Bethlehem Baptist Church

Jude 1:24-25

Last week was about staying strong in the faith. 

• v.17 “the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
• v.18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.”
• 20 Build yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God” 
• “wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.”

Read your Bible…Believe in the Lord ONLY

Study your Bible… Trust in the Lord ONLY

Know your Bible… Follow the Lord ONLY

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

• This is the doxology.
• Doxology means “a usually liturgical expression of praise to God” according to Webster’s website.
• We have examples of doxologies throughout scripture…some are:
• Romans 11:36 “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”
• Galatians 1:3-5 “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
• Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
• Philippians 4:20 “To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
• 1 Timothy 1:17 “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

This one here in Jude establishes everything that is right, perfect, and holy concerning our Lord Jesus. 

• Jesus is able to keep you from stumbling if you follow Him.
• Jesus is able to present you blameless because He took your sins upon Himself. 
• Jesus is full of glory and great joy because in His presence we are forgiven, and loved. 
• Jesus is God!
• God the Father
• God the Son
• God the Holy Spirit
• 3 divine persons in 1
• Jesus is our Savior, the one who ransomed himself for sinners.
• Jesus is Lord!
• Because Jesus is Lord to Him belongs glory, majesty, dominion, and authority. 
• Jesus has been before time began and will be through all eternity. 

Doxology:

Praise God from whom all blessings flow

Praise Him all creatures here below

Praise Him above ye heav'nly hosts

Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost

⁠Read Jude 1:8-23⁠

Read your Bible…Believe in the Lord ONLY

Study your Bible… Trust in the Lord ONLY

Know your Bible… Follow the Lord ONLY

v.8

• “These people” are the false teachers. The ones I’ve been warning you against. 
• They rely on themselves instead of God.
• They reject authority because they want control. 
• It’s all about them.
• They “blaspheme the glorious ones” which likely means they speak negatively about angels.
• These people think they are more in authority than they really are and it’s going to bite them. 
• False teachers don’t know their place. As an answer to this we get v.9.
• These false teachers think they are higher and more powerful than angels. We are not! Yet!
• We are currently lower than the angels.
• Jesus is talked about in Hebrews 2:7-9, which points back to Psalm 8, as being made “for a little while lower than the angels”.
• If we are not higher than Jesus, then it makes sense that we are lower than the angels also.
• The reason I said we are not higher than the angels yet…is that 1 Corinthians 6:3 says that “we will judge angels”, so when we get to Heaven we will be higher than the angels. 
• This is also why I don’t say when we die we become angels. 
• I know that it’s a comforting thought, but it lessens where God is bringing us to. 
• The false teachers think they cannot be touched by demonic forces but they can. 
• Never challenge the devil. (Example of preacher who said we should storm the gates of Hell.)
• You are inviting in evil to your life you do not want. 

v.9

• Even the archangel Michael knew it was not his place to cast judgement, speak ill of, slander, or use any of his own authority when dealing with the devil, nor was it his place to speak for the Lord. 
• Michael simply said “The Lord rebuke you”, which is from Zachariah 3.

v.10-16

• The general basis of this sections is what Jude says in v.10 and the first part of v.11.
• 10 But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. 11 Woe to them!
• You either belong to God and seek after His ways or you don’t. There is no in-between!

v.17-18

• We have been warned in the Bible, by the disciples of Jesus, all throughout scripture of false teachers, those who will come against us, and even of persecution. 
• Jesus Himself told us in John 15:20 “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”

v.19-21

• The world will always be the world.
• Nay-sayers will always exist. 
• We are to push through that and persevere in the Lord Jesus. 

v.22-23

• We are called to show mercy, as we have been shown mercy by Jesus. 
• We are called to save others…how?
• By speaking the Word of the Lord and sharing the Gospel. Planting seeds so that the Holy Spirit can do the work that is needed. 
• We are to show mercy with fear, if we don’t show mercy, that’s on us, God sees that. 
• We are to hate all sins!!! Not the sinners!!!
• There is a difference. 
• We must love, respect, and show the kindness of Christ Jesus to everyone. 

How do we do this?

