Main Point: Christians can find comfort and courage in the truth that God is actively working in the negative and positive results of our faithful gospel witness.

Sermon Outline:

I. The Secret Plot (Acts 23:12-15)

II. The Surprising Discovery (Acts 23:16-22)

III. The Swift Response (Acts 23:23-35)

IV. The Security of God’s Providence

Main Point: Christians can endure the fiercest attacks when they are convinced that their adversaries are offended by their faithfulness to the gospel, not their sinfully offensive behavior.

Sermon Outline:

I. Who Represents God’s Work in the World? (Acts 22:31-23:5)

II. What Does God’s Word Really Say? (Acts 23:6-10)

III. Who Does God Really Approve? (Acts 23:11)

Main Idea: A Christian’s courage flows from their conviction that faithfulness to Christ is more important than the possibility of suffering for Christ.

Sermon Outline:

I.   The Irony of Paul’s Ordeal (21:27–40)

II.  The Focus of Paul’s Defense (21:37–22:24a)

III. The Source of Paul’s Courage

Text: Acts 21:17–26

Main Idea: Gospel clarity and Christian unity are more important than our individual liberties.

Sermon Outline:

I. The Twofold Purpose of Paul’s Visit (Acts 21:17–20a)

II. The Problem of Paul’s Arrival (Acts 21:20b–22)

III. The Proposal of the Elders (Acts 21:23–26)

IV. The Main Point

Text: Acts 20:28-38

Sermon Outline:

I. Faithful ministers are called to watch over themselves as they watch over God’s flock (Acts 20:28)

II. Faithful ministers recognize the dangers that threaten their congregation (Acts 20:29–31)

III. Faithful ministers are emboldened by the promise that God always provides what he requires (Acts 20:32)

IV. Faithful ministers do not use their position as a path to personal gain (Acts 20:33–35)

Text: Acts 20:17–25

Sermon Outline:

I. Faithful ministers endure every manner of suffering in their service to Christ. (Acts 20:17–19)

II. Faithful ministers do not shrink back from proclaiming the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20:20–21)

III. Faithful ministers choose God’s plan over their personal comfort. (Acts 20:22–25)

Text: Acts 19:21-41

Main Point: The gospel transforms society from the inside-out, as individual people come to faith in Jesus and submit their lives to His sovereign Lordship.

Sermon Outline:

I. The Astonishing Impact of the Gospel

II. The Subversive Message of the Gospel

III. The Unexpected Exoneration of the Church

Main Idea: There is a significant difference between a gospel-misunderstanding and missing the gospel all together.

Sermon Outline:

I. A Gospel Misunderstanding (Acts 18:24–28)

II. Missing the Gospel Altogether (Acts 19:1–7)

III. A Call for Gospel-Discernment

Text: Acts 18:24-19:7

Main Idea: There is a significant difference between a gospel-misunderstanding and missing the gospel all together.

Sermon Outline:

I. A Gospel Misunderstanding (Acts 18:24–28)

II. Missing the Gospel Altogether (Acts 19:1–7)

III. A Call for Gospel-Discernment

Text:  Philippians 3:1–11

Main Point: Suffering for Jesus is temporary. Pleasure in Jesus is eternal.

Sermon Outline:

I. The Law and the Gospel: An Introduction

II. Three Questions (Philippians 3:10–11)

III. Some Implications for Everyday Life