Chardon church of Christ

Growing through Worry

 
Matthew 6:25 – 34

 

INTRO: It was a cold, rainy Sunday evening in the North of Scotland. The preacher was standing at the front of the building and as he looked around the building there was only him and a scruffy looking guy right at the back of the church.
When six o’clock struck, the preacher walked over to the man and said. ‘Look, it’s cold, it’s wet; it’s only you and me. Do you think we should just cancel the service’? The guy looks up at the preacher and says, ‘Son, I’ve farmed in this area for thirty years. Hail, rain or shine, I go out to feed my sheep. I don’t worry if one turns up or a hundred turn up. I do my job and feed the sheep’.
This upsets the preacher, so he storms down the front, marches into the pulpit and preaches solid for an hour and a half. When he finishes, he walks smugly up to the man at the back and says, ‘Well, what did you think of that then?’
The shepherd looks up at the preacher and says, ‘Son, I’ve farmed in this area for thirty years. Hail, rain or shine, I go out to feed my sheep. I don’t worry if one turns up or a hundred turn up. I do my job and feed the sheep. But, son, if only one turns up, I don’t dump the whole load on it!’

I would like to start this morning by asking you to think back to December 31st, 1999. Do you remember people getting hyped up for, one, singular event? It wasn’t just the start of a New Year, it wasn’t just the start of a new decade, it wasn’t even the start of a new century but the beginning of a New Millennium. For me, one of the most used phrases of that year was, ‘The last ‘whatever’ of the millennium’. The last Baseball World Series of the millennium. The last eclipse of the millennium. The last opening of Parliament of the millennium. The last New Year’s Eve of the millennium.

But, what was the one thing that was going to concern us most, in this New Millennium?
Do you remember the Worry about the millennium bug!!!! Why, because no matter what precautions had been taken, we were still not certain what was going to happen just seconds into January 1st 2000. Many people thought that ALL computers would stop working. Some thought it was the end of the world.
Now fast forward to now... this morning and I would like you to ask yourself, what is the one thing, you are afraid will hit you hard? A financial crisis? A job crisis? A relational crisis? A spiritual crisis? What is that one thing you are most afraid of happening to you, this week?
I believe that one of the most difficult commandments found in the Bible is found in Philippians 4:6 ‘Do not be anxious’.

But how many times have you heard someone say that they are worried sick? Do you know that doctors are prescribing more and more drugs for anxiety than any other illness? And do you know that the single most sin that will steal our joy is the sin of worry?

Today, instead of going to our own doctor, let’s go to the Great Physician. Please open your Bibles to Matthew 6:25- 34 and let’s go ahead and read it. Jesus has just finished talking about storing up treasures in heaven and He goes to say in Matthew 6:25-34 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Every time we read a familiar passage of Scripture like this one, I believe we always get something new out of it. Look at the first few words in verse 25, ‘Do not worry about your life’. Have you ever considered this?
2 Worry is the fine we pay when we look for life in all the wrong places. When we look for life in things that weren’t intended to give life, worry will be the tragic, yet the inevitable result. Notice in this passage that Jesus admits that we are all going to be seekers. We will all pursue something with a great deal of zeal. We’re all created by God to need something to live for; something to give meaning to our existence and something to set our hearts upon. Notice, Jesus didn’t say in verse 33 ‘Stop seeking’. That’s not the issue, the issue is, what are you going to seek this week?

Note that we can’t control tomorrow. If you are trying to find life in the wrong places you will be a worrier.
Thomas Carlisle, the famous writer used to write in an attic room to get away from distractions. Even though he was sitting in the solitude of the attic there was still One thing that bugged him, a neighbour’s roster, which crowed three times daily. This drove Carlisle nuts. So he went to his neighbour and complained. The neighbour couldn’t see the problem, the roster only crowed three times a day.
But, Carlisle said that ‘it was the suffering he endured waiting for it to crow’. And that’s what worry does, we suffer while we wait for something we fear might be coming.

There’s something unique about worry, because worry is a pain. It can steal our joy and it can make us miserable.
Some things will come this week that we can’t predict, but we will just have to handle. But there’s a difference in what we can’t predict and worry. Worry is a pain we inflict upon ourselves, that does not have to be there. It can’t make us one inch taller, it can’t make us live one day longer according to Matthew 6:27 although it can shorten our lives considerably.

What good is it going to do us to worry? We are inflicting ourselves with a pain that is absolutely useless and does not help us one iota. The fact is that all of our worrying will not give us control of tomorrow, it will only make us miserable today. Jesus has an even sharper rebuke against the sin of worry. Jesus says in Matthew 6:25, ‘You are more than just a body; you were created for more than just eating and dressing.’
Jesus is here to tell us that we are more than just a machine to be maintained. If we were only here today and gone tomorrow, then I would tell us all to go out and eat, drink and be merry, go for it. Because we only go around once and if that’s true, just go all out for all the materialism you can handle and worry yourself to death, about whether or not you will have any tomorrow.
Is that true? Pagans say, ‘Yes it’s true, you only go around once in life’, but Jesus says ‘that’s not true’. 3 He says that kind of orientation is absurdly unworthy of what a human being really is and He is calling us to a higher ambition.

Jesus says, ‘We are much more than something to be fed and dressed’. In our text He tells us the thing we should want most and that is God’s kingdom and doing what God wants. We will worry tomorrow, not because our problems are too big,
but because our goals are too small. We were meant for more than just preserving the body; we were created to enjoy and to promote the Rulership of God in the world.

If that is our priority, we can see that goal, this by the way is the only goal, which is truly worthy of what a human being really is. We can seek that goal no matter what happens, illness can come and we can still seek the goal of enjoying and promoting the kingdom of God. We can lose our job; an investment can go wrong but nothing can happen to us tomorrow that can keep us from the goal that is worthy of who we really are.
God is bigger than whatever we might try to find life in. We worry because our ‘goals are too small’ and also it’s a sign that our God is too small, it says we don’t understand who God is or what He’s like.
Psalm 145:16 says, ‘You open your hand, and you satisfy the desire of every living thing.’

The Bible says we are in the hands of God, He opens up His hands and provides every living thing with what it needs and we are in good hands with God. The problem with worry is it ‘makes us forget the promises of God’.
Romans 8:32 ‘God didn’t spare his own Son but handed him over to death for all of us. So he will also give us everything along with him.’ That doesn’t mean we still don’t work, working is one way God gives us the ability to provide, He gives us the ability to work. It doesn’t mean we ignore other’s needs. When we see a need we shouldn’t say, ‘Trust in God, He’ll meet your needs’, God could be meeting that need through our generosity.
When Jesus says don’t worry about food or drink, He’s not saying don’t work and don’t share. He’s not even saying we won’t have problems; He did say every day has its own troubles in Matthew 6:34. What He did mean is this?

God knows what we need and God is faithful, God will see to it that we have everything we need to put His kingdom first. We will not have any excuses tomorrow to put His Kingdom first because we needed something we didn’t have. God’s going to make sure everything we need to be what He’s designed us to be and to pursue what He wants us to pursue, we will have. He will keep His promise on that.

We are not born worriers, worry is a learned habit and since it is learned that means it can also be unlearned. When worry knocks on our doors tomorrow, we don’t have to let it in, just because we let it in, in the past. In education today, the buzzword is coping strategies. Let me suggest to you some coping strategies for worry. Talk to God about your worry, if there is one resolution we should make for tomorrow, let it be, to improve our prayer lives.

Can you imagine what would happen if we spent time praying instead of worrying? We would have much less to worry about. God will always listen to any of our problems and by improving our prayer lives we are recognizing that it’s God that controls tomorrow, not us.

Something else will happen, when we pray we receive the greatest cure for worry, because we experience the touch of the eternal. Philippians 4:6 says ‘Do not be anxious’, but look what else it says, ‘But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests, while giving thanks.’ God is going to respond to our prayer when we talk to Him about our concerns.
He will respond in 2 ways. He will do something about that concern if it’s in accordance with His will and He is going to send us a peace that cannot be explained away. God will touch us with the eternal. Look at Philippians 4:7 ‘Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.’

When we pray, God sends us a peace that we simply cannot understand because it’s beyond our understanding.
God protects us from unnecessary worry, then we have to turn the worry over to God. Give it to Him in prayer, but remember when we are finished praying, don’t take your worry back because that defeats the purpose of finding peace, leave the worry with God.

In Psalm 55:22 it says, ‘Turn your burdens over to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will never let the righteous person stumble.’ Perhaps this is what Peter had in mind when he wrote in 1 Peter 5:7 ‘Turn all your anxiety over to God because he cares for you.’ You see loved ones that word ‘worry’ or ‘anxiety’ is the Greek word ‘merimna’ and it means ‘distraction’. And what Peter and Jesus are both saying is, don’t let your basic everyday needs distract you from seeking God’s kingdom today.

To turn it over to God means to let go of it, let God take care of our distractions because He’s not going to get distracted from meeting your needs. Oh, you will still have those things on your mind, but when you give them to God, you won’t be controlled by your anxieties because you trust God to take care of them for you.
Let’s get in the habit of turning our worries over to God. When Satan tries to creep up on us to remind us of our distractions, just tell him, ‘Satan, I gave that to God, that’s His worry now’. We might as well give our worries over to someone who can do something about tomorrow, because we can’t. Talk to God about it and turn it over to Him and trust Him with today.

That’s what Jeremiah says in Lamentations 3:22+23 “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” How often does he share His compassion with us? Every day, every morning.
When the Israelites were in the desert how often did God supply the manna for them? Exodus 16:4 “Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day.”
The Lord supplied their food needs every day. Jesus said earlier in Matthew 6:11 “Give us this day our daily bread.”

Finally, trust God and enjoy today in His Kingdom. How many times have we missed today’s blessings by worrying about tomorrow’s possibilities? Worry is a sin, because it makes us miss today’s grace. God gave us food today, He gave us clothes today, He gave us friends today and a place to worship in today.
Are we missing our reason to rejoice today because of something that might happen tomorrow? Don’t let tomorrow keep you from living today fully. We’ve got today to hug our kids or kiss our wife or husband. We’ve got today to give someone a smile. We’ve got today to make a new friend or do something for an elderly person. We’ve got today to read our Bibles and get down on our knees to worship God. We’ve got today, don’t let tomorrow waste it.
Jesus says listen, don’t let food, drink, clothes or even tomorrow distract you from serving God today because He’ll take care of those things for you. Psalm 118:24 says ‘This is the day the Lord has made. Let’s rejoice and be glad today!’

I don’t know what will come to each and every one of us tomorrow. I don’t know what distractions will come our way but I do know that when worry knocks, we don’t have to let it in, we can let faith in instead. And we let faith in by reminding ourselves of the chorus which says, ‘The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end. Therefore, I will hope in Him’. Now if you’re not a Christian you’ve got to ask yourself an honest question. What are you worrying about? What’s happening in your life which is stopping you making Jesus Lord of your life? Wouldn’t it make more sense to give your worries and your life over to Someone who can control tomorrow? You can’t control tomorrow, politicians can’t control tomorrow, your friends and family can’t control tomorrow but God can. Let me encourage you to speak to someone today about how Jesus can remove all your anxieties and help you live your life for Him one day at a time.

Shake The Dust From Your Feet And Move On

  Acts 13:26-52

INTRO: Good morning. We are continuing in our study of the Book of Acts. The last time we were together we left Paul and Barnabus in Antioch preaching in the synagogue after being invited to do so. Paul did what we all should be ready to do, and that is—seize the moment.

Before we get started with our text today let me tell you a story I heard from some years ago. It’s about a professor of European history at Oxford University. Pressure of advanced learning combined with the freedom of being away from home and finding oneself living among others of the same age, can produce an environment that is difficult for a young person to manage. When faced with writing a paper, which is a lengthy process, sometimes the student is tempted to find time saving methods, and in this case the professor spotted a plagiarized term paper.
He called the student into his office and said, "This isn't your work. Someone typed it for you straight out of an encyclopedia."
The student glared at the professor and said, "You can't prove that!"
The professor showed the student the paper and on the last page, he had circled the final sentence.
It read: "Also see article on communism."

Plagiarism is considered a serious matter in the academic world. But quoting words and ideas that are not your own is only plagiarism if you do not correctly cite the source. When teaching from scripture we most often quote book, chapter, and verse, (cite the reference) so that the listener can verify what is being said.

We left Paul in the middle of his sermon where he shared with those in the synagogue a Jewish history lesson.

I. We catch up with Paul’s sermon in Acts 13:26-29 – “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. "For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. "And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. "Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb.” [NKJV]

A. Luke tells us that Paul proclaimed that the message of salvation brought by the Messiah, was being delivered to them.

1. I don’t know about you, but I find it difficult to admit to something I didn’t know I had done. I remember one time I said something in a sermon which upset someone, but I wasn’t aware of it until a few weeks later. Thankfully, they approached me, and we talked about it. I assured them that I wasn’t even aware that I had upset them. Fortunately, it was a misunderstanding of the point under discussion, we cleared it up and I apologized for not being clear and upsetting them.
2. Luke says that the Jewish leaders and other people fulfilled the prophecies about Christ's death because they did not recognize the Messiah.
3. Paul tells them that they didn’t understand what the prophets had foretold. Just like I was unaware I upset someone until they told me, the people listening to Paul’s sermon were clueless as well.
4. Paul tells them that they had crucified an innocent man named Jesus, but they had also fulfilled all the other prophecies concerning His rejection, death, and burial.

B. Remember a few months ago we had a sermon called, ‘But God’? We saw how we may have many plans for our lives ‘But God’ may have different plans for us. I love those two little words and while Paul is talking about the rejection, death, and burial of Jesus Christ, he continues now at verse 30 using those same two little words.
C. Acts 13:30-38 – “But God raised Him from the dead. "He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. "And we declare to you glad tidings that promise which was made to the fathers. "God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: 'You are My Son, today I have begotten You.' "And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: 'I will give you the sure mercies of David.' "Therefore He also says in another Psalm: 'You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.' "For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; "but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. "Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;”

1. Paul says that the Jews rejected the Christ, ‘But God.’
2. Paul says they murdered the innocent Christ, ‘But God’.
3. Paul says they buried Him in a tomb, ‘But God’.
4. All the events which happened concerning the Christ were prophesied many years before they happened.
5. Paul says, ‘But God’ did not abandon Jesus, but raised Him up from the grave.
6. Paul asks, do you want proof? He says there are many witnesses who could tell you how they personally saw the resurrected Lord.

D. Paul quotes two Old Testament passages to prove his case.

1. The first one is from Isaiah 55:3 – “Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you the sure mercies of David.”[NKJV]
2. The second one is from Psalm 16:10 – “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.”[KJV]
3. Paul tells them this is what the Old Testament prophets were saying. They told the people that the Holy One promised by God was coming and Paul says His Name is Jesus.

E. I like to watch mystery shows. The shows set in modern times often use forensics to solve cases. Occasionally they must dig up an old grave to take samples from the body buried there. Most of the time they get a court order, go to the cemetery, dig up the grave, and find the remains they need to examine.
F. Most folks today can go to the cemetery and visit the grave of a loved one who is buried there. There is an organization on the web, BillionGraves.com, who has made a project of collecting pictures of grave markers from volunteers. These pictures are indexed by name and graveyard and are used by people researching their heritage.

1. If the Jews in Paul’s time wanted to visit a grave of a loved one, they could simply go down to the graveyard and visit the tomb.
2. Paul tells them, if they wanted to go down to the graveyard they could still see the tomb of King David. If they opened it up, they would still see the remains of David’s body, but Paul goes on to say that the fact that Jesus' body was raised and did not stay in the tomb, set Him apart from David as God's promised Messiah. In other words, that’s why Jesus was different from King David.

II. Why is the resurrection of Christ so important to Christians? Is the fact that Jesus rose from the grave about 2,000 years ago really all that important to a Christian’s faith? Have you ever wondered what would happen if Jesus had never risen from the tomb in which He was buried? What if you could go and see His remains in a grave today? Could we still be Christians if Jesus had never arisen?

