Acts 6 and 7

Acts 6 and 7

Recap * Ananias and Sapphira revealed that their heart was deceitful.  * Miracles and signs were done to validate the word of God.  * The root for Peter and John was that they would obey God over man. * In spite of them being arrested for teaching Jesus the church grew.  * The Hellenistic Jews were scattered among the gentiles and had been saturated by that society and even spoke Greek.  The Assyrian Conquest 722 bc The Babylonian Captivity 586 bc Acts 6:1-15 ESV  Stephen Is Seized Acts 7:1-60 ESV  6:1-7 * At this point the church was less than 6 months old and there were problems arising already.  * There was pride from the Hebraic Jews because they didn’t live among the gentiles and jealousy from Hellenistic Jews because of it.  * This is much like what you have experienced when you have been a believer for years and new people begin to follow Christ.  * We feel that they should or shouldn’t do things and they feel judged because they don’t measure up.  * If you’re looking for perfection you won’t find it as long as you are there. James 4:1-10 ESV  * This is the start of deacon’s stepping up to help manage these things.  * Introduction of other leaders.  * The problem that was being addressed was a physical problem of favoritism but the issue began in the heart of the individual.  * The heart is what the Holy Spirit specializes in.  * Here it was pride but it may be something else in your life.  6:8-15 * Stephen was doing great signs and wonders the purpose for them was to validate the word of God.  * Some rose up from the Hellenistic Jews to dispute Stephen but they couldn’t out do the wisdom and Spirit that spoke through him.  * Stephen was brought before a council and lied about.  * Even the council could see the Spirit shining through him.  7:1-53 * Stephen was asked a yes or no question that took him 52 verses to answer.  * He started with Abraham and concluded with the crucified Jesus.  * He was speaking to people that knew all this already but didn’t realize that they were repeating history.  7:54-60 * They stoned him for speaking truth.  * We are looked at differently because of our faith.  * At times we are mocked or scrutinized for our way of life.  * Stephen was literally buried for the cause of Christ and we may feel buried by the jokes and insults.  * But are we buried or planted.  * His witness is the first time we are introduce to a man named Saul.  Conclusion  The church started with a deep understanding of what God promised throughout history.  Genesis 12:1-3 ESV  * In Exodus 3-4 God calls Moses and tells him over and over I’ll be with and lead you and give you favor.  Joshua 1:1-9 ESV * Jesus even gave this same promise at least 2 times.  * Matthew 4 he called Peter and Andrew by saying I’ll make fishers of men.  * Matthew 28 he calls us to make disciples everywhere.  God doesn’t call polished people He has called us.  Support the show [https://together.churchtrac.com/]

The Book of Acts

Acts 5 Recap * Lame man healed * Sermon * About 5,000 men became believers.  * Second sermon * They sold land, houses, and other possessions.  * They brought the proceeds to the disciples to give to those in need.  Acts 4:34-35 ESV 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Acts 5:1-42 ESV  Verses 1-11 * The fact that both dropped dead tends to distract us from the main point.  * No one commanded this type of giving.  * The Spirit led individuals to give extravagantly.  * Was this for prestige or did greed grip them? * The sin was not against man but the Spirit.  * The amount of money was never disclosed.  The Spirit desires the heart not your money.  Matthew 17:24-27 ESV 24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?” 25 He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?”26 And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. 27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel.[g] Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.” Jesus wanted Peter to release the right or wrong and submit his heart.  * Nearly half of Jesus parables were regarding money or giving.  * This was never out of need for money but heart.  Matthew 6:19-21 ESV 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[e] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. His desire is for our heart not some surface level commitment.  Verses 12-16 * The signs and wonders continued and the church grew. * Both men and women were added to the church.  * Just as we normally do they made this about the person even his shadow.  * Everything that was being done was to validate the message of Christ.  Verses 17-42 * They were arrested by religious and political leaders. * They were released by the Spirit.  * Told to continue to preach publicly.  * When they were brought in to those leaders they asked why they went against their command? * Their response is the root of the issue you and I battle today.  God or man which will it be? It’s time to choose this day who you will serve.  Joshua said it this way to the Israelites.  Joshua 24:14-15 ESV 14 “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Paul said it like this to the Ephesians.  Ephesians 6:10-13 ESV 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm * Peter again delivered a sermon of Christ crucified and raised. * After this they were beaten and released.  * They counted it as joy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus.  * Choosing to follow God is a no matter what choice. Support the show [https://together.churchtrac.com/]

Acts 3-4

Who carries you and where do they take you? 3:2 Even when you have nothing, you have something to offer!!! 3:6 Don’t look at us, look at Him!!! 3:12, brief explanation of who Jesus is the verse 3:16 John 3:30 ESV  How could Peter accused the Jews of denial when he also denied Jesus? 3:13-15 * They said “ crucify Him “ when they didn’t speak up.  * Peter had been called to repentance John 21:15-19 * His accusation wasn’t to condemn but to call to repentance.  All that had taken place led to a full blown sermon. 3:17-26 The result was about 5,000 came to Christ and Peter and John were arrested. 4:1-7 * By what power or by what name did you do this? This was the right question.  4:8-12 another sermon broke out.  4:13-22 they were uneducated, common men 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 ESV * They only wanted them to stop speaking about Jesus.  * That seems easy until you have had a real encounters with Him.  * Who should they listen to? 4:23-31 they made themselves accountable to others.  * Prayed, worshipped, were thankful, and for boldness to continue.  * The place was shaken and the continued to speak the Word.  4:32-37 no one said anything belonged themselves because they were of one heart and soul. They also continued to share their testimony with great power.  Acts 3:1-26 ESV  Acts 4:1-37 ESV  Support the show [https://together.churchtrac.com/]

Father’s Day 2026

1. Love your wife 2. I love you 3. A daughter needs a dad to be the standard by which she will judge all men.  4. A father is someone you look up to no matter how tall you grow.  5. Don’t make me turn this car around or do you want me to pull over? 6. Hi hungry, I’m dad.  7. I’m just resting my eyes.  8. How bad is it.  9. No 10. Go ask mom.  Ephesians 5:22-33 ESV 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.[a] 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. John 14:15-17 ESV 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,[f] to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be[g] in you. Ephesians 6:1-4 ESV  1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Exodus 20:2-3,12 ESV 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before[a] me. 12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. Support the show [https://together.churchtrac.com/]

Fear Not

Guest Speaker: Jimmie Hughes All KJV Isaiah 41:10-13 Psalms 46:10 Psalms 23:4 Matthew 28:20 1 Samuel 30:6 Philippians 4:13 2 Timothy 4:17 Psalms 145:13-14 Support the show [https://together.churchtrac.com/]