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Acts Series message 41
Text: I Thessalonians 5:16-18
In the hustle and bustle of the Holiday Season, it is good for us to reflect on the Lord's kindness towards us. The very season which points to gratitude can often cause the most stress! We've just finished the history of the earliest Christians in Acts. How did the champion of the faith show thankfulness in his life? We'll look at challenges Paul faced and his responses to them.
Acts Series message 40
Text: I Corinthians 15:3-7 and Romans 1:1-4 (among others)
This Sunday we will focus on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. What exactly do we mean by the resurrection? Why is it so important? What else in the Bible hinges on this crucial doctrine? And, is it "blind faith" to hold this belief? We will examine these questions through various texts on Sunday. This will be the first of a few messages, which will help us tie up and apply what we've learned in Acts.
Acts Series message 38
Text: Acts 28:11-31
We close out this great history of the earliest Christians in the same way we began: speaking of the Kingdom of God. Luke details the explosive beginning of the Christian church, the transformative power of the Gospel, and and the spreading of the Christian message from Jerusalem all throughout the known world at the time. Paul accepts all visitors, and freely and boldly proclaims that for which he has suffered so much: the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Acts series message 37
Text: Acts 28:1-10
While in Malta Paul encounters a viper, and that encounter highlights an age-old error. We'll see how the Gospel frees us from the slavery of working harder and doing better, and invites us to rest in His grace.
Acts series message 36
Text: Acts 27
This chapter is all about a shipwreck. Like any good story, there are decision points and forks in the road. At any one point, the account could take an unexpected twist and head in a completely different direction. We'll look at the decision points and how the grace and protection of God was manifest in Paul's life (and by extension, his shipmates). We'll make practical application to our own lives and particularly to our experiences and challenges in parenting.
Acts series message 35
Text: Acts 25:13-26:32
On Sunday, we'll see Paul stand trial once again. A theme we'll draw out of this text is God's sovereignty. It would be easy for Paul to be troubled by yet another trial and more false accusations. Prison time again - yay. The truth though, is that God was working His plan in these troubles as He furthered the Gospel. We can take great comfort and find hope as we reflect on God's sovereignty. In life's surprises and disappointments, God is on His throne - causing all things to work together for the good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Salt Sunday. Church-wide community service event. No recorded sermon this week.
Text:Isaiah 53
Last week we looked at Scripture's view on the conscience, as Paul said he strove to keep his conscience clear before God and man. This week we'll analyze his message and how it flows from the Old Testament. A key phrase is Ephesians 1:7, in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins. Such a beautifully simple statement, yet profound and majestic in what it represents! We'll head back to the Old Testament to a well-known passage to unpack this further. My prayer is that this passage will leave it's mark this weekend. Our next theme in Paul's trials will be the sovereignty of God in our lives; it's easy to wonder where God is in our trials and life situations. Imagine how Paul felt as he was yanked from one trial to another... same false accusations coming his way with plenty of time to think about it while stuck in prison.
Acts Series message 34
Text: Acts 24:22 - 25:12
In Acts 24, Felix takes a personal interest in Paul and his message. He's alarmed by what he hears, but delays action and subsequently never responds in repentance to Christ. We'll tie in Pauls' references to maintaining a clear conscience - why it's important and how to do that. Felix is a perfect example of someone who is confronted with the truth but delays action and therefore lives with a conscience that's tainted.
Acts Series message 33
Text: Acts 24:1-21
Paul is now giving his defense before Felix to counter the Jews' accusations against him. His primary point is that his hope is in the same God theirs is in. Christianity does not conflict with the Hebrew Scriptures; it perfectly fulfills it. This gives us opportunity to speak to the Bible as a unified and cohesive unit. We'll also talk specifically about the resurrection and maintaining a clear conscience.
Acts Series message 32
Text: Acts 22:30 - 23
The Tribune is afraid that the Jewish leaders will tear Paul to pieces, literally, so he removes him, and puts him in bonds. Paul's nephew tips off the Tribune to an assassination attempt, so the Tribune makes plans to transport Paul to see Felix. We'll focus on the nature of the drama (resurrection) and develop some personal application based on Paul's nephew's involvement - a character which Luke references.
Acts Series message 31
Text: Acts 22:1-29
In Paul's defense of the Gospel I'm struck by three key and practical truths: The new is better than the old. Paul was the poster boy for Judaism and showed his zeal by trying his best to stamp out The Way. But in the end, He converted and will never go back. The beginning of the new is the end of the old. We'll have a refresher on the fundamentals of the faith; Paul was willing to suffer and die for these truths. Suffering for Jesus. Against the prosperity gospel, the mouthpiece for Christianity was told up front he'd suffer. We have the privilege of sharing in the sufferings of Christ as well as the power of the resurrection. Baptism. This is a beautiful picture, of the old being washed away as we identify with the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior!
Michael Gayle: Guest speaker - medical missionary to Togo, Africa.
Acts Series message 30
Text: Acts 21
After meeting with the Ephesians elders, Paul pushes to get back to Jerusalem at a strategic time. The Jewish leaders now hunt down the man, who was previously the poster-child for Judaism. He is well aware of what awaits him in Jerusalem, but by God's grace is determined to herald the Gospel in this important city (though Luke and the others beg him not to go!). While seeing Paul's ministry, we will measure our own zeal for what Christ has called us to. We must not be lukewarm!
Acts Series message 29
Text: Acts 20
We start with the humorous account of poor Eutychus falling asleep in the stuffy upper room as Paul went on and on. Paul lays on him as Elijah did with the widow's son, and his life is spared. Luke's attention to detail (noting the numerous lamps in the room) point to the historicity of this account; then we'll note the prominence given to the Word alongside the ordinances. We'll focus our time on Paul's parting shot to the Ephesian elders, which culminates with the beautiful picture of them all weeping as they kneel down on the beach to pray. Again, the prominence of the Word: it is to this Word, along with the grace of God, which Paul commends them to
Dr. Michael Gayle: Guest speaker - medical missionary to Togo, Africa
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."
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.
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.
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.