Christian Church 24.7 Ministry Community Group
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Text Verses: 38-39
(38)" Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man (Jesus) is preached the forgiveness of sins, (39) :And by Him all that believe are justified from all things from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses."
I don't know how many of you like history but, when I was in school, I did not like it at all. As I have gotten older, I enjoy history. I like to watch programs about WW1 and WW2, The Depression years, Henry Ford, the Wright Brothers, about early trains and the invention of the Motorcycle, etc.
Todays' text is the history of the Jews and His Story. I feel it is great to look back at where we have came from and as Christians, the boldness that these great men had in their day.
Paul and Barnabus had been preaching in different areas and, they came to Pisidia and went into the synagogue there and sat down. Pisidia is just North of what we now call modern day Turkey.
In verse 15, they were asked to speak after reading the Law of God, which was a custom in the synagogue.
Paul shows the Jews their history in His Story.
First, he started with Moses, the Law Giver in vs 17. He then moved on to Joshua, the Promised Land Leader. He then moves to the years of the Judges of Israel in vs-20 then, in vs 21, he moves to the era of the Kings of Israel. He mentions Saul, Israel's first King then on to David. In vs-24 he mentions John the Baptist and then to Jesus in vs 26-46, concerning his Death, Burial and, Resurrection.
Here are 3 things that they, as we, need to see from Paul's Message.
I. Christ is the Figure of Forgiveness: vs-38-39 --Our text verse. Notice that Paul directs this statement to "those that believe".
a. You can not be saved unless you are a believer. There is a difference in "believing in and believing on, Jesus"!!!!!!! The Devil and the Demons in Hell believe in Jesus, they know who He is, that He exists but, they do not "Believe On Jesus". You can believe in an airplane, walk around it everyday, tell everyone that you believe in airplanes but, unless you get on one, it will not take you anywhere!!!!!!!
Notice Paul says "Men and Brethren". This message is for his brethren---The Jews. It is also forgiveness for the Gentile too!!! Praise God!!!! Vs.-42. We all need forgiveness because we are all sinners Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God"!
Righteous acts cannot atone for sin.
1. Church Membership
2. Baptism
3. taking communion
4. Going to Confessions
5. Doing good social works
6. Being Sincere
7. Doing your best.
None of these things bring forgiveness or Salvation. These are deceptions of Satan. many people do these things and by doing them, they think these things will save!!!!!!! No they won't. There is no salvation in anything other than Christ Jesus Himself. John 14:6 "Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me. Acts 4: 12 says "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved"!!! Another thing that I must point out is this. Salvation comes first then, baptism. No-where have I found that baptism came first then, salvation. This is like putting the cart before the horse, as my mom used to say. God has an order for all things. Here are three instances that show this order. Saul of Tarsus (later the great Apostle Paul) was saved first then, baptized. (Acts 9 vs 17-18), The Phillipian Jailer ( Acts 16: vs-25-33) and, the Ethopian eunuch in Acts 8: vs 26-38).
Only Christ can cleanse us and make us clean 1 John 1 vs 9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Notice it says HE IS FAITHFUL. and JUST to forgive us our sins. There is no-one on this earth who can forgive sins, NONE> Only Jesus can forgive sins. Anything else taught is a deception.
II. There are Priceless Benefits for being a Believer Vs-39
A. "By Him (Jesus) all that believe are justified. Justification goes way beyond forgiveness.
a. Forgiveness cleanses sins record. Justification cleanses Sins remembrance. Justification declares us righteous. ( just as if I had never sinned) You may say to me Oldbiker, you are using big words that are strange to me. Let me put it to you this way.
Forgiveness is that which we can understand. Justification is a bit harder to perceive. When we are justified, we have ,
a. peace with God (Romans 5:1)" Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. See, our peace with God, comes through our faith in Jesus as our savior.
b. We are saved from Wrath of God (Romans 5 vs-9 "Much more then, being now JUSTIFIED by HIS BLOOD, we shall be saved from wrath through Him (Jesus).
c. We are not condemned Romans 8: vs-1 "There is therefore, NOW, no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but, of the Spirit!"
None of these benefits were available under the Law. Romans 3:20 says. "Therefore, by the deeds of the law, there shall no flesh be justified in His sight." These are only available by and through Christ because of His death and, His blood atonement for us. Read Galations 3" vs 6-11.
