Relying on God
Notes
Transcript
Story Summary
Story Summary
This is a story about relying on God in painful, hopeless situations. A situation that was made hopeless because evil and injustice. Because God intervenes, acts in hopeless situations. And when Paul and Silas relied on God, people noticed and received God’s free gift of salvation.
Series Review -
Series Review -
What do people say about you?
Ever been at a crossroads? Agonized over a situation, both options seemed good? Which way Lord? How do we discern? The ongoing practice of prayer, reading Scripture and godly counsel.
Pain is a tool for discernment. It forces us to rely completely on God, not human wisdom.
Sermon Intro -
Sermon Intro -
Sermon Intro -
Sermon Intro -
Sermon Intro
Sermon Intro
I asked this question a few weeks ago: “What does it take for you to give up? To quit?”
new mission field: overwhelmed by evil; idols; statutes, rituals; money making; spiritual evil; demon possessed; violent reaction; Paul was not an eloquent speaker; unattractive man - no financial support - what sustained him? relationship w/ God and other believers; relying on God
When people notice your pain, crisis; violence; ridicule; they will also notice your response to it. We want people to notice more than our pain. Serving God and focusing on others when we are overwhelmed with pain can be a powerful testimony.
Main Question/Point: What do people say about you?
Main Question/Point: What do people say about you?
Undercover Christians have nothing to worry about; the most people know about your faith is church affiliation; program membership;
Question: What makes you fragile? When are you at your weakest? What corrodes your soul?
Question: What makes you fragile? When are you at your weakest? What corrodes your soul?
Question: What makes you fragile? When are you at your weakest? What corrodes your soul?
Question: What makes you fragile? When are you at your weakest? What corrodes your soul?
prayer, relationship, not waiting until a crisis and writing on a sheet of paper; relationship will give wisdom and power to...
Main Point: What Do You Want People To Say About You?
Main Point: What Do You Want People To Say About You?
new mission field: overwhelmed by evil; idols; statutes, rituals; money making; spiritual evil; demon possessed; violent reaction
prayer, relationship, not waiting until a crisis and writing on a sheet of paper; relationship will give wisdom and power to...
this is a really bad mission trip
1. Recognize Needs - You Noticed Me
1. Recognize Needs - You Noticed Me
Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling.
slavery assumed; spiritual evil assumed; poverty assumed; Paul would walk around his new mission field; he observes the people; assesses needs;
Acts 16:
recognize our mission field? assessed the needs? know the people; not the charismatic, popular, wealthy, attractive: look for the invisible; unnoticed; unpopular; broken;
recognize it today
She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.
are we looking for our mission field (where you work, live, where you go) ? Do we know the needs? are we so busy running programs that we don’t notice people who wouldn’t dream of walking through those doors on a Sunday morhing>
you ignore us, we will ignore you
:
1a. Spiritual Evil
1a. Spiritual Evil
Speaking against oppression / injustice
She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.
eaves drop on words
2. Praise God During Pain - You Inspired Me
2. Praise God During Pain - You Inspired Me
hard to connect with this - don’t believe in the devil, demons; sensationalized on horror movies;
pain
what would an unbeliever think if they were able to eaves drop on your words when you have been shamefully treated? unjustly slandered? ridiculed?
what would an unbeliever think if they were able to eaves drop on your times of bible reading, study and prayer?
2. Praise God During Pain - You Inspired Me
2. Praise God During Pain - You Inspired Me
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
forgive the person who has treated you unjustly
pain
what would an unbeliever think if they were able to eaves drop on your words when you have been shamefully treated? unjustly slandered? ridiculed?
what would an unbeliever think if they were able to eaves drop on your times of bible reading, study and prayer?
3. Show Compassion to Your Oppressors - You Forgave Me
3. Show Compassion to Your Oppressors - You Forgave Me
But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
Acts 16:
4. How do I become a Christian? - You Shared Christ With Me
4. How do I become a Christian? - You Shared Christ With Me
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
the death of Christ is of infinite worth and has in it enough grace to save every person who ever lived. It is all-sufficient in its saving worth. But in its effective design it only saves those who respond to the gospel offer.