ACTS 6:7 The Bride's Wedding Preparations!

SERIES #11: ACTS OF THE APOSTLES - Witnesses to Jerusalem
TOPIC: Bride (of Christ); church health, church growth, faithfulness, persecution, Satan

TITLE: Bride’s Wedding Preparations - Satan’s Playpen!
TEXT: Acts 6:7 (1-7)

“The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.”

[H. A. Ironside] In chapter six “we see … vividly Satan's two master methods by which … he has endeavored to hinder the progress of the work of God.

“In the first half … we see him endeavoring to hinder by inward dissension; in the other half by outward persecution (Stephan’s martyrdom) ….

“When dissension is checked within, then Satan's work is hindered without, and the work of God goes on in great power and blessing.” [Lectures on the Book of Acts, p. 151, 158]

[John R. W. Stott] “We’ve now seen … three tactics which the devil employed … to destroy the church.

“First, he tried through the Jewish authorities, to suppress it by force

Secondly through the married couple Ananias and Sapphira, to corrupt it by hypocrisy; and

Thirdly through some … widows to distract it … from prayer and preaching, and so expose it to error and evil.

“If he had succeeded in any of these attempts, the new community of Jesus [might] have been annihilated in its infancy.” [The Spirit, The Church, and The World, p. 124]

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How do we see the Bride's responses to the three tactics mentioned by Stott?
CONCISE OUTLINE

I. DURING THE PERIOD OF FORCE AND INTIMIDATION
II. DURING THE PERIOD OF CORRUPTION BY HYPOCRISY
III. DURING THE PERIOD OF INTERNAL DISSENSION

TRUTH CLAIMS/CONTEXT: Verses 1-6 describe a simple controversy within the bridal party. Verse 7 is the first of six supplemental postscripts proclaiming the bride’s vitality.

Before the arrival of the devil’s fiery darts there had been one other event worthy of note.

The Lord’s commission to the Bride in chapter one, verse eight …

“you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

The question, from the beginning, is the faithfulness of the Bride to the Bridegroom ...

How did she do in the time following:

“but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” [1:8a]

“These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer” [1:14]

Then Peter preached and about 3000 were added that day [2:41]

Then Scripture says …

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.…

“And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Acts 2:42-43, 47b

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How do we see the Bride's responses to the three tactics of the devil mentioned by Stott?
EXPANDED OUTLINE

I. DURING THE PERIOD OF FORCE AND INTIMIDATION

First, the devil tried to use the Jewish authorities, to suppress her by force and intimidation (i.e., intimidation by civil and religious leaders).

Then arrives the intense persecution of Peter, John, and the lame beggar [Ch. 3, 4].

Satan looked to his bench and saw all of the religious leaders of the Temple and the City of Zion [3:5-6].

There's no question, great damage has been done to the Bride by the manhandling of religious leaders and civil authorities; but, in the end, it’s all about how the Bride responded to threats.

When I think of contemporary church leadership, it’s hard to get by those who’ve fallen this past year or two, or get beyond those preaching a perverted, powerless gospel.

A gospel without grace, shed blood, repentance, hell, and a risen Savior - this is not Good News!

It’s not just themselves who are hurt but their flocks and their families who suffer … innocents abound. Friends the Bride must be vigilant concerning her leaders …

So how did the "Authentic Church" do under this threat?

“But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.”

Acts 4:4

II. DURING THE PERIOD OF CORRUPTION BY HYPOCRISY

Secondly the devil tried to stop the Bride through Ananias and Sapphira; attempting to corrupt her by hypocrisy.

The whole world watches the Bride to see how she deals with issues and people; this was not less watched; the viper “hypocrisy” has buried not a few churches and church leaders.

How did things turn out for her?

“And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.”

“And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number …”

Acts 5:11, 14

The Bride is “in the world, but not of the world”; yet today she continues to become more and more like the world ... and in the process less and less powerful (unlike the authentic church in Acts).

Consider the two hypocrites, Ananias and Sapphira, here, holding back from the Lord; then consider the 3% to 10% reality of the Bride’s current tithing habits. Is our holding back any less condemning than theirs?

We are all deserving of a death sentence; remember, it’s all about the Bride’s response to threat.

III. DURING THE PERIOD OF INTERNAL DISSENSION

Thirdly the devil attacked through some Hellenist widows to distract her leaders … from prayer and preaching, and so expose her to error and evil.

How successful was he?

“The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.”

Acts 6:7

Probably the most painful and damaging of all the devil’s devices are those “who spreads strife among brothers” [cf. Proverbs 6:16-19].

From Genesis to today we see Satan plying his trade in duplicity, backbiting, tale-bearing, guile, deceit, disbelief, dissemblance, gossiping, politics, manipulation, apostasy, and heresy.

In spite of the lessons of the history of the engagement period we see generation after generation of Christians walking in denial – NIMC ("Not In My Church"; a play on the colloquial acronym NIMB - "Not In My Backyard").

Well folks, these people belong to somebody’s church ... remember it’s all about how the Bride responds.

APPLICATION: In closing out his comments on this passage, Ironside asked his people …

“My brethren, is there not something here that ought to speak to every one of our hearts? Are you praying for a revival and blessing in the Church of God? Do you ever go into the presence of God and say, ‘Lord, revive me; is there something in me that hinders a revival; has this mouth of mine been working overtime to hinder the work of the Spirit of God?’

“If we have, we may all say, ‘God, give me grace to judge it in the presence of the Lord, that the Holy Spirit may have free course and the Word go forth with great power.”

