Don't you just love rules? Paul says...

June 24, 2007
Colossians 3:1-11 With Him / In Him

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Whenever we do in life, there are rules that govern what we do. During the Victorian era, one how-to-do-it-right manual was Lady Gough's Book of Etiquette. In this volume, putting books by male authors next to books by female authors was forbidden - unless the authors were married. Rules come with all things: driving-the Ten Commandments-not there as just suggestions! They are there to move us along in harmony with the forces and people around us.

During the time this letter was written, men and women did just about anything they wanted to do-much like today. A person who followed any of the religions during that time could pretty much do whatever they wanted and it would have no effect on his/her life. There was little or no concern for personal morality and no remedy for wrongs done. There was no plan to deal with the evil heart and they did not believe in a loving Deity looking after the affairs of humans. In fact, the gods themselves were more human than the humans. They fought, were jealous, murdered one another, and lied and plotted to do evil-much like the humans who worshiped them. (caused people to become trees, animals)

A follower of those-so called religions could enter a temple, leave an offering (even steal one to give), say whatever they were to say (or not) and leave to do just what they were doing before they entered the Temple. Whatever he believed had no real bearing on how he was to live or what he was to follow. To make things even more interesting, no one would condemn him for what he did.

Sounds like today's society!

The Christian Faith brought a new concept to the pagan world. What we believe does and should have a bearing on what and how we live. If one is connected to Jesus thru Faith, than He, Jesus, is in them and so the person then would have a unity with Jesus Christ that goes very deep. His conduct would reflect his faith and his faith would be reflected in his conduct.

I am a Christian. The proof is how I live my life! Talk is cheap! Very cheap! Wrong messages gets out there more than not!

As Paul sees it, BEING IN Christ Jesus then means being UNITED WITH Him and if I am united WITH HIM, than I will share His life. If I share His life, I must follow His example. Because the Spirit of God lives in those who believe, by His Holy Spirit, my life cannot be separated from Him because of sin in my life. I am not talking about sinless perfection-just a desire to BE LIKE HIM that works itself out in my Godly actions and attitudes.

Paul, in this passage, connects for us how my doctrine-what I believe, interfaces with what I am in my life-my life-style-my duty TO HIM who saved me. He gives us some rules to follow.

Again, the rules are not there to hurt us but to help us. Forget the idea of: “

Oh, here we go again, more things to obey. If I don't obey them, I will get hit.”

Don't be silly! That is not true! If you don't follow them, you will not be hit, you will die!

The four rules Paul gives us are:
1. We are dead with Jesus.
2. We are made alive in Jesus.
3. We are resurrected with Jesus.
4. And we are hidden or covered in Jesus.

With Jesus, in Jesus, with Jesus, in Jesus.

See a theme here?

The first part of this Chapter 3 deals with our reality of our relationship with Jesus Christ. We died with Christ Jesus.

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above…

Have you ever been around someone who is dead? Not very responsive! THE MEMORY OF THAT PERSON BEING ALIVE EVEN CAUSES YOU TO IMAGINE THEM BREATHING WHEN YOU LOOK AT THEM. This verse says that we are no longer dead but have been raised with Christ. The whole concept is made more clearly from another of Paul's letters: Romans 6-8. He not only died for us (Became our substitute), but we died with Him (identification). Christ Jesus not only died for sin, bearing its penalty, but He died unto sin, that is breaking sin's power over us.

Because we are 'in Christ' through the work of His Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13), we died with Christ Jesus. Victory over our old sin nature that wants to control us is now possible! See Romans 6:2

We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

Since we have been raised with Christ, we are told to set our hearts on things above. Set our minds on something other than our favorite TV drama, hobby, boy or girl friend, political conspiracy or world end theories. We are told-a rule here-to set our hearts on Him. His thoughts, His desires, His plans for reaching people with His love. Dwelling on these things will cause some major change in what we talk about. It will affect our use of the tongue. We might stop gossiping, backbiting, or whatever belongs to your earthly nature: Now, the heart is changed from within because we are allowing His Word to take over our inner thoughts. Not a bad thing here! This is a good thing BECAUSE, it HONORS HIM.

We are to:

2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

When you are alone and your mind starts to wonder-maybe even when you are not alone-where does it go? What concerns do you hold in your mind that robs you of sleep, that destroys closeness with others -- that holds you back from intimacy? What kind of anger that infects your heart? What jealousy that hurts your relationship with loved ones? We are to-a rule here-set our minds on things above. On the eternal things of the Spirit. On things that really matter in life. On things that are really important. Not things from our small world of concerns…

We get into the practice of running after the wrong things in life. Things that center on self; pampering one self. While the really important things in life should be devoting yourself to loving others, devoting yourself to your community around you and devoting yourself to creating something that gives you purpose & meaning and that brings God Honor that is His due!

Like care for the poor, the widows, the children at risk, people who cannot give back. In fact, just being kind to someone today might be a good place to start.

Set your minds and set your heart on His Things!

All this deals with what will happen later-when Jesus Christ returns! That is the Great and wonderful promise in the Second Testament. Jesus Christ will return for His Church. We must be ready for that event! Having a mind and heart that is set on Him will be rewarding! As He appears, as this passage says, you also will appear WITH HIM in Glory.

That promise is not empty nor is it just a dream of something that might happen! Look at Col 2:6-7. Just as we have received Jesus Christ we are to continue to live in Him. READ this-

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Take a test right now. What do you have to be thankful for? Are you thankful at all? Are you overflowing with thankfulness? We would be as we continue to live in Him, being rooted in Him and built up in Him with a strengthening of the simple Faith you first believed. Our hearts need to overflow with thankfulness!

