Westside Christian Fellowship

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes 10 SIGNS OF A HEALTHY CHURCH ________ TOPICAL: Being sent out by the Holy Spirit they encountered a sorcerer. ACTS 13:9 Then [Paul]…filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord. 1. Boldness and Spiritual Power” – you have to be bold in battle. The Enemy is Full of Deceit – to gain control and pervert the right way. 13 Paul came to Perga…and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. 15 After the reading of the Law & the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.” 2. Reading and Exhortation- urging someone to do something. Sin is exposed and Grace abounds. 16 – 23 God brings deliverance from David’s seed, “according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus…26 “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent….28 And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. 29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him from the dead. 31 He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. 32 And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers. 3. Feed the saints; warn the sinners.          A. PRIMARY: To those who fear God. We’re not to be seeker-sensitive in avoiding truth, but we are to be sensitive in how we represent God.          B. SECONDARY: To those who need to fear God – “warns despisers.” 1 Cor. 14:24 [if] an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.” …38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. 40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you: 41 ‘Behold, you despisers, marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, a work which you will by no means believe, though one were to declare it to you.’” 4. Centers on Jesus Christ – Have you been justified? “This Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins.” We can become so busy and miss why we’re really here.

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes How To Be “Led By The Spirit” Memorial Day: On Jan. 13, 1947, U.S. Senate Chaplain Peter Marshall stated: “The choice before us is plain: Christ or chaos, conviction or compromise, discipline or disintegration. I am rather tired of hearing about our rights. … The time is come to hear about responsibilities….” _______________________________________________________________ Intro: Make Sure You Are Following God’s Lead – Led by, David said by, filled by, revealed by, taught by, moved by… EXAMPLE: 1. Conor led by the wrong voice. 2. The Old Deluder Satan Act. ACTS 12:20-24 Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king’s country. So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God grew and multiplied. [Josephus in Antiquities 18.200] – he was immediately stricken with pain and carried to his bedchamber. He died five days later – “eaten by worms and died”. 1. Open your ears to hear to the leading: “Who has ears to hear.” We are bombarded with opportunities of self-exaltation. This is why i speak of humility often – pride is the spirit behind self-exaltation: TAKE-A-TEST: Excuses / Always right / Temper-tantrums / Doesn’t listen to others / Rebellious spirit. The tragedy is: they think they are led 25 Barnabas and Saul [led of the Spirit] returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry , and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark. 2. Always be moving in the right direction: Waited for power, then moved. ACTS 13 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: [Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, and Saul.] 3. To hear we need both teaching and preaching. Those who have been called to preach, much like the prophets in the Old Testament, will confront compromise, condemn moral digression, and powerfully denounce sin in the hope of reconciling man to God— The teacher builds—the preacher tears. The teacher counsels—the preacher convicts. The teacher rejoices—the preacher weeps. The teacher plants—the preacher uproots. The teacher mends—the preacher breaks. The teacher is full of hope—the preacher is full of fire. The teacher loves to listen—the preacher needs to speak. Leonard Ravenhill, in Why Revival Tarries, wrote, “God has always had His specialists whose chief concern has been the moral breakdown of the nation and the church. Such men were Elijah, Jeremiah, Malachi, and others of their kind who appeared at critical moments in history to reprove, rebuke, and exhort in the name of God and righteousness. Such a man is likely to be drastic and radical; the curious crowd that gathers to watch him will soon brand hi...

