New Hope Baptist Church Podcast

ACTS 18:18-28 (NIV)  18) Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken. 19) They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20) When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21) But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22) When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch. 23) After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. 24) Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25) He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26) He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.  27) When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28) For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.TAKEAWAYS1. Be part of the church and God’s mission movement2. Support the “apostle” and his work3. Delight in ministering “small”4. Be Inseparable 

ACTS 18:9-17 (NIV)    9) One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10) For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11) So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God. 12) While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. 13) “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.” 14) Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 15) But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” 16) So he drove them off. 17) Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.TAKEAWAYS1. God Speaks (v 9-10)2. God speaks to Paul about Paul’s speaking to the Corinthians3. Paul preached onWhy do we get afraid of sharing spiritual truth?I. Fear of ManII. StephenIII. Self-PreservationIV. Popularity 

ACTS 18:1-8 (NIV)  1) After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2) There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3) and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4) Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5) When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6) But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7) Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8) Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.TAKEAWAYS1. Paul reasoned to persuade2. Paul preached the cross3. Recognize a response 

ESTHER 9 & 10 (NIV) 1) On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the edict commanded by the king was to be carried out. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them. 2) The Jews assembled in their cities in all the provinces of King Xerxes to attack those determined to destroy them. No one could stand against them, because the people of all the other nationalities were afraid of them. 3) And all the nobles of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and the king’s administrators helped the Jews, because fear of Mordecai had seized them. 4) Mordecai was prominent in the palace; his reputation spread throughout the provinces, and he became more and more powerful.  5) The Jews struck down all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and they did what they pleased to those who hated them. 6) In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. 7) They also killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, 8) Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, 9) Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai and Vaizatha, 10) the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. But they did not lay their hands on the plunder. 11) The number of those killed in the citadel of Susa was reported to the king that same day. 12) The king said to Queen Esther, “The Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman in the citadel of Susa. What have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces? Now what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? It will also be granted.” 13) “If it pleases the king,” Esther answered, “give the Jews in Susa permission to carry out this day’s edict tomorrow also, and let Haman’s ten sons be impaled on poles.”  14) So the king commanded that this be done. An edict was issued in Susa, and they impaled the ten sons of Haman. 15) The Jews in Susa came together on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and they put to death in Susa three hundred men, but they did not lay their hands on the plunder. 16) Meanwhile, the remainder of the Jews who were in the king’s provinces also assembled to protect themselves and get relief from their enemies. They killed seventy-five thousand of them but did not lay their hands on the plunder. 17) This happened on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy. 18) The Jews in Susa, however, had assembled on the thirteenth and fourteenth, and then on the fifteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy.  19) That is why rural Jews—those living in villages—observe the fourteenth of the month of Adar as a day of joy and feasting, a day for giving presents to each other. 20) Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, 21) to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar 22) as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.  23) So the Jews agreed to continue the celebration they had begun, doing what Mordecai had written to them. 24) For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the pur(that is, the lot) for their ruin and destruction. 25) But when the plot came to the king’s attention, he issued written orders that the evil scheme Haman had devised against the Jews should come back onto his own head, and that he and his sons should be impaled on poles. 26) (Therefore these days were called Purim, from the word pur.) Because of everything written in this letter and because of what they had seen and what had happened to them, 27) the Jews took it on themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should without fail observe these two days every year, in the way prescribed and at the time appointed. 28) These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants.  29) So Queen Esther, daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter concerning Purim. 30) And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews in the 127 provinces of Xerxes’ kingdom—words of goodwill and assurance— 31) to establish these days of Purim at their designated times, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had decreed for them, and as they had established for themselves and their descendants in regard to their times of fasting and lamentation. 32) Esther’s decree confirmed these regulations about Purim, and it was written down in the records.1) King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the empire, to its distant shores. 2) And all his acts of power and might, together with a full account of the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king had promoted, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Media and Persia? 3) Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.TAKEAWAYS1. Complete the work2. Send out the messengers3. Remember what God has done 

