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  • The Living One - Week 27: Enemy Territory

    The Living One - Week 27: Enemy Territory
    2026/03/09
    Today's teaching is on enemy territory and the reality of spiritual warfare. In a fallen world the battle is not between people - it is between the Living God and the powers of darkness, It is between the Body of Christ and those under the spell of the devil. Ephesus was the center of worship of Artemis and also a hotbed of the occult, magic, eastern religions, drugs, alcohol and many of the same things we encounter in our world today. Ephesus is where Paul carried out some of his most important mission work and it is where God shows us some important lifetime truths through how He worked in Ephesus nearly 2000 years ago. Where we left off last week was with Paul spending two years teaching daily in the Hall of Tyrannus. Verse 10 of Acts chapter 19 tells us that all Jews and Greeks in the area heard the word of the Lord. Paul and others were training up believers to share their faith and so the Gospel message was shared all over Asia. During Paul's time in Ephesus he experienced more push back than ever before. God was doing extraordinary miracles through Paul and many were healed physically but Paul was also casting out demons and healing people from spiritual illness. DIVINE POWER We need to be connected to the Living God. Our faith is not to be a little bit of head knowledge, a song and a prayer. Our faith is to be life changing, it is to be the heart of who we are. Because God was doing amazing miracles through Paul, news traveled that Paul was not only healing physically but also doing spiritual battle and that He was healing in the name of Jesus. Ephesus was a town filled with evil but the DIVINE POWER of God was so obviously being displayed in the miraculous healings done in Jesus' name, that it caused the name of Jesus to be held in high honor and it caused a reaction of believers to openly confess what they had done as part of the evil in Ephesus. TAKE GOD SERIOUSLY A massive move of God caused people to take Him very seriously. Our faith molds and transforms us because we are delivered from bondage to sin and death. God offers deliverance from the power of the demonic and the things that can so easily destroy our lives. CLEANING HOUSE People who had practiced sorcery burned their scrolls publicly and the word of the Lord continued to spread and grow in power. as believers changed and non-believers become believers people grew and matured in their faith and suddenly began to realize they needed to do a house cleaning in their lives. God's Holy Spirit is gracious and reveals things to us as we grow and mature in faith. We are not fully mature the moment we believe - It is a life-long process. God's desire is that we clean house in our lives, in our homes, in anything that gets in the way of our love and worship of God, anything that controls us in ways that are dangerous and spiritually defiling. With all the awakening to the reality of the Gospel Power of Jesus and the importance of a God-pleasing life of faith, those who didn't have that faith were began to try to stop all that was happening in Jesus' name. WORLD VIEWS COLLIDE A worker who made silver shrines to Artemus was very concerned about his economic future in light of the amazing growth of Christianity. And so he spoke out publicly, drawing a crowd and the two sides began to collide. World views are colliding in our world today. The world view of our culture is: All that matters is me All that matters is what I want All that matters is that you don't stand in my way and say anything to upset me. The world view of the Bible is: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God God sent His one and only Son The Living God took on flesh and brought life and forgiveness through His sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection from the grave. In Jesus there is life, forgiveness and power. The power to live a new life. And so their two world views clashed then and they are still clashing today. We are called not to fight with human weapons, but to recognize the reality of spiritual war and to use the weapons of the Holy Spirit: Prayer Trust in God God's Word The power of our testimonies Today's scripture reading ends with the whole city in an uproar - both sides shouting and many joining in the near riot. CROWD FOLLOWERS It can be easy to just go along with the crowd Yet God warns us not to follow the crowd. Exodus 23:2 says, "Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong." Wise words for us today! Scripture: Acts 19:11-41, Ephesians 6:12 and Exodus 23:2 https://www.awakeusnow.com Check out the video on our website https://www.awakeusnow.com/living-one Check out the video on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOwUarSm3uJrzLI4thAJNXQj Watch via our ...
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    25 分
  • Questions - Week 17: When is the Rapture?

