Worship Service 08/07/2022

Preacher: Jeremy Herbert

Text: Acts 19:23-41

Theme:

Notes:

Providence: God’s control of all things for His purposes and glory.

We must interpret our circumstances by our knowledge of God, and not interpret God by our circumstances

Each of us has fears that will tempt us to act inconsistent with our identity in Christ

Satan uses (and abuses) people to do his work

1. Satan uses fear to control people
2. Satan uses fanaticism to control people
3. Satan uses financial gain
   • Simon Magus, Acts 8
   • The slave girl’s owners, Acts 16
   • Demetrius, Acts 19
   • Spurgeon–was an English abolitionist, yet professing Christians (or “Christians”) in Alabama threatened violence if he were to come to America
4. Satan uses religious fanaticism
   • Buddhists in Myanmar
   • Muslims in Nigeria
   • Hindus in India
5. Satan uses political fanaticism
   • We must be very careful about mixing our Christianity with our patriotism
     • We should be thankful for how God in His providence has worked in our nation
     • Yet our true citizenship as Christians is in God’s kingdom–not in America
     • Examine church history and note that whenever you mix church and state it doesn’t make the state better, it makes the church worse
     • Forcing American and Judeo-Christian moral values will not change hearts or eternal destinies
     • We should proclaim the truth and vote
     • But we should have no illusions that marrying the church with political power will turn out well
6. Satan uses cultural fanaticism

Four Characteristics of Mob Mentality

1. Irrational fear
2. Uncontrolled anger
3. Informational confusion
4. Close-mindedness

Live It Out!

1. Instead of irrational fear, exercise faith in God
   • In His providence
   • In His goodness
   • In His ability
2. Instead of uncontrolled anger, exercise righteous anger
3. Instead of confusion, cling to the truth
4. Instead of close-mindedness, exercise gentle reasonableness

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