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Sermon Notes for "Stand Firm" Series
Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at 03:40PM We are still having audio problems that are preventing us from posting all of the sermon audio. We apologize to all of our listeners and are working hard to get the problems resolved. Meanwhile, I will be posting the sermon notes for each message that cannot be posted in audio format. Below are all four of those messages from our most recent series.
Stand Firm Sermon II:
Maintaining the Right Attitude Throughout Persecution
Story: Shahbaz Bhatti
1. What is REAL persecution? (Not selfish desire or enduring sinfulness)
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. -- Acts 12:16-24
2. Maintaining the right ATTITUDE.
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?” -- Acts 12:25-30
3. God's purpose in persecution.
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. -- Acts 12:31-39
Application: If, and when, you find that you are in the midst of true Christian persecution, remember to maintain the sweet spirit of Christ, because of all Christ has done for you, and what He is trying to do for others.
Stand Firm Sermon III:
What NOT To Do!
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. -- Matthew 16:24-25
1. Peter's Denial (watching my brother)
- Threat of Imprisonment and/or Physical Harm
15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in. 17 “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. -- John 18:15-18
How many of us, if placed in a similar situation, would react differently? Are we prepared to face imprisonment and/or physical harm for our faith?
- Threat of Social Rejection or Awkwardness (moms haircuts)
25 Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.” 26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow. -- John 18:25-27
How many of us, is placed in a social setting, would think twice before mentioning our faith? Now I'm not talking about in a Christian social circle, but outside of that comfort zone, would the threat of social rejection or awkwardness put you off your faith?
2. Judas Betrayal
- Trading your allegiance to Christ for money (fear factor snakes)
14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. -- Matthew 26:14-16
47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. -- Matthew 26:47-49
Would you betray Christ for money? Think long and hard before you answer! Think about the type of work you are willing to do, to the lengths you may go in order to please your boss, and even to the morality of your financial decisions. It's a more difficult question than you might think.
26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. -- Matthew 16:26-27
Stand Firm Sermon IV:
What did Christ Stand For?
In our last three messages we covered how to react to and endure persecution, maintaining the right attitude during persecution, and were warned not to give in to social pressure, fear, or the love of money. We were encouraged to "Stand Firm" for what we believe to be right in the eyes of God. Today we are going to ask the question, "What did Christ stand for?", and hopefully as followers of Christ we will seek to emulate His example.
Christ stood for LOVE! Specifically He stood for loving people and I want to take a look at His behavior up to and during His crucifixion to learn exactly how He chose to love others.
1. Don't forget there are TWO Components to this scripture!
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” -- Matthew 22:37-40
2. Jesus stood for peace.
51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. -- Matthew 26:51-52
3. Jesus stood for mercy.
53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? -- Matthew 26:53
4. Jesus stood for forgiveness.
32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. -- Luke 23:32-34
While Jesus was demonstrating love through being a peacemaker, showing mercy, and forgiving others, He was also accomplishing God's ultimate goal, rescuing the world, ALL PEOPLE, from the consequences of their sin. He died for us, all of us, because He loves us! Jesus stood for love. We should stand for love.
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