Dig Deeper - Acts Chapter 11: The Origin of "Christian"
Awake Us Now
In Acts 11:26 we read that the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. “Disciple” is the most used word in the New Testament to describe followers of Jesus. It is used 261 times. The word “Christian” is used only 3 times in the New Testament. Brothers and sisters, believers, followers are also used but “disciples” is Jesus’ favorite word to describe His followers. Matthew 29:19-20 - the Great Commission - Jesus says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching...
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Growing Gracefully: Freedom
Awake Us Now
True freedom is living the full life that God always intended us to possess. In Jesus, we are freed from bondage to sin and are now free to please God!
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Growing Gracefully: Thankfulness
Awake Us Now
Some Biblical virtues mirror God's character, but this one -- thankfulness -- exalts God's character. Thankfulness promotes humility in us and strengthens our faith. ThankLESSness, by contrast, is an exceptionally dangerous sin.
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GOD ACTS! (Chapter 11) - The Disciples Were Called Christians
Awake Us Now
God’s Gospel Goes Global After Peter told the story of his vision and going to Joppa to the home of Cornelius, we read in Acts 11:18 that “… the believers in Jerusalem had no further objections and praised God saying, ‘So even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.’” And now the barriers that had existed between the Jewish world and the non-Jewish world are down in a single moment. The believers in Jerusalem that had grown up as devout Jewish people had their eyes opened to understand the new age that God promised had arrived. AND God’s Gospel Goes...
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Armor of God #11 - Full Armor
Awake Us Now
We are to be strong in the Lord (with His strength), and to put on the full armor of God (His equipment), so that we are both prepared and equipped for spiritual warfare!
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Growing Gracefully: Kindness
Awake Us Now
Kindness is not weakness. Kindness reflects the character and strength of God, and is seen throughout the ministry of Jesus Christ. Followers of Jesus should show that same character in their lives!
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Growing Gracefully: Forgiveness
Awake Us Now
Jesus not only taught the importance of forgiveness, He practiced it, even from the cross (Luke 23:43). The example of Jesus and the magnitude of His love changes people and gives them the power to forgive even the most bitter of enemies!
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Growing Gracefully: The Ultimate Indicator
Awake Us Now
Our devotion to the Living God is demonstrated in the way we love other people - including even our enemies. Genuine love is the truest expression of right doctrine (teaching) - and without love, the doctrine collapses.
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Dig Deeper - Acts Chapter 10: All the Centurions
Awake Us Now
Using the Bible and Roman sources, Pastor teaches us about Centurions. In Sunday’s message we met the Centurion, Cornelius. (See teaching here ) Acts 10:1-2 Cornelius was a centurion in the Italian Regiment. What we know about Centurions Backbone of the Roman Army Tested and dependable leaders Commanded 80-100 soldiers - 6 Centurions to a Cohort (600) and 10 Cohorts to a Legion (6000) Mentioned more that 20 times in the New Testament - Luke 7:1-10, Matthew 8:5-13, Matthew 27:54, Mark 15:39, Luke 23:47, Acts 10:1-7, Acts 21:32, Acts 22:25-29, Acts 23:17, Acts 23:23, Acts...
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Growing Gracefully: In Joy
Awake Us Now
Unlike happiness, joy is not an emotion, dependent on particular circumstances. Joy is anchored in God, and through Jesus it is triumphant even over the sufferings of this world! Growing Gracefully In Joy - We are living in a time of chaos and uncertainty, a time of unbridled anger on all ends of the spectrum and if ever there was at time that the people of God needed to remember and reflect the joy of the Lord, THIS IS THE TIME! This is a great time to be growing in joy as we rely on the Holy Spirit to empower and strengthen us every day and in every circumstance and situation. The Bible is...
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Today’s story takes place in Caesarea - Acts 10:1-8. Cornelius, a Roman soldier, a Centurion, lives there. (Pastor shares pictures of this city, still visible today!) Cornelius was one who worshiped the God of Israel but was not a full convert. He and his family were devout and God-fearing. Then he receives a vision of an angel. The angel tells him to bring a man from Joppa named Simon known as Peter. We see Cornelius respond immediately to what the angel told him to do.
Day 2
Story moves location to Joppa where Cornelius’ servant and one of his soldiers are headed - Acts 10:9-23a. Meanwhile, Peter goes up on the roof of the house he is at and goes into a trance and sees the heavens open and a sheet with all kinds of 4-footed animals, reptiles and birds. (Unclean animals according to the Torah) Then a voice tells him to eat them, but Peter says, I’ve never eaten anything impure or unclean. I’ve obeyed the Torah! The response from heaven, three times was, “Do not call anything pure that God has made clean.” And the sheet was taken back into heaven. While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men Cornelius sent found him. The Spirit tells Peter to go downstairs to the men that were sent. They tell Peter about the vision Cornelius had seen and Peter invites them in.
Day 3
Now our story goes on the road- Act 10:23b. Peter and some witness head, with Cornelius’ servant and soldier, to Caesarea.
Day 4
They arrive in Caesarea - Acts 10:24-48. (Pastor shares more pics of the area) Cornelius has a crowd of people gathered at his home to hear Peter when he arrives. Peter knows he’s on God’s mission: “You are aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me I should not call anyone impure or unclean.” Cornelius retells his vision and says now they are in the presence of God to hear everything Peter has to tell them. Peter responds that he now realizes how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation those who know the Good News of Jesus Christ, Lord of ALL. He recounts the Gospel story of Jesus, He tells of the Savior’s Good News and all that believe in Him receive forgiveness of sins through His name. Then suddenly the Holy Spirit fell on all of them, including the Gentiles. They were baptized in Jesus’ name and ask Peter to say for a few more days.
What do we learn from this story?
Then + Now
God’s Agenda - God sets the agenda for His people, for individuals and for human history.
God is fulfilling the New Covenant - That the day would come when the NATIONS would come to God. These are new covenant times!
God Shows No Partiality - it is easy to be in our own groups and only see people like us and avoid people who don’t fit our mold. But Jesus died for ALL. We are called to reach the world - therefore no partiality - God wants them all.
Jesus is LORD - He is the New Covenant. Will we acknowledge His Lordship? He is the judge of the living and the dead. He is the Messiah, the Savior of the Nations, the Anointed Son of God who gave His life for all, rose, ascended and is coming back.
Spirit Guided Life - God is not in a box, He sets the agenda, not us. Everything needs to be the way He deems it!
Pastor closes with the questions:
- Are you listening to God’s Agenda for your life?
- Do Jesus and the Scriptures inform your daily living and actions?
- Do you sense and heed the Holy Spirit’s promptings?
This week’s READING ASSIGNMENT:
Acts chapter 10 - 11.
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