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ACTS 11:23

"STICK TO THE LORD"

Intro: When the heavy persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, many of  the
       believers were scattered, and some went as far as Cypress and Antioch  sharing their
       faith. In Antioch, a great number of people believed in the Lord, and  when the church
       in Jerusalem heard of it, they sent Barnabas to Antioch to check  things out. "Purpose
       in your heart to abide in the Lord."

I. "PURPOSE IN YOUR HEART", A CHALLENGE TO THE DEEPEST COMMITMENT.
        A. He knew this kind of commitment is necessary.
                1. Living the Christian life is not easy.
                        a. Opposed to you is the world, the flesh. and the devil.
                        b. Barnabas had seen many who had begun to walk with Christ  turn away
                           under persecution.
        B. Men of commitment cannot be stopped.
                1. Job: "Though He slay me, I will still trust Him."
                2. DanieI and his friends Hanaiah, Mishael , and Azariah purposed in  their
                   hearts not to defile themselves with the king's meat. Later, when 
                   threatened with execution in the burning fiery furnace. "We are not 
                   careful..."
                3. When Apostles beaten because of their testimony they rejoiced
                        counted worthy, prayed for greater boldness.
        C. There are those whose commitment is very shallow.
                1. They have decided to try Jesus.
                        a. Sort of on the free 30-day trial period. If not fully satisfied
                           return  for full refund.
                        b. They went through the sinner's prayer to get their friends off 
                           their backs.
                        c. Or it is a heavy emotional time.
                2. Seed fallen on rocky soil when persecution arises it's a quick burnout.

II. CLEAVE UNTO THE LORD.
        A. His is not the easy path.
                1. There is a cross in this path.
                2. Our Lord walked the path of the cross.
                        a. He told His followers, if you want to come after Me, deny
                                yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.
                                1. Dead to my flesh.
                                2. Dead to the world.
                3. Satan offered Him a short cut.
                        a. "You want the kingdoms of this world?" Cross not necessary,  bow
                           down and worship me and you can have them right now. Immediate
                           fulfillment.
                        b. He still offers the short cut promising immediate fulfillment.
        B. His is not the popular path.
                1. You'll always find yourself going against the current of the world.
                        a. The people whose value systems have been warped by the  Norman
                           Leers and the Hugh Hefners  the Watson, Dewey and  Huxley crowd
                           will consider you narrow, bigoted and ignorant.
        C. His is the true path to life.
                1. True life, not the sham of this world.
                2. He offers the only real hope to man today.
        D. The Greek word translated "cleave" can also be translated "abide" or  "continue"
                1. Purpose in your heart to...
                        a. Cleave unto the Lord.
                        b. Abide in the Lord.
                        c. Continue in the Lord.