Podcasts about read acts

Have you had an encounter with God that has impacted and changed your life for the better, one or more experiences that have caused spiritual growth in your life? Sharing our personal spiritual experiences with others helps to encourage them that God loves them and is present and interested in our lives, ever willing to help us. - Lynette Kittle In this episode of Your Daily Prayer, Lynette Kittle invites listeners to reflect on how we can actively prepare our hearts for a deeper relationship with God. Using Acts 17:26–27 as a foundation, she offers four biblical ways to pursue spiritual growth: seeking God, reading Scripture, inviting the Holy Spirit’s teaching, and maintaining a life of prayer. If you've ever felt distant from God or longed for more personal connection with Him, this prayerful devotion offers practical encouragement and Scriptural truth to draw near and grow in faith. Topics covered: How to cultivate your heart for spiritual growth God’s desire for personal connection with us The essential role of Scripture and prayer Inviting the Holy Spirit’s guidance Encouragement for those feeling spiritually dry or distant Scripture References Acts 17:26–27 (NIV) “From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from any one of us.”

Weekly live worship service from Cornerstone Church, North Gower (Ontario) FOLLOW US #northgowercornerstone WEBSITE https://www.knowgrowshow.ca/ INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/northgowercornerstone/ FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/northgowercornerstone/ LINKTREE https://linktr.ee/knowgrowshow Know K1. What did God say to you through the service / message today? Grow G1. Read Acts 9:36-43. What do Dorcas' (Tabitha's) actions and reputation reveal about how she lived her life? What does her story teach us about a legacy worth remembering? G2. 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 speaks of making it our aim to please Christ and being accountable before His judgment seat. How does this passage influence how you want to be remembered and how you live your life today? G3 Dorcas / Tabitha was known for serving others, especially the vulnerable. If your life were remembered tomorrow, what acts of service would people point to? How are you currently showing up and serving? G4 The people around Dorcas were part of her community and grieved her deeply. What kind of spiritual legacy are you building in your community? How can your relationships help shape your legacy? G5 Peter raised Dorcas through the power of Christ. How does this miracle help us Know Christ as King, especially in the face of death? How should Christ's kingship impact your daily decisions and long-term legacy? Show S1 Imagine your funeral is tomorrow. What do you hope is said about your life and faith? What's one step you can take this week to close the gap between how you've lived your life and how you want to be remembered?

Jesus is calling us to put our sinful nature to death and be raised to new life—not just once, but daily. In this message, we look at someone who embraced this truth: Saul of Tarsus. Notes: Focus verses - Acts 7–9 Being friends with your kids is a reward you receive after being a good parent.It is biblical to think about death.James 4:14 (ESV)Psalm 90:12 (NKJV) Christopher Laurie pointed others to Jesus. Jesus wants us to put our sinful nature to death and raise us to new life, daily. Read Acts 7:57–8:4 (NKJV) #1 A Man of Death Saul cast his vote; he oversaw and led the stoning of Stephen. Acts 26:11 (NKJV) Saul was a man of death. Saul was sincere. Yet he was sincerely wrong. Saul depended on his own righteousness, and not on the righteousness of God. Jesus saw a future apostle, a bold witness; Jesus saw Paul.1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV) Nobody is beyond the reach of God. Saul was a man of death, but Jesus was calling him to put that life to deathso that he might truly live. #2 A Man Who Had to DieActs 9:1–5 (NKJV) Jesus didn’t just reform Saul, He replaced him.Saul became Paul. Jesus didn’t come to make bad people good.He came to make dead people live. Philippians 3:8–11 (MSG) #3 A Man Who Died DailyRomans 8:13–18 (NKJV) “I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.”1 Corinthians 15:31 (NKJV) The Christian life is a daily burial of the old self. Jesus came to make you new. --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jesus is calling us to put our sinful nature to death and be raised to new life—not just once, but daily. In this message, we look at someone who embraced this truth: Saul of Tarsus. Notes: Focus verses - Acts 7–9 Being friends with your kids is a reward you receive after being a good parent.It is biblical to think about death.James 4:14 (ESV)Psalm 90:12 (NKJV) Christopher Laurie pointed others to Jesus. Jesus wants us to put our sinful nature to death and raise us to new life, daily. Read Acts 7:57–8:4 (NKJV) #1 A Man of Death Saul cast his vote; he oversaw and led the stoning of Stephen. Acts 26:11 (NKJV) Saul was a man of death. Saul was sincere. Yet he was sincerely wrong. Saul depended on his own righteousness, and not on the righteousness of God. Jesus saw a future apostle, a bold witness; Jesus saw Paul.1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV) Nobody is beyond the reach of God. Saul was a man of death, but Jesus was calling him to put that life to deathso that he might truly live. #2 A Man Who Had to DieActs 9:1–5 (NKJV) Jesus didn’t just reform Saul, He replaced him.Saul became Paul. Jesus didn’t come to make bad people good.He came to make dead people live. Philippians 3:8–11 (MSG) #3 A Man Who Died DailyRomans 8:13–18 (NKJV) “I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.”1 Corinthians 15:31 (NKJV) The Christian life is a daily burial of the old self. Jesus came to make you new. --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Read Acts 2:14-21 ... Last Days ... Holy Spirit ... Prophecy

1. Read Acts 9: 1-19. How does Saul's encounter with Jesus demonstrate God'sgrace?2. Have you ever experienced a moment in your life where God's grace completelychanged your direction?3. Saul went from being a persecutor of Christians to one of the greatest apostles.What does this say about the power of God's grace?4. How does Paul's transformation challenge the way we view people who seem"too far gone" for God to reach?5. Paul's first response after his conversion was to be baptized and begin preaching.How do we respond when we experience God's grace in our own lives?6. What are some practical ways we can live as transformed people, just as Pauldid?7. Ananias played a crucial role in welcoming Saul and helping him take his firststeps as a believer. Who has been an “Ananias” in your life - someone whoencouraged you in faith?8. How can we be like Ananias to others who are new to faith or struggling in theirspiritual journey?9. Sometimes we struggle to accept God's grace for our own past mistakes. Whatdoes Paul's story teach us about releasing guilt and walking in grace?10. Who in your life do you need to extend grace to, just as God extended grace toPaul?11. Read 1 Timothy 1: 12-16, where Paul reflects on God's grace in his life. Howdoes this passage encourage you in your own walk with God?12. Identify an area in your life where God has transformed you over time. How canyou share that testimony with someone this week?13. Read Romans 12: 1-2. How does grace lead to a renewed mind and atransformed life?Prayer for the Week:Gracious and Mighty God,Thank You for the transforming power of Your grace. Just as You met Saul on theroad to Damascus, meet us in the places where we need Your mercy and grace.Open our eyes to see You more clearly, soften our hearts to receive Your love, andstrengthen our steps to follow where You lead.Help us to trust that no one is beyond Your reach, including ourselves. Fill us withthe same boldness and passion that You gave Paul, that we may share Your gracewith the world. Use us this week to be a light, an encourager, and a witness to thelife-changing power of Jesus.In Jesus' name we pray,Amen.

READ: Acts 4:29-31   MEDITATE: You've spent three weeks seeking God, intentionally giving up things, and trying to get in the flow of what He is doing. God gave Ezekiel a vision of experiencing Him deeper and deeper. While people have different levels of experience with the Lord, He wants to do miracles and healings, and to bring the dead things back to life. Do you want to experience that too?   PRAY: Lord, I thank you for how you have revealed more of yourself to me. I ask for you to reveal more of yourself to others through miracles, healings, revival, and more. I ask you to bring dead things back to life and do things in my life that are bigger than myself. May your presence flow through me so that I may impact others for your kingdom.   Need prayer? Submit a prayer request online: https://mountparannorth.com/prayer-request/   21 Days of Prayer & Fasting website: https://mountparannorth.com/21-day-prayer-fast/   Contributors: Bernadette Hafner Moore, Pastoral Care Director & Sara Westover, Multimedia Coordinator

READ: Acts 12:1-17   MEDITATE: God does miraculous things when His people (His church) are united in prayer. What is something that you can pray for that would benefit the “church” as a whole? Ask God for that. Also, ask God to show you ways He is moving through North and how you can be a part of it as well.   PRAY: From setting Peter free from prison to the beginning of the Great Awakening, throughout history you have responded to your people's united prayers. Awaken my soul to what you are doing in and through Mount Paran North. Help me to pray and serve as part of the larger body of Christ.   Need prayer? Submit a prayer request online: https://mountparannorth.com/prayer-request/   21 Days of Prayer & Fasting website: https://mountparannorth.com/21-day-prayer-fast/   Contributors: Jason Duncan, Experiences Pastor & Mark Rasey, North Kids Pastor

Acts 11 - Speaker: Josh MacAvoy - As the early church grew in number and spread to new cities, there was an opportunity for great rejoicing but also great criticism. People who used to never interact, had generational hatred and deep suspicion towards each other are joining the same faith. Now they are being called to worship and work together. And this fertile soil for gospel growth is also a space for potential criticism, isolation and suspicion. But if criticism and factions are allowed to grow in the fledgling church, it will have a disastrous effect. Disunity amongst believers will get in the way of God's great rescue plan and His mission to make one new people of faith. So, what is needed? Gospel Unity. And in Acts 11, we find the early church being called to that very thing. Through His Word and by His Spirit, God is calling His people to hold tightly to the Gospel and not anything else. Read Acts 11 in preparation for our time together tomorrow.

In this introductory sermon for this series, Mark shares how the letter we call Philippians came to be, explores a favorite verse for many, and considers a powerful prayer. Philippians 1:1-11 thevineaustin.org/philippians Discussion Questions: 1. How was your experience with the reading plan so far this week? 2. Read Acts 16:13-15 and Paul's first notable experience at Philippi. What do you notice about this moment and how the church in Philippi began? 3. Read verses 1:1-6. What does "partnership in the Gospel" mean to you? 4. Paul shares God's obstinate loyalty - the good work that was began will come into fruition. What is this "good work” that God will see till the end? 5. Consider the prayer of 1:9-11. Consider the structure of this prayer and share what you notice. In particular, what does a deep abiding love produce? 6. Is there anything from the sermon that was encouraging, confusing, or has stayed with you?

Today's Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) Read Acts 7:1-60 about the martyrdom of Saint Stephen https://lifeteen.com/martyrdom-st-stephen-perfect-reminder-jesus-came/

Dave Myers discusses 2 Corinthians 6:18—“I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.”

ACTS 26:1-15 1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." So Pail motioned with his hand and began his defense: 2 "King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently. 4 The Jews all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that according to the strictest set of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee. 6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today. 7 This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. O king, it is because of this hope that the Jews are accusing me. 8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? 9 I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them. 12 On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' 15 Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied."  FROM THE LESSON The Herodian Dynasty - it lasted for four generations and was an opponent of Jesus and his movement all throughout the New Testament. It started with Herod the Great who had tried to destroy the infant Jesus. His son, Herod Antipas, was the one who had John the Baptist beheaded. His son, Herod Agrippa, was the one who had James put to death with the sword in Acts 12. His son, Herod Agrippa II, was the one who Paul stands before in Acts 26. Paul's Speech Before Agrippa II - it is Paul's last and longest speech in the book of Acts. It begins in verse 2 and lasts through verse 23. It is the third time the reader of Acts hears the story of Jesus' appearance to Paul on the road to Damascus. The other two times are in Acts 9 and in Acts 22. Conversion Story - "the language of conversion may be misleading because at no point did Paul waver in his belief that the God of Abraham was and is the true God, the one and only creator God. Paul didn't change Gods. And from his point of view, he didn't even change religions." (NT Wright) Hope of Israel - Paul preached that the hope of Israel has been fulfilled in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The resurrection fulfills Paul's hope in God in three ways: 1 Hope is rooted in resurrection promise. 2 Hope is renewed in resurrection praise. 3 Hope is realized in resurrection practice.  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1 How would you define hope? How is biblical hope different from the way hope is used in our everyday language?  2 Hope is rooted in resurrection promise. Read Acts 26:6. Discuss what it means for our hope to be rooted in the promises of God. 3 Hope is renewed in resurrection praise. Can you remember a time when your hope was renewed through worship? Share the story with your group. 4 Hope is realized in resurrection practice. Can you remember a time when something that you desperately hoped for was actually realized? Share with your group. How did it make you feel? How did it affect the way you live? Because of the resurrection of Jesus, we have a realized hope. How does the resurrection of Jesus Christ transform the way we hope?

