Acts Chapter 9:18-36

I live everything out.

The fungal pneumonia encouragingly for the University right is a physical thing. Maybe another you step out to encourage somebody you get encourage you get in courage filled with courage when you bless somebody else and fill them with yellow opening words now what happens if you don't you'll get encourage, they don't get encourage the whole thing breaks that encourage you to walk in the gift of encouragement encourage other people will come to cross the bridge with David McGee.

David is a senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina. We all need encouragement in life and God wants to use you to encourage someone else today pastor David explains why it's important to encourage one another as he continues teaching in the book of acts chapter 9 now with part two of his teaching a changed life. Turn with me to acts chapter. Saul has been persecuting the church is on the road to Damascus which is in present-day Syria and all the way to persecute the church in Damascus is not his knees and he sees a line and Jesus speaks to Mrs. Saul, why are you persecuting me in and sauces will who are you this is on Jesus. So then Saul is struck by and they leading into Damascus and lay Manning.

Ananias is been called upon to minister to Saul to pray for them and salt receives a slight is what we see in verse 18 was picking up with restricting them immediately there fell from his eyes. Something like scales and he received the site at one and he arose and was baptized so many had received food, it was strengthened when Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus immediately. He preached the Christ in the synagogues that he is the son of God and all who heard were amazed and said is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem and has come here for that purpose so that he might bring them down to the chief priest to the begin to notice it's all his life was changed. Verse 22, but Saul increased all the more in strength and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ. Now, after many days were past the Jews plotted to kill and but their plot became known.

The song he wants the gates day and night, the killing, then the disciples took him by night, let them down through the wall and a large basket. Verse 26 and when Saul would come to Jerusalem to try to join the disciples but they were all afraid of, and did not believe that he was a disciple Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road and that he had spoken to him and how he had preached boldly at Damascus, in the name of Jesus. God will always have the right man at the right place at the right time there was Barnabas. They were getting ready to reject Saul who skin and changing the world in the name of Jesus and to the blessing of many people and Barnabas is there Barnabas is son of encouragement is what his name we know that you don't have to know Greek or Hebrew word we were given a translation back in acts chapter 4 verse 36 and it says and José, who was also named Artemis by the apostles which is translated son of encouragement, a Levite of the country of Cyprus. Barnabas was there for what purpose to encourage Saul to encourage Saul. The next life lesson we should encourage one another in our faith. We should encourage one another in our faith.

There are people in this fellowship who I believe have the gift of encouragement and at such a jewel way to talk to it because it always seems like they're trying to be a blessing to somebody and appreciate you not thought about the nasty most I really appreciate that the encouraging emails of people sent by I got several this past week about what God is doing in the lives of people he so encouraging that he can't live on that is now a cuckoo is no good email about going in the it's not.

You can't, you know, be careful in the blues incurred. You can't but you can be in encourager some countries allowed to snuggle new blues incurred when you encouraging right because here's the cool thing. Many of you know this, you step out to encourage somebody you know happens you get encourage you get in courage filled with courage when you bless somebody else and fill them with courage, shallow thing works. Now what happens if you don't you'll get encourage, they don't get encourage whole thing breaks that let me encourage you to walk in this gift of encouragement encourage other people don't know look at them. I believe Ben Benson you got.

We don't know me doing good.

See praise God you're here glad you're here this morning that doesn't somebody's heart how easy that is S 10 second so here's Barnabas he's encourage them in verse 28 so he was done by Paul so he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out and he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenist, but they attended the killing would work out a scene a theme involving the ministry Saul. It said the did you walk the killing and innocent as the Hellenism explained briefly with the Hellenist. They were Jewish people who had had a very significant Greek influence into their life.

Alexander the great couple hundred years BC Alexander the great conquered the world and partly his vision was for all the world to become like Greece and mindset in philosophy mentality. It was highly successful in what he did.