This salvation and peace is available to All sinners through faith . 1 Corinthians 6 vs-9-11 says this.
"know ye not that the unrighteous shall not enter the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor nor abusers of themselves with mankind. Nor thieves, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God", Now look at the good news in verse 11 "and such were some of you but, ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.". Revelation 1 vs 5 says this also "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth, Unto Him, (Jesus) that loved us and washed us from our sins, in his own blood and hath made us Kings and Priests unto God, and His Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever, Amen."
III. There is Danger in Doubting: Vs 40-41
Beware therefore. lest that come upon you. which is spoken of by the prophets: Behold, ye despisers and wonder, and perish: For I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you."
The Jews left the synagogue but, some of the Gentiles remained and asked Paul to preach to them too in verse 44. The whole city came to hear Paul preach and it looked as though things were "looking up" but,
Satan wasn't finished with his devices that easily. Vs 45 says that when the Jews saw the multitudes that there were full of envy, they spoke against what Paul had preached. Things haven't changed much in that area. There are those who do not like what we preachers, preach today either. The true Gospel Contradicts what mans ideas and ideals are, concerning their lifestyles and, it convicts of their sin and they do not like it.
It all boils down to this. The offer of Salvation by Grace is a great privilege. To reject salvation is condemnation. To receive Christ is to live, to reject Christ is to perish.
John 3:36 says:
He that believeth ON the Son, hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth upon him.
John 3: 18 says:
"He that believeth ON Him (Jesus) is not condemned but, he that believeth not, is condemned already, because he believeth not in the name of the only begotten Son of God"!
In this Message today, some believed and wanted to hear more. Some denied and rejected the Message ad the Messenger.
Question: What is your response to the Gospel Truth? You have the same choice. To Accept or Reject!!!!!!!
This message is the simple truth of His Story. May it do what God intends for it to do, in your life.
Oldbiker
(38)" Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man (Jesus) is preached the forgiveness of sins, (39) :And by Him all that believe are justified from all things from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses."
I don't know how many of you like history but, when I was in school, I did not like it at all. As I have gotten older, I enjoy history. I like to watch programs about WW1 and WW2, The Depression years, Henry Ford, the Wright Brothers, about early trains and the invention of the Motorcycle, etc.
Todays' text is the history of the Jews and His Story. I feel it is great to look back at where we have came from and as Christians, the boldness that these great men had in their day.
Paul and Barnabus had been preaching in different areas and, they came to Pisidia and went into the synagogue there and sat down. Pisidia is just North of what we now call modern day Turkey.
In verse 15, they were asked to speak after reading the Law of God, which was a custom in the synagogue.
Paul shows the Jews their history in His Story.
First, he started with Moses, the Law Giver in vs 17. He then moved on to Joshua, the Promised Land Leader. He then moves to the years of the Judges of Israel in vs-20 then, in vs 21, he moves to the era of the Kings of Israel. He mentions Saul, Israel's first King then on to David. In vs-24 he mentions John the Baptist and then to Jesus in vs 26-46, concerning his Death, Burial and, Resurrection.
Here are 3 things that they, as we, need to see from Paul's Message.
I. Christ is the Figure of Forgiveness: vs-38-39 --Our text verse. Notice that Paul directs this statement to "those that believe".
a. You can not be saved unless you are a believer. There is a difference in "believing in and believing on, Jesus"!!!!!!! The Devil and the Demons in Hell believe in Jesus, they know who He is, that He exists but, they do not "Believe On Jesus". You can believe in an airplane, walk around it everyday, tell everyone that you believe in airplanes but, unless you get on one, it will not take you anywhere!!!!!!!
Notice Paul says "Men and Brethren". This message is for his brethren---The Jews. It is also forgiveness for the Gentile too!!! Praise God!!!! Vs.-42. We all need forgiveness because we are all sinners Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God"!
Righteous acts cannot atone for sin.
1. Church Membership
2. Baptism
3. taking communion
4. Going to Confessions
5. Doing good social works
6. Being Sincere
7. Doing your best.
None of these things bring forgiveness or Salvation. These are deceptions of Satan. many people do these things and by doing them, they think these things will save!!!!!!! No they won't. There is no salvation in anything other than Christ Jesus Himself. John 14:6 "Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me. Acts 4: 12 says "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved"!!! Another thing that I must point out is this. Salvation comes first then, baptism. No-where have I found that baptism came first then, salvation. This is like putting the cart before the horse, as my mom used to say. God has an order for all things. Here are three instances that show this order. Saul of Tarsus (later the great Apostle Paul) was saved first then, baptized. (Acts 9 vs 17-18), The Phillipian Jailer ( Acts 16: vs-25-33) and, the Ethopian eunuch in Acts 8: vs 26-38).