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes 10 Reasons Why Prayers Aren’t Answered   Not in a hurry to get through an important issue – we are seeing spiritual battles unlike anything we’ve seen before.   I’m using the word “delay” because I don’t believe that most of your prayers aren’t being answered – if you’re truly seeking God and following His principles – I believe that you’re experiencing delay vs. prayers being denied.   ACTS 12:1 Now about that time [the time the church sent relief] Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. 4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.   1. Delay is Not Deny: Answers are often delayed. Waiting is praying and praying is waiting, but we often quit before we really begin.   We Underestimate the Waiting Time: Our mind assumes that Peter was in jail overnight. DELAY STRENGTHENS FAITH – Psalm 106:13, “They soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel” – 1. Leanness of soul. 2. Entitlement 3. Worldliness 4. Complained 5. Provoked God.   2. Delay “CAN” Readjust Motives. Waiting is listening – I want to “see” the answer, God wants me to listen. “Not my will, but Your will” – please let us win. I’m not a painter. If you don’t know what to do, don’t do anything. What soldier rushes ahead? 5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” 9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 3. Delay “CAN” Increases Boldness – Contend Don’t Quit – “Constant prayer”: Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes Do Not Be Dismayed!   Dismayed takes discouragement to a new level. We say, “If I could just…” There is dismay in this room – there are battles going on.   It’s not hard to find rest on the battlefield if you know where to sleep.   2 Chronicles 20:15 [NKJV] – Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down against them……17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”   Insurmountable odds are not insurmountable: “I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God: first, it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.”  – Hudson Taylor   “We never test the resources of God until we attempt the IMPOSSIBLE.” – F.B. Meyer   When we are forewarned we are forearmed.   The battle is not yours: 17 You will not need to fight in this battle.   BUT it says, “16 Tomorrow go down against them.”   The fight is not mine, the outcome is not mine, and the victory is not mine. BUT I PARTICIPATE!   “Position yourself” with the battle gear on: EPHESIANS 6:14 PARAPHRASE Stand with truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace – taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…   Examples: I’m so dismayed…     A] …my kids are not walking with the LORD     B] …my marriage is failing: POSITION: Close your mouth and open your heart; stop the nagging and get on your knees; stop making excuses and start taking responsibility. PUT ON THE ARMOUR!       C] …my health is declining     D] …I can’t overcome this habit POSITION: Stop opening the door when it knocks! Start resisting instead of making excuses. GOD may not remove the desire – “His grace is sufficient.”       E] …this isn’t working – Sometimes we lose the battle to win the war. Defeat reveals the true character of the warrior.   STAND STILL!!                            ⇨            Standing Is fighting     My flesh wants to sit down, cry, and give up.          The devil wants me to walk away.   “The Lord is with you”: It doesn’t “feel” like it.   God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called.   I feel so inadequate. GOOD… Your children are a gift – you’re not only qualified, God called you!  

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes Three Cautions From Acts 11 CAUTION: care taken to avoid danger or mistakes. Acts 11:22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.   1. Stay Encouraged! Encouragement: persuasion to do or to continue something.     A] What does God say?     B] What do spirit-filled believers say?     C] Prayer encourages and strengthens – you see the light at the end of the tunnel! “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.”   BUT encouragement doesn’t mean “tell me what I want to hear.” Jehosaphat aligns with Ahab and seeks advice from the prophets: 2 Chronicles 18:13 [NKJV] “And Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, whatever my God says, that I will speak.” Encouragement is found in obedience! “But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!” 2 Chronicles 15:7 (NKJV)\   WHAT STEPS CAN YOU TAKE TODAY TO STAY ENCOURAGED? 25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.   2. Stay Grounded in the Word. 2 Chronicles 17:9-10 “So they taught in Judah, and had the Book of the Law of the Lord with them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people. And the fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah…”   Catholic, Coptic, and Protestant: The Great Schism Pope / High ranking bishop / Pastor Mary / Saints / Priests can marry / Purgatory Mass [Knox and Mary queen of Scots] – once and for all sacrifice or repetitive? In the book, Rome Sweet Rome: Our Journey to Catholicism, Scott and his wife Kimberly tell how they started looking at the Eucharist differently than Protestants: “One evening, we had an opportunity to be at a Mass where there was a Eucharistic procession at the end. I had never seen this before. As I watched row after row of grown men and women kneel and bow when the monstrance passed by, I thought, These people believe that this is the Lord, and not just bread and wine. If this is Jesus, that is the only appropriate response. If one should kneel before a king today, how much more before the King of Kings? the Lord of Lords? Is it safe to kneel or not? But, I continued to ruminate, what if it’s not? If that is not Jesus in the monstrance, then what they are doing is gross idolatry. So, is it safe to kneel (142)?” WHAT STEPS CAN YOU TAKE TODAY TO STAY GROUNDED? Oswald – “Don’t get impatient with others. Remember how God dealt with you with patience and with gentleness.

