If I had but One Sermon to Preach
If I had but One Sermon to Preach
What do we most of all want to give those that we love? • It seems like only yesterday that all of our children were safely in the home with us! • We would be sad if they were not able to advance according to their abilities. • Godly parents want to build a foundation that will last when they are gone. (Eph 6: 4; Prov 10: 25)
What do we most of all want to give those that we love? • Ephesians 6: 4 - And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
What do we most of all want to give those that we love? • Proverbs 10: 25 - When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.
What do we most of all want to give those that we love? • Paul called for the Elders at Ephesus and gave his last message to them. (Acts 20: 25)
What do we most of all want to give those that we love? • Acts 20: 25 - "And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.
What do we most of all want to give those that we love? • He had stayed with them for 3 years, but that had to end. (Acts 20: 31)
What do we most of all want to give those that we love? • Acts 20: 31 - "Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
What do we most of all want to give those that we love? • What should one say at a moment like this? You will want to leave what is valuable and what will last! Consider King David. (1 Kgs 2: 2 -4)
What do we most of all want to give those that we love? • 1 Kings 2: 2 -4 - "I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. 3 "And keep the charge of the LORD your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn;
What do we most of all want to give those that we love? • 4 "that the LORD may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, ' He said, 'you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel. '
Live each day for God amidst opposition (20: 17 -21) • Acts 20: 17 - From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.
Live each day for God amidst opposition (20: 17 -21) • Examples are needed in a world that bombards us with ridicule and ungodliness. • We are to face this with joy and confidence! (Acts 20: 18 -19; Phil 2: 17 -18)
Live each day for God amidst opposition (20: 17 -21) • Acts 20: 18 -19 - And when they had come to him, he said to them: "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 "serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;
Live each day for God amidst opposition (20: 17 -21) • As a child, I gained confidence and instruction from how my parents faced adversity. Their example taught much! • The right kind of heart will set such an example. What one says and does in public should be what one says and does in private. (2 Cor 4: 1 -2; 1 Cor 11: 1)
Live each day for God amidst opposition (20: 17 -21) • 2 Corinthians 4: 1 -2 - Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
Live each day for God amidst opposition (20: 17 -21) • 1 Corinthians 11: 1 - Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
Live each day for God amidst opposition (20: 17 -21) • A clear conscience provides great strength in the face of the false accuser! (Prov 28: 1; Psa 23: 4 -5)
Live each day for God amidst opposition (20: 17 -21) • Proverbs 28: 1 - The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.
Live each day for God amidst opposition (20: 17 -21) • Psalm 23: 4 -5 - Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
Live each day for God amidst opposition (20: 17 -21) • Paul found strength by boldly teaching all of God’s will in all circumstances. (Acts 20: 19 -21)
Live each day for God amidst opposition (20: 17 -21) • Acts 20: 19 -21 - "serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20 "how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 "testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Live each day for God amidst opposition (20: 17 -21) • It is in adversity that we come to see who we really are! Some are ashamed. • How can a man endure these things? He does by humility. The humble can take losses because he knows one who is greater! (Phil 4: 11 -13)
Live each day for God amidst opposition (20: 17 -21) • Philippians 4: 11 -13 - Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Live each day for God amidst opposition (20: 17 -21) • How many have given in to permanent bitterness because of adversity? • Paul worked with these Christians in their homes as well as in public. (20: 20) • Paul would not have had much influence if the only time he spent with these Christians were in the assemblies!
Live each day for God amidst opposition (20: 17 -21) • We will never reach the lost nor have much influence on one another until we open our homes and by that open our lives. (Acts 9: 26 -28)
Live each day for God amidst opposition (20: 17 -21) • Acts 9: 28 - So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out.
Live each day for God amidst opposition (20: 17 -21) • We must will diligence build a foundation of faith and repentance. (20: 20 -21)
Live each day for God amidst opposition (20: 17 -21) • Acts 20: 20 -21 - "how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 "testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Live each day for God amidst opposition (20: 17 -21) • When we neglect the heart, we have accepted the religion of the Pharisees! (Mt 15: 8 -9)
Live each day for God amidst opposition (20: 17 -21) • Matthew 15: 8 -9 - 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. ' "
Live each day for God amidst opposition (20: 17 -21) • We must demand teaching that challenges us where we live. (Ex. Modest apparel, Bitterness) • Paul wanted to help his loved ones go to heaven! From what motivation do each of us teach? Are we ashamed of the whole council of God?
We must continue with confidence and purpose in life. (20: 22 -24) • Paul knew that trouble lay ahead but he did not know the specifics. (20: 22 -23)
We must continue with confidence and purpose in life. (20: 22 -24) • Acts 20: 22 -23 - "And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 "except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.
