Sermons on Acts 15:4-23:

Legalism And Grace

Contributed by Melvin Shelton on Jul 9, 2003

Where the law cannot save, Grace can

Legalism and grace. Acts 15. 08/18/02 On the first missionary journey of Paul there were attacks on his body. Satan thought with enough stoning with enough beating with rods, he would quit the ministry. None of these stopped this great man of God, so the Devil was going to have to go back ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Scourge Of Legalism Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Sep 12, 2004

The problem with legalism is: 1. It turns a relationship of love into a religion of laws. 2. It turns people from encouragers into fault-finders. 3. It emphasizes outward conformity rather than inner transformation.

What an interesting story about the early church The Word of God has just spread to the Gentiles (non-Jews and people from other lands), and they have responded enthusiastically to its message. There were thrilling stories of healings, miracles and dramatic conversions. These new converts were ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-5

Denomination: Methodist

"Marks Of Christian Maturity"

Contributed by Dennis Deese on Aug 10, 2002

We need to be Mature Christians!

"MARKS OF CHRISTIAN MATURITY" Dr. Dennis Deese - Fan The Flame Ministries, Inc. ACTS 15:1- 35 God has recorded for us what I believe to be one of the most critical moments in the history of the church. The exciting thing about it is that while it begins with dissension (15:1-2) it ends with a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-35

The First Board Meeting Series

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Jul 26, 2002

This sermon explians and illustrates why Christians should become all things to all people so that by all possible means we might save some.

The First Board Meeting July 28, 2002 Acts 15:1-35 Intro: A. [None Survived, from the book, "God Has Never Failed Me, But He’s Sure Scared Me to Death a Few Times" by Stan Toler] There was a family who decided to move to the country. They bought a ranch and made plans to raise cattle. They ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-35, Acts 16:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trouble In The Church

Contributed by Douglas Duvall on Dec 3, 2006

What if trouble arises in the Church? It is not what if, but more like when.

Trouble in the Church ACTS 15:1-12 I. Decision 15:1-4 A. Men 15:1 B. Method 15:2 C. Messages 15:3-4 II. Demand 15:5-6 A. Demands 15:5 B. Deliberations 15:6 III. Declaration 15:7-12 A. Choice 15:7 B. Comparison 15:8-9 C. Conversion 15:10-12 Introduction Peter had ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

A Critical Crossroads

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Dec 7, 2006

The church was at a critical crossroads in it’s history. Would they remain a Jewish sect, or would they embrace the full radical doctrine of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ?

Passage: Acts 15:1-21 Intro: The other day I saw a man polishing the wheels of his car. He was working hard, and the wheel cover he was working on looked very good. 1. but I glanced up at the open drivers side door, where I saw duct tape outlining a hole in the dashboard, other issues. 2. but he ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Wonderful Model Of Love

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Dec 7, 2006

After the Jerusalem Council decided to include the Gentiles without their having to become Jews, they needed to communicate that truth to them. The steps they took are a wonderful model of love in the church.

Passage: Acts 15:22-35 Intro: There he stood, leaning against the lockers. 1. it was “Shorts day” at Wheaton North H.S., and this young man, part of a group we called “greasers” or “hoods” must not have gotten the memo to ignore it. 2. black shoes and socks, white boxers, white t-shirt, but from ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:22-35

Denomination: Evangelical Free

When Jesus Said "It Is Finished", He Meant It! Series

Contributed by Rich Dunbar on Jul 7, 2005

This sermon looks at three things we risk losing if we don’t recognize and affirm the sufficiency of Jesus sacrifice alone for our salvation.

So many times we have trouble realizing the full impact of something that has taken place. Historically we have seen it happen time and time again. Here are two examples that each of us can relate to. When Henry Ford went to a bank to seek a loan to begin his automobile company the banker told ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-29

Denomination: Baptist

Growing Pains

Contributed by Jeff Simms on Jun 4, 2003

Salvation is by grace through faith alone.

Growing Pains Acts 15:1-2,5-21 Primary Purpose: To emphasize the importance of the early church doctrine that salvation is by grace through faith alone. Acts 15 takes us to a time of great growing pains in the church. I call them growing pains because the church was for the first time ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Dispute And Debate In The Church

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jan 12, 2008

From this text, we get a few ideas of what to do whenever disputes arise in the church. 1- Legalism always leads to trouble 2- Trouble should be handled by the leaders 3- Leaders must always follow God’s Spirit

INTRO.- ILL.- A married couple were arguing with one another. The husband said, "Don’t you remember promising to love, honor and obey me?" His wife, "Yes, but what else could I do, I was in church!" ILL.- A wife said, "Dear, could I have some spending money?" Husband, "Money, money, money. If ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Simplicity Of God's Grace Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jan 21, 2008

No matter how badly we blow it, or how unlovable we feel, God’s grace is more than enough to change us & make us new.

The Simplicity of God’s Grace Acts 15:1-21 Intro: Life can seem pretty complicated. Relationships, problems, bills, debts, kids, parents, siblings, politics, taxes… these can all tangle together into a big blurry mass of confusion and complexity. But there is something that should always remain ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-21

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Country Club To Church: The Mission

Contributed by Matthew Morine on Mar 3, 2008

Tired of the church being more like a Country Club than the Body of Christ. Here is a 1st century conflict that parallels a 21st Century conflict. This sermon will help the congregation break the mold of this false vision for a Church.

COUNTRY CLUB TO CHURCH: THE MISSION THEME: FUNCTIONING AS A CHURCH WITH THE OUTSIDER IN MIND. TEXT: ACTS 15:1-11 While I was at Hartsville Pike church of Christ, one of the church members invited me along on a weekday morning to pay golf at the private Gaylord Springs Country club. Rick ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is It Grace Plus Works?

Contributed by John Hamby on May 12, 2014

To add anything whether it is baptism or good works or whatever it may be as a requirement for salvation is to diminish grace.

“Is It Grace Plus Works?” Acts 15:1-23 Paul and Barnabas had just returned from their first missionary ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Faith Is One And Catholic Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 17, 2014

The word "catholic" means universal. It means we are open to all humans and open to all Truth.

Thursday of 5th Week of Easter 2014 Lumen Fidei Today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles gives us a glimpse of the first ecumenical council, and an important look at the hierarchical structure of the early Catholic Church. Remember that the debate was over circumcision. Some of the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:7-21

Denomination: Catholic

True Freedom Series

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Jan 5, 2009

We are called to live in freedom, freedom not to live for ourselves, but freedom to follow Christ.

What comes to your mind when I say the word "freedom?" Freedom from slavery, freedom from hunger, freedom from poverty, or freedom from tyranny? Many of us would say freedom from sin. The Bible is clear when we trust in Jesus, and believe he took our sins upon himself on the cross and died so ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-11

Denomination: Methodist