    Questions - Week 17: When is the Rapture?
    2026/03/08
    Pastor opens with a prayer for God to build unity among believers especially in the areas where we have differing opinions, that we would show grace to one another and humility before God. Pastor begins with the "rapture" passage in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, "After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will be with the Lord forever." "Will be caught up." This caught up is the rapture. "Will be caught up" is one word in Greek: harpazō (Latin was used to translate the Greek work and in Latin the word is rapiemur from which we get "rapture") Let's check out 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16 where Paul answers the question about Christian believers who have died, "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. According to the Lord's word we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ will rise first." These are encouraging words for believers, giving them the assurance of Jesus' Second Coming and the assurance of the resurrection of the dead, the gathering of the living and all going with Jesus in the air and of being with Him forever. If we take Paul's powerful words of summary of the Second Coming in these verses - it seems to be saying that the rapture occurs when Jesus returns, when the dead are raised and when we are all caught up in the air with Him. Paul goes on to say in verse 18: "Therefore encourage one another with these words." In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 we read that Christ comes at a time no one knows, and He comes not only to bring His people to Himself, but to bring judgement. Verses 4-6 goes on to tell us that we belong to the Light and not to the darkness and Paul calls us to understanding that Jesus can come anytime and that we should be ready and looking forward to His return. Common questions: What is all this talk about the Rapture - its referring to believers who have died in Christ and those who are alive when He returns and the risen dead and the alive will be united with Christ Will there be a rapture - Yes!!! Where is the rapture found in the Bible - In 1 Thessalonians 4 When will the rapture take place - at the Second Coming of Christ Will Christians go through the Tribulation - The word for tribulation is the Greek word thlipsis. It is used 45 time in the New Testament. (Suffering, persecution, tribulation) Pastor takes us on an exploration of the ways thlipsis is used in the New Testament by looking at: John 16:33 Matthew 24:21-22 Romans 5:3 1 Thessalonians 3:7 2 Thessalonians 1:4 Revelation 7:14 We see in these verses that tribulation is a reality, we read of the tribulation of others, of Jesus saying that in this world we will have tribulation, that there will be tribulation, and we read about glorying in our tribulations. Pastor shares the tribulation of the apostles, disciples, and early believers, and that throughout the centuries there has been tribulation of Christian people and in our day the tribulation that is attacking many believers around the world (kidnapped, raped, captured, hunted down, killed, ridiculed, put down, in fear of losing jobs, etc). Tribulation is real, it's a reality. the Bible doesn't say we will escape it, instead it says we will be persecuted. Our hope is not based on being taken out of tribulation, our hope is on the second coming of Christ. And the assurance that we will be raised on the last day and will live with Him forever. Believers have differing opinions - Pastor encourages us with what the Bible says: to maintain the peace of the Holy Spirit. To search the scripture to not get caught up in details that cause controversy to focus on the mission of bringing others to Christ Jesus is the only message of reconciliation and eternal life. That is our focus, labor, prayer and service. Bottom line …. The entire New Testament points to the Second Coming of Christ and urges us to live in such a way as to be always ready for His return. Pastor's closing prayer speaks of thanks to God for the Scriptures, while in them we don't find everything we want to know, the Scriptures do provide ALL that we need to know. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer Join us ...
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    25 分
  • Kings & Prophets: From Solomon to Jeremiah - Week 10

    Kings & Prophets: From Solomon to Jeremiah - Week 10
    2026/03/07

    Today we will be taking a look at 25 chapters that are both exciting and complex.

    The 25 chapters:
    1 Kings 15 - 22
    2 Kings 1 - 11
    2 Chronicles 17 - 22
    A period of approximately 33 years.

    As our study begins we see Ahab (874-853 BC) - is the ruler of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and Jehoshaphat (870-848 BC) - is ruler of Judah, the Southern Kingdom.

    There's good news and bad news from this period of 33 years… There was an alliance made between Israel and Judah. Bad news: 2 Chronicles 18:1 tells us, "Now Jehoshaphat (Judah) had great wealth and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab (Israel) by marriage." As we dig into this we see Ahab (Israel's worst King) was married to Jezebel, they had a daughter named Athaliah.

