On November 26, 1789, George Washington declared a day of thanksgiving and prayer. In 1864 Abraham declared the last Thursday of November to be a day called Thanksgiving where we would pray and thank God for His goodness to us. In 1870 Congress made it officially a national holiday. FDR said it would be celebrated on the 3rd Thursday of the month, but in 1941 Congress proclaimed it to be on the 4th Thursday of November.

"When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” 26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” 28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” 29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” 30 So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’[a]” 32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” 35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:25-35

These people were following Jesus because they wanted more bread. They wanted to be entertained. Keeping a people fed and entertained will keep them in a stupor. But we are to be different than that, and that is what Thanksgiving is for --

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2  Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100

Four applications to live a Thankful life:

1. Worship: 
"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
     Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs." Psalm 100:1-2

"28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”" Hebrews 12:28-29


"I will praise God’s name in song
    and glorify him with thanksgiving." Psalm 69:30

"I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
    I will glorify your name forever." Psalm  86:12

Find a psalm and pray it this week. 

2. Know God!

"Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture." Psalm 100:3

"Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." Psalm 34:8

"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." Colossians 3:16

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

3. Relationship -- Knowing God!

"The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him." Psalm 28:7

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2

God wants us!

4. Proclamation!

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100:4-5

 "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”" Acts 20:35

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." Matthew 13:44-46

Looking at these parables in a new way, we are the pearl God finds. He gave everything to have us as His. God says we are priceless. 


"16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

You are worth the life of Christ!

"Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
    and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
    nations in exchange for your life." Isaiah 43:4

God cares, God loves, God treasures you.

"6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7

"2 for you are a people holy to the Lord your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the Lord has chosen you to be his treasured possession." Deuteronomy 14:2

We cannot be reproduced. From the very beginning we were treasured by God.

"So God created mankind in his own image,
    in the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27

"For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14

Unworthy does not equal worthless.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.​" Romans 5:8

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

Assets=eternal life  Liabilities=paid in full by Christ. Only Contribution from us is acceptance and belief.

"Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." 1 John 5:12

Living a Priceless Life: How do we honor this life?

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

“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?" Matthew 6:25

The Pearl of Great Value

"Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it." Matthew 10:39

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace." Acts 20:24

Complete the task God has given you. 

"If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." Romans 14:8

Therefore -- Live!

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." Romans 12:1

We live how God wants us to live.

"12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14

"you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." 1 Corinthians 6:20

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." Romans 13:1-7

Paul was writing during Nero's reign -- an evil Roman empire. Nero was in power for 12 to 15 years.

"Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone."
Titus 3:1-2

"Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.'" Matthew 22:21

"13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor." 1  Peter 2:13-17

We should be free people and God's slaves. Our leaders are appointed by God. The Assyrians, Babylonians and the Persians -- all conquered God's people. He chose these nations to bring about his judgment.

"This is what the Lord says to his anointed,
    to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of
to subdue nations before him
    and to strip kings of their armor,
to open doors before him
    so that gates will not be shut:" Isaiah 45:1

Here God used Cyrus. God used Nebuchadnezzar. 

"In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it." Daniel 1:1

God's people were under siege for 10 years. They had time to repent. But they didn't. 

Sometimes we do have disobey our leaders -- we are called to do it respectfully.

"16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[a] from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.'"
Daniel 3:16-18

Two more examples of civil disobedience in the BIble:
 The Jewish Midwives in Egypt.

And Obadiah hid 150 prophets of God from Jezebel...and he worked in the palace. When we are commanded to do evil, we must respectfully disobey. God first, then men. There's an order higher than man.

"27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 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 r replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!'" Acts 5:27-29

What do we do today, right now?

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people-- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,"
1 Timothy 2:1-5

We pray. We speak up when able.  Be involved in the process. Pray. Petitions, prayers, intercession and Thanksgiving.

Petitions -- Ask God to send godly leaders.
Prayers -- pray for the health and well-being of those appointed over us.
Intercession -- Pray that God's will be done, no matter our desires.
​Thanksgiving -- be thankful for what we have been given.

