Acts 10:1-33 The Gospel To All And For All

This Sunday, as we look at Acts 10:1-33, we see Jesus removing a final barrier for the gospel to expand to the nations. We have already seen Phillip preaching in Samaria and to an Ethiopian Eunuch, but in Acts 10, God brings Peter together with a Gentile Roman soldier. The salvation of this soldier, Cornelius, throws the door open to show the Apostles, and the Jewish church that all people of every nation are equally welcomed into the kingdom of God through the gospel. In this chapter, God prepares Cornelius to understand that he needs the gospel. Cornelius is a devout, prayerful man. He is sincere in his belief and filled with good works. Yet, this cannot make him right with God. An angel of the Lord tells him to send for Peter. He needs the gospel in order to be saved.

And at the same time, God sends a divine message to Peter, showing him that there is no longer a distinction between "clean and unclean" people. Peter’s heart is also prepared to accept that God has opened the door wide for all nations, all races, and all cultures to be accepted by Him through the messiah that he has sent. And through the movements of verse 1-33, we find our calling in this kingdom as well. God spoke to Cornelius through an angel. He could have easily given Cornelius the gospel Himself. Yet, Jesus has chosen to spread the gospel kingdom through his people. Through disciples who make disciples. So, with one hand he prepares Cornelius and with the other hand he prepares Peter. And at the right time, He brings both of these people together so that His disciple shares His message with one who needs it. And as that message is given, Jesus saves him. That is a miracle that is still happening today. Jesus is sending out His people to make disciples for His name. He has a divine meeting planned for you and a divine commission for us all.

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Acts 9 31-43 I Will Build My Church

It’s easy to look at all the news of the day and lament our world’s seemingly endless descent into darkness. The fallen nature of our world and our flesh is a continual reminder that things are not the way they should be. Whether we are talking about worldwide conflicts, a degrading sinful culture, or the ordinary trials and tribulations each of us experiences in this life, things are not the way they should be. 

In Acts 9:31-43, now that Saul has been shipped off to Tarsus, Luke turns our focus back to the Apostle Peter and the continuing works that Jesus is doing through him. The end of Acts 9 records two seemingly isolated miracles that eventually lead Peter to preach to Cornelius the Roman Centurion (in chapter 10). Acts 9:31-43 show us a paralytic being healed and a woman who passed away being raised back to life. We will examine these miracles and ask, "Why are they here?" "Why does the Spirit inspire Luke to record these specific miracles for the reader?" As we examine the text, we will see that Luke’s point is to show us how the church was being built up and multiplying (Acts 9:31). The response to both miracles is that many people believe in Jesus and turn to the Lord. Acts 9:31-43 teaches us something that we desperately need to remember in troubling times. Jesus is still working through His people and the kingdom of God is indeed breaking in. Despite the fallen world and the ever growing darkness, the words of Christ are true today: "on this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell won’t prevail against it." The kingdom of God is here - and it is also coming in its fullness. Jesus is building His church and the instrument He has chosen to use...is you! 

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Acts 9:19-31 A Life Transformed By Christ

Sunday we are back in Acts 9. When we left this chapter two weeks ago, Saul of Tarsus, the great persecutor of the church had an encounter with Jesus on his way to Damascus. His encounter with Jesus changed everything! He was left helpless, broken, and blind. Jesus sent Ananias to lay his hands on Saul in order that his sight would be restored and he would be filled with the Holy Spirit. From that moment, Saul’s life was transformed. As we examine Acts 9:19-31, Luke shows us the depths of the transformation that has taken place. Saul’s heart has been changed to serve the one he once persecuted and fellowship with those he once hated. As Saul repeatedly bears witness now plots and opposition are formed against him, and the church (whom he once hated) repeatedly aids in his rescue. 