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes Is the Lord “Really” With You   ACTS 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them… Joshua was defeated; Samson was overcome; Saul lost the kingdom.   Is the Lord Really With You?   No one influences you more than you. No one deceives us more than we deceive ourselves. Our defense attorney works overtime putting us in the best light. We have excuses, “reasons”, and justifications for everything.   BACK TO THE BASICS: It was July 1961 at Green Bay.   1. “They gave themselves fully to the work of God.”   Are you involved somewhere? Are you moving…are you active? As you give grace, grace is given. As you serve, God begins to bless and honor.   I’m not afraid of the Jabez prayer: “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!”   2. They came down off their high horse.   Expose the defense attorney – I EXPOSE HIM OFTEN   The self-righteous person lives in deception – the LORD is not with them! How can God lift you up when He says He will abase you? How can He teach you when it’s the humble He teaches. We pray for wisdom, but pride brings disgrace. We want healing and deliverance, but the humble He heals – “If My people”. “He has shown you, Oh man, what does the Lord require?”   Why most don’t change: their defense attorney wins another case!   3. They could NOT be conquered because they were UNITED.   SermonIndex, “Being poisoned by negative talk. One person in a church or ministry is dissatisfied, bitter, critical and unwilling to change. He/she starts to talk negatively and poisons others. Soon the atmosphere of love among the brothers and sisters is replaced by disunity, anger, and hardness of heart toward each other and the Lord.”   “The hand of the Lord” will NOT be upon you if you are divisive.   WCF Motto: “Are you stirring the pot, or mending the wound?”   We must discern the spirits – Is this God or Satan?   Corrie ten Boom said, “It’s a poor soldier, indeed, who doesn’t even recognize the enemy.”   Satan plants thoughts focused on pride, bitterness, anger, lying: David to number his army and Ananias to lie to the Holy Spirit.   JAMES 3:14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.   What “spirit” is with you? 1 Tim. 4:1 [NIV] – The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will aban...

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes Thoughts on Contention, Contending, and Worldliness   ACTS 10 paraphrase: Cornelius was a God-fearing man who was fasting. God sent Peter to him to present the gospel [good news about Jesus]. 44 “While Peter was still speaking…, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word…and they were baptized.”   CONTENTION: Peter Defends God’s Grace ACTS 11 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, 3 saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!” The difference between Contentious and Contending. “A HEALTHY CHURCH HAS SPARKS.”   A] Do you want to guard others or expose them? B] Are you quick to find faults and are you looking for them? C] Do you only see the negative? It’s okay to question if you’re truly open to hear the answer. One who constantly questions is often contentious.   Pray for Boldness or pray for Balance! ________________________________________ WORLDLINESS: How do we reach sinners if we always avoid them? Peter was “In the world, but not of it.”   Are you the light or is your light fading? Do you persuade them, or do they persuade you? Who is the “influencer”? Are you being conformed into the image of Christ or the world’s image? Are you being selective, cautious, and using wisdom [godly counsel]? Note on counsel: I have rarely seen a person go wrong by seeking it. Others CAN see us better than we see ourselves [no ulterior motives].   Is everything you do bathed in prayer as you wait on God? Many say, “Lord, here is what I’m going to do – please bless it.”   Is there conviction and a lack of peace about what you’re doing? But it pays the bills. Is there fruit? “I’m witnessing to them” is often the excuse we use. ______________________________________   SHIFT IT – Are you teachable? Were they…? Let’s find out . . . CONTENDING: 11:4 But Peter explained the dream to them and said… 15…as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” 18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” Don’t rush to judgment – they heard both sides. The fruit was unmistakable – the Holy Spirit came “upon” them.   REVISIT FRUIT: I love worship; I want more of God – I’m not in a hurry – the Bible comes alive – I’m more consc...

