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SERMON SEEDS FOR APRIL 16, 2007

www.sermonseeds.org

 

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Acts 1:1-11

UP TO GLORY

Life of Christ #61 – Last Message in Series!

 

Many people have given words of advice.  What if you were able to spend time with the Lord Jesus Christ so that you could see Him in His resurrection body?  Of course, He would give you the best advice of all.

 

Recently we have been looking at Christ’s post resurrection appearances.  And today we find Him giving advice as He climaxes his life with His ascension “Up To Glory”.

 

In the last days physically on earth, the forty days after the resurrection, Jesus did the following things:

 

HE PREPARED HIS MEN FOR MINISTRY – Vss. 1-3

 

Vs. 1 – We do not know who Theophilus was.  But he is the same person to whom the Gospel of Luke was written. The Gospel of Luke is the former treatise referred to here.

 

Isn’t it interesting that Luke says it is what Jesus BEGAN to do and teach?

Jesus began to do when he was here on earth.

Jesus began to teach when he was here on earth.

 

Jesus’ doing and teaching continues today through the work of God the Holy Spirit.  That is why some people call the Book of Acts, “The Book of the Acts of the Holy Spirit.”

 

Jesus promised in John 14:12 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

 

Ephesians 3:16 - That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

 

Power comes today through the Holy Spirit.

Teaching comes today through the Holy Spirit. John 16:13-14

  

Vs. 2 – Jesus began to do and teach all the way up to his ascension into Heaven.  Hs disciples were well instructed.

And notice the end of Acts 1:3 …speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

 

Teaching God’s Word was a priority up until the time Jesus physically left the earth. Then he turned over the teaching to the Holy Spirit of God.   

 

Why did Jesus teach the disciples?  He had a ministry for them to do!  As we’ll see later, they were to take the good news of the Gospel to the world.  They needed to be trained.

 

Has it ever occurred to you that you and I have the same ministry today as the Apostles did, to go to the world and preach the Gospel?  Even if we only go to our family and neighborhood, it is still taking the Gospel to the world.

 

So why do we have so much trouble taking the Gospel to our friends, family, and beyond?  In part, it is because we have not allowed God to train us.  We must learn the Word of God before we can communicate it!

 

HE PROVED HIS RESURRECTION – Vs. 3

 

Acts 1:3 - To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

 

We have been showing you the “many infallible proofs” that were shown the disciples that Jesus had risen from the dead.

 

·       It was empty “At the tomb” and Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and other women.

·       “On the Road” Jesus appeared to two disciples on the Road to Emmaus.

·       “In the Room” Jesus appeared to the disciples and had them examine his wounds.  He even ate some food.

·       “By the Sea” Jesus appeared to seven disciples including Peter.

 

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 gives a summary of resurrection appearances.

 

The disciples, including Thomas saw a risen Savior and believed.  Jesus is alive and we take the testimonies of the Apostles by faith! John 20:29

 

·       Because Jesus is alive, He is available to help me.

·       Because Jesus is alive, He is a sympathetic friend.

·       Because Jesus is alive, I have the hope of eternal life. God has accepted His payment for sin.

·       Because Jesus is alive with a resurrection body we have the hope of resurrection.

·       Because Jesus is alive we can take to the world the blessed Gospel of forgiveness and eternal life:

 

HE PROMISED THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Vss. 4-5

 

Vs. 4-5 – The church was in transition.  Things were done a little differently in the Book of Acts until the promise of the Holy Spirit was given.

 

The Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity.  He is just as much God as God the Father and God the Son.  It is His job now to indwell each and every believer.  This would begin at the Day of Pentecost.

 

The Holy Spirit had been promised. Mark 1:8, John 14:16-18

  

Vs. 5 – The superior baptism that John referred to would take place about 10 days after his ascension, on the Day of Pentecost.   

 

So what about us now? Do we need to tarry in order to be baptized with the Holy Spirit?

 

The answer is no! 1 Corinthians 12:13, Romans 8:8-9

 

Today, if you are truly saved, if you have truly believed the Gospel, you have the Spirit of God dwelling in you. But, we are told to allow the Spirit of God to control us. That is when we will truly have power.

It is called being “filled with the Spirit.”

There is only one baptism. There are many fillings. Ephesians 5:18, Galatians 5:22-24

 The secret to being filled with the Spirit is summed up in two words: Death and Dependence.

 

Death – I am crucified with Christ   

Dependence – Christ liveth in me (He does that through the power of the Holy Spirit.)

See Galatians 2:20

 

It is the Holy Spirit who gives us the power to live the victorious Christian Life.

It is the Holy Spirit who gives us victory over sinful habits.

It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to pray.

It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to witness.

 

HE PRONOUNCED THE SPREADING OF THE GOSPEL – Vss. 6-8

 

Vs. 6 – This was not a bad question.

 

The disciples then understood that Jesus had to die for sin and rise again before He established His Kingdom. It was logical that it could have been immediately.

