This teaching is on Acts 14:8-22, "Incident in Lystra," and is an account on idol worshipers. We are living in a time of great idolatry and how do we as followers of Jesus respond, react, and live?

In today's story, Paul is teaching about Jesus in the town square of Lystra and sees a man lame from birth, but Paul also sees the man has great faith and Paul says, "Stand Up and Walk" and the man is healed.

While this story is nearly 2,000 years old, God has not changed and God still moves in remarkable ways. So let's take note of the following OBSERVATIONS FROM THE STORY:

1. The Power of the Messiah - the power of faith in Jesus. We see the testimony that All Authority has been given to Jesus the Messiah and in His name this man was healed and God still heals today.
2. Inherently Religious Nature - human beings are inherently religious, longing for a power higher than themselves, a need. People find something to worship in their lives because we need purpose. We look for meaning for our lives in someone, something or in ourselves - a need to find something for our focus.
3. Created to Worship - We long for things greater than ourselves or things that matter most in our lives. People worship many deities today - we think we've outgrown idols, but we worship what those very idols of old represented: power, money, sports, sex, politics, living for things. How does a follower of Jesus respond to these, how do we deal with the pull of idolatry? Do we turn away? Engage? Do we demonstrate by our actions and words the power of God in our lives and do we worship Him alone?
4. Living God is Creator - at this time in history there is more evidence for the existence of our Creator than ever and that evidence points to the existence of God! Do we point people to the Living God, our Creator, and help them see we are created? This is a springboard to sharing the message of Jesus Christ. Without Jesus people are lost forever.
5. Gospel Proclamation - Paul was stoned and left for dead. He left Lystra and headed to Derba. However, he returned to Lystra to share the good news of Jesus because he had a passion to share Jesus and had compassion for the lost to know Jesus as their Savior.
6. Reality of Hardship - Paul and Barnabus knew there would be difficult times, but they held to the truth of God's assurance that He will take even the difficult times and turn them around for His glory and our good. It can be hard to be a follower of Jesus, but it is worth it.

And this Lystra story continues in a later chapter of Acts... In Chapter 16 we meet Timothy - a man Paul meets on his return trip to Lystra. God uses, to His glory, all that Paul suffered in Lystra the first time, as we see Paul become a spiritual father to Timothy. We learn more about Timothy later in Acts.

Today, many are blinded by idolatry and have lost sight of the Living God (who delivers us through Jesus His Son) so it's important for us to practice what we learn from early missionaries as we share Jesus and honor, worship and serve the Living God.

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The answer? EVERYONE!

The Holy Spirit is found in the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament the Spirit came mainly to specific people for specific purposes, but there was the foretelling of the Spirit being poured out in abundance - an age of the Holy Spirit ushered in by Jesus. Jesus the Messiah ushers in the Age of the Holy Spirit.

Mark 1:7-8 John the Baptist tells us, "And this was his message: "After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

Acts 1:8 Jesus tells us, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Acts 2:16-17 "this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: "'In the last days, God says,
 I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
 Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
 your young men will see visions,
 your old men will dream dreams."

One of Jesus' teachings on the Holy Spirit is found in Luke 11:9-13:
A.S.K.:
Ask - for the Holy Spirit and you will receive
Seek - the Holy Spirit and you will find it
Knock - and the door will be opened

Jesus' desire is that the Holy Spirit is moving in each of our lives.

Then Jesus ends this teaching with Luke 11:13 "So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him."

Jesus is not rebuking us - He's inviting us to live in the power of the Holy Spirit. His desire is to have the Holy Spirit poured out on all of us.

The Holy Spirit in the disciple's life:
1. Romans 8:5-6. "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." We are to allow the Holy Spirit to lead and direct our lives. We are invited to let go and let the Spirit of God take control of our thoughts, behaviors, prayers and lives.
2. 1 Corinthians 3:1 "Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ." We do not want to remain spiritual babies. We need to rely upon God through the power of the Holy Spirit in us. We are called to new life through the Holy Spirit governing how we think, behave and live.
3. Galatians 5:22-25 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." We can ask ourselves if we see the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Since the Holy Spirit brings us to Christ, changes our minds, changes our behavior as we listen to Him so let us keep in step with Him and allow the fruit to blossom in our lives.
4. Ephesians 5:18-20 "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." We are to be filled with the Spirit, and to keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit.

We are called to a God-focused life, to a life of purpose, meaning, joy and peace. We are called to go through this life with the assurance of what lies ahead. And what lies ahead for the believer is life with God forever when Jesus returns! We are called to live in the light of that truth, to make music in our hearts to God, to sing praises and to live a life that matters and to live in a what that reflects the Lord Jesus. THAT is a life empowered by the Holy Spirit!

Pastor closes with a prayer stating in faith the desire to be filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit and to be empowered by the Spirit to call others to knowing Jesus.

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Today we continue our study of Elijah's ministry.

Elijah's Ministry

⁃ Prediction and Provision - no rain or dew
⁃ Contest at Mount Carmel the time of drought ends in a contest
⁃ Encounter at Mount Horeb
⁃ Word at Naboth's Vineyard
⁃ Elijah taken to heaven

We pick up the story from last week, at the contest at Mount Carmel where we learn that Jezebel has promised to kill Elijah. After the threat, Elijah, fearful for his life, travels forty days to Mt. Horeb (Mt. Sinai). Pastor shares several possibilities for the location of this mount leaning towards today's Jabal al Maqla.

Elijah makes it to Mt. Horeb and he is discouraged and fearful and exhausted and we read of his depression in 1 Kings 19:9-10. He ends this verse saying, "I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." God's response is, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord for the Lord is about to pass by."

Divine Encounter

⁃ Wind comes - but the Lord was not in the wind
⁃ Earthquake comes - but the Lord was not in the earthquake
⁃ Fire comes - but the Lord was not in the fire
⁃ Gentle whisper comes - the Lord speaks of Elijah's assignment. Elijah thinks of himself as a failure and wants to give up, but God tells him He has more for him to do, that he is not to give up.

Mission: Anointing

⁃ Elijah is told to anoint Hazael as king over Aram
⁃ He is told to anoint Jehu over Israel
⁃ He is told to anoint Elisha as his successor

Then God assures Elijah that he is not alone and tells him that there are 7,000 in Israel who have not bowed down to Baal.

Elijah obeys God's commands and leaves Mt. Horeb and he comes to Elisha working in the field and Elijah anoints him. Elijah now has a partner for the rest of his ministry time on earth. This may have been as long as 10 years together.

God gives Elijah a word of judgement to give to King Ahab. Ahab's response was to tear his clothes, put on sackcloth and fast. And because Ahab humbled himself in repentance, God withheld the judgement saying, "I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son" God relents, because He is gracious and He desires all people come to Him. God responds when we repent.

At the end of Elijah's ministry Elijah is one of two people mentioned in the Bible who were taken alive to heaven. We read in 2 Kings 2:11-12 "As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, 'My father, My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!' And Elisha saw Elijah no more."

Elijah's Legacy

⁃ Malachi's prophecy (Malachi 4:5-6)
⁃ Gabriel and Zechariah (Luke 1:17)
⁃ Elijah who was to come (Matthew 11;13-14)
⁃ Transfiguration of Jess (Matthew 17:2-3)
⁃ Prayer life of Elijah (James 5:17-18)

A big takeaway from Elijah's story is that we are to follow God no matter what comes our way, no matter what may be happening in our lives or in the world around us because God is faithful and He knows how to defend and take care His own.

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As pastor takes a look at the word "Christian," its definition, what it means for us and for the world today, we will see a blueprint God has laid out for believers not just in Antioch long ago but also for us today!

