2026 can be better than 2025. Really.
The Lord doesn’t promise that 2026 will be easier than 2025.
There is no full experience of “my good” without “His mission.”
Acts 18:18-23
Paul: Celebrate Success, Strengthen What Is Good, Keep Pressing On
Paul doesn’t slow down after success.
He keeps moving, keeps teaching, keeps strengthening disciples.
He honors a vow, submits to Spirit-leading, and revisits churches to strengthen them.
What disciples can learn from Paul
Maturity means consistency, not novelty.
Obedience matters even when unseen or misunderstood
God’s work often advances through long obedience in the same direction
For 2026: Faithful trumps flashy.
Paul reminds us that spiritual growth is not about dramatic resets but steady faithfulness.
A better year likely is less about grand resolutions, and more about renewed obedience.
Acts 18:24-26
Aquila & Priscilla: Initiate a Connection and Have Meaningful Conversations
Want to walk in your divine purpose in 2026?
Initiate hospitality and start meaningful conversations.
It is THE most repeated model in Acts for world-changers.
What disciples can learn from Aquila & Priscilla
Mature faith is teachable and relational
Discipleship often happens in living rooms, not spotlights
Correction is required; when given with humility, it can multiply leaders
For 2026: God uses quiet faithfulness to shape future leaders.
A better year may come through investing deeply in just one or two people.
Acts 18:27-28
Apollos: Being Teachable Precedes Being Truly Powerful
Apollos is gifted, eloquent, knowledgeable—but incomplete.
Instead of resisting correction, he receives it.
Once refined, God uses him mightily to refute error and strengthen the church.
What disciples can learn from Apollos
Spiritual maturity requires humility before accuracy
Passion must be shaped by truth
Growth accelerates when correction is welcomed
For 2026: ‘Sudden breakthroughs’ usually follow multiple tweaks made over time.
God may not need to give you more zeal. He may want to refine what you already have.
Thoughts on His mission:
No single hero. No one does everything.
Mission advances through a community of maturing disciples, each faithful in their role.
Thoughts on My Good:
A better year doesn’t flow from circumstances changing.
It flows from my maturing.
The longer you entertain in your life what is not from God, the longer you postpone what is.
“So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.” (Acts 19:20)
Rome claimed a savior, a son of god, and a gospel — but first Christmas revealed the real one.
The world didn’t need another religion — it needed a true King.
I. ROME’S GOSPEL VS. GOD’S GOSPEL
Julius Caesar died, a comet appeared, and Rome said: “He has become a god.”
Augustus—his adopted son—took the title:
Divi Filius (Son of God)
Savior
Bringer of Peace
Lord of the World
Luke 2:1-2
II. THE “BUT GOD” MOMENT
Galatians 4:4-5
Rome flexed. God humbled Himself.
III. THE ANGELS DECLARE WAR — WITH WORDS
Luke 2:10–11
“I bring you good news… a Savior… who is Christ the Lord.”
Luke is saying, “Caesar, you don’t own these titles anymore.”
IV. REDEFINING POWER, PEACE, AND PEOPLES
Rome: Peace through domination, Unity through fear, Salvation for citizens only
Jesus: Peace through reconciliation, Unity through the Spirit, Salvation for all people
Luke 2:13-14
V. CHRISTMAS DEMANDS A DECISION
You must decide what you will do with Jesus Christ.
Christmas is not cute—it is confrontational.
You don’t get to ignore Jesus.
You either crown Him—or reject Him.
Rome rejected Him.
History crowned Him.
What are you doing with Jesus?
VI. GOD IS STILL STEPPING IN
Ephesians 2:4–5
Christmas is God interrupting your false saviors.
Christmas is God offering you true peace.
Jesus does not save the world by staying put.
He saved it by coming to earth as a baby.
He saves it by sending people out to continue his work.
He will save it, fully, by coming back to earth at the end of time.
Act 18:1-17
1. PAUL TRAVELS TO CORINTH — LOVE MOVES TOWARD HARD PLACES.
“After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.” (v.1)
Paul doesn’t go to Corinth because it’s easy.
Love goes where the lost are.
Disciples don’t just complain about culture — they move into it with the gospel.
2. ORDINARY PEOPLE WITH A BACK STORY – GOD USES THEM TO MAKES HIS LOVE KNOWN.
“And he found a Jew named Aquila… with his wife Priscilla… because Claudius had commanded
all the Jews to leave Rome.” (v.2)
Aquila and Priscilla are on the move because of political realities.