ESTHER 7 & 8 (NIV)  1) So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet, 2) and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”  3) Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. 4) For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.” 5) King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?” 6) Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!”  Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. 7) The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life. 8) Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining.  The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?”  As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. 9) Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.”  The king said, “Impale him on it!” 10) So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.1) That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. 2) The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman’s estate. 3) Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews. 4) Then the king extended the gold scepter to Esther and she arose and stood before him. 5) “If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. 6) For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?” 7) King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have impaled him on the pole he set up. 8) Now write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring—for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.”  9) At once the royal secretaries were summoned—on the twenty-third day of the third month, the month of Sivan. They wrote out all Mordecai’s orders to the Jews, and to the satraps, governors and nobles of the 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush. These orders were written in the script of each province and the language of each people and also to the Jews in their own script and language. 10) Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes, sealed the dispatches with the king’s signet ring, and sent them by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king. 11)The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies. 12) The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. 13) A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. 14) The couriers, riding the royal horses, went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. 15) When Mordecai left the king’s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration. 16) For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. 17) In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.TAKEAWAYS1. God was always on it2. Esther and Mordecai obeyed3. The enemy was destroyed (v 9) 

ESTHER 5 & 6 (NIV)   1) On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2) When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. 3) Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.” 4) “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.” 5) “Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 6) As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” 7) Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: 8) If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.” 9) Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. 10) Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, 11) Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. 12) “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. 13) But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.” 14) His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up. 1) That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. 2) It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 3) “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked. “Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered. 4) The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him. 5) His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.” “Bring him in,” the king ordered. 6) When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” 7) So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, 8) have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. 9) Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’ ” 10) “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.” 11) So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!” 12) Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, 13) and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!” 14) While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.TAKEAWAYS1. You cannot rush God’s reward  2. Revenge ruins a reward  3. God turns big problems into better opportunities  I. This is a total turnaround  II. We can approach the throne of grace  III. We have the Royal Robes(Ch 5:1 she wore the royal robes/Ch 6:11 Haman put on Mordecai’s robe) 

 ESTHER 4:1-17 (NIV) 1) When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. 2) But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. 3) In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4) When Esther’s eunuchs and female attendants came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. 5) Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why. 6) So Hathak went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate. 7) Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. 8) He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people. 9) Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. 10) Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, 11) “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” 12) When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13) he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14) For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” 15) Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16) “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” 17) So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.TAKEAWAYS1. The darkest hour is before dawn  2. We can have confidence that deliverance will come (v 14)  3. EVEN if we don’t, God will  4. This is our time for courageous obedience 

ESTHER 3:1-15 (NIV)    1) After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. 2) All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor. 3) Then the royal officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s command?” 4) Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply. Therefore they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai’s behavior would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew. 5) When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. 6) Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes. 7) In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, the pur (that is, the lot) was cast in the presence of Haman to select a day and month. And the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar. 8)Then Haman said to King Xerxes, “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. 9) If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talents of silver to the king’s administrators for the royal treasury.” 10) So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. 11) “Keep the money,” the king said to Haman, “and do with the people as you please.” 12) Then on the thirteenth day of the first month the royal secretaries were summoned. They wrote out in the script of each province and in the language of each people all Haman’s orders to the king’s satraps, the governors of the various provinces and the nobles of the various peoples. These were written in the name of King Xerxes himself and sealed with his own ring. 13) Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods. 14) A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so they would be ready for that day. 15) The couriers went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered.TAKEAWAYS1. The Warning: Prideful Power Is Dangerous2. The Challenge: Conviction Can Be Costly3. The Deception: Sin Can Dress Up Anger As Wisdom4. Our Confidence: God May Seem Hidden, But His Victory Is CertainGOD’S SILENCE IS NOT GOD’S ABSENCE

