Immediate Action - TOR17

Welcome to the new year of 2009! With the beginning of a new year is the beginning of a few new changes for 2.22. We had our first fellowship of the year on our new Thursday night venue. We're still meeting at 6:30pm with a 30 minute meal/fellowship time, however we will no longer have planned meals each week. You may still bring something on your own and use this time to eat & visit with others. We're now meeting up in the Student Ministries room.

Pastor Jeff jumped back into our ongoing study of the book of Acts entitled "The Original Revolution" (TOR) and looked at the immediate actions of Paul & the church after his radical conversion. We were challenged to pursue Christ with the same passion many of us had immediately after our own conversions.

Below you'll find Jeff's outline and the mp3 audio from his message. You can find all the previous TOR messages here.

“Immediate Action” (Acts 9:19-31)

In these verses we'll see 4 immediate actions of the early church, triggered by the Gospel. Is the Gospel triggering action in your walk?

1. Paul immediately preached in Damascus (vv. 20-25)

2. Paul was immediately protected by the disciples (vv. 23-25)

3. Paul was immediately promoted by Barnabas (vv. 26-27)

4. Paul immediately preached in Jerusalem (vv. 28-31)

Take-Home Points:

1. Why preach – when and where?
2. Why does our Gospel fire cool in our hearts so quickly?
3. Are you being strategic with your life?
4. Are you being controlled by fear?

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Lord, Change My Attitude About That Person” TOR16

“Lord, Change My Attitude About That Person” (Acts 9:10–19)
Prop: 3 regularly-repeated phases which call for Attitude Change

1. A difficult God given Directive (vv. 10–12)

2. A conflicting soul-born Dilemma (vv. 13–16)

A. Ananias expresses his fears over Saul (vv. 13–14)
B. The Lord authoritatively overrides Ananias’s fears (vv. 15–16)

3. A Spirit-born soft-hearted Decision (vv. 17 – 19)

A. Ananias obeyed functionally (v. 17a)
B. Ananias obeyed relationally (v. 17b.)

Take-Home Points:

1. Being a Christian can make your life seem dangerous
2. Being a Christian insists that you to love people you wouldn’t usually love
3. Being a Christian means that circumstances don’t have to make sense for them to be God’s will
4. Being a Christian comes down to being God’s instrument
5. Being a Christian means to suffer is your privilege
6. Being a Christian insists that you welcome all other Christians as family
7. Being a Christian means you have a whole new outlook on life

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Saul: Conversion by Sovereign Grace

Saul: Conversion by Sovereign Grace
Acts 9:1-9
We view Saul’s conversion through 4 windows of Sovereign Grace

1.Total Depravity
(Acts 9:1-2, 13-14; 22:4-5, 19-20); 26:10-11; Gal. 1:13-14; Phil. 3:6; 1 Tim. 1:13, 15)

2.Unconditional Election
(Acts 9:3-4, 7, 15-16; 22:6, 9, 14; 26:13, Gal. 1:13-16; Phil. 3:8-9; 1 Tim. 1:12-13)

3.Irresistible Grace
(Acts 9:3-6; 22:6-8, 10, 14; 26:13-18; Gal. 1:12, 16; Phil. 3:9; 1 Tim. 1:13)

4.Perseverance of the Saints
(Acts 9:7-9, 11, 15-16, 19-22; 22:10, 15-21; 26:19-22, 24-25; Gal. 1:16-18; Phil. 1:8-15; 1 Tim. 1:18-20)

Take-Home Points

1. The Doctrines of Grace contrary to their ivory tower stigma are pulsating with life
2. These doctrines shout what’s obvious: God saved you – you did not save you
3. Realize. Saul’s conversion is your conversion – his testimony is your testimony
4. Taking a look at how abhorrent you once were toward God is a healthy exercise
5. Grasping your total depravity unlocks the other Doctrines of Grace, and rightly applied should cause gratitude and worship
6. By definition the doctrine of eternal security makes persevering automatic – “Once saved always saved” means “Once saved will persevere”
   

Listen to "Saul: Conversion by Sovereign Grace"

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The Spirit Then. The Spirit Now. TOR14

The Spirit Then. The Spirit Now.
Acts 8:26-40

Lets take a spiritual diagnostic. From Acts 8:26-40, we see 4 comparisons between how the Spirit led Philip and how the Spirit leads today.

