Exposition of Acts: Features of a Local Church
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A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. A CHURCH SHOULD EMPHASIZE EVANGELISM
Mt 28:19a Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
A. WORKING WITHOUT BORDERS
>>1. WHILE IN EUROPE
Acts 18:18 After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchrea he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. (Acts 18:9-10)
>>2. WHILE IN ASIA
Acts 18:19-21 And they came to Ephesus, and he left [Priscilla and Aquila] there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. But as he left them, he added, “Though I must keep the upcoming feast in Jerusalem, I will return to you if God wills,” and set sail from Ephesus. (Acts 16:6)
>>3. WHILE IN PALESTINE
Acts 18:22a When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up [to Jerusalem] and greeted the church,
B. REPEATING MINISTRY
>>1. WHILE IN SYRIA
Acts 18:22b He then went down to Antioch.
>>2. WHILE IN GALATIA/PHRYGIA
Acts 18:23 After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. (Eph 4:11-13, 16)
II. A CHURCH SHOULD EMPHASIZE DISCIPLESHIP
Mt 28:20a teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you
A. INDIVIDUALIZING CARE
>>1. WHILE IN EPHESUS
Acts 18:24-25 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.
>>2. WHILE IN TRAINING
Acts 18:26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. (Jn 17:17)
B. DEFENDING TRUTH
>>1. WHILE IN CORINTH
Acts 18:27 And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, (I Cor 3:6; 1:12; 16:12)
>>2. WHILE IN ACHAIA
Acts 18:28 for he powerfully convinced the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
III. A CHURCH SHOULD EMPHASIZE OBEDIENCE
Mt 28:19b baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
A. UNDERSTANDING DOCTRINE
>>1. ON THE WAY TO EPHESUS
Acts 19:1 At the same time Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed from the inland of Asia to Ephesus. There he found some ‘disciples’.
>>2. WHILE AT EPHESUS
Acts 19:2-3 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we’ve not heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So, he asked, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.”
B. FOLLOWING THE ORDINANCES
>>1. WHILE EXPLAINING THE GOSPEL
Acts 19:4-5 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
>>2. WHILE RECEIVING THE SPIRIT
Acts 19:6-7 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. There were about twelve men in all. (Jn 1:29,31-34)