ACTS 10 – PETER AND THE GOSPEL GO TO THE GENTILES!

Posted on June 1, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

INTRODUCTION:

1. Change is hard, and big changes are really hard!

2. The transition from The Old Testament to The New Testament was a really big change!

3. This really big change was hard even for the Apostles!

4. Peter, who failed many times in many ways, stood up – even to an Angel of the LORD – in defense of The Old Testament Law!

5. When GOD is working in the life of HIS people, HE both can and will overcome our objections!

EXPOSITION:

10:1-8 When GOD prepares to do a work in the world, HE prepares the people HE has chosen to do the work!

(1) “At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, (2) a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. (3) About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” (4) And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. (5) And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. (6) He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”

(7) When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, (8) and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.”

Theological Note: Remember that prior to the completion of The New Testament, GOD often used visions, dreams, signs, and wonders to verify that it was indeed HE WHO was speaking!

Cf. Acts 2:16-18 (Quoting Joel 2:28-29)

(16) “But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:                    (17) “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; (18) even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.”

Further… GOD tells us in The New Testament that when The New Testament was completed, these miraculous means would cease!

Cf. 1st Corinthians 13:8-10

(8) “Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. (9) For we know in part and we prophesy in part, (10) but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.”

10:9-18 GOD not only ordains HIS work, HE also ordains the means by which HE accomplishes HIS work – and sometimes HE uses radical means to accomplish HIS work!

(9) “The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray.      (10) And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance (11) and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. (12) In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. (13) And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” (14) But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”

(15) And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” (16) This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven. (17) Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate (18) and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there.”

10:19-33 One of the most common means by which GOD accomplishes HIS work in the world is by the simple obedience of HIS people!

(19) “And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. (20) Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” (21) And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” (22) And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” (23) So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. (24) And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. (25) When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. (26) But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” (27) And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. (28) And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.      (29) So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.” (30) And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, (and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing (31) and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. (32) Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’      (33) So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

10:34-43 GOD will save anyone anywhere, but HE only saves people through the gospel!

(34) “So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, (35) but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. (36) As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), (37) you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: (38) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. (39) And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, (40) but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, (41) not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. (42) And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.          (43) To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

10:44-48 While salvation is the main thing… baptism is a really big thing in GOD’s plan for HIS people!

(44) While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. (45) And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. (46) For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, (47) “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” (48) And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.”

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MEMORIAL DAY 2025 “No Greater Love!”

Posted on May 24, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

SERMON: John 10:14-18; 15:12-17     “NO GREATER LOVE!”

Introduction:

This is indeed a very well-known passage of Scripture. On the day before HIS arrest, trial, and crucifixion; Jesus gathered HIS disciples together on the evening of Passover to transform this ancient religious ritual into a living memorial to our living LORD that we now call The Lord’s Supper!

In the process of this first, “LORD’s Supper” Jesus demonstrates by washing their feet what true humility looks like and tells them the price of really loving one another.

After “portraying” what real love looks like, Jesus “proclaims” to them that really loving one another means that they must be willing to lay down their life.

HE tells them that HE is, HIMSELF, going to lay down HIS life for them (and for all who will HIS chosen people) and that this ultimate selfless act is the greatest love a person can have and the greatest love a person can demonstrate.

These verses are Holy Scripture. Therefore, they are true. Therefore, laying down one’s life truly is the greatest act of love that one human being can demonstrate for another.

In context, this passage is about Jesus – and only about Jesus – Who laid down HIS physical life for the salvation of HIS people. But the statement is true in any context. The greatest act of love that ANY HUMAN can offer is to lay down one’s life for another.

You and I are here today to publicly worship God. We are perfectly free to do this; and we are under no threat because we have chosen to do this. This is America; and, in America we are (at least for now) free to worship in any way we choose.

Hundreds of thousands – if not millions – of our brothers and sisters in Christ are not free to worship Jesus today. Thousands have been killed; thousands have been enslaved, and hundreds of thousands are homeless and running for their very life today because they do not share in our good fortune.

What is our good fortune?

Why are we free to worship while millions of others are not?

The answer is as simple as it is profound.

Since early Wednesday morning, April 19th, 1775, when a handful of American Patriots on the village green of Lexington, Massachusetts and at a small bridge at nearby Concord; “fired the shot heard around the world” * 583,199 Men and women serving in the Armed Forces of the United States have “laid down their life” because of their love for this Country and their fellow Americans!

