Acts Series message 17
Text: Acts 9:32-10:8
This Sunday we'll see God's faithfulness and how He can use anyone for His glory. The main character is Peter; soon, it will become the Apostle Paul.
February 16, 2014: Despair
Text: Lamentations 3:1-26
How do you handle the dark times in your life? Have you ever asked yourself, "Is God really there when I'm suffering?" or perhaps, "Does God even care, or could He even be the source of my trials? God has a message of hope for you. Guest speaker Jason Purdy delivers God's message of hope found in Lamentations.
February 9, 2014: There's Room at the Table
Acts Series message 16
Text: Acts 9:1-31
We have arrived at a critical place in Acts: Saul (later the Apostle Paul) is born again and begins building up the very church he previously attacked! God chose Saul to be the mouth-piece of the Gospel, so we could see His unlimited patience through a man who once was a persecuter and a blasphemer. He is working His plan, tearing down the wall between Jew and Gentile and growing His church through all peoples. What an exciting section of early church history! We will conclude with 7 very practical applications from Saul's conversion.
February 2, 2014: Christ in the Old Testament
Acts Series message 15
Text: Acts 8:26-40
The Lord orchestrates a meeting between Philip (the one who brought the Gospel to the Samaritans) and the treasurer to the queen The eunuch believes in Christ and is baptized on the spot. The Gospel is spreading! What is significant though is how Philip shares the Gospel: from the Old Testament!
January 26, 2104: Reading the Bible for All it's Worth
Well our name is Derwood BIBLE Church. We're striving to be in the Word regularly this year. What we hold in our hands - or on our mobile devices - is God's wisdom given to us, living words. Powerful words. Transforming words. Divinely inspired truth, woven together through the temperaments and life experiences of the ancients. More than 40 men, over a period of roughly 1,500 years, penned the library of books we call the Bible (which means, library).
How do we take this book in? How do we read it meaningfully, thoughtfully? We see the early Christians gladly suffering and even dying for Christ. How do I derive joy from my meditation on His Word? How can I draw strength today from what I read - when I feel dejected and lost, overwhelmed by life's circumstances? How do I learn to trust God when my confidence is losing ground?
We want our reading to count. When we commit to regular reading, when we fall behind, we feel guilty and shame. In the past, we've just given up. How do we stop this cycle, and receive encouragement and renewal from our time with Him in these sacred pages?
Should I read quickly, covering as much ground as possible? Or, I take a verse each time and go deep? Is audio the same as reading? What about music - can't that help me engage His truth? What's the difference between reading devotionally and rolling up my sleeves and studying? Aren't pastors and Bible study leaders the only ones who use a concordance? (<-kidding!) How do I apply accounts from thousands of years ago to my life now? How does God speak to me through His Word?
We'll address all this and more on Sunday. Our primary text will be Psalm 1:1-3. My goal here is to cast a vision for the amazing encounters that await us at His feet, as well as practical tips for making the most of our efforts.
January 19, 2014: The Word Spreads
Acts Series message 15
Text: Acts 8:1-25
In Acts 8, the infant church explodes as the Word travels to new destinations. Saul unleashes a furious wave of persecution against some Christians, literally going house-to-house and hauling both men and women off to jail. As a result, many flee Jerusalem taking the Gospel with them. One such brother is Philip, whom God uses mightily. He upstages the local sorcerer in Samaria, who begins traveling with Philip based on his new profession of faith. That profession is determined not to be genuine based on his desire to pay money for Philip's powers. Now, when the apostles hear that the Samaritans have embraced the Gospel, they pay a personal visit and lay hands on them in order for them to receive the Spirit. Which brings up two questions: What is the nature of true faith? and, should we be laying hands on people today in order for them to receive the Spirit? We'll address all this and more on Sunday. What an exciting time in Acts! Now the Samaritans, whom the Jews hated, were following Jesus.
January 12, 2014: He is Here NOW
Acts Series message 14
Text: Acts 7
The action intensifies this Sunday as Stephen is called to account before the religious leaders. His lengthy speech was bold and piercing; he turns the tables on his accusers and exposes the true condition of his heart.
January 5, 2014: What Are You Living For?
Acts Series message 13
Text: Acts 6
Over the next several weeks in Acts we'll be examining the church's first recorded martyr. Stephen was filled with the Spirit, he was wise, and he did not back down from opposition. He willingly paid the ultimate price for his faith in a most painful fashion. As I study his ministry, I am asking myself this question: what am I living for? Stephen lived for Christ and served others. He died for his faith. Does this represent my heart...my intentions...how I spend my energy, my time and my treasures?
December 29, 2013: A Legacy of Service
Acts Series message 12
Text: Acts 6:1-7
Did you know that the early church prioritized a food distribution for widows in need? This Sunday, we'll meet Stephen and six other godly men who were hand-picked by the apostles to lead this ministry. The goal here was to free up the apostles so they could be devoted to the ministry of prayer and the Word.
