ACTS—Building Toward the Future | Not the Result They Intended | Acts 8:1—8 | March 8, 2020

by | Mar 18, 2020 | Sermons

ACTS—Building Toward the Future | Not the Result They Intended | Acts 8:1—8 | March 8, 2020

 

Great Persecution Broke Out! | v. 1
Stephen was only the first
All except the Apostles. Why?
Scattered throughout Judea & Samaria
What did Jesus predict?

 

God is Still in Control | vv. 2-3
Some remember to obey God rather than men
But Saul began to destroy the Church
Men and women put in prison 

Q:  What would you do?

 

Not The Result They Intended | vv. 4-8
They preached wherever they went!
Philip went to a city in Samaria! Why?
The crowds heard and saw and listened!
What did they first hear?
What did they then see?
How did they react?

 

What Can We Expect?
For those still searching…
     …expect good news and the power of God
For those already saved…
     …expect Him to work through you
          …when you step out in faith

Q: Has “persecution” stopped you?

     Are you ready to get going again?

CROSSROADS CHURCH

5467 1st Ave, Pittsville, WI 54466 | 715-884-2665

Sunday Services at 9:30AM

[email protected]

ACTS—Building Toward the Future | Resistance… Is To Be Expected! | Acts 6:8—Acts 8:1 | March 1, 2020

by | Mar 18, 2020 | Sermons

ACTS—Building Toward the Future | Resistance… Is To Be Expected! | Acts 6:8—Acts 8:1 | March 1, 2020

 

Another Court Case Looming… | Acts 6:8-15
Stephen, full of grace and power
They were no match for his wisdom, or the Spirit by whom he spoke!

 

False Charges Brought Against Him (Sound Familiar?)
Blasphemy against Moses and against the Temple
False witnesses testify against him

 

Evidence for the Defense (to the 1ST charge) | Acts 7:1-50
Abraham, a foreigner, trusted God
Joseph, Moses, even God rejected by them

 

Evidence for the Defense (to the 2ND charge)
The tabernacle & temple could not contain God
They turned it into a den of thieves

 

Two Verdicts—Stephen & the Stiff-Necked | Acts 7:51-8:1
They are guilty, but Stephen is killed
And Saul approved it all

 

How Does This Apply to Us?
The heart is deceitful… who can understand it?
Some will have hardened hearts and closed ears
Some are still disobeying today
Even Saul began by attacking the Church
But he found himself fighting against God 

Q: Will we obey and seek to make disciples?

     Or will we insist on fighting against God?

CROSSROADS CHURCH

5467 1st Ave, Pittsville, WI 54466 | 715-884-2665

Sunday Services at 9:30AM

[email protected]

ACTS—Building Toward the Future | Priorities… Keeping Things Aligned | Acts 6:1—7 | February 23rd, 2020

by | Mar 18, 2020 | Sermons

ACTS—Building Toward the Future | Priorities… Keeping Things Aligned | Acts 6:1—7 | February 23, 2020

 

A Good Start, but…
Unity | Acts 2:44-47
Encouragement | Acts 4:32-37
Cracks appear | Acts 5:1-11
Division creeps in | Acts 6:1-6

 

Problems WILL Come… (How will we handle them?)
Favoritism is harmful and ugly
Pursue the solution together
Choose qualified candidates
     Full of the Spirit
          Don’t forget: It all starts with the Holy Spirit!
     Full of Wisdom
Commission them for ministry
Stay focused on your highest priority

Q—What is OUR highest priority?

(hint… L_____ G___, L_____ P_______, M_____ D__________)

 

Where Do We Go From Here?
Stay focused on our highest priority
Through the Holy Spirit, search out solutions when problems creep in
Keep prayer as a high priority
     Don’t let busyness kill your prayer life
“Ministry” means “service” 

Q—What will the world see if we stay focused?

How did they respond in Acts 6:7?

CROSSROADS CHURCH

5467 1st Ave, Pittsville, WI 54466 | 715-884-2665

Sunday Services at 9:30AM

[email protected]

ACTS—Building Toward the Future | If From God… Unstoppable! | Acts 5:12—42 | February 16, 2020

by | Mar 18, 2020 | Sermons

ACTS—Building Toward the Future | If From God… Unstoppable! | Acts 5:12—42 | February 16, 2020

 

God’s Presence Seen in Power
Miracles, signs, and wonders…
     Jesus explains… | John 10:38; 14:11
Some were timid, others boldly came…
     and believed!
As a result…
     Faith was strengthened!

Q—When you have stepped out in faith, have you seen or felt God’s power?

 

The Opposition is Ramped Up!
They were sad, you see? (Sadducees)
     and jealous!
They were losing power to those who didn’t…
     think like they did.
They tried to shame them publicly
But Jesus was building His Church

Q—Do you obey when public humiliation could result?

 

We Told You This Before
We must obey God rather than men
If this is of man, it will fail
If it is from God… Unstoppable!
Obedience will include suffering
But Jesus will prove faithful 

Q—Who will we choose to obey?

God… Or our “inner–man”?

He wants to build His Church… through you!

CROSSROADS CHURCH

5467 1st Ave, Pittsville, WI 54466 | 715-884-2665

Sunday Services at 9:30AM

[email protected]

ACTS—Building Toward the Future | Genuine Unity… & the Threat of Dishonesty Acts 4:32—5:11 | February 9, 2020

by | Mar 18, 2020 | Sermons

ACTS—Building Toward the Future | Genuine Unity… & the Threat of Dishonesty Acts 4:32—5:11 | February 9, 2020

 

Unity—All In!
One heart… One mind…
What’s yours is mine!
With unity of mission there is power!
There is also encouragement 

Q—Have you been inspired by a unified team effort?

 

A Cautionary Tale
Guard your heart while doing good
Generosity with deception is despicable
A sin against man is a sin against God
The Holy Spirit is God
God is serious about His mission 

Q—Do you desire the praise of people or of God?

 

You Will Be Found Out
A darkened heart is self-deceived
God still offers second chances
God is serious about protecting His Church 

Q—Does this scare you?  At least a little?

 

What Should We Do?
Is this our second chance?
God is serious about the Great Commission
Are we?
It’s going to take unity. Are we all in?
God’s power is waiting to work through us

CROSSROADS CHURCH

5467 1st Ave, Pittsville, WI 54466 | 715-884-2665

Sunday Services at 9:30AM

[email protected]