God uses their displacement to build His church.
God often uses interruption and inconvenience as the engine of mission.
3. PAUL PREACHES, IS OPPOSED, AND DOES NOT BACK DOWN – COMPELLED BY LOVE.
“Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.…” (v.4)
Paul engages the culture. He proclaims Jesus as Messiah.
The opposition intensifies: “Your blood be on your own heads!” (v.6)
Love speaks truth clearly and lets people decide.
4. JESUS MEETS PAUL ON THE JOURNEY – LOVE AS “PRESENCE.”
“Do not be afraid… for I am with you.” (vv.9–10)
Advent Love is God with us — on the road, in exile, in danger, in opposition.
If God sends you, He stays with you.
5. GOD USES LEGAL SYSTEMS WITHOUT FEARING THEM – LOVE IS BIGGER THAN POLITICS.
“Gallio… refused to judge the case.” (vv.12–17)
God is bigger and works within systems to accomplish His purposes.
Christians do not need to panic about governments.
Rome thought it ruled the world but God was planting churches under its nose.
6. WEEK 4 OF ADVENT FOCUSES ON GOD’S LOVE - LOVE THAT TRAVELED TO US.
Love traveled from heaven to earth. The gospel moves because love moves.
Disciples today must ask:
Where is God calling you to go?
Who is God calling you to engage?
What comfort might love require you to leave behind?
God does not love from a distance. He loves by drawing near.
The God who came to you now sends you to others.
Advent isn’t just a “Christmas countdown.” It’s a heart check.
Acts 17:16-21
1. Paul’s Spirit Is Provoked: Advent Starts with a Feeling of Conflict (Acts 17:16–21)
Everywhere he looks, people are worshiping created things instead of the Creator.
So what does Paul do?
- He reasons in the synagogue with religious people (v.17).
- He goes into the marketplace with secular people (v.17).
- He engages the prevailing cultural ideas of his day —Epicureans (pleasure seekers) and Stoics (self-disciplined moralists) (v.18).
Acts 17:22-25
2. The Unknown God Is the Generous God (Acts 17:22–25)
Paul says: “Let me introduce you. He’s not unknown. He’s made Himself known.”
- God doesn’t need anything from you.
- God is not a taker. He’s a giver.
Acts 17:26-29
3. Advent in Athens confronts idols, our fears, and our heart … where our treasure is (Acts 17:26–29)
- God is not far. God has drawn near.
- God has placed you where you are in this time on purpose… so that you would seek Him.
- Acts 17 and Advent together ask: “This December, are you worshiping the God who gives everything… or the gods of self, comfort, control, and consumerism?”
Acts 17:30-31
4. The Command of Advent: Repent & Receive the Ultimate Gift (Acts 17:30–31)
- First coming: He came in humility—incarnation, manger, cross.
- Now: He commands everyone to repent—turn from idols to the living God.
- Future coming: He has fixed a day of judgment—Jesus will return as Judge andKing.
- Advent is not just sentimental; it’s urgent.
Acts 17:32-34
5. How Do You Respond?
- The mockers: God calls you to repent. Patient now but He IS coming soon.
- The curious: Keep listening, keep asking… the Lord has already drawn near.
- The believers: Respond in worship with your whole heart.
- He IS coming again.
The Goal of Advent: From Unknown God to “Abba Father.”
Psalm 34:1-4
The best worship songs are the ones that preach the gospel
Worship is not a spectator sport, it's a participatory activity
Worship is War
- There is a very real spiritual war taking place and the battle is for your soul, your family, your time, your emotions, your money, your attention, and your worship.
WORSHIP DOES 5 THINGS FOR BELIEVERS:
1. It honors and glorifies God. - Psalm 29:2
2. It reminds us of God’s goodness and Jesus’s sacrifice. - Psalm 103:2-4
3. It reorients our priorities - Psalm 115:1
4. It crushes fear and silences the enemy - Psalm 27:1
5. It Anticipates Eternity - Revelation 5:13
- You have an eternal inheritance
“Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” | Robert Robinson
VERSE 1
Come, thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace
- Isaiah 53:6
- Proverbs 14:12
- Proverbs 28:26
- Your feelings make a terrible God
- Your feelings are only as trustworthy as you are and you are sinful.
Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above;
- Isaiah 6:3
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it, mount of Thy redeeming love.
VERSE 2
Here I raise my Ebenezer; hither by thy help I’m come;
- What gets celebrated gets repeated
And I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God;
- Luke 15:4-7
He, to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood.
VERSE 3
O to grace how great a debtor, daily I’m constrained to be.
Let that grace now, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love;
- Romans 7:15
- Romans 7:18-19
- Romans 7:7-8
Here’s my heart; O take and seal it; seal it for thy courts above.
A.W. Tozer:
- “We cannot afford to let our emotions run our worship. Our emotions must be brought under the control of truth.”
- “Emotions in worship are fine — provided they are the fruit of truth and not a substitute for it.”
The Gospel isn’t theoretical. It’s gritty, messy, supernatural, confrontational, joyful, and explosive.
Acts 16:11-40
1. THE GOSPEL OPENS HEARTS TO REPENT AND RECEIVE (16:11–15)
First truth: Evangelism starts with God opening hearts.
Second Truth: Paul preaches… but God opens.
Spirit and Preaching: That’s how the Gospel moves.
One heart opened → one household baptized → one city changed.
Acts 16:16-24
2. THE GOSPEL CONFRONTS THE DEMONIC AND BREAKS BONDAGE (16:16–24)
When the gospel advances, demons get evicted.
When you cast out the devil, don’t expect thank-you cards.
Acts 16:25-31
3. THE GOSPEL MAKES OUR WORSHIP LOUDER THAN OUR WOUNDS (16:25–28)
Worship is witness. Your singing can make you an evangelist.
The doors fly open. Chains break. But, Paul doesn’t run—he stays.
That’s what authentic Christianity looks like: Free men who stay for the sake of the lost.
Acts 16:32-34
4. THE GOSPEL SAVES ENTIRE FAMILIES (16:29–34)
This is evangelism: Stepping into someone’s dilemma with the hope of Jesus.
The most important question: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
The answers: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
The gospel does not ask permission to transform your family tree.
It just starts plowing through the branches.
Acts 16:35-40
5. THE GOSPEL IS PRECIOUS AND WORTH PROTECTING (16:35–40)
The gospel doesn’t just save souls—it also has a transforming impact on all of life.
Gospel people speak against corruption, leverage the legal system for righteousness.
The Gospel isn’t cowardly nor disengaged in the politics of the city.
Paul protects the church by helping limit the persecution of Christians again.
Acts 15:35-41
Acts 16:1-10
WHAT HAPPENED?
1. Paul and Barnabas stay in Antioch (15:35).
- Faithfully preaching and teaching.
2. They have a major disagreement concerning John Mark (15:36–41).
- God doesn’t waste conflict. He can redeem it.
3. Timothy joins the mission with Paul (16:1–5).
- Sometimes you lay down your rights for missional unity and winning people to
Jesus.
4. The Spirit closes doors to their original plan (16:6–8).
- Closed doors are not punishment. Closed doors are preparation.
5. Paul receives the Macedonian Vision (16:9–10).
- God guides their steps — not with a five-year plan, but one obedient step at a time.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US? — THREE BOLD TRUTHS
1. GOD USES ORDINARY FAITHFULNESS TO SHAPE EXTRAORDINARY FUTURES
- So many believers want a “Macedonian vision,” but they skip the Antioch work.
- Before Paul ever crossed a sea, he opened a Bible.
2. GOD USES CONFLICT, CHANGE, AND TRANSITIONS TO ADVANCE HIS
MISSION
- God can use painful partings to create fruitful new beginnings.
- Don’t let conflict cripple your calling.
3. GOD GUIDES BY OPEN DOORS, CLOSED DOORS, & SPIRIT-LED OBEDIENCE
- Closed doors are God’s mercy, not God’s rejection.
- Life requires flexibility; the mission requires movement.
WHAT TO DO?
1. STAY FAITHFUL WHERE FIND YOURSELF
- Stay planted long enough to bear fruit – get rooted to bear fruit.
- Antioch is not a waiting room. It’s your training ground.
2. HOLD RELATIONSHIPS WITH GRACE & OPEN HANDS
- Call out behavior but don’t villainize people God still wants to use.
- The Kingdom is bigger than your personal team roster.
