Acts 20:17-38 Paul’s message to the elders—particularly his warning that false prophets would come in who would not spare the flock. This has always been the case and still is to this day.

Hebrews 1:1-3 Jesus, as the exact representation of God, is the supreme way that God has spoken.

Acts 17:24-31 – Again Paul is preaching, and this time he makes sure people know that God is not contained or even represented by images or idols, and he lets them know that God commands people to repent of worshiping other things and will one day judge the world through Jesus for such things.

Acts 10:34-43; also Acts 13:26-39 The message of the church and apostles. Both Peter and Paul are sharing the message that Jesus died, was raised, and that through him people can be saved and forgiven of their sins if they will believe in him.

Acts 8:26-40 The Holy Spirit is speaking to and leading the people in the church. Philip responds to the Spirit and stands near the chariot (obedience) and then the opportunity arises to share the gospel. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. If we would but listen and respond in faith!! Also see that the church was strengthened and encouraged by the Spirit (9:31)

Earthly or Eternal-- where is your focus? Acts 1:1-11 The Holy Spirit empowered Jesus while he walked on the earth, and He continues the ministry of Jesus on the earth now. He empowers us to testify of Jesus to others. He exalts Christ. He helps us to lift up Jesus. Notice that the apostles focus here was the restoration of the kingdom to Israel. We can all get distracted by other issues—things that are not the point of the Holy Spirit.

The book of Acts is the record of the power of the Holy Spirit working through the apostles to begin the spread of the gospel to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.

App-- the Holy Spirit is still about the same kind of work—that we would testify of Jesus. He empowers us to exalt Christ. Jesus said that if he be lifted up he will draw all men unto him. The Holy Spirit works through us to do that!

Acts 2-4 share the beginning of this, and culminates with their prayer, in the face of threats, the God would enable them to speak the word with boldness. (Acts 4:29)

Prayer that we would be enabled to speak the word with boldness!

For Every Nation-- Mark 11:12-19

Jesus curses the fig tree because it was not bearing fruit. This is seen as a reference to Israel. They were to be a blessing to all nations—not the keep all this to themselves or become full of pride over other people.

Then Jesus cleanses the temple. In this cleansing, he says it is a house of prayer for all nations.

These two events combined are a clear reference concerning those to whom Jesus came. He was coming to save every nation—all people groups. The messiah was not coming just to save Israel—but to fulfill what Israel was to do in being a blessing to all nations.

App—Jesus has come to save you. No matter what you look like, your IQ, your status in society, your position at your company, your bank account.

Jesus has come to save your neighbor. He has come to save the North Korean. He has come to save the Russian. He has come to save the outcast. He has come to save the worst of the worst. There is only one group of people that Jesus will not save-and that is the prideful who thinks they don't need him. They will not call on him and thus they will not be saved. But as we have seen, he is willing to save the "sinful".

You decide!-- Mark 6:45-56

The power of Jesus-- over winds, water, sickness. Either Mark is giving us a reliable account of things that happened or he is making this up. You have to decide. If he is giving us a reliable account, then we must acknowledge that Jesus rules over all. He is to be worshiped, adored, thanked, etc. . .