    We also see that Jehoshaphat had a son named Jehoram. Athaliah and Jehoram marry. This is the alliance between Israel and Judah, but the marriage brought great tragedy. Ahab invites Jehoshaphat to Samaria in Israel. Ahab tells him he wants land back that had taken from him and he wants Jehoshaphat to help him fight to get it back. Ahab has 400 false prophets that say he should attack Judah because he will be victorious. Jehoshaphat listens but requests a 2nd opinion. That 2nd opinion comes from a prophecy of Micaiah son of Imlah a prophet of the Living God. Micaiah tells them, "I saw all Israel was scattered on the hillside because the shepherd was gone." And what happens is that he is thrown in jail. Judah and Israel go to battle and attack Remoth Gilead and the bettle ends in great defeat for Israel and Judah. King Ahab is killed and one of his sons takes over his throne. About 5 years later we read in 2 Chronicles 21:1 that Jehoshaphat dies and his son Jehoram succeeds him as king of Judah. Additionally, in 2 Chronicles 21:4-5 we see Jehoram puts all his brothers to death in order to protect his throne.

    And now we see Elijah stepping in with a letter to King Jehoram. 2 Chronicles 21:12-13 we see Elijah tell Jehoram that he has not followed the way of his father and grandfather in following God and instead follows the worship and practices of idolatry of the Northern Kingdom. Jehoram has turned away from the God of David. Vs 13-14 he holds Jehoram accountable for killing his brothers, and tells him that he will become sick and die of disease. This is a warning to the way Jehoram is headed and it's God's call to stop and to come back to Him. But Jehoram continues to do what he had always done. So he dies and his son, Ahaziah, becomes King of Judah.

    Reminder: Athaliah is King Ahab and Jezebel's daughter. Ahab and his wife led Israel away from God. Their daughter Athaliah is married to Jehoram (King of Judah) and when Jehoram dies their son Ahaziah becomes King of Judah. The spiritual pollution of Israel has not only come down to Judah, it has taken the throne. The line of Ahab is on the throne in both Israel and in Judah. In Israel Ahaziah's uncle, Joram, is King.

    There is a second Battle of Remoth Gilead at this time. Ahaziah (King of Judah) and his uncle Joram (King of Israel) decide to do the battle again, expecting to win this time.

    Joram, King of Israel is severely injured in the battle, Ahaziah, King of Judah, goes to check on his uncle.

    2 Kings 9:1-3 Elisha has a man go to Remoth Gilead and anoint Jehu as King over Israel. The result is found in 2 Kings 9:22-23, Jehu confronts the Joram King of Israel and Ahaziah King of Judah at the bedside of Joram, Ahaziah's uncle, where he and Ahaziah are talking. Jehu says there can be no peace as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of Ahaziah;s mother Jezabel abounds. Joram flees and Jehu pulls out his bow and arrow and hits Joram in the back killing him. Jehu then chases Ahaziah wounding him. Ahaziah dies, too, and now both the King of Israel and the King of Judah are dead.

    I Kings 11:1 tells us that when Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah saw he son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family of Judah. She desired to eliminate the whole line of David through which the Messiah was to come.

    2 Kings 11:2 but the Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash, son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah; so he was not killed. And as a result a godly king will ultimately come to the throne against the desire of Ahaziah.

    Join us next week as our story continues!


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    25 分
  • The Living One - Week 26: Fully Instructed