That is not easy nor is it hard. Once we realize who we are and who God is and how He has given so much for our salvation-that being, sending His One and only Son to Earth to die in our place. Because of our sin, He had to die-to set the accounts straight. We broke His Word-His Laws-so He was sent to us to take our punishment. John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not die but have eternal life”

That's what we are talking about! He took our place so that we can live forever!

Now there is something that needs to die in each of us. Verse 5 puts it this way:

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:

And then Paul makes a list. I AM SURE it is not a complete list. There is so much bad stuff out there in our lives-in our minds and in our hearts that are not included in this list. Realize that it IS there because it wars against the Spirit of God that lives within us.

sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

Paul tells us to put such things to DEATH. Once death comes, it has no more life. I worked at a funeral home after college for a short time-part time help is hard to find in such a vocation. Once we had this client in the box and ready for the service, she looked so good-except she was very dead and she was cold and she was not moving-of course. She was no longer in need of her grave clothes, she was given a wash and a nice clean dress was put on her.

“Put off…put on.”

But there was no new spirit inside! When Jesus rose from the Grave, He left His grave clothes behind…folded as a sign that He was to return. (John 20:1-10) We no longer need the grave clothes either. Those things that hold us down.

There was no life in her-even with the good make-up job Mr. Webster did on her, she was still dead and not getting any better. So should be the condition and activity of our former life. Put these things to death-that takes action. That takes some moving of the will. Not passive. Be involved in the action against those things that warring against the Lord. All that Paul was speaking of was called idolatry because it comes in front of our God in our lives. It was practically worshipped!

And in many cases, we enjoyed it! Sin would not be so bad if it was not fun. But

sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed

needs to die in our hearts and die in our minds because He is returning for us so THAT needs to get out of our lives!You can see why is was so upsetting to the Lord from verse 6-7

Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. We are to: rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other.

Anger, rage-habitual attitudes. Malice-ill will. Slander-blasphemy/tear down. Filthy talk-but purity & grace. Lie-1/2 the fact is a whole lie.

“If God still struck people dead for lying-where would I be now?

I'd be right here-preaching to an empty church!”

In other words, we are to build up each other in the Lord and tempt one another to good deeds and thoughts.

And we are to do all these things because:

you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Since you have taken off the old ways and have now, because of the fact that we received Christ Jesus as Lord, we are to continue to

live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

And as we rid ourselves of the old stuff that brings sorrow to our Lord and since we have stated to put on the new self, something else is happening in us. There is a renewing of that new self. See verse 10.

which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

How good is that! His Power in us, causing us to be renewed in that great knowledge of His Love! And to top that all off with some MORE good news!: 11

Here there is no Greek or Jew, … but Christ is all, and is in all.

He is at work in us to make this to be our life. He in us thru faith in Him and we in Him thru His work on the Cross. What a great deal of cooperation! Christ in you, the Hope of Glory.We will end now with the reading of the following verses from Col. 3:15-17, from The Message.

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ-the Message-have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives-words, actions, whatever-be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

_______

Worship Service now starts at 10:00 AM for the summer months. We will return to a 10:30 service on the first Sunday of September.

ALSO: ALPHA training in Tokyo on Juky 7. Call ICCS for details or go to ALPHA's web page!

Wheelchairs of Hope cleaning Day at CAJ on July 4th. We need to clean all the chairs we have to send to Asia!

Hello everyone! Just to let you know that we are still in business! The other day, our signboard was broken. That happened on Sunday morning real early. From the broken glass, we found out that the glass was broken AFTER 3:00AM as the ground was dry UNDER the broken glass. Felt like someone from CSI! The Police were great; took a few photos and wrote up a report and left before many people started coming to service.

On Monday, our Landlord put cardboard around the signboard. It did not look all that good, but the repairperson was coming in a few days and having broken glass out there just did not look safe!

On the following Friday, I visited a friend who is helping us find wheelchairs for Wheelchairs of Hope. She thought that I was coming by to say good-bye. She had gone by the Chapel and saw the signboard all 'boarded up' and thought we had closed!

We are still open for business! And we are open for worship. Thing is, that Sunday, June 24, we started our new summer schedule! The worship service started at 10:00 AM and not at 10:30. Please note the change. We will return to the 10:30 on the first Sunday in September. We have also stopped the Sunday School program for the summer. We call the Sunday School "the GrowZone." You may want to come in September. We have room for a number of new classes. Maybe, even an Alpha Course! Keep your eyes open for the changes.

Well, on June 10, we had Vidar A. speak for us. It was his last Sunday with us as he is now on his way home in Norway. He spoke on John 10:1-20. We need to be careful of the thief that comes to steal and kill and destroy. Two week's ago, Rev. Toshio Nagai from Wycliffe Bible Translators delivered the message. He even spoke in English. His main text was Colossians1:6

“This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is changing lives everywhere, just as it changed yours that very first day you heard and understood the truth about God's great kindness to sinners.”

He told us of the needs around the world for Bible translation. Well over 2,000 language groups around the world do not have any form of the Holy Scriptures in their heart language. They are working to reach that goal by 2025. How can we help them? We can visit their web site: http://www.wycliffe.org/

We can volunteer to help them.
We could also go oversees on a short-term project.
Whatever you do, please pray for this project. Being part of the solution is much better than being part of the problem. It has been said: If you are board with life, go fix the world!

Last Sunday, Pastor Stan returned with this year's last sermon from the Book of Acts until the Fall. You may want to read in Acts 19:11-22. We will also had a baptism. Make plans to attend thisweek, OK? See you there!

Under His Grace.
Pastor Stan
-------------------
Back again!

This time we will be stating the Summer Series on the writings of Paul. Our first look at how he sees things is from Colossians. We will also celebrate the Lord's Table. As often as we eat and drink, our memory of His great Gift of Eternal Life should come to mind. Also that He had promised to return to take us with Him for Eternity.

