Automated Transcript:
Good evening. We are in acts chapter 12. It’s good to see Gary and Maggie back. That was good. We’ll begin with the questions from chapter 11 after we have a word of prayer and then we’ll get into chapter 12, got a, got a lot of ground to cover tonight and we’ll see if we cover it all. Let’s pray Our gracious father in heaven.
We bow before you thankful for this day. Thankful for all that you’ve done for us, thankful for the weather, thankful for the opportunity and the health that we have to come out and assemble together. Mindful of those who because of health or because of other reasons are unable to assemble with us. We pray for those who are dealing with illness, dealing with the loss of loved ones,
dealing with hardships and pain and struggles. We know so often that are and our life and our, our day-to-day lives are plagued with such things we pray and are mindful and conscious of those individuals who are struggling with such things and ask that they have comfort and strength as each one of us desires. In our own times of hardship, we pray that you will help us to always do unto others as we would have them do unto us,
that we might show kindness, love, care concern, as we would desire to have shown to us as well. We pray for our nation and the decisions and the choices that are being made. We pray for its future. We pray for peace, but most of all, we pray for open doors of opportunity to teach the gospel. We pray that as we have those doors,
we might have boldness to speak your word and declare it in its simplicity and truth. We pray for missionaries around the world and abroad. We pray that they might be blessed and might have safety, and that they also might have opportunity to teach others concerning you and might bear fruit in your kingdom. We ask that you forgive us when we sin and fall short of your glory and all this,
we pray in Jesus name. Amen. Chapter 11, questions verses two and three of chapter 11, who in Jerusalem questioned Peter about his eating with the Gentiles. Those of the circumcision is what the text says. Specifically. The Jewish Christians question him verse 14, question two, an angel told Cornelius that he would be saved through what Words He told him to send to Peter whereby he would hear words that he might be saved.
All right. Question three. When did the Holy spirit fall on the Gentiles? According to acts chapter 11, verse 15. All right. As Peter began to speak, when did he, the Holy spirit fall on the Jewish apostles? According to acts chapter two. All right. At the beginning on day of Pentecost, a yes or no. Were the non-Jewish persons taught?
Were non-Jewish persons taught in Antioch? Yes, they were the ha the Hellenistic were taught. Did many turn to the Lord? Yes. Acts chapter 11, verse 24. Question. Describe the qualities of the man Barnabas<inaudible> All right. Good man. Full of the Holy spirit and faith acts chapter 11, verse 26, question six. Where were disciples first called Christians Antioch and acts chapter 11,
verse 29 through 30. In what manner did the Christian brethren in Antioch respond to the brethren who suffered from a famine in Judea. Okay. They took up a collection and sent relief. Okay. So acts chapter 12 is kind of drawing to a close this part of the book of acts that kind of focuses on Peter and his actions yet at the same time,
introducing Paul and his evangelism and his teaching. So acts chapter 12 is kind of going to be the, the last part of this section concerning Peter. We’re going to start actually in verse 27 of chapter 11 and then read forward. And in these days, profits came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them named agribusiness stood up and showed by the spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world,
which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Why do you think, and this is just a thought question. Why do you think that profits came from Jerusalem to Antioch to declare this? Why didn’t the profits that were in Antioch? Declare it. Okay. I th I think it may be even, even simpler than that. I think he’s right.
What profits in Antioch, remember they had the gift of prophecy through what the laying on the hands of who, the apostles, who were still in Jerusalem. And you remember, we’ve been told in chapter 11 as we were going through here, that it was disciples. And we’re not even told who we’re just told the disciples, came to Antioch and began teaching.
And specifically the connotation there is, it wasn’t apostles that came. So anyone who came And The miraculous gifts came from outside Antioch because there’s no indication and apostles been there yet. Correct? Correct. Absolutely. That’s, that’s a good point with the occasion of the Holy spirit falling on Cornelius’s house there. One of the main considerations there realizes What The Holy spirit did with the apostles and giving them the ability to pass on miraculous gifts is not what he did with Cornelius is not what he did with Cornelius’s house.
What he did with Cornelius’s house was show by his actions, the Holy spirit, by his actions that they were to receive the gospel. They did not receive the ability to pass on miracles, the way the apostles did that was exclusive to the apostles. So at this point in time, the likelihood is this message is coming from Jerusalem because that’s where the profits are.