We must continue with confidence and purpose in life. (20: 22 -24) • This did not phaze him because he was already prepared for this when he became a Christian. (Acts 9: 15 -16)
We must continue with confidence and purpose in life. (20: 22 -24) • Acts 9: 15 -16 - But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 "For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake. "
We must continue with confidence and purpose in life. (20: 22 -24) • Paul was more concerned about how his disciples handled his persecution. Each generation must be prepared to stand fight! (2 Cor 1: 8 -11)
We must continue with confidence and purpose in life. (20: 22 -24) • 2 Corinthians 1: 8 -9 - For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,
We must continue with confidence and purpose in life. (20: 22 -24) • When we give into bitterness, we also affect those who we have taught! Paul showed them that in unfair times a genuine faith gives meaning and joy! • Paul knew there would be a finish line! (20: 24)
We must continue with confidence and purpose in life. (20: 22 -24) • Acts 20: 24 - "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
We must continue with confidence and purpose in life. (20: 22 -24) • If we would focus on the right things, we would finish the race too. • Do you and I have a strong hope of heaven? (Heb 12: 1 -2)
We must continue with confidence and purpose in life. (20: 22 -24) • Hebrews 12: 1 -2 - Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
We must seek and demand the whole council of God (20: 25 -31) • Acts 20: 25 -27 - "And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 26 "Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 "For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
We must seek and demand the whole council of God (20: 25 -31) • When you are seeing a loved one for the last time, there is concern for their safety! • Paul wanted them to see why he taught them as he did. The time is coming where they must seek and demand this kind of teaching. (20: 26 -28)
We must seek and demand the whole council of God (20: 25 -31) • Acts 20: 26 -28 - Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
We must seek and demand the whole council of God (20: 25 -31) • If he had not taught in this way, the “blood” of those he taught would be on his account at judgement day! Do we view teaching this way? • Watch out when men are attacked for their personality and style. We must be asking: “Are they teaching the truth? ” (2 Cor 10: 10; 1 Cor 3: 10 -13)
We must seek and demand the whole council of God (20: 25 -31) • 2 Corinthians 10: 10 - "For his letters, " they say, "are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. "
We must seek and demand the whole council of God (20: 25 -31) • 1 Corinthians 3: 10 -13 - According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
We must seek and demand the whole council of God (20: 25 -31) • 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.
We must seek and demand the whole council of God (20: 25 -31) • When a teacher caves in to the carnal pressures of brethren, he needs to repent! • There is a real danger of false teachers destroying a local church. (20: 29 -31)
We must seek and demand the whole council of God (20: 25 -31) • Acts 20: 29 -31 - "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 "Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
We must seek and demand the whole council of God (20: 25 -31) • There are many here who have seen their loved ones forsake the love for the truth and go into various forms of liberalism. • Preachers are often the major reason. Today there are many sources of error. • Consider the common warnings about false teachers and teaching. (Mt 7: 15; 2 Pt 2: 1 -3, 18 -19; 1 Jn 4: 1; 2 Jn 9 -11)
We must seek and demand the whole council of God (20: 25 -31) • Matthew 7: 15 - " Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
We must seek and demand the whole council of God (20: 25 -31) • 1 John 4: 1 - Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
We must seek and demand the whole council of God (20: 25 -31) • Would Auburn want a man who would “for three years … not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears? ” This eldership does! (Acts 20: 31)
We must seek and demand the whole council of God (20: 25 -31) • Acts 20: 31 - "Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
We must seek and demand the whole council of God (20: 25 -31) • I consider it a high compliment to be accused of “negative preaching!”
We must keep our eyes on the goal. (20: 32 -38) • When we keep our eyes on who we are, how we got here and where we are going, then we will humbly follow God. (20: 32)
We must keep our eyes on the goal. (20: 32 -38) • Acts 20: 32 - "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
We must keep our eyes on the goal. (20: 32 -38) • How many of us have truly tasted that the Lord is gracious? (1 Pt 2: 1 -3)
We must keep our eyes on the goal. (20: 32 -38) • 1 Peter 2: 1 -3 - Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
We must keep our eyes on the goal. (20: 32 -38) • When we focus on bitter attitudes and personal agendas of revenge, then God’s grace is not with us.
We must keep our eyes on the goal. (20: 32 -38) • We must not give in to covetousness. (20: 33 -35)
We must keep our eyes on the goal. (20: 32 -38) • Acts 20: 33 -35 - "I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 "Yes, yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive. ' "
We must keep our eyes on the goal. (20: 32 -38) • A real test of covetousness is in how we give to others!
We must keep our eyes on the goal. (20: 32 -38) • What kind of faith do we have? Are we self -centered or God-centered?
We must keep our eyes on the goal. (20: 32 -38) • Paul taught them the power of prayer. (20: 36 -38)
We must keep our eyes on the goal. (20: 32 -38) • Acts 20: 36 -38 - And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him, 38 sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.
We must keep our eyes on the goal. (20: 32 -38) • While they would be separated, they were not separated from God.
We must keep our eyes on the goal. (20: 32 -38) • Are you missing a loved one? Pray! (1 Thess 5: 25; 2 Thess 3: 1)
We must keep our eyes on the goal. (20: 32 -38) • 1 Thessalonians 5: 25 - Brethren, pray for us.
We must keep our eyes on the goal. (20: 32 -38) • 2 Thessalonians 3: 1 - Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you,
We must keep our eyes on the goal. (20: 32 -38) • Let us each build our lives on God’s word which will never fail us!
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