Sunday 01:22:12

1 The gospel and the church are empowered by God; they will triumph in his power. 2 In the face of imprisonment, beatings, and riots, God gave his people boldness to speak of their faith. 3 Acts 20:17-24 4 The gospel isn't accepted by every person, but it has power to change any life. 5 1 Timothy 1:12-17 6 People will not believe the gospel is important if they can't see that it is crucial in your life. - Life Application Bible Here's the sermon: The gospel and the church are empowered by God; they will triumph in his power. So, don't be intimidated by human theories or religions. God's gospel and church will prevail. In the face of imprisonment, beatings, and riots, God gave his people boldness to speak of their faith. God worked through the disciples to spread the gospel all over the known world. You too can have courage and boldness to share your faith - ask him for it. He can work powerfully through you. I remind you of these things because I want to fan the flame of faith in you. I want you to have faith to believe in Gods power to move powerfully to accomplish his will in you. To spread his gospel and change lives everywhere you go, in your workplace, in family, school, and in every context. I want you to remember, though that the gospel is not some social movement. The gospel has power and spreads throughout the world because it is the message of how God changes lives. It changed my life. It changed your life too when you first understood that God made a way to forgive you by removing your sin by sending his Son to take the punishment that your sin deserved. Sometimes we think that some people are too far from Gods grasp, that it's too late for them. Saul in chapters 8-9 was violently persecuting the church. But he was not beyond the reach of God. In chapter 9, God shows extraordinary grace to Paul. He goes after him with lights and sirens. And God forever changes his life. Listen to Paul's final words to the elders from Ephesus... Acts 20:17-24 The unstoppable gospel made a total change of life in Paul. He was the chief persecutor of the church, then Jesus appeared to him and he became the greatest missionary of all time. From persecutor of the church to... "I consider my life worth nothing to me..." "if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me" "the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace" Paul went from persecutor of God's people and scoffer of Jesus' teaching to finding his life's purpose and meaning in telling others about God's grace. The gospel isn't accepted by every person, but it has power to change any life. Listen to what Paul says about the change in his life... 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Paul was not trying to build an image, but be an example of God's grace. He did not hesitate to tell his shameful past because he knew his failures would give other people hope. Many times we raise our guard to keep people from seeing anything negative about us. Communicating God's grace in overcoming your failures can be a powerful demonstration of God's love and forgiveness. Listen to what he's saying, "because I am the worst sinner, I was shown mercy, so that god could display his unlimited patience." He's saying, "if God could forgive my sin, he can forgive your sin." "if God was patient through my ignorance and unbelief, he can be patient with you. "People will not believe the gospel is important if they can't see that it is crucial in your life." - LAB How has God been patient with you? Did he forgive a time of rebellion in your life? Was he patient with you while you were looking everywhere and anywhere but for him? Was he faithful to you when you were faithless? When you were under the weight of your sin, did you find his grace even grater? Don't be afraid to let others know what Christ has done for you. It can communicate how important the gospel is to you and God will use you as an example of his love and grace.