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How We Stay United
Acts 15:1-35 | This week we study a church meeting. Sounds riveting right? Except this is probably the most important meeting in the history of the church. There were two types of Christians in the early church, those Christians that came from a Jewish background and those that came from a Gentile background. These were groups of people from very different walks of life. As more and more Gentiles became Christians, a big topic of conversation was how they fit into the family of God. Could they become Christians without becoming Jews? Could they truly be saved without taking part in circumcision and adhering to the Law? These types of questions led to a really important meeting called the Jerusalem Council, in which the church walks out with a clear plan, a unified body, and no distinction between Jew and Gentile. What were the convictions and commitments that were made between Jew and Gentile? And how can we continue these convictions and commitments to forever stay unified as a church?
Acts 15:1-35 | This week we study a church meeting. Sounds riveting right? Except this is probably the most important meeting in the history of the church.
There were two types of Christians in the early church, those Christians that came from a Jewish background and those that came from a Gentile background. These were groups of people from very different walks of life. As more and more Gentiles became Christians, a big topic of conversation was how they fit into the family of God. Could they become Christians without becoming Jews? Could they truly be saved without taking part in circumcision and adhering to the Law?
These types of questions led to a really important meeting called the Jerusalem Council, in which the church walks out with a clear plan, a unified body, and no distinction between Jew and Gentile.
What were the convictions and commitments that were made between Jew and Gentile? And how can we continue these convictions and commitments to forever stay unified as a church?
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Through Many Tribulations
Acts 14:1-28 | Did you know that the Bible talks about suffering, hardship, persecution, trials, and tribulations as normal for the Christian life? And it talks about these things a lot. As you read what scripture has to say about tribulation as normal for those who follow Christ, it seems so different from the many titles you see as you stroll the "Christian Living" section of the bookstore. This week, we come across this statement, "...through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." This week we seek to unpack this idea. Why do we enter the Kingdom through many tribulations? Why is this worth it? Why should I expect this as more of the norm in my life of following hard after Christ?
Acts 14:1-28 | Did you know that the Bible talks about suffering, hardship, persecution, trials, and tribulations as normal for the Christian life? And it talks about these things a lot.
As you read what scripture has to say about tribulation as normal for those who follow Christ, it seems so different from the many titles you see as you stroll the "Christian Living" section of the bookstore.
This week, we come across this statement, "...through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." This week we seek to unpack this idea. Why do we enter the Kingdom through many tribulations? Why is this worth it? Why should I expect this as more of the norm in my life of following hard after Christ?
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The Amazing Grace of God
Acts 14:1-28 | "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost, but now am found T'was blind but now I see" Grace is amazing...but sometimes as we begin to walk with Christ for awhile, we can lose the awe and forget how amazing grace really is. As Paul makes his way to Pisidian, Antioch this week, he is going to preach a message laced in grace. And this message is a message we need. The Spirit of God is going to renew the awe and amaze us again with the greatness of the grace of God.
Acts 13:13-52 | "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
T'was blind but now I see"
Grace is amazing...but sometimes as we begin to walk with Christ for awhile, we can lose the awe and forget how amazing grace really is. As Paul makes his way to Pisidian, Antioch this week, he is going to preach a message laced in grace.
And this message is a message we need. The Spirit of God is going to renew the awe and amaze us again with the greatness of the grace of God.
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God on the Move
Acts 13:1-12 | Last we heard about Saul and Barnabas, they were down in Jerusalem serving the church. This week, we’re going to see them back with the church in Antioch worshipping, praying, and fasting. We see in this church an insatiable desire to be with God. To pursue Him. They're hungry for the presence and power of God in their lives and in their church. And this hunger to be with God sets off a series of events that will change not just an island and the people on it, but literally the course of human history.
Acts 13:1-12 | Last we heard about Saul and Barnabas, they were down in Jerusalem serving the church. This week, we’re going to see them back with the church in Antioch worshipping, praying, and fasting. We see in this church an insatiable desire to be with God. To pursue Him. They're hungry for the presence and power of God in their lives and in their church.
And this hunger to be with God sets off a series of events that will change not just an island and the people on it, but literally the course of human history.
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Attempted Glory Robbery
Acts 12:20-25 | We were made for glory. We were made to give glory. Our lives exist for the purpose of God getting more glory. Sometimes, though, we want glory for ourselves, but God tells us He will share His glory with no one. This week's passage reveals to us an attempted glory robbery. Herod wants glory due only to God, and God deals with Herod in a startling way. In this message we will learn more of God's glory and receive a powerful reminder of the dangers of attempting to rob God of glory that is due only to Him.