**US Department of Veterans’ Affairs

Revolutionary War:                   4,435

War of 1812:                              2,260

Civil War: (North)                      140,414

Spanish American War:           385

WW1:                                         53,402

WW2:                                         291,557

Korea:                                        33,739

Viet Nam:                                   58,220

Desert Storm:                            148

Global War on Terror:               6,639 (Since 9/11 2001)   

TOTAL AMERICANS KILLED: 583,199   

We are here today to worship Jesus Christ – and we are perfectly safe while we are doing so – because of the selfless sacrifice of these nearly 583,199 American Servicemen and Women.

May we never forget!

Exposition:

We have not gathered here today to worship America or those Americans who have given up their life for our safety and freedom. We are here to worship Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who gave up HIS life for our salvation.

There is one thing more important than our freedom!

That one thing is our salvation from the guilt (and the penalty) of our sins that we have sinned against a thrice-Holy, perfectly righteous and justifiably angry God!

To rescue us from the judgment we deserve for our sins, Jesus Christ had to lay down HIS life on the Cross!

First, Jesus was willing to lay down HIS life for HIS people!

John 10:18(a) “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.”

Second, Jesus was able to lay down HIS life for HIS people!

John 10:18(b)
18 “I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again…”

Third, Jesus did lay down HIS life for HIS people!

Luke 23:33
33 “And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.”

Fourth and Finally, Jesus was able to take HIS life back up and raise HIMSELF from the dead!

1st Corinthians 15:13-22
13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.
14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.
16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.
17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”

Jesus Christ is the One True Living God of the Bible Who came to this earth in human flesh!

He was born of a Virgin!

He lived a sinless life and perfectly obeyed the Law of God!

He willingly went to the Cross to pay for the sins of HIS people!

Three days later HE rose again from the dead!

Right here and right now; today, Jesus is alive; and He will forgive the sins and change the life of anyone anywhere and everyone everywhere who will repent of their sins against God and believe on Jesus as their Savior and LORD!

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

Jesus was willing to die for us; the question now is are we willing to live for HIM?

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ACTS 9 – “Mission Impossible: The Salvation of Saul of Tarsus!”

Posted on May 18, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

INTRODUCTION:

1. Saul of Tarsus was a student of Gamliel, a leader of the Pharisees, the leader of the persecution of Christians in Jerusalem, and a Roman Citizen. 

2. Saul of Tarsus hated Jesus and HIS followers.

3. Saul of Tarsus was present at (and likely in charge of) the murder of Stephen.

4. Saul of Tarsus was so effective at persecuting Christians that he drove all of them except the Apostles our of Jerusalem and then obtained permission to go to Damascus and continue the persecution there.

5. Saul of Tarsus met JESUS in PERSON on the road to Damascus and was immediately saved and called to apostolic ministry!

6. Saul of Tarsus, whose name was changed to Paul, then spent three years with JESUS as did the other Apostles.

Cf. Galatians 1:11-12, 15-18

(11) “For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. (12) For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. (15) But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, (16) was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; (17) nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. (18) Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days.”

7. Paul the Apostle, the Father of Missions, was used of GOD to be the human author of Chapters 13 through 28 of Acts in addition to 13 of The 27 Books of the New Testament: Romans, 1st Corinthians,

2nd Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1st Thessalonians, 2nd Thessalonians, 1st Timothy, 2nd Timothy, Titus, and Philemon!

EXPOSITION: (7 Lessons to Learn!)

9:1 – 9

There is No One Beyond the Grace of GOD!

 “But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest (2) and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.        (3) Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. (4) And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (5) And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. (6) But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” (7) The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. (8) Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. (9) And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.”

9:10 – 19

While the vast majority of Christians will never be either “great” or “famous” GOD uses ordinary people in the lives of HIS servants whom HE will raise up to become both “great” and “famous!”

(After baptizing Paul, this man named Ananias is never heard of again!)

(10) Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”  (11) And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, (12) and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”

(13) But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.                (14) And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”               

(15) But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. (16) For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” (17) So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (18) And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; (19) and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.

9:20 – 22

Immediately after being saved, new Christians want to share JESUS with everyone they know!