And so a prophet comes to Jerusalem. Now, there is an occasion even later on in the text where an a, where a prophet comes and makes a prophecy concerning Paul, that he’s going to be bound if he goes to Jerusalem. And that prophet didn’t show up because there weren’t any other people with the gift of prophecy. It was because he was sent with the message.
Okay. So again, it’s a thought question, not necessarily a determining factor or something from the text, but something of interest that sometimes you have God sending someone because the there’s no one there who has that talent At the moment. Okay. So notice what we read there was Going to be a famine, a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of quality of Caesar.
Then the disciples, each according to his ability to determine to sin relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea, this, they also did and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul, couple of interesting points and worth making, taking the time to, to make here is first, who are they going to send this money with Barnabas and Saul?
What was it? The attributes that we had just a moment ago described concerning bar, Good It man, full of faith and of the Holy spirit. We’re going to interest something of value to someone. You better have some confidence concerning that individual’s character. There there’s a whole lot of people in this world that I wouldn’t trust any farther than I could throw them.
And given the strength of this left arm, that ain’t, I, I can’t throw them at all. So wow, Because of their character, this church trusted Barnabas and Saul because of their character. And it is Not insignificant to note. Here is a man Saul, who it’s not, they entrusted it to Barnabas. And Saul went with him. They entrusted it to Barnabas and Saul.
Here’s a man who’s gone from persecuting the church In what city, Jerusalem too, Coming back to Jerusalem. I understand he’s been back through Jerusalem before at this point, but coming back to Jerusalem with Barnabas, Bringing what money and relief for the poor Christians in Jerusalem, he went From being their persecutor To their servant, and that’s the kind of person Saul was.
So Come to the church in Jerusalem. And the other point I wanted to make was this, even before we get into the later texts and into the T the writings of Paul and into a lot of these other things, who is it that they bring the money to in the church in Europe, The elders Already ready at this point in Jerusalem, there are those within the church in Jerusalem who have been established as Elders and They in their position as shepherds of the flock are the ones to which the money is brought to deal with and to,
to help the church in Jerusalem. So it’s just, it’s interesting point, even, even here, before we get into the teaching books of Ephesians and Philippians and Colossians, where we’re, we read about elders and we read about there, there’s already elders in the church at Jerusalem, and there they’re functioning and, and shepherding that flock. And one of the areas where they function deals with the financial matters of a congregation,
And so that you see That exhibited even here by that being who They brought the money to Chapter 12, verse one. Now, what are now about that time? Herod the King stretched out his hand to harass some of from the church. Then he killed James, the brother of John with the sword, this James who he killed, what, what was he His role?
He was an apostle. Okay. Okay. Somebody pointed out and I thought it was interesting. And I hadn’t don’t know that it ever dawned on me. James, the brother of John Is the first apostle to die at the hand of persecution. John, His brother by all indications Of history will be the last apostle to die at the hands of persecution.
And so here, you’ve got two brothers At either end, the sons of<inaudible> sons of thunder at one point Referred to is the reference to them. And it, James will be the first one, The apostles to die. But then, And notice verse three. 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. So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him intending, to bring him before the peace After Passover. So Herod kills James and having Done this as any good politician, would he needs a, get a, get a poll of the people,
see if they like this or not. And overwhelming overwhelmingly they’re in favor of the idea of killing these Christians, Specifically the apostles. And so he decides it’s good politics to go find another apostle and arrest him and kill him. And there’s one little, little tidbit of, of, of difficulty though, right? In the middle of all this going on,
is that the days of unleavened bread, The Passover? Well, they liked the guy dead, but Their fees are important to them. So Hold off till afterwards. What about the idea of righteous in this being important to the Jews? Wasn’t There a point in time where we read back In acts chapter two, acts chapter three, acts chapter four, that the church In Jerusalem was growing And They were growing in favor With the people in Jerusalem.
Go, go back to acts chapter two, Verse 46. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to out house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people And the Lord added to the church daily. Those who were being saved somewhere Between acts chapter Two and acts Chapter 12.
Something’s changed Some things that are, yeah, go ahead. Oh, absolutely. Yeah. So some, some time has passed. I think we’ve got it. Probably at least that much time. That’s this transpired. If, if not more that’s that’s going on in the intervening time, but I bring it up to help us realize this Christianity can be popular and then Christianity can be unpopular.
