Teaching: Consider The Audience

Lessons Lessons From ActsFrom Acts

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Help, I’m Lost

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Help, I’m Lost

1 Cor. 9:19-221 Cor. 9:19-22• For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a

servant to all, servant to all, that I might win the morethat I might win the more• and to the Jews I became as a Jew, and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win that I might win

JewsJews• To those who are under the law, as under the law, To those who are under the law, as under the law, that I that I

might win those who are under the lawmight win those who are under the law• To those who are without law, as without law (not being To those who are without law, as without law (not being

without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without lawthat I might win those who are without law

• to the weak I became as weak, to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the that I might win the weakweak. .

• I have become all things to all men, that I might by all I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.means save some.

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Help, I’m Lost

• 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense always be ready to give a defense to everyone who to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with with meekness and fear;meekness and fear;

• Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any

trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.tempted.

• 2 Tim. 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to 2 Tim. 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to

God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.dividing the word of truth.

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Acts 2

• What is the Background of the Audience?–Knew the Law -- Abraham, Isaac, Jacob–Kept the Law (of Moses)–Knew the prophets

• Jesus had been among them

• Fifty days after the crucifixion of Christ by the Jews

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Peter’s Sermon

•But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel –Read 16-21

•This Jesus was delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God Acts 2:23

–God raised Him up•Let me speak to you of David

–Acts 2:25-28–Acts 2:29-35

Acts 2:36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

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Peter’s Sermon- Results

• Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

• 38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

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Acts 3

• Background–Same Jews

• Gathered at the temple• Peter and John

–Healed the lame man• Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do

have I give you–rise up and walk

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Peter’s Sermon

• Acts 3:12 So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

• 13 "The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers

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Peter’s Sermon• Acts 3:13 "The God of Abraham, Isaac, and

Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. 14 "But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 "and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.

• Acts 3:18 "But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets…

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Stephen Acts 6 & 7

Background•Stephen was one of seven chosen in Acts 6

•Acts 6:8-9 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen…, disputing with Stephen.

•Did he try to win the debate or win the lost?

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Stephen’s Defense

• Acts 6:15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

–What does this say regarding his attitude or demeanor?

• Reviews entire Jewish history–Acts 7:2 And he said, "Brethren and fathers,

listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, 3 "and said to him, 'Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you.'

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Acts 8

• Describe the eunuch as if you were sitting down to teach him? (Acts 8:26-29)

–What was his position?–What was his knowledge (of God)?

• How did Phillip approach him? –Do you understand what your reading? (v. 30)

• Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. (v. 35)

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Philip’s Lesson• Acts 8:32 The place in the Scripture which he read

was this: "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 33 In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth." 34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?" 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.

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Philip’s Lesson— Results

• Acts 8:36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" 37 Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." 38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

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Acts 10

• Describe the Cornelius if you were sitting down to teach him? (Acts 10:1-2) –What was his position?–What was his knowledge (of God)?

• Is he a Jew?

• Describe Cornelius’ vision?

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Acts 10• Peter’s vision

–What did he see?–Why necessary?

• Was Cornelius eager? –Cornelius was waiting and had gathered his relatives

and close friends. (v. 24)–Cornelius met Peter and fell at his feet and worshiped

him (v. 25)• Peter arrives; where did he start?

–Acts 10:28 Then he said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean."

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Peter’s Sermon

• Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 "But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 "The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all--

Any mention of the Law or becoming a Jew?Any mention of the Law or becoming a Jew?

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Peter’s Sermon

• Acts 10:37 "that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 "And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree.

Any mention of the Law or becoming a Jew?Any mention of the Law or becoming a Jew?

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Peter’s Sermon

• Acts 10:40 "Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 "not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 "And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins."

Any mention of the Law or becoming a Jew?Any mention of the Law or becoming a Jew?

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Peter’s Sermon- action

• Acts 10:47 "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

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Acts 17• Describe from Athens, Greece as if you were

sitting down to teach him? (Acts 17:16-21) –What is their mindset?–What was their knowledge (of God)?–Could you start by building on the law and

fulfilled prophecies?• Acts 17:21 For all the Athenians and the

foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing.

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Paul’s Sermon

• Acts 17:22 Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; 23 "for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:

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Paul’s Sermon

• God, who made the world and everything in it

–Does not dwell in temples made with hands. –Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as

though He needed anything, –He gives to all life, breath, and all things.

• They believed in gods made by men's’ hands

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Paul’s Sermon• Acts 17:26 "And He has made from one blood

every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 "so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 "for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.'

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Paul’s Sermon

• Acts 17:29 "Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising. 30 "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 "because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."

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Paul’s Sermon- Results

• Acts 17:32-34 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead,

– Some mocked– Others said, "We will hear you again on this

matter.“–Some men joined him and believed

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We Could …• Compare Paul’s speeches to

–Felix (righteousness, self control)–King Agrippa (expert in Jewish Law and Customs)

• Paul’s dealings with Jews vs. the Philippian Jailer

• Look at Jesus’ –Masterful art of telling parables to teach a point–Eating with publicans and sinners–Tear down the haughty while mending the

broken reed

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Summary

• Teaching started based on the background of the listener

• The teacher never set out to “win a debate” but to “win a lost soul”

• Started with Milk not Meat–Note many knew enough after one hearing of

the gospel to obey.

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Summary

• Acts 2–Jews–Had killed the Christ–History

• Acts 3–Crowd around healed lame man–God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob–God sent Him; you killed Him

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Summary

• Acts 7–Jews–Recounted their history–Want did he want them to see?

• Acts 8–Jewish convert–Reading from Isaiah–Began at that scripture; preached Jesus

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Summary• Acts 10

–Gentile–God no respecter of persons–Jews killed Him; God raised Him

• Acts 17–Learn something new–Religious people–God you “already worship”–Not in material temple

• Conclusion??

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Summary

• Marty Broadwell & Sam Binkley Jr.- "Success at Bible Teaching"

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From a book (by Sam Binkley, Jr and Martin Broadwell)

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From a book—From a book—

““Jesus, The Master TeacherJesus, The Master Teacher