My Christmas Story "Not Just an Average Joe" Matthew 1:18-24 Chapter 2 The story of Joseph teaches us important lessons about obedience. Lesson #1 We must obey in spite of our current dilemmas. Dilemmas can cause our Hopes to crumble. Hearts to be crushed. Lesson #2 We must obey even if it means a change in direction. Joseph changed his direction based on an Angelic word. Ancient word. Lesson #3 We must obey by being committed to making godly decisions. This commitment involves: Our response to God's commands. Our regard for other people.

Chapter 1 A Mother’s Joy “A Guide to Finding Joy This Christmas” Luke 1:26-55 The story of Mary’s encounter with Gabriel reminds us that: 1. Christmas is a time for a gracious announcement. This announcement involves a: • personal messenger. • particular message. 2. Christmas is a time for great astonishment. This astonishment: • Impacts the recipient. • Produces a response. 3. Christmas is a time for godly action. Our active response to God’s calling involves a: • Journey filled with unknowns. • Joy that is unexplainable.

A Study of Paul's Conversion Part 8 Acts 9:23-31 "Fearlessness in Suffering" "The ‘essence' of persecution consists in ‘subjecting a person to injury or disadvantage on account of his opinions.' It is something more than meeting his opinions by argument, which is always right and proper; it is inflicting some injury on him; depriving him of some privilege, or right; subjecting him to some disadvantage, or placing him in less favorable circumstances, on account of his sentiments." -- Albert Barnes •1. The reality of persecution. •2. The reasons for persecution. Persecution: •a. Is the destiny of many Christians. •b. Happens because of our doctrine. •c. Is a sinful response to Christ-like dedication. •3. The varied reactions to persecution. Acts 9 describes three common reactions: •a. We can become fearful of trusting others. •b. New friendships can be created. •c. Our fearlessness can grow in spite of opposition. •4. The results of persecution. Positive results can include: •a. Enjoying times of peace. •b. Experiencing empowered ministry. •c. Seeing explosive growth. Negative results can include: •a. Extreme pain and suffering. •b. The end of our life. •5. The biblical response to persecution. 1 Peter 3:13-17 suggests five ways in which we ought to respond to persecution. We should: •a. Cheer up. •b. Buck up. •c. Lift up. •d. Speak up. •e. Shape up.

A Study of Paul's Conversion Part 6 Acts 9:20-22 "Fervency of Speech" "Evangelism is the spontaneous overflow of a glad and free heart in Jesus Christ." Robert Munger "The salvation of a single soul is more important than the production or preservation of all the epics and tragedies in the world. " C.S. Lewis "To call a man evangelical who is not evangelistic is an utter contradiction." G. Campbell Morgan Immediately after Saul surrendered to Christ he embarked on a lifelong pursuit to proclaim the good news about the Savior who sought him out and made him His son. All who have experienced this life change should devote themselves to winning others with the life changing gospel of Jesus Christ To make this a reality: 1. We must meet God's proclamation criteria. Every gospel messenger must: * Have experienced salvation * Be ready and willing to serve * Know the scriptures * Know what they are going to say 2. We must deliver the proper content. The gospel message: * Must focus on the Savior * Means our journey of faith must be secondary 3. We must prepare for the challenges. Some challenges we may face: * Our past causes us problems * Yesterday's power isn't enough * Proclaiming Christ takes guts * Proving Christ to others is a process * Persecution is inevitable

A Study of Paul's Conversion Part 6 Acts 9:17-19 "Fellowship with the Saints" Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord - Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here - has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. Our fellowship must involve: 1. A common Savior. It is through Christ that we can: · Embrace the same Father. · Experience the same favor. · Enjoy the same freedom. 2. A commitment to service. This service: * Is to be a priority. * Involves prayer for one another. * Allows us to partner together. 3. Christian solidarity. Our solidarity is made stronger when our: * Love develops and grows. · Knowledge deepens in understanding. · Heart discerns what is best. · Life displays the fruit of righteousness.

A Study of Paul's Conversion Part 6 Acts 9:17-19 "Fellowship with the Saints" Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord - Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here - has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. Our fellowship must involve: 1. A common Savior. It is through Christ that we can: · Embrace the same Father. · Experience the same favor. · Enjoy the same freedom. 2. A commitment to service. This service: * Is to be a priority. * Involves prayer for one another. * Allows us to partner together. 3. Christian solidarity. Our solidarity is made stronger when our: * Love develops and grows. · Knowledge deepens in understanding. · Heart discerns what is best. · Life displays the fruit of righteousness.

A Study of Paul's Conversion Part 5 Acts 9:17 "The Filling of the Spirit" To fully understand the Spirit-filled life, we must answer three key questions. 1. What are Paul's reasons for being Spirit-filled? Paul's command reminds us that we must: · Be controlled by the Spirit. · Be connected to the Spirit. · Comply with the Spirit's leading. · Be complete in Christ. 2. What are the personal requirements for being Spirit-filled? The Spirit-filled life requires: * Conversion by the Spirit. * Confession of sin. * Commitment to submit. This commitment: * Is to a person. * Reflects our position. * Should change our priorities. 3. What are some practical results of being Spirit-filled? The Spirit-filled life can positively affect our: * Worship. * Life after the wedding. * Family's well-being. * Work. * War with sin. * Witness to the world.

A Study of Paul's Conversion Part 4 Acts 9:10-17 "Faithful Service" A Life of Faithful Service: 1. Starts with knowing our part in God's strategy. Knowing our part requires that we: * Live for God. * Listen to God. 2. Is stunted by our propensity to become skeptical. Skepticism comes when: * God's course for us is unique. * Our concerns are understandable. * God's conclusion seems too unbelievable. 3. Showcases the incredible potential of a Spirit-led life. Living by the Spirit allows us to: * Respond with the proper action. * React to our enemies with affection. * Experience results that are amazing.

A Study of Paul's Conversion Part 3 Acts 9:10-12 "Fervent Supplication" Saul's conversion reminds us that: One of the marks of truly born-again, saved individuals is prayer. Prayer is not just a requirement; prayer is a necessary response to salvation. Prayer is not something Christians should have to be begged to do. If people are really born again, they will pray. Of course, Christians need to be encouraged to pray more than they do, but the authenticity of people's faith can be determined on the basis of their fervor in supplication. If this is true, then all Christians must: 1. Remember God's announcement about prayer. This announcement reminds us that: * Prayer is necessary for vibrant Christianity. * Prayer is noticed by God. * Prayer can be new even to the most religious. * Our prayers can seem like nonsense to others. 2. Recognize the proper attitude for prayer. Saul's passion for prayer grew because: * It was an opportunity to commune with God. * It reminded him that God was in control. 3. Respond with prayers that apply biblical truth. Biblical prayer: * Centers on the greatness of God. * Involves confession of sin. * Isn't just about our own personal concerns. and * Shows our dependence. * Settles us in times of despair. * Sets us in the right direction. Saul's example reminds us that God's answers: * Aren't always immediate. * Impact others. * Involve more than we know.