There are many steps we take in the Christian life—some that move us forward, some that move us backward. Church is one of those things that moves us ahead. Yet, some of us still refuse to make it a priority. Pastor Jonathan Laurie helps us see church from a biblical view and why that step into church matters so much… Notes: Focus verses: Acts 2, Romans 12 Read: Acts 2:42–47 Church is not all about you. Church is all about God and His glory. Psalm 103:1–5 Hebrews 10:24–25 The church exists for the upward glorification of God, the inward edification of the saints, and for the outward evangelization of the world. Matthew 16:18 “Church is a new society called out from society at large to be God's people.” –Skip Heitzig Read: Romans 12:3–12 1 Corinthians 12:22–25 Take the “Where to Serve” quiz at harvest.church/where-to-serve-quiz God chooses to work through the church to change the world. --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just Fishing, 4 of 4 from September 22nd, 2024 “We grow personally as we invest in Jesus' family mission.” Acts 2, Ephesians 4 by Michael Lockstampfor (@miklocks) SUMMARY This sermon explores how personal growth in faith is intrinsically linked to investing in Jesus' family mission. It emphasizes the importance of community in the Christian journey, highlighting that while faith is personal, it was never meant to be private. The sermon draws parallels between the early church's practices and the call for modern believers to actively participate in ministry, equipping one another for God's work. REFLECTION & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

- Share a brief story about a time of waiting, wishing or wanting when you were a kid, and what you learned. Read Acts 3:1-10 as a group. - How does Peter's response to the beggar's request challenge our understanding of what it means to give and receive from God? Read Acts 4:10-12 as a group. - How does recognizing Jesus as the only path to salvation impact your view of people with other faiths or beliefs? - How do we sometimes approach salvation with a mindset of "playing our cards right" to receive rest and enjoyment in the end? How does that align or differ from the biblical view of salvation? Read John 10:9. - Jesus describes Himself as the gate. What do you think it means to enter through Jesus as "the gate"? - How does the image of a gate help you better understand salvation, security, and access to God?

Read Exodus 20: 1-17 (today's focus is v. 16).1. What do you think of when you hear the word “lie”? What does“lying” mean to you?2. Why is it is so important to always tell the truth? What can happenif we don't tell the truth?3. Commandment #9 refers to “false testimony” or “false witness,”depending on the translation. What do these terms mean? Dothey expand your understanding of why lying is so dangerous?If so, how?4. Read Proverbs 12: 22. What does this verse teach us about ourrelationship with God?5. You've probably heard the phrase, “Truth hurts.” What does thisphrase mean? If the truth hurts, why are we supposed to tell it?What happens if we lie in an attempt to avoid the hurt?6. Read Ephesians 4: 25. What does this teach us about our lifetogether in community? What can happen when we don't followthis advice?7. What are some ways lying can hurt the person telling the lie? Howcan it hurt others?8. What did you think about the lyrics to Matthew West's song, “TruthBe Told”? Have you ever told those lies? How might life be betterif you didn't?9. Read John 8: 32. How does the truth set you free?10. Read Acts 1: 8. How does this verse add new meaning andimportance to the term “false witness”?Prayer for the Week:Almighty God, we confess that the 9th Commandment is more difficultthan we originally thought. Forgive us for all of the ways, big and small,intentionally and inadvertently, that we bear false witness to ourneighbors. Help us to truly put off all falsehood and speak truthfully toour neighbors. Even when it's hard, and even when we're scared, helpus to stand up and let the truth be told. And in so doing, may we allexperience the peace and freedom of your truth. We pray all of thisin the name of the One who makes it all possible, our Risen Lord andSavior, Jesus the Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the HolySpirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.

·      We need to prepare for what is next.  ·      Reach, Next, and Own.  ·       6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” ·      “They faced a choice between narrow nationalism or Christ's universal Kingdom.” – Frank Stagg ·      7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.  ·      8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” ·      Isaiah 40:31: But those that wait upon the LORD will renew their strength.  They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk, and not grow faint.  ·      Those who charge ahead without the LORD will run out of strength.  They will flop like chickens, run like old people, and pass out before the finish line. ·     “Waiting reminds us what needs to be in in this world is beyond our ability… We must wait and pray for the power of the Spirit.” - Will Willimon ·     To help as many people as possible take their next step toward Jesus ·      “This will no longer be Alice Drive if this is not a place of grace.” ·       PIX: HELP   ·       Will you share your story?  ·       What's your story?  ·       PIX – 3 circles. ·       We can't fix our own brokenness.  ·       What is God doing in your life right now? ·       Pray for power.  ·      Commit to being a church that reaches out to as many as possible.  ·       Pray for a chance to share your story.  ·       Heavenly Father, I am a sinner.  Please forgive all my sins.  I open my heart to you and now I will follow Jesus forever.  LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Starter Question: In your opinion, what makes ADBC a special place?  1.      Read Acts 1:6 2.     Why do you think so many Christians hunger for political power?  3.     Read Acts 1:7 4.     Jesus says there is part of God's plan we are not to know. Why is so hard for us to deal with not knowing? 5.      Read Acts 1:8 6.      In your words, describe a church without power?  Please describe a Jesus follower without power. 7.      In your experience, what is the best way to wait on God? 8.     To be a witness is to share your story.  Please share one way God worked in your life recently. 9.     Pastor Clay used the 3 circles tool to share the basic message of the gospel.  Can you partner with someone and walk through this tool with them?  Then have them share back.  This will help you become comfortable with this tool.

Acts 21:37-22:11 37 As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, "May I say something to you?" "Do you speak Greek?" he replied. 38 "Aren't you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the desert some time ago?" 39 Paul answered, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people." 40 Having received the commander's permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic: 1 Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense." 2 When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet. Then Paul said: 3 "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of your are today. 4 I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, 5 as also the high priest and all the Council can testify. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished. 6 "About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, 'Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?' 8 " 'Who are you, Lord?' I asked. " 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,' he replied. 9 My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me. 10 " 'What shall I do, Lord?' I asked. " 'Get up,' the Lord said, 'and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.' 11 My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me. (NIV 84) FROM THE LESSON Dagger men - the word translated "terrorists" or "assassins" in Acts 21:38 is literally the word for "dagger." This was a group of violent Jewish revolutionaries who received their name from their practice of carrying daggers under their cloaks. They were trained to stab someone to death and then slip away unnoticed. Not the right time - stop letting circumstances determine the right time and instead start trusting the Lord to make the time right.    The content of Paul's witness - there are two parts in this text. 1 Verses 1-11 - Paul is a witness to His experience of Jesus Christ 2 Verses 12-21 - Paul is a witness to His obedience to Jesus Christ 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 - “The god of this age – that is Satan – has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as the risen Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For it is God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness” and God made his light shine into our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1 Icebreaker - have you ever been told that you have a doppelgänger? Have you ever been mistaken for someone else? Share an example or a story with your group. 2 If you had to rate on a scale of 1-10, your willingness to be a witness, how would you rate yourself? Discuss your answer with the group. Stop and pray for the Lord to give us the willingness to witness. 3 Before you share your experience, you must first connect with your audience. Read Acts 22:1-5 and make note of all the ways Paul connects with his audience. Where do you already have a connection with your audience? List out people in your life who do not know Jesus who you already have a connection.  4 How would you describe your conversion experience? Try to put it into your own words. How would you answer these questions: How have you encountered the glory of Jesus Christ? How have you experienced the grace of the risen Lord Jesus? 

Read Acts 1:1-8 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+1%3A1-8&version=ESV Check out our website: faithcommunityma.com/

Introduction: A Worthy Life (Philippians 1:27-29): Stand firm in Unity . (Phil 1:27) Phil 2:3-4 - Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have no Fear . (Phil 1:28) Isaiah 41:10 - Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Phil 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus. Receive the Gift of Suffering. (Phil 1:29) Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Small Group DiscussionRead Phil 1:27-29What was your big take-away from this passage / message?We're called to strive in unity with fellow believers. Read Philippians 2:3-4. In light of this verse, what specifically is keeping you from striving in unity with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? What can you do, or what do you need to change over the next month to improve in this area? Be specific.We've all experienced fear, but let's encourage one another on this one. Share a time in your life when you experienced the emotion of fear, but you trusted God and saw Him deliver you from your fears. How did you do this, and what was the result?Read Acts 5:41. Have you accepted your free gift of suffering and rejoiced that you have been counted worthy to suffer for his name? Or are you rejecting the gift and replacing the rejoicing with anger, frustration, and desperation. Be honest. Be specific.BreakoutTake time to lift each member of your group up in prayer specifically about what they've shared this evening.

Mike deeps dive into Acts 3 when Peter and John heal a man who was lame for 40 years. Read Acts 3:1-11 1. Legacy invitations are often encountered during the daily rhythms of life. 2. Legacy invitations require a willingness to participate. 3. Don't let a lack of resources keep you from: a. Asking. b. Being available. c. Engaging people. d. Offering something. http://www.palmharvest.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hellopastormike/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hellopastormike/support

It's Pentecost Sunday.  What does this mean for you?  Join Pastor Robert and Donna Schuller in this Sunday morning message and learn to embrace fearless faith.   Read Acts 2.#pentecostSunday, #Besaved, #JesusSaves, #holyspirit, #fearlessfaith

If it were only us in an open space with the anointing of Jesus and the charge to change the world, where would we begin? This was a picture of the early church. As we conclude our series on Practicing the Way of Christ, we will dive into what it means to Gather and then scatter like the church did in Acts 8. Our community needs more of us to carry the light of Jesus to them. God is just getting started!Group Life Questions1. If it were just your group in an open space with the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the charge to go change the world, where would you begin?2. Read Acts 8:1-3. What was the persecution they were facing and how did God use that to help take the message to other places?  3. What is the purpose of our gathering on Sunday mornings? Make a list and discuss.4. Questions to end your time together: How often do we pray in our gathering time for opportunities in our scattering? Am I a multiplier for Christ? If so, how? What can I do to bring heaven to earth in my Jerusalem?  5. End your time in prayer for one another and for more opportunities to share Jesus with others.  

Which of these groups of infamous friends has the strongest friendship? Why? Batman and Robin? (DC Comics) Buzz Light Year and Woody? (Toy Story) Scooby-Doo and Shaggy?  Share about a time that someone was particularly encouraging to you. How did it impact you?  Read Acts 9:26-27. What role did Barnabas play when Saul (turned Paul) tried to join the disciples in Jerusalem? Why do you think Barnabas decided to support Saul despite the fears of the other disciples?  How might we fight our tendency to want to support and agree with our friends in moments that they may need us to share a harder truth for their benefit?  What is the line between “just saying it like it is” and speaking truth in love?  How might benefit from an encouraging word or time with you in the near future? Reach out and make it happen!

Read Acts 2: 1-6.1. Verse 6 tells us that “there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearingJews from every nation under heaven.” Why were all of these peoplein Jerusalem at that time?2. According to verse 1, Jesus' closest followers were “all together in oneplace.” What were they doing? Why were they there? Why did Jesustell them to wait there? (see Acts 1: 4-5)3. Why do you think the Holy Spirit is often described as wind? How canyou tell when the wind is blowing in nature?4. Can you think of some things in nature that have been affected /shaped by wind? How does Holy Spirit affect / shape our lives?5. How have you experienced the power of wind? What's it like goingagainst the wind versus going with the wind? What does that tell usabout our alignment with the Holy Spirit?6. What were the followers of Jesus enabled to do when the tongues offire came to rest on each of them?7. Why do you think they were like tongues of “fire”? (Hint: purificationand urgency)8. In what ways can this Pentecost event be understood as “reversingthe curse” of Babel?9. Why do we often refer to Pentecost as the birthday of the church?Prayer for the Week:God we love you so much and we want to be your Pentecost people.Send the wind of your Holy Spirit to blow powerfully in this place and setour hearts on fire for you. Grant us the wisdom to discern where you areleading us and give us the courage to follow you there. Speak to ourhearts in ways we can understand and help us to share the Good Newswith others in ways they can understand. Help us to fan the flames offaith of every person. Whatever our station in life, Lord, draw us closer toyou and use us in ways that help others to do the same. Transform eachof us more and more into Christ's likeness. Help each and every one of usbe fully submitted and committed disciples of Jesus, going out into theworld to make new disciples and transform the world, that we might bea blessing to all peoples of the earth. We pray this in the name of Jesus,through the power of the Holy Spirit, to your great glory Almighty God,now and forever. Amen.

1. Legacy mom's parent in community. • Read Luke 1:26-56 • Read Luke 2:21-38 • Read uke 2:41-44 2. Legacy mom's empower their child in community. • Read John 2:1-12 3. Legacy mom's offer support in community. • Read John 19:16-27 4. Legacy mom's pray anticipatorily in community. • Read Acts 1:14 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hellopastormike/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hellopastormike/support

Meet Holy Spirit, your ever-present Helper, all-powerful Advocate, and faithful  Counselor.As believers we have unending access to the inexhaustible power of Holy Spirit  dwelling in us. In this series we'll unpack the person and work of Holy Spirit, and how we can  yield to a power that lifts us beyond the stratosphere of our faith. QUESTIONS FOR THE ROAD:In your own words, how is Holy Spirit being in us better than having Jesus on earth with us?In what ways are you living a Spirit-less life currently? What are some areas of your life that you are relying more on your strength rather than the power of the Holy Spirit?Read Acts 19:1-2 and 7:51. Pray and ask God to help you become more aware of the Holy Spirit in your life and to not resist His direction.

