New Day Community Church
June 23
- Hosanna (Praise Is Rising)
- Living Hope
- He Knows
- Trust In You
- It Is Well
Mark 14:22–25CSB
- Ever had someone tell you bad news?They have cancer.The reality is thatOnce a Sunday began with “one of your friends at church has been murdered”Nothing about following Jesus stops horrible things from happening to us.Once had someone come up to me and brag about a pastor who has never had a member die in his congregation.Mourning, grief, struggle, hard work, and even failure are all part of life in a sinful world. What will we believe in it?Its true no matter your religious belief or lack of it. Hardship occurs.One pastor when commenting on a person’s lack of belief due to horrible things, “ok there is no God. No what? Where’s the hope?”One comedian once noted - “I can’t believe he killed himself. Why not? Shouldn’t we be more surprised that we are all still alive.”
John 3:17 CSB 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.Early followers of Jesus, the beginning of the church, knew hardship what they didn’t know before accepting Jesus as God and receiving the Holy Spirit was the hope of salvation.No event shows that hope better than what happened after a murder.Heartache is an opportunity for God’s great triumph.The murder of StephenStephen was an amazing man, 1 of the 7 men selected, who were of good reputation full of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and wise.He was set upKilled with Rocks thrown at himSaul held their coatsActs 8:1 CSB 1 Saul agreed with putting him to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria.Acts 8:3 CSB 3 Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison.Persecution for Christians is to be expected.The continuing scourge of persecutionStephen was an amazing man, 1 of the 7 men selected, who were of good reputation full of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and wise.He was set upKilled with Rocks thrown at himSaul held their coatsThe continuing scourge of persecutionLuke 6:22–23 CSB 22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you, insult you, and slander your name as evil because of the Son of Man. 23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy. Take note—your reward is great in heaven, for this is the way their ancestors used to treat the prophets.Jesus told us, and it would’ve been a surprised to the churchWill it can be expected, Christians should never seek out persecution.Flee JerusalemFlee JerusalemI used to teach a woman from Syria, who I met before the civil war ever started. We discussed how life was a little crazy. People were still doing dance recitals when it first began.Acts 8:1 CSB 1 Saul agreed with putting him to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria.Acts 8:3 CSB 3 Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison.Ending up in SamariaEnding up in SamariaJosephus testimony - run, hide and claim to be mistreatedRavaging a powerful word ἐλυμαίνετοLu-mine-O appears to be a very powerful word of a glutton who cares nothing about anything other than taking everything. Yet it this instance Saul is with huge intent trying to eliminate the Church from existence.Beating and Jail were commonAll except the apostlesGreek doesn’t demand that each and every person go but the overwhelming majority of the churchIts more important to say the leaders stayed, most of the rest took offWhen all the world is going wrong, what do you do? Your response is the truth of your faith, perseverance and loyalty.Picking up and my response to LoriActs 8:4–5 CSB 4 So those who were scattered went on their way preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them.Preaching, they were evangelizing and they were going with no purpose other than refugee statusPhillip was one of the 7.He was not a speaker. He was picked so the speakers could speak.He was fleeingHe was in a unhonorable place to beHe chose to speakThe work is “you-angle-eze-oh“In the midst of all the heartache, Phillip stayed true.Acts 8:6–8 CSB 6 The crowds were all paying attention to what Philip said, as they listened and saw the signs he was performing. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.Everyone listened. Miracles happened.The greatest miracles, stories, and blessings of God have occured in the midst of heartache.The crowds listened because he was in heartache and the Lord was working through him.Your heartache can open doors for people to listen to you that didn’t care to hear in the first place.Do not be ashamed of what trusting in God has delivered you from. People need to hear it.Luke 16:10 CSB 10 Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much.Phillip lived out the principlePhillip was faithful in the midst of crisisGod continues to bless more and more those who use their blessing for His glory.A city was changedActs 8:8 CSB 8 So there was great joy in that city.Do you want joy in your life? John 3:17CSB
Acts 8:1CSB
Acts 8:3CSB
Luke 6:22–23CSB
Acts 8:1CSB
Acts 8:3CSB
Acts 8:4–5CSB
Acts 8:6–8CSB
Luke 16:10CSB
Acts 8:8CSB
- Reckless Love
- All The People Said Amen
1 John 3.16NRSV
New Day Community Church
2097306322
9 members • 5 followers