3. LIVE WITH MISSIONAL FLEXIBILITY
- Paul circumcised Timothy for mission, not salvation.
- Changed strategy, do not change doctrine.
4. DISCERN GOD’S WILL THROUGH MOTION, NOT IDLENESS
- God steers moving ships, not parked cars.
- If you want supernatural direction, practice natural obedience.
5. FOLLOW THE MISSIONAL CRY: “COME HELP US”
- The Macedonian call is still echoing today: Come help us.
- God sends people not because the world deserves salvation, but it needs rescued.
- You are called to HELP.
Acts 15:1-21
Salvation is free.
Discipleship is expensive.
Jesus didn’t die just to give you a belief system—He died to give you a new life.
Saved By Grace Alone; Saved to do Good Works
- Some Jewish believers: “Unless you are circumcised, you can’t be saved.”
- Paul and Barnabas: “No! Salvation is by grace through faith.”
- James (brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church): “We should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from what has been strangled, and from blood.” (vv. 19–20)
- Saved by grace — but still called to obedience.
- Grace doesn’t erase holiness; grace empowers it.
- You can’t separate faith from faithfulness.
The Four Prohibitions—Consideration that Builds Fellowship
Together, they protect the individual, the fellowship, and their shared mission.
“Abstain from things polluted by idols.”
- In the ancient world, almost every meal was connected to idol worship.
- Eating food sacrificed to idols meant participating in pagan religion.
- James is saying—Don’t mix Jesus with idols.
“Abstain from sexual immorality.”
- The Greek word is porneia. It covers every kind of sexual sin—premarital, extramarital, homosexual, pornographic, all of it.
- The Gentile world said sex was just physical. God says it’s sacred.
- Following Jesus means your body belongs to Him.
- This is countercultural obedience—still today.
“Abstain from what has been strangled.”
- That’s about eating meat without the blood drained—because in Leviticus, blood symbolized life.
- God was teaching His people to respect life and the Giver of life.
- Even in your diet, remember—life is sacred.
“Abstain from blood.”
- Same idea—don’t treat life casually.
- For Gentiles, this was a huge lifestyle shift. They were being told, “Live differently now, because you belong to a holy God.”
- These weren’t hoops to jump through—they were boundaries for blessing.
The worldly-minded and the religiously misguided will fight against the work of the gospel, but faithful believers stand firm, filled with the Spirit, and keep preaching Jesus until the mission is done.
Acts 13:44–52
We are living in Acts 13 and 14 times: The Clash of Kingdoms
1. Faithfulness – even when the religious have lost their way.
Religious jealousy is the ugliest kind.
They opposed Paul not because he was wrong, but because they were losing influence.
Some of the harshest opposition you’ll face won’t come from pagans — it’ll come from the “religious.”
Paul didn’t back down. He didn’t water it down. He preached even louder.
“If you don’t want it, we’ll preach to someone who does.”
Faithful gospel people keep moving forward.
- There is a time to debate.
- There is a time to stop arguing.
- There is never a time to stop sharing the faith.
- Do not lose focus because others oppose.
2. Faithfulness When the Culture Turns Hostile (Acts 14:1–7)
The mission moves to Iconium — new town, same story.
- They preach the Word. People believe. Miracles break out.
- And again — the city divides.
“The unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord…” (14:2,3)
- They didn’t run. They didn’t hide. They stayed bold.
- Not arrogance, not anger — Spirit-filled courage.
- We’re not here to blend in; we’re here to bear witness.
3. Faithfulness in the Face of Violence (Acts 14:8–22)
In Lystra, Paul heals a crippled man — the city loses its mind.
- They think he’s a god. They try to worship him.
- Just when he convinces them not to… the same crowd turns around and stones him.
- You can’t base your mission on popularity.
- You can’t build your life on the applause of others.
“But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city…” (14:20)
- He got back up. Bruised but not broken. Bloodied but not beaten.
- You can’t kill a man who’s already died to himself.
- Do you have those who will gather about you?
4. Faithfulness to Strengthen the Saints (Acts 14:21–23)
After the beating, Paul and Barnabas go back — to the same cities — to strengthen the believers.
- They tell them the truth: “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” (14:22).
- “It’s gonna be hard — but it’s gonna be worth it.”
- Faithful leaders don’t sugarcoat reality.
5. Faithfulness to the Mission Until the End (Acts 14:24–28)
Paul and Barnabas return home and report everything God did.
