But the truth of the matter is
we need one another. And the truth of the matter is
you all need one another, this local ecclesia, this local church. And that's what I want to look
at this morning for the message. Turn with me to Acts chapter
28. When I was looking at some previous
messages, this one just popped out. And I preached it to our
folks over a year ago, well over a year ago. I just think we need to hear these
things. And I know you will agree with me as well. I can't express
the thankfulness and gratitude that Bruce and I have for you.
not only allowing us to be here, but will give us the time of
day to hear what's going on down in Jackson, and for us to hear
what's going on here. You guys are still gathering
together, that's so important. And we're gonna look at this
in Acts 28. We're gonna start reading in
verse 11. Now Paul's on his way to Rome,
He's in prison, or he's got chains, and a centurion is with him. They're traveling, and they go
through some ups and downs, and this is the travels of his journey
going to Rome. Caesar there is Nero, and he
is a Christian hater. I've been reading a little bit
about him. If there was a blight in Rome, if there was a fire
in Rome, if there was a economic disaster in Rome, Nero blamed
the Christians. And he had a lot of them killed.
So this is who he's going to. And he's not going anywhere.
He's chained, as it were. Verse 11 of Numbers 28. After three months, we, this
is Paul, or Luke is writing this, departed in a ship of Alexandria,
which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. And landing at Syracuse, we tarried
there three days, and from thence we fetched a compass and came
to Regium, and after one day the south wind blew and we came
to the next day to Petulio where we found brethren and were desired
to tarry with them seven days and so we went towards Rome and
this is the verse I want us to look at and from thence when
the brethren that is some brethren in Rome when they heard of us
that is the travels in Paul, they came to meet us as far as
Apiphorum and the three taverns. And if you look that up, the
three taverns is still there. It's still there. And it doesn't
mean taverns like we think it means. It's lodging. Whom? That's important. Whom? Who?
Brethren. Brethren, when Paul saw, when
he saw them, He thanked God and took courage. That's the two
things I want to talk about. He thanked God and took courage. Specifically, when he saw the
brethren. So this includes fellowship.
And you can't have fellowship with unbelievers. You can't do
it. That's not the proper term for fellowship. This is what
I want to look at. Whom, when Paul saw, he thanked
God and took courage. Now this thanking God and taking
courage, or that's another phrase for faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,
these two things, these two unions, their union is not only admirable,
but they most certainly recommend and adorn one another and every
child of God. You see somebody who's a friend
and you greet them and hug them or whatever, but you see a brother
It's a little different. You thank God for them. And you
take courage, and that's, you help one another in the faith.
And I ask all of us here today, when are we not to show forth
thankfulness and courage, or faith? When is it ever, do we
put this stuff on a shelf? Do we put it on a mantel, and
then live our life? No, this is all part of the believer,
is thankfulness and courage or faith. Here in Acts 28, we have
Paul's journey to Rome. He's under arrest. He's here
to stay in trial for his crimes of preaching the gospel, preaching
a sovereign and resurrected Christ. That's what he's going to trial
for. So these trials, as John Newton would say, through many
dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. Tis grace hath
brought me safe thus far And grace will lead me home. And
he knew that, he knew that. But it never hurts to be encouraged
by brethren that you know and see. As Scott Richardson said,
he said it this way, he said, the believer's life is in three
phases. They're either heading into trouble,
or they're in the midst of trouble, or they've just come out of trouble.