Are you ready for that?

Really, we are still here!!!

Hello everyone! Just to let you know that we are still in business! Theother day, our sign board was broken. That happened on Sunday morning realearly. From the broken glass, we found out that the glass was broken AFTER3:00 AM as the ground was dry UNDER the broken glass. Felt like someonefrom CSI! The Police were great; took a few photos and wrote up a reportand left before many people started coming to service. On Monday, our Landlordput cardboard around the sign board. It did not look all that good, butthe repair person was coming in a few days and having broken glass out therejust did not look safe!

On the following Friday, I visited a friendwho is helping us find wheelchairs for Wheelchairs of Hope. She thoughtthat I was coming by to say good-bye. She had gone by the Chapel and sawthe sign board all 'boarded up' and thought we had closed!

We arestill open for business! And we are open for worship. Thing is, this next Sunday, June 24, we will start our new summer schedule! The worship servicewill start at 10:00 AM and not at 10:30. Please note the change. We willreturn to the 10:30 on the first Sunday in September. We have stopped theSunday School program for the summer. We call the Sunday School "the GrowZone." You may want to come in September. We have room for a number ofnew classes. Maybe, even an Alpha Course! Keep your eyes open for the changes.

Well,last Sunday, on June 10, we had Vidar A speak for us. It was his last Sundaywith us as he is now on his way home in Norway. He spoke on John 10:1-20. We need to becareful of the thief that comes to steal and kill and destroy.

FOUNDATIONS AND A GIFT GIVEN Acts 19:1-10

It has been said that the business world has a mantra that goes: “Lead, follow or get out of the way!” That really sounds like how things were in Ephesus when Paul was there. Weak or nominal Christians holding to incomplete knowledge like the Baptism of John, Jews steeped in their old traditions, pagan and even followers of Jesus practicing magic all seemed to be saying the same thing: “Watch me run with the ball-no matter if it is right or not!”

The role of Paul during most of his missionary travels was to affirm and confirm converts to their new faith so that they may become lifelong disciples. Later, old man John, the one Jesus loved said that it brought him real joy when he saw his children walking in the truth. What a joy for a leader…or a parent…or a spouse. To see Truth affect the life of a person over a long period of time!

In continuing with this ENDURANCE OF THE BELIEVER we started last Sunday, the evidence of having the Holy Spirit alive and well in the lives of believers is found in certain verifications in their lives.

The evidence of Salvation being yours can be a continuing present relationship with Jesus. Jesus said in John 15:4, 7 “Abide in Me, and I in you” and “If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you will and it shall be done for you.” This means more than that one time prayer of asking Him into your life. There is now an investment of His Blood in you. He wants to possess your heart and your mind and your will and your very being. He is pleased when you come to Him in Worship, both privately and in public community worship.

Another evidence of Salvation is found in the life of obedience to God's commands. Look at 1 John 2:4-6. Not perfection but a life that reflects the Heart of the One who died for you.

“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

Why did Paul ask such a question? Not a usual question! Was it because he did not see the fruit of the Spirit in their lives? How about your life? Is the Fruit of the Spirit seen? What is the Fruit of the Spirit and how is it seen?

If the Holy Spirit is genuinely at work in the lives of the believers, He will be producing the kind of Character traits Paul calls “the fruit of the Spirit” Gal 5:22 which is the definition of Gifts of the Spirit. The list goes:

1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness,
9. Self-control

Gal 5:22-23.

The question is not that a believer perfectly exemplifies them all in the life but rather, “Are these things a general characteristic of my life? Do I sense these attitudes in my heart? Do others (esp. those who are close to me) see these traits as evidence in my life? Have I been growing in them over a period of years?” It is not however OK to not let them grow in our lives. Seek them out. Grow in each one as you walk the Walk of Faith. Let His Spirit build them in your life. Truth be known, they cannot be faked!

There are always some in the Body of Christ who tear people down, cause pain, provide controversy and divisiveness or speak their mind too freely-not caring for the feelings of others. The result in their life is to see the Church hurt, the witness damaged, and the Church brought low. On the other hand, there are those within the Body who ALWAYS bring joy, building people up, edify others in every conversation, every prayer, and every work of ministry they put their hands on. Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:16-20, we can ID them right off by their fruit. (You will know them by their fruit.) Maybe that is why Paul asked these men that hard pointed question…
“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

Defined: Gal 5:22

• 
  Love- 1 John 4:10-12
  Joy- John 15:11
  Peace- Phil. 4:6-7
  Patience- Proverbs 14:29
  Kindness/Goodness- 1 Thess 5:15
  Self-Control- 1 Thess 5:6
  Faith- Hebrews 11:1,6
  Humility- Phil 2:3-4
  Forgiveness- Col 3:13
  Hope- Romans 5:3-5
  

“Never heard about the Holy Spirit!”

These men were a lot like Apollos, in that they were not all there with all the facts. Things, important things were missing. They were, what are called today, nominal Christians or just disciples of John. In either case, they were living without either the whole Truth nor with the Power of the Christian Gospel.

While going through the ALPHA program here at IC, some said that they have never heard of the Holy Spirit the way Nicky explained it. Some may have heard about the Spirit's presence but not about how the Holy Spirit sets us free to worship and know Him better. Maybe the whole Gospel had been lost to them, so they did not expect to even know about the Spirit being active today.

Paul goes on to find out more about these 12 men.

"What baptism did you receive?
“John's, why?”

In v.4, Paul explains what John's baptism was and meant. The whole experience points to Jesus. Paul tells them that the One John was talking about was, in fact, Jesus. When they heard that, they were baptized.

