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