Purpose

• is the purpose of Acts historical?

• is the purpose of Acts theological?

• is the purpose of Acts practical?

Purpose

Acts is the continuing story of God’s work in the world to call a people to himself.

Purpose

• Pentateuch = God’s creative work

• Joshua = God’s mighty work

• Judges / Ruth = God’s merciful work

• Samuel – Chronicles = God’s faithful work

• Ezra – Job = God’s restorative work

• Gospels = God’s redemptive work

Purpose

• Luke is drawing his audience into the story

• read Acts like an invitation rather than an explanation

Challenge

• relationship requires responsibility

my right to personal possessions is

transformed into my responsibility to meet

others’ needs

promoting myself is unacceptable

sacrifice & suffering are ingredients in

discipleship

Our Story

Past Year:Loving (God & Others)

Forgiven Ministry – One Day with God

Care Ministries more than 100 in Divorce Care,

Divorce Care for Kids & Grief Share

Our Story

Past Year:Growing (Maturity & Community)

6 H.S. seniors discipling younger students

youth SS started electives

80 joined & 29 in process

18 baptisms

16 small groups (114 families)

Our Story

Past Year:Sending (locally & globally)

Christmas Concert (approx. 1,500)

145 on short term missions in 2016

January evangelism training (350+)

AWANA (100 children & 40 adults)

Fall Festival (350+)

Our Story

Coming Year:Loving (God & Others)

Forgiven Ministry – One Day with God (Nov. 18-19)

Buddy Break

choir & orchestra (23 new members)audacious prayer (Sept. 18 – Dec. 18, from 8:15 – 8:45)

Our StoryComing Year:

Growing (Maturity & Community)

16 new 7th graders

2 new adult SS classes this fall: marriage & fundamentals2 new adult SS classes this spring: parenting & OT survey

add 8 more small groups

Our Story

Coming Year:Sending (locally & globally)

Church plant in Denver, CO

1 missions offering in December

new trip to Central America region

new trip to Portland, ME (July)

Our Story

Coming Year:Sending (locally & globally)

evangelism training in January

local ministry opportunities

Randy Newman Questioning Evangelism Bringing the Gospel Home

Our Story

Coming Year:Sending (locally & globally)

Eric Metaxas (Nov. 2, evening)

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy If You Can Keep It: the forgotten promise

of American Liberty

Our Story

Our Story• Luke described church growth, specifically &

generically

• Luke recorded how the church grew in maturity & unity to form the new covenant community

• Luke speaks of plans & goals

• Luke highlights persistent prayer

Our Story

Acts is extending an invitation to us, that we would join in God’s work to draw

people to himself.