Acts 26:1-32
The “Reason” Isn’t Necessarily the Real Reason Paul’s Final Defense in Caesarea v 1-23 Rather than being a violent threat to Rome or to Jerusalem, the REAL reason so many Jewish VIPs hate me is because I believe in and proclaim the truth that Jesus really has been resurrected from the dead v1-8 I was a violent threat against Christianity before my conversion v9-18 Now, I…
Acts 25:1-27
Wisdom from the Word about Waiting Paul’s years in Caesarea, including his two appearances before Governor Festus were part of the providential process of God’s timing by which he would arrive in Rome Godly Patience Comes by Resting in God’s Providence Waiting (doing “nothing”) is a major part of life under the sun. DVP believers can and should refuse to be constantly…
Acts 24:1-27
For Christians, Our Lives Aren’t Just about Us …Ultimately They are About Him Bottom Line: This status quo continued for a period of two years, until Governor Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Wanting to make points with the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem, he left Paul imprisoned… (and the story continues see Acts 25-28) Take This To Heart For Christians, Our…
Acts 23:12-35
Some Conspiracy Theories are Actually True An Inside Look: The Conspiracy to Murder Paul v12-15 …a plot was organized and men bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. They went to the Chief Priests and Elders and said, we have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food…
Acts 21:37 – 23:11
Keeping the Faith (and Love) in a Hurricane of Hatred Today in the real world/when when trying to share the Good News, if nothing else “comes to mind” tell your story…really His story in you (your testimony as to how you came to trust in Christ)…and then (I would say) 1: close with John 3:16 and 2: ask the leading question “Does that make sense to you?” And yet, as Paul…
Acts 21:1-8
Looking Back and Looking Forward Final Phases of Paul’s Third Missionary Journey 1 Gospel, 28 Chapters/27 Years, 12 Apostles: Described in 1 Sentence The Book of Acts = JESUS IS ALIVE AS HEAD OF HIS BRIDE J esus Ascends E stablishment of the Church S alvation of a Lame Beggar U nleashing of Persecution S in in the Church I mpact of Deacons S tephen’s Stoning A…
Acts 20:17-38
Acts 20:17-38 A Snapshot of a Great Christian Life Paul’s Farewell to the Leaders of Ephesus Bible Fellowship Reveals Key Truths about Excellence in the Christian Walk Take This To Heart If consistency was easy, everybody would be consistent… …but be consistent even though it is hard! If you want to be better than average in anything, including in the Christian life, you…
The Events and Effects of Easter
IYNTK about Easter (Information You Need to Know) The word “Easter” was derived from the proto-Germanic word meaning “to rise.” This is seen in the contemporary German cognate “ööst-” and the English word “east,” the direction from which the sun rises in the morning. It is not true that the word was derived from the pagan goddess Oestar or…
Acts 19:8-20
True Spirituality is Relational Not Just Ritual Paul’s Ministry in Ephesus Focused on the “Preaching” of the Gospel and the “Teaching” of the Word Take This To Heart As our Lord Jesus said: If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. Salvation and spiritual growth are relational not mechanical. The ministry of the Word calls for personal reception of truth…
Acts 19:1-5
Acts 19:1-5 From Fuzzy to Focused Paul connects the dots between John the Baptizing Jew and Jesus and emphasizes the fact that “saving repentance” is of the very essence of “saving faith” John preached a baptism (as a sign) of repentance (metanoeo) = as he told people to believe (pisteuo) in the coming Messiah who in fact is Jesus of Nazareth Take This To Heart Faith is…