God For All

Saturday, October 17, 2015
Acts 10:39-48 KJV 

39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, [even] to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God [to be] the Judge of quick and dead. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After preaching to Cornelius and his household about Jesus, what did the Apostle Peter tell them that he and his fellow disciples were witnesses to? (v.39-41)
2) What did Jesus command His disciples to witness to and why? (v.42-43)
3) What happened as Peter was witnessing to Cornelius and his family? (v.44)
4) How did the Jewish believers respond? Why? (v.45-46)
5) What was the Apostle Peter's question and command to those who witnessed what happened next? (v.47-48)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) How do you know that you have received the Holy Spirit?

LIFE LESSONS
7) The Holy Spirit is given to everyone who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ and earnestly desires or seeks the Holy Spirit's infilling.
8) The infilling of the Holy Spirit is not only manifested through speaking in unknown tongues, but through an immediate change in one's behavior and/or character.
9) The Holy Spirit is given to empower the believer to witness for the Lord Jesus Christ and to live a Spirit-led life.
10) Baptism is an external sign of an internal reality.

God's Unconventional Way

Saturday, October 10, 2015
Acts 9:10-19a KJV 

10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I [am here], Lord. 11 And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for [one] called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting [his] hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, [even] Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After Saul's Damascus Road encounter with Jesus, whom did the Lord call to minister to Saul and what did He tell him to do? (v.10-12)
2) How did the man respond to the Lord? (v.13-14)
3) How did the Lord answer the man? (v.15-16)
4) What did the Lord's servant do next? (v.17)
5) What happened to Saul? (v.18-19a)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) Do you know of anyone who was not well received in your church, or another church, because of their former lifestyle or reputation?
7) What, if anything, did you do to welcome the new convert into the household of faith?

LIFE LESSONS
8) The Lord is able to convert the vilest offender and to use them for His glory.

Stand Ready

Saturday, October 5, 2015

Acts 8: 26-40

26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to [him], and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on [their] way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, [here is] water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS

1) What did the angel of the Lord tell Philip to do? (v.26)

2) What did the apostle do, in response, and who did he happen upon? (v.27)

3) What was the eunuch doing? (v.28)

4) What did the Holy Spirit tell Philip to do next? (v.29)

5) What did Philip do and what did he hear and say in response? (v.30)

6) How did the eunuch respond to Philip? (v.31)

7) What Scripture was the eunuch reading and what did the eunuch ask Philip about the passage? (v.31-34)

8) How did Philip respond to the man? (v.35)

9) What did the eunuch ask Philip to do next and what was Philip's response? (v.36-37a)

10) What did the eunuch say in response to Philip's question? (v.37b)

11) What did Philip do next? (v.38)

12) What happened after Philip baptized the man? (v.39)

13) How did Philip get to Azotus and what did he do while he was there? (v.40)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

14) Has the Holy Spirit after directed you to witness to a specific individual? If so, how did you respond?

LIFE LESSONS

15) When the Holy Spirit leads us to witness to other people, our best response is to obey Him.

All Who Believed Were Together

Saturday, November 22, 2014
Act 2:37-47 KJV 

37 Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men [and] brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men], as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) The Apostle Peter had just delivered his first sermon after being filled with the Holy Spirit. How did those who heard it feel and respond? (v.37)
2) What was Peter's answer to the crowd? (v.38-39)
3) What else did Peter tell the crowd (v.40)
4) What did those who received Peter's word do in response? (v.41-47)


APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) Have you ever preached a sermon or witnessed to a non-believer? If so, what was the response following one such instance.
6) Have you been water and/or fire baptized since you first believed?
7) How have you continued to fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ since your conversion?


LIFE LESSONS
8) The message of the Gospel is foolishness to the world, but it has the power to save the heart that wants peace with God.
9) We are saved after we change our hearts about sin (repent), confess our sins to God, and receive forgiveness for our sins.
10) Baptism through immersion in water symbolizes our death to sin, burial and resurrection to new life in Christ.
11) When believers are initally filled with the Holy Spirit of God, they are empowered, by the Spirit,  to become Christ's witnesses.
12) Worship, communion and fellowship with other believers unifies and further empowers Christ's body.