Acts 24:14-15 – Hope Toward God – Bible study

Acts 21:8-14 The Grandparents To-Do List Paul was completing his 3rd and final missionary journey. He was returning to Jerusalem to report to the churches at Antioch and Jerusalem on the results of his last evangelistic crusade, stopping in Caesarea for a few days to visit with Philip, one of the first seven deacons. While there, the Holy Spirit revealed some heavy news. 1. Agabus revealed that Paul will be imprisoned. 2. Paul knew that and more. a. \#Acts 20:22-25\ Paul already told the leaders from Ephesus that they would not see him again. b. \#Acts 20:23\ In telling them that, he revealed that the Holy Spirit had sent others to reveal this news to him. 3. \#Acts 21:13\ To these Christians, Paul answered that he was ready for bonds and for death if that is what the Lord desired. The Apostle Paul never had the privilege of being a parent, let alone a grandparent; but his message here teaches us a fact and leaves us a goal. 1. The fact: Life must end. 2. The goal: Make it count for Jesus. While becoming a grandparent in no way means you have one foot in the grave, it does mean that you are entering a new phase in your life. You are no longer just someones child. You are no longer just someones parent. Now, you are the parent of a parent. Surely, if maturity will ever afflict you, it has by this time. Hopefully, you like Paul have realized: There is one fact: Life must end. There should be one goal: Make it count for Jesus. Before that fact becomes reality, what can we do to make that goal a reality? I. Be saved. A. The Bible makes it clear that most of humanity is lost. Matt 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 1. Jesus painted a picture of life as a road. At the end lies a huge gate. It is open and the masses of people are being sweep through it. That gate is not death. It is damnation. 2. Somewhere on that long road was a smaller trail, nothing paved or even large enough to see on your own, just an overgrown path. Someone else would have to point this trail out to you. At the end of that path, a smallvery small-gate. That gate takes you to eternal life, heaven. Mt 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 3. I believe Jesus was talking about that same gate when He told His disciples that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into Gods kingdom. a. Regardless of what you think the "eye of a needed" is, it is obvious that it is difficult for even the smallest person to get through that small gate! b. You say, "Preacher, we are not rich!" but we all are. The poorest American is far richer than anyone Jesus would have met in His earthly life. B. What some do not understand is this truth holds for the religious as well. 1. That includes those inside churches, synagogues, and and temples. 2. How can that be? 3. In Romans, Paul tells us what most men do. Romans 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of Gods righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4. Pauls topic is Israel, but in speaking of them, he describes the whole of the human race. a. Israel was very religious, but they were ignorant of what God demanded in righteousness. b. Since they did not know what God wanted, they had created their own righteousness. c. This is the definition of "self-righteousness. 5. What is the problem with self-righteousness? a. It is not a righteousness at all. b. It is against God. c. It gives a false sense of goodness but leaves the soul damned. C. The truth is you cannot go to heaven unless you are good enough but you will never be good enough on your own. You must receive the righteousness of Jesus Christ. 1. Admit that you are sinner, unworthy of heaven and worthy of hell. 2. Trust what Jesus did on the cross a payment for your sin. 3. Surrender yourself to God and purpose to live as God directs you all the days of your life. II. Be Scripturally baptized. Ac 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. A. The believer was given two ordinances (commands, action symbols) from Christ. 1. As often as we will, remember Jesus through the Lords Supper. 2. Be baptized. B. I am not just speaking about being baptized. I am speaking of being baptized as the Bible speaks of. Ro 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. C. When we are Scripturally baptized, baptism becomes both a picture and a very real action on our part. 1. Baptism is a picture of Jesus death, burial, and resurrection. 2. Because baptism is a picture of what Jesus has done: a. Baptism should be done reasonably close to the time you accept Jesus as your Savior. (1) An excessive delay mars the picture. (2) If Jesus died, was buried, and rose for you, you should anxiously and quickly testify of it through baptism. b. Baptism should be by immersion. (1) Some people think the mode of baptism is unimportant. That only the thought is important. (2) Romans 6:4 says we are baptized into his death and raised to walk in newness of life. (3) Maybe some bury their dead by sprinkling dirt clods on their head, but around here we put the whole body in the ground. (4) And no matter how you bury your dead, I dont see any way you can picture being "raised to a walk in a new life" by sprinkling them. (a) There must be a raising. (b) If there is no raising, you have not fulfilled the picture of Scriptural baptism. (5) Why not just do what the Bible says? Be immersed. (a) The word "baptize" means "to immerse." (b) The examples of baptisms were all immersion. (c) The picture of baptism demands immersion. 