First Naples Podcast

August 22, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - We Are The Church

We Are The Church
Acts 20:28-38
 
1. The Church is pastors-led
3 terms used interchangeably in the NT to refer to the office of pastor:
1) Elder 2) Overseer 3) Pastor
1 Peter 5:1-5
Hebrew 13: 7, 17
 
2. The Church is deacons-served
Acts 6:1-7
Philippians 1:1
 
3. The Church is congregationally-approved
The church is pastors-led, deacons-served, congregationally-approved to reach the world for Jesus!
 
Acts 20:28-38 ESV
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
 
1 Peter 5:1-5 ESV
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
 
Hebrews 13:7 ESV
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
 
Hebrews 13:17 ESV
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
 
Acts 6:1-7 ESV
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
 
Philippians 1:1 ESV
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons

August 15, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - We Are The Church

We Are The Church
Title: The Church is a gospel-centered people devoted to The Word
Text: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:4
 
1. God’s Word creates the church
2. God’s Word leads the church into truth
3. God’s Word grows the church
4. God’s Word is essential for the life and health of the church
 
2 Timothy 3:14-17 ESV
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
 
2 Timothy 4:1-4 ESV
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

August 8, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - We Are The Church

Weekend Sermon Notes
We Are The Church
 
Acts 2:41-47
 
The Church is a gospel-centered people. They believe, display, and apply the gospel.
The Church is a gospel-centered people devoted to: 1) Leadership
The Church is a gospel-centered people devoted to: 2) The Word
The Church is a gospel-centered people devoted to: 3) Fellowship
The Church is a gospel-centered people devoted to: 4) Prayer
The Church is a gospel-centered people devoted to: 5) Mission
 
Acts 2:41-47 ESV
So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
 
John 13:34-35 ESV
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
 
 

August 1, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - A Study of Jesus' Parables

Weekend Sermon Notes
The Storyteller - A Study of Jesus' Parables
 
The Unforgiving Servant
Matthew 18:21-35 (ESV)
 
Forgiven people are forgiving people
Ephesians 4:32
Matthew 6:14-15
 
Matthew 18:21-35 ESV
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servantfell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

July 25, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - A Study of Jesus' Parables

Weekend Sermon Notes
The Storyteller - A Study of Jesus' Parables
 
The Talents
Matthew 25:14-30 (ESV)
 
Until Jesus returns, attempt great things for God; expect great things from God
 
 
Matthew 25:14-30 ESV
“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

July 18, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - A Study of Jesus' Parables

Weekend Sermon Notes
The Storyteller - A Study of Jesus' Parables
 
The Laborers in the Vineyard
Matthew 20:1-16 (ESV)
 
1. God’s grace is wild and “unfair”
2. If you compare God’s grace, you won’t enjoy it
3. Never too late and never too early to serve the Lord
 
Matthew 20:1-16 ESV
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ So the last will be first, and the first last.”

July 11, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - A Study of Jesus' Parables

Weekend Sermon Notes
The Storyteller - A Study of Jesus' Parables
 
The Persistent Widow
Luke 18:1-8
 
In this hurting world, Christians have two options: lose heart or always pray
 
Luke 18:1-8 ESV
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

July 4, 2020 - Troy Maragos - A Study of Jesus' Parables

Weekend Sermon Notes
The Storyteller - A Study of Jesus' Parables
 
How Am I Building?
Matthew 7:24-27 (ESV)
Pastor Troy Maragos
Pastor of Next Steps
 
3 Rhetorical Questions of Matthew 7:24-27
1. What Are You Building?
2. Where Are You Choosing To Build?
3. Why Are You Building?
 
1. Building is Wiser than Resting
 
2. Doing is Wiser than Hearing
 
Am I Hearing God's Word and Not Doing It?
1. Do I walk away from time in the Word without being challenged or changed?
2. Is my inner dialogue more informed by my own ideas than what God's Word says?
3. Do I find that my flesh holds my conscience hostage in areas of obvious obedience?
4. Have I invited those who are close to me and love me to confront me in areas of spiritual sin and shortcoming?
5. When convicted by the Holy Spirit or confronted by another believer, do I choose to change?
 
3. Obeying is Wiser than Opposing
 
Hearing - Doing = Opposing
Hearing + Doing = Obeying
 
6 Things we do Other than Obey God & His Word:
1. Acknowledge 4. Applaud
2. Admire 5. Affirm
3. Approve 6. Assume
 
 
Matthew 7:24-27 ESV
24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

June 27, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - A Study of Jesus' Parables

Weekend Sermon Notes
The Storyteller - A Study of Jesus' Parables
 
The Rich Man & Lazarus
Luke 16:19-31 (ESV)
 
1. Will you love God or money?
2. Will you end up in eternal torment or paradise?
3. Will you listen to God’s Word or need further proof?
 
Luke 16:19-31 ESV
“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

June 21, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - A Study of Jesus' Parables

Weekend Sermon Notes
The Storyteller - A Study of Jesus' Parables
Luke 16:1-13 (ESV)
 
Jesus’ crazy gift frees us to be a crazy gift to the world
 
1. Jesus’ crazy gift to us
Colossians 2:14-15 (ESV)
 
2. We are freed to be a crazy gift to the world
 
Luke 16:1-13 ESV
He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
 
Colossians 2:14-15 ESV
by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

June 14, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - A Study of Jesus' Parables

Weekend Sermon Notes
The Storyteller - A Study of Jesus' Parables
 
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 (ESV)
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
 
There are 2 ways to be lost:
unrighteous rule-breaking &
self-righteous rule-keeping.
 
There is 1 way to be found:
the Father’s Love.
 
1)You can be lost in unrighteous rule-breaking & found by the Father’s love
 
2) You can be lost in self-righteous rule-keeping & found by the Father’s love
 
Luke 15:11-32 ESV
And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
 

June 7, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - A Study of Jesus' Parables

Weekend Sermon Notes
The Storyteller - A Study of Jesus' Parables
 
Luke 10:25-37 (ESV)
Stop asking WHO. Start asking HOW.
 
Luke 10:25-37 ESV
And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

May 24, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - Proverbs

Weekend Sermon Notes
Proverbs --- Fool-Proofing Your Family
 
1. Teach your children the WHY as well as the WHAT
 
Proverbs 3:1-10 (ESV)
Proverbs 11:24
Proverbs 25:21-22
Proverbs 27:2
 
2. Teach your children the WHO

May 31, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - A Study of Jesus' Parables

Weekend Sermon Notes
The Storyteller - A Study of Jesus' Parables
 
Parables don’t make a point; they have an impact
 
1. Parables reveal the open and the closed
Matthew 13:10-17
 
2. Parables reveal the surprising nature of the kingdom
Matthew 13:18-23
 
3. Parables reveal that it’s all about Jesus
 
So what?
1. Press-in to Jesus and His Word with fresh eyes
2. Be part of the advance of the kingdom
3. Believe in Jesus

May 17, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - Proverbs

Weekend Sermon Notes
Proverbs --- Fool-Proofing Your Family
 
1. Diagnose the cause (your heart) rather than the symptom (your communication)
Proverbs 4:23-24
Proverbs 20:9
 
2. Season your communication with gentleness, love, and the willingness to let offenses go
Proverbs 15:1
Proverbs 16:21
Proverbs 17:9
Proverbs 10:12