DEVOTED DAY BY DAY
Where do you spend your time, energy and resources?
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42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47 ESV
What things have you been devoted to over the last five years?
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24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Matthew 6:24 ESV
What or who will be your master?
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42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching… Acts 2:42 ESV
It’s not the APOSTLE…It’s the TEACHING!
The Apostles’ Teaching = The Message of Jesus = The Word of God
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 ESV
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1. Devotion to Jesus’ Word is A MARK OF A DISCIPLE.
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.”
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2. Devotion to Jesus’ Word is A METHOD FOR GROWTH.
“If you abide in my word… and you will know the truth.”
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3. Devotion to Jesus’ Word is A MEANS TO FREEDOM.
“If you abide in my word… and the truth will set you free.”
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What did the Apostles teach?
- Jesus has brought God’s kingdom here
- Jesus calls us to love God and others
- Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God
- Jesus paid for our sin on the cross
- Jesus is alive and offers us life
- Jesus makes salvation possible by grace through faith
- Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit
- Jesus has included us in His body (the church)
- Jesus has made us new
- Jesus is coming back again
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The Apostles Taught the Gospel!
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:6-7 ESV
Warning #1: Satan can deceive you.
3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3 ESV
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Warning #2: Questions can distract you.
3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 1 Timothy 1:3-4 ESV
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Warning #3: “Religion” can oppress you.
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 1 Timothy 4:1-3 ESV
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What do you want to be true about yourself five years from now?
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Will you be devoted day by day to the Word of God?
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