Sermon Guide

GRACE & TRUTH: Acts 1-3
Commissioned, Empowered, and Unleashed
Pastor Steve Poole

TRUTH
The Church is COMMISSIONED to be the witness of Jesus Christ

  • 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.”
  • ACTS 2:22-24 – “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— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.”
  • ACTS 2:36-38 – “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 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?” 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.”

GRACE
The Church is EMPOWERED by the power of the Holy Spirit

  • ACTS 2:2-4 – “And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 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.”

TRUTH
The Church is UNLEASHED to advance God’s kingdom

  • MATTHEW 28:19-20 – “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.”

NEXT STEPS

1. Believe in Jesus Christ for salvation – Acts 2:38 – “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.”

2. Reflect on your spiritual gifts – How has God empowered you through the Holy Spirit?

3. How is God calling you to unleash those gifts to advance His kingdom?

 

Love. Belong. Serve.