Providence Church of San Diego

Main Idea: As the Eternal Word and the Creator of everything, Jesus reveals the Life and Light of God to this dark world.

Jesus is the _____________________ and sustainer of all life.

The life of Jesus is _______________________ for us.

John 17:3: And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

2 Corinthians 4:6: For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

The Light of Jesus that shines into darkness cannot be _________________________.

Today’s Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say?

Today’s Lunch Discussion:  How do verses 1-3 of John 1 help us grasp the massively deep statement of verses 4-5? Why is it significant that the “life” of Jesus in verse 4 is inherent “in him,” not derived from the outside? Explain the qualities and importance of light versus darkness. Why do you think John regularly used “light” as a metaphor for Jesus Christ? How is Jesus the Light of men? How does the Light of Jesus shine? How should John 1:5 keep us from falling into pessimism and despair? Read Matthew 5:14 and Ephesians 5:8—what does it mean that Christians are now the light of the world?

I. Paul’s first meeting with the Jews (Acts 28:17-22)

A. Paul’s message to the Jews.

Paul had done nothing against the Jews.

B. The Jewish leaders’ response.

The Jews in Rome did not receive word of Paul’s     legal issues.

II. Paul’s second meeting with the Jews (Acts 28:23-29)

A. Paul uses the Old Testament to show that Jesus is the                   Messiah.

B. Some Jews were convinced by what Paul taught, but                   others did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah.

C. Paul states that the Jews’ response is a fulfillment of                   Isaiah 6.

III. Isaiah 6 (Matt. 13:10-17; Mark 4:10-12; Luke 8:9-10; John 12:37-41)

A. Isaiah is given a vision of the Lord on His throne and of                   angelic creatures singing praises of His holiness (v. 1-3).

B. Isaiah recognizes he is unworthy in the presence of God                     (v. 4-5).

C. God provides a way to purify Isaiah and prepare him                   for service (v. 6-7).

D. God needs someone to send to deliver His message,                   Isaiah volunteers (v. 8).

E. God’s message sent through Isaiah will not be used to                   bring repentance, but will harden the hearts of the                              proud that are rejecting God (v. 9-10).

F. Isaiah must be faithful to deliver God’s message until                   Israel has been purified (v. 11-13).

IV. Conclusion (Acts 28:30-31). Paul had the freedom to boldly proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through this imprisonment.

V. Application. As Spirit-empowered messengers, we should:

A. Be urgent (Acts 28:17).

B. Be discerning with our approach (Acts 28:17-20).

C. Be grounded in Scripture (Acts 28:23).

D. Be ready for rejection (Acts 28:25-29).

E. Be humble (Acts 28:26-27).

F. Be confident (Acts 28:30-31).

Main Idea: The mission of Jesus continues as God keeps His promise to Paul, His Spirit-empowered witness, by bringing him to Rome.

God _________________ His people for a purpose. (vs. 1-6)

 Acts 23:11: The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

God gives His people __________________________ for proclamation. (vs. 7-10)

1 Corinthians 9:23

God is to be __________________ by His people for prayers answered and promises kept. (vs. 11-16) 

Acts 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:16–17; Philippians 1:12–14

Today’s Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say?

Today’s Lunch Discussion: Explain some ways Paul displays great spiritual and practical leadership in this story. Identify some of the ways unbelievers display kindness in this narrative. How should we respond to such displays from the unbelievers we encounter? In what ways can Christians today lean more towards “karma” than the gospel of grace? How did Paul respond to Publius’s hospitality? What would you do if invited to spend time with unbelievers? How should Christians view such invitations, and how should we respond to them? At the end of the narrative, Paul thanked God. Think about some of the ways God has provided for you in recent months and give him thanks. Take a few moments to pray for God to grant you—and others—peace in the midst of great trials. In what way has the Holy Spirit been changing you through studying Acts?

Main Idea: God’s protection and preservation of Paul leads Him though storms and shipwreck to safety.

God ____________________ and _____________________ Paul.  

God protects and preserves ________________ His saints.

God is focused on growing our __________________ by trusting His Word.

Heidelberg Catechism Q.27: What do you understand by the providence of God? A. “God's providence is His almighty and ever present power, whereby, as with His hand, He still upholds heaven and earth and all creatures, and so governs them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, food and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, indeed, all things, come not by chance but by His fatherly hand.”

Today’s Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say?

Today’s Lunch Discussion: How might this passage encourage someone facing a great trial? How does this narrative highlight the truth that God keeps His word? How does this narrative display both the sovereign providence of God and the responsibility of humans? Think of situations and circumstances in your life in which you clearly saw (or can now see, looking back) the Lord’s providence. How can the reality of God’s providence change the way you handle present or future trials in your life? What (if anything) holds you back from having the same confidence in the Lord that Paul expresses in verses 22-25? Are you praying for that kind of calm trust? What will it mean for your life today to live truly believing that God’s promises are true? At the end of the narrative, Paul thanked God. Think about some of the ways God has provided for you in recent months and give him thanks. Take a few moments to pray for God to grant you—and others—peace in the midst of great trials.