Baptism is the outward expression of an inward change. Meaning that there must be a change FIRST! Believe and be Baptized! More than getting wet as a baby, or as a 13 year old, but a changed life-a rebirth! Once in darkness but now, in the Light of the Gospel! A good place to be!

When they heard this-they were baptized right away.

Obedience is the key. We could agree with all sorts of Spiritual understandings but if we do not act on that, then we are yet dead in our sins. All this may take some time but…the Spirit will go where the Body has gone. Come to fellowship, learn-yes, but don't let learning keep you away from His Love. How much do we NEED to know and understand before we surrender to His Grace? All these 12 heard was THE Name of Jesus & they acted. Belief is like that! May not make a lot of sense but it is the right thing to do!

So:
v.6 Paul placed his hands of them-the Holy Spirit came on them-spoke in tongues AND prophesied! A sign.

The Lord in His Mercy and Grace gives outward signs sometimes. This “other languages” was the same word that was used on the Day of Pentecost-which is today!-and prophecy was the other sign. One is not more important than the other. Both were given and both were 'used' to bring Glory to the Lord. Now, full salvation was theirs. God had moved!

See Acts 15:11. At the Council in Jerusalem, here is what was decided.

11 "No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."

Don't have to repeat some things and cause more hardships. Faith alone in the Lord Jesus was and is enough!

Repentance, faith in Jesus, water baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit…all these are part of the Spiritual bond that all men and women everywhere belong as they are in Christ.

v.8 Paul went to speak in the synagogue-boldly for three months.

Here in Ephesus, the Old Testament promises were being made clear with the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus. The eyewitness reports of them being fulfilled were offered as evidence. Paul was trying to remove ALL obstacles to anyone coming to Faith in Jesus.

See Acts 18:4.

But some became OBSTINATE: stubborn, determined NOT to agree, unwilling to change or give up something.

o Refused to believe decline to accept, unwilling.
o Publicly MALIGNED the Way. Evil in nature, to cause harm intentionally doing it publicly!

So Paul left them and took his disciples and taught them daily @ the Hall of Tyrannus for two years!

This was a rental room during the hours that Ephesus took a snooze. It was the Mediterranean “siesta” between 11AM and 4PM and during this time Paul would be teaching there every day for two years! He works as a tent maker in the mornings and in the afternoons, he would teach. The tireless apostle and his eager students would continue this way for two years. It reaches everyone on the province of Asia so that they all HEARD the Word of God.

What have we learned today? The Gift of the Spirit is given to those who have repented and believed in the Lord Jesus. These gifts are then used to bring honor to His Name within the Body and to give the Fellowship a way to bless each other. The list in Gal., Rom. and Eph., gives God's people a handle on how to build each other up in the Lord. These things, the gifts, are to be developed through obedience and openness to the Lord's commands.

We are not to be obstinate to His Word. We are to be open and changeable. And as we learn more about Him, and we live that life out before our families and neighbors, all who live in Tokorozawa will hear the Word of the Lord.

Until that all hear! Until they all believe!

Today is Pentecost Sunday. ICCS joined with Believers from over 220 countries around the world in an International Day of Prayer. It all started in South Africa with a dream in 1990. A layman wanted people all over the world to pray on Pentecost Sunday and ask the Lord of the Harvest to break down the walls of unbelief and to move His Spirit in the lives of men and women around the world. Today, we were told that only about 19 counties did not sign up to take part in this day of Prayer. How exciting it was to know that THAT many believers from around the world were joining together to seek the Father's face. Our numbers were small but we covered the whole earth! I WAS BLESSED TO BE A PART OF THIS WORLD WIDE EFFORT TO LIFT THE NAME OF JESUS UP!

Shine Jesus, Shine! Fill Japan with the Father's Glory!

TEAM WORKING WITH ENDURANCE

We are going to look at this whole passage today but we will center on the ministry style and success of the two tent makers' ministries of Priscilla and Aquila.

First: Paul. We see him leave Corinth after a long visit and ministry. He had been kicked out of most cites long before this time. There was a lot to do there and from reading 1 and 2 Corinthians, it was worth every hour. Much need there. And the stayed there because of what the Lord had told him in the night vision back in verse 9-10.

9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city."

I feel very strongly from these verses that the Lord has something to say about the “hit and miss outreach strategy.” Some feel that it is important to get the Word out-no matter if it is a short shot-or one poorly done-as long as it is out there. I find that the idea of staying in a local is so important as the longer one stays, the longer and the deeper the community relations gets. Some had come with our mission and left in 2.5 years. I don't have a problem with that, as they needed to stay here for that period. Short-term missions are very important and we owe a great deal to them as they have had a deep impact on this community. My concern is two years here to establish a work and then move on to another location for two years may not be the best use of the worker.

In the words of a ministry friend from Montana, the usually stay of a pastor there was three - four years. The community got use to the fact that their Shepherds were not staying beyond that. They were outsiders. When my friend stayed five years, they wondered. When he arrived on his seventh year, they were very interested to learn why. He told them he was going to stay. Then the doors of their hearts were opened and ministry really happened.

Paul leaves from Corinth's eastern seaport that is about 7 miles southeast of the main city. He had left Silas and Timothy once again and takes on the husband and wife team of Priscilla & Aquila.

Paul has cut his hair. What does that mean?

He had asked God to bless his ministry. God did and now Paul is reminding himself of God's faithfulness.

This is a form of thanksgiving on Paul's part. The Lord has made good on His promise to bless Paul. So, off comes the hair. This will bring many to question why Paul was doing this and it will give him an open door to explain he still keeps the Law of Moses. See, he really has not thrown the Old Testament away. He still lives in it; he still supports it! Those who will criticize him later needed to see Paul acting this way. He was and still is a Jew. Nothing wrong with that!

