An Accepting Church

1. Pentecost 2: just when you thought it was safe

2. Availability not ability

3. Merry Christmas, law is over

1. The Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ

* Expressions to note
* Note the postition Jesus has
* More about the ministry of Jesus

2. The Personal Return of the Lord Jesus Christ

* What does all this mean for us?
* What are we to do then?

Guest speaker for the 166th Church Anniversary

Guest speaker for the 166th Church Anniversary

1. God moving people

2. God hearing prayer

3. God removing prejudice

“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 1: 8

‘Breakfast’ at Galilee!

1. Further evidence for Christ’s resurrection (John 21: 1-13)

2. Full restoration (John 21: 15-17)

3. Future work (John 21: 17-19)

EASTER 2009

1. God sends Philip (Acts 8:26-31)

2. Philip shares the good news (Acts 8:32-35)

3. The Ethiopian believes and is baptised (Acts 8:36-39)

4. The gospel increases and spreads (Acts 8: 39-40)

PALM SUNDAY

Jesus said Go and Tell (Mark 11:1-3)

They went and told (Mark 11:4-6)

Celebrating Jesus – King and Saviour (Mark 11:7-10)

1. Speaking the Gospel of Christ (Acts 7:1-53)

2. Suffering for the Gospel of Christ (Acts 7:54-8:3)

3. Spreading the Gospel of Christ (Acts 8:4-25)

Definitions:
Justification = Beginning of Christian life; once for all
Santification = On-going process through Christian life

1. From God’s viewpoint: SAINTS ALIVE!
(Romans 6:1-14 1 Cor 1:2,6:11 1 Peter 1:2)

2. From the Christian’s Experience: SAINTS BECOMING!
(Romans 6:11,14,18)

* The work of the Holy Spirit
* Perfectionism? (Matt 5:48)
* Our part (Phil 2:12-13)
* Taking off / Putting on (Romans 8:12f, 12:1-21 Galatians 5:13-26)
* Spiritual Breathing (1 John 1:9)
* The corporate dimension

“Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11)

Adoption into God�s family means:

1) A new Father

a. the Holy Spirit reminds us we are no longer slaves, but sons (Romans 8:14-15)

b. the Holy Spirit enables us to pray �Abba� Father (Romans 8:15)

2) A new Family

a. our new family name (1 John 3:1)

b. our family likeness (1 John 2: 29; 3:10)

c. our elder Brother � Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29; Heb. 2:10ff.)

d. our willingness to be disciplined (Heb. 12:5ff.)

e. our future hope as heirs (Romans 8:17; 1 John 2:28)

�Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget, I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.�
Isaiah 49:15-16

CRISIS� = danger and opportunity (see Chinese characters for Crisis)

From outside the church = persecution

From inside the church = corruption

In Chapter 6 the crisis = distraction

(John Stott)

A very positive problem: �the number of disciples was increasing� (Acts 6:1)

THE DANGERS:

1) Strained energies � �overlooked� (Acts 6:1)

2) Strained relationships � �Grecian Jews� and �Hebraic Jews� (Acts 6:1)

3) Strained priorities � �ministry of the Word� vs. practical needs (Acts 6:2)

THE OPPORTUNITIES:

1) For reorganization – how flexible are we?

2) For delegation � choosing the right people

3) For prepared people � �full of the Spirit and of wisdom� (Acts 6:3)

4) For priorities � �the ministry of the word� (Acts 6:4)

5) For prayer � �attention to prayer� (Acts 6:4)