Commanded Apostles whom He had Chosen vs. 2
Acts 1:1-2, Matthew 25:14-30 I: What was His Command? Matthew 28:19-20 1. “If you love me keep my Commandments.” John 14:15 2. “Go ye” His own, his church, every child of God. 3. “Teach all.” Not always in a class room. Where they were when opportunity was presented. 4. “Teach them to observe all things I have commanded you!” 5. “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love another.” Very little work is done where active love for one another is absent. a. “By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples.” John 13:34-35 b. “Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I will command you.” John 15:14 II: Who was the Command Given to? 1. His own (Everyone is a Stewart)....
“But Who Are You?”
Acts 19:8, Cor. 2 11: “A great door and effectual is open unto me.” The difficulties of the situation created the Greatness of the Opportunity. I: The City of Ephesus was A Challenge: 1. A great trade center. 2. A religious city of immoral religious practices. 3. The practice of Magic cast its dark shadows. 4. Here was the Center of Worship of Dian. 5. Wealthy, Profoundly Religious, and Rotten to its core. II: “We Wrestle not against Flesh and Blood…” 1. Here Paul came up against Satan in his Strong Hold. 2. Paul dared not take Financial Aid from the Christians. (No Seller of Magic). Financial gain was the inspiration of all religions of Ephasus. 3. He taught for 2 yrs. in the School of Tyrannies. 4. “God wrought Special...
A More Convenient Time
Acts 24:22-27, James 4:13-14 Felix the Govenor was curious about Paul. I: Felix Disturbed: 1. Felix wanted to hear more about Faith in Jesus Christ. 2. Paul was reasoning from Scripture. 3. Goodness — (Felix cruel and heartless). 4. Self-control (Felix and his lust). 5. Judgment (Felix knew judgment). 6. Felix trembled — fear came upon him as conscience awoke. II: Felix Sought A Better Time – Procrastinated. 1. Felix was counting on tomorrow. 2. Tomorrow unlocked a dungeon of despair for Felix. 3. Felix failed to realize that now was important. 4. For Felix the convenient time never came. III: Felix Had A Secret Hope of Gain and Favor. 1. The possibility of money meant more than a living Christ. 2. The favor of the Jews was more important...
Ye Shall Be Witnesses
Acts 1:1-11, 2:22-33, John 20:30-31, and 21:25 If you were being tried for being a Christian. I: What is A Witness? 1. “One who gives his Testimony to the truth at the expense of his life.” 2. Witness comes from “Mart Us!” Myrter. 3. Jewish Law condemned false witness as well as one that held back part of the truth. 4. One that was there when it happened. “Ye are witnesses of these things.” II: They Witnessed to: 1. Immortality of the soul, Resurrection. 2. Vanity of material things. 3. The satisfying nature of Christianity. 4. Guilt and danger of sinners. 5. Love of Christ. 6. Necessity of the New Birth. III: Every Christian is A Witness. “My business.” 1. We are witnesses for good or bad. 2. If the Courts...
What is Repentance?
Acts 17:30, Luke 13:3, Matt. 3:8, and Heb. 6:1-3 No matter how much one may desire to repent, nor how often he may resolve to repent, unless he actually repents. He is lost because God has made repentance of Prerequisite to Eternal Life. I: Repentance is the Foundation. Heb. 6:1 1. Paul complained at having to preach again the foundation of Repentance. 2. A large house cannot be built on a small weak foundation. 3. Men may repent of many things toward others, but true repentance is toward God. II: Repentance Brings Conviction into Focus. 1. Without Repentance, it is “Pioneers Promise. She is a Drunkards promise to quit next time.” 2. A sick man must know he is sick before he feels his need for a Doctor. 3. Repentance is as Universal as Sin....
“What doth Hinder Me”
Acts 8:26- I: “The Angel of the Lord.” 1. Right in the midst of a revival. 2. When his success might have ruined him. 3. He was asked to leave for a desert place. 4. The eagerness of Philip in preaching to the Eunuch was in contrast to the reluctance of Peter to preach to Cornelius. 5. Philip was not discouraged when Preaching or studying with one! II: “A Man of Ethiopia.” 1. May have been a Jew, a Greek, or Black. 2. Was a man of great power. 3. Was searching for the truth in the word of God. 4. Had failed to find salvation in Jerusalem. a. Where was the teachers of the word of God? b. Where were the Christians? 5. He was willing to be taught! III: “Then the Spirit Said unto Phillip.” 1. The ear must be tuned to the Spirit of...