Easter Produced A Kingdom

Acts 1:8-11

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

1. It is a Kingdom of An Indwelling Person. 

2. A Kingdom of Sharing The Good News 

3. A Kingdom of Living Power

4. A Kingdom of Unspeakable Joy

5. A Kingdom of a Promised Hope

The Ministry of Restoration

The Ministry of Restoration

Galatians 6:1 

      1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

"He heals the broken in heart and binds up their wounds." psalm 147:3

1. We are introduced to someone who has fallen. 

      Galatians 6:1 1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault...

2. We have someone who hasn't fallen yet 

      Galatians 6:1 "....ye which are spiritual"

3. Don't be mean when you reach out to the fallen. 

      Galatians 6:1 "...restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness"

4. Don't act so pious when you reach out to restore the fallen. 

      Galatians 6:1 "...each one looking to yourself, least you too be tempted."

5. Remember, you are doing what Christ wants you to do. 

      Galatians 6:2 "Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ."

Set Your Heart And Your Mind

Colossians 3:1-2

 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

*Make sure we have answered the question on how to stay self-motivated spiritually. 

Set Your Heart and Your Mind:

1. On spiritual matters 

2. On accepting chances for growth. 

3. On volunteering rather than waiting to be asked. 

4. On reading and studying. 

5. On attending and participating

6. On devoting your resources (time, energy, money) to spiritual thing

Do You Believe Trials Have A Purpose

James 1:2-5

"Your life is about displaying the superiority of the life lived in God."

Trials:

1. Trials can produce joy but not necessarily happiness. 

    * Happiness is circumstantial. 

    * Joy is supernatural delight. God brings joy through a...

        1. Person

        2. Purpose 

        3. People

2. Trials test our faith. Three questions on the test. 

    * Do you believe that God is in control?

    * Do you believe God is good?

    * Will you wait on God by faith until that darkness becomes light?

3. Trials produce endurance. 

4. Trials lead to God's wisdom.

The Question Jesus Asked and Did Not Require an Answer

Matthew 21: 18-20

          18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. 19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. 20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

• Jesus was hungry- this shows his humanity and ability to understand our human needs. 

• the tree had the opportunity to fulfill it's obligation to Jesus in providing fruit.  It did not, and when it did not,  it withered and died. 

1. There is an opportunity for spiritual fruit in the life of every believer. 

   2 calls from God:

          1. Call to come to salvation

         2. Call to service 

2. There is an expectation of spiritual fruit in the life of every believer. 

     •Because of me being alive today, whose life is better because of it?

     •Because if my being alive today, what in the world is better because of it?

     • where's the fruit from yesterday?

3. There's an accountability for the spiritual fruit in each believers life. 

     • You will give an account of your fruit to God! 

     • Busyness is not a fruit! Don't mistake leaves for a spiritual fruit. Leaves are not the fruit, they are the leaves!