So now that the hair is cut, he is now free to do what?

It is not a matter of being free to do anything. It was just an expression of having a thankful heart. He is not bound to the law but he has been set free to express his heart in the way he knew best; i.e., the Nazirite vow. He had made a vow before this departure time called a Nazirite vow. Don't get this confused with the city of Nazareth. The term comes from the OT from the book of Numbers 6:2-3

'If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of separation to the LORD as a Nazirite, he must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or from other fermented drink. He must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins…

He is someone who is called to be separated or consecrated unto the Lord-for a time period. This is someone who was separated from the general population and consecrated to God. You may remember Samson was called to be a Nazirite from birth, but earlier references to this vow is made much earlier as from the time of Moses. Such a person is involved with three things- no alcohol, including all products of the grape vine, uncut hair for a time, and no contact with the dead therefore making him clean.

In our walk of Faith, we too should be confident that when God calls us to do something, He will empower us to complete it. See Phil 1:6

“being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

But we fear… sometimes, don't we? Why?
IS God using you to your full potential? Can He use you more that you are being used now? Are you fully aware of His control in your life? What is it that He is to complete in us for 'that day?” ( … … think about it … … )

Paul is on his way to Jerusalem. He is in a hurry-for some reason. Either he wants to get back for Passover in early April (in 52 AD) so with the sea-lanes open for travel from March 10 on, he would need to book passage on the first ship out of the area. He expresses his intention to return to Jerusalem IF it is God's will.

Acts 18:21 But as he left, he promised, "I will come back if it is God's will." Then he set sail from Ephesus.

Rom 1:10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

Rom 15:32 so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.

1 Cor 4:19 But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have.

1 Cor 16:7 I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.

Keeping the door open…

In any event, Paul lands near Ephesus and walks into the city. He goes straight into the Jewish synagogue and reasons with the Jews. Again, that is his heart. He had dusted the dirt off his cloths in the last city but this is a new city-new people- new souls to talk with and to set them free with the Main Thing of the Gospel: Jesus, that Christ who came to take away the sins of man, was crucified, died and was raised from the dead and is alive today to deal with the sins of man.
The Gospel again would be explained there in Ephesus.

They ask him to stay and he says he has to go. In the past, they wanted him planted in the red dirt of the city (be killed). And he would NEED to leave but here the people WANTED him to stay and he says he has to go. (What does this mean?) And he is off again and goes to Antioch, his home sending church. He then travels around the area

23a and traveled from place to place throughout the region … , strengthening all the disciples.

Now, the focus is off Paul, for a time, the light is on these two exiled Jewish believers. Priscilla & Aquila are a special twosome and it is these two we will finish with this morning. As I said before: “we will center on the ministry style and success of the two tent makers'”.

Style: They were looking and listening. They were aware!

Many today have no sense at all. No decrement in what they hear or read or even believe. False teachers with their false doctrine are rampant in our culture today. It is sad to note that few believers understand the differences between Biblical Christianity and the smorgasbord of cults around today. For example, today, Mormonism has increased their baptized membership out of the homes of men and women who were professed Christians. It is best that we who teach and we who listen return to the Word of God.

2 Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

We would do best to follow Paul's example in Corinth and

Acts 18:1 So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the Word of God.

Fad or shallow preaching produces ignorant sheep that are easy prey for the wolves in cults and false religions. We need to be sharp!

Success: Priscilla & Aquila - centered on that Word of God.

They heard a man from Egypt-Alexandria-a Jew with a Greek name who knew the Word as well but there were a few things missing. Priscilla & Aquila were going to help Apollos gain what he needed to be one who is approved. He knew some-a lot more than most but he was lacking in “the way of God.” He knew about Jesus but only about the baptism of John. He spoke with great fervor and had a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.

25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord

but he was lacking some important elements. Priscilla & Aquila's style was to take someone aside and re-teach them in the way of God more adequately.

Some factors that Priscilla & Aquila followed were the following: Endurance in the Truth. See 1 Cor 15:58 to see the definition.

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

The end result in such a way is rewarding as found in

2 Tim 2:12 if we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we disown Him, He will also disown us.

The result would be as

James 1:4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

I was asked recently what is Good. My answer came from

Philippians 1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man or the faith of the Gospel.

UNITY!

There are four things to hold onto-to stand firm to:
1. Hold on to Good: 1 Thess 5:21 Test everything. Hold on to the good.
2. Hold on to courage: Heb 3:6 But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are His house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.
3. Hold on to faith: Heb 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
4. Hold on to Hope: Heb 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.

Not Space Science here! Common and basic and down to earth things to hold onto. The goal we receive when we follow these guidelines is found in

1 Peter 1:7 These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Priscilla & Aquila, once the corrections were made in Apollos' heart and mind, set him free to do the work of a workman who was now no longer ashamed of the Gospel. Now Apollos knows that this Gospel can now work into the practical outworking of an every day life.

Let us draw near to one of our own who is going out this summer to tell Teenagers about that Gospel. WelcomePatrick McGinty as he shares about the open door the Lord has for him with Gospel Teams with HiBA.

On to Corinth! Acts 18:1-17

When I say the name of this city, what sort of things run through your minds? Give me your best shot. Ready? Las Vagas, Bangkok, Singapore, Corinth!

Well, if you are thinking of anything that deals with sex, you got it right! This city of Corinth, which was smaller that Tokorozawa at 200,000, was noted for its unsavory outlook on life. Sexual sin was worshiped here. Male and Female Temple prostitutes were paid well for their services. A REAL 'RIP-ROARING CITY, where Horace put it, “None but the tough could survive.”

