End of the Beginning
Acts 28:1-31
 
I. Intro
Big Idea: We can live out the unhindered gospel because God is in control.
 
II. Hospitality
A. Jesus took Paul’s punishment upon Him at the cross. Acts 28:1-6
B. Paul was willing to receive hospitality and help. Acts 28:7-10
 
III. Intentional
A. Paul knew he had nothing to fear. Acts 28:11; 1 Corinthians 5:9-10
B. Paul wasn’t a flight risk. Acts 28:12-16
 
IV. Passion
A. People attempt to thwart the gospel as it stands in contrast to their values. Acts 28:17-22
B. God uses people who believe. Acts 28:23-28
 
V. Unhindered
A. Abide in grace. Acts 28:30
B. Nothing stops the gospel. Acts 1:8; 28:31

​Storms
Acts 27:1-44
 
I. Intro
Big Idea: Jesus is greater than our storms.
 
II. Wisdom
A. The Christian life is hard. John 13:34-35; Acts 27:1-8
B. Paul used commonsense. Acts 27:9-12; 2 Corinthians 11:25
 
III. The Storm
A. The storm brought them in touch with reality. Acts 27:13-20
B. God erodes our self-confidence to remind us of His faithfulness. Acts 27:21-25
 
IV. Wrecked
A. They had to stay on board to be saved. Acts 27:27-32; 1 John 2:19
B. It wasnt just the religious who gained courage as they broke bread. Acts 27:33-38
 
V. Daylight
A. Faith means trusting God in every moment. Acts 27:39-41; 28:1; Philippians 1:6
B. Seeking Christ amid storms leads to others seeing Him. Mark 4:38-41; Acts 27:42-44

Story
Acts 26:1-32
 
I. Intro
Big Idea: God desires to change lives completely.
 
II. Death
A. Paul considered himself fortunate. Acts 26:1-8
B. We’re all stillborn. Acts 26:9-13; Ephesians 2:1-5
 
III. Rescue
A. We resist the One who loves us. Acts 26:12-15
B. God first loved us. Acts 26:16-18; 1 John 4:19
 
IV. Awake
A. Christ causes us to wake up. Acts 26:19-20
B. Salvation in Christ is for everyone! Acts 26:21-24; 1 Corinthians 1:18
 
V. Believe
A. Be a witness. Acts 26:25-27; 1 Corinthians 15:6
B. Know the joy of being an ambassador of the gospel. Acts 26:28-32

Trials
Acts 25:1-27
 
I. Intro
A. Big Idea: Christ is our Judge. Acts 9:15-16; 1 Corinthians 4:2-4
 
II. New on the Job
A. Festus was decisive (at least at first). Acts 25:1-5
B. Jesus wins. Acts 25:6-7
 
III. Defense
A. The pressures of Festus’ job got to him. Acts 25:8-9
B. Paul wasn’t avoiding trouble. Acts 23:11; 25:10-12
 
IV. Resurrection
A. Paul’s fate was sealed. Exodus 20:13; John 8:44; Acts 25:13-15
B. The crucifixion and resurrection show God cares and has a plan to deliver us. Acts 25:16-22
 
V. Deserving Death
A. Experience Christ’s glory. Acts 25:23-24; Romans 5:8
B. We can persevere. Acts 25:25-27

Clear
Acts 23:11; 24:1-26
 
I. Intro.
Big Idea: A clear conscience leads to seeing God. Acts 23:11
 
II. Charges
A. Anyone can rationalize anything. Acts 24:1-3
B. Tertullus wasn’t interested in the truth. Acts 24:4-9
 
 
III. Resurrection
A. Paul’s opponents were also hoping for the resurrection? Acts 24:10-16
B. If the resurrection is true, that means we’re all accountable to God. Acts 24:17-21
 
IV. Acquainted
A. Felix knew all about Christianity, but he didn’t know Christ. Acts 24:22-23
B. They could’ve missed the cost of salvation, and what it means to be saved! Acts
24:24-25
 
V. Priorities
A. Don’t wait. Acts 24:25; 2 Corinthians 6:2
B. Be found in God’s favor. Acts 24:26-27

Overcome
Acts 22:1-30
 
I. Intro
Big Idea: In Christ we can exchange fear for hope.
 
II. Background
A. Paul already considered himself dead. Acts 20; 21:23-24; Romans 8:36
B. Paul was a peacemaker but ended up starting another riot. Acts 21:26-36
 
III. Fear and Hope
A. In fear we generally have three choices: fight, flight, or freeze. Acts 21:40; 22:1-2
B. We never talk ourselves out of fear, but Jesus’ calls us into hope. Acts 22:3- 21
 
IV. Citizenship
A. Why fear when your citizenship is secure? Acts 22:22-28; Ephesians 3:20
B. Paul’s citizenship in heaven drove him beyond his fears. Acts 22:29; Colossians 3:2; 1 John 4:18
 
V. Stand
A. Have fellowship with our Savior. Acts 22:33; Hebrews 12:1-3; 1 Peter 3:18
B. Be prepared. 1 Peter 3:15-16

Commitment
Acts 20:13-37
 
I. Intro
Big Idea: True community comes through commitment and sacrifice.
 
II. Greatly Comforted
A. Christian unity is community on purpose. John 3:16; Acts 20:1-6
B. The gospel calls us to wake up! Acts 20:7-12
 
III. Compelled
A. Commitment within community starts with leadership. Acts 20:16-21; 1
Thessalonians 2:8
B. Paul’s commitment reflected the reality of the gospel. Ecclesiastes 1:2; Acts 20:22-24
 
IV. Sanctified
A Unless unity is grounded in truth no one will be set free. Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4; John 17:17; Acts 20:25; Galatians 5:23
B. In Christ we can learn to trust. Acts 20:28-31
 
V. Accompanied
A Spending ourselves leads to relational riches. Acts 20:35
B. Take hold of that which first took hold of you in Christ. Acts 20:36-37; Philippians 3:12-14

Unstoppable
Acts 19:1-41
 
I. Intro
Big Idea: The gospel is unstoppable. Acts 18:1-11
 
II. More Adequate
A. Apollos believed in Jesus but was missing critical information about how He saves. Acts 18:19-25
 
B. Priscilla and Aquila spoke up because the gospel was at stake. Acts 18:26-28
 
III. Hadn’t Heard
A. Somehow the Ephesians’ faith seemed incomplete. Acts 19:1-3
B. Luke underlines the difference between “try harder” Christianity and trusting Christ. Acts 1:8; 19:4-7; Colossians 3:5, 10
 
IV. Good News Travels
A. There’s only one way to enter God’s kingdom. John 14:6; Acts 19:8-9a
B. The people who received the gospel couldn’t keep it to themselves. Acts 19:9b-10
 
V. Positive Troubles
A. The gospel makes a continual difference in our lives. Acts 19:17-20
B. Dead ends can lead to new life in Christ. Acts 19:24-28, 32