Read your Bible…Believe in the Lord ONLY

Study your Bible…Trust in the Lord ONLY

Know your Bible…Follow the Lord ONLY

II Chronicles 15:1-2, I John 2:20-21, 27

I John 3:22-23, II Corinthians 1:22-24

The Unction starts your annointing by assisting you in recognizing God's PRESENCE!

Unction stirs your PASSION.

Unction states your PURPOSE.

Unction secures your PLAN.

Unction sources your POWER.

Jude 1:3-7

Last week we talked about how Jude lead us to contend for the faith because there were people who crept in and perverted the word and grace of God to the point that it would cause those they were speaking to to stumble and possibly fall away. 

These people Jude is speaking of, who pervert the grace of our God are false prophets.

• Wolves in sheeps clothing.

The ones being led astray would be those not firm in their faith right? 

Not everyone is as firm in their faith as they want to believe they are. 

There is only one way to be firm in your faith, and just showing up here on Sunday isn’t going to cut it. 

You have to open your bible and read it.

v.5 points to Jesus saving those out of Egypt. 

The OT doesn’t say this explicitly but it is implied. How?

• John 1:3 “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
• John 8:56–58 “Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
• Colossians 1:16 “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”

v.6 talks about the angels who didn’t stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling. 

• First some scholars believe these to be fallen angels and other believe these are the “sons of God” spoken about in Genesis 6.
• I believe these to be fallen angels and I believe 2 Peter 2:4 proves it.

• 2 Peter 2:4 says, “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;”
• These are not the “sons of God” from Genesis 6.
• These angels defied God and he smote them for it.
• He has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day.
• God sent the angels to Hell. 
• These were beings that were in the very presence of God and witnessed His mercy, grace, miraculous works on a daily moment by moment basis and they sinned against God.

Do not think yourself so high and mighty that you are firm in your faith and could not fall. 

• Jesus does all the work in you.
• The Holy Spirit lives in you to help you.
• God the Father extends His mighty hand to you.

v.7 Sodom and Gomorrah

• You can find the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19.

• The thing to remember here is that sin against God deserves death. 

• With the story of Sodom and Gomorrah we as Christians like to make it all about homosexuality.
• Is that what the story and the lesson is about? NO
• It is about sin…YES.
• Because the outcry of sin against the city was so great, God destroyed the entire city. 

How do you think the outcry of sin is against our world? Against the United States?

• What about Spencer County?
• Average of 19,000 people in Spencer County
• 8.5% of Spencer County goes to church. That’s roughly 1,600 people in the county. 
• Spencer County has 8.5% of its population attending church…so we’re safe right?
• The percentage gets worse when you figure in that not all attending church are Christians, there are those attending who are lost and those who think they are a Christian who aren’t. 
• It likely brings down the number to around 5.75% of Spencer County are believers and followers of Christ.
• We are in the blast zone!

What is the take away?

As your pastor…I want to remind you to:

• Read your Bible.
• Study your Bible.
• Know your Bible. 

A Reminder...

• Believe in the Lord ONLY  
• Trust in the Lord ONLY
• Follow the Lord ONLY

One last thing…

Help Spencer County! If you won’t do it here…how are you going to “go and make disciples of all the Nations?”

Man will let you down, pastors will let you down, I might even let you down. 

Jesus will NEVER let you down. 

Give you heart to Jesus and believe in HIM ONLY. 

Jude 1:1-4

What is the Book of Jude? Who wrote it and what is it about?

Written by Jude, the brother of James and Jesus.

You can find Jude mentioned in Matthew 13:55, and Mark 6:3

In both places Jude is called Judas, which in Greek translates to Jude. Not Judas Iscariot.

Jude was probably written in the mid-60s A.D. Considering the letter’s apparent Jewish perspective, Jude’s audience was probably Jewish Christians, or a mixture of Jewish and Gentile readers where the Gentiles were familiar with Jewish traditions.

The book is about “Contending for the Faith”.

Jude points out apostasy of the church and the false teachers/leaders who helped cause it.

What is Apostasy you asked? I’m glad you asked…

Webster’s Dictionary says, "An abandonment of what one has professed; a total desertion, or departure from one's faith or religion.”

