness alone, but as we witness to Jesus, and what we have seen and heard and experience, we simply add our voice to the company of witnesses: to the witness of nature (Acts 14:17), and the witness of conscience (Romans 2:15), and the witness of Scripture (Acts 10:43), and to the cloud of witnesses that surrounds us (Hebrews 12:1).But the one I find most encouraging of all is that the Holy Spirit witnesses. Acts 5:32: “we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”The Spirit is the divine Person who works through and with the word to give it life and growth and increase and expansion. And God has given him to us; he dwells in us. You never witness alone when you bear witness to Jesus.Over and over again in Acts, the Holy Spirit fills Christians and empowers them for witness (Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 13:9), just as Jesus promised in Acts 1:8: “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses...”3. We adorn our witness with hearts and hands that welcome.Witness is the noun. Welcome is the adjective. Welcoming witness means that we adorn our gospel witness with the warmth and deeds of Christian love. Word is central in witness, and welcome adorns word.Biblically, a related concept to “welcoming witness” is hospitality, which is literally “love of strangers.” There is usual human kindness, where we welcome and love those who love us, and there is the unusual kindness of Rahab welcoming the Israelite spies (Hebrews 11:31) or the natives of Malta showing hospitality to the shipwrecked apostle Paul (Acts 28:2, 7). Love for strangers is so important to Christianity that hospitable is a requirement for office in the church (1 Tim 3:2; 5:10; Titus 1:8).For Christians, love for strangers means both that we welcome fellow believers in uncomfortable ways (Romans 12:13; 14:1; 1 Peter 4:9) as well as that we welcome strangers and unbelievers (Heb 13:2; Matt 25:35, 38, 43).Why would we do this? I remember I had a book as a kid called Never Talk to Strangers. It was not a Christian book. So, why would we do this? Why would we talk to strangers? And have a heart for strangers to know Jesus? And take action that we might welcome strangers to Jesus and witness to him?Because this is what Jesus has done for us. We were hungry and he fed us with the bread of life. We were thirsty and he gave us to drink from the well of living water. We were strangers, sinners, rebels, estranged from God, and he welcomed us.Christians learn to love strangers, and learn to be welcoming witnesses to those strange to us and estranged from God, because God himself loved us when we were yet strangers. His love for strangers compels us to be welcoming witnesses, rather than fearful of and suspicious of the strange and God-estranged.Three Spheres for WitnessSo, I end with three spheres of our welcoming witness, perhaps in increasing importance:1) We are a welcoming witness at 1524 Summit Ave. Each Sunday, we have a welcome team. You can participate in that. And let's not leave all the welcoming of each other, and strangers, to the welcome team. So, some welcoming happens on the way into this room, but mainly, after we worship, oh what amazing ministry, what welcoming witness happens on these grounds. Please don't run as a pattern. Linger and be welcoming witnesses.Then all week, as we meet people nearby, and represent our church, as we frequent businesses nearby, as we repair the steeple, and keep the lawn, we want to be together a welcoming witness to Jesus on Summit Ave and to these surrounding neighborhoods.2) We are a welcoming witness as we go out into other spaces during the week. So, your work, your school, coffee shops, gyms, ballfields. Just Thursday, I was given a new book called You Will Be My Witnesses (by Brian DeVries). I got it from someone in another city who had no idea I was preaching on “witnesses” this Sunday. It's very good. Chapter 5 summarizes the pattern of Christian witness in Acts like this, which is very applicable to our relationships with unbelievers across the metro: Christian witness is (1) usually preceded by prayer, (2) often explicitly Spirit-directed, (3) generally spontaneous, (4) with the church community itself as the dominant form of witness (DeVries talks about “contagious Christian living within an attracting church community,” 120), and all that, as we've seen, (5) with gospel communication central (and “authenticated by . . . faithful living,” 121).3) We are a welcoming witness in our homes.Sometimes we talk about someone having “the gift” of hospitality. It may be true that some are more naturally inclined toward good hosting, but hospitality is not something that falls from the sky (or not). It is first God-given love for strangers in the heart, and that love is either cultivated and grown (whatever your natural inclinations), or neglected and suppressed; and if it's cultivated, then that love overflows into practical, tangible outward deeds and welcome.I close with five practical, nitty-gritty ideas for welcoming witness in our homes.1) Pray about being hospitable and budget for it. Pray over who you'd like to invite into your home, and don't let the very minimal costs keep you from the very maximal rewards.2) Think in concentric circles of “strangers”: first, those who are not strangers at all: friends and family. Okay, that's very normal hosting. Then think of those who are strangers in that they don't live in your house but are fellow believers. Then don't forget those who are strangers according to faith. In other words, Christian hospitality incorporates both fellow believers and nonbelievers. Make use of it for both, for hosting Community Group and hosting unbelieving neighbors.3) A word for dads. I wish this lesson didn't take me so