Courage and Conviction

 Courageous Conviction

Steve W. Reeves

steve@wschurch.net

stevereevesoutlines.blogspot.com

INTRODUCTION:

A. In his book, Tragedy In The Church, The Missing Gift, A.W. Tozer wrote: “The 

    church has lost her testimony. She has no longer anything to say to the world. Her 

    once robust shout of assurance has faded away to an apologetic whisper. She who 

    one time went out to declare now goes out to inquire. Her dogmatic declaration has 

    become a respectful suggestion, a word of religious advice, given with the  

    understanding that it is after all only an opinion and not meant to sound bigoted.”

    1. Tozer’s assessment of modern day churches is a far cry from the courage and 

        conviction displayed by first generation Christians pictured in the book of Acts. 

    2. The opening chapters of Acts is not filled with pale, subtle hues but with stark, vivid 

        colors that leave no doubt about the faith of these early believers. They lived in 

        anticipation of the Lord’s return. They were passionate about being together and 

        they were filled with amazement, astonishment, wonder and praise. 

B. It did not take long, however, for such a bold faith in the resurrection of Jesus to 

    encounter the fury of opposition from the established religious leaders followed by 

    the civil authorities. 

    1. During the first thirty years of the church’s existence, this persecution was led by 

        Jewish leaders. 

        a. According to Acts 4:1 these included such groups as the priests, temple guards 

            and Sadducees. 

        b. It was persecution from Jewish leaders that led to the stoning of Stephen in Acts 

            7 and the scattering of Christians into Samaria in Acts 8. One of the most active 

            persecutors was a man named Saul in Acts 9 who became the apostle Paul. In 

            Acts 12 James the brother of John was put to death by the sword, and Peter 

            was arrested  and scheduled for execution before he was miraculously released 

            from prison. 

    2. Under the Roman emperor Nero around 67 A.D., civil persecution of Christianity 

        became rampant.

        a. Christians were sewn up inside animal skins and fed to ferocious packs of wild 

            dogs. 

        b. One account says that Christians were dipped in hot wax, set on fire and used 

            as human torches. 

        c. Under the emperor Domitian, Christians were placed on racks where their 

            bodies were stretched and ripped apart. 

        c. Through the centuries Christians have been persecuted in countless ways. This 

            continues to this day in many places around the world.

        d. In many places where persecution may not be physical, it is seen in 

            discrimination economically, vocationally, emotionally and culturally.

    3. It would be an epic mistake for you and I to think we are immune to such 

        persecution. 

D. In the first episode of persecution recorded in Acts 4 and 5, the early Christians 

    demonstrated the courage and conviction that must always characterize followers of 

    Christ. 

I. THE REALITY OF PERSECUTION

    A. Acts 4:1-3 describe the setting in which persecution began. 

       1. In Acts 3:1-12 a man who had been crippled his entire life was miraculously 

           healed by Peter. As he leapt with joy and ran into the temple he obviously 

           attracted everyone’s attention. 

        2. As the people looked on Peter explained that the miracle was not a result of his 

            power but was done in the name of Jesus the Nazarene. Beginning in verse 12, 

            he preached the second Gospel sermon (the first had been at Pentecost) and 

            concluded by saying, “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be 

            wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the 

            Lord” (vs. 19). 

        3. According to Acts 4:4, the number of men (gender specific noun) was 5000. In 

            other words, this number did not include the number of women. The entire 

            number could have been 10,000 or more when you consider the 3,000 baptized 

            on Pentecost (2:41). Can you imagine such a large number of believers in the 

            Jewish temple?

        4. The Sadducees did not believe in a resurrection. Peter’s sermon was completely 

            opposed to their teachings on their own home turf!

    B. Acts 4:3 is crucial. It is the first verse in the book of Acts that speaks of 

        persecution.  “And they laid hands on them and put them in prison until the next 

        day, for it was already evening.” (Remember, this occurred after 3 pm.).

C. Do not think that the disciples were caught off guard. Jesus spoke frequently about 

     persecution. 

        1. In the Sermon on the Mount He said, “Blessed are those who have 

            been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of 

            heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and 

            falsely say all  kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, 

            for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the 

            prophets who were before you.”

        2. In John 15:18-19 the Lord said, “If the world hates you, you know that it has 

            hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would 

            love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of   

            the world, because of this the world hates you.” 

       3. Paul wrote to Timothy that “all who live Godly will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 

            3:12).  

        4. We have a spiritual enemy who was opposed to everything Jesus did. He hates 

            everything that is good and righteous. He is the “prince of the power of the air 

            and the spirit at work in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:1-2). 

    D. Persecution is just a real today as it was in the first century. It is estimated that as 

         many as 100 million people who profess Christianity suffer some type of physical 

         persecution and limitation on the practice of their faith in this world. 

II. THE RESILIENCE OF THE BELIEVERS

    A. The real test of a person’s character is not when everything is going smoothly 

        without any difficulty or hardship. Instead, it is when they are under pressure facing 

        obstacles and hardships. 