And the older I get, I would say that's pretty accurate. Pretty
accurate. Now in verses 14 and 15, some
brethren heard that the beloved apostle would be passing through
Epiphorum and the three taverns, and I looked that up, and it
hadn't changed. Now they didn't have cars, Appiforum is 51 miles from Rome. Walking, camel, I don't know,
but it's not, wasn't a luxury. And the three taverns was 23
miles. They sought him out and desired
fellowship. They sought the apostle out,
the beloved apostle, and they sought fellowship. And I noticed
the text and the particular language in verse 15 the latter part whom
when Paul saw whom the brethren like-minded brethren like-minded
brethren when Paul saw he thanked God and secondly he took courage
or confidence or walking walked in faith and I got a side note
here is there any distance too great to gather together to help
one another's faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Where you're at,
maybe there's no place. Is there any distance too far
to fellowship? May we be given a hunger and
thirst for His worship, His honor, and His glory. This is what I
want to explore today, giving thanks and taking courage. or
a spirit or attitude of gratitude, thankfulness, or indebtedness,
and an encouragement to faith by taking courage in knowing
our God does all things well at all times. This is the apostle. He's in chains. He's, you know,
he's under arrest. He can't go anywhere. And yet
his will, acquiesced to the will of the Father and the Son and
the Holy Spirit, godliness with contentment is great gain. So
the first thing I want to look at, whom when Paul saw, thanked
God. What can be more honorable, more
reasonable, than to look back, or look present, and give God
all the praise? Now, if you, in your Bible, my
Bible right next to it is Romans, and Acts and Romans, and this
next page, this is what's going on, Romans chapter one, verse
eight. First, Paul says, I thank my
God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken
of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I
serve with my spirit in the gospel of his son, that without ceasing
I make mention of you always in my prayers. Now this is the
historical, this is, this is, Acts where we're at is after
this. So this is what he's talking
about when he sees these brethren come to visit him from such a
long distance. Make your request, if by any
means, now at length, I might have a prosperous journey by
the will of God to come to you. For I long to see you, that I
may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end you may be established. That is, that I may comfort,
may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith Both
of you and me. See, what he saw them, of whom
he saw. It's brethren. Those of like-minded
faith. Those who believe in the gospel
of God's grace. You don't know John Calvin. It's
appalling doctrine, but it's the doctrine of Christ. Doctrine
of Christ now, I would not have you ignorant brethren that oftentimes
I purpose to come unto you But was let hitherto that I might
have some fruit among you also even as among other Gentiles I'm a debtor both to the Greeks
into the barbarians both of the wise and unwise so that as in
as much as in me as I am ready to preach the gospel to you that
are at Rome and And who were at Nax, he'd already had. For
I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power
of God unto salvation to everyone that believes, to the Jew first
and also to the Greek. For therein, through the preaching
of the gospel, is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to
faith, as it is written, that just shall live by faith. For
the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness
and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness. So my point is this. This fellowship,
these things that Paul said when he, whom the brethren, when he
saw, he took courage and thanked God, he thanked God because they
believed the report of Christ and Him crucified. So what he
is, what this, the root and substance of Paul's thankfulness should
be as ours should be, God in Christ Jesus, in and through
the gospel of the grace of God. It's not based on whether you
like something I like, because there's many different personalities
here. Like our church, you know, we have different likes and different
worldly concerns, different jobs. So I'm not saying, you know,
I'm not saying it's the cult. You do what the pastor or the
person who's feeding you, you'd be like, no, God saves each person
and they have their personality. We are moded to the image of
Christ. And so that we're all alike. So what I'm saying is
this substance that Paul was thankful and took courage, it's
gotta be the gospel. That's first and foremost, of
Christ and Him crucified. This is what's going on, and
turn with me to 1 Samuel. This is what's going on in 1
Samuel. Chapter 23. Starting in verse
13. First Samuel chapter 23, and
starting in verse 13, this is what's going on. Then David and
his men, which were about 600, arose and departed out of Keilah,
and went whithersoever they could, and it was told Saul that David
was escaped from Keilah, and he forbared to go forth. And
David abode in the wilderness in strongholds, and remained
in a mountain in the wilderness as if And Saul sought him every
day. He's under a tremendous trial
here, as is Paul. But God delivered David out into
his hands. And David saw that Saul was come
out to seek his life, and David was in the wilderness of Ziph
in a wood. And look at verse 21. And Jonathan
saw son arose and went to David into
the wood and strengthened his hand in God. Strengthened his hand in God. It's not a one-man show. Every
believer in this place, this congregation, has a gift. everybody who's a believer has
a gift. And you are to exercise that
gift to the edifying of one another and the glory of God. I always
use this story, but there was a man at 13th Street, Henry talked
about a lot of times in his messages, all he did was stand by the front
door and greet people. But when he wasn't there, Henry
said it just wasn't right. He said, I'd greet people, but
I couldn't do it like him. That's what I'm talking about.