More to the point, let’s contextualize this …

• Are there not “Hellenists” among us?
• Are there not needs here, in San Carlos, at this time, in this place with these people?
• Shouldn’t we “select from among [ourselves] men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of [these tasks]”?

Your elders and deacons will be looking for you to answer that question!

“is [it] desirable for [your leadership] to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables”?

CHALLENGE: The entire scope of today's message deals with the Bride’s preparation for the day her Bridegroom will come to take her to His Father’s house. And the question that must be answered is this: We know how she responded in the to those who would disrupt her preparations for that great day in the records of the early church - how is she responding today?

In every case, the Bride is seen growing in numbers, in strength, and in the fear of the Lord.

The record shows she had no need for revival, for every day she was living in real-time revival … ever wonder what that’s like? I do!

Acts, Bride, Christianity, Expository,
Homiletics, Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

ACTS 5:20 - Taking A Stand!

SERIES #9: Acts of the Apostles – Witnesses to Jerusalem

TOPIC: Proclamation; Evangelism, Good News (Gospel), Obedience, Testimony, Witness, Word (Scripture)
TITLE: TAKING A STAND – What the Authentic Church Is Expected to Do!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What does God’s command to the apostles reveal about what He wants of them [and us]?
CONCISE OUTLINE

I. IT REVEALS HE DIDN’T WANT THEM IMPRISONED BY WORLD!
II. IT REVEALS HE DIDN’T WANT THEM TO WAIT FOR “THE PEOPLE” TO COME TO THEM!
III. IT REVEALS HE HAD GIVEN THEM SOMETHING WORTH STANDING FOR!
IV. IT REVEALS HE HAD GIVEN THEM SOMETHING TO SAY!

A. Who they’re to say it to – “the people”!
B. Where they’re to say it – “in the Temple”!
C. How much to say – “the whole message”!
D. What it’s about – “this life”!

TRUTH/CONTEXT: The death of Ananias and his wife Sapphira is now past; the result being great fear AND great growth.

1. great fear coming “upon the whole church, and upon all who heard of these things” (5:11)
2. great growth continued – that is, “all the more” were being added (5:14)

These two pretenders were used by God [Romans 8:28] to –

1. preserve church integrity,
2. develop a healthy fear of God, and
3. bring about dramatic church growth.

In our text we still see the bold, powerful witness of the “authentic church.”

TEXT: Acts 5:20 (12-21a)

“Go your way, stand and speak
to the people in the temple
the whole message of this Life.”

The apostles’ prayer continued to be answered: they asked to “speak Thy Word with all confidence” [aka: “boldness”], heal, and see signs and wonders – they received boldness to speak the Good News with signs and wonders [5:12, 14] and healings [15, 16].

Remember where we are: we’re in Jerusalem [through chapter 7]. Let’s also remember the central themes of Acts …

1. the Preeminence of the Living Christ
2. the Prominence of the Holy Spirit, and
3. the Power of the Authentic Church.

The Church was filled with Holy Spirit power, burdened to proclaim the Good News of “this Life.”

As it turns out, the apostles were not set free to save their own lives but the lives of others.

Literally, they were commanded –

1. to GO … “you go your way”
2. to TAKE/HOLD … “take your stand” or “hold your ground” or “stand firm”
3. to SPEAK … “continue to speak.”

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What’s God’s command to apostles reveal about what He wants?
EXPANDED OUTLINE
I. IT REVEALS HE DIDN’T WANT THEM IMPRISONED BY WORLD!

A. They were to “Go”… “Depart”
B. To get up and escape

1. Not to stay put
2. Not to wait for the guards
3. Not to submit to the ways of man
4. Not to be trouble free
5. Not to be sure they don’t offend
6. Not to fear man but God

II. IT REVEALS HE DIDN’T WANT THEM TO WAIT FOR “THE PEOPLE” TO COME TO THEM!

A. They were to go to “the people”

1. Not to their homes & families
2. Not to the Upper Room
3. Not to their place of employment
4. Not to flee Jerusalem
5. Not to the country to hide

B. God even told them where the people were - “in the temple”
C. The temple here is not naos (God’s)– but hieros (man’s)
D. In other words – right back to where they were arrested

III. IT REVEALS HE HAD GIVEN THEM SOMETHING WORTH STANDING FOR!

A. Standing on the Promises
B. On the Rock of Ages
C. “The whole message”

1. Not part of the word
2. Not the message of man

a) Not princes or rulers
b) Not shakers and movers
c) Not of mammon
d) Not one another

D. But the rhematos “of this life”

IV. IT REVEALS HE HAD GIVEN THEM SOMETHING TO SAY!
A. To say Publicly, Boldly, Resolutely, Truthfully
B. “All the words (rhemata) of this Life”! {“the full message of this life.” [NIV]}

1. “Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words (rhemata) of eternal life.’” [John 6:68]
2. “But what does it say? ‘THE WORD (rhema) IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART’ – that is, the word (rhema) of faith which we are preaching … ” [Romans 10:8]
3. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word (rhematos) of Christ.” [Romans 10:17]

APPLICATION:

[OVERSHADOWED] Like in that movie where the alien space ship comes over the horizon and blocks out the whole sky … God has sent His Son and His Son has filled the universe … and through all ages.

My friends, the fact that we are here today is by the grace of God alone … whether saved or lost we owe our present life to Him. And no eternal life will come except through His Son Jesus.

People must be told!

Let’s be clear and honest … under no circumstance is God about to tell these just released messengers to speak …

1. anything but the full message or the whole truth
2. anything but that which is most important and of the highest priority
3. anything but a message related to the person and works of Jesus Christ, His Son
4. to anyone but those needing to hear the message
5. or in anyway that is not filled with divine confidence

[GILL] “The Gospel is to be preached to all; the Spirit of God makes it effectual to some, and others are rendered inexcusable.”