long to learn, and that I didn't still have room for growth. But it did, and I do. I'd love to save some younger husbands some grief if you'll hear an old man's counsel: dad's energy is key for hospitality. Husbands, fathers, we don't wave a wand and expect wife and kids to start singing, “Be Our Guest” — not for long. Dad, your masculine heart and hands and arms are critical; and so is her feminine heart and touch — and everyone knows her part is vital, but yours can get forgotten, especially by you. Don't forget it. Brothers, lead the way in prayer, planning, preparation, service, and cleanup. Put your male body to some use. Many marriages (not saying all) would be helped if dad sweated hospitality prep for more, and mom sweated it less.4) So, a word to the ladies: some of you may have to lower your expectations for domestic and culinary excellence. I promise, it is worth being hospitable, even if a perfect pic doesn't wind up on IG. You don't need to impress; just love. Use paper plates, and the house doesn't have to be perfect.5) A next-level consideration might be having a guest room, or plan for overnight hosting.Making a practice of welcoming others into our homes can be good for your marriage, in having shared mission and ministry together. It can be good for our kids, in the people they'll meet and interact with and learn from. And it's good for us to have open homes, open doors, open lives. An open home brings accountability with it that does us all good. Satan loves isolation and closed doors. And welcoming others into our homes might be not just an important way, but the key way in our times to witness to our faith in Jesus.Housekey?I remember the moment in evangelism class in seminary. The professor's name was Steve Childers. He asked the class, “You know what will be the key to evangelism in the 21st century, don't you?”I'm sure he could see on our faces how eager we were for his answer. Wow, the key, we were thinking. This is huge. He knew he had us. So he paused and smiled and waited. And he waited. And just when I was almost ready to burst with, “Just c'mon already!” finally he lifted the curtain: “Hospitality.”In an increasingly post-Christian society, he said, the importance of hospitality as an evangelistic asset is quickly growing. Increasingly, the most strategic turf on which to engage the unbelieving with the good news of Jesus is the turf of our own yards and homes.When people don't gather in droves for stadium crusades, or tarry long enough on the sidewalk to hear a gospel presentation, or look up from their phones, or take out their earbuds, what will you do? How will we be welcoming witnesses? Where will we testify to the unbelieving about what matters most?Invite them to dinner. Witness and Welcome at the TableEach Sunday, this Table forms us to be welcoming witnesses. First, this Table witnesses. It speaks a visible word to us about Jesus, his sacrifice of his body for our sins, and his new covenant inaugurated in the shedding of his blood. This Table witnesses to him, and as we partake we proclaim his death until he comes.And this Table welcomes — not without spiritual conditions but indiscriminately within the conditions of confession this Jesus as Lord, Savior, and Treasure and having had his name put on you publicly through baptism.
'This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to those who were ill, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, ‘In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.' Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?' Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honour. Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. A number who had practised sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. ‘After I have been there,' he said, ‘I must visit Rome also.' He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.' (Acts 19.10-22, NIV)
The Plot to Kill Paul (Acts 22:30 - 23:20) - September 15, 2024 by OrlandoGrace
Saturday Morning Service (8/24/24) Maranatha Shabiba (Young Adults) Ministry Follow us to remain connected: Web: https://MaranathaShabiba.org Facebook: / maranathashabiba Instagram: / maranatha.shabiba TikTok: / mbc.chicago To support this ministry, you can donate via: Zelle to: conference@mbchicago.org Credit/PayPal: https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but... Maranatha Bible Church (MB Church) (Northwest Chicago Area) #MaranathaShabiba | #DanielBatarseh | #mbcchicago | #mbchicago Acts 18:1-17 (ESV) Paul in Corinth 18 After this Paul[a] left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, 3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. 6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. 9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. 12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews[b] made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, 13 saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.” 14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. 15 But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.” 16 And he drove them from the tribunal. 17 And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this. Footnotes a. Acts 18:1 Greek he b. Acts 18:12 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verses 14 (twice), 28
Lutheran Preaching and Teaching from St. John Random Lake, Wisconsin
July 10, 2024 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stjohnrandomlake/support
Lutheran Preaching and Teaching from St. John Random Lake, Wisconsin
June 29, 2024 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stjohnrandomlake/support