    The Living One - Week 26: Fully Instructed
    2026/03/06
    This week's teaching shows us the importance of growth in faith. Today's scripture is on the story of Paul's mission work in the city of Ephesus. As he begins to meet people he asks several believers if they received the Holy Spirit when they came to faith in Jesus. Their response was no, that they had never heard of the Holy Spirit. Sadly, this is much the condition of the christian church in America today. The Holy Spirit has often been ignored. Paul learns that the Christians there had received John's baptism. They had heard the teachings of John the Baptist and had been baptized in a baptism of repentance. Paul taught them that the One (Jesus) that John had predicted was coming was here and this was Jesus. John had said that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Paul fills them in on Jesus, the one John had said was coming. So after hearing this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke in tongues. Today speaking in tongues has become very controversial. How do we deal with spiritual gifts? Spiritual Gifts Expired - A view that many have is that these once were, but have now ended with the end of the apostles and the end of the New Testament. But the TRUTH is that there is NO expiration on the gifs of the Spirit. We are to earnestly desire the gift of the Spirit. (1 Corinthian 12 and 14) And Jesus says in Luke 11:13 "…how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" There is nothing in the New Testament to indicate that these gifts have expired. Everyone - People say everyone has to have the same gifts or we all have to have the gift of speaking in tongues and yet the New Testament, in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul says that the Holy Spirit gives different gifts to different believers, that not all have the same gifts. Eliminate - Many desire the gifts of the Spirit be eliminated because they are controversial. This attitude is basically trifling with the gifts of God and in effect encourages the church to remain weak and spiritually deficient. However, Paul says to earnestly desire the gifts and don't forbid speaking in tongues. We need to take to heart what Paul says. The gifts aren't badges to impress others with our spirituality, but they are gifts from the Holy Spirit given to build up the body of Christ, encourage believers and to empower us to carry out the work God has given us to do. These opening verses of Chapter 19 of Acts - while controversial - show us that the gifts are still very important and require us to take a look at what the Bible actually says about them. We need to make sure we are allowing the scriptures to guide us rather than our own prejudices, our own practices and our own jealousies. As we continue looking at more of Paul's work in Ephesus where he spent around 3 years, we discover more that we can learn. In the synagogue, Paul spoke out boldly about the kingdom of God, but after 3 months, individuals refused to believe and began to publicly malign the teachings on Jesus the Messiah. So Pal moves from teaching in the synagogue to teaching daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus for the next two years so that all the Jews and Gentiles who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the God. Paul was a tireless worker for the Lord, but what was it that he shared with the people of Ephesus? We can discover the answer to this in his epistle/letter to the Ephesians. The Book of Ephesians Messiah - Firstly, Paul concentrated on sharing the Good News of Jesus the Messiah and that through Him we receive every spiritual blessing, we come to know the deep love of Jesus, that we are saved by grace, and to know the fullness of God. Maturity - Paul encourages us to grow in our faith, in our knowledge and love of Jesus our Savior. He shares how to not grieve the Spirit of God through impurity, but instead to grow in fellowship with God and to be filled with the Spirit. Paul also teaches to always give thanks for everything and to put on the full armor of God. In summary of today's text, Christ is to be in the center of our lives and we are to grow up in our relationship with Him. This is God's desire for His children. We do not want to hold to a form of religion and deny it real power. We want to hear the Holy Spirit's testimony We want to respond to what the Word of God has to say We want to live in a dynamic relationship with Jesus, that we might not only be blessed by Him but may be used by Him to be a blessing for others The Gospel message of Jesus transforms! It has POWER! We encourage you to read the book of Ephesians. Scripture: Acts 19:1-10 and 2 Peter 3:18 https://www.awakeusnow.com Check out the video on our website https://www.awakeusnow.com/living-one Check out the video on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOwUarSm3uJrzLI4thAJNXQj Watch via our app. Text HELLO to ...
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    25 分
  • The Living One - Week 25: Encouragement

    The Living One - Week 25: Encouragement
    2026/03/05

    God's word teaches endurance: how to face the difficulties and challenges of life. The Bible doesn't tell us we will get through life without difficult days and trials. God's Word gives us encouragement because God's word is true, it is genuine and it speaks directly into our lives.

    Paul at Corinth is a story that shows us how God gives His children encouragement even in the most difficult of times, difficult of places and the most trying of circumstances.

    Paul went on missionary journey to Corinth (in Greece) a very corrupt seaport city. They had a temple to Aphrodites and Paul found himself very discouraged at the evil he found there. But God brings encouragement in a way that teaches us to see the ways that God ministers to us in the darkest of days.

