Sermon Series: Acts - The Age of Action
Listen to an overview of Acts by Dan Houze, Feb 3, 2008.
THE AGE OF ACTION
Key Passage: Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Introduction: The 8 Themes of Acts
- The Worldwide Mission of the Church (Acts 1:8)
- The Divine Purposes of God
- The Power of the Holy Spirit
- Restored Israel
- The Inclusive Gospel
- Faithful Followers and Witnesses
- The Church's Relationship to the World
- The Triumph of the Gospel
Take Away: If God shows He has the power to change the world through the lives of the flawed but faithful imagine what He could do through you/us.
1. Would you describe our church's life as action or maintenance?
2. What aspects of the early church do you wish to see expressed more in our church? In your own life?
3. To get the most out of Acts, what will you put into it?
Acts 1: Awaiting the Father's Promised Gift
Hear the audio recording by Dan Houze, February 8, 2008.
- 1:1-5, The introduction of book and instruction from Jesus to "wait for the gift my Father promised."
- 1:6-8, The missional call of Christ
- 1:9-11, The ascension of Jesus
- 1:12-26, The time of prayer, preparation and rest
Take Away: It is in the waiting on God that fresh vision is born or renewed.
Acts 2: The Birth of the Church
Listen to the audio recording by Dan Houze, February 17, 2008.
THE AGE OF ACTION
The Birth of the Church
1. (2:1-13) The Coming of the Holy Spirit
"Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, ‘What does this mean?' Some, however, made fun of them and said, ‘They have had too much wine.'" (vv.12-13)
- When God is moving how do you respond?
Four major emphasis of Pentecost:
- The church is now empowered for its mission
- Just a Pentecost was the festival of firstfruits, so these are the "firstfruits" of the harvest of the Spirit
- The spiritual harvest doesn't culminate at Pentecost. It begins there and continues in ever-widening circles to the "ends of the earth."
- The pouring out of the Spirit inaugurated the final period in God's plan of salvation for the world. The Spirit is the sign of these final times.
2. (2:14-41) The Impact of the Holy Spirit on Peter
"Brothers, I can tell you confidently..." (v.29a)
- What change in yourself would you attribute directly to the work of the Holy Spirit?
3. (2:42-47) The Impact of the Holy Spirit on the Church Community
Four practices Christ-followers should be devoted to:
- Teaching
- Fellowship
- Breaking of bread
- Praying
"They devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer...All the believers were together and had everything in common." (vv. 42,44)
- What do your plans reveal about what you are most devoted to?
Take Away: The unity and mission of our church is held together and guided by the Holy Spirit and lies at the heart of our life together.
Acts 3 & 4
Hear the audio recording of Dan Houze, February 24, 2008.
THE AGE OF ACTION
3:1-10, Healing of the Lame man.
QUESTION: What are some practical ways to communicate to others that God sees them?
3:11-26, Peter's sermon
QUESTION: Where do you find your greatest struggle, in seeing the value of all people or confidence in your declaration of truth?
4:1-21 Peter and John in court
- Verses 1-4 they are seized.
- Verses 5-12 before the Sanhedrin
- Verses 13-22, The Sanhedrin responds.
- Verses 23-31, The Response of the church to persecution.
Take Away: We should daily be asking God for a clear message, proclaimed with confidence, and empowered by the Divine.
Acts 4 & 5
Listen to the audio recording by Dan Houze, March 2, 2008.
THE AGE OF ACTION
4:32-27, HOLDING LOOSELY TO THE WORLD
QUESTION: Why does generosity contribute to the unity of the church? How can you contribute?
5:1-11, "HOLDING TOO TIGHTLY TO THE WORLD
QUESTION: Why was this deception, which seems to have hurt no one, so drastically disciplined by God?
Verses 1-3 Holding too tightly exposed the community of believers to three dangers:
- Presenting a false self in the community
- "Lying to the Spirit" belied or falsified or denied the Spirit's presence in the community in whom they said they had placed they're trust.