A. I would like us to look at what Paul told the Christians at Corinth about the resurrection of Christ.

1. In a passage where Paul was writing about the reality of the resurrection of the dead at the end of time, he also mentioned Christ’s resurrection. He says in 1 Corinthians 15:14 – “And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is vain and your faith is also vain.” [NKJV]
2. If we go to verse 17 of the same passage, Paul says, “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!”
3. What Paul is saying here is that without Jesus’ resurrection, no one would have any hope of going to heaven. Romans 3:10 – “... There is none righteous, no, not one”
4. Paul also wrote in Romans 1:4 that “... He was shown to be the Son of God when He was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.” [para]

B. As we’ve already seen with our study of Acts, the early church multiplied quickly in just a few short years. The church grew by “leaps and bounds.” People were obeying the Gospel by the thousands. One central message lay at the heart of their decision.

1. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 – “1. Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2. by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you unless you believed in vain. 3. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4. and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,”
2. Paul says the central message of the gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. In other words, if Jesus had never been raised from the grave, the Gospel never could have been preached. You see, folks, the Gospel is not about a “lifeless hero,” it’s about a “risen Redeemer.” Jesus’ resurrection gives meaning to a Christian’s faith. Think about it.

C. It’s because of His resurrection that we meet every Sunday to partake of the Lord’s Supper. Think of 1 Corinthians 11:26 – “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.” We are to remember the Lord’s death “until He comes”.

1. If Jesus were not risen however, we would have no hope of His coming again, and Paul’s statement here regarding the Lord’s Supper would be meaningless.
2. Every time Christians pray “in Jesus name,” we are relying on our risen Savior, to mediate on our behalf according to 1 Timothy 2:5. If Jesus were not risen, our prayers would not be heard, and our petitions to have our sins forgiven could not be granted.

D. The only reason that the preaching and baptizing we read about in Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15-16 are of any importance at all, is because Jesus is not dead, but alive.

1. When a person is baptized “for the remission of sins” as we saw happening in Acts 2:38, they are “... buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, they too may have a new life”. [para] Romans 6:4.
2. Folks, Christians always need to keep in mind how important Jesus’ resurrection is to our faith.
3. And we must not let the fact that Jesus’ resurrection occurred nearly 2,000 years ago lessen the importance of His victory over death.

III. Paul goes on to say in Acts 13, let me tell you something else which is different about these two great men, David and Jesus. Acts 13:39-41 – “39. and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. 40. "Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you: 41. "Behold, you despisers, marvel and perish; for I work a work in your days, a work which you will by no means believe, though one were to declare it to you.””” What Paul is saying "Therefore, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: 'Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.'"

A. Paul reminds them of an Old Testament passage. This time it was the words of the prophet Habakkuk. Habakkuk 1:5 – “Look among the nations and watch be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you.”

1. Paul says Habakkuk foretold that some people would reject the one who God had clearly approved by great signs. What he was really saying to them at this point was, don’t be the ones to fulfill this prophecy.
2. Then he says “I’ll tell you why. It is because of Jesus and only through Jesus, that the forgiveness of sins is made available to all who would obey.”

IV. I have heard it said that the sign of a good visiting preacher is that he gets asked back to speak again.

A. Let’s looks at what happened with Paul and Barnabas. Acts 13:42-45 – “42. And when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43. Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. 44. And the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 45. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.”

1. Luke tells us that as Paul and Barnabus went out of the synagogue, some people were moved to ask Paul and Barnabas to return the following week to speak again. We are told these people consisted of Gentiles, Jews and devout proselytes. Paul's great sermon had fully captured the attention of many who were inclined to accept Christianity, and the conversations regarding this apparently continued. An appointment was made for Paul to speak again in that same synagogue on the Sabbath day a week later.
2. It seems from our text that on the next Sabbath day a crowd of people came to hear them preach. In fact, Luke tells us that nearly the whole city gathered to hear God's word proclaimed. In the meantime, however, Satan would stir up opposition to the truth.
3. Some in the audience who were Jews, were jealous upon seeing the large gathering, and contradicted the message Paul delivered and spoke against God.

B. Paul did what he did the prior week, he seized the moment. Have you ever tried to share the gospel with someone, but you know they are just not interested? I suspect that many reject the gospel at least once.

1. Do you recall in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7 where Jesus is talking about judging? Remember that Jesus does not teach never to judge, but what He does teach is to judge wisely and righteously.
2. To illustrate that point about judging He says in Matthew 7:6 – “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.”
3. Jesus tells us we possess something which is unbelievably valuable, the word of God. He also says there comes a time when you will need to judge whether or not you’re wasting your time trying to share it with some people.
4. He teaches the same principle over in Mark 6 when He’s speaking to His disciples. Mark 6:10-11 – “10. Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. 11. "And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!''”

C. I think this is important for us to understand because there are a lot of people out there who really do want to know the word of God and they are the people we should be focusing on.
D. Jesus is saying that if you feel that you’re wasting your time with this person then just move on to someone else who is interested.

1. You see folks, what’s happening here in Acts 13 is that very thing. Acts 13:46-49 – “46. Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47. "For so the Lord has commanded us: 'I have set you to be a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.' '' 48. Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49. And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.”
2. The apostles immediately let them know that they were required to preach to the Jews first, but if the Jews were determined to reject the gospel, then they would preach to the Gentiles.
3. As you can imagine that statement alone led to great rejoicing among the Gentiles. Because of such bold preaching all who willingly obeyed the word of God were added to the kingdom by the Lord and so the truth was spread throughout the country.

E. In Dale’s sermon on the Parable of the Seed he reminds us “there's no harvest without a seed being sown”. We are to plant the seed, God’s word. The power to save is in the seed, but the seed cannot do any good if it's not received by the hearer.

CONCLUSION:
Do you remember the old story about a man and his son taking their donkey to the fair to sell him? They came across a group of women at a well who called them silly for walking when they had a donkey. So the old man had his son mount the Donkey, and continued to walk along merrily by his side.
Next they came up to a group of old men and one said “Do you see that idle lad riding while his old father has to walk?” The old man had his son dismount and he got on the donkey himself.
In a little while they met a company of women and children. A woman yelled at the old man accusing him of riding while his son had to run along side to keep up. The good-natured old man immediately took up his son behind him.
They had almost reached the fair when a man coming the other way said; “How can you overload that poor beast? You two are better able to carry the donkey than he is you.”
The old man said; “We can try.” So they got down and with some rope and a pole they endeavored to carry the donkey on their shoulders. As they reached a bridge near the fair they attracted a crowd who broke out in laughter, frightening the donkey, who proceeded to struggle out of the rope and fall off the pole into the river. The old man and his son trudged home again, convinced that by endeavoring to please everyone they had pleased no one, and lost the donkey in the bargain.

Folks, as Christians we are not in the business of pleasing people. If I wanted to please people, I would preach lessons only on the love of God. If wanted to please people I would preach that it doesn’t matter what ‘church’ you belong to as long as you’re happy. If I wanted to please people, I would preach that it doesn’t matter how you live your life because God’s grace will overlook your sinful lifestyle.

I don’t want to please people. We don’t want to please people.
We want to please God.

Yes, God is a God of love, but He is also a God who demands justice and obedience.
Yes, God wants you to belong to a ‘church’—not just any ‘church’ but His church.
Yes, by God’s grace we are saved but that grace isn’t a license to go out and live your life however ‘you’ think is right and sin every day.

Remember back in Acts 5 when Peter is preaching to the Sanhedrin and they are trying to stop the apostles preaching in the name of Christ? In Acts 5:29 we read the apostle’s response to them, they said, “We ought to obey God rather than men.”
The apostles were not in the business of pleasing people, they wanted to please God.

Paul and Barnabas were not in the business of pleasing people. They wanted to please God.

Like we have seen time and time again throughout the Book of Acts some people will humbly accept the message while others will find it offensive. Acts 13:50-52 – “50. But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. 52. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”

Luke tells us that while all this rejoicing was going on, the Jews stirred up the prominent women of the city and those in authority. It was because of those people who were highly offended with the message they had Paul and Barnabas persecuted and finally, cast outside the city.

Look how both Paul and Barnabas reacted to their persecution.
They put into practice the words of their master, Jesus.
Just like we looked at earlier, because these people had so rejected the message, Paul and Barnabas shook the dust off their feet and went on to Iconium.

Despite all the opposition, those who had believed God's word rejoiced and were filled with the Holy Spirit. The message is simple today, never forget or undermine the resurrection of Christ.
It’s the center of our beliefs and hope.
In faith we share the message, we sow the seed. If people won’t accept the message that you’re trying to share with them, then simply shake the dust from your feet and move on to someone else who will humbly accept it.

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We learn from the New Testament how to be saved. We need to hear the word; believe in Jesus; repent of our sins; we must confess our belief that Jesus is the Son of God, and be baptized for the remission of our sins... If we follow these steps, the Lord adds us to His church.

Perhaps there is someone in the assembly today with the need to be buried with Christ in baptism. If you have never done these things, we urge you to do so today. If anyone has this need or desires the prayers of faithful Christians on their behalf, we encourage them to come forward while we stand and sing.

# ???

Reference Sermon: Mike Glover

 

Seize the Moment

 
Acts 12:25-13:25

INTRO: The last time I brought a lesson we saw Peter being miraculously released from prison by an angel of the Lord. He turned up at the house of some of the believers who were amazed when they saw him standing there at the door.

We also saw how Herod was enjoying all the praise from men and women but he didn’t give credit where credit was due to God. An angel of the Lord struck him with an illness which ultimately led to his death. While this was going on Barnabas and Saul were still busy working for the Lord and His people.

I heard a funny story about a sideshow strongman who was exhibiting his skill and as a final trick he squeezed the juice from a lemon between his hands and then offered ten dollars to anyone in the audience who could squeeze a single drop out of what remained.
Several husky men tried, to no avail.
Finally, a small bespectacled man came forward. He took the lemon in hand, and to the delight of the audience, managed to squeeze one more drop from the lemon.
As the strongman paid out the ten dollars, he asked the man, "What is the secret of your strength. How did you manage to get that last drop?"
"Oh," the man replied, "I was the treasurer for a church for 30 years."

Much as I like the story I think that if we have to squeeze money out of people to help others, then there is something seriously wrong with our hearts.

A few weeks ago we left Saul and Barnabas in Acts 11:30 delivering a special offering of money which was taken up for the needy saints in Jerusalem.

I. Today we’re going to catch up with them on the return trip beginning in Acts 12:25-13:3 – “25. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark. 1. Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'' 3. Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.”

A. Luke tells us that right after Barnabas and Saul had completed their task of delivering the gift of money for the needy saints in Jerusalem, they returned to Antioch. This time they took John Mark with them which according to Colossians 4:10 was Barnabas' cousin.

1. Remember that Mark's mother was Mary and Luke had just reported that the church met in her house for prayers while Peter was in prison.
2. Luke tells us that the church in Antioch was blessed to have Barnabas, the son of consolation, Simeon, also called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, who was somehow closely associated with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. These men were called prophets and teachers.

B. As these men were carrying out their various ministries for the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit called for Barnabas and Saul to be set apart for their specially chosen work. According to Luke the whole church fasted and prayed as they sent them on their way.

1. Some time ago we looked at the subject of the laying on of hands. We discovered that the laying of hands was done for one or two reasons. The apostles would lay their hands on some people to pass on miraculous capabilities but sometimes they would also just lay there hands on people to show their approval of the person they are laying their hands on. It wasn’t always done to pass on miraculous gifts.
2. The reason I brought up this point is because the laying on of hands mentioned here in Acts 13:3 was not done to pass on any special gift but it was done as a sign of the agreement they had with the good work to be done. In other words, Barnabas, John Mark, and Saul were being shown that the other disciples approved of what they were about to do.

C. Following on in Acts 13:4-5 Luke records, “So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia (say-LOO-she-uh), and from there they sailed to Cyprus. And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant.” Luke says that they first went to Seleucia, which was the port city of Antioch. It was located about 16 miles downstream.

1. Then they sailed approximately one hundred miles to Salamis, the largest city on the eastern end of the island of Cyprus.
2. Luke tells Theophilus that Barnabas and Saul preached in the synagogues in the city and John Mark served as their assistant. Just as a matter of interest, history tells us that around 50 years after Barnabas and Saul were there, there was a Jewish uprising in which 240,000 Gentiles were slaughtered. A famous man named Hadrian, who would be a future Roman emperor, put down the rebellion and expelled the Jews from the city. That has nothing to do with our sermon, but I thought you might find that interesting.

II. Let’s continue in Acts 13:6-7 – “Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.”

A. They crossed over the island to Paphos, which was the capital city and the home of the proconsul Sergius Paulus, Luke tells us he was a wise man.

1. Sergius Paulus had a Jewish adviser known as Bar-Jesus or Elymas, who Luke tells us was a false prophet and sorcerer, one who used magic and incantations.
2. When Sergius Paulus heard that Barnabas and Saul were in town, he sent for them because he wanted to hear God's word. Luke tells us that Sergius Paulus was an intelligent man and we’re going to see why in a moment.
3. I remember reading a story about a manager of a novelty shop, who was located in a popular area with a lot of tourist traffic. His shop attracted customers from all over the world. One day, a well dressed man came in and started browsing. He spotted a ventriloquist's dummy and asked the manager of the shop, "Do you have one that speaks Spanish?"
4. I suspect that intelligent people in the world are not necessarily always people with degrees and high qualifications. The most intelligent people in the world are those who recognize that there is a God. The most intelligent people are those who recognize that the planet on which we live had to have a creator.
5. The most intelligent people are those who recognize that they are created in God’s image and they have a sin problem. The most intelligent people are those who recognize there is a God and want to search for and obey the truth of our creator.

III. That’s’ why Sergius Paulus was called an intelligent man. He wanted to hear God’s word. Acts 13:8-11 – “But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? "And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.'' And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.”

A. Luke tells us that Elymas did everything he could to deter the proconsul from hearing these preachers. Why he didn’t want the proconsul to know about God I’m not sure, possibly because he feared he might lose his influence.

1. Luke also tells us that Saul, who was also known by his Greek name, Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit when he challenged the sorcerer.
2. Do you remember in Exodus when God was displaying His power to Pharaoh?

B. In Exodus 7 we find this display of God’s power. Exodus 7:10-12 says, “So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, just as the Lord commanded. And Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent. But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.”

1. Pharaoh’s magicians did the same thing as Moses but God displayed His power over them by having Aaron’s staff swallow up their staffs.
2. In Exodus 7:20-22 we read, “And Moses and Aaron did so, just as the Lord commanded. So he lifted up the rod and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants. And all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. The fish that were in the river died, the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink the water of the river. So there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. Then the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments; and Pharaoh's heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the Lord had said.”

C. While we are looking here let’s look in Exodus 8:6-7 we read, “So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs on the land of Egypt.”

1. In thinking about this I have to ask of what earthly help was this action of Pharaoh's magicians? The last thing they needed was more frogs! It shows that even the efforts of God's enemies aid God's purpose. If those magicians had been able to remove the frogs, that would have helped. Their enchantment to produce more frogs was a self-defeating act. These magicians thought they could match God’s power by using their secret arts but look what happened next.
2. Exodus 8:16-19 – “ So the Lord said to Moses, "Say to Aaron, 'Stretch out your rod, and strike the dust of the land, so that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.' '' And they did so. For Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod and struck the dust of the earth, and it became lice on man and beast. All the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. Now the magicians so worked with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not. So there were lice on man and beast. Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God.'' But Pharaoh's heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, just as the Lord had said.”
3. Folks, no one can beat God when it comes to power. Although sorcerers have got a lot of influence with the people by using methods to convince them that they are someone powerful when they are not, they can not beat the power of God.

D. Paul tells us Elymas was a deceiver who opposed righteousness and so Paul, by the power of God struck him blind for a season. "And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.'' “And immediately a dark mist fell on him” That word translated as mist in your Bible (achlys) is a medical term used to describe a dimming of the vision brought on by cataracts or disease.
E. I want us to notice something important in this text too. Acts 13:12 – “Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.”

1. This is another text which shows us the purpose of miracles during Biblical times. The teachings of Jesus which had been presented and the power of the miracle convinced Sergius Paulus to follow Christ in obedience.
2. The miracles performed in the Bible were to prove that the words which were being preached were true and from God.

IV. After blinding the sorcerer and convincing Sergius Paulus that Jesus was who He claimed to be, Luke tells us the following.

A. Acts 13:13-15 – “Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, "Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.''” They would have landed at the port of Attalia and then gone on the short distance to Perga.
B. We don’t know the reason why but for some reason, John Mark decided to leave Paul and his companions at Perga and the rest of the group went on to Antioch in Pisidia, which, at that time, was considered to be part of Galatia.

