Foundations of Christian Faith

Purpose: Foundations of Christian faith that lead to a great reward, a New Year Meditation

1. Singular Vision: Seek First His Kingdom
   (Matt. 6:19-34)

2. New Life: Dead to Sin, Alive to God
   (Jn. 3; Rom. 6:8-13; Gal. 2:20)

3. Under New Ownership: Not My Own, Bought With a Price (1 Cor. 6:18-20)

4. New Purpose: Ambassadors
   (2 Cor. 5:14-21)

5. Given to God
   (2 Cor. 8:1-5)

At the end of life, to hear “Well done good and faithful servant,” it all begins with these foundations of Christian faith. Biblical Christian faith is defined by Singular Vision, having New Life, being Under New Ownership, with a New Purpose, and being fully Given to God!

The Herald’s Call
Luke 3:1-20

Purpose: That people would have ears to hear the message of repentance and forgiveness of sin, in preparation for the redemption found in Jesus.

1. The Setting for John’s Ministry (Luke 3:1-3)

2. The Prophetic Basis for John’s Ministry (Luke 3:4-6)

3. The Execution of John’s Ministry (Luke 3:7-14)

4. The Response to John’s Ministry (Luke 3:15-20)

John the Baptist’s ministry was centered on preparing the way for King Jesus, by preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, and teaching on the outworking of this redemption in the life of the believer. This gospel ministry was accepted by those with ears to hear it, and despised by those whose hearts were hardened against it.

A Savior Is Born For Men Like You
Matthew 1:1-25

Purpose: To show that Jesus was born for everyone, because we all need and have been promised a Savior.

1) Family Embraced (Matt. 1:1-17)

2) Foreigners Welcomed (Matt. 1:5)

3) Freedom Provided (Matt. 1:18-25)

For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, because we all needed a Savior. Whoever believes in Him will not perish, but will have eternal life.

God’s Gospel Glorified Among Gentiles

Acts 14

Purpose: to embrace that advancing the gospel will succeed, will bring persecution, and will glorify Jesus Christ!

1. Ingathering at Iconium (Acts 14:1-7)
       Large number of Jews and Gentiles believed in the Lord (v. 1)
       Jews again stir up opposition to Paul and Barnabas (v. 2)
       Bold proclamation of the gospel (vv. 1, 3, 7)
       God granted testifying signs (v. 3)
       The people choose sides (v. 4)
       Threat of capital punishment (v. 5)
       The missionaries move on (vv. 6-7)

2. The Lame Leaped in Lystra (Acts 14:8-20a)
       Healing of a lame man (vv. 8-10)
       Barnabas falsely called Zeus; Paul falsely called Hermes (vv. 11-13)
       Paul preaches the gospel and the Creator to Gentile crowd (vv. 14-17)
       The crowds fail to respond correctly (v. 18)
       Jews from Antioch and Iconium stir up opposition (v. 19)
       Paul is stoned and left for dead (v. 19)
       The missionaries move on (v. 20)

3. Declaration in Derbe (Acts 14:20-21)
       Paul and Barnabas preach the gospel and make many disciples

4. Account at Antioch (Acts 14:21-28)
       Back through Lystra, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch (v. 21)
       Strengthened the disciples and appointed elders in every church (v. 22)
       Through Pamphylia with stops at Perga and Attalia (v. 25)
       Back in Syrian Antioch (vv. 26)
       Accounted to their sending church all that God had done (v. 27, see Acts 13:1-3)
       Accounted how the Lord opened a door of faith to the Gentiles (v. 27)
       They spent a long time with the disciples in Syrian Antioch! (v. 28)

Advancing the gospel will succeed, will bring persecution, and will glorify Jesus Christ!

The Mission Takes a Turn
Acts 13:44-52

Purpose: to show God’s promise of salvation has always been for the nations.

1. The Message Desired and Denounced (Acts 13:44-45)

2. The Message Affirmed and Extended (Acts 13:46-47)
   Isaiah 49:6
   Acts 9:15

3. The Message Received with Rejoicing (Acts 13:48-49)

4. The Message Brings Cursing and Blessing (Acts 13:50-52)
   Matthew 10:14

The gospel brings joy to the nations: to all who receive the promise of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Salvation in Jesus Christ, Promise Kept!

Acts 13:26-43

Purpose: to declare God’s fulfilled promise of salvation in the risen Jesus Christ!

