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This is Pastor Daniel Stevenson. I'm director of the Southside Life Station and pastor of New Heights Fellowship Baptist Church of East Toledo.

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And you're receiving this message because you opted in to be encouraged.

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In Acts 15, 41, there's a little verse, not a great big thing.

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It seems to not say all that much, but when you get a close look at it, it says an awful lot.

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It says, and he, traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthened the churches.

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I have to think about what this means exactly.

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I guess his messages were off to what went on elsewhere.

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He told other people about what was going on in the church and other places.

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So he was kind of like a news bearer in that regards.

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And he was saying, don't give up. God is at work. God is doing amazing things.

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He was testifying alongside the Holy Spirit that was already at work in them.

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He was preaching from the Old Testament because the New Testament didn't exist yet.

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He was reassuring their minds and helping put their thoughts in line with their new regenerated hearts.

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He was adding believers wherever found and training others in the ways of Jesus.

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Well, that's what we're all called to.

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The question is, are you strengthening people, teaching people about God?

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What are you teaching? What are you showing?

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I submit to you that you need to know the word before you can share the word.

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But the truth is, if you're saved, you already know enough of the word to begin sharing.

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In fact, you can't deny the command of Jesus to go and make disciples.

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And a disciple is someone who hears the teachings of Jesus and teaches others those same teachings.

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I would encourage you today to submit your life to Jesus Christ in earnest

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and begin to encourage and strengthen in Jesus name. Amen.