CHALLENGE: No matter the circumstances, God still desires His people go, take their stands, and speak boldly … the whole message of this life.

When we were released (if indeed we were released), the message was the same: go your way, continue to speak, to the people, in public (boldly, confidently), the whole message of "this Life."

We must fear God and not man: if we fear man, we inherit everlasting torment; if God, eternal life.

Acts, Christianity, Evangelism,
Expository, Homiletics, Outlines,
Preaching, Proclamation, Sermons

ACTS 4:19-20 [13-22]: Whether It Is Right!

SERIES #6: Acts of the Apostles; Witnesses to Jerusalem [1-7]

TOPIC: Boldness (testimony); apologetics, authenticity, experience, faith, reality
TITLE: WHETHER IT IS RIGHT: We are compelled to speak out following an experience with God!

TEXT: Acts 4:19-20 [13-22]

TRUTH/CONTEXT: If you take your relationship with God seriously you’ve spoken about that relationship to others; if you’ve spoken often, you’ve been in the apostles’ place on more than one occasion.

Our text is …

But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we can’t stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."

• And so it should be when we have knowledge of the Truth (haven’t we been set free by it).
• The apostles’ boldness confounds their accusers; after all they’re just lay people … uneducated.
• Those dealing with lies often use intimidation to silence their enemies, not to bring light into the darkness but to perpetuate the darkness and prevent the Light!
• Sadly, their intimidation often raises doubt, even in the mind of a believer.
• Yet when something is known with certainty, nothing can changes the fact or truth; like the apostles … “we can’t stop.”
• The apostles and the lame man knew what they had seen and heard and nothing would silence them.

You would agree with me that the disciples in the book of Acts had a real experience with God, wouldn’t you? You would also agree that that experience gave them boldness, wouldn’t you?

[REALITY] A friend and I were discussing something on TV the other day … they hadn’t seen what I had seen on the clip. There was no replaying it. (“Who’s telling the truth, you or my lying eyes?”) I personally knew what I had seen and heard but I quickly realized it was fruitless to push the fact be-cause the other party clearly had not seen and had not heard what I had heard.

The disciples, therefore the Church, are still in Jerusalem … they have yet to move their witness to Judea and Samaria (beginning at chapter 8) … the rest of the world must wait until chapter 13 ... which is the overview of the book.

We’ve also highlighted what we believe are the three major themes of the book.

1. Preeminence of the Living Lord!
2. Prominence of the Holy Spirit!
3. Power of the Authentic Church!
   

OPTION: Read the passage [4:13-22] while allowing for commentary …

Verse 13– "Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John, and under-stood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were marveling, and be-gan to recognize them as having been with Jesus."

Notice: we don’t have to be ANYTHING or know ANYBODY in order to be a confident witness of the Living Lord and effect on people – notice the preeminence of the Living Lord and the potential for power in the authentic Church.
Notice also: the authentic Church is clearly recognized as having been with Jesus … it demonstrates Holy Spirit power.

Verse 14 – "And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply."

Notice: facts are not easily denied, even by the corrupt … especially miracu-lous facts.

Verses 15-18 – "But when they had ordered them to go aside out of the Council, they began to confer with one another, saying, ‘What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to any man in this name.’ And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.”

Verses 21-22 – "And when they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which they might punish them) on account of the people, be-cause they were all glorifying God for what had happened; for the man was more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed."

Notice: in spite of the facts, corrupt men will go on doing corrupt things.

Verse 19 – "But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge;"

Notice: every man has two choices: either God’s way or man’s way … the Christian life is a road with a fork at every turn … fear prevents godly action [lures us down the wrong path], faith promotes godly action [luring us down the appropriate path] … a war of worldviews rages.

Verse 20 – "for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard."

Notice: genuine encounters with God always compels a public response … we cannot stop speaking” what we know to be true … believers are compelled to speak.

Notice: when the authentic believer experiences an act of God or God Himself with his own senses (sight, smell, hearing, taste, touch, etc.) a GREAT thing is required to cause them to deny that experience.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How did they acquire the certainty and boldness they now demonstrate?
EXPANDED OUTLINE
I. BY HAVING A REAL EXPERIENCE WITH GOD!”

A. What does “real” really mean
B. true; not nominally or apparently true (the real reason for an act)
C. existing or occurring as fact; actual rather than imaginary, ideal, or ficti-tious (a story taken from real life)
D. being an actual thing; having objective existence; not imaginary (the events you will see in the film are real and not just made up)
E. being actually such; not merely so-called (a real victory)
F. genuine; not counterfeit, artificial, or imitation; authentic (a real an-tique; a real diamond; real silk)
G. unfeigned or sincere; not feigned (real sympathy; a real friend)

II. BY HAVING A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH GOD!

A. Even if something is real or true, It must be personally real or true
B. An experience with God cannot be inherited, purchased, borrowed, adopted, or learned
C. It must be personal and personally acquired
D. And these three men qualified

III. BY HAVING AN UNDERSTANDING OF EXPERIENCES WITH GOD!

A. a nominal experience with God would result in a nominal salvation … the recipient of such an experience is claiming to have met a savior that is nominally Jesus, but not the real Jesus
B. an apparent experience with God requires an apparent rebirth … the recipient would apparently be on Glory Road … not appealing at all
C. a fictitious experience with God could only result from a fictitious Gospel … without the Good News there is no hope, without hope there is desperation … as many have learned to their detriment there is no satis-faction in fictitious living
D. an imaginary experience with God is a denial of Christ’s atoning blood-sacrifice … since there is no remission of sin with imaginary blood there can be no be no setting free from sin and death
E. a so-called experience with God would mean a so-called victory over sin … we’d remain in our sins and my so-called preaching would be vain
F. an artificial or imitation experience with God could only hold an artifi-cial promise for the masses … what person would give their wife or mother artificial flowers on their death bed … the world is on its death bed; what father or grandfather would make imitation promises to their grandkids
G. a feigned experience with God would necessitate a feigned forgiveness of sin … there is no feigning forgiveness of sin
H. And all are without the boldness exhibited by the three men in our text.