Main Idea: Paul is a faithful Spirit-empowered witness as he proclaims the gospel truthfully and rationally before King Agrippa.

All of the Bible points to salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in ____________________ alone, to the glory of God alone. (26:4-8, 22-23).

[23] that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

[6] And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, [7] to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! [8] Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?

Christ alone ___________________________!

[28] And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” [29] And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”

*Philippians 4:11–13; 2 Corinthians 12:7–10

______________ to follow Christ is crazy…and damning. 

*Philippians 3:7–8; Luke 9:23–26

Today’s Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say?

Today’s Lunch Discussion: What does Festus say to Agrippa about Paul in 25:13-22? What do you find most interesting about his statements? How does Paul’s speech in Acts 26 magnify the resurrection? How does Paul’s speech show Christ as the fulfillment of Jewish hope? Explain how a person might be “kick[ing] against the goads” (26:14). What do modern believers share in common with Paul’s commission? Are all Christians responsible to obey the Great Commission, or are just some called to do so? (Give biblical support) Practically, what does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God? How can a person do this and hold down a full-time job? Take a few moments to pray for the salvation of your unbelieving friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family members.

Main Idea: After two years in custody, Paul goes on trial before Festus where he appeals to Caesar to avoid a plot against his life.

[1] Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. [2] And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, [3] asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. [4] Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly. [5] “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.”

[6] After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. [7] When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. [8] Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” [9] But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” [10] But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. [11] If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” [12] Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”

1) The enemy of our souls will stop at nothing to thwart the _______________ _______________ of God. *Ephesians 6:12

2) God’s good plans _____________________ be hindered.

3) God uses His good plans to _____________________ our lives for His glory.

Today’s Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say?

Today’s Lunch Discussion: Can you identify the similarities between Jesus’s trials in Luke 23:1-25 and Paul’s trials in Acts 24–25? What can you learn from Paul’s behavior in the face of hateful accusations? Where do you see the providence of God on display in this text? How does God use discipline to correct us and to form us to be like Jesus? What difference does it make to know that every apparently unpredictable twist and turn of life is in fact under the Lord’s sovereign control?

Main Idea: As Paul is on trial before Felix, he is a faithful Spirit-empowered witness whose life is marked by a clear conscience and gospel powered conviction.

The gospel frees us to live with a clear conscience not a condemning conscience.

The gospel frees us to live from conviction not convenience.

Today’s Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say?

Today’s Lunch Discussion: Why is the resurrection central to the message of Christianity? How central is it to your view of your own life? In Acts 24, Paul operates out of a healthy fear of God, while Felix operates out of an unhealthy fear of man. Why is it liberating to live seeking the approval of only God? What about Paul’s defense before Felix most resonates with you? What do you find most striking about Paul’s message to Felix when he speaks to him privately? What can we learn about what not to do with the Word by considering Felix’s example? How can we live with a clear conscience before God and men?

Main Text: Acts 23:12-35

Main Idea: Since God is in complete control and He cares for us, we can fully trust Him in every circumstance.

The Context: Acts 23:11: The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

The startling story of Paul’s deliverance.

The deep doctrine of God’s providence.

Wayne Grudem defines God’s providence: God is continually involved with all created things in such a way that he (1) keeps them existing and maintaining the properties with which he created them; (2) cooperates with created things in every action, directing their distinctive properties to cause them to act as they do; and (3) directs them to fulfill his purposes.

The Heidelberg Catechism (1563) Q. 27. What dost thou understand by the Providence of God? “The almighty everywhere present power of God, whereby, as it were by His hand, He still upholds heaven and earth, with all creatures; and so governs them, that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, yea, all things, come not by chance, but by His fatherly hand.”

John Calvin: “providence means not that by which God idly observes from heaven what takes place on earth, but that by which, as keeper of the keys, he governs all events.”

God’s providence means preservation, that “God keeps all created things existing and maintaining the properties with which he created them.” Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:17

The assuring application for our daily lives.

The Heidelberg Catechism Q. 28. What does it profit us to know that God has created, and by His providence still upholds all things?

Today’s Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say?

Today’s Lunch Discussion: What does this passage teach about the way God works to accomplish His purposes? Explain the doctrine of God’s providence. Do you find it easier to affirm the providence of God theoretically rather than resting in the providence of God experientially? Explain your answer. How is the doctrine of providence comforting to your life and circumstances? What is God’s ultimate display of His providential care? RC Sproul said, “God wants us to come to the place in our Christian maturity where we can say in times of adversity, ‘God, I don’t understand what you are doing, but I trust you.’” What have you learned in this sermon that can help you grow toward that stage of maturity?