(20) “And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” (21) And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name?

And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” (22) But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.”

9:23 – 25

When a person comes to know, worship, and serve JESUS, their unbelieving friends are going to turn against them!

(23) “When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him,     (24) but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, (25) but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.”

9:26

When unbelievers come to know, worship, and serve JESUS most Christians will be skeptical – at least at first!

(26) “And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple.”

9:27 – 31

Every Paul desperately needs a Barnabas!

(27) “But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. (28) So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. (29) And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him.  (30) And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. (31) So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.”

9:32 – 43

While everyone gets excited about the new thing GOD is doing and the new people that HE is using (as we should) HE still uses HIS more mature followers as well!

9:32-35 GOD can (and often does) heal those who are suffering!

(32) “Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. (33) There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. (34) And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. (35) And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.”

9:36-43 GOD both can and will raise HIS people from the dead!

(36) “Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas.

She was full of good works and acts of charity. (37) In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. (38) Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” (39) So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. (40) But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. (41) And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. (42) And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. (43) And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.”

Amen!

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“The Generational Faith of a Godly Granny!”

Posted on May 10, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

Mother’s Day MAY 11th, 2025

2 Timothy 1:1-5 “The Generational Faith of a Godly Granny”

Introduction:

1. This is the day that we set aside every year to celebrate our mother and the mother of our children!

2. In reality, everyday ought to be Mother’s Day!

3. The greatest things in the world is to have, (or to have had) and to be is a Christian Mother!

4. Of all the wonderful things that Mothers do for their children, the best thing a mother can ever do for their child is pass their own Christian faith on to them!

5. In this passage, we meet a “Godly Granny” named Lois, who passed her faith on to her daughter Eunice, who passed her faith on to her son, Timothy!

6. In this verse Paul says that the faith that dwelt in Timothy was:

– A genuine faith!

– A generational faith!

– His grandmother’s faith!

– A gift of God’s grace!

– A gift to be given to others!

Exposition:

1:5a  Timothy’s faith was a Genuine faith!

“I am reminded of your sincere faith…”

“anupokrites” (anupokrites) is the opposite of “hypocrite”

– “sincere” in 2 Cor. 6:6; 1 Tim. 1:5; 1 Peter 2:2

– “without hypocrisy” in Romans 12:9; James 5:17

*Note that the Apostle Paul says, “I am sure (this genuine faith) dwells in you…”

It is to be contrasted to the idea of a “False Faith!”

– Faith in Self is a false faith!

– Faith in Religion is a false faith!

– Faith in the abstract Goodness of God is a false faith!

– Faith in Faith is a false faith!

1:5b  Timothy’s faith was a Generational faith!

“a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice…”

– Lois had passed her faith on to Eunice! Cf. Acts 16:1

– Eunice had likely both showed and shared her faith to Timothy!

– Paul had actually led Timothy to Christ!

Cf. 1st Corinthians 4:17 “That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.”

Cf. 1st Timothy 1:2 “To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”

*All of us have the right to live in hope that our children and grandchildren will come to have the same faith that we have!

Acts 16:30-31

(30) “Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (31) And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

1:5c  Timothy’s faith was his Grandmother’s and Mother’s faith!

“a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice…”

– His faith “first” dwelled in his grandmother, Lois!

– His faith also dwelled in his mother, Lois!

– The fruit of Lois’ and Eunice’s faith was a believing grandson!

Cf. Ephesians 2:8-10  Timothy’s faith was a Gift of God’s Grace!

(8) “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, (9) not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

(10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

– “It” (saving faith) is the gift of God!

– “It” (saving faith) is not of works!

* A gift is paid for by someone else!

* A gift is offered at no cost!

* A gift must be received! Cf. John 1:12

Cf. 2 Timothy 2:2  Timothy’s faith was Given to him to be Given to others!

“and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

– Paul believed and taught the true Christian faith!

– Paul shared the true Christian faith with Timothy!

– Timothy was to share the true Christian faith with others who were able to share it with others!

Amen!

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ACTS 8 “DEACON #2 TAKES OVER!”

Posted on May 4, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

MAY 4th, 2025

Acts 8 “Deacon #2 Takes Over!”

