Preached by Chris Broom, 5/11/2008

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Leroy Hopson (left) gets restored.

Building a Great Church, part 12 - Mission Accomplished - Outline

This is the final part in our 12 part study on the book of Acts entitled “Building a Great Church.” At the end of the sermon is also a bonus song, “Let Us Break Bread Together.”

2 Timothy 4:1-8: Paul’s final letter.

1. Trust or Bust: Acts 27

• Trust God or Majority
• Trust God or Circumstances
• Trust God or Feelings
• “I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.”
• A kite rises against the wind not with it, and a man or woman of faith will rise against the winds of adversity in their life.
• God has the string and wants to see you soar.
• He will not tempt you beyond what you can bear.
• He is sovereign.
• You must trust him and fly.
• We trust our world’s way more than we trust the forever standing word of God.
• There are two places where we don’t mind being taught, questioned and held accountable: School and Work.
• We allow ourselves to be taught, questioned, tested, corrected, rebuked and held accountable at school and at work, but we don’t want to allow that in our spiritual lives.
• We obey someone because they put money in our hands (your employer), but won’t obey someone with the word of God in their hand?
• If we got ten bucks everytime we shared our faith, would we share it more?
• If we got fifty bucks for every Bible study we were in, would we squeeze a few more in this week?
• If paid, would you ever miss a midweek or complain about overtime on Sunday at time and a half?
• We trust our world’s way more than we trust the forever standing word of God.
• When we do it the world’s way, it leads to disaster.
• Suicide is the 3rd killer among teens.
• 1 in 5 teen girls ends up in an abusive relationship.
• There are 1700 drinking related deaths on campuses in America every year.
• 40% college students binge drink (Five in a row for guys. Four in a row for girls).

2. Love will find a way. Acts 28

• People are fickle. We must love them anyway.
• Paul is in Rome in prison, preaching boldly and without hindrance about the kingdom for two years.
• Some believe, some would not.

2 Timothy 4:6 Paul’s final letter

• History records that Paul was beheaded in Rome. He was not alone. Jesus was with him.
• Finish the race. Long for the appearing of Jesus. Go for the crown of righteousness.
• Most historians agree that Paul was in prison here in ad 60-63, and that Paul was not killed, but released. He continued to preach and then, was again arrested and now writes his final letter.
• A book entitled “The man who shook the world” states that paul was condemned for treason against the divine emperor Caesar.
• Early belief states that Peter and Paul were executed on the same day and possible held in prison together for some time. June 29, 67ad is the date honored of their martyrdom.
• Peter crucified upside down at his own request at nero’s circus, but Paul, a roman citizen, beheaded in a much less public place.
• He knew going to his death that he would only change his situation, but not his relationship. When he died he would see Jesus face to face.
• Don’t get caught up in earthly, civilian affairs.
• Don’t get choked by adversity.
• Cortez’ army wanted to stop fighting the Aztecs and go home, so Cortez burned the ships. It’s time for us to burn some ships and get back to fighting.

- Chris Broom

Categories: Building a Great Church, Sermons