Missio Dei Fellowship

In the last few weeks startling and serious sins have come to light in both the larger, national level and in a smaller, local level that deserves our attention. Many would say they understand the greatness of sin in this world and yet there is a steady stream of people who find themselves trapped in sin, while claiming Jesus to be their Lord and Savior. This sermon is an attempt to bring about a sense of sobriety in how we view ourselves in light of the bible's teaching about sin and salvation and holiness.

In this message we examine the testimony of Paul. This is the first of several testimonies as Paul moves toward Rome and prison for the Name of Jesus.

Paul now begins the journey to Jerusalem where it has been abundantly shown that arrest and affliction await him. And in doing so we have a unique opportunity to see how prophets and prophecy seemed to occur in the early church and how someone like Paul would respond to it. We also have a unique opportunity to see how Paul worked within the various political systems of power as a Christian. This is helpful for us today as we see so much uncertainty in the world.

Paul has called the elders from Ephesus to meet with him privately. This story Luke chronicles lays out the final words of Paul to these dear men. He speaks honestly to them and gives them a very strong admonishment to be found faithful for what awaits them. And in doing so Paul lays out an outline of what any aspiring elder or current elder ought to take to heart as they consider their relationship to the local church.

This section of Acts chronicles the final days of Paul's ministry in Macedonia and Achaia with a special focus on the final exhortations of Paul to the elders of Ephesus. In this section we are given a stark description of the mind set and actions of Paul as an Apostle/Elder as he gives his final exhortations to these precious men. Today we have the privilege to see him unabashedly declare his single-minded submission to the ministry of a servant of Jesus Christ.

This section of Acts chronicles the closing days of Paul's time in Ephesus. While he is seeing many very encouraging things occur, there is still the constant presence of resistance by those who reject the gospel message. In this passage we see the planning of Paul and the consequences of the gospel affecting the economy of many in Ephesus.

Paul is now in the beginning stages of his third missionary journey and finds himself in the city of Ephesus. Here we see him come face-to-face with the forces of Satan as the gospel is preached, people believe and there is a demonic push back. In all of this, we see the attempts to mimic the power of Christ in the gospel by those who are not believers. We see the material cost to repenting from false practices and we see how the gospel creates tension and hatred from those who refuse to bow in faith to Jesus Christ.

Paul is now in the beginning stages of his third missionary journey and finds himself in the city of Ephesus. Here we see him come face-to-face with the forces of Satan as the gospel is preached, people believe and there is a demonic push back. In all of this, we see the attempts to mimic the power of Christ in the gospel by those who are not believers. We see the material cost to repenting from false practices and we see how the gospel creates tension and hatred from those who refuse to bow in faith to Jesus Christ.

There is a need to understand the plans of God but too often these become confused with our personal dreams for us. In this message we have an opportunity to see how Paul prayed for the church at Colossae to know God's will. We find a simple and straightforward approach that is not wrapped up in paganism or guess work. Rather, it is revealed for us through the Spirit-inspired Word and given so that we walk in a manner that honors God.

Paul is now in the beginning stages of his third missionary journey and finds himself in the city of Ephesus. Here we see him come face-to-face with the forces of Satan as the gospel is preached, people believe and there is a demonic push back. In all of this, we see the attempts to mimic the power of Christ in the gospel by those who are not believers. We see the material cost to repenting from false practices and we see how the gospel creates tension and hatred from those who refuse to bow in faith to Jesus Christ.

Paul is now in the beginning stages of his third missionary journey and finds himself in the city of Ephesus. He spends three months engaging Jews with the gospel. Luke records for us how Paul went about evangelizing and in it we have a simple blueprint of how to bring the gospel to others. It is always good to be reminded of how we ought to engage people for the gospel. At the same time this is a wonderful opportunity to share the gospel in the context of this sermon.

Often in the spiritual journey of every Christian there are times where things become more clear. This often comes through hearing doctrine taught well and it causes a person to make a key adjustment regarding what they believe. Sometimes it comes through life experiences as well. Certain things happening that make the person rethink and adjust what they understand. This section describes three different times in the early church where things became clarified.

Paul is in Corinth waiting for his companions. As usual, he begins to evangelize the Jews in the city along with Gentiles. This quickly begins to raise up a ruckus and false charges are once again made against him. In the midst of this, Jesus comes in a vision and encourages and strengthen Paul through two commands, do not be afraid and do not withhold speaking truth. Such a good exhortation for times such as Paul's and for us.

Aquila and Priscilla are introduced to the reader in Acts 18. Though they appear only a few times in the bible, their influence was one to consider for us today. This is due to at least three reasons: The first is that they labored and served the Apostle Paul in a point of time where he was likely lonely and facing discouragement. Second, they were responsible for bringing the great preacher Apollos to a proper and complete understanding of the gospel, thus unleashing him to do a good work himself. Third, because Priscilla becomes one of the key lightening rods for the egalitarian movement. This message seeks to develop all three of these points.

Paul is now in Corinth, a major city in the area and he attempts to bring the gospel to his fellow Jews. But he is not here as a man of confidence and strength, but in weakness. This second journey for the gospel is filled with many trials and hardships and now he is in a major city all alone. What greets him? Debauchery of every type, the arrogance of man on full display and a city desperate for the gospel. So what does a man who is weary and weak do? He seeks merely to be faithful to his calling as an apostle.

In this message the believer is shown what is their's in Jesus Christ. Where all things are made new. It is the heart throb of every person who hopes in Jesus Christ, especially those afflicted and burdened. We see imagery that draws our minds all the way back to Eden. God dwells among us and we among Him. Our enemies of sin, Satan and death shall never enter into our lives again. They are gone, banished in the glory of God's righteous wrath. And the children of God now enter into the joy of their Master. And in this the glory of God shines brightly.

At this point in time in God's program, believers who die are immediately brought into the presence of Jesus Christ, while their bodies remain in the grave. The next major event is the Second Advent of Jesus Christ where the Church, both living and dead, shall meet Him and be with Him forevermore. However, the eternal state of a New Heaven & Earth does not come at that point. Rather, it is the millennial reign of Christ over the earth. And the entire Church will be with Christ, in our resurrected bodies, serving and ruling on the earth. During this time, there will also be a time of judgment for the believers.

The idea and reality of heaven is often muddled in our minds. We believe in it and hope for it, but we really don't know how it works. It is usually something that happens "later" and a "place" we go. But beyond that, we don't know much. The bible speaks much on heaven and one will discover that the heaven of which we think about much of the time is not the final reality. It is better understood as an intermediate place that awaits the final stage of eternity. A lot of the problem arises due to a shifting away from the biblical text and into a more theoretical and philosophical approach to heaven.

What happens when you die? Unless Jesus returns in your lifetime, you will die. It is a fixed, certain reality and nothing you are currently are doing will change that. For a Christian, however, there should not be a fear of death. Rather, there should be a sort of anticipation of it, for it is the doorway into the presence of their Savior. But there are a lot of questions about this and that is the purpose of this sermon, to learn what it is that occurs when a believer dies.