- Provided a foothold for Satan into the community of believer's
Take Away: The church can only thrive as the people of God if it lives within the total trust of its members.
Acts 5:11-42
Unfortunately, the sixth sermon in this series on Acts 5:11-42 is not available as an audio recording.
Acts 6:1-7
Hear the message by Dan Houze, March 30, 2008.
Acts 6:1-7
1. The Apostles heard the complaint.
Jeremiah 6:14, “My people are broken—shattered!—and they put on band-aids, saying, ‘It’s not so bad. You’ll be just fine.’ But things are not ‘just fine!’”
Proverbs 25:20, “Singing songs to the heavyhearted is like pouring salt into their wounds.”
2. The Apostles recruited the complainants as part of the solution.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, (From The Message)
I Corinthians 12:24b-26 (NIV)
3. The Apostles still led the process.
I Peter 5:2-3 (NIV)
4. The result was unity.
Ephesians 4:3, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Proverbs 16:22, “Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it.”
“True intelligence is a spring of fresh water.”—The Message
Question: What part do you usually play in conflicts, “salt in the wound” or “fountain of life”?
Question: Is the unity of the church family something you consider a personal responsibility? Why or why not?
TAKE AWAY: Resolution and unity are always possible through commitment to Biblical solutions.
Acts 6:8-15
Message by Dan Houze, April 6, 2008.
THE AGE OF ACTION
James 4:1-3, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives…”
Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it.”
TAKE AWAY: As long as we tenaciously grip God’s resources we will not only withstand destructive temptations, but like our friend Stephen we can be people “full of God’s grace and power.”
Two Questions:
1. Where have you placed your confidence this morning? In your own heart, your own wisdom?
2. Christ-followers, has the Spirit revealed a place of self-deception in your heart this morning? What will you do with that revelation?
Acts 7 - Stephen's Response to Accusation
Hear Dan's message of April 13, 2008 .
THE AGE OF ACTION
1. Just as Jerusalem moved toward destruction so is our world.
2. God's plans are sometimes only understood from a historical perspective.
3. Dying well is a result of a life well-lived.
TAKE AWAY: Confining God to a certain place, people or program is an act of idolatry.
Question: By observing you would one conclude you are committed to a "man-made" faith or a living relationship? What would be the indications?
Acts 8:1-25
Hear Danny's message of April 20, 2008.
Symptoms of a life influenced by “bitterness”:
1. An obsession with self (vv. 9, 19, 24).
2. An inability to understand truth (vv.13, 18, 21).
3. A pattern of investing oneself and others in lies.
TAKE AWAY: Releasing bitterness frees us from unnecessary baggage and empowers us to be positive change-agents for the Lord.
Acts 8:26-40
Hear Dan's message of April 27, 2008.
REAL WORSHIP
“The twenty four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah! Then the voice came from the throne, saying: Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!
Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and loud peals of thunder, shouting: Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” Rev. 19:4-7
SERMON:
- Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “God has set eternity in the hearts of men."
- Romans 1:20 tells us, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what had been made, so that men are without excuse.”
- Romans 1, verse 21 says this, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
Jesus shaped heart vacuum + God’s creation = Rejection of God.
READ PASSAGE: Acts 8:26-40
What did Philip discover about God? His is “Almighty.” He is almighty …
1. In His call on our lives.
2. In His love for people.
- Isaiah passage for Eunuchs (Isa. 56:3-8)
- Isaiah passage Eunuch was reading (53:7-8)
- John 3:16, For God so loved the world…For God so loved ________ (fill in your name).
3. In His seeing.
- Saw the Ethiopian.
- Genesis 16:7-14, “Well of the Living One who sees me.”
a. Scared/anxious…He sees
b. Confused…He sees
c. Lonely…He sees
d. Searching, like the Ethiopian…He sees
Acts 9:1-18
Hear the message by Dan Houze, May 4, 2008.