I. Philip receiving direct revelation compared to you indirectly discerning God’s will (vv. 26 – 29)

a. The Spirit led Philip through direct revelation
b. The Spirit again led Philip through direct revelation

II. Philip’s ministering the Word compared to you ministering the Word (vv. 30 – 35)

a. Philip providentially heard the eunuch reading Isaiah (our same Isaiah) (v. 30)
b. Philip taught the eunuch through redemptive history – connecting the dots that culminate with “the good news about Jesus” (v. 35)

III. The Spirit regenerating the eunuch compared to the Spirit regenerating people today (vv. 36 – 38)

a. The eunuch’s new heart spontaneously desired to obey (vv. 36 – 37)
b. The eunuch was baptized (v. 39)
c. The eunuch “went on his way rejoicing” (v. 39)

IV. The Spirit’s transportation service then compared to now (vv. 39 - 40)

a. “the Spirit…carried Philip away” (v. 39)
b. “the eunuch saw him no more” (v. 39)
c. Philip passed through towns and preached the gospel (v. 40)

Take-Home Questions:

1. Do you assume that the Holy Spirit is leading you? (Rom. 8:14)
2. Do you assume being led by direct revelation takes less faith then being led by personal discernment?
3. Do you assume the Lord speaking by direct revelation meant He was more involved in early church ministry?
4. Do you assume the Spirit’s leadership is as precise as it was in the early church?
5. Do you assume the Spirit places people in your path for you to sow, water, and reap with the Gospel?
6. Do you assume Word of God can bring radical transformation when someone understands it?
7. Do you assume you are a person who can explain the Word of God to others and that the Spirit will lead you to do so?
8. Do you assume that people with regenerate hearts will spontaneously obey?
9. Do you assume you know the Spirit’s plan for your life – going to a Samaria – the desert – Azotus?

Listen to the message "The Spirit Then. The Spirit Now".

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The Joy and Pain of Authentic Gospel Ministry

Last night Pastor Jeff picked up with the revolution in Acts chapter 8 and the apparent conversion of Simon the magician.

The Joy and Pain of Authentic Gospel Ministry

I. The seed of the martyr is sown (Acts 8:1-3)

II. The message is spread through Samaria (Acts 8:4-8)

a. Spiritual opposition (Acts 8:9-11)
b. Genuine belief (Acts 8:12)
c. Alleged belief (Acts 8:13)

III. The harvest is affirmed by Apostles (Acts 8:14-17)

IV. The apostate is rebuked by Apostles (Acts 8:18-25)

Hear the message "The Joy and Pain of Authentic Gospel Ministry".

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Light Contrasting Darkness - TOR12

Last night we ended chapter 7 of Acts and once again someone died. This time it's not because someone lied to God, it's because someone lived for God. Have you ever wondered why Jesus stood up for Stephen as he was being stoned to death? Pastor Jeff addressed this intriguing question and took us into the incredible true story of the martyrdom of Stephen.

Light Contrasting Darkness Acts 7:54-60

I. A Dark Response (v. 54)
II. An Illumined Perspective (v. 55)
III. An Illumined Testimony (v. 56)
IV. A Dark Attack (vv. 57-58)
V. Illumined Prayers (vv. 59-60)

Take-home points:

1. It is dangerous to your soul to let anger fester
2. Witnessing should first be about God before its about people
3. When your witness is rejected, people are rejecting first God before you
4. Try not to lose hope over lost people – God saves a murderer
5. The ultimate end of unrepentant anger is murder
6. Even if you’re not a Martyr, die praying like Jesus prayed
   
   

Hear the message "Light Contrasting Darkness".

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The Church Growth Movement

Our focus last night was in Acts 5:12-42 as Jeff taught about the ORIGINAL church growth strategy and it's results.

The Church Growth Movement
The cause and effect of the living church

I. A Church Growth Movement (vv. 12-16)

a. Many signs and wonders were done (v. 12)
b. Many feared joining the church (v. 13)
c. Many believers did join the church (v. 14)
d. Many were healed (vv. 15-16)

II. A Church Warfare Movement (vv. 17-42)

a. First attempt to stop preaching - Caging the preachers (vv. 17-26)
i. The religious leaders got jealous of the Apostles (v. 17)
ii. The religious leaders imprisoned the Apostles (v. 18)
iii. An angel delivered the Apostles and commanded them to preach (vv. 19-21)
iv. The religious leaders discovered the Apostles were out preaching (vv. 21b-25)
v. The religious leaders “brought them, but not by force” to reiterate for them not to preach (v. 26)

b. Second attempt to stop preaching – Lecturing the preachers (vv. 27-33)
i. The Apostles said we need to obey God not man (v. 29)
ii. The Apostles preached the Gospel to the religious leaders (vv.30-32)
iii. The religious leaders “were enraged” (v. 33)

c. Third attempt to stop preaching – Beating the preachers (vv. 34-42)
i. Gamaliel provides good counsel (vv. 34-39)
ii. The religious leaders beat the Apostles (v. 40)
iii. The Apostles rejoiced, were deeply moved, and kept preaching and teaching like mad men (vv. 41-42)

Take-home points:

