Whether we’re reading about the Acts of the Apostles or participating in Christian ministry in the 21st century, we’re participants and we can identify with the ministry of Paul. As we close out Acts, today’s big idea is that we are witnesses, just like Paul, so we can be just as purposeful and passionate as he was.
Acts 28:1-10 - "Holy Hands"
Today’s passage uses references to the hands of Paul to remind us that, like Paul, Christ is working through all Christians to accomplish God’s will. As the saying goes, we are the hands and feet of Christ. Our big idea is that we are indeed the holy hands of Christ, so we should expect His protection and power.
Acts 27:1-44 - "Hope Along The Way"
Often failure is what turns us from such false hopes to faith in God. Today’s big idea is that God allows failure for the sake of faith. Our passage emphasizes three related aspects of God’s dealings with people: 1. He allows the failure of false hopes; 2. He gives true hope to the hopeless; and 3. He gives help to those who look to Him for hope.
Acts 25:13-26:32 - "Interest & Intentionality"
Today’s big idea is that sharing Christ is about being intentional with the interest of others. Our passage begins with several people who are curious about a Christian man who is speaking of a risen Christ. However, the most important part of our passage reveals how that Christian man responds to their interest by intentionally speaking the truth about Jesus and telling of how He changed his life.
Acts 24:1-27 - "Pleasing God, Not Man"
In today’s passage, we see multiple opponents of Paul attacking his character and trying to have him taken out. They are seeking to please man, not God. And we do this too. But pleasing man leads to doubt and fear, and pleasing God leads to peace and boldness.
Acts 25:1-12 - "Political Protection"
Today’s passage reminds us that God works through even the worst political leaders. God is sovereign over government, so we can trust Him no matter who’s in office. He works through all political leaders, even the oppressive, oblivious, and opportunistic ones.
Acts 22:30-23:35 - "The Encouragement of Christ"
Christians need encouragement, and Christ will encourage us.
Acts 21:37-22:29 - "Telling Stories"
As Christians, we tell stories, and we each have two stories to tell. Every human has an origin story about where we’re from. But every Christian can also tell of the origination of our new life in Christ. Today’s passage demonstrates how Paul tells these two stories of his life and faith.
Acts 21:17-36 - "Accusations"
We live in an era characterized by political unrest and growing tensions between different segments of society. Therefore, Christ-followers will face accusations, and we need to be prepared for that. These will come from non-Christians who stand against the gospel, but also from professing Christians who struggle with the consequences of the gospel as it relates to their deeply-ingrained cultural and political identities. We will be tempted to respond with fear or anger, but that would only exacerbate the tension and turmoil. Instead, we must consider how we can strive for unity in the Church by making accommodations for other Christians without compromising the gospel. We also must come to terms with the fact that we will sometimes be treated unjustly for our beliefs by those who are opposed to the gospel. Today’s passage teaches us how to live like this.
Acts 21:1-16 - "The Road Through Suffering"
Many of us try to escape suffering at all costs. We wrongly assume that this life on earth is all about minimizing suffering. But sometimes we must embrace it, just as Jesus did. Today’s big idea is that the road through suffering requires a Christ-like mindset; one that is spiritual, sacrificial, and submissive.
Acts 20:13-38 - "Church Leadership"
Today’s passage lays out eight marks of effective church leadership. An effective church leader is purposeful, humble, bold, vigilant, faithful, selfless, prayerful, and personal. But even if you don’t have an official leadership role, any church member marked by growth in these eight areas will bless his or her church and will glorify God.
Acts 20:1-12 - "Team & Time"
Today’s big idea is that Christian ministry is a team sport with a time limit, so, like Paul, let’s group up and get going. In our passage, we see the importance of both forming a team and finding time to spend with others, which is what Christian ministry is really all about.
Acts 19:21-41 - "Strategic Opposition"
Too often, churches and Christians become known for our failures. But today’s passage reminds us that Christians can also become infamous for transforming lives and changing culture through the power of the gospel. Jesus promised that His followers would experience pushback from worldly people who reject Him. But He also commanded us to make disciples around the world, regardless of the opposition. The strategic operation of the Church will face strategic opposition, so we need to be prepared for that.
Acts 19:8-20 - "Witnessing Christ"
If we fail to think of ourselves as witnesses, then our witness will be ineffective. All too often, we don’t live by the word of the Lord, we don’t live in His triumph over sin and death through the power of the Holy Spirit, and we don’t treasure Him as our highest prize and priority. So people might look at our lives and wonder whether the gospel is actually true. Our big idea today is that Christ is revealed by Christians, so let’s give the world a witness. Every local church should be a display case for the words, the works, and the worth of Jesus Christ. This will require all of us to consider how the reality of the Lord is being revealed by our sacrifices, successes, and speech.
Acts 19:1-7 - "Repentance & Faith"
Our very human tendency is to sort of give people a pass as long as they’re inclined to believe in God, especially if they worship God in some sense. But Jesus didn’t say “I am A way,” He said “I am THE Way…to God.” So, like Paul, we need to understand that people need to know THE Way to God through faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, we aren’t looking for people who are merely religious, but rather those who are repentant and ready to accept the Savior. Today’s big idea is that salvation comes through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, so we should be sharing our faith with repentant people. Today, we’re going to look at two basic Christian beliefs that help us understand what it means to become a Christian: 1. Our belief that repentant sinners need the Savior; and 2. That all redeemed saints have the Spirit.
Acts 18:18-28 - "With and Without"
As we face new circumstances, we will be tempted to feel anxious. We might feel anxious about what wasn’t accomplished last year. Or maybe we don’t feel ready for whatever is around the corner. Whether we’re heading toward a new frontier, or hanging back a bit longer, we’re going to be tempted toward anxiety. But today’s big idea is that God works with AND without us, so we can trust His will whether we’re coming or going.
Acts 18:1-17 - "Ministry Support"
Today’s passage reminds us of the importance of having strong, encouraging relationships that will help us stand firm in our Christian walk. Gospel ministry is challenging, so we need support. Specifically, we need other Christians for companionship, capacity, context, and comfort to continue in ministry.
Acts 17:16-34 - "The Knowable God"
This is Paul’s longest recorded speech to an audience of unbelieving Gentiles, and Luke includes it in order to emphasize our big idea for today: God is knowable, and our mission is to make Him known. The first part of the passage emphasizes our Christian mission, which is to make God known. The second part emphasizes our Christian message, which is the fact that God is knowable through Jesus Christ.
Acts 17:1-15 - "Keeping An Open Mind"
Biblical truth is challenging, so we need to pray for open minds. An open mind will receive that challenge, but a closed mind will reject it. And that’s exactly what we see happening in today’s passage.
Acts 16:22-40 - "Escape or Abide"
Christians have already escaped sin and death, so now we can focus on God’s holy purpose.
