Acts 24 A Cheerful Defense Summary: Have you ever gotten into trouble when you knew you did nothing wrong? How did that feel? Paul the Apostle had that happen many times, when his fellow Jews lied to get him in deep trouble. Jesus suffered in this way too. Let’s think about it more: Outline: 1. A false charge 2. A cheerful defense 3. A powerful witness Verse: Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Questions: 1. Have you ever been wrongly accused of something? How did it feel? Did you defend yourself? How? 2. How does Paul’s life reflect Jesus’ path again in this account? 3. How might the gospel have strengthened Paul to make his defense cheerfully on this day? How could the gospel of grace enable you to face false accusations?

1 John 2:1-17

Acts 23:12-35 Divine Protection Summary: Sometimes it is hard to see how God is at work in our lives, and we wonder if he is involved or not. Today in Acts we are going to talk about the word

Acts 22:30-23:11 On Trial for the Resurrection Summary: It is hard to imagine what it would be like to stand on trial before a bunch of religious leaders who would all like to kill you, but that was what Paul did in our sermon text in Acts. Can you imagine? Paul used to be one of their fellow leaders, and now they all want to get rid of him! What gives him hope? Let's listen today, and we will find that Jesus stands by Him through it all. Outline: 1. A reason to rest 2. A reason to suffer 3. A reason for courage Verse: Acts 23:6b ...It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial. Discussion Questions: 1. Why did Paul feel he had lived in

Text: Ephesians 3:14-21 Sermon Title: Praying to Know the Love of Christ Kids Outline: 1) We need the power of the Spirit to know Jesus’ love 2) We need power because Christ’s love is greater than we can know 3) Knowing Christ's love fills us with God's presence

Acts 21:37-22:39 A Ready Defense Summary: If you had the chance to tell people what you believe, what would you say? Today we hear Paul speak to a large, angry crowd. What does he say? He tells them about JESUS! Let's listen to what he says. Outline: A strong connection A transformed life A divine calling A wise approach Verse: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Discussion Questions: 1. If you were called upon to make a summary of what you believe or share the essence of the Gospel, what would you say? What would be vital? 2. How does Paul's speech reveal his transformed life and his new calling? 3. How did Paul make a connection to calm the crowd at first and gain a hearing? What are some of the ways you can forge a connection with people when talking about Christ?

2 Corinthians 5:1-10 NIV

Acts 21:17-37 Prophesies Fulfilled Summary: There may be times when you get to tell people about Jesus. It is a great thing to do, and it is awesome to see God work through it! But it is not always easy. Let's think about a time when Paul suffered for Jesus: Outline: 1. Gospel witness flows from a love for God and a love for people 2. The Gospel's enemies seek to suppress the truth 3. Gospel suffering follows in Jesus' footsteps Verse: 2 Timothy 2:3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Discussion Questions: 1. Have you ever suffered for your Gospel witness before? What form did that take? 2. Why do you think Paul agreed to take the four men in this passage to the temple to complete their vow? What was the purpose? Is there any significance in this for our own witness? 3. How did Paul's sufferings in this passage mirror some of Jesus' own experience? How might Luke be trying to encourage us by drawing those parallels? 4. How can this encourage you this week in your walk?

1 Kings 3:16-28 NIV

Acts 21:1-16 Ready to Die for the Name of Jesus Summary: Have you ever been worried about something bad happening to you or your family or friends? Just ask my kids: every time we go hiking I am worried they will fall off a cliff! Today let's listen to God's Word and hear Paul's friends as they worry that he will be arrested or killed if he goes to Jerusalem. What will happen to him? Let's find out: Outline: Living for the Name of Jesus means sharing in His sufferings Dying for the Name of Jesus is not a was ​te​ Verse: Philippians 1:21 (ESV)21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Questions: 1. Why are Paul's companions all urging him not to go to Jerusalem? Were they right to do so? 2. What is the source of Paul's resolve to suffer or die? How does this resolve reflect the pattern of Jesus' own life and ministry? 3. Why is suffering or dying for the name of Jesus not a waste? What would it look like for the Name (person and work) of Jesus to be magnified in you who may not be called to physical death for the Lord?

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 NIV

Mark 1:40-45 Willing and Able Sermon Outline: I. The leper's corruption from his disease. II. Jesus' compassion for the unclean. III. Jesus' commitment to his mission. Discussion Questions: 1. How does Jesus bring healing to all the ways that I might see myself as the leper? 2. Do I really believe that Jesus is willing to make me wholly clean? How might that affect the way I approach him this week? 3. Who are those whom I often regard as a leper? What would it look like to show the love of Jesus to them? Kid's Bulletin: When your hands are dirty, everything else you touch becomes dirty. Maybe you've left dirty hand prints around the house before! Today's sermon is about a man with a skin disease called leprosy that made him unclean, and everything he touched also became unclean. But then Jesus touches him; does Jesus also become unclean? No! Listen to hear how Jesus heals and makes the leper clean instead. Memory Verse: 1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2 Samuel 1:17-27

Acts 20:28-38 A Fond Farewell, Part 2 Summary: Have you ever wondered what is the job of the elders at our church? Today let’s listen to Paul as he speaks to elders at the church in Ephesus. He tells us what our elders do and why they are called to take care of God church. Let’s listen in! Outline: 1. The shepherds and the sheep 2. The wolves and their tactics 3. The Good Shepherd and His grace Verse: John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Discussion Questions: 1. What do Paul's words reveal to us about the calling of elders? What are the motives you see that shape and compel their labor? 2. According to Paul, what does the church need even more than the work of faithful elders? 3. According to Paul's description, what are the dangers we face as a church that leaders are called to guard against? 4. How can you pray for your elders this week?

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 NIV

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 NIV

Acts 20:13-27 A Fond Farewell, Part 1 Summary: What is it that pastors and leaders in our church DO? One time a non-Christian asked me:

Saving Eutychus Acts 20:1-12 Summary: Have you ever fallen asleep in church? Most of us have been that tired at one time or another! Today we hear the amazing story of a man who fell asleep listening to the apostle Paul preach and fell out of the window and died! But God use Paul to raising from the dead. Why is this important for us? Let’s find out: Outline: 1. Life together 2. Life resurrected 3. Comfort for life and death Verse: John 11:25 (ESV): I am the resurrection and the life. Discussion Questions: 1. What do you see in the passage that tells us the commitments and values of the early church? What can we learn from this? 2. How does the raising of Eutychus show us parallels to Elijah, Elisha and Jesus’ own ministry? How does this miracle affect the church in this city? 3. What should this miracle do in us as God’s people? What comfort and encouragement might it bring you today?

Acts 19:21-41 The Great Gospel Taking Hold in a Great City, Part 2 Summary: Today we get to continue to see God's amazing history of the Gospel going into all the world. In Ephesus Paul and his friends met fierce enemies of the Gospel, but God took care of them and they were able to bring the good news to many. What does that mean for us? Let's find out: Outline: 1. The Gospel challenges our idols 2. The Gospel draws the enemy's fire 3. The Gospel sometimes gets an unlikely defense Verse: Matthew 16:18b ....On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Discussion Questions: 1. What is the substance of Demetrius' accusation against Paul in this chapter? Is it accurate? What might happen in our city if God broke through people's idolatry on a massive scale like this? 2. How does God enable Paul to continue to minister in Ephesus? How does God sometimes use unbelievers to keep His Gospel going out? 3. What idols might God want to shatter in your life? Pray with someone about this this week.

Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem, Ruth 1:15-22 NIV