Acts 12:20-25 | We were made for glory. We were made to give glory. Our lives exist for the purpose of God getting more glory. Sometimes, though, we want glory for ourselves, but God tells us He will share His glory with no one.
This week's passage reveals to us an attempted glory robbery. Herod wants glory due only to God, and God deals with Herod in a startling way.
In this message we will learn more of God's glory and receive a powerful reminder of the dangers of attempting to rob God of glory that is due only to Him.
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When God Flips the Script
Acts 12:1-19 | In every great movie, there is always an unexpected plot twist. In fact, would you agree, that the more inconspicuous the twist is, the better the movie? Isn't it interesting that we think completely different when it comes to real life? Most of us would rather things be smooth, calm, and even slightly predictable. Perhaps we might prefer an occasional lapse of judgment just for fun, but nothing too "out of control".
But what do you do when everything goes awry? When your plans go up in smoke and you find yourself in a genuine crisis? An unexpected trial that renders you completely confused?
That’s what we find happening in this passage in Acts. But, what God does in the middle of a crisis is sure to leave you amazed, breathless, and filled with faith.
Acts 12:1-19 | In every great movie, there is always an unexpected plot twist. In fact, would you agree, that the more inconspicuous the twist is, the better the movie? Isn't it interesting that we think completely different when it comes to real life? Most of us would rather things be smooth, calm, and even slightly predictable. Perhaps we might prefer an occasional lapse of judgment just for fun, but nothing too "out of control".
But what do you do when everything goes awry? When your plans go up in smoke and you find yourself in a genuine crisis? An unexpected trial that renders you completely confused?
That’s what we find happening in this passage in Acts. But, what God does in the middle of a crisis is sure to leave you amazed, breathless, and filled with faith.
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How God Builds a Sending Base
Acts 11:1-30 | This past Fall Amazon announced it would be building a second headquarters somewhere in North America. They outlined the criteria they would use in making this decision. With the release of this criteria, cities were immediately unleashed into a fierce competition to land this HQ2 of one of the world's most influential companies. In Acts 11, we will see God establish an HQ2 of His own. This HQ2 that is established will be the sending base hub of the missional advance of the gospel to the Gentile world. What can get lost in this, though, is God's simple plan for the building blocks of this HQ2 missionary hub: People. But what kind of people? As we seek to be a sending base church, we will see this week "How God Builds a Sending Base". As we study this, we will know the key building blocks God uses to build a church that will be greatly used to build The Church.
Acts 11:1-30 | This past Fall Amazon announced it would be building a second headquarters somewhere in North America. They outlined the criteria they would use in making this decision. With the release of this criteria, cities were immediately unleashed into a fierce competition to land this HQ2 of one of the world's most influential companies.
In Acts 11, we will see God establish an HQ2 of His own. This HQ2 that is established will be the sending base hub of the missional advance of the gospel to the Gentile world. What can get lost in this, though, is God's simple plan for the building blocks of this HQ2 missionary hub: People.
But what kind of people?
As we seek to be a sending base church, we will see this week "How God Builds a Sending Base". As we study this, we will know the key building blocks God uses to build a church that will be greatly used to build The Church.
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The Gospel to Everyone, Everywhere
Acts 10:1-48 | One thing that cannot be denied is that the early church lived with a consuming passion to see the message of the gospel of Christ spread across the world. This mission defined everything about how they lived. The moment a heart had embraced the gospel for themselves, they were launched on a missional life of taking the gospel to others. This week we will see that no matter what sacrifice God may call us, taking the gospel message to the lost will always be worth it. What would it look like for us to re-arrange the priorities of life around living as a missionary in our everyday life? How do we grow in an all-consuming desire to see the gospel go to everyone, everywhere? We believe that Acts 10 will be an instrument in God's hands to ignite a passion to live a missional life for the spread of the gospel and the glory of God.
Acts 10:1-48 | One thing that cannot be denied is that the early church lived with a consuming passion to see the message of the gospel of Christ spread across the world. This mission defined everything about how they lived. The moment a heart had embraced the gospel for themselves, they were launched on a missional life of taking the gospel to others.
This week we will see that no matter what sacrifice God may call us, taking the gospel message to the lost will always be worth it.
What would it look like for us to re-arrange the priorities of life around living as a missionary in our everyday life? How do we grow in an all-consuming desire to see the gospel go to everyone, everywhere?
We believe that Acts 10 will be an instrument in God's hands to ignite a passion to live a missional life for the spread of the gospel and the glory of God.