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes What A Powerful Name   GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE: The Shift Away From the Cross –   “To tell about Jesus without the cross is to betray him with a kiss” – (Charles Spurgeon).   Tell me that Jesus loves me – but leave it at that!   Tell me that the tomb is empty but don’t challenge me to empty myself.      Tell me that I am forgiven but please don’t mention repentance.         Tell me about heaven, but don’t shock me with the realities of hell.   ______________________ SEAN MCDOWELL: “As my dad puts it, ‘The fact that Jesus was killed is as certain as any event recorded in ancient history. We have to reject any theory that tries to explain the resurrection by saying that Jesus somehow survived His ordeal, appeared to His disciples as a bleeding wreck, and convinced them to tell people He had risen’.” “What event transformed the disciples from defeated, cowering persons in hiding to bold evangelists? The resurrection! Why were they willing to spread the Good News despite being beaten, imprisoned, and threatened with martyrdom? The resurrection! What gives us peace and strength today to share the Good News? The resurrection!” What if Jesus Had Never Been Born – The enormous value of Life (why the O.T. is so brutal), Compassion, Government, Education and Freedom. “In those days, abortion was rampant. It was common for unwanted babies to be taken out into the forest or mountainside, to be consumed by wild animals or to starve to death.”   WHAT A POWERFUL NAME – all of history looks to Him – HE DEFEATED hell, death, and the grave.   All would be destined to Hell Death is no longer the great fear, but the great doorway: “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The ‘hopeless’ Grave: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more.”  WHAT A POWERFUL NAME – _____________________________ MATT. 28 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. Fake gospels would not have women as heroes. The soldiers would lose their own life.   5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” 8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. Are you really seeking Jesus?

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes The Lord Hears Us The backdrop: An angel appears to Cornelius and Peter has a vision. Acts 10:30 So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ 33 So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.” “Christian disciplines” help us hear from God – many say, “That’s an Old Testament discipline as they push the double-double in their mouth.” “Hear all the things commanded by God” –  all of His truth.   Debate – atheists, satanists, different religions – I had a choice – do I make Christianity palatable or powerful? Taste good or truthful? Easy or narrow?   Preaching to Cornelius’ Household 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. Rom. 2:12 (NKJV) “For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law 13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; Imputation – righteousness or sin is charged to our account [Adam to Christ]. 14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.” MEN ARE HELD RESPONSIBLE (cf. Romans 1) – Even those who have never heard the gospel have a witness. “IF A PERSON WILL RESPOND TO THE REVELATION HE HAS…GOD WILL PROVIDE SOME MEANS FOR THAT PERSON TO HEAR THE GOSPEL” (MacArthur). THE LORD WILL HEAR YOUR PLEA!   The 2 Sides – It’s really about pursuit and choice: [cf. John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2] Both sides agree that God’s Spirit convicts and draws. But Can Man Respond? Jh. 6:44 – “No one can come to Me unless the Father… draws [helko]…” 1 Cor. 2:14 – “The natural man does not receive [dechomai]…”   …36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— Definition: someone having power, authority, and influence! Rom. 10:9, “…if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Philippians 2 – “…every knee will bow.”   …37 that word you know,

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes Sincere but Wrong – a Believing Unbeliever Deception is real: example of living in deception at the hospital ACTS 10 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. His character: loyal and devoted; reverent and had a giving heart. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” 4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. A memorial is a reminder – he was no doubt seeking GOD. True prayer has feet. 5 Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. 6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do. 7 And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. 8 So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.   Would Cornelius be saved if he was living in the O.T.?   Psalm 51:17 – My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Genesis 15:6 And [Abraham] believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.   We must have BOTH – Belief and Sacrifice!   Do you BELIEVE? – Who paid the PRICE for you? God still speaks, BUT primarily through His word – cf. 2 Peter 1:3 – God has given us everything we need to know for living a godly life through His word and our relationship with Him.   Dr. Cho’s video of the Holy Spirit leading a man on a bike to his parents house to retrieve a Bible before the police arrived. ______________________ Peter’s Vision 10:9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” 15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again. He was very hungry [famished]: whether it was a purposeful fast or not, the fact that the flesh was starved is something we should not overlook. Cornelius was fasting – Scripture is clear that God speaks to us in more profound ways when we fast:

