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TEXT: Acts 15

*The gospel of grace not only saves us but it shows us how we should love and care for others.

*This obstacle was not only a major testing point for the church it was also a major turning point.

*The question before the Jerusalem counsel was far deeper than salvation by grace, it was also an issue of living in grace with others.

Romans 14:19
“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”

*The love we live by is more important than the lines we draw!

Romans 15:7
“Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.”

I. THE ISSUE DEBATED AND DEBUNKED

*Faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ is what saves us! Our salvation is not based on anything we do but in what has already been done!

Ephesians 2:8, 9
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Quote: “The doctrine of grace and redemption keeps us from seeing any person or situation as hopeless.” Tim Keller

II. THE ACTION DECIDED AND THE CHURCH UNITED

*The church must not capitulate and conform to the culture.

*God calls for unity in His church not uniformity.

*In essentials unity, in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.

*Anything God Condemns Is Sin
*Anything God Condones Is Safe
*Anything God Is Silent On Is A Choice

1. Learn to value people over preferences.
2. Seek to build people up not tear them down.
3. Stop comparing your version of Christianity.
4. Rush to give people grace.

TEXT: Selected Texts

John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

John 16:33
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

*The same situations and circumstances that can rob us of our joy will also disturb our peace.

*The common denominator to the disturbance of our peace is uncertainty.

*True peace is only found in the person of Jesus Christ.

I. A BIBLICAL UNDERSTANDING OF PEACE

*Peace has its roots in the soil of relationship.

*From the soil of a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ, peace can be produced in us and through us by the Spirit.

*Peace is the presence and application of God’s righteousness.

*Conflict between mankind will still be present but conflict with God was cured through Jesus.

Ephesians 2:14-17
“For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in
himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.”

Philippians 4:6, 7
“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

*The peace of God is the calm assurance that what God is doing is best.

Isaiah 26:3, 4
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:”

II. THE UNDENIABLE MARKS OF PEACE

Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

*People not at peace with God will tend to be at war with others.

*The issues of Christianity change but the danger of disagreement, division, and disunity do not go away!

Romans 14:19
“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”

*The love we live by is more important than the lines we draw!

Quote: "Peace is not just a happy feeling it’s the heart of the Gospel of Christ and the glory of God." - Christopher Wright

*The mission of a Christian is to carry the message of peace to a world in conflict.

*THE HALLMARKS OF A PEACEMAKER
1. I have accepted the peace that God has offered me; I am at peace with God.
2. I strive to live at peace with others.
3. I desire to lead others to know this peace that I have experienced.

TEXT: Acts 14

*Never interpret your life through your circumstances but always through the lens of Scripture.

*Sticking and staying with God’s primary plan for the church is crucial if the Gospel is going to continue to spread.

*Despite the trials, tribulations and testing’s that have already transpired and will continue to take place, the church of Jesus Christ must stick with God’s plan to advance the Gospel!

I. THE IMPACT OF THE GOSPEL

*The message of the Gospel must continue to be carried and proclaimed by messengers of the Gospel!

*If I am not speaking about Jesus it’s doubtful I am living for Jesus.

*The messengers cannot change a person’s heart, only the message can. Our goal is to give the message of the Gospel we cannot guarantee the results.

II. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE GOSPEL

*We cannot make not make decisions so that more people will like us, but so that more people will love and follow our Savior.

III. THE INSISTENCE OF THE GOSPEL

*Salvation does not mark the end of your journey it’s just the start!

1. Open Hearts

2. Open Doors

3. Open Mouths

TEXT: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

I. The Causes of Disorder at the Lord’s Supper

1. Hidden sin – V. 17-19

Galatians 6:7
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

2. Selfish motives – V. 20-22

II. The Consequences of this Disorder

1. They were judged instead of blessed – V. 23-29

2. They were chastened – V. 30

*We may not be worthy, but we can partake in a worthy manner:

1) Having a heart free from sin
2) Filled with love for Christ
3) Willing to obey His Word

Proverbs 5:21
“For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, And he pondereth all his goings.”

III. The Correction of this Disorder

1. Self-judgement – V. 31-32

We MUST:
1) Look WITHIN and confess our sins
2) Look BACK and remember Calvary
3) Look AHEAD and watch for His return
4) Look AROUND and discern the Lord’s body (His Church)

2. Mutual Love – V. 33

3. Spiritual Discernment – V. 34

The benefits [the Lord’s Supper] confers, are spiritual, not physical. Its effects must be looked for in our inward man. It was intended to remind us, by the visible, tangible emblems of bread and wine, that the offering of Christ’s body and blood for us on the cross, is the only atonement for sin, and the life of a believer’s soul. It was meant to help our poor weak faith to closer fellowship with our crucified Savior, and to assist us in spiritually feeding on Christ’s body and blood. It is an ordinance for redeemed sinners, and not for unfallen angels. By receiving it we publicly declare our sense of guilt, and need of a Savior – our trust in Jesus, and our love to Him – our desire to live upon Him, and our hope to live with Him. Using it in this spirit, we shall find our repentance deepened, our faith increased, our hope brightened, and our love enlarged – our besetting sins weakened, and our graces strengthened. It will draw us nearer to Christ. - J. C. Ryle

TEXT: Acts 13

*In this “New Era”, the mission, mandate and message had not changed and church was still on the move.

