Sermon Central
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The Early Church Of Acts
Contributed by Scott Jewell on Aug 17, 2016 (message contributor)
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1. The Great Commission
Contributed on Aug 17, 2016
In English class, we've been given five questions to answer in every circumstance. How does answering those questions help us understand the marching orders we've been given in the Great Commission?
In 1944, Lt. Hiroo Onoda of the Japanese military was commissioned to guerilla warfare with squad of 4 in a remote island of the Phillippines. From the end of WWII, various leaflets and propaganda pieces were dropped onto the island to notify Onoda that the war was over, but he was sure it was a ...read more
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2. The Real Deal
Contributed on Oct 19, 2016
People are tired of finding phony. How can we make sure they find the Real Deal?
We have been looking at the beginnings of the church. You may recall that in Acts 1 Jesus declared they would be His witnesses, “first in Jerusalem and Judea, then in Samaria and the ends of the world.” However, up until today’s passage, the church has remained in Jerusalem. It ...read more
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3. Going Through The Motions
Contributed on Oct 5, 2016
Why do you worship? Ever catch yourself just going through the motions? Check out these thoughts on becoming motivated to worship again.
(Opened sermon by playing Matthew West’s “Going through the Motions”) If you’ve ever watched the classic “Monte Python and the Holy Grail”, you may recall the scene where they are accusing a woman of being a witch and were encouraged to apply the Duck Test- if ...read more
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4. A Lifestyle Of Evangelism
Contributed on Nov 20, 2016
Evangelism is a word that causes many of us to tremble. When we simplify the process it can become easier to do. Here's some thoughts from a meeting between Philip and an Ethiopian eunuch.
What is your initial, knee jerk reaction when you hear this word? (pause) Evangelism. A few of you slid forward in your seat, got this eager look on your face, and can’t wait to hear the rest of the message. Most of you are looking a bit like a deer caught in the headlights, startled and ...read more
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5. Growing Pains
Contributed on Oct 16, 2016
The good news and the bad news is that growth brings people and new people bring different ideas. What do we do in times of conflict? Check out these thoughts from the church in Jerusalem.
Growing pains- they can be a good thing. There’s a saying that goes, “What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.” Growing pains can also be bad- after all, they’re a pain. It hurts. As a child growing to maturity, there are a number of times you go through ...read more
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6. Celebrating True Freedom
Contributed on Oct 14, 2016
We often change the way we use words over time. One such word is freedom. Today we see what it means to really be free. Sermon originally presented on Independence Day.
Our language is constantly changing, words take on new meanings, while a word may mean one thing to this person over here, it might mean something completely different. Sometimes that word takes on different connotation because of something that has happened in our lives. Irene Hannon wrote a ...read more
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7. Pentecost: A New Beginning
Contributed on Aug 26, 2016
What happened at this Jewish feast called Pentecost? Why did it draw so much attention? What does it mean for us today?
Fifty days had passed since Passover. Jesus has ascended to heaven, having left the disciples with instruction to wait in Jerusalem until the promised Counselor would come upon them with power. The city of Jerusalem was teeming with Jews whom had come on pilgrimage to celebrate Pentecost, the ...read more
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8. Church As Community
Contributed on Aug 31, 2016
We all have our standards for what should happen as a church. What were the standards of the first church? How did they live them out?
A man once joined a monastery in which he had to take a vow of silence. Each year he was summonsed before the Abbot and allowed to speak two words. After the first year, the man said, “Bed hard.” The second year, he said, “Food bad.” Upon the third year, the man said, ...read more
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9. Walking And Leaping
Contributed on Sep 12, 2016
The Gate may be called Beautiful, but the scene was anything but. What can we learn about helping those in need from Peter's decision to give?
We’ve been studying the book of Acts and have reached a series of events that covers two chapters consisting of three scenes: at the Beautiful Gate, in front of the council, and gathered together with the believers. We’ll examine one scene each week because I know no one wants me to ...read more
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10. Standing Up To Opposition
Contributed on Sep 30, 2016
We praise God when life is good, how do we respond when facing oppostion? We look at the aftermath of the miracle at the Beautiful Gate.
It’s easy to praise God when things are going well, isn’t it? The boss commended you on a job well one. The kids have been unusually obedient this week. All the bills got paid before the money ran out. Life is good, praise God! But what about when times get tough? Will you ...read more
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11. It's Me Oh Lord (Standing In The Need Of Prayer)
Contributed on Sep 30, 2016
Where do we turn when the world stands against us? Here are some thoughts that come from the early church response to opposition.
There’s an old spiritual song- It’s Me Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer- and that’s how our drama concludes. We began with Peter and John healing the crippled man at the Beautiful Gate and continued as Peter and John stood on trial. Today, we’re going to look at how ...read more
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12. What's Your Story?
Contributed on Nov 16, 2016
We all have our stories. Let's look at Saul's story to learn how to better tell our own for the sake of the gospel.
The compilation “One Thousand and One Nights” tells the story of a Persian King who caught his wife caught wife being unfaithful. He had her executed then proceeded to go through a number of “wives”, executing them after spending a night together. The Vizier’s ...read more