A Sure Hope

Pastor Dave reminds us today that salvation is through faith in Christ alone. Our flesh wants to complicate the simplicity of the Gospel and seeks to earn its way to heaven through works. However, the only way to heaven is through the blood of Christ, the door that is Jesus. All our righteous works amount to filthy rags in the presence of God.

Pastor Dave is in Acts 18 today and introduces us a man named Apollos. Apollos was a Jew, was well versed in Old Testament Scripture, and zealously applied the knowledge that he had gleaned in his studies. However, Apollos lacked the new birth through the Holy Spirit and therefore taught an incomplete gospel.

The Apostle Paul is known as a fearless apologist and a champion of truth. Pastor Dave points out that because of Paul’s great love for God and his compassion for people that the Apostle put himself in harms way and endured great suffering. Paul’s missionary heart wanted all to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Dave examines the missionary journeys of Paul today because they exemplify what a life completely devoted to Jesus looks like. The Apostle Paul was always plugged into the Vine, Who is Christ. Because of his connection with Jesus, Paul endured much persecution and suffering only to come out victorious over and over again.

Pastor Dave teaches us today that to be dedicated, sanctified and consecrated to Jesus, we must set ourselves apart as peculiar people for God’s use. The Lord has prepared for each of His children good works to be accomplished in the short time we have been given. As such, we should not be entangled or distracted by the world.

Pastor Dave asks us to examine our lives to determine what we are most dedicated to. If jobs, houses, or even loved ones take the place of the Lord in our hearts, we have devoted ourselves to the wrong things or people. If we do not give Jesus our all, we will miss out on the opportunity to be used mightily for God’s purposes.

Pastor Dave reminds us through the life of Paul that our God is an all-knowing sovereign Lord who is working out everything for our good and His purposes. When this truth settles into our minds and hearts, we can find rest. Because Jesus reigns, the many promises of God are ours if we would only believe.

Pastor Dave teaches us how important it is to encourage one another in life and ministry by examining the life of Paul. In Acts 18, the apostle was feeling low after several years of serving the Lord in the trenches. However, God sent friends and financial support Paul’s way to give the apostle the fuel and fire he needed to continue ministering with joy.

After the Apostle Paul left Athens for Corinth, he was probably feeling low because of all the time he had spent bumping heads with the philosophizers at Mars Hill. Pastor Dave shows through a study of Acts 18 that even though this faith walk can be hard, God will send encouragement at just the right time just as He did for Paul to embolden and keep us going.

Corinth was a city known for its debauchery and idolatry. However, the darkness in Corinth did not deter brave Paul from going there to preach the Good News and bring the light of Jesus to a lost people. Pastor Dave urges us through Paul’s example to be bold in our witness and to believe that no place or person is too far gone to come to Christ.

Corinth was a city known for its debauchery and idolatry. However, the darkness in Corinth did not deter brave Paul from going there to preach the Good News and bring the light of Jesus to a lost people. Pastor Dave urges us through Paul’s example to be bold in our witness and to believe that no place or person is too far gone to come to Christ.

Pastor Dave encourages us do our duty to live out the Great Commission. As believers, we are ambassadors for Christ on earth. Therefore, we must take advantage of our sphere of influence to fearlessly share the Good News of salvation through faith in Christ. If we are faithful to tell others, the Lord will provide a harvest.

Paul had made a case for Christ to the Athenians. Although many people consider his speech a failure, Pastor Dave dares to disagree. We should not be worried about conversion rates when we share the Gospel, but should rejoice with the angels if even one sinner repents and gives his heart to Jesus.

As Paul stood among the Athenians to share the Good News of Jesus for the first time, the apostle blew their religiosity out of the water by speaking of a Creator that sustains all life. Pastor Dave asks listeners to not forget as the Athenians had forgotten that we can do nothing without the grace of God to keep us.