Acts 9:1-19
1-2, Though blind, we think we see
3-9, God makes the seeing blind and guides our footsteps
10-11, Our fear and suffering brings us to our knees
12-14, We don’t grasp Christ’s mercy
15-16, We reap what we sow
17-18, Our blindness is made sight
We receive salvation grace through faith
I Timothy 1:12-17, We receive mercy because we sinned ignorantly in unbelief and Jesus’ grace.
Acts 8: 26-40
Vs. 26-27: Receive God’s Direction
Vs. 28-29: Follow the Spirit’s lead
Vs. 30-31: Be ready to give an answer
Vs. 32-34: Recognize open doors
Vs. 35-38: Preach identification with Jesus Christ
Vs. 39-40: Continue rejoicing in Jesus Christ
Continue rejoicing in ministry
Acts 8: 4-25
Vs. 4-5: Persecution has Positive Outcomes
Vs. 6-8: Miracles have Positive Outcomes
Vs. 9-11: The Same Gospel for All Kinds
Vs. 12: Belief Before Baptism
Vs. 13: Salvation and Baptism for All
Vs. 14: Receive, Believe, Water Baptism
Vs. 15-19: The Apostles and Holy Spirit Baptism
Vs. 20-24: The Wickedness of Hearts Noted
Vs. 25: The Word of God Given
Acts 7:54-8:3
God does not want temples and tabernacles made with hands.
vs 54 - Speak God’s Word
Vs. 55-56 - Look to Jesus with expectation
vs. 57 - 58 - Expect angry responses
vs. 59 - 60 - Pray to Jesus in faith
vs. 8:1 - Know that all things work together for good
vs. 8:2 - Realize death always has a sad side
vs. 8:3 - Believe bad days are just temporary
Acts 7: 45-53
God’s dwelling is manifested in men more than Moses.
Jehovah used Joshua too.
Vs. 45: What fails to save?
Symbols and symbology like the tabernacle. Some of Stephen’s accusers were trusting in their history symbolism to save them.
Vs. 46-47: What are salvation’s results?
Service. David and Solomon wanted to build the temple.
Vs. 48-50: What habitat does the Most High seek?
Saints. It won’t be on anything you build, because God is the One that builds it.
V. 51-53: Why do sinners stay lost?
Because of being stiff-necked,
They harden their hearts, and cover their ears.
Acts 7:30-44
God wants to dwell in our tabernacle but He won’t come because of our works, only by our faith.
vs. 30: Meet God
vs. 31: See and Hear God by faith
vs. 32 Don’t forget God
vs. 33 Understand God’s Holiness
vs. 34: You are not forgotten by God
vs. 35: Accept your Deliverer, and Trust God’s Plan
vs. 36: God will Deliver You, so Trust Him
Vs. 37: Hear God’s Messenger
vs. 38, 39: Believe His Word
vs. 40-43: Pursue the True God
vs. 44: Accept Truth, and Reject Lies
Acts 7:19-20, Exodus 1-4, Numbers 12
The Land of Israel’s Journeys
The Land of Madian/Midian vs. The Land of Egypt
Moses meets his family & His miraculous God
Moses’ Midian Makeover
God deals with some unfinished Business (Girshom’s Circumcision)
The Real Mount Sinai? The Exodus Route?
The traditional Mt. Sinai? Linked with Constantinople, Alexandria & Rome
Acts 7:19-29
Vs. 19-22: They thought they were somebodies
Pharaoh thought he was better then the Hebrews
Stephen’s opposers thought that they were better then others too.
Vs. 20-21 - They disrespected history. They had the facts without the faith.
Vs. 22 - They trusted in their education
Vs. 23-29: They failed to learn they were nobodies
Vs. 23 They lacked heart
Vs. 24 They led wickedly
Vs. 25-28 They followed selfishly
Vs. 26 They had disrespect
Vs. 27 They had disrespect for Moses and God
Vs 28. They rejected authority
Vs. 29. They thought this land was their home
Acts 7:8-18
What are we to say a few minutes before we die for our faith?
Vs. 8: God prefaces history and prophecy with covenants, promises and His plans
Vs. 9: God shows us what brothers are truly capable of.
Stephen uses these examples to show the priests and Sanhedrin what they are like and what they are doing
Vs. 10: God delivers us from our afflictions, eventually
Stephen saw God as a God of grace
Vs. 11: God shows us that there is more than pain that underlies afflictions
Stephen knew God still works His plan through afflictions. For example, the famine in Canaan
Vs. 12: God wants us to know that He is the God of Light in the midst of darkness
Darkness only lasts a little while.
