Homiletics: Hebrews 11 - 13; Lesson 13

John's study this week:

Content

(In your own words, summarize passages into sentences. Goal of 12 – 15 sentences)

Hebrews 11

1. v1 - 2 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see allowing us to understand the universe formed by God.

2. v3 –6 By faith believers will be commended for their righteousness, pleasing God and knowing that God exists will be rewarded as they seek Him.

3. v7 – 12 By faith in things to come and not yet seen, believers such as Noah with a holy fear and trusting obedience will be saved, strengthened and in Abraham and Sarah’s case by made a mighty nation.

4. v13 – 19 People who live by faith, trusting in God may not see the things promised by God in their lifetimes, but trusting in Him will still be blessed and live a better life than those without faith.

5. v20 – 28 By faith God’s people will bless others such as Isaac did to his sons, Jacob did to Joseph’s sons, Moses’ parents did to Moses (and subsequently all God’s people).

6. v29 – 40 By faith God’s people will be blessed in their obedience to God’s instructions, even when it seems we grumble or make deals. If we are in God’s will, are obedient and believe, we have nothing to fear knowing that God has plan superior to what we can conceive.

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Hebrews 12

7. v1 – 3 Run your life in God’s hands giving up all that keeps living by faith and serving God focusing on Christ the author and perfecter  of our faith, who endured the cross in obedience to the Father for me.

8. v4 – 6 Do not forget God’s words of encouragement and examples which will strengthen your faith.

9. v7 -  11. Even though you may have to endure God’s discipline, as His children it is in our best interests and to submit to His the discipline and training as it will make us stronger and produce a harvest of righteousness and peace.

10. v12 – 17 Strengthen yourselves to be presentable and useful to God’s plan to heal a broken people, living in peace, keeping others from stumbling, and encouraging all to come to God.

11. v18 – 28 Do not be afraid of approaching God in your sin, but come worshiping with repentance to Christ who is our mediator of the new covenant and be doing so we will receive a kingdom that is unshakable.

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Hebrews 13

12. v1 – 3 Keep loving one another showing hospitality to strangers, remembering those in prison and those who persecute you.

13. v4 – 5 Keep God’s instruction toward sexual purity honoring marriage as well as the love of money being content with what God has blessed you with.

14. v6 – 8 Remember that is our helper; remember our leaders as examples of Christ imitating their faith as they follow Christ.

15. v9 – 16 Be strengthened by God’s grace as we have a high priest in Jesus who suffered and died for us, continually offering a sacrifice of praise to Him, doing good and sharing with others.

16. v17 – 19 Submit to the leadership and authority of the church who must give account to God for their work, and live righteously that we will have a clear conscience before God.

17. v20 – 25 And may the God of peace equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.

Divisions

(Summarize main groupings of thoughts. Goal of 2, 3 or 4 divisions. ID passages covered)

I. Faith in action is defined by God.

Hebrews 11

Application: What is holding you back from having faith in God?

Application:  What steps can you start with today to increase your faith?

II. God’s discipline and training makes us useful to run God’s race.          

Hebrews 12

Application: How is your focus on self keeping you from embracing God’s training plan for your life?

Application: How might Christ’s example of obedience encourage you to be obedient to Christ’s calling in your life ?

III. Final reminders on how and why we are part of God’s plan.   

Hebrews 13

Application: What instruction from God is the hardest for you to keep? And why?

Application: How will you support your pastor or church leader this week that is different from how you have treated them before?

Subject Sentence

(Summarizing the Divisions into one sentence):

Faith with God’s training prepares us to run His race.  (10 words)

Aim

(A main teaching point for the overall study of the passages):

To cause the audience to see that:

A life under God’s training and discipline leads to a wonderfully and righteous life doing His will.

