Discerning God’s Will as a Family (Acts 15:1-35)
Mark Pitman, October 12, 2014Part of the Living Life Together series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
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Acts 15:1–35 (Listen)
15:1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
16 “‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will restore it,
17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
says the Lord, who makes these things 18 known from of old.’
19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23 with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”
30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
(ESV)
Sunday | Theme | Message | Scripture | Special Events |
1/6/13 | Finding Hope | Why are We Here, Where are We Going, How Do You Fit in? | Romans 15:2 | |
1/13/13 | Hope in Our Sufficient Savior | Jesus is Superior in Every Way | Hebrews 1:1-14 | |
1/20/13 | Hope in Our Sufficient Savior | Jesus Deserves your Attention | Hebrews 2:1-8 | Sanctity of Human Life |
1/27/13 | Hope in Our Sufficient Savior | Jesus Can Soften Your Heart | Hebrews 3:1-19 | |
2/3/13 | Hope in Our Sufficient Savior | Jesus Can Give You Rest | Hebrews 4:1-5 | |
2/10/13 | Hope in Our Sufficient Savior | Jesus Can Give You Hope | Hebrews 5:10 | Valentine’s Day |
2/17/13 | Hope in Our Sufficient Savior | Jesus Can Help You Draw Near to God | Hebrews 7:1-28 | |
2/24/13 | Hope in Our Sufficient Savior | Jesus Offers You a Better Promise | Hebrews 8:1-13 | |
3/3/13 | Hope in Our Sufficient Savior | Jesus Shed His Blood for You | Hebrews 9:1-28 | |
3/10/13 | Hope in Our Sufficient Savior | Jesus Can Give You Confidence | Hebrews 10:1-39 | Daylight Savings begins; Gideon Speaker |
3/17/13 | Hope in Our Sufficient Savior | Jesus is Worthy of Your Faith | Hebrews 11:1-40 | |
3/24/13 | Finding Hope | Finding Hope from 5 Surprises at the Cross | Matthew 27:27 | Palm Sunday |
3/31/13 | Finding Hope | Finding Hope from Inside the Tomb | Acts 2:1-42 | Easter |
4/7/13 | Guest Speaker—Scott Towers | |||
4/14/13 | Hope in Our Sufficient Savior | Jesus Taught Us to Endure | Hebrews 12:1-29 | Camp Selah |
4/21/13 | Hope in Our Sufficient Savior | Jesus Taught Us to Change | Hebrews 13:1-25 | |
4/28/13 | Finding Hope in Handling Worry | Worry Tears You Up | Matthew 6:25 | |
5/5/13 | Finding Hope in Handling Worry | Worry Makes You Small | Matthew 6:25 | |
5/12/13 | Finding Hope in Handling Worry | Worry Steals Your Hope | Matthew 6:26, 28-30 | Mother’s Day |
5/19/13 | Finding Hope in Handling Worry | Worry Wastes You Time | Matthew 6:27 | |
5/26/13 | Finding Hope in Handling Worry | Worry Offends Your Father | Matthew 6:26, 32 | Memorial Day Weekend |
6/2/13 | Finding Hope in Handling Worry | Worry Leads You Astray | Matthew 6:32 | Honor Graduates |
6/9/13 | Guest Speaker–Christopher Avell | |||
6/16/13 | Finding Hope in Handling Worry | Worry Turns Your Head | Matthew 6:33-34 | Father’s Day; Baby Dedication |
6/23/13 | Finding Hope in Relationships | 6 Words Every Relationship Needs: #1 Grace | Genesis 39:1-40:8 | |
6/30/13 | Finding Hope in Relationships | 6 Words Every Relationship Needs: #2 Encouragement | Ephesians 4:29 | FOURTH OF JULY—5th Sunday at the Pavilion following service |
