Responding to Persecution with the Holy Spirit

Date: July 21, 2019

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Big Idea: We must respond to persecution with great boldness choosing to pray with godly friends, believe God’s holy Word, and expect with great faith a miraculous conclusion.

Active Christians (1 of 12 people in the world), Nominal Christians (2 of 12 - they know of Jesus... but probably don't know Jesus as their Savior), Non-Christians (1 of 12 - know about Jesus but don't claim being a Christian), Atheists (1 of 12), Muslims (2 of 12), Hindus (1 of 12), Buddhists (1 of 12), Animists (1 of 12)...

John 4:13-18

Zinhle Gasa presents the ministry work in South Africa through Seed of Hope and other partnering organizations.

Healing in the Power of the Spirit

Date: July 27, 2014

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

Big Idea: God gets great honor when He heals us even without any faith of our own.

1. The Holy Spirit uses us during the most ordinary times of our lives if we will be ready (1)

a. They committed their normal day-to-day lives to God

b. They were committed to being used even if it was inconvenient

c. They were committed to being used even if they failed

Lesson: God uses people who are always at the ready to be His hand extended into hurting lives

2. Sometimes we ask for God’s second best (3)

a. The beggar asked for money when God wanted to give him healing

b. He looked to a man for assistance, instead of looking to God

Lesson: Always seek God’s best answer as it relates to your healing

3. The Holy Spirit chooses to use people…warts and all…in healing (4)

a. God chooses to use real live people to answer our prayers

Lesson: Expect that God will use our pasts and experiences to be the answer to someone’s need …even healing

4. Healing is only through the power of Jesus himself (6)

a. Peter recognized that Jesus was still alive and active

Lesson: God does not need the faith of the recipient to heal—it is the power of Jesus not the person.

Lesson: God does not need the spiritual strength of the one praying—it is the power of Jesus not the person. (3:16)

5. Healing always brings honor to God, not man (8-10)

Lesson: God heals in a timing that brings the greatest amount of honor to God

7) God heals in a way that brings the greatest amount of honor to God

i. How does God heal?

1. God sometimes heals immediately

2. God sometimes heals slowly

3. God sometimes heals with doctors and medicine

4. God sometimes heals by bringing wisdom to us to treat our bodies better

5. God sometimes decides not to heal

Healing Service:

Its All About Jesus

Date: June 16, 2019

Scripture: Acts 4:7-13

Big Idea: Salvation is exclusively found Jesus the Christ. Period.

Introduction:

1. “Jesus is the Christ” (10)

a. The “Christ” was the expected coming Messiah and King of every single Jew

b. The name “Jesus the Christ” provides salvtion

c. The name of “Jesus the Christ” commands worship and holy fear

2. “You crucified the Christ” (10b)

a. Peter boldly told them they destroyed the One they all had waited for

b. Peter reminded them of their previous court decision with Jesus

3. “God raised to life the Christ” (10c)

a. Peter directly announces that no matter their response to Jesus, God is still God.

4. “Jesus still has authority over life, death and healing” (10d)

a. This Jesus that you thought you controlled…is still in control!

b. This Jesus cannot only heal, but He has the power to give his life up and take it back again!

5. Salvation is only found in Jesus. Period.”

a. Salvation is exclusive

b. Jesus himself claimed to be the exclusive way to salvation

1. He claimed to be the eternal God (Jn. 1:1; 8:58)

2. He claimed the exalted position of judging the world (Jn. 5:22)

3. He claimed to be the only Savior of the entire human race (Jn. 14:6; 10:9)

c. Salvation is a very personal decision

Conclusion:

Courage Because of the Holy Spirit

Date: June 9, 2019

Scripture: Acts 3:11-26

Big Idea: The Holy Spirit will give us the courage so that He can get all the glory.

Introduction:

1. Courageous believers should never try to hide the glory of God! (8-11)

a. Telling your story catches the attention of unbelievers

b. Telling your story emboldens other believers

c. Telling your story makes the gospel more effective

2. Courageous believers speak the truth in love

a. Peter knew that he first had to establish a spiritual need

b. He lovingly told the Jews that they had sinned against the Christ

c. Sometimes the most loving thing you can say to an unbeliever is the truth about where they are spiritually

3. Courageous believers point people to Jesus (16)

a. Jesus is the object of our faith (16)

i. Have you noticed that all world religions agree on one thing: You are responsible for saving yourself

1. Buddhism: You save yourself by ceasing all desire

2. Confucianism: You save yourself by education, reflection and moral living

3. Hinduism: You save yourself by living in unity with the divine

4. Islam: You save yourself by doing good works

Simply, you become the object of your salvation:

b. Jesus fulfilled prophecies (18)

c. Jesus is the Christ (18)

i. Peter courageously used some very bold titles for Jesus

• “Jesus” (meant “God saves”) (13)

• the “servant of God” (13)

• the “Holy One” (14)

• the “Righteous One” (15)

• the “Author of Life” (15)

• the “Christ” (18)

ii. Peter boldly described the fact that they had killed the Messiah they had been looking for!

