Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 9:26-43
Theme: As your life is transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ, you advance the kingdom and glorify God.

Example One: Saul

• From persecutor to preacher
• v.31 – the church...multiplied

Example Two: Aeneas

• From paralyzed to walking
• v.35 – they turned to the Lord

Example Three: Tabitha

• From dead to alive
• v.42 – many believed in the Lord

Bonus: Peter

• From a Jewish message to the gospel
• v.43 – he stayed...with...a tanner

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

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 9:1-25
Theme: You must be able to tell your conversion story.

Chapter One: Before God saved me.

• I was self-righteous.
• I was rejecting Jesus.

Chapter Two: How God saved me.

• Divine initiative.
• Conviction of sin.
• Yielding to Jesus.

Chapter Three: After God saved me.

• Identification with Christ.
• Identification with the church.
• Identification with God's purpose.

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

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 8:26-40
Theme: You must advance the kingdom by your personal witness.

One: Your personal witness involves...the one who needs to hear the gospel.

• Alone
• Outcast
• Thirsty

Two: Your personal witness involves...the one who is commanded to be a witness.

• Faithful obedience
• Bible readiness
• Jesus focus

Three: Your personal witness involves...the One who is merciful to save sinners.

• Mercy of divine initiative
• Mercy of promise-keeping
• Mercy of powerful revelation

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

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 8:1-25
Theme: Take heart, the kingdom of God is advancing...

One: ...despite the risk of persecution.

Two: ...in the witness of every believer.

Three: ...as Jesus said it should.

Four: ...with the good news of King Jesus.

Five: ...leaving a wake of joy.

Six: ...piercing the darkness with light.

Seven: ...calling sinners to repent and believe.

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

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