Lessons From Acts Faith in Trials

Faith Heb. 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb. 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. ~To believe a promise~

Faith Rom. 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. A few verses earlier  14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

Faith Heb. 11:7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. Where is the promise? Where is the proof he believed?

Faith Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Where is the promise? Where is the proof he believed?

Faith Heb. 11:17-19 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called," concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. Where is the promise? Where is the proof he believed?

Faith Heb. 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned. Heb. 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. Heb. 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. Heb. 11:32-40

Promises Matt. 6:25 "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Phil. 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Promises John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.“

Promises Mt 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Luke 12:11-12 “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

Promises: I will teach you what to say Peter and John addressing the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:8) Ended with a prayer for Boldness Apostles in prison (Acts 5:17-42) Stephen stoned (Acts 7) Saul makes havoc of the church (Acts 8:3-4) Jews try to kill Paul (Acts 9:22-25) Herod harasses the church (Acts 12:1-4) Angel found Peter asleep bound with chains What had happened to James the previous day?

Promises: I will teach you what to say Elymas the sorcerer interferes with Paul’s teaching (Acts 13:4-12) Jews in Antioch rebel (Acts 13:45-52) Jews stir up trouble in Iconium (Acts 14:2-5) Lystra  Paul is stoned (Acts 14:19-20) Read 14:22

Promises: I will teach you what to say Paul and Silas in Prison (Acts 16:16-40) What are they doing while in prison? Would I be doing the same? Stayed through the earthquake Paul refuses to depart secretely (35-40) Assault on Jason’s House (Acts 17:5-9) Riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:21-41) Agabus’ prophecy - Read Acts 21:10-14 The will of the Lord be done

Promises: I will teach you what to say Paul arrested (Acts 21:26-40) Paul asks to address the mob (v. 37) Paul before Festus and Sanhedrin (Acts 22:30-23:10) He still used his Roman citizenship Plot against his life Paul before Felix (Acts 24:10-21) Paul before King Agrippa (Acts 25:13-26:32) Horrible voyage and shipwreck (Acts 27) Promise v. 21-25

Perspective on Trials Rom. 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Consider his trials outlined in 2 Cor. 11:22-33 1 Pet 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

What about us today? Do we still have promises? We have another promise 2 Tim 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. List some things that stand in our way Remember the parable of the sower and the seeds? (Mark 4:1-25) How do we handle obstacles, shipwreck, etc…?

Conclusion Heb 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.