Acts 15- Challenging God’s Word

How to Hinder the work of the Gospel

What is the will of God?

Three are two answers to this question, because God is operating His power on two fronts-

one individual

God will is for you to know Him, love Him, and have an abundant life.

John 10:10 ESV

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 4:34 NLT

Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.

Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

John 17:3 NLT

And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.

two global or corporate level

2 Peter 3:9 NLT

The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

Matthew 24:14 NLT

And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.

The Good-news of the gospel is the will of God for Everyone

How do we get in the way of the Gospel?

Acts 15:1–2 NLT

While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers: “Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently. Finally, the church decided to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, accompanied by some local believers, to talk to the apostles and elders about this question.

Traditions can get in the way of God

Human traditions that we give extra value to, can be a hinderance to the gospel

These men came and began to teach “The Believers”-

They taught there is more that needs to be done then just gospel in order to be saved

Past Moves of God

We get married to the way God moved in the past

God did it like this back in the day, and if only we could get back to that time

Isaiah 43:19 NLT

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

Old ways of Thinking

We get stuck in the prison of the past-

We hold ourselves to the old way of life

Pre New Creation life-

1 Corinthians 2:16 NLT

For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.

What We speak-

Proverbs 18:21 NLT

The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

What we speak matters-

When God Spoke everything He spoke became the reality that we see

When we speak it becomes the reality of our lives

Luke 6:45 NLT

A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.

Is it full of bitterness

it is full of unforgiveness

is it full of insecurity

What we speak can hinder of speed up the work of God

2 Kings 7:2 NLT

The officer assisting the king said to the man of God, “That couldn’t happen even if the Lord opened the windows of heaven!” But Elisha replied, “You will see it happen with your own eyes, but you won’t be able to eat any of it!”

Past hurst and mistakes-

Isaiah 61:1–3 NLT

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

Jesus Came to bind broken heart and make us go from despair to praise

When we live in despair there is no reason to praise

but He turns it to Festive praise

The Holy Spirit moving is the proof of a move of God-

Acts 15:8–10 ESV

And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

When God moves it doesn’t have to be justified by people

People tend to get in the way of God

We can get in the way of God

When we allow God to move it always brings Joy

Acts 15:31 NLT

And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.

When God moves in Our life through the power of the Spirit it brings Joy

Romans 14:17 NLT

For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

This is the Fruit of the Working of the Spirit

Both in our lives and through ministry- Joy

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Ministry should produce this fruit

Our Lives should produce this fruit