FOLLOWING JESUS
Man Down Jason Smith: Directional/Teaching Elder
Acts 7:1-60 01.08.12
TWO COMPETING OPTIONS Acts 7:1
Are you a FAN of Jesus
or
a FOLLOWER of Jesus?
- DECISION - KNOWLE DGE - ONE OF MANY - FOLLOWING THE RULES - SELF-EMPOWERED
- COMMITMENT - INTIMACY - ONE AND ONLY - FOLLOWING JESUS - SPIRIT-FILLED
WALKING ON THE NARROW ROAD 1. WHEREVER: What about there? Acts 7:2-8
2. WHENEVER: What about now? Acts 7:9-16
3. WHATEVER: What about that? Acts 7:17-50
FINISHING THE JOURNEY 1. DEFEND the Faith Acts 7:51-53
2. DIE to Christ Acts 7:54-59
3. DELIVER Forgiveness Acts 7:60
Next Week
|
Moving Forward
|
Acts 8:1-8
thePointe Bible Study
|
Man Down
|
Acts 7:1-60
Throughout the first section of the book of Acts, we get a glimpse of the church as it has been sent out on mission by Jesus to serve in good deeds and share the good news. Up to this point, the disciples have shown tremendous commitment to the call of Christ in the face of growing opposition. The commitment of the disciples is about to be tested as the rift between the “religious” leaders of the day and those who have been transformed by the “gospel” of grace come to a tipping point. Stephen serves as a model for what it looks like to be more than just a fan of Jesus, but instead a fully devoted follower of Jesus. Are you a follower of Jesus? Or are you really just a fan? GETTING STARTED What is one time of your life you wish you could do over? Why? DIGGING DEEPER Read 7:1-8. In his speech to the court, Stephen showed that there was progress and change in God’s plan for His people; how was Abraham an example of this change? Which "spiritual ancestors" from the Bible do you admire most? Read Acts 7:9-16. How was the move to Egypt a great change for Jacob’s descendants? How can we learn from those who have gone before us? Read Acts 7:17-43. How did deliverance under Moses mark progress for God’s people? What point is Stephen trying to make in verses 39-43? Read Acts 7:44-50. From the tabernacle to the temple, the place of God’s presence changed and progressed; how did Stephen show this? Read Acts 7:51-53. How did Stephen compare the attitude of those in the Sanhedrin with that of God’s people down through the centuries? In what ways did the people resist the Holy Spirit? What kind of opposition to God’s message is there today? Read Acts 7:54-60. Why did the Jewish leaders respond to Stephen as they did? Faced with the violent mob, Stephen seemed fearless; how was he able to face this danger? What would make it possible for you to be calm and sure in the middle of extreme danger?
APPLYING THE POINTE What can you do this week to follow Jesus more fully? How can you uncover the attitudes that hinder the work of the Holy Spirit in your life? What can you do this week to learn from the example of other believers in the Bible? In what hostile setting could you be a witness for Christ this week? How?
TWO COMPETING OPTIONS Luke John
Acts 7:1-60, p. 594-595
Romans 1 Corinthians
TWO COMPETING OPTIONS The biggest threat to the church today is fans who call themselves Christians but aren’t actually interested in following Christ. They want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires anything from them.
(Kyle Idleman, Not a Fan)
BIG IDEA:
Are you a FAN of Jesus or a FOLLOWER of Jesus?
