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Sermons in ActsEmbry Hills Church of ChristWinter, 20061

Sermons in Acts - Lessons List#TitleText1.Introduction2.Peter on Pentecost2:14-403.Peter at Solomon’s Porch3:11-264.Stephen’s Defense7:1-535.Peter at Cornelius’ house10:34-436.Paul at Antioch of Pisidia13:16-427.Paul at Lystra & Athens14:14-17; 17:22-318.Paul at Miletus20:17-359.Paul before Agrippa & Festus26:1-292

Lesson 1 ObjectivesAt the end of the study, the student will be able to:Name the author and recipient of Actsz List the preachers we will be studyingz List a 5-point outline of Actsz Give 2 reasons why this study is importantz List at least five themes we expect to findin the sermons in Actsz3

Why Study Sermons in Acts?I Cor 1:20-21 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is thedisputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of thisworld? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdomdid not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of themessage preached to save those who believe.John 17:17-20 "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 AsYou sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 Andfor their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by thetruth. 20 I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believein Me through their word Heb 2:1-4 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the thingswe have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken throughangels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobediencereceived a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great asalvation, which at first began to be spoken by the Lord, and wasconfirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witnessboth with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of theHoly Spirit, according to His own will?4

Outline of Acts*I. Introduction (1:1-11)Ascension & Coming of Holy SpiritII. Origin of the Church: Jerusalem (1:12-8:3)Stephen’s Death & PersecutionIII. Period of Transition: Samaria (8:4-11:18)Gentile (Cornelius) ConversionIV. Expansion to the Gentiles (11:19-21:16)- Paul’s Mission: Antioch & the EmpirePaul’s ArrestV. Imprisonment & Defense of Paul (21:17-28:31)- Caesarea & Rome*From Tenney, New Testament Survey5

Jesus’ Parting InstructionsLuke 24:25-27 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow ofheart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Ought not theChrist to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” 27And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to themin all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.Luke 24:44-47 Then He said to them, “These are the words which Ispoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilledwhich were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and thePsalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, thatthey might comprehend the Scriptures. 46 Then He said to them,“Thus is it written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to sufferand to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance andremission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations,beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things.”Acts 1:3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after Hissuffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during fortydays and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.6

The Great CommissionThe MessagePreachedThe Result/Response“The Gospel”(Mk 16:15)Believe &Baptized, orNot Believe(Mk 16:16)Repentance &Remission ofSins(Luke 24:47)Make Disciples,Baptized(Matt 28:19)The ContinuedWorkTeaching toObserve AllThings (Mt 28:20)7

Themes to Look For in SermonszzzzMiracles & Signs of Jesus – With WitnessesRejection by the JewsResurrection of Jesus – With WitnessesProphecies of the Christ (Messiah) Fulfilled in JesuszzzzzzzzChrist’s Current Reign in HeavenComing JudgmentGod’s Control in EventsHuman Guilt Before GodForgiveness by Response to the GospelzzzzSuffering MessiahResurrectionCoronation (Throne of David)Requirement to RepentBaptismExclusivity of TruthUniversality of the Gospel8

Messages not FoundzzzzzAn Appeal of Worldly Comfort or SuccessA Mission of Universal BenevolenceA Call for Social JusticeAn Acceptance of All ReligionsPredictions of a Future Kingdom9

Lesson 2 ObjectivesAt the end of the study, the student will be able to:Describe the occasion that led to thesermon.z List what the Jewish audience knew andunderstood before the sermon began.z List the three arguments Peter makes toprove that Jesus is the Messiah.z Give the Old Testament reference for thethree prophecies that Peter uses.z List four themes found in the sermon.z10

Pentecost Sermon OutlineActs 2:14-4014-21 – Explanation of Tongue-speaking22-24 – Introduction of Jesus25-36 – Prophecy of Resurrection & Coronation38-40 – Instructions for Obedience11

Two-step Proof The Prophets said theMessiah would zzzzzzBe Opposed by RulersSuffer & Be KilledBe Raised from the DeadBe Exalted to David’sThroneProvide Forgiveness ofSinsBring in All NationsJesus was zzzzzzOpposedCrucifiedRaised the 3rd DayExalted to David’s Throne(God’s right hand)Providing Forgiveness ofSinsBringing in All Nations Explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had tosuffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “ThisJesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” (Acts 17:3)12

The Great CommissionMan’s izingBelieve BaptizedRepentance(Believe)Repent & Be Baptized forResultMakeDisciplesSavedRemissionof SinsRemissionof Sins13

Lesson 3 ObjectivesAt the end of the study, the student will be able to:zzzzzDescribe the occasion that led to the sermon.List the two Old Testament references Peteruses to prove that Jesus is the Christ.List four similarities and 2 differences betweenthis sermon and the one on Pentecost.List three ways Jesus is like Moses.List four of the themes found in this sermon.14

Outline of Peter’s Sermon (Acts 3:11-26)3:12-16 – Explanation of the Miracle (plus )3:17-21 – Call to Repentance3:22-24 – Moses’ Prophecy: A Prophet to Come3:25-26 – Prophecy to Abraham: Seed Blessing15

Beautiful Gate16

Beautiful Gate17

Timeline of the KingdomActs 3JesusGlorifiedJesusDelivered upActs 2JesusRaised upJesusDelivered upHeaven Receives Until Sins BlottedOutTimes ofRefreshingJesusSentRestorationof all thingsRepent & BeConvertedExalted to the Right Hand of God Remissionof SinsGift of theHoly Spirit (?)Coming of theGreat & NotableDay of the Lord (?)Repent & BeBaptized18