In Acts 9 we meet Saul, a murderer and enemy of the new Christian movement. Saul has built his life around what he believes is the righteous way of God: zealously eradicating evil from the world. But then, in a moment, Saul is transformed. He meets the risen Jesus and learns that the righteousness of God doesn't come by our earthly power, violence, or force. Instead, it comes through Christ. God in human flesh, coming to take our punishment and suffer violence on our behalf. We can learn from Saul by accepting our own brokenness and inability to achieve righteousness. Like Saul, we learn that to be a follower of Jesus is to let him be a warrior for us against sin and evil. Jesus is our only hope and confidence. Acts 9:1-19 CSB
Acts 20:7-12 7 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. 9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "He's alive!" 11 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12 The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted. (NIV 84) FROM THE LESSON 10 Examples in Scripture of Someone Being Raised from the Dead: 1 The widow of Zarephath's son by Elijah (1 Kings 17:17-24) 2 The Shunammite woman's son by Elisha (2 Kings 4:18-37) 3 The man who touched Elisha's bones (2 Kings 13:20-21) 4 The widow of Nain's son by Jesus (Luke 7:11-17) 5 Jairus' daughter by Jesus (Matthew 9:18-26, Mark 5:21-43, Luke 8:40-56) 6 Lazarus by Jesus (John 11:1-44) 7 Holy people at the death of Jesus (Matthew 27:50-53) 8 Tabitha (Dorcas) by Peter (Acts 9:36-43) 9 Eutychus by Paul (Acts 20:7-12) 10 Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-18) How these examples are the same: In each example, someone was literally dead - not seemingly dead, not playing dead, not thought to be dead, they were dead - and by the authority and power of God, they were raised from the dead. How one is different from the other ones: The first nine were raised to their old lives. They were all raised from the dead back to how things used to be. They were raised from death to old life. They were brought back from death to their old life. This is called resuscitation from the dead. Jesus was raised to a new life. He was raised from death to new life. He is the only one who has been raised from the dead to a new, glorified body. He is the only one who has been brought through death to a new life. This is called resurrection from the dead. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1 Icebreaker: what are some of the ways you have heard the story of Eutychus taught before today? Have you ever heard it used as a warning to stay alert or as a practical encouragement for better preaching? 2 Read through some of the examples in Scripture of people being raised from the dead. Is there one that has stood out to you more than another? Is there one that has been a favorite of yours? Why? How do these examples of God's power and authority over death encourage your faith? 3 Do you understand the difference between resuscitation from the dead and resurrection from the dead? Why is it important to know the difference? 4 The gospel invitation is to a new life in Jesus Christ. It is not a call to a better version of you. It's a call to a brand new version of you. Discuss the difference with your group.
Welcome to Christ's Church at Butler's Sunday service, April 28th, 2024. This live stream will include a time of praise and worship, communion, and a message from our pastor, Dale Rabineau. Contact us at (260) 868-6924, or online at CCAB4Him.com. We'd love to connect with you!
Paul had to die to himself and stop doing things his way and do them His way.
04/21/2024 - Bradley Wilder - Sharing the Gospel Like Paul (Acts 17:16-34) by Faith Community Church of South Boston, VA
Dave St. Lawrence helps us understand Acts 18:1-18
Mike Hawkins preaches on Acts 17:16-34
From silent to insightful Mike informs the crew who Barnabas is related to and where he's from. Judah changes gears to cover the exact moment that Saul became Paul in scripture. This week's discussion features Judah Thomas, Johnny V, Mike McHugh, David LaManna, Ben Cossette, and special guest James Gowell.
The most unlikely convert - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings. When did you experience see the signs of God's intervention? When and how did the Lord refer you to the Church? How did these two factors combine in your own conversion, or in your own growth in the faith? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lucas-laborde/message
The Story of Paul / Acts 9:1-31 Nate Walker
Why does Paul have two names?What is predestination?Why don't Christians follow Jewish Law?Join David and I as we continue in our reading the book of Acts. This week we cover topics including Paul's Jewish vs. Roman name, whether God has already decided who is saved and why Christians don't necessarily follow the law of the Old Testament.We need your support! Support from listeners like you keeps Come Read with Me going, so please consider donating at www.burningheart.org/comereadwithme.If you're not already, make sure to follow Chris on instagram for 60 sermons on @revchris7, and make sure to give David a follow on @burningheartorg.Come Read with Me, with Rev Chris and David Ingall is produced by the Listenarium. Original music by Jack Gionis.
The following people in Scripture were baptized after their salvationand serve as an example to believers today:o The Eunuch - Acts 8:37-38o Cornelius - Acts 10:44-48o Paul - Acts 9:1-19o The Philippian Jailor - Acts 16:30-31o Lydia – Acts 16:14-15o Crispus and others – Acts 18:8We hope this episode was an encouragement to you. If it was, share this episode with someone else. If you have any topic suggestions, please let us know by emailing them to thewellwornpathpodcast@gmail.com
11-15-23 – Wednesday Evening Services. A study on the Famous and Infamous from scripture. Various character studies on both men and women throughout the Bible.