In this text, we will stand amazed at the tenacity, the resolve, and the exploits of this new man - Saul of Tarsus. In fact, throughout the rest of the book of Acts, he will be a beacon for the gospel and a powerful instrument in the hand of Christ. But Luke goes into great detail here in Acts 9, not to teach us to "go be like Saul," or "work harder" or "do better" in following Saul’s example. Luke records this section to show what Jesus Christ has done in the heart of Saul. It is Jesus’ work in him that has transformed him into a witness, a warrior, an ambassador for Christ. It is Jesus that has made Saul a new creature and now fills his heart with a desire to witness, to worship with the church, and follow the commands of Christ. Luke has this section here to show us that even the hardest of hearts is changed completely by an encounter with Jesus. The question we must ask is not "am I doing as good as Saul?" The question we must ask is "has Jesus changed my heart like this?"

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Acts 9:1-23 An Encounter With Jesus Changes Everything

But as we will see in Acts 9:1-23, an encounter with the risen Jesus changes everything! The conversion of Saul is one of the most important events in Acts. It is so important that Luke recounts the event three times in the book. In Acts 9 he describes the event and then Paul testifies to what happened in Acts 22 before a crowd and in Acts 26 before King Agrippa. It is here that Jesus breaks one who’s heart seems unconquerable. It is here that Jesus calls an unexpected instrument for His glory. And it is here that an uncompromising disciple of Jesus is born. Although you may have never physically seen the risen Jesus or been blinded by the light of God’s glory, Saul’s conversion accords with every person who has experienced the risen Jesus as the Spirit Himself convicts the soul and comes to dwell in the heart changed by the gospel. This is also why our mission to point people to Jesus and say "look to Him, run to Him, and walk with Him," because an encounter with Jesus changes everything.

Acts 8:37 Can We Trust The New Testament?

As we finished Acts 8 last week, we came across Acts 8:37 which is either missing or bracketed in most of our English Bibles. Whether removed or bracketed, your bible will have a footnote explaining that some manuscripts don’t contain this verse. Using situations like this, some people claim that we cannot trust the New Testament because it has been copied so many times down through history that the original message has been lost. It is commonly put forth that there is no way that we can no for sure that the Bible we have in our hands today is what the Apostles actually wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Sunday we are going to show that this assertion is demonstrably false. We will explain how the text of the New Testament has been transmitted to us and show some examples of how we can be assured of its accuracy. We will use Acts 8:37 as a test case and show you all the information the "scholars" use examine its history of transmission. And we will even look at a few manuscripts. 

I know this kind of presentation is a different than a normal Sunday for us. We are committed to expositing the Bible verse by verse and section by section through scriptural books. That is not going to change. The preaching of the word is the central element of the church’s worship. However, as we have come across Acts 8:37, this is a good time for us to back up and also examine God’s work in preserving and transmitting His word to us. We can have assurance (from the evidence) that what we preach from every Sunday, what we read from in our devotion time with God, and what we live by as the sole infallible rule of faith and practice for the church - is God’s word accurately transmitted through time from the pen of the Holy Spirit inspired apostles!

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Acts 8:26-40 The Witness Used By God

God providentially orchestrates a meeting between Philip and an Ethiopian Eunuch on a deserted road so that he might hear the gospel and be saved. In this we see God's care for one lost soul, God's providence in creating divine appointments for His witnesses, and the response of those given the Great commission. We are to be willing, prepared, and faithful witnesses

Acts 8:9-25 The Powerful Uncompromising Gospel

Acts has already shown us the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ going forth in Jerusalem. Last week in Acts 8, we saw the gospel going forth into Samaria in power because believers were scattered by the persecution which arose on the day Stephen was executed. As we continue in Acts 8:9-25, again we see the power of the gospel to overthrow all powers and authorities. All people worship. Even those who do not worship the one true God, worship something. And it is the gospel alone that conquers whatever rules over the hearts of mankind. For the people of Samaria, that place of prominent influence is taken by a magician named Simon. "They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” (Acts 8:10). But when the gospel comes through Phillip they turn to Christ. 