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(Still) A God of Miracles
Acts 9:32-43 | "I know God has done miracles. I read about them in my Bible. But do I really believe God still can? Yeah, I guess I do, but do I really believe He will?" We can often have a right doctrine of the omnipotence of God (God is all powerful and able to do anything), but does our doctrine translate to street-theology? Meaning, do we really believe practically, in how we live our life, that God can still do anything? This week we study two miracle stories. These two miracle stories come back to back in the book of Acts and share the same story structure. It seems in their shared structure, God wants to teach us something about the fact that He was, is, and always will be a God of miraculous power. It also seems these stories can shed some light on God's purposes in why He does the supernatural miracles He does.
Acts 9:32-43 | "I know God has done miracles. I read about them in my Bible. But do I really believe God still can? Yeah, I guess I do, but do I really believe He will?"
We can often have a right doctrine of the omnipotence of God (God is all powerful and able to do anything), but does our doctrine translate to street-theology? Meaning, do we really believe practically, in how we live our life, that God can still do anything?
This week we study two miracle stories. These two miracle stories come back to back in the book of Acts and share the same story structure. It seems in their shared structure, God wants to teach us something about the fact that He was, is, and always will be a God of miraculous power. It also seems these stories can shed some light on God's purposes in why He does the supernatural miracles He does.
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The Brand New Life
Acts 9:19-31 | Jesus makes dead people come to life. To know Christ is to have a complete resurrection and transformation from dead in sin to a made new in Him... But now what? This is what we’re going to see in the story of Saul. In part 2 of Saul’s radical conversion, we’ll witness the effects of this transformation overflowing out of his life.
Acts 9:19-31 | Jesus makes dead people come to life. To know Christ is to have a complete resurrection and transformation from dead in sin to a made new in Him... But now what?
This is what we’re going to see in the story of Saul. In part 2 of Saul’s radical conversion, we’ll witness the effects of this transformation overflowing out of his life.
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Brand New
Acts 9:1-19 | Jesus doesn't just make bad people good, dirty people clean, or average people better; Jesus makes dead people come to life. To know Christ is to have a complete resurrection and transformation from an old life dead in sin to a brand new life in Him. This is seen powerfully in the story of a radical conversion we see in this passage in Acts.
Acts 9:1-19 | Jesus doesn't just make bad people good, dirty people clean, or average people better; Jesus makes dead people come to life. To know Christ is to have a complete resurrection and transformation from an old life dead in sin to a brand new life in Him.
This is seen powerfully in the story of a radical conversion we see in this passage in Acts.
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Obey
Acts 8:26–40 | There is a family that teaches their kids what it means to obey by saying this, "Obedience means right away, all the way, with a happy heart." But this isn't just a statement for kids, this is a statement for every Christ follower. When God says "go", do we obey right away, all the way, with a happy heart? When God says "do", do we obey right away, all the way, with a happy heart? This week we see a picture of immediate obedience, and in studying this passage, we will be better equipped to obey God--right away, all the way, with a happy heart--in everything He calls us to obey Him in!
Acts 8:26–40 | There is a family that teaches their kids what it means to obey by saying this, "Obedience means right away, all the way, with a happy heart."
But this isn't just a statement for kids, this is a statement for every Christ follower.
When God says "go", do we obey right away, all the way, with a happy heart? When God says "do", do we obey right away, all the way, with a happy heart?
This week we see a picture of immediate obedience, and in studying this passage, we will be better equipped to obey God--right away, all the way, with a happy heart--in everything He calls us to obey Him in!
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Why Am I Following Jesus?
Acts 8:9–25 | "Why?" is an important question. "Why?" is a heart searching question. We do a lot of things in life, we make a lot of decisions in life, but there is something that stops us and makes us think when we ask the question "Why?" We know we should follow Jesus, but have you ever asked why you are following Jesus? "Why?" gets at the motives for your following of Christ. What if our motives in following Jesus may not be as pure as we may have thought? Confused yet? In this sermon, we are introduced to a man who 'believed' in Jesus but whose heart in following Jesus was exposed. This man displayed a heart more interested in the perks of Jesus than the person of Jesus. We will let God's Word expose our hearts and show us the motives that lie within for why we are following Jesus.
Acts 8:9–25 | "Why?" is an important question. "Why?" is a heart searching question. We do a lot of things in life, we make a lot of decisions in life, but there is something that stops us and makes us think when we ask the question "Why?"
We know we should follow Jesus, but have you ever asked why you are following Jesus? "Why?" gets at the motives for your following of Christ. What if our motives in following Jesus may not be as pure as we may have thought?
Confused yet?
