Introduction A. Have you ever had great news to tell that you just knew no one would ever believe (Genesis 45; Exodus 4;...
Baptism: Is it Really Necessary?
Introduction A. The relationship between water baptism and salvation has long been a subject of heated religious debate...
What Must I Do?
Introduction A. In our study of Jesus’ words on salvation, we have seen that God wants all to be saved (Matthew 18:14), but...
Not Willing That Any Should Perish
Introduction A. In 1741, Jonathan Edwards delivered a sermon in which he portrayed God as an angry sovereign eager to condemn the worthless mass of humanity to the flames of hell. B. The truth is that God isn’t out to get us; He wants to save us! Discussion I. Jesus came to save the lost. A. This was the primary mission of Jesus’ life (Matthew 18:11; John 10:10-18; 12:47; Luke 9:56). B. Jesus saved many men...
How to Be a Better Fisherman
Introduction A. Usually it is the quality, not the quantity, which determines our effectiveness in any line of work. B. Being an effective evangelist has a lot less to do with our method than it does with our character. Discussion I. To be better evangelists, we need to be sound. A. We need to be good students of God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:14-4:5; Acts 8:35). B. We need to be plain with the truth (Matthew 8:20; 10:16-31)...
Not Done in a Corner
Introduction
A. As a man whose heritage was largely Jewish and whose family had ruled the Jewish people for many years, he was indeed “expert in all customs and questions” about the Jews (vs. 3).
B. When Paul tells Agrippa that these things “were not done in a corner” (vs. 26), what does he mean by this?
I. God had been announcing these things for centuries.
A. Paul was only declaring what the prophets of God...
What Is the Gospel?
Introduction
A. If you have ever wondered what it would be like to listen to Paul preach, Acts 13 is a great source.
B. In this sermon Paul talks about the “Good News,” the Gospel. What does this sermon tell us about the Gospel we preach?
I. The Gospel is positive.
A. These are encouraging words (vss. 15,45,48).
B. The Good News constituted the fulfillment of ancient promises (vss. 32-37).
C. The Good News was...
Almost Persuaded
King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian” (Acts 26:27-28).
While it is impossible to nail down the precise date of Saul’s conversion, it is generally believed—based on a few scarce hints in his epistles—to have taken place only a few years after the establishment of the church in Jerusalem. Following his...