Sunday's Sermon Notes - Church at Antioch

Notes I took from a sermon preached by Wayde Miller.

The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. Not as a way to differentiate from the Jews, not as a negative term by their enemies, but as a name of love from God. God gave the disciples this name.

The church at Antioch was a church filled with grace, there was no prejudice -- Jewish descent, Greeks, all types worshiped together in Antioch. Today we are to beware of prejudices among Christians - we are all one -- no difference in color, economics, family ties, friendship, etc. All should be ONE in Christ.

Acts 11:19-30
19&20 - the church was established at Antioch both Jewish Christians and Gentiles. The message preached to them was the Lord Jesus - a message on ONE saving.
v 21 - told to believe and turn to the Lord.

Antioch was the third largest city in the Roman Empire, a paganistic, materialistic, sinful city. The church thrived in this city, it was a church of grace, always helping other churches, the brethren, and teaching the Lord Jesus. We too should teach their same message --

Whose Message? What Question? Do you believe in Jesus Christ?

"The worst the sinner, the more in tune he is to hear the Word." Christ taught to the sinners. We should all remember that we are sinners and be willing to hear the Word and to study God's Word.

More than belief is needed. "Faith Only" is not what Jesus wants. Salvation is simple: the Christians at Antioch believe AND turned to the Lord. New Testament belief IS doing something.

John 12:42&43 -- believe AND confess (confession is doing something)
Romans 10:13-14 -- believe AND call on the name of the Lord (calling is doing something)
Hebrews 11:6 -- believe AND Come to God (to come to God is doing something)
Mark 16:16 -- believe AND be baptized (to be baptized is doing something)

The message was always the same -- believe and do something. Even the devil believes -- we are to do something.

Always remember -- Christian is a name that God has given YOU. Do NOT take it for granted, it is an honor, not a classification of religion as it is seen in today's society. But our family name, our name in Christ Jesus.

~DEATH~

This is an email that I received last week -- there's no elaboration needed, it says it all...

WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO EXPLAIN IT..

A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to

Leave the examination room and said,

'Doctor, I am afraid to die.

Tell me what lies on the other side.'

Very quietly, the doctor said, 'I don't know.'

'You don't know? You, a Christian man,

Do not know what is on the other side?'


The doctor was holding the handle of the door;

On the other side came a sound of scratching and whining,

And as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room

And leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said,

'Did you notice my dog?

He's never been in this room before.

He didn't know what was inside.

He knew nothing except that his master was here,

And when the door opened, he sprang in without fear.

I know little of what is on the other side of death,

But I do know one thing...


I know my Master is there and that is enough.'

Wednesday Night Bible Study Notes

Bible Class

Wayde Miller, Evangelist led the Bible class discussion:
-- we started the book of Romans tonight -- the preacher chastised us -- we were supposed to read the whole book -- I didn't, I read some, not enough, not very much at all, shame on me...

Notes: The Book of Romans is about Christianity -- lots of discussion about justification. Now when I say a book about Christianity, this book pretty much sums is up as far as what a Christian is. It is written by Paul from Corinth to the Romans. Paul considers Rome to be a good church unlike those he chastised (Corinthians). It was pointed out that the city of Rome in that day was very large and very vile, yet this church made of Jewish, Gentile, and Barbarians was a good church.

Notes as reviewed by verse:
1) Paul describes himself as three S's -- servant, sent out (definition of apostle), and set apart (sanctified).
2) The word gospel means good news -- the OT is mentioned in this verse because the apostles relied heavily on its prophecies to preach Jesus. Jesus is the fulfillment of these prophecies.
3) Jesus - is the good news -- he is both flesh and spirit (Son of David, II Sam 7, and Son of God)
4) Proof of his power and that he is the Son of God is His resurrection.
5) Apostles (sent out) had a purpose. We cannot look at Paul's life without seeing his dedication to the gospel (good news). "It is not enough to be good, you have to be good at something." You need a purpose. In our lives we may be good people, but we need to do more with our lives and spreading the good news using our talents.
6) Not only are the apostles called, but all are called.
7) The Romans are called and loved by God.
8-14) Paul mentions the goodness of the church at Rome. Their faith is known (v8) Paul is getting ready to preach to them the good news via this letter because he has been hindered from coming to Rome (v14). Paul flatters the Christians at Rome, he is both encouraged by them and wanting to encourage them. He wants to mutually encourage each other with his faith and their faith (v12). He is speaking of them very positively.
11) Paul mentions that he would like to give them a spiritual gift. But never specifies what that give can be. If the verse is read contextually with verse 10 -- we can speculate that the Spirit has called him else where and in verse 13 possibly the Spirit has prevented him from coming to Rome. Could this gift of the spirit be the gift to him and the Romans of the Spirit calling him to Rome? Yes, he will make it to Rome one day.

Our evangelist stressed that we really need to read the book in its entirety. Romans is very contextual -- stick to the context, forget about references and footnotes, just read it in its context and look at the big picture. A picture of a good church and how Christianity is to be.

INVITATION
KB one of our members gave the invitation talk (mini sermon)

"Committed vs Compliant"

Compliant is to do only what is necessary to some it is just the bare minimum.

Committed is to go beyond and perform to the best of our ability.

In Matthew 19:16 the rich young man was compliant, he didn't steal, he didn't murder, he didn't lie... and the list goes on, but when he was told to sell all he had -- he could not do so -- he was not willing to commit.

In John 21:15 -- Jesus after his resurrection asked Peter Do you love me? He did this three times -- Peter said Yes. Peter was committed.

As a Christian do we just do the bare minimum (attend services, give money, sing, pray, the "checklist") or are we committed giving ALL of ourselves to the Lord?

Great Job KB.