        1. Peter and John were put on trial before the Jewish High Priest and the Jewish 

            leaders. These were the same men to had delivered Jesus over to Pilate to be 

            crucified just a few months earlier. They meant business. How would Peter and 

            John respond?

        2. If we could turn the clock back to the time when Jesus was on trial, where was       

            Peter and what was he doing? He was in the courtyard when someone  

            recognized him as a Galilean and said, “You are one of the disciples.” He denied  

            it not once but three times even cursing and swearing he did not know Jesus.

        3. Now, however, Peter has a completely different story. He unashamedly tells the   

            men this miracle was done in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Then in verse12 

            he says, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under  

            heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.”

        4. What made the difference? Verse 99 says, “And Peter, filled with the Holy      

            Spirit.” Also note verse 13, “When they observed the confidence of Peter and  

            John and understood they were uneducated and untrained men, they 

            recognized them as having been with Jesus.” Their resilience was due to the 

            power of God working in their lives. 

    B. Referring back to Tozer’s statement, I believe the spiritual anemia experienced by 

        many Christians and congregations results from our attempt to substitute the 

        power of God with human wisdom, human strength, human ingenuity and human 

        innovations.

        1. We believe that tinkering with plans, programs, property and personnel will 

            somehow result in a magical key to spiritual strength and righteous resilience. 

        2. Jim Woodruff used to say that many congregations are like a 747 aircraft on 

            the runway ready to take off. There is a full staff on board. All the passengers             

            are properly seated, the fuel tanks are fully loaded and the tower has given    

            clearance. Then, the pilot says, “On the count of three we’re all going to lean 

            forward and say “Zoom, zoom.” How foolish. You must harness the power of the 

            engines. The church must harness the power of God to survive and grow in a 

            hostile setting. 

III. THE RESOLVE TO FOLLOW GOD

    A. After being questioned by the authorities and commanded to no longer teach 

        about Jesus, Peter and John were set free. Notice Peter’s response in verses 19-

        20, “But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight 

        of God to listen to you rather than to God, make your own judgment; 20 for we 

        cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 

    B. Did this stop them? 

        1. In 5:12 the apostles continued to do signs and wonders while the people were 

            together at Solomon’s portico in the temple. They had turned the temple into a 

            church building. 

        2. People from the entire vicinity of Jerusalem were coming to bring those who 

            were sick as the apostles preached. The size of the crowds was staggering and 

            the officials became jealous. They had the apostles put in prison but that night 

            an angel unlocked the gate and set them free. The following morning the 

            apostles were at it again. When the officials heard they were no longer in the 

            prison while the doors and guard were securely in place, they were perplexed. 

            Once again they rounded them up and said, “Did we not tell you to no longer 

            preach or teach in this man’s name?” In verses 29-30 Peter responded, “We 

            must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, 

            whom you put to death by hanging Him on a cross.”

    C. This is not the time for the church to be timid. God has not given us a spirit of 

         timidity but of power (2 Timothy 1:7). 

CONCLUSION:

A. The history of God’s people since creation has been filled with persecution. Notice 

    these words from Hebrews 11:32-40, “And what more shall I say? For time will fail me 

    if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the 

    prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness,    

    obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped 

    the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put 

    foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and 

    others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better 

    resurrection; 36 and others experienced mocking and flogging, and further, chains and 

    imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they 

    were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being 

    destitute, afflicted, tormented 38 (people of whom the world was not worthy), 

    wandering in deserts, on mountains, and sheltering in caves and holes in the ground.

    39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was 

    promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us 

    they would not be made perfect.”

B. The religious freedom with which we are accustomed is very rare on the stage of 

    history and in our modern world. If history is any indicator it will not last. Subsequent 

    generations may be faced with choices you and I have not had to make. My prayer is 

    that Christians, present and future, might follow the example of our first century 

    spiritual ancestors and remain courageous and convicted. 

    

    

Amazement

 I Stand Amazed

Steve W. Reeves

steve@wschurch.net

stevereevesoutlines.blogspot.com

INTRODUCTION:

A. Many people today are interested in learning about ancestors. There is a web site 

    called Ancestry.com. The TLC channel has a show entitled, “Who Do You Think You 

    Are?” Although I have never seen the show, I do find it interesting to learn about my 

    ancestors with names like Reeves, Maddox, Cherry and Fowler. I have several books 

    that belonged to my grandparents and a bedspread made by my great grandmother. 

    1. Christians should be interested in our spiritual ancestry.

    2.  I enjoy learning of people who were the original members of West Side. I like to 

        read about early preachers in the restoration movement and have visited many of 

        the sites associated with the restoration of New Testament Christianity in 

        Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. 

    3. Most importantly is my interest in the first generations of Christians pictured in the 

        New Testament book of Acts. Who were they and what were they like? What 

        characteristics did they possess? Acts is concerned not only about what these 

        people did but what effect the good news of Christ and the coming of the Holy 

        Spirit had on their lives. 

B. When unbelievers look at you, the thing that will get their attention is not what you 

    say but how God has affected your life.  