As a matter fact we still bear a lot a lot of great things in our culture and in our society gymnasiums and working out all the stuff kinda goes back to the Greek philosophy a lot of psychology and psychiatry goes back to the Greek philosophy now. Some of that's good. Some of is not so good. We call ourselves a Judeo-Christian society. We have a whole lot of Greek influence in our culture, are we really Judeo-Christian being. I think were met. Really I think is Judeo-Christian with a heavy Greek influence, those believers where should we be influence more from Athens or from Jerusalem from Jerusalem and it's interesting that many people who reject the Jewish roots of Christianity embrace the Greek philosophy should be like that to me like so these Hellenist were Greek speaking Jewish people who had been Hellenized and an acceptable.as hell, and all this other stuff and so now that the two factions within jewelry will be the Jew in the Hebrew speaking Jewish people in the Greek speaking Jewish people there both what we kill Saul verse 30 when the brethren found out they brought him down necessary and send them out to Tarsus. Tarsus was Universal City University City. It was the third most learned city in the world behind Athens and Alexandria in Tarsus a lot of education that's where Saul came from. He was obviously well educated man in an him he needed to gain some knowledge and some zeal. This is interesting to me and I'm kind of jumping ahead but will see his Saul ends up to be a very powerful apostle to the Gentiles, not to the Jewish people. He is in a manner effective with the Jewish people, but his main mission and his main calling ends up to be talking to those who were not Jewish.

Consider some from your Saul. He was raised as a Jewish young man was schooled by grandma Leo who was one of the smartest, sharpest rabbis of the day and any converted to Christianity or completed his Jewishness and complete do messianic Jew and it's interesting because he seems like the first he seemed like the obvious candidate to go to minister to the Jewish people, and I saw what happened. God says you know what, no your calling is to go to the Gentiles. We need to understand that that God doesn't always make the obvious choice. Sometimes we look and go on to what God should do here and when God doesn't act like that were like what's got doing what Scott thinking on the no yes. He knows he knows better than any of us. We can trust the people before the all brother would be great newness that sister would be great doing that and then out as time goes on. Is that correct have to wait on the Lord. That's why it's so important for me to stay in prayer and talk to the Lord and seek his wisdom, and seek counsel well does that mean Saul did have a burden for the Jewish people. He had an incredible burden for the Jewish this verse Romans 93 tells us this for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters, I would be willing to be for ever cursed cut off from Christ if that would save that's a burden. He had a burden for the Jewish people, but that was not his calling Isis this is you have to look that was, that's strange. I don't understand that I don't understand that either the hidden God's plan work will you did, you did you meet me in a position where you think you should do this we should do that. Maybe should the Messenger wait on the Lord and asked the Lord, Lord, what you want me to do with my life is your lesson this what's important again look to pray.

Verse 31 then the churches throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and were edified in walking in the fear of the Lord in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied well it's hard for me not to see the connection.

Saul now is no longer running around like a raving lunatic persecuting the church and in the midst of his conversion.

This verse is that and everything was cool in the church and I look what influence one man was having upon the persecution of the early church. Now what were Hennessey is Saul turn around and now we don't have an incredible influence for the good of the church as a teacher. Anyone there's a lesson in their unit we look at people in society we see these these rebels who you know are just seem like they don't care what other people think you understand what God wants to do that particular person he loves to get some I that's gone so that's a pedal to the metal lids you know just 200 miles an hour going the wrong way and he takes some any turns him around any get them going 200 miles an hour in the right way in a lot because God will use that person God will use that person and a lot of times in a mighty way. I know some of you relate to this in real I was like going to hell in a hand basket.

200 miles an hour now God is grabbed a hold of me got is change my life because a closing is the part of you if you found yourself maybe store maybe of this rambling and you're going this way were going wrong way, but what's awesome is God will take. Please don't in balance with them about the things God will take that part of you that you just don't really care what other people think and who use them, saying, all Christians should never care about what other people think that's not what I said just before you email and call that's not what I said but God will use that part of you that says you know what because then it's like what I'm to do what God says and I'm to be unaffected by my family call me a zealot. Whatever because then you following your listening to Pastor David McGee on cross the bridge will be right back with more just a moment, but I want to remind you of the free resources available to you on cross the bridge.com there's a team of hundreds of people that will pray for somebody to be saved. You have a loved one that needs to know Jesus as Savior.

You need people to pray for them. You need someone to present God's word to them every day were present in God's virtual here on cross the bridge with Pastor David McGee.

