Acts

The Birth of the Church

Pulpit Notes on Leading with a Heart for People

Are you looking for a simple and easy to use reference guide so you can write better content and speak better sermons from the Book of Acts? I want to make this as simple for you as possible, so here are my pulpit notes from decades of experience behind the pulpit and training leaders.

Acts

Pulpit Notes: Acts 2:1-13

In a few other digital formats I have published my pulpit notes. With the launch of Simple Bible Commentary it made sense to create a format for them here. Hope…
Rick Soto
October 1, 2017
Acts

Pulpit Notes Acts 2:14-28

Here are the Pulpit  Notes for Acts 2:14-28. I love our theme for the book of Acts, Jesus Power In Jesus People, and this section illustrates the dramatic change in…
Rick Soto
October 8, 2017
Acts

Pulpit Notes Acts 2:25-47

Here are the Pulpit Notes for Acts 2:25-47. Jesus people live different because of what Jesus did on the cross, and in their hearts. There is a difference, by every…
Rick Soto
October 15, 2017
Acts

Pulpit Notes Acts 2:42-47

The word devoted finds application in what we call connection. Those first disciples and apostles were connected to Jesus through a series of habits, namely teaching, fellowship, breaking bread and…
Rick Soto
October 23, 2017
Acts

Pulpit Notes Acts 3

The Apostle Paul taught that the name of Jesus is above every name, and every knee will bow, and tongue confess Jesus is Lord---Philippians 2:9-11. According to recent surveys done…
Rick Soto
October 29, 2017
Acts

Pulpit Notes Acts 5

The text speaks to our readiness to live a supernatural life. Preparation for supernatural living is simple: take the next step, embrace honesty, pay the price and enjoy supernatural power.…
Rick Soto
December 6, 2017
Acts

Pulpit Notes Acts 8:1-25

This chapter of Acts can best be thought of as an inversion of Acts 1:8. In 1:8 Jesus declares that when the disciples receive power from on high, they have…
Rick Soto
December 6, 2017
Acts

Pulpit Notes Acts 9:1-25

Acts 9 sets the stage for the most well known conversion in all of scripture. The Apostle Paul, someone we would recognize in the modern world as a religious terrorist,…
Rick Soto
January 8, 2018
Acts

Pulpit Notes Acts 9:19-31

The power of Jesus Christ is greater than any other force in the universe. The human race is deceived, people elevate their own accomplishments without reverence for God. It's hard…
Rick Soto
January 15, 2018
Acts

Pulpit Notes Acts 9:32

Acts 9 ends with two stories of dramatic healing. I spent time working on a project called "Every Time Jesus Healed." Most of my study time is for others, but…
Rick Soto
January 22, 2018
Acts

Pulpit Notes Acts 11

Paper was rare and expensive when Luke penned Acts. He was intelligent, well learned, and sharp with history, which serves to color the importance of chapter 11. The chapter is…
Rick Soto
February 12, 2018
Acts

Pulpit Notes Acts 12

Seen in the text is a church facing lots of adversity, and through numerous challenges, growing more and more confident in Jesus. It's like nothing can stop them. Hardship grows…
Rick Soto
March 7, 2018
Acts

Acts 13:1-12—Ready. Go.

The chapter speaks to the aggressive forward movement of the church. Antioch is located in the upper reaches of modern day war torn Syria, but at this time was a…
Rick Soto
March 12, 2018
Acts

Acts 13:13-52

7 Great Gospel Words Most of this section is Paul's preaching to the Jews in Pisdia. Luke enjoys writing about houses and sermons, and we are glad because through his…
Rick Soto
March 19, 2018
Acts

Acts 15:1-21 * Jesus Only

Jesus is the only saving God. The chapter is arguably the most important one in Acts because it defines salvation around Jesus' finished work on the cross. The chapter begins…
Rick Soto
April 16, 2018
Acts

Jesus Only #2

What is Jesus Only? Trust in Jesus above all competitors---that is Jesus Only. Two phrases are helpful: Jesus only saves me Jesus only matures me Acts 15 Context Born again…
Rick Soto
April 23, 2018
Acts

Acts 17:1-15 Upside Down

God operates in this world, through his kingdom, in an upside down manner. For example, the world operates based on performance, but the kingdom operates with love. Who your king…
Rick Soto
May 15, 2018
Acts

Acts 18 * Jesus Friendship

People outside the faith can have significant friendships, being loyal and close to loved ones is not something unique to believers. What is unique is the spiritual quality those relationships…
Rick Soto
June 4, 2018
Acts

Acts 18:18 * Teach Me

Humans are in need of instruction, and it has always been that way. Adam and Eve, Moses, David and Jesus' disciples are just a few in a long list of…
Rick Soto
June 21, 2018
Acts

Acts 19 * Jesus Encounter

A Jesus encounter takes place when you find what you are looking for. Most look for things in all the wrong places. Jesus solves that problem. v.1-10 Apollos, seen in…
Rick Soto
June 21, 2018
Acts

Acts 24 * 100% Jesus

Acts 24 records Paul's defense before Governor Felix, and in that defense Paul demonstrates what 100% Jesus looks like. Jesus on the cross did not give 2%. Jesus on the…
Rick Soto
August 5, 2018
Acts

Acts 25-26 * Go On Offense

Go On Offense means step forward, especially when life is hard Acts 25-26 demonstrate how the Apostle Paul pivoted into a difficult situation and saw God work on his behalf.…
Rick Soto
August 13, 2018
Acts

Acts 27 * How To See God

See God in every day circumstances See God in the scriptures See God through great doctrines of living faith Allow me to encourage you to read Acts 27 out loud,…
Rick Soto
August 27, 2018