Bible Text: Acts 20 | Preacher: Pastor Steve | Series: The Solid Acts of God
We are at war over
Marriage
Sexuality
Life
Health
We are in a worldview war
Speak up and stand up for Jesus with our:
Biblical Integrity
Conviction and commitment
Knowing what we believe why we believe
Our sin is our apathy, our muted voice, our choice to not stand up and speak up!
Jeremiah 50:22 A sound of battle is in the land, and of great destruction.
There is a sound of battle
The church is a sleeping giant
Be Bold
Acts 20:18-38 When they arrived he declared, You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now I have done the Lord’s work humbly — yes, and with tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews…
The Word of God instructs us to serve humbly with tears!
We are to never quit, and never give up.
The salvation of every human being is so important that we never want to miss an opportunity to share.
Jesus is close to the brokenhearted.
Luke 4:16-21 …The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed;
Jesus Cried
John 11:33-36 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the
Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, Where have you laid him? They said to Him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, See how He loved him!
Jesus Cried
Luke 19:41-44 But as they came closer to Jerusalem and Jesus saw the city ahead, he began to cry. I wish that even today you would find the way of peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from you…
Psalm 56:8 You number my wanderings; Put my tears into your bottle; Are they not in Your book?
Matthew 11:28 Then Jesus said, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Luke 5:31-32 Jesus answered them, Healthy people don’t need a doctor — sick people do. I have come to call sinners to turn from their sins, not to spend my time with those who think they are already good enough.
The Battle is the Lord’s
2 Chronicles 20:15 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.
Acts 20:18-38 …Yet I never shrank from telling you the truth, either publicly or in your homes. I have had one message for Jews and Gentiles alike — the necessity of turning from sin and turning to God, and of faith in our Lord Jesus.  
There is only one message for Jews and Gentiles, for us all:
Turn from sin
Turn to God
Receive and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ!
We all need to have faith in Christ that turns us from our sin and then turn to our God!
Be Courageous
Acts 20:22-24 And now I am going to Jerusalem, drawn there irresistibly by the Holy Spirit, not knowing what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit has told me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus — the work of telling others the Good News about God’s wonderful kindness and love.
Courageous people risk their lives to do what is right
Courageous people risk their reputations to do what is right
Courageous people are bold in representing Jesus
pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to give you courage
look for opportunities in your family and neighborhood to share the message of Jesus
realize that rejection, social discomfort embarrassment are not persecution
start where you are by being courageous in small ways
Acts 20:25-31 And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again.  Let me say plainly that I have been faithful. No one’s damnation can be blamed on me,   for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants for you. And now beware! Be sure that you feed and shepherd God’s flock — his church, purchased with his blood — over whom the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders.
I know full well that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some of you will distort the truth in order to draw a following. Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you — my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.
Keep watch
Be on guard
Romans 13:11-14 Another reason for right living is that you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for the coming of our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So don’t live in darkness. Get rid of your evil deeds. Shed them like dirty clothes. Clothe yourselves with the armor of right living, as those who live in the light.
We should be decent and true in everything we do, so that everyone can approve of our behavior. Don’t participate in wild parties and getting drunk, or in adultery and immoral living, or in fighting and jealousy.  But let the Lord Jesus Christ take control of you, and don’t think of ways to indulge your evil desires.