3. Because Baptism is a very real action on our part, it should close the affairs of our old lives. a. Again, Romans 6:4, "raised to walk in newness of life." b. Baptism marks the beginning of your new life in Christ. (1) Old things are supposed to have passed away; all things are supposed to become new. (2) COMMITMENT TO CHRIST. (3) Anyone can say that they have been saved. (4) Christians are to prove they have been saved by leading a distinctly different life. c. Our obedience to baptism both sets the pace and demonstrates the determination of your new life in Christ. (1) Baptism sets the pace. (a) Are you going to obey Christ or not? (b) The best obedience is instant obedience. (c) Jesus has enough stragglers. (d) What Jesus needs are some Christians who are going to obey Him. (2) Baptism demonstrates your determination. (a) Where does Jesus Christ rank in your life? (b) The first command for the believer after repentance is to be baptized. (c) If you do not obey the first command, how can you claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ? (d) The eyes of others are watching, especially your children and grandchildren. III. Tell others about Jesus, especially the ones you love. A. Remember the small path on the huge road to damnation? 1. I mentioned that most would never see the small, over- grown path. And they wont. 2. Someone will have to point it out to them. 3. Parents and grandparents, we if dont point out the path to eternal life, who will? 4. I can almost understand some peoples hesitance to tell strangers about Jesus, but their own family? a. School wont tell them. b. Most churches wont tell them. c. If you wont tell a stranger about Jesus, why should you expect a stranger to tell your family about Jesus? B. More than twenty years ago, a family was attending our church (Beth and Sam Wells). The mans brother died and, as a friend, I went to the funeral. At the visitation in the funeral home, I asked if his brother were a Christian. Tears welled up in the mans eyes. When he could speak, he choked out the question, "This is one of those times when you really should have asked, isnt it?" C. You know people. You have influence with people. You love people. Grandparents, you have grandchildren. Do not let them face eternity without making sure they have heard how Jesus saves. 1. Tell them, again and again. If they are saved, they wont mind. If they mind, theyre probably not saved. 2. Make sure they understand salvation is not some empty prayer. Salvation changes your life. Watch for the change. Pray for the fruits of salvation. D. If you were mortally injured in an car accident with only minutes to live, who would you want to tell about Jesus? 1. Go tells them today. Now. 2. Do it while you have time. IV. Live the Christ-like life. Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. A. Christ changes lifestyles. "Where has your life been changed?" 1. language 2. beverages 3. websites you visit 4. priorities 5. how you spend your money 6. what you see as entertainment 7. your politics 8. your work ethic for your employer 9. your work ethic to God 10. attitudes 11. your home life 12. your schedule B. Suppose we did your funeral a bit differently. 1. Suppose we had open mic night at your funeral and asked the grandchildren to share their most vivid memory? 2. Would they recall you a. cussing or praying? b. working or worshipping? c. lusting or loving? d. telling them about dirty jokes or telling them about Jesus? e. having a beer in your hands or a Bible? f. sitting in the Lazy Boy or sitting in the pew? C. These are not just the curious ramblings of the preacher. They are the commands of the Bible. 2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; a. Turn from its goals, its entertainment, its lusts, and its luxuries. b. Separate from it as the Bible tells us to do. V. Serve God. A. We should not want to be "unprofitable servants," but faithful servants to our Lord. Mt 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. B. The fact remains, "Life will end." 1. If you are a grandparent, you are most likely closer to its end than its beginning. 2. Have you made it count? C. You do not have to be a minister to serve God. You just have to do something for Him. 1. Start by doing something that "fits you." a. You have not lived this long in this world by doing nothing. b. You must have some skills, some ability, some availability. c. Use it for Jesus. d. You can built, repair, clean, pick up – Do it for Jesus. e. Do you have money? Use it for Jesus. f. Do you have friends, coworkers, underlingsTell them about Jesus. 2. Then seek something that "stretches you." a. Pass out tracts. b. Approach people with the intend of teaching them about Jesus. c. Start a backyard Bible school for children. d. Start an evening time Bible study with adults. e. Double your Sunday school class. f. Start a ministry. VI. Love your family. A. I am certainly no expert on love, except that I have been loved. 1. I am placed to say there has never been a day when I was not loved. 2. From that perspective, let me tell you what love is. B. Love is being favored both emotionally and in actions above all else. 1. Love your individual family members , both emotionally and in actions above all else. 2. Love them above your job, your money, your possessions, your career, and all other people. a. It is strange how many people have put their job, career, money, and possessions above their family. b. I hope you are watching as the world shows you how little they appreciate your loyalty. c. This past week, the man sitting in the Presidents office mandated that you must have a vaccine or pay to be assaulted in order to work for a large business. (1) I dont know what will happen. (2) And, as far as I am concerned, the mandate has little to do with the vaccine. (3) This is more government control. (4) A hospital in upper New York will quit delivering babies because their nurses wont get the vaccine. https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/coronavirus/ny-hospital-wont- deliver-babies-after-unvaccinated-staff-quit/3267240/ (5) This isnt the anti-Christ or the mark of the beast but it is a dress-rehearsal for when they get here. (6) All of those things people put in front of their family are going to be taken away.