10/23/23. Five Minutes in the Word scriptures for today: Acts 27:21-22. Paul gets a response from the Jewish leaders after telling them of his plight and fight for a fair trial and safety. Resources: enduringword.com; biblehub.com; logos.com; Matthew Henry Commentary; and Life Application Study Bible. November 2021 Podchaser list of "60 Best Podcasts to Discover!" Listen, like, follow, share! #MinutesWord; @MinutesWord; #dailydevotional #christianpodcaster Now on Amazon podcasts and Pandora! #prayforpeace
9/17/23. Five Minutes in the Word scriptures for today: Acts 25:6-8. Apostle Paul is surrounded by his enemies as he goes to court. Resources: enduringword.com; biblehub.com; logos.com; Matthew Henry Commentary; and Life Application Study Bible. November 2021 Podchaser list of "60 Best Podcasts to Discover!" Listen, like, follow, share! #MinutesWord; @MinutesWord; #dailydevotional #christianpodcaster Now on Amazon podcasts and Pandora! #pray
9/13/23. Five Minutes in the Word scriptures for today: Acts 24:24-25. Governor Felix and his wife listen to Apostle Paul; the message cause the Governor to be afraid. Resources: enduringword.com; biblehub.com; logos.com; Matthew Henry Commentary; and Life Application Study Bible. November 2021 Podchaser list of "60 Best Podcasts to Discover!" Listen, like, follow, share! #MinutesWord; @MinutesWord; #dailydevotional #christianpodcaster Now on Amazon podcasts and Pandora! #prayforukraine #voiceofthemartyrs #prayforTurkey #prayforSyria
Saul had nothing going for him when it comes to encountering and being changed by Christ, and that's exactly where God met him. In Acts 9:1-22, we see that God can save anyone, and that everyone needs Jesus.
9/8/23. Five Minutes in the Word scriptures for today: Acts 24:8-9. Tertullus concludes his accusations against Apostle Paul. The high priest and other elders agreed with the accusations. Resources: enduringword.com; biblehub.com; logos.com; Matthew Henry Commentary; and Life Application Study Bible. November 2021 Podchaser list of "60 Best Podcasts to Discover!" Listen, like, follow, share! #MinutesWord; @MinutesWord; #dailydevotional #christianpodcaster Now on Amazon podcasts and Pandora! #prayforukraine #voiceofthemartyrs #prayforTurkey #prayforSyria
9/7/23. Five Minutes in the Word scriptures for today: Acts 24:5-6. Tertullus states the charges against the Apostle Paul. Resources: enduringword.com; biblehub.com; logos.com; Matthew Henry Commentary; and Life Application Study Bible. November 2021 Podchaser list of "60 Best Podcasts to Discover!" Listen, like, follow, share! #MinutesWord; @MinutesWord; #dailydevotional #christianpodcaster Now on Amazon podcasts and Pandora! #prayforukraine #voiceofthemartyrs #prayforTurkey #prayforSyria
From Come Follow Me:“When we are on the Lord's errand,” President Thomas S. Monson promised, “we are entitled to the Lord's help” (“To Learn, to Do, to Be,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 62). We are not entitled, however, to a smooth road and an endless stream of successes. For proof of this, we need look no further than Paul the Apostle. His errand from the Savior was “to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). In chapters 22–28 of Acts, we see Paul fulfilling this errand and facing great opposition—chains, imprisonment, physical abuse, a shipwreck, and even a snake attack. But we also see that Jesus “stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul” (Acts 23:11). Paul's experiences are an inspiring reminder that the Lord's call to “declare [His] gospel with the sound of rejoicing” comes with this promise: “Lift up your hearts and be glad, for I am in your midst” (Doctrine and Covenants 29:4–5; see also Matthew 28:19–20).The thoughts, ideas, and beliefs we express on this channel do not officially represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. For additional information or official statements, please visit the website below.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints:https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng#biblestudy #oldtestament #religion #churchofjesuschrist #ldspodcast #christianpodcast #missionary #lds #biblestories #christ #faith #faithinchrist #scriptures #bookofmormon #doctrineandcovenants #pearlofgreatprice #temples #houseofthelord #mormon #mormonbeliefs #chritiansandmormons #god #endure #ironrod #faithineveryfootstep #generalconference #prophets #followtheprophet #commandments #love #service #charity #keepstriving #keeponstriving #gospelgrowthandgoodtimes #become #newtestamentSupport the show