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Sermon Based
​Devotions

Friday: Changing the World - What Jesus Wants to Change

10/30/2020

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Today's Reading:
​Acts 7:55-8:4 (NIV)
55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him,58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
1 And Saul approved of their killing him.  On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
 
Matthew 10:26-28 (NIV)
26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
 
Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
 
Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
 
Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Consider This:
  • What are the leaders afraid of?
  • What is motivating them to murder Stephen?
  • What is motivating them to persecute and destroy the church?
  • Do you think that their fear is reasonable?
  • What does God want you to fear?
  • What are you afraid of?
  • How can “fear of the Lord” help you?
Treasure Application:
  • How did Stephen provide an excellent example of loving others?
  • Do you think Stephen discovered joy in this passage?
  • Do you think Saul discovered joy in this passage?
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Thursday: Changing the World - What Jesus Wants to Change

10/29/2020

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Today's Reading:
Acts 7:57-60 (NIV)
57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him,58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.  59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
Consider This:
  • What do the leaders perceive as their problem?
  • How do they attempt to solve this problem?
  • How do you picture verse 57?
  • Have you ever seen this kind of behavior before?
  • Do you see political leaders failing to listen when other people are talking?
  • What are the consequences of this kind of problem solving?
  • How do you solve your problems?
Treasure Application:
  • Stephen prayed for his killers.  How was he serving them?
  • Do you think Stephen experienced healing?  How?
  • How might Stephen’s public prayer for his killers helped those who saw what was going on, experience healing?
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Wednesday: Changing the World - What Jesus Wants to Change

10/28/2020

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Today's Reading:
​Acts 7:55-56 (NIV)
55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
Consider This:
  • What is Stephen full of?
  • How would you describe, “being filled with the Holy Spirit?”
  • Have you ever had this experience before, or have you ever heard of anyone being “filled with the Holy Spirit?”
  • Do you think God wants His followers to experience this?
  • Why is this important for the Christian?
  • What does it enable Stephen to see? 
Treasure Application:
  • Why do you think God allowed Stephen to see Him and Jesus at his right hand?
  • What role did prayer play in this passage?
  • How did prayer impact the overall picture of what is happening here?
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Tuesday: Changing the World - What Jesus Wants to Change

10/27/2020

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Today's Reading:
Acts 7:55-8:4 (NIV)
55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him,58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
1 And Saul approved of their killing him.  On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
Consider This:
  • What is happening in these verses?
  • How do you picture the scene?
  • Does it remind you of anything you have ever seen before?
  • What kind of emotions are being displayed?
  • What about Stephen is threatening to the leaders?
  • Can you see God in passage?
  • What is God’s role?
Treasure Application:
  • What forms of bondage may Stephen’s killers been a victim of?
  • What could they have learned that would have radically changed this scene?
  • Have you ever lashed out at someone because they we free from something that you were in bondage too?
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Monday: Changing the World - What Jesus Wants to Change

10/26/2020

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Today's Reading
​Acts 7:55-8:4 (NIV)
55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him,58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
1 And Saul approved of their killing him.  On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
Consider This:
  • Was there ever a time when you said to yourself, “I have got to change?”
  • When was it?
  • What were the circumstances?
  • Did you make the change or are you still working on it? 
Treasure Application:
  • Stephen’s killers were not focused on loving God.  What things were they inviting into their lives in this passage?
  • How has Stephen’s story impacted those who love God?
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Friday: Change the World - Fighting Against God

10/23/2020

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Today's Reading:
Acts 5:28-39 (NIV)
28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Consider This:
  • Where is God being glorified in this passage?
  • How does this help guide us in “knowing what to change?”
  • What in your life is glorifying God?
  • Is anything taking glory away from God?
  • What would you like to change?
Treasure Application:
  • How were Peter and the other apostles loving others in this passage?
  • Do you think Peter and the other apostles were “happy” about having this experience?
  • Do you think Peter and the other apostles felt joy as they walked out of this meeting?
0 Comments

Thursday: Change the World - Fighting Against God

10/22/2020

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Today's Reading:
Acts 5:28-39 (NIV)
28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Consider This:
  • What are your thoughts about Gamaliel’s suggestion?
  • Why does his suggestion make since?
  • Have you ever been in a situation where you were fighting against God?
  • Can you name other people/places in the bible where people were fighting against God and didn’t know it? 
Treasure Application:
  • Peter once denied knowing Jesus (Luke 22:54-62), yet even though he failed he continued to serve Jesus.  Do you think Peter experience healing that prepared him to stand before the leaders and proclaim Jesus?
  • How were Peter and the other apostles serving the leaders in this passage?
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Wednesday: Change the World - Fighting Against God

10/21/2020

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Today's Reading:
Acts 5:28-39 (NIV)
28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Consider This:
  • Name all of the different voices that are competing for attention.
  • Evaluate each voice?
  • Who is listening to which voice?
  • What motivates each voice?
  • Which voice do you listen to?
  • How can you clarify the “right voice” so you don’t end up listening to the wrong voice?
  • What point do the disciples make in verse 29?
  • What does it mean to “obey?”
  • In what ways do you obey God?
  • Have you ever obeyed God in a way that produced a cost? 
Treasure Application:
  • How well do you think the leaders were able to see God at work in the world around them?
  • How might you pray in order to avoid the traps the leaders had fallen into?
0 Comments

Tuesday: Change the World - Fighting Against God

10/20/2020

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Today's Reading:
Acts 5:28-39 (NIV)
28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Consider This:
  • What is happening in these verses?
  • What “feelings” are involved?
  • What decisions are being made?
  • What are the “motivations” of the people involved?
  • Who is trying to change things?
  • Who is making the right change?
Treasure Application:
  • What false beliefs did the leaders have about Peter and the apostles?
  • What false beliefs did the leaders have about Jesus?
  • What forms of bondage did they find themselves in?
  • How could they find freedom from their false ideas?
0 Comments

Monday: Change the World - Fighting Against God

10/19/2020

0 Comments

 
Today's Reading:
Acts 5:28-39 (NIV)
28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Consider This:
  • Have you ever changed something in the wrong direction?
  • Have you ever changed something in the right direction?
  • Explain what made the difference between the right and wrong directions. 
Treasure Application:
  • When Peter and the other apostles were told not to teach they were also being told not to invite anyone else to know Jesus.  Because of they loved God how did they react to the situation?
  • By trying to silence Jesus’ message of invitation to know Him, what were the leaders showing the world about their love for God?
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