Spiritual Warfare
Acts 13:4-12 There is something fascinating about the beginning of great things, Mississippi River, Pilgrims at Plymouth. Here we witness the beginning of Missions to the whole World. I: Cyprus, Barnabas, and Saul. 1. Cyprus is a fitting place to preach, 390 miles long. 2. Barnabas had many friends and families he knew. 3. Barnabas had long recognized Saul’s worth. 4. Saul becomes Paul and Barnabas takes 2nd place. 5. The Holy Spirit knew whom to send with Saul of Tarsus to turn him in to Paul, the beloved. II: Sergius Paulus. 1. A thoughtful man and one of prominence. 2. Dissatisfied with the Religions he knew. 3. He wanted to hear these Missionaries. 4. But Elymas withstood them. a. He deliberately tried to stop the truth. b. He stood too loose Material...
“Simoney”
Acts 8:4- I: “Hearing and Seeing.” 1. The hearing was made to mean more by what they saw. 2. Phillip preached Christ with deep conviction. 3. Miracles were performed, unclean Spirits came out, Palsy cured and Lame were healed. 4. “Great joy in that city!” Where people find full surrender to Christ, there is great joy. II: “But There was A Certain Man.” vs. 9 1. Simon the Sorcerer. 2. Claimed he was some great person. (These Sorcerers were common in the Roman Empire). 3. He was used to the people following him. 4. He enjoyed being like a God to the people. 5. Simon was wise enough to know he was about to lose his power over the people. 6. He joined the crowd but missed the personal contact with Jesus. 7. His motives before and...
“Saul, Saul, Why?”
Acts 9:1-9, 22:1-10, and 26:9-15 The 9th Chapter of Acts should open with “But” a contrast to what the 8th Chapter has been saying. I: “Breathing out Threatenings.” 1. Once he stood watching now he leads the pact. 2. To destroy the Church was his very breath. 3. He voted for their death and helped persecute them from place to place. 4. Paul himself said later he was “exceedingly mad.” 5. Never was he able to wipe these wicked things form his mind. WAS GOD ASLEEP? II: “At Midday … I Saw.” Acts 26:13 1. Saul thought he was serving God. 2. Jesus was an Impostor. 3. With anger and murder he journeyed. 4. “I saw a light.” “I am the Light of the World.” 5. “He heard a voice.” 6....
“Saul, Phillip, and Simon”
Acts 8:1-25 The martyrdom of Stephen created a crisis in the Church and city. Jerusalem ceased to be the center of interest and activity of the Church’s Mission. I: “And Saul:” 1. Saul consenting to Stephens death. 2. The clothes of those who killed Stephen laid at his feet. 3. Who is this man Saul? a. Years later he said he was the Chief of Sinners. b. “Circumcised on the 8th day of the Tribe of Benjamin, of the stock of Israel, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, as touching the Law of a Pharisee, as touching zeal, persecuting the Church.” 3. He was the 1 chosen to stamp out the blaze of Evangelism. II: “They that were Scattered.” 1. “Went everywhere preaching the Word.” 2. Those that were scattered were plain Church...
Power for the Task
Acts 1:8, John 14:15-23, and 16:6-14 I: God’s Plan to Evangelize: 1. Ye shall receive power. This isn’t a human task to be done by Man’s Power. 2. “Ye shall be witnesses.” No option. If we have the power to be witnesses. 3. The task to begin at home. If 1 can’t be a good witness at home, he will not be 1 away from home. 4. To the uttermost part of the Earth: If our compassion and witnessing stops at home, we don’t have God’s plan in our hearts. 5. The equipment for the task would be the Holy Spirit. II: The Day of Pentecost. 1. A red letter day in the Church. 2. God demonstrated His power to use the Christians and convict the Sinners. 3. Pentecost is the beginning of the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church. 4....
Paul’s Darkest Night
Acts 21:15 – 23:12 I: Paul’s Return to Jerusalem. 1. A Bearer of good news. 2. A Bearer of Financial Help from the Gentile Churches. 3. “The brothers gave us a warm welcome.” 4. The Jude an Christians Hostility. 5. They gave Paul his greatest hostility. 6. Prejudice was the weakness of the Jerusalem Church. II: “Israelite s to the Rescue!” 1. They jumped to a conclusion. (Their favorite exercise). 2. A wild tumult followed an attempt to kill Paul. 3. The Roman Commander, Claudius came to the rescue. 4. Paul felt again the breath of Death and Jail. III: Paul and His Circumstances, (Night in Jail). 1. The failures of the day. 2. His claim of sincerity insulted. 3. His testimony rejected. 4. A band of 40 men bound by oath to kill...