Holy Hypocrites

Acts 24:1-21. Paul appears before a governor, but how many small - seemingly unimportant - interactions led up to this? How has he been faithful to his purpose as a witness to Christ up to now? How can you be faithful to your purpose today, even just in the small opportunities?

Acts 23:1-22. What could possibly move you away from God’s will? Who could wrestle you out of his hands? We see God put people in just the right places to protect Paul because he had to make it to Jerusalem. We don’t always know what God’s plan is for us, but if he was done with you, you’d certainly be dead.

Psalm 22. Have you ever realized God is not only the recipient of our praise, but he is the source of it? God is your reason to praise God.

Acts 22:1-21. What is your story and where does Jesus fit? If it’s true what the Bible says that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation,” what makes you different? Think about it today so that you’ll be ready when God gives you your audience, whether it’s one or one thousand.

Acts 21:17-26. Anything can seem “impossible” until someone does it. Hearing what God is doing through others can be so encouraging and emboldening... Just as you’d tell someone to learn from your mistakes, what can be learned from your successes? What has God done through you that might inspire others?

Acts 21:1-16. Paul was ready to go to Jerusalem, fully aware it would likely cost him his life. Even that wasn’t enough to stop him because he had submitted completely to God. How do we reach that level of faith?

Acts 20:17-38. Paul prepares to leave the church leaders for good and he points them back to the cornerstones, the foundation of the church. What is your family of believers built on? How can we live with Christ as the framework?

Psalm 21. Even the king exalts God and gives him the glory for all that is accomplished. We don’t have to stress about our day to day. There is tremendous peace and joy in leaving those concerns at his feet because he has it under control.

Acts 10:1-16. Who have you given up on? Who would you consider a lost cause? We can’t know who God is “done” with, so even if we have moved on, we have to keep praying. Because God is able to save those we consider “lost causes.”

Acts 19:11-20. What needs burned in your life? Whether it’s actually something sinful or just a distraction, Satan is good about pulling our attention away from God. Sometimes it requires radical action to refocus. Are you willing?

Acts 18:24-28. If God is the one preparing us for our calling, equipping is for the mission he has given us, then we are all qualified. It’s not up to us to be “exceptional.” We serve an exceptional God.

Romans 3, Ephesians 2, John 3. What is the gospel? We’re off topic today walking it out, stating for the record what it means when we say “the gospel.” We’ll be back in Acts tomorrow.

Psalm 19. Don’t forget the God who is both your king and your Father, the judge and the good shepherd. Only God could do both perfectly. Praise him this weekend.

Acts 18:18-23. I like my calendar. I like laying out a plan and then living out the plan. But sometimes God knows there are more important things than what I have planned. Let’s learn from Paul and lay our plans at the feet of the all-knowing creator.

Acts 18:1-11. How can God use your earthly skills for his glory? What might he do if you surrendered your organizing or writing or teaching to him for his use? If Paul can find in-roads through tent making, I bet God can use your skills too.

Acts 17:22-34. Growing where you’re planted is easier said than done. But God has put us all in a place, and told us to make disciples in that place. Who is he sending you to? And how are you uniquely prepared to reach them with the gospel?

Acts 17:1-10. So the last person you talked to about Jesus wasn’t the most receptive... We have to remember it’s not our job to save. It’s our job to be witness to Christ and let God to the rest.

Psalm 18. God is our trainer. He is preparing and equipping is to face the challenges ahead. He never abandons us but walks us through every valley of every shadow of death. Walk into the weekend with that confidence.

Acts 16:25-34. Jesus said broad is the way that leads to destruction but narrow is the way that leads to life. The world’s way is so much easier! But what gospel opportunities may be waiting for you on the more difficult, challenging path?

Acts 16:6-15. Good news. When Jesus said “go and make disciples” and “you will be my witnesses,” he didn’t leave that to our own imperfect abilities. He’s taking care of it, we just have to hear him and obey him. Easier said than done.

Acts 16:1-5. What gifts do you see in the believers around you, and have you told them?

Acts 15:22-29. Whatever church you come from, we are unified by Christ. The apostles repeatedly address those in other “churches” as brothers and sisters. What can you do today, from your church to be unified as THE church?

Psalm 17. No matter how desperate things look, how outnumbered and surrounded we feel, let us trust God as David does in this Psalm.

Acts 15:6-11. What would happen if we stop drawing lines between sinners and sinners, and decided to share Jesus with anyone and let God sort out who to save?

Acts 14:19-23. What fears keep you from sharing Jesus? Paul was literally stoned for sharing Jesus. And he pressed on because the gospel was of “first importance.” What’s stopping you?