The power of the gospel is so profound that even Simon himself jumps on the bandwagon. Simon, however professes faith but does not posses faith. When Peter comes to Samaria, he tells Simon that he has no portion in the gospel because his "heart is not right before God" (Acts 8:21) and counsels him to repent and pray for forgiveness (v.22). Simon didn’t desire salvation or Jesus. Simon sought for more greatness and power as he offers to buy the gift of God with money. As we examine this section of Scripture, we see that the gospel is indeed the power of God unto salvation, and that power is uncompromising. It cannot be bargained for or merited. All people must come the God on His terms and by His word. 

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Acts 8:1-8 Scattered Evangelism

Persecution breaks out in Jerusalem and the Christians are scattered from the city. As Saul ravages the church, believers flee to the areas of Judea and Samaria - and everywhere they go, they evangelize and proclaim the name of Jesus. Through all the persecution and suffering, God is using His people to advance the kingdom and make disciples.

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Acts 7:54-60 The Makings Of A Martyr

This Sunday, we will finish Acts 7 and witness the execution of Stephen. This will most likely be our last sermon in Acts before Christmas. Stephen has been accused of blaspheming against God and against Moses. He has been taken before the Sanhedrin to answer the charges and throughout chapter 7, Stephen has taken the religious leaders on a trip through the history of God’s work among the Hebrews. He has shown that God’s presence with His people has not been confined to any land or temple throughout history. And when Stephen finally makes his point, he does so with a serrated edge. He calls them stiff necked and uncircumcised in heart. He tells them that their fathers had always persecuted those God sent to them and now they themselves have murdered the righteous one himself! (See 7:51-53).

But before Stephen can finish his sermon, he is interrupted by something amazing. God pulls back the veil and shows him that there is another court hearing Stephen’s testimony as he speaks. As Stephen marvels and announces what he sees, this will be the last straw in the minds of the Sanhedrin. This will lead to Stephen’s execution. But it is here that we see aspects of what it means to be a faithful witness for Christ. When we hear the reality of what Stephen is shown, the cost he is willing to pay, and the heart with which he prays as he dies, we see one who is like Christ having been transformed by His salvation and filled with His Spirit.

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Acts 7:1-53 God Doesn't Dwell In Houses Made With Hands

Stephen has been arrested and taken before the Sanhedrin, accused of blasphemy against Moses and against God. If you remember from chapter 6, witnesses came forward saying that Stephen spoke against "this holy place" (meaning the Temple) and he was changing the customs handed down from Moses. In the bulk of chapter 7, Stephen will explain himself before the High Priest, and this powerful sermon will culminate in his execution. I tried to break up Stephen’s sermon several different ways and preach through it over several Sundays, but Stephen’s sermon culminates in a specific point to which his entire speech leads. Unless we deal with his sermon as a whole, we might easily get lost in the weeds and miss the overall point Stephen is making. So, we will look at Acts 7:1-53 this Sunday.

Stephen’s sermon surveys the history of God’s presence, blessing, and work among the people of Israel. He starts with Abraham, moves through Joseph, Moses, The Tabernacle, David and Solomon. The Sanhedrin and the crowd already know this history. They know the stories Stephen relates by heart. The Jews were extremely proud of their history. So as we look at his sermon, we won’t get bogged down in the details of the Old Testament narrative Stephen relates. Instead, we will focus on WHY Stephen is relating these stories to the Jews who already knew them so well. Stephen will show that God’s presence has never been constrained to one place or one building, And in Jesus, He is Emmanuel - God with us. He also shows them that Israel has a long history of rejecting the deliverance of God and disobeying His law - which the Sanhedrin are now doing in rejecting Jesus. Read Acts 7:1-53 before Sunday and be ready to trace Stephen’s argument as we examine a very important exposition of God’s purposes throughout the whole of redemptive history.

