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

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.

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.

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

Four Questions:

1. A Ransom From What?
2. A Ransom By What?
3. A Ransom To What?
4. A Ransom Paid to Whom?

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.

Text: 2 Kings 6:24-7:20

1. We become selfish about good stuff
2. We become silent about good news
3. We become skeptical of a good God

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.