INTRODUCTION:

1. These events took place about one year following the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of JESUS.

2. In these verses, we see both the impact and the impotence of persecution!

3. In these verses, Phillip demonstrates the fruitfulness of faithfulness!

4. In the verses, Simon demonstrates the danger of spiritual immaturity!

5. In these verses, the Ethiopian Eunuch demonstrates the power of the gospel including the Old Testament!

EXPOSITION: Acts 8:1 – 40

8:1-3 There is No One Beyond the Reach of GOD’s grace!

(1-2) This was real persecution!

(1) “And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. (2) Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.”

Cf. 1st Corinthians 15:9-10 “For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.”

(3) This was a real persecutor!

(3) “But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.”

8:4 GOD did not make them go against their will, but HE did make them willing to go! (34 AD)

(4) “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.”                  

8:5-13 GOD uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways!

(5) Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. (6) And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. (7) For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. (8) So there was much joy in that city. (9) But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. (10) They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” (11) And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. (12) But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (13) Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.”

8:14-17 Believers need the power of the Holy Spirit upon them in addition the presence of the Holy Spirit within them!

(14) Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, (15) who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, (16) for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (17) Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.”

8:18-25 While regeneration is instantaneous, sanctification is not!

(18) “Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, (19) saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

(20) But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!               (21) You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. (22) Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. (23) For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” (24) And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

(25) Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.”

8:26-40 The gospel is the power of GOD unto salvation to everyone who believes!

(26) Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. (27) And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship (28) and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. (29) And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.”   (30) So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” (31) And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. (32) Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. (33) In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” (34) And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” (35) Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. (36) And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”

(38) And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. (39) And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. (40) But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.”

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ACTS 7 “The Last Full Measure of Devotion!”

Posted on April 27, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

INTRODUCTION:

 In his Gettysburg Address, President Abraham Lincoln referred to the act of giving up one’s life for a cause in which they believe as, “The Last Full Measure of Devotion.”

** At the Battle of Gettysburg, 3,155 Union soldiers gave that “Last Full Measure of Devotion” including 1,020 men from the 8th and 12th Illinois Calvary and the 82nd Illinois Infantry. (1 out of every 3 killed)

2. Throughout history, all people everywhere have recognized and honored those who are so fully devoted.

3. Many have been this deeply devoted to causes that are not worthy of such devotion and sacrifice.

4. Thankfully, many have been this deeply devoted to causes that are truly worthy of such devotion and sacrifice.

5. Stephen is such a fully devoted man and the cause for which he gave “The Last Full Measure of Devotion” is truly worthy of such devotion and sacrifice!

EXPOSITION:

7:1 – 7 RATHER THAN TRYING TO SAVE HIMSELF, STEPHEN CHOSE TO TRY TO SAVE HIS ACCUSERS!

  • Stephen demonstrates an amazing and accurate knowledge of the Old Testament! (11 Lessons!)
  • The story of Abraham is the story of GOD working in a man’s life!

 (1) “And the high priest said, “Are these things so?” (2) And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, (3) and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’ (4) Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living. (5)Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot’s length, but promised to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, though he had no child.     

(6) And God spoke to this effect–that his offspring would be sojourners in a land belonging to others, who would enslave them and afflict them four hundred years. (7) ‘But I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.’

7:8 GOD is a miracle working GOD!

(8) And he gave him the covenant of circumcision. And so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.     

7:9 – 10 GOD is working all things together for the good of HIS people!

(9) “And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him (10) and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household.

7:11 – 17 GOD usually uses natural means to accomplish HIS will!

(11) Now there came a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers could find no food. (12) But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first visit. (13) And on the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to Pharaoh. (14) And Joseph sent and summoned Jacob his father and all his kindred, seventy-five persons in all. (15) And Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, he and our fathers, (16) and they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem. (17) “But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt.

7:18 – 29 GOD uses unlikely people to accomplish HIS work!

(18) until there arose over Egypt another king who did not know Joseph. (19) He dealt shrewdly with our race and forced our fathers to expose their infants, so that they would not be kept alive. (20) At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God’s sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father’s house, (21) and when he was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son.    (22) And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds. (23) “When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. (24) And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian.

(25) He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand. (26) And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?’ (27) But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? (28) Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ (29) At this retort Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.

7:30 – 36 While GOD does not always deliver HIS people, HE always can deliver HIS people – and sometimes HE does deliver them!