    1. The book of Acts is like a movie with each scene depicting how God’s love and 

        grace through Jesus Christ transformed people. Throughout the book, the 

        transforming power of God produced amazement, awe and wonder. 

    2. There are over ten occasions in this book where these words are used. Here are a 

        few of them. 

        a. Acts 2:7 – “They were amazed and astonished, saying, “Why, are not all these 

            who are speaking Galileans?”

        b. Acts 2:12 – “And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, 

            saying to one another, “What does this mean?”

        c. Acts 2:43 -  “Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and 

            signs were taking place through the apostles.”

        d. Acts 4:13 – “Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and 

            understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, 

            and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.” 

        e. Acts 12:16 – “But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the 

            door, they saw him and were amazed.”

        f. Also consider Acts 8:13; 9:21; 10:45; 13:12. 

C. In this message I want us to focus our attention on the amazement described in Acts 

    3:1-11.

I. THE MAN

    A. Sometime after the Day of Pentecost, Peter and John went up to the temple in 

        Jerusalem at the 9th hour of the day (3 p.m.)

        1. Peter and John were close and perhaps life-long friends. They were fishing 

            buddies, they lived in the same area of Galilee around Capernaum and had 

            been called into ministry along with their brothers Andrew and James. During 

            Jesus’ ministry Peter, James and John were often with Jesus at important times.

        2. The 9th hour was a regular time of prayer at the temple. It was also a time when 

            evening sacrifices would be offered. Thousands of people came to the temple at 

            this hour. This would have included many of the new converts to Christ. 

            According to Acts 2:46, “Day by day, with one mind, in the temple court and from 

            house to house ate their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart.” 

    B. There was someone else at the temple. Although we do not know his name, what 

        happened to him on this occasion has permanently etched his place in history. 

        1. He was a beggar who had been lame from birth. Due to a deformity with his feet 

            and ankles he had never been able to stand, walk, run or jump like others. As a 

            child he had never been able to play a game of tag or run a race against the 

            other boys. As an adult he was unable to work. Without government assistance 

            there was no choice for him other than to beg. 

        2. Where do beggars go? You do not find them lining deserted country roads. They 

           go where people are. They are found at busy intersections or in the parking lots 

            of busy shopping centers. For this man, his location of choice was at the temple 

            gate called “Beautiful.”

            a. This gate faced east overlooking the Kidron valley. It was the largest of all the 

                temple gates. The Roman historian Josephus described it as 75 feet tall and 

                60 feet wide. It was so enormous that opening and closing it required twenty 

                men. It was made of Corinthian brass embroidered with pure gold. No 

                wonder it was referred to as the “Beautiful” gate. Because of its size and 

                appearance, it was the favorite place for the people to enter the temple 

                complex.

        3. It was at this beautiful gate that the lives of Peter, John and this beggar 

            intersected.

    B. There are many beggars mentioned in the Bible. 

        1. Lazarus – Luke 15:19-24, sat at the gate of a rich man’s house.

        2. Bartimaeus – Mark 10:46, a blind beggar sitting beside the road whom Jesus 

            healed.  

        3. In a spiritual sense we are all like these men. In the words of an old song, 

            “Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling. Naked come to thee for 

            dress. Helpless look to thee for grace. Vile, I to the fountain fly. Wash me Savior 

            or I die.”          

II. THE MIRACLE (vss. 4-8).

    A. Stories are told by the use of verbs. This man’s story can be summed up by 

        noticing the verbs that are found in verses 2ff. They are “carried,” “beg,” “saw,” 

        “asked,” “gazed,” “expecting,” “leaping,” “standing,” “walking,” “praising,” and 

        “worshipping.”

        1. He was carried to the temple gate where he begged for money. When he saw 

            Peter and John, he asked them for money.

        2. Peter and John did not have money. Peter said, “I do not have silver and gold, 

            but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, 

            walk” (vs.6). 

        3. Peter reached out and grabbed the man by the right wrist pulling him to his feet. 

            The man’s feet and ankles were strengthened and he immediately began 

            leaping for joy. There was no surgery, no rehab, no therapy. The man was 

            instantly and completely cured. 

    B. This is a good place to ask an important question. What are we to make of the 

        miracles that take place in the book of Acts?

        1. Jesus performed many miracles. John wrote, “So then, many other signs Jesus 

            also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this 

            book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the 

            Christ, the Son of God; and that by believing you may have life in His name.” 

            (John 20:30-31). 

        2. When the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the church, He gave the apostles of 

            Jesus miraculous power to heal others as Jesus did. 

        3. The miracles validated the apostles as true spokesmen for God. 

            a. Nicodemus told Jesus, “we know you are a teacher from God for no one can 

                do the things you do unless God is with you.”

            b. Acts 5:12 –15      

        4. When it comes to performing miracles you need to recognize some important 

            facts. 

            a. Every miracle in the book of Acts was performed by an apostle or someone 

                very closely associated with them upon whom they had laid hands. In fact, the 

                only two people in Acts who performed miracles other than the apostles were 

                Stephen and Barnabas. 

            b. The purpose of miracles was to confirm the authority of the apostles. There 

                were no miraculous healings where there were no apostles. There are no 

                miraculous healings mentioned in the Bible after the book of Acts. 

