State of the Church Address “Breakout” Acts 7:57-8:8 Dr. James Marocco – February 11, 2024

I. Introduction

A. Every year I give the State of the Church Address and with a prophetic word

for the year.

B. Last year the prophetic word was ________________.

1. Little did we know that the eyes of the world would be on __________

due to the tragic fires and because God raised up strategically to be

a help to this community as national and international __________

outlets asked for interviews.

2. We moved closer to fulfilling the 12/120 _________.

3. We ministered to more _________ on a weekly basis than we ever

have in our 43 years of ministry together.

4. God elevated us _______________; people walked by ___________ being

sensitive to __________ prompting and including what was given to

the Maui Relief fund about $31,500,000 came into the U.S. church.

5. Many ___________ that they experienced elevation on their jobs, in

their ministry, in their pocketbook, in influence in their family, and

the list goes on and on.

II. A look at our text

A. A ____________ of what was happening in the church recorded in the book of

Acts.

1. In Acts 2 the 120 gathered in obedience to the Lord and were

empowered by the ___________ _______.

a) On that day Peter preached and ________ people were

added to the church.

b) Acts 2:47 states that God added to the church

______________ those who were being saved.

c) Acts 4:4, Peter and John are used by the Lord to ________ a

lame man. And the result was 5,000 men besides women

and children caused the church to grow over

______________.

d) Persecution raised its ugly head and threatened Peter and

John.

e) The church continued to grow through

__________________________because the church leaders

continued to obey the Lord.

f) In spite of the Apostles being publicly beaten the church

____________ to grow. Acts 6:7

State of the Church Address

“________________”

Acts 7:57-8:8

Dr. James Marocco – February 11, 2024g) Stephen, a Greek speaking Jewish believer is stoned to

death for his ministry in the _________ of the Holy Spirit and

speaking the ___________ to the religious leaders.

B. A great persecution comes against the church with ________ becoming one of

the chief persecutors.

C. It is at this point in the history of the church in its seeming darkest moment a

shift happens as seen in verse 4 and 5.

1. Saul is ________________ and becomes the Apostle Paul and the

result is seen in Acts 9:31.

2. The Apostle Peter’s ministry ___________ with miracles.

3. The church spreads to Phoenicia, Cyprus, and ________________.

D. In chapter 12 King Herod Agrippa 1 killed the apostle James and imprisoned

Peter, hoping to kill him after Passover, yet Acts 12:21 states, “the word of God

grew and multiplied”.

III. THE WORD OF THE LORD FOR 2024 IS ___________________.

A. A picture that came to mind of “_______ _____” is found in the movie, “Top Gun

Maverick”.

B. Break out is God’s answer to the ____________ of persecution for the church in

Acts and for the attacks on the church through the outbreak of the __________

___________.

C. We see break out recorded in Acts in that God broke out his servant out of

prison three times.

1. God broke them out of prison because they were obeying him to

minister in the power of the Sprit and extending God’s kingdom and

we must commit ourselves to passionately _________ the Lord.

2. God broke Peter out of prison because in Acts 12:5 says the “constant

prayer was offered to God for him by the church”, we must be

committed to pray.

3. God broke Paul and Silas out of prison because instead of

complaining they __________ ____________.

4. God is speaking to us, King’s get ready for God to break out in our

IV. God is speaking to us, King’s get ready for God to break out in our church and

through us individually.

A. There will be an ever-increasing flow of the _____________ Isaiah 35:6

1. 1. _____________will be more frequently seen.

2. 2. The ___________we have prayed for will be manifested in

greater measure.

3. 3. The church will move closer to ___________the vision God

gave us.

4. 4. God will allow us _________________to experience a personal

break out.

V. Conclusion