"BEWARE OF THE DOGS"
Lyle W. Lipps
May 24, 2009

Text:  Acts 15:1-35

I. A DOCTRINAL CONTROVERSY ARISES MAKING CONFLICT INEVITABLE. Vs.1-2

 A. Phil.3:2; Rev.22:15; 2 Peter 2:22; Prov.26:11- Why Beware of Dogs?

 B. Sometimes you have to confront the "Dogs" who promote false doctrine.

 C. Gal.2:3-5 Some seek to steal away our liberty in Christ and enslave us to what we came out of.

II. THE CONTROVERSY DEBATED & RESOLVED. Vs.3-22

A. We can't make tests of fellowship out of anything that Jesus didn't make a test of         fellowship when it comes to salvation.

 B. "It's not Jesus plus circumcision saves!"

 C. "It's Jesus and Jesus alone Who saves!"

III. PREACHING THE WORD CONTINUES. Vs.30-35

 A. Paul and Barnabas did what they do best: Preach the Word!

 B. Are you doing what Christ has commissioned you to do? See Matt.28:18-20

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"GIMME THAT OLD TIME RELIGION"
Lyle W. Lipps
May 31, 2009

Text:  Acts 16:25-34     

A. I was watching the movie "Sgt. York" on Memorial Day and there's a scene where they are in a church service and the preacher is leading that spiritual, "Gimme That Old Time Religion."

 1. "Gimme that old time religion, gimme that old time religion, gimme that old time religion, it's

     good enough for me. It was good for Paul and Silas, it was good for Paul and Silas, it was good

     good for Paul and Silas, and it's good enough for me." 

 2. Since I was going to be preaching about Paul & Silas this week, I began to thinking and studying,

     Asking myself, "Now just what is that Old Time Religion they were singing about in that jail cell?"

So what is this "Old time religion" that's got everyone/thing all stirred up in Philippi?

I. IT'S A MIDNIGHT SERMON.

 A. The service began at midnight in that jailhouse with prayer and singing. We don't know what they

      were singing but Midnight is a strange time to be having a worship service, isn't it?

 B. At His 2nd Coming it will be our midnight hour on earth, and if He delays His coming our midnight

     hour is our last day on earth.

II. THE OLD TIME RELIGION IS SINGING IN THE DARK.

 A. V.24 tells us they were in an inner cell. That's a cell within a cell, i.e. solitary confinement.

 B. I suppose that Paul and Silas realized that they were doing God's Will when they were arrested and

     that was worth praising Him for!

III. THE OLD TIME RELIGION IS AN EARTHQUAKE RELIGION.

 A. Suddenly there was a great earthquake and the foundations of the jailhouse were shaken.

 B. The Old Time Religion is also preaching to unseen ears that are listening.

IV. THE OLD TIME RELIGION IS THE OPEN DOOR RELIGION.

 A. The earthquake opened all the jail cell doors and everyone's chains were loosed.

 B. The church at Philadelphia was not a big church like the church at Sardis that had a big name but was

     spiritually dead.

 C. Whenever God opens a door for you, the devil will try to shut it, but he cannot shut a door the Lord has

     opened unless Jesus permits it.

V. THE OLD TIME RELIGION IS A LOUD-VOICE RELIGION.

 A. The jailer awakened out of his sleep and saw the prison doors open. He assumed that all the prisoners

      had escaped so he drew his sword and was about to kill himself when Paul cried out in a loud voice,

     "Do yourself no harm for we are all here!"

 B. Today's Christian needs a loud voice to be heard because there are so many voices out there clamoring

     to be heard.

VI. THE OLD TIME RELIGION IS THE LIGHT INTO ETERNITY.

 A. When Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do yourself no harm!" the jailer called for lights.

 B. Who is not the light? Who is the Light? Jesus!

VII. THE OLD TIME RELIGION REQUIRES AN OLD TIME RESPONSE TO THE GOSPEL.

 A. The irony is that the Jailer cries out, "What must I do to be saved?" and he had never heard the

      gospel! He was asleep when Paul and Silas were singing. The earthquake woke him up.

 B. He and his family were all immersed into Christ and it says they all rejoiced greatly because all

     in his house believed in Christ the Lord.

     That's the Old Time Religion, and it's good enough for me.

     What about you? Is it good enough for you? 

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