Dr. Michael Gayle: Guest speaker - medical missionary to Togo, Africa
August 10, 2014: Gospel Impact
Text: Acts 19:23-41
Acts Series message 28
The Gospel's impact is being felt as people abandon their idol worship and the city turns on the disciples. When we begin following Christ, we always leave something else behind and the impact is felt by those around us. We'll take a look Sunday at the scope of the Gospel - how it impacts and changes us. Paul describes this process as a struggle...life comes with challenges, setbacks, temptations, loss, and sorrows of many kinds. Yet, by His grace, He sustains and helps us. Paul further said, "the Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen."
August 3, 2014: Out With The Old - In With The New
Acts Series message 27
Text: Acts 19:1-22
Paul is now in Ephesus and encounters people who have only had John's baptism. He sets them straight, they are baptized into the Name of Jesus, and the Spirit falls on them. All of this is further evidence of the Lord's hand upon Paul's message, including the extraordinary miracles performed through him; this is not a pattern to be expected today. The seven sons of Sceva provide great comic relief in this passage while demonstrating the power of the Gospel. We'll focus on the Ephesians getting rid of their past relics. While some of this is taken too far, it's healthy to make a clean break with things which only pull us down in our new life in Christ.
July 27, 2014: Why Who I Am Informs What I Do
Acts Series message 26
Text: Acts 18:18-28
Last week we looked at the Corinthian church: their problems, and the encouragement Paul gave them. I hope that was encouraging to you; you're not alone if you struggle to flesh out your faith. This week, we'll note Paul's visit to Ephesus, another church highlighed in our New Testament. Paul had much to say to them; declaring their identity in Jesus Christ. He spends three chapters highlighting the amazing truths about our common salvation, then spends the remaining three chapters telling us "therefore", how to live it all out. His personal applicaiton for us is immensely practical to our relationships and lifestyle. Couched in the middle of all this are two beautiful prayers for the saints. We'll be sure to catch some of the details in our text, but will focus on Paul's words to the church in Ephesus, which was an important port city with a famous pagan temple to the goddess Diana.
July 20, 2014: You're Not Alone!
Acts Series message 25
Text: Acts 18:1-17
Paul is here visiting Corinth. We know a lot about the Corinthians as Paul wrote two inspired letters to them. They loved Jesus and had their fair share of struggles and challenges. They didn't have all their ducks lined neatly in a row and things were messy at times. The had Lord graciously saved them from their sin, and now they were working out their salvation and, through the challenges, they didn't always get it right! Ever feel that way? You love Him, but life can be... messy at times. We're in the process of being sanctified, but we haven't arrived yet, and we sure don't have it all figured out. Welcome to the Club.
July 13, 2014: 8 Things You Need to Know About God and the Gospel
Acts Series message 24
Text: Acts 17:16-34
We saw last week that the Word of God is both powerful and sufficient. Now, how does it speak to critical life issues? Paul proclaims the Gospel in the "Gentile marketplace of ideas"; not surprisingly, his piercing message connects the resurrection and Judgment Day, and requires a decision of his listeners.
July 6, 2014: Authentic Gospel Ministry
Acts Series message 23 (Guest Speaker Jason Purdy)
Text: Acts 17:1-15
Paul and Silas arrive in Thessalonica preaching the gospel. As some believe, the Jews are quick to stir up trouble and accuse Paul and other Christ followers of treason. Paul is forced to leave and go to Berea where he finds a noble group ready to examine the Scriptures to get the facts about Jesus. As opposition continues so does authentic gospel ministry. In this passage, we will see that the Bible is the all-sufficient source for gospel ministry and how to view opposition as an opportunity for the gospel.
June 29, 2014: Bad Things to the Good - Good Things to the Bad
Acts Series message 22 (Guest Speaker - Dave Neff)
Text: Acts 16:16-40
God is sovereign over all events, working all things out for His glory.
Paul & Silas are beaten and thrown in jail for casting out a demon. While their ordeal was terrible, the situation is used by God to lead the jailer and his family to salvation. So then, a bad thing happened to good people (Paul and Silas) so that a good thing could happen to a bad person (the jailer). There is shadow of the Gospel here, in that a bad thing happened to the best Person, so that a good thing could happen to us! Key themes in this passage include God’s sovereignty, salvation by grace through faith in Christ, baptism, joy in trials and being others focused. Lots of ground to cover!
June 22, 2014: Kazakhstan Mission Trip Report
This service recording is not posted.
June 16, 2014: What Grace Looks Like
Acts Series message 21
Text: Acts 16:1-15
With the momentous decision delivered and articulated via the Jerusalem Council, now it's time to begin fleshing that out. We'll look at how the early Christians did that, as well as cast a specific vision for the year ahead at DBC.
