The Journey to Jerusalem

Paul's Third Missionary Journey - spent 2 years in Ephesus, left after a major riot, visited other churches already established, then headed to Jerusalem. 

Acts 20:16, 22-25

The journey to Jerusalem = historical narrative.

Acts 21:1-4 = "through the Spirit"?  who's right?  Paul or disciples?
      (1)  Spirit is saying "persecution lies ahead"  (all agree)
      (2)  Disciples say "maybe can be avoided"
Note:  Prophecy is not always pre-determined   Example:  Jonah and Nineveh  (this was conditional)
BUT  (3)  Paul knew .... he must go on to Jerusalem - regardless of the outcome.

When God gives you clear, personal, specific instruction...... stay with it!! 
Search the Word, question God, ask advice and counsel ... but finally and ultimately follow Him!!!

Acts 21:5-9 - Phillip  (1)  one of the 7  (see Acts 6)
                                (2)  First (besides Christ) to carry the Gospel to Samaria  (Acts 8)
                                (3)  led the Ethiopian Eunuch to Christ (baptized him) who then carries the Gospel to N. Africa  (Acts 8)

Was that the last we've seen of him?   Acts 8:40
On one hand, this was a most valuable player who dropped out of sight 20+ years ago!
However, (apparently) he was still faithful; still serving!  Still a man of consequence.

Bloom where God plants you!
May be exciting!   may be drab and dull!  But the call = Same!!
IF God offers new places, positions, opportunities ... go for it!!
Meanwhile...serve and be satisfied!!
Matt. 25:20-23 - commendation and reward was the same for 5 talents as well as 2 talents!

Acts 21:10-22 - Ugly Rumors!  Saying:  Paul preaches against (1) Jewish religion, ritual, lifestyle
                                                                                               (2)  the Law  (3)  the TEMPLE

Fact is:  (1)  Paul did teach Gentiles NOT obligated to Ceremonial Law
             (2)  did teach that Jewish lifestyle did not bring salvation!!

Therefore, IF accept Christ..... are free to Keep the Law... or Not!!  

IMPORTANT DISTINCTION:  ie.  free from Ceremonial Law, not the MORAL LAW!!  The Moral Law still stands today for all people everywhere!!

So... Acts 21:23-24, 26
how Christian Jews took this?  (we don't know)
But, non-Christian Jews caused another riot!!!  Acts 21:27-32

If you follow Jesus, you're going to offend some people!  (maybe annoyed, irritated, angry, hostile)

WHY??  in summary --- John 14:6

The Gospel says ... (1)  Jesus - right way and ONLY way
            therefore    (2)  if you haven't accepted Christ ... you = WRONG!!!
               AND      (3)  you are NOT right with God!!  (which = I Am!  holier than thou!")

Therefore, to the Non-believer ... the Gospel is Personally offensive!

So... (1)  if you haven't accepted Christ ... you are NOT right with God - this is not a Baptist message, not a Christian message, it is Jesus' message!!

       (2)  don't be surprised if the Gospel (and God's Word) offends you!!!     

       (3)  Accept, follow and "Bloom where you're planted!"   

       (4)  Make Him the LORD of your life!!  

Closing Scripture:  2 Tim. 4:1-5

Every Dad's Fight

 Nowadays dads are portrayed on the media as dorky, evil or toxic, absent.  BUT, don't let them lie to you --- Dads are really important.

Some statistics:  

US Census Bureau - 17.8 million kids which = 1 in 4, have NO biological, step or adoptive father in the home.  in 1960, 91% of kids had both parents at home.

NFI shows greater risk of suicide,  more likely to drop out of school and commit suicide.  AND, is not just enough to be around. 

Univ. of Pennsylvania found children who feel close relationship, warmth with father - 75% less likely teen pregnancy, 80% less incarceration, 50% less depression.

PEW found that the US has the highest rate of single parent households in the world.  More than 3 times the world average.  And, sadly, no difference among Christians and non-Christians.

Is the above due to political and entertainments, or a grass movement of degeneracy.  Top down, or bottom up!  Tend to lean more to top down but we took the bait that politics and entertainments dished out.

Either way, good dads stand in the way of the schemes of the devil.  You are either the last hope or the cause of society's problems.

In Ephesians 6, the armor of God appears right after God's directions for families.

Today, EVERY DAD'S FIGHT.
Do you want to protect your children? Lead your family?  Be the man and father God called you to be?

