Acts
The Book of Acts stands unique in the New Testament. While other books mention Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection, Acts carries the story into the lives of Jesus’ earliest followers. Citylight will journey through this book as we desire to become a family who prioritizes evangelism and mission. It is our hope and prayer that this book will empower and inspire us through the Holy Spirit to take the message of Jesus and the Kingdom forward into our world for God’s glory.
Citylight Manayunk | September 6th, 2020 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
The big idea of our passage: Don’t give way to fear when the storms come. Easier said than done. How? Our passage provides us with two answers: 1. Believe God. 2. Take action.
Manayunk August 30, 2020 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
Acts 27: 1-44 ESV Study Bible
Pillar New Testament Commentary, The Acts of the Apostles, by David Peterson
Exalting Jesus in Acts, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary, by Tony Merida
Paul’s example brings us to the big idea of our passage and my longing for Citylight Church: Faithfully witnesses for the long haul. One unique characteristic of Paul’s speech before Governor Festus and King Agrippa in Acts 26 is that it’s not all that unique from Paul’s other speeches. You don’t need to learn a lot of new things in order to be a faithful witness to Jesus for the long haul. Rather, you need to remember three glorious things a whole life long: 1. Remember your commission. 2. Remember your message. 3. Remember your appeal.
Citylight Manayunk | August 23, 2020 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
Acts 25:13 – 26:33
Abraham Kuruville, A Manual For Preaching
Pillar New Testament Commentary, The Acts of the Apostles, by David Peterson
Exalting Jesus in Acts, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary, by Tony Merida
You don’t need to learn a lot of new things in order to be a faithful witness to Jesus for the long haul. Rather, you need to remember three glorious things a whole life long: 1. Remember your commission. 2. Remember your message. 3. Remember your appeal.
August 16, 2020 Manayunk from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
Pillar New Testament Commentary, The Acts of the Apostles, by David Peterson
Exalting Jesus in Acts, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary, by Tony Merida
Big Idea: Courageously Follow God’s Lead
How do we do that?
1. Rely on Godly Wisdom
2. Trust in God’s Providence
Citylight Manayunk | Online – August 9, 2020 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
Acts 22:30-23:35
- https://www.thegoodbook.com/blog/podcast/2020/07/31/on-the-podcast-with-kathleen-nielson-wisdom-is-app/
- Term from Derek Kidner, referenced by Kathleen Nielson in podcast without source
- https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/school-decision-trust-god/
- https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/are-gods-providence-and-gods-sovereignty-the-same
- ESV Study Bible
- Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Acts
- Darrell Bock, Acts
Walk with Jesus Through Good Trouble
1. Pursue peace sacrificially
2. Tell your story boldly
3. Use opportunities wisely
Citylight Manayunk | Online – August 2, 2020 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
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If you’re anything like me, then you’re not really sure what to do with a big idea like that. “How can I be ready to suffer for Christ?” Luke will provide us with three answers: 1. Prioritize Jerusalem. 2. Pursue Fellowship. 3. Practice Prophecy.
Citylight Manayunk | Online – July 26, 2020 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
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Read sermon transcriptBIG IDEA: Pay attention to yourselves and the church. How?
1. Imitate godly leaders
2. Be alert
Citylight Manayunk | Online – July 19, 2020 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
Acts 20:17-38
Pillar New Testament Commentary, The Acts of the Apostles, by David Peterson
Exalting Jesus in Acts, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary, by Tony Merida
Luke, what are you doing? Why are you spending so much time writing to a mostly Christian audience about the way the gospel disrupted life in Ephesus? The likely answer is the big idea of Acts 19:21-40: The gospel powerfully disrupts the city. Luke recounts Paul’s final moments in Ephesus with great detail, I believe, because he wants to motivate and prepare all Christians, including us, to take the gospel into our world. Be motivated and prepared to take the gospel into the world that the Lord has called you to and placed you in; your family, your neighborhood, your school, your work place. As we press into the details of Acts 19:21-41, we’ll learn two concrete implications for our lives that flow from the reality that the gospel powerfully disrupts the city: 1. Be motivated to share it. 2. Be prepared for opposition.