4. Courageous believers provide the spiritual answer to their problem (19)

a. If you repent of your sins (complete change of mind)…and

b. If you turn back to God

c. Then your sins will be wiped out...and

d. Then refreshment will come to your soul

5. Courageous believers always offer them Jesus

a. The gospel of Jesus is very personal

b. The gospel of Jesus reminds us that it is all about grace

c. The gospel of Jesus is very effective

Lessons: Speaking with Holy Boldness

• Ask the Holy Spirit to give you boldness

• Tell your story

• Your faith is to be public, not private

• Remember, it is the Holy Spirit that makes the gospel effective

• Follow up the truth with a clear path to forgiveness and refreshment

Conclusion

Preaching in the Power of the Spirit

Date: June 2, 2019

Scripture: Acts 2:22-24; 32-39

Big Idea: The resurrection of Jesus was part of God’s purposeful plan to reconcile us to Himself, and establish Jesus as our Christ and Lord.

1. Creation: We were created in the image of God to have warm fellowship with Him. (Genesis 1-2)

2. Sin: God loved us so much that He gave us the free will to choose—Adam and Eve chose to sin, and their sin separated us from God. (Genesis 2:16-17; 3)

3. Atonement: God knew that this separation could only be mended through a loving act of reconciliation paid for by a price He could only pay. (Deuteronomy 32)

4. Messiah: God sent His sinless Son to earth to become our Messiah and sacrifice. (I Peter 1:17-21)

5. Incarnation: Jesus was born like us; lived with us; was tempted like us; all without sinning. (Romans 3:1-4)

6. Crucifixion: He took our sins on His shoulders, paid our price, suffered and died on the cross in our place. (Luke 23)

7. Resurrection: Jesus, our Messiah, raised to life again, and became victor over death and hell. (Ephesians 2:6)

8. Holy Spirit: He sent His Holy Spirit to convict, enlighten and indwell in us. (John 15:26-16:15)

9. Transformation: God intends for us to continually be transformed into the likeness of Christ. (Titus 2:11-14)

10. Heaven: Today He is now preparing a place for us in Heaven where we will spend eternity. (Revelations 21-22)

11. Faith: All we have to do is by faith, accept Him as our Savior and trust Him for the forgiveness of our sins. (Ephesians 3:8)

Introduction:

What does the resurrection of Jesus all mean?

1. The death of Christ was a purposeful act of God to provide a means of reconciliation for us (22-24)

a. God’s plan of reconciliation was planned long ago (22)

b. The death and resurrection of Christ were not accidents

2. The resurrection validated Christ’s work as our Messiah (24-32)

a. It validated Christ as the authority over life and death (24)

3. Statement of fact: God has made this Jesus both Lord and Christ (36)

a. The resurrection was the undeniable evidence that Jesus was their Christ

b. The resurrection was the undeniable evidence that Jesus was their Lord too.

4. Truth requires a personal response

i. The clear declaration that God purposefully provided Christ as a means for their reconciliation moved them to respond!

Question: How do you respond to the resurrection of Jesus?

The Filling of the Holy Spirit

Series: Bold Witness

Date: May 26, 2019

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13

Big Idea: God empowered the willing disciples with the Holy Spirit so that they could become effective witnesses even across language and cultural borders.

1. Living in the power of the Spirit may mean that He will push us out of our comfort zones. (1)

a. Never underestimate the exercise of:

i. …Purposely waiting for Gods best

ii. …Purposely making yourself available to be used

2. Nothing makes the church more unified and effective than living in the power of the Spirit. (2-3)

3. Living in the power of the Spirit means you may become a willing and amazed mouthpiece for the gospel. (4)

4. People are naturally drawn to those living in the power of the Spirit (6)

5. Living in the power of the Spirit may possibly mean speaking in other languages (7-11)

6. Living in the power of the Spirit often can’t be explained (12)

The Power of the Holy Spirit

Series: Bold Witness

Date: May 19-19

Scripture: Acts 1:4-11

Big Idea: The power of the Holy Spirit provides effectiveness and influence to the follower of Christ who is willing to give everything to God.

Introduction

The Book of Acts has two primary themes:

• Power for ministry

• Expansion of the ministry

I. You will receive an amazing power from God Himself

1. The power of the Holy Spirit was certainly present in the Old Testament

i. His power was first seen in the act of creation (Gen. 1:1-2)

ii. His power was promised to provide spiritual healing and guidance (Ez. 36:26-27)

iii. He empowered men in the OT:

• David was given the power to become the anointed King:

• Bezalel was given the power for wisdom and skill

• Joshua was given the power to lead the Israelites

• Samson was given the power for strength

2. The Holy Spirit was promised in the New Testament to empower the disciples

i. They were empowered to perform miracles

ii. They were empowered to teach

iii. They were empowered with wisdom

iv. They were empowered to heal (Acts 3:1-10)

v. They were empowered with the ability to witness with amazing success

3. The power of the Holy Spirit was not a quiet event at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4)

4. Many were saved because of the power of the Holy Spirit

II. You will minister in ever-increasing influence

a. The disciples were powerful in witness only through the Holy Spirit

i. Powerful in witness if they waited for the Holy Spirit to come on them

ii. Powerful in witness if they were absolutely and totally sold out

b. The disciples were powerful in ever increasing geographical areas of influence

iii. Jerusalem: represented their home…where they were comfortable…

iv. Judea: represented a larger geographical area…but still relatively safe

v. Samaria: represented the those who were different than they were…

vi. Ends of the earth: represented other countries far from their comfort zone, culture and language

What does it mean to receive the power of the Holy Spirit?

• It is an act of faith

• It is an act of complete dedication

• It is both a private and public decision