Deut. 6:1-5 - you must know God yourself
1)  You must love and fear the Lord. - Prov. 1:7, Prov. 8:1, John 15:5 - every man must come to a point in his life where they realize that they need something/someone besides himself.
2)  Understand you set the tone for generations - Deut. 6:2, Deut. 4:9

Deut. 6:6
3)  You must study and know God's Word - Psm. 119:105 - "Thy Word is a lamp....."   Josh. 1:8

Deut. 6:7-8
4)  You are the pastor/shepherd of your family
        a)  Feed sheep - John 21:17 - spiritual formation, character, Theology
        b)  Protect them from wolves - Paul - Eph. elders - Acts. 20:26-31  Wolves are friends, teachers, social media internet, tv, Christian circles
       c)  Your life needs to match up with your message - 1 Tim. 4:16

Deut. 6:20-25
5)  Recognize God is with and for the Christian Dad - Prov. 13:13   Prov. 14:25-27 - Joshua before promise land and Jesus before ascension.

Challenges:

Establish Defensive Strategy - (discipline, guarding them on phone, social media, friends)
     "        Attack Plan - (scripture, prayer, worship)
     "        Unit Cohesion Program  (love, relationship)
     "        Personal Training Regimen  (salvation, Scripture reading, memorization, prayer, worship, repentance)

Children:  Pray for your dad. -  Honor, respect and love the dad that's trying like that.

Closing Scripture:

Eph. 6:10-17

 

Parenting: The World's Greatest Children's Ministry

 Mark 10:13-15  Matt. 18:5-6  Children matter to Jesus.  God has a heart for children.  Children's Ministry matters.    The disciples probably thought they were doing a good thing by keeping the children from Jesus.

There is no greater responsibility than your own children/grandchildren, and no greater opportunity than in the home.

In a Barna Group survey, 94% of confessing Christians said they came to know the Lord under the age of 18.  Of those, the majority (75%) were under 14.   Key person leading them were parents or a close family member.

Salvation belongs to the Lord, but your children/grandchildren are your main ministry targets.  More important than job, hobbies, and other ministry.

So, where do we start?

1)  Give your heart to Jesus.  1 John 4:7-11 - you can't show the love of God if you haven't received the Lord of God.

2)  Pray.  Pray without ceasing, pray continuously, Phil. 4:6-7 but also pray with them, let them hear your heart.  Learn how to pray from hearing you.  There is no substitute for prayer.

3) Train.  Eph. 6:4  Discipline, instruct, admonish, nurture, train, teach, shape their minds, their morals, their actions, and hearts.  Teaching The What and The How but also The Why.  

4)  Discipline - Prov. 13:24 - kids crave boundaries,, security, safety, comfort

5)  Invest time.   Deut. 6:4-7 - It's always a good time.  The greatest teacher = Jesus.  He taught using illustrations, ie:  the lilies of the field, fowls of the air.  He brought the disciples along teaching as they traveled - taught in parables, as they were fishing, eating, walking, ministering, boat riding,   Asked and answered questions, gave illustrations.

6)  Be real.  1 John 1:8-10 - Don't glamorize your previous sinful lifestyle/behavior.  Is OK to admit you are wrong and ask forgiveness.  You should!  Model the faith for them.  1 Cor. 11:1  Your children will imitate you.

Lifeway survey:  Themes - Reading the Bible several times a week.
                                        Taking part in service project or Mission Trip as a family
                                        Sharing faith with unbelievers
                                        Encouraging Teenagers to serve in church
                                        Asking forgiveness from children.
                                        Encouraging children in their unique talents and interests.
                                        Taking annual family vacations.
                                        Attending church together.
                                        Teaching children to tithe.

Is a difficult time to be a youth.  Difficult time to raise a youth.  God can do an amazing work though young people.  Samuel was dedicated to God at a young age.  He served Him faithfully.  He heard from God, at a time when that was rare.  He was raised up to replace evil.

A couple truths for our young people.

1)  Your friends are Morons  from Moros meaning foolish.  Matt 7:26-27
2)  Your parents can have VALUABLE INSIGHT.  Prov. 1:8-9
3)  You are called to honor and obey your parents.  Eph. 6:1-3
4)  You can be a great witness to your family.  1 Pet. 3:1-2 - siblings, even parents
5)  No one can bring joy or grief to your parents like you.  Prov. 10:1

God is pleased with a harmonious home.  Let's strive for that.

Challenges:

Read through Proverbs with your children
Spend tech-free time together
Find a way to serve the Lord together
Plan a trip together
Pray for each other and pray together