4/9/2020 Acts 24,25,26

• Belief is the key that unlocks the door to hope

• Having a good conscience takes practice

• Choose joy

• Don’t waste what God shows you

Acts 24:14-15 (KJV) 14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: 15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

• Hope and God’s word are integrally connected

• Romans 15:4 (KJV)For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

• However, this verse in Acts, highlights the importance of belief

• It is not Enough to have/know/read Gods word, YOU MUST BELIEVE

• Belief is the key that unlocks the door to hope

Acts 24:16 (KJV) And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and [toward] men.

• Belief and the resulting hope in the word of God is something you have to Practice

• Have a clean conscious is something you must work at, it is hard to say “I was wrong,please forgive me” but like physical exercise The more you do it the easier it becomes

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ACTS 25

Acts 25:9 (KJV) But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

• It never ends well when you are dealing with people pleasers

ACTS 26

Acts 26:1 (KJV) Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:

• Can you answer for yourself

• 1 Peter 3:15 (KJV)But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

• Do you believe enough of Gods word to explain yourself

Acts 26:2 (KJV) I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:

• Sources of joy

• A clean conscience

• There is a saying that is not bible but it is scriptural

• A good conscience is a soft pillow

• You choose it -James 1:2 (KJV)My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

V14-18 Paul shares his salvation experience, how often do you share that with yourself and others,I need to remind myself of the work that God has done. Because Satan and my flesh do t want to give God any Glory

Acts 26:19 (KJV) Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

• Paul did not waste what he was shown by God

• The video going around yesterday about the Irish Pastor recovering from COVID

• God provides even the little things we ask

• Reminds me when I was leaving work January of 2014 to take Karin to Chicago for her surgery, I was called into a partner’s office and told I would be getting a “partner” bonus, this was long before I was a partner. Why tell this? God used that money to meet a specific need and remind me that things would be Okay. The money was nice, but “hearing” Gods voice was much better. I know that money did not come from my employer, IT CAME FROM MY FATHER!,Not because of me but because of him.

• Has God taught you anything the last month?

• I know he has tried, I can say that with absolute certainty, because I know my father.

• If not have you been seeking his face in Faith

• When he shows you, write it down, you will need the lessons learned today at some point in the future, maybe even tomorrow

• Share that blessing with someone else! You will encourage them

• Learn what you are supposed learn, it may not be pleasant, but learn. You don’t want to have to repeat a “grade” because you weren’t paying attention

Acts 26:24-25 (KJV) 24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

• If we live true Christianity the world will think us crazy

Acts 26:28 (KJV) Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

• Most that will see this are already Saved. But are we Christians, the literal translation is Little Christ

• I can say most of the time I fail miserably at that goal

• That is why often when I pray I ask the lord, Help us to be Christians

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