The Power of Conversion

Review:

What to Expect When You Are Born Again:

1. Expect to Talk about Jesus... constantly. (Acts 9:20-22)



2. Expect to Mature in the Lord... constantly (Acts 9:22)



3. Expect to need the Church ...constantly (Acts 9:23-31)

Galatians 1:16-18 – (God) was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days.

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 9:20-31

1. Why didn’t God do a miracle for Saul like He did when He got the apostles out of jail (Acts 9:25)? What does this tell you about God? What does this tell you about man’s responsibility in hardships?

2. Why did the disciples send Saul out of town (Acts 9:30)? Why didn’t they just let him keep preaching?

3. The disciples walked in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:31). How do you, and we as a church keep this balance?

Breakout Questions:

Ask “how well does our church take care of new believers”? What do we do well? Where can we improve? Pray for one another.

The Power of Meeting Jesus.

Review:

1 Timothy 1:15-16 - The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

What We Learn About Grace:

1. The Worst people can receive grace. (Acts 9:1-14)



2. Grace Chooses you because God wants to use you. (Acts 9:15)



Review: Eph 2:10



3. Receiving grace does not mean "Exempt from Suffering". (Acts 9:16)



Review: Phil 1:29 | 2 Cor 11 | Acts 5:41 | Phil 3:10



4. We have the privilege of Demonstrating grace. (Acts 9:17-19)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 9:1-19

1. *Read 1 Timothy 1:15-16. How does Paul’s conversion story serve “as an example”?
    
2. Why do you think Saul was so zealous to hunt down and arrest Christians (Acts 9:4)? How do you see such zeal against Christians today? Do you think it’s the same kind of motivation?
    
3. Why do you think God got Ananias involved (Acts 9:10-12)? What does this say about how God may use you to disciple someone?
    
4. Paul obviously had a special calling (Acts 9:15). Does every believer have a special calling, or just some? Defend your answer biblically!

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another. Pray specifically for those baptized: Corinne, Sherri, Stephen, Kate!

Power in Personal Evangelism.

Review:

Personal Evangelism 101:

1. Look for those that are Seeking. (Acts 8:26-29)



2. Meet people where they Are. (Acts 8:30-35a)



Review: John 4



3. Make it about Jesus. (Acts 8:35b)



4. Encourage a Decision. (Acts 8:36-40)

(Listen to Baptism 101)

• What is baptism?
  Baptism is a visible, God-chosen, God-commanded, response to my faith. See Acts 2


• Who is baptism for?
  It is for people who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Common Excuses for not getting Baptized:

1. "I was baptized when I was a baby."
2. "I'd offend my parents and and family." See Acts 5:29
3. "I need to wait until I'm on track spiritually."
4. "I don't like being in front of people."
5. "I need to pray about it."


• What is the purpose of baptism?
  It is the profession of faith. See Rom 6:1-5


• When should a person be baptized?
  It is to be done immediately upon belief.

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 8:26-40

1. How can you tell if an unsaved person YOU know (coworker, gym buddy, neighbor, whatever) is seeking?

2. In Acts 8:35, we see Philip’s message was about Jesus. What specifically do unsaved people need to know about Jesus?

3. *Imagine a Christian friend of yours never got baptized, but asked you, "Why should I get baptized?" How would you answer this?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

The Power is Not for Sale.

Review:

Repent: 4 Sins that Will Keep You From Christ

1. Thinking too much of Yourself. (Acts 8:9-11)



See Matt 5:3



2. Thinking too much of Religion. (Acts 8:12-13)



3. Thinking too much of Money. (Acts 8:14-19)



See Rom 8:9 | Isa 55:1
Listen to I Love to Give!



4. Thinking only of Consequences. (Acts 8:20-25)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 8:9-25

1. Do you think Simon was saved in this passage? Why or why not? Do you think HE thought he was? Why or why not?

2. How did Peter know Simon’s heart wasn’t right (Acts 8:21-22)?

3. Is "fear of consequences" a right motivation to get saved? Why or why not?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

Power and Sovereignty.

Review:

Listen to Incomparably Sovereign

When I believe God is sovereign...

1. I believe He uses trials for Good! (Acts 8:1-4)



Review: Gal 4:13 | Phil 1:12

Suffering is a vehicle to witness!!



2. I believe He can save Anyone! (Acts 8:1, 3)



3. I believe He has Work for me to do. (Acts 8:5-8)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 8:1-8

1. Concerning Stephen’s death and the persecution fallout, how would you describe God’s involvement in that? Did God actively “CAUSE” Stephen’s death and the persecution? Did God just “ALLOW” it?

2. Consider your answer to number 1 above. What is God’s involvement in a trial you are facing right now? Is He causing it, allowing it, unaware of it… what?

3. Why do you think God so often chooses to use suffering to accomplish His purposes?

Breakout Questions:

1. Pray for faith to trust God’s sovereignty and purposes through whatever trial you are going through.