Messages by Michael Staley (Page 2)
Testimony Before Leaders and Kings (Part 1)
Acts 25:1-21 Standing before judges and testifying to the truth is something Paul did repeatedly. For most this would be frustrating and tedious, but Paul always seemed to offer something more important. He presented the gospel because he was more concerned for the welfare of those asking for his testimony than he was his own liberty. Scriptures Referenced Isaiah 55:9
Take Courage
Acts 23:1-35 So often in life we end up in situations where we need to take courage, to be brave. Paul faced many difficulties, yet God gave him the courage to face them. And when Paul needed help, God provided the help he needed, like the Roman commander who protected Paul from a mob because Paul was a Roman citizen. Scriptures Referenced Deuteronomy 25:2
Controversy
Acts 21:26-22:30 Paul stood firm for the cause of Christ from the moment that he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, and he experienced plenty of opposition, but he was faithful through it all. Still, it seems like his life and his relationships were filled with controversy because so many rejected the message and yet he still kept after the work and saw people saved. Scriptures Referenced Acts 9:3-9
The Essentials
Acts 21:1-26 As Christians, we are told that we should be united in purpose, to love God and each other, and to share the gospel message with others in love. Sometimes we struggle with the concept of unity because we differ with each other on theology. But we don’t have to divide over our differences. We can be united if we choose to agree on the essential doctrines of the Christian faith and if we offer grace for any non-essential…
Heading Towards the End
Acts 20:1-38 Paul faced many challenges and some of them were deeply personal. One of his greatest challenges was to face a return trip to Jerusalem when he knew that it meant bondage and suffering were ahead. But strengthened by the Holy Spirit, Paul forged on ahead. He was sure of the rewards in his future, and he was determined to serve Jesus with everything he had all the way to the end. Scriptures Referenced Acts 19:21 Acts 9:16 2…
Co-exist, Not!
Acts 19:1-20:1 The world calls for everyone to co-exist, because they want all beliefs to be treated equally, but Jesus says that He is the only way and the only truth. In Him you will find eternal life. Scriptures Referenced 1 Cor 14:1-6 John 14:6
I Will Go To The Gentiles
Acts 18:1-28 It must have been frustrating for Paul to go to so many synagogues to teach Jesus from their own scriptures and to then have so many of his own people reject the one who he knew was the Messiah they had been waiting for, for a very long time. Thank God that Paul was willing to take that same message to the gentiles. Without his diligence and perseverance, we might never have received the gospel message or maybe…
Wash, Rinse and Repeat
Acts 17:1-34 One thing that you can say about Paul is that he was consistent. When he arrived in a new place, he looked for the synagogue and he went to services to spend time with his own people. He shared the gospel with them by reasoning from their own scriptures to prove Jesus was the Messiah they were waiting for. Some believed, many did not, but Paul tried over and over again to make sure that the Jews received…
What Can I Do To Be Saved
Acts 16:22-40 Knowing what is required to be saved is one of the most important answers every person needs to know in their lifetime. And God is amazing in that He loves each person so much and wants to see them saved so much, that He will cause amazing things to happen to make it possible. Scriptures Referenced Romans 3:23 Romans 10:9
Here We Go Again
Acts 15:36-16:24 Paul’s commitment and devotion to God is remarkable. The abuse that he endured just to make sure the gospel message made it to everyone, Jew and gentile alike was beyond what most of us could bear. Thankfully, nothing could stop him because he was powered by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus, Only Jesus
Acts 15:1-35 One of the most important distinctives of the early church was the emphasis on the pure work of Christ. None of us could save ourselves and we certainly can’t save anyone else. Only Jesus could do it, so that’s what He did. Scriptures Referenced Romans 3:20 Colossians 2:8 Galatians 2:16 Matthew 24:4-5 Ephesians 5:6 Exodus 20:3
Speaking Boldly
Acts 14:1-28 Paul did a lot of travelling and it wasn’t easy, but God placed a burden in his heart to minister to the Gentiles. We can all thank God for doing this, but Paul went through many hardships and a great deal of suffering to get the message of the gospel to all of us. He did it by speaking boldly about Jesus. Scriptures Referenced