Homiletics: Hebrews 7 - Hebrews 10; Lesson 12

Don's study this week:

Content:

Melchizedek, King of righteousness and Salem (Peace) w/out genealogy beginning/end of life, priest forever, collected/blessed, greater than Abraham 1-10

Perfection not attainable through Aaron line priesthood, change in priesthood means change in law 11,12

Melchizedek from different tribe, just as Jesus from tribe of Judah 13-15

Priest on basis of indestructible life is priest forever, former regulation set aside, weak/useless 16-18

A better hope introduced, superior high priest, Jesus as guarantee of better covenant, lives forever, permanent priesthood, meets our need by His sacrifice for sin, once and for all 19-28

Jesus ministry superior to earthly high priest in shadow (of heavenʼs superior) tabernacle, His new covenant superior with Israel/Judah, God writes his law on peoples hearts, He is our God and we are His people, old covenant obsolete. Chapter 8

First covenant rules, earthly sanctuary with Holy Place and Most Holy Place 9:1-3

Incense, ark of covenant contained manna, Aaron staff, Tablets, cherubim of the Glory overshadow atonement cover, 9: 4-5

High Priest enter earthly Most Holy once/year, blood offered for sin of himself/people, did not clear consciences. 6-10

Jesus enters Most Holy greater tabernacle, by own blood sacrifice, gains eternal redemption, cleansed our consciences, mediator of new covenant 11-21

Blood of covenant necessary to cleanse, no forgiveness without shed blood 22-24

Jesus entered heavenly Most Holy Place once, sacrificed once to take away sin for many, will return a second time to bring salvation 25-28

Old sacrifices not sufficient, Jesus perfect sacrifice to atone for all sin, once and for all, we are made holy because of His obedience to do Fatherʼs will. 10:1-14

Holy Spirit testifies to new covenant Lord puts law in hearts and write on minds, sins/lawless acts remembered no more 14-18

Confidence by Jesus blood, new and living way, and great high priest, draw near to God with full assurance of faith, cleansed conscience from guilt, Let us hold to hope, encourage one another 19-25

Those who keep on sinning have no sacrifice left, expect severe, dreadful, judgement of raging fire for enemies of God 26-31

Remember boldness of earlier days of having light to stand ground, confidence rewarded doing the will of God, we do not shrink back destroyed, but believe and are saved. 32-3

SS: Jesus Christ, The Greatest High Priest for Godʼs New Covenant

CATL: Because, Jesus our high priest, cleansed us from all sin, and intercedes on our behalf constantly, we are called to not shrink back but persevere

A Greater High Priest Hebrews 7

Application: How does knowing Jesus is the Great High Priest forever, comfort or encourage you?

A Greater Tabernacle Hebrews 8-9:10

Application: What might you need to take to the heavenly Most Holy Place this week in prayer?

A Greater Sacrifice Hebrews 9:11-10:18

Application: Since we have been made holy according to Godʼs will by the blood of Jesus sacrifice once and for all, what guilt are you still holding onto? What sins do you think youʼve committed that Jesus will always remember or is unable to forgive?

A Greater Confidence and Hope Hebrews 10:19-39

Application: Therefore, Who do you need to encourage to persevere in the faith this week with your infectious confidence in Christ?

Homiletics - Hebrews 4:14 - 6:20 - Lesson 11

Chuck's study this week:

Homiletics - Hebrews 2:5 - 4:13 - Lesson 10

John's study:

Content

(In your own words, summarize passages into sentences. Goal of 12 – 15 sentences)

Hebrews 2

1. V5- 8 God has made the earth and everything in it subject not to angels but to Man, thru Jesus redemption.

2. V9- We see Jesus who lived as fully human (and so made lower than the angels for a short time), now crowned with glory because he suffered for man by tasting death.

3. V10-11 Christ was made perfect through His suffering by pioneering the salvation for all He created.

4. V12-13 Christ declares to us of God the father and sings praise to God the father, putting His trust in Him even as he recognizes that God gave us to Christ.

5. V14-15 Thru Christ’s sharing in our humanity and His death, he and we can truly relate to each other, now being free from the slavery of sin and death.

6. V16-18 Christ came to help us, Abraham’s descendents, fully man in order to become a merciful and faithful high priest to us, making himself an atonement for our sins because Christ suffered when he was tempted, his is able to help us when we are tempted.

Hebrews 3

7. V1-4 Fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we call our apostle and high priest and found worthy of honor greater than Moses, and whom we honor as the builder of everything.

8. v5-6 As Moses was the faithful servant in God’s house, Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house which is we believers who need to hold fast to the hope (Jesus) in which we glory.