This is part 12 of the Read the Bible For Yourself. Acts is an action-packed book full of excitement and wonder. We learn about the early expansion of the Church from a small group of ragged Christ-followers to dozens of house churches throughout major cities in the Mediterranean world. How did Christianity "go public"? The book of Acts tells that story. In this episode you'll learn four major emphases in Acts as well as how to think through application for us today. Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TIzpc3mfOg&list=PLN9jFDsS3QV2TrdUEDtAipF3jy4qYspM_&index=12&pp=iAQB —— Links —— For more about Family Camp visit LHIM Check out the UCA conferences for USA, UK, and NZ here See other episodes in Read the Bible For Yourself Other classes are available here, including How We Got the Bible, which explores the manuscript transmission and translation of the Bible Get the transcript of this episode Support Restitutio by donating here Join our Restitutio Facebook Group and follow Sean Finnegan on Twitter @RestitutioSF Leave a voice message via SpeakPipe with questions or comments and we may play them out on the air Intro music: Good Vibes by MBB Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) Free Download / Stream: Music promoted by Audio Library. Who is Sean Finnegan?  Read his bio here —— Notes —— Luke wrote Acts. Acts 1:1-2 Acts is the second volume. Luke is about the life of Christ. Acts is about the early expansion of the church. Major events of Acts 1:1-11  Jesus commissions and ascends. 1:12-27 Peter initiates replacing Judas. 2:1-47 Spirit is poured out, and Peter preaches. 3:1-26 Peter heals lame man and preaches. 4:1-6:7  Communal living in Jerusalem 6:8-7:60  Stephen's martyrdom 8:1-40  Philip's expansion to Samaria, Ethiopia 9:1-31  Paul's conversion, expansion to Damascus 9:32-9:43  Peter's mission to Lydda and Joppa 10:1-11:18 Peter converts Cornelius in Caesarea. 11:19-30 Barnabas brings Paul to Antioch. 12:1-24 Peter's arrest and miraculous escape 12:25-16:5 Paul's 1st missionary journey 16:6-19:20 Paul's 2nd missionary journey 19:21-21:17 Paul's 3rd missionary journey 21:18-28:31 Paul's arrest and trip to Rome Organization of the book The first half is about Peter (1-12). The second half is about Paul (13-28). Acts 1:8 outlines the book: they expanded from Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria to the ends of the earth. Leading and experience of God's spirit Baptized with the spirit, filled with the spirit, pour out the spirit, receive the spirit, spirit fell upon: 1:5, 8; 2:4, 17; 4:31; 8:17; 9:17; 10:44-45; 11:15-16; 13:52 Speaking in tongues; prophecy: 2:4, 17-18; 10:46; 11:28; 19:6; 20:22-23; 27:21-22 Exorcisms: 5:16; 8:7; 16:18; 19:12-16 Healing and miracles: 3:6-7; 5:12, 15-16; 8:39; 9:17-18, 34-35; 12:7-10; 13:11; 14:10; 19:11; 20:9-10; 28:3-6, 8-9 Supernatural direction: 1:16, 26; 8:26, 29; 9:10-16; 13:2; 15:28; 16:7; 18:9-10; 20:28; 21:11; 23:11; 27:23-24 Rapid expansion through conversion Convert 3,000 on day of Pentecost (2:41) 5,000 after healing lame man at the temple (4:4) Conversions of whole towns: Samaria (8), Lydda, and Joppa (9) Conversions of key people: Ethiopian treasurer (8); Paul of Tarsus (9); Cornelius the centurion (10); Sergius Paulus, proconsul of Cyprus, (13); Lydia, a wealthy Philippian merchant, (16); Crispus, a synagogue leader in Corinth, (18); Publius of Malta (28) Perseverance through persecution Sadducees arrest Peter and John (4). Sadducees arrest apostles (5). A mob stones Stephen (7). Paul leads persecution in Jerusalem (8). King Herod executes James (12). King Herod imprisons Peter (12). Jewish leaders expel Paul and Barnabas from Pisidian Antioch (13). Jewish leaders stone Paul at Lystra (14). City magistrates arrest Paul and Silas at Philippi (16). Jewish mob attacks Jason at Thessalonica (17). Jewish leaders accuse Paul before Proconsul Gallio at Corinth (18). Demetrius instigates riot against Paul at Ephesus (19). Jewish mob attacks Paul at Jerusalem (21). Plot of Jewish leaders to murder Paul (23) Paul's trial before Felix (24) Paul's trial before Festus (25) Paul's defense before King Agrippa (26) Paul's shipwreck (27) Paul's house arrest at Rome (28) Respectful of Roman authorities Paul is respectful to his arresting officer, Claudius, (21:33, 37-40). He asserts his Roman citizenship (22:24-29). He cordially converses with Felix, Roman governor of Judea, (24). Paul appeals to have a trial before Caesar in Rome b/c he's afraid he won't get a fair hearing in Judea. Paul interacts respectfully with Festus and King Agrippa. King Agrippa says Paul should've been set free (26:31-32). Paul complies on the whole journey while under arrest. Including the Gentiles Originally, Christianity was 100% Jewish. Gentiles (non-Jews) began believing in Jesus, and God demonstrated his acceptance through his spirit (see Acts 10:44-45). Both Peter and Paul preached to Gentiles and accepted them as part of God's family. After a disagreement broke out over the Gentiles (Acts 15:1-2), the disciples decided Gentiles could be part of the church without keeping the law. Acts is the historical spine of the NT Acts tells you about how Christianity came to many places mentioned in other parts of the NT. On Paul's second missionary journey, he visited Galatia, Philippi, Thessalonica, Corinth, and Ephesus. These are all places to which he wrote Epistles. Prescriptive vs. descriptive Does Acts prescribe how we should live or describe what they did? Acts 2:44-46 talks about sharing all our possessions. Is this normative for all Christians for all time? Fee & Stuart: “Unless Scripture explicitly tells us we must do something, what is only narrated or described does not function in a normative (i.e. obligatory) way—unless it can be demonstrated on other grounds that the author intended it to function in this way.”[1] Review Acts is a history of the church that Luke wrote to follow his biography of Christ. Acts describes the spread of Christianity from Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria to the ends of the earth (i.e. the Mediterranean world). In Acts, Luke is interested in the activity of God's spirit, missionary activity resulting in conversions, and how Christians are respectful to Roman authorities. The inclusion of Gentiles into the early Christian movement caused a significant controversy, resulting in the decision that they did not need to keep the law. Acts provides the historical backbone into which fit many of the Epistles of the NT. Luke tells of Paul's three missionary journeys, as well as his final treacherous journey to Rome under arrest. Although Acts shows us what is possible as we walk with God, it does not prescribe that Christians today must do everything the way they did it (descriptive not prescriptive). [1] Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2014), 124.

RATE! REVIEW! SUBSCRIBE! Email me your thoughts, comments or questions at caniberealpodcast@gmail.com ○ Romans 9 & 10 ○ Lesson 7: "God's Plan" ○ Read Romans 9 & 10 § God's plan has been laid out from the very beginning! § I am going to share God's plan from different passages in scripture, but the point is the same! □ Read John 3: 16-21 □ Read Acts 2: 22-41 □ Read Ephesians 3: 6-12 □ Read Hebrews 10:10 (The Point) ® "For God's will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time." § God's plan was always for us to be reconciled back to him, for us to be back in right standing and relationship with him, as it was in the beginning in the Garden of Eden. That's it, that's the point! So what are you going to do? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rachel398/message

