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 12:1-19
Theme: We must utilize prayer as a weapon for the advance of the kingdom.

Kingdom-advancing prayer is...

One: Combative.

Two: Focused.

Three: Loving.

Four: Trusting.

• In God whose will included the death of James.
• In God whose power accomplished the deliverance of Peter.

Five: Unifying.

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