Acts 8:1-3

Acts 9:1-2 – Paul was zealous for whatever he thought was right.

Acts 16:1-5 – Paul and Timothy strengthened the churches.

Hebrews 2:1; 1:1 – Warning against drifting away.

Galatians 5:1-4 – It is possible to fall from grace!

II Timothy 1:3-7 – Paul and Timothy came to faith by different routes. We have to make our faith our own.

I Peter 3:15 – We must be able to defend our faith!

There is a difference in perspective between first- and second-generation Christians.

• First generation Christians hear the gospel for the first time from a vantage point of unbelief and error.

• For first generation Christians, conversion is often a traumatic experience in terms of physical relationships. Conversion is generally not traumatic for second generation Christians.

• First generation Christians see faith differently. Their loyalty is to the truth, not particular people. Second generation Christians have to be careful not to be loyal to people or tradition.

• First generation Christians have a tendency to become radical about issues. Second generation Christians have a tendency to become liberal and rationalize innovations.

Introduction

• Acts 14:22

• II Corinthians 1:3-7 – God has comfort to offer!

Moses

• Numbers 11:1-6, 10-15 – Moses was discouraged and overburdened.

• Numbers 11:16-17 – God assigned people to help Moses.

Joshua

• Joshua 6:18, 27 – God gives rules for the spoil.

• Joshua 7:1-13 – Joshua became discouraged and complained to God. God told him to rise up and take care of the sin in the camp.

Elijah

• I Kings 18:1, 17-21 – Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal.

• I Kings 19:1-18 – God told Elijah to get to work on the tasks God gave him.

Paul

• II Corinthians 11:22-30 – Paul had every reason to be discouraged.

• II Corinthians 12:7-12 – Paul had to deal with a “thorn in the flesh.” He complained to God, but God refused to remove it. Paul went about the work God had for him.

• II Timothy 4:5-8

What is common across all these men?

• All these men struggled with discouragements and complained to God.

• God encouraged them to repent and get back to work.

Money, continued:

• Warnings about money, continued:

  • Beware of how money can change relationships
    • Proverbs 14:20; 19:4, 7; 22:7, 26-27

• “Better is …”

  • Proverbs 3:13-14; 11:4; 15:16-17; 16:8, 16, 19; 17:1; 19:14, 22; 20:15; 22:1; 28:6

  • Many of these proverbs compare money to things we often give up to get money.

  • Money is not fulfilling on its own!

• Develop a strong work ethic.

  • Proverbs 10:4; 13:22; 14:23; 15:6; 20:13; 21:5, 17, 25-26; 23:20-21; 24:30-34; 27:23-27

• Be generous to those in need.

  • Proverbs 11:24-25; 13:22; 14:21, 31; 17:5; 18:23; 19:17; 21:13; 22:2, 9, 16, 22-23; 28:27; 29:7, 14

  • Luke 10:30-33 – The Samaritan used his material goods to help the man who had been beaten and robbed.

  • Ephesians 4:28 – We do not earn money just so we can selfishly hoard it.

Giving

• Matthew 14:14-21; John 6:1-14 – We may only have a little, but with Jesus, it can go far. They boy was willing to give his loaves and fish.

• Luke 19:1-10 – Zacchaeus was willing to give half his goods to the poor and restore his wrongs four-fold.

• Philippians 4:14-16 – Churches are authorized to send support to preachers that need it.

• James 1:27 – Sometimes giving involves more than just money.

• Matthew 25:31-46 – Jesus defines giving as much more than just money. Most of the time, giving is not money. We are to serve each other.

• Acts 9:36-43 – Dorcas gave much through her services. She used her skills to help others.

Light

• I John 1:5-10 – God is light. There is no shadow in Him. We must have fellowship with Him.