Paul went to Corinth after the short stay in Athens. While there, Paul met a Jewish man named Aquila, a native of Pontus. Pontus was on the north east side of current Turkey. It was in the Asian province. (Paul was forbidden to go there by the Holy Spirit but this is the second time people from there meet with Paul.) This man and his wife had just returned from some time in Rome. They had to leave that city. The Roman Emperor Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. That was in 49 A.D. Some say that the problem was that there were so many disagreements from the Jews in Rome, that Claudius just had enough. Some say it was because some Jews were preaching Jesus and that caused the problem. Pick one.

Now Aquila came from Pontus. That area later became a large Christian area. By the beginning of the First World War, the Turks forced many people groups out of 'their' country. The Young Turks, as they were called, killed over 350,000 Ponic Greek Believers in an ethnic cleansing that also did away with many more Armenians and other minority groups. It is becoming an issue today as Turkey is looking to join the European Union. Some have not forgotten nor forgiven the Turks for those killings.

Because Aquila and Priscilla were workers of leather in making tents, Paul joined them. He too was a worker of leather. A common practice at that time for a preacher to be bi-vocational. His workweek looked like this: Six days at work in the Aquila Tent shop and one day off to reason with the Jews and Greeks in offering them salvation through Christ Jesus.

Things changed for Paul once Silas and Timothy returned from Macedonia. They brought with them some gifts from the Believers back home. This monetary gift was described in 2 Cor 11: 9

And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.

And again in Phil. 4: 15

Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;

Before the gift came, Paul was not a burden to the new group of believers. He supplied his own money for food and living. He engaged in tent making to offer his Gospel without charge. Working for the might Buck was not his goal in life. His strategy was to work when necessary and preach at all times. We can learn from Paul that if you don't work, you don't eat.
Eph. 4:28

He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

And in 2 Thessalonians 3:8

nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

And for sure, 2 Thessalonians 3:10

For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."

Now, with his team back in place, Paul goes after the goal with a great deal of power. He

“devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.”

The term is used today of being a Full Time Christian Worker. It implies that there are some part-time Christian workers or even a Profession Christian full time Christian worker, as opposed to being an unprofessional Christian full time Christian worker. Do these words bother you? They do me.

Some time passes between verse 5 and verse 6. Here Paul was preaching away and one by one, a family here and a group of people there, all came to know His presence in their lives. People are living a new or reborn lifestyle. Some are just different now that they have placed their trust in Jesus-since they believed that He died for them-that He will return once again. This must have gotten into the Jewish leaders faces and they began to feel threatened. Not that Paul was preaching that people forget the Jewish ways, no, he was showing them that they could live a life in Christ Jesus without being captive to the Law.

When we look at what kind of ministry Paul did there in that wicked city, we can see that he followed the Lord's commission given in Matthew 28:19-20.

1. He came to Corinth (his going from someplace),
2. he won the lost to faith in Jesus (make disciples),
3. he baptized them and he taught them as verse 11 says:

So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

Now, the Jews opposed Paul.

After a while, they became abusive toward Paul. His response was to shake the dust off his clothes in protest. In other cities, he had been treated very badly. Remember back in Lystra in Acts 14? You'd think Paul would get discouraged. You'd think he would give up. Paul was walking by Faith even in the middle of opposition. In fact, a pessimist would only see the pain and problems; an optimist would see only the possibilities but a realist sees the potential in the pain. That's Paul! He saw all to well where an angry crowd would take him yet he still went into the streets to reason with them. Why?
Romans 10: 1-3 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. What does this shaking off the dust mean? Jesus had told His 12 that if you go into a certain town and they reject the Message, you are to brush off the dust from your shoes and move onto the next village. Luke 9:5

"If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them."

And again in Luke 10:10-11

But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 'Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.'

Paul wants the Jews to realize that he is clear of his responsibilities of the judgment that will come. They have blasphemed against the Lord by rejecting His Person. They are to face judgment for that fact. Paul uses wording from the OT from 2 Samuel 1:16

For David had said to him, "Your blood be on your own head. Your own mouth testified against you when you said, 'I killed the LORD's anointed.'

Paul then walks out of the Synagogue and walks next door to the house of Titius Justus who is a worshiper of God. The synagogue leader also defects and follows Jesus with his WHOLE household falling in line to believe. (The Jewish group needs then to find still another leader to replace Crispus.) After, when the crowds of Greeks beat up the man Sosthenes, there is evidence that he too follows the way of Salvation and believes in Jesus later. 1 Cor. 1:1.

Face it, my friends, there is never an easy road to take when you are walking with Jesus. There is no better road. It is never easy to serve Him. If it were easy, something is most likely very wrong. Later, Paul would remind young Timothy in 2 Tim 3:12

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Some people today are preaching that to be a Christian and to have the blessing of the Lord would mean that there is nothing but blessings of prosperity. Francis Bacon (1600s) once said that “Adversity is the blessing of the New.” Paul was at peace with what was going on as he fell asleep that night and in that sleep, the Lord visited him with yet another vision.

Paul would have sung the great Hymn called Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine! by Fanny Crosby, had he known it. This was his testimony as well!

What ever happened between verse 8 and verse 9? Whatever it was, sparks were flying! Many now were coming to faith is Jesus. When was the last time you witnessed New Life? Who was the last person you know who came to Faith in Jesus? How long ago was it? Why? Here Titius Justus and Crispus and his whole family came to Jesus. many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.

WOW! What a sight! The numbers kept on growing, just like back in Jerusalem, and in Antioch. When it got like this in Philippi and at Berea and at Thessalonica, it was time for Paul to move on. It seemed to be that way right along. Why would it be different now? Can you just hear Paul telling his group, “Well, better get the bags packed. More are coming to faith and even more are getting angry. Before they come for me and drag me out to be beaten, I'd better go!”

