Today I'm going to try something a little different than normal. Usually something happens in my life that I feel is significant and carries a message that can impact others in a positive and maybe even others can relate to my life. I decided that today I'm going to pretty much tell you the sermon we had at church this evening, it was so true to my life and was EXACTLY what I needed to hear. I hope you all see why this message is so very important to all Christians. Enjoy! :)
What are people going to say about me when I'm long gone? Will I have inspired anyone to become a Christian and live a life like mine? Will they say that I lived my life to the fullest and took advantage of all the opportunities God threw at me? What are they going to say?
In the passage that we read (Acts 14), Paul and Barnabas are traveling and telling people of the gospel, just as Jesus had instructed them to do. Throughout the passage, there are three things that Paul and Barnabas know that helps them in their faith and the sharing of the gospel.
1. They trusted in the Lord.
"So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord" (v.3)
- There are going to be times in which nonbelievers and Satan will attempt to bring us down, but we must be bold in our faith and trust the Lord.
- If we simply just trusted the Lord that he would give us the words to say and the strength to share our faith, can you imagine how many people we could impact and share the gospel with?
- Sometimes people we try and share with will turn us down and shut us out. Does that mean that we should give up on them? On everyone? No, of course not. I can guarantee you that there will be at least one person with whom you try and share your faith with that will turn you down and attempt to tell you otherwise. KEEP GOING. BE STRONG. BE COURAGEOUS. DO NOT GIVE UP.
2. They knew who God was.
"Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the like nature with you" (v.15)
- We better make sure we know who God is in our lives. We tend to get so caught up in trying to get what we want in the material world and fail to realize that we are replacing God with earthly desires and wants.
- When Paul and Barnabas told the lame man to get up and walk and he did, they claimed it in the name of the Lord. They took no credit for themselves. Why? Because they know that God and only God has the ability to heal a man through words. They KNEW God.
- Here's an interesting thought: If the story of Jesus is not true, why didn't Paul and Barnabas take credit for the healing that happened? It's proof y'all. Proof that God is there.
3. They kept to the task.
"They continued to preach the gospel" (v.7)
- Whatever got in their way they simply "hurdled" over it and kept going.
- It's so easy to get off task these days. Phones, computers, tablets, social media, etc. If we find that we are in a relationship or putting school way up on our list, it doesn't necessarily mean that we are putting these things before God (if we keep ourselves in check about it) but in these things that mean so much to us, we have to use them for God's glory. Use them to glorify HIS name, not yours.
We have to find encouraging friends. Friends to share our faith with. To grow in our faith with. I call them "Faith Friends"
Another thought, when a tough time arises, are you going to lean on God or blame him?
So, be an encourager, jump the hurdles of life, and simply spread the word of the Lord. At the end of my life, I want to be able to stand before God and hear him say, "Well done my good and faithful servant."
"When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14: 21-22)
I needed this, thanks for sharing!
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