    Observations:
    Provision: Paul meets Aquila and Priscilla - God provides as he brings people into our lives who will minister and encourage us.
    Support: Silas and Timothy - God's support through colleagues that helped Paul be able to devote full time effort into preaching the Gospel.
    Opportunity: Jews from the synagogue didn't want Paul teaching any longer in the synagogue, so Paul went to a man's house next door to the synagogue and there he preached the gospel to the gentiles. Even in the difficulty of being rejected by the Jewish community, God gave Paul an opportunity to teach Gentiles.
    Assurance: Corinth was a difficult city to share the Gospel, but Jesus speaks by a vision to Paul, saying, "Do not be afraid - Keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you and no one is going to attack or harm you because I have many people in this city." God says this to you and me as well, "Don't give up because I am with you!" So Paul stayed in Corinth a year and a half teaching them the Word of God.
    Protection: There is dissension between the Jews going to synagogue and the Jews and Gentiles that believed in Jesus as the Messiah. Consequently, after teaching for 1 1/2 years, Paul was arrested and charged with the crime of practicing an illegal cult. They wanted him imprisoned or killed. But Gallia - the court judge - says the one bringing Paul to trial needed to figure things out on their own and that he would not rule on the charges, nor would he punish Paul and Gallia dismissed the case. God knows how to deliver His people! He did it for us at the cross! And the final victory is now ours. We win!

    Surprise!: Surprisingly, following the dismissal of the case against Paul, the Jews from the synagogue attack the synagogue leader and beat him up instead of Paul! God's additional surprise is that in 1 Corinthians 1:1 we read that this synagogue leader, Sethenese, becomes a believer in Jesus and part of the house church in Corinth.

    And God has surprises for us in the difficult times, too, because our God is a good and gracious God. He loves His children. He is always with us in difficult times and easy times. He brings joy and hope, endurance and assurance to those who call on Jesus, the Messiah, our Savior!

    Scripture: Acts 18:1-17, Romans 15:4

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    25 分
  • The Living One - Week 24: Unknown Known!

    The Living One - Week 24: Unknown Known!
    2026/03/04

    This account takes place on Paul's second missionary trip, on his trip to the city of Athens, A city that prided itself on knowledge and education, learning, culture and the arts. It was also a city filled with idols.

    As Paul looked around and saw all the idolatry it just really riled him up and he began passionately sharing the gospel message in the synagogues and even in the market places. He worked to draw people to Jesus and not to idols. His impassioned message caused much interest, but also much controversy.

    Paul teaches us to not give up - when we are confronted with issues or by people who reject what we believe we don't give up - we are kind, gracious, we are generous and merciful, but we can be encouraged by Paul's example. In this story we learn that we do not need to hesitate to say what we believe and why.

    Paul's persistence cases those listening to become curious. They ask questions and want to know more and more. While they were curious, they were still not wanting to believe. So Paul says that he noticed how "religious" they are, but what they took as a compliment Paul meant as a warning because what is necessary is a relationship with the Living God and not mere religious behavior.

    But stating he noticed their "religiosity" was a great starting point for keeping them listening. He tells about all the idols he's seen and points out an altar they have with the world, "to an Unknown God" on it. He points out to this group of people (who despised ignorance and prided themselves on wisdom) and goes on to say that he will tell them about the Unknown God. Paul will make the Unknowns KNOWN!

    Today many are influenced by an Unknown God:
    1. Never heard of Him
    2. Never understood anything about Him
    3. Never cared to know about Him
    4. Never believe in Him

    These were the issues Paul was facing - the same issues we face today.

    Paul goes on to say that the God who made the world is not a statue and is not confined to a building. He's not served by human hands (like their idols are) and it is God that gives everything life and breath. God, from one man, made all nations, thus showing His concern for all nations and that God has mapped out each nation's appointed time in history. Nothing that happens on earth happens without God's foreknowledge and without His plan coming to fruition.

    Paul's life had been transformed when he came to know Christ, and it is Paul's desire that these people experience that same thing.

    1. Talks about the natural knowledge of God which all have instinctively - that we innately know there must be a divine being.
    2. Talks about the revealed knowledge of God, that He has revealed Himself as Creator of all and loves us and desires we know Him.
    3. Tells them that having natural knowledge and revealed knowledge requires a response, that human ignorance is not overlooked by God.

    God calls us to repentance, making a U-turn in our lives and having a changed mind and attitude - re-directed lives. If God truly is God — He cannot be manipulated through statues. We are called to yield to Him.

    Paul ends with the story of Jesus Deity, Death, resurrection and Return. Without Jesus and a relationship of faith we are lost.

    God is God!

    Many listening to Paul repented and received relationship with the Living God through Jesus Christ - the Savior or ALL nations.

