Expository Sermon Notes Template

First reading. Read 3x and mark – Begin a “Teachings List” of things the text means and teaches us

The disciples had a laser-sharp focus on the fact that Jesus had died and that he was the messiah.

(NIV) — 17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” 21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to. 25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. 27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” 40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

The gospel changes your perspective on everything. For the disciples it meant being imprisoned wasn’t something that would hinder them.

New life in Jesus brings new perspective on the world.

v. 29 Obeying God trumped obeying civil/religious authorities

God has people of wisdom even in unfriendly groups.

The New International Version Chapter 5

bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins

Outline. Break the passage into parts- and give each one a 3-4 word title.

Jealousy and Arrest

(NIV) — 17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.

Doors open

b. Doors open

19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” 21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”

The disciples found

Laws of composition*. (a) Find LOCs inside outline parts; (b) find LOCs that connect the parts. (c) ask the significance esp of the latter. Add to T-list

c. The disciples found

24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to. 25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.”

Before the Sanhedrin

24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to. 25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.”

26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. 27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” 40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. 27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”

The disciples reply

29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Gamaliel’s appeal

33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

The disciples flogged and release

40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Laws of composition*. (a) Find LOCs inside outline parts; (b) find LOCs that connect the parts. (c) ask the significance esp of the latter. Add to T-list

Context. How does (a) the rest of chapter and (b) of the book shed light on its meaning—the author’s main point? (c) How does it fit into the whole Bible and point to Christ? [Now consult commentaries.] Add to the T-List.

Narrative Features

Setting

Very caustic situation because the political/religious leaders were “jealous” of the attention the disciples were getting. (When you are effective and those who are supposed to be effective aren’t it creates jealously).

All the leaders of the church were in a public jail together.

Busy morning the disciples were in the temple courts

Protagonists were Peter and the Apostles

Antagonists were the high priest and the Sanhedrin (Sadducees)

Saving action -

The disciples attitude about facing persecution.

The story is really about how the Holy Spirit took this cowardly, self serving guys and made them bold and unafraid.

Context. How does (a) the rest of chapter and (b) of the book shed light on its meaning—the author’s main point? (c) How does it fit into the whole Bible and point to Christ? [Now consult commentaries.] Add to the T-List.

Chapter

The chapter starts with an example of a couple not embracing this new way of faithfulness and skimping on the Spirit. The test the Spirit. The Apostles narrative is in contrast, they just do exactly as they are told. Not looking for any gain.

Book

The rest of the book of acts affirms the simple example of following God’s example in detail and being satisfied by that.

Bible

In many ways this pericope embodies everything that God is longing for in the community throughout the Bible. “the never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah”.

Doctrine/ application questions*. [Now consult commentaries.] Add to the T-List and pray it.

What is it the church proclaims today? This is a fundamental problem. The church’s message isn’t clear. Are we about health? Are we about moral living? Are we about the poor?

The disciples were razor sharp on this they believe Jesus was the promised messiah, and they were instructed to “tell the people all about this new life”

So many Christians haven’t experienced this new life.

Why haven’t many christians experienced the new life?

Main idea. What is the one thing the other things are about? (This should be the author’s main point and the main thing you want your listeners to think/feel/do. So write out two sentences unless you can get both into one sentence.)

What is the text saying (Purpose of the text)?

God was going to take care of the apostles hardship, by freeing them when necessary and giving them the capacity to deal with it otherwise

What is the sermon going to say (Thesis statement)

The gospel empowers a person to live without fear.

Outline around the main idea*. (a) Sort the items of the T-List so they either explain, or display, or argue for, or apply, or otherwise unfold the meaning of the main theme. [Note: try out both a deductive and an inductive way of outlining. Choose the best.] (b) Choose an intro and conclusion.

Test and revise your outline for clarity, unity, order, and movement.*

Write the exposition out fully once.

Now read other sermons on the text—and then re-write the sermon 2 more times—one to incorporate new thoughts, one to streamline it.

Expository Sermon Notes Template

2. Outline. Break the passage into parts- and give each one a 3-4 word title.

2. Outline. Break the passage into parts- and give each one a 3-4 word title.