Witnessing to Truth (Acts 21-Rom.13)

Acts 21

4 - Spirit initiated warning for Paul not to go to Jerusalem.

10,11 - Spirit led description of what was to happen to Paul.

13,14 - Paul’s willingness to face what was to come.

27-33 - Paul is taken by the Jews and beaten. Rescued by the Romans and given a chance to speak.

Acts 22

Paul’s testimony.

Acts 23

Paul before the council.

6-10 Starts an uproar by pitting Pharisee against Sadducee.

11 - “...But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, "Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also..."

12-22 Plot to kill Paul.

23-35 Paul is safely moved to Caesarea.

Acts 24

Paul defends himself before Felix.

Ends up in custody for 2 years.

Acts 25

Paul defends himself before Festus and appeals for a hearing before Caesar.

Acts 26

Paul defends himself before King Agrippa.

6 - “...And now I am standing trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers;...”

Again gives his testimony and his call.

16-18 “...'But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me...”

20 - What was Paul preaching? [repent, turn to God, perform deeds]

Acts 27

Travel by ship in stormy weather.

20 - all hope ...was gradually abandoned.

22 - Paul urges them to keep up their courage.

Difference between seeing things through the world’s eyes and seeing what God is doing.

44 - All were saved from the shipwreck.

Acts 28

3-6 Paul survives a snake bite.

7-9 Paul has a healing ministry on the island [God’s people bring blessing].

11-14 Paul finally arrives at Rome.

23 - “...When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening...”

30,31 - “...And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered...”

Romans 1

1 - Paul is “...set apart for the gospel...”

5 - “...to bring about the obedience of faith...”

16 - “...For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek...” Power for an ongoing salvation.

18-20 Not seeing God is a result of intentional suppression of truth.

21-25 Truth and glory of God is exchanged for a lie.

26-32 Depravity and all ungodliness are the result of not acknowledging God (He gives up and gives over).

32 - “...and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them...”

Romans 2

5-10 “...But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each person according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek...”

13 - “...for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified...”

16 - “...God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus...” Praise the Lord.

29 - “...But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God...”

Romans 3

20 - “...because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin...”

23 - “...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,...”

28 - “...For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law...” Justified by faith, but created for good works. 2:13 doers will be justified.

Romans 4

1-16 Uses Abraham as an example of justification by faith.

17 - “...(as it is written, "A father of many nations have I made you") in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist...”

Romans 5

1,2 - “...Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God...” Faith justification is the introduction (NASB), or access (ESV/NIV) into God’s grace. It’s only the beginning.

3-5 Tribulation brings perseverance, brings character, brings hope, which doesn’t disappoint.

6 - “...For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly...” Will His triumphant return be at the right time?

14 - “...Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come...” Didn’t death reign from Moses to Christ? Did the sacrificial law provide victory?

18-21 - “...So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord...” Note that this discussion is about justification of life.

Romans 6

6,7 - Do you feel like you’re free from sin?

11-13 What is God’s part and what is our part?

14 - “...For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace...” Hooray!!

18 - “...and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness...” Can you live without a master?

22 - Progression from sin, to freedom from sin, to sanctification, to eternal life.

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

Romans 7

11 - Sin deceives, and kills

18 - “...For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not...” Matt.26:41, Mark 14:38 watch and pray or you’ll deny and betray.

14-25 The struggle of life.

Romans 8

3 - “...For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,...”

4-8 “...so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God...”

13 - “...for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live...” How is this accomplished? [by the Spirit]

25 - “...But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it...” What is the hope [deliverance from bondage] [deliverance from sin] We must persevere through this process.

26-39 The Spirit helps, all things work together for good, conformation is happening, we can’t be separated from God’s love.

Romans 9

8 - “...That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants...”

16 - “...So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy...”

18 - “...So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires...” Can God do this?

28 - “...For the Lord will execute His word on the earth , thoroughly and quickly...”

32 - faith, not works, leads to justification. Works are the evidence that justification has been received and salvation is in process.

Romans 10

2 - “...For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge...”

9 - “...that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;...” What confessed and what believed? [The resurrection, the defeat of death]

17 - “...So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ...”

Romans 11

5 - “...In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice...”

18-22 “...the root supports you ...you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear ...behold, the kindness and severity of God...”

25 - “...For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery - so that you will not be wise in your own estimation - that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;...”

29 - “...the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable...”

33 - “...Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!...”

Romans 12

Having set the stage with Christ as the justifier and God’s intentions as irrevocable, Paul now expounds upon ‘our part’

2 - “...And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect...”

9 - “...Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good...”

10 - “...Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;...”