Citylight Manayunk | Online – July 12, 2020 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
Pillar New Testament Commentary, The Acts of the Apostles, by David Peterson
Exalting Jesus in Acts, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary, by Tony Merida
ESV Study Bible
Acts 19:20: So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily. In other words, what got them out of bed in the morning was not an alarm clock, but a calling. The calling to live so that the gospel would prevail. That brings us to the big idea of our passage: Live so the gospel prevails. Live so the gospel prevails. Feel free to wake up to an alarm clock but get out of bed for the greatest calling imaginable. Get out of bed so that you can take your dignified place in the advance of God’s Kingdom and live so the gospel prevails in our generation. How do we live so the gospel prevails? Luke shows us two ways: play your God-given part and let the gospel prevail over you.
Citylight Manayunk | Online – July 5, 2020 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
Acts 18:24-19:20
ESV Study Bible
Pillar New Testament Commentary, The Acts of the Apostles, by David Peterson
Exalting Jesus in Acts, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary, by Tony Merida
NIV Application Commentary, by Ajith Fernando
Luke provides us with three key ingredients for taking the gospel to intellectuals: 1. Get provoked for God’s glory and the good of others. 2. Expose idols gently. 3. Invite repentance clearly.
Citylight Manayunk | Online – June 28, 2020 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
Pillar New Testament Commentary, The Acts of the Apostles, by David Peterson
Exalting Jesus in Acts, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary, by Tony Merida
NIV Application Commentary by Ajith Fernando
ESV Study Bible
Read sermon transcriptActs 16 is a motivating reminder that there is no Christian type and that the gospel is good news for diverse people. That brings us to the big idea of our passage: Take the gospel to diverse people. Take the gospel to diverse people. Who are these diverse people that Acts 16 motivates us to take the gospel to?
Citylight Manayunk | Online – June 21, 2020 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
Acts 16:11-34
Pillar New Testament Commentary, The Acts of the Apostles, by David Peterson
Exalting Jesus in Acts, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary, by Tony Merida
Read sermon transcriptKeep Jesus’ mission the main thing. Today we are going to learn three ways to keep Jesus mission the main thing: 1. Separate well. 2. Remove unnecessary offenses 3. Follow the Lord’s leading.
Citylight Manayunk | Online – June 14, 2020 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
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Read sermon transcriptBelieve that you are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus. This big idea raises a big question: how should those who believe that they are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus live? We are going to explore two answers today: (1) Contend for grace and (2) concede your freedoms for the sake of the mission.
Citylight Manayunk | Online – May 31, 2020 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
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Read sermon transcriptGod empowers the church to fulfill her mission. How does he do it? According to Acts 14, God empowers the church to fulfill her gospel ministry through… 1. Gospel speaking. 2. Pastoral care.
Citylight Manayunk | Online – May 24, 2020 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
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Read sermon transcriptThe big idea of Paul’s sermon and our passage comes in Acts 13:23, where Paul says, “Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.” The big idea of the passage is Trust Jesus the promised Savior. But this big idea raises a big question: Who should trust Jesus the promised Savior? The two answers to the question from our passage are: 1. Older brothers under the law. 2. Younger brothers outside the law.
Citylight Manayunk | Online – May 17, 2020 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
The Acts of the Apostles by David G. Peterson
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Read sermon transcriptThe Spirit Sends Gospel Workers
Resources:
The Spirit Sends Gospel Workers
Acts 13: 1-3
Mark G.
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When does the gospel prevail over opposition? Our passage provides three answers to that question: 1. Sometimes it doesn’t look like it. 2. Sometimes it does. 3. Ultimately it will.
Resources:
Acts 12:1-25
Pillar New Testament Commentary, The Acts of the Apostles, by David Peterson
Exalting Jesus in Acts, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary, by Tony Merida
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Read sermon transcriptBe a world-changing church. Now, we have to be clear from the outset that the gospel is what builds the church. The gospel is the unstoppable power that can conquer the world and when the gospel was planted in Antioch, a church sprouted to life. Jesus, through the gospel, builds the church. And in the church at Antioch, we see three gospel-ingredients that made them a world-changing church that I long for us to emulate more and more so that we too can be a church that impacts our city to the tenth generation. Those three ingredients are: 1. Gospel evangelism. 2. Gospel discipleship. 3. Gospel love.
Resources:
Acts 11:19-30
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Read sermon transcriptGod shows no partiality.
Resources:
Acts 10:34-11:18
Commentaries by Merida and Peterson (Pillar series)
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Read sermon transcriptJesus sends us to all peoples. The question that our passage helps us answer is “why?” Why does Jesus send you and me to all peoples? Our passage provides three answers to that question: 1. That they will turn and believe. 2. Because some are seeking 3. He makes clean.
