TITLE:  The Awe of the birthing room

TEXT:  Acts 1:1-26, 2:43

OBJECTIVE:  The birthing room is a great place where new life is revealed.  It is a great time to experience.  When you see this, you see the greatness of God. 

INTRODUCTION:

Acts 2:43 NLT A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.

1.  If the Jackson Pilot wanted to interview a Christian for a feature article, who would you recommend?

2.  Why?

3.  What are the qualifications for a good example of a real Christian?

4.  Have you ever been able see a live birth?

      a.  Calf—Pulling the calf

      b.  Pigs squirt out

      c.  Baby girls born

            April 6, 1982-Snow storm

      d.  Person born again

      e.  Church Born

5.  What happens when a person in born again?

6.  What happens when a church is born?

7.  What happened in Acts 1-2

8.  What happened to Jesus?  Acts 1 1-11

I.  Jesus Commission

      A.  Stay and Pray

      B.  Holy Spirit will come

      C.  Be witnesses

            Jerusalem

            Judea

            Samaria

            Remotest part of the world

I.  Choice of leaders 

      A.  1:10-11 Promise of the return of Jesus Christ

            --1 The 4:13-18

            --1 Cor 15:51-58

            --John 14:1-5

      B.  1:12-14  Pray as they wait

            --Disciples learned their lessons from the garden

            --WATCH AND pray that ye enter not into temptation

Luke 22:40 When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”  Nasb 95

Mark 14:38 “Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Nasb 95

      C.  Unity—One Mine Acts 1:14

            1.  One accord

            2.  One mind and one passion

            3.  homothumadon {homothoomadon'} from a compound of the base of 3674 and 2372; TDNT - 5:185,684; adv AV - with one accord 11, with one mind 1; 12

1) with one mind, with one accord, with one passion

++++A unique Greek word, used 10 of its 12 New Testament occurrences in the Book of Acts, helps us understand the uniqueness of the Christian community. Homothumadon is a compound of two words meaning to "rush along" and "in unison". The image is almost musical; a number of notes are sounded which, while different, harmonize in pitch and tone. As the instruments of a great concert under the direction of a concert master, so the Holy Spirit blends together the lives of members of Christ's church.

II.  Choice of leaders is so vital-Rest of Acts 1

The foundational leaders were chosen and carefully prepared by Jesus. (1:1-26)

      A.  The disciples were hand picked by Jesus

            --1:13

      B.  Judas Iscariot died--Hung himself--burst open

            There needed to be another to take his place

      C.   How did they choose another to take Judas place?

            Qualifications:

            1.  v. 20--had to be an overseer

            2.  v. 21--Had to be accompanying disciples and Jesus

            3.  v. 23--Found 2 who would qualify

            4.  v. 24—Prayed

            5. Gave forth their lots--put their pebbles (Vote) into the jar

            6.  Numbered--Voted for, cast their vote in

      C.  Is Godly leadership important?

            1.  Why is it so vital to have Godly leaders?

            2.  Is it important to have godly elders?

            3.  Is it important to have godly treasurers?

            4.  Is it important to have godly teachers?

 II.  Look at Titus 1:5-16

      1.  Godly leaders  5-9

      2.  Ungodly leaders 10-16

      3.  Old Testament Leaders: 

Leviticus 21:16-24.  16 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 17 “Speak to Aaron, saying, ‘No man of your offspring throughout their generations who has a defect shall approach to offer the food of his God. 18 ‘For no one who has a defect shall approach: a blind man, or a lame man, or he who has a disfigured face, or any deformed limb 19 or a man who has a broken foot or broken hand, 20 or a hunchback or a dwarf, or one who has a defect in his eye or eczema or scabs or crushed testicles. 21 ‘No man among the descendants of Aaron the priest who has a defect is to come near to offer the Lord’s offerings by fire; since he has a defect, he shall not come near to offer the food of his God. 22 ‘He may eat the food of his God, both of the most holy and of the holy, 23 only he shall not go in to the veil or come near the altar because he has a defect, so that he will not profane My sanctuaries. For I am the Lord who sanctifies them.’ ” 24 So Moses spoke to Aaron and to his sons and to all the sons of Israel.  Nasb 95

      3.  Read Titus 1:1‑9

      4.  VERSE 5

Titus 1:5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, Nasb 95

1 Corinthians 14:40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner. Nasb 95

III.  Look at the qualifications for elder or bishop in the church

      A.  Above Reproach-BLAMELESS—unaccused, i.e. (by implication) irreproachable: ‑blameless.

            1.  Above reproach  Act 16:2 about Timothy

"He was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium."

                  a.  People were talking about him‑‑Positive feedback

                  b.  More than one person was doing the talking

                  c.  The talk was in more than one place VERSE 6

Titus 1:6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.  Nasb 95

B.  Husband on one wife‑‑faithful in marital relationship

1.  had good communications with wife

2.  Did not deliberately expose ourselves to temptation

3.  fortified ourselves in the word and prayer

4.  Avoided unnecessary idleness‑‑Example‑David

5.  Seek help of others if a problem is beyond control

6.  Accountable to someone else about relationships

C.  Having faithful Children‑‑not accused of disicipation (riot)

ACCUSED‑‑a complaint ("category"), i.e. criminal charge: ‑accusation.