APPLICATION: No one knowingly receives or endures abuse or persecution for a lie; reality brings with it the courage to speak of that reality …

• Peter and John wouldn’t speak boldly of an imaginary Jesus!
• They wouldn’t jeopardize their well-being over a fictitious salvation!
• They wouldn’t risk their lives for an apparent justification!
• They wouldn’t boldly preach a so-called Gospel in the presence of people they knew!

Nor could I feign a sermon for an imitation deity!

We are warned about the last days …

"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock."

Matthew 7:22-24

This is one of my great concerns; there are those who either have had no real ex-perience with God or those who’ve concocted an experience with God.

Neither can boldly proclaim the truths concerning the faith; the former don’t care, the latter can only pretend.

No one knowingly receives or endures abuse or persecution for a lie.

Reality brings the courage to speak of that reality (and bear the consequences) …

• Peter and John wouldn’t speak boldly of an imaginary Jesus!
• They wouldn’t jeopardize their well-being over a fictitious salvation!
• They wouldn’t risk their lives for an apparent justification!
• They wouldn’t boldly preach a so-called Gospel in the presence of people they knew!

Nor could I feign a sermon for an imitation deity!

It is commonly believed one of the richest mission fields in the Western World is in our churches on Sunday morning.

I pray you will examine yourself …

• Is your experience with God as real as the apostles?
• Is your experience a truly personal one?
• Do you understand the implications of a feigned relationship?

Could this explain the lack of boldness in the Western Church today?

Acts, Christianity, Expository, Homiletics, Outlines,
Preaching, Sermons, Sermons Series

ACTS: Full Sermons

The following are links to full sermons, preached at FBC La Verne in Southern California or at San Carlos Community Church (SCCC) in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico ...

1:4-8

FAITH OF OUR FATHERS - How a Few Nobodies Turned the World Upside Down!

2:22-24

WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD - First Fruits!

3:6

GIVE WHAT YOU HAVE – Serving God In Power!

3:16, 22-23

TO HIM YOU SHALL GIVE HEED – Living Faith Comes From Hearing Him!

4:12 (1-12)

OF MICE AND MEN - And Their Greatest Laid Plans

4:19-20 [13-22]

WHETHER IT IS RIGHT - We are compelled to speak out following an experience with God!

4:29-30 [23-31]

NOTICE THEIR THREATS - Prerequisite for Speaking With Boldness!

5:1-11

THE GREAT PRETENDERS - The cost of doing business with Satan!

5:20 [12-21a]

TAKING A STAND – What the Authentic Church Is Expected to Do!

5:21b-42

CONTINUING DAILY – The honor in dishonor for His Name’s sake!

6:7 (1-7)

BRIDE'S WEDDING PREPARATIONS - Satan's Playpen!

6:8 (1-15)

STEPHEN - Owned By God!

7:58-60

THEY CAST STONES - He Cast Eyes On Heaven!

8:4-5 (1-8)

A GREAT DAY - Being Blown Around a Corner for God's Glory!

8:9-24

A MAGIC ACT - There's Nothing Magical About This Treasure!

Acts, Expository, Homiletics, Outlines,
Preaching, Sermons, Sermon Series

ACTS 3-16, 22-23: Listen to Him!

SERIES: #4 Acts of the Apostles – Witnessing to Jerusalem

TOPIC: Faith; Error, Good News, Proclamation, Unsaved, Witness
TITLE: TO HIM YOU SHALL GIVE HEED – Living Faith Comes From Hearing Him! [Romans 10:17]

TEXT: Acts 3:16 [& 22-23 (12-26); cf. Deuteronomy 18:15ff]

[Peter said to them, “You miserable seekers after signs] – on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.”

[And] Moses said, ["You stubborn and stiff-necked people, who grumble at anything] THE LORD GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM [amongst] YOUR BRETHREN; TO HIM YOU SHALL GIVE HEED to everything He says to you. And it will be that every soul that does not heed that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.”

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What can we learn from Peter’s reaction to the people running to John and him?

CONCISE OUTLINE

I. WE MUST … [12-15]

A. KNOW THE TRUTH
B. IF WE ARE TO SEE THE LIE

II. WE MUST … [16-21]

A. BOLDLY CORRECT THE LIE

1. WITHOUT FEAR
2. WITHOUT HESITATION

B. WITHOUT CONDEMNATION

III. WE MUST … [22-26]

A. KNOW SCRIPTURE WELL
B. IF WE ARE TO SEIZE

1. THE MOMENT
2. AND OPPORTUNITY TO PROCLAIM

TRUTHCLAIM/CONTEXT: All of this is supported “by the faith given by way of the Name.”
Let’s rehearse our context briefly –

OBEDIENCE TO THE GREAT COMMISSION CONTINUES …

• Three sections in this book …

1. “In Jerusalem” (1-7)
2. “In Judea & Samaria” (8-12)
3. “In the remotest part” (13-28)

• Three conspicuous themes … [message #1]

1. PREEMINENCE of Christ Jesus (Living Lord)
2. PROMINENCE of the Holy Spirit prominence
3. POWER of the Authentic (True) Church