PROVERBS 4:1-27 (NIV)    1) Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. 2) I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. 3) For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. 4) Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. 5) Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. 6) Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 7) The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 8) Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. 9) She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.” 10) Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. 11) I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. 12) When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. 13) Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. 14) Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. 15) Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. 16) For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble. 17) They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. 18) The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. 19) But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. 20) My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. 21) Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; 22) for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. 23) Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. 24) Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. 25)Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. 26) Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. 27) Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.TAKEAWAYS1. Seek instruction and wisdom  2. Guard your heart  3. Lead in speech and in action  4. Remain faithfulWisdom is a....  - Protector: “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you, and she will watch over you.”(v 6)  - Exalter and Honorer: “Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you." (v 8)  - A Straight Path: “I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.” (v 11-12)  - Life and Health: “Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.” (v 13) …for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.” (v 22)  - The Morning Sun: “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” (v 18)  

 ESTHER 2:1-12;15-18;21-23 (NIV)    1) Later when King Xerxes’ fury had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what he had decreed about her. 2) Then the king’s personal attendants proposed, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king. 3) Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let beauty treatments be given to them. 4) Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This advice appealed to the king, and he followed it. 5) Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, 6) who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, among those taken captive with Jehoiachin king of Judah. 7) Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died. 8) When the king’s order and edict had been proclaimed, many young women were brought to the citadel of Susa and put under the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem. 9) She pleased him and won his favor. Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven female attendants selected from the king’s palace and moved her and her attendants into the best place in the harem. 10) Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so. 11) Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her. 12) Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics. 15) When the turn came for Esther (the young woman Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her. 16) She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. 17) Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18) And the king gave a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his nobles and officials. He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with royal liberality. 21) During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 22) But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. 23) And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were impaled on poles. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.TAKEAWAYS1. The King Was Pathetic  I. His anger subsided (v 1)  II. He began to see the implications of his folly  III. The king faced consequences  2. Esther Was Patient  I. Humble  II. Blessed  III. Prepared  3. Mordecai Was Proactive 

ESTHER 1:1-22 (NIV) 1) This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush: 2) At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, 3) and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present. 4) For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. 5) When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king’s palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest who were in the citadel of Susa. 6) The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones. 7) Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king’s liberality. 8) By the king’s command each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished. 9) Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes. 10) On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas— 11) to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. 12) But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger. 13) Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times 14) and were closest to the king—Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memukan, the seven nobles of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and were highest in the kingdom. 15) “According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?” he asked. “She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her.” 16)Then Memukan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, “Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. 17) For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.’ 18) This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen’s conduct will respond to all the king’s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord. 19) “Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. 20) Then when the king’s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.” 21) The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memukan proposed. 22) He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, proclaiming that every man should be ruler over his own household, using his native tongue.TAKEAWAYSCREATION: God made us male and  female, and said, “Good”CREATION: Marriage and parenting is  the foundation of a healthy nationFALL: The sin of Adam created a disconnect with God and each other, but what God has joined together let no man separate1. Pride disconnects us from the word  of God2. Pride leads to a fall3. Pride leads to seeking pleasure in the  wrong places4. Pride leads to private problems  spilling out publicly5. Pride stops us receiving wisdom6. Pride prevents de-escalation7. Pride makes God seem invisible, but  He is still invincible 

ACT 17:24-34 (NIV)    24) “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25) And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26) From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27) God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28) ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 29) “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. 30) In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31) For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” 32) When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” 33) At that, Paul left the Council. 34) Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.TAKEAWAYS1. Creation: Where do we come from?I. Secularism and naturalism- Nothing lead to Everything  - Everything came from natural  processes- Nature made natureII. The Bible- God created Everything  - And in Him it all holds together2. Resurrection: Where are you going? 

ACT 17:13-21 (NIV)  13) But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. 14) The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. 15) Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible. 16) While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17) So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18) A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19) Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20) You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” 21) (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)TAKEAWAYS1. What did Athens say?  2. What did Paul do?   I. Saw Idolatry   II. Felt Intensely   III. Spoke Reasonably & Powerfully

ACT 17:1-15 (NIV)    1) When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2) As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3) explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. 4) Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women. 5) But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. 6) But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, 7) and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” 8) When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. 9) Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go. 10) As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11) Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12) As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. 13) But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. 14) The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. 15) Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.TAKEAWAYSBe Like a Berean:1. Prepare yourself to hear the Word2. Examine the scriptures3. Stand strong on the Truth

Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)  [30] Charm is deceptive, and beauty is  fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.Proverbs 31:10-29(NIV)[10] A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. [11] Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks  nothing of value. [12] She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. [13] She selects wool and flax and works  with eager hands. [14] She is like the  merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.  [15] She gets up while it is still night; she  provides food for her family and portions for  her female servants. [16] She considers a  field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. [17] She sets about her  work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. [18] She sees that her trading is  profitable, and her lamp does not go out at  night. [19] In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. [20]  She opens her arms to the poor and extends  her hands to the needy. [21] When it snows,  she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. [22] She makes  coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. [23] Her husband is  respected at the city gate, where he takes  his seat among the elders of the land. [24]  She makes linen garments and sells them,  and supplies the merchants with sashes. [25] She is clothed with strength and dignity;  she can laugh at the days to come.  [26] She speaks with wisdom, and faithful  instruction is on her tongue. [27] She watches over the affairs of her  household and does not eat the bread of  idleness. [28] Her children arise and call her blessed;  her husband also, and he praises her: [29] “Many women do noble things, but you  surpass them all.”TAKEAWAYS1. She is married2. She is a multiplier3. She is marvelous4. She is a mother 

ACTS 16:25-40 (NIV) 25) About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26) Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27) The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28) But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” 29)The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30) He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31)They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32) Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33) At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34) The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household. 35) When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” 36) The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.” 37) But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.” 38) The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. 39) They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. 40) After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.TAKEAWAYS1. Families have problems2. Families need the right kind of leadership  3. Families need Jesus  4. Families need the church 

 ACTS 16:12-24 (NIV) 12) From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. 13) On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14) One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15) When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us. 16) 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. 17) She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18) 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. 19) When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20) They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21) by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” 22) The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23) After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24) When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.TAKEAWAYS1. God Prepares Hearts   2. God Uses All Types   3. God's Detours Open Other Doors  4. God Uses Hospitable and Generous People--------------------------------------------------------------------------1. Conversions and baptisms celebrated  2. A Kingdom mindset  3. There will be intentional going out to reach the disconnected  4. We will not be embarrassed to give an invitation  5. Church members will feel a burden to share Christ  6. United prayer  7. Church growth will affect community behavior  8. Churches will plant churches in places, where there are no churches, or revitalize existing churches  9. The leaders and members are hospitable and generous 

ACTS 16:1-12 (NIV)1) Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. 2) The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3) Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4) As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. 5) So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. 6) Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7) When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8) So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9) During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10) After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 11) From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. 12) From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.TAKEAWAYS1. Main Orders2. General Guidance3. Specific Guidance- Commanding Scripture- Comforting Spirit- Counsel of the Saints- Circum-stances- Common Sense 

JOHN 14:25-27 (NIV)25) “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26) But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”TAKEAWAYSThe Holy Spirit...1. Advocates on our behalf2. Teaches us all things3. Reminds us of everything Jesus said 4. Provides peace 

 JOHN 20:1-18 (NIV)1) Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2) So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 3) So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4) Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5) He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6) Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7) as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8) Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9) (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying. 11) Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12) and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13) They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”  “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14) At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15) He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”  Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”  16) Jesus said to her, “Mary.”  She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).  17) Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” 18) Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.TAKEAWAYS1. Mary saw Jesus as the one who set  her free 2. Mary saw Jesus lifted up the cross  and laid in a tomb3. Mary saw Jesus alive again 

JOHN 12:12-24 (NIV)12) The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13) They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” 14) Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: 15) “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;  see, your king is coming,  seated on a donkey’s colt.” 16) At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him. 17) Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18) Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. 19) So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!” 20) Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21) They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22) Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 23) Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24) Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.TAKEAWAYS1. Jesus is the seed that dies2. We are the seed that dies3. The church is the seed that dies — and we shall rise and we are rising 

JOHN 4:5-29,32,34,39-42 (NIV)5) So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6) Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. 7) When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”8) (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9) The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 10) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” 11) “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12) Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” 13) Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14) but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15) The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16) He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17) “I have no husband,” she replied.  Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18) The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” 19) “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20) Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21)  “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22) You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23) Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24) God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” 25) The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26) Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” 27) Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” 28) Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29) “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 32) But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”34)  “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.39) Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”40) So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41) And because of his words many more became believers. 42) They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”TAKEAWAYS1. Grace - The past is not the final word2. Truth - If only they knew3. Worship - It’s not about the landscape 

