The Trails Church

In Acts 4:13-22, Peter and John stand before the most powerful people in Israel and boldly proclaim the name of Jesus. The miracles they had seen and the truths they had heard from Jesus turned their entire lives upside down and caused them to be bold gospel witnesses. Here we find a pattern of living not only meant for these apostles, but for each of us who follow Christ. Since “They Had Been With Jesus,” their hearts were willed with gospel boldness and their lips with gospel witness.

In Acts 4:1–12, Peter stands before the most powerful men in Israel and boldly proclaims that “No Other Name” can save except the name of Jesus Christ. There are four marvelous truths we learn about Jesus from this passage: 1. Jesus, the Name that Divides, 2. Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life, 3. Jesus, the Cornerstone, 4. Jesus, the Only Name that Saves.

In Acts 3:11–26 we find the summary of “A Christ-Centered Sermon,” the second sermon preached by Peter in the Book of Acts. After the sign of Pentecost in Acts 2 and now following the sign of the lame man healed in Acts 3, we learn how these signs set the stage for sermons, wonders made way for the Word, miracles led to the message. The sermon shows that the sign itself was not the point but was meant to point to Jesus Christ. We will outline our sermon with four points that we first find in Peter’s sermon: 1. The God of Israel, 2. The Gravity of Sin, 3. The Glory of Christ, 4. The Gospel of Repentance.

In Acts 3:1-10, the apostles Peter and John encounter a lame man begging at the temple gate. When the man asked them for money to help his situation temporarily, the apostles saw his greatest need and gave him more than he ever imagined. That day, the man who had never known use of his legs went, “Walking, and Leaping, and Praising God.” The main idea of the passage emphasizes the power of Christ at work in and through his apostles as evidence that the kingdom of God had not only come but would continue to advance.2 We will explore these ten verses from two different angles. First, The Story, then The Sign.

Among all the characteristics that describe the first New Testament church in Acts 2:42-47, the final words reveal how they were Devoted to the Mission. The church which had been built on the gospel through evangelism understood their call to spread the gospel through evangelism. From their example, I want to show you three features of the mission of the church from Acts 2:47 that I pray will strengthen our witness together. Our heading will highlight that we have been given: 1. A Dependent Mission, 2. A Shared Mission, 3. A Continuing Mission.

In Galatians 4:4-7, the Apostle Paul highlights not only the wonders of the incarnation and the reality of our redemption, but ultimately points to the adoption we have received through Christ. This spiritual adoption we have experienced gives a us a new identity, draws us into an intimate relationship with God, and transforms how we live in the world. We will explore our subject under two headings: 1. The Story of Our Adoption, and 2. The Blessings of Our Adoption.

Galatians 4:4-5 not only highlights the plan of God that would unfold in the fullness of time, but also shows the purpose of God in sending his Son. Jesus came at the appointed time to redeem us from the law, sin, and death. With his life he fulfilled the law of God and then he died for those of us who never could. This is the heart of the Christmas message. This truly is good news of great joy: that God has brought us “Redemption” through his Son. We will continue our study of this passage by focusing on the next phrase, and from it continue to fill out our doctrine of Christ. We look first at Christ the Promised Redeemer and secondly at Christ the Perfect Redeemer.

While the truths of Galatians 4:4-7 may take less than a minute to read, they offer a lifetime fruitful study. The Apostle Paul shows how the coming of Christ was neither early nor late but came to pass according to God’s eternal plan and purpose. The opening verse reveals what uniquely qualified Jesus to bring salvation to his people once and for all. Our Advent exploration of this text begins where the Apostle himself does, with “Incarnation.”

In our text this morning, we are not going to be examining gratitude and thanksgiving. Instead, our focus will be on the Godly fruit of gratitude and thanksgiving—our focus will be on Christian generosity—particularly as demonstrated in the early church. This morning, we will examine the idea of Christian generosity under three points: ● GENEROSITY DEFINED ● GENEROSITY DEFEATED ● GENEROSITY DEMONSTRATED And as we walk through these points this morning, I encourage you to keep this question in the front of your mind: What evidence of Christian generosity do you see in your life?

At the center of the characteristics found in Acts 2:42-47 is a church “Devoted to Worship.” The early church practiced a rhythm of worship as they grew in doctrine and devotion to Christ. They gathered to worship, to encourage, and to proclaim the mighty works of God together. As we look to their example, we find rhythms of worship from Scripture that we aspire to know and grow in as a church. First, we will highlight how the church Gathered to Worship. Second, we will detail the Acts of Worship listed in our passage. Finally, we will see the impact of their Evangelistic Worship.