Series: Jonah
Text: Jonah
Theme: A familiar story of mercy and salvation

Historical Context

• 2 Kings 14:25 - Jeroboam II; Northern tribes of Israel.
• c.750 BC; Israel falls to Assyria in 722 BC.

A Theme of Sovereign Mercy

Jonah, but Jesus

• The Old Testament begins a story that is completed in Christ.
• Jonah – buried for 3 days in the belly of the fish and brought up alive – is a vivid illustration of the death and resurrection of the Messiah.

A Prophecy in Story

• Of the universal scope of God's redeeming love
• Of the Jewish aversion to Gentile inclusion

Salvation belongs to the Lord! ~ Jonah 2:9

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 1:8; Acts 8:4
Theme: Tensions that shape our outreach strategies

Tension #6: Extended, ongoing relationships vs. brief, one-time encounters.

Tension #7: Scholarly defense of the gospel vs. simple statements of the gospel.

Tension #8: Sovereignty and the power of God's Word, vs. persuasion and the power of my words.

Tension #9: Testimony of words vs testimony of works.

Tension #10: Faith for risk vs wisdom for safety.

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 1:8; Acts 8:4
Theme: Tensions that shape our outreach strategy.

Tension #1: Awareness vs. engagement.

Tension #2: Individual effort vs. corporate program.

Tension #3: The sheer joy of witnessing vs. the stark obedience of witnessing.

Tension #4: Compassion for sinners vs. condemnation of sin.

Tension #5: Bold persistence vs. bold intolerance.

Special: Resurrection Sunday
Text: Acts 26:12-23
Theme: The light of the gospel shines from an empty tomb.

One: Gospel light has the power to transform lives.

• to open their eyes
• to turn them from darkness to light
• to turn them from the power of Satan to God
• to forgive sins
• to give them a place in God's family

Two: Gospel light is received by repentance and faith.

• Repentance = a turning FROM sin
• Faith = a turning TO God

Three: Gospel light is anchored to the power and hope of the resurrection.

Christ…being the first to rise from the dead…would proclaim light. ~ Acts 26:23

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 28:17-31
Theme: Last instructions for witnesses

One: Aim for opportunities to talk.

Two: Communicate a genuine hope.

Three: Anchor your witness to the Bible.

Four: Understand the possible results.

Five: Be ready in any context to speak of God.

Six: Believe in the gospel's success.

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 28:11-16
Theme: How do we keep in mind the big picture of kingdom advance?

One: View perceived delays as God's plan.

Two: Remember that you live as a witness among unbelief.

Three: Rest in God's promise-keeping.

Four: Be encouraged by other believers and their gifts.

Five: Trace the simple kindness of God in your life.

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 27:1 - 28:10
Theme: Advancing the kingdom when daily life is hard.

One: Know that everyone faces the storms of life.

Two: Believe that nothing hinders God's plan.

Three: Take courage from what God promises.

Four: Remember that you belong to God.

Five: Encourage others by sharing your hope.

Six: Use healing and rescue as <## data-preserve-html-node="true"> of the gospel.

You will receive power…you will be my witnesses… ~ Acts 1:8

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 25-26
Theme: See how the resurrection anchors the gospel.

One: Jesus died.

Two: Jesus rose from the dead.

Three: God has a plan to save sinners.

Four: Christians aren't crazy.

Five: Christians have hope.

You will receive power…you will be my witnesses… ~ Acts 1:8

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 24:1-27
Theme: You should consider how your Christian witness is perceived in order to give the right opinion of God.

Is your witness…

One: …concerned about truth?

Two: …peaceful in manner?

Three: …committed to God (and the word He gave us)?

Four: …confident in the resurrection?

Five: …consistent with behavior?

Six: …focused on faith?

Seven: …convicting with context?

You will receive power…you will be my witnesses… ~ Acts 1:8

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 23:11-35
Theme: You can know, and then rest in, the providence of God.

One: God has a plan.

Two: God is faithful to his promises.

Three: God is with us on our pilgrim journey.

Four: God knows all things.

Five: God accomplishes his will – sometimes through unique ways.

Six: We must not define providence solely by our comfort.

Seven: We must trust God to work all things for his glory and for our good.

You will receive power…you will be my witnesses… ~ Acts 1:8