9. v7-19 Do not harden your hearts to God’s voice or you may suffer from His anger as the Hebrews suffered for 40 years until an entire generation died.

Hebrews 4

10. v1-3 God’s promise of rest still exists, so remain vigilant that no one falls short and receives God’s anger.

11. V4-7 Although God’s rest on the 7^th day of creations was thousands of years ago, it is still valid for today.

12. V8-11 The rest God gives us is not the rest given Joshua, not the creation rest, nor the rest gained from entering Canaan, but the rest found only in Jesus.

13. V12-13 God’s word is alive and active, sharper than any double edge sword and it penetrates both flesh, bone, soul and spirit revealing everything bare before His eyes to who we will someday give account.

Divisions

(Summarize main groupings of thoughts. Goal of 2, 3 or 4 divisions. ID passages covered)

I. Recognize that Jesus was both fully God and fully man that He and we might relate one to another.

Hebrews 2:5 – 18

Application: What is keeping you from a relationship with Christ?

Application:  Who have you shared your salvation story with this week?

II. Fix your eyes on Jesus, our great high priest, builder of the house and do not harden your hearts to his voice.            

Hebrews 3:1 - 19

Application: What is distracting you from a daily conversation with your Lord and Savior Jesus?

Application: Are you working with Jesus to build your house, your marriage, your family?

III. Remember the rest found in Jesus, not just the Sabbath rest.   

Hebrews 4:1 - 13

Application: What is keeping you from finding rest in Jesus?

Application: Are you actively seeking Him as your rest? And if not, why not? 

Subject Sentence

(Summarizing the Divisions into one sentence):

Relate to Christ’s humanity, sovereignty and find rest in him.  (10 words)

Aim

(A main teaching point for the overall study of the passages):

To cause the audience to see that:

Christ, as sovereign creator, came in his humanity for us to relate to and find rest in.

Homiletics Hebrews 1 - 2:4 - Lesson 9

Chucks study:

Homiletics Acts 15 - Lesson 8

John's study:

Content

(In your own words, summarize passages into sentences. Goal of 12 – 15 sentences)

1. v1 People came from Judea to Antioch teaching that believers Gentile believers must be circumcised in order to be saved.

2. v2 - Paul and Barnabas disagreed on this issue and went, with other believers to Jerusalem to discuss with the Jerusalem church.

3. v3 - 4 They traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria preaching and encouraging those in the church until they reached Jerusalem where they reported all that God had been doing through them where ever they had travelled.

4. v5 – 6 Some Pharisees who had become believers stated their interpretation of the law saying that Gentile believers must be circumcised and keep the law of Moses.

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5. v6 - 9 The apostles and elders of the Jerusalem church considered this question and after a typical elder meeting where great discussion was held, Peter addressed them saying that when God gave the Gospel he said it was to go to the Gentiles too and that He (knowing their hearts) had accepted them as equals in the faith w/ Jewish believers, by His demonstrated gift of the HS to them as He did to the Jewish believers.

6. v10 – 11 Do not try God by placing the Gentiles under a yoke of burden to keep the Law, but rather they (and we) are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

7. v12 – 18 After Barnabas and Paul told of the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles, James (half bro. of Jesus) stood and spoke of how God chose the Gentiles and this is confirmed with the scriptures from Amos that the Gentiles will come to believe.

8. v13 – 20 James continued on saying that the church should not burden Gentile who wish to believe as this may be a stumbling block for belief, yet the church should send a letter to the new believers to abstain from foods polluted by idols, have no part in sexual immorality, abstain from meat from strangled animals and from blood.

9. v21 – Send the letter to every city and have it presented in the synagogues.

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10. v22 The church in Jerusalem sent out Paul, Barnabas, Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas to deliver the letter to the churches in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.

11. v23 - 29 The letter contained a warning that what Barny & Paul preached was true and not to believe contrary messages from others not authorized by the Jerusalem leadership. It alluded to the circumcision issue, but didn’t spell it out. It also spoke to food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality and to avoid these things.

12. v30 – 31 The men travelled to Antioch where the believers gathered together and read the letter, which encouraged them.

