Sunday Services: 10:30 AM
505 South Sixth St. Burbank, CA
91501

FaithView, For Storm Riders:
“The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, ‘Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”—Acts 23:11

The Beacon commentary describes the Lord’s visit with Paul as threefold.
1.) Be of good cheer and don’t be afraid.—Encourages
2.) Commends him for testifying in Jerusalem.—Tells him he’s done good.
3.) Confirms he will also bear witness in Rome.—Shares his future.

The third one is especially neat because in Acts 19:21—Paul says he must visit Rome. Paul says it—likely motivated by the Spirit—out of his heart, to win this spiritual battle, he knows he must infect the mothership, he must go to Rome…And after some time has passed the Lord comes and tells him this will happen.

Ever have the Lord openly and clearly, confirm something to you? Something you believe you should do and then He says: “Yes, do this thing.” Some of the best moments in life are confirmations like this…The idea is to make the common phrase, the cliche so to speak, of being in the center of the Lord’s will a truthful one.

It was no small task to testify to the faith in Jerusalem, where they wanted to kill Paul…But then the Lord says you are going to testify in Rome…This would be the equivalent of me making a fuss at District Assembly…no small deal…But then also making the same fuss on the floor at General Assembly.

In this case, everything seems to be out of Paul’s hands…His life is fully surrendered to the Lord…and it’s up to God how he gets to Rome…how he gets passage there…how he gets an audience with Nero…where he stays…All Paul has to do, is provide the testimony…

Acts 23:11 “…so you must also testify in Rome.”

This is key…the gas in the tank…the fuel for the flux capacitor…our testimony.

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…”

Not “a” reason but “the” reason for the hope you have.

Same passage out of the paraphrased version “The Message”
“Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.”

Far too often we are worried about the mechanics of church, the mechanics of evangelism, the mechanics of the denomination…But have we sharpened our most effective spiritual weapon? Our personal testimony? Where it happened, when it happened, the conditions of how it happened? These are the nitty-gritty-central tenets, the spark plugs, of the faith.

How we sing songs, how we take communion, how we baptize, how we dress for church, how we keep coffee out of the sanctuary, how we vote for a board, how we vote for a pastor…and what color the carpet is…these things have nothing to do with how we came to Christ, how our lives were changed by Christ, and how we serve Christ…Yet they seem to dominate the church universal.

When I was a younger minister the big deal was learning tools and procedures to share our faith…Things like “The Four Spiritual Laws,” “The Roman Road,” “How To Make Disciples” courses and handbooks.

Many of us followed these suggested guidelines, hoping always someone gave an answer that set up the next question…but they didn’t always do that. We have to remember we are not selling real estate here; we are sharing Jesus Christ. Seven step, five step, three step methods are hogwash. There is no such thing as cookie-cutter salvation.

And because we went so far to this one side (of saying the right words and following the prescribed procedure, turning coming to Christ almost into a magic incantation), we’ve opened a door for Satan to come in and corrupt the church and make it all about feelings, attitudes and good works.

In declaring you know Christ, there had to have been a moment in your life where you said: “I need Jesus”…There had to be circumstances in your life that got you to a point where you needed to declare “I need a savior”…And you must have seen enough to invest your life in a body, a congregation, of His people…And if those things have happened in your life…Then you have a testimony…You have something to share…You can talk about how you were once blind, but now you see! How you were lame, but now you walk! How you lived in despair, but now you have hope!

Maybe you won’t testify for the Lord in Rome, but you will testify of him to your family, friends, and those you work and/or go to school with…You will also testify in places you never dreamed of…in places you didn’t think God and geography would ever mesh.

Boom!
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A VBS Unlike Any Other:

VBS Goes to Rome: The theme for Vacation Bible School this year is “Rome: Paul & The Underground Church”

The dates are June 26-30…Look at your calendar…share with your friends…Pray for Seana Zilbert, who is directing…Make plans to volunteer.

You can sign up your child and their friends here on our website. Look the button up top, click, and follow.

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Burbank Faith now has a Twitter account. You can follow us at; @BurbankFaithNaz

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Eric Canto has created a Burbank Faith channel on YouTube and has placed all of our recent services there. Go check it out.

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Check out Burbank Faith on YELP and be sure to write a review of our church.

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July is Camps Month: Remember July is camps month…Junior High, High School & Kids will all have separate camps at Granite Ridge.

District Assembly is July 12-14
(It is one month later this year due to General Assembly (Indianapolis) being held June 21-30.)

SrHi Camp: July 16-21
Kids Camp: July 23-28
JrHi Camp: July 30-August 4

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“Big September” every Thursday in the month of September (7, 14, 21, 28)…Old Testament overview. We’ll feed you and care for the kids. Mark your calendar. Big September is just like Big Wednesday times four…
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Church Calendar:

May 24:
All Church Prayer Time: 7—to—7:30 PM
Worship Team Practices: 7:30 PM
Adult Bible Study—1 Samuel 18—7:30 PM May 21: VBS planning meeting, following morning worship.
May 28: Sunday Service, 10:30 AM…Sunday evening “Prayer Hour” from 6-to-7:00 PM
May 29: Memorial Day
May 30 Women’s Bible Study—7:00 PM
June 3: Men’s Breakfast at Harry’s, 8:00 AM
June 26-30: VBS Week
“Big September” every Thursday in the month of September (7, 14, 21, 28)

As believers, we have to remain in continual prayer for all of our first responders…all our leaders…not a political party but for those carrying the heavy burden of leadership in our country and communities.