Acts 14

***Acts 14:1,3,7,9,15,21& 25…These verses refer to Paul preaching the Word of God…

The Word tells us many things:

1. THE WORD OF GOD IS ALWAYS WORKING – vs21, 27-28

-there should be daily reports about what the Lord is doing

-nothing can stop the Word of God – no matter what is seen or what our feelings are

-Isaiah 55:10-33 (v11)

2. THE WORD TELLS US THAT THERE IS HOPE – vs8-10

Hope – is an expectation of things getting better & things will change

v8 – this man in Acts 14 had no hope whatsoever

v9 – the Word was preached & the man was saved and healed…

3. THE WORD OF GOD TELLS US TO MAKE DISCIPLES – Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 14:21-22

-it is a command – the Great Commission

-the word disciple is used 269 times in the NT – the word Christian 3 times

disciple – means a learner…student…apprentice…disciplined one…practitioner

     What are some qualities of disciples?

1. Luke 14:25 – we must make Jesus first in our lives

2. Luke 14:27 – we must deny our own wants

3. Luke 14:28-33 – we must give up all of our stuff

-Mark 10:17-27

v17 – good implies sinlessness and complete goodness – only given to God

v18 – Jesus asked the ruler if he really knew what he was saying

vs19-22 – Jesus felt great love for this man

vs23-27 – the disciples thought wealth and riches were a sign someone was saved

-1 Timothy 6:10

v27 – salvation does not come through human effort

vs28-30 – the reward of leaving everything

                                                Acts 15

-The Jerusalem Council

PAUL DECLARED A WAR ON WALLS – Acts 15:1-6, 13, 19

v1 – some men – these were Jewish Christians and were against gentiles being saved.

Things to learn:

a. We can learn that not every believer believes the same things

-everyone must believe the core doctrines

b. We can learn that all walls in the church must be torn down

WALL # 1 – those who are Jewish and those who are gentile – Eph 2:11-22

a. Acts 15:2-13,19 – the Jerusalem council meets and James receives a Word from the Lord saying that gentiles can be saved

WALL # 2 – OLD vs YOUNG

-we need both age groups in the church – Titus 2:1-5