Although imprisoned in Rome and chained, Paul was more than a prisoner. He was a pioneer. He advanced and furthered the gospel by using his chains as a tool to take the gospel to places that he himself would never go personally. We need to see that God has given us the ability to use an unlikely or even unfavorable situation to further the gospel.

Paul rejoiced in his circumstances, because his circumstances strengthened the fellowship of the gospel. (v. 5)
Fellowship – def – to have in common. Christian fellowship is more than sharing a cup of coffee, lunch, passion for a sport, etc. Christian fellowship is about having Christ in common, the gospel in common, sharing Christ, sharing eternal life.

Paul told the Philippians that he had them in his mind, in his heart, and in his prayers.

The Apostles show us how we are to handle the truth of God's Word in the midst of persecution. The Sanhedrin attacked the truth. The Apostles affirmed the truth. Gamaliel avoided the truth. And the church announced the truth.

When Satan fails to destroy a church from outside attack, he will slither his way in and seek to destroy it from within.

The early church truly had power. What was the secret? The early Christians knew how to pray so that God’s hand could work in mighty power.

he emphasis of chapters 3 & 4 is the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 3:6, 16, 4:7, 10, 12, 17-18, 30)
A name implies more than mere identification; it carries with it authority, reputation, and power. (Cf. Mt. 28:18-20, Phil. 2:9-11)
The great concern of the early church was that the name of Jesus be honored and glorified.
We bear a responsibility to glorify the name of Jesus. (How we live, the things we say, the things we do, etc)

When the day of Pentecost was fully come (i.e. had been fulfilled), then the true purpose of Pentecost was fulfilled, i.e. the empowering of the church (spiritual body of Christ).

In chapter 1 we see the believers taking care of some “unfinished business” and getting ready for Pentecost.
What they said and did reveal to us the faith of the church.
In what did they really believe?

1) They believed in the risen Christ
2) They believed in each other
3) They believed in prayer
4) They believed in God's leading

The story of Ruth ends on a happy note. Ruth is redeemed by Boaz through marriage. Boaz is a picture of Jesus. Ruth (a gentile) is a picture of Jesus' bride. Just Boaz redeemed his bride, Jesus has redeemed His bride. Jesus did for His bride what she could not do for herself. Jesus gave His life as the purchase price for His bride.

Ruth's relationship with Boaz reveals to us how we can grow in a deeper relationship with God.