1. Look where they went to. This missionary group went into the synagogue on the Sabbath and listened to the reading of the scriptures.
2. It was then that the rulers of the synagogue asked if they had some instruction to give them.
3. Paul did as we all should do, he seized the moment, and addressed the men of Israel and God-fearers assembled there. What an opportunity that is to share the gospel with people!

C. There are times we look at the world around us and wonder how we are going to reach all these people with the gospel?

1. Let me suggest an answer by sharing with you a story I love about a man who was walking along a beach, when he saw someone in the distance leaning down, picking something up and throwing it into the ocean.
2. As he got closer, he saw hundreds of starfish the tide had thrown onto the beach. Unable to return to the ocean during low tide, the starfish would die.
3. He observed a young man picking up the starfish one by one and throwing them back into the water.
4. After watching the seemingly futile effort, the man said, "There must be hundreds of starfish on this beach. It would be impossible for you to get all of them. There are simply too many. You can't possibly save enough to make a difference."
5. The young man smiled as he picked up another starfish and tossed it back into the ocean and said, "It made a difference to that one."
6. Folks, that is how we reach people, one at a time. One conversation, one example, one correction, one seed at a time.
7. Please don’t ever think that you can’t make a difference, That one person you share the gospel with, that one person whom you correct of a misunderstanding could be the very person whose soul you help save from drowning in the waters of sin.

V. We must be ready to seize the moment. Paul says in Colossians 4:2-5 – “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” [para]

A. Paul says the same thing over in Ephesians 6:18-20 – “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
B. I suggest we should ask ourselves the question, are we doing that? Are we praying that God will open up doors for us to share the gospel with others?

1. Are we asking God to give us the wisdom and the words to share the message clearly?
2. Are we really making the most of every opportunity? Do we... seize the moment?

C. I don’t know about you, but I admit that I have missed many opportunities to share the gospel with people.

1. There are many times that I wasn’t being watchful.
2. I wasn’t looking for opportunities or I didn’t recognize them as an opportunity.
3. I have learned that God opens doors for us all the time.
4. It could be a simple Bible question from your neighbor or one of your friends at work.
5. It could be a simple question from someone who is asking you about your faith.
6. It could be something a friend says about what they have been taught and you know it is something that is not in scripture.

VI. We may not always recognize an open door but we need to be prepared to give an answer to those questions. 1 Peter 3:15 – “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;”

A. We may not know the answer to some questions at that specific moment but we should never be ashamed to say, ‘I don’t know the answer to that question right now, but I will get back to you with the answer.’

1. Then we need to get back with the answer, don’t leave someone’s question unanswered, go and study the question for yourself and if you still can’t come up with an answer ask someone else for help.
2. There is no shame in asking for help, after all our answer might make the difference between saving a soul and losing a soul forever because we couldn’t be bothered to study and get back to them with an answer.

B. We all need to seize the moment, and that’s exactly what Paul did next because all he wanted was to let people know about Jesus and he wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip from him. Acts 13:16-25 – “16. Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, "Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: 17. "The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it. 18. "Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness. 19. "And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment. 20. "After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. 21. "And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22. "And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.' 23. "From this man's seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior Jesus 24. "after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25. "And as John was finishing his course, he said, 'Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.'”
C. Paul did what Stephen did in Acts 7. He shared with them a Jewish history lesson.

1. He talked about how God delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage.
2. He reminded them of the forty years of wilderness wandering and how God defeated seven nations so Israel could have a home in Canaan.
3. He also reminded those assembled that God had ruled in Israel for 450 years using judges.
4. When the people asked for a king, God gave them Saul, then, David after Saul was removed.
5. Paul says it was from the seed of David, that God raised up a Savior for His people named Jesus, but before He sent the Savior of the world, He sent John the baptizer to prepare the Way for the Savior by preaching the baptism of repentance.
6. Paul finally reminds them that John had told the people he was not the Messiah, but the One coming after him was.

CONCLUSION: We’re going to look at the rest of Paul’s sermon another time but for now let me leave you with this thought.

Our God has always been in control of this world. He was in control in the beginning and He was in control throughout Israel’s history and He is still in control today.

As Maltbie D Babcock writes, “This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget. That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done: Jesus Who died shall be satisfied, and earth and Heav’n be one.”

Folks, God will open up doors for us. God will give us the answers for those who ask questions about our faith. The point though is, we must first ask God to do that for us.

There’s no point in dropping 1000 leaflets into people’s homes if we don’t first ask God to bless the hearts of those who are going to read them. There’s no point in organizing a gospel meeting if we don’t first ask God to open people’s hearts to come and hear His word.

Challenge yourself this week to pray like you’ve have not prayed in a long time.
Challenge yourself to ask God to open up a door for you, so that you can share the gospel with someone.
Challenge yourself to ask God to help you with words so that you can get back to someone when they ask you a question.

Church, one of the reasons that you and I are here today, and a part of the Lord’s body is because someone saw you as an open door.
They saw an opportunity in you to share the good news about Jesus and they seized the moment, just like Paul did.

May God bless our prayers and all our efforts as we seek His blessing first before we try to reach the lost.

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We learn from the New Testament how to be saved. We need to hear the word; believe in Jesus; repent of our sins; we must confess our belief that Jesus is the Son of God, and be baptized for the remission of our sins... If we follow these steps, the Lord adds us to His church.

Perhaps there is someone in the assembly today with the need to be buried with Christ in baptism. If you have never done these things, we urge you to do so today. If anyone has this need or desires the prayers of faithful Christians on their behalf, we encourage them to come forward while we stand and sing.

# ???

Reference Sermon: Mike Glover

The Parable of a Seed

 
Mark 4:26-29

INTRO:
Today’s sermon, kind of reflects the last song that we just sang. It talks about God’s Word and of faith in general. The title of the sermon this morning is called The Parable of a Seed. We will touch on a number of scriptures. You can, if you like, write them down because I may go a little fast in some areas. Let's start off by reading this Mark chapter four verses 26 to 29.
When we read Mark 4:26-29 it says: And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
This is Mark 4:26-29.

I. Christians are like farmers.

A. This parable teaches us the importance of the seed. The germ of life is in the seed, within the seed. Man sows the seed, but the power is not within man. It is not within us. Neither is the power within the soil, though, the soil may be good soil. The power is within the seed. Life is within the seed. Man must sow, the soil must receive, but the power resides within God’s word. The power is within God’s word.

1. Paul said this in First Corinthians chapter three and verse six. I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
2. The scripture says: For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11.

II. So our first subtitle here is; The Kingdom of God is like seed cast upon the Earth. The seed of God's kingdom is equal to the word of God. Luke 8:11 which says: Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

A. Therefore, the seed is indispensable. If we have no seed, there is no harvest. And if there's no harvest, there is no kingdom, just like a literal farmer. If a farmer has no seed, there's no farming. You cannot farm without seed. If he's not farming, there's not going to be any harvest for the farmer. In both cases, the soil may be good, and the heart may be prepared or the soil may be prepared, but there's no harvest without a seed to be sown.
B. We can think about the many honest and good hearts that are around us. We include family members, friends and neighbors and so forth. Without someone like you, without someone like me planting the seed, that is to say God's word, they would never become God's children, of course, unless they read God's word for themselves and seek it out being baptized and so forth. But if they don't do that, they will continue to be in the bosom, in the arms of Satan, as the scriptures would say, the children of Satan.

1. The Bible says: Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. That's first Peter 1:22-23. The seed must again be sown. The sower soweth the word says Mark 4:14.
2. James 1:21 says; Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
3. Notice the word must be received. It must be accepted. It must be taken into the heart. If not, there's no saved soul. There's no salvation. Romans 1:16 says: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

C. The power is within the word, the gospel, but it must be sown first. Then it must be received and believed. Why must God's word be taught? Well, the word must be preached and taught because there is no saving power for example, in a poem. The poem may be provocative, may be cherished, there's no saving power in the poem. There's no saving power in a personal testimony. Once again, there's no saving power in personal testimony, though that testimony may be interesting, may be very interesting, but there's no saving power there and there's no saving power in fables and things like that. They may be historic in nature and they may be renowned, but there's no saving power in them.

1. Notice there's no saving power in those things. There is power perhaps in all word. Notice, Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. Proverbs chapter twelve twenty five.
2. If I tell you that someone was an accident, your heart could be heavy because of that person you hear about is in a car accident, but at the same time a good word can be that they are OK. They survived. By hearing those words, your heart could be glad your heart can be lifted up. Well, that has nothing to do with salvation.
3. A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! Proverbs 15:23.
4. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver Proverbs 25:11.
5. A word fitly spoken is equal to an apple of gold in a pitcher of silver. Words can be very attractive and that's a form of power. So a word can have power, but have nothing to do with salvation.
6. At the same time for those of people we see on TV, like false teachers or TV evangelists say, for example, like a Joel Osteen, there's power, in his words, power to make you feel better. They may be positive, but there is no salvation in those words if the gospel is not preached. We cannot place our faith in such words to obtain salvation.
7. Why not? Because the Bible tells us: So faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17. So the pure seed must be sown. Rotten seed will not produce a harvest, nor will a hybrid seed produce a genuine crop. It may produce something like, for example, the Baptist Church which I came out of, but it will not produce a New Testament church or the New Testament Church, or it will not produce Christians.
8. Notice these words in Galatians 1:6-9. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
9. False doctrines of false teachings cannot produce Christians. Whenever the gospel or the word has been added to or taken away from, it's ceases to be pure.

D. At the same time, however, the pure seed cannot do any good if it's not received by the hearer. Luke 8:15. We must ask ourselves these questions. Do we want to be closer to God? Do we want to have the peace and the joy that God offers unto mankind that he offers here to us? Do we want to hope that the Bible speaks of the hope of Christ, the hope of salvation? Do we want to live truly a fulfilled and a purposeful life? If so, we must receive God's word and we must obey.

E. As God’ children it's our responsibility, to prepare the soil, and to sow the seeds, First Corinthians 9:19-23, then Second Timothy 2:6.

1. First Corinthians 9:19-23, says this: For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
2. Then Second Timothy two and six. The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

F. When we sow the seeds, we are successful because we are obeying God. That's one thing, so when we sow the seed, we are successful. Of course, we should do so or encourage people in a proper way. When the seed is sown, the result is left with God. We read in first Corinthians 3:6; I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

1. Then once again, Isaiah 55:10-11. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
2. If my understanding is correct, a farmer cannot make the seed germinate in the soil. Neither can we make someone obey the gospel. For example, the seed can be sown and the seed can be good seed, but the condition of the soil and the atmosphere of the soil, may prevent it from germinating. Likewise, the word can be sown, but previous false doctrines sown in someone’s heart can hinder them because they may be trying to hold on to something from the past. By holding on to it, they can't embrace God's word.
3. The environment or influences, for example, family members and friends have a great influence upon people. They may be hindered from obeying the gospel because they don't want to be separated from them.
4. There are things that can hinder people from obeying the gospel. Of course, I'm not saying that a person does not have a choice, but unknown factors sometimes can influence or cause people to make bad decisions.

III. The next subtitle here is Germination of the Seed is a mystery to man. The Bible says a Mark 4:27; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.

A. A man may sow the seed, but he may not understand the growth process of the seed. Yet he has faith in the seed. He doesn't doubt it when he sows it. Once the seed a sown, he goes about his life until the plant comes to fruit, that is the harvest. Likewise, we are to sow the seeds of the kingdom, but we may never know how it works in the heart of men, but we are to sow in faith, believing. Next, the process of the nature is orderly. First the seed, then the ear and then the grain Mark 4:28-29. I’ll read it again: For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

1. Ideally a person hears God's word and he or she examines God's word. The Bible tells us that such behavior is noble and we want to encourage that. We read in Acts 17:11; These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. They examined the scriptures to see if it said what they heard.
2. Next, after examining, they then count the cost if they're ready for the commitment. That takes us to Luke 14:28, which says: For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? In other words, am I ready or am I serious about this commitment?
3. Finally, if they are serious about the commitment, they obey the word and no doubt this a joyous occasion when someone obeys the word of God.
4. Acceptance of the word by one or more in a very short time can lead to acceptance of the word by many in any given community. We can think about the many large scale congregations in the brotherhood. Many of those congregations probably started with only a few faithful members. Over time the seed was being sown, the church grew. Of course, the same thing can happen here or anywhere else if the seed is sown into good hearts.

B. Next, when someone accepts the gospel, growth must continue to take place. Notice in Second, Peter 3:18. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. Grace is God's unmerited favor. God has given us the favor that we may grow and that we may mature in His presence into the likeness of His Son.

1. The knowledge is the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I understand that those who are married can always learn something new, something more about their spouse, regardless of how long they've been married. There's always something they can learn about that mate. We, being the bride of Christ, how much more of an infinite God that we can learn from? If we can learn more about people in our lives each day, we definitely can learn more about God, about Jesus.
2. Who is the groom? Also, like a young tender plant a young tender Christian needs to be cared for with kindness and cultivation. It needs encouragement. The grain ripens and then comes the harvest Mark 4:29, which reads: But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. The final reaping, in my judgment is the second coming of Christ. The Bible says in Matthew 13:41-43; The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
3. The final reaping for Christians will be eternal life. We find the Galatians 6:7-8 says: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
4. The harvest for the soul, the faithful soul who sows good seed is everlasting life. The final reaping the disobedient will be eternal punishment. The Bible tells us in Romans chapter two verses eight or nine, But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile.

C. If today was the day of harvest, will we be prepared because we received and cultivated God's words within our lives, within our hearts? Or would we be unprepared because we didn't receive God's word or because we didn't cultivate it in our lives, in our hearts? If we're not prepared for the Lord's coming, now is the time to get ready.

IV. This means we must need to repent and to confess our sins, of course, if we are really God's children or obey the gospel from the beginning if we're not a Christian at all. The Bible says in Second Thessalonians1:6-9; Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

A. If we're not a child of God or a member of the church that the Bible describes and names, all you have to look forward to after this life is God being angry and His wrath. One, because you ignored His love, you ignored the love that He offered you through His Son Jesus, because you obeyed unrighteousness rather than obeying the truth.

1. This is like you telling a stranger there’s a fork in the road at night. For example, there's a bridge and the lights are out or down, going down the left side of the road. But on the right side of the road, there's plenty of light and the bridge is up on the road. As if you were stupid, he turns and goes down the left side of the road. No one in their right mind would call such a person wise who goes down the road where the lights are out and the bridge is out.
2. This is what happens when one hears the gospel when one hears the word and turns their back on what they hear and continue to travel down the road of darkness. That's what happens. The Bible says: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. That's Matthew 7:13-14.

CONCLUSION:
If you are not a Christian, if you are not a member of the church, the Christ died for his church, the Church of Christ, you can become a member by entering the straight gate, by obeying the gospel. If you choose not to obey, keep in mind the lack of gratitude that you are showing, the lack of gratitude to the one who died for you and to take you off that dark road that you have chosen to walk on.

The Bible says He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:16. So we must believe we must put our faith in Christ. Then Bible says in Luke 13:3, I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. God commands that we all repent, that is to have a change of mind, to turn our minds in the right direction, if you will, and by having a change of mind, it will result in a change of lifestyle, the way we live.

We also must confess, after repenting of our sins. The Bible says: Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Matthew Chapter 10:32-33.

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and washing away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16. Notice calling upon the name of Lord is not kneeling somewhere in prayer. Paul himself, which this command was given to in Acts 22:16. He was fasting and praying, I believe, for like three days. I forget the exact number. But he was praying. But by his prayers he was not saved. He was not saved at that time. He was saved later when the gentleman came to him that God sent to him. He gave him instructions by which to be saved and part those instructions was for him to get up and be baptize calling on the name of the Lord. He called on the name of the Lord not by praying but by obeying the Gospel, being baptized. The Scriptures define or explain itself. We don't need to give it a different meaning of what it says in the Scriptures.

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18. The Lord told Peter and the other that he was going to build his church. He did not tell them that he was going to build a multitude or variety of churches. He said his church. On the day of Pentecost, that was the church that was established when the spirit came upon them.

Praising God, and having favor with all the people, and the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:47. If you're here today and you want to be added to the church that the Lord promised to build, that he did build, you can do so by responding to the Gospel by once again: hearing it, believing it, repenting of sins, confessing and being baptized. If you are really a child of God, if you sinned in any manner, you can go back to your father confessing and repenting of your sins. He is faithful to forgive you all you sins. You can find that in First John 1:7-9.

