August 21, 2016

What Matters Most: Building Up the Soul

Speaker: Jerry Witham Series: iWitness Topic: Discipleship Passage: Acts 14:19–28

Acts 14.19-28: In this world we will have troubles. This is one thing we can be sure of. Living as a follower of Jesus Christ is not popular or easy. It will cost us. Paul and Barnabas faced this and they did not fade in their faith or boldness, but faced it head on knowing that there were new and young followers of Christ who needed to be strengthened and encouraged. They strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them in their faith even though the pressure was great around them. The soul is the most important issue of life. It is who we are. So, having it strengthened and being encouraged in faith is the most important business of the day. As I have watched the Olympics I am continually amazed by the strength of the athletes competing. At the end of the day though, if it is mere physical strength and accomplishments what have they gained if their soul is not strengthened with the truth of God and encouraged in faith? I thought U.S. divers’ Boudia and Johnson said it best when they said, “When my mind is on this and thinking I’m defined by this, then my mind goes crazy, but we both know our identity is in Christ.” Worldly accomplishments will fade, but that which is done for Christ will last forever. God gave Boudia and Johnson the ability to dive and land a silver medal so they could testify of what the soul needs most which is Jesus Christ. Let us be strengthened by Christ and be encouraged to continue to trust Him and may we take every opportunity we have to build up the souls and faith of others like Paul and Barnabas.

other sermons in this series

Jan 29

2017

Acts 29

Speaker: Jerry Witham Passage: Acts 28:11–31 Series: iWitness

Jan 22

2017

The Risk-filled Life

Speaker: Jerry Witham Passage: Acts 23:11– 28:16 Series: iWitness

Jan 8

2017

Cause of Christ

Speaker: Jerry Witham Passage: Acts 21:15– 26:23 Series: iWitness