A History we must hold on to!

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
A History we must hold on to! & Remembrance Weekend
Pastor Jim Zippay
24 & 25 May 2008
Acts 13.16-41


Outline
Salvation history is the recounting of events and occurrences that take place as part of the unfolding plan of God for the redemption of the world.
I. God is the Producer and Director of this History.
II. Jesus is the Star and Centerpiece of this History. (Acts 13.23)
III. Faith is the admission price and lens of this History.

Content
1. Awareness of the past helps us interpret the present and future.
2. We must evaluate history through a worldview that considers God’s plan.
3. God initiates the action of history; without His divine commentary, life wouldn’t make sense or have any meaning.
4. If God isn’t sovereign, man’s will and choices have the final say.
5. God has a hold on us individually and on human events for His eternal purposes.
6. Jesus is the famous One, bringing hope and healing to the nations.
7. Salvation history is not cyclical; there will be a culmination.
8. God is moving all of human history toward the day when all nations will realize that Jesus is Lord and Christ.
9. We must have faith to believe the Scripture and what the Holy Spirit is telling us.
10. God is working through the events of your life, so believe keeping God’s salvation His story in mind.

Aim
God is the director of human history, accomplishing His salvation history for our good and His eternal purposes.

Application Questions
1. When did you first realize that life isn’t all about you?
2. What comfort do you receive from knowing that God is sovereign over your current difficulties?
3. How are you trying to fit God into a box?

Remembrance Weekend 2008
 Losing a parent breaks our connection to the past.
 Losing a spouse or friend breaks our connection to the present.
 Losing a child breaks our connection to the future.
 The opposite of remembering is “dys”membering.


I AM A SOLDIER
I am a soldier in the Army of My God.
The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer.
The Holy Bible is my code of conduct.
Faith, Prayer and the Word
are my weapons of Warfare.
I have been taught by the Holy Spirit,
trained by experience,
tried by adversity,
and tested by fire.
I am a volunteer in this Army,
and I am enlisted for eternity.
I will either retire in this Army at the rapture
or die in this Army;
but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out,
I am faithful, capable, and dependable.
If My God needs me,
I am there.
If He needs me in Sunday school to teach children,
work with the youth, help adults, or just sit and learn.
He can use me,
because I am there!
I am a soldier.
I am not a baby.
I do not need to be pampered,
petted, primed up, pumped up,
picked up, or pepped up.
I am a soldier. No one has to call me,
remind me,
write me, visit me,
entice me, or lure me.
I am a soldier.
I am not a wimp.
I am in place, saluting my King,
obeying His orders, praising His name,
and building His kingdom!
I am a soldier.
No one has to send me flowers,
gifts, food,
cards, candy,
or give me handouts.
I do not need to be cuddled, cradled,
cared for, or catered to.
I am committed!
I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around.
I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside.
I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.
When Jesus called me into this Army,
I had nothing.
If I end up with nothing,
I will still come out even.
I will win.
My God will supply all my needs.
I am more than a conqueror.
I will always triumph.
I can do all things through Christ.
I am a soldier.
Devils cannot defeat me.
People cannot disillusion me.
Weather cannot weary me.
Sickness cannot stop me.
Battles cannot beat me.
Money cannot buy me.
Governments cannot silence me,
and Hell cannot handle me!
I am a soldier.
Even death cannot destroy me.
For when my commander calls me from this battlefield,
He will promote me to a captain
and then bring me back to rule this world with Him.
I am a soldier in the Army,
and I'm marching, claiming victory.
I will not give up.
I will not turn around.
I am a soldier,
marching Heaven bound.
Here I stand!
Will you stand with me?