ACTS 15:1-14, 19-21, 30-31 (NIV)1) Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2) This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. 3) The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad. 4) When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them. 5) Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.” 6) The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7) After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8) God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9) He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10) Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11) No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” 12) The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 13) When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. 14) Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles. 19) “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20) Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21) For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”30) So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31) The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message.TAKEAWAYSI. The Iron PillarII. The Bending Reed---------------------------------------------------------------1. Trust in Christ alone2. Live a life of holiness3. Life a life of wisdom and peace4. Bear with

 ACTS 14:1-20 (NIV)1) At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. 2) But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3) So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. 4) The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. 5) There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. 6) But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, 7) where they continued to preach the gospel.  8) In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. 9) He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed 10) and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. 11) When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” 12) Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13) The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.  14) But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15) “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. 16) In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17) Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” 18) Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them. 19) Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20) But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.TAKEAWAYS1. A world divided 2. A world obsessed with personality 3. A world dominated by worthless idols!1. Turn your eyes upon Jesus (v 7)2. Take attention off self (v 15)3. Talk about Creation, the world, and the weather 

ACTS 14:21-28 (NIV)21) They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22) strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 23) Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 24) After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, 25) and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26) From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. 27) On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28) And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.  TAKEAWAYS1. Hardship Requires Strengthening2. Hardship Requires Encouragement3. Hardship Requires Discipling & Leadership

 ACTS 13:42-52 (NIV)42) As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43) When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. 44) On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45) When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him. 46) Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 47) For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” 48) When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. 49) The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50) But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51) So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. 52) And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.TAKEAWAYS1. Interested- Hardened Fields-Responsive Fields- Mixed Fields- Harvest Fields- Judgment Fields2. Disinterested3. The Aggressive 

ACTS 13:13-41 (NIV)13) From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. 14) From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. 15) After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.” 16) Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: “Fellow Israelites and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! 17) The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt; with mighty power he led them out of that country; 18) for about forty years he endured their conduct in the wilderness; 19) and he overthrew seven nations in Canaan, giving their land to his people as their inheritance. 20) All this took about 450 years. “After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. 21) Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. 22) After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’ 23) “From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. 24) Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. 25) As John was completing his work, he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for. But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’ 26) “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27) The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28) Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29) When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30) But God raised him from the dead, 31) and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people. 32) “We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors 33) he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: “ ‘You are my son; today I have become your father.’34) God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God has said, “ ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’ 35) So it is also stated elsewhere: “ ‘You will not let your holy one see decay.’ 36) “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. 37) But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay. 38) “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39) Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. 40) Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: 41) “ ‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’”TAKEAWAYS1. Serve God in your generation2. If we serve God in our generation, in Jesus, that service will never die (v37) 

ACTS 13:4-12 (NIV)4) The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. 5) When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper. 6) They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7) who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. 8) But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. 9) Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10) “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11) Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun. ”Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12) When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.TAKEAWAYS1. They went (v4-6)2. They proclaimed (v5)3. They encountered people (v6-11)4. They push on into victory (v11-12) 

 ACTS 12:25-13:3 (NIV)25) When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.1) Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2) While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3) So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.TAKEAWAYS1. God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things!2. A calling is always connected to the great commission3. God has called you. Will you answer? 

ACTS 12:18-24 (NIV)18) In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. 19) After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. 20) He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply. 21) On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22) They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23) Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. 24) But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.TAKEAWAYS1. Good News - God IS2. Bad News - sin is3. Good news - Jesus died4. Bad News - What if we refuse?1. God's Judgment is real so don't be proud2. Wisdom gives glory to God3. Judgment will come to the enemies of God

ACTS 12:11-18 (NIV)11) Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.” 12) When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13) Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14) When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”  15) “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” 16) But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17) Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,” he said, and then he left for another place. 18) In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter.TAKEAWAYS1. God answers prayer (v 5-10)2. We can be slow to believe in prayer  (v 11-16)3. Keep on knocking, and enter when it  opens