But as he went to sleep, 9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision:

"Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city."

What was Paul's response? Verse 11

So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the Word of God.

Then the enemies stared again but Paul was holding on to the Promise of God! They took him to the bema for a hearing.

The Lord knows just when we need His special touch and reminder. It may not be like Paul's experience at all but our Lord's presence is still there. He will speak to us when we are in need of Him the most. Sometimes, He uses silence. During those times, it is hard but necessary to trust Him. He is faithful! He can say to your heart today:

“Fear not, My child. I love you with an everlasting love! I know what you need and I will supply ALL your needs in Christ Jesus. Timing is Mine. Do not fear nor let your heart be troubled. I am with you-forever! You are Mine!”

How can we remind ourselves of this promise? The next time you feel all alone or discouraged, remember:Hebrews 13:5

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

or Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Or Isaiah 43:1-7

But now, this is what the LORD says-He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel:"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, - Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the ends of the earth- everyone who is called by My Name, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed and made."

This is Mother's Day. How can such a sermon turn to the likes of a Mother's Day sermon? I am not going to try. But for the sake that some are looking for something that deals with Mother's Day, Here is a Mother of all stories of how much God loves the people of the city of Corinth. He know who was His and He was planning for them to not only hear the Message but to embrace it.

How about you? Have you embraced the Gospel Message and followed your heart to the Cross.

I'd like us all to spend a few min, in fact, one min, before the Lord and let Him know where you are with Him. Maybe you need to ask Him to forgive you. Maybe you need to tell Him that you love Him. Maybe you need to just stay silent before Him and let the silence heal your troubled mind and soul.

You may want to pray this prayer:

"Lord, I'm Yours...and whatever the cost may be, may Your will be done in my life. I'm not here on earth to do my own thing, or to seek my fulfillment or even my glory. I'm not here to indulge in my desires, to increase my possessions, to impress people, to be popular, to prove I'm somebody important, or to promote myself. I'm not here even to be relevant or successful by human standards. I'M HERE TO PLEASE YOU!"

That is the prayer of my heart, and I know that I have much to learn until it is really true.

Let me know if you want to take this challenge on. I'd love to pray for and with you. Pastor Stan

Athens Part 2 Acts 17:19-34

Greetings! It has been a long time since I posted a sermon blog. Out of the country and being ill has not helped the situation. Well, I'm BACK!!

_______

Paul was a good preacher. This story in Athens continues.

Paul has started to address some issues that made some in Athens wonder if he had a clear head. Was he out of his mind? Such talk about Jesus and the Resurrection! They thought he was speaking about two different people because the two couldn't be one in their thinking.

This fact of the Hebrew faith had not entered their world at all. The Jews had a presence there but the messages found in Judaism had not penetrated the society. No knowledge of One God. No understanding of the God of the Old Testament. Nothing. Why?

Because the faith of those in the synagogue stayed there. This could be us! They lost the drive to share outside their own religious culture//OR they were afraid to or were told NOT to. Either way, Paul was speaking things the normal Greek male had no understanding of AT ALL.

Yet, they wanted to hear more so he was invited-not dragged this time-to a place where the chiefs of the city sat. Their job was to determine if Paul could continue to speak in public.

You got to know that Athens, at this time, was on it's way down and out. No longer was it the center of the world-that went to Rome. No longer were people traveling to its city to hear and learn knowledge. The Golden Age of Athens as over. Athens had given it's self over to 'a cultural paganism' that was fed by idolatry, novelty or uniqueness and philosophy. And in it's crumbling, people had a false hope they were still great. All they did, Luke writes in verse 21.

(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)

The world was moving past them and they cared not. Just want to understand. Want to study. Want to get knowledge. They were self-centered. That was their soft spot, and they were guarded…Paul was not on trial but he was on display as to see if his message could hold up under their understanding of authority. He shows them four Witnesses to consider. He starts by getting on their good side:

“"Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship.”

Even when his own heart was grieved and sickened by the grossness of their idol worship-it was everywhere, he did grant to them this one concession. They were religious. Not a healthy religious but nonetheless, religious. Empty of Truth.

The Epicureans and Stoics were a different lot. The first only dealt with the material, pleasure, free from pain and anxiety. They avoided extremes and sought to enjoy life in all its fullness by keeping things in balance. Paul was turning over their wagon. He was upsetting their WA!

The Stoics really were appalled by the idolatry but for different reasons than Paul. These people were pantheist-A One World God-all is god and god is all. Pain is not evil and pleasure was not good. Man could follow one's own reason and be self-sufficient. In truth, this brought vanity and pride to the front and that man did not have to need God for anything. Interesting to note that two of their founders killed themselves.

Their teachings were unable to change people's lives. With all this teaching and questioning, and all their culture and wisdom, the Greeks did not know the True God of the Bible. 1 Cor 1:18-25

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

One group taught “Enjoy Life!” The other “Endure Life!” Paul's task was to offer them Real Life and a Life that was full.

Paul brought up something that is called “A cultural equivalent.” This would tell a great deal about the people. He spoke of one such altar.

“I even found an altar with this inscription”.

THE GIVEN WITNESS:This brought him into a three point sermon with even some poetry to end on.

#1. He aroused their interest…

#2. He explained who that God is…

#3. He told them what He was like.

He then ended with a personal application that caused each there to ponder what to do with this information. If they did not know this unknown god, how could he, this unknown god reveal himself to them.

Romans 10: 14 How, then, can they call on the One they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent?

He did all that! He sent His Own Son to us in the Person of Jesus. He took our place when it came to punishment for our sins. He bleed on the Cross for their sins as He bleed on that same cross for our sins. He sent Paul to them and thru the Holy Spirit of God, today, we hear that same message. We need to respond as well.