    C. The healing of this man was a continuation of the signs and wonders mentioned  

        in Acts 2:43.

III. THE MARVEL

    A. How did people respond when they saw this man they recognized as a beggar, 

        leaping for joy, walking and running? 

        1. Acts 3:10 – “and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had 

            happened to him.”

        2. Peter replied in verse 12, “But when Peter saw this, he replied to the peopled 

            “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why are you staring at us, as 

            though by our own power or godliness we had made him walk?”    

    B. Can you imagine how exciting this must have been? There was great rejoicing. 

        People were praising God and worshipping.

        1. A man was visiting a church one Sunday. As the sermon progressed he 

            occasionally spoke, “Amen.” Soon one of the ushers approached him and said, 

            “Sir,” we do not say ‘Amen’ at this church.” The man responded, “Why not? I 

            have joy!” The usher said, “You didn’t get it here so please be quiet.” 

        2. A friend of mine worked with a church in northwest Arkansas. During the 

            singing of the song “It Only Takes A Spark,” a group of teenagers yelled out, 

            “Praise God.” The next day a man came to my friend and said, “We’re not going 

            to have any of that praising God at this church.”

        3. Have we become so “dignified:” that we are “petrified.”

 IV. THE MESSAGE

    A. As the people crowded around Peter, he began to preach just as he had on the 

        Day of Pentecost.       

        1. He reminded the crowd of how Pilate had given them a choice concerning 

            Jesus. Instead of releasing him, they chose a thief and a robber while crying 

            out to crucify Jesus. 

        2. In verse 19 he said, “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be 

            wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the 

            Lord.”       

        3. According to Acts 4:4 many who heard Peter believed and the number of men 

            was about 5000. 

    B. Many years ago I was watching an episode of the game show “Family Feud,” (not 

        the current series). The question was “What is the most boring place?” The 

        number one response was, “church.” 

    C. One fellow visited a church and heard the announcement that there would be a 

         meeting of the board. He attended saying, “No one was more bored than me.” 

         Another man visiting a church saw a plaque in the foyer with names on it. “What’s 

         this,” he asked? “It’s the named of our members who died in the service.” He 

         quickly replied, “Which one, the morning or evening?” 

        1. I do not advocate empty emotionalism.

        2. I am concerned that many of us have lost our sense of amazement at the grace 

            of God, the sacrifice of Jesus and the gift of salvation. Our hearts have grown 

            cold. Our faith has become stale. Our zeal has become lukewarm. We need a 

            revival to return to the awe, wonder and amazement of the early church. 

CONCLUSION:

A. You do not need a supernatural miracle to be filled with awe and wonder. 

B. “Have you ever stood at the ocean with the white foam at your feet?

     Have you ever stood at the sunset with the sky bellowing red?

     Have you ever stood in the family with the Lord there in your midst?

     Have you ever stood at the cross, with the man hanging in pain? Seen the look of 

     love in His eyes, then I say, you’ve seen Jesus my Lord.” 

C. Will you stand amazed and come 

Together

 

TOGETHER

Steve W. Reeves

steve@wschurch.net
stevereevesoutlines.blogspot.com

INTRODUCTION:

A. Is it important for Christians to be together? Is it important for the church to assemble 

    together for worship? 

    1. One of the most difficult consequences of the current pandemic has been the 

        inability of the whole church to come together in a physical setting. 

    2. According to research done by the Pew Foundation most religious groups in the 

        United States have about one third of their normal attendance present on a weekly 

        bbasis witth two thirds watching on line. Our average at West Side is about fifty 

        percent present and fifty percent viewing online.  

    3. According to the Pew Foundation’s newsletter on August 7, 2020 the majority of 

        those surveyed said they intended to return to their pre quarantine attendance 

        once the pandemic subsides.

B. As I look at the beginning of the church pictured in Acts 1 and 2 I am impressed with 

    the importance they placed on being together. The word “together” is found seven 

    times in these two chapters with six of these referring to the followers of Jesus. 

    1. In Acts 1:4  Jesus, “gathering them together.”

    2. In Acts 1:6 we read, “So when they had come together they began asking Him, 

        ‘Lord, at this time will you restore the kingdom to Israel?’”

    3. According to Acts 1:15 a group of about 120 was there together… 

    4. In Acts 2:1, “When the day of Pentecost had come they were all there together in 

        one place.”

    5. In Acts 2:6, “when the people heard this noise the crowd came together.”      

    6. Acts 2:44 records, “and all of the believers were together and had all things in 

        common.”

    7. Finally, Acts 2:46 states, “Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and 

        breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with 

        gladness and sincerity of heart,”

C. I want to remind all of us, whether we are physically present or watching on-line of 

    the importance of being together as soon as possible. 

