Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 6:8 - 7:60
Theme: We must show and tell the gospel even when the consequences loom large.

One: The character of our costly witness.

• Full of the Spirit, wisdom, faith, grace, and power.
• This is God's work.

Two: The content of our costly witness.

• We can only meet God for forgiveness, restored fellowship, and worship through Jesus Christ.
• We are self-righteous idolators who have rejected God's truth.

Three: The consequences of our costly witness.

• Argument
• Accusation
• Anger
• Attack

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

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 6:1-7
Theme: Serving unifies the church for the advance of the kingdom.

One: The church is full of needs. v1

Two: The church is equipped for meeting needs. v2-3

Three: Serving is an exercise of godliness. v3

Four: Serving is foundational to church leadership.

Five: Serving works. v5-7

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

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 5:12-42
Theme: You must show and tell the Life that is found in Jesus.

One: The definition of this Life – 30-31

• Atoning Death
• Victorious Resurrection
• Sovereign Reign
• Gracious Salvation

Two: The reality of this Life – 12-14

• Belief & Unbelief
• The hope of the advance of the kingdom

Three: The illustration of this Life – 15-16

Four: The opposition to this Life – 17-18, 40

Five: The triumph of this Life – 19, 24, 41-42

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 5:1-11
Theme: Be Filled With God's Truth to Crowd Out Satan's Lies.

What truth crowds out the lies? Truth about...

One: ...the generosity that love produces – v.4:23-37

• Generosity is a love-motivated sharing.
• Generosity involves biblical discernment.

Two: ...the temptation that Satan designs – v.5:3

• Satan appeals to our desires.
• Satan desires our ruin.

Three: ...the holiness that God demands – v.4-5, 9-10

• God is holy.
• Therefore, sin is costly.

Four: ...the choices that you make – v.2-4

• Trust and obey.
• Confess and forsake.

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

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 4:23-37
Theme: The church's boldness must be anchored in the sovereignty of God.

God's sovereignty is revealed in...

One: ...the authority of the master over the servant – v.24ff

Two: ...His creation of all things – v.24

Three: ...His rule over rebel nations – v.25-26

Four: ...the death of Christ in the plan of God – v.27-28

Five: ...the boldness of the church to speak truth – v.29

Six: ...the resurrection of Jesus from the dead – v.33

Seven: ...the church's generosity at personal cost – v.32

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

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 4:1-22
Theme: We must be clear that Jesus - only Jesus - is the way to heaven.

"Jesus, Only Jesus" represents...

One: ...an irritation to unbelievers - v.1-3

Two: ...the power of God for salvation - v.4

Three: ...the Spirit-enabled answer for our hope - v.5-10

Four: ...the exclusive way to eternal life - v.11-12

Five: ...the testimony of life transformation - v.13-14

Six: ...the measure of true authority - v.15-22

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 3:1-26
Theme: Jesus can transform your life.

A Sign: from lame to leaping

(About Miraculous Gifts)

• God can do miracles.
• Miraculous gifts are observed in 4 primary eras: Moses; Elijah & Elisha; Jesus; Apostles.
• The purpose is to authenticate God's revelation.

A Sermon

• Sinners are trapped in sin's ruin.
• The gospel is the power of God for salvation.
• Salvation will culminate in the full restoration of a new creation.

Conclusion

• What did Peter have? ("what I do have I give to you")
• A: the gospel of the transforming power of Jesus Christ

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

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 2:41-47
Theme: As the family of God, we must commit to living our Christian lives together.

One: Commit to the Apostles' Teaching

• Jesus' commission
• Peter's example : Jesus is the risen Christ and the ruling Lord
• The written record (the canon of Scripture)

Two: Commit to Fellowship = something in common

• Celebrating our bond
• Sharing our needs

Three: Commit to Breaking of Bread

• The Lord's Supper
• The common meals

Four: Commit to Prayer

• For understanding and application of the Word
• For one another's needs
• For daily bread and love to share it
• For God's work among us: awe, favor, & fruit

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

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 2:22-41
Theme: Jesus Christ is Lord

Taking Notes on Peter's Sermon

Jesus of Nazareth - v.22

• God's agent of redemption
• Confirmed by signs

Crucified and Killed - v.23

• The sinful plan of men
• The definite plan on God

God Raised Him Up - v.24

• The death of death
• According to God's plan

Exalted at the right hand of God - v.33

• Jesus gave the Spirit
• For the advance of the Kingdom

God Has Made Him Both Lord and Christ - v.36

• Certainty of His rule
• Certainty of our guilt

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 2:1-21
Theme: God gives the Spirit to empower his witnesses to advance the kingdom.

