Before & After

1st Corinthians 15:7, Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.

1.  Satan BLINDS the minds of UNBELIEVERS

2nd Corinthians 4:4, In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the Light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

John 7:5, For not even His brothers believed in Him.

Mark 3:21, And when His family heard it, they went out to seize Him, for they were saying, “He is out of His mind.”

2.  God’s LIGHT chases away that DARKNESS

2nd Corinthians 4:6, For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Acts 1:14, All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.

Acts 12:17, But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison.  And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.”  Then he departed and went to another place.

3.  Much FORGIVENESS leads to great POTENTIAL

Luke 7:47, Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much.  But he who is forgiven little, loves little.

James 2:1, My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.

Acts 15:13-19, After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me…  Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles…

Challenge:  Tell someone your BEFORE and AFTER story