The Birth of A Church: City of Philippi - Week 3 (Acts 16:35-17:15)

The birth of a Church: Reasoning From Scripture

Acts 16:35-17:15

Home Is Where The Heart Is
the things you really believe and love are the things you will do when stressed, angry, afraid, happy, or relaxed.
Home is our default behavior
The way we act in our house is the real us.
The way we act outside of church is the real us
The way treat our spouse and kids is the real us.
The way you act when around old friends is the real you.

Pastor I Helped Move Once
- We used to attend a Lutheran Church in Pearland several years ago….

Acts 16:35-40

35 The next morning the city officials sent the police to tell the jailer, “Let those men go!”36 So the jailer told Paul, “The city officials have said you and Silas are free to leave. Go in peace.”
37 But Paul replied, “They have publicly beaten us without a trial and put us in prison—and we are Roman citizens. So now they want us to leave secretly? Certainly not! Let them come themselves to release us!”
38 When the police reported this, the city officials were alarmed to learn that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. 39 So they came to the jail and apologized to them. Then they brought them out and begged them to leave the city. 40 When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more. Then they left town.
When You Are In Distress Where Do You Go “Home” To?
do we go like Paul to Lydia’s house where there are other believers?
Do we go into fellowship where there is uplifting, comfort, invitation, and challenge to walk for Christ?
Alcohol?
Overworking at the job?
Pornography?
Lies?
Anger?
Violence?
Hiding your actions from others?

The Remedy To Our Sin Is The Holy Spirit Which Will Work In Our Lives When Accepting The Invitation and Challenge Of Jesus
This is also called being a disciple.

Luke 9:23-25
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 24 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 25 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?
how to overcome stress, sexual addiction, workaholism, anger….accept the invitation and challenge of Jesus.

Invitation and Challenge: The Blob Masters

Acts 17:10-15

10 That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. 12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.
13 But when some Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, they went there and stirred up trouble. 14 The believers acted at once, sending Paul on to the coast, while Silas and Timothy remained behind. 15 Those escorting Paul went with him all the way to Athens; then they returned to Berea with instructions for Silas and Timothy to hurry and join him.

Receive Invitation and Challenge Like The Bereans So That Your Faith Will Grow.
read the word regularly
let someone hold you accountable to be obedient to Christ.
Confess your sins regularly to a friend or spouse
Begin tithing
Commit to fellowship and worship with other Christians

12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.
Closing Prayer