    The fruit of Paul's efforts were many becoming believers and followers of Jesus because Paul had the courage to share Jesus with them and confront them with TRUE Wisdom.

    Scripture for the message: Acts 17:16-34

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    25 分
  • Dig Deeper - Week 5: Holy Spirit - Old and New

    Dig Deeper - Week 5: Holy Spirit - Old and New
    2026/03/03

    In today's class we are going to do a little math! Come along with us as we look at the Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testaments.

    The word "Holy Spirit" in the:
    1. Old Testament - 3 times
    2. New Testament - 90 times

    The New Testament which is considerably smaller than the Old Testament uses the word "Holy Spirit" 30 times more frequently.

    The word "Spirit" + other expressions for Spirit:
    1. Old Testament - 74 times
    2. New Testament - 268 times

    It is clear that the Holy Spirit is being poured out!

    We are in the age of the Spirit! And doing the math makes that very clear! God is at work! May we be attentive!


    Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.

    View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class

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    Join us Sundays
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    Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.
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    6 分
  • The Living One - Week 23: Grace Alone!

    The Living One - Week 23: Grace Alone!
    2026/03/03

    As the church began to grow with believers both Jew and Gentile, a division between the two started, especially as Jews began to be out numbered by gentile believers who brought in their customs.

    Many gentile believers were God-fearers who believed in the Old Testament but weren't circumcised and didn't eat kosher, yet went to the synagogue to worship God. Other Gentiles were proselytes and were circumcised and ate kosher and followed rituals prescribed by the Hebrew Scriptures.

    As a result of the growing number of God-fearers, a division between Jew and Gentile began to grow. One group of Jews wanted to mandate circumcision and kosher eating so they brought the issue to the elders and apostles.

    Peter addresses the gathering with the story of how God had given the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles just as He had done for the Jews and that God did not discriminate between Jew and Gentile, because He gave them both faith. Peter then challenged the group to not test God because God had already made it clear that He gave the Holy Spirit and faith to gentiles just as He had for Jews. Peter concludes by saying that it's no longer Jew and Gentile. It's that both are now coming to faith in Jesus and are united by God's grace for both.

    We are only saved through Grace Alone! Not by how religious we are or because we've obeyed the commandments, or been good.... We are saved by grace and grace alone.

    The Cause of our salvation is that Jesus died for us.
    The Cause of our salvation is the grace of God in Christ (who reached in when we were God's enemies).
    It's all about grace through faith in Christ.

    The Result is we change - we grow and mature. Salvation is not earned, it's something we receive and it has a powerful impact in our lives. Growing and maturing are not the Cause of our salvation, they are the Result of it.

    When Peter had finished, James, Jesus' half brother, spoke and he said it was his judgement that they shouldn't make it difficult for gentiles coming to faith. James ends the gathering with encouragement to both Jew and Gentile to not stand in the
    way of what God was doing and not to offend each other by how each lived.

    Through the forthright words of Peter supported by James and through the power of the Holy Spirit, the division dissipated.

    This story has clear directives for us today with new believers, different cultures and those converted from other faiths.

    It teaches us that:
    1. We are Saved by grace alone, so we will not make requirements of others that Jesus did not make. We are not to judge.
    2. We are Saved by grace alone, so we will gladly restrict our freedom for the sake of others, so as not to offend.

    Grace alone motivates us to receive others the way God does, with His love and mercy because all of us have been saved by the grace of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

    Jesus is the key to knowing the Father. Many religions acknowledge God the Father but do not acknowledge God the Son and because they don't know the Son, they truly don't/can't know the Father. It is through Jesus that we come into relationship with the Father. Only knowing about the Father is just that, it's knowing ABOUT Him. When we receive Jesus into our hearts and what He did for us (death on the cross, victory over the grave, returning for us) when we receive Jesus, it takes us from knowing about the Father to KNOWING Him. That's when we finally step into relationship with the Father because it's then that we understand the Father's true character - one of grace and mercy and love. We see who the Father truly is when we know Jesus.

    John 14:7 - Jesus said, "If you really know me, you will know my Father as well."

    Scripture for the message: Acts 15:1-21

    https://www.awakeusnow.com

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    25 分