7/7/13 | Finding Hope in Relationships | 6 Words Every Relationship Needs: #3 Loyalty | 2 Samuel 23:8-17 | |
7/14/13 | Finding Hope in Relationships | 6 Words Every Relationship Needs: #4 Forgiveness | Matt 18:15-35 | Communion |
7/21/13 | Finding Hope in Relationships | 6 Words Every Relationship Needs: #5 Transparency | 1 John 1:1-2:2 | |
7/28/13 | Finding Hope in Relationships | 6 Words Every Relationship Needs: #6 Perseverance | Hebrews 10:32-11:2; 12:1-3 | |
8/4/13 | Finding Hope in the Promises of God | Hope | 1 Cor 10:13 | |
8/11/13 | Finding Hope in the Promises of God | Finding Hope (or Ruin) in Becoming What We Worship | Isaiah 6 | |
8/18/13 | Guest Speaker—Mike and Carolyn Ballast (Missionaries) | I Cor 1 | VBS Sunday (Avalanche Ranch: A Wild Ride through God’s Word) | |
8/25/13 | Finding Hope in the Promises of God | Get in the Game | Eph 4:11-16 | Baptism & Family Night at PSR |
9/1/13 | Finding Hope in the God who Provides | The Challenge of Hope | Ruth 1:1-15 | Labor Day |
9/8/13 | Finding Hope in the God who Provides | The Contrast of Hope | Ruth 1:16-22 | |
9/15/13 | Finding Hope in the God who Provides | The Providence of Hope | Ruth 2:1-13 | Randy and Adena Wildman (Missionaries)Men’s Outing (9/21)– Robert Houk’s home |
9/22/13 | Finding Hope in the God who Provides | The Provision of Hope | Ruth 2:14-23 | SYATP (9/25) |
9/29/13 | Finding Hope in the God who Provides | The Adventure of Hope | Ruth 3:1-13 | 5th Sunday—Harvest party at the Pavilion (Rides/camp fire, etc.); Shawn & Amanda (Missionaries); BCC 101 Class |
10/6/13 | Finding Hope in the God who Provides | The Faithfulness of Hope | Ruth 3:14-18 | Communion |
10/13/13 | Finding Hope in the God who Provides | The Resources of Hope | Ruth 4:1-12 | Columbus Day- 10/14 |
10/20/13 | Finding Hope in the God who Provides | The Prodigy of Hope | Ruth 4:13-22 | (10/19) Harvest Party at The Fethers. |
10/27/13 | Finding Hope in the Stewardship of Life | The Foundation of Stewardship | Mark 12:1-12 | Testimony |
11/3/13 | Finding Hope in the Stewardship of Life | The Stewardship of Giving | Luke 19:11-27 | Testimony |
11/10/13 | Finding Hope in the Stewardship of Life | The Stewardship of Serving | 1 Cor 12:12-27 | Veteran’s Day—11/11; Testimony |
11/17/13 | Finding Hope in the Stewardship of Life | The Stewardship of Commitment | Joshua 24:14-28 | Testimony |
11/24/113 | Finding Hope in the Stewardship of Life | The Stewardship of Thanksgiving | Ps 107 | Thanksgiving; Decorate Church |
12/1/13 | Finding Hope in our Eternal Home | The Wonder of Your Eternal Home | 2 Cor 5:1-21 | HOPE;Advent Scripture– Isaiah; Communion |
12/8/13 | Finding Hope in our Eternal Home | Bowing Down Wisely | Ps 95:6 | PEACE; Advent Scripture– Micah 5:2, 4-5; Children’s Program |
12/15/13 | Finding Hope in our Eternal Home | The Beauty of Your Eternal Home | Rev 21 | JOY; Advent Scripture– Isaiah 9:6 -7 |
12/22/13 | Finding Hope in our Eternal Home | The Gift that Overcomes Death | 1 Cor 15:50-58 | LOVE; Advent Scripture– Isaiah 52:7-10 |
12/24/13 | Christmas Eve | The Perfection of Heaven | Ps 24:3-4 | |
12/29/13 | Preparing to Live by Preparing to Die | 2 Kings 18:13-19 | 5th Sunday |