Acts: The Continuing Ministry of Jesus

Rome at Last

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 19:09:57 +0000

Nothing can stop God from carrying out His sovereign purposes in our lives. In part 23 of Acts: The Continuing Ministry of Jesus, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Acts 27:1-28:31.

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Study Notes

Understanding the Text

Departure for Rome (27:1-12)
Shipwreck! (27:13-44)
Ministry on Malta (28:1-10)
Ministry in Rome (28:11-31)

God’s Purposes and Power

A “dangerously glorious” prayer…

Applying the Text

Ask God to be glorified in your life and then trust Him with the results.

I Saw the Light

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 19:57:14 +0000

Your personal life story can serve as a powerful tool for evangelism. Pastor Dan Cox reads from Acts 25:1 – 26:32.

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Study Notes

Understanding the Text

Appeal to Caesar (25:1-12)
Festus at a Loss (25:13-27)
Defense Before Agrippa (26:1-32)

The Power of Personal Testimony

Applying the Text

Have you seen the Light?
Can you tell your faith story?

Wisdom, Courage, Trust

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 25 May 2025 17:22:01 +0000

Paul is a good example for us of speaking truth wisely and courageously while trusting in God’s providential plan. In part 21 of Acts: The Continuing Ministry of Jesus, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Acts 22:30-24:27.

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Study Notes

Understanding the Text

Paul Before the Sanhedrin (22:30 – 23:10)
The Plot Against Paul’s Life (23:11-35)
Paul Before Felix (24:1-27)

Wisdom… Courage… Trust

Applying the Text

Ask for wisdom to speak truth well.
Depend on the Spirit to speak truth courageously.
Trust in God’s plan for you.

Embracing Hardship for the Sake of the Gospel

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 18 May 2025 19:42:46 +0000

Following God’s will may sometimes mean embracing hardship, but God can use our testimony as a powerful witness of gospel hope in Christ. In part 20 of Acts: The Continuing Ministry of Jesus, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Acts 21:1 – 22:29.

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Study Notes

Understanding the Text

Journey to Jerusalem (21:1-16)
Rejoicing and Rumors (21:17-26)
A Confused and Angry Mob (21:27-36)
A Testimony of Opened Eyes (21:37 – 22:21)
Saved by Roman Citizenship (22:22-29)

Embracing Hardship… Faithful Testimony

Applying the Text

Accept that obedience may bring hardship
Expect to be misunderstood for your faith
Craft your testimony well as it can be a powerful witnessing tool

Portrait of a Spiritual Leader

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 06 Apr 2025 18:08:21 +0000

The Apostle Paul shows us that a good spiritual leader is a Spirit-led humble servant who faithfully proclaims the Word in word and deed with courage and integrity. In part 19 of Acts: The Continuing Ministry of Jesus, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Acts 20:1-38.

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Study Notes

Understanding the Text

Macedonia and Greece (20:1-6)
Eutychus (20:7-16)
Farewell Speech (20:17-38)

A Portrait of Spiritual Leadership

consistent life (v. 18)
humility (v. 19)
passion (v. 19)
perseverance (v. 19)
courage (v. 20)
public and private teaching (v.20)
gospel focus (v. 21)
sensitivity to the Spirit (v. 22-23)
eternal perspective (v. 24)
whole counsel teaching (v. 27)
diligent watchfulness (v. 28)
care for the church (v. 28)
discernment (vv. 29-31)
passionate admonishment (v. 31)
not covetous (v. 33)
hard working (v. 34)
helping the weak (v. 35)
generosity (v. 35)
prayer (v. 36)

Applying the Text

Who do you lead?
What one characteristic of leadership can you work on this week?

Correction, Confirmation, Consternation

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 17:54:56 +0000

Accurate proclamation of the Word powerfully changes lives, but also stirs up opposition. In part 18 of Acts: The Continuing Ministry of Jesus, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Acts 18:23 – 19:41.

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Study Notes

Context for Our Text

Understanding the Text

Correction of Apollos (18:23-28)
Correction of Ephesian Disciples (19:1-10)
Confirmation of the Gospel Message (19:11-20)
Consternation in Ephesus (19:21-41)

Accurate Understanding and Proclamation of the Word

Applying the Text

Seek accurate understanding of the Word
Correct error
Rejoice as the Word changes lives
Don’t be surprised by opposition

Hostile Environments

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 17:32:00 +0000

Followers of Christ need not fear, for He is always with us. Pastor Dan Cox reads from Acts 18:1-22.

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Study Notes

Context for Our Text

Understanding the Text

Coworkers (18:1-4)
A Night Vision (18:5-11)
Another Tribunal (18:12-17)
Return to Antioch (18:18-22)

Hostile Environments

Applying the Text

God is always with us, even in fearful situations
God calls us to be faithful, even in hostile environments
God has a plan for people, even in deeply sinful places

The Marketplace of Ideas

Pastor Dan Cox — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 23:43:27 +0000

Followers of Jesus should find common ground and engage with unbelievers in the marketplace of ideas. In part 16 of Acts: The Continuing Ministry of Jesus, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Acts 17:16-34.

