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DEVOTION

MY. DEVOTION. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Power of Devotion. As a result - The Lord’s Church Grew by Leaps and Bounds 3000 people on the first day of Pentecost Acts 2:41 5000 people Acts 4:4

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DEVOTION

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  1. MY DEVOTION They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

  2. Power of Devotion • As a result - The Lord’s Church Grew • by Leaps and Bounds • 3000 people on the first day of Pentecost Acts 2:41 • 5000 people Acts 4:4 • More men and women Acts 5:14

  3. SOMETIMES Very Devoted to “Non-Issues” • That’s how it is with us nowadays • We are caught up by the mundane things in the world • We no longer think about what’s right in the sight of our Almighty God • We allow our anger, our pride to get in the way and continue in our sin against God • The people were busy finding fault to crucify Jesus • It’s fun to join the crowd, not knowing the facts and participated in the sins of men

  4. Devoted to The Apostle’s Teachings • Not just any doctrine • Not my own doctrine • But to the Apostle’s Teachings • Fellowship • Breaking of Bread • Prayer (Depending on how we pray) Prayer of a righteous person)

  5. A Gist of Apostle Paul’s Teachings 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. • Acts 20:29-36New King James Version (NKJV) • 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, notsparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

  6. A Gist of Apostle Paul’s Teachings..continues 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. • 32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.

  7. Devoted Enough to Give • What kept their Devotion?

  8. They realised that they crucified the Son of God • Matthew 27:51New King James Version (NKJV) • 51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,

  9. They realised that they crucified the Son of God • Acts 2:36-37New King James Version (NKJV) • 36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” • 37 Now when they heard this,they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

  10. People with Good Conscience • They realise their mistake in crucifying the Son of God • They felt Guilty for doing the wrong thing • They feared God • They were focused on God

  11. They witnessed the resurrected Jesus • Acts 1:3New King James Version (NKJV) • 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

  12. Their focuswas on our Lord God. • Acts 2:41 – those who gladly received his word were baptised. • V 43 – many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. • V 44 – those who believed were together • V 45 sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all • V 46 –v 47 – fellowshipped, broke bread and Praised God and having favour with all the people

  13. Devotion may not always be on God But on more serious matters like…. • Acts 23:12New King James Version (NKJV) • 12 And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

  14. Apostle Paul’s Devotion • Before his arrest, Paul was beaten • Acts 21:27, 28 27Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, • 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” • Acts 21:32 32He immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. • Acts 21:35 35When he reached the stairs, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob.

  15. Paul’s Sufferings 2 Cor 11:24-27 in perils of my own countrymen inperils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, inperils in the wilderness, inperils in the sea, inperils among false brethren; 27in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— • 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; • once I was stoned; • three times I was shipwrecked; • a night and a day I have been in the deep; • 26injourneys often, • in perils of waters, • in perils of robbers,, Apostle Paul remains Devoted to God

  16. Apostle Paul on his way to Rome Acts 27 -28 • On the way to Rome • The Italian Ship met Euroclydon, a tempestuous head wind • They were exceedingly tempest-tossed, they lightened the ship • Many days they neither seen sun nor stars • They gave up on being saved • Paul told them there will be no loss of life but only the ship • Paul testified to them saying an angel of the Lord said,”Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.” • 27:34Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.” • V35 Paul took bread and gave thanks to God.. • All escaped to land safely at Malta • While making fire, a Viper bit Paul • No doubt this man is a murderer. • Whom tho he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live • They expected Paul to swell up and fall down dead • Paul didn’t die and they said that Paul was a god

  17. TO BE DEVOTED plus alittle bit more • We need to be totally committed to the Lord • It may require some SACRIFICE from us • Being Devoted to God, we trust God and relies on God’s Strength • We may not have witnessed the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus • We need more Faith

  18. Why is Devotion so Powerful? • Work – Making $$$, effort • Sacrifices, put in loads of time • Climbing up the Corporate Ladder – there is a goal • Studies – Dedicated Time, • To Understand, • to do well for career future • There is a goal • Play – Badminton, Dedication • Desire to WIN, Basketball • Again Time to Practise • Games – Fun, Relaxing, Fellowship, Communication • Loved Ones - One Spouse, put in effort, buy flowers, teach the children in schoolwork

  19. 2 John 2:15-17 Do Not Love the World 15Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

  20. Remember the Words of Life • Ecclesiastes 12:13Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: • Fear God and keep His commandments,For this is man’s all.14 For God will bring every work into judgment,Including every secret thing,Whether good or evil

  21. Our Devotion to All Other Things takes on a toil in our Devotion to God • Important to Strike a balance • Put our God first place in our Lives • Do we believe in Matt 6:33 • “Seek Ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you”

  22. Our Lord Jesus was Devoted to the Father • Our Lord Jesus showed complete obedience to God • To die for mankind that we might be saved • It’s a painful death • And He could have said “No, please ask someone else.”

  23. Paul Before Agrippa – Do not delay • 13And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus. 14 When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying: “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix, • 15 about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him. • Acts 25:13-15

  24. The Opportunity was Offered to King Agrippa 30 (the King , Festus and Bernice talked among themselves), saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.” 32 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” • Acts 26:27-28 • 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” • 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”

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