The story of Festus, Felix and Agrippa from Acts chapters 24 and 26 present to us the 3 ways of missing out on lifes greatest opportunity, that of salvation. Festus dismissed salvation as madness, Felix was shaken but not stirred to salvation, hoping for better days in the future to make a decision about Jesus, that day never came! Perhaps most tragically of all Agrippa was almost persuaded, almost but not enough!
Dr J Stewart Gillespie
The conversion of Saul of Tarsus on the Damascus road in Acts chapters 9 and 22, was personal and powerful. The story of Paul's conversion forms a prototype for all subsequent Christian conversions: a personal encounter with Jesus, a personal response to Christ's claims and a personal appreciation of who Jesus is. Paul's conversion was from darkness to light. Dr J Stewart Gillespie
The demolition of false gods, false idols, and false religion continues in the preaching of the gospel by the apostle Paul through the book of Acts. Athens has fallen, Corinth has surrendered and now to Ephesus. Here Paul meets men with two very different perspectives on Jesus. The disciples of John are hungry for God and ready to receive Jesus. The silver smiths of Ephesus, drag Paul's companions into the theatre, not to debate the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ but placing their vested interests first they choice silver rather than their soul!
Dr J Stewart Gillespie
Acts chapter 18 recounts the events surrounding the visit and mission of teh Apostle Paul to the Jewish Synagogue at Corinth. The need of religious people in Acts 18 is the same as the need of the ungodly in Acts 17, all have a need of Jesus. Paul preached Jesus Christ, who He is, What He did, why I need Him and How I come into the benefit of the salvation to be found in Jesus Christ.
Dr J Stewart Gillespie
How can I be saved? The question of the Philippian jailor, 'what must I do to be saved?' The power of Jesus Christ had just delievered from Satan, from the power of men and from suicide and self destruction but burning in the mind of the jailor was a greater deliverance than all of that! One day he would face God! One day he would be judged! He must be ready, He must be saved. Salvation is clear in Acts chapter 16 ' believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.'
Dr J Stewart Gillespie
Joppa is a city where people pass through. It was from Joppa that the Gospel went viral and spread to the whole world. The story of teh miracle at Joppa revolves around Dorcas or Tabitha, a disciple of the Lord Jesus. The glory of the story of Tabitha is that she a followed Jesus all that way and found a Saviour who never let her down! Once we begin to trust and follow Jesus, He will be with us all the way. Tabitha hears the voice of Peter, the answer to prayer and is raised again from the dead! It is the voice of Jesus that transforms lives.
Dr J Stewart Gillespie
New Cumnock
In Acts chapter 10 Peter is called to the home of Cornelius to present the gospel of Jesus Christ to this Roman centurion. The gospel now moves out from Judea to the non jewish gentile world. On the surface with his prayers, devotion and good works the Centurion seems to have had it made but he has not found Jesus. Peter preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ with power; who Jesus is, what Jesus has done, how Jesus has been raised from the dead and why we need Jesus.
Dr J Stewart Gillespie
Bridgend Gospel Hall New Cumnock
Paul the apostle, converted from persecutor of Jesus to preacher of Jesus on the road to Damascus. He was religious but evil! On the road Paul realised that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God and was living and raised again from the dead. The road to Damascus was a life changing moment for Paul, the glory of the light of the gospel shone in. His conversion was also the product of God pricking his conscience and Paul's increasing awareness of His sin.
Dr J Stewart Gillespie
From Glory to Glory, are you ready to meet God? Acts chapter 7 and the sermon of Stephen. Stephen traces the history of God's dealing with the natino of Israel from Abraham, through Joseph, Moses, Aaron, David and Solomon. Israel resisted the work and pull of the Spirit of God, rejecting God's Saviour, God's Deliverer, God's promises and God's sacrifice. The Holy Spirit of God today still brings to us the promises of God, His Saviour in Jesus Christ, our deliverer in Jesus and God's sacrifice in His Son. Here is Glory. here is the Glory of God and here is the way into the Glory of God.
JS Gillespie
Wherever God is working Satan will be busy. In Acts chapter 4, Peter and the apostles have been waiting at Jerusalem for the descent of the Holy Spirit, to bring the message of hope and of God's salvation in Jesus Christ to a humanity heading to hell! God is in the business of saving people, wither it be Noah from the judgment and flood, Lot from the fire and flames, Israel from slavery, Jonah from death, Peter from the Devil or Paul from himself! In Jesus we have a great Saviour and He is still in the business of saving. "There is no other name under heaven given amongst men whereby you must be saved"
Dr J Stewart Gillespie
www.GraceinChrist.org
Acts chapter 2 and the Sermon of Peter at Pentecost, he presents the power of the cross of Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit and sees the power of changed lives in those who accept the message of Jesus Christ.
Dr J Stewart Gillespie
