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WHEN THE FIRE FELL Acts 2.1-13 Gordon Dabbs, PhD The early church waited in prayer for God’s power, trusting that His mission requires His Spirit (Acts 1:14). Acts 1.14 (NLT) They all met together and were constantly united in prayer. The mission of God requires the power of God. On Pentecost, God moved with power and presence—like wind and fire—empowering ordinary people to proclaim His message to the nations (Acts 2:1–11). Acts 2.5 (ESV) There were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. Isaiah 49.6 (ESV) I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. Acts 2.13 (NLT) But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!” When God does something powerful… you have to decide what you’re going to do with it. The Christian life was never meant to run on human effort. It starts with the Spirit. It continues with the Spirit. And it is sustained by the Spirit. Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

DEEPER is a series designed for all ages to grow in God’s word! This cover-to-cover study of the Bible, Genesis to Revelation, is a weekly opportunity for the entire family to be encouraged, challenged, and edified. Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

WHEN THE FIRE FELL Acts 2.1-13 Gordon Dabbs, PhD The early church waited in prayer for God’s power, trusting that His mission requires His Spirit (Acts 1:14). Acts 1.14 (NLT) They all met together and were constantly united in prayer. The mission of God requires the power of God. On Pentecost, God moved with power and presence—like wind and fire—empowering ordinary people to proclaim His message to the nations (Acts 2:1–11). Acts 2.5 (ESV) There were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. Isaiah 49.6 (ESV) I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. Acts 2.13 (NLT) But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!” When God does something powerful… you have to decide what you’re going to do with it. The Christian life was never meant to run on human effort. It starts with the Spirit. It continues with the Spirit. And it is sustained by the Spirit. Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

After Jesus’ resurrection, an ordinary group of believers became an extraordinary movement. In Church on Fire, Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., explores the opening chapters of Acts to show how the Holy Spirit still ignites God’s people with power, unity, courage, and purpose. From the upper room to the streets of Jerusalem, we’ll learn what it means to live as Spirit-filled witnesses in our world today. Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

After Jesus’ resurrection, an ordinary group of believers became an extraordinary movement. In Church on Fire, Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., explores the opening chapters of Acts to show how the Holy Spirit still ignites God’s people with power, unity, courage, and purpose. From the upper room to the streets of Jerusalem, we’ll learn what it means to live as Spirit-filled witnesses in our world today. Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

Celebrate PC's children and youth accomplishments at LTC! A short devo will be followed by drama, puppets, awards and more! Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

HANDLING FAMILY CONFLICT Gordon Dabbs, PhD Ephesians 4.2-3 Paul calls us to conviction about peace and harmony. Ephesians 4.2-3 (NIV) Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. • BE COMPLETELY humble and gentle • BEAR WITH one another in love • MAKE EVERY EFFORT Bad news: every family has conflict. Good news: every family has conflict. Matthew 5.9 (ESV) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are the peacemakers. If there is any place on earth where Christians are committed to peacemaking, it ought to be in our homes. 4 practical convictions to be peacemakers in our families: 1. Overlook what can honestly be overlooked. Proverbs 19.11 (ESV) Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. Some things really are small enough to cover with grace. 2. When something must be addressed, lead with mercy. Colossians 3.13 (NLT) Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Homes get healthier when grace flows. 3. Own your part first. Jesus said to get the log out of your own eye first before trying to remove the speck from someone else’s. A real apology owns my part without immediately redirecting attention to the other person’s failures. 4. Seek reconciliation – don’t settle for relief or “victory”. Romans 12.18 (ESV) If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 2 Corinthians 5.18 (NIV) God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation He can make hot-tempered people gentler. He can make families healthier. Aim for a home where… • little things are covered in grace. • things are addressed with mercy. • people own up to their part. • reconciliation matters more than winning. • Jesus is at the center. The strongest families are the ones that keep bringing their struggles to Jesus… allowing Him teach them how to make peace. Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

