Sermon Outlines . Volume 03 | Issue 12

Prelude to Power

by Michael Catt

Volume 1 – Part 1

“PRELUDE TO POWER”
Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1, 2

  1. Luke wanted to record history.
  2. Luke wanted to present a true picture of Christianity.
  3. Luke wanted to emphasize the evangelistic thrust of the church.

This study should have a ten-fold effect on us:

  1. We should be more committed to prayer and evangelism.
  2. We should have a greater desire to walk in the power of the spirit.
  3. We should work diligently to keep unity in the church.
  4. We must reject the notion that Christianity is an easy believism.
  5. We should have a greater commitment to the local church.
  6. We must admit that the purpose of the church is not about me, but about others.
  7. We must learn to depend on the Holy Spirit.
  8. We must not compromise.
  9. We must be people who desire that the truth be preached.
  10. We need to ask God to use us so that our lives count for eternity.

Part 2: “LET’S ROLL”
Acts 1:1-8

  1. ACKNOWLEDGE WHO’S IN CHARGE.
  2. RESPOND TO GOD’S CALL.
  3. EMBRACE THE TRUTH.
  4. WALK IN THE SPIRIT.
  5. LIVE IN LIGHT OF HIS COMING.

Part 3: “WAITING TIME IS NEVER WASTED TIME”
Acts 1:12-26

  1. WE MEASURE OUR EFFECTIVENESS BY HOW WE STACK UP TO ACTS 1:8
    1. God’s power is available to all.
    2. God’s power is within.
    3. God’s power demands action.
  2. WE MEASURE OUR EFFECTIVENESS BY OUR VIEW OF WHERE THIS WORLD IS HEADED. vs. 11
  3. WE MEASURE OUR EFFECTIVENESS BY PRAYER. vs. 13, 14
  4. WE MEASURE OUR EFFECTIVENESS BY OUR COMMITMENT TO THE WORD. vs. 15-26

Part 4 “YOU AIN’T SEEN NOTHIN’ YET”
Acts 2:1-4

  1. INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS REGARDING PENTECOST AND THE COMING OF THE SPIRIT. THE BACKGROUND FOR THE DAY OF PENTECOST. Lev. 23
  2. THE HISTORIC AND SYMBOLIC SIGNIFICANCE OF PENTECOST. Acts 2:1-4
    1. They were all in one accord.
    2. When the time was right, the Spirit moved in.
    3. The filling of the Spirit.
    4. Speaking in other tongues.
  3. THE CONTEMPORARY APPLICATION OF PENTECOST.
    1. The purpose of the Spirit’s coming.
    2. The purpose of the Spirit’s baptism.
    3. The problem in today’s church.

Bottom line, non-negotiable truths:

  1. The work of the Spirit is a unifying work, not divisive.
  2. The Spirit came to bring conviction, not confusion.
  3. The Spirit was not given for argument but for proclamation.
  4. The Spirit exalts Jesus – not Himself.
  5. The Spirit equips us with all we need to do the job Jesus left us to do.
  6. The Spirit is not a toy to play with.
  7. If anyone does something in the name of God that causes disorder, division or schisms – that is not of God. The Father, Son and Spirit are in agreement.