Power and Witness - (A Series of Sermons on the book of Acts)

357 Pages·2011·1.36 MB·English

by  Pastor Bill Johnson

Power and Witness
(A Series of Sermons on the book of Acts)
Pastor Bill Johnson
Power and Witness: (A Series of Sermons on the book of Acts)
Pastor Bill Johnson
Copyright © 2010 William E. Johnson
Table of Contents
Preface ............................................................................................................................. x
1. Why Acts? .................................................................................................................... 1
Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1
It tells us what the early church did. .............................................................................. 2
It is an exciting book! ................................................................................................. 2
It encourages us to labor on while we await His return. ..................................................... 3
It demonstrates the power that the early church had, and that we should have today. ................ 4
Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 4
2. Waiting for the Promise ................................................................................................... 6
Introduction ............................................................................................................... 6
The Proof .................................................................................................................. 6
The Promise .............................................................................................................. 7
The Departure ............................................................................................................ 9
The Waiting ............................................................................................................. 10
Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 10
3. Numbered With The Eleven ............................................................................................ 12
Introduction ............................................................................................................. 12
There was a vacancy that needed filled. ........................................................................ 12
There was a reason for the vacancy. ............................................................................. 15
Only the Lord could fill the vacancy. ........................................................................... 15
Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 16
4. The Importance of Being Together ................................................................................... 18
Introduction ............................................................................................................. 18
They were ALL ........................................................................................................ 19
With ONE ACCORD ................................................................................................ 20
in ONE PLACE ....................................................................................................... 22
Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 23
5. What Happened In That Room? ....................................................................................... 25
Introduction ............................................................................................................. 25
They were baptized in the Holy Ghost. ......................................................................... 25
They were filled with the Spirit. .................................................................................. 26
They spoke in tongues. .............................................................................................. 27
They went soul winning ............................................................................................. 28
Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 29
6. A Perfect Church? ......................................................................................................... 30
Introduction ............................................................................................................. 30
They continued in the apostles' doctrine... ..................................................................... 32
... and fellowship... .................................................................................................... 34
... and breaking of bread... .......................................................................................... 35
... and prayers. ......................................................................................................... 35
Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 36
7. What Are You Lookin' At? ............................................................................................. 38
Introduction ............................................................................................................. 38
The Miracle ............................................................................................................. 38
The Meaning ............................................................................................................ 40
The Message ............................................................................................................ 42
Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 44
8. The Only Name ............................................................................................................ 46
Introduction ............................................................................................................. 46
By what name (vs. 7) ................................................................................................ 47
By the name of Jesus (vs. 10) ..................................................................................... 48
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Power and Witness
Stop using that name (vs. 18)) .................................................................................... 49
We can't stop using that name (vss. 19-20) .................................................................... 50
It is the only name (vs. 12) ........................................................................................ 50
Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 52
9. Ananias and Sapphira .................................................................................................... 53
Introduction ............................................................................................................. 53
A and S forgot that ALL sin is against God. .................................................................. 55
A and S did not take the unity of the church seriously enough. .......................................... 55
A and S did not care enough about the needs of their brothers and sisters. ............................ 56
Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 57
Invitation ................................................................................................................. 58
10. The Wisdom of Gamaliel .............................................................................................. 59
Introduction ............................................................................................................. 59
Suffering for Christ is Part of the Bargain. .................................................................... 59
Witnessing for Christ is Always Our Task. .................................................................... 60
Rejection of Christ is Often the Response. .................................................................... 61
Neutrality Toward Christ is Never Acceptable. ............................................................... 62
CONCLUSION - Victory in Christ is Already Ours. ....................................................... 62
11. Growing Pains ............................................................................................................ 65
Introduction ............................................................................................................. 65
There arose a complaint ............................................................................................. 65
It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God. .................................................. 67
Seek out from among you seven men. .......................................................................... 69
CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................ 70
Invitation ................................................................................................................. 70
12. Stephen ...................................................................................................................... 72
Introduction ............................................................................................................. 72
Stephen Lived What He Advertised. ............................................................................. 73
Stephen Showed Us How A Christian Dies. ................................................................... 74
Stephen Was Christlike To The End ............................................................................ 76
Stephen Witnessed Even In Death. ............................................................................... 76
CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................ 78
13. The Samaritans and the Sorcerer .................................................................................... 79
Introduction ............................................................................................................. 79
First, let's consider this passage HISTORICALLY. ......................................................... 79