- They finish their mission. They celebrate.
- They give glory to God for opening doors to the Gentiles.
- The gospel cannot be stopped.
- You can oppose it, mock it, legislate against it — but the Word of God always prevails.
This week we get to hear from Wendell Deyo. He is the former Chaplain to the Cincinnati Reds and Cincinnati Bengals. He is also the former President of Athletes in Action.
Acts 13:41
Acts 13:13-52
Acts 13:36-41
Acts 13:42-47
Acts 13:48-52
You have one life, one generation, to fulfill your God-given purpose. If you do it well, one life is
enough.
I. Discover and Walk In God’s Purpose — Not Yours
Romans 12:2 ...that by testing you may discern what is the will of God...
Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Before you can serve God’s purpose, you must seek God’s presence.
David didn’t chase fame or power — he chased God’s heart.
“God, how can I serve Your purpose today? Give me a divine appointment.”
II. Serve Faithfully Where You Are
Luke 16:10 One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much.”
1 Samuel 16:11-13 David anointed while still tending sheep.
Before God gives you authority, He gives you assignments.
Serve faithfully in the small things — your job, your family, your church.
Let obedience today prepare you for opportunity tomorrow.
III. Hand Off a Godly Legacy for the Next Generation
Psalm 145:4 One generation shall commend your works to another.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight... finished the race... kept the faith.
You’re not responsible for every generation — just yours.
Help your generation hand off “the faith” to the next.
Serve your time faithfully so others can stand on your shoulders.
Write down what you want people to say about you when you’re gone.
Then, start living that legacy now.
“We somehow think the church is here for us; we forget that we are the church, and we’re here for the world.” -Erwin McManus
“The Church right now has more fashion than passion, is more pathetic than prophetic, is more superficial than supernatural.” - Leonard Ravenhill
Acts 13:1-13
Seven Marks of a World-Changing Church:
1. A church that is centered on God’s Word.
2. A church that worships.
3. A church that goes when God says go.
4. A church that sends and supports.
5. A church that declares the gospel boldly.
6. A church that sees lives changed by Jesus.
7. A church that perseveres through setbacks.
What is your next step of obedience? Will you say yes?
Your assignment starts where your FEET are.
Extra Credit: I will write my testimony (1 page). “Before Jesus, I was __________________.” Since I committed my life to Jesus Christ and made Him my Savior and Lord, I ___________________.”
SERMON NOTES
“To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world.” -Karl Barth
1. HEROD – Pride, Power, Praise (Acts 12:1–4)
- You can fight against God, but you can’t win against God.
- The hand of man chains - the hand of God breaks chains.
2. THE CHURCH - Earnest Prayer (Acts 12:5)
- Prayer is active. Prayer is urgent. Prayer is persistent.
“The best bit of advice I ever received about how to pray was this: keep it simple, keep it real, keep it up.” -Pete Greig
3. PETER – Peace in Prison (Acts 12:6–11)
a. Obedience is time sensitive.
b. Faith must be active.
c. Miracles happen in chaos.
- God often works through our obedience in motion.
4. THE PRAYER MEETING – Proof of God’s Power (Acts 12:12–17)
- The power behind answered prayer isn’t in us…It’s in Him.
5. HEROD’S END – Perishing in Pride (Acts 12:18–25)
- Herod dies and The Word multiplies.
6. THE WORD MULTIPLIES - Despite Opposition (Acts 12:24–25)
“Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God.” - J. Oswald Sanders
“A church can offer living and palpable proof that the gospel makes a real difference for real people living in the real world.” – Raymond C. Ortlund Jr.
“I’ve never sat on the bench and said, ‘well I learned a lot today’”. -Deion Sanders
When God Moves:
1. Barriers Fall (Acts 11:1–18)
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” -Galatians 3:28
The enemy doesn’t care what jersey you WEAR. He cares whether you are ADVANCING the ball.
2. Ordinary Men Rise (Acts 11:19–22)
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” -Acts 4:13
The frontlines are not filled with celebrities. They are filled with soldiers nobody knows by name.
3. Believers Grow (Acts 11:23–26)
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” -Colossians 2:6-7
“Do something bold for God’s sake!”- Ulrich Zwinglie
4. Generosity Flows (Acts 11:27–30)
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” -2 Corinthians 9:7
The gospel makes us open-handed.