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Acts 6:8-15 The Power Of A Single Witness

Last week in Acts 6, we saw the church adapt to the needs that growth brought. They came together and appointed seven men to oversee aspects of ministry in the Jerusalem church. Two of these men, Stephen and Phillip, will be the focus of the next few chapters in Acts. Through Stephen’s brief ministry, his testimony before the Sanhedrin, and his execution, God will propel the church out of Jerusalem to the nations. Although Stephen’s life will be cut short, it would be hard to find one who is more powerfully used by God for His kingdom. Sunday as we read Acts 6:8-15, we will acquaint ourselves with Stephen’s character and his ministry. He stands as an example for the church of one who is full of faith, grace, and the Holy Spirit. He demonstrates the character of one who draws strength from the presence of the Lord which is how he can face false accusations and martyrdom with peace and forgiveness for his murderers. Not only does his testimony and death propel the church outward, but they also have a profound effect on a man named Saul of Tarsus. His relatively short life shows us the power of a single witness wholly surrendered to Christ. No matter what the circumstances or the brevity of life, a single witness full of grace and power from the presence of Christ will resound throughout eternity.

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Acts 6:1-7 Anatomy Of A Growing Church

In the first five chapters of Acts, we have seen the church overcome many different attacks. Persecution from the religious leaders has increased as the disciples have been arrested, threatened, and beaten for teaching in the name of Jesus. We will see that continue in the coming chapters. The church has also been attacked from inside as Satan filled the heart of Ananias and Sapphira to lie to the Holy Spirit in an attempt to corrupt the church. But despite all the attempts to silence the church, chapter five ends by saying the apostles continued to teach in the temple and from house to house. By the power of the Holy Spirit, the church continued to grow despite the obstacles.

In chapter 6:1-7, it is that exponential growth that raises another obstacle the church must overcome. The issue this growing church faces is one of division and distraction. Both are serious threats to this new community striving for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because the number of disciples has increased so much, the church must now adapt to more efficiently engage in the ministry to which God has called them. The anatomy of this growing church is one is willing to reorganize and change to follow the ministry needs to which God is calling them, yet to do so without sacrificing the centrality of the message of the gospel and the ministry of the word of God. It is a church that raises up leaders from among it as they all strive together, united in love, to obey every facet of the mission of Christ.

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Acts 5:17-42 Radical Obedience of His Witnesses

Jesus gave the church her marching orders. The body of Christ is commanded to make disciples of all nations. This involves many several different things, but at its core we are called to be witnesses for Jesus. Disciples are to be His witnesses to the lost as we evangelize and to each other as we strengthen one another through discipleship. And whenever the church is "on mission," faithfully carrying out the will and word of our Lord, there will always be opposition. This is a theme we have seen repeated in the book of Acts. There is opposition from inside, shown in the previous account of Ananias and Sapphira, and there is always opposition from the world outside. Persecution and opposition from religious leaders surfaces again in Acts 5:17-42. Yet as the Apostles are arrested again, and beaten this time, we see what radical obedience to Christ looks like...and what it costs.

As we examine this text, we find that the call to be His witnesses is not without risks and consequences. But ultimately we find that Jesus is better. Jesus is better than our comfort, our ease, our safety. Jesus is better than anything we could hope to gain by running from His calling. When our hearts desire Him more than all things, we obey His command despite the risk - despite the consequences - Not because we are strong but because our hearts have been changed to love Him over anything we might lose in this world.

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Acts 5:1-16 When Sin Enters The Camp

In Acts 5, opposition to the church’s mission doesn’t come from outside forces seeking to kill or imprison the community. This time, opposition attacks the church from within as Satan fills the hearts of Ananias and Sapphira to introduce hidden sin into the community of faith. The account of this married couple’s fate is a disturbing reminder of the seriousness of sin, both for the individual and for the church as she walks out the mission of Christ. 

Though the church is perfectly forgiven and the condemnation of sin is removed by the blood of Jesus, sin is still wicked and reprehensible to God. Therefore, it must be reprehensible to us as well. We dwell in the presence of the Holy One - and He dwells in us. Our hearts and lives are exposed before Him. Not only do we see the seriousness of sin in this account, but we also understand the urgency of repentance. Sapphira is given an opportunity before God and His people to repent of her sin and be forgiven. Although sin is inevitable because we still dwell in fallen flesh, it is never acceptable. So John writes to the church saying, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9) We must walk humbly with our God, admitting our sin and casting our hope upon the death and resurrection of Jesus in order to live out our mission in His power. 