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes “Walking in the Fear of the Lord” If churches are trying to win a popularity contest, they will avoid this! A wrong view can do harm too. ACTS 9:31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.   There was a season of peace – until Herod in chapter 12. Peace / comfort – WHEN THEY FEARED “Let us learn not to abuse external peace by being involved in pleasures and idleness…When the churches had peace, they were not drunk with pleasures and earthly joy…” John Calvin. Edified – “To improve morally or intellectually.” WHEN THEY FEARED Multiplied [spiritual growth] – WHEN THEY FEARED   Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”   FEAR IS A RESTRAINING FORCE: Only fools would want to remove this restraining force: “Men…must be…controlled, either by a power within them, or by a power without them; either by the Word of God, or by the strong arm of man; either by the Bible, or by the bayonet” (Robert Winthrop; 1809 – 1894).       NATION: God fearing people should lead – PSALM 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him.” The Delaware Constitution initially required that everyone appointed to public office must say, “I do profess faith in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ His only Son . . . .” “Remember ever, and always, that your country was founded by the stern old Puritans whose first act on touching the soil of the new world was to offer on bended knees thanksgiving to Almighty God.” HENRY WILSON (1812-1875); 18TH U.S. VICE PRESIDENT “The law . . .

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes Is God a Priority? ACTS 9:8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” The purpose of Visions and Dreams – I’m cautiously careful: warn, confirm, or direct. People get weird and we throw out the baby with the bath water.   13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” The Questioner vs the Skeptic: one truly seeks answers and is trying to understand, but the other is a skeptical scoffer. God became the priority [relationally] – he experienced God. A true conversion changes the heart: he was that – now he is this. Not everyone has radical encounters, but everyone who has been converted should have fruit. ~ GOD IS THE PRIORITY! “The Holy Spirit never enters a man and then lets him live like the world. You can be sure of that!” – Tozer   How can a loving God allow suffering? “I will show you how many things you must suffer for My name’s sake.” Redemption through suffering – Jesus even ministered while dying. Humility through suffering. Clarity and Conviction through suffering. Redirection through suffering [prioritizing].     ….GOD BECOMES THE PRIORITY.   17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. 19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. The power of unity and agreeing together. Was Paul already a Christian for 3-days? Then why wasn’t he filled? Converted, Filled, Baptized – “Wait until you are clothed with power.” “I think the essence of being baptized with the Holy Spirit is when a person, who is already a believer, receives extraordinary spiritual power for Christ-exalting ministry.” ~ John Piper   20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues,

