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What does Jesus in Me provide? And what can we learn about that in the final chapter of Acts? Paul and his fellow prisoners, along with a group of prison guards have crashed onto the ancient island of Malta — a dreadful and terrifying bunch of sea rats to be sure! However, the islanders do not run in fear. On contrary, they welcome the prisoners and soldiers with open arms and warm hospitality. How can this be so? We believe it’s because of the Jesus that was living in Paul. This talk will focus on seven amazing provisions we have when Jesus is on the inside.

Can Jesus in me make me a better leader? Absolutely! In Acts 27, we find the Apostle Paul on a prison-ship sailing across the Mediterranean Sea. His shipmates are a soldiers and few hundred fellow prisoners. Sounds like an impossible place for Paul to have leadership, right? Wrong. Despite his low position, and because he has “Jesus in Me,” Paul retains his prisoner-status, but ends up having miraculous influence on the lives of his captors and prisoner-companions. And by way of Paul’s example, we learn some three important lessons about true leadership.

What is it about Jesus in Me that makes me confident—and what can we learn about that in Acts, chapter 25 and 26? In these chapters of Acts, we find the Apostle Paul in prison. He’s gone through a few so-called trials, where he was unfairly accused and had no representation other than himself. A place any of us would likely feel afraid and vulnerable. But, not Paul. In fact, he exudes a confidence that can only come from the power of the Holy Spirit. We’ll discover that Paul’s confidence comes about because of four things that happens when Jesus is in me.

What does it mean to have Jesus as my Defender? And what can we learn about that in Acts 24? Once again, we find the Apostle Paul in court. Different setting, and a few different people, but the same baseless accusations. However, Paul isn’t shaken or concerned. In fact, he’s quite calm! How so? Well, Paul made three big discoveries about Jesus being his defender.

If the Christian faith could be summed up one one word, “hope” would be a very strong candidate. In Acts, chapter 23, the Apostle Paul is brought before a court of his peers, who level baseless accusations against him. Despite the uncertainty of his life and future, Paul discovered three realities that gave him an unshakable hope.

The ancient city of Philadelphia—present day Alasehir, Turkey—once sat at the crossroads of civilization. Many called it the “Gateway to the East,” and Jesus called his church to seize the opportunity that living there provided. Revelation 3:7-13 (NIV) “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. What do we do with the open door he gives us? We walk through it. We’ll discuss five reasons we can do so.

Sardis was once a powerful city, proud of it’s reputation of being an invincible city. Sadly, because the city slept, enemy armies were able to easily take it over. The city failed to wake up. Jesus reminds the church in Sardis of their city’s history, and lets them know they, too, are sleeping. Depending on their reputation of being “alive,” He lets them know that they are actually asleep, and need to wake up. Revelation 3:1-6 NIV, “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. This letter to the church in Sardis reminds us to wake up to three realities we’ll discuss in today’s talk.

Why Do We say Good Friday is Good? We'll take a look at the seven final statements from Jesus on the cross to learn what made this day so good.