• Three things God did with Jesus to inaugurate the Church … [message #2]

1. He LIFTED UP the Son
2. He DELIVERED UP the Son
3. He RAISED UP the Son

• Three things we must face concerning our possessions … [message #3]

1. We don’t have everything
2. What we do have we must share with those who don’t
3. We must be willing to be involved in this process

• Three key factors about role models …

1. We are known by the company we keep [“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’” 1 Corinthians 15:33]
2. Inappropriate role models beget inappropriate behavior
3. Appropriate role models beget appropriate behavior

• Christ Jesus must be our Role Model!
• We have also agreed that three things seem to happen when a person REALLY “hears” the Good News …

1. they come under GREAT CONVICTION [“they were pierced to the heart”; 2:37a]
2. they ask a GREAT QUESTION [“what shall we do?”; 37b]
3. they received a GREAT RESPONSE [“repent” of your sins & “re-ceive” the Lord Jesus Christ; 3,39]

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What can we learn from Peter’s reaction to the people running to John and him?
EXPANDED OUTLINE

PETER KNEW THE TRUTH; therefore ...

I. WE MUST … [12-15]

A. KNOW THE TRUTH

1. Jesus is “the Truth” know Him
2. Jesus is “the Word” know Him
3. God gets all the glory
4. Only God has piety and power
5. Jews are seekers of signs [John 4:48, 12:37; 1 Corinthians 1:22]

B. TO SEE THE LIE

[FALSE] How are we to discern the counterfeit unless we know the authentic; a crooked wall screams for attention adjacent to a true wall

1. Man receiving glory is wrong
2. Man has no piety or power
3. These people were seeking after signs

• Peter saw their behavior and understood their amazement was at man the instrument not at the doctor, the Healer
• He knew the staring was at man not God; he knew they thought Peter and John had some divine powers
• Peter wants them to know the truth
•  by what power the man was healed
•  and by what righteousness the lameness left his body
• When they had the chance the chose the lie and disowned the truth [v. 14, 15]
• The power of God allows him to speak bluntly; accusing them of murder and crimes against God … “you did this” and “you did that”!
• He understood their culpability in the context of ignorance … avoiding a condemning message.
• He proudly and boldly proclaims the resurrection! [v.15]
• We must live like this!

II. WE MUST … [16-21]

A. BOLDLY CORRECT THE LIE

1. Without intimidation
   
2. Without hesitation
3. Without condemnation
   

• He glorifies the Father by directing the people’s praise away from the instrument to the POWER!

a) through the name of Jesus,
b) through faith in the name!

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name!”

John 1:12

• Peter took popular scriptures and individuals, well known to his audience, and turned them to his advantage.
• He preaches of Abraham & uses him to point to “Abraham’s seed.” [13, 25]
• He preaches Moses and the prophets in order to direct their attention to a greater prophet. [18-24]
• Here is the message of the Baptizer and Jesus … “repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.”
• We must live like this!

III. WE MUST … [22-26]

A. KNOW SCRIPTURE SKILLFULLY

1. If we are to ...

a. Seize moment
b. and opportunity

B. USE SCRIPTURE EXTENSIVELY

1. To address this present age
2. and to proclaim the one to come

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Peter prevented the excited people from slipping into the error of false worship … worshiping the creature rather than the Creator … turning their eyes toward Jesus Christ.

He remembered that it was not their piety or power but God’s that wrought the miracle of healing in the lame man.

He challenged them to remember they’d seen others rise from the dead.

He asked them why they were amazed that a lame man was healed.

Note in all of this – the preeminence of Christ Jesus, the prominence of the Holy Spirit, and the power demonstrated bt the authentic church!

We must ask, “What happens to those who do not hear?” Who do not “listen”? It’s unspeakable to reject the Gospel [read v.23] … you reject God Himself.

WHAT CAN MAN DO TO KNOW THEY’VE HEARD?

1. Ask themselves if they believe that …

a. Jesus is the promised seed of Abraham.
b. Jesus is the promised prophet of Moses
c. it is Jesus who will bring in the time of refreshing, the time of restoration of Israel

[REFRESH] My browser … it needs refreshing once in awhile

2. Ask themselves if they have …

a. repented of their sins [v.19]
b. been converted [turning from their “wicked ways,” v.26]
c. given heed to Him [v.22].

3. Ask themselves if they sense …

a. the forgiveness of their sins [v.19]

[BLACK BEAN STAIN] my first effort at black beans and ham

b. the hope in Christ’s coming again [v.19]
c. the promise of everlasting life [v.21]

Political, ecclesiastical and familial ties will not benefit a single soul

A man may have Abraham or Bill Graham as his father according to the flesh yet have the devil according to the Spirit

A man may be a member in good standing of the First Missionary Lighthouse of the Baptized in the New Blood in Christ Pentecostal Church of the Latter Day Redeemed in God and still not have a single letter of His name recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life

A man may be the son of a third generation deacon, a son of the founding pas-tor of the church he attends, and have an aunt and uncle who are missionaries to Zimbabwe but not be related to the Son of David

If a man is not turned from his wicked ways he will not be found on the Way of Jesus of Nazareth

Clearly the intent of God (in recording the book of Acts) was more than establish-ing an historical record.

Clearly His purpose was to …

1. show the POWER of His people in a.) the spread of the Good News and b.) the growth of the church, the Body of Christ
2. reveal the hardships frequently encountered in absolute obedience;
3. demonstrate the greater need for such hardship;
4. glorify Himself!

Today’ message was titled “TO HIM YOU SHALL LISTEN!” This is a cornerstone of our Good News.

