Where the Path Leads – want refreshment?
Text: Acts 3:19
Do the following thoughts ever cross your mind?
“Why is life so difficult?”
“I get so discouraged.”
“I have little joy and happiness”
Well, I want you to be refreshed in Spirit today, so we will be looking at what Peter preached about how to experience refreshment from God.
The Guidance: Repent and Return
Repentance:
Seeing yourself and your sin as God sees you and your sin.
Return:
A renewal of commitment to God and His standard of holiness
The First Step - (Repent)
Forgiveness of sin
The starting point for our relationship
The necessary condition for fellowship
Footnotes:
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN REPENTANCE AND THE REMISSION OF SIN --
Mark 1:4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Next Step – (Return)
Refreshment
God sought refreshment
A Benefit for life and health
A Benefit of Fellowship
An Invitation to rest
Footnotes:
2 Chronicles 30:9 “For if you return to the Lord, your brothers and your sons will find compassion in the presence of those who led them captive, and will return to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate, and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him.”
“It is a sign between Me and the sons of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed.”
A BENEFIT FOR LIFE AND HEALTH: Prov. 3:7-8
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.”
A BENEFIT FOR FELLOWSHIP 1 Cor. 16:17-18 “I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.”
“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
There is a connection between returning and refreshment / returning and God’s presence
The Guide
His Presence He Is the source of refreshment| He is our comforter
Footnotes:
THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WITH US IS THE SOURCE OF REFRESHMENT
Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 94:19 “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your comfort delights my soul”.
If we are fretting, discouraged, or disheart-
ened, in our journey. If we have become apathetic, disconnected, and depressed,
If we are stagnant, unmotivated, and feeling useless. Then it is likely we need to repent and return. It is time to reconnect with our guide, repent
James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
There has always been a connection between God’s presence and our experience of peace and joy.
The Fellow Travelers
The Comfort of His Presence
The Refreshment of Our Souls
The Fellowship of Encouragement
Footnotes:
Ecc 4:11-12 “Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.”
Philemon 1:7 “For I have had great joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.”
Philemon 1:20 “Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.”
The Christian life was never meant to be a solo journey. God intends for us to walk together. We are to be there for one another to encourage, aid, assist, and enjoy life together. Return to God, return to His family, return to the journey together.
Where the path leads is often determined
by who you walk with.
Who you walk with also determines if it is a “drag” or a “journey.” REPENT AND RETURN that refreshment may come from
His presence
2 Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice, mend your ways, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you all.”
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