The Power to Witness to Haters

Haters are going to Hate...

...and they’ll Call You Out. (Acts 4:1-7)

How to Witness to Haters:

1. Put them on Defense! (Acts 4:8-10)


2. Use God’s Word! (Acts 4:11)


3. Don’t Compromise the Message! (Acts 4:12)

John 14:6 - ...no one comes the Father except through me.

1 Timothy 2:5 - For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus

John 3:36 – Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides upon him.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 4:1-12

1. Why do you think there is animosity towards the Gospel? Why are people who attack Christians unwilling to “live and let live”?
    
2. In verse 8, the Holy Spirit gave Peter POWER to WITNESS. Does the Holy Spirit still do this today? How? What does that look like?
    
3. Explain why Jesus is the only way to salvation.
    
4. Can you share a story of a time a “hater” attacked your beliefs? How did you respond?

Breakout Questions:

1. Pray for those persecuted for the Gospel across the world!

The Power to Witness

Review:

How to Witness: 3 Things You Need to Make Clear!

1. Make It Clear: This is About God. (Acts 3:11-12)


2. Make it Clear: We Are Guilty but God is Gracious. (Acts 3:13-18)


3. Make It Clear: A Response is Required. (Acts 3:19-26)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 3:11-26

1. What is hardest for you about witnessing? What is one area where you could do better?
    
2. How does the POWER of the Holy Spirit show up when you are WITNESSES?
    
3. Peter gave a balanced message, talking about man’s guilt and God’s grace. Which side do you seem to want to emphasize more when you get to talk about the Gospel?
    
4. Imagine you are witnessing to someone. How would you reply to these statements?

• I think I will get serious about God later.
• How can you know you are really saved?
• It doesn’t really matter what you believe. Everyone is going to heaven if they are sincere.

Breakout Questions:

1. Pray for each of you to become better witnesses. 

The Power to Heal

God Can Still Heal. And Here's What I Can Do:

1. I can STOP and show COMPASSION. (Acts 3:1-5)



2. I can MINISTER in the name of Jesus to people. (Acts 3:6-7)



3. I can BRING people to worship. (Acts 3:8-10)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above with your cursor for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 3:1-10

1. Why doesn’t God heal people today in the manner He did in the 1st Century?
    
2. What are some reasons God may choose to NOT heal someone?
    
3. What would you say to someone who is discouraged, “I have been praying for this for a long time, and God doesn’t seem to be answering my prayers…”

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another.

The Power of Fellowship

5 Things Said of a Church with a Godly Reputation:

1. "That church is UNIFIED !" (Acts 2:42)


2. "GOD is doing things in that church!"(Acts 2:43)


3. "That church is GENEROUS !" (Acts 2:44-45)


4. "That church is JOYFUL !" (Acts 2:46)


5. "I can't say anything BAD about that church!" (Acts 2:47)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above with your cursor for answers!

Sermon Discussion with your Children:
What does it mean to be generous?
How can you and your family be generous in and with the church?

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 2:42-47

1. Why is unity so important to the reputation of the church? What does church membership say about unity?
    
2. Without Apostles, how does awe come upon souls today (Acts 2:43)?
3. How does God add to a church (Acts 2:47) that strives for excellence in these areas?

Breakout Questions:

Of these 5 areas, what is most lacking at HBCPN? How can we seek the Lord for better in that/those area(s)?

The Power Explained - Part 3

Five Ingredients of True Conversion:

1. Heart-felt CONVICTION . (Acts 2:37)



2. Sincere REPENTANCE . (Acts 2:38)



3. Godly MOTIVATION . (Acts 2:39)



4. Radical SEPARATION . (Acts 2:40)



5. Public PROFESSION . (Acts 2:41)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above with your cursor for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 2:37-41

1. How can you tell if someone is truly "cut to the heart", that is, they are genuinely sorry for their sins? (Acts 2:37)
2. How would you answer someone who asks, "Why should I get baptized? What does it mean?" (Acts 2:38)
3. Is Acts 2:38 teaching that "you can't get saved unless you are baptized"? Why or why not?
4. What are wrong motivations to come to Christ? (See Acts 2:39 for the right motivation)
5. What did Peter mean by, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation"? (Acts 2:40) 

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another.