Adrian Rogers said “a falling away from the faith” or “a turning from the faith”.

This is what we are going to be talking about over the next several weeks. The world around us is falling fast, but it didn’t just happen overnight. It has been falling since sin entered into, but even as we look over just the past 50 years or so, the world has fallen greatly. 

Jude starts out this epistle (letter of specific tone, typically instructional) gently.

He introduces himself, humbles himself calling himself a servant. 

Jude is connecting to his audience (Jewish Christians, probably some Gentiles how were followers).

Jude points out that those whom the Lord has called in a close relationship with the God the Father will be kept and protected from in Jesus. 

Protected from what? We’ll get there.

v.2, again this is just introductory and a blessing too whomever is reading this letter. 

Mercy, Peace, and Love of the Lord our God to you.

Now we change the tone of the letter. 

Notice the word necessary in v.3.

Jude was eager to write about salvations that were happening and join in the joy. 

However, Jude found it necessary to write about contending for the faith.

Fighting for the faith, staying true to the faith, not being lead astray in any way. 

The truth of the Bible was “once for all delivered to the saints.”

If you are a professing Christian who has devoted themselves to following Jesus Christ then you are one of the Saints. 

Jude points out that certain people have crept in, unnoticed. 

Who are they?

Jude describes them as “designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

These are false teachers. 

They are everywhere. Especially on TV and the Internet. 

Not all are false, I’m on the internet. 

You have to be cautious about who you listen to, what they teach…does it align with God’s word?

We are to live IN the world, not OF the world. 

How do you live IN the world, and not OF the world? How do you stay away from false teachers and know the truth?

To know the answer to that, YOU HAVE TO BE IN AND READING GOD’S WORD!!!!

Christians who don’t have a good excuse for missing church are what I call “faith-based”. 

What is faith-based? 

It’s when Jesus isn’t important enough to put first and we’re afraid of offending people more than offending God!

BETHLEHEM BAPTIST CHURCH IS NOT FAITH-BASED…WE ARE FAITH-FILLED IN JESUS CHRIST AS OUR LORD! 

We aren’t afraid to say so…

Contend for the Faith:

Read your Bible

Study your Bible

Know your Bible

Romans 6:10-11, 1 Corinthians 15

Saving Grace: Because of Jesus

Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Why do you wait?: Because of Jesus

Jesus will make us new again, that is worth waiting on.

We have a home prepared for us, that is worth waiting on.

Resurrection Power!: Because of Jesus

Jesus has resurrection power!

We who have professed faith in Jesus have the Holy Spirit living in us!

We have resurrection power of Jesus in us!

Take this to HEART!!!

Saving Grace: Because of Jesus

Why do you wait?: Because of Jesus

Resurrection Power!: Because of Jesus

Acts 8:26-40, Acts 22:16

Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Acts 8:26-40 “Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: 

“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.”

34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

Why Do You Wait? Here is the Water!

Acts 2:38 “And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Why Do You Wait? You can receive the Holy Spirit!

Acts 22:16 “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’”

Why Do You Wait? Just call on the Name of Jesus!

Ephesians 2:1-10

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Romans 5:18-21 “Therefore, as one trespass (Adam’s sin) led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness (Jesus death on the cross) leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience (Adam) the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience (Jesus) the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Read: Ephesians 2:1-10

Saving Grace: Means you were DEAD!

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 

Saving Grace: Restored you to LIFE!

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 

Saving Grace: Is a GIFT!

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Acts 1:8, John 15:16-17

2023 Vision: By Faith

***Missional Mindset: We are commanded to GO!***

Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Psalm 96:3 “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!”

Romans 10:9-15 “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

***Missional Mindset: You were chosen to Go!***

John 15:16-17 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.”

***Missional Mindset: GO Witness with Power***

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Joshua 24:14-15

***Father’s: Make a choice and stand by it***

*** Father’s: You were once lost too***

***Father’s: Be the Spiritual Leader God called you to be***

Joshua 24:15 “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Exodus 14

• God is in control.
• God is setting the scene for where you are going. 

“God didn’t remove the Red Sea, He parted it. Sometimes God doesn’t remove your problems, He makes a Way through them!”

