At Praise Church We: A_________
At Praise Church We: PRAISE • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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At Praise Church We: Are ALL IN FOR JESUS!
At Praise Church We: Are ALL IN FOR JESUS!
We are all in: Because of what Jesus has done
We are all in: Because of what Jesus has done
We are all in: so we STUDY DEEPLY, the Word of God!
We are all in: so we STUDY DEEPLY, the Word of God!
Check this out, in the Book of Acts (Acts of the Apostles), we get to see what it looks like when a group of people are ALL IN for Jesus.
On the Day of Pentecost, there were people in Jerusalem from all over the world. People who spoke various languages, from various places, were in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which occurs 50 days after passover. It commemorates Moses at Mt Sinai receiving the Torah from the Lord.
It is a BIG DEAL.
SO Jerusalem is full.
And on THIS Shavuot, The Lord gave something else.
When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.
Now there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, devout people from every nation under heaven. When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? How is it that each of us can hear them in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts), Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the magnificent acts of God in our own tongues.” They were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”
I included a little bit in there, because I want to FOCUS on specific things, while clearing the air on some others.
SO at Mt Sinai: The Lord poured out the Law to Moses
In Jerusalem: The Lord poured out the Holy Spirit for His people.
and it caused a ruckus.
All of a sudden people encountered something that they could not explain: the could see a disruption, light, like FIRE, and they could hear rushing wind and then they could hear their native language coming from unexpected places.
All of these languages are named, right there in Verse 9-11.
And they asked the question: What does this mean?
Then the 11 Disciples stood up and preached a message, with Peter being the front man. We learn this in Verse 14.
The People hear the Word of God proclaimed in their own language and the the message is one that cuts deep. It touches their soul. They cry out: what must we do; to which they are told: Repent and be baptized!
They didn’t have all the answers, but they knew how to get them:
So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
They devoted themselves to learning God’s way.
They devoted themselves to each other.
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
And the result was glorification of God and church growth.
We are all in: Even when we have doubts!
We are all in: Even when we have doubts!
Quick: If you have ever had doubts about faith issues, please raise your hands.
My hand is up!
Back before I was Pastor Jacob, there was a time when I was just a guy named Jacob. I came to know Jesus, and you know what: I had doubts. I had questions. See DOUBTS are just questions.
Seriously:
Greek word (Edistasan) - to lack confidence in or have doubts about, to be uncertain, to hesitate
What is all of that? TO HAVE QUESTIONS!
Is this road safe?
Am I really seeing what I think I am seeing?
Because this goes against EVERYTHING I understand!
Why does a loving God let bad things happen to good people?
Why do little children get cancer?
What is with all these denominations?
I HAD QUESTIONS!
When I went to seminary: I GOT EVEN MORE QUESTIONS! I needed answers.
Doubt and Question are synonymous. But there is a difference that we can understand.
The thing that separates a DOUBT from a QUESTION is the ACTION taken because of them.
Do you walk away from the faith, or not? That is the action!
Check this out:
When they saw him, they worshiped, but some doubted.
Resurrection Day.
The disciples had seen Jesus crucified. They were part of burying Jesus. They saw with their own eyes that Jesus was dead.
Now here JESUS IS STANDING on the top of a mountain:
They saw him, They worshiped, but some doubted.
Now here is the kicker: Jesus doesn’t even address the doubts. Jesus gives them an opportunity:
The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but some doubted. Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Jesus knew that some had doubts, but He gave them the opportunity to GO IN HIS NAME!
You don’t take orders from a dead man, but from a living man!
Let’s look another place:
Matt 14, Jesus feeds 5000. Then He tells His disciples to get in a boat and go ahead to the other side while Jesus spent time with the Father on a mountain in prayer.
The disciples are in the middle of the sea, the waves and wind are beating the boat up, and in the midst of that they see SOMETHING on the water.
FEAR: It’s a GHOST!
Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Jesus spoke into their fear.
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter answered him, “command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus.
Tell me, what happens?
Peter walking on water - let’s not forget that! The other disciples are still in the boat, let’s not forget that.
But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Peter is WALKING ON WATER - doing the impossible. When his logical mind takes over and he realizes that he doing what cannot be done - what the world says is impossible, and he takes his eye off Jesus.
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
I want you to notice what Jesus does:
Immediatley - NO HESITATION - Jesus catches Peter.
I don’t want you to miss this and think Jesus stuck out His hand and Peter grabbed Jesus; NO NO NO - Immediately - before Peter cried for help - the moment the sinking occured - JESUS GRABS PETER!
And he asks a questions - not a scolding question - but a question:
Why did you doubt?
Let’s not miss this: You of little faith - who was walking on water - why did you doubt?
Jesus didn’t scold Peter, he met Peter in the doubt.
Look we are NOT a perfect church, we are not PERFECT people - but here at Praise Church we are a culture of being ALL IN FOR JESUS: Despite any doubts or questions that we may have. We are going to own those, and be honest when we have them because then we can get through them together.
Jesus meets us in our doubts and questions, and HE gives us opportunities to serve Him even when we have them.
Do you know why?
Because in our service, we often find the answer.
If you think to yourself: one day I would like to teach, maybe you are at that point.
But I still have a lot to learn: You learn more when you are preparing lessons to teach others.
