Encouragement in Life’s Storms

Acts 27

“Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

v.22 – “now I urge you to keep up your courage”
v.25 – “so keep up your courage”
v.36 – “they were all encouraged”

HOW TO RECEIVE GOD’S ENCOURAGEMENT

You can receive God’s encouragement by:

• Joining with other Christians 1 Corinthians 12:27; Hebrews 10:25
• v.2 – “Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica was with us”
• v.3 – “…allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs.”
• Remembering His presence is with you Matthew 28:20; 2 Timothy 4:17
• v.23 – “Last night an angel…stood beside me…”
• Remembering that you are His possession 1 Corinthians 6:20-21; 1 Peter 1:18-19
• v. 23 - “Last night an angel of the God whose I am…”
• Remembering that you are His servant Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 13:15-16
• v.23 – “…whom I serve…”
• Remembering His promises Isaiah 43:1-3; Romans 8:28; 1 Thessalonians 5:23,24
• v.24 – You must stand trial before Caesar…”
• Remembering that God answers prayer
• v.44 – “…everyone reached land in safety.”
• v.24 - “…God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.”
• Believing Him Hebrews 11:1; Mark 4:39
• v. 25 - “…for I believe God, that it will turn out exactly as I have been told”

HOW TO GIVE GOD’S ENCOURAGEMENT

You can encourage others by:

• Being with them in the storm: Luke, Aristarchus, Paul
• Praying for them
• v.24 - “…and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.”
• Ministering to their needs 2 Corinthians 1:4
• v.34 – “Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive”
• Setting a good example
• v.35-36  – “…He took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then He broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.”
• Telling them of God’s greatness and power to save
• v.22-25

Pressing On—Boldly & Without Hindrance

Acts 28

“Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 28:31 (NIV)

• HINDRANCES FACED
• Snap judgments based on circumstantial evidence v. 4, 6
• Getting the big picture requires an investment of time
• Undeserved treatment based on no real evidence v. 17-18, 22
• Getting past the surface requires a willingness to go deeper
• Discouraging response in spite of convincing evidence v. 24-25
• Getting the message across is not dependent on my persuasiveness John 3:5-7; Titus 3:5-6
• BOLDNESS REALIZED
• Encouragement given v. 10, 15, 16
• Be bold because God is with you Matthew 28:20
• Warning given Isaiah 6:9-10
• Be bold in the face of rejection Isaiah 6:13; 2 Peter 3:9
• Notice given v. 28; Acts 13:47
• Be bold to go where God sends you Romans 1:16; Acts 1:8
• QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
• Do the hindrances I encounter become excuses that keep me from sharing the Gospel?
• I don’t have time.
• I’m not a people person—it’s hard getting close to others.
• I don’t know what to say
• Will I boldly stand unashamed of the Gospel to whomever and wherever God directs me?

Do you like change? God does!

Acts 25:23-26:32

• ‘Repent’ means to commit to God and turn from a previous way of life to God’s way of life.
• ‘Confess’ means to agree with God in His evaluation of your sinful actions. 1 John 1:9

• Repentance involves a change of understanding: from darkness to light. Ephesians 4:18; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 Timothy 1:15
• Repentance involves a change of masters: from Satan to God. Colossians 1:13, 14; 2 Timothy 2:26; John 8:34, 36; Romans 6:17,18
• Repentance involves a change of relationship: from condemnation to forgiveness and acceptance. John 3:18; Ephesians 1:3,7; Hebrews 4:14-16
• Repentance involves a change of behavior: a. 2 Peter 3:9

Are you missing the point?

Acts 25:1-22

The World Says…The Resurrection is inconsequential

• The resurrection is no big deal. v.18 – “…did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected”
• The resurrection is a matter of private opinion. v. 19 - “…they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion…”
• The resurrection is not factual.
• Jesus Christ was not a unique person. v.19 - “…a dead man named Jesus…”

The Bible says...The Resurrection is the most important event.

• The resurrection is the biggest deal in history. 1 Corinthians 15:13-15, 17-19
• The resurrection is a fact that confronts every person. Acts 17:30-31; John 5:21-22
• The resurrection is based on factual, verifiable evidence. v.19 – …Paul claimed was alive
• Jesus is the unique, eternal Son of God. John 1:29; Titus 3:4-5

Do you have time for God?

