May 22, 2016

Believe....and Remain Faithful

Acts 13: 38 - 43

Acts 

Brothers, listen!  In this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins.  Everyone who believes in him is freed from all guilt and declared right with God - something the Jewish law could never do.  Be careful!  Don't let the prophets' words apply to you.  For they said, 'Look you mockers, be amazed and die! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn't believe even if someone told you about it.'"

As Paul and Barnabas left the synagogue that day, the people asked them to return again and speak about these things the next week.  Many Jews and godly converts to Judaism who worshiped at the synagogue followed Paul and Barnabas, and the two men urged them, "By God's grace remain faithful."  

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  Thoughts....

Forgiveness for your sins!

Everyone who believes in him - Jesus - is freed from all guilt and declared right with God....something the Jewish law could never do.

Be careful!  Don't let the prophets words apply to you.  For they said,  'Look you mockers, be amazed and die!  For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn't believe even if someone told you about it. '

Does it need to be any clearer than this?

Try this:  Believe in Jesus, be forgiven for your sins.   

And check this out:  The prophets knew there would be those who would mock Jesus, his followers, the salvation message, the miracles.  They knew the mockers would be amazed!  Futhermore, they knew they would die for not believing in Jesus.

"Die?", you say.  Yes.  If you don't believe in Jesus, accept him as your Savior AND make him LORD of your life, you will die.  

I heard that.  You said, "Everybody's gonna die anyway, what a farce. "  Well, you're a bit mistaken there.  You see, well you don't see, but let me tell you. Those who believe in Jesus are not only forgiven of their sins, those who make him LORD, as well as SAVIOR, will live forever.

Excuse me, I think I just heard you say, "That's not possible."  In fact, it IS possible, even available to you.  In fact, it is a foregone conclusion, not an element of suspense, but absolute fact.  I tell you the truth, if Jesus sets you free, you will be free indeed!

"How is that possible?"  It's factual that Jesus died on a cross, having been nailed there by the sins of others.  His death, and resurrection, prove to us he IS the one true LORD, who took our sins upon himself, to be for us and many, our everlasting, from here to eternity, Savior and Lord, for all who will believe in him and remain faithful....and who will NOT mock him.

Paul and Barnabas urged many Jews and godly converts to Judaism who worshiped at the synagogue, "By God's grace remain faithful."  These men followed Paul and Barnabas as they left the synagogue that day they were told to believe their sins would be forgiven.  They were even warned the mockers they would die.  And those people asked Paul and Barnabas to return again and speak about these things the next week!  Can you imagine?

Here are 2 followers of Christ Jesus - Christians - preaching what was to be called 'The New Testament' - 'the new law', if you will....in a synagogue! Most of us won't tell our relatives, let alone share at work, and here are Paul and Barnabas preaching in a synagogue to the Jews and godly converts!

Oh, that we would all remain as faithful as Paul and Barnabas.  Oh, that we would mean we'd have to GET faithful....right after we believe....in the man who died on a cross, who bore our sins, and was raised to everlasting life.  An everlasting life we can have, too.

If we would just believe....and remain faithful!

Choose this day whom you will serve!  

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  Let Us Pray

Dear Heavenly Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I believe!  I accept you as my Savior and make you Lord of my life.  I believe you died on a cross for me. I believe you have been resurrected.  I believe you are in heaven.  And that as long as I obey you, which translates into making you Lord of my life, which will allow me to remain in your love (John 15), I will be with you some day in heaven.  Thank you.  Help me to reach out to those who do not know you, do not know you are THE Messiah, THE Savior born, those who do know who you are but who have not made you their Savior, or Lord, and those who have, but may have stepped away, to share the salvation message, 'There is salvation in on one else [Jesus]!  There is no other name [Jesus] in all of heaven for people to call on to save them." Acts 4:12  And Lord, please forgive me of my sins along the way, though I will earnestly try not to sin.  I will make every attempt to 'Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.'  And I will 'Keep putting into practice all I've learned and heard about you, and saw you and others do in your name, so that you, MY God of peace, will be with me, with Jesus and Holy Spirit. Philippians 4:8-9  Thank you, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.  I praise you, and thank you, and love you.  Amen!   

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More love.... 

  Benediction....Blessing

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

'All who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all Christians - you are ONE in Christ Jesus.'  Galatians 3: 27

  It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!

Teach tolerance....reach in acceptance....worship as one!

Embrace....Respect....Encourage!

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Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

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It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, animals, the earth, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart.  

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  One last thing....

Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!

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