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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ACTS 3 – “A Man, A Miracle, and A Message!”

Posted on March 2, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

CONTEXT:

1. This event, which took place in Jerusalem about 32AD, is the first miracle recorded after the events of Pentecost.

2. This extraordinary event occurred on an ordinary day, to an ordinary person, through ordinary people, doing an ordinary thing!

3. This event will be the trigger for the vicious persecution of the Church which would soon follow.

CONTENT:

3:1-2 THE MAN!

(1-2a) He was Helpless!

(1) “Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. (2a) And a man lame from birth…”

(2b) He was Helped!

“was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate…”

 (2c) He was hoping for Handouts!

“to ask alms of those entering the temple.”                     

3:3-11 THE MIRACLE!

(3-5) He attracted Peter and John’s Attention!

(3) “Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. (4) And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” (5) And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.”

(6) He received bad news followed by the best news!

“But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

(7-8) Even after HIS physical death, JESUS still does miracles!

(7) “And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. (8) And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.”

(9-11) People, even pagan people, are still attracted to a demonstration of the power of GOD!

(9) “And all the people saw him walking and praising God, (10) and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. (11) While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s.”

3:12-26 THE MESSAGE! (Peter’s Second Sermon)

(12-15) Effective testimony points people to JESUS!

(12) And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? (13) The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. (14) But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, (15) and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.”

(16) Effective testimony includes the message of faith!

(16) “And his name–by faith in his name–has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.”

(17-21) Effective testimony gives hope to the hearers!

(17) “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. (18) But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.” (19) Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,

(20) that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, (21) whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.

(22-24) Effective testimony warns of the consequences of rejecting JESUS!

(22) “Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. (23) And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ (24) And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days.”

(25-26) Effective testimony includes the fact that JESUS has been raised from the dead!

(25) “You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ (26) God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

CHRISTOLOGY:

3:6 Jesus usually performs the miraculous through the words of HIS people!

3:13 JESUS was the “servant” of HIS FATHER!

3:14-15 JESUS was rejected, crucified, and buried!

3:16 JESUS works through faith in HIM!

3:18 JESUS is the prophesied suffering Lamb of GOD!

3:26 JESUS has been raised from the dead and is in the business of changing lives!

CONTEMPORARY APPLICATIONS:

#1. Hurting people need help!

#2. GOD can use HIS people in miraculous was through something as simple as going to worship!

#3. What we cannot do, GOD can do!

#4. No situation is truly hopeless as long as JESUS is alive!

#5 When GOD has the attention of people, it is a great time to share the Good News with them!

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ACTS 2 – The Baptism, Beliefs, and Behavior of the New Testament Church!

Posted on February 23, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

CONTEXT:

These things took place in Jerusalem on the first day of the Feast of Pentecost which was 50 days after the death and burial of JESUS and 10 days after HIS ascension.

CONTENT:

2:1-13 The Church is “Baptized” with the Holy Spirit!

Theological Note – The Church was “born” in the upper room following the resurrection of Jesus as recorded in John 20:21-22

(21) “Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (22) And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

(2:1) “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. (2) And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. (3) And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

(5) Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. (6) And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. (7) And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?           (8) And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? (9) Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, (10) Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, (11) both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians–we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”

(12) And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” (13) But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

2:14-36 Peter’s Sermon!

2:14-21 The biblical basis for what they were experiencing!

(14) But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. (15) For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. (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. (19) And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;               (20) the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.     (21) And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

2:22-32 Jesus Christ is the prophesied Messiah of Israel!

(22) “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know–    (23) this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. (24) God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. (25) For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; (26) therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope.              (27) For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. (28) You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

(29) “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.           

(30) Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, (31) he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. (32) This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.”

2:33-35 It is JESUS WHO baptizes HIS people with the HOLY SPIRIT!

(33) “Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. (34) For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, (35) until I make your enemies your footstool.’”

Cf. Luke 3:16 “John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

2:36 JESUS IS BOTH LORD & CHRIST!

(36) “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

2:37-41 The Response to Peter’s Sermon!

(37) Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”            (38) And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (39) For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” (40) And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”

(41) So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”

2:42-47 The 4 Key Practices of the New Testament Church!

(42) “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

[ (43) And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. ]

(44) And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

(45) And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

(46) And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, (47) praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

CHRISTOLOGY:

2:22 Jesus performed many miracles!

2:23-32 JESUS lived, died, was buried and raised from the dead!

2:23 Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection were foreordained by GOD!

2:33 JESUS baptizes HIS people with the HOLY SPIRIT!

Theological Note: While it is clear in 2:23 that GOD ordained the events of the death and resurrection of JESUS, those who crucified HIM are guilty of and accountable for what they did! Cf. 2:23, 36

2:47 It is the LORD JESUS WHO adds HIS people to HIS Church!

CONTEMPORARY APPLICATIONS:

#1. The HOLY SPIRIT comes “within” every believer at the moment of salvation! Cf. John 20:21-22

(21) “Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (22) And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Cf. Romans 8:9 “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”

#2. The HOLY SPIRIT comes “upon” believers to empower us for service!

Cf. Acts 1:8 “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

#3. GOD’s people ought to live faithful, dedicated, generous, and sacrificial lives!

Amen.

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ACTS ONE – A GREAT EVENT, A GREAT COMMISSION, AND A GREAT MISTAKE!

Posted on February 16, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

SERMON: Acts One “A Great Event, a Great Commission,  and a Great Mistake!”

