30 July, 2017 What is YOUR response?

R e s p o n s e s ! !

Highlights of Trail Rides teaching Dangerous responses to the Gospel Acceptable responses to the Gospel Challenge to our prayer lives

Emphases of Trail Rides teaching

…the Great King, the Almighty God… had a light… a light to shatter the darkness.

H O P E ! !

The Holy Bible Not Just Another Book!

God has given humanity ample opportunity to know about Him by means of nature, the human conscience, Jesus Christ, and through the Bible. Humanity has no excuse whatsoever for rejecting God. Unknown

“I have problems believing.”

? ? ? ? What is SIN? What does it meant to be “saved”? Heaven and Hell Can I be saved and lost? What is baptism? ? ?

Heaven and Hell E t e r n a l Presence of God Separation from God

What is YOUR response?

Emphases of Trail Rides teaching Dangerous responses to the Gospel

Felix – Acts 24 Festus – Acts 25 Agrippa – Acts 26

22 …Felix…commanded the centurion to Felix – Acts 24 22 …Felix…commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.

24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ [the Way].

25 Now as he [Paul] reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”

26 Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.

Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; 27 But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favour, left Paul bound.

when I have a convenient time Dangerous response No. 1 “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”

Felix – Acts 24 Festus – Acts 25

9 But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favour, answered Paul and said, Festus – Acts 25 9 But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favour, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?”

“I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. 10 So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know.”

11 For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.”

when he had conferred with the council, 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!”

No personal commitment (not the same as “no response”) Dangerous response No. 2 No personal commitment (not the same as “no response”)

Felix – Acts 24 Festus – Acts 25 Agrippa – Acts 26

Agrippa – a Jew in religion, but totally devoted to Rome. Various historians

2 “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, Acts 26 2 “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews,

3 especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.

24 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!”

most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. 25 But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.

26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner.

do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”

Dangerous response No. 3 Almost – but no!

“Almost persuaded” now to believe; “Almost persuaded” Christ to receive;   Seems now some soul to say,   “Go, Spirit, go Thy way,   Some more convenient day     on You I’ll call.”

Emphases of Trail Rides teaching Dangerous responses to the Gospel Acceptable responses to the Gospel

Psalm 1399 23Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.

‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ Luke 18 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’

“Son of David, have mercy on me!” Luke 18 (As Jesus approached Jericho) 39 Then those who went before warned him [Bartameus] that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Luke 15 “7…there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”

Emphases of Trail Rides teaching Dangerous responses to the Gospel Acceptable responses to the Gospel Challenge to our prayer lives

Heaven and Hell E t e r n a l Presence of God Separation from God

16For You do not desire sacrifice, Psalm 51 16For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.

These, O God, You will not despise. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.

The preachers are weary The singers are tired The church as we know it Is losing its fire Some are discouraged from bearing the load But we must determine to keep pressing on

'Cause if just one more soul Were to walk down the aisle It would be worth every struggle It would be worth every mile A lifetime of labour is still worth it all If it rescues just one more soul

So keep prayin’!!

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

in word or deed, do everything in the And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:16-17

What is YOUR response?