Suffering Brings Fruit David Eells– 4/21/24 (audio) We must suffer the loss of our old life to bear the fruit of Jesus.  We must take up our cross daily to suffer the death of the flesh in obedience to the Word. Patiently enduring our cross brings quick results. Many have been going through suffering and the Church is about to go through great suffering. We all need to learn how to handle suffering the right way, because it's one of God's greatest tools for bringing about the righteousness of Christ in us. As disciples of Christ, we learn from the examples we have from Him and His apostles and many Christians throughout history.   We are told in 1Pe 2:18 Servants, [be] in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward (“unreasonable”). 19 For this is acceptable (Greek: “grace”), if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully. It's okay with God, and should be with us, to endure grief and suffering, even wrongfully, as it was with Jesus. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted [for it,] ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it,] ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable (“grace”) with God. 21 For hereunto were ye called (We are called to suffer for doing right): because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps:   22 who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously. He left it all in the hands of His Father. When we're suffering, that's when our lowest instincts – all sorts of pride, rebellion and anger – come up in our mind, especially when we're suffering at the hands of another who we think should know better. But God brings us through suffering because of the lusts of our own flesh. For example, Christ, suffered for doing good and we are going to suffer for doing good, too. 1Pe 3:14 But even if ye should suffer for righteousness' sake, blessed [are ye:] and fear not their fear, neither be troubled; 15 but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord … So we get blessed by Father for suffering wrongfully.  Our first temptation when we suffer at the hands of a person or circumstance is to not make “Christ as Lord” in our heart; instead, it's every other fleshly desire that comes to mind. Jesus “committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously” when He was suffering. In other words, He wasn't taking thought of vengeance or falling into the mind of the flesh; He was leaving it up to God and He tells you the same thing: “sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord.” 1Pe 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind. Consider it your privilege and Christian duty to suffer in the flesh as Jesus did.  Do we have a mind like that? The fleshly mind is to run from any kind of suffering, to avoid at all cost the thing that we need the most. Christians in the United States, especially, need suffering because God wills it and people need to be delivered from their selfish interests and self-centeredness. 1Pe 4:1 … for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin … When our flesh is suffering, it's because it's not getting its way. When the flesh isn't getting its way, we're not sinning. It's so simple. We're called to suffer in the flesh and we need to know that suffering is our most precious friend. 1Pe 4:2 That ye no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. We need suffering so we can live the rest of your life as a servant of Jesus Christ, free from the bondage of the flesh.   How do you know suffering is from the Lord? When you understand God's purposes in suffering, it makes it a lot easier for you to endure because you see the good purposes behind it. We are no longer deceived by Satan into wrestling with flesh and blood, or into blaming, or anger. 1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you … The problem is that we see it as strange; we think that there is something not quite right about suffering but we need to change our mind. We need to have the mind that is in Christ and we need to expect that we're going to suffer for the name of Christ so that His name, His nature, can be manifested in us to prove, perfect and purify us.   1Pe 4:12 … as though a strange thing happened unto you: 13 but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy. If we can manage to rejoice in the midst of suffering, it will make it a lot easier. The Bible commands us to rejoice in our suffering. Rom 5:3 … We also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness (perseverance); 4 and stedfastness, approvedness (character); and approvedness, hope. Suffering is all about bringing about the revelation and manifestation of the glory of God in us.   It goes on to say, 1Pe 4:14 If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed [are ye]. 19 Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator. Why does it say “Creator”? Basically you're like the clay in the Creator's hands when you do this. It says “Creator” for a purpose because that's how God creates in us the righteousness of Christ.   You know, suffering can be wasted. In the midst of suffering or a trial, you need to commit your soul in “well-doing,” in doing what is right in the midst of that trial. The suffering is coming upon you for a reason to prove you and to bring about the righteousness of Christ in you. Don't waste suffering because you don't want to have to go through it again like the Israelites who had to go back through the wilderness because they didn't pass the test. You need to make it useful by committing your soul in well-doing in the midst of it. We can't stop the suffering but we can do what's right in the middle of it.   1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 whom withstand stedfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world. The world suffers from the same things that we suffer from, but here's the difference: 10 And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself perfect, establish, strengthen you. God has promised that through suffering, He will perfect you.   If you look on suffering as God's method of perfecting you, that makes it much easier to endure the suffering and it also makes you not so willing to run away from it. The thing that we need the most is the thing that we seek to run away from or avoid the most. If you have a mind to please the Lord in the midst of suffering, if you have a mind to live Godly, first of all, you are going to suffer. 2Ti 3:12 … All that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Those who desire to live godly are going to suffer and persecution is only one area of that suffering, but you can't avoid it. Suffering is God's method of deliverance and of setting us free.  There's all kinds of suffering because there's all kinds of flesh that needs to be brought forth. Don't waste the suffering that you go through on self-pity, animosity, anger and, especially, don't waste the suffering that you go through on rebellion. The first rebellion that you have when you go through suffering is you want to run from it. Jesus didn't do that. When Jesus was going to the Cross, He said in (Luk 22:42), Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me. What “cup” was that? It was the “cup” of suffering. Jesus wasn't going to take it away or run from it and, finally, He came to the revelation that it wasn't God's Will to take it away. So He went through it patiently. He didn't stand up for Himself.  He stood up for the people. He stood against the Pharisees. He stood up for the truth they were trying to destroy. They defamed him to try to destroy the credibility of that truth. 1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously. That's suffering that was not wasted. Suffering that's wasted is if you get in the flesh in the midst of it because then it will just come around again. Jesus didn't waste suffering; all of it was useful and that's what we want. We want all the suffering that we're going through and that we're going to go through, to be useful and to have the right effect in our lives.   You need to stop and think. Php 2:5 Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. When you're suffering in the flesh, you're ceasing from sin. 1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. You get a cleansing either way. If you're humble enough to confess your sins, He is faithful enough to cleanse you of all unrighteousness, so have faith that you're going to get your cleansing. You cannot waste suffering in depression and self-pity, if you're rejoicing. You can't do both at the same time and that's why He commands you to rejoice in the midst of suffering. If you realize what suffering is for, then you can give thanks because it is for your perfecting.   Even Jesus became perfect through the things that He suffered. 1Jn 3:16 Hereby know we love (agape), because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. Now this speaks of laying down our old life, which is the lusts of the flesh, anger, rebellion; this is agape love. Agape lays down the flesh life; agape is the opposite of the flesh life.  We become perfect, which is obeying the Word and learning to agape, through suffering. Agape comes from the inner nature of the spiritual man and it is conquering the carnal man; it is giving up your life according to 1 John 3:16. Suffering brings about this agape love, which is the nature and way of God's Kingdom. If that is God and what we are looking for is godliness, then we can't help but be as an end result, agape.   In fact, you'll know that love is nothing less than obedience. “If you love me you will keep my commandments.” It's not mushy feelings; it's just obedience. When Paul described agape to you 1 Corinthians 13, he said that it's more important than speaking in tongues, more important than knowledge, more important than faith. In fact, he said that if you had these things but didn't have love, you were nothing. The end result of everything that God wants to do in you is agape. 1Co 13:13 But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three: and the greatest of these is love. Notice, the thing that is going to get you into God's Kingdom is love because the King is Love.   Paul said you can make the greatest sacrifice but if you don't have love, there is no profit. 3 And if I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor,] and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing. Paul says that “love suffereth long.” How do you get longsuffering? You get longsuffering by going through a lot of suffering with people and circumstances; otherwise, you aren't going to get it. 1Co 13:4 Love suffereth long, [and] is kind; love envieth not (because self is the opposite of agape); love vaunteth not itself (not self-centered or egotistical), is not puffed up, 5 doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked …   Do you know how not to get provoked? You can get hardened to being provoked by having an opportunity over and over again to be provoked. You suffer with it so long that you give up. By this repetitive thing that comes against us, we can become hardened to our bad reaction to it. All we have to do is desire to please the Lord and see Jesus in the mirror because He exchanged His life for yours and you will overcome. It is not always overnight like you want, but eventually, if you desire to please the Lord in suffering, you will because suffering has that kind of work on you. That's why nobody is going to escape suffering.  I know people may still have questions about their suffering, but it is necessary, and our actions can determine how and when they end. Suffering is also for the purpose of bringing an end of sin so we can live to the Will of God. 1Pe 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 that ye no longer should live the rest of your time in flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. Suffering “in the flesh” here is not necessarily in your body but in the carnal nature, the old man. We are partakers of Christ's sufferings to be proven and to manifest His glory.   12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you: 13 but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy. Christ's sufferings brought Him to obedience and perfection, and they will bring us there, also. Heb.5:8 Though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation.   Suffering comes in order that our Creator may finish His new creation work in each of us. 1Pe 4:19 Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator. We must cooperate with God in this process in committing our souls to Him. We will suffer in order to be perfected, established and strengthened. 1Pe 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself perfect, establish, strengthen you. Notice suffering has an end.   Walking by faith and patience in suffering will cause us to be counted worthy. Also, we need to keep in mind that this suffering is only a token of what we deserve. 2Th 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which ye endure; 5 [which is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God; to the end that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer.   Scripture tells us that all of God's true children will suffer chastening. What is chastening? Chastening is suffering evils and calamities in order to reveal sin and motivate us to serve God. It manifests the fruit of righteousness and causes us to be partakers of holiness. Suffering is necessary if we want to come into sonship. Heb 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which reasoneth with you as with sons, My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, Nor faint when thou art reproved of him; 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 It is for chastening that ye endure; God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is there whom [his] father chasteneth not?   8 But if ye are without chastening, whereof all have been made partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened [us] as seemed good to them; but he for [our] profit, that [we] may be partakers of his holiness. 11 All chastening seemeth for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yieldeth peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, [even the fruit] of righteousness.   Our attitude in physical suffering should be that Jesus bore our curse on Himself and therefore we are delivered. Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus … The curse here covers all of the curse of the Law mentioned in Deuteronomy 28, which is everything detrimental that came upon man for his sins. If a person in the midst of chastening does not believe that Jesus took away the curse, he will not be delivered in many cases but, instead, suffers from an evil heart of unbelief. Our flesh goes through a suffering as we endure to the end of the trial of faith, to see the manifestation of the healing or deliverance we are believing for. Some get delivered through another's faith – one who has responsibility for them, as with Jairus, the Centurion, the Syrophoenician woman, mom or dad, etc.)   Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God: 14 for we are become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end. 1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. Jas.5:13 Is any among you suffering? let him pray. Is any cheerful? let him sing praise. 14 Is any among you sick? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 and the prayer of faith shall save him that is sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, it shall be forgiven him.   Abraham and Sarah were under a curse of barrenness many years until they believed God's promise. This faith justified, in other words, reckoned or accounted them righteous, and gave them access to grace to be delivered. Rom 4:21 … And being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 Wherefore also it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. 5:1 Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; 2 through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand …   Abraham received grace to be delivered from this Deuteronomy 28 curse because he believed. We are told that we must agree only with the Word of God when we are under judgment in order to be justified and to prevail. Rom 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be found true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy words, And mightest prevail when thou comest into judgment. “Prevail” as used here means to come through the chastening victoriously and be delivered from it.   Let's look at Mat 16:21-27 From that time began Jesus to show unto his disciples, that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up. Jesus was willing to suffer at the hands of these wicked men and even lose His life to do the will of the Father. We too must suffer to lose our carnal life to please the Father. 22 And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall never be unto thee. (And there's your prosperity gospel. It's something we all have to get rid of, and Peter had to get rid of it. He understood suffering before it was over. And we have to understand it too, so we can cooperate with God and thank Him in the midst of it.) 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art a stumbling-block unto me: for thou mindest not the things of God, but the things of men. (Whenever anybody wants to escape the suffering of the death to self, this is where they're at.) 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. And that is to the painful death of “self”. Self is who you were before you knew God in His fullness, self is there and dying out as Christians who walk as disciples discover. It's not a sudden thing, it's a progressive thing. You have to make choices to give up the old life and accept the new life. And of course, you've got a lot of people around you that don't like that and don't want that and become angry with you because you don't follow with them anymore. 25 For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it. Life here is the word, psuchē (Greek) It means soul-life, which is synonymous with self-life.   Comparing this verse to one in Luke where Jesus is talking about us giving up our own self, you see that self is synonymous with the soulish life. Luk 9:25 For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose or forfeit his own self?   We have to give up our old soulish self-life. It is identified as the way that we've always been and done things. That person has to die in order to take on the life of Christ. The higher life is the born again soul life of Christ. Well, the devil wants us to grow in the self-life. To gain the things that promote the self-life, to run after the things, the idols, that promote the self-life. But we must go the other way to cooperate with God in the death of self. And this is painful to the old man. And he's out to gain the whole world even after he becomes a Christian. He has to have a renewed mind to understand that he needs to crucify the self-life.  Back to Mat 16:26 For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? or what shall a man give in exchange for his life? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then shall he render unto every man according to his deeds. So if we don't take up our cross and follow Jesus, we cannot be his disciple as He said. And this is suffering and painful, but it is the price we pay for bearing fruit unto eternal life. The world comes against us. Sometimes we may think God has forgotten us, or he's left us in the hands of the wicked or whatever. It takes these people to put us on our cross; a crucifixion of the old self life. Of course we can have as much of the new life of Christ as we want but we must expect this suffering. Let's look at Act 9:10-16 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said unto him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth; 12 and he hath seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much evil he did to thy saints at Jerusalem:   Well, as you can imagine, Ananias was fearful and questioning the Lord. He was about to put his life on the line here but he decided, the Lord knows best and He'll take care of all that and He did. He was willing to sacrifice his life in order to see the will of God done here. So he was questioning the Lord because Saul was a Pharisee of Pharisees and demanding the penalty of the Law on the Christians who had come to know Jesus. And the nature that Paul had was antichrist, although he was very religious. There are many very religious people out there that are antichrist, and they're quite willing to put you on your cross if you're devoted to the Lord and you're devoted to keeping His word even to the death of self.    Continuing in verse 14 and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake.  (So Paul was going to suffer the same thing as Ananias.) So here's a man that is a about to become a great man who reflects the life of Christ, but he had to give up everything. He considered it all dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, and he was willing to walk away from it all. He had prestige, he had the respect among his people. They, of course, turned on him when he turned to follow Christ and go down that road of bearing his cross, and it was painful. He went through many things. He mentioned them many times, but he was willing to do it for the great result that was coming in his life and for the sake of the elect.  Now look here in Rom 8:12 So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: 13 for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; Truly living after the flesh is very simply living the way you always lived to please self. Everybody who doesn't know Christ, even religious people who claim Christ, walk after the flesh. It's the natural thing to do. But Paul said it's the way of death. He's talking to brethren here when he says, but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.   When you walk after the Spirit, He will lead you to sonship. He is the Spirit of adoption. He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become a son at the last. We start out a child of God, but as we mature in our death to self, believing we have been given His life, we become sons.  Notice; he that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become a son at the last. First we are a servant who is a child. In a household there are servants but they are certainly not sons who have special privileges and authority over servants.. And that's exactly what he's talking about here in this teaching. 15 For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  So it's the Spirit that brings us to adoption, first spirit, soul and then body; the fullness, of course, is the new body. But He brings us to this adoption if we follow His Spirit, if we're led by the Spirit of God, we will manifest our sonship. In fact, we have our sonship by faith if we follow the Spirit, and that's how we're empowered by the Spirit to go and manifest sonship. 16 The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: (That's where you start out as children of God.) 17 and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; (and here's the condition) if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him.   We've talked about glorification many times and how it comes to us as we behold Jesus in the mirror and become transformed into that same image, which is a son of God. 2Co 3:18  But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.   When we accept the fact that we don't live anymore and Christ lives in us, the Spirit can begin to use that Gospel faith to empower us to grow to the place of sonship. He says, “if so be you suffer with him.” We're going to be joint heirs if we suffer with Him, as Jesus already said in Matthew 16, if you lose your life, you will gain your life.   And you can begin walking that way by faith as a baby in Christ. Every baby Christian should walk that way, denying self in order to obey the word of God. If you obey the word of God, you are bearing your cross because it is contrary to the natural life. If you use your reason that you've received from your natural parents, you'll follow the flesh and you will lose out. You have to drop your reasoning and take on the reasoning of Jesus Christ through the word of God. It doesn't make sense to your carnal man because he's contrary to God. The flesh is actually called the enemy of God. If you want this sonship that we're talking about, you're going to have to receive and be led by the Spirit of God. Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Read Acts to be filled with the Spirit the Biblical way. Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward. Notice: The sufferings are miniscule compared to the glory of sonship. Now I mean when we moan, we groan, we try to avoid suffering all we can and when you avoid suffering, guess what? You're avoiding the death of the old man and the resurrection life of the new man, Jesus Christ in you. You're not choosing to have more of Jesus.  Now there is suffering that we shouldn't glorify because if God says, by whose stripes you were healed and you think, ‘No, I'm going to suffer this infirmity because it will glorify God,' you're wrong because the Bible says by whose stripes you were healed. You're supposed to avail yourself of the healing of God and that's what gives glory to God as Jesus clearly showed. When you read all the wonderful stories of Jesus healing the sick, you glorify Him because He heals the sick. You don't glorify Him because He leaves them sick. And 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.   22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, (The adoption of sons. Yes, we are in this process of crucifixion of our self-life. You've already got a born again spirit so you're a child of God, but the old soul life, the old mind, will and emotions has to die in order that you have the renewed mind of Christ and sonship. And he goes on to say, to wit, the redemption of our body. Now that's the full manifestation of sonship is when you get the new body. In order to get the new body, you need to have the new soul. And this new soul is the mind, the will and the emotions of Christ, and will gain you a new body.   We've already talked about how that there are different bodies; star glory, moon glory and sun glory in the Kingdom, and we all would like to have sun glory, which is a body likened to His body. Not everybody will have that. Not everybody will have the same reward, contrary to popular opinion. 