Men Who Dare for God
Acts 15:22-29, Heb. 11:32-40 Our trouble today is Pygmies in a world of crisis. Dr. Theodore Speers said on Aug. 11, 1946, at the Central Presbyterian Church: Much of the World’s Misery is caused by childish adults, self conscious, self-important, unwillingness to accept responsibility, always present to throw sand in the wheels of progress and growth. (R.G. Lee’s description of Mediocrity — pg. 129) Mr. Woods-worth on Mediocrity in Religion: “Shallow streams of piety that flows on Sabbath Days a fresher course.” Vance Harner: “Salvation has become a night cap instead of a helmet. We have those in our churches who have plenty of sentiment but no sacrifice; who sing lustily in the World all week, the kind of people who, when...
Messengers of the Good News
Acts 8:4-8 I: “They that Were Scattered.” 1. These were blood bought slaves. 2. They had of their own free wills chosen to be servants of Christ. 3. Everything was to come under His control. 4. They had witnessed miracles and some had seen Jesus after the Resurrection. 5. They had witnessed a tremendous growth in the local Church. 6. They were commissioned to tell the whole world about Jesus. II: “Scattered.” 1. “At that time there was great persecution against the church.” 2. Their peaceful waters were stirred. 3. What they would not do willingly, God allowed Satan to make them willing. God’s people are always in danger of complacency. 4. People were dying in Sin while their people kept the good news from them. III:...
Not Now
Acts 24:1-24 I: Paul on Trial before Felix: 1. The High Priest came with others. 2. Their burning desire was to see Paul killed. 3. They brought an Orator Tertulles to speak for them. 4. Paul accused of being: “A Pestilent disturber of the peace, Nazareth sect.” “He was on the point of discerning the Temple.” 5. Paul’s defense: No flattery of Felix, his personal testimony, his denial of the accusations. He accused the Jews of falling short of Gods Will for them. 6. Felix adjourned the Case. II: 2 Men on Trial: 1. Felix “Happy” was a freed slave that exercised the authority of a King with the Spirit of a slave. He was cruel and immoral. 2. Felix was a man of Perpetual Compromise. 3. Felix trembled while Paul reasoned with...
Exhortint Them to Continue
Acts 14:21-28 I: “They Returned.” 1. Before them lay the shortest route home. Behind them were miles of dangerous roads. 2. Before them were friendly cities. Behind them lay hostile cities. 3. Before them was Christians of Maturity and proven faith. Behind them were small bands of immature Christians surrounded by hostile neighbors. 4. Before them was the Home Church. Behind them were Christians who must be organized into churches. 5. Only the Love of God turned them back to the path that nature rebelled against. “They became fools for Christ’s sake!” II: Comfirming the Souls of the Disciples. 1. Confirm “To make firm, add strength to settle, to bind, strengthen in habit, to make certain, strengthen the recipient in Christian...
Early New Testament Churches
The Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven are the same. The Church and the Kingdom aren’t the same. Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of God 112 times, but only 2 times of the Church. The Church is thee divine agency for promoting the Kingdom. The Word Church was never used to refer to a house of worship. 117 times the Church is mentioned in the New Testament, 19 times in Acts, 62 times in the Epistles of Paul, once in Hebrews, once in James, and 23 times in the writings of John. Acts 6:1-7 I: No Complete History of Growth: 1. Many Churches in 1st century (500,000 Christians). 2. Meet in Homes, Temples, etc. 3. No distinctive name but designated by the city in which they were. 4. No definite plan of organization. 5. Jerusalem seemed to be the Mother Church. Acts...
Contrary Winds
Acts 27:1-44 I: “So We came to Rome.” 1. If we had no way of knowing the end of Paul’s journey, we would have said, “He will never make it.” 2. Paul must witness at Rome and couldn’t die at Sea. 3. Not even a 14 day storm at Sea could stop him. 4. Man, Beast, and Elements couldn’t stop him. II: Popular Opinion and Paul’s Opinion. 1. Popular Opinion: a. This place isn’t fit to Winter in. b. A gentle wind deceived them. c. They lost their anchor and sailed. 2. Paul believed it unwise to follow such a course. III: The North Eastern: 1. Caught them and took them out to Sea. 2. Danger of loss of ship and life. 3. 14 days and nights of fear. 4. Man’s hearts failed for fear. IV: “There Stood by Me this...