Acts 23 & 24 | Keep Calm and Carry On

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Slides:

Paul’s mission:

Acts 9:15

- But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;

“Take Courage”

- Matt. 9:2 And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven."

- Matt. 9:22 But Jesus turning and seeing her said, "Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well." At once the woman was made well.

- Matt. 14:27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."

- John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world."

Acts 18:9-10

And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid [any longer,] but go on speaking and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city."

How do we keep calm and carry on when we feel stuck?

- Go back to what God has already told you.

Acts 9:15

But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;

Acts 23:11

But on the night [immediately] following, the Lord stood at his side and said, "Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also."

How do we keep calm and carry on when we feel stuck?

- Trust in the sovereignty and sufficiency of God.

2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 

Genesis 45:8

"Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

How do we keep calm and carry on when we feel stuck?

- View your life through spiritual (not natural) lenses.

Acts 18:9-10

And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid [any longer,] but go on speaking and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city."

Acts 23:11

But on the night [immediately] following, the Lord stood at his side and said, "Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also."

Ephesians 6:12-13

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual [forces] of wickedness in the heavenly [places.] 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

How do we keep calm and carry on when we feel stuck?

- Cling to God’s promises!