The Book of Acts

Jesus In My Place Introduction Today we are going to look at the story about the first African who met Jesus.  We don’t know his name, but we know he is a powerful guy.  He was the secretary/treasurer for the entire southern kingdom of Africa.  On the outside he is a guy who has it all together.  He has money, Power, Fame.  But despite all that, on the inside, he doesn’t know God and he is Searching. And he doesn’t know Jesus…

Introduction We pick up from last week remembering that persecution has run amok in the early church.  Saul was ravaging the church, Christians are getting thrown into jail, Stephen is stoned.   Stephen’s trial really got to Saul, and he responded with frenetic violence.  Because, sometimes that is how people respond to conviction… lash out against the message AND its messengers. The people are scattered… The apostles stay in Jerusalem… regular Christians go and fulfill the great commission.  I believe…

Introduction Many People are bored in Church.  Just going through the motions.  (get up, get dressed, walk in, grab a doughnut, try to get through the service before the sugar crash.  Go home, do it all again next week)… and we are afflicted with a nagging sense that we ought to be doing something.  That there is some meaningful mission we are supposed to be a part of, but we can’t quite get their mind around what it is, or…

Acts 7:1-60 I have done dozens of funerals in my life. Everyone has something that they want to happen.  A song to be sung, a poem to be read.  A story to tell.  Some way to remember their loved one. To honor them.  To make the moment meaningful.   Imagine with me, you were able to preach at your own funeral.  What words would you say?  What would you want people to remember you by?  Your love of your family? Your…

Acts 6:8-15 Evil Men Synagogue of Freed Men – Jews freed from Roman Slavery John 8:34 Evil people hide who they truly are Good Men Exodus 34:29-30 Romans 12:21 3 Ways we Should Respond to Evil Expect It 1 Peter 4:12 Expose It Acts 20:30 Ephesians 5:11 1 Peter 3:15 Endure It

Acts 6:1-7 Every Church Fails Somehow Widows being neglected Proverbs 24:16 Don’t Lose Focus Psalm 27:4 Elders Servants Every Person Has a Part to Play 1st Corinthians 12:14-18 The Marks of a Quality Servant Humble Wise Good Reputation Spirit Filled Jesus Started It  

The Enemies of God Acts 5:12-42 The Kingdom of God is about God helping people. It is about God saving people, God healing people, God restoring people to Himself. It says that sick people get healed. We believe that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He has healed, he will heal, and he is healing. We believe that in the kingdom of God, no one will be sick. We believe that sickness has entered the world because of…

Acts 4:32-5:11

Acts 4:23-31 The Roman Empire was the biggest, most prominent, powerful, prosperous nation in the history of the world. The citizens lived relatively lavish lifestyles. They had multiple religions, multiple spiritualities, multiple gods, multiple goddesses. Their values included tolerance and diversity. They had widespread sexual sin. Homosexuality was very popular. Bisexuality was very popular. Adultery within marriage was common. They also had child sacrifice where if they didn’t like the baby, they would kill it. Sound Familiar? Yeah they are…

Acts 4:1-22 Introduction Our country was founded on the principle that people of all religious creeds and backgrounds are welcome.  All religions are equally tolerated under the law.  But somewhere along the way, we seem to have adopted the belief that all religions should not only be tolerated, but also that they are all equally valid.  That there are many roads to heaven, and it doesn’t really matter which one you take as long as you are sincere. And One…

Acts 3:11-26 Acts chapter 3 breaks neatly into 2 parts.  The Miracle (last week) – Peter and John heal a cripple.  and the Message (This week) Peter uses the opportunity to preach the gospel.  Same thing He did at Pentecost.  The text tells us that this guy was crippled from birth.  Think of his childhood. (watching others climb trees, build forts, play ball) He had none of that.  He was crippled from birth.  This wasn’t America where some people could…

The Princess Bride: Adventure, pirates, princesses, giants, miracles, sword fighting, revenge, and true love. Our text this morning is a lot like that… It has so many wonderful truths contained within its few verses.  Within 7 verses we find: Salvation, Baptism, Revival, Corporate Worship, Preaching, Fellowship, Potlucks, Prayer, Miracles, Sacrifice, Finances, Generosity, Worship, Evangelism, Small Groups, Gratitude.  This is like the princess bride of Passages.   I am really excited for it, but as you can imagine, we don’t have a…