If you will, let us stand at this time, if you want to come forward as we sing the song of invitation number 607.

A Joyful Heart Is Good Medicine

 
Proverbs 17:22 & John 16:33

Someone wrote: If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it was and will continue to be yours. If it never returns, it was never yours to begin with.
If it just sits in your living room and messes up your stuff, eats your food, uses your telephone, takes your money and never behaves as if you actually set it free in the first place -- you either married it or gave birth to it!

This past week I came across an interesting story concerning a guy who was a rough old coal miner who had become a Christian.
After his conversion he was so happy, so full of joy that he was shouting praises almost all the time. But that bothered people. And somebody said, “Why don’t you tone it down some? You’re just too happy. You’ve got too much joy all the time.”
He simply replied, “I can’t help it. God saved me & I can’t help it. When I put down one foot it says "Hallelujah!", & when I put down the other foot it says "Glory to God!”
“But what if you’re mistaken?” Many would ask him. “Suppose when you die you find out that you’re not going to Heaven, you’re going to Hell?”
To this question the old coal miner said, “Praise God,
I’ve been having a wonderful time in the Lord ever since I gave my life to Him. Jesus has been good to me,
& if I die & go down to Hell, then I’ll be thankful for all the joy Jesus brought into my life here."
"I’ll shout about that all over Hell, & they’ll have to send me up to Heaven because they can’t stand that kind of joy down there.”

Now, in that same vein, may I suggest that our emotions have a profound affect upon the way we feel.
Maybe King Solomon said it best when he wrote these words, "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." (Proverbs 17:22 KJV)
Our emotions cause us to sweat, to weep, to tremble. Our emotions cause us to turn white with fear, red with embarrassment, purple with anger, & green with nausea.
Our emotions really do effect us physically.
So King Solomon was right. If you're joyful in your heart, then that is good medicine. But if you're not joyful, if your spirit is broken, then it dries up your bones. You become old & tired, & a person no one much wants to be around.
In his book "A Window on the Mountain," Winston Pierce tells of his high school class reunion. A group of the old classmates were reminiscing about things & persons for which they were grateful.
One man mentioned that he was particularly thankful for Mrs. Wendt, his English teacher, for she more than anyone had introduced him to Tennyson & the beauty of poetry.
Acting on a suggestion, he wrote a letter of appreciation to Mrs. Wendt & addressed it to the high school. The note was forwarded & eventually reached the old teacher.
About a month later the man received a response. It was written in a feeble longhand & read as follows: “My dear Willie, I can’t tell you how much your letter meant to me. I am now in my nineties, living alone in a small room, cooking my own meals, lonely, & like the last leaf of fall lingering behind."
"You will be interested to know that I taught school for forty years & yours is the first letter of appreciation I ever received. It came on a blue, cold morning & it cheered me as nothing has for years. Willie, you have made my day.”
Think about it. Who are the people to whom we are attracted? "Gloomy Gus" who walks around with a frown on his face?
The person who sees all the bad things in the world, who is thoroughly convinced that everything is going to fall apart? Is that the kind of person with whom we love to spend our time?
I don't think so! We are attracted to the person who has a smile on their face, & joy in their heart.
But someone may say to us, "Well all right, I hear you. But circumstances in my life aren't that good. Things have been tough. Just why should my heart be filled with joy?"
Let me mention 3 reasons this morning. I believe that if you will take these reasons to heart & live with them daily, that it will make a world of difference in the way you feel.

I. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A GREAT DELIVERANCE
The first one is this: “We who are Christians have experienced a great deliverance.”
The Bible teaches that while we were sinners God loved us. While we were sinners God sent His Son to die on the cross for us.
And it teaches that when we hear about Jesus, we are compelled to confess Him with our lips & with our lives.
When we are buried with Him in the watery grave of baptism that God forgives our sins & gives us the gift of His Holy Spirit.
I know that those are familiar words
Maybe so familiar that the ring of them
the wonder of them doesn't have the impact that it once had.
We have been delivered!
If that doesn't bring great joy into your heart, then I don't know what would.
It has been stated that in a Japanese seaside village over 100 years ago, an earthquake startled the villagers late one autumn evening. Being accustomed to earthquakes, they soon went back to their activities without giving it another thought.
An old farmer was watching from his home on a hill high above the village. He looked out at the ocean & noticed that the water appeared dark & was acting strangely, moving against the wind & running away from the land.
The old man knew what that meant – today we call it a tsunami. His one thought was to warn the people in the village below. He called to his grandson, “Bring me a torch! Hurry!”
In the fields behind him lay his great crop of rice that was piled high in stacks – ready for the market. It was worth a fortune to him. The old man hurried out to the stacks with his torch. In a flash the dry stalks were ablaze. Soon the big bell resonated from the temple below: Fire!
Back from the beach, away from the shore, up the steep side of the cliff came the people of the village, running as fast as they could. They were all coming to try to save the crops of their neighbor.
“He’s mad!” they said when they saw that he just stood there watching them come & staring out toward the ocean. As they reached his level the old man shouted at the top of his voice while pointing toward the water, “Look!”
At the edge of the horizon they saw a long, thin, & faint line – a line that grew thicker as they watched.
That line was the ocean, rising like a wall, getting higher & coming more & more swiftly as they stared. Then came the shock, heavier than thunder; the great wall of water struck the shore with a fierceness & a force that sent a shudder through the hills & tore the homes below into matchsticks. The water withdrew with a roaring sound. Then it returned & struck again, & again, & again.
One final time it struck & subsided, then returned to its place & its pattern. On the hill no one spoke a word for a long time. Finally the voice of the old man could be heard, saying softly, gently, “That is why I set fire to my rice.”
He now stood among them just as poor as the poorest of them. His wealth was gone – all for the sake of 400 lives. By that sacrifice he will long be remembered, not by his wealth. He was not saddened by what his sacrifice cost him; he was overjoyed at what was saved.
And in that same spirit Jesus prayed, "Not my will, but thine be done." And then surrendered Himself into the hands of those who were determined to crucify Him - all because of His love for us!
And God's Word says that when we follow Jesus and his teachings, then we have been delivered from the bondage of sin & have the gift of everlasting life.
That's reason #1 for joy in our hearts. "A joyful heart is good medicine."

II. WE TRUST IN GOD
There is a 2nd element that brings joy to our hearts, & that is trust.
Every married person here knows that it is difficult for a marriage to survive unless there is trust between husband & wife. And true friendship requires trust. Where trust prevails then peace & harmony can also prevail.
In the same way, our Christian life can be a meaningful experience when we learn what it means to trust God to take care of all things.
Jesus has a word that He used over & over again. In the Greek language it is "tharsay." It means "cheer up," & is often translated "be courageous,” “take heart," "don’t be afraid," "fear not."
For example, a paralyzed man was brought to Him, & in Matthew 9:2 & 6 Jesus said to him, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven. ...Get up, take your mat and go home."
Immediately the man took up his mat & started glorifying God. He was able to walk, & he was filled with joy.
Again, in Matthew 14:27 Jesus walked on the stormy sea of Galilee & looked into the frightened eyes of the apostles who were trying to row in the midst of the storm. When He saw that they were afraid, thinking that He must be a ghost, Jesus said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." (Matthew 14:27)
In all the storms of life we can hear the voice of Jesus saying, "Take heart, don’t be afraid." On that last night, in the upper room, Jesus once again started telling them that He was going to die. But they just couldn't accept that.
So Jesus looked at them & said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
You & I have only a limited control over the circumstances which come our way. We are not sure what the next few months or years will bring to our homes, our families, & to our lives.
Maybe some of the bad things we fear will come to pass. But there is that trust that sacred bond which brings strength to our life. And there is the voice of Jesus saying, "Cheer up, because a joyful heart is the best medicine you can take."
An old time minister stated the following about his mother:
“My mother, Cecelia, wrote a poem about being thankful that I have always treasured. She died in 1984 with skin cancer. I thank God for every memory & every valuable lesson that she taught me about life.
Her Poem went like this...
Thank God for dirty dishes, They have a tale to tell.
While other folks go hungry, We’re eating very well.
With home & health & happiness, We should not want to fuss.
For by this stack of evidence, God is very good to us.

III. WE HAVE A GREAT TASK TO PERFORM
The 3rd reason is this: “We have a great task to perform. Most people who deal with others realize that the best medicine that can be given to a person who is depressed dealing with anxiety & distress is to give that person something to do.
The bigger the job the better, because the more involved we are in performing a task especially in helping someone else the more apt we are to forget our own problems & be healed of that which is causing us distress.
Some time ago the Christian Standard magazine featured a series of articles by missionaries who had gone to various parts of the world to proclaim the gospel.
It told how they had left their homes & families & loved ones behind. It told of some of their hardships & sacrifices. It told about many of the other things that had happened to them over the years of their service.
As I read those stories my heart went out to them & I marveled at their faith. I felt sorry for them that they had to experience all of the hardships that they had encountered.
But without exception, at the close of each article there was a fantastic testimony by members of each missionary family saying that in the giving of themselves they had found true joy.
You want a task to perform? We have one the task of carrying the gospel around the world. God gave it to us almost 2,000 years ago & it continues today. We haven't completed the task. There are still lost people, friends, neighbors, relatives people who do not know Jesus Christ.
God has said, "Here is your task. Let them know that Jesus is Lord that He is King of Kings – that He loves them & that He died for them."
There is an old legend about when Jesus ascended back into Heaven. When He arrived, the angel Gabriel came up & asked, "Lord, how did it go?" Jesus answered, "It went well. I accomplished what I went to do. I went to the cross & died for their sins."
Gabriel asked, "But do the people appreciate what you did? Do they even know?" Jesus answered, "Well, some of them do Peter, James, John, & a few others." Then Gabriel asked, "But how about the rest of the world?"
Jesus said, "They will know, too. Here is my plan. I plan for Peter, James & John, Andrew & the rest to tell some others. When those people hear about it, then they will each tell somebody else. And in turn, when those people hear about it they will each tell somebody else until the whole world knows."
Then Gabriel, knowing the weaknesses of humankind, asked "But what if they fail? What if Peter & James & John & Andrew don't tell anybody? Or what if those people don't tell somebody else? What if they forget the message? What if they become indifferent & complacent? What other plan do you have?"
Jesus looked at Gabriel & said, "I have no other plan."
Yes, that is still His plan for me to tell somebody. And then for the 2 of us to find 2 more & tell them. And then for the 4 of us to find 4 more & tell them. And for the 8 of us to find 8 more & tell them, & for the 16 to find 16 & tell them until finally the whole world knows.
There is no other plan. You want a job to do? We have one. And when we're doing it, our hearts are filled with a joy that the world will never, ever understand.
We offer you His invitation this morning. We pray that if you have a decision on your heart that you will make it today.
We pray that you will turn your life over to Him. And we pray that you will ask the Lord to have His way in your life as you live each day.

You Can Run But You Can Not Hide

 

Jonah 1:1 – 17

’Hello, this is Mark - I am unable to take your call right now, but please leave your name, number and a short message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. (beep)’ A standard message that most of you have on your answering service at work or at home - the whole point of having an answering machine is to make sure you don’t miss your calls.

BUT - there are some people who use it to screen their calls, to avoid certain callers, to sift out who they want to talk to, to work out which calls to return and which calls to ignore. Have you ever done that? Maybe you know someone who does that?

Well, Jonah is just like that when it comes to God - the message on his answering machine goes something like this - ’Hello, this is Jonah - I am unable to take your call right not, please do not leave your name, number or message, because I won’t be getting back to you, (beep)’

And that is how our lesson begins this morning. We will start in the opening verses of chapter 1 of Jonah.

1The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2“Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” 3But Jonah ran away from the LORD

Now before we go any further, it’s crucial that we understand something of the background to the book of Jonah.

Who was Jonah - where was he from? Where was Nineveh?

Well, we’re actually told in 2 Kings 14:25 that Jonah is a prophet and a servant of the Lord. He lived in Israel and he served God as his prophet - as his mouthpiece

So it’s no surprise to us when we read in v.1 that the word of the Lord came to Jonah, Son of Ammitai - it was his job to answer the call.

But unlike his other assignments which so far has been local (within Israel), this one requires that he go overseas (Nineveh). Now some of us may jump at the opportunity to work overseas - the boss says to you he needs someone to work on a project in London - and you take the opportunity. But Nineveh is not like London. Let me explain.

Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria. And Assyria was a very powerful and significant nation. Assyria was Israel’s enemy, and Nineveh was the enemy’s capital city.

The Assyrians were a cruel and heartless people - Assyrian engravings depict people being tortured, skulls worn around their necks to show their cruelty. When they took over a town in battle they would take any survivors and they would impale them on stakes in front of the town.

And it’s to this group of people, to this great enemy nation, to this enemy city that God calls Jonah to go.

And here is our first lesson:

1. Jonah, the man of God hears the Word of God and willfully disobeys it vv.1-3

God gives Jonah a very clear command - 2“Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”

Jonah knows what God wants, he knows what God desires of him, he perfectly understands what God has called him to do - God’s instructions are clear … and he disobeys.

Nineveh is East, but we’re told in v.3 that he flees to Tarshish which is in the West - he goes in the opposite direction.

Why does Jonah disobey God? Here are some possible reasons for Jonah’s disobedience.

1. Perhaps Jonah was afraid - fearful for his life? Nineveh was the Assyrian capital - violent and brutal. Nineveh had walls 100 feet high and so broad that 3 chariots could run around them side by side. Perhaps Jonah thought, to preach against Nineveh was a suicide mission, so he runs away. But, the word of God does not tell us he was fearful does it.
2. Perhaps Jonah thought it was lost cause - what could one man do? who would listen to him in this great city? A city of unbelieving idol worshippers who were more interested in ’Command & Conquer’ than they were in God - so he runs away. But again, the word of God does not tell us that Jonah thinks it’s a lost cause.
3. Perhaps Jonah thought the message was severe and harsh. It was hard message wasn’t it - preach against Nineveh’s wickedness - no one likes being the one who has to bring such a message. Perhaps Jonah wasn’t too keen preaching fire and brimstone - especially to a group Assyrians - so he runs away. But again, the word of God does not tell us that Jonah was unhappy with the message.

These are all possible reasons why Jonah runs away,

but what you and I need to pay attention to is that Jonah, who was a believer, a man of God, hears God’s word and disobeys it.

Verse 3 tells us that Jonah ’ran away from the LORD’.

The person who ’runs away from the Lord’ or ’flees from the presence of the Lord’ is the one who is refusing to serve God in the task he knows God has called him to do - and that’s what Jonah is doing - he is refusing to serve God, even though he knows what God’s word says.

He goes West and lands himself into a whole heap of trouble as we’ll see. That East-West distinction highlights the radical difference between God’s way and man’s way. Instead of following God East to Nineveh, he runs after his sins to Tarshish in the West.

He refuses to serve God - he will not obey God’s word - he does the exact opposite … he ’runs away from the Lord’ … he ’flees from the presence of the Lord’.

God might not have called you to go to Nineveh, but human nature does not change (time and time again we see in our relationship to God the same scene played out here)

Jonah is the OT equivalent of a Bible believing Christian. He believes in sin and punishment, he believes that salvation is from God, he knows God’s character - God is just, yet merciful and gracious. He believes in God the creator of all things. YET - he refuses to obey God’s Word.

You can know the truth about God, and yet disobey God - a very sobering lesson. We hear the word of God - we know the character of God –

we know what it means to be faithful – to do what is right - to live God’s way - to have the right priorities and goals in life

YET, we avoid it, we make excuses, we will not listen, we choose to go in the opposite direction.

When you disobey God - when you choose to live your way - when you avoid what God says about life for you - he will not rearrange the stars in the skies to say ’STOP, do not go farther’. He lets you do what you want.

If you choose to stop reading the Bible, he does not send a storm to get you reading again. If you choose to stop coming to church, he does not send an earthquake to shake you up. If you choose to put your career or work first,

he does not send a fire to wake you up. NOT AT FIRST - he allows you to do what you want - to go downhill and to pay for your own foolishness - but his judgment lies just around the corner.

And as Jonah boards that ship he doesn’t notice the rats are getting off.

And here is our second lesson:

2. Jonah, the man of God is found out and comes under the storm of God’s judgment vv.4-16

The safest and the best and the simplest thing Jonah could have done was to go to Nineveh and preach against the city. Instead, he runs away, and God sends a major storm.

