Ministry involves preaching the Word and serving tables. The Apostles recruit some help in Acts 6 and outline the characteristics of who qualifies. We don’t turn to Exodus 18 in this sermon (but we did read it last Wednesday and looked at it again Sunday evening) but you might want to take a look. Jethro gave Moses wise advice in the wilderness after telling him “You cannot bear this burden alone.”
July 30, 2017
Ananias and Sapphira sold their property and brought some, but not all, of the proceeds to the Apostles. The sin was not in the sale or the donation but their motivation was wrong and according to Peter they “lied to the Holy Spirit.” You can fool all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can’t fool all the people all the time nor God any of the time at all. God loves a cheerful giver. When the widow gave her two mites God was more interested in why she gave than in what she gave.
July 16, 2017
Peter and John were sternly commanded not to to teach or preach any more in the name of Jesus. As soon as they are reunited with the other believers they pray for boldness and continue to teach and preach with even greater boldness than before. The Christian believers were all of one heart and mind, and had all things in common.
July 9. 2017
After Peter’s sermon at Solomon’s Portico (porch) Peter and John were brought before the council and entire family of the High Priest. They thought that crucifying Jesus put an end to their “Jesus problem” but in truth the Jesus movement was just getting started. The healed man stood with the accused, compelling evidence of the healing power of faith in Jesus.
Much of Acts 2 is Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost. After the healing of a lame beggar at the beginning of Acts 3, Peter preaches another sermon. He explains that the God of the Hebrews, the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, raised his servant Jesus. He quotes Moses in saying there will be a leader like him, and offers another invitation to believe in the one that can turn them away from all iniquities.
Click play below to listen to “Peter’s Sermon at Solomon’s Porch.”
Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost and the audience was “cut to the heart.” What happens next is recorded in Acts 2:37-47. Peter tells the crowd what they must do, essentially sharing the plan of salvation for the first time; it’s the first invitation to trust in the resurrection savior. 3,000 people were saved that day and then the church was added to daily. The Holy Spirit is still at work today, convicting of sin and drawing people to Jesus.
Due to an error on my part, the Father’s Day sermon was originally posted here a second time. By the time I noticed it was too late; the “Time of Response” sermon audio is gone forever. Read Acts 2 and if you like we can discuss it in the comments.
Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost is recorded in Acts 2:14-36. It is the first “Christian message” in that it’s the first time the death, burial and resurrection were proclaimed. Peter explains that God’s Spirit is being poured out on mankind as the prophets had said and that Jesus has been made Lord and Christ.
We have made it to Acts Chapter 2! The disciples remained in Jerusalem as instructed before the ascension and the Holy Spirit came as promised. We don’t have to wait for the Holy Spirit today but we do need to pay attention and take action when he leads.
Next week: Peter’s sermon beginning at verse 14.
Servant Leaders, a Memorial Day sermon. The skills of leadership are honed through service. Jesus said that even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve. (Matthew 20:28)
Click the play arrow above to listen to “Servant Leaders.” The video below is a slideshow featuring “Some Things are Worth Remembering” from one year ago.
I try hard not to preach the same sermon every year on any particular occasion. This year for Mother’s Day we looked at 3 biblical accounts of how mothers should be treated, by both children and grown children.
Unity Baptist Church 