Does it change anything about whether or not it’s true? Should it change anything about whether or not we hold to it and sir Serve the Lord in accordance with the tenants of Christianity based upon whether it’s possible Fuel or not. How about When people say, you know what, the people who believe that they are just lunatics and they just believe a whole bunch of a whole bunch of stories and MIS and legends,
And you know what, They’re probably, you were probably better off with that. We just get rid of them. Does that change anything about the nature of truth? No, it doesn’t. What about when somebody says, you know what, I, I think, I think we all just outlawed. I Think we ought to just throw in prison. Anybody who believes in It,
because that’s Exactly what Saul was doing. Does that change anything about the nature of truth? No. And yet here are these Jews who live Favorably upon killing the killing of Jane Names and yet are religious, right? Because after all, they would be offended if you killed Peter during their Holy day, but are they really religious? No. Oh, Th they’re religious in their terminology,
But does their religion have anything to do with serving God or everything to do with doing what they wanted? And the answer is it had everything to do with doing what they wanted for had they been serving God, what would they have done when Herod killed James uproar? Because here was an innocent man dying. Okay. Now, absolutely. Well, that’s true in acts chapter 12,
verse five here, we’ve got Peter in prison and Herod’s, you know, He’s kind of lacks days ago about this. He just hands them off to a guard and says, keep him in his Right. Herod’s not taking any chances here, Lee. He, he thinks he’s not, eh, First of all, he hands him over to four squads of soldiers,
according to verse four. And then we Read verse five. Peter was there for kept in prison by comms, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 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 Prison. You’ve got guards in the cell.
You’ve got chains on his arms. You’ve got guards, the door, You’ve got four squads that are entrusted With him. Parents not taking any chances. There’s enough Christians. They might try and break him out. And yet In the midst of this James having been beheaded, Peter having been put in prison and I’m betting those Christians had a pretty good idea of what heritage,
I didn’t mind. Christians were rioting in the streets. You mean, You mean they weren’t torching businesses and tearing things down, making it clear that they wanted it Released. What were they doing? Brain it’s almost like there was a Understanding of something. I think it was Peter would write later concerning crime, As we read in first, Peter, that he Entrusted himself To the one who judges righteously and these Christians seeing the circumstance,
they don’t ride in the streets. They don’t Light things on fire. They don’t burn them down. They don’t destroy everything. They can, they don’t try and break them out. They simply Pray. And when You want to change the World, which one has more power or riot or a prayer every time. But notice verse seven. 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 hand. You ever had a night sleep where you wake up Cup and you’re not really sure if you’re awake or not. Peter By all indications is, is asleep. I don’t know.
So how long it took him to get there? I think it’d probably take me a little while if I was chained All farms, but he made it to sleep. And the angel waits till he is asleep, comes in, stands in the prison. I, I tell you what, which door, which person at which door, let the angel in?
None of them. So was the angel actually there? Oh yeah. He hit Peter. He was there. W What person opened the door to let Jesus in where the apostles were gathered After the resurrection? None of them. But was he there? Yeah, he ate with them. He, he did. I told Thomas, put your hand in my side,
touch the nail scars in my hand. Was he there? Yeah. Did he come in through the door? No. Okay. But then notice, he says arrived Eyes quickly, and his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, gird yourself and tie your samples or tie on your sandals. And so he did. And he said to him,
put on your garment and follow me. 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. All this is Happening. And even Peter doesn’t believe That it’s happening when They were past the first and the second guard post, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city,
which opened to them Of its own accord. And then I went out and went down one street and immediately the angel departed From him. Someone else made a good point. God did for Peter, what Peter couldn’t do for himself. Once the angel had gotten him through everything that he needed to get him through that Peter couldn’t get out Of himself. God left Peter to do the rest.
And there’s a lesson there for us. We have a risk<inaudible> ability to be about doing the things that we have The power to do and Leaving in God’s hands. The things we don’t Have the power to do, but then notice what happens when people Or he’d 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.
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. This is the first reference that we have in the book of acts to a young man named John Mark, who by all indications of scripture is the Headman of the book of Mark. But notice they’re there in the house of Mary,
the mother of John, whose her name was Mark, where many were men, excuse me, where many were gathered together, praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. 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.
But they said to her, you are beside yourself yet. She kept insisting that it was so, so they said it is his angel. This young woman comes to the door, hearing the knocking. And from the sounds of it, it’s not just Peter knocking is Peter knocking saying, it’s Peter, let me And inside the house, they’re doing Praying,
praying for they’re praying for Peter. And then a little late for that. That’s exactly right. You know, there’s another lesson there. Sometimes we pray for things that have already been handled. We just don’t know it. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, Absolutely. They may have been praying for his, his faithfulness. They may have been praying for his release.