 

Vs. 7 – It was not for the disciples or us to know when Jesus is coming. It is our job to be ready when He comes. Luke 12:40

 

In the meanwhile, we have a job today.

 

Vs. 8 – Jesus sent the disciples in the power of the Holy Spirit to reach the world.

 

They were to be witnesses. A witness attests that what he has seen is true.  By faith we have seen Jesus alive and well in our lives.  By faith we know that the only way to eternal life is through faith in Christ. We are to be witnesses.

 

Our witness is to begin where we are – Jerusalem

Our witness is to expand a little beyond our immediate area – All Judea

Our witness is to progress to where we might not even be liked – Samaria

Our witness is to reach the whole world.

 

HE PROCEEDED TO HEAVEN – Vs. 9

   

Vs. 9 – How do we know that Jesus went to Heaven?  Acts 7:55:56, Hebrews 1:3 

  

What is Jesus doing in Heaven?   

·       He is waiting. Psalm 110:1

·       He is listening. Hebrews 4:15-16

·       He is interceding. 1 John 2:1-2

 

ANGELS PREDICTED HIS RETURN – Vss. 10-11

   

Vss. 10-11 – It was not time to stare into Heaven.  It was time to be ready for the ministry.  And yet, they were to be ready for His coming at any time.

 

Jesus will return. Zechariah 14:3-4, Isaiah 9:6-7

 

Jesus will return. In the meanwhile, it is our job to take the Gospel to the World.

What are you doing to accomplish this?   

 

HE PREPARED HIS MEN FOR MINISTRY

HE PROVED HIS RESURRECTION

HE PROMISED THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

HE PRONOUNCED THE SPREADING OF THE GOSPEL

HE PROCEEDED TO HEAVEN

ANGELS PREDICTED HIS RETURN

 

 

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Psalm 32

HOW BLESSED ARE THE BLESSED!

 

Are you born again?

Do you know Jesus as your Savior?

Then God has blessed you! Ephesians 1:3

In Psalm 32 there are five blessings for the born again Christian if he or she will accept them.

 

THE BLESSINGS OF FORGIVENESS – Vss. 1-2

 

THE BLESSINGS OF FORTHRIGHTNESS – Vss. 3-5

When we are honest with God, confessing our specific sins, God forgives us.

 

THE BLESSINGS OF (GOD’S) FAITHFULNESS – Vss. 7-8

God is faithful to protect us.

God is faithful to guide us.

 

THE BLESSING OF SHUNNING FOOLISHNESS – Vss. 9-10

“Mercy shall compass him about”.

 

THE BLESSING OF (GOD’S) FAVOR – Vs. 11

The upright in heart are to be filled with joy and gladness.

 

Sermon Seeds G13

 

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Isaiah 2

WHAT’S UP OR LOOKING AHEAD

 

COMING GLORY – Vss. 1-4

CURRENT APPEAL – Vs. 5

CORRUPT BEHAVIOR – Vss. 6-9

CERTAIN JUDGMENT – Vss. 10-16

CHANGED ATTITUDE – Vss. 17-22   

 

 

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Matthew 5:17-20

RESPONDING TO GOD’S LAW

 

A CONCEPT TO AVOID

Matthew 5:17 - Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

 

THE CERTAINTY OF GOD’S WORD

Matthew 5:18 - For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

 

THE CHALLENGE TO OBEY

Matthew 5:19-20 - Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. [20] For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

 

 

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John 9:1-12

LESSONS LEARNED

 

THERE IS A PURPOSE FOR SUFFERING – Vss. 1-5

THERE IS POWER IN CHRIST – Vss. 6-7

THERE IS PERPLEXITY WHEN CHRIST WORKS – Vss. 8-12

 

 

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Romans 13:1-7

THE CHRISTIAN AND GOVERNMENT

 

In the Bible we find that God has established 3 institutions to govern the affairs of men.

There is the family. Genesis 2:18-25

There is the church. Matthew 16:18, Acts 2

There is government. Romans 13:1-7

In this passage we do find that the Christian does have a responsibility to government.

 

THE ORIGINATOR OF GOVERNMENT IS GOD. Vss. 1-2

GOD'S PURPOSE FOR GOVERNMENT IS FOR OUR GOOD. Vss. 3-4

OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GOVERNMENT IS TO OBEY. Vss. 5-7

This includes the payment of taxes.

 

Notes: You will want to discuss when it is proper to disobey government. See Acts 4:18-20

           You might want to mention some of the Godly Bible characters involved in

           government.

           Those involved in government include Joseph, David, Nehemiah and Daniel.

 

Sermon Seeds B48

 

 

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1 Peter 4:7-11

EVERY DAY

 

BE READY EVERY DAY – Vs. 7 – Be serious! Watch! Pray!

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

 

BE RESPONSIVE EVERY DAY – Vss. 8-9 – Love others!  Be Hospitable!

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. [9] Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

 

BE RESPONSIBLE – Vss. 10-11 – Use you gifts to serve others!

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. [11] If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

 

   

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