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Acts 4:23-31 Grant Your Servants To Continue...

In Acts 4:23-31, the early church in Jerusalem is notified that the ruling council has banned all teaching and all speech in Jesus’ name. Peter and John responded boldly to the rulers saying, "We cannot help but speak..." but now they return to the body of believers and tell them the command of the Sanhedrin. The church is on notice. From this point on, there will be consequences if they choose to continue speaking of Jesus. In our text for Sunday, we will examine how the church responds the the threat upon their safety. Will they run? Will they fight back? What can they do?

In verses 4:23-31, they do the only thing they can. They go together to the Lord in prayer, and their prayer teaches us so much about how we must respond not only to opposition to the gospel, but to any trial. When we are afraid - when we are weary - when we are worried - when we are hurting - when we feel like we can’t go on anymore - this text shows us how we respond. Although we will learn several things in this passage, the overarching point is, we cannot be faithful in our own strength. We cannot walk out this Christian life under our own steam. In the face of persecution and the threat of death, this church doesn’t beg God to take the trial away. They don’t plead in prayer that they would be physically protected or that the enemies would be destroyed. They pray, "And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness..." (v.29). They asked for strength to be faithful to His calling regardless of what comes.

The same faith by which we cast ourselves upon Jesus for salvation is the faith by which we must cast ourselves upon Jesus to live the Christian life no matter what the circumstances.

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Acts 4:13-22 We Can't Help But Speak

Sunday we will finish looking at Peter’s interaction with the ruling council in Jerusalem. (Acts 4:13-22) Peter and John were arrested in the Temple court after they healed a lame man and proclaimed the risen Jesus to the crowd that gathered. After their arrest and questioning, Peter boldly proclaimed Jesus as God’s messiah to the council as well. He told them that there is salvation in no one else for there is no other name given by which men must be saved. This Sunday we will see the response of the council and examine Christ’s witnesses as they are opposed. Jesus has called His disciples to a life that witnesses to His glory and the gospel. This is exactly what Peter and John demonstrate as their boldness is evident to the religious leaders. They spoke with authority and confidence just as Jesus has done before this same council. The leaders could not help but recognize that these men "had been with Jesus." That was the source of their witness...and ours. 

 Peter and John truly believed that the gospel is the power of God. They truly believed that the risen Jesus was with them and therefore, they were not afraid to speak. Even when they were warned to never again speak in the name of Jesus, they respectfully tell the council "we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." This Sunday, we will look at our witness and how we draw strength from being with Jesus, and we will also look at the the obstacles that hinder us from speaking of what we have seen and heard. 

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Acts 4:1-12 By No Other Name

Chapter 4 begins a turning point in the book of Acts. As the disciples obey Jesus’ command to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, opposition to the gospel mission rears its head. In fact, after chapter 3, there are only three chapters in the rest of the book of Acts that do not mention some form of persecution or opposition. This will be a reality in the life of the church until Jesus returns. However, opposition does not hinder the progress of the gospel. Historically just the opposite is true. The church grew most exponentially in the first three centuries under the most extreme persecution. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation even in the face of opposition. Peter’s sermon at the end of Acts 3 was earth shaking for the people in the Temple courts. But as he stood before the crowd, the leaders of Jerusalem appeared to arrest he and John. These are the same men who turned Jesus over to be crucified and declared Him a blasphemer just two months earlier. Yet Luke tells us that despite this show of Temple authority, the gospel message took root in many hearts (Acts 4:4). And Sunday, we will see Peter give basically the same sermon before the Sanhedrin that he gave in the Temple courts. Through this, we will examine why the gospel always bring opposition (both worldly and spiritually) and we will see how we stand faithfully in the midst of it. We also see why we MUST stand faithfully - because "there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) Subscribe to the Sermon podcast on itunes or search for "jason velotta" in your podcasting app Visit http://www.jasonvelotta.com/for more audio, video, books, and teaching materials https://www.fbcmulvane.com https://www.facebook.com/jason.velotta.1 https://twitter.com/jrv773 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonvelotta/