16 - “...Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation...”

21 - “...Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good...” No neutral ground or passivity.

Romans 13

Proper response to authority.

6 - pay taxes.

8,9 Owe nothing but love. Love your neighbor as yourself.

11 - “...Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed...” Belief and salvation not equal.

14 - “...But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts...”

Empowered (Acts 1-20)

Acts 1

4 - “...Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me;...” Remember in John 20:22 He breathed on them. Now He tells them to wait. It’s a process.

6 - The disciples are looking for the restoration of the Kingdom of Israel.

7,8 - The Father has a plan, and His plan includes Holy Spirit empowered witnesses.

11 - Jesus will come again.

14 - Continually in prayer. What do you suppose was the focus of their prayer? [God’s intentions for them]

20-26 Matthias fills the position left vacant by Judas.

Acts 2

1-13 Filled with the Holy Spirit. Given the language to touch the world around them.

14-36 Peter’s sermon.

37-47 The ingathering.

37 - The world asks “What shall we do?”

38 - The answer is to Repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Spirit.

40 - Be saved from this perverse generation.

47 - Adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 3

6 - “...But Peter said, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!.." Do we possess the wrong stuff?

12 - Peter doesn’t play the power or piety game.

16 - Focus put on the name of Jesus.

19 - “...Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;...”

26 - Purpose of Christ? To turn everyone from their wicked ways. ****

Acts 4

1-7 Peter and John on trial for healing the lame beggar. Who is trying them? [v.1 Religious leaders]

12 - “...And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved..." This will put you at odds with religion, which doesn’t want you speaking or freeing people from their bondage.

29,30 - “...And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus..."

32-36 Ownership becomes stewardship and “...there was not a needy person among them...”

Acts 5

1-10 Ananias and Sapphira are deceitful and die.

11-16 The sick and afflicted are healed.

17-25 Prison can’t hold them.

29 - “...But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men...”

32 - “...And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him..." Who gets the Holy Spirit? [the obedient]

42 - “...And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ...”

Acts 6

1-6 Stephen is one of seven men appointed to ... care for the widows.

9-15 He gets dragged away to stand before the council.

Acts 7

1-53 Stephen’s defense? Old Testament history.

54 - “...Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him...” Why wasn’t this received well? Do we ever gnash our teeth at the truth?

55-60 Stephen gets a glimpse of heaven and is stoned to death. Why? For serving widows? No. He was doing. He was liberating people from the bondage of their boxes. 6:8 “...And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people...”

Acts 8

1-3 Persecution begins in earnest.

14-16 “...Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus...” Two parts?

25-40 Philip ministers to the Ethiopian, then catches ‘Spirit airlines’ to Azotus and Caesarea.

Acts 9

1-19 The road to Damascus is a life changer for Saul. God interacts!

15 - “...But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;...”

23 - The Jews plot to do away with him.

26 - The disciples were afraid to associate with him.

31 - “...So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase...”

32-43 Man paralyzed 8 years is healed. Tabitha raised from the dead.

Acts 10

15 - “...Again a voice came to him a second time, "What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy..."

34,35 - “...Opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him...” Who is welcomed by God?

45 - “...All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also...”

Acts 11

1-18 Peter explains to the apostles and brethren what God was doing. Which was? 18 - “...When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, "Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life..." Repentance leads to life.

26 - “...and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch...”

Acts 12

James is killed.

Peter is imprisoned.

An angel frees Peter.

Proud Herod is struck by an angel and eaten by worms.

Acts 13

2 - “...While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them...” What were they doing? [ministering, fasting] What was the result? [call].

16-43 Paul’s message to Antioch. A quick recap of Old Testament history, the execution of Jesus, and His resurrection.

49 - “...And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region...”

52 - “...And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit...”

Acts 14

1-4 The people of Iconium were divided - some siding with the Jews, some with the apostles.

6-11 The people of Lycoania witness a miraculous healing of a paralytic.

19 - “...But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead...”

Acts 15

1-12 Discussions about circumcision. Peter professes that salvation is by the grace of the Lord.

20,29 It’s decided that idols, fornication, and blood are the major things to be avoided. Ceremonial or Moral?

Acts 16

6-13 Paul is guided by the Spirit.

14-21 Paul casts the spirit of divination out of a slave girl.

22-29 Paul and Silas are thrown into prison. They have a prayer meeting and hymn sing. The jail is rocked. All the chains fall off.

31-33 The jailer is converted

Acts 17

Visit to Thessaalonica.

Jews stir up a mob.

Off to Berea, where people were eagerly searching the scriptures.

The Jews follow, agitating and stirring up trouble.

