Acts
Salvation Comes to the Gentiles: Part 4
April 28, 2024 • Matthew Henry • Acts 10:24–35
In this examination of the story of Cornelius and Peter we see how God uses the salvation of Cornelius and his household to show both the impartiality of God in salvation and the relationship between faith and works. This sermon focuses upon the idea of true faith produces works consistent with a changed heart.
Salvation Comes to the Gentiles: Part 3
April 21, 2024 • Matthew Henry • Acts 10:24–35
In this examination of the story of Cornelius and Peter we see how God uses the salvation of Cornelius and his household to show both the impartiality of God in salvation and the relationship between faith and works.
Salvation Comes To The Gentiles: Part 2
April 7, 2024 • Matthew Henry • Acts 10:24–35
We continue in this examination of the story of Cornelius the Centurion and Peter the Apostle. We discover how Peter comes to learn how the gospel affects everything, including his precious connections to the old way of worshiping YHWH. It is a critical shifting of thought for the purpose of gathering in the Gentiles in Christ.
Salvation Comes to the Gentiles: Part 1
March 24, 2024 • Matthew Henry • Acts 10:1–23
We now are privileged to see the expansion of the gospel to the Gentiles. Cornelius serves as a key turning point in how God is working out His redemptive plan. We see the way visions guided the people in the story. We see how doubts play into all of this and yet the triumph of God’s grace.
How To Be Faithful in Ministry
October 8, 2023 • Matthew Henry • Acts 9:32–43
Luke turns his attention away from Saul and to the Apostle Peter. In doing so he records two more miracles done by Peter. It is easy to focus on the miracles but flowing through the entire passage is really a lesson on serving.
Conversion of Saul - A Lesson on Suffering: Part 4
September 17, 2023 • Matthew Henry • Acts 9:23–31
In this extended series on suffering and trials we explore the nature of God’s discipline upon sinning believers. This is often a misunderstood aspect of our relationship to our heavenly Father and yet the bible is replete with examples and instruction regarding it. In this final message we consider the way God brings trials and hardships into the life of a believer to grow them. In a very real way we will learn that it is in and through adversity that our faith both matures and is purified.
Conversion of Saul - A Lesson on Suffering: Part 3
September 3, 2023 • Matthew Henry • Acts 9:23–31, Hebrews 12:4–13
In this extended series on suffering and trials we explore the nature of God’s discipline upon sinning believers. This is often a misunderstood aspect of our relationship to our heavenly Father and yet the bible is replete with examples and instruction regarding it.
Conversion of Saul - A Lesson on Suffering: Part 2
August 20, 2023 • Matthew Henry • Acts 9:23–31
Building off of the reality of suffering for the name of Christ, this second sermon is designed to address the other forms of suffering a Christian may encounter. We are sinners and therefore we sin. We live in a sinful world and therefore we are sinned against. But what about suffering due to foolish and sinful choices? Christians are still sinners and can give into sinful desires that bring unpleasant and even life-altering consequences. How are we to view those situations? This sermon addresses this very issue and we devote our attention to a Christian’s view of suffering.
Conversion of Saul - A Lesson on Suffering: Part 1
August 6, 2023 • Matthew Henry • Acts 9:23–31
While the account of Saul’s conversion is a beautiful and powerful example of God’s sovereignty in action; it is also an example of the reality of what it means to follow Jesus Christ. Jesus said we are to take up our cross and follow Him and part of that pathway is one of suffering for the name of Christ. In fact, a mark of true conversion is a willingness to suffer for His name’s sake. This message is designed to unfold this part of Saul’s conversion and understand the subtle differences of trials, suffering and disciple and what they accomplish in the life of God’s children.
The Conversion of Saul of Tarsus: Part 2
July 16, 2023 • Matthew Henry • Acts 9:1–22
In Acts 9 we continue to see the conversion of Saul. A man bent on murder who becomes a faithful servant of the gospel of Jesus Christ. A man humbled to the uttermost and then empowered to preach to the nations. We see the sovereign hand of God raising up His vessels for salvation and we see in it the severity of God in calling this man to a life of suffering for the name of Jesus.
The Conversion of Saul of Tarsus: Part 1
July 2, 2023 • Matthew Henry • Acts 9:1–31
In Acts 9 we see the power of God to take a heart bent on murder, hatred and anger and convert it to one who loves Jesus Christ and changes a man’s whole direction in life and purpose. We see Saul, breathing threats against believers be confronted by the risen Lord and the end result is a man named Paul. We explore who Paul was to appreciate how even in his unbelief God was directing his life in such a way that he would be a key part of the early Church and the spread of the gospel.
Saving Sovereignty on Display
June 4, 2023 • Matthew Henry • Acts 8:25–40
In one of the many unique stories found in Acts, we watch God take a man from a vibrant mission field where many are coming to a saving faith and He moves him into the wilderness for one man. Why? What does this show us about God and His saving work?
An Almost Christian Exposed
Matthew Henry • Acts 8:9–24
Acts 8 describes the fleeing Church out of Jerusalem. And as the people fled they kept the gospel upon their lips. Luke now focuses on two recipients of the gospel, Simon the Magician and the Ethiopian Eunuch. And it doing so he shows the two way the gospel impacts individual lives. One is only almost a Christian and the other is a genuine Christian. Today we look at the almost one.
The Gospel Advances: Part 3
February 5, 2023 • Matthew Henry • Acts 8:4–8
Philip goes out with the fleeing church and finds himself in Samaria. It is there that he begins to preach the gospel and in doing so we see the power of the gospel in bringing life, joy and deliverance to a people who lived in great darkness. But what we really see is how the gospel is for the world, every tongue, tribe and people.
The Gospel Advances: Part 2
January 15, 2023 • Matthew Henry • Acts 8:1–4
Persecution at times is isolated but often it begins with a flashpoint and then spreads through mob rule. This is what our passage before us describes. The death of Stephen is the beginning of intense persecution for the Church in Jerusalem. But that is not the real story. The real story is that as the people fled this persecution, they fled with the gospel on their lips. This passage shows us that the way the gospel truly advances is not through gimmicks or power-events but through faithful men and women who believe that the gospel is the only means of salvation and life and they therefore say that to those they evangelize.