Acts 1 8 Witnessing to the Wonders of

Acts 1: 8 Witnessing to the Wonders of God – From His Word to the World In 2015

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be My witnesses…

Who is your Hero ? Bible

June: Witness #6: Noah, a Working Witness for God A Working Witness to Faithfulness, Agelessness, God’s Calling, and Time

Main scriptures this month: Genesis 6: 5 -8; 12 -14 – The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. 7 So the LORD said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them. ” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. 13 So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. 14 So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. Genesis 7: 1, 5, 23 -24 – The LORD then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. And Noah did all that the LORD commanded him. Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; people and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark. 24 The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days. Genesis 8: 1, 18 - 9: 1 – But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded. So Noah came out, together with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives. 19 All the animals and all the creatures that move along the ground all the birds—everything that moves on land—came out of the ark, one kind after another. 20 Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. 21 The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. 22 “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease. ” Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. Hebrews 11: 7 – By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.

Today: Noah’s Ark: God’s Boat in a Bad Sea

Today’s scripture: The LORD then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. And Noah did all that the LORD commanded him. Genesis 7: 1, 5 Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; people and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark. 24 The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days. Genesis 7: 23 -24 But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. is no peace, ” says my God, “for the wicked. ” Isaiah 57: 20 -21 21 “There Come, ” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand caught him. “You of little faith, ” he said, “why did you doubt? ” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Matthew 14: 29 -32 But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. Matthew 24: 36 -42 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown? ” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith? ” Mark 4: 36 -40 “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation. ” Acts 2: 40

1. A strong boat means a safe family. So, build to rescue and restore lives.

Genesis 7: 1, 5 – The LORD then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. … 5 And Noah did all that the LORD commanded him. Genesis 7: 23 -24 – Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; people and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark. 24 The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days. Psalm 18: 16 – He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. Matthew 7: 24 -25 – “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Hebrews 11: 7 a – By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.

As The Church is built, the world is saved… Homes/families, too.

2. How do we save drowning people? Life vests, jump overboard, keep boat afloat and working.

Matthew 14: 29 -32 – “Come, ” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand caught him. “You of little faith, ” he said, “why did you doubt? ” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God. ” Romans 12: 4 -8 – For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. I Corinthians 12: 4 -11; 27 -28 – There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. I Timothy 1: 18 -19 – Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.

God needs boat jumpers and stayers – not boat rockers! (Satan wants to shipwreck us. )

3. Have my boarding pass ready for the last departure to my final port of call.

Matthew 24: 36 -42 –“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. John 14: 6 – Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. I Thessalonians 5: 1 -11 – Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety, ” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Let’s all make it to heaven and stay out of hot water until we get there. All Aboard !

4. We are God’s people staying afloat, and saving lives in today’s troubled waters.

Genesis 7: 7 – And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives entered the ark to escape the waters of the flood. Acts 2: 40 – With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation. ” Mark 4: 36 -40 – Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown? ” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith? ” Luke 5: 1 -7 – One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch. ” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets. ” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. Jude 23 – save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

A successful boat is: Jesus as the Captain. We as the crew. Let’s build, sail, rescue, and keep exploring!