Generosity is a MARK of a true disciple.
“I'm not afraid of failure; I'm afraid of succeeding at things that don't matter.” ― William Carey
Acts 10:1-8
Cornelius was devout, generous, prayerful—but still missing something.
Acts 10:9-23a
Acts 10:23b-34
Cornelius’s prayers and alms rose like sweet incense before the Lord.
Romans 10:14
Acts 10:34-43
Peter preaches to Cornelius and his household:
- Jesus is Lord of all (v. 36).
- He died on a cross (v. 39).
- God raised Him from the dead (v. 40).
- Forgiveness is possible: “through his name everyone who believes in him” (v. 43).
- Cornelius had prayer, generosity, devotion—but he needed Christ crucified and risen.
Acts 4:12
Acts 10:44-48
The Holy Spirit Confirms the Missing Piece
“While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.” (v. 44).
- The Spirit didn’t fall when Cornelius prayed.
- The Spirit didn’t fall when he gave alms.
- The Spirit fell when the gospel of Jesus was preached and believed.
- Salvation is not in works, but in grace through faith in Christ.
What Cornelius and Peter Did Right
1. They had a fear of the Lord – honoring, doing, open to instruction.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
Psalms 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.
2. They took their next best next step: fear the Lord, prayers, alms, listening to preaching,
responding, baptized.
3. They obeyed quickly – “without hesitation, immediately, at once” – in response to the Spirit’s
promptings.
4. Cornelius brought his whole house to hear.
5. They went public with their faith in baptism.
Acts 9:32-35 32
Acts 9:36-43 36
Be visible, be bold:
Peter did not hide in safe places. He walked “here and there” into towns, into homes. So must we—not for fame, but for purpose.
Love well, serve well:
Peter raised the weak and dead, we are called to raise the lowly. Seek out those ignored, marginalized. Let our hands do Grace’s work.
Be prepared for the fight:
Truth has enemies. When you speak it, threats come. Pressure comes. Maybe persecution. It’s real. But remember: Christ was crucified. Peter willing to suffer.
Leave a legacy that lives beyond your years:
It’s not about how many likes, how many tweets, how many headlines—it’s about how many lives changed. Like Tabitha, like Peter — let your life echo after you’re gone.
In the book of Acts, we see the Holy Spirit writing testimonies, not biographies.
- A biography tells the story of your life, “Look what I did.”
- A testimony tells the story of Jesus in your life, “Look what Jesus did.”
5 Testimony Questions
1. What were you like BC (before Jesus)?
Acts 9:19-25a
2. How did you see Jesus then versus now?
“…For some days”
Galatians 1:15-18
3. What does time with Jesus look like?
- Not, “I’m going to go to work and then ask God to bless it.” Wrong order.
- God, “Meet with me. I’ll tell you what to do, and how to do it, and prepare you for it, and get your heart ready, and then it’ll be to my glory.”
Acts 9:23-25
4. How have you sacrificed / suffered for Jesus? Are you willing, really?
- Do you want to be perfected in your faith?
- Have you sacrificed relationally, emotionally, financially, physically?
Acts 9:31-35
5. What role does the Church (the bride and body of Christ) play in your life?
- Barnabas took personal risks to ‘encourage’ Paul to engage with believers.
- Who do you have faith for, that the Lord can changed them?
There are questions under the surface of every teen and even every human:
• Do I matter?
• Am I valuable?
• Is there something bigger than the chaos, the pressure, the performance?
Genesis 1:1–5
Before we figure out who we are, we need to know who God is. Because only the Creator gets to define the creation.
Genesis 1:26–31
You Are Made in the Image of God
Point 1: You Are Valuable
Your value doesn’t come from what you do. It comes from who made you.
• Ephesians 2:10
Point 2: You Have a Purpose
• Genesis 1:28
• Ephesians 4:1
You weren’t made to just exist. You were made to reflect God, represent God, and care for the things he’s entrusted to you
Point 3: You Are Loved
Before humans did anything, God blessed them. That’s grace.
• John 3:16
Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel
“Genuine self-acceptance is not derived from the power of positive thinking... it is an act of faith in the God of grace.”
Three Voices Shaping How You See Yourself:
• What others say about you
• What you say about yourself
• What God says about you
Take all the lies – replace them with I am God’s masterpiece.