They may have been praying that when this life was over, that he received it. We’re not told what they’re praying, but I think it’s fairly safe to say, they’re praying that God intervened in some form or fashion. And yet they’re still praying after it’s already. We pray for what we desire. If the Lord wills. And sometimes we will No,
this side of eternity, how it turned out, Did that make the prayer useless? Not at all. The woman comes to the door. She hears Peter’s voice. And apparently this woman she’s met Peter before she knows him. She knows his voice. She hears his voice. And she immediately, before even opens the gate, Runs back to tell everybody,
leaving. Peter were standing outside the gate. He’s, he’s still saying, let me in. But the people inside thinks she’s what will Auster mind? What more perfect picture of Christians in all of our wisdom and understanding, then people praying for Peter while at the same time denying the answer to their prayer because he’s standing outside the door. As we look at prayer.
And as we think about prayer, one of the things that we need to remember is we truly are limited in our understanding of how God works and what God does and how things turn out and how God can make things turn out. We know as much as scriptures told us, that’s it. But we are also reminded of what James writes to us that in James chapter one,
when we pray, we ought to ask him faith, not doubting, not being one who doubts that God can do what God has said he can do. Was there a comment? Absolutely. Absolutely. So James, five 16, a wonderful passage to bring in here. So verse 16 now Peter continued knocking. And when they opened the door and saw him,
they were astonished, 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. Now wait a minute. I thought James was dead. Okay. The likelihood is this is James. One of the elders in Jerusalem.
We will find out elsewhere. Who’s most likely the half-brother of Jesus. So Peter says, go send somebody in essence to the elders, let them know what has happened. I think it’s interesting in the midst of their astonishment, in the midst of everything else, Peter doesn’t want to talk about Peter. Peter doesn’t want to talk about what he endured. Peter does Want to talk about the situation with the chains or the things he suffered at the hands of the guards.
Any of that, Peter in true form wants to talk about what the Lord did and that’s what we need to learn in our own lives as well, that we need to be more about him and a whole lot less about us. Then as soon as it was day verse 18, there was No small stir among the soldiers about what had become, What,
what happens in acts chapter 16. When, when a prisoner goes missing The guard in acts chapter 16, Philippian jailer is preparing to end his own life because he knows what happens when you lose prisons. Well, So the next morning and comes and everybody expects to find Peter and handcuffs and chain between two soldiers in Where’s Peter, No small stir. I mean,
he didn’t fall through the floor. The Gates aren’t open. I need it. What where’s Peter, but when Herod had searched for him, by the way, where, where w w quite often were the prisoners kept in Dungeons. And quite often where, I mean, just even thinking about situation with, with Joseph, where was Joseph in prison? All right.
His, his, his former master, The chief Guard, the chief captain of the guard of Pharaoh was also the chief prison keeper Pharaoh. And The prison was in the house of the captain of the guard. So quite often The, the, the, the high stakes prisoners are kept in the dungeon or in the prison beneath the place of power. Why?
Because that was the place that had nice fortified walls and a lot of soldiers around it. So the likelihood is Herod’s running around his own house, As it were trying to find the prisoner he’s lost. I didn’t, I didn’t actually go look at it. But someone said that this would have been most likely the nephew of the Herod that killed John, the Baptist,
the nephew, Yeah. Hair. The second, I I’d have to go. I’d have to go look. I’ve, I’ve got a, I’ve got a short memory on these things, Right? I think that is correct. Now, Herod searched for him and, and had not found him. He examined the guards and commanded because I mean, let’s face it.
It’s gotta be an inside job. Right? Gates aren’t open. Nobody let him out. Nobody’s talking. So it must be an inside job. So he examines the guards and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaism accessories and stayed there. Okay. So, so he leaves Judea and he goes to Cesarea, which is where we,
we discussed this when we were talking about Cesarea earlier on the coast of the Mediterranean. Okay. So he goes down. Luke makes a point as some of the other writers do to tell you that when you leave Jerusalem, you go down, Rusal them set on, set up on a Hill. Now, Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon,
but they came to him with one accord and having made blasts lists the Kings personal aid, their friend, they asked for peace because their country was supplied with food by the Kings country, by Harrods country. So on a set day, Herod arrayed in Royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting the voice of a God and not of a man Herod and his glory in his apparel,
in his kingly array gets on the throne before the people, before and Sidon, before these who would dare to have a bad relationship With him who need His help and who Curry his, And he gives them a speech. It’s not any Normal prose. It’s an oration. They’re listening. They’re saying, it’s the voice of a God. It’s, you know,
when some people get around somebody, who’s got too much money and too much power and not enough sense, Amazing. The things they’ll say and the things they’ll do, if they think it’ll they’ll get, Do you Think any of these people had ever heard the voice of a God Then? How would they know if they heard it? Actually, yeah, I do know.
