Author: Alan Holden

Hypocrites in the Church Thesis: It is impossible to lie to God and prosper. Hypocrisy Perpetrated, vv. 1-2 A. Exegesis The People–>Annania and Sapphira The Problem–>They kept back part of the money though they had promised to give it all. They wanted bragging rights. Annanias and Sapphira were like the man and wife who tithed…

Effectual Call of God’s Grace Introduction Paul testifies that on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians, God called him to faith in Jesus and into the ministry. Thesis: God graciously calls people to faith in Jesus. Paul’s testimony reveals three reasons God calls people to faith. We Are Called by God’s Grace to Accomplish…

Completing the Commission Introduction It is easy to see our own inadequacy in witnessing for Jesus, and excuse ourselves from the commission God has given us. This is the “Let George do it” syndrome. Each Christian has the capacity and power of God to complete their commission. We must be obedient to God. Paul continued…

Fighting God Introduction Have you ever thought you were doing God’s will, only to find out that you were really running away from God? Or perhaps you have seen yourself as being good, only to overhear someone talk about you, saying that you are self-centered or self-righteous? Paul testified before King Agrippa that he once…

Favors Frustrated by God Introduction Have you ever felt that your life was at a standstill, even though you know that God has a definite purpose for your life? Ever thought, “How do I get with it, even though it seems I am imprisoned here for an indefinite time?” Paul spent 2 years in Roman…

The Potter’s Vessel Jehovah’s Command, vv. 1-3 A. “Get a Cured, Potter’s Vessel” A clay vessel is moldable until it is cured in the fire-kiln. A cured vessel is no longer moldable, but is breakable. B. “Take Witnesses,” Deuteronomy 19:15, Isaiah 8:2, Isaiah 44:9 Ancients of the people Ancients of the priests Isa_43:9  Let all…

The Commission The Work of Missions Is not Restricted to the Twelve, vv. 1-6, cf 9:1-6 A. Jesus commissions 72, one for each nation of the world, Genesis 10. B. “Sent them two by two” =  to bring the condemnation we read of in Luke 10:11-15, cf. Deuteronomy 19:15 and Numbers 35:30. C. “The harvest…

Can Jesus Be Your Savior If He Is Not Your Lord? Introduction This theological question is important. It strikes at the heart of how we proclaim the Gospel: do we present Jesus to unbelievers as Lord, or as Savior only? what are the essential truths of the Gospel message? how can a person know his…

The Word of Assurance Introduction This second “word from the cross” might be called “the Response of the Savior to the Request of the Sinner.” Jesus was crucified between two malefactors. One was saved and the other was lost. Let us focus our attention on the dialogue between the Savior and the sinner who was…

Matthew 28:1-15 Introduction Though you may not visit the empty tomb in this life, you can take a trip through God’s wonderful truth. The empty tomb was a place of happenings. It was located right at the foot of the hill where Jesus was crucified. The body of Jesus was placed in a borrowed tomb,…