June 8, 2014: Welcome to the Family
Acts Series message 20 (Pastor Mike Speer)
Text: Acts 15:22-41
The Gentile church in Antioch has been unsettled by teachers that said they did not measure up. Now the church in Jerusalem is sending men with the good news that by God's grace they are certainly brothers and sisters in Christ. All they ask is that they abstain from four things for the sake of love and purity. How does the church at Antioch respond? They rejoice! They are accepted by grace and they respond in grace. God's grace is on display in this passage and when we live in His grace it changes how we view our world today.
June 1, 2014: Jerusalem Council: An Identity Forged
Acts Series message 19
Text: Acts 15
It's cool that the Gentiles were being added to the church. The apostles loved sharing the stories of these conversions, even in Samaria. But after the novelty wore off, some wanted to rope the Gentiles with some Jewish practices. The larger problem was that they wanted to make it a salvation issue. A council was convenened, and very practical advice was given. It was a stake in the ground, and the church flourished becasue of it. In modern times, legalism often creeps into the church. "Yes, Jesus died for your sins and we are saved by grace. But... you must do this and you can't touch this and stay away from that and never talk with them..." Before we know it, Christianity is not defined by the the grace and power of our Lord Jesus Christ, but, but by a list a mile long that we never meausure up to anyway.
May 25, 2014: His Prescription for Our Tribulations
Acts Series message 18
Text: Acts 14:19-28
We pick up the action with Paul being left for dead after being stoned for his witness. He went on to encourage the new believers to remain true to the faith. The hardships they face were legion this side of glory. The same can be said of us. I have been touched by Luke's coverage of these events, as he shows a very human side to the early Christiains in their struggles. In the midst of all this, Paul appoints elders for each church. We'll examine why this is so important in God's work in our lives - both then and now.
Sunday, May 18, 2014: Salt Sunday
Salt Sunday is a church-wide community service event held twice a year. We cancel our regular church service and, instead, go out in the community to serve in various projects.
Sunday, May 11, 2014: Overcoming Anxiety
Text: Plilippians 4:1-10
After taking us to glorious heights in Philippians 3 (forgetting what's behind, straining toward what's ahead...), Paul addresses two women who just can't get along. He asks his assistant to help them. Then he tells us to always rejoice in the Lord. Always. He helps us see how to overcome anxiety: purposeful prayer and directed mind. Not only does he promise the peace of God, but the God of peace.
May 4, 2014: A Snapshot of Daily Life
Acts Series message 17
Text: Acts 14
As Tim Keller has said, the issue on which everything stands is not whether or not you like Christianity, but whether or not Jesus rose from the dead. As the disciples boldly proclaimed the resurrection and lordship of Jesus Christ, some believed but others actively opposed their ministry. We'll see from Scripture how we will experience success, opposition, and redirection as we serve the Lord.
April 27, 2014: The Meat and Potatoes of Paul's Message
Acts Series message 16
Text: Acts 13
The past several Sundays we've addressed fulfilled prophecy, the Trinity, the Son of God and, of course, the death & resurrection of Christ. We hit those because Paul deals with all of them in his first missional sermon. We'll finish this rich passage on Sunday by tying all of those together and then take a look at the heart of Paul's message. As author Timothy Keller has noted, the issue on which everything stands is not whether or not you like Christianity, but whether or not Jesus rose from the dead.
April 20, 2014: Jesus, Lamb of God
Text: Various selected scriptures
He is risen! On Resurrection Day, we will walk through parts of a Seder dinner (Passover) in our worship service and see how Christ shines through in the account of the exodus. We will also observe Communion together.
April 13, 2014: Only Begotten Son of God
Acts Series message 15
Text: Acts 13:33
Throughout our journey in Acts we’re constantly seeing the work of the Spirit as salvation in the Son is proclaimed. We've taken time to develop the personhood and deity of the Holy Spirit, as well as explore the triunity of our God. This Sunday we'll examine exactly what the phrase 'only begotten Son of God' actually means. Established in eternity, the term 'Son' is seen clearly in His incarnation and work on the cross. This truth drives us to worship, paricularly as we consider that this One came riding on a…donkey.
April 6, 2014: Our Triune God
Text: Various selected texts
When we study various sciences, we witness the Hand of God. When we engage theology(the study of God), we approach and engage the very being of the One we worship. He is AWESOME, beyond our ability to fully comprehend (which is why we worship Him, right?). He is magnificent and exalted in majesty. This Sunday we will examine His triune nature, commonly referred to as the Trinity. How is it that we say there is one God, yet known as Father, Son and Holy Spirit? This doctrine is often misunderstood and misrepresented, not to mention ridiculed. We will examine the Scriptural record on this matter; His revelation of Himself is consistent from beginning to end. Our sermon will flow into the following sermon on the phrase, 'only begotten Son of God.' I hope you are as excited as I am to dive into this!