24 For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth? 25 But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. We're entering into this process, and even in the midst of this process, we don't see the end of our salvation. We see the beginning of it and you know Peter called it “the end of your salvation,” and that is the full manifestation of sonship. As long as we're on this earth, we're going to come into this manifestation in spirit and in soul and, to the extent that you have manifested Christ in your soul, you will have a body accordingly.  Now, how many things did the apostle Paul have to suffer in order to become a true representation of Christ? I mean, you can't give away something you don't have. He wasn't the great apostle in the beginning. He had to first learn these things and he learned them very quickly, and he became a great man because he did not refuse the suffering that the Lord sent his way. The suffering of the loss of self and religious life, etc.  Let's look at 1Co 4:9 For, I think, God hath set forth us the apostles last of all, as men doomed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, The more you look like Christ in what you do, say, walk the more the world will hate you and the more the religious world will hate you. As Jesus said, “if they hated me, they will hate you.' Because the natural mind is so contrary to the spiritual mind and the spiritual walk, you're a spectacle, because there are many critical people out there who've refused the way of the cross. They have become persecutors, even though they still call themselves Christians. This is the way, this is the pattern and so these people, of course, are going to criticize you. The more they go down that road, the more corrupt their mind becomes, and they begin to be competitive and to lie and to slander and to come against you.  This is the way it happened to every apostle and Jesus Himself and to all the prophets and all of the men that were men of God, they had to go through this. And so it is with us, you become a spectacle. Your lost friends and lost family look on you critically and you become a spectacle to the world and the worldly church. Now continuing for we are made a spectacle unto the world, both to angels and men. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, (Yes, if you're going to be a fool to them, follow Christ and count the cost, sonship is great. The suffering is nothing compared to the great glory that is to come as we've seen.) but ye are wise in Christ (Now he's correcting their worldly thinking in a very sarcastic way.); we are weak, but ye are strong; ye have glory (Well, if you have glory in the world, guess who's giving it to you?), but we have dishonor. In other words, if you're going to follow in the steps of Jesus, like the disciples, and the apostles did, you're going to have dishonor in the world and you can count on it.   11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place; Now, he's not saying that through faith you can't receive everything you need. My God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches and glory. He's has gone through the trial and the test. And many times you will go through the test too before you receive what you need and you want. It's not that God's going to let you go without if you walk by faith. 12 and we toil, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we entreat: Everyone who walks in the steps of Jesus is going to be defamed, just like He was, just like the prophets were, just like the apostles were. You can see who's doing the defaming and it's their job. These are the crucifiers, these are the Judases, these are the apostates. He goes on to say, we are made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things, even until now. And so you can see that even in our day, we're following in the steps of people like Paul and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. If you don't want to suffer, you are not going to be following Christ.  So now let's look at 2Co 4:7-18 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, (The treasure, of course, is that born again man, who is who is in the image of Jesus Christ. It's various sizes in various people because some are given over more or less to Christ. But the outer man's decaying while the inner man is being renewed day by day. We must give Christ room by the death of the old man because you only want one person to live in you and it's your spiritual man. The soul which is your mind will and emotions must be given over to your spirit by the power of the Holy Spirit. That's your spiritual man.) that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves; (What can you do of yourself that is not corrupted and fallen? What we want is the power of God because we are weak to bring about righteousness, purity, good works and so on. Therefore, we must depend upon a higher power which is God to give us this gift as we walk by faith.)  8 we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; (Yes, we must suffer these things and it's confusing sometimes, which is the spirit and which is the flesh and which one are we following. The confusion comes in that our soul is somewhat double minded because we're partially in, partially out, partially spiritual, partially carnal, and so it is perplexing. But if we have a desire to live for God, He knows it and He will empower us and give us faith. And He will bring it to pass. But we go through these things to make decisions. Every time you make a decision against the flesh and for the spirit, you're gaining Christ and every time you make a decision for the flesh and against the spirit, you're gaining more flesh.)  9 pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; 10 always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, (Jesus went to the cross and His flesh died but His spirit man did not die. I don't care what some people say. His spirit man did not die. His flesh bore our curse and died and we also must lose our flesh.) that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. (Well, if you have Jesus manifested in your body, what is that? Sonship; yes, and to get there, the old self life has to die. You need to make up your mind that you'll believe the promises to obey the word of God. Put your faith in the Lord constantly, because He's the one that brings it to pass by His power. In other words, as we just read the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God and not of ourselves. Self has no way to please God.)   11 For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (The false religions deny that Christ cometh in the flesh, which is antichrist. Repentance and faith is the means to come into the image of Jesus Christ, to bear His fruit, as in the parable of the Sower, 30, 60, and 100-fold. This is what we choose to go after and it is sonship.) 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you. 13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also we speak; (So when you believe, and you speak it, you can have what you say.)   14 knowing that he that raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also with Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God. 16 Wherefore we faint not; (And of course, you know when we're going through this suffering, the devil's going to tell you that God's forsaken you. But the truth is God is with you. Walk by faith and see the end from the beginning.   Remember, there's an end to every trial and it should be when you overcome it. Because once you overcome it, you don't need it, right? but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. So there's this reversal process here you see. You're losing the old man, the outer man and you're gaining the new man. The new man's coming to maturity, and the old man's passing away. And ultimately, the end of the process is there's nobody left but the new man, Who is ‘Christ in you, the hope of glory' and the old man has passed away. You must cooperate with God in this process. It's a suffering of a death to self.  17 For our light affliction, (We think it's pretty terrible, but he calls it our light affliction, which is for the moment. In other words, it's not going to last very long. Don't worry God's not going to leave you in the oven. You know you're in there to burn up the wood, hay and the stubble.) which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; (Who is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the glory. He is the shining forth from us.) 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, (In other words, get your eyes past the problem, and on the salvation that God provided.) but at the things which are not seen (Christ in you): for the things which are seen are temporal (The flesh is temporary); but the things which are not seen (Jesus in you) are eternal.  Let's go back to the apostle Paul again and look at some of the things he suffered, because there are many who say we cannot expect God to always deliver or heal us because of the example of Paul's thorn in the flesh. 2Co 12:7 And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger (Greek: angelos) of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch. (To humble) 8 Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it (the angel) might depart from me. 9 And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for [my] power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.   10 Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses (KJV: Falsely translated “infirmities”), in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. Notice the four places I have underlined. In both the Received Text and in the ancient manuscripts, these are the same Greek word. The KJV translated only the third word “infirmities,” leading people to believe falsely that Paul had a sickness that God would not heal.   The same Greek word is used in the following verse: 2Co 13:4 For he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. The KJV correctly translated this “weakness” because, of course, Jesus was not crucified through infirmities. We can also find the same Greek word here: 1Co 1:25 … The weakness of God is stronger than men. Since no one can say God is sick, we know this translation is correct.   We do not have to guess what these buffetings are because they are listed in the previous chapter and we can read them. 2Co 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty [stripes] save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep;   26 [in] journeyings often, [in] perils of rivers, [in] perils of robbers, [in] perils from [my] countrymen, [in] perils from the Gentiles, [in] perils in the city, [in] perils in the wilderness, [in] perils in the sea, [in] perils among false brethren; 27 [in] labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Besides those things that are without, there is that which presseth upon me daily, anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is caused to stumble, and I burn not? 30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my weakness (KJV: “infirmities”).   You will notice that not once in his list of weaknesses did he list a sickness! Although the words “weak” or “weakness” are all the same Greek word in all the manuscripts, the KJV translates only the last word “infirmities.” Paul's “thorn in the flesh” was an angel of Satan that “buffeted” him, meaning “to hit with many blows,” not just one blow, such as a sickness that would not depart. Four times in the Old Testament there are references to thorns in the flesh (Numbers 33:55; Joshua 23:13; Judges 2:3; Ezekiel 28:24) and not one of them refers to a sickness.   Was God saying that He would not deliver Paul from these places of weakness? No! 2Co 12:8 Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. “It” here was the demon that brought the buffetings. Paul said God delivered him out of all these places of weakness where he could not help himself. God's power was made perfect in Paul's weakness and He will be in ours! 2Ti 4:17 But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom [be] the glory forever and ever. Amen.   As soon as God delivered Paul out of one trial, the demon brought another. Let's let God be found true, but every man a liar (Rom 3:4). Psa 34:4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me, And delivered me from all my fears. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. 17 [The righteous] cried, and the Lord heard, And delivered them out of all their troubles. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous; But the Lord delivereth him out of them all.   The Lord may not keep you from tribulation but He certainly will save, heal and deliver you from it, if you walk by faith. In fact, this is His method for maturing our faith. Am I saying God cannot use sickness to chasten and bring trials? Absolutely not, but God already guarantees your healing if you believe 1Pe 2:24  who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed..  If your sins were taken away and Ye were healed then you are healed. Let God be true and every man a liar. The Father sent the curse to motivate us to repentance and He sent the Savior to bring deliverance from the curse, but only to those who believe. Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth …  Here is a good example of what is happening in these days to bring people to repentance. An angel appeared to Dumitru Duduman (“Three Scrolls” – 7/01/94) and “took out a scroll which he began to unroll very quickly. It was so long that I could not see its end. On this first scroll of paper were written all kinds of names. Beside each name was listed their punishment – a type of disease (all kinds were listed), trial or torment. He said, ‘Those named will have to go through what is listed by their name in order to be cleansed and be able to stand.'”   In the second century, before much of the gifts of the Spirit gave way to ceremony and traditions of men, there lived a prophet named Hermas. His writings were famous among early Church fathers who still believed in prophecy. Many considered his writings a part of the Scriptures. Though I do not hold them on that level of inspiration, I do consider them the finest of the gift. Consider Hermas' revelation on chastening.     Excerpts from The Shepherd of Hermas.   Similitude Sixth   Of the Two Classes of Voluptuous Men, and of Their Death, Falling Away, and the Duration of Their Punishment.   Chapter I   Sitting in my house, and glorifying the Lord for all that I had seen, and reflecting on the commandments, that they are excellent, and powerful, and glorious, and able to save a man's soul, I said within myself, “I shall be blessed if I walk in these commandments, and every one who walks in them will be blessed.” While I was saying these words to myself, I suddenly see him sitting beside me, and hear him thus speak: “Why are you in doubt about the commandments which I gave you? They are excellent: have no doubt about them at all, but put on faith in the Lord, and you will walk in them, for I will strengthen you in them. These commandments are beneficial to those who intend to repent: for if they do not walk in them, their repentance is in vain. You, therefore, who repent, cast away the wickedness of this world which wears you out; and by putting on all the virtues of a holy life, you will be able to keep these commandments, and will no longer add to the number of your sins.   Walk, therefore, in these commandments of mine, and you will live unto God. All these things have been spoken to you by me.” And after he had uttered these words, he said to me, “Let us go into the fields, and I will show you the shepherds of the flocks.” “Let us go, sir,” I replied. And we came to a certain plain, and he showed me a young man, a shepherd, clothed in a suit of garments of a yellow colour: and he was herding very many sheep, and these sheep were feeding luxuriously (Editor's note: that which we cannot afford to do because of the high cost to our soul), as it were, and riotously, and merrily skipping hither and thither. The shepherd himself was merry, because of his flock; and the appearance of the shepherd was joyous, and he was running about amongst his flock. [And other sheep I saw rioting and luxuriating in one place, but not, however, leaping about.]   Chapter II   And he said to me, “Do you see this shepherd?” “I see him, sir,” I said. “This,” he answered, “is the angel of luxury and deceit: he wears out the souls of the servants of God, and perverts them from the truth, deceiving them with wicked desires, through which they will perish; for they forget the commandments of the living God, and walk in deceits and empty luxuries; and they are ruined by the angel, some being brought to death, others to corruption.” I said to him, “Sir, I do not know the meaning of these words, ‘to death,' and ‘to corruption.'” “Listen,” he said. “The sheep which you saw merry and leaping about, are those which have torn themselves away from God forever, and have delivered themselves over to luxuries and deceits [of this world.   Among them there is no return to life through repentance, because they have added to their other sins, and blasphemed the name of the Lord. Such men therefore, are appointed unto death. And the sheep which you saw not leaping, but feeding in one place, are they who have delivered themselves over to luxury and deceit], but have committed no blasphemy against the Lord. These have been perverted from the truth: among them there is the hope of repentance, by which it is possible to live. Corruption, then, has a hope of a kind of renewal, but death has everlasting ruin.” Again I went forward a little way, and he showed me a tall shepherd, somewhat savage in his appearance, clothed in a white goatskin, and having a wallet on his shoulders, and a very hard staff with branches, and a large whip.   And he had a very sour look, so that I was afraid of him, so forbidding was his aspect. This shepherd, accordingly, was receiving the sheep from the young shepherd, those, viz., that were rioting and luxuriating, but not leaping; and he cast them into a precipitous place, full of thistles and thorns, so that it was impossible to extricate the sheep from the thorns and thistles; but they were completely entangled amongst them. These, accordingly, thus entangled, pastured amongst the thorns and thistles, and were exceedingly miserable, being beaten by him; and he drove them hither and thither, and gave them no rest; and, altogether, these sheep were in a wretched plight.   Chapter III   Seeing them, therefore, so beaten and so badly used, I was grieved for them, because they were so tormented, and had no rest at all. And I said to the Shepherd who talked with me, “Sir, who is this shepherd, who is so pitiless and severe, and so completely devoid of compassion for these sheep?” “This,” he replied, “is the angel of punishment; and he belongs to the just angels, and is appointed to punish. He accordingly takes those who wander away from God, and who have walked in the desires and deceits of this world, and chastises them as they deserve with terrible and diverse punishments.” “I would know, sir,” I said, “Of what nature are these diverse tortures and punishments?” “Hear,” he said, “the various tortures and punishments. The tortures are such as occur during life.   For some are punished with losses, others with want, others with sicknesses of various kinds, and others with all kinds of disorder and confusion; others are insulted by unworthy persons, and exposed to suffering in many other ways: for many, becoming unstable in their plans, try many things, and none of them at all succeed, and they say they are not prosperous in their undertakings; and it does not occur to their minds that they have done evil deeds, but they blame the Lord. When, therefore, they have been afflicted with all kinds of affliction, then are they delivered unto me for good training, and they are made strong in the faith of the Lord; and for the rest of the days of their life they are subject to the Lord with pure hearts, and are successful in all their undertakings, obtaining from the Lord everything they ask; and then they glorify the Lord, that they were delivered to me, and no longer suffer any evil.”   Chapter IV   I said to him, “Sir, explain this also to me.” “What is it you ask?” he said. “Whether, sir,” I continued, “they who indulge in luxury, and who are deceived, are tortured for the same period of time that they have indulged in luxury and deceit?” He said to me, “They are tortured for the same time” (Editor's note: compare Revelation 18:7). [“They are tormented much less, sir,” I replied;] “for those who are so luxurious and who forget God ought to be tortured seven-fold.” He said to me, “You are foolish, and do not understand the power of torment.” “Why, sir,” I said, “if I had understood it, I would not have asked you to show me.” “Hear,” he said, “the power of both. The time of luxury and deceit is one hour; but the hour of torment is equivalent to thirty days. If, accordingly, a man indulge in luxury for one day, and be deceived and be tortured for one day, the day of his torture is equivalent to a whole year. For all the days of luxury, therefore, there are as many years of torture to be undergone. You see, then,” he continued, “that the time of luxury and deceit is very short, but that of punishment and torture long.”   Chapter V   “Still,” I said, “I do not quite understand about the time of deceit, and luxury, and torture; explain it to me more clearly.” He answered, and said to me, “Your folly is persistent; and you do not wish to purify your heart, and serve God. Have a care,” he added, “lest the time be fulfilled, and you be found foolish. Hear now,” he added, “as you desire, that you may understand these things. He who indulges in luxury, and is deceived for one day, and who does what he wishes, is clothed with much foolishness, and does not understand the act which he does until the morrow; for he forgets what he did the day before.   For luxury and deceit have no memories, on account of the folly with which they are clothed; but when punishment and torture cleave to a man for one day, he is punished and tortured for a year; for punishment and torture have powerful memories. While tortured and punished, therefore, for a whole year, he remembers at last his luxury and deceit, and knows that on their account he suffers evil. Every man, therefore, who is luxurious and deceived is thus tormented, because, although having life, they have given themselves over to death.” “What kinds of luxury, sir,” I asked, “are hurtful?”   “Every act of a man which he performs with pleasure,” he replied, “is an act of luxury; for the sharp-tempered man, when gratifying his tendency, indulges in luxury; and the adulterer, and the drunkard, and the back-biter, and the liar, and the covetous man, and the thief, and he who does things like these, gratifies his peculiar propensity, and in so doing indulges in luxury. All these acts of luxury are hurtful to the servants of God. On account of these deceits, therefore, do they suffer, who are punished and tortured. And there are also acts of luxury which save men; for many who do good indulge in luxury, being carried away by their own pleasure: this luxury, however, is beneficial to the servants of God, and gains life for such a man; but the injurious acts of luxury before enumerated bring tortures and punishment upon them; and if they continue in them and do not repent, they bring death upon themselves.”      Similitude Seventh   They Who Repent Must Bring Forth Fruits Worthy of Repentance.   After a few days I saw him in the same plain where I had also seen the shepherds; and he said to me, “What do you wish with me?” I said to him, “Sir, that you would order the shepherd who punishes to depart out of my house, because he afflicts me exceedingly.” “It is necessary,” he replied, “that you be afflicted; for thus,” he continued, “did the glorious angel command concerning you, as he wishes you to be tried.” “What have I done which is so bad, sir,” I replied, “that I should be delivered over to this angel?” “Listen,” he said: “Your sins are many, but not so great as to require that you be delivered over to this angel; but your household has committed great iniquities and sins, and the glorious angel has been incensed at them on account of their deeds; and for this reason he commanded you to be afflicted for a certain time, that they also might repent, and purify themselves from every desire of this world.   When, therefore, they repent and are purified, then the angel of punishment will depart.” I said to him, “Sir, if they have done such things as to incense the glorious angel against them, yet what have I done?” He replied, “They cannot be afflicted at all, unless you, the head of the house, be afflicted: for when you are afflicted, of necessity they also suffer affliction; but if you are in comfort, they can feel no affliction.” “Well, sir,” I said, “they have repented with their whole heart.” “I know, too,” he answered, “that they have repented with their whole heart: do you think, however, that the sins of those who repent are immediately forgiven? Not altogether, but he who repents must torture his own soul (Editor's note: compare 1 Corinthians 9:27), and be exceedingly humble in all his conduct, and be afflicted with many kinds of affliction; and if he endure the afflictions that come upon him,   He who created all things, and endued them with power, will assuredly have compassion, and will heal him; and this will He do when He sees the heart of every penitent pure from every evil thing: and it is profitable for you and for your house to suffer affliction now. But why should I say much to you? You must be afflicted, as that angel of the Lord commanded who delivered you to me. And for this give thanks to the Lord, because He has deemed you worthy of showing you beforehand this affliction, that, knowing it before it comes, you may be able to bear it with courage.” I said to him, “Sir, be thou with me, and I will be able to bear all affliction.” “I will be with you,” he said, “and I will ask the angel of punishment to afflict you more lightly; nevertheless, you will be afflicted for a little time, and again you will be re-established in your house. Only continue humble, and serve the Lord in all purity of heart, you and your children, and your house, and walk in my commands which I enjoin upon you, and your repentance will be deep and pure; and if you observe these things with your household, every affliction will depart from you. And affliction,” he added, “will depart from all who walk in these my commandments.” 