TWO COMPETING OPTIONS Are you a FAN of Jesus or a FOLLOWER of Jesus? - DECISION
- COMMITMENT
And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. (Luke 9:23-24, ESV)
TWO COMPETING OPTIONS Are you a FAN of Jesus or a FOLLOWER of Jesus? - DECISION - KNOWLEDGE
- COMMITMENT - INTIMACY
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' (Matthew 7:21-23, ESV)
TWO COMPETING OPTIONS Are you a FAN of Jesus or a FOLLOWER of Jesus? - DECISION - KNOWLEDGE - ONE OF MANY
- COMMITMENT - INTIMACY - ONE AND ONLY
Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:25-26, ESV)
TWO COMPETING OPTIONS Are you a FAN of Jesus or a FOLLOWER of Jesus? - DECISION - COMMITMENT - KNOWLEDGE - INTIMACY - ONE OF MANY - ONE AND ONLY - FOLLOWING THE RULES - FOLLOWING JESUS
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matthew 23:27-28, ESV)
TWO COMPETING OPTIONS Are you a FAN of Jesus or a FOLLOWER of Jesus? - DECISION - KNOWLEDGE - ONE OF MANY - FOLLOWING THE RULES - SELF-EMPOWERED
- COMMITMENT - INTIMACY - ONE AND ONLY - FOLLOWING JESUS - SPIRIT-FILLED
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. (John 16:13, ESV)
WALKING ON THE NARROW ROAD Luke John
Acts 7:2-50, p. 594-595
Romans 1 Corinthians
WALKING ON THE NARROW ROAD 1. WHEREVER: What about there? Acts 7:2-8
WALKING ON THE NARROW ROAD 1. WHEREVER : What about there? 2. WHENEVER: What about now? Acts 7:9-16
WALKING ON THE NARROW ROAD 1. WHEREVER: What about there? 2. WHENEVER: What about now? 3. WHATEVER: What about that? Acts 7:17-50
WALKING ON THE NARROW ROAD I love Jesus, but want to hold on to my own friends even when they do not lead me closer to Jesus. I love Jesus, but want to hold on to my own independence even when it brings me no real freedom. I love Jesus, but do not want to lose the respect of my professional colleagues even though their respect does not make me grow spiritually. I love Jesus, but do not want to give up my writing, travel, and speaking plans even when they are often more to my glory than God’s. (Henri J.M. Nouwen)
FINISHING THE JOURNEY Luke John
Acts 7:51-60, p. 595 Romans 1 Corinthians
FINISHING THE JOURNEY 1. DEFEND the Faith Acts 7:51-53
FINISHING THE JOURNEY 1. DEFEND the Faith 2. DIE to Christ Acts 7:54-59
FINISHING THE JOURNEY 1. DEFEND the Faith 2. DIE to Christ 3. DELIVER Forgiveness Acts 7:60
BIG IDEA:
Are you a FAN of Jesus or a FOLLOWER of Jesus?
Acts 7:1-60 01.08.12
TWO COMPETING OPTIONS Acts 7:1
Are you a FAN of Jesus
or
a FOLLOWER of Jesus?
- DECISION - KNOWLE DGE - ONE OF MANY - FOLLOWING THE RULES - SELF-EMPOWERED
- COMMITMENT - INTIMACY - ONE AND ONLY - FOLLOWING JESUS - SPIRIT-FILLED
WALKING ON THE NARROW ROAD 1. WHEREVER: What about there? Acts 7:2-8
2. WHENEVER: What about now? Acts 7:9-16
3. WHATEVER: What about that? Acts 7:17-50
FINISHING THE JOURNEY 1. DEFEND the Faith Acts 7:51-53
2. DIE to Christ Acts 7:54-59
3. DELIVER Forgiveness Acts 7:60
Next Week
|
Moving Forward
|
Acts 8:1-8
thePointe Bible Study
|
Man Down
|
Acts 7:1-60
Throughout the first section of the book of Acts, we get a glimpse of the church as it has been sent out on mission by Jesus to serve in good deeds and share the good news. Up to this point, the disciples have shown tremendous commitment to the call of Christ in the face of growing opposition. The commitment of the disciples is about to be tested as the rift between the “religious” leaders of the day and those who have been transformed by the “gospel” of grace come to a tipping point. Stephen serves as a model for what it looks like to be more than just a fan of Jesus, but instead a fully devoted follower of Jesus. Are you a follower of Jesus? Or are you really just a fan? GETTING STARTED What is one time of your life you wish you could do over? Why? DIGGING DEEPER Read 7:1-8. In his speech to the court, Stephen showed that there was progress and change in God’s plan for His people; how was Abraham an example of this change? Which "spiritual ancestors" from the Bible do you admire most? Read Acts 7:9-16. How was the move to Egypt a great change for Jacob’s descendants? How can we learn from those who have gone before us? Read Acts 7:17-43. How did deliverance under Moses mark progress for God’s people? What point is Stephen trying to make in verses 39-43? Read Acts 7:44-50. From the tabernacle to the temple, the place of God’s presence changed and progressed; how did Stephen show this? Read Acts 7:51-53. How did Stephen compare the attitude of those in the Sanhedrin with that of God’s people down through the centuries? In what ways did the people resist the Holy Spirit? What kind of opposition to God’s message is there today? Read Acts 7:54-60. Why did the Jewish leaders respond to Stephen as they did? Faced with the violent mob, Stephen seemed fearless; how was he able to face this danger? What would make it possible for you to be calm and sure in the middle of extreme danger?