*The purpose of the church is to intentionally engage our culture proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and make disciples!

I. SPIRITUAL PREPARATION

*The early church was a launch pad for the Gospel to continue moving!

*All true public ministry must come out of the overflow of a private worship life.

*Spiritual preparation is vital if we are to serve the Lord and carry out His mission.

II. SERIOUS OPPOSITION

*Internal dissension, division, and disunity has damaged and destroyed more churches than the false doctrine has!

III. CHRIST CENTERED PREACHING

*Jesus Is The Messiah
*Jesus Was Wrongfully Put To Death
*God Raised Jesus From The Dead
*Hearers Must Repent And Believe

*The real reason people reject God is because they do not want to submit to Him.

*The authenticity of our salvation is revealed not just in a change of actions but a change in attitude.

*Our faith is rooted and rests in our abiding in Christ.

IV. CONTINUAL SPREADING OF THE GOSPEL

*The Rejoicing of The Gentiles
*A Whole Region Evangelized
*Renewed Opposition
*Revived Servants

*The power and presence of God’s Spirit, producing joy in our life, is never fully experienced until we are on mission, engaging in the work of evangelism and discipleship.

TEXT: Galatians 5:16-25; John 14:27; 15:8-11; Romans 14:17

*In a world of misery not only can Christians experience joy, they can and should be a channel of joy to others.

*Joy is based on a person, Jesus Christ and our position in Him!

Definition: Joy is the inevitable overflow of receiving Christ as Saviour and of the believers knowing His continuing presence.

I. JOY IS KNOWING YOUR FORGIVEN

*The world’s joy always rests in circumstances, the believers joy always rests in Christ!

*Sinful Choices

*Misplaced Confidence

Jeremiah 9:23, 24
“Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.”

*Spiritual Chastening

Quote: “If we only knew how bad we are we would welcome chastening because this is God’s way of getting rid of sin and its habits. But chastening is often resented because we cannot believe that we have done anything worthy of it.” J. Sanderson

*Challenging Seasons of Life

James 1:2-4
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

Romans 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 in us.”

*Joy is inevitable but not always immediate.

II. JOY IS HAVING A FAMILY

III. JOY IS HAVING A FEAST

*As believers in Christ we reflect the joy of Jesus, feasting in a manner that does not result in us sinning or cause us to regret our actions.

IV. JOY IS HAVING FAITH

Habakkuk 3:17, 18
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will
rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

V. JOY IS HAVING A FUTURE

Romans 8:22, 23
“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption,
to wit, the redemption of our body.”

*Joy is not something we work toward, or have to wait forever to experience. Joy has already been given to us and we can increase our joy by walking in the Spirit.

*The secret to our joy is centering our life on Jesus!

TEXT: Galatians 5:16-25

*The ability to produce fruit can only be accomplished by a power greater than ourselves.

*The fruit of the Spirit is the outward indicator and external evidence of true salvation.

Definition: Love is the inner disposition of the soul produced by the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 3:14
“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”

*Love is not just a decision it’s a disposition and it’s a desire.

*Love is to be the disposition of our soul.

*Love is the soil of the soul that the Spirit works in producing the fruit.

I. LOVE IS NOT A FEELING FIRST

Romans 5:8
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

II. LOVE LEADS US TO FAITHFULLY MINISTER TO OTHERS

*You are going to deeply struggle at being interested in others until you let go of your own interests.

*God’s love always involves going to someone, sacrificing and serving them!

*Love is what causes you to stick and stay with people!

Quote: “The cross is not just the means by which we are saved, but also the model for how we should live.” Christopher Wright

III. THE CHURCH IS TO BE THE LIVING PROOF OF A LIVING AND LOVING GOD

*When Christians do not love one another, it is not just heartbreaking it is horrific.

*The church of Jesus Christ is to make an invisible God visible through our love for one another.

TEXT: Selected Texts

Man Up!

*It finally happened in 1957, when Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith (pic)

*The Monongah Mining Disaster-pic)

Psalm 12:1
“Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.”

*Many guys have no idea what it actually means to “man up” and be a man according to God’s standard.

I. HEAR THE CALL TO MANHOOD

Genesis 3:9, 10
“And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

*Sin causes the inner voice of God in your life to be muted and instead of fulfilling your mission you run off and hide.

1. Vicarious living
2. Self-gratification
3. Workaholic

Quote: “Most men define their lives by three things; the ballfield, the bedroom and the billfold”. Voddie Baucham Jr.

*Guys when we become tone deaf to God’s call to manhood we also become deaf to the cry of our family who are desperate for our love and affection.

II. RECEIVE THE CHARGE OF MANHOOD

I Kings 2:1-4
“Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel."

Romans 5:19
“For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”

* Picture of Stone marker in England Martyrs Memorial

III. MAKE THE COMMITMENT TO MANHOOD

I Corinthians 13:11
“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”

Man Up and Play The Man!