The Power of the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts.

In this final part of the series, Dr David Petts preaches that all Christians can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues.

Part 2 of this three part series originally preached at Brixham Community Church but Dr David Petts – Repent, Be Baptized, Be Filled!

The Situation

Paul was in prison

He was lacking fellowship

verse 11 – only Luke was with him

verse 10 – Demas had deserted him (cf v16)

verse 14 – Alexander had harmed him

verse 20 – Trophimus was sick

He was in danger of death

verse 17 (lion = lion or Nero or devil)

verse 6 – indeed he was about to die (cf. 3:11)

Paul’s attitude and reaction in the situation

He realised God’s presence with him despite the circumstances

verse 1 – in the presence of God……… I give you this charge

He faced the situation realistically

He did not seek  to deny the reality of his impending death

He took practical steps to alleviate the immediate situation as best he could

He urged Timothy to come as quickly as possible (with Mark) and bring his cloak, scrolls and parchments (9, 11-12)

He made what long-term provision for the future he could

He sought to ensure that his work would continue through Timothy after his death by giving him instructions (1-5)

He recognised the overall importance of the proclamation of the Gospel

In his instruction to Timothy –  preach the Word – do the work of an evangelist

From his own  mouth even when on trial for his life (17)

He concentrated on the certainty of his ultimate destiny

Jesus is coming to reign! 1 – his appearing and his kingdom

Jesus is coming to judge! – all (1) righteously (8) so I can leave Alexander to him! (14)

Jesus is coming for me personally!  – verse 18

Jesus is coming with a crown of righteousness for all who love his appearing! – verse 8

And finally…

 …perhaps Paul was able to do all this in the face of death because he was able to look back and view the past with satisfaction:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith – verse 7

I want to be able to say that too – but that will be determined by how I’m living now.

John the Baptist doubting (Matthew 11:2-6, 11)

2 When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples

3 to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”

4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:

5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

6 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”

 

11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Jesus said he was the greatest man who ever lived!

Filled with the Spirit from his mother’s womb…

…he had been chosen by God to prepare the way of the Lord.

He preached that people should repent – and they did!

All Jerusalem and all Judea went out to be baptised by John in the Jordan.

No wonder Jesus said he was the greatest… (11)

And yet, isolated in Herod’s dungeon,

THE GREATEST OF THE PROPHETS IS OVERWHELMED WITH DOUBT!        Are you the one? (v.3)

If this great man of God was overwhelmed with doubt, we must not be surprised or feel guilty if we are tempted to doubt in our experience of isolation

Let’s take a look at

• The nature of his doubt
• The causes of his doubt
• The remedy for doubt

The Nature of his Doubt

He was doubting:

His own testimony – one mightier than I – the Lamb of God…

The testimony of Scripture

 (Isa. 61) – The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…

The testimony of God himself

(Jesus’ baptism) – This is my beloved Son

The Cause of his Doubt

Circumstances – he was in prison v.2

Lack of fellowship

The apparent non-fulfilment of a promise (‘set the prisoner free’)

The Remedy for Doubt – 5 things

Talking to Jesus about it

John sent a message to Jesus

Hearing from God afresh

Jesus had an answer for John

Recognising the need for Fellowship

v4 ‘GO, and show…’

Emphasising the promises that HAVE been fulfilled (v.5)

In this connection we need:

                Patience

                Right understanding of Scripture (spiritual fulfilment)

Submitting to the will of God (v.6)

We must not be offended by God’s will for our lives

When John did that, deliverance came! He was set free from the prison – but not as he had expected!

Some promises – especially with regard to the body – will not reach final fulfilment until the redemption of the body at the resurrection.

Is God cheating us in this way? By no means. We have no grounds for resentment. See Hebrews 11:35

Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain A BETTER RESURRECTION.

Today we are looking at Jeremiah 32 where Jeremiah is imprisoned in a city that is already being besieged.

You could say that he is doubly in isolation.