Today Pastor Scott is handing the mic to Ben Meadow to discuss the counsel of Israel, what it meant for all gentiles, and the beginning of Paul's next missionary journey.

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Last week was Acts 12. The Lord moved in a slightly different direction but it was still addresses. Here is how, the theme that kept coming to the surface was all about trust.

• Do you trust Him when you pray?
• Do you trust Him when you’re facing difficulties?
• Are you expecting the creator God to show up in some way?
• Peter knew that James the disciple was killed by Herod and he was next.
• Peter wanted to be sure that the rest of the followers knew he had been freed and specifically named James this was the brother of Jesus.

This week we shift back to Saul.

• Chapter 7 he approved of the stoning of Stephen.
• Chapter 9 he was radically saved and began following Jesus.
• Chapter 11 Saul came back to minister to those he persecuted.
• Chapter 13 Saul is still there preaching and teaching.

Acts 13:1-52 ESV

• Verses 48-52 What brought excitement and rejoicing to some stirred distain in others.
• Gentiles. Excitement grew because this message offered hope where there had been no hope. Despite all that they had done and all that they were not, Jesus was offering them a new life.
• Jews. Distain and persecution arose because of jealousy, this message had only been for Jews, pride because what they had been doing wasn’t good enough.
• The message had been the same, the one true God has always been loving and just.
• The method was different. What was unsuccessfully worked for, was now paid for by the work of Jesus.
• July 1780 was the start of Sunday school in England. It came to the U.S. within 10 years and spread during the 1800’s.
• Sunday school has been on the decline for more than 30 years.
• The method is changing.
• How will you handle a change in the method.

Acts 14:1-28 ESV

• Verses 8-18 Lystra, crippled man, tried to stop the sacrifices.
• Verse 19 Antioch and Iconium, Jews came and led the stoning of Paul.
• Verses 20-21 The next day went to Derbe, preached the gospel, made many disciples.

A disciple is a learner, student, or follower who accepts and helps spread the teachings of a leader, philosopher, or religious figure.

• Verses 21-22 They returned to the very place that had inflicted pain and prejudice.
• A few weeks ago when looking at Acts 10-11 the question was asked, How will you minister to those you’ve hurt or will you allow those who have hurt you to also minister to you?
• Today we see Paul (Saul Acts 13:9) reaching out to minister to those who stoned him.
• How will you minister to those who have hurt you?

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Last week was Acts 12. The Lord moved in a slightly different direction but it was still addresses. Here is how, the theme that kept coming to the surface was all about trust.

• Do you trust Him when you pray?
• Do you trust Him when you’re facing difficulties?
• Are you expecting the creator God to show up in some way?
• Peter knew that James the disciple was killed by Herod and he was next.
• Peter wanted to be sure that the rest of the followers knew he had been freed and specifically named James this was the brother of Jesus.

This week we shift back to Saul.

• Chapter 7 he approved of the stoning of Stephen.
• Chapter 9 he was radically saved and began following Jesus.
• Chapter 11 Saul came back to minister to those he persecuted.
• Chapter 13 Saul is still there preaching and teaching.

Acts 13:1-52 ESV

• Verses 48-52 What brought excitement and rejoicing to some stirred distain in others.
• Gentiles. Excitement grew because this message offered hope where there had been no hope. Despite all that they had done and all that they were not, Jesus was offering them a new life.
• Jews. Distain and persecution arose because of jealousy, this message had only been for Jews, pride because what they had been doing wasn’t good enough.
• The message had been the same, the one true God has always been loving and just.
• The method was different. What was unsuccessfully worked for, was now paid for by the work of Jesus.
• July 1780 was the start of Sunday school in England. It came to the U.S. within 10 years and spread during the 1800’s.
• Sunday school has been on the decline for more than 30 years.
• The method is changing.
• How will you handle a change in the method.

Acts 14:1-28 ESV

• Verses 8-18 Lystra, crippled man, tried to stop the sacrifices.
• Verse 19 Antioch and Iconium, Jews came and led the stoning of Paul.
• Verses 20-21 The next day went to Derbe, preached the gospel, made many disciples.

A disciple is a learner, student, or follower who accepts and helps spread the teachings of a leader, philosopher, or religious figure.

• Verses 21-22 They returned to the very place that had inflicted pain and prejudice.
• A few weeks ago when looking at Acts 10-11 the question was asked, How will you minister to those you’ve hurt or will you allow those who have hurt you to also minister to you?
• Today we see Paul (Saul Acts 13:9) reaching out to minister to those who stoned him.
• How will you minister to those who have hurt you?

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Chapter 9 was when we saw the salvation of Saul who persecuted believers.

What has been your divine intervention?

God is about changed lives even radical ones.

Acts 10:1-48 ESV

• Who was Cornelius?

1. Roman officer in command of 80-100.
2. Dedicated to God.
3. Feared God.
4. He was generous.
5. Prayed continuously.
6. GENTILE

• This didn’t change the fact that he wasn’t from the chosen people.
• Your prayers and generosity are heard by God.
• Peter has a vision that changes the direction of his ministry.
• This meant that no one was off limits.
• Gentiles were anyone that wasn’t Jewish by birth.

1 Timothy 2:1-7 ESV

Acts 11:1-30 ESV

• The very persecution that killed Stephen and scattered many believers in Acts 7 also spread the gospel.
• The result was a great many believed.
• When Barnabas brought Saul to Antioch he was inviting him to minister to some of the very people that were scattered as a result of the death of Stephen, the killing he approved of.
• How will you minister to those you’ve hurt or will you allow those who have hurt you to also minister to you?