We can pray for them as well. Just by simple going to cross the bridge.com and click on the pray for the lost button. All you need to do is put in the first names of the people you love, that need to know Jesus as Savior. Click on submit and immediately hundreds of people begin praying for your lost loved ones. What an awesome way to bring love once to Jesus, here's a word from associate pastor DA Brown. We want to take just a minute to pray for some cities in our listening audience specifically read sport Roseburg Seaside Selma Sprague River in the Dallas and Oregon and also Hammett in Pennsylvania. Father, we thank you for the cities.

We thank you for the people living in them.

We pray that your Holy Spirit would pour out and draw many people until personal, intimate relationship with Jesus.

Father we pray that many people would be healed, who perhaps have had bad experiences in the past God that they would receive forgiveness and forgive those in their lives who have offended low.

We pray that you draw people in the Bible teaching church is that you get the pastor's wisdom and discernment father to love the flock to serve them well over pray for all the city leaders that we would honor the respect that you will give them wisdom and discernment, father, or that it might go peaceable with us will we love you we pray that you would bless the people living in the cities. In Jesus name, amen, amen. Thank you brother and now get back to David McGee as he continues teaching verse by verse, verse 32 came to pass as Peter went through all parts of the country that he also came down to the saints who dwell in the letter and there he found a certain man named Enis who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed and Peter said to him, and he is Jesus the Christ heals you, arise and make your bed. Then he arose immediately. Now you understand more about that.

Jesus the Christ phrase arise and make your bed. Then he arose immediately so all who dwelt it. Linda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord, you realize that Jesus was the healing he wants to heal you out. His primary concern in your healing is not your physical healing. He is concerned with your physical well-being but the first thing is your if you don't know Jesus. If you've yet to ask Jesus to forgive you ever sent your soul is. It is broken and shattered and he wants to heal that part of you first. Occasionally God will heal some. I doesn't know. And sometimes those people will all to Jesus do that healing but look at verse 35 so all who dwell at Linda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord to see what happened. Guy got healed. People said while God three.

God's real I want what he has. I want to be healed.

I want to walk with this Jesus that did this and this guy's life see again. That's part of our following Jesus is that other people see us walking with Jesus and are intrigued by. They want to follow Jesus. Lesson we should live for the Lord so that people will come to the Lord. We should live for the Lord so that people will come.

The Lord see when you walk in forgiveness. People are drawn when you walk in love. People are drawn to that when you walk in joy. People are drawn to that lot because the world cannot offer those thing, love, joy, and forgiveness not not the real deal they can pretty good and some counterfeit sometimes but the real deal that one treating people as you walk with the Lord like that. And God still heals people capable this church believes that God still heals people were told to pray for the sick and God no longer heals people why we pray for the main vision or goal pastor. I even sent because there's churches out there that they will guide you steal people need do that in. I reject that the Bible rejects that that's nonsense.

You can't show me in this book words of God. You feel people but new people anymore do not like that doesn't mean it's as elders assess pray for the sick. One of the elders pray for the sick and got no longer heals people.

Lord, we know that you no longer heal people. So we just prayed take your sister home right now. I mean is I want to resurrect.

Remind me never to have the elders pray that prayer over me.we pray for your healing and sometimes God heals people and we had people coming to. I was struggling with this struggle that had this and got healed. Now, immediately we certainly holds one of those churches. Well, I didn't say that you have people laying on the floor appear flopping around. I don't see that in this book, but I do see in this book will people get healed and we do want to see God manifest his healing physically, emotionally, most importantly, spiritually verse 36 a job there was a certain disciple named Tabatha which is translated Dorcas.

This woman was full of good deeds full of good works and charitable deeds which he did talk about serving a lot here.

If you been there for very long, you know that and you probably know what's getting ready to happen. I'm a pastor teacher I'm teaching verse by verse. Guess what this verse says it says full of good works and charitable deeds which he did.

Yes Oregon radar, serve because the Bible is talking about serving occasionally this happened to my computer and you know you talk about serving my first question is are you serving 90% of the time think they look at me, you will know you think that might be why it's bothering you and make sure they were clueless. God desires a relationship with the desires a relationship with. Unfortunately, some in the way is called sin. Sin is in the way that God has done everything that he needs to do to remove this but it's up to accept the forgiveness and faith.

