We can share the Gospel by showing that Jesus is what people are searching for.

Paul visits the city of Athens, pays attention to what is happening there, and gains a hearing among the philosophers. They ask him to speak, and he uses their culture and religion to reveal the truth about Jesus. Some would not accept the resurrection, but others believed and became disciples!

In the work of the Gospel, our part is to be faithful and God's part is to make it fruitful.

Paul and his fellow missionaries travel to the cities of Thessalonica and Berea, with mixed results. Some are open to the Gospel while others oppose it. This is true throughout all of Acts, even for the most gifted apostles. They cannot do more than their part-which is to make Jesus known.

Your worship of God is a witness of the Gospel's power.

After performing miracles that disrupted the social and economic norms, Paul and Silas were opposed by the crowd and imprisoned. While they worshipped God, they were miraculously freed. They demonstrated integrity and compassion, which saved the jailer and his family.

The Holy Spirit shows us where we should go with the Gospel.

This passage picks up halfway through Paul's second missionary trip and shows that God had a bigger plan for the Gospel, more people to reach, and He was uniquely architecting it’s spread through the Spirit. We also see how the Spirit was at work on both sides, prompting those who were taking the good news and preparing the hearts of those who received it. For us today, the Kingdom will advance when we are led by the Spirit.

The message of the Gospel is that we can have a relationship with God through faith in Jesus alone.

Is Jesus the only way to get into the Kingdom? What stipulations, complexities and other things have we added to the good news of Jesus? After Gentiles of Antioch became Christians, some wanted to force them to also become Jews. This demanded people to subscribe to Jewish religion in addition to a Christian relationship. But the Jerusalem Council determined that faith in Jesus and a life that pleases God was enough. Today we look at Acts 15 and remind ourselves that Jesus alone is enough.

Sharing the Gospel will result in pain and requires perseverance.

As Paul and Barnabas continue travelling and preaching the good news they meet both receptive hearts and great opposition. In this message we will look at how the kingdom of Jesus will advance in the face of opposition. It will be costly to us personally and following the example of the apostles, we should persevere in the face of opposition by the power of the Spirit.

Reflection questions:

How have you experienced opposition to the Kingdom?

What will the advance of the Kingdom require of you?

Scripture passages:

Acts 5:38-39

Acts 12:24

Acts 13:49

Acts 14

John 8:44

Ephesians 2:1-2

Revelation 12:9, 17

Acts 1:4, 8

Acts 2:38-39

2 Timothy 1:7

The message of the Gospel challenges us to change (what we believe, how we find identity, where we get security)

Paul sets off on his first missionary journey to make known the truth of Jesus. In Antioch, Paul first presents the good news of Jesus. In this message we look at what the Gospel is, where it comes from, and how it forces us to make a decision.

Reflection questions:

Why is it Good News for you that Jesus is King?

How will this change the way you live for Him?

The work of the Gospel cannot be stopped.

In the opening message of the series, we look at the major themes of the book of Acts, what the good news of Jesus is and how it spreads.

Reflection Questions:

- Which theme from Acts am I most prone to forget?

- Who is close enough to me to experience the Good News through me?

The dining room represents where relationships are formed. Jesus should influence all our relationships. Ephesians 5 gives a template for surrendering to Jesus in those relationships. We also ought to intentionally build relationships within the church and with the lost, showing hospitality and kindness for Jesus.

Jesus wants His people to form deep relationships within the church and in the world. Hospitality, generosity, and intentionality put flesh on the love of Jesus. After all, disciples of Jesus will be known by their love. And love shows up in relationships. Scripture Passages: Matthew 28:18—20, Romans 15:7, Romans 12:13, 1 Peter 4:9, Hebrews 13:2, Acts 17:24-27, Matthew 9:9-13, Colossians 4:2-6 Reflection Questions: What do you need to do to create space for change to take place? Who are the people around you that would be encouraged by your hospitality? Additional Resources: Book: Surprise the World by Michael Frost Book: The Relational Soul by Richard Plass and James Cofield

The attic is off limits. Things stay hidden there. Money is often the part of our lives we keep people, and Jesus, out of. But Jesus cares a great deal about our money and He intends to change how we view and use it. (See Matthew 6 and other texts)

In the attic, we deal with the thing we often don’t want to give over to Jesus—finances. Money can be the cause of sin or the catalyst for good. Jesus wants to change the way we view and use money, managing it well on earth and investing in eternity. Scripture Passages: Matthew 6:21, Psalm 24:1-2, Deut. 8:10-14, Deut. 8:17-18, Matthew 6:31-32, Ecclesiastes 5:10-11, 1 Timothy 6:6-9, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Leviticus 27:30, 32, Deut. 16:17, Matthew 23:23, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Galatians 6:9-10, 2 Corinthians 9:12-13 Reflection Questions: What needs to change about the way you view money? What needs to change in the way you use money? Additional Resources: Book: The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn Book: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki