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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.