(30) “Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. (31) When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and as he drew near to look, there came the voice of the Lord: (32) ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare to look. (33) Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. (34) I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.’ (35) “This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’–this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.       (36) This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years.

7:37 – 41 People are capable of rejecting men that GOD is using in miraculous ways when things don’t go their way!

(37) This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’ (38) This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us.       (39) Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, (40) saying to Aaron, ‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ (41) And they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and were rejoicing in the works of their hands.

7:42 – 43 When GOD allows people to have their own way, it is always a catastrophe!

(42) But God turned away and gave them over to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: “‘Did you bring to me slain beasts and sacrifices, during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? (43) You took up the tent of Moloch and the star of your god Rephan, the images that you made to worship; and I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’

7:44 – 50 GOD is with HIS people!

(44) “Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen. (45) Our fathers in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our fathers. So it was until the days of David, (46) who found favor in the sight of God and asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. (47) But it was Solomon who built a house for him. (48) Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, (49) “‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? (50) Did not my hand make all these things?’

7:51 – 53 It is a heartbreaking reality that people who know all of these truths still rebel against GOD, HIS commandments, and HIS people!

(51) “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. (52) Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, (53) you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”

7:54 – 60 Godless people (especially unconverted religious people) do not react well to Biblical admonition and correction!

(54) “Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. (55) But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. (56) And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (57) But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him.

(58) Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. (59) And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (60) And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

AMEN.

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MARK 16:1-6 “THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD!”

Posted on April 20, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

INTRODUCTION:

1. Without question, this event is the most important single event that has ever occurred on earth! 1st Corinthians 15:12-22

(12) “Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? (13) But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. (14) And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. (15) We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. (16) For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. (17) And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. (18) Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. (19) If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

(20) But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (21) For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. (22) For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”

2. Without question, this event is the most controversial single event that has ever occurred on earth!

  • “Swoon/Almost Died Theory”
  • “No Burial Theory”
  • “Mass Hallucination Theory”
  • “Wrong Grave Theory”
  • “Stolen Body theory”

3. Without question, this event is the most consequential event with which you will ever be confronted!

  • If you believe it, God will forgive you and deliver you from eternal judgment!

         Romans 10:9-13

         (9) “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (11) For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

         (12) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. (13) For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

  • If you deny it, God will forsake you and deliver you to eternal judgment!

         John 3:18, 36; 8:24

         (3:18) “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

         (3:36) “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

         (8:24) “I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”

EXPOSITION: Mark 16:1 – 6

Mark 16:1-2 The Unmistakable Evidence of what they Believed!

1 “When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.”

Mark 16:3-6 The Unmistakable Evidence of the Unbelievable!

3 “And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back— it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.”

Cf. Matthew 28:5-6

(5) “But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. (6) He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.”

Cf. Luke 24:4-7

(4) “While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. (5) And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? (6) He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,           (7) that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”

Cf. John 20:11-13

(11) “But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. (12) And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. (13) They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”

Q: Why is this impossible to believe?

A: Unsaved people cannot understand spiritual truth!

1st Corinthians 2:14 “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”

Q: If it is impossible to believe, why does God demand that we believe it to be saved?

A: To make salvation humanly impossible!

Romans 3:19-20

(19) “Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. (20) For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.”

Ephesians 2:8-9

(8) “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, (9) not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Q: If it is impossible for us to believe; and we have to believe it be saved; how can we come to believe it and be saved?

A: God gives the gift of saving belief to those who repent of their sins and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior!

Matthew 21:28-31a

(28) “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ (29) And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. (30) And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. (31a) Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first…”

Luke 13:3, 5

(3) “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. (5) No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Mark 1:15 “and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Mark 16:7-13 The Unmistakable Evidence of how they Behaved!

(7-8) They did not do what they were told!

7 “But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you. 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

(9-13) They did not believe what they heard!

9 “Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. 12 After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. 13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.”

How about me, and how about you?

Q: Are we willing to do what we have been told?

Repent:

Luke 13:3, 5

(3) “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. (5) No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Acts 17:30-31

(30) “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, (31) because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

Q: Are we willing to believe what we have heard?

Believe:

Romans 10:9-17

(9) “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (11) For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

(12) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. (13) For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (14) How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

(15) And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (16) But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?”                   (17) So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

APPLICATION:                                                                                         *If we are willing to do what we have been told to do, and to believe what we have heard; we will be saved!

