A Place Of Grace
9-8-2019
- Song Acts
- Song Acts
- Song Acts
- Song Acts
- Luke… our writer of a two part narrative. It is narrative in nature, NOT to be dismissed as “just stories” but God unfolding for us His plan for the progression of the Gospel! These narratives demonstrated for the early church and the church over the ages the TRUTH! Luke 1:4 “so that you may KNOW the TRUTH about the things you have been taught” Luke ends his first account with what the church has come to title “The Great Commission” Luke 24:44-49
Luke 24:44–49 NASB95 Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. “You are witnesses of these things. “And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”The unfolding of the Great Commission is profoundly misunderstood in the western discipleship model. The concept of the worldwide multiplication of churches has been reduced to a worldwide multiplication of individuals. Our western individualism has reduced the formation of true Christian communities to the multiplication of individual disciples. Fellowships of churches have been replaced by fellowships of individuals and small groups driven by organizational purposes and agendas. The church is often reduced to a place we attend ...” ~Jeff ReedI feel we have come to a place in our christian circles where we are far more comfortable “playing church” rather than stepping out and “being the church”!As we look over the book of Acts as a whole today, I want to challenge us to BE the church.Remember… Jesus told Peter and the other Apostles, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it!” Jesus lays out His plan for building up His church in Acts 1:8Acts 1:8 NASB95 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”Jesus has set forth the plan of action and He calls you and I to follow His plan. As we look at the book of Acts we see this unfold.The Unfolding of Acts 1:8Ch 1-7 Church Established in Jerusalem2 years spanPredominately JewsPeter is leaderIn Ch 7 Stephen is martyred for his faithCh 8-12 Church Scattered to Judea & SamariaWe begin to see persecution begin moreSpans about 13 yearsWe see Peter and Philip extending out to share the gospel (MAP)Gentiles now begin to be introduced to the gospel!We see Saul become a follower of The Way… first designation of Jesus’ followers.“I am the Way the Truth and the Life”As it spreads we see for the first time the title “Christians” (Acts 11:26)We see the followers of Christ becoming a very distinct group...Towards the end of this section we see Herod inflict greater persecution on the church…Those who were there spread back to homes and across the earthView Map of Acts 2:7-11 (some may have already gone home, others now fled back!)Acts 2:7–11 NASB95 They were amazed and astonished, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? “And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? “Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.”I love the fact that even before one journey out of Jerusalem took place… Jesus was reaching the WORLD with the gospel. “I WILL BUILD”Ch 13-28 Church Extended to Ends of the EarthThis section spans about 15 years or soGentiles now seem to be the predominant individuals who are being reached with the gospel… it is spreading!Paul becomes a significant figure in this portion and a prominent leader in the church as an apostleWe see Three Mission Journeys of Paul in this section (SEE MAP)NOTICE: These areas were where people were from back at Pentecost too!Also as you read through Acts you will study 3 distinct missionary trips, BUT GOD...Paul also has an all expense trip paid for by the Roman government to stand trial as a prisoner before Caesar!The Narrative ProgressionRemember this is a narrative that Luke is writing… as he does so he recaps the progress of the gospel for us at some very key points and gives a “Progress Report” a snap shot so to speak…Progress Reports:Acts 2:46-47 The one-mindedness sets them apart, fellowship is from the start… and the Lord is workingActs 2:46–47 NASB95 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.Acts 6:7 it was God’s Word going forth, holding power, the strength of the Jerusalem church was growingActs 6:7 NASB95 The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.Acts 9:31 We see the Lord expanding the reach of the Gospel, God was providing the increaseActs 9:31 NASB95 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.Acts 12:24 even in the midst of persecution… God’s Word advances and is not hindered!Acts 12:24 NASB95 But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.Acts 16:5 we see a spread of the church, we see churches in regions and areas being strengthened in their FAITH… Growth was still occuring! These churches were not playing church, they were BEING the Church.Acts 16:5 NASB95 So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.Acts 19:20 God’s Word cannot be stopped, it holds power… even over the Roman Empire!Acts 19:20 NASB95 So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.Acts 28:30-31 The gospel still goes on… The End is yet to come!Acts 28:30–31 NASB95 And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.SO WHAT?Charts… Overview… Sections… History… Powerful Stories and Events…Jesus said… “I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH” look at HIS CHURCH just a little over 30 years after He makes that statement… (SHOW MAP)This is not the work of just a few… This is the work of Jesus Christ through His Church.Oh Church… people of Grace Bible… People of God listening...As we go through Acts I want you to realize this:We cannot limit what God can and will do!!!He is building His church and He desires to use us! We need to start BEING the church! Luke 24:44–49NASB95
Acts 1:8NASB95
Acts 1:8NASB95
Acts 1:8NASB95
Acts 2:7–11NASB95
Acts 1:8NASB95
Acts 2:46–47NASB95
Acts 6:7NASB95
Acts 9:31NASB95
Acts 12:24NASB95
Acts 16:5NASB95
Acts 19:20NASB95
Acts 28:30–31NASB95
Acts 2:46–47NASB95
Acts 6:7NASB95
Acts 9:31NASB95
Acts 12:24NASB95
Acts 16:5NASB95
Acts 19:20NASB95
Acts 28:30–31NASB95
- Song Acts
- We are in the Gospel of Luke… today we are going to tackle most of one of the largest chapters in the Bible (80 verses!) We are going to be looking at the events of a man by the name of Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth:He is a priestThey are said to be considered righteous in the sight of GodI am so glad God is watching!An angel will visit himGod will work a miracleIn the end this priest will prophesy and praise God…BUT FIRST! Let’s rewind and go back 400 years...MalachiHolman- “Malchi rebuked God’s people for specific violations of the covenant, such as laws concerning sacrifices, divorce, and tithes, but he also prophesied the coming of the Messenger who will set things right.”At first glance it would appeared God had been silent or forgotten for 400 years after sending Malachi to the people and declaring His promise...Feelings of forgotten as a nationZacharias forgotten as a priest (will God speak again?)Elizabeth forgotten as she is barren no childrenWhen in reality, God had not forgotten, but was DOING what he promised!& declare what God will do in the coming future...
Malachi 3:1 NASB95 1 “Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts.Malachi 4:4–6 NASB95 4 “Remember the law of Moses My servant, even the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel. 5 “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. 6 “He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.”The world stage had to be set… made ready for His Messenger who would come:Daniel had prophesied the things that would occur before the Messiah would comeAlexander the Great would come in… create one language GreekHis empire would be divided four way among his generalsEventually Rome would take over the world… roads being developed for transportation!God had not forgotten… On the contrary, He was remembering His promise, fulfilling His Word! In fact His promises… THE PROMISE goes all the way back to the beginning!God’s PromiseThe Seed of the woman would deliver a death blow to SatanGenesis 3:15 NASB95 15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.”We see the three sons of Noah and there is a blessing passed to ShemGenesis 9:25–27 NASB95 25 So he said, “Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants He shall be to his brothers.” 26 He also said, “Blessed be the Lord, The God of Shem; And let Canaan be his servant. 27 “May God enlarge Japheth, And let him dwell in the tents of Shem; And let Canaan be his servant.”Through Abraham’s seed all men would be blessed this is made clearer in Genesis 15Genesis 12:3 NASB95 3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”Abraham had many sons… Yet Issac is the one God’s blessing was with.Isaac had two sons yet the blessing (Promise) was with Jacob… The God of Abraham, Issac & Jacob.Jacob had 12 sons… Jacobs name is changed by God to Israel (one who wrestles with God)God’s blessing of promise is passed from Jacob to Judah in Indicating the One to come would be royal, a ruler King.Genesis 49:10 NASB95 10 “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.From the line of Judah comes a man who was anointed king by the name of David… in and God Promises this...2 Samuel 7:16 NASB95 16 “Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”The Hebrew word: mashiyach, meaning “the anointed” gradually became a title for the Promised Savior-King Messiah!God did NOT forget… He had been working all along in even the smallest of details!NOW… back to Luke.We Can Take God at His Word!Setting:Priest had their turns to serve in the temple… this was Zacharias’ timeSelected to go in and offer incense (prayers) to God… Usually on behalf of the people of IsraelLuke 1:11–17 NASB95 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. “You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb. “And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. “It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”I don’t think this man was praying for a son… too old.Praying for the people, felt forgotten, feeling the oppressions of the Romans, whatever it was GOD HEARD!Wow! the angel states the Zacharias’ son will fulfill the prophecy of MalachiYour son will prepare for the Promised MessiahIt Is Time! The Messiah is coming!!!What God says WILL HAPPEN!Moody- Zacharias ought to have been focusing on the divine “promise” of the message, not the human “problems” of the message.Did you miss it? Do you doubt God due to human limitations?The Promise of the scriptures was being fulfilled and this is Zacharias’ response…Luke 1:18–20 NASB95 Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.” The angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. “And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”Several lessons here:Be careful when you ask God to prove it or for a sign!This was good news, not intended to create a problemThe last words he could hear was the promise, his last words were questioning GodGod has a time table and a plan, He is NEVER late and always stays true to His WordGod’s Hand Working Deserves Praise“ His Name is John”These are the words Zacharias would write on a board for the questioning crowd…Wait a minute… Zacharias, he’s not going to carry your name?NO this baby boy would carry something much greater… the message that the Messiah has come repent!His Faith to obey and listen loosed his tongue… He begins to prophesy for all there to hear and share!Luke 1:67–79 NASB95 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant— As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old— Salvation from our enemies, And from the hand of all who hate us; To show mercy toward our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant, The oath which He swore to Abraham our father, To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins, Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”Look at the people’s response to all they heard and had seen…Luke 1:65–66 NASB95 Fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea. All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him.Darrel Bock- The story’s close indicates that the Lord’s hand was with him. Luke is saying, in effect, “Be assured, Theophilus or any other reader of my account, that God was in these most unusual events.” When God’s hand is mentioned, usually an opportunity for deliverance is around the corner!
A Place Of Grace
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