Resources:
Acts 9:32-10:33
Commentaries in the Baker series and Tony Merida
Ajay Thomas’ sermon Seven Mile Road
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Read sermon transcriptHow can we eagerly partner with the Lord as he multiplies his church? Our passage provides us with three ways: (1) Be bold, (2) Be joined, and (3) Be fearful and comforted
Resources:
Acts 9:19-31
Commentaries by Merida, Fernando, and Peterson
Ajay Thomas’ sermon (Seven Mile Road) from Acts 8
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Read sermon transcriptWhen you lived amazed that Jesus saves, and not just in general, but saves you, then God gets the glory and you get the joy. The question our passage helps us consider is “how?” How does Jesus save such that we should live amazed? Three answers in our passage this morning:
- He confronts us with grace
- He brings us into his family
- He sends us for his glory.
Resources:
Acts 9:1-20
Commentaries by Al Mohler, Ajith Fernando, and Tony Merida.
Ajay Thomas’ sermon (Seven Mile Road) from Acts 8
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God sovereignly advances the Good news
Resources:
Acts 8:26-40
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Under the extreme heat of persecution and opposition, the word of God advanced. That brings us to the big idea of our passage this morning: When opposition increases, so does the advance of the gospel. For many of you, following Jesus openly and publicly at home, at work, at school, or in your neighborhood is becoming increasingly risky. Don’t be afraid or discouraged. Almighty God loves to spread the glorious gospel Jesus Christ under the most scorching of circumstances. Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness. The question that our passage helps us consider is “how?” How does the gospel advance when opposition increases? We’re going to explore three ways today: (1) Through “ordinary” people, (2) to “those” people, and (3) over “great” people.
Resources:
Acts 8:1-25
Pillar New Testament Commentary, The Acts of the Apostles, by David Peterson
Exalting Jesus in Acts, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary, by Tony Merida
New Age Beliefs Are Common in America – And In Our Churches (article by Joe Carter)
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God is expanding his kingdom globally by revealing his plan, by sending the Righteous One, by using opposition.
Resources:
Act 7-8:1
Tony Merida’s Christ-centered exposition
Acts, John Polhill NAC
Acts, F.F. Bruce NICNT
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How do we all work together for the multiplication of disciples? Three answers from our passage this morning: 1. Acknowledge our problems. 2. Solve with service. 3. Keep our main thing the main thing.
Resources:
acts 6: 1-15
Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Acts
Binu Abraham’s sermon on Acts 6:1-7 – Seven Mile Road Philly
Pillar NT Commentary, Acts, David Peterson
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Joyously endure opposition to your gospel-witness by: 1. obeying God rather than people; 2. knowing setbacks can’t stop the gospel; 3. and because The Holy Spirit is witnessing too.
Resources:
Acts 5:17-42
Ajay Thomas, sermon at Seven Mile Road, Prison & Preaching.
Darrel Bock, Acts, Baker Exegetical series
Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Acts
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How do we eagerly maintain Citylight Church’s unity? Our passage will provide us with two answers to that question: (1) Be generous toward it. (2) Remove hypocrisy from it.
Resources:
Acts 4:32-5:16
https://www.9marks.org/answer/what-church-discipline/
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Speak the gospel boldly because the Holy Spirit is in you; because only Jesus can save; because you’ve experienced Jesus; because God is sovereign; and because family will support you.
Resources:
Acts 4:1-35
Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Acts
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Jesus is the one you need because Jesus heals and Jesus blesses.
Resources:
Resources:
- ESV Study Bible
- Bruce, The Book of Acts
- Merida, Exalting Jesus in Acts
- Fernando, Acts
- Mohler, Acts 1-12 For You
- Keener, Acts
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Live As The Church. How do we live as a healthy church? Luke provides us with five ways: 1. Be a WORD community. 2. Be a SHARING community, 3. Be a RELATIONAL community, 4. Be a WORSHIPPING community, and 5. Be an EXPANDING community.
Resources:
NIV Application Commentary, Acts
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The Holy Spirit has come (1) to fill the church (2) because Jesus is exalted (3) therefore repent.
Resources:
Acts 2:1-41
A Passion for Christ-Exalting Power
Pillar NT Commentary, Acts, David Peterson, 134, 154
ESV Study Bible
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Jesus is still working. How is Jesus still working? We’ll see three answer in our passage: (1) From heaven (2) to expand God’s kingdom through God’s people, and (3) by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Resources:
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