13. v32 -33 Judas and Silas spoke words of encouragement strengthening the believers there, and after a stay were set back to Jerusalem with blessings of peace.

14. v34 – 35 Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, where they with other believers taught and preached the word of the Lord.

Divisions

(Summarize main groupings of thoughts. Goal of 2, 3 or 4 divisions. ID passages covered)

I. The question of circumcision as a requirement of salvation arises.

Acts 15:1 – Acts 15:5

Application: Are you conscientiously discerning the teaching of your pastors against the Word of God?.

Application:  Are you prepared to raise questions about doctrine to your pastors, with humility,  prayer & petition?

II. The apostles and elders of the church in Jerusalem discuss the question of circumcision. Peter summarizes eloquently that circ. is not part of the Gospel, and suggests sending a letter to the new churches in Asia Minor.            

Acts 15:6 – Acts 15:21

Application: How can you encourage others that the yoke Jesus offer is light and bearable?

Application: Are you being sensitive to the HS’s leading to deliver the plain & simple truth of the Gospel?

III. Apostles Paul, Barnabas, Judas & Silas deliver the letter to church in Antioch which encourages believers and warns them of wrong teaching.

Acts 15:22 – Acts 15:35

Application: Are you willing to deliver the Gospel message to others?

Application: Are you heeding God’s warnings regarding living a sinful life in the flesh?

Subject Sentence

(Summarizing the Divisions into one sentence):

Works of the flesh mean nothing; Christ’s work means everything.  (10 words)

Aim

(A main teaching point for the overall study of the passages):

To cause the audience to see that:

God's plan does not require burdens (yokes in Acts 15:10) which no one is able to bear or keep, but rather gives life and lives lived by the grace of the Lord Jesus.

Homiletics Acts 14 - Lesson 7

Don's study:

SS: Paul endures extreme hardship in completing his first missionary journey

CATL: While we may face severe or extreme hardship in sharing the gospel, the Lord is faithful to encourage us with fellowship and rest

Paul and Barnabas face fierce opposition in speaking the good news boldly

Paul and Barnabas speak boldly; Jews, Gentiles divided, Jews stir up trouble yet great many believe. vs 1-4

Paul/Barnabas discover stoning plot, flee to Lystra and Derbe, preach good news vs 5-7

Paul commands lame man in Lystra to “ Stand up on your feet”, man healed, crowd think Paul is a human form of God vs 8-11

Barnabas called Zeus, Paul, Hermes, Priest of Zeus prepares people to offer sacrifice to them vs 12-13

Apostles tear clothes and declare themselves only human, just bringing good news of living, creator God, not worthless things vs 14-15

Testimony of God obvious in creation, rain, crops, plenty of food, hearts filled with joy vs16-18

Jews travel/follow from Antioch, Iconium, stir crowd, stone Paul, leave for dead outside city vs19

Disciples gather round Paul, he gets up and goes back into the city vs 20a

Application: Where and to whom is the Holy Spirit prompting you to speak boldly the truth about our Lord Jesus?

Paul and Barnabas win and encourage believers as they return to Antioch

Paul/Barnabas go to Derbe, preach, large number of people won without struggle, vs 20b-21

Paul/Barnabas return to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch strengthing, encouraging, warning new disciples vs 22

Committed elders and churches to Lord thru prayer, fasting vs 23

Traveled thru Pisidia, Phampylia, preached in Perga and sailed from Attalia vs 24-25

Back in Antioch, work completed, reported all God had done, stayed long time vs 26-28

Application: How do you encourage other believers in your life? What can you do to be more encouraging to other believers in your community?

Homiletics Acts 13 - Lesson 6

Chuck's Study:

Acts 9:31 – Acts 12:25 - Lesson 5

John's study this week:

Content (In your own words, summarize passages into sentences. Goal of 12 – 15 sentences.

1.      Acts 9:31 – Acts 9:43; As the church, living in fear of the Lord and encouraged by the HS, enjoyed a time of peace in the region, Peter he heals a paralytic in Lydda and raises a dead woman to life in Joppa causing many to believe on the Lord.

2.      Acts 10:1 – Acts 10:6 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a Roman centurion, who was a believer and one day had a vision from a angel that he Corny should send for a man named Simon who is called Peter.