They would know if they had heard it, it Exodus chapter 19, when Israel actually heard the voice of a God, they knew, And they said, Moses, could you go up on the mountain and talk to him for us? We don’t want to hear it. If you’ve heard the voice of God, it didn’t sound like Herod. But They said the voice of a God and not them of a man.
So you’ve got Herod raising himself up, making himself be something you’ve got the people raising Harriet up, making him Seemed to be something. And that this statement Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not Give glory to God. Turn over the book of James, James chapter four, verse one On where do Wars and fights come from among you.
Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members, you lust and do not have you murder and covet and cannot obtain you fight and war yet. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask a miss that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God,
whoever therefore wants to be friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the scripture says in vain, the spirit who dwells in us yearns, jealously, What was Harriet hoping to accomplish? By putting Peter to death? He wanted really bad to be a friend of the world, but Six says, but he gives more grace.
Therefore he says, God, God resists the proud, but gives grace To the humble. Therefore, submit to God, resist the devil. And he will flee from you draw near to God. And he will draw near to you, cleanse your hands, you sinners and purify your hearts. You double-minded lament and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord.
And he, He will lift you up all The praise and all the glory, Dire and Sidon and the people of Cesarea. And all those before Herod could give him if Herod had only Known as Herod had only been willing to admit that Glory from God was worth more than All that. But instead he wanted the glory of being God, immediately Lee and angel.
The Lord struck him because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God grew and multiplied hair. It had the idea I can kill enough of these Christians. And God said, no, you can’t. And I can kill you anytime. I want to. And my Christians will grow and multiply in number and bar Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry.
And they also took with them, John, whose surname was Mark. One last point as we close is That when Saul and Barnabas were tasked With a ministry, a service, they didn’t leave until the service was done. They didn’t stop until they had completed the ministry. When they had completed the ministry, then they returned Earned to do what continue ministry.
When this life is over your to-do list, won’t be empty. But as long as you’re here, there’s something to be doing. And we need to remember that before we think the world won’t go on without us, because it will. And before we get to thinking, we have nothing left to do. Okay. That’s acts chapter 12.<inaudible> Good evening.
Good to have everybody here tonight. We’ve got a nice looking crowd and especially those sitting right back there. It’s so good to see them out. They’ve been shut in for a long time. Good to see y’all. I’m talking about the college. If y’all, don’t see them, they’re there, but anyway, good to have all of you here. We got some sick on our sick list.
This time Barbara deleted or STEM cell surgery, I guess you call it. It didn’t work on her rotorcraft so she going to have the surgery whenever she can get it scheduled. She’s still in a lot of pain. Joan’s sprang are still at home, not doing real well. Rodale Wilson, Jannie Martin, and still having a fib BJ and D Tish Clark.
I’ve got the COVID and Glen Knox. I says, Becky Posner’s nephew has advanced lung cancer. And while I’m on him, she gave me another list here. Leah van Cleve that’s. Her niece is in surgery right now, having a kidney and a pancreas transplant. And we need to pray for these and all this goes well. And she’s also got a sister Vicky Wadsworth.
She’s been diagnosed with C O P D and asthma. So big. I told Becky good thing. She’s not out there with them. She’d probably be sick too. But, and Julie, Adam, just the friend of the Lisa as has got lung cancer, and they’re doing radiation every day. Our phone soon we’ll start. Yeah. Going to start pretty soon doing radiation every day.
And Kayla Nelson, that’s a friend of the sprang. Hers. 13 year old boy had a sledding accident. Went back when we had the snow and he might be doing a little bit better. He’s in rehab. And Arthur Wilson was in the ER this weekend with her high blood pressure. But she’s back home and doing a little bit better, but having stomach issues.
Well, that’s all our sick. I don’t have anything else. Michael Dale is going to leave singing. Noah Olson is going to have the devotional and mercy praying and we’ll have the closing prayer. Thank you. Just an update on BJ and Tish Clark. They have recovered from COVID and tested negative, but BJ now has a touch of pneumonia and he’s having a rough time with it.