Only Christ can cleanse us and make us clean 1 John 1 vs 9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Notice it says HE IS FAITHFUL. and JUST to forgive us our sins. There is no-one on this earth who can forgive sins, NONE> Only Jesus can forgive sins. Anything else taught is a deception.
II. There are Priceless Benefits for being a Believer Vs-39
A. "By Him (Jesus) all that believe are justified. Justification goes way beyond forgiveness.
a. Forgiveness cleanses sins record. Justification cleanses Sins remembrance. Justification declares us righteous. ( just as if I had never sinned) You may say to me Oldbiker, you are using big words that are strange to me. Let me put it to you this way.
Forgiveness is that which we can understand. Justification is a bit harder to perceive. When we are justified, we have ,
a. peace with God (Romans 5:1)" Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. See, our peace with God, comes through our faith in Jesus as our savior.
b. We are saved from Wrath of God (Romans 5 vs-9 "Much more then, being now JUSTIFIED by HIS BLOOD, we shall be saved from wrath through Him (Jesus).
c. We are not condemned Romans 8: vs-1 "There is therefore, NOW, no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but, of the Spirit!"
None of these benefits were available under the Law. Romans 3:20 says. "Therefore, by the deeds of the law, there shall no flesh be justified in His sight." These are only available by and through Christ because of His death and, His blood atonement for us. Read Galations 3" vs 6-11.
This salvation and peace is available to All sinners through faith . 1 Corinthians 6 vs-9-11 says this.
"know ye not that the unrighteous shall not enter the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor nor abusers of themselves with mankind. Nor thieves, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God", Now look at the good news in verse 11 "and such were some of you but, ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.". Revelation 1 vs 5 says this also "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth, Unto Him, (Jesus) that loved us and washed us from our sins, in his own blood and hath made us Kings and Priests unto God, and His Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever, Amen."
III. There is Danger in Doubting: Vs 40-41
Beware therefore. lest that come upon you. which is spoken of by the prophets: Behold, ye despisers and wonder, and perish: For I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you."
The Jews left the synagogue but, some of the Gentiles remained and asked Paul to preach to them too in verse 44. The whole city came to hear Paul preach and it looked as though things were "looking up" but,
Satan wasn't finished with his devices that easily. Vs 45 says that when the Jews saw the multitudes that there were full of envy, they spoke against what Paul had preached. Things haven't changed much in that area. There are those who do not like what we preachers, preach today either. The true Gospel Contradicts what mans ideas and ideals are, concerning their lifestyles and, it convicts of their sin and they do not like it.
It all boils down to this. The offer of Salvation by Grace is a great privilege. To reject salvation is condemnation. To receive Christ is to live, to reject Christ is to perish.
John 3:36 says:
He that believeth ON the Son, hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth upon him.
John 3: 18 says:
"He that believeth ON Him (Jesus) is not condemned but, he that believeth not, is condemned already, because he believeth not in the name of the only begotten Son of God"!
In this Message today, some believed and wanted to hear more. Some denied and rejected the Message ad the Messenger.
Question: What is your response to the Gospel Truth? You have the same choice. To Accept or Reject!!!!!!!
This message is the simple truth of His Story. May it do what God intends for it to do, in your life.
Oldbiker
14 From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”
16 Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: “Fellow Israelites and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! 17 The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt; with mighty power he led them out of that country; 18 for about forty years he endured their conduct[a] in the wilderness; 19 and he overthrew seven nations in Canaan, giving their land to his people as their inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years.
“After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. 21 Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. 22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’
23 “From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. 25 As John was completing his work, he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for. But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’
26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.
32 “We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm:
“‘You are my son;
today I have become your father.
34 God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God has said,
“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David."
35 So it is also stated elsewhere:
“‘You will not let your holy one see decay.’
36 “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. 37 But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.
38 “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. 40 Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:
41 “‘Look, you scoffers,
wonder and perish,
for I am going to do something in your days
that you would never believe,
even if someone told you.’”
42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.
44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.
46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.