3.      Acts 10:7 – Acts 10:8  Corny tells of his vision to and sends 2 servants and one soldier to find Peter a day’s journey away.

4.      Acts 10:9 – Acts 10:18  Even while C’s men approach, Peter goes to his roof to pray where her has a vision from God describing something like a sheet coming down with all kinds of animals and is told that it is now OK to kill and each such even though Peter holds up the Jewish law forbidding such.

5.      Acts 10:19 – Acts 10:23a Peter also has a vision of the men sent by Corny. In the vision Peter is told to go with them, which he does traveling to Corny’s where he has an epiphany that The Lord, Jesus Christ offers salvation to both Jew and Gentile.

6.      Acts 10:23b – Acts 10:48  Peter witness to Corny, his household receive the HS into their lives as well as speak in tongues, astounding the Christians who had accompanied Peter. Peter had them all baptized in water, then stayed for several more days.

7.      Acts 11:1 – Acts 11:3 As word gets out that Peter has spent time w/ Gentiles he gets some criticism and heat.

8.      Acts 11:4 – Acts 11:18 So Peter tells the story, visions, HS coming upon them, the baptism and everyone accepts this, praising God for this new revelation.

9.      Acts 11:19 – Acts 11:22  Now believers who had been scattered due to persecution had been speaking only to Jews, now began speaking to Gentiles too, causing a bit of anxiety in the church in Jerusalem, so Barnabas was dispatched to check it out (and fix if needed).

10.  Acts 11:23 – Acts 11:26a Barnabas saw what great things were happening in the church at Antioch and encouraged what they were doing. So much so that he sent for Saul in Tarsus. They stayed w/ the Antioch church for a year.

11.   Acts 11:26b This (at Antioch) was the first time believers were called Christians.

12.  Acts 12:1 – Acts 12:6 Herod kills James, bro of John, and imprisons Peter with a heavy guard to watch over him.

13.  Acts 12:7 – Acts 12:17 An angel of the Lord helps Peter escape from prison and the city and travel to the house of Mary, mother of John, called Mark where he knocks repeatedly on the door until someone believes that it is he and not a ghost and he tells of his escape

14.  Acts 12:18 – Acts 12:19a The morning following Peter’s escape is full of commotion among the guards about what happened. Then the guards were executed for letting it happen.

15.  Acts 12:19b – Acts 12:25 Herod travels from Judea to Caesarea, makes a speech failing to praise God so an angel struck him down, he was eaten by worms then died.

Divisions

(Summarize main groupings of thoughts. Goal of 2, 3 or 4 divisions. ID passages covered)

I. Peter ministers to the sick in Lydda, raises the dead in Joppa and brings the salvation msg to Gentiles in Caesarea.

(Acts 9:31 – Acts 10:31)

Application: Will you be faithful to God’s calling in ministering beyond your comfort level?

Application:  Are you prepared to do the Father’s will in meeting the needs of a fallen world?

II. Peter explains his actions in Jerusalem and the Gospel message continues spreading to Jews and Gentiles alike.           

(Acts 11:1 – Acts 11:30)

Application: Are you prepared to give your testimony to the church in obedience to God’s calling?

Application: Are you ready to give a commitment to your church to see it succeed?

III. Peter miraculous escape!

(Acts 12:1 – Acts 12:25)

Application: Are you ready to believe your eyes and praise God when JC gets you out of a jam!!

Application: Are you willing to keep knocking on the doors within the church in order to praise, give prophetic msg to the church and give God the glory?

Subject Sentence (Summarizing the Divisions into one sentence):

God’s power over sin, sickness and death is for everyone. (10 words)

Or: Peter ministers and receives revelation of the Gospel for everyone. (10 words)

Aim (A main teaching point for the overall study of the passages):

To cause the audience to see that His Gospel message is for the whole world and not for a select few.

Homiletics: Acts 8 - Acts 9:30 - Lesson 4

Chuck's Homiletics for this week:

Homiletics: Acts 3 - Acts 7 - Lesson 3

John's homiletics this week:

Divisions:

I. The Holy Spirit empowers disciples to Heal and proclaim the Gospel  

Acts 3:1 – Acts 4:33

Application: Are we allowing the HS to work through you (us) today?

