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Semi-Jews For Jesus: Acts 8-12
Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 20, 2009 (message contributor)
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1. The Transition From "Jews For Jesus” To "Semi-Jews For Jesus”
Contributed on Jul 20, 2009
Sometimes our routines keep God from working, so He brings change and even persecution to awaken us as to what He is doing.
The Transition from “Jews for Jesus” to “Semi-Jews for Jesus” (Acts 8:1-8) 1. People try playing all sorts of tricks. Two friends run into each other while walking their dogs. One suggests lunch. The other says, "They won’t let us in a restaurant with pets." Undeterred, the first guy and ...read more
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2. Simon Says
Contributed on Jul 20, 2009
If you want to get right with God, you had better humble yourself!
Simon Says (Acts 8:9-25) 1. Listen to this true story: "My father began teaching business classes at the local prison through a community college. On his first night of class, he started a chapter on banking. During the course of his lecture, the subject of ATMs came up, and he mentioned that, ...read more
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3. The Road Less Traveled
Contributed on Jul 27, 2009
Although evangelism can be a group event, sharing the Gospel with one person at a time is as ancient as the early church.
The Road Less Traveled (Acts 8:26-40) The History of Judaism in Ethiopia is fascinating, but uncertain. Ethiopia is different from every other country in Africa. Ethiopian Jews, Beta Israel, aka Falasha Jews, lived in Ethiopia for centuries. Where did they come from? Nearly 85% of the ...read more
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4. Becoming Blind To See
Contributed on Aug 3, 2009
Our Sovereign Lord is able to abduct, smite, and transform.
Becoming Blind to See (Acts 9:1-9) 1. Kokomo Tribune writer Scott Smith wrote an article for the Kokomo Tribune headlined, "Dam destruction part of Wildcat Creek’s revival." It reads: "The water upstream from the old Continental Steel dam looks almost stagnant. The streambed is deep, and the ...read more
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5. Awkward Obedience
Contributed on Aug 10, 2009
The Body of Christ functions best when individual believers have an attitude of "yes" toward God.
AWKWARD OBEDIENCE (Acts 9:10-19) 1. Life has its awkward or distasteful moments. A recent Time article read: 2. "Have economic times gotten so bad that some of the dead are going unburied? Several large counties across the country are experiencing unprecedented increases in the number of ...read more
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6. A Perplexing Faith
Contributed on Aug 19, 2009
When God works deeply in a life, spectators can become dizzy and confused.
A Perplexing Faith (Acts 9:19b-31) 1. PARIS (AFP) – Heart attack survivors who eat chocolate two or more times per week cut their risk of dying from heart disease about threefold compared to those who never touch the stuff, scientists have reported. …the new study, led by Imre Janszky of the ...read more
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7. Concentrated Conversions And Pushing The Envelope
Contributed on Aug 26, 2009
Sometimes God opens our hearts and minds to His will in increments.
Concentrated Conversions and Pushing the Envelope (Acts 9:32-43) 1. It seems that Philip had planted several churches around Joppa, and Peter was traveling to them to strengthen them and teach them. He came to an area near modern Tel Aviv, where our story takes place. Lydda is now know as Lud ...read more
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8. Something Good Is About To Happen
Contributed on Aug 31, 2009
Do we maintain a godly lifestyle even in the midst of ungodly environments? Are we like Cornelius? We can be.
Something Good Is About to Happen (Acts 10:1-8) 1. Many of you know that I am a big fan of Al Jolson. Did you know how I became a Jolson fan? It started with Ted Martin’s dad, Danny Martin… 2. Jolson - first superstar. First man to sell a million records. The man who was billed as "The ...read more
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9. It's A Jungle Up There!
Contributed on Sep 8, 2009
Not matter what the ethnic background, those who trust in Christ for salvation are our equals; we should seek to relate to all people groups.
It’s A Jungle Up There! (Acts 10:9-29) 1. Since the 2nd century, Christians and Jews began thinking of themselves as two separate religious systems. Christianity was for gentiles, but if a Jew became a believer in Jesus, he was considered an outcast. 2. It is still that way today. Here is ...read more
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10. Instantaneous
Contributed on Sep 14, 2009
Jews and Gentiles may be distinguishable peoples, but there is only one message and one way of salvation for all.
Instantaneous (Acts 10:30-48) 1. Gary Dougherty, a co-worker at RBC Ministries, was walking home from church one evening when he saw a young man coming from the opposite direction. A strong urge came over Gary to talk with him about becoming a Christian. He hesitated at first, but then he said ...read more
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11. Going Forward
Contributed on Sep 21, 2009
We must work to understand what God has revealed, but it takes determined people to put that truth to work.
Going Forward (Acts 11:19-30) 1. Sometimes in life we want to do something, but we feel awkward about it. 2. At a funeral, we sometimes have a sharing time; I usually say, "Nobody likes to be first, so who will be second?" 3. And sometimes we simply don’t make the changes we need to make ...read more
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12. Our Unpredictable God
Contributed on Sep 28, 2009
God chooses to let things happen or supernaturally intervenes based upon His own purposes.
Our Unpredictable God (Acts 12:1-23) 1. We love predictable sayings. In Texas, for example, they say, "Everything is big in Texas." But not always. 2. This week, we read of a special birth in Indonesia. Take note that Indonesia is not in Texas: KISARAN, Indonesia – Indonesia’s ...read more