1. God’s power is attractive to believers and unattractive to unbelievers
a. God’s power has been regarded as foolish, fake, and unimpressive
b. God’s power has been regarded as satanic
c. God’s power in this case was regarded as scary
d. God’s power in this case also was provoked jealously (and rage cf. v. 33)

2. God’s power was more than a sign - meeting physical needs

3. Spiritual warfare centered around teaching the preaching the Gospel – the miraculous taking a back seat
a. Yes, the angle of the Lord performed a miracle but the goal comes back to speaking the words of Life
b. The concern of the high priest was to gag the Apostles

4. Sometimes Christians are physically protected and sometimes not
a. The officers’ fear of being stoned kept them from harming the Apostles at one point
b. Later, the officers beat the Apostles

5. There are principles of obedience where the Christian must not compromise
a. God’s law supersedes man’s law
b. Disobeying the law of the land becomes your integrity and testimony
c. Discerning when this applies is not always easy to do

6. Gamaliel’s passive defense of the Apostles is a window into God’s providential involvement through unbelievers

7. We must be willing to “suffer dishonor for Christ”
a. This willingness is active when you’re joyful when wronged
b. This willingness is active when you’re humbly grateful to be shamed for Christ

8. You’re goal as a Christian is to declaratively clarify to others that Jesus is the only way – the only Savior from sin

Hear the message "The Church Growth Movement".

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They Lied. They Died. - TOR8

Last night Aaron Wilson preached through the account of Ananias & Sapphira being struck dead by God after lying about an free-will offering.

He mentioned a sermon by C.J. Mahaney that helped him prepare for this message and encouraged everyone to take time to listen. You can find the sermon here.

Also note the iPod image in the sidebar. Click on this image to visit a new mp3 sermon collection by preachers such as Mahaney, MacArthur, Piper, Carson and many more.

Aaron's message - the 8th in our current series "The Original Revolution" - is available below.

They Lied. They Died.

Acts 4:32-5:11 - A Shocking Contrast of 2 Worshipers:

I. The Context – The Unity of Community (4:32-35)
A. Unified living
B. Selfless giving
C. Sacrificial giving
D. Voluntary giving

II. The Positive Example of the Devoted Worshiper (4:36-37)
A. The “son of encouragement”
B. The simple example

III. The Negative Example of the Deceptive Worshiper (5:1-11)
A. The people
B. The problem
C. The result

Take Home Points:

1. Remember, the church is not perfect.
2. God does not want sin in His church.
3. The church is only as effective as her people are pure.
4. If we want power – we must have purity.
5. Are you guilty of lying to God the Holy Spirit?
6. Do you understand the danger of lying?
7. Do material possessions keep you from fully devoted worship?
8. Do you find it difficult to accept such swift & sudden judgment from God?

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Praying "Sovereign Lord" - TOR7

We continued in our study in the book of Acts entitled "The Original Revolution". Last night's message looked at the apostles prayer and God's response as the sovereign Lord.about.

Praying "Sovereign Lord" Acts 4:23-31

The early church climbed 3 steps toward God in prayer:

1. They Extolled God’s Character

• He’s Creator
• He’s Spoken

2. They Affirmed Fulfilled Prophecy of the Cross

• Man’s sin against Christ
• God’s detailed plan

3. They Requested Enablement

• They didn’t ask for persecution to end.
• They asked for enablement to obey

Here are the implications/applications

1. The greatest comfort for the believer is the Sovereignty of God

2. Community strengthens faith

• Praying, singing, hearing the Word corporately is designed to do this
• You shouldn’t feel guilty that your spiritual life is stronger in community

3. Pray Scripture

• The Word makes sense of what’s happening to you
• The Word gives you material to pray

4. Don’t assume it’s supposed to get easier

5. Watch for God’s affirmations

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Whom Will You Serve? TOR6

Michael Hamline continued carrying us through our study in the book of Acts entitled "The Original Revolution". His thorough understanding of the text (Acts 4:1-22) and excellent application left us with much to think about.

Whom Will You Serve?

Agents Through Which God is Pleased to Work

I. The Penetrating Word of God (v. 1-4)

A. Opposing the Word of God (v. 1-3)
B. Trusting the Word of God (v.4)

II. The Saving Name of Jesus (v.5-12)

A. An Arrogant Question (v.5-7)

Deuteronomy 13:1-5

B. A Confident Answer (v. 8-12)

Luke 12:11,12; 21:14,15
1. Jesus is the Source (v.9-10)

2. Jesus is the Stone (v. 11)

Ps. 118:22; Mk 12:1-12 (also cf. Mt. 21: 33-46; Luke 20:9-20; Eph. 2:20; I Pe. 2:4-7)
3. Jesus is the Way of Salvation (v. 12)

