Sermons on Acts
Jesus, King of Kings
This message focuses on the end of the book of Acts in Rome, the center of power for the Roman Empire. There is attention to Paul’s speaking the message of Jesus at the centers of power, with some reference to his previous proclamation to the Sanhedrin, Felix, and Festus after his arrest in Jerusalem. Sermon Outline Because Jesus is the King of kings, He is also Lord of our life, which gives us a story to share. The Story Summarized…
Jesus, King of Love
This message focuses on Paul’s voyage toward Rome and his service in love of people along the way, during the shipwreck, and the resulting visit to Malta. Paul proclaims and embodies the Gospel. (Acts 27-28) Sermon Outline “For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!” (Acts 28:30-31) Love Under Arrest…
Jesus, King of Joy
This message focuses on Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, including the confrontation with evil and idolatry, as well as the riot in Ephesus because the gospel was disrupting both spiritual and economic forces. (Acts 19:1-41) Sermon Outline “John’s Baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the coming after him, that is, in Jesus. On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 19:4-5) Power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7)…
Jesus, King of Peace
This message focuses on Paul’s ministry in Athens, including his contextualized evangelism, his connection with philosophers and artists, and the peace brought by Christ into the God-shaped hole of the altar to an unknown God. (Acts 17:16-34) Sermon Outline “For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going…
Jesus, King of Hope
This message focuses on Paul and Silas’ ministry in Philippi, including God’s deliverance of them from prison and the hope that is brought to the Philippians jailer and his family through Christ. (Acts 16) Sermon Outline “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken.” (Acts 16:25-26a) Introduction Advent Our series, “Jesus, King of…
Barnabas: The Son of Encouragement
This message looks at Barnabas, the son of encouragement, giving particular attention to his ministry to the church in Jerusalem, his ministry to Saul who becomes the Apostle Paul, and his ministry in and from the church in Antioch. (Acts 4:36-37; 9:26-28; 11:22-30; 12:25-13:3) Sermon Outline “Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.” (Acts 4:36-37) Who…
Peter: God’s Good News Vision
This message looks at Peter’s unique paradigm shift through a vision from God that leads toward the inclusion of the Gentiles in God’s new community. His vision on the rooftop in Joppa, his visit to the centurion Cornelius, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, his explanation of his actions, and perhaps a reference to the Jerusalem Council. (Acts 10:1-11:18) Sermon Outline “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the…
Philip: Moved by the Holy Spirit
This message looks at Philip as an example of someone who is given unique spiritual gifts and abilities/skills that are used by God. His work in Samaria, his work with the Ethiopian eunuch, his ministry in Gaza, and the movement of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:1-40) Sermon Outline “Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” (Acts 8:35) Philip Proclaimed the Messiah (Acts 8:5) People were set free from the bondage…
Stephen: A Heart for God
This message looks at Stephen as an example of someone who has a unique heart or passion for God. His witness, his persecution and martyrdom, his vision of Jesus. (Acts 6:8-7:60; Psalm 139:13-14; Various) Sermon Outline “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.” (Acts 6:8) What’s Worth Dying For? The background of persecution for the early church (Acts 4:1-31) The situation confronting Stephen (Acts 6:8-15) The events that follow…
Raised and Released
This message will explore the selection of the deacons in response to the needs of the church in Jerusalem, enabling the apostles to stay focused on their ministry but also releasing others into ministry. (Acts 6:1-8) Sermon Outline “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.” (Acts 6:1) Family Tensions (Acts 6:1) With all the good…
Radically Generous
This message will explore the life of the Jerusalem Church, whose generosity was shocking and surprising, even in the face of persecution. (Acts 4:32-5:16) Sermon Outline “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.” (Acts 4:32) The Radical Generosity of the Early Jesus Movement (Acts 4:32-37) Generosity as the overflow of God’s radical generosity to us in Jesus A movement devoted to…
A Message on the Move
This message will focus on the Gospel proclamation and healing by Peter and John at the beautiful gate in Jerusalem, and the resulting pressure that came on the early Christians. This reflects our mission to “proclaim and embody the love of Jesus Christ.” (Acts 3:1-4:31) Sermon Outline Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When…