WORSHIP TEACHING
Transcendent
1. Superior in quality of achievement
2. Beyond limits of experience
3. Beyond categories
4. Independent of the world, existing outside the material universe and therefore not limited by it.
SERMON
The focus of the Book of Acts is essentially this:
(1) The expansion from Christ, to His apostles, to His church
(2) The geographical expansion from Jerusalem to Rome
(3) The racial expansion from the Jews to the Gentiles.
1. HIS PURPOSES TRANSCEND OUR PLANS.
The mind of a man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9).
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the LORD, it will stand (Proverbs 19:21).
You are resplendent with light, more majestic than mountains rich with game (Psalm 76:4).
He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent (Psalm 104:2).
Who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen (1 Timothy 6:16).
2. HIS KNOWLEDGE OF US TRANSCENDS THE KNOWLEDGE OF OURSELVES.
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life (1 Timothy 1:12-16).
3. HIS TRANSCENDENCE IS REVEALED MOST GREATLY IN GRACE.
8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord (1 Corinthians 15:8-11).
TAKE AWAY: Our priorities reveal what we truly believe about God’s transcendence.
4b If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ, 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. (Philippians 3:4-9)
QUESTIONS:
• Up to this point in your life, is your journey more about your plans or God’s purposes? If more about your plans, what keeps you from seriously considering God’s purposes as a priority… fear, lack of trust, selfishness, etc.?
• What would need to happen for you to change from your purposes to God’s plans…knowing Christ as Savior, knowledge of what the Bible says, humility?
Acts 9:32-43
Hear Dan's message of May 18, 2008.
The believers at Lydda learned they could rest in Jesus in the RED LIGHT days because…
1. He is Lord over life’s most difficult problems.
The believers of Joppa learned they could rest in Jesus because…
2. He is Lord over our ultimate destination, not death.
Take Away: The answer to our problems will always be a Person.
Acts 10
Hear the message of June 1, 2008 by Dan Houze.
Key Verse: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
EXPANSION OF PETER'S HEART TOWARD THE GENTILES
TAKE AWAY: Displaying humility and showing (agape) love to others reveals the presence of God’s grace. Separateness from an attitude of superiority reveals sin.
Question: What would your neighbors sense from your family, a lifestyle of humility and grace or superiority and separateness?
Question: In 2 Peter 3:9b, Peter writes, “He (God) is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” The fact that Peter penned those words tells us his heart expanded for all people. Is there an individual (s) or people group that you need God to expand your heart for?
Question: Are you doing the right thing with one hand but harboring a clinched fist attitude in your heart? Do you have an attitude of a critical spirit, self-righteousness or judgment?
Acts 11
1. Do you ever find yourself having a “splitting” attitude towards others? What can you do today to begin to grow beyond that attitude?
2. List some unspoken (or spoken) un-Biblical prerequisites the church places on people seeking Christ.
3. Have you ever considered that you’re attitude towards others could place you in opposition to God? If necessary would you be willing to ask forgiveness of God and others you may have wronged with your attitude?
WALK AWAY: As a church TLCC is called to recognize, draw out and celebrate the image of God in others.
Acts 11 continued
Listen to Dan Houze's message from Acts 11:19-30 on June 29, 2008.
What one person has encouraged you most in your faith and how has this built your faith?
CAUTION: Sometimes we get ourselves into trouble when trying to keep everyone happy (Galatians 2:11-13).
Principle: When doing the next right thing be sensitive to reactions of others, but don’t allow those reactions to carry weight with you.
Here are some situations where making everyone happy will keep you from doing the right things and growing in maturity and spiritual health:
- Confronting someone
- Firing, laying off, demoting, or reassigning an employee
- Saying no to a request to do something that involves time, energy, money, or other resources
- Saying no to a request because it would not fit with your church’s values or your personal values
- Doing an intervention with someone because of their destructive behavior
- Telling someone they have overstayed their welcome
- Making someone aware of a flaw that they do not see in themselves that is hurting their relationship with others
Proverbs 27:6, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted.” Hurt does not harm.