The word "Christian" came about from non-believers in the city of Antioch. As persecution caused the Jewish believers in Jerusalem to seek other cities in which to live, many chose to move to Antioch. It was a welcoming city without persecution and the message of Jesus exploded. It was then that Barnabus was sent to encourage these new believers.

Barnabus, led by the Holy Spirit, taught these new believers to HOLD FAST to...
1. God's grace - Barnabus shared the truth of what Jesus did on the cross. In our crazy world it's important for us to hold fast to God's grace too, and not allow the enemy to confuse us.

2. Solid instruction - Barnabus and Paul worked to impress the truths of the God onto the hearts of believers, instructing them on how to apply God's truths in their lives and in their hearts. They encouraged them to continue to mature in their faith and to live God-pleasing lives. In our culture, applying God's truths is becoming increasingly confused and corrupt, so it is vital that believers today understand what God desires and what He says, not what is culturally acceptable. Solid instruction and time in the Bible are key.

3. Christian = Disciple - It was here in Antioch that the word "Christian" was first used. It was used by non believers to describe those who wouldn't stop talking about Jesus. The literal translation is "Christ-ers." Christian only appears 3 times in the Bible but Disciple, Jesus' favorite word for His followers, is mentioned over 200 times in the New Testament. "Followers of The Way (Jesus)" were referred to as Christians - Disciples. Being Jesus' disciple is what God still desires today. He does not want people to simply believe He exists - He wants individuals who willingly follow Him, know the Father, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, walk faithfully, and to seek to demonstrate what Jesus taught.

4. Prophetic gifts - God also desires that we use the gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially the gift of strengthening and encouraging and comforting others. God desires that we earnestly desire the gifts of the Holy Spirit that enable us to carry out the His work.

5. Holy Spirit - The Spirit of God gives insight to what the Lord desires - and the Holy Spirit helps us follow where God leads.

What started in Jerusalem with Jews coming to know Jesus as their Messiah, spread to Antioch when persecution moved the "Followers of the Way" to this city. From there, Antioch became the hub of evangelism to the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. These believers relied on the Spirit of God and we too are to rely on the Holy Sprit, like them, to bring us:

Understanding
Conviction
Comfort
Guidance
Insight
Direction
And to lead us to faith to win the world for Christ.

The Hold Fast Antioch blueprint of Barnabus and Paul is still the blueprint God desires for us to use today. He says for us to Hold Fast to these truths:

That we live in the Grace found at the cross.
That we soak up solid instruction so that we might be filled with an understanding of God's will and His word.
That as Disciples we talk about Jesus all the time and live for Jesus and follow Jesus.
That we seek God's prophetic gifts so that we are able to share what God is revealing to the world.
That we keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Scripture: Acts 11:19-26 and Acts 13:1-3

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Scripture: Acts 12, John 14:27, 1 Peter 5:7, 1 Peter 5:10, 2 Peter 1:11

Even in darkness and apparent defeat, Scripture assures us of this truth: We win because God wins, and He will bring that victory to its final fulfillment on the day our Lord Jesus returns.

This teaching is taken from Acts 12. It is a story of Peter being set free from prison chains by an angel, but also set free from the destructive thoughts and emotions and feelings that can rise up inside us during challenging times. Peter shows us how to hold on tight to what we know about God and let Him carry us through difficult times.

In uncertain and challenging times, this story teaches us that, like Peter, we are:

1. Set Free from fear - Peter was at peace, sleeping between two guards, not fearing the imminent death sentence awaiting him, when the angel came to rescue him. John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

2. Set Free from worry - Peter knew the Lord cared for him. Peter knew the Lord was at work in his life and that God had a plan and that plan is that God will win in the end! Peter did as the verse says, "Cast all your anxieties on God because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 We can rest in God's arms - at peace - because Jesus is our Victor!

