Song & Sword

Four Reasons to Sing - Psalm 100: 1-5 PSALMS 100 A psalm. For giving grateful praise. 1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 3 Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. . . Visit us at: www.songandsword.com Listen on Spotify: msha.ke/songandsword #dailydevotional #churchonline

The Church The World Needs Now - Episode 11 Teaching Church - Acts 11:19-26, Sunday Sermon The Church in Antioch 19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. 22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. OUTLINE: A TEACHING CHURCH IS WHERE GOOD NEWS IS PREACHED AND PEOPLE TURN TO THE LORD (v. 19-21) o Speaking the word. Preaching the Lord (I Timothy 4:1-5) o Faith that changes lives (Hebrews 4:12) A TEACHING CHURCH IS WHERE THE HAND OF THE LORD AND THE GRACE OF GOD ARE EVIDENT (v. 21&23) o The “hand of the Lord was with them” (v. 21, Ephesians 6:17) o He saw “the grace of God” (v. 23a) A TEACHING CHURCH IS WHERE DISCIPLES ARE TRAINED AND GROW o Met and taught (vs. 23b, 26, Ephesians 4:12, II Timothy 3:16&17) o Christians (v. 26; Acts 1:15, 4:32, 6:2, 8:1, 9:2, 9:13, 26:28; I Peter 4:16) Visit us at: www.songandsword.com Listen on Spotify: msha.ke/songandsword #dailydevotional #churchonline

Eternal Restlessness - Revelation 14:9-13 9 A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, 10 they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” 12 This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus. 13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” . . Visit us at: www.songandsword.com Listen on Spotify: msha.ke/songandsword #dailydevotional #churchonline

Preparing For Our Eternal Rest - Hebrews 4:4-11 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.” 5 And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.” 6 Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 7 God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. . . Visit us at: www.songandsword.com Listen on Spotify: msha.ke/songandsword #dailydevotional #churchonline

Rest By Waiting - Isaiah 40:28-31 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. . . Visit us at: www.songandsword.com Listen on Spotify: msha.ke/songandsword #dailydevotional #churchonline

Jesus Says “Try It My Way” - Matthew 11:28-30 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” . . Visit us at: www.songandsword.com Listen on Spotify: msha.ke/songandsword #dailydevotional #churchonline

Join Us Online - Sunday July 16th at 10am CST Watch with a friend or family member, maybe host a watch party! However you watch just have fun and get in the word of God. Worship with us as we journey through the book of Acts. visit us at www.songandsword.com • . #christianity #jesus

When to “Come Away” - Mark 6:30-32 Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand 30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” 32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. . . Visit us at: www.songandsword.com Listen on Spotify: msha.ke/songandsword #dailydevotional #churchonline

Holy Relaxing - Genesis 2:1-2 1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. . . Visit us at: www.songandsword.com Listen on Spotify: msha.ke/songandsword #dailydevotional #churchonline

The Church The World Needs Now - Episode 10 Church for Everyone - Acts 10:1-48, Sunday Sermon Cornelius Calls for Peter 1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa. Peter’s Vision 9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” 14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” 15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” 16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. 17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. 19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” 21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?” 22 The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. Peter at Cornelius’s House The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.” 27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?” 30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” ****** Please read find the remainder of the verses in your bible. We did not have enough room to include it all in this description box. Outline: • CORNELIUS: AN OUTSIDER’S PRAYER TO BE “ACCEPTABLE” TO GOD (vs. 1-15, see 35) o A really good guy (vs. 1-4&22) o But something was missing (“your prayer has been heard” – v. 31) • PETER: AN INSIDER’S REVELATION ABOUT CLEAN AND UNCLEAN (vs. 9-16) o A committed Jew (“I have never…” – v. 14, Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14, Mark 11:19) o A learning Christ-follower (“God has shown me…” – vs. 15&28, Acts 11:1-3) • CHURCH: GOOD NEWS OF PEACE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST (vs. 34-48, Acts 11:14&18) o Peace through faith and forgiveness (v. 43) o Peace for everyone (vs. 34&35, Joel 2:28, Ephesians 2:14-18)

