Messages

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” What Are We Devoted to?
Acts 2:42-47
Main Point: Is our discipleship translating into ___________ to Jesus Christ: His Word; His Body; Community in Christ; & the Worship of Christ?
Devoted = . Committed to it!

1. We must be devoted to the . This is the teaching of God’s Word fulfilled in Jesus Christ. (especially the Gospel – the fulfillment of God’s plan & purposes). verses 29-33

*This means I am to the Authority of God’s Word – the Gospel and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 40:8 > I Peter 1:24-25

2. We must be devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, His Word, – and to the ¬¬_______________________! verse 42b

Fellowship =_________________________Ephesians 2:19-22

3. We must be devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to the
________________________. verses 42c & 46b

= – sharing life together and committed to/caring for each other. (Example – verses 44-45).

4. We must be devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, and _____.
verse 42d

Prayer = Acts 4:23-31

A message from the series “Acts of the Apostles.” What Are We Devoted to?
Acts 2:42-47

Main Point: Is our discipleship translating into commitment to Jesus Christ: His Word; His Body; Community in Christ; & the Worship of Christ?

Devoted = Steadfast attention & Adherence. Committed to it!

1. We must be devoted to the Apostle’s teaching – His Word. This is the teaching of God’s Word fulfilled in Jesus Christ. (especially the Gospel – the fulfillment of God’s plan & purposes). verses 29-33

*This means I am submitted to the Authority of God’s Word – the Gospel and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 40:8 > I Peter 1:24-25

2. We must be devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, His Word, – and to the fellowship – His Body! verse 42b

Fellowship = Participation, partnership, communion. (spiritual oneness, belonging – given by the Spirit) Ephesians 2:19-22

3. We must be devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to the
‘Breaking of Bread’. verses 42c & 46b

= Community – sharing life together and committed to/caring for each other. (Example – verses 44-45).

4. We must be devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to ‘Prayer’. verse 42d

Prayer = Corporate worship and intercession. Acts 4:23-31

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” The Solution to the Struggle
Acts 2:36
Main Point:
Jesus’ disciples receive the who lives in us, fills and empowers us to overcome and be His witnesses to lost people.

By His death and Resurrection, Jesus obtained the gift of the Holy Spirit for us who are His disciples. (verse 33)

Luke 24:44-49

John 14:15-20

Acts 1:8 Power to ‘be’ His witnesses, not merely witness!

*Repentance and transformed living is the fruit of our Spirit-filled witness.

1. His Spirit draws us and then when we respond in faith,
_____________________ in us. John 6:63-65; Titus 3:3-7

2. The Spirit in us the desires of our flesh as we walk in His fullness (Live in surrender). Galatians 5:16-18

What do we do when we fail? I John 1:9 Confess & be cleansed!

3. All of us must be (= controlled, directed) by the Spirit of Jesus Christ in us! Ephesians 5:18

A message from the series “Gospel of John.” Believe & Be Born Anew!
John 3:1-18

Main Point
God loves us so much that He sent His One True Son to this earth to save us – whoever puts their faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, is born anew and has eternal life!

1. Jesus Christ is God’s One True Son.
verse 16

‘One and only’ (monogenes) = sole one, only one of its kind

John 1:1-2

2. God sent His Son, Jesus, to save us not condemn us!
verse 17

‘Save’(sodzo) =keep safe & sound, to rescue from danger or destruction, to make well, restore to health

John 12:44-48

3. We must believe, put our faith in Jesus, God’s Son, to be saved and born anew!
verse 16

Believe = to be persuaded, place faith in, confidence in, completely trust
John 6:28-29

v. 3 ‘Born again or from above’ = spiritually reborn, born of the ‘Spirit’.

*there’s a warning here – verse 18 (for us and for others!)

Mark 16:15-16

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.”

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” You Gotta Die to Live!
Acts 2:29-41

Main Point: Jesus commands us to tell everyone that we are His followers by being baptized which symbolizes our _______ _______________ and rising to live in new, resurrection life!

What baptism is not…
-Baptism – not a means of grace (infants)
– The ritual does not save you (Titus 3:4-5 > I Peter 3:21)

It is an essential part of our discipleship!
1. The Call: !
(verse 32)
John 3:16-18

‘Believe’ = to understand, accept & trust

2. The Command: ! (verse 38)

Repent = Turn from unbelief, surrender my !

Same as-
Matt. 28:19 Make disciples by ‘going, baptizing, teaching…’ Apostles were following thru w/ Jesus’ command/commission

Matt. 3:13-17 Jesus was baptized & gave us a pattern to follow.

3. The Consequence: ! (Thru the indwelling Spirit of Jesus Christ in me! verse 38b)

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” Are You Working for True Reward?
Mark 10:28-31
Main Point
When we surrender everything to follow Jesus we receive back more than we can imagine in and in the age to come

Ephesians 3:20

1. You have to surrender to be a follower of Jesus.
verse 29

Luke 14:33 “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”

(verse 31) If you put yourself first (your rights, ownership) above Jesus and His call – you will be last!

2. Jesus to us a hundred times more than we ever had! verse 30

>Family (gain family of Christ), brothers, sisters, mothers, children, homes, fields (possessions)

I Timothy 6:17

3. We will receive in the age to come!
verse 30

Revelation 21:5-6

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.”

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” We’re a Chosen People
I Peter 2:9-10
Main Point:
We have been called out of darkness to be God’s special possession, and to to people around us!

Exodus 19:3-8

All of this is through Jesus Christ-
John 1:4 ‘In Him was life and that life was the light of all people.’ >We have received His mercy!

1. God has called us out of into His wonderful light.

John 8:12 ‘When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Ephesians 5:8 ‘For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, Walk as children of light.’!

2. God has called us to be His , a chosen people, a royal priesthood – through Jesus Christ.

Verses 4-5

3. God has called us to be a holy people and His praises. *Have you received His mercy? Has He made you Holy? Then declare it!

Isaiah 43:20-21

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” God’s Good Gifts
Luke 11:9-13
Main Point:
Jesus teaches us that if we will ask, seek & knock, our Heavenly Father will give us good gifts, and most of all His
___________________!

The Principle:
1. We are to in asking for our needs, because God
will answer us… and He will give us good gifts! verses 9-10

*Father God knows what we really need!

We can have wrong motives in asking…
James 4:2-3 ‘…You do not have because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.’

The Illustration:
2. Though we are evil we give good gifts – Father God is Good and gives us , most of all His Holy Spirit! vs.11-12

Matthew 7:11 ‘If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!’

*Jesus teaches that Father God’s good gift of His Holy Spirit is what we need the ! (verse 12)

John 7:37-39

It is the Spirit that fulfills our deepest need!