John 14:6 "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

III. The Persevering Witness of God's Saints (v. 13-22)

A. It is Bold (v.13-14)

John 7:14,15
B. It is Christ-centered (v.15-19)
C. It is Unafraid (v. 20-22)

References as Concerns the Sanhedrin's persecution of the early church:

• Acts 5:25, 33, 40-- arrested the apostles, wanted to kill them, beat them
• Acts 6:12-15; 7:1; 58-60-- dragged Stephen before the Sanhedrin; questioned by the council and then stoned by sanction of the council
• Acts 8:1-3--Saul persecuting the church and dragging believers off to prison
• Acts 9:1-2--Saul going abroad to Damascus to arrest believers and bring them back to Jerusalem.

Here are the implications/applications

1) As Christians, we will face opposition and persecution from unbelievers, those opposed to the truth.

2) It is through God's Word that change is brought about in the human heart (Acts 4:4).

3) God's plan can't be thwarted by men. He will accomplish what he has purposed.

4) We must proclaim salvation in Christ alone. No other name or person can save, but Jesus. This is not popular but it is true and we must be faithful to proclaim it without reservation or shame.

5) We must confront people with their sin and we should realize this is the most loving thing we can do. The results are up to God.

6) Study our Old Testament and see how it points to Jesus.

7) Fear God and not man. Realize we must obey God over human authority if the government is calling on us to disobey God.

8) Praise God for the way He transforms our lives through the work of the Spirit

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Here's Your Sign: Jesus - TOR5

We're continuing in our series in Acts called "The Original Revolution". Below are Pastor Jeff's outline for Acts chapter 3 as well as his "Take Home Points" for your own personal application.

The Original Revolution: Part 5

Here's Your Sign: JESUS

Acts 3:1-26

I. An Unmistakable Sign (vv. 1-10)

1. A routine hour to pray (v. 1)
2. A reasonable request (vv. 2-3)
3. An unexpected reply (vv. 4-6)
4. A comprehensive miracle (vv. 7-8 cf. v. 16)
5. An unmistakable Sign (vv. 9-10)

II. A Guilt Laying – Guilt Lifting Sermon (vv. 11-26)

1. A wow factor (vv. 10b-11)
2. A focus shift (vv. 12-13)
3. A guilt laying word (vv. 14-16)
4. A guilt lifting word (vv. 17-26)

Take-home points:

1. The Holy Spirit primarily works within routine
2. The Gospel is designed to meet both moral and situational evil (categories taken from Power Encounters by David Powlison)
3. Miraculous healing in the Bible is always a sign and always comprehensive
4. It is a fight to value spiritual healing above physical healing
5. Elevating man undoes the glory of God
6. The real Jesus comes from real redemptive history
7. Understanding Jesus was murdered unlocks the guilt of the cross
8. Ignorance of our sin and God’s holiness is grace
9. Genuine repentance will transform your shame to joy

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The Church is Born - TOR4

So what was it like back during the birth of the New Testament church? Should our church today look like the one in Acts?
Tuesday night we finished part 4 in our study of Acts called The Original Revolution. Jeff preached through Acts 2:14-47 and gave us much to consider regarding how we are to share the message of Christ and how we are to relate to one another within the body.

Below are the "take home points" from Jeff's message.

1. Not looking for Jesus throughout the Bible is not reading the Bible as a Christian should.

• It’s more than okay to look for Jesus in all 66 books of the Bible
• You shouldn’t be able to have sweet fellowship with a Jewish Rabbi over an OT Bible study – something should be missing
• Probably your main struggle with the OT is that you’re not searching for Jesus in it

2. Read the Gospels regularly

• You should have a working knowledge of the Gospels
• Read John with themes in mind
• Look up OT quotes found in Gospels and NT

3. The reason people leave Jesus out of the OT or NT is their religion is Moralism or Legalism

• Jesus was and is not a legalist
• Obedience for Jesus is always from the heart
• Jesus taught the Law of Love

4. You need to work at talking about Jesus more

• Our sin competes against loving him
• Talking about Jesus takes faith
• It is easy not to talk about Jesus – It’s easy to change the subject

5. Talking TO Jesus jumpstarts talking ABOUT Him

6. Talking about Jesus with others will change lives

7. It can be the most loving action to call someone to repent and the most unloving action not to

8. Your commitment to your church body [like to Christ] must be All or Nothing

• A lacking blasé commitment to your church community will hurt you – breeding consumerism and/or cynicism
• Half-hearted swimming ultimately causes you to drown
• A fiery whole-hearted sacrificial commitment makes it REAL - spawning joy and devotion to others and to Jesus

9. Expect God to add people to his church

• For some the Gospel will be very attractive
• For some whole-hearted community will be very attractive

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