He Is Risen!
(1 Corinthians 15:1-19)

I. The resurrection matters because it is true. (1 Corinthians 15:1-11)
A. Evidence of the Prophetic Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:4; Psalm 16; Acts 2:24-32; Psalm 22:22; Hebrews 2:12; Isaiah 53:10-12; Matthew 12:38-41; John 2:19)
B. Evidence of Eyewitness Testimony (1 Corinthians 15:5-8)
C. Evidence of Changed Lives (1 Corinthians 15:9-11)

II. The resurrection of Jesus matters because apart from it, the Christian faith is empty. (1 Corinthians 15:12-19)
A. If Christ is not risen, our preaching is empty. (1 Corinthians 15:14A, 15)
B. If Christ is not risen, faith is futile. (1 Corinthians 15:14B, 17)
C. If Christ is not risen, there is no hope beyond the grave. (1 Corinthians 15:18)

The Triumphal Entry
(John 12:12-19)

I. Don’t follow Jesus because of temporary earthly benefits. (Hebrews 11:29-38)

II. Follow Jesus because He is Messiah and King.
A. Fulfilled prophecies prove that Jesus is Messiah and King. (Psalm 118:22-26; Matthew 21:42; Zechariah 9:9; John 12:15)
B. Jesus’ works of power prove that He is Messiah and King. (John 12:17; 20:31)
C. Jesus’ control of His circumstances under the Father’s timetable proves that He is Messiah and King. (Acts 4:27-28)

III. You can oppose Jesus and even succeed in the here and now, but in the end He will be victorious. (John 12:19; Revelation 7:9-10)

Stephen: First Christian Martyr
(Acts 7:54-8:3)

I. Those who speak out boldly for God and against evil will suffer. (2 Timothy 3:12)

II. Those who suffer for Christ can be assured of His faithful presence and help in their suffering and eternal life. (Mark 14:61-62)

III. When we suffer, we can entrust our souls to God and show His love to those who persecute us. (1 Peter 4:19)
A. Jesus Seen (1 Peter 1:8-9; Ephesians 1:17)
B. Jesus Invoked (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 2:18)
C. Jesus Trusted (2 Corinthians 5:8)
D. Jesus Imitated (Luke 23:34)

IV. Jesus always uses suffering for His greater purpose and glory. (1 Corinthians 15:58; Matthew 10:42)

Stephen’s Sermon and the Sovereignty of God
(Acts 7:1-53)

I. The Message
A. Israel’s history reveals God’s sovereign grace. (Isaiah 66:1-2)
B. Israel’s history reveals their own inclination to reject God’s gracious dealings with them.
C. Israel’s history reveals their pattern of limiting worship to a place. (Jeremiah 7:9-10)

II. The Application
A. We should rejoice in and proclaim the message of God’s amazing grace. (Ephesians 2:4-5)
B. We should guard against presuming on God’s grace by falling into a pattern of sin. (1 Corinthians 10:6-10; Jude 4; Titus 2:11-12)
C. We should guard against going through the motions while our heart is far from God. (1 Samuel 16:7)
D. We should be concerned about bearing witness to the truth. (Ephesians 4:15)

Stephen: Man of Godly Character
(Acts 6:8-15)

I. Stephen was a man of godly character.
A. He was filled with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 6:3; Luke 12:12; Galatians 5:16,22-23)
B. He was filled with wisdom. (Acts 6:3,10; Proverbs 2:6; 9:10; 1 Corinthians 1:18,24)
C. He was filled with faith. (Acts 6:5; Ephesians 1:11)
D. He was filled with grace. (Acts 7:60; Titus 3:5-6; Romans 5:8)
E. He was filled with power. (Acts 1:8; 6:8; Colossians 1:11)

II. Stephen’s godly character was the foundation for his courageous witness.
A. When we bear witness for Christ, we are speaking to hearts that are blinded by Satan and hardened by sin. (2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 4:18; John 6:44; 8:44)
B. Religious people can be the most hardened in their opposition to the gospel. (James 1:27)
C. When we bear witness for Christ, we should be prepared for opposition. (Acts 6:11-14)