Proverbs 19:19, “Do not rescue an angry man, lest you have to do it again tomorrow.”
Empathize with others instead of letting them control you. You can respond like this:
“I’m sorry this decision is frustrating to you. I can see it is hard for you to accept.”
“I’m sorry that it feels to you like I don’t care. That must be difficult. But I really hope you can see that I do care.
“I’m sorry it is so frustrating to you that I am making this choice. I hope you can accept that I still care for you even though I’ve decided to do this in this way.”
Jesus said, “Woe to you when all men speak well of you.” (Luke 6:26)
TAKE AWAY: A true encourager will glorify Jesus by seeking the best for others even when painful and unpopular.
QUESTIONS:
1. In what specific ways are you like Barnabas the encourager? How about Barnabas the “people pleaser.”
2. What would you consider to be the evidence of the grace of God in your life? In our church?
Acts 12
Message by Dan Houze, July 6, 2008.
TAKE AWAY: God always delivers His own.
- Who influences your daily decisions more, other people or the Lord? Why?
- Is the motive of your prayer life more for getting what you want from God or aligning your will to his?
- If you were to take your last breath this day would God deliver you from this evil generation to his blessed kingdom or will he deliver you to judgment?
Acts 13-14
Hear Dan's message based on the first missionary journey, July 13, 2008.
THE AGE OF ACTION
The enemies of the follower of Christ in this war are…
SATAN
THE WORLD SYSTEM
THE FLESH
Successfully advancing against the enemies of Christ requires…
- The Holy Spirit. John 16: 13, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.” But scripture also says we can “resist the Spirit” or “grieve the Spirit.”
- The Word of God. 2 Tim. 3:16, “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
- Mentors and brothers and sisters.
TAKE AWAY: Serving the Lord loyally requires faith, courage and endurance.
1. When you face difficulties how do you decide whether you should tough it out or give up?
2. What area do you need to serve the Lord more completely?
Acts 15
Listen to Dan's message of July 20, 2008.
We see from Paul and Barnabas’ example that coming to a healthy resolution of conflict always takes two things:
1. A willingness to be in conflict
2. Time
Resolution of this important issue required several things of Paul and Barnabas:
- Travel from Antioch to Jerusalem
- An initial public meeting in verse 4
- A private conference between Paul and the key leaders that he writes about in Galatians 2:2
- A second public meeting where the strong Jewish party presents their case (verse 5 and Galatians 2:3-5)
- The final council (v. 6ff) where Peter and Paul give their reports and the final decision is made.
TAKE AWAY: Truth and the defense of truth is the heartbeat of spiritual health and therefore the priority of all relationships.
Question 1: In what ways do you or even our church add on to the gospel in our relationships with those who don’t follow Christ?
Question 2: When it comes to conflicts worth getting into, do you respond more like Paul and Barnabas or Lt. Norman Dike?
Danny's prayer:
O Lord, whether I am accepted or rejected in the eyes of men, may it be based solely on the merits of my relationship with and obedience to my Savior. Then, as Paul before me, I will rejoice always.
Acts 9 Revisited: Brokenness
On July 27 and August 10, 2008, Todd Thompson delivered two messages on Brokenness based on the dramatic conversion of Saul in Acts 9.Acts 16
Acts 16
Felt compassion, grk splancthna, “to feel in the bowels.”
Harassed, can mean “molested”
Helpless or downcast, literally comes from a wrestling term and means “pinned down by force”.
READ CHAPTER 16:1-40
Verses 1-5: Why did Paul circumcise Timothy after his strong stance against it in chapter 15? Is this a double standard?
Verses 6-10: How do you determine if God is “opening” or “closing” a door in your life? Have you ever misread an open or closed door? What did you learn?
Verses 11-15: How did the Lord open your heart to respond to the gospel? What people did he use as part of the process?
