Author: Alan Holden

The Saints’ Crowns Introduction The Apostle Paul compares the Christian life to an athlete preparing for the Olympics. An athlete trains for years for the opportunity to represent his country at the Olympics. They submit to their coaches to prepare them for the qualifying races. If they lose a race or break any of the…

The Holy Ghost and Tongues, vv. 1-7 A. The Baptism of John looked forward to Messiah. B. Christian baptism looks back at the finished work of Christ and forward to His kingdom on earth. C. The Seal of the Spirit, see Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13, tongues served to witness to the Jews. The Holy Ghost…

Leadership by Example Introduction Christians often feel like we are drifting along with the currents, knowing all the while that the current can lead in the wrong direction. So we feel like we are either at the mercy of all leaders or we are distrustful of everyone. We do not know how to recognize a…

Thesis: God cannot be known intimately through philosophy or reason; however, God reveals Himself perfectly through Jesus Christ. The Philosophies of the World, vv. 16-22, Love for Novel Ideas A. Exegesis Epicureans = Materialists No life beyond this earthly existence Gods exist, but they are indifferent to humanity Goal of Life: Live as free from…

The Appointment, vv. 1-3 The Affront, vv. 4-12 A. Sergius Paulos B. Sorcerer–Elymas bar Jesus C. Saul–>Paul The Abandonment, v. 13 A. Rough terrain B. John Mark goes home <<Back<<

Paul, the Bivocational Missionary, vv. 1-3 cf. 2 Corinthians 11:9-12 and 2 Corinthians 12:13, then in verse 5, the Macedonian mission offering came. Paul, the Confrontational Missionary, vv. 4-6 Paul, the Diligent Church Planter, vv. 7-11 A. Hearing B. Believed C. Baptized <<Back<<

A Church Problem Thesis: Through Christ God brings different races together to form a single people, “God’s people,” for Christian fellowship. The Problem, vv. 1-5 A. Exegesis Should not Gentiles be required to become Jews in order to share in the Christian community? The first Christians were all Jews. Jesus was a Jew and the…

Risking Rejection Introduction General Douglas MacArthur said, “There is no security on this earth; there is only opportunity.” Thesis: Methods may or may not work, but the message of Jesus will produce outrageous outcomes if we use every opportunity. The Opportunity, vv. 1-4 A. Exegesis Place–Thessalonica, v. 1 Second largest city in Greece Strategically located…

A Comparison of the Two Birth Announcements Introduction of the key figures: Zechariah and Elizabeth; Mary. Mention of special condition precluding normal conception: old age of Elizabeth and the virginity of Mary. Encounter with the angel Gabriel. Troubled response: Zechariah to the angelic visitation; Mary to the greeting. Angel’s call not to fear, addressing each…

The Servant–Philip A. “Go south,” v. 26 B. “Go near,” v. 29 The Searcher–Ethiopian Eunuch A. “Come to Jerusalem for to worship,” v. 27 B. “Read Isaiah, the prophet,” v. 28 The Scripture A. The Silence of the Lamb, v. 32 B. The Slaughter of the Lamb, v. 33 The Searching Question, v. 34 The…