FORWARD! (Acts 16:1-40)
A NEW TEAM! (v1-5) Paul, Silas & Timothy 2. A NEW VISION! (v6-10) Europe Frustration gives way to revelation 3. A NEW CHURCH! (v11-40) Philippi: an open heart, an open fight, an open jail, an open home
A NEW TEAM! (v1-5) Paul, Silas & Timothy 2. A NEW VISION! (v6-10) Europe Frustration gives way to revelation 3. A NEW CHURCH! (v11-40) Philippi: an open heart, an open fight, an open jail, an open home
SOMETHING: 1. SERIOUS! (v1-2) Hardliners threaten the church & the Gospel 2. SIGNIFICANT! (v2-35) The Council at Jerusalem: The Pharisees (v5), Peter (v7), Barnabas (v12), James (v14) 3. SAD! (v36-41) Paul & Barnabas part company
A. THE ACTION 1. In Iconium (v1-7) Proclamation leads to persecution 2. In Lystra and Derbe (v8-20) Miracles lead to misunderstanding 3. On the return journey (v21-28) a) Encouraging the disciples b) Equipping the churches c) Extolling the Lord B. THE APPLICATION 1. “… go, make disciples of all nations …” Same…
1. THE TEAM! (v1-3) Spiritual leaders worshipping, fasting, praying, sending Saul & Barnabas 2. THE TASK! (v4-5) They proclaim the word of God 3. THE TEST! a) Of Falsehood – Elymas b) Of Division – John Mark c) Of Conversion – Sergius Paulus
1. PERIL! (v1-5) Herod angry, James martyred, Peter imprisoned 2. PRAYER! (v5) Earnest prayer for Peter made to God by the church 3. POWER! (v6-25) Peter released, Herod deceased, God’s word increased
1. SPEAK OUT! (v19-20) a) ALL need to hear so ALL need to speak b) Use natural connections c) Use appropriate concepts 2. STAND OUT! (v21-26) a) God’s blessing makes the disciples bold b) God’s kingdom is being built c) God’s grace is on display d) God’s church is characterised by goodness, faithfulness, steadfastness…
1. RELIGION – ISN’T ENOUGH! Cornelius was God-fearing & sincere but he wasn’t right with God and needed more 2. PREJUDICE – ISN’T RIGHT! The iceberg of legalism had to be melted by God’s truth & grace 3. CONVERSION – ISN’T EMOTION! It requires truth, understanding & faith 4. SPIRITUALITY – ISN’T…
1. TERROR! Saul breathing out threats 2. TRANSFORMATION! From darkness to light 3. TRUTH! Jesus is the Christ
Apologies – due to a technical problem there will be no sermons this week. 1. RAGE! v1 -4 A great persecution – Saul ravages the Church 2. REVIVAL! v4-25 Into Samaria – genuine conversions, counterfeit conversion. Simon the sorcerer full of bitterness and sin. The work of the Holy Spirit. 3….
Stephen: The Charge o Blasphemy against Moses and God The Defendant o God is not restricted to a place The Prosecutor o The leaders have not obeyed the law. The Sentence o Death by stoning The Legacy o God’s purposes and Stephen’s character.