Sermon On the Net

 

 

THE CONSPIRACY

 

ACTS 23: Paul got up to speak to all those assembled and tried to explain his position, of fulfilling his obligation to spread the Good News of  Jesus. The high priest instructed someone to strike him, apparently he didn’t agree with him. Paul insulted him and when he found out he was the high priest he apologized, because Paul was aware of the law and respect of the high priest.

 

Paul continued and began to speak about the resurrection because he knew the Pharisees and the Sadducees disagreed on this point and this caused a great uproar. Some of the Pharisees got up and said they found nothing wrong with what Paul was saying. The dispute became so violent that the commander had to have his men retrieve Paul by force from them. The following night, the Lord told Paul not to be concerned because he would be testifying for Him in Rome as he did in Jerusalem.

 

The next day about 40 Jews conspired to kill Paul and made a solemn oath not to eat or drink anything until they did. Paul’s nephew overheard the plot and told him. Paul told him to go the commander and tell him of the plot. He did and when the commander heard the story he ordered his man to assemble 470 soldiers to escort Paul out of the City. He wrote a letter to be delivered to the Governor which explained the circumstances of Paul’s trip to Rome. The commander told the Governor that he could find no fault with Paul other than the fact  that their dispute had something to do with the Jewish law.

 

They delivered the letter and Paul and when the Governor had received them he told Paul he would hear his case upon the arrival of his accusers.

 

Again we see the power of God at work. God had His plans for Paul and nothing would or even could possibly interfere. All who have confessed Jesus as their Savior have the same assurance that the plans He has for us will never be changed or cancelled. We can live in the peace offered through Jesus that we will be with Him, as we are now, for eternity.

 

 

Sermon On the Net

 

 

SAUL…SAUL

 

ACTS 21&22: Paul continues his mission and now we find him in Caesarea where he stayed with Philip, the evangelist who had 4 daughters who prophesied. After several days a prophet named Agabus visited Paul and forewarned him of the persecution he would face in Jerusalem. They tried to change his planned visit to Jerusalem but he would have no part in it. He said he was not only ready to be chained, but to die, also, for the work of the lord.

 

When they arrived in Jerusalem they visited James and the elders and informed them of the past events to which they all responded joyously. They knew that thousands of Jews   believed Paul but at the same time certain factions were inciting the people against him. The suggestion was made that Paul take 4 brothers who had taken a vow and have their head shaved which was a sign of living under the law. And so he did.

 

When the seven days of purification were over the crowd seized Paul. Soon the commander of the troops came and put Paul in chains and arrested him. As the soldiers were about to put Paul in the barracks, he persuaded the commander to let him speak to the crowd. Paul was free to do so and he told the crowd in their language what had happened to him on the road to Damascus when the lord spoke directly to Paul and told him what was about to happen to him. When the Lord spoke a very bright light blinded Paul and the Lord directed him to the city where Ananias met him and restored his sight.

He told Paul that God had chosen him to do His work and he prevailed upon Paul to be baptized and wash his sins away which, of course, was merely symbolic of the true forgiveness through Grace. When Paul returned to Jerusalem he was told by the Lord to leave immediately because the people would not accept his testimony and He would send him far away to the Gentiles.

The crowd finally got so angry that the Roman commander was going to have Paul whipped until the commander discovered he was a Roman citizen which stopped him cold in his tracks. The next day the commander brought Paul to the chief priests and the Sanhedrin to try to get to the bottom of the reason why the Jews wanted to kill Paul.

 

We can’t imagine the turmoil created in the formation of the Church. It is indeed a miracle that they were successful. It is so obvious that divine intervention was the hand that dealt the cards, so to speak. I am reminded of the scripture that says, “If God is for us, who can be against us.” When we look to Him and place our trust in Him, then, and only then are we victorious in Him. No matter what confronts us, as did Paul, prayerfully turn it over to God who so graciously wants to help. Ask and it will be. It is God’s wish for us to be content and live a fruitful life here on earth until we are with Him.

 

 

 

Sermon On the Net

 

 

SAUL…SAUL

 

ACTS 21&22: Paul continues his mission and now we find him in Caesarea where he stayed with Philip, the evangelist who had 4 daughters who prophesied. After several days a prophet named Agabus visited Paul and forewarned him of the persecution he would face in Jerusalem. They tried to change his planned visit to Jerusalem but he would have no part in it. He said he was not only ready to be chained, but to die, also, for the work of the lord.