III. Godly, courageous witnesses must leave the results up to God. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Principles for Problem-Solving in the Church
(Acts 6:1-7)

1. We must orient everything in our lives to God through prayer and His Word. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
2. We must acknowledge problems and look for biblical solutions. (Psalm 34:19)
3. We must remain committed to spiritual unity. (John 17:20-23)
4. Problems in the church can sometimes be resolved by understanding spiritual gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:12,18,21)
5. Church leaders must maintain their focus on prayer and the ministry of God’s Word. (Acts 6:4)
6. Leaders at every level must be spiritually qualified. (Acts 6:3; 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1; 1 Chronicles 12:32)
7. Growth may require new levels of organization in order to solve problems. (Acts 6:5-6)

“We Must Obey God Rather Than Men”
(Acts 5:11-42)

I. Obedient Christians have a fear of the Lord’s holiness. (Acts 5:11; Proverbs 1:7)
II. Obedient Christians will know the Lord’s power through the Holy Spirit. (Acts 5:12,15,16,32;41; Colossians 1:11-12)
III. Obedient Christians obey God over and above civil authorities. (Acts 5:29)
IV. Obedient Christians courageously proclaim the gospel message no matter what the cost.
A. This proclamation involves confronting sin. (Acts 4:10-12; 5:30; Romans 3:23)
B. This proclamation involves boldly exalting Jesus. (Acts 5:20, 30-31; John 5:21; 14:6; John 6:63)
C. This proclamation involves repentance and forgiveness of sin. (1 Timothy 1:15)
D. This proclamation will meet with varying responses. (Acts 5:14,17,33-39)

“We Must Obey God Rather Than Men”
(Acts 5:11-42)

I. Obedient Christians have a fear of the Lord’s holiness. (Acts 5:11; Proverbs 1:7)
II. Obedient Christians will know the Lord’s power through the Holy Spirit. (Acts 5:12,15,16,32;41; Colossians 1:11-12)
III. Obedient Christians obey God over and above civil authorities. (Acts 5:29)
IV. Obedient Christians courageously proclaim the gospel message no matter what the cost.
A. This proclamation involves confronting sin. (Acts 4:10-12; 5:30; Romans 3:23)
B. This proclamation involves boldly exalting Jesus. (Acts 5:20, 30-31; John 5:21; 14:6; John 6:63)
C. This proclamation involves repentance and forgiveness of sin. (1 Timothy 1:15)
D. This proclamation will meet with varying responses. (Acts 5:14,17,33-39)

The Danger of Spiritual Hypocrisy
(Acts 4:36-5:11)

I. We are all prone to the sin of hypocrisy.
A. The seriousness of hypocrisy (Matthew 23; Luke 12:1; Revelation 3:17)
B. The selfishness of hypocrisy (1 Thessalonians 2:4)
C. The short-sightedness of hypocrisy (Galatians 1:10; Hebrews 4:13)

II. We should diligently pursue godly character.
A. We must walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16)
B. We must encourage others. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
C. We must be generous. (2 Corinthians 8:9; 1 Timothy 6:17)
D. We must demonstrate integrity. (Proverbs 3:3)

Marks of a Healthy Church Under Persecution
(Acts 4:23-35)

I. Respond to persecution by affirming our commitment to God.
A. We affirm our commitment to God through corporate prayer. (Acts 4:24; Matthew 6:9-13)
B. We affirm our commitment to God by having a view of God as the Sovereign Lord even over evil. (Acts 4:17-28; Ephesians 1:11; Job 42:2; Romans 8:28)
C. We affirm our commitment to God by knowing and applying His Word. (Acts 4:25-26; Psalm 2:1-4; Proverbs 1:24-33)

II. Respond to persecution by affirming our commitment to the Lord’s people.
A. The Lord’s people should be committed to fellowship. (1 John 1:3; Hebrews 10:24-25)
B. The Lord’s people should be committed to unity. (Ephesians 4:13)
C. The Lord’s people should be committed to generosity. (1 John 3:17; 1 Timothy 6:18)

III. Respond to persecution by affirming our commitment to the Lord’s work in the world. (Acts 4:33)