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Recap

• Ananias and Sapphira revealed that their heart was deceitful.
• Miracles and signs were done to validate the word of God.
• The root for Peter and John was that they would obey God over man.
• In spite of them being arrested for teaching Jesus the church grew.
• The Hellenistic Jews were scattered among the gentiles and had been saturated by that society and even spoke Greek.

The Assyrian Conquest 722 bc

The Babylonian Captivity 586 bc

Acts 6:1-15 ESV

Stephen Is Seized

Acts 7:1-60 ESV

6:1-7

• At this point the church was less than 6 months old and there were problems arising already.
• There was pride from the Hebraic Jews because they didn’t live among the gentiles and jealousy from Hellenistic Jews because of it.
• This is much like what you have experienced when you have been a believer for years and new people begin to follow Christ.
• We feel that they should or shouldn’t do things and they feel judged because they don’t measure up.
• If you’re looking for perfection you won’t find it as long as you are there.

James 4:1-10 ESV

• This is the start of deacon’s stepping up to help manage these things.
• Introduction of other leaders.
• The problem that was being addressed was a physical problem of favoritism but the issue began in the heart of the individual.
• The heart is what the Holy Spirit specializes in.
• Here it was pride but it may be something else in your life.

6:8-15

• Stephen was doing great signs and wonders the purpose for them was to validate the word of God.
• Some rose up from the Hellenistic Jews to dispute Stephen but they couldn’t out do the wisdom and Spirit that spoke through him.
• Stephen was brought before a council and lied about.
• Even the council could see the Spirit shining through him.

7:1-53

• Stephen was asked a yes or no question that took him 52 verses to answer.
• He started with Abraham and concluded with the crucified Jesus.
• He was speaking to people that knew all this already but didn’t realize that they were repeating history.

7:54-60

• They stoned him for speaking truth.
• We are looked at differently because of our faith.
• At times we are mocked or scrutinized for our way of life.
• Stephen was literally buried for the cause of Christ and we may feel buried by the jokes and insults.
• But are we buried or planted.
• His witness is the first time we are introduce to a man named Saul.

Conclusion

The church started with a deep understanding of what God promised throughout history.

Genesis 12:1-3 ESV

• In Exodus 3-4 God calls Moses and tells him over and over I’ll be with and lead you and give you favor.

Joshua 1:1-9 ESV

• Jesus even gave this same promise at least 2 times.
• Matthew 4 he called Peter and Andrew by saying I’ll make fishers of men.
• Matthew 28 he calls us to make disciples everywhere.

God doesn’t call polished people He has called us.

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Acts 5

Recap

• Lame man healed
• Sermon
• About 5,000 men became believers.
• Second sermon
• They sold land, houses, and other possessions.
• They brought the proceeds to the disciples to give to those in need.

Acts 4:34-35 ESV

34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Acts 5:1-42 ESV

Verses 1-11

• The fact that both dropped dead tends to distract us from the main point.
• No one commanded this type of giving.
• The Spirit led individuals to give extravagantly.
• Was this for prestige or did greed grip them?
• The sin was not against man but the Spirit.
• The amount of money was never disclosed.

The Spirit desires the heart not your money.

Matthew 17:24-27 ESV

24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?” 25 He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?”26 And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. 27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel.[g] Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”

Jesus wanted Peter to release the right or wrong and submit his heart.

• Nearly half of Jesus parables were regarding money or giving.
• This was never out of need for money but heart.

Matthew 6:19-21 ESV

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[e] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

His desire is for our heart not some surface level commitment.

Verses 12-16

• The signs and wonders continued and the church grew.
• Both men and women were added to the church.
• Just as we normally do they made this about the person even his shadow.
• Everything that was being done was to validate the message of Christ.

Verses 17-42

• They were arrested by religious and political leaders.
• They were released by the Spirit.
• Told to continue to preach publicly.
• When they were brought in to those leaders they asked why they went against their command?
• Their response is the root of the issue you and I battle today.

God or man which will it be? It’s time to choose this day who you will serve.

Joshua said it this way to the Israelites.

Joshua 24:14-15 ESV

14 “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Paul said it like this to the Ephesians.

Ephesians 6:10-13 ESV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm

• Peter again delivered a sermon of Christ crucified and raised.
• After this they were beaten and released.
• They counted it as joy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus.
• Choosing to follow God is a no matter what choice.

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Who carries you and where do they take you? 3:2

Even when you have nothing, you have something to offer!!! 3:6

Don’t look at us, look at Him!!! 3:12, brief explanation of who Jesus is the verse 3:16

John 3:30 ESV

How could Peter accused the Jews of denial when he also denied Jesus? 3:13-15

• They said “ crucify Him “ when they didn’t speak up.
• Peter had been called to repentance John 21:15-19
• His accusation wasn’t to condemn but to call to repentance.

All that had taken place led to a full blown sermon. 3:17-26

The result was about 5,000 came to Christ and Peter and John were arrested. 4:1-7

• By what power or by what name did you do this? This was the right question.

4:8-12 another sermon broke out.

4:13-22 they were uneducated, common men

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 ESV

• They only wanted them to stop speaking about Jesus.
• That seems easy until you have had a real encounters with Him.
• Who should they listen to?

4:23-31 they made themselves accountable to others.

• Prayed, worshipped, were thankful, and for boldness to continue.
• The place was shaken and the continued to speak the Word.

4:32-37 no one said anything belonged themselves because they were of one heart and soul. They also continued to share their testimony with great power.

Acts 3:1-26 ESV

Acts 4:1-37 ESV

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