June 12, 2016

Sunday School

Acts 24-27

 

• Our sin nature has been done away with when we become Christians. This doesn't mean that we stop sinning but that we do not wake up each day and plan on sinning. We have an advocate (Jesus) who speaks for us to God. All we need to do is confess daily and ask for forgiveness.
• Felix was afraid to prosecute Paul but kept him in prison.
• Paul's words were interesting  until they focused on righteousness and self-control and the judgment to come.
• Many are happy to discuss the Good News as long as it doesn't touch their lives too personally.
• Many will resist or run. But this is what the Good News is all about, God's power to change lives.
• Festus and then King Agrippa heard Paul's side of what had happened.
• Paul recounted his life before Christ came into it and what had happened afterward.
• The King said that Paul should have been set free if he hadn't appealed to Caesar.
• Paul's heart is revealed in his words. He was more concerned for the salvation of these strangers than for the removal of his own chains.
• A regiment took Paul and set sail. The seas became dangerous and the voyage was prolonged with storms and typhoon strength winds.
• Paul had predicted this would happen and said to the crew that there would be no lives lost because of Paul's faith in God.

Sermon

Matthew 8:5-7  -   v5 - When Jesus arrived in Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, v6 - "Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and racked with pain."  v7 - Jesus said, "I will come and heal him."  v8  - Then the officer said, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word form where you are, and my servant will be healed."

 

Subject: A Power That Annihilates Distance

 

• There is power in speaking the Word.
• The Roman soldier was a moral, sincere and humble man.
• The soldier spoke and put his faith into action.
• Sin is an incurable disease which we all have but only Christ's  healing touch can miraculously take away our sins and restore us to life. But first, we must realize our inability to cure ourselves and ask for Christ's saving grace.
• Our hope is built on nothing less that Jesus' blood and righteousness.
• In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:16
• After the soldier asked Jesus not to go to his home, Jesus immediately healed the servant from where He stood.
• Can anyone ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity or are persecuted or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? Even the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed everyday: we are being slaughtered like sheep."  No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.  Romans 8:35-37

 

The engaged couple - Congratulations!!