Divine Appointments (from Acts 8 story of Philip)
The Holy Spirit Can Lead Your Life – a Spirit-led life is an amazing life.
- Be on the lookout for ‘divine appointments.’
- Get a handle on the basic story of the Bible so you can share it.
- Get comfortable with your own story, your testimony and be prepared to share it.
- Encourage someone, then point them to the source to encouragement.
Divine Interruptions
Sometimes what you need is not more information, but a fresh revelation of Jesus.
Acts 9:1-9
1. Jesus Still Interrupts Lives with His Presence (vv. 1–9)
Saul was actively breathing threats and murder against the disciples (v. 1). He was an enemy of Christ, zealous to destroy the church.
Jesus personally intervenes / Interrupts: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (v.4). Notice how closely Jesus identifies with His people—the persecution of believers is persecution of Christ Himself.
Saul’s conversion wasn’t from an insight against his intellectual argument—it was a supernatural encounter with the risen Jesus.
Acts 9:10-19a
2. The Holy Spirit choses and uses ordinary disciples, the willing not the gifted.
Ananias, a relatively unknown disciple, is called by the Lord to lay hands on Saul (vv.10–12). He hesitates because of Saul’s reputation (vv. 13–14), but God assures him thatSaul is His “chosen instrument” (v. 15).
Ananias obeys, calling Saul “Brother Saul” (v. 17). This simple act of faith and acceptance shows the power of Christian love and obedience.
Saul is filled with the Spirit, baptized, and strengthened (vv. 17–19)—the same Spirit given to all believers, not just the 12 Apostles.
Acts 9:19b-25
3. The Holy Spirit wants to transform you: fear into boldness, persecutor into proclaimer, enemy into evangelist, fighting God into following God, disobedient into devoted disciple.
People are astonished: the persecutor is now proclaiming the faith he tried to destroy.
Paul’s ministry is marked by growing power and boldness, confounding opponents with his witness (v. 22).
Acts 9:26-31
4. Where the Holy Spirit is flowing freely there is, most often, encouragement and unity.
The disciples in Jerusalem are afraid of Saul and doubt his conversion (v. 26).
Barnabas (son of encouragement) steps in as a bridge-builder, testifying on Saul’s behalf, and helping him be received (v. 27) - his advocacy allows Saul to be integrated into the church.
Learn this phrase: “I see in you.”
The Holy Spirit doesn’t just save individuals—He heals relationships, removes suspicion, and brings unity.
SERMON NOTES
Acts 8:1-8
The Holy Spirit Moves the Church Outward.
- After Stephen’s martyrdom, persecution scattered the believers.
- What looked like defeat became mission fuel. “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word” (v.4).
- The Spirit used suffering to push the church beyond Jerusalem, just as Jesus said in Acts 1:8.
- Sometimes, more than we like to consider, the Holy Spirit Disrupts Our Comfort to accomplish His Mission.
Acts 8:9-25
Only The Holy Spirit, Not the Spirits of This World, Lead to Real Life
- Scripture is clear: there is one Holy Spirit who gives life, and there are counterfeit powers that lead to bondage.
- Simon the Magician displays some behaviors that look right, but he sees the Church / the Spirit as a vehicle for his own advancement.
- The Holy Spirit confronts our pride—will you humble yourself, or be drawn to personal power?
- The Holy Spirit invites real faith—will we believe with a repentant heart, not just the lips?
- The Holy Spirit cannot be bought—will you receive Him as gift, not use Him as tool?- The Holy Spirit demands repentance—will you surrender?
Acts 8:26-35
The Holy Spirit Welcomes The Outcast and Hungry
- The Ethiopian from the land furthest south of Egypt – the southern end of the Earth.
- “Candace” is a title of the Queens of the region.
- Eunuch’s were created to be trusted over harems, money, and personal matters.
- This Eunuch was either a ‘God-Fearer’ (unconverted worshipper) or a Gentile-to-Jewish convert.
- Leviticus rules kept him out of the inner courts of the temple.
- The Holy Spirit welcomed him into the family of God.
Acts 8:36-40
The Holy Spirit Can Lead Your Life – and it will be an amazing life.
- Be on the lookout for ‘divine appointments.’
- Get a handle on the basic story of the Bible so you can share it.
- Get comfortable with your own story, your testimony and be prepared to share it.
- Encourage someone, then point them to the source to encouragement..