Thanks for Joining our Channel, I wanted to make this as a way to encourage, post activities and give insight in what the Lord is doing in our church and around the World.
What we need in American, is Men to put back the pulpit in the center of the stage, place the Bible upon it, open the Word of God and preach the Word of God!
The Word of God is the only thing that will change wicked hearts and give eyes to see!
The Word of God is the only thing that will change wicked hearts and give eyes to see!
A Ruptured Relationship / Acts 15:36-41
Ruptured relationships and sharp disagreements are nothing uncommon in the Church for which we live today. In our time together today, we will look into the life of two great men of God that were faced with what the noscriptures call a "sharp disagreement".
You have the Apostle Paul, who was personally appointed by Christ to proclaim the Gospel to the gentiles. With him, you also have Barnabas, a Levite, and apostle who sought Paul's help as his associate in the mission to the Gentiles. Both men had generous hearts and callings to go and impact the world with the Gospel. It was in Acts 13 that we are told that while Paul (Saul) and Barnabas were serving the Lord and fasting, that the Holy Spirit said to them, "Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me for the work to which I have called them." The Church prayed and laid hands on them and sent them out for this very purpose, to work together and preach the Gospel.
The first Missionary journey that these two men went on was extremely successful. Paul and Barnabas experienced significant challenges, and we are told that many followed Christ because of the faithful proclamation of the Gospel to the Jews and the Gentiles. Paul and Barnabas had seen the work of God, they had been heavily persecuted for the sake of the Gospel, and Paul even stoned and left for dead. These men spent many months together and had become trustworthy colleagues and partners together for the Gospel.
They had defended the Gospel together at the council of Jerusalem, and they had endured alongside each other. In Acts 15:35, we are told that these brothers, Paul and Barnabas, stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. These men were very close friends, both Spirit-filled believers and workers for the Gospel together, but something is about to happen that will change their directions.
Following that council meeting, as the two men planned another mission trip, a serious disagreement arose; the text says a sharp dispute took place. That word disagreement means "To Provoke to Anger."[1]Barnabas wanted to take with them on this second journey John Mark, which we know from Colossians 4:10, that they are cousins. On the other hand, Paul refused to have him join them because Mark had deserted them on their first missionary journey, which we see in Acts 13:13.[2]
What we find taking place here is that there is a rupture in the relationship between two brothers in Christ! Paul wanted to "go and return and visit the brothers and sisters in every city in which they had proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they were." what a work that was needed, what an encouragement that would have been to all those that were in the faith, to have a visit by the ones that shared Christ with them. It was indeed a good work that Paul desired to do with his partner, but Paul believed that they should not take along with them this man who had deserted them.
Ministry breeds trust, and when trust is broken, it can be hard to work together with someone that has lost your confidence. Think about the last years of these two men's lives and how they risked their lives together, fought for the faith together. Listen, when your being Stoned and left for dead when you have to fight for your fight and someone walks out on you, it's hard to trust they will have your back when things get hard.
This is a reality in church life, people leave, people get fearful, people walk away, people lack faith and commitment, but what I learn here is that even in their disagreement, the work must still be done! The text says that they separated from one another. Their partnership was severed because of a ruptured relationship, and we were told that Paul chose Silas and left and went north ministering to the Churches in Syria and Cilicia. Paul was moving forward with the tasks that he felt the Lord had put on his heart to encourage the brethren in every city in which they had proclaimed God's word to check up on those ministries.
Ruptured relationships and sharp disagreements are nothing uncommon in the Church for which we live today. In our time together today, we will look into the life of two great men of God that were faced with what the noscriptures call a "sharp disagreement".
You have the Apostle Paul, who was personally appointed by Christ to proclaim the Gospel to the gentiles. With him, you also have Barnabas, a Levite, and apostle who sought Paul's help as his associate in the mission to the Gentiles. Both men had generous hearts and callings to go and impact the world with the Gospel. It was in Acts 13 that we are told that while Paul (Saul) and Barnabas were serving the Lord and fasting, that the Holy Spirit said to them, "Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me for the work to which I have called them." The Church prayed and laid hands on them and sent them out for this very purpose, to work together and preach the Gospel.
