1. Being prepared for trouble - Acts 20:1-38 What encourages & strengthens us? 1. Good examples to follow – v.17-27 a. Faithful through trouble – v.18,19 a. Faithful through trouble – v.18,19 b. Faithful in witness to Jesus – v.20,21 b. Faithful in witness to Jesus – v.20,21 - as an evangelist – v.21 - as an evangelist – v.21 - as a teacher – v.20,27 - as a teacher – v.20,27 c. Faithful to the end – v.22-24; 2Tim.4:6,7 c. Faithful to the end – v.22-24; 2Tim.4:6,7 Cf. Joseph – Gen.45:4,5; 50:19,20 Daniel’s friends – Dan.3:16-18 Daniel’s friends – Dan.3:16-18

2. 2. The Bible The Bible shows us God’s great plan of salvation a. We need to teach/read the WHOLE Bible - we see what God has done - we see what God has done - we see how we should respond - we see how we should respond e.g. Wisdom literature – Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs

3. Wisdom literature Psalms – coming to God in prayer with all our emotions Proverbs – everyday, normal living Job – living by faith in time of suffering Ecclesiastes – living by faith when so much around seems meaningless Song of Songs – living by faith in a world obsessed by sex & yet demeaning it

4. The Bible a. The whole Bible is vital b. Focus on God & his great salvation The Cross is the focus of the Bible – v.28 The Cross is the focus of the Bible – v.28 - we are precious. God paid a great price - we are precious. God paid a great price - he will supply all we need – Rom.8:32 - he will supply all we need – Rom.8:32 - nothing can separate us from his love – Rom.8:35-39 - nothing can separate us from his love – Rom.8:35-39

5. 3. Being ready for trouble –v.28-35 a. Guard your lives –v.28 - fill your minds with God’s word – his truth - fill your minds with God’s word – his truth 1. Avoid adding to the Gospel – Galatians,Col. 1. Avoid adding to the Gospel – Galatians,Col. 2. Avoid subtracting from the Gospel – repentance, judgment 2. Avoid subtracting from the Gospel – repentance, judgment - allowing God’s word to correct behaviour – 1Tim.4:16; 2Tim.3:16,17 - allowing God’s word to correct behaviour – 1Tim.4:16; 2Tim.3:16,17 b. Guard God’s people –v.28-31 c. Trust in God’s grace – 32-38

6. 4. Be equipped to be faithful in trouble a. Follow good examples – Jesus, Paul etc b. Study the Bible carefully so we:- a. Come to know his forgiving grace a. Come to know his forgiving grace b. Experience daily his equipping grace b. Experience daily his equipping grace c. Expect & be ready for trouble – 1Pet.4:12,13