‘but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. ‘
Acts 25:19
I’m learning.
And.
God.
Has been.
Faithful.
In.
Teaching me.
That.
It’s.
Bigger.
Than me!
This morning.
Pastor Cochran.
Delivered.
A powerful.
Word.
That.
Helped.
Me.
Understand.
Why?
People.
Hate.
Me.
I used.
To.
Think.
I was.
Unlikeable.
Or.
I came.
Off.
As rude.
Or.
Mean.
But.
I’ve learned.
That.
It’s neither.
In.
My youth.
I was.
Hard headed.
And.
I didn’t.
Listen.
To.
Authority.
I refused.
To.
Take heed.
To.
The wisdom.
Of.
My elders.
Why?
Because.
I was.
Prideful.
And.
Was.
Content.
With.
Doing it.
My way!
The Lord.
Had.
Mercy.
On me.
And.
Has.
Humbled.
Me.
Over.
The years.
‘Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”’
I Peter 5:5
To.
The point.
Of.
Removing.
Me.
From.
Everybody.
And.
Everything.
I loved.
So.
He could.
Reach me!
Now.
I can.
See.
The error.
In.
My ways.
And.
I’ve.
Dedicated.
The rest.
Of.
My life.
To.
Serving.
The Lord!
Since.
I’ve been.
Saved.
My confidence.
In.
The Lord.
Offends.
The wicked.
‘and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.’
Philippians 1:14
And.
They.
Attack.
My character.
With.
False.
Accusations.
That.
Have.
No merit.
‘When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I supposed, ‘
Acts 25:18
Because.
They know.
I’m.
A true.
Servant.
Of.
The Lord.
That.
Boasts.
In.
Jesus.
And.
Not.
Myself!
The wicked.
One.
Knows.
My power.
And.
How.
I can.
Impact.
Others.
With.
My testimony.
Of.
How.
God.
Delivered.
Me.
From.
Pride.
Lust.
And.
Pleasing.
Man.
I’ve learned.
That.
I’m.
Not hated.
Because.
Of.
Who.
I am.
I’m hated.
Because.
Of.
Who.
Jesus.
Is!
Look.
Now.
I know.
This walk.
With.
Christ.
Is.
Bigger.
Than me.
And.
My confidence.
Will.
Serve.
As an.
Example.
For.
Others.
To see.
God’s work.
In.
Me!
I pray.
That you.
Become.
Bold.
In.
Your walk.
With.
Christ!
And.
Learn.
That.
You.
Will be.
Attacked.
But.
It’s.
Bigger.
Than you!
I love you!
And.
I pray your day is blessed!
In Jesus name, Amen!
