I. Paul with Priscilla & Aquila (18:1-23) Our Sovereign God provides physical, spiritual, and relational resources for His work. II. Apollos (18:24-19:10) Our Sovereign God provides truth for His church. III. The Sons of Sceva (19:11-20) Our Sovereign God provides work according to His plans and pleasures, not ours. IV. Paul (19:21-41) Our Sovereign God provides wise & bold steps for His workers.

I. Revisits Churches - Acts 16:1-5 Principle: God is worthy of sacrifice for the spiritual good of others.

Do you consider what is going to be beneficial spiritually for people you care about, or for your own life? What has more weight in decision-making, spiritual matters or physical matters?

II. Redirected by Holy Spirit Acts 16:6-10 Principle: God guides as we look to Him and is worthy of our immediate obedience.

Are we after God intensely? Always aware/looking/listening? When the opportunity comes are we ready to take it? Quick to obey

How can I cultivate more of an awareness of God/Holy Spirit in my life?

III. Results are up to God - Acts 16:11 - end of ch. 17 Principle: Persevere with TRUTH and LOVE, the results are up to God

As you're attempting to obey God and look for opportunities, don't overlook the seemingly small/insignificant things. What is right in front of you? What or who has God put in your life right now?

How do I react when things don't look like I expected them to look? Am I willing to let go of my expectations and submit to what God has given me? How can I practice not overlooking small opportunities?

How do you respond to attack? What do others hear that's coming out your mouth when you've had a bad day? What do others learn about God from you?

Do we persevere in prayer and praise thru the hard times? Do we run everything through God's word? (to know what's true) Are our hearts Provoked, because we are not indifferent? We care about people and we care that they know Jesus who is coming again.

May we keep our eyes FIXED on KING JESUS

Following Him changes everything about you!

https://opcmilford.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Lesson-3.pdf

I The Dispute (Acts 15:1-5)

Principle: A Gospel centered argument erupts in the church.

Application: Do I lean in to conflict over core matters of Faith?

II The Discussion (Acts 15: 6-21)

Principle: With much debate, the leaders use scripture and the Holy Spirits work as the basis for their decision.

Application: When arguments arise where is the first place I go? When do I go to Scripture?

Do I ask God in prayer to reveal his truth by means of his Holy Spirit alive and active in me?

What type of yokes/burdens might I put on myself that are not what Jesus asks me to carry?

III The Decision Dispersed (Acts 15: 22-35)

Principle: Taking the time to collectively debate, seek God's will, and come to a decision brings clarity and rejoicing.

Application: Do I rejoice over what Jesus has done for me?

IV The Sharp Disagreement (Acts 15: 36-41)

Principle: Close christian ministry partners sharply disagree, separate, and continue spreading the gospel!

Application: Am I currently facing a disagreement or dispute?

How am I trusting the Lord to work through this conflict?

https://youtu.be/gAn4P4ZU74Y?feature=shared

I. All Around My Neighborhood I'm Gonna Let It Shine

a. Acts 13:2-3

b. Matthew 28:18-20 18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

c. John 20:21 21 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you."

**We are all Sent! Where are you sent - where is your neighborhood?

II. Don't Let Satan Blow it Out!

a. Acts 13:6-12

b. Acts 13:45; 13:50

c. Acts 14:2

d. Acts 14:19

**Advancement of the Gospel will not happen without opposition! Just like Paul and Barnabas, we are going to face opposition. Satan is going to try and blow our light out and we have to continue to seek God and pray, that we can keep shining!

III. Hide it Under a Bushel, No! I'm Gonna Let it Shine!

a. Acts 13:12

b. Acts 13:46 13:51-52

c. Acts 14:3; 14:4-7

d. Acts 14:20-21

**Not everyone we share the gospel message with will want to hear what we say, even so, we share with boldness. It's not our job to make someone believe, it's our job to share the good news.

IV. When we Share the Gospel, we will do so in different ways.

a. Acts 13:13 – 46 preaching in the synagogue.

b. Acts 13:46-48; 14:15-17 speaking to the Gentiles.

**How prepared/flexible are you to share the gospel?

V. Not Everyone is called to the Same Mission Field

a. Acts 13:5; 13:13

**Where is your Mission Field? Are you willing to go there alone?

VI. Making Jesus Known Requires Humility

a. Acts 14:11-15

Semester One Recap: https://opcmilford.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Acts-Semester-2-Intro-Handout.pdf Keywords List: https://opcmilford.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Acts-Part-2-Keywords.pdf Stepping from being unable to empowered: https://opcmilford.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/life-concepts-empowered-student.pdf

I. Christ's power over discrimination. II. The Church III. Kingdom Opposition and Advancement

I. Church Persecution Begins (8:1-4) Amidst grief, trauma, and scattering, the Gospel spreads and flourishes. II. Samaritans, Simon, and the Holy Spirit (8:5-25) Good news is preached & God's church grows to include a group of ethnic outsiders. III. Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (8:26-40) Good news is preached to one person and God's church grows to include other nations! ---- Map: https://opcmilford.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Persecution-Map.png ---- Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXccPyaczBk

Acts Part 1 • Lesson Five • "Brought Before The Council" • Acts 6-7

I. Stephen Chosen (6:1-7) God's servants glorify Him by serving in their appointed time and place. II. Stephen Challenged (6:8-15) God's servants glorify Him by reflecting Jesus. III. Stephen Speaks (7:1-53) God's servants glorify Him by understanding their need for Him & telling the Gospel story. IV. Stephen Martyred (7:54-60) God's servants behold the glory of God & will enjoy Him forever.

Acts Part 1 • Lesson Four • "What Would You Do If You Were Ordered Not to Speak the Truths of God's Word?" • Acts 4:32-5

I. Sincere new covenant community (4:32-37) Love, not law, motivates true community II. Sin from within is purged (5:1-16) Obedience to God > Approval of people III. Sin from without brings persecution (5:17-42) Sin doesn't win