The first Missionary journey that these two men went on was extremely successful. Paul and Barnabas experienced significant challenges, and we are told that many followed Christ because of the faithful proclamation of the Gospel to the Jews and the Gentiles. Paul and Barnabas had seen the work of God, they had been heavily persecuted for the sake of the Gospel, and Paul even stoned and left for dead. These men spent many months together and had become trustworthy colleagues and partners together for the Gospel.
They had defended the Gospel together at the council of Jerusalem, and they had endured alongside each other. In Acts 15:35, we are told that these brothers, Paul and Barnabas, stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. These men were very close friends, both Spirit-filled believers and workers for the Gospel together, but something is about to happen that will change their directions.
Following that council meeting, as the two men planned another mission trip, a serious disagreement arose; the text says a sharp dispute took place. That word disagreement means "To Provoke to Anger."[1]Barnabas wanted to take with them on this second journey John Mark, which we know from Colossians 4:10, that they are cousins. On the other hand, Paul refused to have him join them because Mark had deserted them on their first missionary journey, which we see in Acts 13:13.[2]
What we find taking place here is that there is a rupture in the relationship between two brothers in Christ! Paul wanted to "go and return and visit the brothers and sisters in every city in which they had proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they were." what a work that was needed, what an encouragement that would have been to all those that were in the faith, to have a visit by the ones that shared Christ with them. It was indeed a good work that Paul desired to do with his partner, but Paul believed that they should not take along with them this man who had deserted them.
Ministry breeds trust, and when trust is broken, it can be hard to work together with someone that has lost your confidence. Think about the last years of these two men's lives and how they risked their lives together, fought for the faith together. Listen, when your being Stoned and left for dead when you have to fight for your fight and someone walks out on you, it's hard to trust they will have your back when things get hard.
This is a reality in church life, people leave, people get fearful, people walk away, people lack faith and commitment, but what I learn here is that even in their disagreement, the work must still be done! The text says that they separated from one another. Their partnership was severed because of a ruptured relationship, and we were told that Paul chose Silas and left and went north ministering to the Churches in Syria and Cilicia. Paul was moving forward with the tasks that he felt the Lord had put on his heart to encourage the brethren in every city in which they had proclaimed God's word to check up on those ministries.
Barnabas as well remained faithful to the task of going. We are told that he took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.
Here is the truth I think we can glean from this passage of noscripture: we are one body in Christ and individually members of one another as Christians. No matter the disagreements we have among one another, no matter the lack of trust we may have in someone of the faith, no matter what ruptured relationships we have in the Church, we are responsible for fulfilling the ministry we have been called to do. We have to be like Paul and Barnabas and be faithful in preaching the Gospel and encouraging believers no matter how much we disagree with one another. These were two faithful brothers in the Lord who had a sharp disagreement, yet their conflict did not hinder their work.
Can I ask you today, what is hindering your desire, call, passion, and need to proclaim Christ and him crucified? There is a reality we may not agree on every level but what we can agree on in the body of Christ is that the Gospel must go forth, the Church must be encouraged, and we must be faithful even in the face of disagreements because at the end of the day we are all on the same team. Our goal should be the same that is to proclaim Jesus to a lost and dying world, which without Christ, will be eternally separated in Hell. So hey, disagreements will come but let them not disregard or need to fulfill our ministry. Paul and Barnabas continued in work, and in the end, it doubled. They went their way, Paul, to the North and Barnabas to the West, and the result was accomplished for the glory of God even in the face of a ruptured relationship.
Maybe it is time that we are reminded of our ruptured relationship with God because of sin and our need for repentance, and our need to receive forgiveness. Christ paid for it all on calvary's cross that you might have life and that you might have it abundantly. Believe, Be saves, and Be on Mission for Jesus Christ.
[1] Heinrich Seesemann, TDNT, vol. 5, p. 857.
Simon J. Kistemaker and William Hendriksen, Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles, vol. 17, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001).
[2] Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Barnabas,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 265.
Here is the truth I think we can glean from this passage of noscripture: we are one body in Christ and individually members of one another as Christians. No matter the disagreements we have among one another, no matter the lack of trust we may have in someone of the faith, no matter what ruptured relationships we have in the Church, we are responsible for fulfilling the ministry we have been called to do. We have to be like Paul and Barnabas and be faithful in preaching the Gospel and encouraging believers no matter how much we disagree with one another. These were two faithful brothers in the Lord who had a sharp disagreement, yet their conflict did not hinder their work.