On the Mount of transfiguration:

“Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, ‘This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!’”

Mark 9:7

We’re not to listen to the voices of men, but the voice of God! And Jesus is God!

Faith, Homiletics, Preaching,
Sermon Series, Unsaved, Witness

GIVE WHAT YOU HAVE: Serving God in Power!

SERIES: Acts #3

TOPIC: Authentic Church; Faith, Giving, Power, Serving
TITLE: GIVE WHAT YOU HAVE – Serving God In Power!

TEXT: Acts 3:6 [1-10]

But Peter said, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene--walk!"

[MOLDED] In general, most things are assembled … wired, welded, or bolted together … a few things are held together by corrosion and decay – such as politics, secular institutions, and the universe. But again, in general, things of beauty and value are molded, shaped, formed … usually created by artistic and loving hands.
The Church … the true, the authentic Church is such a thing.

CONCISE OUTLINE
INQUIRY: What are the two key components of this passage?

I. THE REALITY OF WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER!
II. THE RESPONSIBILITY TO OFFER WHAT WE HAVE!

TRUTH/CONTEXT: In our first message, we looked at how a handful of ne’er-do-wells would turn the world on its ear.

We also took an overview of the book of acts noting …

1) The Preeminence of Christ Jesus
2) The Prominence of the Holy Spirit and
3) The Power of the authentic church

We have quite reasonably concluded the early church possessed just a few things we don’t have today …

1) We don’t have the apostles of course
2) And they were much closer to Christ in time

Said another way –

No church, since the first century, can really claim to be less powerful than the early church, except on a few specific points; none of which are acceptable excuses for the church’s powerlessness today.

The events which led up to this point:

• Christ speaks to the disciples … post resurrection, pre-ascension
• Great Commission reiterated: [witness to the Jew first (3:25-26); Je-rusalem (1-7), Judea and Samaria (8-12), and remotest parts of the earth (13-28)], Christ ascends
• Disciples go to Jerusalem to await the promised “power” (Holy Spirit)
• Holy Spirit arrives with “power”; Holy Spirit baptizes disciples; they speak in unknown tongues
• Critics claim the disciples are drunk
• Peter intercedes and defends disciples (using Joel’s prophecy)
• First Christian sermon; Peter identifies three things God has done:

1. He has lifted up His Son
2. He has delivered up His Son
3. He has raised up His Son

• 3,000 added to the Body

Peter and John then go to church; they encounter a man lame since birth, healed Him, gave God glory, and preaches his second message

FAITH PRINCIPLES REVEALED:

1. PRIORITIES: at the time proper, believers will be found in wor-ship [a reasonable spiritual service of worship Romans 12:1 (no-tice the Power of the authentic Church)]
2. REALITY: believers can’t give what they don’t have, but what they have, they share with those who have not [3:6; James 2:13-16]
3. ATTRIBUTION: believers give but the glory goes to God [3:6; Colossians 3:17 (“whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Fa-ther”)]; they’re not confused by God and won’t misdirect His glory
4. EMOTIONS: recipients of God’s gifts are overwhelmed with emotion because they know who the gift is from [3:8]; those who witness a heavenly event will be filled with wonder and amaze-ment [3:10b,11]
5. FEARLESSNESS: believers fearlessly proclaim Christ … crucified, buried, and risen from the dead [3:12-26 (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:17-19)] and coming again; remember (Peter wasn’t a great preacher by birth; 4:13)
6. HARVEST: When the Good News is boldly proclaimed, souls are saved … “5,000 men” [4:4].

EXPANDED OUTLINE
INQUIRY: What are the two key components of this passage?

I. THE REALITY OF WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER!

A. The contrast between the temporal and the eternal (natural & supernatural, truth & falsehood, powerful & powerless, righteous & unrighteous, Spirit & flesh)!
B. Only when we understand the nature of the truly valuable will we grasp exactly what we have to give!
C. The mighty power of our meager resources!

II. THE RESPONSIBILITY TO OFFER WHAT WE HAVE!
A. The Giver –

Must be willing, humble, empowered, faithful, and saved!

B. The Receiver –

1. Usually they sit just outside our gate
2. Usually everyday since birth
3. Usually looking for the temporal and natural
4. Usually unaware of their real needs

C. We have The Truth, The Life, and The Way! [John 14:6]

APPLICATION: Oh the preeminence of Christ Jesus, the prominence of the Holy Spirit, and the power in the Authentic Church.

[ROLE MODELS] People conduct most of their lives on the basis of role models.

American’s pride themselves on their great leaders (Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Lincoln; Boone, Crockett, Reagan).

Israel is no different (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Ester, Naomi & Ruth, David and Samson, and the prophets).

Nations rise and fall on this leader-follower symbiosis … so too churches.

The early church for example … 1 became 2, then 12 … 12 became 120 … 120 became 3,000 … 3,000 became 5000, and this continued as long as Christ was the preeminent role model … when He was not, the church de-clined, when He is not, it declines, the church is in decline.

CHALLENGE: As in the book of Judges, the people sought God (as their model), they cried out and God raised them up. When a church’s people seek Christ (as their model) and cry out, He raises them up.

[BARGE] I’m reminded of the story of the fully loaded iron ore barge which sank in the East River near Riker’s Island in New York. Nothing tried could raise the valuable cargo; it was frozen in the mud.

A young engineer said he could raise it but no one listened to him. Finally they let him have a try. He had workers chain an empty barge over the sunken vessel. For hours he had them periodically cinch up the chains. When he was satisfied he sat back and waited for the tide to come in!

For this young engineer science was preeminent, for him physics was prominent, for him the power of truth, not effort, held sway!