3. Set Free from despair - Peter was at peace, not wringing his hands in despair or saying how can this be happening to me… Peter understood that God is in control and that God would give him everything needed to get through the trial. 1 Peter 5:10 "And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."

4. Set Free from death, both the fear of death and the finality of death. We are, like Peter, to face our days with confidence and assurance. Heaven/life forever with God is a promise through our faith in His Son Jesus Christ.

God setting Peter free still speaks to us today - Our God sets us free, too!

Cling to the Lord Jesus for dear life!

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This teaching is taken from the Acts 10, the story of Peter and Cornelius the Centurion. Both Peter and Cornelius experienced divine encounters through visions. Cornelius sees an angel with a message, Cornelius obeys and has Peter brought to his home.

Peter receives a vision in which God gives Peter eyes to see beyond his cultural rules of clean and unclean. Peter was a prisoner of his culture until God gave him a vision of truth and that breakthrough brings Peter to a Gentile's home, Cornelius' home, and Peter, going against the culture, obeys God and enters the house of a Gentile. Barriers were broken as Peter allowed God to broke into his heart. Peter understood that God wants ALL people to know and believe in Him.

Peter shares the gospel story with Cornelius and the people gathered to listen. Before Peter was even finished sharing, the Holy Spirit descended onto the group, just like what had happened to the disciples on Pentecost.

The ministry to the non-Jewish world takes off because God has intervened and God has directed it! God uses Peter (the apostle to the Jewish people) to bring the Gospel message to Cornelius and opens up the message of Jesus the Messiah to the Gentile world!

This story still speaks to us today:
1. Culture or Scripture - am I following my culture or am I following the Scripture?
2. Self or Spirit - will we go with our own plans or will we heed the Spirit of God?
3. Home or World - am I concerned about my own little group, the people I'm comfortable with or will I let God use me to reach all?
4. Works or Gospel - It's not about how good I am, it's about how good God is!

Remember: It's about CHRIST ALONE!

It's easy to mirror your culture, rather than reflect the teaching of the Living God. God calls us to be faithful and obedient, to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, and thus reflecting the very teachings of Christ.

Scripture Romans 12:2; Acts 10

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Pastor starts with a deeper exploration of John 16:13 "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears and he will tell you what is yet to come."

People have used this verse to argue that the word Spirit is not about a personal being but about an impersonal force because in the original Greek text "spirit" (pneuma) is a neuter noun. Yes, this is true, and so they determine that neuter means the Holy Spirit is an IT.

Yet the verse goes on by saying, "…He will guide you…, He will speak…. He will tell you…" The original greek text for He is a masculine pronoun (ekeinos). The Holy Spirit is a HE! We must pay attention to this! God is speaking very intentionally here!! The author of scripture is the Holy Spirit and the Spirit is making sure we understand HE IS personal because He's a person not an it. He desires to be a part of our lives. He's not a force imposed upon us.

The Spirit is the very presence of the Living God and desires that we come to know Him more and more and He reveals Jesus Christ to us.

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Today's teaching show us the significance of the Conversion of Paul. Not only is it a remarkable event, it brings forward remarkable truths. New archeological discoveries of Paul's tomb help emphasize these verses are not just a story. This is an actual account of an actual event, that happened to an actual person, and it changed the world!

This account of Paul's conversion calls us to a deep relationship with God and demonstrates how God desires to be at work in our lives not just back then, but today in the 21st century as well. God took Paul from being a bulldog for the enemy's use against those following The Way, Jesus, but Jesus turned Paul into one of His sheep in His flock for His use in sharing the Gospel. God used Paul's testimony of Jesus changing his life to reach into the hearts of the people of his day and that testimony is still reaching all the way into our hearts today. Paul's story testifies to the heart of God to be in relationship with each one us no matter who we are or what we've done. God's arms are open to us all.

Come along with us today as we explore Paul's testimony and allow it to open our hearts to what God wants to do in our own hearts and lives.

Scripture text: Acts 8:1-20

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