You can run, but you can not hide. You can see the contrast between v.3 and v.4. Have a look - it’s very clear. 3But Jonah ran away from the LORD …

4Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.

God in his judgment sends a violent storm - the sailors in v.5 do all they can also: they go from praying to throwing out their cargo.

And Jonah’s wake-up call finally comes to us in v.6

The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us, and we will not perish.”

In desperation the sailors then cast lots to find out who is responsible for this mother of all storms, and guess what? In the providence of God, the lot falls on Jonah - he can run, but he can’t hide. And when they question him (Who are you? What have you done to cause this?) - they learn the terrible truth.

9He answered, “I am a Hebrew and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.” 10This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?” (Not a question, but an exclamation!)

The last place you want to be is in the same boat with a man who has disobeyed the God who made the sea - who is refusing to serve the God who made the sea.

And Jonah knows that the wages of sin, the penalty for disobedience is death - the judgment of God has caught up with him.

So they ask Jonah, What shall we do? And Jonah’s response

v.12“Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”

Do you notice - there’s no excuses, there’s no bargaining with God - he basically says: God is dealing with me justly - God is righteous - I deserve this, and God is right in punishing me.

Jonah accepts without reservation the consequences of his disobedience. He knows that wages of sin is death. The penalty for disobedience is death. (Rom.6:23 - for the wages of sin is death).

And Jonah surrenders to God’s punishment. I have sinned and I deserve to die, I have disobeyed God and I deserve the death sentence. We read v.15

Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm.

And let me say to you this morning, that like Jonah when we disobey God, when we refuse to serve God and live his way - the path only leads downhill, and like Jonah it will be a rude awakening because only judgment awaits - if not in this life, certainly in the next. The New Testament clearly speaks of judgment in the present.

When we persist in disobedience - he will discipline. If you are being disobedient in the Christian life, do not for one moment think you can or will get away with it - it is a downhill walk spiritually, and it’s only a matter of time - you can run, but you can’t hide. And when the storm comes, when the tempest comes, you will have brought it on yourself.

Hebrews warns us to take God’s discipline in this life seriously (ch.10 - it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God).

And for some of us - maybe just maybe, God is saying wake up- are you taking the word of God seriously in your life? Is there something God has clearly told you to do that you’re not doing - his word is clear, but you will not do it? Is there some hidden sin, that you will not give up!

Take heed my friend, take heed - it is not the way to start a new year - for God’s judgment looms - the wages of sin is death.

And Jonah the man of God faces the storm of God’s judgment.

And here is our third lesson -

3. Jonah, the man of God is as good as dead, and God saves him

The miracle in the story is not that Jonah gets swallowed by a huge fish, but that God saves Jonah! He is as good as dead in v.15 cast into the sea facing death, the punishment for his sin, then we read grace in v.17. But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah expected death - he knew that the wages of sin, of disobedience meant death - and when he is cast into the raging sea - that’s what he expects - he deserves it - the justice of God. And then the great fish gulped him up - and he finds himself alive inside the fish. You and I would think - not much of a rescue, being swallowed by a large fish.

This fish becomes the instrument of God’s rescue and that rescue is nothing less than a resurrection from the dead for Jonah

Which is why Jesus compares his ministry to Jonah. Have a look with me at Matthew 12:39 . The teachers of the law and the Pharisees come to challenge Jesus - give us a sign and we will believe you - do this and we will follow you. And Jesus answers in v.39 … “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.

Jesus says that this is ultimately how we are to understand Jonah.

What we see in Jonah is an acted prophecy, an anticipation, a foreshadowing of the death of Jesus who dies and is in the grave for 3 days. Jonah faces God’s judgment for sin and is as good as dead - it teaches us that that our God is a just God, who takes our sin, our disobedience, our unfaithfulness very seriously - the wages of sin is death. Jonah’s death functions as a picture of the death of Jesus - a death which pays your sin-debt - a death that pays the penalty for your sin, a death that turns away God’s anger, a death that restores your relationship to God, a death that wipes your slate clean, a death that makes it possible for you to begin again.

But we also see in Jonah an acted prophecy, a foreshadowing of the resurrection of Jesus who is raised to life after 3 days in the grave. After 3 days Jonah is cast up upon the beach –

the big fish vomits him out (Jonah 2:10) - he came back as it were from the dead. Jonah’s rescue, his deliverance functions as a picture of the resurrection of Jesus - a resurrection from the dead over sin and death for you and me.

A sign to people in Jonah’s time and to future generations about the character of God (just, but that he is also a way for salvation.) A God who expects us to be obedient to his ways.

The story of Jonah is really the story of Jesus Christ. Just as Jonah faces the judgment of God, so did Jesus on the cross. Just as Jonah went to his death - so did Jesus. Just as Jonah remained 3 days in the grip of death - so did Jesus. Just as Jonah returned from the dead, so did Jesus.

And just as Jonah was a sign to the sinful Ninevites - so too was Jesus a sign to his own generation and to our generation and to generations to come.

A sign that teaches us that God takes our sin seriously (God is just) - the wages of sin is death, but also a sign teaching us that God is gracious rescuing and saving even the most disobedient from death - because the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.

Romans 4:25 sums it up this way. 25He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification - so that we might be declared right with God.

The sign of the prophet Jonah points to Jesus dying for our sin and rising in victory over sin and death for our salvation.

This is the most important lesson we must learn - we are as good as dead in our sins, but God saved us.

John 3:16 – 20  16For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

18“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

Conclusion

They Prayed Around the Clock

Acts 12:1-24

INTRO: The last time we were together we saw that in Antioch the followers of Christ were first given the name Christian. We also saw very powerfully, that the name Christian means more than a name. It’s not just a title we wear but it is a way of life.
Our every breath and action should declare to the world that we belong to Christ.

Before we start I want to tell you a story. An evangelist asked all who wanted to go to heaven to raise their hands. Everyone in the audience did so, except one elderly man sitting near the front of the auditorium. The preacher pointed his finger at him and said; 'Sir, do you mean to tell us that you don't want to go to heaven?' 'Sure I want to go” the man old fellow replied, “but the way you put the question, I figured you were getting up a busload for tonight!'

I guess the point of the story is some people are not afraid of dying but most people are afraid of how they are doing to die. Woody Allen put it this way; "It's not that I'm afraid to die, I just don't want to be there when it happens."

Remember we’ve already looked at the great persecution which was taking place against the Lord’s church. What Luke is going to share with us today, is a prime example of a person dying for the cause of Christ. Our text is Acts 12:1-24.

Around 44 A.D. we find Herod Agrippa I had succeeded in putting together the whole domain of his grandfather Herod the Great, and had been given the title of king by Claudius. He was a staunch friend of the Jews and was no doubt influenced by them to make a move to destroy Christianity.

I. Read with me Acts 12:1-4 – “1. Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. 4. So when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.” [NKJV]

A. Luke tells us that about the time that Barnabas and Saul were taking the gift from Antioch to Jerusalem, Herod Agrippa decided to inflict pain on certain members of the Lord’s church.

1. Some time back we spoke about how the devil goes about destroying a congregation. We said that the devil always goes for those in leadership roles first because he knows if he can get rid of the leadership, he will eventually destroy the whole assembly.
2. Herod Agrippa is doing just that. He is going for the churches’ leadership, the apostles. He first had James, John's brother, taken captive and killed with the sword.
3. Herod was not just king over the Jews but a very good politician. Because of his good connections in Rome, he was able to put together the whole domain of his grandfather Herod the Great under Rome’s rule and was given the title king by Emperor Claudius.

B. Luke tells us that because Herod saw that the Jews loved him for killing James, and it had some political advantages, he immediately had Peter imprisoned, intending to put him to death as well.

1. Peter’s imprisonment was during the week of Passover. While Herod waited for the conclusion of the Passover, he had sixteen soldiers, divided into four groups of four, guard the apostle in prison. King Herod probably had a plan to publicly execute Peter on the conclusion of the feast.
2. I wonder if Peter had a different kind of Passover on his mind while he waited to be executed. What I’m thinking of is Luke 22:14-20 – “14. And when the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. 15. Then He said to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16. "for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.'' 17. Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18. "for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.'' 19. And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.'' 20. Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.”
3. I suspect Peter was thinking about His Lord and Savior as He awaited to be executed and while we don’t know what Peter was thinking we do know what others were thinking about while they were waiting. And folks, they were not just thinking while they waited, they were actually doing something.

C. Acts 12:5 – “Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.” Luke says while Herod waited for the end of Passover, the church waited in prayer.

1. They asked God to be with Peter, whether they were simply requesting that God help sustain his faith or have him released, we don’t know. I recall Luke 22:61 telling us of Peter’s crisis of faith when he denied the Lord. What we do know is that the Greek words used by Luke suggest there was a prayer being offered up around the clock.
2. I read a story about a man who was preaching a sermon on how the Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years and their sandals never wore out. A young skeptic in the audience shouted, ‘How is that possible?’ The preacher stopped, walked up to the young man and said to him, ‘God!’ To which the young man said, ‘Oh, I understand.’ The preacher said to him, ‘No son, nobody understands.’
3. We should never underestimate the power of God, and we should never try and restrict His capabilities.
4. The Greek wording (ektenḗs, ek-ten-ace’) indicates that it was incessant prayer, always going on. It was a kind of perpetual prayer meeting that the church held on behalf of Peter.
5. Thinking of today, we know there is nothing like an eleventh hour crisis to get us praying as we should be praying the rest of the time! If we only could see it, we’re always on the brink of disaster and death, because our adversary, the devil, is prowling about as a roaring lion, seeking to devour us. At all times we should be a praying people! Sometimes the Lord delays the answers to our problems or crises so that we will recognize how much we really do need Him.
6. Scripture does not declare anything except they prayed for Peter.

II. That prayer was answered according to Acts 12:6-10 – “6. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 7. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!'' And his chains fell off his hands. 8. Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals''; and so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garment and follow me.'' 9. So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.”

A. Luke records the night before Herod intended to call for Peter, Peter lay chained to two soldiers with two more outside the door. One of the Lord's angelic messengers woke Peter up and caused the chains to fall off his hands. Then, he told Peter to dress and led him out of the prison.

1. Peter wasn’t sure what has happening, he thought it was a dream, but he followed the angel past the first and second guard posts, through the gate, which seemed to open automatically, and out into the street.
2. This was a supernatural deliverance—this was God answering the prayers of the saints, who spent the night in prayer.
3. I know a lot of people believe in the miracles we have recorded in the Bible, but sadly I also know of some religious people don’t believe in those same miracles.

B. I know there are many commentators who refer to this remarkable episode as an allegory. I understand that because despite the fact that the New Testament does not refer to it as an allegory, there are undeniably elements of an allegory in this event. Yet, we must be quite careful that in making Peter's condition a fitting allegory, or illustration, of the terror, helplessness, and shame of man's condition in sin—we apply it to mankind and not Peter. As an aside then I note the following:

1. Peter was a captive... 2 Timothy 2:24-26 tells us all sinners are captives of Satan.
2. He was guarded... Satan watches over his victims to prevent their escape. Often he will use the pressures of worldly life against them to keep them from obedience to the Lord.
3. He was bound with two chains... Everyone in sin is bound with chains even if just chains of habit.
4. He was asleep... In a spiritual sense, every sinner is asleep. Romans 13:11 and 1 Thessalonians 5:6.
5. He was in darkness... Sin puts a person in spiritual darkness.
6. He was naked... All sin is nakedness, Revelation 3:17-18.
7. He was condemned to death... The state of every unredeemed sinner on earth. John 3:18. Peter's condition in that dungeon of Herod is remarkably suggestive of the sin-condition of every unredeemed person on earth.

III. Now let’s go back to Acts 12 and continue in verse 11. Peter, when he found himself free and on the street, finally understood that this wasn’t some dream, this... was a miracle. Acts 12:11-17 – “11. And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.'' 12. So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. 13. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14. When she recognized Peter's voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. 15. But they said to her, "You are beside yourself!'' Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, "It is his angel.'' 16. Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17. But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.'' And he departed and went to another place.”

A. Luke says that Peter was awestruck seeing that the Lord had sent His messenger to deliver him out of the murderous hands of Herod. After thinking for a moment, Peter went to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, to tell the church of his miraculous release.

1. It seems as though a girl named Rhoda recognized the voice of the apostle at the gate and in her excitement, she did not let him in but went to inform the others in the house that Peter was outside.
2. At first, everybody else thought she was crazy. Then they thought she had heard Peter's angel.
3. Peter kept knocking until he got an answer. When they saw him, they were amazed.

B. We’ve spoken about the power of prayer. The Bible says that they were ‘amazed’. Luke said that they had been praying constantly to God for Peter. They had been praying to God on Peter's behalf around the clock and now it’s almost as if they couldn’t believe their eyes.

1. James reminds us of the value of prayer in James 1:5-8 – “5. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8. he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
2. After everyone saw Peter standing at the door, Peter told them the story of his deliverance by the Lord and then he told them to inform James and the brethren before he departed from their company.

C. While everyone was amazed and rejoiced that God answered their prayers so powerfully, back at the prison it was chaos. Acts 12:18-19 – “Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.”

1. It should be of no surprise to us that the next morning, the prison was in turmoil because no one knew what had happened to Peter. When Herod could not find him, he had the guards examined... and then executed.
2. I’m sure you recall reading about the Philippian jailer who was going to kill himself when he realized that Paul and Silas were free from their jail cell. Acts 16:27 – “And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.”
3. Why was he going to kill himself? Under Roman law it was required that guards face the punishment which was intended for any prisoner who escaped under their watch. That’s why Herod had the guards executed when Peter disappeared.

IV. It wasn’t long after this that Herod left Jerusalem and went to Caesarea, his other capital. What happens next is very interesting as we read in Acts 12:20-23 – “20. Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king's country. 21. So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. 22. And the people kept shouting, "The voice of a god and not of a man!'' 23. Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.”

A. When you get a minute later today, read 1 Kings 5:9ff. What you will read is that the cities of Tyre and Sidon depended on Galilee for their food supply, as they had done in the days of Hiram and Solomon.

1. Now these cities realized that they had offended Herod, they set out to make things right. They somehow got close to Herod's personal aide, Blastus, and through him asked for peace.
2. The Jewish historian Josephus says; “When Agrippa had reigned three years over Judaea, he exhibited shows in honor of Caesar; on the second day of which shows he put on a garment made wholly of silver, truly wonderful, and came into the theater early in the morning, the silver of his garment reflecting the sun's rays, spreading a horror over those that looked .... His flatterers cried, from one place, and another, that he was a god, adding, Be merciful to us; for, although we have hitherto reverenced thee only as a man, yet shall we henceforth own thee as superior to mortal nature”

B. Herod was in a powerful place and he was a skilled politician and orator. He martyred James, seized and imprisoned Peter planning to execute him publicly after the Passover. Nowhere in the New Testament does the intervention of Almighty God on behalf of His church appear any more timely and dramatically than in this chapter. With their friend on the throne, the Jewish hierarchy had decided to exterminate Christianity; and there was no reason why they could not have succeeded... except for the intervention of the Father in heaven.

1. With Herod on the throne the plight of the Christians seemed the most precarious, and then events took place with sudden finality lifting the threat. At the precise instant when one apostle was already dead, another imprisoned and condemned, and the entire Twelve proscribed by an all-powerful ruler acting as a Jewish deputy out of a desire to please his subjects—at that very moment God sent an angel to release Peter and shortly thereafter struck Agrippa dead. The same event doomed secular Israel.
2. I find it ironic that the Jews, who had in the elevation of Herod Agrippa I, achieved for themselves tolerance and accommodation, at the same time refused to extend the same to Christians. God's thwarting of their campaign against the body of Christ by the summary execution of Herod, also by that same event removed the one man who could have preserved their own toleration by Rome. The final result of what took place when God sent an angel to destroy Herod Agrippa was realized some 20 years later when Titus and Vespasian destroyed Jerusalem. The hand of God is clearly seen in this chapter.

C. Luke records in verses 22-23: “And the people kept shouting, The voice of a god and not of a man!'' 23. Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. The Lord caused His angel to strike him because he did not give God the glory. Folks, as we have mentioned before... only God is worthy of our praise. He is the only one we should ever bow down to. He is the only one we should bend a knee to.