Faith Without Works is Dead - James 2:14-19 Faith and Deeds 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. . . Visit us at: www.songandsword.com Listen on Spotify: msha.ke/songandsword #dailydevotional #churchonline

Don’t Shipwreck Your Faith - 1 Timothy 1:18-20 The Charge to Timothy Renewed 18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. 20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme. . . Visit us at: www.songandsword.com Listen on Spotify: msha.ke/songandsword #dailydevotional #churchonline

Faith That Doesn’t Give Up - Matthew 21-27 21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” The Authority of Jesus Challenged 23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. . . Visit us at: www.songandsword.com Listen on Spotify: msha.ke/songandsword #dailydevotional #churchonline

Join Us Online - Sunday July 9th at 10am CST Watch with a friend or family member, maybe host a watch party! However you watch just have fun and get in the word of God. Worship with us as we journey through the book of Acts. visit us at www.songandsword.com

Increase Our Faith - Luke 17:5&6 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you. . . Visit us at: www.songandsword.com Listen on Spotify: msha.ke/songandsword #dailydevotional #churchonline

Faith When You Don’t Know Where You’re Going - Hebrews 11:8 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. . . Visit us at: www.songandsword.com Listen on Spotify: msha.ke/songandsword #dailydevotional #churchonline

The Righteous Live By Faith - Romans 1:16&17 The Righteous Shall Live by Faith 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” . . Visit us at: www.songandsword.com Listen on Spotify: msha.ke/songandsword #dailydevotional #churchservice

The Church The World Needs Now - Episode 9 Persecuted Church - Acts 5:17-42, Sunday Sermon The Apostles Arrested and Freed 17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus. Outline: A WORLD OPPOSED TO GOD, ALWAYS PERSECUTES THE CHURCH (“…found opposing God!” – v. 39) o Jealousy and rage towards the church (“arrested them” – vs. 17, 18, 33) o Threats to silence the church (“charged them” – Acts 4:18, 5:28, 5:40; Romans 1:18, II Timothy 4:3&4) o Violence to stop the church (“beat them” – v. 40, Deuteronomy 25:3) THE PERSECUTED CHURCH OBEYS GOD RATHER THAN MEN (“We must obey God…” – 29) o The persecuted church stands firm in all the words of this life (v. 20, vs. 29-32) o The persecuted church prays for open doors and boldness to speak (Acts 4:29, 5:19-21, 12:6-11, 16:26ff; Colossians 4:3; I Corinthians 16:9) o The persecuted church rejoices in persecution (v. 41, Matthew 5:11&12) o The persecuted church can’t be stopped (v. 42, Matthew 16:18)

A Prayer For Unity - John 17:20-21 20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. . . Visit us at: www.songandsword.com Listen on Spotify: msha.ke/songandsword #dailydevotional #churchonline

Pray For Harvest - Matthew 9:35-38 The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few 35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” . . Visit us at: www.songandsword.com Listen on Spotify: msha.ke/songandsword #dailydevotional #churchonline

Persist in Prayer - Luke 18:1-7 The Parable of the Persistent Widow 1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? . . Visit us at: www.songandsword.com Listen on Spotify: msha.ke/songandsword #dailydevotional #churchonline

P. R. A. Y. - Matthew 6:9-13 praise, repent, ask, yield 9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ’ . . Visit us at: www.songandsword.com Listen on Spotify: msha.ke/songandsword #dailydevotional #churchonline

Pray for the Children - Matthew 19:13-15 Jesus Blesses the Children 13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” 15 And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left. . . Visit us at: www.songandsword.com Listen on Spotify: msha.ke/songandsword #dailydevotional #churchonline

Praying to Make a Decision - Luke 6:12-16 Jesus Chooses the Twelve Apostles 12 One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. 13 At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. Here are their names: 14 Simon (whom he named Peter), Andrew (Peter’s brother), James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (who was called the zealot), 16 Judas (son of James), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him). . . Visit us at: www.songandsword.com Listen on Spotify: msha.ke/songandsword #dailydevotional #churchonline

Find a Prayer Place - Luke 5:17 17 On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal. . . Visit us at: www.songandsword.com Listen on Spotify: msha.ke/songandsword #dailydevotional #churchonline