We Must Accept Suffering as God's Will
Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 21:17-36
Theme: We must accept suffering as God's will.
One: Doing God's will includes suffering.
- That's the story of Paul's ministry.
- That's the truth of Bible teaching.
- That's the example of stormy seas.
- That's the reason for God's promise.
Two: God uses suffering to accomplish his will.
- The advance of the gospel.
- The gospel itself.
Three: We must trust God's perfect plan to use our suffering.
Four: We must trust God's faithful promise to end our suffering.
You will receive power…you will be my witnesses… ~ Acts 1:8
Doing God's Will in the Face of Suffering
Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 21:1-16
Theme: Doing God's will in the face of suffering.
Question: Was Paul right or wrong to go to Jerusalem?
Answer to the Question: Paul was right to go.
Reasons that Support the Answer:
- Paul's ministry is characterized by the Spirit's leading.
- Paul's reasons for going to Jerusalem were good.
- Paul knew the Spirit's constraint to take this specific trip.
- The Spirit had revealed an awaiting danger.
- Danger was a part of Paul's commission to ministry.
- Paul doesn't consider this decision to be a mistake.
- Paul later considers this outcome as a gospel benefit.
- The people cannot press their conclusions on Paul, and yield to the will of God.
- We must consider what the Spirit actually said.
- The Lord's confirmation of the visit to Jerusalem.
Applications:
- Daily cultivate a heart that is submissive to the Spirit.
- Define God's will by his revealed Word.
- Face uncertainty and known hardships with faith.
You will receive power…you will be my witnesses… ~ Acts 1:8
What a Congregation Should Expect From It's Overseers
Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 20:28-38
Theme: What should a congregation expect from overseers?
One: A congregation should expect to be warned about false teaching.
- The means: distort truth and draw away
- The end: harm to the flock
Two: A congregation should expect to be encouraged in meaningful relationships.
- Investment of time
- Investment of truth
Three: A congregation should expect to be directed to the Chief Shepherd.
- Commended to the person of God
- Commended to the promises of God
Four: A congregation should expect to be called to diligent service.
- Hard work to help the weak
- True gain comes by giving
You will receive power…you will be my witnesses… ~ Acts 1:8
The Light Shines in Darkness
Series: Series: Christmas Hope
Text: Matthew 1; John 1
Theme: The Light shines in the darkness.
One: Rejoice that you are in the Light.
Two: Trust the Light for daily guidance.
Three: Shine the Light in the darkness.
Four: Hope in the victory of the Light.
God Uses Broken People
Series: Christmas Hope
Text: Matthew 1
Theme: God uses broken people.
One: Brokenness is every person's story.
Two: Brokenness points to our need for a Savior.
Three: Brokenness reveals the wonder of grace.
Four: Brokenness itself will be broken.
God Saves His People
Series: Christmas Hope
Text: Matthew 1
Theme: God saves his people.
One: We are sinners.
- We have rejected the rule of God = rebels.
- We have earned the wages of sin = death.
Two: We need to be rescued.
- From the future consequences of sin = eternal judgment
- From the present consequences of sin = futility and self-destruction
Three: God rescues his people through Jesus.
- Jesus = God saves
- Immanuel = God with us
God Keeps His Promises
Series: Christmas Hope
Text: Matthew 1
Theme: God keeps his promises.
One: God's promises revealed the hope of gospel remedy.
Two: God's promises pictured the work of our Messiah.
Three: God's promises emphasized a son as the savior.
Four: God's promises anticipate a final victory and a new creation.
The Role of Careful Oversight
Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 20:28
Theme: The Role of Careful Oversight
One: Careful oversight…
Two: …should be diligently exercised…
- Inward - over self
- Outward - over disciples
Three: …by qualified elders
- About elders…
- Multiple elders in each church
- Also called bishop & pastor
- Following the Holy Spirit
- Imitating the work of Christ
Four: …over God's church.
- Purchased with his blood
- Secured by his love
An Exemplary Life
Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 20:17-27
Theme: How can you live a model life?
One: Serve with humility.
- As to the Lord
- When life is hard
Two: Speak with truth.
- The truth of the Word's benefit
- The truth of the gospel's demands
Three: Live by faith.
- Faith - in the Spirit's leading
- Faith - in the face of uncertainty
- Faith - in the light of eternal values
Four: Rest in grace.
- Enabling grace
- Forgiving grace
The Need for Encouragement
Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 20:1-16
Theme: Encouragement is essential in the daily work of kingdom living.
One: Encouragement is purposeful in giving.
Two: Encouragement is necessary for weakness.
Three: Encouragement is fostered by cooperation.
Four: Encouragement is anchored to God's Word.
Five: Encouragement is representative of new life.
The Name of the Lord Jesus
Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 19:1-41
Theme: The name of the Lord Jesus is the power for Kingdom advance.
One: The power for discipleship based on the truth.
Two: The power for boldness in the face of unbelief.
Three: The power for healing as a picture of salvation.
Four: The power for holiness in response to Christ's value.
Five: The power for protection in the midst of opposition.
You will receive power…you will be my witnesses… ~ Acts 1:8
Gifts for Kingdom Advance
Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 18:18-28
Theme: God uses the unique gifts of his people for the advance of the kingdom.
One: Paul – off the stage.
Two: Apollos – a rising star.
- Eloquent, competent in the Word
- Instructed, fervent, accurate
- Bold, humble
Three: Priscilla & Aquila – behind the scenes.
- A gentle approach
- An encouraging approach
- A truth-based approach
Conclusion
- You must pursue competence in the Word.
- You must use your gifts in the church.
You will receive power...you will be my witnesses... ~ Acts 1:8
Fear in Sharing the Gospel
Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 18:1-17
Theme: We must hear the Lord's encouragement to offset our fear in sharing the gospel.
One: A Common Hurdle
- God's people have often struggled with fear.
- How do we know Paul was afraid?
Two: The Simple Instructions
- Stop being afraid.
- Keep on speaking.
Three: The Convincing Reason
- God's powerful presence
- God's sovereign electiom
- Election glorifies God
- Election fuels evangelism
Conclusion: Believe God's promise to you; proclaim God's gospel to others.
You will receive power…you will be my witnesses… ~ Acts 1:8
The Void Sin Leaves
Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 17:16-34
Theme: We must share the gospel; it fills the void that sin leaves
One: The void sin leaves reveals sin's lie.
Two: The void sin leaves masquerades as enlightenment.
Three: The void sin leaves drives a perpetual search.
Four: The void sin leaves rejects God's revelation.
Five: The void sin leaves leads to final judgment.
Six: The void sin leaves necessitates a gospel witness.
Seven: The void sin leaves is remedied by repentence and faith in Jesus.
The Healing of the Soul by The Son of Man
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Text: Mark 1:35-2:12
The Leper
- The condition of the man
- The compassion of Jesus
- The contradiction of gratitude
The Paralytic
- The description of the man
- The diagnosis of Jesus
- The discrediting of the scribes
Turning the World Upside Down
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.
God Opens Hearts
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
Wisdom for Decision-Making
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
Strengthening the Disciples
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
Getting The Gospel Right
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