1. That’s why Peter wouldn’t accept worship from Cornelius. Remember that in Acts 10? Acts 10:25-26 – “As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up; I myself am also a man.''”
2. That’s why an angel in John’s vision in the Book of Revelation wouldn’t accept worship from John. Revelation 19:10 – “At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." [para]
3. No man or nation should ever be worshipped because it is only God who is worthy of our worship.
4. When Josephus was describing this event in his writings, he said that Herod suffered severe stomach pains and a horrible, lingering death which took five days. Folks, in whatever way he died, we can be sure it wasn’t nice. Luke’s description is that “he was eaten by worms”.
5. Herod knew enough about God that he should have seen God’s hand in Peter’s deliverance and realized that he was fighting against God. He should have remembered the story of King Nebuchadnezzar, whom God humbled for his pride (Daniel 4). But instead, Herod foolishly accepted the adulation of these people that were under his power. I see two lessons in this:

a. First - To seek glory for ourselves is to declare war against God.
b. God will not give His glory to another (Isaiah 42:8). If we seek to exalt ourselves, the Lord will surely humble us. We must all beware of the temptation of pride, of taking credit for ourselves when it is God alone in His mercy who deserves the praise.
c. Second - To declare war against God is to commit eternal suicide, because God always wins. Isaiah 46:11 – “Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it.” Herod’s glory was short-lived, and his misery is eternal.

D. Despite the attacks of men and failure to give God the glory which belongs to Him, God's word prospered. Acts 12:24 – “But the word of God grew and multiplied.” Over all human interference, infidelity, unbelief, and opposition, we find this little word "BUT." But the word of God grew and multiplied. The success of God's plans is never in question. All that God intended shall surely come to pass.
E. Finally we end the chapter with verse 25; Acts 12;25 – “ And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark.”

1. This is a reference to the same journey mentioned in Acts 11:30; but here is the additional word that John Mark accompanied them. This means that they accomplished the purpose of their journey, delivering to the elders in Jerusalem the bounty provided by the generosity of other Christians to relieve the victims of that famine in the reign of Claudius.
2. The year 44 A.D. was the time of these events, this being one of the times at which Acts attaches firm dates in the secular history of the first century.
3. Luke closes this chapter by telling how the word of God continued to grow and be multiplied, and then mentions the return of Saul, Barnabas, with John Mark to Antioch. This sets the stage for the world-wide program of evangelism among the Gentiles that comprises the rest of Acts; and Luke at once moves on to the narrative of Paul's first missionary journey. The apostles and the early church suffered much, and many died violent deaths, but the word of God continued to grow. God will reward them abundantly and eternally in heaven.

CONCLUSION:
Folks, I hope that today’s message has been clear. The saints prayed around the clock and Peter was freed and the Word of God spread even more. It has been said that prayer is a mystery. Why do we need to pray when God already knows our needs? I think a major part of the answer is, so that we will recognize that we are totally dependent on Him. Yet, He can work even if my prayers fall short in their form. Certainly, I should believe in Him with a strong faith, but even if my faith is weak, He is able to do far more than I can ask or even think (Ephesians 3:20). His answers do not depend on any merit in my prayers, but only on His sovereign grace and mercy.

May we never underestimate the power of prayer.
May we never underestimate the power of God to answer our prayers.

Finally, no matter what is happening around us, no matter how much the church is being persecuted, you can be sure that God is strong enough and wise enough to keep His word spreading all over this world.

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We learn from the New Testament how to be saved. We need to hear the word; believe in Jesus; repent of our sins; we must confess our belief that Jesus is the Son of God; and be baptized for the remission of our sins... If we follow these steps, the Lord adds us to His church.

Perhaps there is someone in the assembly today with the need to be buried with Christ in baptism. If you have never done these things, we urge you to do so today. If anyone has this need or desires the prayers of faithful Christians on their behalf, we encourage them to come forward while we stand and sing.

Invitation song:

Reference Sermon: Mike Glover

The Name - Christian

Acts 11:1-30

INTRO: Good morning. The last time we were together we left Peter in Cornelius’ household amazed that God’s Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.
Peter who earlier had a vision now clearly understood the meaning of the vision and the fact that God shows no favoritism between people. He understood that you don’t have to be a Jew to please God. You don’t have to have been circumcised in the flesh to please God. What you do need is the right heart and attitude towards God by obeying His commands.

Today we're going to see Peter explaining to other circumcised Jews that God accepts Gentiles. In other words the Gentiles could enter the church through baptism without first submitting to the requirements of the Law of Moses.

I. Peter is questioned.  The others challenged Peters actions in Acts 11:1-3 - “Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, saying, "You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!''”

A. It appears news of the events in Cornelius' house reached Jerusalem and the apostles, even, apparently, before Peter made his way back to the city. News travels fast doesn’t it?

1. Before the baptism of Cornelius and his household, all those who were baptized had been subject to the Law of Moses and circumcision, whether they were of the fleshly Israel or proselytes.
2. Luke tells us there was a bit of a dispute which arose from some of that number. They did not understand why he had gone into the house of a Gentile and actually eaten there.

B. Peter goes on to explain his actions in Acts 11:4-12 – “4. But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying: 5. "I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. 6. "When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 7. "And I heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' 8. "But I said, 'Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.' 9. "But the voice answered me again from heaven, 'What God has cleansed you must not call common.' 10. "Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11. "At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. 12. "Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man's house.”

1. We won’t spend much time with this text because we already dealt with that in Peter’s vision back in Acts 10. I do note that if we were to take one lesson from the text here it would be this, Peter's answer teaches us a great deal about resolving controversy within the brotherhood.
2. He defended his actions by saying they were authorized and approved by God. How many times have we seen that already when a doctrinal dispute happens? What’s the first thing the apostles do? They go back to their source of authority.
3. Peter not only went back to the source but he revealed to those disputing believers how this authority was shown. He told them he had seen a vision which indicated to him that he should no longer regard any man as common.
4. He says, he heard the Spirit tell him to go with the three men who had been sent from Caesarea. Peter did what we must all do when our authority tells us to do something. He went to Caesarea, accompanied by six other brethren.

C. Peter begins to move away from explaining his vision to explain Cornelius’ vision in Acts 11:13-14 – “13. "And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, 'Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, 14. 'who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.'” Peter related the story of the vision which Cornelius had which directed him to send for Peter so that he could hear words that would save him and his household.

1. Notice what Peter says here. He doesn’t say Cornelius and his household were saved because the Holy Spirit came upon them.

a. He doesn’t say that Cornelius was saved because he had a vision.
b. He doesn’t say that Cornelius was saved because he was a good person.
c. He doesn’t even say that Cornelius and his household were saved when they heard Peter’s message.

2. No, Peter says that salvation was to be theirs only after they had heard “... words by which...”. That word we translate as “by” indicates a following action, when they obeyed the words spoken. In other words when they had heard the instructions and then obeyed and followed them then they would have the finished product which was salvation.

D. Peter then follows on with his explanation about what happened when he met up with Cornelius and his household. Acts 11:15-17 – “And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”

1. Peter says that "the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning." What does he mean?
2. Think back to Acts 2 and the Day of Pentecost; Acts 2:1-4 – “1. Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
3. There is no doubt that Peter is referring to the day of Pentecost when the apostles received the Holy Spirit and spoke in other languages. Peter says Cornelius and his household received the gift of tongues in the same way they did in the beginning, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

E. With that evidence, Peter didn’t feel that he could oppose God by refusing to baptize them, or in any other way place stiffer requirements on these Gentiles. Peter's arguments convinced those assembled that the Gentiles had also been given the right to eternal life if they would submit to the Savior in repentant baptism. With that full explanation Luke then tells us in Acts 11:18 – “When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.''”
F. There have been many people use the events of Cornelius’ household to try and prove that they receive visions today or to prove that tongue speaking is still needed today.

1. Some lessons back I shared with you why I don’t call this Holy Spirit baptism. Holy Spirit baptism was promised to the apostles and no one else. This one little verse clearly shows us the reason why Cornelius and his household received the Holy Spirit.
2. The Holy Spirit was being outpoured on them not so much for Cornelius’ benefit, or even just for Peter’s benefit, but it was for the benefit of those to who Peter was speaking to now. God was sending a clear message to the Jewish Christians meeting in Jerusalem that He loves and accepts Gentiles into His church.

a. You didn’t have to be a Jew to be recommended to receive a Savior.
b. You didn’t have to be circumcised in the flesh to be recommended to receive a Savior. Your sin is all the recommendation you need to receive a Savior.
c. It doesn’t matter about your age, your color, your riches or debts, because we all come to the cross of Christ filthy with sin.

3. That was Paul’s point is in Romans 3:21-25 – “21. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22. even the righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24. being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25. whom God set forth to be a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,”
4. God accepted us just the way we were, we didn’t have to prove ourselves first to God or anyone else. We didn’t have to become righteous first. Paul tells us God gave us our righteousness through faith in Christ Jesus.

II. The scattering. Now meanwhile when this was going on, something else was happening.. Do you remember back in Acts 7 at the end of the chapter where Luke informed Theophilus that Saul gave the approval for Stephen’s death?

A. Luke records in Acts 8:1 – “Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.”

1. If we go down to Acts 8:4 Luke tells us that, “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.” What we see happening next in Acts 11 was the purpose for God allowing this persecution of His people to take place in the first place.
2. When Jesus said in Mark 16:15 – “"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” , He meant it. We are now at Acts 11:19-21 – “19. Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.”
3. Luke reported that those scattered by the persecution at the time of Stephen's death went over a large area preaching the word, but only to the Jews. The men of Cyprus and Cyrene though preached the gospel to the Grecians in Antioch as well.
4. There was no doubt that God was working in the background. I say there is no doubt that God was with these men because Luke tells us that “a great number believed and turned to the Lord”.

B. Now those young Christian converts that were scattered all over the place needed something we all need from time to time—encouragement. Luke tells us that Barnabas was sent to Antioch to encourage these young Christians. Acts 11:22-24 – “22. Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.”

1. When word of the events in Antioch reached the church in Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas. This had the characteristic of a formal mission from the church in Jerusalem. That the church should have sent a man with the character and disposition of Barnabas indicates to me that there was already in Jerusalem a strong attitude favoring the inclusion of Gentiles in the church. He encouraged all the young followers of the Lord to commit themselves to the Lord with all their hearts.
2. Luke tells us that Barnabas was a good man, full of faith and the Holy Spirit and he was fully committed to teaching the gospel to everyone and anyone who was willing to learn.
3. In much the same way folks, when any child of God has these three attributes, the effects are going to be seen. When you are good, full of faith and guided by the God’s Spirit, it will have a ripple effect.
4. Luke says that, “... a great many people were added to the Lord.” God blessed Barnabas’ efforts so much he needed help! So he went to Tarsus to bring Saul back to help in this rich work.

C. We are now at Acts 11:25-26 – “Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”

1. There is nothing wrong with asking for help from time to time. There is nothing wrong with asking someone to accompany you when you are teaching. Sometimes we can’t do everything we would like to do without an extra pair of hands and that includes teaching.
2. Antioch was the world's third largest city at that time, trailing only Rome and Alexandria. Barnabas needed help. Barnabas and Saul worked together with the church in Antioch for a year and were able to teach a large number of people. We recall from Acts 9:15 where the word of the Lord is revealed to Ananias speaking about Saul; “But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.”

III. Christians. Notice also that Luke records that the disciples in the city of Antioch were the first to wear the name Christian. Up to this point the name “disciples” was used and now the name “Christian” has replaced it. The name "Disciples" 261 times in the first five books of the New Testament. Yet it is not used even once in the last 22 books of the New Testament. The significance of this is further emphasized by the fact that the apostle John, after using it 77 times in the gospel, never used it even once in his short epistles and Revelation. Following the book of Acts, no follower of the Lord was ever called a disciple.

A. I note that the word "disciple" (mathētēs – pronounced mä-tha-ta's) means "learner or pupil”. Although it is true in a sense that Christians must always be "learning," there is a necessary sense in which Christians are "taught persons," in all vital elements of faith. I’m looking now at John 6:44-45 – “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. "It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.” Now in Jeremiah 31:31-35 – “31. "Behold, the days are coming,'' says the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah 32. "not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them,'' says the Lord. 33. "But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel: After those days, says the Lord, I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34. "No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,'' says the Lord. "For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.'' 35. Thus says the Lord, Who gives the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night, Who disturbs the sea, and its waves roar (the Lord of hosts is His name):” Finally in 2 John 1:1-2 – “THE ELDER, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever:”
B. The name “disciples” carries the notion that Christians are merely "trying to learn the truth". A Christian is more then that. John said that Christians "know the truth" (1 John 2:21). Paul declared that Christians "believe and know the truth" (1 Timothy 4:3); and this concept of the Christian's being in possession of "all truth" through the revelation of God to the apostles is denied by such a name as "disciples" or "learners." Christians are commanded to love the truth, hear the truth, walk in the truth, obey the truth, and to "teach the truth in love." If they should be named merely "learners" or disciples, it would be incongruous.

1. I know there are those in the past who affirm that "Christians" was a name given in derision, belittling the members of Christ as "goody-goodies," etc. Let’s look at the scriptures and consider what this name “Christian” is.
2. God promised that He would give His people a new name. Look with me at Isaiah 62:2 – “The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will name.” God promised that it would be given at a time when "the Gentiles and kings" had seen His "righteousness".
3. It was not to be a name which enemies would give, for God said, "I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off" (Isaiah 56:5).
4. It was not to be a name which would arise beyond the fellowship of God's people; but, as the Lord said, "Even unto them will I give in my house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters" (Isaiah 56:5).
5. God made good on that promise, the name was given in His house and within His walls; that cannot mean in the ranks of the despisers of His truth. Moreover, it was to be "a new name" (Isaiah 62:2), and a name "which the mouth of the Lord" would name.

C. There is significance of the name's being "new." If "disciples" had continued to be the name of God's followers, there would have been nothing new in such a designation, because the Pharisees and John the Baptist also had "disciples." Implicit in the new name was the teaching that Christianity was never to be confused with Judaism, or any of the sects of the Jews, all of which had their "disciples".

1. Look at 1 Peter 4:16 with me: “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” Peter specifically commanded that those called “Christians” should "glorify God". So how does the name "Christian", worn by God's people, glorify the Father in heaven? By its emphasis upon the name of Christ, the name literally meaning "of Christ." Here is the utter impossibility of such a name having been given by the instigation of Satan. It is contrary to the nature of Satan to suppose for even a moment that the evil one would have concocted a name with so much of Christ in it. People who can really believe that Satan invented and instigated this name might also very well believe that the devil invented the Lord's Supper.
2. Let’s consider the uniqueness of the term "Christian" by contrasting it with the many designations applied to the followers of the Lamb in the New Testament. For example, the Holy Spirit referred to the Lord's followers as;

a. the called of God (Romans 1:6; 8:28),
b. sons of God (Romans 8:14),
c. children of God (Romans 8:16),
d. the sanctified (1 Corinthians 1:2),
e. the faithful in Christ (Ephesians 1:1),
f. servants of Christ (Philippians 1:1),
g. the elect of God (1 Peter 1:1),
h. God's elect (Colossians 3:12; Titus 1:1),
i. saints in Christ, the term "saints" being used 50 times in the epistles
j. brethren, this designation being used 132 times in the epistles, and
k. simply "the church," as used 85 times.

3. Nevertheless, it was the name "Christian" which above all others came to be the historical designation of the brethren. It was to Christians that an apostle commanded to give Glory to God (1 Peter 4:16), the only name advocated before kings (Acts 26:28), and the only name consciously designated by an inspired author of a New Testament book as a replacement for "disciples," as in Acts 11:26.
4. Finally, the events leading to the giving of this new name were ordered, not on earth, but from heaven. First, a "name bearer" was chosen of God and converted in Acts 9 “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.”. Next the Gentiles were made participants in the blessings of the faith, upon the same terms as Jews, this being accomplished by the series of supernatural occurrences leading to the conversion of Cornelius and his house in Acts 10.
5. Then in Acts 11, when the first great Gentile church had been assembled at Antioch, a man full of the Holy Spirit went and called that "name-bearer" from Tarsus, the same line recording that the disciples were called "Christians" first at Antioch, Acts 11:26. How appropriate that they would now be designated as followers of the Christ, our anointed King.