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world,[1] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

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ACTS 6 – The Helpfulness and the Hatred of Godly Men!

Posted on April 6, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

Introduction:

1. Churches prosper when they are both led and served by godly men!

2. Churches prosper when they are served by godly women (who usually do most of the serving) in Churches!

3. Take careful note here that this is a “biblical answer” to a common issue in Churches!

4. While it is very controversial in our culture today, it is still true that the Office of Deacon is limited to godly Christian men who meet the qualifications given in Acts 6 and 1st Timothy 3.

Cf. 6:3 “Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.”

Cf. 1st Timothy 3:8-13

(8) “Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. (9) They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. (10) And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. (11) Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.        (12) Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. (13) For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”

Theological Note: The word translated “men” in Acts 6:3 and “husband” in 1st Timothy 3:12 is the same word – “aner” which is the specific word for “a male person” and not the word “anthropoi” which means, “mankind in general.”

Again, I know that this is controversial, but Christians are bound to the Word of GOD, and “aner” is the word GOD chose.

Exposition:

6:1 – 7 Here is why Christians Love Deacons!

(6:1) Sometimes Churches can get into real trouble without even trying!                                  

(1) “Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.”

Growth is a good thing, but it does bring problems into the life of the Church!

Many problems are simply caused by having different kinds of people in the Church!

This was no small problem!

(6:2-3) I am not right about everything, but I am right about this: the gift of “Delegation” is one of the most important gifts a Pastor can have!

(2) “And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. (3) Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.”

Others ought to do those things that others can do!

Pastors ought to do those things that only they can do!

Cf. v.4 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

(6:4) Even in difficult circumstances, Pastors must keep their priorities right!

(4) “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Cf. 1st Samuel 12:23 “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.”

Prayer must be a priority to the Pastor! “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you…”

Bible study and sermon preparation must be a priority to the Pastor! “and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.”

 (6:5-6) It is always important to get the right people into the right place!

(5) “And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. (6) These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.”

These were good men! Cf. v.3 “Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.”

These were Greek men! Cf. 5 “And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.”

(6:7) When the Pastor delegates what needs to be delegated and does what he needs to do; and when he delegates the right job to the right people, the Church will prosper!

(7) “And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.”

6:8 – 15 Here is why Lost People Hate Deacons!

(8) Lost people hate people who have the power of GOD on their life!

(8) “And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.”

(9-10) Lost people hate people whom they cannot either control or silence!

(9) “Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. (10) But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.”

(11-14) Lost people hate godly people so much that when they cannot find anything by which to condemn them, they simply make up lies!   

(11) “Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” (12) And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, (13) and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, (14) for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.”

(15) Lost people hate godly people because they hate GOD and they sense the presence and glory of GOD upon godly people!                

(15) “And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.”

Amen.

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John 3:16 – Good News: While we do have to die, we do not have to perish!”

Posted on March 16, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

INTRODUCTION:

1. John 3:16 is the best-known verse in the Bible!

2. John 3:16 is the best-known sentence in the English language!

3. John 3:16 in and of itself contains enough Biblical theology to bring an unsaved person to saving faith!

5. John 3:16 in English contains the very word “Gospel” itself!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

6. In John 3:16, we see THE GREATEST PERSON “GOD”

THE GREATEST PASSION “SO LOVED THE WORLD”

THE GREATEST PRICE “HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON”

THE GREATEST PROMISE “THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM”

AND THE GREATEST POSSESSION! “HAVE ETERNAL LIFE!”

EXPOSITION:

“Christianity is the only accurate explanation of reality.”

The reality is that we do have to die.

Genesis 5:5 “Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died.”

Genesis 5:8 “Thus all the days of Seth were 912 years, and he died.”

Genesis 5:11 “Thus all the days of Enosh were 905 years, and he died.”

Genesis 5:14 “Thus all the days of Kenan were 910 years, and he died.”

Genesis 5:17 “Thus all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died.”

Genesis 5:20 “Thus all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died.”

Genesis 5:27 “Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died.”

Genesis 5:31 “Thus all the days of Lamech were 777 years, and he died.”

Ezekiel 18:4 “Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.”

Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned…”

1st Corinthians 15:21-22 “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”

Hebrews 9:27 “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment…”

But the other absolute truth about reality is that while we do have to die, we do not have to perish!

