Dover Assembly of God
11.4.2018 | Acts - Week 22
Locations & Times
Dover Assembly of God
4790 Carlisle Rd, Dover, PA 17315, USA
Sunday 10:30 AM
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November 4, 2018
Welcome to Dover Assembly!
We are so glad you have chosen to attend Dover Assembly this morning. It is not by accident that you are here. We believe that God has allowed you to be here so that you might receive all that He has for you. We pray you are blessed as you allow the Lord to work in your life.
THIS WEEK
Today
9:00 am ~ Coffee & Donut Fellowship
9:30 am ~ Sunday School
10:30 am ~ R.O.C.K. Children’s Ministries
10:30 am ~ Worship Service
1:00 pm ~ Spanish Service
Monday
6:30 pm ~ Women’s Bible Study
6:30 pm ~ Kid’s Christmas Play Practice
7:00 pm ~ Deacon Board Meeting
Wednesday
6:30 pm ~ FAMILY NIGHT !
Friday-Saturday
Women’s Conference
UPCOMING EVENTS
KID’S CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
The ROCK Kids will be ministering on Sun., Dec 9 during our morning worship service. They will be practicing Monday evenings beginning tomorrow, Nov 5. Here are the dates to put on your calendars:
PRACTICE DATES (6:30-8:00 PM)
~ Monday, Nov 5
~ Monday, Nov 12
~ Monday, Nov 19
~ Monday, Nov 26
~ Monday, Dec 3
DRESS REHEARSAL (11:00-1:00)
~ Saturday, Dec 8
PERFORMANCE
~ Sunday, Dec 9
WOMEN OF PURPOSE
Women of Purpose Women’s Ministries – upcoming events:
~ WOP Christmas Dinner is scheduled for Friday, Dec 14 6:00 pm at Ray’s Restaurant in Wellsville. Please sign up in the upper foyer
NEW LIFE FOR GIRLS
The ladies will be ministering in song and testimony on Sun., Dec 2. Plan on bringing someone who would benefit from hearing what God can do to change your life.
WATER BAPTISM SERVICE
We will have a water baptism service during our morning worship service on Sun. Nov 11. If you have not yet been water baptized and would like to be, fill out a pink form by the Information Center and we will include you for that day.
THANKSGIVING DINNER
If you do not have family or friends with which to celebrate Thanksgiving, Michelle will be preparing a meal for you here at the church. If you would like to join her on Thanksgiving day from 11-5, for a good meal, fellowship and games, please sign up in the lower foyer.
BODY NEWS
DOVER ASSEMBLY HOODIES
We will be ordering hoodies with our church’s new logo and vision statement. If you would like to order one or more, please see the sign up sheet in the lower foyer. Pullover or zipper hoodies are available. Payment must be received before the order is placed.
ELECTION DAY
Election day is THIS TUESDAY and every Christian should be aware of the issues and the candidates. There are voter’s guides on the table in the lower foyer to inform you as to where each candidate stands on vital uses. Please take one and be sure to vote on Tuesday. There is a chance that we could stem the tide on abortion.
Prov 24:11-12 - NIV
11 Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. 12 If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
FAITH PLEDGES
We made it! With last week’s pledges received, we have surpassed the $10,000 goal. An anonymous donor has matched our $10,000 bringing our payoff down to $30,000 from $50,000! PTL! Please continue help us pay off this $30,000!
PRAYER NEEDS
Please take time to review and pray for those on this list. Drop them a card or call to set up a time to visit. They will be blessed!
Shut-In
~ Helen S.
Prayer Needs
~ Rick C.
~ Robin H.
~ Rose K.
~ Phil & Murina S.
~ Beulah S.
~ Marian T.
Welcome to Dover Assembly!
We are so glad you have chosen to attend Dover Assembly this morning. It is not by accident that you are here. We believe that God has allowed you to be here so that you might receive all that He has for you. We pray you are blessed as you allow the Lord to work in your life.