Second, let's consider it THEOLOGICALLY. ................................................................ 81
Third, let's consider it PRACTICALLY. ....................................................................... 82
CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................ 84
14. What Hinders Me? ....................................................................................................... 86
Introduction ............................................................................................................. 86
We could talk about Baptism ...................................................................................... 86
We could talk talk about witnessing ............................................................................. 87
We could talk about the Bible ..................................................................................... 88
CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................ 90
15. The Conversion of Saul of Tarsus .................................................................................. 92
Introduction ............................................................................................................. 92
A light shown around him from heaven... ...................................................................... 93
Why are you persecuting Me? ..................................................................................... 94
It is hard for you to kick against the goads. ................................................................... 95
Lord, what do you want me to do? .............................................................................. 96
CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................ 97
16. The Obedience of Saul of Tarsus ................................................................................... 99
Introduction ............................................................................................................. 99
He Got Up .............................................................................................................. 99
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Power and Witness
He Prayed .............................................................................................................. 100
He Was Immersed ................................................................................................... 101
He Hung With The Disciples .................................................................................... 102
He Witnessed ......................................................................................................... 103
He Grew ................................................................................................................ 104
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 105
17. Saul and his Brothers ................................................................................................. 106
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 106
ANANIAS - the RECEPTIVE or ACCEPTING brother ................................................. 107
BARNABUS - the ENCOURAGING brother. .............................................................. 109
NAMELESS BRETHREN - the PROTECTING brothers. ............................................... 110
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 111
18. As Peter Travelled ..................................................................................................... 112
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 112
God used Peter to spread the Gospel. .......................................................................... 112
God used miracles to spread the Gospel. ..................................................................... 113
God used somebody who was busy to spread the Gospel. ............................................... 114
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 116
19. Religiously Lost ........................................................................................................ 117
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 117
Cornelius was Influential .......................................................................................... 117
Cornelius was Devout .............................................................................................. 118
Cornelius Cared About His Family ............................................................................. 118
Cornelius Cared About the Poor ................................................................................ 119
Cornelius Was a Man of Prayer ................................................................................. 120
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 120
20. All People, Everywhere! ............................................................................................. 122
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 122
The Historical / Ecclesiological Perspective ................................................................. 122
The Personal (Peter's) Perspective .............................................................................. 124
A Question To Ponder ............................................................................................. 126
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 127
21. Pleasant Surprises ...................................................................................................... 129
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 129
Change is hard. ....................................................................................................... 130
Change is possible... and needed. ............................................................................... 131
We know what things SHOULD change because of the things that NEVER change! ............. 132
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 133
22. Lessons From Antioch ................................................................................................ 134
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 134
A couple lessons from the church, itself. ..................................................................... 134
Lessons from Barnabus ............................................................................................ 135
A Lesson From The Evangelists ................................................................................ 139
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 140
23. My Chains Are Gone ................................................................................................. 141
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 141
Senseless harassment by Herod .................................................................................. 141
Miraculous deliverance of Peter ................................................................................. 142
Powerful prayer meeting at Mary's house .................................................................... 145
Disastrous arrogance of Herod ................................................................................... 146
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 147
24. Growing, Busy, Listening, and Sending ......................................................................... 148
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 148
It was a growing church. .......................................................................................... 148
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Power and Witness
It was a busy church. ............................................................................................... 149
It was a listening church. .......................................................................................... 151
It was a sending church ............................................................................................ 152
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 152
25. Five Men on an Island ................................................................................................ 154
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 154
Barnabas ................................................................................................................ 155
Bar-jesus / Elymas ................................................................................................... 155
Sergius Paulus ........................................................................................................ 157
Saul / Paul ............................................................................................................. 158
John Mark ............................................................................................................. 159
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 159
26. A Primer in Getting the Job Done ................................................................................. 160
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 160
Thoughts from the PREACHING. .............................................................................. 160
Thoughts from the PREACHER. ................................................................................ 163
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 166
27. Appointed to Eternal Life? .......................................................................................... 167
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 167
An overview - What did Calvin and Arminius teach about salvation? ................................ 168
A clarification - What does the Bible teach about salvation? ............................................ 171
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 172
28. "So" and "Therefore" .................................................................................................. 174
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 174
