The Gospel Cannot Be Stopped!
(Acts 12:1-25)

I. No wicked act, not even the death of the righteous, takes place apart from the sovereign will of God. (Acts 12:1-4; Psalm 2:1-4)

A. God does not love us less when He allows tragedy into our lives. (Ephesians 3:17-19)

B. We must view death from God’s eternal perspective, not from our temporal perspective. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

II. Since God is almighty, He can easily deliver His servants from impossible situations if it is His will. (Acts 12:5-19).

A. God is most glorified when we are most helpless and totally dependent on Him. (Acts 12:17)

B. God sometimes waits until the eleventh hour to deliver us so that we will be motivated to pray. (1 Peter 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

III. Since God is almighty, He can easily remove the most powerful human leaders when it is His timing. (Acts 12:20-23; Isaiah 42:8)

IV. Since God is almighty, His gospel cannot be stopped by any opposition (Acts 12:24-25)

May the Hand of the Lord Be with Us
(Acts 11:19-30)

1. God blesses a church where every member is a minister. (Acts 11:19-20)
2. God blesses a church where the gospel is proclaimed as the power of God to save sinners. (Acts 11:20-23)
3. God blesses a church that focuses on His grace. (Acts 11:23; Romans 15:7)
4. God blesses a church where grace is the motivation to remain true to the Lord. (Acts 11:23; Titus 2:12; Galatians 2:20)
5. God blesses a church where godly leaders set the example of holiness and faith. (Acts 11:24-25)
6. God blesses a church where godly leaders are devoted to teaching God’s Word. (Acts 11:26)
7. God blesses a church where the members are devoted to spontaneous, generous giving. (Acts 11:27-30)

Children Are a Gift from the Lord
(Psalm 127:3)

I. Human life is precious to God. (Genesis 1:27)

II. Unborn babies are unique, precious human beings. (Mark 1:1-6; Luke 1:15; 26-43; Judges 13:3-7)

III. Science confirms the humanity of unborn babies

IV. Abortion contradicts God’s plans and commands. (Psalm 127:3; 139:13-14; Matthew 22:37-40; John 15:13)

V. Abortion has had terrible consequences. (Isaiah 49:1,5; Ephesians 2:10)

VI. Steps we can take.

Salvation through Jesus Christ
(Acts 10:34-48)

I. Salvation is not based on national identity nor is it based on good works. (Acts 10:34-35; Deuteronomy 10:15, 17)

II. Salvation centers on the person and work of Jesus Christ. (Acts 10:36-41; Romans 3:23; James 2:10)

III. Salvation spreads to others through the faithful proclamation of God’s witnesses. (Acts 1:8; 10:39-43)

IV. Salvation comes to everyone who believes in the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:12)

V. Salvation results in genuine evidence in those who receive it. (Acts 10:44-48)

In God We Trust
(Psalm 33)

I. The Fear of the Lord (Psalm 33:18; Hebrews 10:30-31; Proverbs 10:27; 14:27; Psalm 128:1; Galatians 6:7)

II. Dependence on God (Psalm 33:13-21; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Hebrews 6:19)

III. Hope in His unfailing love (Psalm 33:18, 22; Psalm 43:5; Luke 4:18; 1 Peter 1:3)

ACTION POINTS:
PURSUE personal holiness and the fear of the Lord. (Psalm 33:8)
PRAY passionately for our nation. (Psalm 33:20)
PRAISE in all circumstances. (Psalm 33:1-2)
PUBLICLY stand for what is right. (Psalm 33:4-5)

An Attitude Adjustment
(Acts 10:1-33)

I. Adjust our Attitudes (Acts 10:1-20)

II. Align our Actions (Acts 10:11-33)

Application:

1. Root out any prejudice in your heart. (Ephesians 3:6; Galatians 3:28-29)
2. God moves when His people practice spiritual disciplines. (Acts 10:2, 9)
3. Practice immediate obedience. (John 14:15)
4. God is gracious even when we delay to obey. (Matthew 16:23; John 13:8)
5. Minister to your family and friends. (Acts 10:24)
6. Trust God’s timing and surrender to His sovereignty. (Job 42:2)

A Ministry Mindset
(Acts 9:19-31)

I. Believers should tell others about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (Acts 9:19-20; 22; John 5:18; 10:30; Luke 10:22; 20:41-44; Mark 14:61-62)

II. Believers should take time to deepen their knowledge of the Lord. (Galatians 1:15-18)

III. Believers should be prepared to face opposition and rejection. (Acts 9:23-25; 29; 2 Timothy 3:10-12)

IV. Believers should encourage and disciple others in the faith. (Acts 9:27; Galatians 1:18-19; Matthew 28:19-20)

V. Believers should use times of peace to build up one another in the Lord and to continue sharing the gospel. (Acts 9:31; Romans 14:19; 2 Corinthians 7:1)

A Life Transformed
(Acts 9:1-19)

I. God is able to transform the most unlikely of sinners.
A. Salvation does not depend on the will of man, but rather on the sovereign will and power of God. (Philippians 3:5; Acts 9:15-16; Romans 9:16)
B. Salvation does not depend on the merits of man, but rather on God’s gift of grace. (Romans 3:10; 8:8; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 1:29; Acts 5:31; 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25)

II. When God transforms a sinner, there are certain marks of genuine faith. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:3-6; Colossians 1:23; 3:5-6; 2 Peter 1:5-11)
A. Conviction of Sin
B. Humbling from Our Pride
C. Obedience to the Lordship of Christ
D. Transformation from Spiritual Blindness to Sight
E. Seeking the Lord in Prayer
F. Fellowship with the Lord’s People
G. Filled with the Holy Spirit

III. God uses transformed sinners as His chosen instruments in the cause of the gospel. (2 Timothy 2:21)

The Expansion of the Gospel
(Acts 8:26-40)

I. God sovereignly takes the initiative in salvation. (Isaiah 55:8-9; Revelation 5:9; 2 Timothy 2:10)

II. God uses His Word to penetrate the minds and hearts of sinners. (1 Peter 1:23; James 1:18; 2 Timothy 3:15)

III. God uses obedient Christians to explain the gospel from His Word to seeking souls. (Acts 4:12; 8:26-27, 35)

IV. God sovereignly works in the hearts of sinners to impart new life and genuine faith. (Romans 3:10-11; Isaiah 53:6; John 3:19-20)

False Faith
(Acts 8:4-25)

I. A False View of Self (Acts 8:9-11; Isaiah 64:6; Job 35:12; Galatians 6:3; James 4:10)

II. A False View of Salvation (Acts 8:12-13; 2 Corinthians 5:17; John 2:24)

III. A False View of the Spirit (Acts 8:14-21; Isaiah 55:1; Ephesians 2:8-9)

IV. A False View of Sin (Acts 8:22-24; Proverbs 5:22; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10; Romans 6:23)