THE GREATNESS OF THE WITNESS Starting with verse 24, Paul explains how this GREAT WITNESS of God had begun life and supported life from the very beginning of time. So detailed is the God of Creation that He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.

The reason for this was so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.

That is the situation here right now. We all can reach out to Him, seek Him and you will find Him. No real need to wait much longer. He is not far from us-from each one of us RIGHT NOW. Won't you look To Him?

And for those who have already done that, maybe it is time to re-look into His face and find forgiveness. Maybe it has been far to long since you asked Him to forgive you. Too long has to been since you were in His Arms. In His embrace. Not getting weird here. He is longing for a freshness in our relationship with Him. He is close to you as well. Go to Him. Turn to Him. He is not far from you.

At this point in Paul's talk, it becomes painfully obvious once again, that the Jews that lived in Athens had no contact with the people of Athens. Some of the things Paul was saying was basic stuff for the Jew but really out in left field for the Greek.

The Jews had keep the Truth to themselves and left their neighbors in the dark. No witness to them. Certainly not verbal but not even by their lifestyle. Don't be like them, my friends. Let the World know! Tell a friend! Pass it on! Share a Life! Save a Soul. Seek your family's salvation!

In many ways, Paul was sharing from the Scriptures without them knowing it.

1 Kings 8: 27 "But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain You. How much less this temple I have built!”

Isa 66: 1 This is what the LORD says: "Heaven is My throne,and the earth is My footstool. Where is the house you will build for Me?Where will My resting place be? 2 Has not My hand made all these things, and so they came into being?" declares the LORD. "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at My word.”

THE GOODNESS OF THE WITNESS Men in Athens took great pride in believing that they could serve the gods, but Paul made it clear that it was God who was to serve man. (Vs 25). With this said, Paul wiped out their whole claim to fame in the temples all around them. The entire system that the Greeks had set up which was built on human reason and faulty gods who were more human that man, fell at this point.

When it all comes down to it, it is God who is the author of all that there is. He gives us life, and breath and all things. It is God who is the source of everything as … James 1:17 says:

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

THIS IS HIS CHARACTER!

He is the one who gives life: Matt 5: 45

that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

WE ARE ALL ALIKE!

And it is His goodness and Grace that leaves the door open to salvation:

Romans 2: 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

Turn to Rom 1. We know from Romans 1:18-25 that man knew about God but made a choice not to give Him glory.

18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-His eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator-who is forever praised. Amen.

THE RULING OF THE WITNESS Paul was hitting the center of the religious Greek with all these idols around him. He also attacked their feeling that they were a special race. They felt that they were a special race of men. Paul spoke to the contrary. Even their country, the land that they loved and, I would imagine, worship, was a gift from God. Whenever a people group gets to the point in their cultural development where they feel they are superior (like the White Aryan Race, Po Pot) the people lose perspective or outlook on reality and it becomes the downfall of their government. Warfare has a way of making reality really stick. No one is made better than another. The sooner the world realizes that the better. Get use to it; we are all the same.

When I was in language school. We were not only learning: Haizara wa doko desuka? But also prayer language. I found it really hard to hear or even use the honorific word forms that the religious study offered us. The teachers loved it when we prayed in Japanese because we would think western and say the same thing in Japanese. One teacher told us that she loved hearing missionaries pray because she could hear of a God who was close and dear. I asked, could you not pray that way? No! He is far off!

Not the way it is in Scripture! He is close and He is real!

As I said, Paul did not use Scripture as it would not have been affective at all. He used two of their own Greek religious authors. “For in Him we live and have our being” by Epimenides and … from Arthus and Cleanthes- “For we are also His offspring.” This must have hit home for these guys: from their own writings. This teaching then, was not new; it was found in their own culture-hidden until the Lord reveled it.

Paul told them AND us via the Holy Spirit, that we are made in God's image. Not that He has red hair but in His Spiritual Image. Paul calls it foolishness to make idols in our image as though we are anything big. Here Paul agrees with the Stoics.

Idolatry is folly.

Proverbs 14:18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. Psalm 85: 8 I will listen to what God the LORD will say; He promises peace to His people, His saints- but let them not return to folly.

It is folly NOT to trust in God!

THE GRACE OF THE WITNESS Romans 3:25

God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His Blood. He did this to demonstrate His justice, because in His forbearance He had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-

And again,

Romans 1: 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-His eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

When we speak of the Grace of God, that could last our life time to complete. Philip Yancey wrote about Amazing Grace, we sing about it, movies are titled after it, diamond and even beef CM play it. Grace has become one of the must known word of the Christian ere but even Believers don't understand what it really means.

Grace: the condition of being free of sin, through repentance to God.

Encarta® World English Dictionary © 1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

Not really. The undeserved favor bestowed upon sinners, a gift from God giving us Christ's riches which we do not deserve nor can we earn. Closer…

Eph. 2: 8 For it is by Grace you have been saved, through Faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

But it was the teaching on the Resurrection that really caused a problem…as it does today. They believed that once the body died, he would be happier. Why raise it from the dead to be alive again? They believed in immortality but not the Resurrection. How does the Resurrection affect you today?

If He did not rise from the Dead, we are lost! But He did! And before He went to the Cross…Please prepare for the Lord's Table and remember His sacrifice on the Cross to take our place and receive our due punishment. Remember Him and thank Him.

The outline came from Warren W. Wiersbe. Much thanks to him!

For those in the Higashi Kurume area, this Friday will be another Wheelchairs Of Hope cleaning day--from 10AM~4PM on Friday, May 11. Come when you can and leave when you must! We have about 25 chairs that need some special attention.