The Biggest Story: “Stephen Before the Council”

The Biggest Story: “Called to Confess through Conflict”

I. Conversion (Acts 9:1-19) • Acts 9:15–16; Acts 1:8 II. Proclamation (Acts 9:19-22) 1. Jesus is Lord • Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Philippians 2:9–11 2. Jesus is the Son of God. (His divinity) • John 1:1–3; Colossians 1:15–17; Colossians 2:9 3. Jesus is the Christ. (Messiah) 4. The Gospel Message • 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; 2 Corinthians 11:24–28 III. Speaking through Trials (Acts 9:23-31) Trial 1 - People not believing he had changed Trial 2 - Persecution from Jews • Matthew 5:11; Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:14; John 15:20; Philippians 1:21

The Biggest Story: "Good News for Everyone"

I.Where the Gospel Spreads Acts 8:1; Acts 8:4-5; Acts 1:8; Acts 8:14-17; Matthew 16:19; Acts 8:25; Ephesians 4:3-6 II. How the Gospel Spreads Acts 8:26; Psalm 68:31 III. Gospel for Everyone Acts 8:30-31; Acts 8:32-33; Acts 8:35; Isaiah 53:10; Isaiah 56:4-5; Galatians 3:26-29

The Biggest Story: “Stephen Before the Council”

God’s presence is not confined to a place, and God’s people have consistently resisted His messengers-culminating in the rejection of Jesus Christ. I. God Works Beyond Our Boundaries II. God’s Messengers Are Often Rejected III. God Desires Obedience, Not Just Religion IV. God Confronts Our Resistance Through Christ

The Biggest Story: “Open Hands, Open Hearts”

I. Why was the church so generous? Luke 21:20-21 II. Why did Ananias and Sapphira die? Proverbs 12:22; Matthew 6:2-4; Numbers 16:28-34; Acts 5:9-10 III. Open hands, open hearts Acts 5:3-4; Acts 2:42; Acts 4:32; 1 John 1:3; 1 John 1:6-7; Romans 2:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:8

The Biggest Story: “One Name Under Heaven”

I. Physically Confined Yet Spiritually Free. (vs 1-4) • Acts 2:5-6 II. Physically Questioned Yet Spiritually Equipped. (vs 5-12) • Matthew 26:3-4; Luke 11:15; Psalm 118:22 III. Physically Ordinary Yet Spiritually Qualified. (vs 13-18) IV. Physically Opposed Yet Spiritually Obedient. (vs 19-22) • Matthew 5:16 3 Opportunities: • 1. Be intentional about obeying God’s Word rather than following those in your crowd. • 2. Be intentional about representing Christ to your crowd. • 3. Be intentional about sharing to your crowd the One Name Under Heaven that gives life.