April 22, 2012
Morning Service

As we look at the many lessons to be learned from the Bible one that stands out very clearly is; God can take the most unlikely person and use him for His glory.

The Apostle Paul is such a man.  He was a very staunch Pharisee, of the religion, Judaism.  He persecuted the early church, actually to death.  He was a very learned man.  He says later to the church at Corinth, “not many wise men are called.”  Someone who appears to be heartless, God turns into an Apostle of love.

We look at Peter, just a simple fisherman.  Nothing, in many of the people Jesus called, and used, that would make them outstanding in the eyes of the world.  BUT, He called, and they answered.

They all had their Damascus road experience, maybe not in the same manner, but they all had the choice to follow Jesus or stay the way they were, they chose Jesus.  And because of this decision, they took their testimony of Jesus, and changed the world, and made their world better because of it.

 

1.                   In chapter 7 & 8 we have seen the Apostle as the persecutor.  We see that the acts of Stephen, the act of love, forgiving those that were stoning him, worked on Paul’s heart.

2.                  Then we see his conversion, chapter 9.  This experience he has on the road to Damascus stays with him, and he uses this very effectively in his ministry.  Three times his testimony is given in the Book of Acts.  THIS WILL BE ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE TOOLS YOU HAVE, TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT WHAT JESUS HAS DONE FOR YOU.  YOUR TESTIMONY.

3.                  Then we have seen the Apostle immediately began to teach from the Word that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah.

4.                  As Barnabas and Paul are sent out on their first missionary journey Paul preaches his first recorded sermon.  In Pisidia of Turkey.  Acts 13.

• He is on the Jew’s home turf, the Synagogue. 
• He is not there to cause trouble, but to share a message of love, from God Almighty.  Look what God has done for me, and He can, and will do it for you also.
• His task is to spread this message of love to all mankind.  He has no desire, at this time, to give his life for the message, even though he is ready to do that, if need be.
• He tells them, from their history, and writings, what they already know about themselves.  He reminds them of the Scriptures that tell of the coming Messiah, and then he tells them that this Jesus of Nazareth, WHOM HE MET ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS, fulfills these Scriptures. 
• Paul speaks again on the second Sabbath.  The gentiles are very eager to hear more, but the leading Jews become jealous, and have them kicked out of their region.
• In chapter 14 of Acts we see the Apostles Paul and Barnabas in Iconium preaching, and doing great works in the name of the Lord.  They stayed a long time in this city, but eventually the Jews stir up the people with hatred, and they hear they are about to be stoned, so they leave Iconium, and go to Lystra, and Derbe.
• Here there is a lame man healed.  Because of this, the people think they are gods.  They are quick to tell them that they are not, and that they are men of like passions as they are.
• Then the Jews from Antioch and Iconium came, stirred up the people, and they stoned Paul, dragged him out of the city supposing that he was dead.

Isn’t it amazing how soon our situation in life can change?  One minute we are a god, next minute we are being stoned.  But one thing is certain, GOD REMAINED THE SAME IN ALL OF THIS, IN CONTROL.

• Now as they return toward Jerusalem, they go through the cities where they had made disciples, strengthening them, and appointing men to lead them.  Paul made this statement;  We must through many tribulations enter the Kingdom of God.
• Now from there the Apostles returned to Antioch, from where they had been sent out by the Holy Ghost, for the work that He had for them.  They would report all the things that God had done in their ministry.

This brings us to chapter 15 of the Book of Acts.  This is a very significant chapter in the Bible.  It will do you good to take time to read this carefully, allowing the Holy Spirit to build your faith, and knowledge on what God’s will is for mankind.  REMEMBER JESUS SAID, “YOU SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE.”  This chapter sets Christians free from a lot of manmade doctrines, and personal convictions.

 

The main issue here was:

1.     Do you have to keep the law of Moses in order to be saved?  Remember, this takes in a lot of topics.  The main one here is circumcision.  But it also takes in all the rest of the law.

What is the answer?  It will affect the teaching of the church for all times, and give us guidelines for it’s teaching.

The answer:

Act 15:22-29 KJVR  Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:  (23)  And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.  (24)  Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:  (25)  It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,  (26)  Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (27)  We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.  (28)  For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 

1.     (29)  That ye abstain from meats offered to idols,

2.    and from blood,

3.    and from things strangled,

4.    and from fornication:

from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well, Fare ye well.

 

           This is what is required, and expected from God Almighty.  Paul will tell us in further studies, and revelations, that we should not use our liberty in the Lord to offend others.  We will see that there is a distinct difference in expectations between Gentiles, and Jews, and only because God allows it to be so.

 

We see this morning that this mighty man of God, has just been given another powerful instrument for teaching, to go along with his testimony of conversion.  A decision from the leadership of the church on keeping the law of Moses for salvation.

 

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

 

1.                 As you study the Scriptures, you will come to the knowledge that we have all been given certain gifts to edify the Lord’s body, the church.  The more knowledge you have of God’s expectations, will make your calling more meaningful, useful and authoritative.

2.                The one thing that will keep you on track is your testimony of what God has done for you. 

·       Your initial encounter.

·       Your conversion lined up with the Word of God.  Faith building, to you, and those you testify too.

·       Your steadfastness, and determination to be faithful to God.

Have you had your Damascus road of encounter with God Almighty?  You can have.