 
"29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. 30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. 32 Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai. 33 When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. 34 But whenever he entered the Lord’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, 35 they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord." Exodus 34:29-35

They couldn't handle the glory shining off of Moses's face.

The temple veil (found in Exodus 26:31-33 -- which I will copy and paste below) was 30 feet tall by 30 feet wide. And it was 4 inches thick -- one single piece of fabric!

"29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. 30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. 32 Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai. 33 When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. 34 But whenever he entered the Lord’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, 35 they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord." Exodus 26:31-33



"37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. 38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom." Mark 15:37-38

"51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split." Matthew 27:51

"44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two." Luke 23:44-45

Both Mark and Matthew had Jewish upbringings. Luke did not. Mark and Matthew understood the temple veil being torn from top to bottom was physically impossible for a human to accomplish.

In Jewish tradition a grieving father would tear his garment wide open in grief. This temple veil being ripped apart could be seen as God's own heart breaking for the loss of his son. While Jesus died and became our sin he was separated from the Father. There was real grief.

Jesus was the veil and the High Priest and the Offering. It was his death that gave us a way to the Father:
​

"10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. 14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." Hebrews 10:10-14

"19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." Hebrews 10:19-22

God's love and Sacrifice:

"He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
    and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
    nor was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
    and though the Lord makes[a] his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
    and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand." Isaiah 53:9-10

God has left the building!:

24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else." Acts 17:24-25

Wide-open Door with a Welcome Sign for all:

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know[a] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:6-7

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.'" Acts 4:12

 "Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John-- 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee." John 4:1-3

Jesus decided to go straight through Samaria to get to Galilee. Samaritans and Jews were enemies -- they hated each other. So, this was not what Jews typically did. 

Shannon gives us a brief history lesson why Samaritans and Jews hated each other:

930 B.C. -- The Israelite kingdom divides -- Israel and Judea. The Larger part -- Israel, known as Samaria, fell into a golden calf worship.
732 B.C. Assyrians conquer Israel (Samaria) and take the people out. They send in Gentiles to take care of the land. Eventually the people return but they intermingle with the Gentiles there. They still consider themselves to be Jews.
585 B.C. -- Babylon conquers Judea. The people are taken into exile for 70 years.
332 B.C. Alexander the Great conquers all of the Holy Land. Samaritans accept Greek Rule. Jews rebel (and hate the Samaritans for accepting the Greek Rule).
113 B.C. -- Maccabees try to unite all of Israel again so they destroy the Samaritan temple (possibly thinking they will come back to Jerusalem to worship?) So, the Samaritans fill the Jewish temple with bones the day before Passover and cause the temple to be unclean.

In Jesus's time, the hatred continued.

"4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon." John 4:4-6

Jesus was there at the hottest part of the day. When the woman arrives it was customary that a man would step back 20 paces so she could do what she needed to do. And it was a big taboo for them to speak. Jesus ignores these customs. She does too.

"7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a])"
                                                                                                                                                             John 4:7-9

​She has a claim to Judaism

. "13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.'" John 4:13-15

First time in the conversation Jesus uses the pronoun "I." He is getting the conversation personal. The woman's initial reaction is self-interest. 



'16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17 “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”" John 4:16-26

He is getting personal with her. She changes the subject. He was the very first person in the gospel of John he told his true identity too. A Samaritan woman! 

"27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” 28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him." John 4:27-30

The woman was the first evangelist (besides John the Baptist). And she showed great courage going into town and talking to all the people who shunned her daily. 

Jesus himself was an outsider. He was from northern Israel -- Galilee. Jerusalem, the urban part of Israel was in the south. In the Northern part people had a distinct accent. They dropped their Hs when they spoke. And Galilee was full of farmers and fishermen. They were the rural Jews. Jews from the the south looked at the northern Jews as backwards.

"6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight." Acts 1:6-9

Where is your Jerusalem (family and loved ones); your Judea (acquaintances); your Samaria (the 'other' people)? And then tell the world. Everyone needs to hear.

"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." Romans 1:20

​No one has an excuse! Open your eyes and you know God exists, and God has a plan for you. He knows you better than anyone. He knows you better than you know yourself. He knows what you were made to do. He knows what will make you soar with joy. Who doesn't want the best version of their life?

"Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:4-5

We can't earn this or buy this. We can't earn or buy life no matter what we do or rich we are. So, how do we get this wonderful incredible version of life?

Tactic #1 Read the instruction manual:

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

The Word is alive! It will speak to you. It will speak to your right now!

Tactic #2 Call the "Vendor/Customer Service":

Pray! Talk to God. Listen to God. Get into that ongoing conversation He wants to have with you. 

"Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." John 16:24

"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:12-13

Tactic #3 Phone a friend:
We have each other. We need to seek each other out when we need help. We are a family. We are a community.

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

Today, church attendance is lower than it has been in history in this country. Part of it is that lots of people have never returned since Covid. They got too comfortable staying at home. 46% of protestant pastors surveyed are considering quitting. That is up from 27% in 2020. 

We need each other.

"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

Tactic #4 Use your resources:

Resources are things you have to help you. 

"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come." John 16:13

Do we ask? We need to ask. We need to listen. We need to follow Him. We need to obey -- believe what He says and do it. The Spirit is the Comforter and Teacher and Guide. Be sensitive to His moving. If we allow Him he will move through us.

​"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

God isn't finished with you yet. If you're alive you need to be growing. God's not done. He will open new doors. He will give us new insights. God has a plan. Let Him carry it out in your life!

"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

You are not alone. You are not friendless. Attach yourself to the Rock!

"20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah. 23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. 26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[a] but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. 31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers." Acts 9:20-31

What do think a typical Christian is like? Sault became Paul and did no longer act the way the Jews thought he would. 

Peter went from being a coward to a powerhouse.

"27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." Acts 4:26-31

What about you? What changes have you experienced in your life? What is the reaction from others especially of those who knew you before?

"53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.” Matthew 13:53-57

What is actually required of Believers?

"30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[a] 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] There is no commandment greater than these.”" Mark 12:30-31

#1 Let your light shine!

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

"14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[a] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain." Philippians 2:14-16

#2 Seek More! Seek Jesus more!

2 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." 1 Peter 2:1-3

Be hungry for Jesus!

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ." Ephesians 4:14-15

#3 Get to Work! Do something for the Kingdom.

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:14-17

Faith needs to be used to grow. Faith not used, not acted on -- is it actually faith? 

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

​"12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling," Phlippians 2:12

With children we expect growth as they age -- all kinds of growth. God expects the same from His children. What does the above verse mean?

It does not mean our salvation is based on works.

​"24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself." Hebrews 9:24-26

In this passage Fear= respect.

We need to work out our life -- we need to keep growing spiritually. 

When we do a math problem we are proving the truth of it -- proving the answer exists. We are proving the truth in our lives as we produce fruit (this is God's will for us). 

 "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?" James 2:14

We should see actions that back up Belief. 

Work out to Prove Truth. 

Work out = infinitive = constant process = sanctification. It is ongoing. We are to become more and more and more like Christ. If you have been saved, you should be growing into Jesus's likeness. 

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14

How do we work it out? Layers -- supplement faith.. See next verse:

5 "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[a] make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble," 2 Peter 1:5-10

They will know we are Christians by our love. If you aren't growing you're dying. 

Do not be conformed but transformed.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2

Your life should be your praise to God. The path is narrow. In deed and truth:

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:16-18

Put the knowledge you have into action. Act on the truth you know.

We are not alone:

God wants us to grow. He will help us to grow -- this is His will for us. Every commandment is to make our lives better. 

"14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by[a] the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified." John 17:14-19

Accepting Jesus is just the beginning of faith. Until your heart stops you should be seeking God. 


"7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish,
and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15:7-11

Nobody plants a seed and doesn't expect that seed to bear fruit and mulitiply --- God expects us to grow and bear fruit. Jesus wants to celebrate your victory!

6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

Self-Check:
Am I growing in all aspects of Christ?
Am I growing in knowledge of the Word of God?
Am I growing intentionally?
Am I following the leading of My Savior?

The world is a minefield. You gotta stay on Jesus's path intentionally, it is narrow. What are you doing about it right now?