AM Scripture Reading: Acts 16.1-5

Sermon Series: Keeping The Church Strong & Growing

Brent T. Willey

Lesson #1:

AUTHORITY, ATTITUDE & ACTION

Introduction:

1. Every biblical subject must be approached from a foundational standpoint, and this is certainly true with the Lord’s church.
2. Luke records, “So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily” (Acts 16.5), which should be our goal as well. How can this be accomplished?
3. This is achieved by a multi-faceted endeavor that demands three essential elements: Authority, Attitude & Action!
4. The church continues to face perilous times as there are those individuals who are not content with the New Testament pattern, which make these principles critically important!

AUTHORITY, AUTHORITY, AUTHORITY!

1. Authority begins with Christ. (Matt. 28.18)
2. Authority delegated to His apostles. (Matt. 28.18-20; Jude 17)
3. Authority based upon God’s will (Matt. 7.21-23), and is now contained in the New Testament. (Heb. 8.7-13)

ATTITUDE, ATTITUDE, ATTITUDE!

1. Attitude of humble submission toward God. (James 4.6-10)
2. Attitude of loving obedience. (John 14.15; 1 John 5.3)
3. Attitude or “spirit” of reverence. (John 4.23-24; Heb. 12.28)

ACTION, ACTION, ACTION!

1. Action that is the faithful response to God’s inspired word. (Rom. 10.17; Luke 11.28)
2. Action that fully carries out God’s word. (Jam. 1.22-25)
3. Action that does what Christ says without excuse. (Luke 6.46)

Conclusion: Sadly, there are Christians that have grown tired of and preachers that have minimized sermons that emphasize Authority, Action & Attitude. As a result, the appearance of many churches favors their human designers – not Christ!

Next Week

Lesson #2: God’s Appointed Leaders In The Church