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes No Regrets – God Can Use Your Past I used to deal with a lot of regret (especially when living w/ the consequences). Made fun of – construction background and couldn’t write well. High School was a disaster – Dyslexia [advantage to homeschooling] – embarrassed so i cheated my way through. This led to the party scene and a failed marriage   The 1st point – STOP Blaming God! We are an “excuse driven people.” Excuses kept me in a defeat cycle. The 2nd point – Position Yourself to Receive from God (catch the ball) … 1 Cor. 1:27 paraphrased – Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many of you were influential in your community; not many were born into privilege. God chose the foolish things to shame the wise; God chose the weak things to shame the strong. God says, “Once you see that you are nothing without Me – I can use you.” Might, Power, and Success don’t get the credit – God does! Rom. 8:28 – all things will work together for good for those who love Him and want to do His will. He used my PAST – many different environments that are instrumental when pastoring. DETOUR – What Seminary Did You Attend? The school of experience. The school of Christian history. The school of Christian experience (biographies). The school of Theology – 17 years now in school. Grudem to Giesler – MacArthur to Hayford – Augustine and Pelagian – Luther to Erasmus. The Reformation to Revivals – Systematic theology to topical indexes. Tozer to Spurgeon. Shepherds conference to prayer and worship conferences – time alone. Pneumatology – Eschatology – Soteriology – Ecclesiology: SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY The 3rd point – Use regret – don’t live in regret (this is my most continue in addiction) BAD DECISIONS made in the past are not the unpardonable sins – stop living as if they were.   Phil. 3:12-13, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”   ACTS 9 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Saul was angry and murderous – SAUL [this is what you asked for]. PAUL [small or humble]. Religious people don’t like Christians when you challenge their religiosity.   3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes What Hinders You?   HINDRANCE – “Resistance, Delay, or Obstruction.” NEXT WEEK – How God Can Use Your Past (even though you were hindered).   The past few sermons focused on hindrances in our walk with God – THE PRIMARY HINDRANCE IS NOT BEING FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT.   ~ The young man knew the Psalm, but the old man knew the Shepherd. ___________________________________________________   ACTS 8:26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” What hinders us from following God? Obedience – “So he arose and went” – Religion vs. relationship: “had come to Jerusalem to worship.” What hinders others from following God? “How can I, unless someone guides me?”           ~ Not many laborers.           ~ The laborers often don’t know what they’re saying or doing.   You can tell me who has been on Dancing with the Stars, and the current plot of Game of Thrones, and all the details of American Crime, but when someone ask about God WE say, “Talk to my Pastor.”   Study God the way you study sports and entertainment [devotion of time and attention to acquiring knowledge]   We study for tests, for promotions, for compensation … BUT not for God. SIMPLE PLAN: 1] Structure your day around Him – The Word [20+MINS], Prayer, Worship, Service. 2] Use down time to your advantage. 3] Remove meaningless time zappers. It’s boring – WHY is it boring? Because you’ve been feeding on the things of the world so long that now they taste good. ___________________________________   And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 33 In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.” 34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. When you study, you know the answer – 2 + 2.   36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water.

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes Is The Holy Spirit “Upon” You? THE QUESTION: Is there fire in your life – godly passion & zeal – not just for His Word, but for others. Are rivers of living water flowing out of you – are you spiritually alive?   Were the Samaritans Believers? ACTS 8:14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God [40 miles], they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.   Who is the Holy Spirit – God’s nature, character, goodness, & love flow out of us.   Galatians 5:22-23 says, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”   SO…WERE THE SAMARITANS BELIEVERS? If so, why did they receive the Holy Spirit later?   Matthew Henry – “converts” ; John MacArthur – “transitionary period”   SUPPORTING CONVERSION: Vs.6 they gave heed; Vs.8 there was joy; Vs.16 baptized.   No Set Pattern – this is why some discount the Book of Acts in regard to doctrine. AND IT’S USUALLY THOSE GROUPS AFRAID OF THE HOLY SPIRIT   BREAK IT DOWN: VS. 14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God   Dechomai [deck-o-my] – to receive in a welcoming (receptive) way.   VS. 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.   Lambano – to take with the hand in order to use it.   Receiving the Spirit is “experiential” “The ones mentioned are speaking in tongues, prophesying, freely praising the great things of God, boldness and power in witness, and obedience to God” (John Piper). ____________________________________________ IDLEMAN PARAPHRASE: Something was clearly lacking. 1] They were either challenged about their walk, or ignorant to the things of God. Here is how it normally plays out: I’m open, but VERY CAUTIOUS. I like the idea, but I have NO INTENTION OF FULLY SURRENDERING. It makes sense, but I’m NOT sure it’s for me.   CF – ACTS 19 NKJV And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”   I spoke at a Bible study 15 years ago – a pastor’s son said the same thing.   ONE TRANSLATION: “Did you take God into your mind only, or did you also embrace him with your heart? Did he get inside you?