Both Jesus & Moses Were Raised up by God from among Israelz Were Prophets, Speaking for Godz Had to be Listened to or God wouldpunish.zAlso z Were Rejected by Their own People.z Led a Chosen People to Salvation.19

“Mini Sermons”8ThenPeter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulersof the people and elders of Israel: 9If we this day are judgedfor a good deed done to the helpless man, by what means hehas been made well, 10let it be know to you all, and to all thepeople of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ ofNazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from thedead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11Thisis the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which hasbecome the chief cornerstone.’ 12Nor is there salvation inany other, for there is no other name under heaven givenamong men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:8-12)29ThenPeter and the other apostles answered and said: “Weought to obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathersraised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.31Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince andSavior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.32And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also isthe Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”(Acts 5:29-32)20

Lesson 4 ObjectivesAt the end of the study, the student will be able to:zzzzzDescribe the occasion that led to the sermon.List the charges made against Stephen.List the Old Testament leaders that Stephenmentions.List the underlying theme of the sermon.List 4 of the common themes found in thissermon.21

Outline of Acts*I. Introduction (1:1-11)Ascension & Coming of Holy SpiritII. Origin of the Church: Jerusalem (1:12-8:3)Stephen’s Death & PersecutionIII. Period of Transition: Samaria (8:4-11:18)Gentile (Cornelius) ConversionIV. Expansion to the Gentiles (11:19-21:16)- Paul’s Mission: Antioch & the EmpirePaul’s ArrestV. Imprisonment & Defense of Paul (21:17-28:31)- Caesarea & Rome*From Tenney, New Testament Survey22

The Charges Against StephenzzzBlasphemy Against Moses & God (v 11)Blasphemy Against the Holy Place & Law (v 13)Said, “Jesus will:zzDestroy this Place, andChange the Customs Moses Delivered” (v 14)Charges:Moses (the Law)This Place (Land & Temple)23

Outline of Stephen’s Defense7:2-8Call & Promise to Abraham7:9-16Joseph Brings Israelites to Egypt7:17-36 Moses Delivers Israelites from Egypt7:37-43 The Israelites Rebel Against Moses7:44-50 The House of God7:51-53 Israel’s Consistent Rejection of GodCharges:Moses (the Law)This Place (Land & Temple)24

The Promise to AbrahamPromise to Abraham abouthis descendants (Acts 7:5-7)(Nationto come)Sojourn inForeign LandIn Bondage(400 years)Delivered &Nation JudgedServe God in“this Place”Oppressionin Egypt(v 18,19)TabernacleMoses broughtbrought intothem out withPower (v 36); Land; TempleBuilt by Sol.Gave the Law(v 44-47)Fulfillment of the PromisePatriarchsborn thruIsaac (v 8)Joseph leadsfamily toEgypt(v 9-16)Charges:Moses (the Law)This Place (Land & Temple)25

The Underlying MessagePromise to Abraham abouthis descendants (Acts 7:5-7)(Nationto come)Sojourn inForeign LandIn Bondage(400 years)Delivered &Nation JudgedServe God in“this Place”Oppressionin Egypt(v 18,19)TabernacleMoses broughtbrought intothem out withPower (v 36); Land; TempleBuilt by Sol.Gave the Law(v 44-47)Fulfillment of the PromisePatriarchsborn thruIsaac (v 8)Joseph leadsfamily toEgypt(v 9-16)Rejected by Brethren(Went Away for a while)Exalted to Power by GodAppeared Again as SaviorRejected by Brethren(Went Away for a while)Selected & Made a Ruler by GodAppeared Again as a SaviorFathers Disobeyed His Law26

What about “the Place”Promise to Abraham abouthis descendants (Acts 7:5-7)(Nationto come)Sojourn inForeign LandIn Bondage(400 years)Delivered &Nation JudgedServe God in“this Place”Oppressionin Egypt(v 18,19)TabernacleMoses broughtbrought intothem out withPower (v 36); Land; TempleBuilt by Sol.Gave the Law(v 44-47)Fulfillment of the PromisePatriarchsborn thruIsaac (v 8)Joseph leadsfamily toEgypt(v 9-16)God doesn’t Dwell in Temples!“The Place” is Lost by Disobedience!God Wants Humble Obedience!(Isaiah 66)27

Outline of Acts*I. Introduction (1:1-11)Ascension & Coming of Holy SpiritII. Origin of the Church: Jerusalem (1:12-8:3)Stephen’s Death & PersecutionIII. Period of Transition: Samaria (8:4-11:18)Gentile (Cornelius) ConversionIV. Expansion to the Gentiles (11:19-21:16)- Paul’s Mission: Antioch & the EmpirePaul’s ArrestV. Imprisonment & Defense of Paul (21:17-28:31)- Caesarea & Rome*From Tenney, New Testament Survey28

Lesson 5 ObjectivesAt the end of the study, the student will be able to:z Describethe circumstances andpreparation God made to bring Peterto Cornelius’ house.z Explain the significance of the HolySpirit falling on Cornelius and hishousehold.z List at least four of our themes foundin the sermon.29

Herodian Ampitheatre in Caesarea30

Ruins in Caesarea31

Aquaduct inCaesarea32

Outline of Peter’s Sermon (Acts 10:11-26)10:34,35 God’s Impartiality10:36-38 The Word of Jesus’ Ministry10:39-41 Witnessed Death & Resurrection10:42,43 Message of Judgment & Forgiveness10:47Instructions for Obedience33

The Same StoryActs 3JesusGlorifiedJesusDelivered upHeaven Receives Until Sins BlottedOutTimes ofRefreshingJesusSentRestorationof all thingsRepent & BeConvertedActs 10JesusRaised UpRemissionof SinsJesus Killed Fears & WorksRighteousness;BelievesJesus, Judge ofLiving & Dead34