The Book of Acts: Luke’s Theology of Suffering - Sunday Sermon (video)
Pastor Brad Abley: Biblical Educator / Pastor / Teacher / Expositor
Sunday Sermon - Acts 14:22 main scripture verse
-Pastor Brad preaches…
“Beloved, there is something of profound, signal importance that directly affects the Christian faith, if we get it wrong -- and that is that the Christian faith is lived & carried forth not through power & glory -- or even strength -- but in weakness & dependence. Luther: Theology of Glory vs. Theology of the Cross.
Some time ago, I wrote about this in my blog post on the Introduction to Acts. However, I forgot about that and Tuesday I began to think carefully about the entire book. I realized that a major theme Luke emphasizes is suffering. So, I surveyed all 28 chapters and here's what I found:
In fact, Luke teaches us a theology of suffering in every chapter, except the 1st 3. That is, one of Luke’s major theological emphases is that the church – individually & corporately -- advances through suffering, afflictions, and hardships. YOU ~
Continued via YouTube video below…
Sunday Sermon at Riverbend Church - YouTube video
What to do with this message:
1. Check your theology; does it include suffering? Do you understand its purpose?
2. Check your habit of getting encouragement from God: how do you go about it?
3. When you seek to encourage someone else: Be loving, listen, understand, sympathize, but also be ready to point them to things like Acts 14:22; 2 Cor. 1:3-8; James 1:2-5. But do so as a fellow sufferer and not from on high.
Beloved, the Book of Acts is exciting, exhilarating – and also instructive. In fact, I would say Acts 14:22 is just as much a key verse from Luke as Acts 1:8, b/c everywhere the apostles and disciples went, they suffered persecution and hardship.
But they always overcame thru the dunamis of the Holy Spirit. The result? We have an indomitable, unshakable faith. So I leave you w/this once more (quote Acts 14:22).
Pastor’s Corner
The Book of Acts: Luke’s Theology of Suffering
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