SO... ..................................................................................................................... 174
THEREFORE... ...................................................................................................... 178
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 180
29. Something is Missing in Lystra .................................................................................... 182
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 182
They put their eyes on the messenger, rather than putting their ears to the message. .............. 184
They were initially attracted to the excitement that accompanied the message, but when the
excitement faded, so did their interest. ........................................................................ 185
They were willing to add Christianity to their lives, but not willing to be fundamentally
changed by Christianity. ........................................................................................... 185
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 187
30. OK... So We Got Them Saved... Now What? .................................................................. 189
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 189
They organized the churches ..................................................................................... 191
They explained the realities of the faith ....................................................................... 191
They strengthened the souls of the disciples ................................................................. 192
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 194
31. The Jerusalem Council ................................................................................................ 195
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 195
Because people can be wrong. ................................................................................... 195
Because some truth is worth fighting for. .................................................................... 196
Because there is a right way to administer the local church. ............................................ 198
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 199
32. The Jerusalem Council - Part 2 .................................................................................... 201
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 201
What did they DO? ................................................................................................. 201
What did they DECIDE? .......................................................................................... 203
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 205
33. What Cost, Surrender? ................................................................................................ 207
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 207
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Power and Witness
Surrender Number One - To God ............................................................................... 207
Surrender Number Two - To Defeat and Hardship ........................................................ 209
Surrender Number Three - To God ............................................................................ 212
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 212
34. Round Two ............................................................................................................... 214
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 214
The makeup of the team was different. ....................................................................... 214
Their source of power had not changed. ...................................................................... 216
The goal and expected result had not changed. ............................................................. 217
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 219
35. Some Thoughts on the Macedonian Call ........................................................................ 220
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 220
God leads those who are busy. .................................................................................. 221
Sometimes God's leading feels bad. ............................................................................ 222
When God leads, there is only one right response. ......................................................... 223
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 223
36. A Glimpse Into the Soul of a Hero ............................................................................... 225
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 225
Patience With The Lost Among Men .......................................................................... 225
Trust In The Sovereignty Of God .............................................................................. 227
Concern For the Lost, Even Those Who Hurt Him ........................................................ 227
Care For The Church Of God .................................................................................... 228
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 229
37. Turning Your World Upside Down ............................................................................... 231
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 231
They PURPOSED ................................................................................................... 232
They PLODDED ..................................................................................................... 233
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 236
38. The Challenge of the Berean Christians ......................................................................... 238
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 238
They RECEIVED the Word. ..................................................................................... 239
They SEARCHED the Scriptures. .............................................................................. 240
They searched the Scriptures DAILY. ......................................................................... 241
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 242
39. With Paul in Athens ................................................................................................... 243
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 243
Paul was willing to go it alone. ................................................................................. 243
Paul wasted no opportunity to reach the lost world around him. ....................................... 244
Paul was affected by the lost world around him. ........................................................... 245
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 247
40. Next Stop - Corinth .................................................................................................... 249
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 249
The gospel works everywhere it is tried. ..................................................................... 250
Sometimes we need to make tents. ............................................................................. 251
Even great Christians get down. ................................................................................. 252
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 254
41. Apollos .................................................................................................................... 255
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 255
Apollos was willing to share what little he knew. .......................................................... 257
Apollos was willing to learn what he did not know. ....................................................... 258
Conclusion: ............................................................................................................ 258
42. Parking at Ephesus ..................................................................................................... 260
Introduction .......................................................................................................... 260
Parking Space # 1 - Confused People ........................................................................ 260
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Power and Witness
Parking Space # 2 - Hypocritical People .................................................................... 263
Parking Space # 3 - Repentant People ........................................................................ 264
Conclusion: ........................................................................................................... 265
43. Rioting in the Streets .................................................................................................. 266
INTRODUCTION: ................................................................................................. 266
PAUL'S MESSAGE WAS WORKING. ..................................................................... 266
PAUL'S VISION WAS BIG .................................................................................... 268
PAUL'S ENEMIES TESTIFIED ON HIS BEHALF! .................................................... 270
CONCLUSION: ..................................................................................................... 271
44. Going to Church with Paul .......................................................................................... 272
INTRODUCTION: ................................................................................................. 272
SUNDAY WAS THE DAY ..................................................................................... 273
PREACHING WAS THE WAY ............................................................................... 274
He must have been pretty good at it. ......................................................................... 275
People sleep through the best of sermons. ................................................................... 275
