Columbus Baptist Church's Podcast

Title: The Lawyer Vs. The Tentmaker Text: Acts 24:1-21 FCF: We often struggle defending ourselves with wrong motives or beliefs. Prop: Because God’s providence includes wicked people accusing His children falsely, we mut not fear for ourselves but defend the gospel against attack. Scripture Intro: ESV [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to Acts chapter 24. In a moment we’ll begin reading in the English Standard Version starting from verse 1. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. Last time we saw Paul delivered safely from a plot on his life. Now this Roman prisoner has been transported to Caesarea to face his accusers before the governor of Judea, Antonius Felix. But Paul is still not out of danger. What will the apostle face in this trial? Will Felix be reasonable? Will his accusers even show up? Let’s look. Stand with me to give honor to and focus on the reading of the Word of God. Invocation: Creator and Designer of the Universe and all that is within it

Title: Schemers, Sharks, and A Snitch Text: Acts 23:12-35 FCF: We often struggle trusting God when enemies surround us. Prop: Because man makes their plans but God guides their steps, we must trust the Lord. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to Acts chapter 23. In a moment we’ll begin reading from the LSB starting in verse 12. You can follow along in the pew bible or whatever version you prefer. After Paul narrowly escapes the clutches of the Sanhedrin, Jesus comes to him in the night and comforts him. He tells Paul to have courage because just as he has declared the gospel in Jerusalem he must also go to Rome and do the same. But we are still two and a half years away from Jesus’ promise being fulfilled. In the remaining 5 and a half chapters of this book, we will see God’s hand of providence working to have His apostle arrive in Rome at precisely the right time for him to be there. An apostle of God is never early, nor is he late, but arrives precisely when God needs him to. And

Title: Have Courage Text: Acts 22:30-23:11 FCF: We often struggle having the courage to share our faith when we face uncertain days. Prop: Because God’s unfailing providential plan includes all events, we must courageously proclaim the gospel. Scripture Intro: NET [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to Acts chapter 22. In a moment we’ll begin reading in verse 30 and on to verse 11 of chapter 23 from the New English Translation. You can follow along in the pew bible or whatever version you prefer. Last week we saw Paul reviled by the sinful Jews and treated with respect by the pagan Romans. In these events we see God’s providential hand accomplish His purposes. Even orchestrating the choices of men to compose His perfect story. Today the narrative will advance again in a new Episode. Paul will be granted a hearing before the spiritual leaders of Israel. But in a rare occurrence we will see the righteous character of Paul falter as he faces frustration at the ongoing spiritual rot of the Jews. We will

Title: Your Will Be Done Text: Acts 22:22-29 FCF: We often struggle trusting God when we are in difficult situations Prop: Because God providentially works to accomplish His purposes through man’s choices, we must trust the Lord. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to Acts chapter 22. In a moment we will read from the LSB starting in verse 22. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. Since Acts chapter 19 we have been in the final Act of the unfolding narrative of the book of Acts. In his part 2 of this gospel sent to Theophilus, which is designed to assure him of the truth of what he has believed, Luke is demonstrating the continuing saving power of Jesus. The Kingdom of God continues to invade the world through the power of the comforter, the third person of the Godhead the Holy Spirit. This last act began when Paul turned his attention toward going to Jerusalem. God has called him to go there and to suffer in chains. Paul goes willingly even against

Title: God’s Appointed Evangelist: YOU! Text: Acts 21:37-22:21 FCF: We often struggle feeling adequate enough to share our faith with others. Prop: Because God providentially equips us to share the gospel, we must be excellent at submitting to His prompting to share the clear truth of the gospel. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to Acts chapter 21. In a moment we’ll read from the LSB starting in verse 37. You can follow along in the pew bible or whatever version you prefer. Last time in the book of Acts Paul was dragged out of the temple and accused of violating a cultural law which prohibited all gentiles from entering the temple grounds. The crowd attempted to kill him. But he was rescued by the Roman commander who was merely trying to keep the peace. We noted last time that because the gospel is offensive we must be ready to endure slander and persecution for it. But we also must be ready to use such opportunities to share the gospel. Today we will see Paul doing just that.

Title: Chains and Afflictions Text: Acts 21:27-36 FCF: We often struggle responding well to slander and persecution for Christ’s sake. Prop: Because of the offense of the gospel we will be slandered and reviled, so we must be ready to give a defense for the hope we have in us. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to Acts chapter 21. In a moment we will read beginning in verse 27 from the Legacy Standard Bible. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. Last week we saw the powder keg situation that Paul and his 8 gentile companions walked into as they brought a gift for the Jerusalem church from several churches in gentile lands. Tension between Jews and the Romans continues to mount and along with that the pernicious rumor that Paul is anti-Mosaic law and advising new Jewish believers to forsake circumcising their children and the laws and customs of Moses. The Elders wisely advised Paul to demonstrate that he is not against the law of Moses by submittin

Title: Love and Honor Text: Acts 20:36-38 FCF: We often struggle having a good relationship between leaders and followers. Prop: Because the relationship of the Elders to the church must be one of love and honor, we must devote ourselves to love and honor one another. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to Acts chapter 20. In a moment we’ll read from the Legacy Standard Bible starting in verse 36. You can follow along in the pew bible or whatever version you prefer. Over the last couple of weeks, we have had longer sermons covering Paul’s final exhortation to these Ephesian Elders. So, this week I am giving you a break and a chance to digest everything before we celebrate easter next week. This will certainly be a shorter sermon, but there are still many things we can glean from this text. Last week Paul concluded his thoughts toward the Elders of Ephesus. He serves as their template and commands them to shepherd the flock of God well. His last words express a great truth spoken by J

Title: Love and Honor Text: Acts 20:36-38 FCF: We often struggle having a good relationship between leaders and followers. Prop: Because the relationship of the Elders to the church must be one of love and honor, we must devote ourselves to love and honor one another. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to Acts chapter 20. In a moment we’ll read from the Legacy Standard Bible starting in verse 36. You can follow along in the pew bible or whatever version you prefer. Over the last couple of weeks, we have had longer sermons covering Paul’s final exhortation to these Ephesian Elders. So, this week I am giving you a break and a chance to digest everything before we celebrate easter next week. This will certainly be a shorter sermon, but there are still many things we can glean from this text. Last week Paul concluded his thoughts toward the Elders of Ephesus. He serves as their template and commands them to shepherd the flock of God well. His last words express a great truth spoken by J