That Way was Jesus, and Jesus is still the Only Way!

John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

1 Peter 4:7-11

Time:

Ephesians 5:16 “making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

James 4:14 “yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

Proverbs 16:3 “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

Why?

2 Corinthians 6:2 “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Gifts:

James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

Romans 11:29 “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Why?

Acts 2:38 “And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Talents:

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Ephesians 4:11-12 “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ”

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.”

Why?

Romans 12:4-8 “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”

1 Peter 4:7-11 “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Mark 12:41-44

***When giving to God: Honor God with your giving***

Genesis 14:19-20 “Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.”

Genesis 28:22 Jacob promises to give a 10th to the Lord, “And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.”\

***When giving to God: Do NOT steal from God***

Malachi 3:6-12

6 “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. 7 From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ 8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.”

***When giving to God: Model your giving***

1 Corinthians 16:2 “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.”

Luke 16:10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”

***When giving to God: Do not be anxious about your giving***

Matthew 6:25-34 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[a] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

***When giving to God: Give from your heart***

Mark 12:41-44 “And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Who typically is more giving than your mother (or maybe grandmother)?

***A Mother’s Giving Heart - should be honored***

Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” 

***A Mother’s Giving Heart - should be remembered***

Isaiah 49:15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.”

***A Mother’s Giving Heart - should be learned***

Proverbs 1:8-9 “Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching, 9 for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.”

***A Mother’s Giving Heart - should be cared for*** 

John 19:25-27 “but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.”

***A Mother’s Giving Heart - loves, cares, and endures for you***

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Acts 5:1-11

Statistics:

247 million people in the U.S. claim to be Christian. (2018)

1.5 million professing Christians in the U.S. tithe. (Less than 1%) (2018)

The average tithe for an American is 2% of their income. (2018)

Tither’s make up about 10-25% of the church congregation.

The average adult in US Protestant churches gives $17.

7% of church goers have dropped their giving by 20%.

Christian families making less than $20K/year, 8% gave 10% of their finances.

Christian families making $75K/year, 1% give 10% of their finances.

1. Giving Attitude of Obedience
2. Giving Hearts (Mother’s Day)
3. Giving Financially
4. Giving Time, Gifts, and Talents

Why do we give? Is it Biblical?

Genesis 4:2-7 

“Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

Genesis 14:19-20 Abram gave to Melchizedek (Type of Christ but not Jesus, parallels to Christ)

“And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”

Genesis 28:22 Jacob promises to give a 10th to the Lord.

“And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.”

Leviticus 27:30, 32 Moses

30 “Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the Lord's; it is holy to the Lord. 

32 And every tithe of herds and flocks, every tenth animal of all that pass under the herdsman's staff, shall be holy to the Lord. 

Acts 5:1-11 

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

Points:

We Give:

• because it belongs to the God 
• out of obedience to God

Acts 22:22-29

Trials and Persecutions

1 Peter 4:12-14

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

John 15:18-20

18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

Acts 22:22-29

22 Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” 23 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, 24 the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. 25 But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” 26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” 27 So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” 28 The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.” 29 So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.

Rest and Peace

Matthew 11:28-30 

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Romans 5:1 

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Testimony Sunday: Life in Jesus…(Acts 22:6-16)

6 “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ 9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. 10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ 11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.

12 “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Romans 10:9-10 “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 5:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”

John 11:25-26 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Acts 22:1-5, 19-20

“Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”

2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:

3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.

19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ 

Ephesians 4:22-24 

22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ezekiel 36:26-27

26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

Luke 24:1-6

Read Luke 24:1-6

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen.

1 Peter 1:3-4

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

Romans 10:9

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 8:11

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Acts 24:15

Having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

Romans 6:8-11

Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Resurrection proves…

1. Jesus is ALIVE!
2. Jesus still SAVES!
3. Jesus is our LIVING HOPE!

Mark 11:1-10

• Do not make the mistake of Assumption vs. Assurance.
• Assumption is a risk, without proof
• Assurance is a guarantee, a promise
• Hebrews 10:22 “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
• Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
• Colossians 2:2 “That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ,”

• Be cautious about making assumptions when it comes to your salvation.
• Your eternity, my eternity should not rest on an assumption. 
• Instead put your complete trust in the Lord Jesus.
• Celebrate this Palm Sunday Jesus Christ who came to save you and me. 
• Celebrate this Palm Sunday by giving yourself fully to Jesus today. 
• Celebrate this Palm Sunday being made new. 