ACTS 12:1-10 (NIV)1) It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2) He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3) When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. 4) After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.  5) So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. 6) The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7) Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. 8) Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. 9) Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10) They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.TAKEAWAYS1. THE CHURCH prayed to God earnestly2. The church PRAYED to God earnestly3. The church prayed to God EARNESTLY

ACTS 11:19-30 (NIV)19) Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20) Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21) The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. 22) News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23) When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24) He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. 25) Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26) and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.  27) During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28) One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29) The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30) This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.TAKEAWAYS1. Good News Focus (v 20-22)2. God's Grace (v 23-24)3. Good People (v 24-26)4. Generosity 

LUKE 2:19-24 (NIV)19) But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20) The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.  21) On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. 22) When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23) (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24) and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”TAKEAWAYS1. Reflect (v 19)2. Return (v 20)3. Raise Your Family (v 21-52)

LUKE 1:26-3326) In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27) to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28) The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29) Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30) But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31) You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32) He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33) and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” TAKEAWAYS1. God’s word to us at home is sometimes troubling (v 29)2. The word of the Lord is ultimately encouraging3.  The word of the Lord is Christ centered 

LUKE 1: 5-25; 62-66; 76-79 (NIV)5) In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6) Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7) But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. 8) Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9) he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10) And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. 11) Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12) When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13) But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14) He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15) for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16) He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17) And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”  18) Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”  19) The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20) And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”  21) Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22) When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.  23) When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24) After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25) “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”62) Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63) He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64) Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65) All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66) Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.76) And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;  for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,  77) to give his people the knowledge of salvation  through the forgiveness of their sins,  78) because of the tender mercy of our God,  by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven  79) to shine on those living in darkness  and in the shadow of death,  to guide our feet into the path of peace.”TAKEAWAYS1. Life was imperfect, yet they served the Lord2. Zechariah doubts3. God uses humble people to reveal His glory

1 Corinthians 16:1-14 (NIV)1) Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2) On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3) Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4) If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me. 5) After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. 6) Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7) For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8) But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9) because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me. 10) When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. 11) No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers. 12) Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity. 13) Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14) Do everything in love.TAKEAWAYS1. We are into good stewardship2. We are Missions Church3. Stewardship and Mission involves surrendered people

1 Corinthians 15:1-7, 12-14, 35-38, 42-44, 51-58 (NIV)1) Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2) By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3) For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4) that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5) and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6) After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7) Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 12) But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13) If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14) And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.35) But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” 36) How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37) When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38)But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. 42) So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43) it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44) it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.  If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.51) Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52) in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53) For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54) When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55) “Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?” 56) The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57) But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58) Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.TAKEAWAYSWho We Are:1. We are people who believe that Jesus is alive.  (v 3-8)2. We are people with a shared future (v 35-54)3. We have the ability to bounce back in all circumstances. (v 58)

1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-13 (NIV)1) If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2) If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3) If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.  4) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5) It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7) It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  8) Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9) For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10) but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11) When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12) For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.  13) And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.TAKEAWAYS1. If we have Power, Position, Prophecy,  Prosperity or Intentional Poverty, but not love we have lost, v 1-32. Love is something that needs work.3. Love will have the final word, v 8-13

1 CORINTHIANS 12:1-14 (NIV)1) Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2) You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3) Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.  4) There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5) There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6) There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7) Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8) To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9) to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10) to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11) All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.  Unity and Diversity in the Body  12) Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13) For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14) Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.1 CORINTHIANS 12:27 (NIV)27) Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.TAKEAWAYS1. You are The Body of Christ (v27)2. Each one is a part of the BodyI. GIFTS - how he has shaped youII. SERVICE - how we respond and make ourselves availableIII. WORKING - the result as to what God does in and through1. Treasure2. Time3. Talent

1 CORINTHIANS 3:1-17 (NIV)1) Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2) I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3) You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4) For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?  5) What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6) I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7) So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8) The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9) For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.  10) By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11) For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12) If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13) their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14) If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15) If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.  16) Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 17) If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.TAKEAWAYS1. Maturity - I am growing in the Lord!2. Planting- I am involved in kingdom cultivation!3. Temples - I am a temple of the Holy Spirit!