Acts 24 

• A religion of personal success
• v. 2 - “…‘We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation.’”
• v.26 – “…hoping Paul would offer him a bribe.”
• v.27 – “…because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.”
• A faith about Christ’s success Philippians 1:20-21; Acts 20:24
• v. 24 - “…He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.”
• A religion of intellectual pursuit Colossians 2:8; John 5:39-40
• v.22 – “Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way…”
• v.25 – “Felix was afraid and said, ‘That is enough for now!’”
• A faith of confession Luke 5:32; 1 John 1:8-9
• v.16 – “…strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.”
• A religion of convenience
• v.25 – “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”
• A faith of service for Christ 1 Peter 4:10; Romans 12:11
• v. 26 – “…so he sent for him frequently sand talked with him”
• v.27 – “when two years had passed…”

Is God active when not seen?--The Providence of God

Acts 23:12-35 

• God works providentially in life. 
• “Providence”: when God uses the natural circumstances in life to accomplish His purposes.
• “Miracle”: when God breaks the natural process to invade it in a supernatural way to accomplish His purposes.
• Jesus keeps all created things in existence. Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:17
• “Sustain” means to carry or bear. It has the sense of active, purposeful control over the thing being carried from one place to another.”
• God’s causing things to happen that we would think of as merely “natural” occurrences. Psalm 135:6-7; Matthew 6:26, 30 – God feeds the birds and clothes the flowers.
• God also governs human affairs. Acts 17:26; Psalm 22:28; Psalm 139:16; Acts 4:28
• God has a purpose in all that He does, and He governs and directs all things in order to accomplish His purposes. Daniel 4:35
• God’s providential work is dependable – it cannot be stopped. Psalm 2:1-4; Proverbs 21:1
• God providentially works through your trials, enemies and un-believers. 2 Corinthians 11:23-27
• Jewish Zealots & Roman Solders
• God’s providence motivates us to actively live for Him. Hebrews 1:14

If They Don’t Like Your Testimony

Acts 22:30-23:11

• Be Alert – every day look for opportunities to share Jesus with others. 1 Peter 3:15-16; 1 Corinthians 9:22-23
• Be Prepared – know your testimony in advance.
• Be Authentic – your actions and words reveal Jesus to be your Lord. Acts 24:16; Hebrews 10:22; v.1 – “I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.”; v.5 – “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest.
• Be Faithful – leave the results of your efforts up to God.
• Be Courageous – serve your Lord even when you are afraid or discouraged. v.11 – “Take courage!”
• Take courage, your sins are forgiven (Matthew 9:2)
• Take courage, your faith has healed you (Matthew 9:22)
• Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid (Matthew 14:27)
• Take courage, I have overcome the world (John 16:33)
• The Lord is with you in your difficulties. 1 Peter 1:8-9; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5-6; Daniel 3:19-27 – the fiery furnace
• The Lord knows all about your difficulties. Hebrews 4:13; 1 Peter 5:6-7
• The Lord understands how you feel in your difficulties. Hebrews 2:18
• The Lord remembers your faithful service to Him. v. 11 – “…As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem”; Hebrews 6:10; 1 Corinthians 15:58
• The Lord has a plan for you. v. 11 - “…so you must also testify in Rome.”; Jeremiah 29:11; Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 12:2-3

Paul’s Testimony Teaches that…

Acts 22:1-22

“and you will be my witnesses…”Acts 1:8

Paul’s testimony teaches that…

• Being zealously religious does not reconcile us to God.  v.3 –“and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today”
• John 3 - Nicodemus
• Salvation is by God’s grace and power, not by our merit or will power. Ephesians 1:4-5; 2 Timothy 1:9-10
• God often must humble us before He extends His mercy to us. v. 11 - “My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me”  1 Corinthians 15:9-10; Philippians 2:10, 11
• Baptism is an important confession of our faith in Christ. v.16 – “now…get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name” Romans 10:8-10; Romans 10:13; 1 Corinthians 1:13-17; Ephesians 2:8-9; (John 1:12,13; John 3:15,17; John 3:36; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:10,20-24; Romans 5:1,8; 2 Corinthians 5:20; Titus 3:5; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 1:8,9; 1 John 5:11-13; Revelation 3:20.)
• God saves us for His purpose, not for our agendas. v.10 – “there you will be told all that you have been assigned to do”; v.15 – “You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard” Ephesians 2:10

Your Circumstances and God’s Will

Acts 21

To Best Discern God’s Will in Your Circumstances You Need to…

• Write God a blank check with your life.  v.13  – “I am ready…to die…for the Name of the Lord Jesus.” Romans 12:1; 20:24 – “…I consider my life worth nothing to me…”
• Spend time getting to know God intimately through His Word. Philippians 3:8
• Act on biblical principles not human wisdom. Isaiah 55:8-9; Romans 15:25-26; Romans 9:3
• Evaluate the counsel of other Christians. v.4 - “Through the Spirit, they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.” 20:22 – “…I am compelled to go even if trouble awaits me…” vv. 12-14
• Understand that you will make mistakes (v.20-27).  v.20 – how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.”  Colossians 2:13-14; Galatians 3:24-25; Romans 10:4
• Understand that your mistakes could have negative consequences (v.27-36). v.27 – “…they stirred up the whole crowd and seized him.”  v.30-31 – “Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple…while they were trying to kill him…”
• Believe that God is able to minister through you even with your mistakes. 22:1-21 – Paul shares his testimony with the crowd. Romans 8:28