I. THERE IS PROTECTION IN BEING TOGGETHER

    A. After Jesus ascended into heaven the disciples followed His instructions to remain 

        in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came upon them.. According to Acts 1:15 a group 

        of about 129 were together. Ten days latter on the Day of Pentecost (fifty days 

        after Passover, Leviticus 23:15) they were all together in an upper room. 

        1. Throughout Acts you find believers coming together at critical times. In Acts 12 

        after James had been killed and Peter had been arrested believers came together 

            in the home of Mary the mother of John Mark to pray. 

        2. These first generation Christians faced their challenges together. 

    B. Although two thousand years have passed and we live in a different time, a 

        ddifferent place4 and a different culture this truth remains. We need the spiritual 

        protection that is found when we are together. 

        1. In Ecclesiastes 4:7 Solomon said, “If two lie down together they can keep warm, 

            but how can one be warm along?” 

        2. Penguins are fascinating creatures. They live in a climate where the temperature 

            reaches 40 degrees below 0 and the winds blow at over one hundred miles per 

            hour. How can they possibly survive? They huddle together in groups of 

            hundreds and thousands. Their body temperatures warm one another so much 

            that the temperatures inside the huddle is a toasty 70 degrees. They regularly 

            move in and out to the circumference of the group so none are exposed to the 

            cold  for too long. How long would one last if it wandered away from the group?

        3. When a herd of Zebras is threatened by a predator they gather together in a 

            circiple with their young on the inside of the ring and their hind legs facing 

            outward to kick against the danger. A Zebra by itself is easy prey for a lion.  

        4. Peter says tthat our adversary, the devil, is like a roaring lion seeking whom he 

            may devour. Who is better prey than one who is seperated from the protection of 

            being together?

II.THEREE IS SUPPORT IN BEING TOGETHER

    A. Acts 2:44 says that all of the believvers were together and had all thinhgs in 

        common. A companion text is Acts 4:32-35, “And the congregation of those who 

        believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything 

        belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to 

        them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the 

        resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there 

        was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or 

        houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the 

        apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each to the extent that any had 

        need.”

        1. Most of us have seen a formation of geese as they fly. The “V” formation allows 

            each of the geese to take advantage of the air flow from the one in front of it. 

            This enables them to expend forty percent less energy in flight and cover longer 

            distances. In addition, they swap out the lead  preserving their strength, they 

            encourage one another with incessant “honking” and if one drops out of the 

            formation it will be accompanied by another. 

        2. Can you be a good person by yourself. Yes. However, you will be a better 

            person when you receive the support that comes from being with others. 

    B. The writer of the book of Hebrews addressed Christians who were in need of 

        encouragement. Some of them were facing persecution. Some of them were 

        growing tired and weary in their faith….

        1. In Hebrews 3:12-13 this writer said, “Take care, brothers and sisters, that there 

            will not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the 

            living God. 13 But encourage one another every day, as long as it is still called 

            “today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

        2. In Heebrews 10:23-25 we read, “ Let’s hold firmly to the confession of our hope 

            without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let’s consider 

            how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, 25 not abandoning o                      

            own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one 

             another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”                      

    C. A man went to visit a friend who had stopped attending church. It was a cold winter’s day and there was a roaring fire in the fireplace. The ttwo men sat quietly before the fire. Slowly, the visitor reached for the tongs and pulled a flaming coal away from the fire. Silently the two men watched the flame subside and thee coal grow dark and cold. It was them that he told his friend, “This is what is happening to your soul when you do not come together with the church… 

    D. I have been a Christian for almost fifty years and a preacher for forty years,. I have never known anyone who said they became spiritually sstronger by not coming together with the church. 

III. THERE IS GLADNESS IN BEING TOGETHER

    A. Acts 2:46 is such a great passage.” Day by day continuing with one mind in the 

        temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals 

        together with gladness and sincerity of heart,”

    B. How do you viewe your relationship with the church?

        1. Are you a spectator watching what happens? Spectators do not get excited. 

            They just watch. They don’t participage or contribute. They invest nothing and 

            receive nothing. 

        2. Are you a consumer? Do you attend or watch just to see what you can get out of 

            it? Maybe you go from church to church like shoppintg at the grocery store to 

            see what’s in it for you? Consumer Christiqns are usually not very happy or 

            reliable.

        3. Are you a participant? Think of the difference between watching a ball game on 

            television and being in the stadium. In the stadium you are surrounded by 

            people who are excited about what is going on. They stgand, sit and yell. It may 

            be freezing but they sit for hours because it is enjoyable. 

        4. The early church was glad when they came together because of their common 

             love for Jesus.   

CONCLUSION:

    A. Acts 2:46 continues into verse 47, “Praising God and having favor with the peeole, 

        vand the Lord added to the church daily those being saved.”

        1. There is a dynamic in coming together that cannot be duplicated by any other 

            means.

