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...
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...