Acts - The Unstoppable Church - Acts 21:16-23:35

Homiletics                                             Study – Acts & Letter of Apostles

Lesson     25                                                     Passage: Acts 21:16-23:35

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Paul arrives in Jerusalem providing defense for ministry to hostile Jews (Acts 21:16-22:29) a. Paul arrives to warm greeting from Jerusalem church  (21:16-25) b. Paul purifies himself and goes to temple (21:26-29) c. Paul seized and dragged from the temple (21:30) d. Paul saved from the angry crowd by Roman Commander and Troops (21:31-36) e. Paul request Commander to allow him to speak to the crowd (21:37-40) f. Paul shares his Christ story to the crowd (22:1-22) g. Paul is taken to be flogged and identifies himself as a Roman citizen (22:24-29)

Paul’s defense before Sanhedrin (Acts 22:30-23:11) a. Commander orders Chief Priest and Sanhedrin to assemble and hear Paul  (22:30) b. Paul tells of his duty to God; receiving slap and rebuke (23:1-5) c. Paul’s defense brings Pharisee and Sadducee animosity towards each other (23:6-10) d. Lord speaks to Paul saying take courage; telling of ministry in Rome (23:11)

Conspiracy to kill Paul moves him to Roman protection in Caesarea (Acts 23:12-35) a. Jews form conspiracy and take a solemn oath to kill Paul  (23:12-15) b. Paul’s sister’s son tells Paul of a plot  (23:16) c. Paul tell centurion to take sister’s son to the commander to tell of the plot  (23:17-22) d. Centurion commander sends Paul with a note of explanation to Governor Felix(23-33) e. Paul kept under guard at Herod’s palace waiting for accusers (34-35)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Paul arrives in Jerusalem providing defense for ministry to hostile Jews	Acts 21:16-22:29
Paul’s defense before Sanhedrin	Acts 22:30-23:11
Conspiracy to kill Paul moves him to Roman protection in Caesarea	Acts 23:12-35

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

Paul arrives in Jerusalem to hostile Jews ready to kill

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATLT in hostility and uncertainty God has a plan for us.

Specific Application Questions

1	What is your personal story of Jesus?  How are you ministering for the gospel that will bring a response?
2	What defense of the gospel can you give?
3	How do you see God’s protection?  How can you trust more in the goodness of God?

Principles to Remember

1	Sharing the Gospel is good news to those who believe.
2	God encourages us as we minister for Him
3	God uses circumstances for His good

Characteristic of God

Encourager

Theme

Paul boldly shares God’s ministry through him to the Gentiles.

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?

Acts - The Unstoppable Church - 1 Corinthians 15-16

Homiletics                                             Study – Acts & Letter of Apostles

Lesson     24                                                     Passage: 1 Corinthians 15-16

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Gospel affirmed in resurrected Jesus  (1 Corinthians 15:1-34) a. Gospel reminder  (1-2) b. Christ fulfilled scriptures in His death and resurrection for our Sins (3) c. Resurrection evidence through appearances to many witnesses (4-8) d. Paul’s apostleship (9-11) e. Resurrection of dead evidenced in Christ our hope (12-19) f. First fruits – made alive in Christ (20-23) g. Enemies under Christ feet destroyed even death (24-28) h. Resurrection is real  a reason to boast  (29-34)

Resurrected imperishable immortal  Victory in Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:35-58) a. Heavenly bodies is different than earthly; a unique splendor  (35-41) b. Spiritual body is imperishable. (42-44) c. Comparison of earthly and heavenly body (45-53) d. God gives us victory through Jesus Christ our Lord (54-58)

Stand firm in Faith; do all in love (1 Corinthians 16) a. The collection process  (1-4) b. Paul’s itinerary  (5-9) c. Take care of Timothy and treat him kindly  (10-11) d. Apollos travel plans (12) e. Urging Christians to do everything in love (13-18) f. Paul’s final salutation to Corinthian church (19-24)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Gospel affirmed in resurrected Jesus	1 Corinthians 15:1-34
Resurrected imperishable immortal  Victory in Jesus	1 Corinthians 15:35-58
Stand firm in Faith; do all in love	1 Corinthians 16

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

Gospel’s victory affirmed through resurrected Jesus to Corinthian Christ followers

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATLT victory is found only in the provision of the resurrected Jesus Christ.

Specific Application Questions

1	What do you need to place before Jesus right now?
2	Where are your doubts?  What action should you take to remove those doubts?
3	How could you demonstrate God’s love in those things before you now?

Principles to Remember

1	Gospel is in resurrected Jesus.
2	Victory is in Jesus
3	Love is foundation of faith

Characteristic of God

Our victory

Theme

Resurrection Victory is in Jesus Christ; death has no sting with Him.

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?

Acts - The Unstoppable Church - 1 Corinthians 8-14

Homiletics                                             Study – Acts & Letter of Apostles

Lesson     23                                                     Passage: 1 Corinthians 8-14

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Avoid being a stumbling block and our rights as followers  (1 Corinthians 8-11:1) a. Basics – Love Builds up  (8:1-2) b. Food offered to idols is a stumbling block to weak (8:3-8) c. Caution – Exercise of your rights could destroy faith and is a sin (8:9-13) d. Right to earn a living (9:1-18) e. Paul’s desire to win to others to gospel drives life choices (9:19-27) f. Example: Ancestors set hearts of evil things (10:1-12) g. Temptation is common – God is faithful; providing endurance (10:13) h. While we are many we are part of one body (10:14-22) i. Seek the good of others; do for glory of God (10:23-33)

Avoid divisions and be discerning followers (1 Corinthians 11:2-34) a. God’s hierarchy honor and not disgrace  in relationships (men and woman; with God) (11:2-16) b. Care in coming together for meetings and meals to not exclude and leave some out humiliating some. (11:17-22) c. Lord supper described (11:23-26) d. Examine and be discerning ourselves before partaking of Lord supper (11:27-32) e. Avoid judgment – eat together in unity (11:33-34)

Seek the more excellent way  building each other up in Love (1 Corinthians 12-14) a. Church body is comprised with those with different spiritual gifts  (12:1-14) b. No division in the body – all are indispensable (12:15-26) c. We are the body of Christ; desiring greater gifts??? Paul tell of more excellent way  (12:27-31) d. Excellent way described – Love (13:1-13) e. Desire gifts of the Spirit – Prophecy (14:1-5) f. Excel in things that lift up church; speak intelligible words (14:6-25) g. Everything in church should be done to build each other up (14:26-28) h. Conduct worship in fitting and orderly way (14:29-40)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Avoid being a stumbling block and our rights as followers	1 Corinthians 8-11:1
Avoid divisions and be discerning followers	1 Corinthians 11:2-34
Seek the more excellent way  building each other up in Love	1 Corinthians 12-14

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

Corinthians instructed in excellent living and body unity with Spirit.

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATLT living a life of Love respects the value and gifts of each member of the Body of Christ.

Specific Application Questions

1	Where could you be a stumbling block for others? What can you do to be more encouraging of each other in faith?
2	What can you do to bring unity to the church and be more inclusive?
3	Is there something that God is calling you to do to encourage others in faith?

Principles to Remember

1	God is faithful; he will provide a way to endure temptation.
2	Unity and Discernment proclaim Jesus
3	We are one body in Christ with many Spiritual gifts

Characteristic of God

Source of Everything our Head

Theme

Unity and loving encouragement for weaker followers; living to encourage faith in others.

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?