I. A FOCUSED CHURCH IS A POWERFUL CHURCH (v. 12-16)

A. POWER SHOWN THROUGH MIRACLES AND UNITY

1. EVERYBODY KNEW IT WAS A SERIOUS THING TO BE A FOLLOWER OF JESUS

2. RESPECTED PLACE IN THE COMMUNITY

B. EXPLOSIVE CHURCH GROWTH

1. PRUNING HAD TAKEN PLACE

2. EVANGELISM IS TAKING PLACE

II. KEEPING FOCUS IN THE MIDST OF PERSECUTION (v. 17-39)

3. DEMONS FEARED THE CHURCH

II. THE PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH (v. 17-40)

A. DRIVEN BY JEALOUSY

1. PRISON

2. INTIMIDATION

3. VIOLENCE

B. SET FREE FOR A PURPOSE

1. PREACH THE GOSPEL FEARLESSLY

2. OBEY GOD FAITHFULLY

III. A FOCUSED CHURCH IS A JOYFUL CHURCH (v. 40-42)

A. OBEDIENCE TO GOD

B. JOY