1. Salvation in Jesus, Message Delivered! (Acts 13:26)
       “has been sent” means the message came from where?
       See Hebrews 1:1-4

2. Salvation in Jesus, Message Fulfilled! (Acts 13:27-30)
      The fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
         - Prophesied in the OT
         - They missed the Messiah they read about every Sabbath (v. 27; see Lk 4:14ff)
         - God fulfilled the prophets through men who condemned Jesus
         - Jesus was crucified on a cross, was buried, and then …
         - God raised Jesus Christ from the dead! (vv. 30-37; see 1 Cor 15)

3. Salvation in Jesus, Message Preached! (Acts 13:31-37)
       The risen Jesus Christ, God’s fulfillment of His Promise (vv. 32-33)
       OT Scriptures cited: Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 55:3; Psalm 16:10
       By His Resurrection Jesus Christ is Eternal King of God’s
       Eternal Kingdom! (Rom 6:9)

4. Salvation in Jesus, Message Received? (Acts 13:38-43)
       Christ’s blessings = forgiveness of sins, justification by faith (vv. 38-39).
       Paul’s Warning against unbelief! (v. 41 quoting Habakkuk 1:5)

The risen Jesus Christ is the very message and salvation of God. Have you received the risen Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior?

Rules of Faithful Gospel Engagement

Acts 13:14-25

Purpose: We have a specific objective in carrying out the gospel mission, the salvation of souls.

1. Stay Ready (Acts 13:14)

2. Seek the Opportunity (Acts 13:15-16)

3. Set the Context (Acts 13:17-22)

4. Show the Way Out (Acts 13:23-25)

How we prepare and what we share matters if we are to proclaim the gospel faithfully.

The Gospel Preached to the Gentiles!

Acts 13:1-13

Purpose: for the church to join the Holy Spirit in the mission of Jesus Christ!

1. The Holy Spirit Calls Missionaries (Acts 13:1-3)

2. The Holy Spirit Sends Missionaries (Acts 13:4-5)

3. The Holy Spirit Empowers Missionaries (Acts 13:6-13)
       Sergius Paulus Saved
       A magician Scolded
       John Mark Separates

A biblical New Testament church proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ in the provision and power of the Holy Spirit to all the nations!

Prayer And Progress

Acts 12:1-25

Purpose: To show the importance of prayer and persistence in the partnership of the gospel.

1. A Church That Prays (Acts 12:1-5)

2. A God That Protects (Acts 12:6-10)

3. A Church That Persists (Acts 12:11-17)

4. A God That Prevails (Acts 12:18-23)

5. A Mission That Progresses (Acts 12:24-25)

Biblical churches pray, persist and progress in the mission of God.

Building Biblical Churches

Acts 11:19-30

Purpose: Encouraging us to grow in the teaching and service of Jesus Christ

1. From Persecution to Church Plant (Acts 11:19-21)

2. Apostolic Affirmation (Acts 11:22-26)

3. Church Collaboration (Acts 11:27-30)

The Jerusalem church verified the apostolic doctrine of the Antioch church. Both churches were founded upon the gospel of Jesus Christ and adhered to apostolic teaching. Then the Antioch church helps the Jerusalem church when famine arises. Thus, the Lord Jesus Christ is glorified in doctrine and service.

All Aboard!
Acts 11:1-18

Purpose: The Great Commission is THE Mission of the Church.

1) The Church Forgets the Mission (Acts 11:1-3)

2) Peter Defends the Mission (Acts 11:4-14)

3) The Church Praises God for Mission Success (Acts 11:15-18)

A biblical church MUST be on mission with God: aligning its motives and actions with His command to make disciples to the ends of the earth.

Gentile Pentecost

Acts 10:23-48

Purpose: the floodgates of salvation open to all peoples!

1. God Brings Peter to Cornelius (Acts 10:23-29)
       - Don’t worship a man! (v. 26)
       - Many people expectantly ready to hear (v. 27)
       - God has shown Peter not to call any man unholy or unclean (v. 28)

2. Cornelius Welcomes Peter (Acts 10:30-33)
       - A meeting, four days in the making (v. 30)
       - Many people expectantly ready to hear (v. 33)

3. Peter Preaches the Gospel to Gentiles (Acts 10:34-43)
       - Main Theme: God does not show partiality (vv. 34-35)
       - “in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him”
       - Peace through Jesus Christ, Lord of all (v. 36)
       - God anointed Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit and power (v. 38, see Acts 2:22)
       - The Gospel: Jesus Christ crucified & risen from the dead (vv. 39-40, see Acts 2:23-24)
       - Apostolic Witnesses Ordered to Preach (vv. 41-42, see Acts 1:8)
       - The Message? Everyone who believes in Jesus Christ receives forgiveness of sins (v. 43)

4. The Holy Spirit Finishes the Sermon! (Acts 10:44-48)
       - The Holy Spirit falls upon them (v. 44)
       - The Jews were amazed that the Holy Spirit was poured out on Gentiles also! (v. 45)
       - The natural next step? Baptism! (vv. 46-48)

Our message is the same today, everyone who believes in Jesus Christ receives forgiveness of sins!

To the Ends of the Earth…
Acts 10:1-23

Purpose: to show how God is the catalyst for His gospel going out to the ends of the earth.

        1) God Calls A Man (Acts 10:1-8)

        2) God Makes A Change (Acts 10:9-16)

        3) God Sets A Meeting (Acts 10:17-23)

God is the One who saves people. He calls them to Himself, and calls believers to faithfully deliver the message of the gospel at His appointed time.