THIS WEEK
Today
9:00 am ~ Coffee & Donut Fellowship
9:30 am ~ Sunday School
10:30 am ~ R.O.C.K. Children’s Ministries
10:30 am ~ Worship Service
1:00 pm ~ Spanish Service
Monday
6:30 pm ~ Women’s Bible Study
6:30 pm ~ Kid’s Christmas Play Practice
7:00 pm ~ Deacon Board Meeting
Wednesday
6:30 pm ~ FAMILY NIGHT !
Friday-Saturday
Women’s Conference
UPCOMING EVENTS
KID’S CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
The ROCK Kids will be ministering on Sun., Dec 9 during our morning worship service. They will be practicing Monday evenings beginning tomorrow, Nov 5. Here are the dates to put on your calendars:
PRACTICE DATES (6:30-8:00 PM)
~ Monday, Nov 5
~ Monday, Nov 12
~ Monday, Nov 19
~ Monday, Nov 26
~ Monday, Dec 3
DRESS REHEARSAL (11:00-1:00)
~ Saturday, Dec 8
PERFORMANCE
~ Sunday, Dec 9
WOMEN OF PURPOSE
Women of Purpose Women’s Ministries – upcoming events:
~ WOP Christmas Dinner is scheduled for Friday, Dec 14 6:00 pm at Ray’s Restaurant in Wellsville. Please sign up in the upper foyer
NEW LIFE FOR GIRLS
The ladies will be ministering in song and testimony on Sun., Dec 2. Plan on bringing someone who would benefit from hearing what God can do to change your life.
WATER BAPTISM SERVICE
We will have a water baptism service during our morning worship service on Sun. Nov 11. If you have not yet been water baptized and would like to be, fill out a pink form by the Information Center and we will include you for that day.
THANKSGIVING DINNER
If you do not have family or friends with which to celebrate Thanksgiving, Michelle will be preparing a meal for you here at the church. If you would like to join her on Thanksgiving day from 11-5, for a good meal, fellowship and games, please sign up in the lower foyer.
BODY NEWS
DOVER ASSEMBLY HOODIES
We will be ordering hoodies with our church’s new logo and vision statement. If you would like to order one or more, please see the sign up sheet in the lower foyer. Pullover or zipper hoodies are available. Payment must be received before the order is placed.
ELECTION DAY
Election day is THIS TUESDAY and every Christian should be aware of the issues and the candidates. There are voter’s guides on the table in the lower foyer to inform you as to where each candidate stands on vital uses. Please take one and be sure to vote on Tuesday. There is a chance that we could stem the tide on abortion.
Prov 24:11-12 - NIV
11 Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. 12 If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
FAITH PLEDGES
We made it! With last week’s pledges received, we have surpassed the $10,000 goal. An anonymous donor has matched our $10,000 bringing our payoff down to $30,000 from $50,000! PTL! Please continue help us pay off this $30,000!
PRAYER NEEDS
Please take time to review and pray for those on this list. Drop them a card or call to set up a time to visit. They will be blessed!
Shut-In
~ Helen S.
Prayer Needs
~ Rick C.
~ Robin H.
~ Rose K.
~ Phil & Murina S.
~ Beulah S.
~ Marian T.
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https://doverassembly.com/app
We're picking back with our study in the book of Acts in Acts 15.
This is a turning point in this book. It signifies the inevitability of conflict in the church and the need to resolve it.
Anything left without a firm foundation will always drift. Christians need to be anchored in the truth and constantly aware of any drift in our lives, and aware of outside influencers that may cause that drift.
This is a turning point in this book. It signifies the inevitability of conflict in the church and the need to resolve it.
Anything left without a firm foundation will always drift. Christians need to be anchored in the truth and constantly aware of any drift in our lives, and aware of outside influencers that may cause that drift.
Paul and Barnabas have been having great success in preaching the gospel. People were getting saved.
However, opposition kept coming. They had been stoned and put in jail, but their work was continuing.
But now opposition was going to come from within.
It’s one thing to face opposition from those outside your family but it’s another to face it from within.
However, opposition kept coming. They had been stoned and put in jail, but their work was continuing.
But now opposition was going to come from within.
It’s one thing to face opposition from those outside your family but it’s another to face it from within.
Now these were Jewish Christians demanding that gentile Christians need to be Jewish since salvation came from the Jews.