Vs. 13: God works through history, what He has planned
Vs. 14: God shows adversity for believers is temporary
God gave the way for Jacob to get grain down in Egypt
Vs. 15: God prepares us to get ready for the doorway of death
Jacob dies. Stephen was also ready and knew that in a few minutes he would die.
Vs. 16: God guides our footsteps as we plan and live our lives.
Vs. 17: God’s promises are the foundation stones of history
God knew of me when He gave promises to Abraham
Vs. 18: God’s plans are fulfilled as ignorant, unbelieving kings reign
The new Pharaoh did not know Joseph
Acts 7:2-7
Jesus warned of the persecution to come. (Matt. 5:11-12), Stephen saw the disciples persecuted for their faith.
Stephen has false accusations charged at him.
vs. 1. The High Priest asks him if these things are so
Stephen doesn’t defend himself, instead, he preaches.
Acts 4:29. Stephen spoke boldly which is what they prayed for during times of persecution
vs. 2 - Stephen had high standards
He preaches beginning with Abraham, telling them that family blood does not save them
Psalms 29:3 - The “God of Glory” is upon the waters.
Stephen never put down the “God of Glory”
vs. 3 - Stephen was Spiritually minded - about God.
Stephen was Submitted to the God of Abraham
vs 3-7: Stephen knew his Scriptures well
He had a high view of the Scriptures
He knew his geography
He quoted verses
People that persecute Christians and Israel, will be judged.
Stephen served his Savior so that his unbelieving brothers might know Him too.
Acts 6:7 - 7:1
Questions to ask when problems arise:
1. Is the preaching Truth?
2. Are people acting according to Truth?
3. What is the BIG fuss?
4. What does God say about the problem?
5. What does God say about the reaction?
vs. 9: Be a person with good character
vs 3: Be a person with godly standards
vs. 5,6: Be full of faith
vs. 7: Be available for God to use
vs. 8, 9: Be steadfast
vs. 10: Be sensible
vs. 11-14: Be Spirit filled and stand strong like a rock
vs. 15: Respond in a godly manner
Acts 6:1-8
Recognize the pain in a congregation, by the leaders
the believers multiplied and murmured vs. 1
Exercise oversight
Table serving, preaching, and praying was just too much, even though it was all important.
After prayer, delegation of tasks was done with unity and communication.
Listen to Complaints
Daniel prayed more than he preached.
Receive the input
The leadership listened to the people and included them in the decision making process
Demonstrate team spirit
They elected Stephen and others
Leadership appointed, then the congregation chose
Yearn to serve
The appointed had to be willing to serve.
Acts 5: 12-42
Be loyal in His overshadowing powers vs. 12-16
Be loyal in oppression, opposition, and obstinance vs. 17-18, 26-28
Be loyal in obedience with God’s oracles vs. 19-32
Be loyal in offences vs. 33-42
Acts 5:1-11
On your Filling
On your Finances
On your Future
On your Family
On your Fellowship
Acts 4: 31-37
Solidarity vs. 31-32
Selflessness vs. 31-32
Sharing vs. 31-32
Strength vs. 33
Sustenance vs. 34
Supervision vs. 35
Support vs. 36-37
Acts 4:23-31
Persecution leads to proclamation vs. 23
Persecution leads to praise vs. 24-28
Persecution leads to prayer vs. 29-31
Persecution grows the church
Acts 4:1-22
The Savior is our teacher vs. 13
The Savior proves Himself vs. 14
The Savior is who we confer with vs. 15-16
The Savior is to be honored vs. 17, 18
The Savior is who we answer to vs. 19-20
The Savior frees us to preach vs. 21,22
Acts 4:1-22
We declare the Word vs. 1-2
We discern God’s Word vs. 3
We depend on God vs. 4
We are cautious of man’s dominion vs. 5-7
We trust God’s dominion vs. 8-10
We preach Christ’s Doctrine vs. 11
We apply the Word vs. 12
Acts 2:41-47
vs. 41: They preached the Bible
vs. 42: They devoted themselves to the doctrine
vs. 43: They saw and believed the apostolic message
vs. 44-45: They became godly good-givers
vs. 46: They gathered as one with the godly, publicly and in homes
vs. 47: They glorified God together
Messages Demonstrate God’s Power! So Preach It!
Acts 3:1-26
God’s Power vs. 12
Christ vs. 13-16
Servant vs. 13-16
Sin vs. 13-16
Crucifixion vs. 13-16
Salvation vs. 13-16
Christ from Prophets vs. 17-18
Repentance vs. 19
Return vs. 20-21
Moses on Christ vs. 22
Retribution vs. 23, 24
The Gospel vs. 25, 26
To All, For All vs. 25-26