 

When they arrived in Jerusalem they visited James and the elders and informed them of the past events to which they all responded joyously. They knew that thousands of Jews   believed Paul but at the same time certain factions were inciting the people against him. The suggestion was made that Paul take 4 brothers who had taken a vow and have their head shaved which was a sign of living under the law. And so he did.

 

When the seven days of purification were over the crowd seized Paul. Soon the commander of the troops came and put Paul in chains and arrested him. As the soldiers were about to put Paul in the barracks, he persuaded the commander to let him speak to the crowd. Paul was free to do so and he told the crowd in their language what had happened to him on the road to Damascus when the lord spoke directly to Paul and told him what was about to happen to him. When the Lord spoke a very bright light blinded Paul and the Lord directed him to the city where Ananias met him and restored his sight.

He told Paul that God had chosen him to do His work and he prevailed upon Paul to be baptized and wash his sins away which, of course, was merely symbolic of the true forgiveness through Grace. When Paul returned to Jerusalem he was told by the Lord to leave immediately because the people would not accept his testimony and He would send him far away to the Gentiles.

The crowd finally got so angry that the Roman commander was going to have Paul whipped until the commander discovered he was a Roman citizen which stopped him cold in his tracks. The next day the commander brought Paul to the chief priests and the Sanhedrin to try to get to the bottom of the reason why the Jews wanted to kill Paul.

 

We can’t imagine the turmoil created in the formation of the Church. It is indeed a miracle that they were successful. It is so obvious that divine intervention was the hand that dealt the cards, so to speak. I am reminded of the scripture that says, “If God is for us, who can be against us.” When we look to Him and place our trust in Him, then, and only then are we victorious in Him. No matter what confronts us, as did Paul, prayerfully turn it over to God who so graciously wants to help. Ask and it will be. It is God’s wish for us to be content and live a fruitful life here on earth until we are with Him.

 

 

 

Sermon On the Net

 

 

 

NO FEAR

 

ACTS 18: Upon his arrival in Corinth Paul met a Jew named Aquila and his wife Priscilla. They had come from Rome because all Jews were ordered to leave. Paul went to see them because he was a tentmaker and decided to stay for a while. Paul continued his preaching in the Synagogue every Sabbath until Timothy and Silas joined him. The Jews opposed Paul and began to be abusive, so Paul shook out his clothes in protest and left. He went next door to the house of Titus Justus who was a worshipper of God. A man named Crispus, a ruler in the Synagogue believed in Jesus, as well as many of the Corinthians.

 

One night Paul had a vision in which the Lord told him to continue preaching without fear because He had many of His people in the city, verse 9: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” He stayed there a year and a half preaching. The Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before Gallio, the proconsul, to complain. However he rebuked them and told them to handle the matter themselves because the dispute involved their laws. The Jews then turned on Sosthenes and beat him in front of the court without any interference from Gallio.

 

Paul continued his missionary work in Ephesus, preaching in the Synagogue until he left, even though the Jews wanted him to stay. He said he would come back if it is God’s will.

Paul visited many cities, strengthening the brothers in various areas.

 

Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos,a native of Alexandria came to Ephesus to preach the way of the Lord. He had been schooled well and had a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He taught about Jesus accurately but he was aware only of the baptism of John. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preach they invited him to their home to more adequately explain the way of the Lord. When he wanted to go to Achaia the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. He proved to be a great help to those, who by grace, believed. He vigorously refuted the Jews in public proving from Scripture that Jesus was the Christ.

 

Doesn’t the introduction of Apollos cause you to wonder about the difference between what he was preaching and the true way of Salvation? You see, he was preaching repentance of sins, not forgiveness of sins through Jesus. Remember, John was preaching repentance before Jesus was crucified. He was preaching to people to change their ways and admit sorrow for their sins. This is not salvation. A baptism of water does not save. Water baptism is merely symbolic; acceptance of Jesus as your Savior because He paid for the sin of mankind. This is Salvation. AS the Bible states quite literally,”There is no other name under Heaven whereby man can be saved.” (Acts 4:12) If you seek salvation in a religion or anything else you will be committing a mortal mistake. Simply read and listen to the Word of God.