Each of you has something to give … not the same identical thing … but you do have something.

After all it was Jesus Himself who promised the church:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father.”

John 14:12

Thousands are crying out; most “believers” don’t respond to their cries because they don’t “believe” they have anything to offer … how can that be? God as given every believer gifts:

But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing (gifts) to each one individually just as He wills.

1 Corinthians 12:11

[AQUINAS] Henry Ironside retells the story of Thomas Aquinas during an audience with the pope … they spoke of issues concerning them both and of many theological points … when finished, the pope gave Aquinas a tour of Peter’s Basilica, proudly pointing to the accu-mulated wealth obtained from around the world … telling the English theologian they no longer had to say, “silver and gold have I none.”

Aquinas turned and look the man in the eye and sternly said, “Neither can you say, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene – rise up and walk!’”

Repeat after me – …

1) I will try to make Christ Jesus Preeminent in my daily life
2) I will try to make the Holy Spirit Prominent in my daily life
3) I will try to trust God for the Power to live out my life daily!
4) And I will give what I have to those who need what I have!

Go now into your Jerusalem, your Judea and Samaria, your Israel, the remotest parts of your world, and be Christ’s witnesses.

Acts, Apostles, Christianity, Giving,
Homiletics, Preaching, Sermon

ACTS: Sermon Series

The following are links to full sermons, preached at FBC La Verne in Southern California or at San Carlos Community Church (SCCC) in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico ...

1:4-8

FAITH OF OUR FATHERS - How a Few Nobodies Turned the World Upside Down!

2:22-24

WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD - First Fruits!

3:6

GIVE WHAT YOU HAVE – Serving God In Power!

3:16, 22-23

TO HIM YOU SHALL GIVE HEED – Living Faith Comes From Hearing Him!

4:12 [1-12]

OF MICE AND MEN - And Their Greatest Laid Plans

4:19-20 [13-22]

WHETHER IT IS RIGHT - We are compelled to speak out following an experience with God!

4:29-30 [23-31]

NOTICE THEIR THREATS - Prerequisite for Speaking with Boldness!

5:1-11

THE GREAT PRETENDERS - The cost of doing business with Satan!

5:20 [12-21a]

TAKING A STAND – What the Authentic Church Is Expected to Do!

5:21b-42

CONTINUING DAILY – The honor in dishonor for His Name’s sake!

6:7 (1-7)

BRIDE'S WEDDING PREPARATIONS - Satan's Playpen!

6:8 (1-15)

STEPHEN - Owned By God!

7:50-53 (1-53)

ARE THESE THINGS SO? An Application from the Older Testament!

7:54-60


8:4-5 (1-8)

A GREAT DAY - Being Blown Around A Corner for God's Glory!

8:9-24

A MAGIC ACT - There's Nothing Magical About This Treasure!

Acts, Homiletics, Preaching,
Sermons, Sermon Series

Matthew 16:23-24 [21-28] - Daily walk; deny thyself!

TOPIC: Commitment, Discipleship, Sanctification
TITLE: DENY THYSELF - Focus on the Object of Your Faith for a Straight Walk!

But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's." Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What two questions must be asked in order to properly understand the teachings of Jesus? (Not a trick question)
CONCISE OUTLINE:

I. WHAT DID JESUS SAY?
II. WHAT DID JESUS NOT SAY?

TRUTH/CONTEXT: SURVEY TIME - ask some survey questions leading up to last week's challenge:

READER: "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." [Matthew 18:20]

• How many of you believe that? You do? You believe Jesus is here? His presence? Good!
• How many of you truly believe you are followers of Jesus and desperately want to feel His embrace and His presence this morning? Good!
• We all want to be known as disciples of Jesus, don't we?
  

Okay, we have virtual unanimity on our survey; so now, recall last week: at the end of the service I challenged you to imagine Sunday's worship service as the first stone of a seven-day, seven-stone walk with the Lord. Sort of "Seven Days of Purpose Driven Life"! (Pause for it to sink in!)

I challenged you to take each stone one at a time through Saturday and then meet here the following Sunday to begin a new seven-day walk with the Lord. I challenged you to see this one hour each week as the kickoff point for a week long journey ... that wasn’t asking too much was it?

• How many of you actually practiced what I preached?
• How is it that we come here today, professing to desire to "worship Him in Spirit and in truth" when the facts say otherwise?
  

[GOD'S HOUSE] A missionary gave a sundial to a group of natives when he departed from them. They came to regard it as holy and wanted to protect it, so they built a roof over it to keep it safe. This of course, kept the sun away from it. Later they added walls.

When He returned, he saw they'd rendered useless what they were protecting. They honored the image, but impeded its purpose.

That's how many regard Christianity today. It’s become something to enclose with walls and a roof. But, far worse, they've walled off the Christ of Christianity ... and in other ways they've done the same thing with their daily walk, literally saying to themselves, I walk with the Lord on Sundays, the rest of the week is mine.

If we behave this way about our walk with the Lord are we not denying Him rather than self? Will He not stay away if the testimony of our lives is, "Lord I'm too busy or distracted to pay much attention to Your stuff, leave me alone ... OKAY?" [Adapted from e-Sword ministries 2000+ Illustrations add-on]

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What two questions must be asked in order to properly understand the teachings of Jesus?
EXPANDED OUTLINE:

When Jesus teaches in this way there are two essential components to understand the teaching - first, what He in fact did say; second, what He in fact did not say!