Application:  Are you prepared to do the Father’s will in meeting the needs of a fallen world?

II. The Holy Spirit empowers disciples to recognize hypocrisy and live with joy in obedience to God’s commandments.         

Acts 4:34 – Acts 5:42

Application: Is hypocrisy killing your peace, joy and witness?

Application: Do you count yourself worthy of suffering for Christ?

III. The Holy Spirit empowers disciples to recognize and focus His gifts to accomplish His calling within the church.

Acts 6:1 – Acts 7:60

Application: Are you open and listening to the HS’s prompting to use your gifts?

Application: Are you willing to find, focus and use your spiritual gifts?

Subject Sentence:

The Holy Spirit empowers believers to accomplish God’s purpose. (9 words)

Aim:
To cause the audience to see that through obedience God will empower His people to accomplish His purpose.

Content - Summary List of Topics or Events

1. V1 A man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple and called out to Peter & John for cash.
2. Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” And so he did jumping to his feet he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
3. The people saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰ they recognized him and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
4. Peter boldly speaks the Gospel msg. to those in the Temple stating that by faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was healed and made strong including “repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, v23 anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’ Thru V26.

Acts 4 Peter and John before the Sanhedrin

5. 1 The priests, the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people as they were greatly by the
6. They seized Peter and John putting them in jail until the next day.
7. v4 many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
8. v5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law including Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family and had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
9. v8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! ⁹ If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, ¹⁰ then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
10.  v11 Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected,
    which has become the cornerstone.’ v12 Salvation is found in no one else,
11. v¹³ When they saw the courage of Peter, John and the man who had been there was nothing they could say.
12. v¹⁵ So the Sanhedrin conferred together. saying “Everyone in Jerusalem knows about this miracle and we cannot deny it. We must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
13. v18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
14. v¹⁹ But Peter and John replied, “we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
15. v21 After further threats they let them go because all the people were praising God for what had happened. ²² For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
16. V23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
17. ²⁴ When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them
18. v³¹ After they prayed, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
19. ³² All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.
20. v³³ With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all ³⁴ that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales ³⁵ and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

Acts 5 Ananias and Sapphira

1. v1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property but kept back part of the money for himself, and  brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
2. v³ Then Peter rightly called Ananias and Sapphira for what they did sinning against and lying to the believers and God
3. v5 Ananias and Sapphira were both were found out and accused by Peter and they both fell dead and were carried away and buried together.
4. heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. ⁶ Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
5. v¹¹ Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
6. v¹² The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.
7. v¹⁵ As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. ¹⁶ Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
8. ¹⁷ Then the high priest and all his associates arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.
9. v¹⁹ But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out saying “go tell the people all about this new life.”
10. v²¹ At daybreak they obeyed, entered the temple courts, and began to teach the people.
11. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. ²² But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, ²³ “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” ²⁴ On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.
12. v²⁵ Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” ²⁶ At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles.
13. v²⁷ The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. ²⁸ “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
14. v²⁹ Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! ³² We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
15. ³³ When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.
16. v³⁴ But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a member of the Sanhedrin ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. ³⁵ Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. ³⁹ But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
17. v⁴⁰ His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
18. v⁴¹ The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. ⁴² Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Acts 6 The Choosing of the Seven

19. v1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews^[a] among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
20. v² So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.
21. We will turn this responsibility over to them ⁴ and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
22. v⁵ This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. ⁶ They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
23. v⁷ So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
24. v⁸ Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power argued with Jews in opposition to God’s Word, yet v¹⁰ they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.
25. ¹¹ Then they secretly persuaded some men to falsely accuse Stephen of blasphemy against Moses and God, and then seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin where they produced false witnesses, who testified of blasphemy and that Jesus will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down.
26. v¹⁵ All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
27. v1 Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?”
28. v2 Stephen declares in his reply “You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! ⁵² Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— ⁵³ you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”
29. v54 The Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.
30. v⁵⁵ But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶ “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
31. v⁵⁷ At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, ⁵⁸ dragged him out of the city and began to stone him.
32. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Homiletics Acts 2 - Lesson 2

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