Introduction

• Acts 5:1-11

God holds us personally responsible.

• Acts 5:3-4, 9
• Satan didn’t take contorl and remove their power of choice. He influenced them, but they had the power to decide.
• II Corinthians 5:10

Good doesn’t cancel out bad.

• Acts 5:2
• Bad in the midst of good taints the good.
• Romans 4:7-8
• God describes forgiveness - not some ledger of good deeds versus bad deeds.

The fear of God is good and healthy.

• Acts 5:5
• Proverbs 1:7; 3:7; 8:12-13
• Matthew 10:28
• Proverbs 14:26-27
• Genesis 39:9 - Joseph showed reverance for God in a time of temptation.
• Hebrews 10:26
• Acts 5:5, 11-14
• I Corinthians 5:6-7

Don’t expect perfection.

• Acts 4:32-37
• Galatians 6:9

Luke 17

• Luke 17:11 - Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem to be crucified.
• Luke 17:14 - Jesus is commanding them to do what was required under the Law of Moses. It would have been a big problem if they showed up to the priests and were unclean. These ten showed great faith in immediately turning to go see the priests.
• Luke 17:17-18 - Jesus remarked that the others did not return to give glory to God - not that they did not turn and thank Him. Also, note that the Samaritan was the one who returned to worship Jesus.
• Luke 17:20 - The kingdom would not come in some physically observable way.
• Luke 17:22-37 - It seems likely this was talking about the destruction of Jerusalem.
  • Luke 17:36 - This verse is omitted in some modern translations, like the ESV. Some manuscripts have it, but the ones considered most reliable do not.

Introduction

• Hebrews 12:4-11

Is Hebrews 12 saying that when we sin, God punishes us immediately on earth?

• Numbers 12:10 - Miriam was punished for sin.
• Acts 12:23
• Job 1:8-12 - Job was not punished due to sin.
• John 9:1-3 - The blind man was not punished for sin.
• II Timothy 3:12 - Persecution doesn’t imply sin. It might mean the opposite!

What is the discipline of Hebrews 12?

• Hebrews 13:22
• It could be talking about the letter itself.
• The discipline itself may also include the trials of life that God allows.
• Deuteronomy 8:2-5 - God disciplined the Israelites in the wilderness.
• Job 42:11
• Hebrews 10:32-39
• Hebrews 11:32-38
• Hebrews 12:1-2 - Endure!
• God was not punishing them. He was allowing them to endure hardships that would mature their faith.
• Acts 14:21-22

What are the benefits of enduring hardships in this life?

It builds character.

• Hebrews 12:10
• James 1:2-4
• I Peter 1:6-9
• I Peter 4:12
• Romans 5:3-5
• God will not just make our lives smooth.

It develops my sympathy and service for others.

• Hebrews 10:32-34
• Hebrews 4:15

It makes me look forward to Heaven.

• Hebrews 10:34
• Hebrews 11:10-16
• If my hope is tied up in this world, I will be crushed.

What is the scope of this problem?

• I John 2:15-17
• Matthew 5:27-28
• Proverbs 6:23-26
• We know that “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). But how would you describe this age-old temptation today in our society? What is the devil doing to amplify this temptation in our generation?

Porn changes your beliefs

• Hebrews 3:12-15
• Ephesians 4:17-19 - Sin causes us to become callous.
• Proverbs 28:13-14
• Studies have shown that porn consumption changes how people think about violence against women.

Any sin is beatable!

• I Corinthians 10:13
• James 4:7

First, I have to admit that I am guilty of sin

• John 9:39-41 - If you don’t think you’re wrong, you’ll never change.
• I John 1:8-9
• Isaiah 5:20

Introduction

• Acts 9:3-9, 18-20
• We want to do what Saul did that day and turn from our error.

Find victory in Jesus Christ!

• Romans 3:9
• No one can say, “I don’t need Jesus.”
• Romans 4:2-8, 22-25; 5:1-2
• Philippians 1:23

Keep coming back to Jesus!

• Hebrews 6:6 - Our goal should be to never sin again.
• Romans 6:1-4
• I John 1:7
• Ephesians 2:1-8
• Mark 2:17
• I John 2:1-2 - The ideal and the real.

Use your past to help others.

• Hebrews 5:1
• I can’t change my past, but the past has helped to change me into someone who can better help others.
• Luke 18:9-14
• Luke 7:40-48 - Who would you want to help you, Simon or the woman?
• Acts 22:1-5
• Satan can use guilt to drown a Christian. Don’t let that happen!

Turn regret into motivation.

• Luke 22:54-62; Acts 5:27

Be content as a servant

• Luke 5:4-11
• I Corinthians 12:22-23
• Take the pressure off yourself and just get busy serving!