Theme: The Third Petition Point 1: A petition for submission, Point 2: A petition for obedience, Point 3: A petition for faithfulness, Bible text description: Read Acts 9:1-19

Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere, in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the universe."1. Holy Spirit = God's Active Personal Presence2. Witness = Telling people about Jesus3. Ends of the Earth = Everywhere  Discussion Questions:Read Acts 10 In verses 2-9, Cornelius and Peter both functioned in their everyday/average rhythms of talking with God when they each had a vision. Do you have a regular/average rhythm of prayer? If so, what does that look like? If not, what could a regular rhythm be for your life? In verse 20, God used that time to invite them into a mission with Him. How do you keep your ear/ life attuned to the invitation of God? Can you walk into your mission 'with no doubts'? Jesus had a high view of the Holy Spirit and the role of the Holy Spirit in his life. What does living entirely dependent on the Holy Spirit look like in your life? In verses 34-35, God called Peter into a time of repentance in disqualifying people to be a part of the Kingdom of God. We often disqualify ourselves and others, too. Which of these resonates with your heart? Even me, Lord? Do you disqualify yourself because of your story, sin, comparison with others, and perceived value? Even my prodigal Lord? Yes, our Father's heart is turned toward your prodigal. We live in hope because of the gospel laid out in this chapter! Believe, pray, keep inviting! Even that person, Lord? We live in this broken world and experience hurt, frustration, and righteous anger in our human relationships. We are called to love, forgive, bless, and pray for our enemies. Group Practice: With your group, identify the 'even' statement that you know God wants to address in your life. Pray for one another - Pray for value and identity over those feeling discouraged/disqualified. Pray hope with those whose hearts are breaking for their prodigal. Pray for Peter's repentance over those struggling with an 'other.' Use this prayer of forgiveness to release 'that person' and your heart!

Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere, in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the universe."1. Holy Spirit = God's Active Personal Presence2. Witness = Telling people about Jesus3. Ends of the Earth = Everywhere  Discussion Questions:Read Acts 10 In verses 2-9, Cornelius and Peter both functioned in their everyday/average rhythms of talking with God when they each had a vision. Do you have a regular/average rhythm of prayer? If so, what does that look like? If not, what could a regular rhythm be for your life? In verse 20, God used that time to invite them into a mission with Him. How do you keep your ear/ life attuned to the invitation of God? Can you walk into your mission 'with no doubts'? Jesus had a high view of the Holy Spirit and the role of the Holy Spirit in his life. What does living entirely dependent on the Holy Spirit look like in your life? In verses 34-35, God called Peter into a time of repentance in disqualifying people to be a part of the Kingdom of God. We often disqualify ourselves and others, too. Which of these resonates with your heart? Even me, Lord? Do you disqualify yourself because of your story, sin, comparison with others, and perceived value? Even my prodigal Lord? Yes, our Father's heart is turned toward your prodigal. We live in hope because of the gospel laid out in this chapter! Believe, pray, keep inviting! Even that person, Lord? We live in this broken world and experience hurt, frustration, and righteous anger in our human relationships. We are called to love, forgive, bless, and pray for our enemies. Group Practice: With your group, identify the 'even' statement that you know God wants to address in your life. Pray for one another - Pray for value and identity over those feeling discouraged/disqualified. Pray hope with those whose hearts are breaking for their prodigal. Pray for Peter's repentance over those struggling with an 'other.' Use this prayer of forgiveness to release 'that person' and your heart!

-What‘s one of your favorite family traditions either growing up or presently? -What resonated with you from the message this week? -Read Acts 2:42-47, What are some rhythms the people of the early church practiced? -How is a life of following Jesus in today's church similar and different than in the early church? -What are some intentional practices you can incorporate to ensure God is at the center of your family or your community? Click the “Discussion Questions” above for full study guide.