In this sermon, we are introduced to a man who 'believed' in Jesus but whose heart in following Jesus was exposed. This man displayed a heart more interested in the perks of Jesus than the person of Jesus.
We will let God's Word expose our hearts and show us the motives that lie within for why we are following Jesus.
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I Could Never Do That...
Acts 8:1-8 | “I could never do that!"
Has this thought ever crossed your mind? Maybe it was watching someone walk up to a complete stranger and share the gospel. Maybe it was seeing a friend walk through a difficult season of life and still love Jesus and love others. Maybe it was someone who has moved to a place you would never go and lived on mission for the Lord. We’ve all had times we’ve looked at others and thought “I could never do that.” But what if God is inviting you into some “I could never do that” situations for the spread of His gospel? That’s exactly what happens in Acts 8 as the story of the early church continues.
Acts 8:1-8 | “I could never do that!"
Has this thought ever crossed your mind? Maybe it was watching someone walk up to a complete stranger and share the gospel. Maybe it was seeing a friend walk through a difficult season of life and still love Jesus and love others. Maybe it was someone who has moved to a place you would never go and lived on mission for the Lord. We’ve all had times we’ve looked at others and thought “I could never do that.”
But what if God is inviting you into some “I could never do that” situations for the spread of His gospel? That’s exactly what happens in Acts 8 as the story of the early church continues.
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First Degree Murder
Acts 6:8–7:60 | This week in our study of the Book of Acts, a Jesus follower will be murdered. That is harsh and direct, but it's true. It is what happened. Why was he murdered? For his faith. We turn our attention to the first martyr of the church. Literally, this man pays the greatest earthly cost he could possibly pay because of his allegiance to Christ. He is willing to die for the one who died for him. There are three questions we need answers to this week as we look at someone who suffered the ultimate suffering because of their faith in Christ:1) Where was God in this? 2) What is God doing through this? 3) How does Stephen remain tender-hearted toward God and others in spite of this? The answer to these three questions may be answers we need for times of hardship and tragedy in our own life one day. Don't miss the important lessons to be learned from the church's first martyr.
Acts 6:8–7:60 | This week in our study of the Book of Acts, a Jesus follower will be murdered. That is harsh and direct, but it's true. It is what happened.
Why was he murdered? For his faith.
We turn our attention to the first martyr of the church. Literally, this man pays the greatest earthly cost he could possibly pay because of his allegiance to Christ. He is willing to die for the one who died for him.
There are three questions we need answers to this week as we look at someone who suffered the ultimate suffering because of their faith in Christ:
1) Where was God in this?
2) What is God doing through this?
3) How does Stephen remain tender-hearted toward God and others in spite of this?
The answer to these three questions may be answers we need for times of hardship and tragedy in our own life one day. Don't miss the important lessons to be learned from the church's first martyr.
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Prioritizing Prayer & The Word
Acts 6:1-7 | If we miss the lesson the apostles are teaching in these 7 verses in Acts, it could set the course of our body of Jesus followers on a very dangerous trajectory. We have to understand what happens in these 7 verses and why this is one of the most pivotal leadership decisions the apostles made in the early days of the Church.
Acts 6:1-7 | If we miss the lesson the apostles are teaching in these 7 verses in Acts, it could set the course of our body of Jesus followers on a very dangerous trajectory. We have to understand what happens in these 7 verses and why this is one of the most pivotal leadership decisions the apostles made in the early days of the Church.
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7 Things SENT People Must Know
Luke 10:1-12 | People followed Jesus. How it typically worked is where Jesus went they went, and they'd just follow along as Jesus went about His life. They could see Him. They could be with Him. And then there came a day where Jesus looked at 72 of those who were following Him and he said, "Hey, I'm going to send you guys out. You're going on a mission...you are SENT!" After He told them they were sent, He said some things to these sent people. He told them who they were going with, what they should (or shouldn't) bring on the journey, the reality of danger, how to respond to someone who invites them in for a meal, and what to do with a town that kicks them out. He prepared them for the mission He had sent them on. We see this interaction in Luke 10, and we get 7 powerful principles we need to know as sent people embarking on our SENT Vision in the days ahead.
Luke 10:1-12 | People followed Jesus. How it typically worked is where Jesus went they went, and they'd just follow along as Jesus went about His life. They could see Him. They could be with Him. And then there came a day where Jesus looked at 72 of those who were following Him and he said, "Hey, I'm going to send you guys out. You're going on a mission...you are SENT!"
