Wednesday, May 28, 2008
SHARING JESUS
SHARING JESUS GOD'S WAY
Acts 8:26-40
INTRO: After reading about Philip's great ministry in
FOLLOW LEADERSHIP OF GOD (26, 29)
Leave where you are and go
Philip was given specific directions, step by step.
FOLLOW EVEN IN UNUSUAL PLACES / SITUATIONS
Leave city and go to a desert road.
Go at noon!
Listen to God's promptings.
START WHERE THE PROSPECT IS (20)
Show interest in him.
Find out his position, preparation, problem(s), & potential.
Be sincere. Duty or pretense will not work.
FOCUS ON JESUS (35)
Philip did not start telling about himself and his successes.
He started with the Isaiah passage and preached Jesus.
When baptism was mentioned he called for faith in Jesus.
After baptism the man went on his way rejoicing.
Philip was caught away, but the man did not miss him.
He was rejoicing in Jesus!
CHALLENGE: As we listen to God, we will have opportunities to share Jesus. Some may respond quickly while others may take longer. Our job is to be faithful in following God. As we share, people will believe and want to follow Jesus. Baptism is a step of obedience.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
LIVE TO WIN!
PATTERN FOR EVANGELISM
Acts 5:12-42
INTRO: The early church saw its purpose as evangelism. Some say that everything else the church does could be done better in heaven, but we must stay here to evangelize. We can see a pattern here for us today.
PURITY (12-14)
God dealt with Ananias & Sapphira (1-11)
This brought fear and a paradox:
1) No one dared join them.
2) They were held in high regard by outsiders.
3) More and more believed and joined the church.
The church must recognize and deal with sin.
Individuals must seek to live a pure life.
POWER (15-16)
Miracles & wonders. Miracles for those beyond
Some say this was just for first church.
But we can see the power of God at work today.
PERSECUTION (17-28)
When God works, the enemy does not like it.
We need not be surprised!
Apostles arrested, jailed, and set free by angels.
PERSISTENCE (29-32)
Obey God rather than man!
Be faithful in face of persecution.
Be faithful to God and his Word.
PRODUCTIVITY (33-42)
Conviction of unbelievers.
Gamaliel an unexpected ally.
Joy in persecution.
Continued teaching.
QUESTION: Are we as faithful to live for God as the early church? Are we experiencing the power of God which comes from being obedient to Him?
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Outline adapted from commentary by John MacArthur, Jr.
Preached May 18, 2008
Greenville Southern Baptist Church
Pastor Fred D. Kerr
dialog welcome
Thursday, May 15, 2008
ADVERSITY
HOW TO HANDLE ADVERSITY
Acts 4
INTRO: In this passage we see one of the early situations of persecution of the church. While the account is about how the church handled it, there are some principles we might draw to guide in any adversity corporate or individual.
BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT (vs. 8)
Be completely controlled by the Holy Spirit.
No long prayer time involved here.
It is a lifestyle commitment.
BE AGGRESSIVE IN SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES (9-12)
They asked the question. Peter jumped at the chance.
In personal problems, we will find opportunities to serve.
BE OBEDIENT TO GOD AT ALL COSTS (19-20)
Peter and John were commanded not to preach/teach Jesus.
They put it back to the leaders. We must obey God.
In facing problems, do you obey God by trusting Him?
Or do you disobey Him by doubting His ability?
BE COMMITTED TO FELLOWSHIP (23)
Peter and John went to the church.
Do we go to the church to help in adversity?
Too often we want to stay away in our grief.
BE THANKFUL (24-26)
The church went to prayer and started with Thanksgiving.
They praised God for what He had done.
Then they brought up their problem.
BE DESIROUS OF GREATER BOLDNESS (29-31)
They asked for boldness.
It is interesting that they did not ask for destruction of foes.
Do we ask for deliverance or strength?
---- One outline of this passage includes: "Go Back, Go up, and Go forward."
What are you facing today? Where do you turn for help?
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Outline adapted from commentary by John MacArthur, Jr.
Preached, May 11, 2008
Greenville Southern Baptist Church
Dialog welcome.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
WHAT IS IN YOUR HAND?
GOLD in your Hand
Acts 3: 1-10 - Exodus 4: 1-5
INTRO: As Peter and John entered the temple for prayer, they met a crippled beggar. Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have, I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."
"I give what I have." Moses at the burning bush in an O.T. counterpart was called to do the same. His rod became a serpent when thrown on the ground and a rod when he picked it up. "The Rod of God" would play a part in the deliverance of the people from
Today, I would like to ask you, "What is in your hand?" And contrary to what Peter said, I want to suggest that you have GOLD in your hand:
GOSPEL
The need of salvation man's sinfulness.
God's provision for forgiveness.
Man's need to repent and accept forgiveness.
Believers' need to share this gospel.
OBEDIENCE
Faith in God's work.
Obedience to His commandments.
It will lead to ministry.
It will impact your world.
LOVE
Love for God. -- Love for others.
Bringing them together.
DISCIPLESHIP
Lifestyle. Being God's person in your world.
Moses' rod became the rod of God. Peter had only the power of God. What is in your hand? Does it belong to God? You do have GOLD, but it all came from God. Will you let Him use it?
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Delivered at Greenville Southern Baptist Church
May 4, 2008
Pastor Fred D. Kerr
dialog welcome
Friday, May 02, 2008
MARKS OF THE CHURCH
CHALLENGE OF THE
Acts 2:40-47
INTRO: The church in Acts, freshly empowered by the Holy Spirit, is very challenging to us. Let's look at the character of this church described in this passage.
A SAVED CHURCH
"they were continually devoting themselves" (vs. 42a)
"God was adding
those being saved." (vs. 47c)
A
"to the apostles' teaching" (42b)
They were studying the Scriptures.
A
"and to fellowship" (42c)
---coming together in worship, etc.
---sharing needs (44-46)
A
"to the breaking of bread" (42d)
---Lord's Supper, Christ centered.
---Communion, common faith.
A PRAYING CHURCH
"to prayer" (42e)
They started in prayer in chapter 1.
In Chapter 4 they prayed for boldness.
In chapter 12 they prayed for Peter's release.
Prayer is both asking from and sharing with God.
A JOYFUL CHURCH
"glad and sincere hearts, praising God" (46-47)
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What is the challenge? How do we compare with these characteristics? Are there things we need to change?
----Outline adapted from John MacArthur, Jr.
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Pastor Fred D. Kerr
Greenville Southern Baptist Church
Preached April 27, 2008
dialog welcomed