12 How to Read Acts Download Luke wrote Acts. Acts 1:1-2 Acts is the second volume. Luke is about the life of Christ. Acts is about the early expansion of the church. Major events of Acts 1:1-11  Jesus commissions and ascends. 1:12-27 Peter initiates replacing Judas. 2:1-47 Spirit is poured out, and Peter preaches. 3:1-26 Peter heals lame man and preaches. 4:1-6:7  Communal living in Jerusalem 6:8-7:60  Stephen's martyrdom 8:1-40  Philip's expansion to Samaria, Ethiopia 9:1-31  Paul's conversion, expansion to Damascus 9:32-9:43  Peter's mission to Lydda and Joppa 10:1-11:18 Peter converts Cornelius in Caesarea. 11:19-30 Barnabas brings Paul to Antioch. 12:1-24 Peter's arrest and miraculous escape 12:25-16:5 Paul's 1st missionary journey 16:6-19:20 Paul's 2nd missionary journey 19:21-21:17 Paul's 3rd missionary journey 21:18-28:31 Paul's arrest and trip to Rome Organization of the book The first half is about Peter (1-12). The second half is about Paul (13-28). Acts 1:8 outlines the book: they expanded from Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria to the ends of the earth. Leading and experience of God's spirit Baptized with the spirit, filled with the spirit, pour out the spirit, receive the spirit, spirit fell upon: 1:5, 8; 2:4, 17; 4:31; 8:17; 9:17; 10:44-45; 11:15-16; 13:52 Speaking in tongues; prophecy: 2:4, 17-18; 10:46; 11:28; 19:6; 20:22-23; 27:21-22 Exorcisms: 5:16; 8:7; 16:18; 19:12-16 Healing and miracles: 3:6-7; 5:12, 15-16; 8:39; 9:17-18, 34-35; 12:7-10; 13:11; 14:10; 19:11; 20:9-10; 28:3-6, 8-9 Supernatural direction: 1:16, 26; 8:26, 29; 9:10-16; 13:2; 15:28; 16:7; 18:9-10; 20:28; 21:11; 23:11; 27:23-24 Rapid expansion through conversion Convert 3,000 on day of Pentecost (2:41) 5,000 after healing lame man at the temple (4:4) Conversions of whole towns: Samaria (8), Lydda, and Joppa (9) Conversions of key people: Ethiopian treasurer (8); Paul of Tarsus (9); Cornelius the centurion (10); Sergius Paulus, proconsul of Cyprus, (13); Lydia, a wealthy Philippian merchant, (16); Crispus, a synagogue leader in Corinth, (18); Publius of Malta (28) Perseverance through persecution Sadducees arrest Peter and John (4). Sadducees arrest apostles (5). A mob stones Stephen (7). Paul leads persecution in Jerusalem (8). King Herod executes James (12). King Herod imprisons Peter (12). Jewish leaders expel Paul and Barnabas from Pisidian Antioch (13). Jewish leaders stone Paul at Lystra (14). City magistrates arrest Paul and Silas at Philippi (16). Jewish mob attacks Jason at Thessalonica (17). Jewish leaders accuse Paul before Proconsul Gallio at Corinth (18). Demetrius instigates riot against Paul at Ephesus (19). Jewish mob attacks Paul at Jerusalem (21). Plot of Jewish leaders to murder Paul (23) Paul's trial before Felix (24) Paul's trial before Festus (25) Paul's defense before King Agrippa (26) Paul's shipwreck (27) Paul's house arrest at Rome (28) Respectful of Roman authorities Paul is respectful to his arresting officer, Claudius, (21:33, 37-40). He asserts his Roman citizenship (22:24-29). He cordially converses with Felix, Roman governor of Judea, (24). Paul appeals to have a trial before Caesar in Rome b/c he's afraid he won't get a fair hearing in Judea. Paul interacts respectfully with Festus and King Agrippa. King Agrippa says Paul should've been set free (26:31-32). Paul complies on the whole journey while under arrest. Including the Gentiles Originally, Christianity was 100% Jewish. Gentiles (non-Jews) began believing in Jesus, and God demonstrated his acceptance through his spirit (see Acts 10:44-45). Both Peter and Paul preached to Gentiles and accepted them as part of God's family. After a disagreement broke out over the Gentiles (Acts 15:1-2), the disciples decided Gentiles could be part of the church without keeping the law. Acts is the historical spine of the NT Acts tells you about how Christianity came to many places mentioned in other parts of the NT. On Paul's second missionary journey, he visited Galatia, Philippi, Thessalonica, Corinth, and Ephesus. These are all places to which he wrote Epistles. Prescriptive vs. descriptive Does Acts prescribe how we should live or describe what they did? Acts 2:44-46 talks about sharing all our possessions. Is this normative for all Christians for all time? Fee & Stuart: “Unless Scripture explicitly tells us we must do something, what is only narrated or described does not function in a normative (i.e. obligatory) way—unless it can be demonstrated on other grounds that the author intended it to function in this way.”[[Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2014), 124.]] Review Acts is a history of the church that Luke wrote to follow his biography of Christ. Acts describes the spread of Christianity from Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria to the ends of the earth (i.e. the Mediterranean world). In Acts, Luke is interested in the activity of God’s spirit, missionary activity resulting in conversions, and how Christians are respectful to Roman authorities. The inclusion of Gentiles into the early Christian movement caused a significant controversy, resulting in the decision that they did not need to keep the law. Acts provides the historical backbone into which fit many of the Epistles of the NT. Luke tells of Paul’s three missionary journeys, as well as his final treacherous journey to Rome under arrest. Although Acts shows us what is possible as we walk with God, it does not prescribe that Christians today must do everything the way they did it (descriptive not prescriptive). The post 12: How to Read Acts first appeared on Living Hope.

12 How to Read Acts Download Luke wrote Acts. Acts 1:1-2 Acts is the second volume. Luke is about the life of Christ. Acts is about the early expansion of the church. Major events of Acts 1:1-11  Jesus commissions and ascends. 1:12-27 Peter initiates replacing Judas. 2:1-47 Spirit is poured out, and Peter preaches. 3:1-26 Peter heals lame man and preaches. 4:1-6:7  Communal living in Jerusalem 6:8-7:60  Stephen's martyrdom 8:1-40  Philip's expansion to Samaria, Ethiopia 9:1-31  Paul's conversion, expansion to Damascus 9:32-9:43  Peter's mission to Lydda and Joppa 10:1-11:18 Peter converts Cornelius in Caesarea. 11:19-30 Barnabas brings Paul to Antioch. 12:1-24 Peter's arrest and miraculous escape 12:25-16:5 Paul's 1st missionary journey 16:6-19:20 Paul's 2nd missionary journey 19:21-21:17 Paul's 3rd missionary journey 21:18-28:31 Paul's arrest and trip to Rome Organization of the book The first half is about Peter (1-12). The second half is about Paul (13-28). Acts 1:8 outlines the book: they expanded from Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria to the ends of the earth. Leading and experience of God's spirit Baptized with the spirit, filled with the spirit, pour out the spirit, receive the spirit, spirit fell upon: 1:5, 8; 2:4, 17; 4:31; 8:17; 9:17; 10:44-45; 11:15-16; 13:52 Speaking in tongues; prophecy: 2:4, 17-18; 10:46; 11:28; 19:6; 20:22-23; 27:21-22 Exorcisms: 5:16; 8:7; 16:18; 19:12-16 Healing and miracles: 3:6-7; 5:12, 15-16; 8:39; 9:17-18, 34-35; 12:7-10; 13:11; 14:10; 19:11; 20:9-10; 28:3-6, 8-9 Supernatural direction: 1:16, 26; 8:26, 29; 9:10-16; 13:2; 15:28; 16:7; 18:9-10; 20:28; 21:11; 23:11; 27:23-24 Rapid expansion through conversion Convert 3,000 on day of Pentecost (2:41) 5,000 after healing lame man at the temple (4:4) Conversions of whole towns: Samaria (8), Lydda, and Joppa (9) Conversions of key people: Ethiopian treasurer (8); Paul of Tarsus (9); Cornelius the centurion (10); Sergius Paulus, proconsul of Cyprus, (13); Lydia, a wealthy Philippian merchant, (16); Crispus, a synagogue leader in Corinth, (18); Publius of Malta (28) Perseverance through persecution Sadducees arrest Peter and John (4). Sadducees arrest apostles (5). A mob stones Stephen (7). Paul leads persecution in Jerusalem (8). King Herod executes James (12). King Herod imprisons Peter (12). Jewish leaders expel Paul and Barnabas from Pisidian Antioch (13). Jewish leaders stone Paul at Lystra (14). City magistrates arrest Paul and Silas at Philippi (16). Jewish mob attacks Jason at Thessalonica (17). Jewish leaders accuse Paul before Proconsul Gallio at Corinth (18). Demetrius instigates riot against Paul at Ephesus (19). Jewish mob attacks Paul at Jerusalem (21). Plot of Jewish leaders to murder Paul (23) Paul's trial before Felix (24) Paul's trial before Festus (25) Paul's defense before King Agrippa (26) Paul's shipwreck (27) Paul's house arrest at Rome (28) Respectful of Roman authorities Paul is respectful to his arresting officer, Claudius, (21:33, 37-40). He asserts his Roman citizenship (22:24-29). He cordially converses with Felix, Roman governor of Judea, (24). Paul appeals to have a trial before Caesar in Rome b/c he's afraid he won't get a fair hearing in Judea. Paul interacts respectfully with Festus and King Agrippa. King Agrippa says Paul should've been set free (26:31-32). Paul complies on the whole journey while under arrest. Including the Gentiles Originally, Christianity was 100% Jewish. Gentiles (non-Jews) began believing in Jesus, and God demonstrated his acceptance through his spirit (see Acts 10:44-45). Both Peter and Paul preached to Gentiles and accepted them as part of God's family. After a disagreement broke out over the Gentiles (Acts 15:1-2), the disciples decided Gentiles could be part of the church without keeping the law. Acts is the historical spine of the NT Acts tells you about how Christianity came to many places mentioned in other parts of the NT. On Paul's second missionary journey, he visited Galatia, Philippi, Thessalonica, Corinth, and Ephesus. These are all places to which he wrote Epistles. Prescriptive vs. descriptive Does Acts prescribe how we should live or describe what they did? Acts 2:44-46 talks about sharing all our possessions. Is this normative for all Christians for all time? Fee & Stuart: “Unless Scripture explicitly tells us we must do something, what is only narrated or described does not function in a normative (i.e. obligatory) way—unless it can be demonstrated on other grounds that the author intended it to function in this way.”1 Review Acts is a history of the church that Luke wrote to follow his biography of Christ. Acts describes the spread of Christianity from Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria to the ends of the earth (i.e. the Mediterranean world). In Acts, Luke is interested in the activity of God’s spirit, missionary activity resulting in conversions, and how Christians are respectful to Roman authorities. The inclusion of Gentiles into the early Christian movement caused a significant controversy, resulting in the decision that they did not need to keep the law. Acts provides the historical backbone into which fit many of the Epistles of the NT. Luke tells of Paul’s three missionary journeys, as well as his final treacherous journey to Rome under arrest. Although Acts shows us what is possible as we walk with God, it does not prescribe that Christians today must do everything the way they did it (descriptive not prescriptive). Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2014), 124.The post 12: How to Read Acts first appeared on Living Hope.

RATE! REVIEW! FOLLOW! Email me your thoughts, comments or questions at caniberealpodcast@gmail.com ○ Read: Romans 1:16-32 ○ Lesson 1: "the righteous will live by faith." § Righteous can be defined as: acting in accord with divine or moral law; free from guilt or sin § Righteousness means right relations between man and God ○ In verses 18-32, Paul lays out how the wicked live, and explains that God's wrath has been revealed against sinful humanity § God has made what may be known about Himself, plain to us □ Verse 20…"For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." ® God has revealed himself not only in history but also in the beauty and order we experience in the His created world. ® Read Psalms 19:1-6 ® Read Acts 14: 15-17 □ Verse 21…"For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile (completely ineffective) and their foolish hearts were darkened." § Part of God's wrath involves abandoning individuals to the consequences of their wickedness □ It says 3 times in verses 24-32 that "God gave them over…" . God won't take your free will away ○ Read Habakkuk 4:2 (NLT) § ""Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God."" ○ Read Zephaniah 2:3 (NLT) § "Seek the LORD, all who are humble, and follow his commands. Seek to do what is right and to live humbly. Perhaps even yet the LORD will protect you- protect you from his anger on that day of destruction." ○ Read Galatians 3:11 (NLT) § "So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life."" ○ Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV) § "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." ○ Remember the lesson: the righteous will live by faith. When judgement day comes, those who believe will stand before God clothed in the righteousness of Jesus ○ Read Isaiah 61:10 § "I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels." ○ And those who are godless are under God's wrath. Do not be misled, thinking that being a "good person" or doing "good things" is enough ○ Read Isaiah 64:6 We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind." --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rachel398/message

READ: Acts 13:2; Exodus 34:28; Matthew 4:2   MEDITATE: Through prayer and fasting, God gave Saul (Paul) and Barnabas a new mission. He gave Moses the Ten Commandments. Jesus found strength and power to initiate his public ministry and start his journey to the cross. Fasting can precede supernatural change, empowerment, and mission. To what is God calling You today?   PRAY: Lord open my spiritual eyes, ears, and heart to what you are saying to me today. Whether it's a new word, mission, or ministry, may I receive it, accept it, and obediently walk in it that I might honor you.   Need prayer? Submit a prayer request online: https://mountparannorth.com/prayer-request/   21 Days of Prayer & Fasting website: https://mountparannorth.com/21-day-prayer-fast/   Contributors: Drew Norris, Connections Pastor & Jon Rogers, Discipleship Pastor

This first week, we are going to start with a bit of context and look first at Acts 17:1-9 when the apostle Paul plants the church in Thessalonica. It will help us understand how the church got started (and the make-up of the believers there) as we study through the letters. We'll also spend some time looking at the Greeting (1 Thessalonians 1:1). Read Acts 17:2-3What was Paul's focus? What does it mean that he “reasoned with them from the Scriptures?”Acts 17:5 tells us that the Jews were jealous that Paul was having success persuading many to the gospel. What could be some reasons for their jealousy?Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1How do you think it encouraged the church to be described as, “the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”? What does it mean to bless someone with “grace and peace”? 

This first week, we are going to start with a bit of context and look first at Acts 17:1-9 when the apostle Paul plants the church in Thessalonica. It will help us understand how the church got started (and the make-up of the believers there) as we study through the letters. We'll also spend some time looking at the Greeting (1 Thessalonians 1:1). Read Acts 17:2-3What was Paul's focus? What does it mean that he “reasoned with them from the Scriptures?”Acts 17:5 tells us that the Jews were jealous that Paul was having success persuading many to the gospel. What could be some reasons for their jealousy?Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1How do you think it encouraged the church to be described as, “the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”? What does it mean to bless someone with “grace and peace”? 

