Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 12:20-25
Theme: The kingdom of God will continue to advance...

One: ...despite the enemies of God.

Two: ...through the Word of God.

Three: ...in the people of God.

Four: ...for the glory of God.

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 11:19-30
Theme: We must rightly wear the name of Christ.

How?

One: ...by sharing the good news.

Two: ...by turning to the Lord.

Three: ...by recognizing God's grace

Four: ...be rejoicing in God's work.

Five: ...by committing to intentional godliness.

Six: ...by pursuing the church's good.

Seven: ...by studying God's word.

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 10 - 11:18
Theme: We must continue to grow in our understanding of God's plan for spreading the gospel.

One: God's plan has always been to save people from all nations.

Two: God's plan must dictate the way I think about the unfolding of his plan.

Three: God's plan is being accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Four: God's plan centers on the sufficient work of Jesus.

Five: God's plan always demands repentance and faith.

Six: God's plan unfolds his gift of grace.

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