This was antithetical to everything that Paul was preaching. So if these guys were allowed to continue, it would pervert the gospel and confuse and subvert all their teaching.
Warren Wiersbe says this about that issue: “This was a declaration of war that Paul and Barnabas could not ignore.”
There will always be those that want to add things that we need to do in order to have a right relationship with Christ. Things that they have a personal conviction about.
In other words, Jesus’ death wasn’t enough. You have to do these things too.
This was antithetical to everything that Paul was preaching. So if these guys were allowed to continue, it would pervert the gospel and confuse and subvert all their teaching.
Warren Wiersbe says this about that issue: “This was a declaration of war that Paul and Barnabas could not ignore.”
There will always be those that want to add things that we need to do in order to have a right relationship with Christ. Things that they have a personal conviction about.
In other words, Jesus’ death wasn’t enough. You have to do these things too.
We assume this was by way of letters since the next verse tells us they actually had to make the trip.
But the point is, if someone is telling you something you know is not Biblical, you need to be able to confront them, and not back down.
Those “meetings” might not be solved in one attempt. It may take time to be able to hammer out your differences.
But the point is, if someone is telling you something you know is not Biblical, you need to be able to confront them, and not back down.
Those “meetings” might not be solved in one attempt. It may take time to be able to hammer out your differences.
Since it sounds like it wasn’t resolved with that first attempt, they had to go meet with them in person to fully understand what the situation was.
They were also following the pattern for handling conflict outlined in Matthew 18.
They were also following the pattern for handling conflict outlined in Matthew 18.
They didn't listen on the first attempt, so they went to them with other witnesses.
Sometimes you can’t just let things slide. You need to be confrontational.
Sometimes you can’t just let things slide. You need to be confrontational.
Just because there was an issue to deal with doesn’t mean the ministry stops.
They took time to stop and encourage other believers with testimonies of God’s power and grace.
You keep doing the ministry WHILE handling the issue.
They took time to stop and encourage other believers with testimonies of God’s power and grace.
You keep doing the ministry WHILE handling the issue.
More often than not, churches want to do what is the right thing and may not even be aware of the issue.
These folks were excited to see Paul & Barnabas--excited to hear about what God was doing.
This is what you are protecting when you confront those who are leading people astray.
These folks were excited to see Paul & Barnabas--excited to hear about what God was doing.
This is what you are protecting when you confront those who are leading people astray.
These are what the bible refers to as Judaizers--Jews who believe that more is required to be saved than just faith, that we are required to participate in Jewish events in order to be right with God.
Again, What Jesus did isn’t enough.
Again, What Jesus did isn’t enough.
This sentence sounds pretty calm, but in reality, it was probably really heated. Paul wasn’t known for his laid back style and the Pharisees were probably equally adamant about their position.
Peter however was sitting back taking it all in. We haven’t heard from or about Peter for quite a few chapters and this is the last we will hear about him in the book of Acts.
He was waiting patiently to be directed by the Holy Spirit to respond.
There are times when God will hold us back, allowing us to be directed for his response to a situation rather than a knee-jerk one.
Peter however was sitting back taking it all in. We haven’t heard from or about Peter for quite a few chapters and this is the last we will hear about him in the book of Acts.
He was waiting patiently to be directed by the Holy Spirit to respond.
There are times when God will hold us back, allowing us to be directed for his response to a situation rather than a knee-jerk one.
Peter approaches it from the truth of God’s word, not from emotion or feeling.
He shares truths that they already knew.
1) You know that God chose me to preach to gentiles.
2) God gave them the Holy Spirit without anyone doing Jewish things.
No circumcision, no feasts, no Sabbath rituals.
We need to approach conflicts with God’s word.
He shares truths that they already knew.
1) You know that God chose me to preach to gentiles.
2) God gave them the Holy Spirit without anyone doing Jewish things.
No circumcision, no feasts, no Sabbath rituals.
We need to approach conflicts with God’s word.
Once Peter made his case through scripture, the debate seemed to end. It is hard to debate what God’s word says.
Plus Peter, Paul and Barnabas were well respected by the church and their testimony carried a lot of weight.