The Church on MissionActs 3:1-4:37 For the bulletin in PDF form, click here. For sermon slides in PDF form, click here.Proclaims the gospel boldly (3:1-26). Persecuted but not swayed (4:1-22). Prayers are mission focused (4:23-31). People are united in heart and mind (4:32-37). The Church on mission is bold in her gospel proclamation, courageous when faced with persecution, missional in their prayers, and united in heart and mind.Next Steps• I will pray through who in my life needs to hear the gospel, and then share with them. • I will pray for God's mission to be courageously lived out in my life.• I will spend time with Jesus this week. This Week's Growth GuideGod's Word is both central and critical to your spiritual growth. We invite you to utilize the Growth Guide during the week to further your application of the Truth from the message.•. Monday - Romans 1:8-16•. Tuesday - Daniel 3:1-30•. Wednesday - Matthew 6:5-15•. Thursday - Ephesians 4:25-32•. Friday - Matthew 28:16-20Home ChurchOur Home Churches meet weekly to facilitate quicker relational depth, study the same passage taught Sunday to help apply Scripture in the context of community, and pray with one another. Home Church Questions •. Read Acts 4. • Before "digging into" the questions, did anything stick out to you in the passage this week? • In your own words, how would you describe the issues the religious leaders had with Peter and John? • Looking over the prayer in Acts 4:24-30, how could your prayer time be different? What about your prayer time together in Home Church? • What area of being a church on mission do you need to trust God more – proclaiming, persecution, praying, or people? • When was the last time you shared the gospel? Share the experience with the HC. • What application are you taking away from Sunday morning or our time together in HC?FinancesWeekly Budget 32,692Giving For 12/31 41,106Giving For 01/07 49,591YTD Budget 915,385Giving 958,783 OVER/(UNDER) 43,398Worship Night At Fellowship Join us on January 21, 6:30 p.m., to kick off 2024 with our annual worship night in the round. We will pray, read scripture, and sing praise as we worship together through the book of Psalms. Child care is available for ages 6 years and younger.New to Fellowship?We are so glad that you joined the Fellowship Family to worship this morning. If you are joining us for the first time or have been checking us out for a few weeks, we are excited you are here and would love to meet you. Please fill out the “Connect Card” and bring it to the Connection Center in the Atrium, we would love to say “hi” and give you a gift. Fellowship 201 - Core Doctrines of FellowshipFellowship 201 is designed for anyone who has gone through Fellowship 101 in the last year and wants a deeper understanding of our beliefs. Together, we will go through core Christian teachings and how they apply to our daily lives. Join us on January 21 and 28. Register at fellowshipconway.org/registerFellowship Women's Study - 2 Thessalonians: Living Faithfully until Jesus ReturnsThis begins Thursday, February 22 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Fellowship in room 2110. Register by Jan 25 at fellowshipconway.org/register. Childcare RSVP by text to Shanna at 501-336-0332. Czech Stoby's Pancake FundraiserJoin us for breakfast or brunch on January 28, 8-1:00 p.m. Tickets are $6 per person (all you can eat), with proceeds benefiting the 2024 Fellowship Youth & College Czech Mission trip. Tickets are available in the Atrium TODAY. Fellowship Kids Family Game NightFellowship families, pack up your favorite games and join us Friday, January 26, 6-8:00 p.m. for games, snacks, and a lot of fun. We hope to see you there! Fellowship Kids Parents Night out Czech FundraiserParents, enjoy a night out while we have a fun evening with your kids on Friday, February 2, 6-8:30 p.m. Register now through January 26 for kids birth through fourth grade. All donations will support the Fellowship Kids team going to the Czech Republic. To register and/or make a donation, go to fellowshipconway.org/register. Father Daughter DanceGuys, enjoy dinner with your daughter(s) grades 5-12th, February 17. Then join us at Renewal Ranch from 7-9:30 p.m. for dancing and a night of fun!Fellowship Kids Baptism ClassJoin us for our baptism class, where we will discuss the character of God, sin, salvation, baptism, and what comes next. We will meet all four Sundays in February during the second service in Room 2101. Contact Heather at hmckinney@fellowshipconway.org. Register at Fellowshipconway.org/register.

This is a lifestyle for every Believer. Read Acts 6:4, but read the chapter in its entirety. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tasha-mack9/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tasha-mack9/support

RATE! REVIEW! FOLLOW! Email me your thoughts, comments or questions: caniberealpodcast@gmail.com • Colossians Background ○ Paul is the author of Colossians ○ Paul did not visit the Church at Colossae personally, because he was on house arrest in Rome when he wrote this letter (AD 60-63) [Acts 28:16-31] ○ Likely written around the same time Paul wrote the letter to Philemon and to the Ephesians ○ The Church at Colossae was predominantly a Gentile church ○ The faith of the new converts was being distorted and perverted by Greek mystery religions and mysticism as well as being threatened by some Jewish laws and customs. ○ Evidently, Epaphras had brought word to Paul of these heretical things that had begun to infiltrate the church. (Timothy had also evangelized in this city) ○ Paul's purpose behind this letter is to urge the Colossians to preserve true doctrine in the church regarding the sufficiency and supremacy of Christ. ○ The Letter to the Colossians also provided a practical theology for everyday living and growth in the faith. • Read ○ Colossians 1:1-14 (NLT) § Colossians 1:1-8 § Paul starts off by encouraging them…we have heard of your faith in Christ…..which comes from your confident hope. □ Paul reminds them of what they already know- that God has treasures reserved for us in heaven. □ Read 2 Corinthians 3:7-11 § I want to point out briefly two things: □ Verse 6: It [the Good News] is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives… ® Read: Acts 8:4-"But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went." ® Read: Romans 10:17-"So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ." ® Read: Hebrews 10:14-"For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made perfect." □ Verse 8: …about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you. ® Remember Galatians 5:22-23 ® Love is a fruit of the Spirit, that we cannot fully possess and bare without Him § Colossians 1:9-14 § Paul mentions some of the prayers he, Timothy, and likely others, have been praying for the Colossians: □ Ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will □ Give you spiritual wisdom and understanding ® We need knowledge of God's will, spiritual wisdom and understanding to live lives that …always honor and please the Lord…produce every kind of good fruit…while learning to know God better and better □ That you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have the endurance and patience you need with joy § Verses 12-14, Paul reminds them [and therefore us] of God's grace and mercy Reread verses 12-14 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rachel398/message

WEEK 1 OF 2  //  Chris WilliamsDiscussion Questions:Have you ever been mocked or made fun of for following Jesus? If so, would you please describe that experience to our group?Divide into smaller groups of 2-3 people and do a Google search of "persecution of Christians." What stands out to you the most as you navigate various websites, articles, and statistics? Why?With the entire group, read aloud Acts 6:8-12 and Matthew 10:18-20. How do these scriptures inform your thinking about potential persecution in the lives of those who follow Jesus?Read Acts 7:55 - 8:4 aloud. What thoughts and feelings are stirred within you as we ready this story?Read aloud 2 Timothy 1:7. How do Paul's words encourage you as you consider how to prepare for persecution?Pastor Chris said we need to practice self-discipline with God's Word, God's Spirit, and God's people to be prepared for persecution. Which of these do you need to focus on to get stronger and ready for persecution?  Sermon Locations and Times: Sundays Services are at 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM at 2601 E Alex Bell Rd Dayton, OH 45459 You can join us online on Facebook or YouTube at 11:00 AM.

Before we begin read Acts 19-20Acts 20:28-32 Savor Moment:Try this appetizer to get you ready for what is to come. Read Acts 19-20 for the background on what is happening.Peppadew Goat Cheese DipJoin the Savor CommunityEmail us at savor@crosstownechurch.com

Sermon Questions: Our Story Week 13 – Paul (September 3, 2023) Verses: Philippians 3:5-6, Acts 7:54-8:3, Acts 9:1-22, 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Philippians 3:7-10 Main Point: God is mighty to save and graceful to pursue. Questions: 1. What impacted you from this message? What challenged you or encouraged you? What did you learn about God through the study of Paul? 2. What details do you know about Paul's life? Which details seem the most important to you? 3. Read Philippians 3:5-6. How did Paul describe his religious background? Which things was he born into, and which things did he pursue? How could have Paul's background created a barrier to following Jesus? 4. Read Acts 7:54-8:3. What was Saul's role at the Stephen's stoning. What happened after Stephen was martyred? Describe Saul's persecution of the early church? 5. Read Acts 9:1-22. What was Saul doing at the beginning of this passage? How did the Lord get his attention? What did Jesus say to Saul? What would you have felt if you were in Saul's place? 6. What was Ananias' response to being told to pray for Saul? What did the Lord tell Ananias about Saul? After his conversion, what did Paul do? What did the people say about him? 7. Read 2 Corinthians 11:23-28. Paul was called to be the “Apostle to the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13). Throughout his missionary journeys, Paul would suffer for the Jesus. Describe the sufferings Paul listed in these verses? 8. Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. In these verses Paul described the Gospel message and how it impacted him. How would you describe the Gospel from these verses? What impact did it have on Paul? 9. Read 1 Timothy 1:12-17. How did Paul describe himself in these verses? How did God's grace change him? How do these verses give us hope that anyone can trust in Jesus and experience his grace? 10. Read Philippians 3:7-10. This is the continuation of the verses you read above. What did Paul desire above all else? Why is knowing God so important? 11. What is one specific thing you can do this week to put into practice what you learned in this message?

KINGDOM LIVING AND LOVING IN BABYLONConsumer or Contributor? – Part 2Springcreek Church | Senior Pastor Keith StewartAugust 27, 2023https://www.springcreekchurch.org/#re... #consumer #contributor #living #loving #babylon #paul #marshill Times have changed. In terms of America's values and beliefs, we are more like the first century than at any other time in our history. For some, this causes a constant pining for how things used to be and sometimes even a sense of hopelessness. But for others, they experience a sense of anticipation and hopefulness because they remember how the church grew exponentially under these same conditions in the first century. Which posture you assume depends largely on your ability to adapt and change to meet the needs of the present reality. This message will show you how.CONSUMER OR CONTRIBUTOR? What lies ahead for us as a church is exciting, uncharted territory. But all of it is fueled by the dream of being God's church in our city.DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Read Acts 17.16-33 (about Paul's visit and message on Mars Hill). Paul's example is perfect for where we find ourselves today in engaging a culture that doesn't see truth or God as we do. What stands out to you about this passage? How does it inform how we share our faith today? What was the result of Paul's preaching (there are three different responses)? 2. Take some time to discuss bounded set versus centered set thinking. In particular, discuss how this plays a role in how we share our faith and how we see those with whom we share our faith. 3. Rob Bell said, “It is when the church gives itself away in radical acts of service and compassion, expecting nothing in return, that the way of Jesus is most vividly put on display.” What needs have you noticed in our community (church, neighborhood, or city) that are being neglected? In what ways can we better serve those needs? Since the need has gotten your attention, what might God be asking you to do to address this need? 4. Learning to listen is one of the hardest lessons many of us learn. But in these changing times, the need to really hear people out, where they're coming from, what's been their life experiences, what they believe and why, is absolutely essential in creating relationships of influence. How has listening changed the way you saw a person, situation, or challenge? 5. Creating space for people in our hearts and lives lies at the heart of Biblical Hospitality. This is especially true as it relates to those who are different from us (nationally, ethnically, linguistically, etc.). What has been your experience with people from other parts of the world? What is the general sentiment toward immigrants in America today? How do we reconcile whatever political views we may have with the clear teaching in the Old and New Testaments as to how we're to treat the stranger among us?6. Tell your own story, the story of how you came to know Christ briefly and succinctly. Now try to do the same when it comes to telling the Jesus story – who He is – why He came – and what He can do for those who trust in Him.

Main Point: The transformational love of Jesus softens and shapes the heart of His followers. Questions: What impacted you from the message this weekend? What challenged you or encouraged you? What did you learn about God through the study of John? What details do you know about John's life? Which details seem the most important to you? Read Mark 3:13-19. What name did Jesus give to James and John? What does it reveal about their personalities when they started following Jesus? Read Mark 10:35-45. What did James and John ask Jesus for? What was his response? What did the cup and baptism represent? How would James and John share in these things? Why were the other disciples angry with James and John? How did Jesus use this conflict to teach His disciples about the nature of servant leadership? Read Luke 9:51-56. How did the Jews and the Samaritans get along? How was this relationship reflected in James and John's words? Why did Jesus rebuke them? Read Acts 8:14-17. How did things come full circle for John and the Samaritans? How is this a demonstration of the power of the Gospel? Read 1 John 3:16-18 and 4:7-12. What did John say about love in these passages? What connections did John make between being loved by God and loving others? How should the love of God shape our love for others? What similarities do you see in Jesus' teaching and the writings of John? (See John 13:34-35 and John 15:9-17) What things did you learn about God through the life of John? How has God challenged you to love Him and the people around you more through this message? What is one specific thing you can do this week to put into practice what you learned in this message?

As a control freak, I have grown accustom to living a life filled with frustration and anxiety when life doesn't go as planned. Control freaks often make idols of efficiency and comfort, however, these oftentimes are not God's focus when working our His purpose. Let's unpack.   Read: Acts 21–28   Please consider making a tax deductible donation here: https://www.un-associated.com/donate/   Poetry Jam RSVP (optional): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-un-associated-poetry-jam-6-tickets-651517796267   Want to perform at the next Poetry Jam? Poetry Jam Audition Submissions: https://forms.gle/pDkWmoTseDAzjS1m8