Introduction

Good morning, family! Isn't it a blessing to be gathered here in the house of the Lord? I’m thrilled to share with you this morning and I can't wait for us to get into the Word.

And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus. When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying: 'There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix, about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him.'

This passage is a powerful one, and it's going to guide us as we look at three main points today: The Necessity of Sacrifice for Elevation, Understanding the Value of Time and Talents, and finally, the Power of God.

Now, I want to bring to your attention a quote by A.W. Tozer, a man who was a mighty vessel for God. He once said, "God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which he must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves." This quote speaks to our second point about understanding the value of time and talents. We'll get more into that later.

But before we get into the meat of our message today, let's bow our heads and talk to our Father.

Dear Lord, we are grateful for another opportunity to gather in your name. As we open up your Word today, we ask that you open our hearts and minds to receive what you have for us. Guide us, Lord, as we seek to understand your Word, and help us apply these lessons to our lives. We love you, Lord, and we give you all the glory. In Jesus' name, we pray, amen.

Alright, folks, are you ready to get into this? Let's go!

The Necessity of Sacrifice for Elevation

In the book of Acts, we see Paul, a man who had given up everything for the sake of the Gospel. He was a prisoner, not because he had committed a crime, but because he had chosen to follow Jesus. He had sacrificed his freedom, his comfort, and his status in society. Yet, in the midst of all this, he was elevated. Not in the eyes of the world, but in the eyes of God and those who believed in Jesus.

Sacrifice is often seen as a negative thing: It's seen as giving up something we want or need. But in the kingdom of God, sacrifice is a pathway to elevation. It's a pathway to a deeper relationship with God and a greater understanding of His purpose for our lives.

Firstly: We see that sacrifice is a necessary part of our spiritual growth. Just like Paul, we are called to give up certain things in order to grow in our relationship with God. This could be giving up certain habits, certain relationships, or certain comforts. These sacrifices may be difficult, but they are necessary for our spiritual growth. They help us to let go of the things of this world and cling to God.

Secondly: Sacrifice is a demonstration of our love for God. When we sacrifice something for God, we are showing Him that we love Him more than the thing we are giving up. This is a powerful demonstration of our love for God and it brings us closer to Him.

Thirdly: Sacrifice is a way of aligning our will with God's will. When we sacrifice our own desires and plans for God's desires and plans, we are aligning our will with His. This alignment brings us into a deeper relationship with God and helps us to understand His purpose for our lives.

Fourthly: Sacrifice is a way of experiencing God's grace and mercy. When we sacrifice something for God, we often experience His grace and mercy in a new and powerful way. This experience can lead to a deeper understanding of God's love for us and a greater appreciation for His grace and mercy.

Understanding the Value of Time and Talents

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we often forget the importance of time and talents ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO