Sunday, December 8, 2019

Acts - The Unstoppable Church - Acts 15:1-35


Homiletics                                             Study – Acts & Letter of Apostles
Lesson     12                                                     Passage: Acts 15:1-35

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Circumcision who needs it  (Acts 15:1-11)
a. Judeans teaching believers circumcision bringing debate. (1-2)
b. Paul and Barnabas appointed along with others to go to Jerusalem  (3-4)
c. Pharisee believers insist that Gentile believers be circumcised (5)
d. Apostles and Elders discuss belief, believer’s heart as Peter reminds of salvation grace through Jesus (6-11)
Ministry results to Gentiles described and validated by words of the  prophets (Acts 15:12-21)
a. Paul and Barnabas tell of signs and wonders God did among Gentiles (12)
b. James shares words of the prophets regarding  chosen from Gentiles  (13-18)
c. Judgment to not make difficult for Gentiles turning to God (19)
d. Encouragement purity to be sent Gentile Christians  (20-21)

Encouraging letter written and delivered by leaders to Antioch church (Acts 15:22-35)
a. Church chooses leaders to return with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch (22)
b.  Letter written denouncing troubling message of circumcision and encouragement to purity, (23-29)
c. Letter delivered bringing gladness for encouraging message (30-31)
d. Jerusalem messengers sent off with by believers with blessing of peace (32-35)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Circumcision who needs it 
Acts 15:1-11
Ministry results to Gentiles described and validated by words of the  prophets
Acts 15:12-21
Encouraging letter written and delivered by leaders to Antioch church
Acts 15:22-35

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Christianity requirements questioned, then validated with encouragement to Antioch church.

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATLT evidence of Holy Spirit in believers validates your heart for the Lord.  Encouragement in our Christian walk  brings peace.

Specific Application Questions

1
How are you adding to the Gospel message unnecessary requirements?
2
What are God’s truths that you depend on in your faith? How can you make them real to others?
3
How can you encourage others by your words? What actions are you willing to take to bring peace and comfort?

Principles to Remember

1
Faith in Jesus brings us into relationship with God.
2
Holy Spirit’s work is visible in lives of believers
3
We can be encouragement and supportive in faith
Characteristic of God
Truth
Theme
Our heart is known by God and validated externally in visible signs of the Holy Spirit in us.

God’s Word  - What’s happening?
God’s Heart – What does God care about?
Today’s World – How does this connect to what is happening in my world today?

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