You Have Everything Already!

Colossians 2:6-23

  

Christians are complete in Christ

We should not be taken captive by anything less

beware of:

fine sounding arguments

religious practices

passing judgement

Continue with Christ as Lord

Alienated and Enemies?

(Colossians 1:15-23)

A description of non-Christians v21

A description of Christians v22-23

And a description of Jesus v15-20

Jesus' condemnation is the reason for our innocence

(Bible Reading: Luke 22:63 - 23:16)

1: Jesus vs the Sanhedrin

2: Jesus vs Pilate

3: Jesus vs you

From Jerusalem to Rome

Acts 27-28 (Bible Reading Acts 27:42-28:16)

 

From Jerusalem to Rome

Acts 27-28

Acts 1:8

Isaiah 6:9-10

 

The way Luke tells the story

Why so much detail?

What is Luke showing us?

Tips for reading Acts…

Proclaiming the Kingdom of God

“He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ – with all boldness and without hindrance!”  Acts 28:31 (NIV)

“Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God”  1 Corinthians 1:22-24 (NIV)

WHO’S REALLY IN CONTROL?

Acts 24-26

(Bible Reading – ch 24)

1. Luke records Paul facing the rulers of his day – a trial before:

Felix (and his wife Drusilla) (ch 24)

and then Festus (ch 25)

… and an audience with King Agrippa (and Bernice) (ch 26)

2. Luke shows how Paul continues to proclaim the resurrected Lord Jesus:

Consider 24:25

and 26:25-29

3. And Luke shows who’s really in control:

Acts 1:8, 9:15, 19:21, 23:11…

Understanding Persecution

Acts 21:17-23:35

(Bible Reading – 21:17-22:1)

These three chapters record a real example of persecution

Angry Jews attack the apostle Paul

A Roman commander tries to maintain order

Paul … keeps bearing witness to Jesus

Why does Luke record all this?

Why are Christians persecuted?

A real example of persecution – Acts 21:17-23:35

Acts 21:17-30 Jews from Asia stir up the crowd. Paul is attacked, dragged from the temple and beaten.

Acts 21:31-22:22 Roman commander intervenes. Paul speaks to the crowd of Jews. The result is more anger at Paul.

Acts 22:23-29 Commander takes Paul to the Barracks, ordering him flogged and interrogated. But to his horror discovers Paul is a Roman citizen.

Acts 22:30-23:10 Commander releases Paul to the Sanhedrin – this only results in uproar. Paul is returned to the barracks.

Acts 23:12-35 Plot to murder Paul. Paul’s nephew informs the commander. Paul sent to Governor Felix in Caesarea.

You Can Be a Christian Too!

Acts 9-11

(Bible Reading – chapter 11:1-21)

Two unexpected and amazing additions to the Church

Saul   (Acts 9)

Cornelius   (Acts 10 retold in Acts 11)

Are they the sort of experience we should expect?

What does it take to be a Christian?

Keeping The Main Thing, The Main Thing?

Acts 6-8

(Bible Reading – chapter 6)

The church that stayed focused on proclaiming Jesus

(6:1-7, 8:1-4)

... and the waiter who was martyred for proclaiming Jesus

(6:8-7:60)

Keeping the main thing the main thing?

The Unstoppable Mission

Acts 1:8 is the summary/heading/table of contents of the book. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” That is what we read about - the apostles and others are filled with the Holy Spirit and they testify that Jesus is alive and that he is our saviour and our king.

We’ve seen the amazing growth in the number of Christians in Jerusalem - there were thousands. In today's passage we see the message begin to spread from Jerusalem into Judea and Samaria. We meet the first Christian martyr – Stephen. Events surrounding his death triggered persecution which scattered Christians throughout Judea and Samaria. Those who were scattered preached the word wherever they went (8:4).

This is a mission that can't be stopped. Not by opposition from Jewish leaders, nor by hypocrisy or discontent within the church – not even by persecution.

Jesus Is The Only Priest You Need

Hebrews 7

(Bible Reading – Hebrews 7:1-19)

1. Jesus has accomplished the task we can not       [vv11]

2. Melchizedek helps us understand how [vv1-16]

3. Jesus is the perfect priest who brings us assurance [vv17-28]

​

YOU CAN’T FOOL GOD

Acts 4:32-5:11

1. Judgement that strikes fear to the heart (5:5, 11)

2. The church faces opposition outside, trouble within

3.  Conclusion: You can't fool God...