We all have spiritual gifts. We all have spiritual gifts. This is no small matter, brother.
Fellowship with darkness is impossible. We are made to agree with God
and one another regarding who he is. He's sovereign, unquestionably
so. Who Christ is, and what He's
done. He's the pure, spotless Lamb
of God, who took away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, and
we agree about what the Scripture says about us. We're vile, corrupt,
polluted from birth, nature, and practice. In Amos chapter
3, 3, unless the two agree, they can't walk together. I tried to walk together with
a particular person, and they agreed with everything I said.
went out to eat one time, agreed with everything I said. Well,
this person was a Mormon. They didn't more agree with what
I had to say. They just wanted to, for whatever
reason, and I finally just said, well, I think Joseph Smith is
a false prophet, and gone. I couldn't have fellowship. Their
rock is not as our rock. Everything Paul is giving thanks
to is tied in with Christ and him crucified The truth is no
afterthought with these brethren. The truth is no side issue with
these folks. It is no minor Discussion the
gospel or Christ is our all-in-all the believers meet and drink
and life is centered around our beloved and He is our altogether
lovely one. And we're at different growth
stages, I understand that. So, it's like a family. You love
everybody in your family, but you may get along with some of
your family members better than others. You may have more in
common, but the love is there. So, that's why charity, the greatest
of these is charity. And it's so tough. To be charitable,
one to another, to walk in charity, that's what covers a multitude
of sins. I know it's Christ, but we are like Christ, we're
to be like Christ. Surely in Him we live, move, and have our
being. So I repeat, whom when Paul saw
these brethren, he gave thanks. Give thanks for one another. Give thanks to help one another
in a time of need. Proverbs 27, iron sharpens iron. My wife tells me I need to quit
talking and start listening. And that's a problem I have.
I talk too much. But when you listen, you can
be sharpened. Proverbs chapter 122. Bear with
me if you would. Proverbs 122. and this is messages I preach
this in our place but this is for race community church I think
the Lord sent me here for this Psalm 122 in verse 1, I was glad
are we glad when they said unto me let us go into the house of
the Lord that's important but when you get here I think you
need to follow, we need to follow up with this Psalm 133 verse
1 Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together
in unity and if you're unified in the gospel That's what we that's what you
need that's what I need That's what I need to be unified in
the gospel how behold how good and how pleasant You go out to
work tomorrow go and there's some if you enjoy your job. It's
pleasant, but it isn't pleasant like I'm talking about Like we
get here Let us be thankful. Give thanks for this very place
here in Rock Valley, Iowa. Say, he sustained you for another
year. You didn't know. It's been about
a year, whether you'd still be here or not. I didn't know whether we'd still
be there or not. We've been meeting for 30-something years. But you
are. You are. Give thanks. Give thanks. When Paul saw these
brethren, he now knew that his letter to these Romans was not
in vain. That they heard, they believed
and heard the gospel. The gospel will have its effect. Keep preaching.
Keep preaching. And anybody who's behind this
pulpit, keep preaching. The gospel will have its effect.
