When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” —Acts 11:18 ESV God Granted Gentiles Pastor Steven Cole shares this insight, found (along with MANY valuable commentaries) at PreceptAustin.org: The Greek word for “Gentiles” is ethne, often translated … More Hurray for 3G Gospel!
John Piper, in a sermon, “Exalting Jesus so the Spirit Falls”– another long post today, but oh so important to see how Peter exalted Jesus: So my answer to the question: Is there any correlation between the way Peter preached and the coming of the Holy Spirit in power? is YES. The correlation is that … More How Peter Exalted Jesus
John Piper in a sermon, “Jesus Still Turns Things Around” brings this encouragement from Acts 9, our reading for today: Luke drives this home by showing the persecutor becoming the persecuted. First, in verse 23 Luke tells us that the Jews in Damascus plotted to kill him. The hunter becomes the hunted. And he escapes … More Piper: God Is Turning Things Around All Over the World
John Piper, in a sermon “Overflowing Grace for All Who Believe”comments on the conversion of Saul in Acts 9 This is the kind of person that no one expects to be converted. His opposition is too deep and too articulate. So much of his life would be threatened if Christianity were true! And he has … More Unlikely Conversion
John Piper shares this story of Clarence Duncan’s Ministry to the Yao in a sermon, The Leading of the Lord in Personal Evangelism” In 1985 Clarence Duncan arrived in Africa as missionary to the solidly Muslim people called the Yao who live mainly in Tanzania, Mozambique, and Malawi. When he settled in his village, he called … More Mr. Clarence and Isa Al Mahsi
John Piper in a sermon, “The Leading of the Lord in Personal Evangelism” from Acts 8:26-40 …. the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch teaches us one of the ways God uses to evangelize the world. I say “one of the ways God uses” because it is clear from the book of Acts that … More Extraordinary Guidance
Acts 8:1-4 And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off … More An interesting way to get the Gospel spread
John Piper, in a sermon “Spreading Power Through Persecution” I want to encourage you this morning from Acts 8:1–8 that God rules over the sufferings of the church and causes them to spread spiritual power and the joy of faith in a lost world. It is not his only way. But it does seem to … More Don’t judge suffering too quickly
Steven Cole draws out some interesting points in our reading in Acts 7:39-60 Note the repetition in his sermon of the word “hands.” In 7:41, he mentions how in the incident of the golden calf, Israel re- joiced in the work of their hands. In 7:48, Stephen declares, “However, the Most High does not dwell … More God is not limited by hands
John Piper, in a sermon from Acts 7, The Story of a Stiff-Necked People: So in Acts 7:1 the high priest gives Stephen a chance to defend himself, “Is this so?” he asks. And Stephen does a very strange thing. He tells a story—a condensed version of the history of Israel. He starts with Abraham … More Stephen’s defense: a history lesson
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