2:17). Free Model Sermons and Manuscript Downloads for Pastors and - Lifeway PDF Come Follow Me Sermon Series - South Carolina UMC Gods plan is to save his people from their sins, and to bring them fully and finally to himself (Matt. Though circumcision was not one of the four regulations set in writing by the Jerusalem Council, Paul will take Timothy with him in delivering those regulations. The grace of the gospel frequently leads to the charge of antinomianism, or lawlessness: that if grace is free, people will feel free to sin all they want. Acts 21:37-22:21, 39. (For further background, see the ESV Study Bible, pages 20922096, available online at www.esvbible.org.). 42:6; 49:6). Acts 1 Resources | Precept Austin In Acts 4:2331, Gods sovereignty, even in predetermining the crucifixion (Acts 4:24, 2728), encourages prayer and confidence (Acts 4:2930). Pauls opponents believed that people would try to keep Gods commands only out of fear of punishment, and if that fear was removed, there would no longer be any motivation to live a righteous life. Resources for Pastors and Church Leaders. Pauls example of selflessness leads to a stunned appeal for salvation and another example of Gods grace poured out to suffering sinners. In the second chapter of Acts, about 120 Jewish believers are filled with the Holy Spirit. Obedience to God is seen in respect for his leaders, while resistance to God often manifests itself in resentment of them. 5:1). All rights reserved. 53:3), would be the one stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God (Isa. For example, what does your congregation already know about the doctrine of the Holy Spirit? This witness would begin in Jerusalem, but would spiral outward in concentric circles to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8; compare Isa. He will come again as he left, fully God and fully man (Acts 1:11). 7:12), but it does not enable people to do what it demands. No one is so far removed that God cannot redeem them. Nothing is more prominent in Acts than the spread of the gospel. Take a moment now to ask for the Lords blessing and help as you continue in this study of Acts. If we have put our faith in Christ, God sees us as pure, and how God sees things is how they truly are. 3. SELFLESS LOVE MOTIVATED BY THE GOSPEL. Review again the notes that you have written, and reflect again on the key themes that the Lord has been teaching you about himself and about his Word. 11:3) or by using his prophets to literally raise the dead (1 Kings 17:1922; 2 Kings 4:3435). Then all people will, either willingly or regretfully, acknowledge his sovereignty (Phil. for all who are far off (Acts 2:39). preaching, 5000 people were converted in just one of their preaching. 22:1618; compare Matt. The triumphant march of the gospel mission in the book of Acts is detailed in several summary statements that Luke sprinkles throughout the narrative (Acts 2:47; 5:11, 14; 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 13:49; 16:5; 19:20). Each new group of believers is marked by the Holy Spirit, who creates such a distinctive community that others are drawn in, experiencing Gods grace. 3:17 and Titus 1:59). KINGDOM OF GOD. In Acts 9:20, Jesus is called the Son of God. One layer of meaning here may highlight the deity of Christ. Acts 4. c. Paul's life was placed in danger many times for preaching the Gospel on. 5:21). In Acts 21:2736, the Jews attack Paul and distort both what he said and what he did. But they learn that this is not yet the time to look for Jesus to return. Take a moment also to look back through this unit of study, reflecting on some key things that the Lord may be teaching you and noting things to review again in the future. The first to levy such charges are, as here, those who are zealous to keep and compel religious commands. In this progression we see the ever-expanding scope of the gospel. Paul knows that the grace of God is more powerful than any laws, commands, or threats to motivate and build up his people, and he desires that they continue to live under the grace of God that has been poured out for them. The previous section of Acts recorded the conversion of the gospels fiercest opponent, Saul, into its greatest missionary. Those who come to Jesus will find that his yoke is lighter, not because he demands less, but because Jesus bears the load for us. Luke continually defends this claim in Acts. There is only one God, only one king. Take time to reflect on the implications of Acts 2 for your own life today. 23:1521; Deut. . The law of Moses gave temporary provision for sin by instituting priests to mediate between God and his people, but the law could not lead to eternal and ultimate forgiveness. The Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, who is at work in applying the finished work of Christ in the lives of Gods people. This is what we see here at Lystra: In light of the power of God that Paul displayed, the people of Lystra begin to offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas. 53:3), would be the one stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God (Isa. Why, Paul asks, is it thought incredible that God raises the dead, when he has always had the power to do so? Look at Acts 4:24 and Acts 4:2628. 