Series: The Gospel of Mark
Text: Mark 1:35-2:12

The Leper

1. The condition of the man
2. The compassion of Jesus
3. The contradiction of gratitude

The Paralytic

1. The description of the man
2. The diagnosis of Jesus
3. The discrediting of the scribes

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 17:1-15
Theme: You must speak the truth that can transform an unbeliever's heart – that can turn his world upside down.

One: The tool of turning the world upside down: the gospel.

• The righteous life of Christ
• The atoning death of Christ
• The victorious resurrection of Christ
• The advancing kingdom of Christ

Two: The method of turning the world upside down: Biblical conversation.

Three: The cost of turning the world upside down: antagonism.

Four: The result of turning the world upside down: conversion.

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 16:11-40
Theme: God opens hearts to salvation...

One: ...through our obedience to the Great Commission.

Two: ...as illustrated by the freedom from spiritual darkness.

Three: ...by circumstances that we may not like or understand.

Four: ...in the simple message of faith in Jesus.

Conclusion:

• Be clear with the good news.
• Be sure that God can save.
• Be aware that today's circumstances may be ordained to open hearts.
• Be ready with the answer.

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

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 15:36-16:10
Theme: Five questions to ask when making significant & kingdom-advancing decisions.

One: How does this fit in the big picture of kingdom advance?

Two: How can differing gifts be used well?

Three: How am I making disciples?

Four: How do I best serve the gospel?

Five: How am I surrendered to the Spirit?

• Be willing to let go.
• Be willing to pick up.

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

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 14:19-23
Theme: You must contribute to the strengthening of disciples.

How can you strengthen other Christians?

One: Model a defiant endurance.

Two: Obey the Great Comission

• Spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Three: Encourage a robust theology.

Four: Acknowledge a difficult journey.

Five: Grow with God's family.

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

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 15:1-35
Theme: You must get the Gospel right.

One: Getting the Gospel right is the business of the church.

Two: Getting the Gospel right is worthy of a fight.

Three: Getting the Gospel right is essential to our evangelism.

Four: Getting the Gospel right means focusing on God.

Five: Getting the Gospel right demands salvation by grace through faith apart from works.

Six: Getting the Gospel right produces godly living.

Seven: Getting the Gospel right stirs joy.

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

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 14
Theme: The kingdom will advance through tribulation.

1. The kingdom will advance...
   • v.1 – a great number believed
   • v.21 – made many discipled
   • v.26 – the work fulfilled
2. Through tribulation...
   • v.1-2 – the truth divides
   • v.2 – the animosity of darkness
   • v.5,19 – the threat of suffering
3. 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

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 13:8-52
Theme: What does it mean to tell the gospel story?

1. Know the Old Testament map that leads to Jesus.
2. Clarify the gospel story of Jesus.
3. Call sinners to repentance and faith in Jesus.
   • The hope of forgiveness
   • The hope of freedom
4. Anchor your confidence in God's truth about Jesus.
5. Find your joy in your witness of Jesus.

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

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