That and their testimonies of God’s miracles were further proof of God’s acceptance.
Plus Peter, Paul and Barnabas were well respected by the church and their testimony carried a lot of weight.
That and their testimonies of God’s miracles were further proof of God’s acceptance.
There comes a time in any discussion or conflict where a choice has to be made. You have to make a descision.
James, who was now the leader of the church in Jerusalem, was about to make that decision.
He quotes Amos and makes this declaration:
James, who was now the leader of the church in Jerusalem, was about to make that decision.
He quotes Amos and makes this declaration:
So it sounds like James is throwing us curve ball, but what he is doing is addressing the theological issues as well as the sociological concerns.
By this statement he is saying the circumcision is not required and they are not subject to Jewish law to be saved.
Then he addresses the theological issue: Stay away from idolatry. Do not let anything associated with idolatry be a part of the church.
Nothing that the world would see as associated with idol should be a part of the fellowship.
His church is Holy!
Then he addresses the sexual moral issue. Again a non-debatable issue. God’s word plainly addresses that. Quit fooling around. Everyone can agree on that, so stop it.
But then he addresses social issues.
By this statement he is saying the circumcision is not required and they are not subject to Jewish law to be saved.
Then he addresses the theological issue: Stay away from idolatry. Do not let anything associated with idolatry be a part of the church.
Nothing that the world would see as associated with idol should be a part of the fellowship.
His church is Holy!
Then he addresses the sexual moral issue. Again a non-debatable issue. God’s word plainly addresses that. Quit fooling around. Everyone can agree on that, so stop it.
But then he addresses social issues.
This is not a requirement of being saved.
You don’t have to do this in order to be right with God, so why does he say it? This was clearly an issue that we are not to cause our brothers to stumble.
Since the church was still mostly Jewish and they met together in homes and most likely ate many meals together, this would be a stumbling block for Jewish believers who were saved out of that.
You don’t have to do this in order to be right with God, so why does he say it? This was clearly an issue that we are not to cause our brothers to stumble.
Since the church was still mostly Jewish and they met together in homes and most likely ate many meals together, this would be a stumbling block for Jewish believers who were saved out of that.
Paul talks about this later on, but basically he said, “We know there is nothing to idols, but for some who came out of idolatry, this might still be a problem, so don’t do-for their sake.
We need to be constantly aware of how our actions may be perceived by other believers or even those that don’t know Christ.
We know the phrase “perception is reality”. How we behave, act and what we do will all leave an impression on others.
What do we want that perception to be?
James was telling this group to be aware of how to treat fellow believers with regard to conscience.
It’s not all about us.
We need to be constantly aware of how our actions may be perceived by other believers or even those that don’t know Christ.
We know the phrase “perception is reality”. How we behave, act and what we do will all leave an impression on others.
What do we want that perception to be?
James was telling this group to be aware of how to treat fellow believers with regard to conscience.
It’s not all about us.
This brings it all back around again to drifting without a mooring.
The way to tell if we are drifting is 2 fold.
1) If we constantly see ourselves demanding others live the way we feel they should live. That could be sign that you are drifting from what the truth is-we are saved by grace alone through faith alone. God is the one who cleans people up, not us.
2) Or the flip side of that-we live our lives with no regard of other’s perception. That your way, your choices, your decisions are the only right way regardless of what other believers think or even what the world thinks. Your self-righteous attitude is more important than blowing your witness or causing someone to stumble.
Both attitudes need to be repented of.
The way to tell if we are drifting is 2 fold.
1) If we constantly see ourselves demanding others live the way we feel they should live. That could be sign that you are drifting from what the truth is-we are saved by grace alone through faith alone. God is the one who cleans people up, not us.
2) Or the flip side of that-we live our lives with no regard of other’s perception. That your way, your choices, your decisions are the only right way regardless of what other believers think or even what the world thinks. Your self-righteous attitude is more important than blowing your witness or causing someone to stumble.
Both attitudes need to be repented of.
Thank you for joining us!
If you haven't already, be sure to check out our website and follow us on social media @doverassembly! Have a great week!
http://doverassembly.com