ACTS—Building Toward the Future | Salvation is Given… Not Purchased! | Acts 8:9—25 | March 15, 2020

Two Types of “Belief” | vv. 9—13
He boasted that he was someone great!
The people were impressed with his magic
Simon was all about himself
Philip was all about Jesus
The people believed based on what Philip said
What did Simon believe in? 

Q:  What have you placed your faith in?

The Seal of Approval | vv. 14—17
They were already baptized
Was the Holy Spirit late to arrive?
What was the Apostles’ need?
What was the Samaritans’you need? 

Q:  What is our need?

One Type of “Belief” Exposed! | vv. 18—25
Simon tries to buy what is freely given
His heart was not right with God
“Pray for me”?
Power & position do not trump humility

What Does This Mean for Us?
The “news” of what He has done should amaze us.
Go to those you might have avoided in the past
Don’t dictate to God how He should act 

(Preconceived notions aren’t always correct!)

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?

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?