        2. In August of 2005 Hurricane Katrina struck the southern United States. Teens of 

            thousands evacuated the Louisiana and Mississippi gult coast. The 

            congregation where I was preaching near the Mississippi and Tennessee state 

            linie received over 150 evacuees. For the better part of a month we housed 

            families in our 31 classrooms. We set up a food kitchen in our Family Life 

            Cemter and  turned part of our lobby into a clothing warehouse. Our first lady, 

            Laura Bush came and visited us. The local newspaper ran a drawing of our 

            church building on their editorial page with a note of appreciation. I have never 

            experienced anything like it before  or since. The thinkg I remember most is 

            when we came together for worship on  Sunday morning. At the time we had a 

            worship attendance of 750. There were easily over 900 that morning with many 

             having never attended a worship service in the church of Christ. Sitting across 

            from me was a man from the Louisiana coast with his family. They were 

            shrimpersTheey were rough around the edges and tough. As we sang “The 

            Greatest Command” I glanced over and tears were streaming down this man’s 

            face. I told my youngest daughter (sixteen) “Always remember this. This is a 

            once in a lifetime occurrence.

        3. How did we do such a thing? Together. It wasn’t even planned. Everyone came 

            together. 

    B. Knowing this church as I do. Knowing the talend and ability of each one. Knowing 

        what a great capacity you have to love God and love others I am persuaded that 

        there is no limit to what we can do for the Kingdom of God as long as we ddo it together. 

Normal

 

                          

God’s Definition of Normal

Steve W. Reeves

steve@wschurch.net

stevereevesoutlines.blogspot.com

 

INTRODUCTION:

A. A recent article in FORBES magazine suggested that it may take seven years to

return to “normal,” following the current pandemic. The article considered the

impacts on such things as financial markets, travel and business. Some analysts

suggest that “normal” as the world has known it, has been lost forever. (FORBES,

November 15, 2020).

B. The article suggests a question the church needs to consider. “What does: “normal”

look like for the church?”

1. For many of us it means a return to the way things were before the pandemic. It

means sitting together, no masks, visiting in the foyer, potlucks, worship on

Sunday morning and evening, returning to our usual Bible classes and all of the

other activities in which we were previously engaged.

2. Without questioning the validity of these things, I believe we should ask the

question, “Are these things the real standard for ‘normal’?”

3. I believe there is a much better standard of “normal” for the church. It is found in

the New Testament book of Acts.

C. Acts is the second of two volumes written by Luke to a man named Theophilus (lover

of God). The first was the Gospel of Luke which contained “all that Jesus began to do

and teach” (Compare Acts 1:1 with Luke 1:1). Now, in this second volume, Luke

records the continued work of Jesus through His church.

1. There are some in the religious world who do not like Acts because they reject

“pattern theology.” They say that Acts is merely a picture of how the church looked

at that particular time and situation and should not be considered as a pattern

for the church today.

2. Obviously we must take historical and cultural considerations into account while

studying Acts or any other book of the Bible.

3. There are, however, many commands, examples, principles and precepts in the

book of Acts that are just as valid today as they were in the first century. If we

really want to understand God’s definition of “normal” for His church we must

return to the book of Acts.

D. In this message I want us to see three characteristics of a normal church.



I. IT IS ANTICIPATIVE

A. The very first thing Luke records is how the early disciples were filled with hope

and expectation.

1. For forty days after the resurrection Jesus had appeared to the disciples no

fewer than ten times. In Acts 1 Jesus appeared to them one final time before

ascending into the clouds. Anticipation characterized what He commanded and

what He did.

2. He told them to wait in Jerusalem. These men were ready to go home to Galilee.

Jesus said to wait because the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which He had

promised to them just eight weeks earlier in the upper room, would come upon

them. Jesus had told them that this “comforter” would guide them into the truth

(John 16:5-15).

3. The apostles asked Jesus if this was the time He was going to restore the

Kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:6). Jesus replied that it was not for them to know.

God has an appointed time. Their responsibility was to be vigilant and

anticipate.

4. Then, according to verses 9-11, as they stood with Him, He was taken up onto

the clouds before them. Why the clouds? Throughout the Bible, clouds play a

key role in denoting the presence of God (See Daniel 7:13, also consider the

baptism and transfiguration of Jesus) Then, two men adorned in white apparel

stood beside them and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the

sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the

same way as you have watched Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).

5. Where did Jesus go? According to Hebrews 1:3, “When He had made

purification for sin, He sat down at the right hand of Majesty on High.”

B. The ascension of Jesus and the promise that He will return in the clouds was a

radical, life changing event for the disciples. The focus for the rest of Acts and the

remainder of the New Testament is the promise that Jesus is coming again. This

was “normal” for them. Unfortunately, it is no longer normal for us.

1. We have too many things we want to do for Jesus to come again.

a. We want to finish school, start a career, get married, have children, watch

them grow and live to a ripe old age. Then, just before we die, Jesus can

come again. Of course, by that time there will be others wanting to do the

same things.

b. Would it surprise you to know that God is not going to consult your personal

calendar to determine when Jesus will come again?

