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Evaluating the Invaluable

Evaluating the Invaluable

 — Kris Holzmeyer

Message Notes

Evaluating the Invaluable

 

Acts 9:10-31
10Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied. 11The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.” 13“But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! 14And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.” 15But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” 17So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. 20And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!” 21All who heard him were amazed. “Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?” they asked. “And didn’t he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?” 22Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. 23After a while some of the Jews plotted together to kill him. 24They were watching for him day and night at the city gate so they could murder him, but Saul was told about their plot. 25So during the night, some of the other believers lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the city wall. 26When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! 27Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus. 28So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29He debated with some Greek-speaking Jews, but they tried to murder him. 30When the believers heard about this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus, his hometown. 31The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers

 

Philippians 3:5
I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law.

 

A friend is someone who:

  • Sees not only who you are, or who you’ve been, but also who you can become
  • One who is there to catch you when you fall
  • One who accepts your worst but helps you become your best
  • One who comes in when the whole world has gone out

 

Proverbs tells us who a wrong kind of friend is:

1. Someone who is foolish

Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. (Proverbs 13:20)

2. Someone who is hot tempered

Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul. (Proverbs 22:24-25)

3. Someone who is immoral

The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted. (Proverbs 29:3)

4. Some who is discontented

My child, fear the Lord and the king.  Don’t associate with rebels, for disaster will hit them suddenly.  Who knows what punishment will come from the Lord and the king? (Proverbs 24:21-22)

5. Someone who is self-indulgent

Young people who obey the law are wise; those with wild friends bring shame to their parents. (Proverbs 28:7)

6. Someone who is a gossip

A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers. (Proverbs 20:19)