Introduction

• Acts 16:11-13 - Paul and Silas thrown into prison due to the the riot after they cast a spirit out of a girl.
• Acts 16:25-40 - What a change for this jailer. His whole life was changed.

When the world shakes, find people who are standing firm.

• The jailer went straight to Paul and Silas to ask about salvation.
• The jailer had a difficult job with a lot of rough people. The behavior of Paul and Silas clearly stood out to him.
• Philippians 3:17-21 - Find good people and follow their example.
• We need to take special note of people that are calm and serene despite the troubles of life because of their faith.

Amid unknowns, trust God as your foundation.

• II Corinthians 5:6-8 - We walk by faith - not by sight.
• What did Noah know about life after the flood?
• What did Abraham know about what life would be like after sacrificing Isaac?
• What did Job know about how his suffering would end?
• God expects us to just carry on. We must plunge ahead in faith.
• Acts 12:19; 16:27 - Normally, escaping prisoners meant the death of the jailer.
• Acts 16:32-34 - Would the jailer have a job tomorrow or even be accepted in town after the town had rioted against Paul and Silas? He was not worried about that!
• James 4:14

Let Christ build a whole new life!

• II Corinthians 5:14-17 - Nowhere does the Bible speak of becoming a Christian as a small adjustment. See John 3:7; Romans 6:4.
• Acts 16:13-15 - Now Lydia and the jailer were brothers and sisters in Christ!
• Acts 16:26, 34 - Think of the swing in emotions he had that night!
• Philippians 1:1; 4:4

Local churches are authorized to provide for worship and edification

The local church is a group designed for mutual encouragement as we serve God together

• I Corinthians 14:3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 17, 26, 31

The benefit of a group

• Weight Watchers
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Atheist “mega-churches” - Sunday Assembly
• All these groups have a common interest. For us, that is Jesus.

Lord’s Supper

• I Corinthians 11:26
• Acts 20:7

Studying / preaching

• I Corinthians 14:26 - All things should be done for edification.
• I Timothy 4:6, 16
• II Timothy 4:1-5
• We can study our Bible alone, but there is benefit to studying together.

Giving

• I Corinthians 16:1
• II Corinthians 8:1-7; 9:1-2 - Giving encourages others also. Paul used both groups to encourage each other.

Praying

• John 11:41-42
• Acts 12:12

Singing

• Colossians 3:16

Assembling

• Hebrews 10:24-25

Questions for thought: If we didn’t meet together, do you suppose you …

• would sing quite as much on your own each week?
• would give as much, or know about and send support to preachers in other places?
• would study as much?
• would know about and have as many opportunities to encourage others?

Introduction

• Matthew 7:13-14
• Being on the narrow way requires constant effort.

The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:3 - “Blessed are the poor in spirit”

• “Poor” here means totally destitute and unable to provide for yourself.
• The first stop to serving God is truly realizing your situation.

Matthew 5:4 - “Blessed are those who mourn”

• The biggest thing for us to mourn is loss of connection to God. We must grieve over sin.

Matthew 5:5 - “Blessed are the meek”

• Meekness is strength under control. In this case, your strength is under God’s control.
• In John 2, Jesus drove people out of the temple to make a point. He had unlimited power but was under control.

Matthew 5:6 - “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness”

• If you are truly pursuing and under God’s control, why would our highest priority not be seeking God?

Matthew 5:7 - “Blessed are the merciful”

• It’s hard to let go of perceived wrongs against us.
• James 4:20
• Mercy is unwarranted, which is what makes it powerful.
• See Matthew 18.
• How can I expect mercy from God and not give mercy myself?

Matthew 5:8 - “Blessed are the pure in heart”

• See Matthew 5:21-24, 27. You can’t have a pure heart if you are full of anger or lust.

Matthew 5:9 - “Blessed are the peacemakers”

• There is peace vertically (with God) and horizontally (with our brethren).
• I Peter 3:8-9

I Samuel 13

• I Samuel 13:1
  • Different translations have different numbers here. See Acts 13:21. A few late manuscripts of the Septuagint say Saul was 30 years old when he began to reign, so some translations use that number.
  • The assumption is that the numbers in Hebrew dropped out at some point, but we have other references we can use to reconcile the chronology.
  • Even the most literal of translations don’t agree on the rendering of this verse.
  • It is estimated that Saul became king in roughly 1051 B.C., but estimates here can differ greatly depending on how you interpret the verse.
• I Samuel 13:8-9 - We must learn patience!
• I Samuel 13:11-12 - Saul tried to make excuses, but this made no difference with God.
• I Samuel 13:14 - This is clearly referring to David, but David may not have even been born at this point.

I Samuel 14

Introduction

• Philippians 4:7
• John 14:27
• There is only one source of true peace.

“If I just had a bit more money …”

• Ecclesiastes 5:10
• Money is no guarantee of peace.
• I Timothy 6:17-19
• The heart needs God not stuff.

“If we could jsut elect the right person …”

• John 19:10 - Jesus didn’t expect peace to come from any of the officials.
• Philippians 1:2; 4:7-9 - Paul looked to God for peace.
• True peace doesn’t come from politics.

“If I could just be healthy …”

• II Corinthians 4:16-18; 12:7-10

“If I could just have some awesome vacations …”

• Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
• Peace comes from a clean conscience.

“If ______ would just get what they deserved …”

• Psalms 73:3, 16
• Romans 12:19
• Ultimately, God will take care of things at the end and justice will be done.

“If I could just have a better relationship with ______ …”

• Romans 12:18
• Matthew 5:11-12
• John 15:19; 17:14; 14:27
• Galatians 5:14-15

“If I just had the right family …”

• I Corinthians 7:26-27, 32-35

“The only perfect peace is with God through Christ.”

• John 16:32-33
• Romans 1:7; 5:1; 8:5-8
• Philippians 4:6-7
• Do you have peace?