ACTS CHURCH ON FIRE PART 11CAN GOD USE SOMEONE LIKE ME?
Reading: Acts 9 v1-19 Can God Use Someone Like Me? Paul wasn’t a super-saint. He had a dark past and had normal flaws. None of things you and I see as obstacles, are obstacles for God. The testimony of Paul’s life proves it! Your PAST Is No Obstacle for God. Three records of your past floating around: Carried In your own mind. Beware the negative narratives we build about ourselves from shame/embarrassment. Carried by people who knew you before you…
ACTS CHURCH ON FIRE Part 10: A Good Death
Acts: Recap (Acts Chs. 6 & 7) Different Jobs, Same Power (Acts 6v8) While Stephen was not an apostle, he was a Spirit Filled disciple of Jesus, filled with grace and wisdom. The same powerful Spirit is available to you, wherever you serve the Lord. Religion, Religion Everywhere! (Acts 6 v9-14) Throughout the Roman era, thousands of diaspora Jews returned to Jerusalem. Jerusalem had over 480 synagogues! These groups of returned Jews were particularly strict and full of bigotry. They…
ACTS Church On Fire – Part 9″A Dollar, A Devil And A Dead Man.”
Scripture: Acts 5v1-11 Testing God: Lying to The Church & the Holy Spirit. They didn’t just lie to Peter and the church family – they offended God. The entire community could have suffered due to Ananias’s and Sapphira’s actions. God held all of Israel responsible for Achan’s singular act. Joshua 7v11 Greed & Pride “Look at me!” Satan had filled Ananias and Sapphira with the desire for recognition as “big givers.” Jesus warns us to avoid practicing piety in order…
ACTS Church On Fire Part 8: Extraordinary Community: Extravagant Generosity
The Believers Share Their Possessions Acts 4v32-37 A Tale Of 2 Temples Herod’s temple: an imposing cathedral. Jesus’ temple: His people. The early church Jesus approached life in a radical new way. John 15v12-14 The Way of Jesus is to lay down your life. John 13v34-35 The Way of Jesus is to live by the law of love. 1 John 4v10-12 The Way of Jesus is to love the way God loves. Matthew 20v28 The church’s mission is to introduce…
ACTS COF Part 7: Get Back in the Ring!
Knocked Down! How would YOU respond if someone criticized you for witnessing for Jesus? What if you got knocked down or threatened for your zeal for God? Acts 4v23-31 – The Believers Pray How would you respond if someone accused you of witnessing to Christ “too strongly?” Defensive? Shrink Back? Pray for more boldness? Peter and John Return Home After Facing Opposition. Like Jesus, these apostles boldly preached a gospel of repentance (Acts 2v14-36), healed the lame (Acts 3v1-10), and…
Acts Church On Fire Part 6: Holy Boldness!
Scripture: Acts 4 v1-22. Boldness… When I say the word, “boldness”, what comes to your mind? In this week’s passage, Peter demonstrates a Holy Spirit-produced boldness. Peter Shows His Boldness. Boldness to do something that only could be done with God’s help. Are there any areas in your life where you are stepping out in faith and unless God intervenes, it will not work? Boldness to speak the truth to the Sanhedrin: “Jesus, the one YOU killed and…
Acts Church On Fire Part 5: “Get Up!”
When God Delays… (READ Acts 3 Vv1-10) Have you ever called on the Lord to move in your life, but He did not respond when or how you wanted Him to? The Man In Our Story Was Lame From Birth… Because of his condition, he was not even permitted into the Temple to worship God. The temple gate “beautiful” was a cruel, constant reminder that he was not one of the “beautiful” people. What Happens When We Feel Like God…
For We Are God’s Masterpiece
God’s Workmanship Ephesians 2V10 For we are Go’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God Prepared in advance for us to do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEn5hUxI2lk&t=5s
ACTS: Church on Fire Part 4 – Repentance and Responsibility
Scripture: Acts 2 v37-41 Acts 2v38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” What is Repentance? Devout Jewish people believed in God, but still needed to repent! -More than just believing in God. (James 2v19) -More than sorrow for sin. (Judas- Matthew 27v1-5) -More than a resolve to “do better.” (Wages of sin =…
Acts Part 2: Holy Spirit FIRE
Ac 2:1-13 Holy Spirit Fire Falls “Have a prayer meeting in Jerusalem and wait there.” Jesus kept His word! Why Were There Tongues Of Fire When The Believers Received The Holy Spirit? Fire symbolizes God’s presence. When the right things are present – you get God’s fire. Fire Falls in the temple: Moses: Leviticus 9v24, Solomon: 2 Chronicles 7v1 YOU are the temple of the Holy Spirit! 1 Corinthians 6v19, Romans 8v9 Fire symbolizes God’s passion. Acts 4v31 “After…