Raising Kids or Disciples of Jesus? Bryan Borden Matthew 28:18-20 ~ Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Ephesians 6:1-4 ~ Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. Honor your father and mother. This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. I Corinthians 13:11 ~ When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Mark 10:14-16 ~ "Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it." Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them. Children: • Obey your parents • Honor your parents Ephesians 6:4 • NIV ~ Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. • NLT ~ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. • MSG ~ Fathers, don’t frustrate your children with no-win scenarios. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master. Parents: • Do not exasperate, provoke, or frustrate your children • Cherish your children • Discipline and train your children Proverbs 13:24 ~ Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them. Hebrews 12:10-11 ~ For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening — it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. Dr. Christian Smith ~ “Most teenagers and their parents may not realize it, but a lot of research in the sociology of religion suggests that the most important social influence in shaping young people’s religious lives is the religious life modeled and taught to them by their parents.” Mother Teresa ~ “Let me preach you without preaching, not by words but by my example, by the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what I do, the evident fullness of the love my heart bears to you.” Judges 2:10 ~ After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. We are called to go and make disciples of Jesus. Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

What does it really take to build a marriage that lasts? In this message from Ephesians 5:21–33, we explore God’s design for marriage—one built on sacrifice, service, commitment, and Christ-centered love. Through Scripture, practical insight, and a few humorous real-life moments, Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., walks us through how two imperfect people can build a relationship that not only survives but thrives. We also address difficult but important questions about divorce, grace, and God’s heart for healing and reconciliation. Whether you’re married, preparing for marriage, or simply interested in what the Bible teaches about relationships, this message offers wisdom, encouragement, and hope for the journey. Subscribe for more biblical teaching and encouragement. Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

What does it really take to build a marriage that lasts? In this message from Ephesians 5:21–33, we explore God’s design for marriage—one built on sacrifice, service, commitment, and Christ-centered love. Through Scripture, practical insight, and a few humorous real-life moments, Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., walks us through how two imperfect people can build a relationship that not only survives but thrives. We also address difficult but important questions about divorce, grace, and God’s heart for healing and reconciliation. Whether you’re married, preparing for marriage, or simply interested in what the Bible teaches about relationships, this message offers wisdom, encouragement, and hope for the journey. Subscribe for more biblical teaching and encouragement. Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

MARRIAGES THAT LAST Ephesians 5.21–33 Gordon Dabbs, PhD The biggest challenge in marriage is that two imperfect people show up expecting the other person to change. Scripture says the strongest marriages happen not when we focus on changing our spouse… but when we focus on surrendering ourselves. Ephesians 5.21-22, 25 (NLT) Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her… 1st key element of a marriage that lasts: SACRIFICE. Am I willing to put my spouse’s needs before my own? God’s design for marriage is lifelong faithfulness. What about divorce? 1. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate. 2. Divorce is not presented as part of God’s ideal. 3. Scripture also recognizes that we live in a broken world where sin damages marriages. Matthew 19.8 (ESV) Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 2nd element: SERVICE. Ephesians 5.29 (NIV) No one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church. . . 3rd element: SEPARATION. Ephesians 5.31 (ESV) A man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife. 4th element: SAVIOR. The best thing you can do for your marriage is put Jesus right in the middle of it. When these 4 elements are present… you don’t just have a marriage that survives. You build a marriage that thrives. Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

LOVE LIVES HERE Ephesians 5.1–6.4 Gordon Dabbs, PhD Love isn’t built in the big moments. It’s built in a thousand small ones. A healthy home isn’t built on rules, roles, and routines. It’s built on Christ-shaped love. We are introduced to 6 foundations of this kind of love in Ephesians 5 & 6: Foundation 1: Love Begins with God Ephesians 5.1-2 (NLT) Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Foundation 2: Love is a daily walk, not a feeling Ephesians 5.2 (NIV) . . .walk in the way of love. . . It’s a walk… not a sprint. Slow. Deliberate. One step after another. Foundation 3: Love Shows Up as Sacrifice Ephesians 5.25 (NLT) For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her. . . Love shows itself in surrender. Keep making sacrifices for your home team. Foundation 4: Love Respects and Honors A home can survive on bland meals… but not on bitter words. Respect is oxygen in marriage. Kids learn love by listening from the next room. Foundation 5: Love Nurtures the Next Generation Ephesians 6.4 (ESV) Bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Your children don’t need perfect parents. They need repentant ones. Your home is the greatest sermon your children will ever hear. Foundation 6: Love Reflects the Gospel to the World Family is evangelism in slow motion. A home built on Christ is a safe harbor where friends and neighbors can hear and experience the Good News. The greatest thing you can do for your spouse or child is help them know Jesus. Building a strong family is a high calling. You have all the help you need. Imagine one day your children saying, “My mom… my dad… led me to Jesus.” What a home. What a foundation. Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise