Today we learn about how the Holy Spirit worked in the life and ministry of Stephen, in the Book of Acts. This Holy Spirit who worked in Stephen is the same Spirit who has moved in and through the lives of followers of Jesus for two thousand years. And the good news is this same Holy Spirit can work in and through your life too!! Just imagine what God might do when we trust him and step out in dependence upon his powerful Spirit.
0 Comments
Sharing Your Story (for the week of October 11, 2020) PDF at bottom Note to Group Leaders: More than anyone else, you are aware of the size of your group, time constraints, the needs of your group, etc. Please read through the Scripture and material below and use whatever you believe will be most helpful to your group. This Week’s Scripture: Acts 4:1-20 Key Idea from Sermon “Be ready to talk to others about what you see God doing in you and around you.” Discussing the Scripture 1. According to verses 1-3, what got the apostles in trouble with the religious authorities? What happened to Peter and John because of this? 2. What was the result of what Peter and John were doing (v. 4)? Do you think this result was worth getting in trouble for? Why or why not? 3 What question was asked of Peter and John in verse 7? Why do you think they were asked this question? 4. Who enabled Peter to answer the religious authorities in this high-pressure situation (v. 8)? What does this teach you about your need when sharing your story about who God is and what he has done in your life? 5. In verses 9-11, what was Peter’s answer to the religious authorities? 6. What truth did Peter communicate in verse 12? (see also Matthew 1:21; John 14:6; Acts 10:43; 1 Timothy 2:5) 7. What astonished the religious leaders, according to verse 13? How does that encourage you to share your story about who God is and what he has done in your life? 8. In verses 14-17, the religious leaders conferred with one another and decided to tell Peter and John they could no longer speak to anyone else in (about) the name of Jesus. Why? 9. How did Peter and John reply in verses 18-19? (see also Acts 5:29) Could you reply the same way Peter and John did? Why or why not? 10. What are some things you and these apostles have in common? (A hint for one answer is found in Romans 8:11) Applying the Scripture 11. What would you say are your top three obstacles in sharing your story about who God is and what he has done in your life? 12. Reflect on each obstacle you just listed. What is it about each one that makes it an obstacle for you? 13. What are three things you could begin doing today to move past those obstacles? What truths did you learn in this lesson’s Scripture to help you make those changes? ACTS (A prayer guide for this lesson)
John Wesley’s Questions for Self-Examination
James has a lot to say about how we use our words. He says with our words we can praise God or curse people made in God's image. We can build up or tear down through the use of our tongues. James teaches us that while the tongue is small it can bring on great devastation. How do you use your words? Join David and me as we take a look at James 3:1-12 and discuss how we can grow in grace when it comes to our words. This is the fourth lesson in our series on Spiritual Power. This lesson focuses on what has to first happen in our lives before we can begin living the spiritual life. God must first do a work to awaken us to our need for him. He must also take up residence in our lives before we can even desire to live the spiritual life, much less actually do so. Join me as we learn more about this from John 3:1-8. Know and Use Your Spiritual Gifts (for the week of October 4, 2020) PDF at bottom Note to Group Leaders: More than anyone else, you are aware of the size of your group, time constraints, the needs of your group, etc. Please read through the Scripture and material below and use whatever you believe will be most helpful to your group. This Week’s Scripture: John 13:1-17 Key Idea from Sermon “We get to exchange expressions of reconciliation and communicate love when we lower ourselves and serve others.” Discussing the Scripture
Applying the Scripture
ACTS (A prayer guide for this lesson)
John Wesley’s Questions for Self-Examination
The Holy Spirit spoke and worked in ancient times. He moved mightily in and through the biblical writers. But does the Holy Spirit still speak today? That's a little of what we'll be talking about in this third lesson of our series, "Spiritual Power." The Nature, Design, and General Rules of the United Societies
in London, Bristol, Kingswood, and Newcastle upon Tyne (1743) 1. In the latter end of the year 1739 eight or ten persons came to me in London who appeared to be deeply convinced of sin, and earnestly groaning for redemption. They desired (as did two or three more the next day) that I would spend some time with them in prayer, and advise them how to flee from the wrath to come, which they saw continually hanging over their heads. That we might have more time for this great work I appointed a day when they might all come together, which from thenceforward they did every week, namely, on Thursday, in the evening. To these, and as many more as desired to join them (for their numbers increased daily), I gave those advises from time to time which I judged most needful for them; and we always concluded our meeting with prayer suited to their several necessities. 2. This was the rise of the United Society, first at London, and then in other places. Such a Society is no other than ‘a company of men “having the form, and seeking the power of godliness”, united in order to pray together, to receive the word of exhortation, and to watch over one another in love, that they may help each other to work out their salvation’. 3. That is may the more easily be discerned whether they are indeed working out their own salvation, each Society is divided into smaller companies, called Classes, according to their respective places of abode. There are about twelve persons in every class, one of whom is styled the Leader. It is his business: (1). To see each person in his class once a week at the least; in order To receive what they are willing to give toward the relief of the poor; To inquire how their souls prosper; To advise, reprove, comfort, or exhort, as occasion may require. (2). To meet the Minister and the stewards of the Society once a week, in order: To pay in to the stewards what they have received of their several classes in the week proceeding; To show their account of what each person has contributed; and To inform the Minister of any that are sick, or of any that walk disorderly and will not be reproved. 4. There is one only condition previously required in those who desire admission into these societies, ‘a desire to flee from the wrath to come, to be saved from their sins’. But wherever this is really fixed in the soul it will be shown by its fruits. It is therefore expected of all who continue therein that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation, First, By doing no harm, by avoiding all evil in every kind — especially that which is most generally practised. Such is: The taking the name of God in vain. The profaning the day of the Lord, either by doing ordinary work thereon, or by buying or selling. Drunkenness, buying or selling spirituous liquors; or drinking them (unless in cases of extreme necessity). Fighting, quarrelling, brawling; brother ‘going to law’ with brother; returning evil for evil, or railing for railing; the ‘using many words’ in buying or selling. The buying or selling uncustomed goods. The giving or taking things on usury. Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation, especially speaking evil of ministers or those in authority. Doing to others as we would not they should do unto us. Doing what we know is not for the glory of God, as, The ‘putting on of gold or costly apparel’, particularly the wearing of calashes, high-heads, or enormous bonnets; The taking such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus, The singing those songs, or reading those books, which do not tend to the knowledge or love of God; Softness, and needless self-indulgence; Laying up treasures upon earth; Borrowing without a probability of paying: or taking up goods without a probability of paying for them. 5. It is expected of all who continue in these societies that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation, Secondly, by doing good, by being in every kind merciful after their power, as they have opportunity doing good of every possible sort and as far as is possible to all men: To their bodies, of the ability which God giveth, by giving food to the hungry, by clothing the naked, by visiting or helping them that are sick, or in prison. To their souls, by instructing, reproving, or exhorting all they have any intercourse with; trampling under foot that enthusiastic doctrine of devils, that ‘we are not to do good unless our heart be free to do it.’ By doing good especially to them that are of the household of faith, or groaning so to be; employing them preferably to others, buying one of another, helping each other in business — and that so much the more because the world will love its own, and them only. By all possible diligence and frugality, that the gospel be not blamed. By running with patience the race that is set before them; ‘denying themselves, and taking up their cross daily’; submitting to bear the reproach of Christ, to be as the filth and offscouring of the world; and looking that men should ‘say all manner of evil of them falsely, for their Lord’s sake’. 6. It is expected of all who desire to continue in these societies that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation, Thirdly, By attending upon all the ordinances of God. Such are: The public worship of God; The ministry of the Word, either read or expounded; The Supper of the Lord; Family and private prayer; Searching the Scriptures; and Fasting, or abstinence. 7. These are the General Rules of our societies; all which we are taught of God to observe, even in his written Word, the only rule, and the sufficient rule, both of our faith and practice. And all these we know his Spirit writes on every truly awakened heart. If there be any among us who observe them not, who habitually break any one of them, let it be made known unto them who watch over that soul, as they that must give account. We will admonish him of the error of his ways. We will bear with him for a season. But if then he repent not, he hath no more place among us. We have delivered our own souls. John Wesley Charles Wesley Spending Time with Others (for the week of September 27, 2020) (PDF at the bottom of lesson) Note to Group Leaders: More than anyone else, you are aware of the size of your group, time constraints, the needs of your group, etc. Please read through the Scripture and material below and use whatever you believe will be most helpful to your group. This Week’s Scripture: Acts 9:19b-31 and Mark 2:1-12 Pastor Phillip’s Key Idea “Learning, Loving, and Living Jesus involves influencing others for the sake of Jesus. Be the kind of person who brings others to Jesus.” Discussing the Scripture
Applying the Scripture
ACTS (A prayer guide for this lesson)
John Wesley’s Questions for Self-Examination
Spending Time with God (for the week of September 20, 2020) (PDF file at bottom) This Week’s Scripture: Luke 10:38-42 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Pastor Phillip’s Key Idea “Mary wanted to take advantage of Jesus' presence and for that reason sat at his feet to hear his teaching. We get to go into God’s presence!” Discussing the Scripture
Next Steps
ACTS (A prayer guide for this lesson)
This is Lesson 9 in our series on the Book of James, "Living Wisely in Turbulent Times." In this video David and I discuss James 2:14-26. This is a text that has often been misunderstood through the years and so David and I do our best to clarify what James did and did not mean when he wrote in verse 24, "You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone." Join us as we dig into God's Word. |
Sermons & Etc.Categories
All
Archives
March 2024
|