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Study Notes

The Marketplace of Ideas

Understanding the Text

Reasoning in the Marketplace (17:16-21)
Common Ground Engagement (17:22-34)

Today’s Marketplace of Ideas

Applying the Text

As God has made you…

Get informed

Seek common ground

Prayerfully engage

Turning the World Upside Down

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 18:36:47 +0000

The Word of God - faithfully proclaimed and carefully investigated - can turn the world, and worlds, upside down. In part 15 of Acts: The Continuing Ministry of Jesus, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Acts 17:1-15.

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Study Notes
Context for Our Text

Understanding the Text

Reasoning from the Scriptures (17:1-4)

Violent Jealousy (17:5-9)

Examining the Scriptures (17:10-15)

Turning the World Upside Down

Applying the Text

Faithfully proclaim the Word

Be a Berean

Watch God turn worlds upside down

Songs in the Night

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 20:49:53 +0000

The Word of God opens hearts, unfastens bonds, and frees prisoners. Pastor Dan Cox reads from Acts 16:6-40.

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Study Notes
The Sovereign Power of the Word of God

Context for Our Text

Understanding the Text

The Macedonian Call (16:6-10)

Opened Hearts (16:11-15)

Stocks and Bonds (16:16-24)

Unfastened Bonds and Open Doors (16:25-40)

Closed Hearts, Fastened Bonds, Prison Doors

The Sovereign Power of the Word of God

Applying the Text

Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.

Sing songs in the night.

A Sharp Disagreement

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 23 Feb 2025 20:09:41 +0000

God can work out His purposes even through our conflicts and disagreements. In part 13 of Acts: The Continuing Ministry of Jesus, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Acts 15:36-16:5.

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Study Notes
Context for Our Text

The Jerusalem Council

Understanding the Text

A Sharp Disagreement (15:36-40)

A Practical Decision (16:1-5)

Conflict in the Church

God’s Purposes

Applying the Text

Seek unity

Pray for guidance

Address sin and forgive

Submit to authority

Trust God

The Jerusalem Council

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 16 Feb 2025 19:05:32 +0000

A healthy church upholds critical doctrines, and, promotes the law of love to help maintain unity. In part 12 of Acts: The Continuing Ministry of Jesus, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Acts 15:1-35.

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Study Notes
Context for Our Text

Understanding the Text

Dissension (15:1-5)

Decision (15:6-21)

Declaration (15:22-35)

Critical Doctrines

The Law of Love

Applying the Text

Are you a student of the doctrines of the faith?

Do you choose love over liberty?

A Door of Faith to the Gentiles

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 09 Feb 2025 20:14:18 +0000

We are called to faithfully proclaim the good news, and, God sovereignly directs the spread and growth of the church. In part 11 of Acts: The Continuing Ministry of Jesus, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Acts 13:1–14:28.

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Study Notes
Context for Our Text

Understanding the Text

Commissioning (13:1-4)

Cyprus (13:4-12)

Pisidian Antioch (13:13-52)

Iconium (14:1-7)

Lystra (14:8-23)

Antioch (14:24-28)

Applying the Text

Have you stepped through the door of faith?

Are you “waving others in”?

Persecution, Intervention, Retribution

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 20:47:35 +0000

Let us pray boldly and witness fearlessly since God’s mission and power are unstoppable no matter what opposition may come. Pastor Dan Cox reads from Acts 11:19-12:25.

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Study Notes
Context for Our Text

Understanding the Text

Persecution (11:19 – 12:5)

Intervention (12:6-19)

Retribution (12:20-25)

Applying the Text

Pray boldly

Witness fearlessly

Rest in God’s sovereignty

Surpassing Grace

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 26 Jan 2025 20:32:43 +0000

The gospel of Jesus Christ transcends all ethnic and cultural barriers. In part 9 of Acts: The Continuing Ministry of Jesus, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Acts 9:32-11:18.

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Study Notes
Context for Our Text

Understanding the Text

A Miraculous Healing (9:32-35)

A Miraculous Restoration (9:36-43)

A Terrifying Vision (10:1-8)

A Perplexing Vision (10:9-23a)

An Unlawful Association (10:23b-33)

A Powerful Gospel Proclamation (10:34-48)

A Glorious Extension (11:1-18)

Applying the Text

The good news is for even you!

Proclaim the good news-even to THOSE people!

Glorify God!

Encounter on the Damascus Road

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 20:47:27 +0000

God’s grace can transform the lives of even the most unlikely people. In part 8 of Acts: The Continuing Ministry of Jesus, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Acts 9:1-31.

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Study Notes
Context for Our Text

Understanding the Text

A Dramatic Conversion (9:1-9)

A Chosen Instrument (9:10-19a)

From Persecution to Proclamation (9:19b-31)

Applying the Text

Rejoice in God’s sovereign grace!

Pray for God to do the humanly unlikely!

Do not resist the gracious draw of the Spirit in your life!

