CCV

It's Not a Box of Rules Acts Chapter 15 Focus: Christianity is not a box of rules, but a life permeated with Christ who transforms us because He has become the center of our lives. I. The OLD COVENANT was a box of rules! II. Jesus CAME for EVERYONE not just INSIDERS. ROMANS 6:14 no longer under the law, but grace... III. The GRAVITY of GRACE pulls us INSIDE the NEW COVENANT. A. I must CONFRONT the INDEPENDENT REBEL in me. B. I must CONFRONT the PHARISEE in me. C. I must CONFORM to CHRIST in me. Acts 15:1-41 (NET) The Jerusalem Council [15:1] Now some men came down from Judea1 and began to teach the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised2 according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." [2] When Paul and Barnabas had a major argument and debate3 with them, the church4 appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others from among them to go up to meet with5 the apostles and elders in Jerusalem6 about this point of disagreement.7 [3] So they were sent on their way by th...

Points Of Contact Acts 13 Focus: God wants you to make contact with him and others who need him. I. God often SPEAKS at these points of contact: 13:1-3 A. While IN CHURCH 13:1 B. While WORSHIPING 13:2 C. While FASTING 13:2 D. While PRAYING 13:3 II. God PREPARES points of contact 13:4-5 III. There will be ATTEMPTS to DERAIL your point of contact 13:6-12 IV. CLEARLY COMMUNICATE God's Point 13:14-44 A. Show how PROPHECY B. But AIM FOR THE MAIN POINT C. Don't be a DUMP TRUCK --Look for INVITATIONS to SAY MORE 13:42 V. Expect SUCCESS and OPPOSITION 13:45-52 VI. Be filled with JOY & the HOLY SPIRIT 13:51-52 Acts 13 http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2013&version=NIV 1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and ...

Love Reaches Out And other important keys to a healthy life Acts Chapter 11 Part 2 Focus: Remain true to the Lord with all your heart. Acts 11:23 I. Change from RELIGION to RELATIONSHIP 11:1-18 II. Love REACHES out 11:19-26 A. RELATIONSHIPS are the key to OUTREACH! B. Every believer needs a BARNABUS C. Commit to multiple COMRADES! D. Outreach is the HAND OF GOD III. Love GIVES 11:27-30 THE HAND OF GOD Relationship Strands - Connecting Cord Comrade Closet Care Group Congregation Contributing NEW CLASSES for VVCC Connect -> Order -> Ready -> Do Sent from my iPad

How to Face a Hopeless Situation Acts 12 Focus: The best way to face hopeless situation is to look into the face of a loving God. I. We still WONDER WHY 12:2-11 II. God still USES ANGELS 12:7-11, 15, 23 III. Prayer still CHANGES THINGS 12:5 IV. We're still SURPRISED 12:13-15 V. God still JUDGES PRIDE 12:21-24 Listen to this Passage: http://mobile.biblegateway.com/resources/audio/flash_play.php?aid=32&book=51&chapter=12 Acts 12 - Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible James was one of the sons of Zebedee, whom Christ told that they should drink of the cup that he was to drink of, and be baptized with the baptism that he was to be baptized with, Mt 20:23. Now the words of Christ were made good in him; and if we suffer with Christ, we shall reign with him. Herod imprisoned Peter: the way of persecution, as of other sins, is downhill; when men are in it, they cannot easily stop. Those make themselves an easy prey to Satan, who make it their business to pl...

Acts Chapter 10 Focus: Trust that it is God, not coincidence, when detailed supernatural synchronization suggests a divine design rather than a random accident. Alternate Focus: God's name is not "Chance" or "Coincidence." I. DOUBLE VISION makes things clear    A. If you want a glimpse, get IN SYNC    B. Don't expect the EXTRAORDINARY if you don't make PRAYER ORDINARY    C. Good HABITS change RELUCTANCE into APPRECIATION II. God's TIMING confirmed his WILL    A. Even good men need to be SAVED ; INVITE JESUS into your life    B. Love GOD ( MAKE and KEEP your daily APPOINTMENTS )    C. LOVE and REACH all people Acts 10 http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2010&version=NIV Acts 10:1-48 (NET) Peter Visits Cornelius [10:1] Now there was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort. [2] He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was all his household...

Acts Chapter 9 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%209&version=ESV Focus: Knowing God's purpose for my life changes everything. What's My Life For? --A Poetic Outline-- I was made for MORE What STOKES me? What POKES me? My life is TICKING so why am I KICKING ? He KNOWS my NAME and asks the SAME Why are you PERSECUTING me? Who are you? Why are you IGNORING me? Who are you? Why are you RUNNING from me? Why are you HURTING me? Who are you? Rise, I'll tell you WHO TO BE But Lord, I CANNOT SEE You will if you FOLLOW ME _________________ Acts 9   The Conversion of Saul  1But Saul,(A) still(B) breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to(C) the high priest 2and asked him for letters(D) to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to(E) the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3(F) Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flash...

The Waterboy Reverse Focus: God, the master strategist, moves his players to winning positions on the playing field. I. When things look OUT OF CONTROL, don't BELIEVE it. 8:1-3 A. Often we have to be UNCOMFORTABLE before we make our MOVE. 8:4 B. God has SPECIAL TASKS for each of us. 8:5; Ephesians 2:10 C. God WANTS to HELP you. 8:6-13; I Chronicles 16:7-9 II. Believe the GOSPEL is GOOD NEWS for EVERYONE! 8:14-17 III. You can't EARN IT or BUY IT. 8:8-25 IV. Look for DIVINE DIRECTION and keep DIVINE APPOINTMENTS. 8:26-40 Acts 8 Simon the Wizard 1-2That set off a terrific persecution of the church in Jerusalem. The believers were all scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. All, that is, but the apostles. Good and brave men buried Stephen, giving him a solemn funeral—not many dry eyes that day! 3-8And Saul just went wild, devastating the church, entering house after house after house, dragging men and women off to jail. Forced to leave home base, the followers of Jesus...