Acts 13: 23-52 July 20, 2008 Ever made a REALLY BIG Promise? Were you able to keep it? Promising is easy, but keeping it is hard. Many times it takes effort and/or self-sacrifice. I get so angry when I keep a promise and people either (a) minimize my efforts or (b) doubt my achievement. Shouldn’t we realize that God faces this frustration every day in deeper, exponential ways; as His creation denies or minimizes the fulfillment of Jesus Christ…HIS BIGGEST PROMISE. 1. Risen Savior (23, 32) – fulfilled promise for all mankind (John 3:16-21) 2. Repentance & Baptism (24-25) – Holy Spirit alteration (Mt. 3:11) 3. Recognized Salvation Message (26-27) – Eternal life; bigger than you & beyond your efforts 4. Raised & Seen (28-31) – witnesses who testify through the magnitude of their transformation and mutual commitment to the factual reality they lived. For those who accept the Promised Prize: 1. Forgiveness (38) – burden of imperfection washed away (Ps. 103:12) 2. Justified (39) – righteous in the eyes of God (Rom. 3:21-24) 3. Glad & Honoring (48) – relief in Jesus with a response to follow & serve Him. 4. Christian Doughnut (52) – with Joy & Holy Spirit filling; elevated, next level living! |
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