OMBS7/ Open the Flow

PRAYER - "We Kneeled Down On The Shore And Prayed"

We would scarcely relate to the simplicity and humble conditions of the ancient Jews and Christian disciples to which Paul was sent. Surely we would be immediately convicted of our materialism, carnality, worldliness and selfish lifestyles. Prayer and godly fellowship is the stuff of life.

Acts 21:5,7 - "And they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed. ...And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day."

PRINCIPAL - "Men Who Support The Ministry"

Gaius and Aristarchus stood with Paul during the riot at Ephesus, and were ready to do whatever necessary for the Gospel. But Paul departed Ephesus for a three-month preaching tour in Macedonia, which led him also to Greece. Hostile Jews laid wait for him, so he decided to return to Macedonia. Several brethren continued to stand with Paul - Sopater of Berea; Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Timotheus, Tychicus and Trophimus. Only God knows the enormous encouragement a preacher derives from faithful men of God showing their support for his ministry. 

Acts 20:5 - "These going before tarried for us at Troas."

PRINCIPLE - "Those Who Fight Against Truth Are Often Misinformed"

The Church elders wanted Paul to show the Jews "that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law." "All Jerusalem was in an uproar" because they believed Paul was destroying Moses' law. A riot broke out in the Temple when a Gentile went in, "polluting the holy place." They thought Paul brought him in. They also called Paul an Egyptian troublemaker. Soldiers calmed the riot, then beat Paul, bound him in chains, and "demanded who he was, and what he had done."

Acts 21:34 - "Some cried one thing, some another, ...he could not know the certainty for the tumult."

PROPHECY - "Ye Shall See My Face No More"

It is the somber fate of the God-called servant to go where sent, and forsake anything God may require. Remember how God called out Abraham alone, and blessed him. You can see the emotional effect on Paul in his farewell at Ephesus. "I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more."

Acts 20:36 "And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more."

Open the Flow

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. - Hebrews 12:1-2

Disciplining the flesh. For many believers that phrase stirs memories of frustration and failure. They know it's important—the Word of God clearly teaches that. But they're not sure exactly how to go about it. Some have given up, shrugging off such discipline as impossible. Others are still fighting stubbornly to get their flesh under control—and losing one battle after another. But it doesn't have to be that way. In fact, we can't afford to let it be that way. It will cost us too much. You and I are blessed to be part of the generation that will see the signs and wonders which the prophets of old wished they could have lived long enough to see. We will witness the Spirit of God poured out upon all flesh. But sin hinders the Spirit's flow. And only as we rid ourselves of it will the power and glory of God be manifest through us. Only then will we experience the glorious things that are prophesied to take place in our generation. So put your past failure behind you. Make up your mind that you're not going to let the sins of the flesh rob you of the glory of God. It is possible to step out of the sin you've struggled with so long and live under the Spirit's control. Look to Jesus...He will show you how.

Plan of Salvation read acts 2:38