We'll spend a few weeks on Stephen, who became the first recorded Christian martyr, which means we'll soon be introduced to SAUL OF TARSUS who oversaw Stephen's stoning with great satisfaction. Saul would later pen these words: The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
Amen to that! The story of grace is unfolding beautifully as we travel through Acts.
December 22, 2013: It's all in the Timing
Text: Galatians 4:4,5
As we celebrate the birth of our Savior this Advent Season, I am reminded of the HOPE that the Gospel brings us. We live in a fallen world in which we constantly deal with temptation, heartache, grief, sickness, and disappointment. Just to name a few. The Holy Spirit residing within us sanctifies us and teaches us about all the spiritual blessings we have in Christ Jesus: giving us joy in our current trials and hope for eternity.
December 15, 2013: Pressing On Under Persecution
Acts Series message 11
Text: Acts 5:17-42
As we celebrate the birth of Christ and the wonder of the incarnation, we focus on persecution in this message. Satan opposed Christ with great fury from His very birth, and that opposition continues today. We'll examine how the apostles were imprisoned and beaten, and how they stood up under it. We'll close with an exhortation to stand our own ground while empathetically supporting those who are subject to persecution.
December 8, 2013: The Overlooked Advent
Text: Joel 2:28-29
Just as Christ's birth and ministry were prophesied in the Hebrew Scriptures, so the Holy Spirit's ministry is foretold prior to Pentecost. We will examine the ministry of the One who moved the Biblical authors to speak of Jesus. Gaining this helpful information will enrich our understanding of the Book of Acts, as we experience the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit in our own lives.
December 1, 2013: The Church Purified
Acts Series message 10
Text: Acts 5:1-16
We've seen the church persecuted, the church praying, now the church purified. Two players in the early church wanted to project an image that was deceitful and made them look more "spiritual". First century precursor to a 21st Century problem: wearing masks. Both dropped dead when confronted with their sin. God's holiness in still intact, He is not mocked. We'll examine Ananias and Sapphira on Sunday.
November 24, 2013: Rise, O Lord!
Acts Series message 9
Text: Acts 4:23-37
When the earliest Christians were opposed, their immediate response was to pray! How instructive. HOW and WHAT they prayed, is even more helpful. Their prayer was informed by Scripture and addressed to the One who is sovereign over their situation. People often focus on the miracles in Acts and overlook the place given to prayer; it is often on the heels of concerted prayer that the Word is proclaimed with boldness. Couldn't we use some of that today? We'll also define a key term: Spirit filling. How does this differ from Spirit baptism? How often are we filled with the Spirit versus baptized with the Spirit? Lots of confusion on this today, we'll unpack all of this on Sunday.
November 17, 2013: A Church Tested
Acts Series message 8
Test: Acts 4:1-22
Sometimes we wonder why God is opening certain doors for us. Surely He knows we are not qualified for the work He's put before us! You are not alone if you've ever felt this way. Often He lovingly moves us out of our comfort zone and stretches us in our service to Him. On Sunday we'll take a look at the secret behind the powerful ministry of Peter, a man who would probably have been the last one chosen for such a job. All of this takes place as the church begins to feel the pressure of persecution.
November 10, 2013: A Fork in the Road
Acts Series message 7
Text: Acts 3:19-26
The people have just witnessed the lame leap like deer leading Peter to direct them to the only one with the authority and power to heal physically and spiritually, Jesus. The one they rejected and killed, God has glorified, raised from the dead, and is now at the right hand of the Father in heaven. Now the people have to choose - repent and turn again or reject what they have heard. We will look at the promises of God which lie behind both options and how they still matter today.
November 3, 2013: Lessons From a Lame Beggar
Acts Series message 6
Text: Acts 3:1-18
The first recorded apostolic miracle is a lame beggar being healed. He was crippled from birth, and this was well known to everyone. The crowd that witnessed this (remember, eyewitness accounts are important for Luke!) is filled with awe and wonder. Peter seizes the opportunity to once again point people to Christ while emphasizing the need for repentance. He makes a profound statement: "you killed the author of life." There are so many majestic truths contained in this one phrase! There is truth about Jesus and truth about our great salvation. We'll focus on this phrase on Sunday.
October 27, 2013: Salt Sunday
No sermon this week due to the Salt Sunday church-wide community service event.
October 20, 2013: What Family Looks Like
Acts Series message 5
Text: Acts 2:42-47
When we become Christians we become part of a new family. Church should feel like a family, not an institution. It should be a source of support and encouragement as we follow the Lord; sometimes in difficult situations. Luke gives us a good glimpse into early Christian life - church life.
October 13, 2013: Preach the Cross!
Acts Series message 4
Text: Acts 2:22-41
The one we so easily identify with, Peter rises to address a crowd of unbelieving Jews. The result is 3,000 souls added to the Kingdom! He does not soften his message or pander to the people, but rather warns and pleads with them. We will examine his content and approach as a model for witnessing to Christ today.