2. Sir Earnest Shackleton, a famous British explorer in the Antarctic, was

preparing a trans-Antarctic journey when his ship, Endurance, became lodged

in ice. The crew disembarked before the ice eventually crushed the ship.

Shackleton went for help while the crew camped on the sea ice. Every day the

commanding officer would tell the crew, “Get up and stow your gear men.

Today may be the day Sir Ernest returns. We must be ready. They waited for

weeks and weeks but eventually Shackleton returned just as he said.

3. A normal church is one that anticipates the coming of our Lord. We work, pray

and live with anticipative hearts and spirits.







II. IT IS DECLARATIVE

A. For ten days, the disciples waited for the power of God to come upon them. In

Acts 2 as they were gathered in the upper room (perhaps the same upper room

where Jesus had met with them) the Holy Spirit came upon them with the sound of

a rushing wind and the sight of tongues of fire. These men were filled with the

Holy Spirit just as Jesus had promised them in John 16 and prior to His ascension

in Acts 1. Peter said this was the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy in Joel 2:28-29.

What did they do?

1. Immediately they began to preach the Gospel. They were given miraculous

power so that everyone heard in their own language.

2. Peter preached. The book of Acts is declarative. It contains 19 sermons (eight

by Peter, nine by Paul, one by Stephen and one by James (the brother of

Jesus).

3. They did this because Jesus commanded it. In Acts 1:8 He told them that after

the Spirit had come upon them they were to be His witnesses in Jerusalem,

Samaria and into the remotest parts of the earth. Earlier, Jesus had told the

disciples to “Go teach the Gospel to every nation” (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark

16:15-16; Luke 24:47).

B. According to the book of Acts this was normal for the church. Everywhere these

people went, they taught about Jesus. They taught publicly and privately. They

taught in good times and difficult times. They taught when it was inconvenient,

when they were persecuted, when they encountered opposition. Within a short

period of time they had carried the Gospel to all Judea, Samaria, Asia Minor and

had plans to go as far as Spain. They understood that “normal” for the church was

being declarative with the Gospel.

1. Using this criteria as a standard of “normal,” how are we doing? How are we

doing in our own community? How are we doing in our own families?

2. We do not measure up to God’s definition of normal. What preaching and

teaching we do is primarily to our own dwindling numbers. We have become an

introverted church taking care of ourselves but neglecting the salvation of souls

in the world. We give money to pay others thinking it releases us from the

responsibility of declaring Jesus to others. This is not normal regardless of how

many times we come together each week and how many classes and activities

we have. This is not normal.



III. IT IS TRANSFORMATIVE

A. Peter concluded the first Gospel sermon He passionately proclaimed that this

Jesus, whom they had crucified, God had made Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). They

were pricked in their hearts (vs. 37). It wasn’t the messenger who convinced them

but the message. Jesus had died for them. They were guilty of crucifying Him.

1. When the crowd cried out, “what shall we do” (vs. 37) Peter and the apostles,



inspired by the Holy Spirit, answered, “Repent and be baptized in the name of

Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy

Spirit” (vs. 38). In every account of conversion in the book of Acts either

explicitly or implicitly, this was the normal response to the Gospel.

2. Picking up with verse 41, “So then, those who had received his word were

baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They

were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching, fellowship, the

breaking of bread and to prayer.”

B. These people were transformed. Their lives were changed. Their priorities were

changed. Their families were changed. This was the normal response of

people in the first century church.

1. Is God pleased with weak, anemic churches that think they are normal

just because the doors are open three days a week while multi-million

dollar buildings sit vacant the majority of the time?

2. Is God pleased with churches where members invest more time complaining

about one another than teaching lost souls?

3. Is God pleased with churches that cater to convenience rather than conviction?

4. Is God pleased with churches that pander to pleasure rather than preaching

Gospel truth?

C. May God have mercy on all of us who have failed to live transformative lives.



CONCLUSION:

A. In my home ttown of Memphis, Tennessee, is the University of Memphis. Prior jo its

current name it was known as Memphis State University. When it began in 1912 it

was called West Tennessee State Normal School.. The entire community around the

college was called the “Normal” community. There was even a congregation knows

as the :”Normal” Church of Christ (npw the Highland Church of Christ)…..

1. I want to be a part of the “normal” chur

2. In making this statement, however, I must add that I am not interested in a human

definition of “normal,” but in God’s definition of “normal.”

B. Will you join me in the quest to discover and fulfill God’s definition of “normal” for His

church?

Angry With God

 

ANGRY WITH GOD

Steve W. Reeves

steve@wschurch.net

stevereevesoutlines.blogspot.com

 

INTRODUCTITON:

A. In Job 13:3 there is a statement that reflects the feelings of many people.

    1. In the midst of physical, emotional and spiritual pain Job cried out, “But I would

        speak to the Almighty, And I desire to argue with God.”

    2. Job was under attack. He had lost his wealth, his family and his health. His friends

        had become his accusers. In verse 4 Job rebuked his friends by saying they

        smeared him with lies and were worthless physicians.

B. Do you have questions you would like to ask God? Are there times when you are

    ready to argue with God?