After He told them they were sent, He said some things to these sent people. He told them who they were going with, what they should (or shouldn't) bring on the journey, the reality of danger, how to respond to someone who invites them in for a meal, and what to do with a town that kicks them out. He prepared them for the mission He had sent them on.
We see this interaction in Luke 10, and we get 7 powerful principles we need to know as sent people embarking on our SENT Vision in the days ahead.
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The Costly Cause of Christ
Acts 5:17-42 | Following Jesus is the most joy-giving, purpose-defining, heart captivating reality we can ever know. We were created to follow Jesus. We were made for the glory of the Father through knowing the Son. Following Jesus will at times be a costly commitment, though. In fact, Jesus Himself told people to count the cost before following Him. The cause of Christ will always lead to a cost for Christ. This week, we will watch the apostles pay a price for their devotion to Jesus. And it makes sense -- The Kingdom is growing, multitudes are coming to know Jesus, the church is bearing fruit. Anytime these things are happening, expect opposition. The key to this week is seeing how the apostles respond to the evil inflicted on them. Do they leave with their heads hung low, licking their wounds, and playing the victim card? Or do they leave with arms raised high in praise, rejoicing that the Lord would count them worthy to suffer like Christ? And if their response is the latter, what's the secret to us responding to the costly cause of Christ in the same way?
Acts 5:17-42 | Following Jesus is the most joy-giving, purpose-defining, heart captivating reality we can ever know. We were created to follow Jesus. We were made for the glory of the Father through knowing the Son.
Following Jesus will at times be a costly commitment, though. In fact, Jesus Himself told people to count the cost before following Him. The cause of Christ will always lead to a cost for Christ. This week, we will watch the apostles pay a price for their devotion to Jesus. And it makes sense -- The Kingdom is growing, multitudes are coming to know Jesus, the church is bearing fruit. Anytime these things are happening, expect opposition.
The key to this week is seeing how the apostles respond to the evil inflicted on them. Do they leave with their heads hung low, licking their wounds, and playing the victim card? Or do they leave with arms raised high in praise, rejoicing that the Lord would count them worthy to suffer like Christ? And if their response is the latter, what's the secret to us responding to the costly cause of Christ in the same way?
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The Ripple Effect
Acts 5:12-16 | A ripple effect is defined as: the continuing and spreading results of an event or action. The ripple effect of God's powerful work among the Christians in the church in Acts was having a significant impact among those who weren't yet in the church. God at work among the Christians was rippling out to effect those who weren't Christians. When God is at work among His people, those who don't yet know Him will be impacted by the ripple effect of what He is doing in and through His people. This week's passage leads us to ask three questions of our life and our church as to what kind of ripple effect we are having among those who don't yet know Christ.
Acts 5:12-16 | A ripple effect is defined as: the continuing and spreading results of an event or action.
The ripple effect of God's powerful work among the Christians in the church in Acts was having a significant impact among those who weren't yet in the church. God at work among the Christians was rippling out to effect those who weren't Christians.
When God is at work among His people, those who don't yet know Him will be impacted by the ripple effect of what He is doing in and through His people. This week's passage leads us to ask three questions of our life and our church as to what kind of ripple effect we are having among those who don't yet know Christ.
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Selfish Generosity
Acts 5:1-11 | Have you ever given something away and thought to yourself,“ Yeah, that was pretty awesome... I'm really generous... I hope someone acknowledges me for that.”? Let’s face it, if we are honest, we have all been there. It is safe to say that this is normal. Interestingly, last week, as we studied God’s Word, we learned that God is inviting us to step into a life of joyful, radical generosity. A generosity that is motivated by the gospel. The believers were in such unity that no one considered his belongings to be his own, but rather he was merely a steward of God’s resources. Inevitably, this created a warm and joyful time in the life of the church.
This week however, we are introduced to a married couple that brought about a massive shift in the church’s narrative, causing the scene to become dreadfully dark, dreary, and dangerous. The reason… “Selfish Generosity."
Acts 5:1-11 | Have you ever given something away and thought to yourself,
“Yeah, that was pretty awesome... I'm really generous... I hope someone acknowledges me for that.”?
Let’s face it, if we are honest, we have all been there. It is safe to say that this is normal. Interestingly, last week, as we studied God’s Word, we learned that God is inviting us to step into a life of joyful, radical generosity. A generosity that is motivated by the gospel. The believers were in such unity that no one considered his belongings to be his own, but rather he was merely a steward of God’s resources. Inevitably, this created a warm and joyful time in the life of the church.
This week however, we are introduced to a married couple that brought about a massive shift in the church’s narrative, causing the scene to become dreadfully dark, dreary, and dangerous. The reason… “Selfish Generosity."
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