July 1, 2018
ACTS OF FAITH AND PROCLAMATION
“What Distinguishes Us as Believers”
Acts 15:22-25; Hebrews 10:10b,23-25b NIVActs 15:22-25; Hebrews 10:14,23-25b NIV
Message Notes:
Introduction:
What distinguishes us as believers? Is it our position on homosexuality, our love for others, our honesty or our sexual purity?
1. God’s people were set aside, instructed to be holy because God is holy.
a. God’s people were distinguished by;
i. circumcision,
ii. dietary practices,
iii. and cleansing rituals.
2. What set aside, distinguished believers in the early church?
a. Circumcision was no longer require.
b. The guidelines written in the letter where voluntarily followed by believers or not.
3. Believers are set aside, made holy through Jesus.
a. They are distinguished by;
i. their hope,
ii. their love and good deeds birthed by gratitude,
iii. and by gathering to worship.
Conclusion:
Believers are made holy through Jesus.
Small Group Questions:
1. Does our position on homosexuality, our love for others, our honesty, our faithfulness to our marriage vows distinguish us from our neighbours?
2. As God’s people were about to enter the Promised Land, why do you think they were set apart? Why were they instructed to be holy as God is holy?
3. Why was circumcision such a large issue in the New Testament Church?
4. How was this issue resolved?
5. What practices were the believers instructed to abstain from? (These instructions were written into the letter.)
6. Before Timothy accompanied Paul in missions, Paul required that he be circumcised. Why did Paul require this?
7. In letters written to both the churches in Corinth and Rome, Paul made the question of eating meat sacrificed to idols voluntary. Why do you think he did this?
8. If abstaining from certain practices and being sexually pure does not set us apart, make us holy, what makes believers holy?
9. What distinguishes us as believers, as told in the sermon?
10. Why is gathering to worship important?