I. NOTICE WHAT JUSUS DID SAY -

• notice the goal – “to come after Me” and “follow Me"
• notice the two things one must do if one wishes to achieve the goal - 1) “deny himself” and 2) “take up his cross”
  

• denial of self – “surrender"

Albert Barnes: Let him surrender to God his will, his affections, his body, and his soul. Let him not seek his own happiness as the supreme object, but be willing to renounce all, and lay down his life also, if required.

• taking up cross - your “calling” in life according to God's will

Albert Barnes: When persons were condemned to be crucified, a part of the sentence was that they should carry the cross on which they were to die to the place of execution. ... To carry it was burdensome, was disgraceful, was trying to the feelings, was an addition to the punishment ... we must endure whatever is burdensome, or is trying, or is considered disgraceful, in following Christ. It consists simply in doing our duty, let the people of the world think of it or speak of it as they may. It does not consist in making trouble for ourselves, or doing things merely “to be opposed;” it is doing just what is required of us in the Scriptures, let it produce whatever shame, disgrace, or pain it may. This every follower of Jesus is required to do.

READER: So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, "We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done." [Luke 17:10]

• notice in Matthew 10:38 that anyone who is unwilling to do this “is not worthy of” Him. Ouch!
• notice the context [vv. 21-28] - has to do with Peter being a stumbling block to the Lord
• also, after Jesus rebukes Peter (Satan; “adversary"); He says, “for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's”

• we know the context doesn't stop with v. 24, because it didn't in Matthew 10:38-39; and the context for Mark 8:34-38; Mark 9:1, the parallel passage in Mark (Luke 9:23-27, as well) clearly includes the whole of Matthew 16:24-28
• Peter loved the Lord but the disciple exhibited behavior which, if left unchallenged, would stand in the way of God's plan and Jesus let him know it
• not the first time for Peter, he did likewise in John 13:8 with the washing of the feet
• Peter was guilty of what a lot of us are guilty of, horizontal thinking or horizontal faith
  

• notice Jesus defines the bedrock of His statement in [v. 25] – “for My sake” leading to “will find it”

  “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.” [Mark 8:35]

• Notice that Jesus addresses the horizontal problem of the disciples

it doesn't work in God's system like it does in the world

READER: “but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong” [1 Corinthians 1:27]

there are two lives -- temporal and eternal -- try to save the former and you lose the latter, to save the latter and you must lose the former

any profit the world offers is not worth the price of the investment, your soul

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” [Matthew 6:33]

v. 28 tells us those who do not die to self, who are not baptized in the death of Jesus [Romans 6:3] will not taste real death until it is too late

do you think it was easy for Jesus to say “and so are some of you”? It's not easy for me, why would it be easy for Him

II. NOTICE WHAT JESUS DID NOT SAY!

He did not say "you are exempt from denying yourself and taking up your cross" if you …

• are too intelligent (not smart)
• are too old or too young
• are retired or employed job
• are too poor or rich
• don't belong to a church or are a deacon in a church
• have a spouse who won't join you or one who does it all
• find it's inconvenient
• feel embarrassed or ashamed
• don't feel called

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Someone said many of today's church people don't seem "chosen" because they're "frozen."

Adam Clarke sees four principles of the Christian walk from verse 24:

1. to sincerely desire to belong to Christ – “If any man wishes to come after Me,” etc.
2. to renounce one's independent spirit, and self-centered pursuits – “he must deny Himself.”
3. to embrace the condition which God has appointed, and bear the troubles and difficulties he may meet while on the Christian pathway – “take up his Cross.”
4. to follow after Jesus, and do and suffer all in hisspirit – “let him follow Me."

[WELCH] Years ago a young man and his bride wanted to make a difference for God in this world; they applied and were accepted as missionaries to Africa. Following their arrival in New York to prepare for oversees service mission officials determined the rigors of Africa would put the wife at risk. The agency revoked their deputation.

The couple returned home, brokenhearted, wondering how to rebuild their shattered dream. They decided to make money – lots of money – to support missions. They figured they could make it possible to send others to share the gospel of Christ even though they could not go themselves.

The young man's father had been making unfermented wine for their church’s communion services. His son soon became involved with him. Their name was Welch. They manufacture Welch’s grape juice to this day. The company has given millions to spread the gospel through missions. Did they rebuild their dream?

Despite our human frailty - God wants to use us in a positive way in negative world. Remember who we are; we are a people of God’s own choosing, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation.

It only takes a grain of salt in a substance to know it’s there. Even though you may feel small, weak, or insignificant - you're not! We are “the salt of the earth, the light of the world.”

Bottom-line, I believe this is the teaching of this passage:

• you and if, if we claim to be disciples, should be laboring under some calling of service and ministry
• absent the desires of the world, self, and the devil
• I think it is indicative of where you are at, in that so few of you can say that you are bearing a burden for Jesus alone, without any mixture of self, and following Him daily.
  

READER: Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [Hebrews 12:1-2]

[FIXED EYES] The snow covered the ground, and three young boys were playing in it. A man said to them, "Would you like to try to race, with the promise of a prize for the winner?"

The boys agreed, and the man told them that his race was to be different. "I will go to the other side of the field," he said, "and when I give you the signal, you will start to run. The one whose footsteps are the straightest in the snow will be the winner."
As the race commenced, the first boy began looking at his feet to see if his steps were straight. The second lad kept looking at his companions to see what they were doing; but the third boy just ran on with his eyes fixed on the man on the other side of the field.

The third boy was the winner, for his footsteps were straight in the snow. He had kept his eyes on the goal ahead of him. [Ibid.]

A long time ago, another man using similar words taught the same principle. It was Paul who said, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." [Philippians 3:13-14]

Discipleship, Homiletics, Matthew, Outlines,
Preaching, Sermons series, Sermons