1 CORINTHIANS 2:6-16 (NIV)6) We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7) No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8) None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9) However, as it is written:  “What no eye has seen,  what no ear has heard,  and what no human mind has conceived”—  the things God has prepared for those who love him—  10) these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.  The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11) For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12) What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13) This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 14) The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15) The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16) for,  “Who has known the mind of the Lord  so as to instruct him?”  But we have the mind of Christ.TAKEAWAYS1. God’s wisdom is perfect and accessible.- God’s wisdom is helpful.- God’s wisdom is transformational.2. God’s wisdom is a revelation we can receive.3. God’s wisdom is spiritually understood in Christ.

I Corinthians 2:2 NIV[2] For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you exceptJesus Christ and him crucified.1 Corinthians 1:10-12 NIV[10] I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. [11] My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. [12] What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas ”; still another, “I follow Christ.”1 Corinthians 3:21-23 NIV[21] So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, [22] whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future---all are yours, [23] and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.1 Corinthians 1:19-21 NIV[19] For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” [20] Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? [21] For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.1 Corinthians 1:23-29 NIV[23] but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, [24] but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. [25] For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. [26] Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. [27] But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. [28] God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things---and the things that are not---to nullify the things that are, [29] so that no one may boast before him. 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 NIV[1] And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you,I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. [2] For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.TAKEAWAYS 1. Not big personality but the cross.2. Not human cleverness or nuance, but the cross.3. Not by power but in weakness, to the cross.Myth 1: You can do anything you want to.Myth 2: You are fine just the way you are.Myth 3: It’s not my fault.

Acts 9:32-43 NIV32) As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. 33) There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34) “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35) All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.  36) In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37) About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38) Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”  39) Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.  40) Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41) He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42) This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43) Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.TAKEAWAYSHow can we apply resurrection to our lives?1. To be a Christian is to experience a resurrection we’ve been raised with Christ.2. To be a Christian also means that we  shall be raised either from when we die  or when Jesus returns!3. The bride of Christ will be united with  the bridegroom at the Great wedding  feast.4. Resurrection means that the Lord revives his people.

 Act 9:26-31 NIV26) When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27) But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28) So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29) He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30) When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. 31) Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.TAKEAWAYS1. We must be saved.2. We can have the wrong idea about each other.

 Act 9:19-25 NIV19) and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20) At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21) All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22) Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah. 23) After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24) but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25) But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.TAKEAWAYS1. Saul began his new life in Jesus with fellowship.2. Saul lived a gospel-sharing life from day one (v 20)3. Saul grew in the faith, in such a way that his opponents were baffled (v 22)

Act 9:10-16 NIV10) In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11) The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.12) In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13) “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14) And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15) But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.16) I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”TAKEAWAYS1. Ananias says “Yes, Lord”.2. The obedient disciple is given a difficult assignment.3. Ananias was exceedingly blessed as a result of his obedience.

Act 9:1-9 NIV 1) Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2) and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3) As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4) He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5) “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, ”he replied. 6) “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7) The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8) Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9) For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.TAKEAWAYS 1. Saul the persecutor 2. Saul was humbled 3. Saul the convicted -Conviction of sin is the pathway of faith in Jesus

 Act 8:26-39 NIV26) Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27) So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28) and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29) The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” 30) Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31) “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32) This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33) In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” 34) The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35) Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. 36) As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” [37] 38) And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39)When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. TAKEAWAYS1. The best way to seek God is to open your Bible2. We need to understand that Jesus is at the heart of the Bible3. Take the plunge of faith and obedience

 Acts 8:9-25 NIV9) Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10) and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” 11) They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. 12) But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13) Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. 14) When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15) When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16) because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17) Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18) When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19) and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20) Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21) You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22) Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23) For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”24) Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” 25) After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.TAKEAWAYS1. Spiritual Fakes– Sorcery, v 9a– Boasting, v 9b– Enticing, v 11– Amazed, v 112. The Genuine Gospel3. Back to Fake ministry4. So, we finish with the Genuine