The Testimony of Restoration
Rebuild, Renew and Restore • Sermon • Submitted
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· 148 viewsWe will examine a little deeper why Paul was willing to give up his life even though those whom he loved inisisted he would preserve it.
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Introduction
Introduction
Within Paul’s third missionary journey he goes to the city of Ephesus and ministers there for more than two years:
Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God.
Acts 19:
This went on for the next two years, so that people throughout the province of Asia—both Jews and Greeks—heard the word of the Lord.
Acts 19:
Interestingly enough, the Spirit was leading Paul to move on, but we see he wanted to stay a while longer.
Afterward Paul felt compelled by the Spirit to go over to Macedonia and Achaia before going to Jerusalem. “And after that,” he said, “I must go on to Rome!” He sent his two assistants, Timothy and Erastus, ahead to Macedonia while he stayed awhile longer in the province of Asia.
About that time, serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way.
Afterward Paul felt compelled by the Spirit to go over to Macedonia and Achaia before going to Jerusalem. “And after that,” he said, “I must go on to Rome!” He sent his two assistants, Timothy and Erastus, ahead to Macedonia while he stayed awhile longer in the province of Asia.
Acts 19:
Throughout the next couple of chapters he travels to different cities and receives an interesting message...
Several days later a man named Agabus, who also had the gift of prophecy, arrived from Judea. He came over, took Paul’s belt, and bound his own feet and hands with it. Then he said, “The Holy Spirit declares, ‘So shall the owner of this belt be bound by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and turned over to the Gentiles.’ ” When we heard this, we and the local believers all begged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
But he said, “Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.” When it was clear that we couldn’t persuade him, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”
It is through this testimony and the ones left in his letters where we see Paul was truly changed. Through Paul we are able to see how God had not only transformed his outward living to travel and preach, but also the mind that propelled his living. Let us look at a portion of Paul’s testimony through his letter to the Philippians.
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It is through Paul’s testimony we see how his entire value system has been shifted from what he once considered valuable to be nothing.
Changes our focus
Changes our focus
Now my only purpose through the reading of this Scripture passage is to create an environment where the Holy Spirit can challenge what we currently hold valuable. As I ask the group to come up I would like us to pray so the Spirit of God will make this Scripture a reality in our lives.
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
During Sunday School we spoke of what a testimony is and how it can manifest itself through our daily living. If your desire is for your entire life to reflect Christ in visible ways by what you say and do I would encourage you to step forward so we can pray together.
But there is a deeper cleansing that can happen as well. What we say and do are visible things, Jesus can see right through our actions and ask “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts?” ()
The Word of God says we can “let the Spirit renew [our] throughts and attitudes” () in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. So maybe your lives are able to do and say the right things at the right time, but if your desire is to ask God to transform and renew your thoughts to be pleasing to him I would encourage you to come as well.
During Sunday School we spoke of what a testimony is and how it can manifest itself through our daily living
Tyndale House Publishers. Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2013. Print.
My continued prayer then is that we may be able to fulfill God’s command given to us by God through Paul:
I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.