By Grace Through Faith —

Good News for All People

[Acts 14:24 -15:12]

i. Some doctrines are essential in nature. (Acts 15:1)

a. The doctrine of salvation requires total agreement among believers.

ii. Most theological controversies are not easily resolved. (Acts 15:1-6)

a. The overwhelming majority of the early church consisted of Torah-observant Jews.

b. Gentile conversion and inclusion was an altogether new challenge for the early church, especially in regard to circumcision.

iii.Essential doctrines must be fiercely defended, even if it leads to division. (Acts 15:1-6)

iv.The Holy Spirit provided the Apostle Peter with divine wisdom from heaven to bring clarity and promote unity.

(Acts 15:7-12)

Tv. he good news for all people — Jew and Gentile — is that salvation is forever by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. (Acts 15:7-12)

As We Go …

If you really believe that salvation is the free gift of God for all people ... What is keeping you from receiving this gift?

To whom are you offering this gift?

By Grace Through Faith —

Good News for All People

[Acts 14:24 -15:12]

i. Some doctrines are essential in nature. (Acts 15:1)

A. The doctrine of salvation requires

total agreement among believers.

I. Most theological controversies are not easily resolved. (Acts 15:1-6)

A. The overwhelming majority of the

early church consisted of Torah-observant Jews.

B. Gentile conversion and inclusion was

an altogether new challenge for the

early church, especially in regard to

circumcision.

III. Essential doctrines must be fiercely defended, even if it leads to division. (Acts 15:1-6)

IV. The Holy Spirit provided the Apostle Peter with divine wisdom from heaven to bring clarity and promote unity.

(Acts 15:7-12)

V.The good news for all people — Jew and Gentile — is that salvation is forever by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. (Acts 15:7-12)

As We Go …

If you really believe that salvation is the free gift of God for all people ... What is keeping you from receiving this gift?

To whom are you offering this gift?

Resurrection Sunday

Come to Jesus — Romans 8:1-11

i. Are you living with a spirit of condemnation? Come to Jesus — He will set you free! (Romans 8:1-4)

ii.Are you struggling with a spirit of hatred? Come to Jesus — He will bring you peace! (Romans 8:5-8)

iii. Are you suffering from a spirit of rejection? Come to Jesus — He will give you a true sense of belonging! (Romans 8:9)

iV. Are you tormented by the spirit of death? Come to Jesus — He will give you His very resurrection life! (Romans 8:10-11)

As you Go …

The good news is that no matter who you are, where you’ve been or what you’ve done to this point in your life … you can come to Jesus today and experience His love and forgiveness, and receive His resurrection life!

The Cross before the Crown —

Acts 14:19-28

I. The Lord Jesus was willing to go to the cross before receiving His crown. (Acts 14:22, Mt. 21:1-11, John 18:33-38)

II. As followers of Christ, we also must enter the kingdom of God through many tribulations. (Acts 14:19-23)

III. Every true believer is promised to participate on some level in the sufferings of Christ. (Acts 14:19-23)

In light of this reality, God is calling us to

I.Strengthen the souls of disciples. (Acts 14:22)

II.Encourage one another to continue in the faith. (Acts 14:22, 27)

III.To live in a manner worthy of receiving a crown on that Day when Christ Returns in Glory! (Acts 14:22)

As We Go …

As we face the many trials and troubles of this world as people of the cross, let us live in a manner worthy of Jesus so that we may one day receive the crown of life!

Jesus above others gods — Acts 14:1-18

I. From where did all the pagan gods and goddesses originate? (Acts 14:16, Deuteronomy 29:24-28, 32:8-9)

ANSWER — The Tower of Babel

II. How did the ancient world view their gods? (Acts 14:11-14)

ANSWER — As real, powerful divine beings

III. How did the ancient world worship their gods? (Acts 14:11-14)

ANSWER — Primarily through Idolatry and Immorality

IV. Why does the Bible portray pagan idolatry as being worthless and ultimately damning? (Acts 14:15)

ANSWER — Because it was the worship of demons

V. What is the connection between Zeus, Baal and Satan Himself? (Acts 14:11-14, Matthew 12:24-28, Revelation 2:12-14)

ANSWER — They are likely different names for the same “god”

VI. What does all of this have to do with the gospel and the cosmic mission of Jesus Christ? (Acts 14:15-17)

ANSWER — Jesus has proven his victory and supremacy over Satan and all other so-called “gods"

As We Go …

We must stop giving Satan and his demons power and influence over us, especially knowing that Jesus Christ has triumphed over all the principalities, powers, and spiritual forces of evil at work in this world!