What Makes Pentecost So Significant?

One: The Building of God's Church

Two: The Wonder of God's Presence

Three: The Filling by God's Spirit

Four: The Certainty of God's Word

Five: The Invitation of God's Salvation

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

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 1:12-26
Theme: We must take steps of faith while waiting on God's plan.

One: Remember that Jesus is Lord.

• What he said we should do.
• What he said he would do.

Two: Find the value of unity in the family of God.

Three: Pray with other Christians.

Four: Seek to determine God's will.

• Know God's word.
• Pray for direction.
• Surrender your control.

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

Series: Acts
Text: Acts 1:6-11

One: You must understand the kingdom.

1. Its nature: it is spiritual
2. Its scope: it is universal
3. Its time: now and then

Two: You must understand kingdom advance.

1. How? The power of the Spirit
2. What? Be witnesses
3. Where? Everywhere

Three: You must understand the kingdom's King.

1. Taken to heaven
2. Coming again

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

Series: Acts
Text: Acts 1:1-5

The Story Continues

1. Acts is the sequel to the Gospel of Luke.
2. Luke traveled with Paul.
3. The apostles, the church, and the Holy Spirit all glorify the work of Jesus Christ.

3 Realities that Enable that Continuing Gospel Story

1. The hope of the resurrection
2. The victory of the Kingdom
3. The presence of the Holy Spirit

Theme of the Continuing Story

• The advancement of the Kingdom

In the first book...all that Jesus began to do and teach... ~ Acts 1:1

Series: Haggai: Consider Your Ways
Text: Haggai 2:20-23

God's reign is seen in two promised events:

1. The judgment of the nations
2. The triumph of the Messiah.

Reasons for our hope in God's reign:

1. Because our God is the Lord of Hosts
2. Because our God is faithful to his covenant promises
3. Because the gospel is the power of God
4. Because Christ is King

Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. ~ Haggai 1:5

Series: Haggai: Consider Your Ways
Text: Haggai 2:10-19

The Hope of Holiness

One: Holiness doesn't just happen.

Two: Sin never ultimately satisfies.

Three: Mercy makes for new beginnings.

Four: Grace gives blessing for nothing.

Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. ~ Haggai 1:5

Series: Haggai: Consider Your Ways
Text: Haggai 2:1-9

Finding Your Significance in God's Plan

Discouragement: A longing for obvious significance.

Encouragement: An understanding of present significance.

• God's presence with us
• God's purpose for us
  • Be strong
  • Work
  • Fear not

Encouragement: A hope in future significance.

• God will receive glory through Christ in the church.

Conclusions:

• Don't search for significance in shallow comparisons.
• Invest in God's agenda.
• Rest in the victory that will be fully revealed.

Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. ~ Haggai 1:5

Series: Consider Your Ways
Text: Haggai 1:1-15

What does it look like to consider our ways?

One: Stop trying to justify your apathy.

Two: Examine closely the evidence of your priorities.

Three: Recognize the cause of your dissatisfaction.

Four: Take practical steps of worshipful obedience.

Four: Renew your mind with what God says.

Six: Yield to the Spirit's leading to do kingdom work.

Series: Haggai: Consider Your Ways
Text: Haggai

All Scripture is Profitable.

The Role of the Prophet: to reveal God's truth to the people by the Spirit.

Two Challenges:

1. Prophetic fog - intentional ambiguity; we don't get all the details
2. Prophetic form - the use of figurative language and a sense of imminence

The Big Question: What did the prophets say that stirred these people to do God's work?

The Theme of Haggai: Consider your ways!

Lessons for us:

• Trust God's control.
• Receive God's grace.
• Believe God's word.

Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. ~ Haggai 1:5