A Strong Church

May 26, 2019 |
Passage: Acts 16:1-5 | Series: | Topic: ,

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Main Idea: The church is strengthened and grows through faithful people committed to the advance of the gospel.

 

  1. A strong church is made up of ________________________, _________________________ people. (vs. 1-2).

Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium.

*Philippians 2:20–22; 2 Timothy 1:5–7; 2 Timothy 3:14–15

  1. A strong church _____________________________ the advance of the gospel (vs. 3).

Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

*Galatians 2:1–5; 1 Corinthians 9:19–23

  1. A strong church is marked by the ______________________ of faith (vs.4)

As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem.

*Romans 1:5; Romans 16:26

  1. A strong church will be a __________________ church (vs. 5)

So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.

 

Today’s Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say?

Today’s Lunch Discussion: What is a disciple? What was it about Timothy that stood out to Paul? How did Timothy’s mother and grandmother impact his life? What lesson do we learn from Paul’s decision to have Timothy circumcised? What do you think drove Timothy’s willingness to be circumcised as a young man? Does the advance of the gospel outweigh your personal comfort? Why did Paul desire to bring the decision of the Jerusalem Council to this region? What is the “obedience of faith?” And why does it matter for the church? Why do Christians sometimes struggle with church growth? What does biblical church growth look like? How does a church grow deep and wide? Describe a strong church. How could you help your church be strengthened this week/month/year?

Brian Hendry, the Lead Pastor of Providence Church, is passionate about proclaiming the glory of God in the Gospel, and faith that practically applies to all of life. Brian and his wife Lilliana have four children. He also co-founded and led a classical Christian school in San Diego for 17 years. He holds a B.A in Biblical Studies and enjoys reading, good food and coffee, sports, and travel.