APPLYING THE POINTE What can you do this week to follow Jesus more fully? How can you uncover the attitudes that hinder the work of the Holy Spirit in your life? What can you do this week to learn from the example of other believers in the Bible? In what hostile setting could you be a witness for Christ this week? How?
TWO COMPETING OPTIONS Luke John
Acts 7:1-60, p. 594-595
Romans 1 Corinthians
TWO COMPETING OPTIONS The biggest threat to the church today is fans who call themselves Christians but aren’t actually interested in following Christ. They want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires anything from them.
(Kyle Idleman, Not a Fan)
BIG IDEA:
Are you a FAN of Jesus or a FOLLOWER of Jesus?
TWO COMPETING OPTIONS Are you a FAN of Jesus or a FOLLOWER of Jesus? - DECISION
- COMMITMENT
And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. (Luke 9:23-24, ESV)
TWO COMPETING OPTIONS Are you a FAN of Jesus or a FOLLOWER of Jesus? - DECISION - KNOWLEDGE
- COMMITMENT - INTIMACY
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' (Matthew 7:21-23, ESV)
TWO COMPETING OPTIONS Are you a FAN of Jesus or a FOLLOWER of Jesus? - DECISION - KNOWLEDGE - ONE OF MANY
- COMMITMENT - INTIMACY - ONE AND ONLY
Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:25-26, ESV)
TWO COMPETING OPTIONS Are you a FAN of Jesus or a FOLLOWER of Jesus? - DECISION - COMMITMENT - KNOWLEDGE - INTIMACY - ONE OF MANY - ONE AND ONLY - FOLLOWING THE RULES - FOLLOWING JESUS
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matthew 23:27-28, ESV)
TWO COMPETING OPTIONS Are you a FAN of Jesus or a FOLLOWER of Jesus? - DECISION - KNOWLEDGE - ONE OF MANY - FOLLOWING THE RULES - SELF-EMPOWERED
- COMMITMENT - INTIMACY - ONE AND ONLY - FOLLOWING JESUS - SPIRIT-FILLED
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. (John 16:13, ESV)
WALKING ON THE NARROW ROAD Luke John
Acts 7:2-50, p. 594-595
Romans 1 Corinthians
WALKING ON THE NARROW ROAD 1. WHEREVER: What about there? Acts 7:2-8
WALKING ON THE NARROW ROAD 1. WHEREVER : What about there? 2. WHENEVER: What about now? Acts 7:9-16
WALKING ON THE NARROW ROAD 1. WHEREVER: What about there? 2. WHENEVER: What about now? 3. WHATEVER: What about that? Acts 7:17-50
WALKING ON THE NARROW ROAD I love Jesus, but want to hold on to my own friends even when they do not lead me closer to Jesus. I love Jesus, but want to hold on to my own independence even when it brings me no real freedom. I love Jesus, but do not want to lose the respect of my professional colleagues even though their respect does not make me grow spiritually. I love Jesus, but do not want to give up my writing, travel, and speaking plans even when they are often more to my glory than God’s. (Henri J.M. Nouwen)
FINISHING THE JOURNEY Luke John
Acts 7:51-60, p. 595 Romans 1 Corinthians
FINISHING THE JOURNEY 1. DEFEND the Faith Acts 7:51-53
FINISHING THE JOURNEY 1. DEFEND the Faith 2. DIE to Christ Acts 7:54-59
FINISHING THE JOURNEY 1. DEFEND the Faith 2. DIE to Christ 3. DELIVER Forgiveness Acts 7:60
BIG IDEA:
Are you a FAN of Jesus or a FOLLOWER of Jesus?