Verses 16-40: If you were falsely accused, severely beaten and thrown into a dark dungeon, would you still trust your sense that God had called you to this place? Why or why not?
Why did Paul insist on his rights as a Roman citizen? (Note: This action of Paul’s probably helped diffuse future problems for young Philippian church)
Questions:
1. What are you willing to endure for the opportunity for others to come to know Christ?
2. Do you find that Jesus is changing your heart for people you normally would hold in contempt? Why or why not?
TAKE AWAY: If we are willing to take the right risks and see past lifestyles and attitudes we will continue to see people saved.
Acts 17
Hear Dan's message of August 17, 2008.
TAKE AWAY: To be an effective witness requires us to have the skin of an alligator but a soft heart.
QUESTIONS:
1. Where and with whom do you feel the most intimidated with regard to your faith? How does Paul’s experience at Mars Hill encourage you with those feelings?
2. Everything in our lives is either a tool for God’s kingdom or an idol. As you examine your life what are the tools that you’re using effectively and what are idols that you need to surrender to the Lord?
Acts 18
Hear Dan's message of August 24, 2008.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”—John 1:1
“The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.”—John 6:63
“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, the starry host by the breath of his mouth…For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, at it stood firm.”—Psalm 33:6,9
“Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice…To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding. Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them are crooked or perverse. To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge. Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.”—Proverbs 8:1-11
Is the voice of God just for Apostles and prophets? Can we actually live a lifestyle of hearing God’s voice, if so, how?
1. Listen for God’s voice. This requires a tenacious commitment to solitude on our part.
“Be still and know that I am God.”—Psalm 46:10
2. Seek God’s voice in His word.
“For the word of God living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”—Hebrews 4:12
3. Respond to God’s voice.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what is says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.”—James 1:22-25
TAKE AWAY: God’s nature is to always speak words of life to us but we must be willing to train our hearts to listen.
1. Sometime this week, maybe around the supper table, share as a family a time when you came to the end of your ability to cope. How did God bring encouragement to you during that time?
2. What are tangible ways you can begin to practice solitude in your day?
Acts 18 (continued)
Hear Dan's message of August 31, 2008.
1. A mentor is willing to invest in your life (v. 3, 18).
Benefit: The one being mentored feels valued.
2. A mentor trusts you with valuable things (v. 19).
Benefit: The one being mentored feels empowered.
3. A mentor will address weaknesses that need to be strengthened through vulnerability (v 26b).
Benefit: The one being mentored remains humble and teachable.
4. A mentor endorses your gifts and life (v.27).
Benefit: You desire to do your best.
TAKE AWAY: You can recognize a mature follower of Christ by their investment in others and a growing follower of Christ by their teachable spirit.
QUESTIONS:
1. Would those who know you best describe you as “teachable”? Why or why not?
2. Make a list of the specific advantages to having a mentor. To being a mentor.
Acts 19
Hear Dan's message of Sept 7, 2008.
Three types of people in this passage:
1. Those who are sincere but wrong (1-12)
POINT: A follower of Christ can only lead others where they themselves have been.
2. Those who only dabble in spiritual things (8-20)
POINT: The follower of Christ’s words is only as good as they’re walk.
3. Those whose priorities lead to confusion (21-41)
POINT: A follower of Christ can only model an orderly life by setting the right precedent.
Acts 20
Hear Danny's message of September 14,2008.
Seven Characteristics of Paul’s leadership
1. Paul had a strong sense of his mission and role in that mission.
2. Paul had a strong sense of his priorities.
3. Paul’s life and work is marked by consistency.
4. Paul’s life and work where characterized by balance:
a. Balance between doctrine and lifestyle
b. Balance between mentoring and evangelization
c. Balance in his teaching—“the whole counsel of God” (v.27)
d. Balance in his ministry between Jews and Gentiles
e. Balance between tenderness (tears) and toughness
5. Paul’s ministry reflected a profound grasp of the relationship between strength and weakness (2 Corinthians 12:1-10)
6. Paul’s ministry was characterized by freedom.
a. Freedom from guilt because he fulfilled his ministry at Ephesus
b. Freedom to leave
c. Freedom to live or die (Philippians 1:19-26)
d. Freedom from greed, self-seeking, and self-interest
7. Paul understood the fallibility of people and the faithfulness of God.
The Resilience of a Great Leader (28-31)
• (28a) Practices a personally disciplined life.