He must have had something to say. .......................................................................... 276
BREAKING BREAD TOOK PLACE ........................................................................ 276
THEY TALKED THINGS OVER FACE TO FACE .................................................... 277
CONCLUSION: ..................................................................................................... 278
45. The Measure of a Ministry .......................................................................................... 279
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 279
How He Lived ........................................................................................................ 279
What He Taught ..................................................................................................... 282
Conclusion: ............................................................................................................ 284
46. Expectations of Elders ................................................................................................ 285
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 285
Eldership must be first, a personal walk with God. ........................................................ 286
Eldership Includes Leadership. .................................................................................. 287
Eldership Includes Shepherding. ................................................................................ 288
Eldership Requires Perspective .................................................................................. 288
Eldership Demands Vigilence. ................................................................................... 289
Conclusion: ............................................................................................................ 290
47. Jerusalem? ................................................................................................................ 291
INTRODUCTION: ................................................................................................. 291
James and his Elders .............................................................................................. 292
Phillip and his Daughters ........................................................................................ 293
Paul and his Prophets ............................................................................................. 295
CONCLUSION: ..................................................................................................... 295
48. The Power of a Testimony .......................................................................................... 297
INTRODUCTION: ................................................................................................. 297
PAUL'S TESTIMONY - I WAS JUST LIKE YOU ...................................................... 297
PAUL'S TESTIMONY - BUT THEN I MET JESUS .................................................... 298
PAUL'S TESTIMONY - I AM DIFFERENT NOW ...................................................... 299
YOU AND I HAVE THE SAME TESTIMONY .......................................................... 300
You need to be able to articulate it - BECAUSE IT IS POWERFUL. ............................... 300
You need to be able to articulate your testimony - BECAUSE IT IS OUR FOCUS. ............. 301
You need to be albe to articulate your testimony - BECAUSE WE ARE COMMANDED
TO. ....................................................................................................................... 301
CONCLUSION: ..................................................................................................... 301
49. Not Done With You yet, Paul ...................................................................................... 303
INTRODUCTION: ................................................................................................. 303
Paul tried, again, to witness to them. ................................................................. 304
Paul reviled the High Priest (vs. 3) .................................................................... 304
Paul pitted the Pharisees against the Sadducees. (vs. 6) ......................................... 304
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Power and Witness
The rioting and arguing began again, and the Roman commander once again had to
pull Paul away. ............................................................................................... 305
THE LORD STOOD BY HIM ................................................................................. 305
YOU HAVE TESTIFIED IN JERUSALEM ............................................................... 306
YOU MUST ALSO... IN ROME .............................................................................. 307
CONCLUSION: ..................................................................................................... 308
50. Things God Uses ....................................................................................................... 309
Introduction: ........................................................................................................... 309
Ordinary People ...................................................................................................... 309
Paul's Testimony. .................................................................................................... 312
His Matchless Power! .............................................................................................. 313
Conclusion: ............................................................................................................ 314
Invitation: .............................................................................................................. 314
51. Reasons, or Excuses? .................................................................................................. 316
Introduction: ........................................................................................................... 316
The Reasons of Paul ................................................................................................ 317
The "Reasons" of Felix and Drusilla. .......................................................................... 321
Conclusion: ............................................................................................................ 322
52. Festus ...................................................................................................................... 324
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 324
FACT # 1 - The Bible Is A Reliable Document. ........................................................... 325
FACT # 2 - The Best Of Men Are Unreliable. .............................................................. 327
FACT # 3 - We Can Always Rely On God. ................................................................. 327
Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 328
53. Almost Persuaded ....................................................................................................... 330
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 330
Festus .................................................................................................................... 331
Bernice .................................................................................................................. 331
Agrippa ................................................................................................................. 332
Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 334
54. Bon Voyage .............................................................................................................. 336
Introduction: ........................................................................................................... 336
When the south wind blew softly. ( vs. 13 ) ................................................................. 336
All hope was given up. ( vs. 20 ) ............................................................................... 337
God got them through it. .......................................................................................... 338
Conclusion: ............................................................................................................ 340
55. The Final Chapter ...................................................................................................... 341
Introduction: ........................................................................................................... 341
We learn that when God starts to do something, He finishes it. ........................................ 341
We learn still more about Paul .................................................................................. 342
We are reminded, once again, of the theme of the book of Acts. ...................................... 344
We are reminded, one last time, of the star of the book of Acts. ....................................... 345
Conclusion: ............................................................................................................ 346
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Preface
This series of sermons was preached on Sunday Mornings in 2010 and 2011, at the Friendship Bible Church
in Randolph, Ohio. Each chapter, for the most part, contains an individual sermon, just as it was preached.
The series title was obtained from the key verse in Acts - But you shall receive POWER after that the
Holy Ghost is come upon you, and you shall be WITNESSes unto me, both in Jerusalem, and Judea, and
Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.
The author has attempted to ensure that due credit is given for all citations contained herein. However, if
something was missed, please contact the author at:
Pastor Bill Johnson
P.O. Box 341
Randolph, OH
44265

<[email protected]>
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