Jesus forgive me of my sins. Now, the Texans dealt with.

Guess what now God has a design and he has a plan for you to grow as a believer in the Christian walk before things are very very important number one is attending church should attend church regularly look it if you just have Christmas and Easter you you you know you're probably not really flourishing in your Christian walk in and so you want to come on a regular basis. Now most people realize that, but let me let me explain. There's a lot people still in bed that are going church today. The know they should be in church, but they're not doing anything is not enough just to know you should be in church to be doing okay so what's another thing which was to be doing so as we pray most people are, they understand that while shipwright should pray everyday. I don't mean every day should pray for six hours. If you can pray, please pray for me in leadership.

You should spend time with the Lord every day.

Okay now, another third leg is read and study the Bible.

While this is that you know what's really cool is we not three out already this morning because here we are in church. We prayed together and were reading and studying the Bible.

Now, you should do that on a daily basis. Read this couple verses or something every day on a daily basis was the fourth leg give and serve in the local church give and serve in the local church understand I was involved in a ministry of traveling around.

They refer to as parachurch organization of traveling around and ministering okay. It was outside the four walls of the church but guess where most ministry happened in churches. I would visit churches I would teach an old saying I would do different things also went to jail and prison and rehab and homeless shelters got plugged in those places through the local church I'll go through their certain jails. I just always went to San Diego jail remade maximum-security lease places. How can I get into those places. I partnered with a local church I'll go and I would share my test Maxi people get safe to the local church are you doing in these four areas because it will be very revealing about how you're doing in your Christian walk. That's when I talk about serving and it was we look at this lady, this lady was serving now babysitting go over this all before.

Are you doing it. I realize many of you are but many of you sooner going to have heard this before you go to your entire essay. Sometimes this is what it says this is what we need the new and for you just to have an academic knowledge of that's what you should do is not enough room if you're sitting there and you're going when here's the deal. James chapter 4 verse 17 says it. Remember it is sent to know what you ought to do and then not do. We'll talk about the needs in this body very much and I'll tell you why I want people to serve out of a grateful heart for what Jesus is not, but you you cannot imagine the needs that exist in this church. As far as people serving the here's the thing you're sitting here this morning. There are people in this church will serve in children's ministry. Both services they will get in there. You know is any more people in Nellis look at this you're sitting here in the servicing saying I'm not going to serve my kids are in children's ministry and you know what I don't. I don't care of the got to the left of me misses a service next time I will serve. But I'm following Jesus.

What Jesus is the one who said love God, love your neighbor don't ask me to be okay with you, not loving your neighbor with you disregarding your neighbor can't do that.

I won't do that. W here this morning, never asked Jesus to forgive your sins, you need to do that this morning. I will give you an opportunity just met in this morning can be the life change that you so desire desires and your but you have to make that position friend you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now only Legion a short simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him. Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now.

Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I could have a new life not done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry.

Please forgive me of all those things. Please give me the power to live for you. All of my days in Jesus name, amen it friend of you prayed that prayer according to the Bible. You've been forgiven you've been born again, so congratulations for you just made the greatest decision that you will ever make. God bless you, if you prayed that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you visit, cross the bridge.com and click on God's plan for new life to receive our first steps package with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ.

God wants to bless you and encourage your relationships today. Whether you are married, considering marriage or engaged to be married. We have a resource for you pastor David wants to send you his four part video series allies stay friends.

Allow God to minister to your marriage through his word today. This was an unforgettable weekend that encouraged many marriages and you and your spouse can be encouraged to allies stay friends is our thanks for your generous gift today to help more people hear God's truth on this station and beyond, so they can cross the bridge from death to life. Please visit cross the bridge.com today to give a gift of any amount and get your copy of allies stay friends ODA before we go.

What are some ways that we can bless our listeners some days you can wake up with encouragement from Pastor Dave to the word of God with his email devotional life pleasant to consider a daily reading plan enough thought to meditate on. Throughout today in the heart, but David McGee those are terrific and it's easy and it's free so folks sign up today@crossthebridge.com. Thanks again for listening and join us next time. As David McGee continued verse by verse through the book of acts