Acts 3:11-26 The Name of Jesus (Peter's 2nd Sermon)

As the church of Jesus Christ, everything we are and everything we do must be grounded in and focused upon the gospel. What Jesus accomplished for His people in His death, burial, resurrection, and exaltation is the hub around which all of the Christian life turns. The gospel is not just the baby steps of the Christian life. It is everything! We will see this demonstrated clearly in Peter’s second sermon (Acts 3:11-26). Peter stands before an amazed crowd of people in the Temple courts. They are amazed because Peter seemingly just healed a man who had been lame from birth, and now he was leaping, walking, and praising God. Peter will explain to them what this is all about, but instead of focusing on the man’s physical healing, Peter uses the man as an illustration of something much greater. Peter proclaims that Jesus is the glorified Messiah whom God, through Moses and the prophets, promised to sent to His people. He shows the people God’s salvation and calls them to turn to Jesus and receive true healing in His name.

As Peter begins explaining who healed this lame man, he will introduce Jesus by saying, "The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus..." (Acts 3:13). When Peter says "glorified his servant," he is referencing the fourth "servant song" in Isaiah. He is claiming Jesus is the suffering servant of Isa. 52:13-53:12. So in addition to reading Acts 3:11-26, I would encourage you to read Isa. 52:13-53:12 as well. This prophecy tells us how the Father "glorified his servant, Jesus."

Peter’s point is that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s purposes in all of history. This is the moment to which all of Scripture has led. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation. There is no deeper theology and no higher spiritual level that being "in Christ."

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Acts 3:1-10 Then Shall The Lame Man Leap

As we begin Acts 3, the church in Jerusalem is alive and growing. The Holy Spirit indwelled the disciples and through Peter’s sermon, God saved 3000 people. Last week we saw the discipleship life of the early church as they devoted themselves to worshiping, connecting in discipling relationships, and served one another. Acts 3:1-10 shows us the early church in operation. This section chronicles the healing of the lame beggar at the beautiful gate. Though we will only examine the event itself in the first 10 verses of chapter 3, I would encourage you to read the entire chapter before Sunday. The event of this man’s healing is explained by Peter in his sermon that follows in the Temple court. While the actual healing of this suffering man shows the compassion and the ministry of the church, and indeed, many people have drawn hope from the healing power of Jesus from this text, Peter’s sermon shows us the point of this miracle. The healing of this man’s physical infirmity is a sign that points to a greater reality. This miraculous event demonstrates that because Jesus is the messiah and has fulfilled the promised salvation, the coming kingdom of God is breaking into reality now. His physical healing is a glimpse of what is to come when all things are made new and the Christ who has brought deliverance, comes again in power and glory.

Peter’s sermon emphasizes that this healing miracle should lead the people to trust in Jesus so that their sins would be forgiven and when the Christ comes to restore all the things, they would receive times of refreshing from His presence (see Acts 3:19-21)

The healing of the beggar is not a declaration that all physical infirmities will be healed in this life. It is a preview of the kingdom to come when all sickness, disease, suffering, death and sin will be done away with forever. And that healing only comes by faith in the risen Messiah who is glorified at the Father’s side.

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Acts 2:42-47 The Disciple-Making Church

Peter has just preached his Pentecost sermon, the Holy Spirit moved and three thousand people are converted in a single instant. Now the Jerusalem church is faced with a logistical nightmare. In one moment it time, the church went from 120 people to 3,120. How can all these new Christians grow as disciples? How can the church disciple all these people with no infrastructure or programs? They did so by being devoted to worshiping together, connecting with one another in discipling relationships, and serving one another. That is the pattern of discipleship presented in Acts 2:42-47. The early church met in the Temple courts, and in smaller groups in their homes. They praised God together. They loved and cared for one another when needs arose. And God moved among them, adding to His church daily. Sunday, as we examine this passage, we will see the early church’s method of making disciples and we will see the discipleship that Christ calls for each of us to invest ourselves in.

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