5:2223). To continue your study of the Bible, we would encourage you to consider other books in the Knowing the Bible series, and to visit www.knowingthebibleseries.org for print copies or www.thegospelcoalition.org/courses for reading online. Before his ascension, Jesus promises his apostles that they will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to be his witnesses (Acts 1:68). Peter begins his famous Pentecost sermon with an extensive reference to the Old Testament, focused on a citation from the prophet Joel, who predicted that Gods Spirit would be poured out in the last days, the days before the final judgment (the day of the Lord). Peters point in Acts 15:11 is that all are saved only by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. But because of this, we may miss some of the meaning in our reading of Scripture. As Peter declared, We will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus (Acts 15:11). In Acts 13:34, Saul and Barnabas are sent out by the Holy Spirit. Sin is anything (whether thoughts, actions, or attitudes) that does not express or conform to the holy character of God as shown forth in his moral law. REDEMPTIVE HISTORY. Clearly, there is enormous need to teach about prayer and the doctrine of the Holy Spirit to the folks in our pews. A great sheet descends on earth from heaven. 15:20). When spelled in the OT with small capital letters (Lord) it translates Hebrew, Transliteration of the Greek for anointed one (equivalent to Hebrew. Acts 4:1-31, 11. (For further background, see the ESV Study Bible, pages 20732079, available online at www.esvbible.org.). 2:8). The grace of God is fruitful and effective, and we see God taking the initiative to spread his grace to ever-expanding numbers of people. What Peter tells Corneliuss household he tells us as well: that God shows no partiality, but freely receives all who believe in his Son, Jesus Christ. Acts Sermon Series | Renton Bible Church We believe that faithful proclamation of the gospel is what our hostile and disoriented world needs. This is the message of the gospel. Our will is not a deciding factor (Rom. The Pharisees were frequently criticized by Jesus for their legalistic and hypocritical practices. Up to this time, individual Gentiles had been saved by becoming a part of the people of God represented by the nation of Israel (e.g., Ruth and Rahab). The great difference between the prophets of old and Jesus is that they spoke of the Righteous One to come, whereas Jesus is that Righteous One. Acts 2:1-16, 4. Consider especially the grace of God. In Peters first sermon, an important theological teaching comes into view: Jesus is Lord (Acts 2:36; compare Rom. 3:16; Heb. . ). They are compelled by the love of Christ (2 Cor. (For further background, see the ESV Study Bible, pages 21142117, available online at. 8:23, where the word messenger is the same Greek word apostoloi; and see Phil. Then review the following questions concerning this section of Acts and write your own notes on them. They are compelled by the love of Christ (2 Cor. 8:23, where the word messenger is the same Greek word. 10:9; 1 Cor. Stephen concludes his speech with a direct attack on the Jewish authorities (Acts 7:5153), arguing that they, like the Jewish leaders of old, have persecuted and rejected Gods prophets. That word occurs only nine times in the New Testament, with seven times in Acts and the other two in Pauls letters as he recalls the manner in which he preached (Eph. Let's Read the Bible! Stephen turns to the golden era of Israel, the days of David and Solomon, to make the point that the Jews have mistakenly associated Gods presence only with the temple. They were written to provide certainty concerning the things that had been revealed to Luke and others about what Jesus did and taught (Luke 1:14; Acts 1:15). 53:5). 5:16). 7:712). Thank God For Our Freedom. He willingly took this injustice for our sake, because we all like sheep have gone astray; we have turnedevery oneto his own way (Isa. It is not a book about evangelism, discipleship, church leadership, or missions as such. Acts 13:4647 is perhaps where Paul officially turns toward the Gentiles, sparking his ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named (Rom. Staff is centered in Nashville, Tennessee, but we also have staff at locations across the United States. Like Moses, Jesus delivers his people from slavery; but whereas Moses deliverance only saved the Israelites from physical peril, Jesus delivers us from the slavery of sin and death (Gal. . TRINITY. The response of the Gentile believersjoyshows that they hardly view these requirements as burdensome. The Jewish traditions of purity made it virtually impossible for Jews to associate with Gentiles without becoming ritually unclean. a. The gospel expands not through human strength but through the power of God over significant barriers of geography, ethnicity, culture, language, gender, wealth, persecutions, weaknesses, suffering, sickness, and imprisonments. What does Paul say God is commanding everyone to do (Acts 17:30)? Paul bases his hope on Gods raising of Jesus, which he sees as the final fulfillment of Gods promises through the Law and the Prophets. This idolatrous desire proves to be Herods undoing. Jesus points his disciples back to the promise of God to give the Spirit and forward to the fulfillment of this promise in Acts 2. It is no accident that the Ethiopian eunuch is reading from Isaiah 53 in Acts 8:3233. . It reveals how essential unity within the church is to God, and how seriously God takes deceit that threatens that unity. . Then review the following questions concerning this section of Acts and write your own notes on them. An Acts-based sermon series can help your core group embrace empowerment by the Holy Spirit. The lie is saying that Christians disobeyed Caesar. The book of Acts does not primarily provide human patterns to emulate or avoid. . Since Jesus reigns supreme, he is the one to approach with our needs. The Jews, entrenched in their strict version of monotheism, reject the claim of Jesus lordship as blasphemy. 31:8; compare Josh. In the incarnation of Christ, God came to dwell among us, taking on flesh so that we may truly call him Immanuel, God with us (John 1:14; Matt.
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