Acts 12:1–24

When darkness overwhelms and evil seems to win, Acts 12 shows us God is sovereign in the shadows. Trusting Him in the night is the very path He uses to deliver.

Trust God’s Sovereignty

• In the dark, our God is still King.

Trust God’s Goodness

• In the dark, our God still loves us.

Trust God’s Wisdom

• In the dark, our God still knows best.

Trust God’s Justice

• In the dark, our God is still working.

Trust God’s Victory

• In the dark, our God is still winning.

Takeaway: In the dark, our God is still trustworthy.

Mark 4:1–201. The Parable2. The Parable Explained3. The Part Left Unsaid: How Did the Good Soil Get Good?4. How to Farm

Acts 11:19–30; 12:25–13:3What happens when the Gospel reaches the least expected? Unlikely people become world changers through Christ.Unlikely DiversityThe Gospel embraces the unlikely.Unlikely UnityThe Gospel unites the unlikely.Unlikely MinistryThe Gospel pursues the unlikely.Takeaway: The Gospel is for every unlikely one of us.• “People sensed in their hearts that Jesus did not mock their respect for the sacred nor their clamor for an invincible Savior, and so they beat their sacred drums for him until the stars skipped and danced in the skies. After that dance, the stars weren’t little anymore. Christianity helped Africans to become renewed Africans, not re-made Europeans.” —Lamin Sanneh, Whose Religion is Christianity?

Acts 10:1–11:18Who can be in God's family? Anyone saved by Jesus and sealed by His Spirit is welcomed by grace.The SetupGod is setting up a meeting between Cornelius and Peter, proactively dismantling Old Covenant barriers.The SurpriseThe Gentiles are sealed by the Spirit in the New Covenant through Jesus, without becoming Jewish.The SortingIn the New Covenant, Jews and Gentiles alike come directly to the Father, through Jesus alone, by the Spirit.Takeaway: “Ever welcome to this house of God are strangers and the poor.”

Acts 9:32–43We’re all works in progress living in a world under construction—yet Jesus is still working, healing, and bringing resurrection hope.Expansion∙ Jesus’ work is reaching furtherExtension∙ Jesus’ work is multiplying widerExpectation∙ Jesus’ work is pointing higherTakeaway: “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 1:6

1 Kings 18:30–39

Though fear grips tight, faith can take root. What threatens to undo us can become the ground where trust in God grows strong.Elijah’s experience with fear provides several lessons for the church today on how to endure anxieties and setbacks. Discover how our Father in heaven responds to our emotional vulnerability.

1. Fear is normal.

2. Fear interrupts faith.3. Fear cannot revoke your calling.

Takeaway: Fear is the opportunity to experience God’s comfort, restoration, and guidance. Spiritual strength is grounded in unwavering dependence upon God.

Acts 9:1–31In a striking reversal, the persecutor became the persecuted, displaying the Gospel’s power. Only the risen Christ could turn an enemy into an ambassador.Saul’s Conversion

• The Gospel confronts and consoles.Saul’s Community

• The Gospel changes and challenges.Saul’s Commission

• The Gospel compels and confounds.Takeaways: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for

salvation to everyone who believes” –Romans 1:16a

Acts 8:26–40Ever feel too broken or unworthy for God? In Jesus, the outsider is embraced, the cut-off are welcomed, and joy overflows.A Divine Appointment• God is going out of His way in pursuit of the Ethiopian Eunuch through Philip.A Spiritual Pilgrimage• This Ethiopian Eunuch's longing for hope is riddled with pain.A Gospel Breakthrough• In Jesus, this Ethiopian Eunuch is fully welcomed.Takeaways:• The Gospel is for you.• Jesus is our way in.• “What prevents me from being baptized?”

Acts 8:1–25When chaos scatters God’s people, does evil win? In Jesus’ hands, persecution spreads the Gospel, reconciles people, and cultivates humility.The Redeemer• Persecution in Jesus’ hands becomes Gospel-propulsion.The Healer• Estrangement in Jesus’ hands becomes Gospel-reconciliation.The Teacher• Ego in Jesus’ hands becomes Gospel-humility.Takeaways: Put it all in Jesus’ hands

In the darkest persecution, Jesus stands with those who stand for Him. Stephen's witness and martyrdom revealed God’s glory, sparking unstoppable faith.THE FIRST MARTYRActs 6:8–7:60Stephen's ChargesBlasphemy against Moses, God, Temple, and Law.His DefenseThe real blasphemy is rejection of Jesus Messiah.His WitnessStephen sees and shines Jesus as his final testimony.Takeaways:Standing for Jesus has never been easy.

Jesus stands with the ones who stand for Him.

Our greatest sermon is our Christlikeness.

The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.

To live is Christ, and to die is gain.