sunday school lesson 2010 08 15
DESCRIPTION
Acts 24 - 26TRANSCRIPT
Welcome
And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6)
GROW TEAM NEWS
• August class event• Update of Class Directory
–Jill Taylor• Beth Moore Simulcast
–September 18th
Paul’s Counterinsurgency
How did Paul respond to his attackers?
1. He listened before speaking.2. He made a personal connection.3. He admitted that he was not perfect.4. He used the situation to give credit to Christ
for changing the direction of his life.
And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6)
Is your work environment one in which you can freely speak about
Christ?
And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6)
What motivates people to suppress the Gospel message?
And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6)
King Herod - Acts 12:1-3Governor Felix - Acts 24:25-27
Governor Festus - Acts 25:9
Acts 12:1-31It was about this time that King Herod
arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6)
King Herod - Acts 12:1-3
1. He saw that it pleased the Jews.
And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6)
Acts 24:25-2725As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-
control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you." 26At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6)
Acts 24:25-27
27When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6)
Governor Felix – Acts 24:25-27
1. He only wanted to hear it when it was convenient.
2. He was hoping for financial gain.
3. He granted a political favor.
And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6)
Acts 25:9
9Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?"
And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6)
Governor Festus – Acts 25:9
1. He wished to do the Jews a favor.
And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6)
Suppressing the Gospel
Self-gain and convenience is what motivates
people to keep the Gospel message “chained.”
Each of these attempts to suppress the Gospel ultimately led to its spread.
And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6)
What were Paul’s expectation in giving his testimony to King
Agrippa?
And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6)
Acts 26:25-29
Acts 26:25-29
25"I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do."
And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6)
Acts 26:25-29
28Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" 29Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."
And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6)
Great Expectations
1. Everything he said was true and reasonable. (v. 26:25)
2. He expected him to believe (v. 26:27)
3. He wanted him to be spared the chains. (v. 26:29)
And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6)
When does it mean to “cut your losses”?
And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6)
Was it wise for Paul to appeal to Caesar?
Acts 23:11
And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6)
Acts 23:11
11The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."
And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6)
Small Group Discussion
1. What is your response to situations when you know the Gospel is being suppressed?
2. What kind of chains have you worn and how can they speak to those who are unsaved?
3. Do you try to “cut your losses” when sharing the Gospel?
And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6)
Connecting & Communicating
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Class Blog
bcbc-sundayschool.blogspot.com
And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6)