02/12/2023 Church service

周日礼拜

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Revival and Transformation
Acts 28:1-6
The season of the storm is NOT the time to give up

Sometimes Monday Morning can last all week.
Many of you have been going through some major challenges lately
For me to say that may feel like an understatement to you right now

Maybe you feel uninspired – unmotivated – maybe even a bit discouraged

…but here we are. we are still breathing. still standing in faith.

We sometimes need a State Change. A Paradign Shift.

Sometimes our Heart – our Attitude – our Perspective – ALL maybneed to do a 180.

A full turnaround. An “about face.”

Kinda sounds like Repentance, doesn’t it?

Last Week: Acts 3:19 - Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord

This season of life has been a time of storms and set-backs in many ways.

Paul wrote in 2 Cor 11:25 “Three times I’ve been shipwrecked”

Today’s scripture passage is about one of those times.

Two things to consider today:
1. God’s plan for you remains – even when we have temporarily dropped the ball
2. God’s Power can redefine you and your future

The season of the storm is NOT the time to give up

Acts 28:1-6 (read)

Paul’s prison ship had been redirected by the storms – and due to some bad nautical decisions, their journey went from bad to worse very quickly.

Despite the crew’s efforts to lighten the load and drop the anchor, the ship was taking a beating, and it looked like it could be the end for all of them onboard.
In Acts 27:20, Paul is in the middle of a miracle, but he's also in the middle of a mistake, and sometimes the two are the same thing.

That's about perspective.

Sometimes the two are of the same thing. Well, the Bible says, in Acts 27:20, "When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and the storm continued raging" — because it was one of those things that wouldn't let up.

It was not the kind of trial that you go through and just get through it.

It's like when you don't see any end in sight. It was that kind of thing.

So, what happened was they lost all of their hope, and they quit believing that they could be saved, that it could be different, that they could be delivered.

And right at the time that they started to let go of their hope, God spoke to Paul in a powerful way.

So, the Bible says, (Chpt 27:21) "After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said, "Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete, then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss, but now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost. Only the ship will be destroyed.
Here's how I know. Last night, an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, "Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar."

In other words, you can't go down in this battle, because I've got a bigger one ahead of you.

"And God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you. So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith that It Will Happen just as He told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island."

In other words, GOD’s plans are even bigger than our mistakes ( )

Romans 11:29
• For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
• God does not change His mind when He chooses men and gives them His gifts.
• For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.
• God’s gifts and calling can’t be taken back.
GOD’s plans are even bigger than our mistakes

vs 25: “So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.”

The plan to take you Out is overcome by God’s Power to keep you IN

The doubter says, “I’ll Believe It when I See It.”
The faith-filled person says, “I’ll See it Because I Believe It.”

We understand the concept of labor pains

You may be in a struggle right now – may be an external struggle

…or it may be an internal struggle

What is pressing on you – or what is pushing against you – is not the end - but it is labor pains – it is not the end – but it is the birth of a new beginning.

…and your test will soon become your testimony

Paul and the rest of the passengers were shipwrecked on the island of Malta.

On the beach, Paul was gathering brushwood for the fire they had built

The Bible says the heat of the fire drove out a viper that quickly fastened itself to Paul’s hand

Apparently this was a deadly snake.

The other men quickly assumed that this snake attack meant Paul was a sinful man and they would soon witness his death.

vs 5: “But Paul shook the snake off, flung it into the fire, and suffered no harm at all.”

Talk about a paradigm shift

Paul had already been judged guilty by everyone else and he was sentenced to death in their minds

…but remember God’s Plan?

Paul already told them – even before the shipwreck, that despite the trials and adversity, none of them would be lost – because God had a plan and He intended it to be carried out.

Acts 28:5,6: But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

Have you ever made a mistake? Maybe it wasn’t just a private mistake, but a public mistake that caused others to view you in an unfavorable light. Did you know that God can redefine you? Did you know that God can take those who view you in an unfavorable light and roll the reproach away?

Today, know that not only is He able to do that, but He will also do it for you as well!
Maybe nothing you have tried in the past has worked for you.

Maybe you have come to the place where your life has become unmanageable.

Maybe you’ve finally come to believe that a Power greater than yourself will be necessary for your sanity to be restored?

The doubter says, “I’ll Believe It when I See It.”
The faith-filled person says, “I’ll See it Because I Believe It.”

You can shake it off – with God’s Power working in and through you –

- and people will see the change and know that something greater than your “will power” or determination caused this to happen.

The Power of God can redefine you.

You are not history – you are HIS Story

Just like Paul, God has a true and real plan for you and me.
He has a mission for us to accomplish.

Are you willing to get back up today and let He who has begun a good work in you finish the work?

Are you ok with ignoring the naysayers and their negative comments – their judgmental stares - and let God work in and through to prove them wrong?

“But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.”

Let this test become a testimony

Are you ready to step away from the cowards and the quitters and turn your back on fear, doubt and unbelief and declare that today is a new day in Jesus Christ?

Are you ready to shake off the viper and get back to work?

Father, I’ve made mistakes. It’s caused people to look at me in a bad light. But Father, I know You are able to change perception, and You can do so in a moment. I believe that nothing is impossible for You, and I’m grateful for the change You’re bringing forth. In Jesus’ name, amen!



 

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Hillside United Methodist Church
3739 US 80
Phenix City  AL  36870
United States
Pastor: Mike J Koger

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