So if you could continue to keep him in your prayers, cause I guess it’s pneumonia. You guys know it’s not fun. If you would Mark number 905 yield not to temptation, that’ll be the song of invitation number nine, zero five. And then the song before our lesson from a brother, Noah will be number 678 more about Jesus, six, seven,
eight, six 78. More about Jesus mud. I know more of his grace to other Shaw. More.<inaudible> more of his love who died for me more or about jeez, us more, more about, jeez, us more.<inaudible> more.<inaudible> me more about Jesus. Slurred me more. This Holy Weldon spirit of God. My teacher be showing nothings of Christ.
To me more, more about, jeez us more, more about Jesus.<inaudible> more of his love who died for me more about Jesus on his throw on riches in glory, all hairs on Marvis King dumb shore increase more of his coming Prince of peace mom or about jeez<inaudible>.<inaudible> more of his love who died for me. Good evening and Proverbs chapter 22.
And in verse number one, the proper rider has something that we, as Christians can make application in our lives today, proper chapter 22 verse number one, it says a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches and loving favor rather than silver and gold. No, as Christians, we have a reputation to uphold. If you look at the name Christian C H R I S T Christ,
we bear the name of Christ. We are Christians. We are represented, represent representatives of the church. And therefore we, as Christians need to understand that our reputation does matter. Now on some things, you know, we might say, well, I don’t care what anybody thinks. Well on this idea, as Christians, we need to understand and we need to care what other people think.
And people need to look at the church and say, that person is a Christian. That person is a example of the believers. If you look at the new Testament and first Timothy chapter four in verse number 12, notice what Paul tells a young preacher, Timothy. He says, let no man despise the youth. And this can be applicable to everyone,
but be thou an example of the believers. How do I do that? I’ll look at continuing of the believers in word and how I speak in my speech. I don’t need to, to be cursing. I need to speak on things that God would have me to do. I need to have pure speech seasoned with grace, Colossians 400 verse number six,
and also notice in conversation. This is my conduct. This is how the, the way that I live my life, I need to make sure my life matches up with Christ. No notice. Continuing in charity, I need to show love. First, John expounds on this idea. So much love is important. Charity, deep love. That’s what we’re required to do.
Notice in spirit. This will be my spirit, not the, not the Holy spirit in faith, personal faith and purity. The way that I live my life, my life needs to be Holy. My life needs to be pure. It needs to be of good reputation. When people look at the church, when people look at our lives today, they need to say that person,
he or she, that’s a Christian often like to use this illustration. You, you take an examination of a worldly person and a Christian. You look at their lives for awakened and you examine how they live their lives. The week is over and you find no difference. The Christian in the world, the person they’re exactly the same. That’s a problem because the church is to be what different from the world.
Romans chapter 12 and verse number two, notice we are commanded to be lights of this world. I’ll leave you with Matthew chapter five and in verse number 16, what’d Jesus says, let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glory fire father, which is in heaven. That’s our job. That’s what we, as Christians are commanded to do.
When people look at us today, they need to say, that’s the church. And that’s what I want. I want to be like that. And therefore our reputation does matter as Christians. And we need to make sure that we are examples of the church because we bear the name Christ. We bear Christ’s name. Perhaps there’s one, the one here tonight,
maybe who has not been living up to that standard have not been, been being the of the believers. What’d you come back for? Does everlastingly too late by repenting of your sins. But perhaps there is one here tonight who has maybe never obeyed the gospel. Do you believe that Jesus is the son of God? Are you willing to repent of your sins?
Confess Christ before man, and then be willing to submit to the water graves of baptism for the remission of sins, be added to the church. So you can be an example, such a beautiful institution. Isn’t not, if anyone is subject, once you come as we stand. And as we say,<inaudible>,<inaudible> a snow savior to strengthen and keep you.
He is willing to, Hey Jude. He well Camry, Pray with me, father in heaven for Jesus Christ. We’re thankful. We’re thankful for this opportunity that we’ve had to assemble with church father into saying praises to you and to hear portion of your word, read and prayers of Thanksgiving, prayers of help in time of sickness. Meet with those father who are,
are, are sick and need your help. And we pray that you will restore them back to their much wanted hell father. We’re thankful for every blessing of life, help us to realize that you have fed us and clothed up and kept us sheltered all these years. And we give you thanks and praise your name and these things to ask in Christ’s name.