The Gospel: God Is Revealing . . .

Romans 1

1. His RIGHTEOUSNESS (v. 16-17)

• POWERFULLY FREE

• God’s Salvation

• God’s Gift

• PERSONAL FAITH

• “for everyone who believes”

• “from faith to faith”

• “live by faith”

2. His WRATH (v. 18)

• PRESENT COMPONENT

• Being Revealed

• By God

• PERMANENT CONDITION

• Rejecting God’s

RIGHTEOUSNESS

• Rejecting God’s TRUTH

3. His NATURE (v. 19-20)

• Through CREATION

• Through CONSCIENCE

• Through CHRIST

Five Essential Keys to Living in Victory

1 Peter 5:6-11

1.A victorious Christian cannot be proud

— but humble. (1 Peter 5:6)

2. A victorious Christian cannot be

anxious — but at peace. (1 Peter 5:7)

3. A victorious Christian cannot be distracted or asleep — but must be spiritually engaged! (1 Peter 5:8)

4. A victorious Christian cannot be fearful

— but full of faith. (1 Peter 5:9)

5. A victorious Christian cannot remain

focused on the challenges and

changing circumstances of this life —

but on Jesus Christ and the reality of

eternity. (1 Peter 5:10-11)

As we Go — we must realize that God hasn’t saved us to live defeated lives, but victorious lives in Christ! Let’s begin walking in victory as His people!

1. A Love for Christ and His Family

Matthew 22:37, John 13:34-35

2. The Love of Singing and Praise

Colossians 3:16, Psalm 22:3

3. Excited to Give to Christ and His Church

2 Corinthians 9:7, Matthew 6:21

Chosen but Free - Acts 13:44-52

1. The Gospel is first for the Jew and then the Gentiles. (Acts 13:44-46)

2. The Jews (Israel) will always have a unique relationship with the LORD as His chosen people. (Deuteronomy 7:6-8, Romans 9:1-6)

3. Although the Jews have been characterized historically by unbelief, God has always preserved for Himself a remnant of believers among the Jewish people. (Acts 13:46-47, Acts 11:1-6, Romans 9:27)

4. This present age of grace - aka the church age - is a demonstration of God’s mercy by extending His saving grace to the Gentile nations, grafting us into the true Israel. (Acts 13:47-48)

5. The inclusion of the Gentiles in God’s plan of redemption has become a stumbling block and source of jealousy for the unbelieving Jews. (Acts 13:48-52, Romans 11:11-14)

6. Although we cannot deny God’s sovereignty over the purposes of election, we also cannot deny man’s free choice when it comes to salvation. (Acts 13:46-48)

7. We must come to grips with the fact that BOTH are TRUE, but at the same time a Mystery. (Romans 11:25-28)

As We Go … Pray for the Jewish people that they would receive eyes to see and a heart to believe in their true Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ! At the same time cherish and share the gift of salvation that God has extended YOU and the whole world!

Returning to the Roots of the Gospel

Acts 13:13-43

THE BIG PICTURE

1. The Gospel narrative is rooted in true

history. (Acts 13:13-23)

2. The Gospel narrative is rooted in

fulfilled prophecy. (Acts 13:24-30)

3. The Gospel narrative is rooted in

eyewitness testimony. (Acts 13:31-37)

OUR PERSONAL RESPONSE

1. The Gospel produces the fruit of God’s

redemption of sinners and the

forgiveness of sins through the death

of Jesus on the cross.

(Acts 13:28-29, 38)

2. The Gospel produces the fruit of God’s

salvation and the free gift of eternal life

through the resurrection of Jesus from

the grave. (Acts 13:30-37)

3. The Gospel produces the fruit of our

justification as we respond by grace

through faith and receive the very

righteousness of Jesus Christ.

(Acts 13:39)

4. The Gospel is the warning that all who

reject Jesus Christ will perish and stand

condemned before a Holy God.

(Acts 13:40-43)

As we Go … As you hear the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, seek to understand it, embrace it, and fully appreciate it, but more than anything else - PERSONALLY BELIEVE IT! And then go and share it with the world! IT is the greatest story ever told!