Perhaps there are more elect. in this town, in Rock Valley,
or somewhere else. Tim James told me, sheep beget
sheep. How are they going to hear? Tell them. Tell them. Sheep beget sheep. Give thanks,
I say, for past mercies and present comforts. We do not deserve the
least of His mercies, but He who has loaded us daily with
benefits. Give thanks. Sing clearly and
loudly Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me. Has it ever been
seen like here, or in Jackson, or in the other places the Gospels
preach? Has it ever been seen like this? Worms of the dust
shouting hallelujah to Him who sits on the throne. He loves to hear from us. Brethren,
let us not play church. Let's not play church. This is
too important. Let us not be unaffected by the
prayers and hymns and declaration of his gospel. But let us, like
Paul, every time we see the brethren, one another, visit, or we visit
the flock of God, thank God for keeping us together and worshiping
around his throne. Give thanks. If I can read this,
I will read it. I may get emotional and choked
up. I love this hymn. When this passing world is done,
When has sunk yon radiant sun, when we stand with Christ on
high, looking over life's history, then, Lord, shall I fully know,
but not till then, how much I owe. When I hear the wicked call on
the rocks and hills to fall, when I see them start and shrink
on the fiery deluge brink, then, Lord, shall I fully know, not
till then, how much I owe when I stand before the throne dressed
in beauty not my own when I see thee as thou art love thee with
unsinning heart then Lord shall I fully know not till then how
much I owe when the praise of heaven I hear loudest thunders
to the ear Loud as many waters, noise sweet as harp's melodious
voice. Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
but not till then, how much I owe. Chosen, not for good in me, wakened
up from the wrath to flee, hidden in the Savior's side, by the
Spirit sanctified, teach me, Lord, on earth to show, by my
love. how much I owe. Give thanks. That's what I'm talking about.
Give thanks. Secondly, the second point, these brethren whom he
saw, not only did he give thanks, but he took courage. Or said
another way, he walked by faith and took confidence in the God
of providence. Paul is on his way to Rome to
meet Nero. He didn't know what was ahead
of him, but he was confident that he who holds all things
by the word of his power was for him and not against him read
Acts chapter 20 take courage then brethren for our Lord has
said I will never leave you or forsake you take courage church
of the living God listen to this I don't know where this has been
all my life I just saw this not too long ago. The Lord talking to his church,
he says, in that day, sing unto her, the church, a vineyard of
red wine. I, the Lord, do keep it. I will water it every moment,
lest any hurt it. I will keep it night and day.
He's talking about his care for the church. Take courage. This
is Isaiah 27. Isaiah 27, verse 2 and 3. I don't know exactly what they
talked about when they saw one another. I bet it wasn't the
weather. It may have been, but that wasn't what their interests,
what they were doing outside. I guess they probably talked
about the heavenly Jerusalem and the land upon his universal
dominion. They probably didn't talk much
about themselves. They try to encourage Paul. They try to sharpen
the iron one to another. And Paul could do the same thing.
I will say this as another side note. Be an encouragement to
each other. Especially those who feed you. Because you may not know it,
but we're sinners just like you and actually probably need more
help. probably need more help. There may be harsh days ahead
for this church. You're like, I don't, no, we
don't need anymore. That's what we say down there. Two suicides and some other stuff. We don't need, we don't need
anymore. Unseen trials, anxieties unknown,
But He never sends a trial. Our Lord God never sends a trial
through Christ without the benefits it will bring in His time. In His time. Trust Him. Take courage. Seek out one another. March onward, as that song says.
We're marching to Zion with one mind, one spirit, looking unto
Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12. Jeremiah
32, is there anything too hard for the Lord? I got a 91-year-old
mom and a 93-year-old aunt. They're past, no, they're still
breathing. Is there anything too hard for
the Lord? The thief on the cross, Lord,
remember me. I'll seek Him, glory. Don't wait that long. Trust him
now. Don't wait that long. For Bruce
makes a comment at church. It's one of the best comments
I've ever had. When people don't show up, you kind of can't see
where they're at. The people who are there also
miss a blessing of having another brother. The brother's not there.
It's mutual. Iron sharpens iron, so when the
one's not there, instead of getting upset or whatever, be compassionate,
but realize, if you're not there, you're missing blessing, and
maybe they're preaching the gospel, or they're teaching the gospel,
but you, your person, you give a blessing to someone, and they
don't get it, so it works both ways. So I close, and I say,
brethren, anywhere, anytime, any way you look, whether it's
past, present, or future, Give thanks and take courage. Walk by faith, not by sight.
The shepherd cares for all his sheep. The father cares for his
lowly yet dear children. And if you're not certain of
his mercy, I tell you to flee to him as a poor lost sinner
in need of pardon and free grace. The Lord bless you all. As he
has been blessing, may he continue to bless you. Take courage and
all give thanks for we do not deserve. He hasn't dealt with
as our iniquities deserve. What mercy? What grace? How much do we each owe? Thank
you.