Genesis 22:1-13

It takes Faith…to wait on the Lord

It takes Faith…to trust in the Lord’s plan

It takes Faith…to walk the Lord’s path

It takes Faith…to respond to the Lord

It takes Faith…to hear the Lord

Acts 9:10-19

10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. 

• Not much is known about Ananias. This is basically it. 
• Mentioned again in Chapter 22

The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 

• The Lord here is Jesus. 
• Ananias answers absolutely correct, “Here I am, Lord.”
• This echoes Abraham in Genesis 22 when the Lord commanded Abraham to sacrifice Issac.
• Also Isaiah 6 where he said, “Here I am! Send me.”
• v.11 Specific Instructions: Get up, go here, do this… 
• not typically the way we receive callings. 

***Blind Faith - leads to obedience***

• The best part of this is that Ananias is a disciple of the Lord. 
• In this case it means he is a follower of Jesus. 
• Not an Apostle
• Not one of the 12 disciples
• So a follower of Jesus was chosen to do the will of Jesus to lay hands on Saul and restore his sight. 

13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 

• Fear is real, even for the most devout Christian.
• Ananias has heard about Saul and had good reason to fear him.

***Blind Faith - triumphs over fear***

• Jesus calls Ananias to obedience and to trust in Him over his fears.
• Proverbs 19:23 “The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.”
• Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
• Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.

***Blind Faith - achieves God’s vision***

• Not only did Paul receive his sight but he received much more.
• Paul was a chosen instrument
• “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine…”
• Moses at the burning bush…to confront Pharaoh
• Abraham to sacrifice Isaac…to kill his son
• Noah to build the Ark…to build a boat when there was no flood
• Jonah to go to Nineveh…to preach to the Assyrian people who Jews despised
• v.15 Paul will “carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.”
• Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Hebrews 11:23-29

Faith chooses:

-spiritual persecution over earthly pleasure.

-heavenly riches over earthly riches.

-the fear of the Lord over the fear of man.

-God’s provision over man’s resources.

-God’s word over current circumstances.

John 21:20-25

You Follow me!

What are you sacrificing to follow Jesus?

• Or are you just living in the world?
• Matthew 19:16-22 “And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

Are you decreasing so Jesus can increase?

• John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
• John the Baptist said this.
• The one who wore a garment of camel’s hair and ate locusts and wild honey.
• He said he must decrease so that in him Christ can increase.
• How much more could John the Baptist possibly decrease?
• Notice what John the Baptist didn’t say…
  • He didn’t say compare yourself to me
  • He didn’t say you have to do what I’m doing
  • He said “I must decrease”
  • We must tune our hearts to the Lord to know what we must do.

Are you truly, truly, following Jesus?

• Only you know the answer.
• It’s not for me to convict or to condemn you in your walk with Jesus.
• I leave that to the Holy Spirit. I desire only for you to know the Word of the Lord and be prepared when you stand before Him.

John 1:1-5

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 20:30-21:19

Do you love me?: 

1. Claiming to love Jesus is easy.
2. Sin is easy; Loving Jesus is hard.
3. Show Love by Following Jesus.

• Will you follow Jesus?
• Do you love Jesus enough to follow Him?
• Will you commit your life even to the point of death to follow Jesus?

Do you Love Jesus?

• Stand up if you love Jesus
• Follow Jesus!

John 20:19-29

Do you doubt?

1. The miracles that Jesus did?
2. That Jesus suffered and died for you?
3. That Jesus rose from dead?
4. That Jesus is alive?

Jesus is ALIVE

John 19:16-20:10

1. First hand accounts of the events of Jesus death and resurrection.
2. Many died for proclaiming Jesus as the Christ.
3. Prophecies about Jesus have been confirmed.
4. Jesus is the truth that will set you free.