RIOT‑‑properly, unsavedness, i.e. (by implication) profligacy: ‑excess, riot.

UNRULY‑‑unsubdued, i.e. insubordinate (in fact or temper): ‑disobedient, that is not put under, unruly.

HAVING FAITHFUL CHILDREN

1 Timothy 3:4-5.  4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), Nasb 95

NOT ACCUSED OF RIOT

1 Thessalonians 5:14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Nasb 95

VERSE 7

Titus 1:7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, Nasb 95

D.  Blameless‑‑Major emphasis on ABOVE REPROACH

STEWARD‑‑a house‑distributor (i.e. manager), or overseer, i.e. an employee in that capacity; by extension, a fiscal agent (treasurer); figuratively, a preacher (of the Gospel): ‑chamberlain, governor, steward.

       AS THE STEWARD OF GOD

1 Corinthians 4:1-2. 1 Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. Nasb 95

E.  Not SELF‑WILLED‑‑self‑pleasing, i.e. arrogant

F.  Not Quick tempered

Proverbs 14:17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of evil devices is hated. Nasb 95

Proverbs 16:32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. Nasb 95

James 1:19-20. 19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Nasb 95

G.  Not ADDICTED TO WINE‑‑staying near wine, i.e. tippling (a toper): ‑given to wine.

Leviticus 10:9 “Do not drink wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent of meeting, so that you will not die—it is a perpetual statute throughout your generations— Nasb 95

Proverbs 31:4-5. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink, 5 For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted. Nasb 95

Ephesians 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, Nasb 95

H.  Not pugnacious—NO STRIKER‑‑a smiter, i.e.  (quarrelsome)

2 Timothy 2:24-25. 24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, Nasb 95

I.  Not fond of sordid gain--Not greedy of shameful profit

NOT GIVEN TO FILTHY LUCRE

1 Peter 5:2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; Nasb 95

VERSE 8

Titus 1:8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, Nasb 95

J.  hospitable-LOVER OF HOSPITALITY‑‑fond of guests, i.e. hospitable: ‑given to (lover    of, use) hospitality.

K.  loving what is good--LOVER OF GOOD MEN‑‑fond to good, i.e. a promoter of virtue: ‑love of good men. ‑One who loves what is good‑‑

        A LOVER OF GOOD MEN

1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. Nasb 95

L.  sensible-SOBER‑‑safe (sound) in mind, i.e. self‑controlled (moderate as to opinion or passion): ‑discreet, sober, temperate.

          ‑‑self controlled or sensible

M.  JUST‑‑innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively): ‑just, meet, right(‑eous).

            ‑‑fair‑‑ 

      N.  Devout--HOLY‑‑right:  (pious, sacred, sure): ‑holy, mercy, shall be. ‑‑pious—

      O.  self-controlled TEMPERATE—strong in a thing (masterful), i.e. self‑controlled (in appetite,       etc.): ‑temperate.   ‑‑Master of himself‑‑

VERSE 9

Titus 1:9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. Nasb 95

P.  HOLDING FAST THE FAITHFUL WORD--holding firmly to the trustworthy message

HOLDING FAST‑‑to hold oneself opposite to, i.e. adhere to; by extension to care for:  hold fast, hold to, support.

            FAITHFUL‑‑trustworthy; trustful: sure, true.

            HOLDING FAST THE FAITHFUL WORD

PRO 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell {it} not; {also} wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

1TH 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Missions statement of one business has Proverbs  22:1 A  good name is to be more desired than great riches, Favor is better than silver and gold.

Q.  Encourage by sound teaching

       SOUND DOCTRINE

1 Timothy 6:3 If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, Nasb 95

R.  Refute those that oppose sound doctrine

CONVINCE‑‑admonish: ‑convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove.

            GAINSAYERS‑‑to dispute, refuse: ‑answer again, contradict, deny, gainsay(‑er), speak against.

Conclusion:

1.  Suppose you were on a search committee for our church, responsible for finding 10 people or couples who would meet these qualifications, who comes to mind?  Would you nominate yourself?

2.  The Awe of the birthing room at times fades with the as the baby begins to grow.  That is why we need wise and godly leaders after the birthing process has taken place.

3.  End with the video of the Mother