Through Many Dangers
Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 14
Theme: The kingdom will advance through tribulation.
- The kingdom will advance...
- v.1 – a great number believed
- v.21 – made many discipled
- v.26 – the work fulfilled
- Through tribulation...
- v.1-2 – the truth divides
- v.2 – the animosity of darkness
- v.5,19 – the threat of suffering
- By means of...
- v.1-3 – God's witnesses
- v.7 – God's gospel
- v.8-10 – God's power
- v.17 – God's grace
- v.21-28 – God's church
You will receive power...you will be my witnesses... ~ Acts 1:8
The Gospel Story
Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 13:8-52
Theme: What does it mean to tell the gospel story?
- Know the Old Testament map that leads to Jesus.
- Clarify the gospel story of Jesus.
- Call sinners to repentance and faith in Jesus.
- The hope of forgiveness
- The hope of freedom
- Anchor your confidence in God's truth about Jesus.
- Find your joy in your witness of Jesus.
Kingdom-Advancing Missions
Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 13:1-12
Theme: You must understand and carry out kingdom-advancing missions.
Kingdom-advancing missions relies on...
One: The equipping in the local church.
- The gifts
- The Word
- Worship
- Zeal
Two: The leading of the Holy Spirit.
Three: The working of the sent ones.
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- Spiritual warfare
- Gospel priority
Eaten By Worms
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.
First Called Christians
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.
God's Plan for the Gospel Advance
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.
Life Transformed
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
A Conversion Story
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
Your Personal Witness
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
The Advance into Samaria
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
A Costly Witness
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
Serving Unifies the Church for the Advance of the Kingdom
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
Show and Tell of this Life in Jesus
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
Be Filled With God's Truth to Crowd Out Satan's Lies
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
Boldness Anchored in God's Sovereignty
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
Jesus, Only Jesus
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
Jesus Can Transform Your Life
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