SEPTEMBER 13, 2026 SERMON NOTES

Dr. Ronny Raines, Senior Pastor

Acts: Words that Begin with “S”

Acts 28:1-10 
1 After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 2 The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. 3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. 7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. 9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. 10 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.

- What is Our Goal as a Church? 
- As Christians, What Do You and I Believe?
- Who was the Hero of the Book of Acts? 

I. Safety: God's Promises (Acts 28:1)

II. Sticks: God's Plan (Acts 28:3)

III. Snakes: God's Protection (Acts 28:3-6) 

IV. Support: God's People (Acts 28:7) 

V. Sickness: God's Power (Acts 28:8) 

VI. Supplies: God's Provisions (Acts 28:10) 

SEPTEMBER 13, 2026 STUDY GUIDE

Acts: Words that Begin with “S”

Acts 28:1-10

All good things must come to an end. Thank you for studying God's Word for the past twenty-eight sermons. This is the last sermon in this series. 

How has God used this sermon series in your life and walk with the Lord and in your church? What do you believe about God's Word? 

- The Bible is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16). 

- God's Word will never return void (Isaiah 55:10-11).

- The Bible is living and active (Hebrews 4:12).  

- His Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105).

- Scripture is the sword of the Spirit in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:17). 

Take a few minutes and read Acts 28. The message of Acts is complete. However, the mission of Acts is still being fulfilled. God continues to use His people to turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6). How is God using you and your church to spread the gospel locally, nationally, and globally? 

What biblical insights and takeaways come from Acts 28? 

1. Safety: God's Promises (Acts 28:1). Is God faithful? Is He trustworthy? Does He keep His promises? Paul and his travelling companions were safe because God kept His specific promise in Acts 27. The Book of Acts shouts that God keeps His Word. What promises of God do you need to trust? Can you testify to a specific moment in your life when God delivered on His promises? 

2. Sticks: God's Plan (Acts 28:3). God hasn't called His children to be spectators; He calls them to be servants. Paul gathered sticks and put them on the fire. He was a humble servant. No task was beneath him. The fire needed to be hot to stay warm. Is your life and walk with Jesus cold or hot? Is your church cold or hot? Do you need to put more sticks on the fire by serving humbly? 

3. Snakes: God's Protection (Acts 28:3-6). As Paul put sticks on the fire, a snake fastened on his hand. God protected Paul because he didn't collapse and die. When a believer or church is on fire for the Lord, the enemy's attacks often become more intense. How is the enemy attacking you, your marriage, your family, or your church? How have you experienced God's protection firsthand?

4. Support: God's People (Acts 28:7). God put kind people in Paul's life. How have you received kindness lately? How have you extended kindness recently? Even though Paul was determined and strong, he needed godly people in his life. God expects you to pursue community (Hebrews 10:25). The local church matters. Is your commitment to God's people (His church) healthy? 

5. Sickness: God's Power (Acts 28:8). Paul served with a pastor's heart. He cared for people. Paul visited and prayed with Publius' father. As Paul served, God healed. God's power was at work. As you think about your life and church, where do you need God's power? Nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37). Have you asked the Lord to show you His glory and reveal His power? 

6. Supplies: God's Provisions (Acts 28:10). Paul experienced God's generosity as he was about to sail. God used His people to meet Paul's needs. Paul, as the Holy Spirit inspired him, wrote about God's provisions (Philippians 4:19). The necessities of life are getting more expensive. How have you seen God provide for your needs? Are you living a generous life? 

Paul was a saved man and a devoted servant. He gave his all to the Lord and lived for the advancement of the gospel. Paul remained faithful to God's calling and purpose. Praise the Lord; the Book of Acts is available! 

Here are a few discussion questions for you and your study group: 

- Which promise of God has anchored your life throughout this sermon series?  

- Where is one area in your church that you feel called to serve right now?     

- What is one situation where God's power is needed immediately?  

As you finish this week, take a few moments and pray for one another. Here are three prayer requests to help you get started. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you in your prayer time. 

- Your Church: Pray for your church to be on fire for the Lord. 

- Your Generosity: Pray for opportunities to give and meet needs. 

- Your Involvement: Pray for your participation in the church to make a difference.       

Thank you for studying the Book of Acts. May the Lord use you to take the gospel to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8)! 

You're being prayed for at FBC Clarksville! 

God bless you! 

View all of the "Acts" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/acts.   

NEW GROWTH GROUPS

NEW Growth Groups are available, and we’d love for you to get connected! Check out all of the new 2026 Growth Groups and sign up today at fbct.org/growthgroups.

FIRST STEPS CLASS

UPCOMING CLASS: Wednesday, September 9, 2026

DINNER: 5:00-5:45PM Grace BUILDING, 3rd Floor Steeple Landing

CLASS: 5:45PM Grace BUILDING, 3rd Floor Steeple Landing

Our First Steps class is designed for new members and guests. We invite you to join our Senior Pastor, Dr. Ronny Raines, and our ministry team for our next membership class. We'll treat you to a delicious meal in the Laida Fellowship Hall, and then help you discover how God wants to use you at First Baptist Church. As you attend the class, we'll cover the following subjects:

• A personal relationship with Jesus Christ

• Meaning of church membership

• Biblical baptism

• The Lord's Supper

• The church's beliefs and vision

• Opportunities to give

• Ways to serve in the church

• Ministries at First Baptist Church 

• Meet our ministry team

• Time for Q&A

• Tour our church facilities

We hope you'll join us for our next First Steps class. You can register by filling out the online form at fbct.org/firststeps or by contacting Dana in the pastor's office at 931.245.0000 or dana.abee@fbct.org.

CAR SHOW

SEPTEMBER 26 | 9:00-11:00 AM | GRACE PARKING LOT

Join us on Saturday, September 26 from 9:00-11:00 am for the First Baptist Clarksville Show & Shine Car Show! Come and enjoy a time of fellowship, coffee, donuts, and family fun. Have a car you’d like to show? All makes and models welcome! Contact the church for more information - info@fbct.org or 931.245.0000.

FIRST BAPTIST MUSIC

Check out all of the First Baptist Worship Team videos from our online worship services at fbct.org/music.

THE VOICE - MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Stay up to date with all that is going with our monthly newsletter, the Voice! Visit fbct.org/voice!

MEMBERSHIP AND GIVING TOOLS

Fellowship, Worship and Discipleship are fundamental to an obedient life in Christ. First Baptist Church maintains several tools to help us stay connected, share and offer the sacrifice of praise, and grow together. Scroll to the bottom of the home page at fbct.org and click on "app" to see options for adding these tools to your phone or other device. You can use these tools to stay connected to your discipleship group, contact the church, watch past worship services and sermons, as well as support the FBC financially as the Lord directs for you and your family. There are even instructions for how to access these tools using your web browser.

Using these apps, updating your profile information to share with the church is easy. When changes occur in your family life such as a move to a new home, change in email address, etc. you can update your information to be sure that our communication with you is efficient. You can even add a picture to make it easier for your church family to put a name with a face!

Information about any groups that might be of interest to you, such as Connect Groups, teams, committees, etc will be available as well.  Group Leaders can use the tools to take attendance online and access other features.  You can contact the church through the app, read messages from group members/leaders and browse the church directory.

Check out fbct.org/app  for instructions on how to get the app and reach the membership and giving website.

LOVE the time of worship through song today? You can follow us on Spotify and listen to our playlist each week! Follow us on Spotify “First Clarksville” and sing along!