Introduction:

Question: Why has God allowed us Christians to live in NWA?

Six Points for Today's Message:

I. The Messenger. - L - v.1,2

A. The messenger continues despite opposition. - L - v.1

B. The messenger follows God's plan. - L - v.2

II. Preaching The Message Was Critical. - L - v.2,3

A. Paul taught the scriptures. - L - v.2

B. The points in Paul's message. - L - v.3

1) Christ had to die.

Isaiah 53:3-5 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely he has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes, we are healed.

Fact: Christ had to redeem us before He could reign over us.

Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’

2) Christ had to rise from the dead.

I Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.

3) Jesus is the Christ. - L - Matthew 1:18; L - Romans 1:14-16

Lesson: Christians must be committed to speak the truth of the Gospel no matter what anyone thinks.

III. The Results Of The Message. - L - v.4

A. Some Jews believed. - L - v.4a; L - Romans 1:16

B. Religious Greeks were saved. - L - v.4b

Deuteronomy 4:29 But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

C. Many influential women were saved. - L - v.4c

IV. The World's Reaction To The Message. - L - v.5

A. The religious group rejected it. - L - v.5a

B. The Rabbi's recruiter the town roughnecks. - L - v.5,6

V. The Charges Against The Message. - L - v.6,7

A. The message opposed the government. - L - v.6

1) The charge is true in one sense.

2) The charge is also false.

B. The message says Jesus is king. - L - v.7

Lesson: The righteous and godly Christians become more responsible citizens, not immoral ones.

VI. The World's Fear Of The Message. - L - v.8,9

A. The false charges troubled the rulers. - L - v.8

B. The rulers made Jason take a pledge. - L - v.9

Conclusion: Five Points Of Interest:

1. There is always a way to get the Gospel presented. - L - v.2,3

2. The Gospel will attract some to believe. - L - v.4

3. The Gospel always offends the godless. - L - v.5

4. Standing for God's truth will bring persecution. - L - v.6

*5.8 There is always someplace to share Christ. - L - v.10

Question: Why are Christians here?