16-21 Athens is full of talkers. 21 - “... (Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.)...” Which box?

22-34 Paul effectively reaches some with the good news.

Acts 18

Paul in Corinth. Tent making. Reasoning. Devoting himself to the Word. Finding resistance.

9 - “...And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent;...”

Taught for 1 ½ years, then off again.

Apollos is mighty in the scriptures. Fervent in spirit. Teaching accurately. Speaking boldly.

Acts 19

1-10 Paul lays hands on those who had received only the baptism of John. The Holy Spirit came on them.

11-16 Seven sons of Sceva get overpowered by an evil spirit.

17-20 Many turn from their wicked practices. The word of the Lord prevails.

23-29 The silversmiths lobby for their livelihood.

Acts 20

7-12 Paul speaks til midnight. Eutychus falls from the third floor window and is dead. Paul embraces him and the boy lives.

21 - “...solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ...”

27 - “...For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God...” What did it get him? [stoned,beaten]

29-32 Warns of perversions, be alert.

32 - “...And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified...” The Word is important.

Truly the Son of God (John 7-21)

John 7

7 - “...The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil...” Why did the world hate Jesus?

15 - “...The Jews then were astonished, saying, "How has this man become learned, having never been educated?.." Education that is well beyond the world’s academia.

18 - “...He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him...” Remember this.

24 - “...Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment...” Is judging okay?

38 - “...He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water..." What does this mean?

32-52 Great confusion about who this Jesus was.

John 8

7 - “...But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her..." Judgment or mercy toward others?

11 - “...She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more..." Sin is not ignored. It matters what we do.

12 - “...Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life..." Do we walk in darkness or light?

29 - “...And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him..." Good idea?

31,32 - True disciples ‘continue in My word’ which leads to knowing, which leads to freedom. From what? [Sin: 8:34]

42-47 God the Father or the devil as father. No neutral ground. Jesus claims the Jewish leaders do the devil’s work.

John 9

1-12 Man blind from birth receives sight ”...that the works of God might be displayed in him...”

13-34 Religious leaders get hung up on the things most foundational to their ‘system’. In this case, they can’t see the glory because of extreme focus on sabbath rules.

39 - Jesus brings sight, and takes away sight.

John 10

8,9 - “... All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture...” All? Will be saved vs are saved!

16 - “...I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd...” Beware of exclusivity! One shepherd with one flock from many different sheep.

27,28 - “...My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand...”

John 11

1-16 Jesus tarries as Lazarus dies, setting up another ‘God gets the glory’ situation.

40 - “...Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?...” God can reverse decay - it’s never too late.

48 - “...If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation..." With what were the chief priests and Pharisees concerned? [our place and our nation]. And with what are we concerned?

53 - “...So from that day on they planned together to kill Him...” Improper concern leads to plotting against God.

John 12

4-6 Religious words spouted by a common thief.

10 - “...But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also;...” Unbelievably dark and perverted.

19 - “...So the Pharisees said to one another, "You see that you are not doing any good; look, the world has gone after Him..." Does zealous religion still get upset when people prefer Christ?

25 - “...He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal...” What does this look like?

44-46 Belief leads to light, leads to no more stumbling around.

John 13

1-20 Foot washing. Jesus makes people clean. Disciples ought to do the same thing.

21-30 Satan enters Judas.

34 - “...A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another...” Why? 35 - “...By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another..."

John 14

6 - “...Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me...”

12 - “...Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father...” Expectation?

15 - “...If you love Me, you will keep My commandments...” Expectations?

16-31 Promised Holy Spirit will teach all things.

- keeping commandments indicates love and leads to seeing.

- love/keep leads to abiding presence.

John 15

1-17 Abiding. Only way to accomplish anything. Bearing fruit proves discipleship.

John 16

1-4 Does following Christ still put one at odds with religious establishments?

8 - “...And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;...”

13 - “...But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come...”

22-24 Is your joy full, or taken away?

33 - “...These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world..." Which is prominent in our lives?

John 17

3 - “...This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent...”

15-18 “...I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. "As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world...” Protected from the evil being, set apart by God’s truth, in the world.

20-26 Jesus prays for the unity of future believers. Us?

John 18

12-24 Jesus questioned about His disciples and His teaching.

25-27 Peter’s denial.

28-37 Jesus before Pilate, claims that His kingdom is not of this world.

John 19

Jesus handed over for crucifixion. Prophesy fulfilled. Placed in the tomb.

John 20

The empty tomb. The risen Lord. Behind locked doors.

22 - “...And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit...”

31 - “...but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name...”

John 21

Appears to disciples.

Restoration and commissioning of Peter.