Persecution. Preaching, and Providence

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 18:21:14 +0000

God’s providential plans sometimes unfold in unlikely ways and in unlikely places, and remind us to trust in Him and be faithful witnesses. In part 7 of Acts: The Continuing Ministry of Jesus, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Acts 8:1-40.

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Study Notes
Understanding the Text

Persecution (8:1-3)

Preaching (8:4-25)

Providence (8:26-40)

The Ways of God

Applying the Text

Trust and testify

Servants of Christ

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 17 Nov 2024 20:43:38 +0000

As servants of Christ, we are called to imitate Christ. In part 6 of Acts: The Continuing Ministry of Jesus, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Acts 6:1 - 7:60.

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Study Notes
Context for Our Text

Understanding the Text

Seven Servants (6:1-7)

Stephen Seized (6:8-15)

Stephen’s Speech (7:1-53)

Stephen’s Stoning (7:54-60)

Imitating Christ

Applying the Text

Pursue the call to imitate Christ in attitude, word, and deed.

Judgment Within

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 20:34:40 +0000

God judges sin in the church because it hinders the work of the Spirit and damages the testimony of the church. In part 5 of Acts: The Continuing Ministry of Jesus, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Acts 4:32 – 5:42.

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Study Notes
Fear of the Lord

Context for Our Text

Understanding the Text

Loving Unity and Powerful Testimony (4:32-37)

Hypocrisy, Judgment, and Fear (5:1-11)

Signs and Wonders (5:12-16)

Teaching and Preaching the Christ (5:17-42)

Purity, Unity, and the Power of the Spirit

Fear of the Lord

Applying the Text

Fear the Lord!

Boldness

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 03 Nov 2024 20:18:58 +0000

The Sovereign Lord can empower us to speak His word with all boldness no matter what opposition may come. In part 4 of Acts: The Continuing Ministry of Jesus, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Acts 3:1-4:31.

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Study Notes
Context for Our Text

Understanding the Text

Healing in the Name of Jesus (3:1-10)

Peter’s Portico Speech (3:11-26)

Arrest and Council Speech (4:1-12)

Predicament and Praise (4:13-22)

Prayer for Boldness (4:23-31)

We serve a risen Savior who….

is the Sovereign Lord

sent His Spirit

answers our prayers

Applying the Text

Pray for boldness!

Repent and Be Baptized

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 27 Oct 2024 18:27:18 +0000

The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus fulfilled prophecy, ushered in the last days, and is the key to eternal life as we repent and are baptized by faith into the body of Christ. In part 3 of Acts: The Continuing Ministry of Jesus, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Acts 2:14-47.

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Study Notes
Understanding the Text

Peter’s Pentecost Sermon: The Last Days (2:14-21)

Peter’s Pentecost Sermon: The Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ (2:22-36)

Peter’s Pentecost Sermon: So What? (2:37-41)

The Fellowship of the Believers (2:42-47)

“Repent and Be Baptized”

Repentance
Baptism

Applying the Text

Repent and Be Baptized!

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 19:52:28 +0000

The coming of the Spirit at Pentecost marked the beginning of a profound expansion in God’s plan of redemption and in how He works within His people. In part 2 of Acts: The Continuing Ministry of Jesus, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Acts 2:1-13.

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Study Notes
Understanding the Text

Tongues of Fire (2:1-5)

Tongues of Praise (2:6-13)

Descriptive Scripture vs. Prescriptive Scripture

The Birth of the Church

Tongues: Biblical Directives on a Controversial Topic

Baptism of the Spirit vs. Filling of the Spirit

The Ministries of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit…

inspired the Scriptures

convicts the world

regenerates sinners

baptizes those who believe into the body of Christ

indwells believers

seals believers

enlightens believers

leads the believer into righteousness

gifts the believer for service

intercedes for the believer

testifies with our spirit that we are children of God

guarantees the believer’s inheritance

will raise the mortal bodies of believers

Applying the Text

Rejoice in the mighty works of God!

Rejoice in the ministries of the Holy Spirit

Be filled with the Spirit

Spirit-Empowered Witnesses Everywhere

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 18:53:13 +0000

The Lord Jesus Christ continues His ministry through Spirit-empowered witnesses everywhere. In part 1 of Acts: The Continuing Ministry of Jesus, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Acts 1:1-26.

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Study Notes
A Brief Introduction to Acts

Author: Luke
Date: About A.D. 62

A Brief Introduction to Acts-Primary Purpose:

To provide and orderly and reliable account of the growth of the early Christian church, showing how the gospel spread from Jerusalem to Rome.

A Brief Introduction to Acts-Other Purposes:

To emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit

To show the fulfilment of Jesus’ commission

To validate the legitimacy of Christianity

To encourage believers

To connect the Gospel of Luke and the early Church

Understanding the Text

The Pre-Ascension Ministry of Jesus (1:1-5)

The Ascension of Jesus (1:6-11)

The Fate of Judas (1:12-20)

The Replacement for Judas (1:21-26)

Applying the Text

Are you a Spirit-empowered witness in this end of the earth?