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” 

The word translated “perish” in this verse is “apollumi” which means to be destroyed! BIBLE 160x (OT “abad” = 118x NT = “apollumi” 42x)   

We can have the gift of eternal life!

 Matthew 19:29 “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.”

Matthew 25:46 “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”  

John 3:14-15 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”

John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

John 5:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment but has passed from death to life.”

John 10:27-29 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

1st John 5:13 “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.”

THE GREATEST PERSON! “GOD”

THE GREATEST PASSION! “SO LOVED THE WORLD”

THE GREATEST PRICE! “HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON”

THE GREATEST PROMISE! “THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM”

AND THE GREATEST POSSESSION! “HAVE ETERNAL LIFE!”

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Acts 4 – The Reality, Response, and Results of Persecution!

Posted on March 9, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

SERMON: Acts 4 “The Reality, Response, and Results of Persecution!”

INTRODUCTION:

1. These events immediately follow Peter’s sermon in 3:12-26.

2. The key factor in this persecution are the healing of the man at the Temple Gate and the content of Peter’s sermon.

3. While in America today the persecution of Christians is more psychological than physical, the world-wide persecution of Christians continues to this day…                  

4. According to Open Doors, in 2024, 365 million Christians were living under physical persecution!

5. According to Open Doors, in 2024, 17,766 churches were physically attacked!

6. According to Open Doors, in 2024, 4,744 Christians were imprisoned for believing in Jesus!

7. According to Open Doors, in 2024, 4,998 Christians were murdered for believing in Jesus!

8. According to Open Doors, in the past 10 years, the countries where the highest number of Christians faced physical persecution were… North Korea, Nigeria, Somalia, Libya, Eritrea, Yemen, India, China, the European Union, England, and Canada.

EXPOSITION:

4:1-7; 15-22 The Reality of Persecution!

4:1-3 The basis of persecuting Christians is always both religious and political!

(1) “And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, (2) greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. (3) And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.”

4:4 In spite of the persecution, the Word of GOD was working!

(4) But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

Cf. 1st Thessalonians 2:13 “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”

4:5-7, 15-18 The main goal of those who persecute Christians is to stop us from speaking!

(5) On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, (6) with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. (7) And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”

(15) But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, (16) saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. (17) But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” (18) So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.”

4:19-22 One of the primary tools used by persecutors is threats!

(19) But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, (20) for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” (21) And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. (22) For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

4:8-14 The Response to the Persecution!

4:8 It was a Spirit-empowered response! (And every believer has the Holy Spirit and this same power!)

(8) Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders,

4:9 Peter’s response was accusatory!

(9) if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,

(10) let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead–by him this man is standing before you well.

4:11-12 Peter’s response was focused on Jesus!

(11) This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. (12) And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Cf. Psalm 118:22-23 “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.”

Cf. Isaiah 28:16 “Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.”

Cf. Matthew 21:42 (quoting Psalm 118) “Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

Cf. Ephesians 2:20 “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone…”

Cf. 1st Peter 2:6-7 (quoting Isaiah 28) “Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” 7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone…”

Theological Note: 4:12 is the most important warning in the Bible and the most controversial thing that Christians believe!

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

4:13 GOD does extraordinary things through ordinary people!

(13) 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.

4:14 A changed life is still the greatest witness to the soul-saving and life-changing power of Jesus!

(14) But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.

4:23-37 The Results of the Persecution!

4:23-28 First, they recognized and relied on the Sovereignty of GOD!

(23) When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. (24) And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, (25) who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? (26) The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’— (27) for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, (28) to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.”

Theological Note: 4:25 is a key passage on the doctrine of the verbal inspiration of Scripture!

“who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit…”

4:29-31a Second, they prayed!

(29) And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, (30) while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (31a) And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken…”

Theological Note: Boldness is a gift and in 21st Century America, the reason we need boldness is to face ridicule!

4:31b Third, they were emboldened when they were filled with the Holy Spirit!

(31b) “and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”

4:32-37 Fourth, they continued their selfless and sacrificial lifestyle!

(32) “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. (33) And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. (34) There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold

4:35-37 Here we are first introduced to the godly and generous Barnabas!

(35) and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. (36) Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, (37) sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

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