Acts - The Unstoppable Church - Acts 12

Homiletics                                             Study – Acts & Letter of Apostles

Lesson     8                                             Passage: Acts  12

Content (List of Topics or Events)

King Herod kills James and arrests (binds) Peter during Feast of Unleavened Bread; God frees (Acts 12:1-10) a. King Herod kills James and arrests Peter during Fees (1-4) b. Church earnestly prays for prisoned Peter (5) c. Angel wakes Peter taking him out of prison to freedom (6-10)

Rescued Peter returns to astonish believers (Acts 12:11-17) a. Peter knows that God rescued him Herod and Jewish hopes (11) b. Peter goes to house of Mary and knocks (12) c. Rhoda recognizes Peter at door, neglects to open it  and runs to tell disbelieving others (13-15) d. Peter astonishes followers and tells of freedom experience (16-17)

Herod punishes, addresses people and in arrogance is struck down; Gospel flourishes (Acts 12:18-25) a. Guard cross-examined in disappearance if Peter and executed (18-19a) b.  Herod goes to Caesarea to bring peace (19b-20) c. Herod speaks and people declare him a god; Herod arrogance brings death (21-22) d. Gospel spreads and flourishes (23-25)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

King Herod kills James and arrests (binds) Peter during Feast of Unleavened Bread; God frees	Acts 12:1-10
Rescued Peter returns to astonish believers	Acts 12:11-17
Herod punishes, addresses people and in arrogance is struck down; Gospel flourishes	Acts 12:18-25

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

Herod persecutes and prisons; while God’s goodnews frees and vindicates.

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that God hears our prayers and works to amaze His followers with His Good News.

Specific Application Questions

1	In what ways is God tapping you on the shoulder to be free from what binds you?
2	How are you astonished in what God is doing?  Who will you tell of that truth?
3	Where is there arrogance in what you have done?  What do you need to give up to be aligned with God’s will?

Principles to Remember

1	Prayers do make a difference.
2	God will astonish you with what He will do.
3	Arrogance brings punishment

Characteristic of God

Ever present help

Theme

God hears our prayers and will amaze those who follow 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 - Acts 9:31-11:30

Homiletics                                             Study – Acts & Letter of Apostles

Lesson     7                                             Passage: Acts  9:31-11:30

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Holy Spirit’s works in Judea, Galilee and Samaria seen in healing and raising dead (Acts 9:31-43) a. Time of Peace in Judea, Galilee and Samaria and numbers increase (31) b. Aeneas paralyzed for 8 years healed bringing Christ followers (32-35) c. Tabitha (Dorcas) Christ follower raised from dead bringing many to belief (36-43)

Cornelius in Caesarea led by Lord to seek out Peter bringing faith and Holy Spirit to gentiles  (Acts 10-11:1:18) a. Cornelius is sent by angel to seek out Peter (1-7) b. Peter during prayers is hungry as sees vision of previous unclean things to eat and told to eat (8-16) c. Cornelius men find Peter and ask him to come with them (17-23) d. Peter returns to Caesarea Gospel accepted and Holy Spirit indwells Cornelius and other gentiles.(24-40) e. Apostles and believers criticize and question Peter (11:1-3) f. Peter describes occurrences leading to Gospel shared and Holy Spirit indwelling gentiles (11:4-18)

Antioch Christians share Jesus to Greeks and through aid to Judean Christians (Acts 11:19-30) a. The spreading of the Word among Jews and Greeks in Antioch (19-21) b.  Barnabas sent from Jerusalem to Antioch encouraging believers (22-24) c. Barnabas sends for Saul and ministered for 1 year in Antioch (25-26) d. Antioch learns of famine in Judea and send gift through Barnabas and Saul (27-30)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Holy Spirit’s works in Judea, Galilee and Samaria seen in healing and raising dead	Acts 9:31-43
Cornelius in Caesarea led by Lord to seek out Peter bringing faith and Holy Spirit to gentiles	Acts 10-11:1:18
Antioch Christians share Jesus to Greeks and through aid to Judean Christians	Acts 11:19-30

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

Gospel spread through healing, ministry to Cornelius and in Antioch

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that the Holy Spirit can direct our paths into opportunity to share Jesus.

Specific Application Questions

1	How has the Holy Spirit inspired you to ministry?  If not, what is holding you back?
2	What are the road blocks that you have used as an excuse to sharing Jesus? How has the Holy Spirit convicted you to remove those excuses?
3	In what ways are you demonstrating Jesus to your world?

Principles to Remember

1	God will direct your path in Ministry through His Holy Spirit?
2	God desires all to know Him
3	We are called to share Jesus

Characteristic of God

Encourager

Theme

Holy Spirit provides wisdom and power in ministry to declare Jesus

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 - Acts 8:1-9:30

Homiletics                                             Study – Acts & Letter of Apostles

Lesson     5                                             Passage: Acts 8:1-9:30

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Gospel  extends to Samaria; Philip proclaims, Holy Spirit anoints and Apostles confront wicked desire (Acts 8:1-25) a. Persecution breaks out at Stephen’s death (1-3) b. Philip goes out to Samaria proclaiming Messiah bringing joy (4-8) c. Philip’s good news message brings new believers including sorcerer Simon; astonished by signs and miracles (9-13) d. Apostles send Peter and John to Samaria bringing Holy Spirit (14-17) e. Simon wishes to pay for ability to work in Holy Spirit bringing apostle’s chastisement (15-25)

Philip directed to go opportunity to bring Ethiopian Eunuch to Christ  (Acts 8:26-40) a. Angel sends Philip to Gaza where he encounter Ethiopian Eunuch (26-28) b. Spirit directs Philip to engage Ethiopian to explain Isaiah passage (29-33) c. Eunuch asks about prophet allowing Philip to use scripture to share good news of Jesus (34-35) d. Philip and eunuch travel together and finding water eunuch is baptized receiving Holy Spirit. (36-40)

Saul has life changing encounter with Jesus (Acts 9:1-30) a. Saul asks for letters from high priest to help take believers as prisoners (1-2) b.  In a light from heaven, Saul encounters Jesus and is blinded (3-6) c. Saul is lead to Damascus (7-9) d. Ananias called by Lord to instruct Saul of Gentile ministry and suffering in Jesus (10-15) e. Ananias places hands on Saul bringing healing, baptism and Holy Spirit indwelling (16-19) f. Saul gained strength preached and baffled Jews with message of Jesus as Messiah. (20-22) g. A conspiracy among Jews to kill Saul (23-25) h. Saul goes to Jerusalem bringing skepticism; Barnabas brings to apostles (26-28) i. Saul’s ministry raise those who would kill him (29-30)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Gospel  extends to Samaria; Philip proclaims, Holy Spirit anoints and Apostles confront wicked desire	Acts 8:1-25
Philip directed to go opportunity to bring Ethiopian Eunuch to Christ	Acts 8:26-40
Saul has life changing encounter with Jesus	Acts  9:1-30

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

Gospel extended through Philip ministry and Saul encounters with Jesus

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that God will send the message through His servants to bring new life in Him

Specific Application Questions

1	Where is God calling you to minister to make a sincere impact for Him?
2	In what ways can you be involved in sharing God’s word beyond your immediate sphere of influence?
3	How can you trust more fully in those God is bringing to you?

Principles to Remember

1	God’s Good News Message brings joy.
2	God desires all to know Him
3	Sometimes God’s call is unmistakable and requires our bold response

Characteristic of God

Our Guide

Theme

God wants us to move beyond our comfort zone to minister for 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?