CONTEXT:

Luke, the amanuensis of the Apostle Paul, gives the First Century history from the ascension of Christ to Paul’s arrival in Rome.

The events in Acts cover a timeline from the ascension of Jesus in about 32 AD to Paul’s arrival in Rome in 60 AD.

CONTENT:

This Chapter covers 4 great events that occurred upon and shortly after the ascension of Jesus to Heaven!

1:1-3 Luke’s Prologue to the Book.

1:4-8 The 5th explanation of The Great Commission!

Cf. Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Cf. Mark 16:15 “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”

Cf. Luke 24:45-48 “Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”

Cf. John 20:21 “Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

1:9-11 The ascension of our Great High Priest to Heaven!

1:12-26 The selection of Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot as one of “The Twelve.”

CHRISTOLOGY:

1:1 Jesus came to earth to both “do” and “teach” the will and work of HIS Father!

1:2, 9-11 Jesus was ascended bodily to Heaven!

1:3-8 Jesus commissioned HIS people to evangelize and make disciples throughout the whole world!

1:15-16 Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot!

CONTEMPORARY APPLICATIONS:

1:1 – 8 We have been both commissioned and commanded to share “The Good News” with the entire world!

(1) “In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, (2) until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. (3) He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. (4) And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; (5) for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

(6) So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (7) He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. (8) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

1:9 – 11 it is wonderful to spend time with Jesus, but we also need to be diligently involved in HIS Kingdom work!

(9) And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. (10) And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, (11) and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

1:12 – 14 It is vitally important that we spend time in prayer!

(12) Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. (13) And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. (14) All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

1:15 – 26 In times of great change, it is possible for the very best of GOD’s people to make really big mistakes!

(15) In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120 and said, (16) “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. (17) For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” (18) (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. (19) And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) (20) “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “Let another take his office.’         (21) So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, (22) beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us–one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” (23) And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. (24) And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who knows the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen

(25) to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” (26) And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”

Theological Note “Why do I believe that the selection of godly Matthias was a mistake?”

1. There are only 12 Apostles!

Revelation 21:14 “And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”

2. Paul was an Apostle!

1st Timothy 2:7 “For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle    (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.”

1st Corinthians 9:1-2 “Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.”

3. Since there are only 12 Apostles, and Paul is certainly an Apostle, Mathias cannot be an Apostle!

Amen!

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ACTS – BODY #2 TAKES OVER !!!

Posted on February 9, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

UNDERSTANDING ACTS – SERMON ONE: INTRODUCTION

(1:1-2) THE BOOK OF ACTS IS ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE STORY OF JESUS GOES ON AND ON BEYOND HIS DEATH, BEYOND HIS RESURRECTION, AND EVEN BEYOND HIS ASCENSION.!

Christ Jesus came to this world in a human body – Body #1

Since HIS ascension, Christ Jesus has ministered in this present world through HIS Church – Body #2

The overall theme of Acts is… “Body #2 Takes Over!”

(1:1a) Luke is the human Author of at least two, and possibly three New Testament Books: Luke, Acts, and likely, Hebrews.

“In the first book…” refers to The Gospel of Luke.                           

Luke was a Gentile (Col. 4:10-14)

(10) “Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions– if he comes to you, welcome him), (11) and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.                (12) Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. (13) For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. (14) Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.”

Luke was a Physician (Col. 4:14)

“Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.”

Luke got his apostolic authority from being the companion and the amanuensis of Paul!

Acts 16:10-17, 20:5-15, 21:1-8 and 27:1–28:16.

(1:1b) God often uses people of whom we know little to do great things in His Kingdom! “O Theophilus…”                             

His name means, “God-Lover”                                

“Theophilus” may have been a “nickname”           

He may have paid for the publication of Luke’s writings

(1:1c-2a) Luke states that the purpose of his gospel was to share the story of the beginning of Jesus’ work from His birth to His ascension!

“I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, (2) until the day when he was taken up…”

The Book of Acts takes up the story of Jesus’ life and work through His Holy Spirit-indwelt and Holy Spirit-filled Church from that day to until Paul’s arrival in Rome. (ca. 60 AD)

(1:2b) Luke restates the obvious when he says that the words of Jesus to His disciples are, “commands.”

“after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.”

Cf. Luke 6:46

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”

(1:3) THE BOOK OF ACTS IS ABOUT THE FACT THAT JESUS CHRIST IS ALIVE AND WELL AND WORKING IN THE WORLD!

(1:3) Jesus proved to the Apostles (and hundreds of others) that He was alive after His death!

“To them he presented himself alive after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.”         

Cf. 1st Corinthians 15:3-8

(3) “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,           (4) that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, (5) and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

(6) Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.               (7) Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. (8) Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.”

They saw Him! John 20:19-29

Jesus appears to the disciples in an upper room on a Sunday evening

The disciples were afraid of the Jewish leaders and locked themselves in the room

Jesus greets the disciples and shows them his hands and side

Jesus says, “I am sending you, just as the Father has sent me”

Luke 24:36-49

Jesus appears to the disciples and says, “Peace be with you”

The disciples are frightened and think they see a ghost

Jesus says, “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see”

John 21:1-17

Jesus appears to the disciples while they are fishing

Jesus provides them with breakfast, which includes fish and bread.

Jesus asks Simon Peter if he loves him more than the fish.

Jesus tells Simon Peter to feed his lambs and sheep.

They touched Him!

They ate with Him!                                                    

He performed miracles!                                       

Acts 1:9 He ascended into heaven!

“And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.”

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