Can I ask you today, what is hindering your desire, call, passion, and need to proclaim Christ and him crucified? There is a reality we may not agree on every level but what we can agree on in the body of Christ is that the Gospel must go forth, the Church must be encouraged, and we must be faithful even in the face of disagreements because at the end of the day we are all on the same team. Our goal should be the same that is to proclaim Jesus to a lost and dying world, which without Christ, will be eternally separated in Hell. So hey, disagreements will come but let them not disregard or need to fulfill our ministry. Paul and Barnabas continued in work, and in the end, it doubled. They went their way, Paul, to the North and Barnabas to the West, and the result was accomplished for the glory of God even in the face of a ruptured relationship.
Maybe it is time that we are reminded of our ruptured relationship with God because of sin and our need for repentance, and our need to receive forgiveness. Christ paid for it all on calvary's cross that you might have life and that you might have it abundantly. Believe, Be saves, and Be on Mission for Jesus Christ.
[1] Heinrich Seesemann, TDNT, vol. 5, p. 857.
Simon J. Kistemaker and William Hendriksen, Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles, vol. 17, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001).
[2] Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Barnabas,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 265.
Young Adult Fellowship is starting soon, February 5th, Friday nights 6:30! 15 years and older. Food, Fellowship and a Fun time! Check out the website for upcoming updates!
Isn’t it interesting how King Asa, stood against the multitudes with his 580,000 against 1.3 million face face! What that’s faith! But listen to what he says! We are told as he faced the impossible that in faith he stood and prayed!
Asa cried to the LORD his God, "O LORD, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, you are our God; let not man prevail against you." - 2 Chronicles 14:11
Asa cried to the LORD his God, "O LORD, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, you are our God; let not man prevail against you." - 2 Chronicles 14:11
This is the Day the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice it in! Psalm 118:24
We will respond to all the emails that we have coming in ASAP, thanks for your care and very blessed gestures! May the Lord bless you all and our nation! Keep the faith and keep “Getting In The Word”
The truth will always cost you something! What has it cost you lately? I’m so proud of our Church and their willingness to stand for truth! Take a stand with us as we stand like King Asa before the impossible, yet with faith and prayer and trust in the Lord!
Great is Thy Faithfulness!
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. - Psalm 51:1-6
Here is a prayer opportunity to seek the Lord in prayer this morning! Take each verse and lift it to the Lord. We all need to be purged of sin and pursue a consistent walk in holiness, the progressive sanctification that moves us closer and closer to the righteousness of Christ!
Key Words in this passage:
Steadfast Love!
Abundant Mercy!
Wash!
Cleanse!
Justified!
Blameless!
Wisdom!
TRUTH!
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. - Psalm 51:1-6
Here is a prayer opportunity to seek the Lord in prayer this morning! Take each verse and lift it to the Lord. We all need to be purged of sin and pursue a consistent walk in holiness, the progressive sanctification that moves us closer and closer to the righteousness of Christ!
Key Words in this passage:
Steadfast Love!
Abundant Mercy!
Wash!
Cleanse!
Justified!
Blameless!
Wisdom!
TRUTH!
Let this song ring in your head this morning as you prepare to Worship our Amazing God!
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
Just give me Jesus
When I am alone
When I am alone
When I am alone
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
Just give me Jesus (Jesus)
When I come to die
When I come to die
When I come to die
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus…
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
Just give me Jesus
When I am alone
When I am alone
When I am alone
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
Just give me Jesus (Jesus)
When I come to die
When I come to die
When I come to die
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus…
Thanks for your patience as we work through the bad cell service out here in Early Branch! We don’t have internet, and cell service is poor, but we are working on getting something that will allow us to run a strong, online live service. We are grateful for everyone that was able to follow today on the Facebook platform, but we will also find another option as well!
If you have any helps, ideas, or suggestions for these items, you are welcome to reach out to me. We desire to host a clear and strong livestream that will be done with excellence.
Please know that we are working and will do all that we can to provide the best experience for joining online.
Thank you, and God bless you all!
If you have any helps, ideas, or suggestions for these items, you are welcome to reach out to me. We desire to host a clear and strong livestream that will be done with excellence.
Please know that we are working and will do all that we can to provide the best experience for joining online.
Thank you, and God bless you all!
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. - Philippians 2:5-8
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. - Philippians 2:5-8
“What was only appropriate for a servant, became the very responsibility of our Savior”