Some Last Words of Advice

Acts 20

Section Summaries

• v.1-6 – Paul and his team of eight travel from Ephesus in Asia through Macedonia to Greece where they stayed for three months. The book of Romans was probably written during this time.  Then they traveled back through Macedonia to Troas in Asia.
• v.7-12 – During their seven day stay at Troas, a young man falls out of a window to his death. Paul brings him back to life. Note: Beware of long sermons.
• v.13-17 -  The team travels along the Asia coast arriving at Miletus four days later. Paul asks the elders of the churches in Ephesus to come meet him

Paul’s Final Words of Advice  (v.18-38)

“I know…none of you will ever see me again” v.25

“What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again” v.38

• Focus on the tasks God has given you (v.24) “…if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.”
• Paul’s:  to testify to the gospel of God’s grace (v.24)
• Local church leaders: (v.28-31)
• Watch – post yourself as a sentry to warn when danger approaches (v.28).
• Guard – protect those under your care from the dangers without and within (v.31).
• Feed – shepherd those under you care by fully teaching God’s truth (v.28). Colossians 2:8; Revelation 2:2-5
• All of us:  make disciples   Matthew 28:18-20
• Serve with humility and compassion (v.19).
• Humility is seeing self as a slave of Jesus Christ. Galatians 2:20
• The word “serving” is the word for “bond-slave.”  The word emphasizes subjection of the will to another.
• Humility is thinking of and treating others as if they were more important than you. Philippians 2:3
• Continue to serve when under duress.  v.19 - “…although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews.” John 16:33
• Serve without discrimination.  v.21 - “I have declared to both Jews and Greeks…” James 2:1
• Discriminate – to make a distinction in favor of or against a person on the basis of the group or class to which the person belongs
• Serve with self-restraint. v.33 - “I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.” James 4:1-2
• Serve with diligence (v.34). v.34 – “these hands of mine have supplied my own needs…” 1 Timothy 5:8
• Serve with generosity towards the needy. v.35 – “…we must help the weak… ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”  James 2:15-16
• Share with others their need for repentance and faith (v.21).
• Repentance emphasizes a change of mind and attitude. To repent is to make a decision that changes the total direction of one’s life. Acts 2:36-38; 2 Peter 3:9
• Faith means to trust. The word “group” deals with relationships established by trust and maintained by trustworthiness. John 3:16; Hebrews 11:6
• Choose obedience over comfort and safety (v.22-23). 1 Peter 2:20-21; John 14:21, 23

Dangers in Living for Jesus

Acts 19:23-41

Living for Jesus Could Cause You to:

• Not have as much money as you would like (v.27) 1 Timothy 6:6-8, 10; Luke 12:15
• Because you are financially generous in supporting the work of the Lord
• Because you volunteer time in serving the Lord
• Reject your religious upbringing  (v.27) Matthew 10:34
• Confront the idols in your life (v.26) Exodus 20:3-4 – first two of the ten commandments; Romans 1:25; Matthew 6:24
• Be hated by others (v.29) John 15:18-19
• People might hate you when Satan blinds them to the truth about Jesus. 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 Corinthians 2:14
• People might hate you when your lifestyle exposes their sinful ways. John 3:19-20
• See God do amazing things (v.41) Romans 8:26-28

Ignorance Is Not Bliss

Acts 19:1-22

• Insight #1: You must possess the Holy Spirit in order to possess salvation. v.2 – “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” John 3:5-7
• Insight #2: Only through belief in Jesus Christ can you receive the Holy Spirit. v.5, 6 Ephesians 1:13-14
• Insight #3: Good intentions are not enough to gain entrance into God’s family. v. 4 - “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance.” Acts 4:12; John 1:12
• Resource: “How Good is Good Enough?” by Andy Stanley
• Insight #4: Ignorance is not bliss. v.2 – “We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
• Insight #5: Stubbornness often prevents people from receiving Jesus Christ. v.9 – “Some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe.” Hebrews 3:12-13
• “Obstinate” means to harden like a stone, to set one’s jaw, to stand in opposition.
• “Refused” means to act in disobedience.
• Insight # 6: Dialogue is an excellent method for spreading the gospel.  v.9 – “…had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.”
• Insight #7: The world of Satan and demons is real. v.13-16; Ephesians 6:12
• Insight #8: God’s power is not in the Name of Jesus but the Person of Jesus.  v.13 – “…tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus.”
• Insight #9: God’s power is not available for your purposes. v.14 – “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” 1 Timothy 6:9-10; Daniel 4:35
• Insight #10: Life-changing confession comes in response to seeing Jesus for who He really is. v. 17-18  – “The name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed…” 1 John 1:9; Colossians 1:16-17; Revelation 1:17-18; Philippians 2:10-11
• “Confess” means acknowledge, or to agree with.