IV. What is a Christian? You know when you speak with some religious people they will be more than happy to tell you that they are a ‘Jehovah’s Witness’ or they are a ‘Baptist’ or they are a ‘Roman Catholic.’ Yet there is only one name which we should wear when people ask us and that the name is, ‘Christian.’ When Paul was speaking with King Agrippa in Acts 26, Agrippa said to him in Acts 26:28 – “... "You almost persuade me to become a Christian.''”,

A. What then is a Christian? A Christian is someone who follows and obeys the words of the Christ.
B. Being a Christian is more than just wearing the Name, it’s all about living the Name. People should see the Name Christian in our lives, in our homes, in our speech, in our attitudes, and yes, even in the way we suffer. Again, 1 Peter 4:16 – “but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.”[NAS]
C. If we’re going suffer, folks, then let’s just praise God we’re suffering because we wear the Name Christian.

CONCLUSION:
Before we finish, I want to show you what else living the Name Christian should do.
It should lead us to help others, as these Gentiles, the Christians in Antioch were about to do. Acts 11:27-30 – “During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.” [para]
Luke tells us that certain prophets, those who had received the gift of prophecy, came from Jerusalem to Antioch. A man named Agabus was among them and he stood up and told the church a great famine was coming. Because Luke mentions that the prophecy was fulfilled in the days of Claudius, that would mean that it would have taken place around 44-48 A. D.

Notice what they did. They weren’t told to give a tenth of their income. They weren’t forced to give to the extent that they couldn’t look after themselves. Luke says that each Christian, as he was able to, gave to send relief to the brethren still living in the area around Jerusalem.
It was agreed that the offering would be taken to the elders in Jerusalem to be distributed to any Christian in need.
Do you notice anything interesting about who they sent their offering to? The money was taken to the elders and not the apostles. Why? Remember in Acts 6 when the apostles asked the saints there to choose seven men from among themselves?
Acts 6:3-4 - “Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."[para]
Their gifts went to the elders and not the apostles because the apostles still had work to do.

Being a Christian is more than just wearing a Name. Being a Christian means living the Christian life in all areas. It means totally giving our hearts and lives to God and to share the many blessings He gives us with others who are in need.
This is a message we need to hold in our heart that a Christian does more than just go to church every Sunday. A Christian will follow and obey the words of Jesus Christ all the days of their lives.

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We learn from the New Testament how to be saved. We need to hear the word; believe in Jesus; repent of our sins; we must confess our belief that Jesus is the Son of God; and be baptized for the remission of our sins... If we follow these steps, the Lord adds us to His church.

Perhaps there is someone in the assembly today with the need to be buried with Christ in baptism. If you have never done these things, we urge you to do so today. If anyone has this need or desires the prayers of faithful Christians on their behalf, we encourage them to come forward while we stand and sing.

Invitation song:

Reference Sermon: Mike Glover

But God, Had Different Plans!

Acts 10:24-48

INTRO: Good morning. As we continue in Acts today our scripture reference will be Acts 10:24-48.

We have all dealt with sales people or perhaps at some time in our life have been in sales. Sometimes being in sales can be extremely rewarding and sometimes very frustrating. I was reading an article on the sales profession recently and as I read through a portion on successful and unsuccessful techniques this story caught my eye. It seems a saleswoman despite her best sales pitch for life-insurance was unable to persuade a couple to sign up for a policy. As she stood up to leave she left her unconvinced clients with these words, "I certainly don't want to frighten you into a decision, please sleep on it tonight, and if you wake up in the morning, let me know what you think."... I suppose the point of the story is that some things need more consideration than others.

In Acts 10 we have the story of a devout man, a centurion. This centurion, Cornelius, had been visited by an Angel and instructed to get in touch with Peter. We all know the story. Cornelius sends messengers to Joppa to ask Peter to come to him. Peter in the meantime has had his own message from God. Peter received the men and then the following day went with them to Caesarea.

Some scholars have suggested that Peter's hospitality to the three messengers in Joppa indicates that he had already worked out God's intent for him to preach to the Gentiles. Others believe that the text doesn’t tell us if Peter fully understands the meaning of his visions yet, he is possibly still giving it some thought.

Luke goes on to tell us in Acts 10:24-26 - “And the morrow after, they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.” [KJV]

I. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I have ever met anyone whom I consider worthy of my falling at their feet, with the exception of Jesus Christ of course. I do know that in some countries if you meet royalty for example you’re expected to curtsy if you’re a woman or bow if you’re a man.

A. When Cornelius met the apostle Peter, having been told to send for Peter by an Angel, Cornelius fell down before him. However, Peter did not accept such adoration or encourage it in any way. Peter told Cornelius to get up because he too was only a man.
B. Do you remember in Acts 14 when the apostle Paul healed a man with crippled feet? When the crowd saw what had happened they shouted out in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in human form!" and they gave Paul and Barnabas new names and the priest from the temple of Zeus was going to offer sacrifices to their gods for Paul and Barnabas.
C. Luke tells us in Acts 14:14-15 – “But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,”[NKJV] Paul and Barnabas wouldn’t accept worship because they were only humans. They, like Peter, knew where to draw the line.
D. Today we have godly men and women within the Lord’s church throughout the world who are worthy of respect. Some are worthy of respect because of their spiritual maturity, some because of their Biblical knowledge and some because of their good deeds. We should never put them up on a pedestal for everyone else to admire and praise though.
E. Peter was a man who had all these things I just mentioned, but he knew where to draw the line. Peter understood that he was an apostle of Christ and he also remembered where he came from. Do you recall where Peter came from? He was a humble fisherman who became a humble servant for Christ, but he was still a human being. He wouldn’t allow anybody to place him higher than anybody else.
F. He would have remembered Jesus’ own words in Mark 10:45 when Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve...”

II. There’s nothing wrong with receiving encouragement from one another. Nothing wrong with that. There’s something seriously wrong when you accept that praise without giving God the credit for it. Perhaps that’s one reason why some preachers and teachers of God’s word become proud. Week after week they preach a sermon or teach a Bible class and people tell them how wonderful they are. It goes to their head and they cling to every single word of praise that someone tells them. Then they repeat those words to others. They end up wanting everyone to know just how wonderful they are.

A. You don’t have to be a preacher or teacher either, you could be someone who does good deeds and you end up wanting to tell everyone what you have been doing. You’re looking forward to hearing praise about yourself.
B. Peter wrote in 1 Peter 5:5 - “...Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
C. Peter understood what it meant to be humble, that’s why he would not accept any bowing down from Cornelius. He also recognized that if Cornelius and his household were going to receive him, he wanted them to remember that he was simply a servant, sent to them by God.

III. Luke goes on to inform us what happened when Peter went inside Cornelius’ house. Acts 10:27-33 - “And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. Then he said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. "Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?'' And Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, "and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. 'Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.' "So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.'' [NKJ]

A. I believe that now Peter has completely understood the meaning behind the visions.
B. You know I love those two little words there, ‘but God’ because it tells me that God is always one step ahead of our thinking. When you study the Bible notice how often man is proceeding one way and then you see the words ‘but God’
C. Paul says in Romans 5:7-8 - “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” [NKJ] Paul says, you may have a good friend that might dare to die for you, but God proved that He loves you because Christ died for you.

IV. When Paul is writing to the church at Philippi, he tells them about Epaphroditus almost dying. {e-paf-row-di-tus]

A. He says in Philippians 2:27 - “For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.” [NKJ] Paul says, you know Epaphroditus almost died, but God had different plans for him.
B. Peter in effect says in Acts 10 that “I shouldn’t even be here with you because you are Gentiles, but God has different plans”. This God-fearing centurion named Cornelius, his family and friends opened their hearts to receive the Lord’s commands from Peter.

V. Peter was taught a powerful lesson from God. A lesson that God had been showing His people for generations. Amos 9:7 - "Are not you Israelites the same to me as the Cushites?" declares the Lord. "Did I not bring Israel up from Egypt, the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir?” [para]

A. In Micah 6:8 - “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”. [para]
B. The lesson which Peter learned was that acceptability to God did not depend on nationality or descent, but upon character. In other words, you don’t need to become a Jew to please God.
C. Peter acknowledged that lesson when he says in Acts 10:34-35 - “... In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. "But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” [NKJ] Imagine the impact the words of Peter had on those that accompanied him to the home of Cornelius.

VI. Make no mistake about it, there is no such thing as a superior race in God’s eyes. Galatians 3:26-28 - “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

A. Paul might have added, it doesn’t matter if you are young or old, from America, England, Mexico, Ghana or Botswana. It does not matter if you are slow of tongue or quick of wit, had a past of many sins or of few, we are all one in Christ. Do you remember in Matthew 16 when Jesus asked the disciples who the people thought Jesus was and then Jesus asks Peter who he thought Jesus was and Peter said that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God?
B. Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 16:18-19 - “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.''
C. Notice that Jesus says, ‘I will give you the keys’, plural. We all know what keys are used for, they are either used for locking or opening something up. In this case these keys were to be used to open the way back to the Father.
D. In Acts 2 when Peter first preached, he used one of those keys to open the way back to the Father for the Jews. What we’re about to see happening in Acts 10 is Peter using the other key to open the way back to the Father for the Gentiles.

VII. Acts 10:36-43 - “The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ He is Lord of all "that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. "And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. "Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, "not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. "And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins."

A. Peter never got tired of preaching the gospel, he began his sermon by preaching the simple gospel message he had already proclaimed to so many Jews. Peter says that first, the Jews had learned that Jesus was the means of man obtaining peace with God. For that to happen, Jesus had to be Lord, and master.
B. “... that word you know...” This is interesting because when you read the text, it comes across as if Peter presumed they had already heard of the preaching of Jesus which had spread through Judea and Galilee, beginning with the message of John the Baptist. Cornelius and his assembled friends were far from being raw pagans.
C. Peter presumed that they knew that Jesus was God's anointed and had performed numerous acts of kindness and healing. He tells Cornelius and those listening that he and the other apostles stood as witnesses of the good Jesus did and the terrible trial the Jewish leaders put Him through, followed by His death on the cross.
D. He goes on to tell them that they could also testify that God raised Him up and made Him known to certain witnesses, some of whom even ate with him. Then finally he tells those listening that the apostles were given a commission to testify that Jesus would ultimately judge both the living and dead. Peter says, the prophets had referred to the coming Messiah through whom, those believing on His name, could receive the remission of their sins.
E. This is the heart of Christianity. The facts Peter tells here are the cornerstone and foundation of all faith and doctrine in Christ. This is the essential theme that both launched and sustained the triumph of Christianity over the pagan religions of antiquity. The apostles did not preach what they had merely heard, but what they had heard and seen. One scholar put it this way: "This constant reference to eyewitnesses is an indication of the historical character of Christianity, and of the importance of Christian evidences."

VIII. Have you ever been trying to have a conversation with someone but you get interrupted? That’s what Luke records happened next. Peter is in the midst of a sermon when something truly miraculous happens. Acts 10:44-46 - “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.”

A. Luke says that Peter was in full flow with his sermon when suddenly these Gentiles, who had never gotten rid of their uncleanness through circumcision and sacrifice, were baptized with the Holy Spirit.
B. There is no doubt that this event happened, because of the evidence. They spoke in tongues and magnified the name of God. Remember that the Jews thought that no one else was acceptable to God unless they were a Jew? This event clearly shows us that God has other plans.
C. This shows us that the Gentiles could now enter the church through baptism without first submitting to the requirements of the Law of Moses. You don’t have to wonder what this event means.
D. Peter understood full well what this event meant, that’s why he says in Acts 10:47-48 - "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?'' And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.”
E. In other words, Peter drew the obvious conclusion and asked how anyone could forbid these Gentiles the opportunity to obey Christ by putting Christ on in baptism. Notice when God gives a command people need to obey it. Luke says after the entire group had obeyed the Lord, they asked Peter and his companions to stay for a few days.

IX. I have heard many people who claim that Holy Spirit baptism is still happening today, and they use the events of Cornelius’ household as proof. I believe that Holy Spirit baptism as described in Acts was an experience unique to the first century.

A. Let me try and explain why. Like any good Bible student should do, we need to ask the question what was its purpose?
B. Centuries before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Joel in Joel 2:28-29 - foretold of a time when the Holy Spirit would be poured out upon “all flesh” or ”all people” “all mankind”, as some translations have it.
C. The expression “all flesh” is not referring to every individual human being. But the phrase “all flesh” embodies the two major segments of humanity, from that ancient vantage point. In other words, the Jews and the Gentiles.
D. On the day of Pentecost, Peter quoted Joel’s prophecy, as recorded in Acts 2:16ff. When he did that, Peter was revealing that the prophecy was beginning to enjoy its fulfillment that very day. Since, however, only the apostles, all of whom were Jews, received this outpouring of the Spirit on that occasion, we need to look for a further pouring of the Spirit to fulfill Joel’s prophecy. This outpouring of the Holy Spirit is metaphorically designated as a “baptism” because it involved an overwhelming, miraculous bestowal of divine power.
E. The final demonstration of “Holy Spirit baptism” occurred here in Acts 10. When Peter and his Jewish brothers visited the family of Cornelius in the city of Caesarea. The Spirit of God was “poured out” according to Acts 10:45 on Cornelius, his family, and near friends at that time, the Gentiles.
F. Later in Jerusalem when Peter is explaining the situation to other Jews, he tells them in Acts 11:15-17 - "And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. "Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' "If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?"
G. Peter defended the acceptance of the Gentiles to the Jewish Christians and he identified this experience with the events that occurred “at the beginning.” In other words, he says what happened to those gathered on Pentecost, happened to Cornelius’ household. Peter reminds them of John’s prophecy of a “baptism” in the Spirit; which Peter calls “the same gift” in Acts 11:17. Both the apostles on Pentecost, and the Gentiles during this incident, were empowered to speak with languages they previously had not known.

X. Let’s get back to the question, what was its purpose? Why did the apostles receive the Holy Spirit? The purpose for which the apostles received the Spirit on the day of Pentecost was unique.

A. Remember the Lord promised His apostles that they would receive an unparalleled measure of the Spirit’s power to guide them in teaching the gospel. The Spirit would bring to their memory the things they had learned from the Savior according to John 14:26. He would guide them into all truth and declare unto them things to come according to John 16:13.
B. The Lord promised they would be able to proclaim his message, unfettered by the need of personal preparation; rather, gospel truth would be “given” to them as they required it according to Matthew 10:19-20. That is why the apostles received Holy Spirit baptism.
C. Why then did Cornelius’ household receive the Holy Spirit? First of all, it’s important for us to understand that the baptism of the Spirit at Cornelius’ house was different in design from the Holy Spirit baptism which the apostle’s received. The only thing which was the same was that they spoke in foreign languages.
D. There is no Biblical evidence that Cornelius or his household had the teaching powers like the apostles did. There’s no Biblical evidence to suggest that they could lay their hands upon other people, and pass on spiritual gifts like the apostles could. The purpose for Cornelius being granted the Spirit was to demonstrate to the Jews that God desired the gospel to be offered to the Gentiles.
E. This was evidenced by the fact that even Peter initially resisted the idea that the Gentiles could become Christians as we saw in Acts 10:14ff. This was also evident in the fact that the Jews of Jerusalem, when they learned of the matter, criticized Peter. We find that in Acts 11:2-3 - “And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, saying, "You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”
F. It was the miraculous demonstration of the Spirit upon Cornelius and his associates that turned the tide. The effect of this divine act of Gentile acceptance remains intact to this very day. There is no need for a modern, supernatural outpouring of the Spirit to accomplish the same purposes.
G. The divine manifestation of the Holy Spirit falling on those Gentiles of Cornelius' household was not for the purpose of saving them, in any sense, but for the purpose of convincing the apostle Peter and his companions of the propriety of welcoming the Gentiles into the church of God upon the same conditions as everyone else.
H. This is clearly evident in the next words of Peter in Acts 10:47-48 - "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?'' And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.”
I. I note that an angel of God told Cornelius that Peter would tell him words whereby he would be saved (Acts 11:14), and that in all of the words spoken by Peter there was but one commandment, that of requiring them to be baptized.

CONCLUSION: Holy Spirit baptism is not necessary to one’s salvation today, nor is it a demonstration of our salvation. It was a phenomenon of the first century, unique to those circumstances. When Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesians in A.D. 62 he confirmed that there was but “one baptism” in Ephesians 4:5. Clearly he’s talking about “water” baptism, the very practice that was to continue “to the end of the age” as Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19-20. The Jews didn’t think that anyone else was acceptable to God unless they had been circumcised in the flesh and been converted to Judaism.

