Jan 22, 2015 | Acts
I gave serious thought to developing this scripture into a Sunday morning message. I think that someone with a little more skill than I could make it into a power evangelical sermon. The problem is that there is just so much contained in this theme that we’d have to...
Jan 22, 2015 | Acts
People who love the Word of God can have a tendency of becoming too detailed oriented in their teaching. For example, they might talk too much about the meaning of the opposing Greek and Hebrew words. Or they might fill their messages with far too much talk about...
Jan 22, 2015 | Acts
With modern technology, the exchange of information is almost instantaneous. As well as being a blessing, this can create minor problems as well. This morning, for example, just before the alarm went off, Judy and I awoke by the ringing of the phone. It was Fe...
Jan 22, 2015 | Acts
I need to tell our visitors that we are in the midst of a lengthy study of the Book of Acts. This is that New Testament book which details the work of the Apostles after the resurrection of Christ. You who are NOT visitors, may be thinking that we are taking a break...
Jan 22, 2015 | Acts
It is a doctrine of this church, and we sincerely believe that God is in sovereign control of His creation. Theologically we believe that He maintains a permissive will and a causative will. For example, the Lord has the power and authority to decree the elimination...
Jan 22, 2015 | Acts
Let’s picture the birth of twin boys – they are fraternal twins, not identical twins. But obviously they have the same parents and the same privileges. They have the same honorable grandparents and great-grandparents. They go to the same schools and are even in the...
Jan 22, 2015 | Acts
In the age when Stephen lived and died there were similarities and differences with our funerals today. In every civilized society, caring for the remains of the deceased is an honorable profession. But customs vary between cultures and special situations. Notice...
Jan 22, 2015 | Acts
In my spare time I have been reading some of the ordination sermons preached by Andrew Fuller. They have been excellent, and they have been convicting. When I was first starting out in the ministry after graduating from Bible school, I scoured every used book store...
Jan 22, 2015 | Acts
In several ways chapter 8 begins a new chapter. We’ve already noticed that this marks the beginning of a new kind of persecution. In fact, Acts 11:19 seems to describe this as the “Stephen persecution” – “Now they which were scattered abroad upon the...
Jan 22, 2015 | Acts
It seems to me that we live in a day of superlatives. At least this is what we have been taught, and this is the way that we think. If our team doesn’t win the championship, or get to the Sweet Sixteen, then they are failures. If the Olympic athlete doesn’t win the...
Jan 22, 2015 | Acts
One of my joys is to introduce new words to your vocabulary. Sometimes I make up those words, and sometimes they are so old that people have forgotten them. Tonight’s word fits the last category. Some of you will know this word, but for many this will be a new one....
Jan 22, 2015 | Acts
How many churches did the Lord Jesus directly start? (One). How many churches did the Holy Spirit directly start? (None). How many churches did God the Father start? (None). So how many churches did God start? (One). To how many churches did the Lord give His...
Jan 22, 2015 | Acts
To my mind, this is one of the most fascinating stories in the New Testament. It is a holy parenthesis in the history of the early churches. This unnamed visitor from Ethiopia bears some semblance to Melchizedek of the Old Testament; As far as we are concerned he has...
Jan 22, 2015 | Acts
I’ve mentioned my collection of books on pastoring and preaching; pastoral theology and homiletics. Nearly all of those books say something like: “Pastor, never preach your doubts.” If the preacher can’t be sure of his theme, then he needs to study it...
Jan 21, 2015 | Acts
Do you believe that God controls the weather? Do you believe that sees the weather and responds to it, correcting and adjusting as necessary, or does He actually ordain what the weather will do on any given day? Would you be surprised, if just after the Jesus said...
