SERIES: EMPOWERED TO ADVANCE
TITLE: The Threat of Murder––Standing Tall in Faith
TEXT: Acts 7:54–60
MESSAGE BY: Pastor Tim

Background passage: Acts 6:8–7:60

I. The Man called Stephen. (Acts 6:8–15)
A. He shared Christ’s grace. (v. 8)
B. He shared Christ’s power. (v. 8)
C. He showed Christ’s wisdom. (v. 10)
D. He shared Christ’s rejection. (Vv. 13–14)

II. The Message of Stephen.
A. The false hope of land. (Acts 7:4–5; 9–10; 30–34, 36)
B. The false hope of Moses and the Law. (Vv. 37–40)
C. The false hope of the temple. (Vv. 47–50)
D. The false hope of your hearts. (Vv. 51–53)

III. The Murder of Stephen. (Acts 7:54–60)
A. What he said.
B. What he saw.
C. What he showed.

How Do I “Stand Tall” in a Hostile World?

1. Declare the truth.
2. Defend your faith.
3. Die to self.
4. Determine to trust.
5. Demonstrate love.

SERIES: EMPOWERED TO ADVANCE
TITLE: Responding to Threats Inside the Church (Pt.2)
TEXT: Acts 6:1–7
MESSAGE BY: Pastor Tim

I. The Threat of Disunity. (Acts 6:1; James 2:1–9; James 4:1–3)
A. The Problem:
1. Disunity hurts our fellowship
(Acts 6:1: Num. 14:1–4; 1 Cor. 10:10)
2. Disunity hurts our witness. (John 17:20–21, 23)
3. Disunity holds us back. (Mt. 12:25)
B. The Solution: Acts 6:3–6)
1. Restore trust.
2. Administrate ministry.

II. The Threat of Distraction. (Acts 6:2, 4, 7; Eph. 4:11–16; Col. 1:28–29; 2 Tim. 4:1–2)
A. Focus on the main thing.
B. Fulfill your calling.
C. Flourish in your gifting.

SERIES: EMPOWERED TO ADVANCE
TITLE: RespondingtoThreatsInside
TEXT: Acts 4:36–5:11
MESSAGE BY: Pastor Tim

I. The Threat of Deception.
(vv. 5:3–5, 7–9; Ps. 51:6; Lk. 8:17; Eph. 4:25)

A. Why do we lie?
1. To hide something.
2. To help ourselves.
3. To hurt someone.

B. The truth about lies.
1. God knows completely.
2. God takes lying seriously.
3. God punishes lying severely. 4. God exposes lying openly.

C. The impact of lying.
1. Affects your relationships.
2. Brings defeat into your life.
3. Positions you with the evil one.

SERIES: EMPOWERED TO ADVANCE
TITLE: The Blessing of a Spirit-Filled Church
TEXT: Acts 4:32–37 MESSAGE BY: Pastor Tim

1. The Blessing of Unity. (v. 32; John 10:16; 1 Pet. 3:8; Phil. 1:27;1 Cor. 1:10)
A. Sin always divides.
B. The Spirit always unites. (Eph. 4:3; John 17:11, 21–23)

2. The Blessing of Giving. (vv. 32, 34–35)
A. They understood true ownership.
B. They were surrendered to true Lordship.
C. They were moved by compassionate fellowship. (2 Cor. 8:3–4; Phil. 4:14–19)

3. The Blessing of Witnessing. (v. 33; Acts 1:8; Luke 24:46–49)
A. Testify to what you have experienced.
B. Testify to what is true.
C. Trust God with results. (Rom. 1:16; 1Cor. 1:18–24)

4. The Blessing of Receiving. (v. 33b; Luke 6:38; Acts 11:21–24)
A. When you give to others, you trust in God.
B. When you open your life to others, you open your life to God.
C. When you are a blessing, you receive a blessing.