Aren’t we glad like our sermon title says; ‘But God’ had different plans? Aren’t we glad that God shows no favoritism between nations? I for one am very glad. Today we receive the “gift” of the Holy Spirit through water baptism. Acts 2:38.

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We learn from the New Testament how to be saved. We need to hear the word; believe in Jesus; repent of our sins; we must confess our belief that Jesus is the Son of God; and be baptized for the remission of our sins... If we follow these steps, the Lord adds us to His church.

Perhaps there is someone in the assembly today with the need to be buried with Christ in baptism. If you have never done these things, we urge you to do so today. If anyone has this need or desires the prayers of faithful Christians on their behalf, we encourage them to come forward while we stand and sing.

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Reference Sermon
Mike Glover

It's Not A Coincidence!

Acts 10:1-23

INTRO: Good morning. Before we begin let me share with you a story about a couple named, Bob and Lynn who weren't what we would consider good neighbors. They were not bad exactly, just oblivious to those living around them. A lot of folks end up that way these days. Anyway they realized after a time that they needed to do better.
One day when they saw a moving van in front of the house across the street, they decided to make an effort.
Lynn prepared some homemade cookies and together they approached the house.
When someone answered the front door, Lynn said, "Hi. We wanted to welcome you to our neighborhood. Here's some cookies for you."
The woman who answered the door said, "Thank you very much for your kindness. Uh...this is embarrassing. You see, we're not moving in. We're moving out. We've lived here 8 years."

When we were in Acts just before the holidays we were looking at how a young Jewish Rabbi named Saul had is his life changed from being a persecutor of the Lord’s church to becoming a preacher for the Way. Like Bob and Lynne in the story he became more welcoming towards people.

What we’re going to see today is one of the most powerful acts of welcoming by God for which we as Christians should be eternally thankful.
Luke presents to us in Acts 10 and 11 a powerful picture of the love of God for all of mankind. Luke’s devoting so much space to this narrative of a single conversion indicates the importance of it.

I. Let’s begin with Acts 10:1-2 – “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.” The city of Caesarea was an important seaport, and the centre of the Roman government and armed forces for the area. The city people were made up of both Greeks and Jews but they did not always see eye to eye with each other.

A. It’s in Caesarea that Luke introduces us to a man named Cornelius. Luke says that he was of the Italian regiment as the NKJV puts it or Band or Cohort. While a Cohort was a tenth part of a Roman legion, a detached Cohort such as in Caesarea usually had a thousand men. Cornelius being a centurion meant he was the commander of a hundred men.

1. Luke also tells us about his religious life. He says that Cornelius was a devout, God fearing man, who gave to those who might be in need and prayed to God. Not only was he a God fearing man, his whole household were God fearing people. Here Luke stresses the quality of the household where Peter would open the door of the kingdom to the Gentiles by the only possible 'key' - the word preached in the power of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 16:19).
2. The words “gave alms generously” or in some translations “gave much alms” caught my attention and in the original language the word po-lü's here indicates “many”, “much”, “abundant”, or “plentiful”. This centurion was evidently a person of some means although by his title is a non-commissioned officer.
3. The absolutely unique aspect of the event related in this chapter should not be overlooked. There never is the slightest hint anywhere in the New Testament that what happened at the house of Cornelius was to be considered any such thing as a normal Christian experience. Safeguards against such a misconception appear in every line of the narrative. As a matter of fact, God prepared both the apostolic preacher and the convert himself for the unique event by supernatural appearances to both of them.

II. Acts 10:3-8 – “3. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius!'' 4. And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?'' So he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. 5. "Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. 6. "He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.'' 7. And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. 8. So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.” [NKJV]

A. We know that the ninth hour was a Jewish hour of prayer and it is then that an angel appeared to Cornelius in a vision. Interesting too is that the word for “vision” is modified with the word “clearly”.

1. Let make me make a point here about angels. We’re living in a society today that is obsessed with angels. You may have heard some people that claim to have had a visit from one. There are cards and wrapping paper, signs and symbols and ornaments of these cute little things with halos, wings and nice little faces that are sweet and child-like. I suggest that this image of angels we see today is not what we should be thinking of when we read the word “angel” in the Bible.
2. Let me read to you from 2 Kings 19:35 – “And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the Lord went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand... ” One angel! These are mighty creatures and in scripture they were messengers and warriors.
3. Can you tell me a single story in the Bible where an angel appeared and someone said, “Isn’t that nice?” “Isn’t he lovely?”
4. In the Bible when an angel showed up, almost always, what was the first thing they had to say? “Don’t be afraid.” That’s what happened to Cornelius, “when he observed him, he was afraid,”

B. The angel reassures the frightened centurion telling him God positively received his sacrifices. The words “a memorial before God” led me to think about how we view memorials. Often people desire to have a permanent memorial, and that may truly be realized, but not in the types of monuments we see erected. The true memorial ascends to the presence of the Father in heaven, and it is made up of the prayers and alms of those who, upon earth, loved God and sought to know and do His will.

1. Someone has remarked that "Cornelius was a do-gooder". I don’t wish to deny this at all, but would like to point out that there is a remarkable distinction between Cornelius and the "do-gooders" promoting public welfare these days. The difference is this: Cornelius did alms with his own money, while another class of "do-gooders" practices all their mercies and charities by spending other people's money, not their own.
2. To prove that God accepted his sacrifices, God told Cornelius to send men to Joppa to call for Simon Peter at the house of a tanner named Simon. He obeyed God like all people should obey God and dispatched two servants and a devout soldier to the city of Joppa.
3. The angel's directions as given to Cornelius to enable him to contact Peter were full, explicit, sufficient and correct. The mention of Simon's occupation was noted in Acts 9:43, and the mention of his being a tanner would have facilitated finding him.

C. Someone once wondered; “Why did not the angel tell Cornelius what to do to be saved?" When Peter is relating this event in Acts 11 he says that the sole purpose of Cornelius' sending for him was to speak words "by which you and all your household will be saved " (Acts 11:14). Why then did the angel not speak those words?

1. Because Jesus had committed to the apostles, and through them to the church, the word of reconciliation (Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:18,19; 1 Timothy 3:15; and 2 Timothy 2:2).
2. An angel sent Philip to the Ethiopian; but it was the man Philip that told him what to do to be saved. Also, Jesus himself appeared to Saul; but it was Ananias who was commissioned to tell Saul what to do to be saved; and this same pattern is here.
3. Not the angel, but Peter would tell Cornelius what to do to be saved. That same pattern holds true today. In addition today we have God’s word readily available.

a. Those who are willing to put the time and effort to look into the Gospel can readily discern how we are to be saved.
b. Indeed we can find places in history where this plays out in keeping the kingdom. People have found and studied God’s word, found it did not support the apostate religion that man had developed and they turned to the true way.
c. Today’s teacher has the same responsibility to carry the gospel to the perishing but is given a great tool to use for introduction, explanation and encouragement.

III. Not only did God want Cornelius to know that what he was doing was acceptable, but God wanted someone else to know about something else that was acceptable to Him, the Gentiles. Now let’s continue in Acts 10:9-16 – “9. The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11. and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13. And a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat.'' 14. But Peter said, "Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.'' 15. And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed you must not call common.'' 16. This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.”

A. It was during another time of prayer for pious Jews, and while Cornelius’ servants were on their way to find Peter, we find Peter praying to God at the top of Simon’s house. Luke tells us he became very hungry while preparations for the noon meal were being made and he fell into a trance. Notice that Peter is finding it difficult to explain what he saw.

1. He says he saw ‘something like’ a sheet being let down out of heaven.
2. Perhaps you recall that when we looked at Acts 2:2-3 Luke records that the apostles heard “a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind”.
3. They saw what “appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire”.
4. It wasn’t literally a violent wind they heard nor was it literally tongues of fire but that was the best that they could liken to what they observed.
5. Here in Acts 10 Peter didn’t literally see a sheet being let down out of heaven, he says it was ‘something like a sheet’.

B. This sheet which Peter saw being let down from heaven was full “all kinds” of creatures. In Leviticus 11, we find a list of clean and unclean creatures, the latter being forbidden for Jews to eat; but the collection of creatures Peter saw was clearly made up of many that were unclean as indicated by the wording here. It’s then that Peter hears a voice telling him to kill and eat. Peter being a devout Jew refused the instructions because he didn’t want to defile himself.

1. Perhaps if Peter had remembered the Lord’s words recorded in Mark’s gospel, he wouldn’t have had any problems with the instructions. Mark 7:14-19 – “14. And when He had called all the multitude to Him, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand: 15. "There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. 16. "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!'' 17. And when He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. 18. So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19. "because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?''” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods "clean.")
2. In Acts 10 the voice which Peter heard was in full agreement with the Lord's teachings in Mark 7. The voice told Peter that nothing God had made should be described by man as common or unclean.
3. I guess old habits die hard. It’s interesting that the same vision was repeated three times before the sheet was taken out of the apostle's sight.

a. We have noted something repeated three times before. Remember in Matthew 26, just before Jesus was arrested?
b. Jesus tells Peter in Matthew 26:34-35 – “... "Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.'' Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!'' And so said all the disciples.” Peter was saying to Jesus, I will never leave you Lord, I will never betray you Lord; I will never deny you Lord.” Yet, he did, didn’t he?
c. The first time is recorded in Matthew 26:69-70 – “Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, "You also were with Jesus of Galilee.'' But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are saying.''”
d. The second time is recorded in Matthew 26:71-72 – “And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.'' But again he denied with an oath, "I do not know the Man!''”
e. Then the third time is recorded in Matthew 26:73-75 – “And after a while those who stood by came to him and said to Peter, "Surely you also are one of them, because your speech betrays you.'' Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!'' And immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.'' Then he went out and wept bitterly.”

4. I don’t believe that Peter ever forgot that day in his heart. In a way I suspect that helped Peter to be ready for this event.

a. Also I don’t believe that Jesus was going to let him forget that day either.
b. I am put in mind of John 21. After Jesus showed Himself to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberius we read in John 21:15-17 – “So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?'' He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.'' He said to him, "Feed My lambs.'' He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?'' He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.'' He said to him, "Tend My sheep.'' He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?'' Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?'' And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.'' Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.”

5. In Acts 10 the whole scene with Peter including the sights and sounds, the vision and the dialogue, was repeated three times. The purpose of this, of course, was to emphasize it. Folks, how many times do we need to hear the same message over and over and over again? That’s why it’s important to read the Bible and remind ourselves of what God requires of us.

C. God’s word protects and saves and that’s one reason why we need to hear the same message over and over and over again. His word protects us from falling away. His word protects us from false doctrine and false teachers. His word keeps us safe on our journey to heaven because He doesn’t want us to be lost. It is not a coincidence that our “weapons” are described as the “sword”, which is the word of God, and prayer. Ephesians 6:17-18.

1. How many times do we need to hear the words of Jesus in John 14:15-16 – “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever,”
2. How many times do we need to hear the words of Peter as he tells us in 1 Peter 1:22-23 – “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,”
3. How many times do we need to hear the words of the Hebrew writer in Hebrews 10:24-25 – “let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
4. How many times do we need to hear the words of John in 1 John 5:18 – “We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.”
5. How many times folks, how many times? These commands are important. We need to be reminded of them, to follow and to understand them because they will protect us from ultimately going to hell.

IV. The vision which Peter received was important for him to understand because God’s plan was to save those “afar off” from going to hell. As we are about to read, Peter doesn’t understand the vision just yet. Back in Acts 10:17-20 – “Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate. And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there. While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.''”

A. Luke tells us as Peter was thinking about the vision the men from Cornelius arrived at the house and began to inquire about him. Then the Holy Spirit told him to go with the three men because they were sent by the Spirit.

1. Folks, these three men turning up wasn’t a coincidence. They were sent by God for a specific reason. Peter didn’t even know they were coming. He didn’t even know they were at Simon’s house until the Spirit told him they were there.
2. Providences of this kind can occur only when God wills them; and, although it would be rash to suppose that in our own times we are able properly to interpret such things, nevertheless, we may in awe and reverence behold them. Let me give you an illustration.
3. Bernard Lemmons and Lennos Norton, a preacher and elder of God's church respectively, were in an automobile accident on a New Jersey thoroughfare; and Brother Norton's face and throat were cut when his head went through the windshield. Twenty minutes before that accident occurred, however, one of the most skilled surgical nurses in New York City, who was returning from having spent the night with a friend in New Jersey, had suffered a minor accident with her car when it hit the same icy strip that caused Brother Lemmons to lose control of his car. Although the nurse did not particularly need an ambulance, someone had called it anyway; and that ambulance arrived almost simultaneously with the occurrence of the near-fatal accident to Brother Norton. The nurse tied off key arteries and saved his life. That this event had elements of Providence in it is clear enough. The services of that surgical nurse, and the timely arrival of an ambulance dispatched to the scene twenty minutes before the accident occurred, were both absolutely necessary to saving his life. There are many providences in life, and our hearts should be attuned to take account of them.
4. I believe God sends His people to pray for, encourage, and support their brothers and sisters in Christ when they are in need. I know I have received encouragement many times. I don’t look at that as a coincidence, and I thank God for His blessing.

CONCLUSION:
Our God knows our needs because He is always aware. He knows when your heart needs encouragement. He knows when your heart is beginning to doubt. 1 John 3:20 – “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.”

Take a look at the Christians around you today. Do you believe they are here because of coincidence?
We might think we came to Chardon because we wanted to be in a congregation closer to home. Perhaps some of us may think that we are here because we wanted to help and be a part of this small congregation. Some of us may believe that we’re here because we want to enjoy the worship, warm fellowship and love here. Some of you are here because you were involved in the starting of this congregation and some because this is where your family went.
Folks, the reason why we are all here together in Chardon is not because of coincidence but because it is God’s will. God’s wants us here together.

We may or may not understand why He wants us here.
Maybe it is to encourage others.
Maybe it is because you wanted to step out in faith.
Maybe it is because you needed to find the truth to set you free.
Maybe it is to help others who are slipping away and need of a warm, friendly congregation to help bring them back to the Lord.
Maybe it is to be a light, an example.
Everyone one of us has a purpose in this congregation even if we do not know what that purpose is. God knows why we were put here.

I know we are comfortable in our worldly routine, yet I’m sure at some point every person asks this question, "What is the purpose of my life?" I am sure every Christian who is a part of any faithful congregation wonders at some point, ‘what is the purpose of me being in this congregation?’ Jesus says to us. “If you keep following me, I’ll help you find your purpose, but you must be wiling to follow me.”
We should go to God in prayer like Peter did and I’m sure that God will show us exactly why we a part of this congregation.

Peter didn’t know why these men came looking for him, but when God’s Spirit told him to go downstairs, he went and found out why they had came.

Acts 10:20-23 – “Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.'' Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, "Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?'' And they said, "Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.'' Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.”

Luke tells us that Peter went down and told the men he was the man they were looking for. They in turn told Peter that Cornelius had been told by God, through the agency of an angel, to send for Peter so that he could hear him preach.
Peter came to the realization that this message wasn’t a coincidence. It was indeed from God Himself. Peter then invited them in to spend the night, to eat the very meal with them which was being prepared while he saw the vision.
The next morning, Peter and some other brethren set out for Caesarea.

Peter did not depend upon a coincidence of events for the decision he was to make; the Spirit spoke to him in audible, intelligible words, commanding what he should do. We do not know just how that was done; but it is clear enough that more was involved than some mere feeling or impression made subjectively upon Peter. Coupled with the revelation already given to Peter, this message left Peter no choice except to receive it as a command from God; and so he received it.

Folks, the next time you receive an e-mail, text or phone call just remember that it may not be a coincidence. It may be God’s way of encouraging you to keep going, it may be a door that is opening. The next time you get a visit from one of your brethren just remember what the Hebrew writer wrote in Hebrews 13:1-2 – “Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”

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We learn from the New Testament how to be saved. We need to hear the word; believe in Jesus; repent of our sins; we must confess our belief that Jesus is the Son of God, and be baptized for the remission of our sins... If we follow these steps, the Lord adds us to His church.

Perhaps there is someone in the assembly today with the need to be buried with Christ in baptism. If you have never done these things, we urge you to do so today. If anyone has this need or desires the prayers of faithful Christians on their behalf, we encourage them to come forward while we stand and sing.

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Reference Sermon: Mike Glover