• (28b) Sacrificially feeds, leads and protects the flock.
The Rewards of a Great Leader (32-38)
• (32) Enjoys an extra measure of God’s grace
• Enjoys a portion of the inheritance of those they have led
TAKE AWAY: The difference between those who call themselves leaders and truly great leaders is a resilient life and a wake of lives positively impacted for eternity.
QUESTIONS:
1. Which of Paul’s seven character traits do you desire to strengthen in your life?
2. Everyone is a leader in some fashion. Who makes up the “flock” for whom you are responsible? In what specific way can you shepherd them?
Acts 21-26
Hear Danny's message of September 21, 2008.
Acts 21-26
Prioritize in order of importance the goals for your life:
Comfort Peace
Safety Fun
Significance Relationships
Joy Service
Contentment Work
How would those who know you best prioritize your goals?
• Was Paul wrong in going to Jerusalem? Three conclusions
- Paul was out of God’s will
- Spirit led Paul’s friends to see what would happen to Paul as a test of faith to see if Paul would follow through
- His friends saw correctly what would happen to Paul but drew the wrong conclusions about his going
• Reasons Paul pressed on to Jerusalem:
- Understood the “Big Picture” call on his life (9:15-16)
- Understood his ministry would be characterized by suffering and threats from the very beginning
- Paul saw his suffering as a privilege more than a problem (Philippians 3:10)
• Questions to consider when giving or receiving counsel/advice:
- Has there been time for consideration? “Be quick to listen and slow to speak”
- Is the counsel based on principle or subjective feelings? It’s too easy for well-intentioned concern to lead to ill-conceived advice.
- Is the intent of the counsel to avoid suffering or to do what is right?
- Is the advice motivated to look out for self or will it benefit others?
TAKE AWAY: Jesus may not come through for us in the way we wish because he would never choose for us safety at the cost of eternal significance.
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the difference between being “well acquainted with the Way” and being a believer? As others observe your life to which of the two categories would they say you belong?
2. As a follower of Christ do you feel fully alive in your life? Why or why not?
Acts 27
Hear Danny's 27th message in this series, on September 28, 2008.
Acts 27
THE SHIPWRECK
Attitudes that lead to personal shipwrecks:
1. Impatience (9)
2. Listening to the “experts” (11)
3. Discomfort (12)
4. Majority rule (12)
5. Favorable circumstances (13)
The way through personal shipwrecks:
1. Confess and repent (21)
2. Find courage in God’s grace (22-24)
3. Realign your focus to God’s purposes (25)
TAKE AWAY: “Many are the plans of a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purposes that prevail.”—Proverbs 19:21
1. When have you been tempted to bail out of a stormy situation? What happened and what did you learn?
2. What is the greatest pressure you’re facing now? How can the principles of this story help you in your situation? What is God’s part and what is yours?
Acts 28
Hear Danny's final message on October 5, 2008.
Acts 28:25-28
1. Isaiah 6:9-10, the first proclamation of the prophecy against Israel.
2. Matthew 13:14-15, Jesus’ response as to why he teaches in parables.
3. John 12:37-41, near the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
4. Romans 11:7-8, explanation of God’s dealings with Israel and Jewish remnants.
5. Acts 28:25-28
TAKE AWAY: The message of God’s kingdom, the lost and growing in Christ is a mission worthy of casting off our desires for self-interest and self-protection.
QUESTIONS:
1. Which is a better representation of your spiritual walk, verses 26 & 27 or verse 31? Why?
2. In what way (s) would you like to contribute to the movement of God’s kingdom over the next two years?
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