    1. The Old Testament prophet Habakkuk was angry that God was going to allow the

        Babylonians to destroy Judah because of its wickedness. He cried out in

        Hakakkukk 1:1-3, “How long, Lord, have I called for help,and You         do not

        hear? I cry out to You, “Violence!” Yet You do not save.³ Why do You make

        me see disaster, and make me look at destitution?”

    2. David had occasions in his life when he questioned God. In Psalm 13:1-2 he crid

        out, “How long, Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your

        face from me? ² How long am I to feel anxious in my soul, With grief in my heart all

        the day? “

    3. Many of you can remember a time in your life when you have felt abandoned

        by God and have your cries to Him. You may be going through such a time in life

        right now.

C. We sometimes forget that the men and women pictured in the Bible were not “super

    action heroes but people like us. Their feelings and fears were like ours. They

    encountered problems and perils like we do. This was certainly true with Job. The

    great lesson Job needed was the same one we need. It is the lesson born out in Job’s argument with God and God’s response to Job.

 

I. JOB’S ARGUMEENT WITH GOD

    A. In the midst of his suffering Job was ready to debate God and ask God why such

        calamity had befallen him. Notice these verses beginning in chapter 13.

        1. In verse 15 he said, “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will

         argue my ways before Him. “

        2. In verse 18 Job said, “Behold now, I have prepared my case;I know that I will be

            Vindicated.”

    B. Hear Job’s cry from chapter 23:1-5, “Then Job responded, ² “Even today

        my complaint is rebellion;His hand is heavy despite my groaning. ³ Oh that I knew

 

        how to find Him, That I might come to His home! ⁴ I would present my case before

        Him And fill my mouth with arguments. ⁵ I would learn the words which He

         could answer, and perceive what He would tell me.”

    C. Job was asking God for an explanation. Why had he lost everything? Why had his

        friends turned against him?

        1. The same is true of us. We want answers from God. How does all of this fit

            together?       

        2. When I am working on restoring an old radio I download or order a schematic for

            the electronics. This enables me to see how the components work together to

            transform radio frequencies into sound..         

        3. At the heart of Job’s argument were the questions “why” and “how?”

            a. Why is this happening to me?

            b. How is this accomplishing your purpose?

 

II. GOD’S RESPONSE TO JOB

    A. Where was God? As chapter aftter chapter unfolds in Job we do not hear from

        God? After the second encounter between God and Satan in 2:1-6 God does not

        speak again until the opening of chapter 38.

 

“Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind and said,

² “Who is this who darkens the divine plan
By words without knowledge?
³ Now tighten the belt on your waist like a man,
And I shall ask you, and you inform Me!
⁴ Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding,
⁵ Who set its measurements? Since you know.
Or who stretched the measuring line over it?
⁶ On what were its bases sunk?
Or who laid its cornerstone,
⁷ When the morning stars sang together
And all the sons of God shouted for joy?

⁸ “Or who enclosed the sea with doors
When it went out from the womb, bursting forth;
⁹ When I made a cloud its garment,
And thick darkness its swaddling bands,
¹⁰ And I placed boundaries on it
And set a bolt and doors,
¹¹ And I said, ‘As far as this point you shall come, but no farther;
And here your proud waves shall stop’?

 

B. This is just the beginning of God’s response to Job. While Job was demanding an

        explanation, God provided a revelation. God was saying to Job, “before you begin \

        arguing with me can you explain:

        1. How I created the earth, planets and stars (38:1-38). It amazes me that after

            centuries of speculation the best science can do is say, “boom.”   

        2. How I caree for the creatures I have made (38:39 – 39:30).

        3. How I am sovereign over all things.

    C. In response to God’s challenge Job responded, “I know that You can do all things,

        And that no plan is impossible for You.”

        1. Job learned a lesson all of us must learn nin the classroom of suffering. We

            must not trust in ourselves. We must not trust in human wisdom. We must trust

 

            fully and completely in God.   

CONCLUSION:

A. Until a few years ago I drove everywhere. When Tami and I were in the car together I
    drove. On trips across town or across country I drove. It was not a reflection on her

    excellent driving skills. I really enjoyed driving. When I began having visual

    impairment one of the most difficult things for me  :====owas to stop driving – on the

    highway at first and then altogether. Even as I sat in the passenger seat I was always

    saying, “watch out,” “do you see the light ahead,” “there is a stop sign,” etc. Tami is

    very mild spoken and would usually say, “I see it,” but one day she finally said, “shut

    up.” The real issue, you see, was my unwillingness to let go. I wanted to be in control.

B. Job’s life had been run with recision and order. His had was firmly on the wheel. As

    good as he was there was a lesson he needed to learn. Trust God! 

    1. That’s what you and I need to learn and be reminded of each day. Trust God!

    2. You have the opportunity today to turn your life over to Him. Allow Jesus to be the
        Lord of your life as you confess faith in Him, repent of your sins and are buried with

        Him in the waters of baptism. Come back to Him is you have wandered away.

        Trust God!     

            a.