Jeff Shelnutt Sermons

God prepares Peter to share the Gospel with Cornelius. Both Peter and Cornelius are uniquely positioned to hear God speak. The call of the Lord may not make sense, but the confusion will be cleared up as you take the next step of obedience.

The focus of the Acts narrative is now brought to bear on Peter. As the church spread out geographically, the Lord is positioning it to spread out spiritually. Peter is used by the Lord to heal a paralytic and to raise a corpse to life. Peter follows the pattern of Jesus, expects God to work, and does not hesitate to seize the opportunities before him. 

A transitional passage between the conversion of Saul and the resumption of Peter's ministry, Acts 9:31 reveals five marks of a spiritually healthy church.

After his conversion, Saul immediately begins to proclaim Jesus as the Son of God and Israel's Messiah. He is led to Arabia, and upon his return learns a lesson in humility while fleeing Damascus. Barnabas vouches for Saul among the Apostles in Jerusalem. Saul experiences the three new identities of every believer--disciple, brother and witness.

Psalm 33 conveys to God's people the call to praise, the motivation for praise, and the need to wait with praise. 

The Lord uses a faithful disciple, Ananias, to pray for Saul. It is faithfulness in the little things that prepares the Christian to be used of the Lord in the big things. Every disciple, no matter the ministry they have been called to, is an instrument in God's hands. A brief discussion on the meaning of baptism.

While on his way to arrest believers in Damascus, Saul encounters the resurrected Lord Jesus on the road. His conversion demonstrates characteristics that every person who puts their trust in Jesus will experience.  

The Lord leads Philip away from preaching to the crowds in the Samaritan villages to share the Gospel with one man on a desert road. Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch offers important principles for personal evangelism.

The psalmist reflects on man's attempts to secure wealth as a hedge against poverty, exposure, and rejection. In the final estimation, behind every fear is the fear of death. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ, as foreshadowed in this psalm, is the ultimate security of the Christian.

The Samaritans respond to Philip preaching the Gospel. Many believe and are baptized. But it is not until Peter and John arrive and lay their hands on them that they receive the Holy Spirit. Simon too "believes," but misunderstands the free gift of God.