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In this message on Acts Chapter 10, Pastor Ben Hays explores the landmark story of Peter and Cornelius. Discover how God dismantles human prejudice, breaks down cultural barriers, and reveals that no one is outside the reach of His grace.    Through a deep dive into the three main figures of this chapter—Cornelius, Peter, and Simon the Tanner—we examine what it means to move from mere religiosity into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.      Video Chapter Markers (Timestamps) 00:00 - Introduction: Impressions, Internal Clocks & Recurring Dreams 02:37 - Big Idea: God Shows No Partiality (Acts 10 Overview) 07:02 - Framing the Sermon: Character Studies in Acts 10 08:55 - Character 1: Cornelius – The Devout Seeker 14:50 - Lesson 1: Being Religious Does Not Equal Salvation 17:33 - Lesson 2: God Connects the Seeker & the Gospel Messenger 21:04 - Lesson 3: Caring for the Spiritual Condition of Others 23:03 - Character 2: Peter – Vision on the Housetop 29:05 - Lesson 4: Listening & Obeying When God Speaks 30:28 - Lesson 5: Prejudices Should Never Limit God's Mission 31:28 - Lesson 6: The Humility to Admit When We're Wrong 33:10 - Character 3: Simon the Tanner – The Overlooked Servant 35:23 - Lesson 7: Hospitality, Vocation & God in the Details 38:09 - Which Character Are You? (Self-Reflection) 39:08 - The ABCs of Salvation & Closing Prayer

Do you believe God still has the power to change your life—or use you to change someone else's? In this powerful message from Acts 9, Dr. Roger Patterson dives into the miraculous conversion of Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. From John Newton's transformation to Saul's dramatic encounter with Jesus, we see that no life is too far gone for God's grace. Whether you are seeking a fresh start, wrestling with doubt, or praying for a loved one who feels far from God, this sermon will remind you that you already have what you need to follow Jesus and make an impact.   📖 Key Takeaways & Outline: You already have what you need (04:13) – You don't need a seminary degree to share the Gospel. Don't underestimate Jesus' power to change lives (13:02) – Jesus confronts our sin with grace, not shame, and gives us a brand-new purpose. Don't give up on people you love (24:45) – Stop keeping score like Ananias and restart laboring in prayer for the prodigal. Simply obey (29:38) – Faith is built step-by-step through daily acts of obedience, starting with believer's baptism. ⏰ Timestamps & Chapter Markers: 00:00 - Introduction: The Story of John Newton & Grace 02:00 - Can God Really Change Your Life? (Acts 9 Overview) 04:13 - 1. You Already Have What You Need 09:20 - Gospel Pop Quiz: Do You Know Enough to Share Your Faith? 13:02 - 2. Don't Underestimate Jesus' Power to Change Lives 14:15 - "Saul, Saul, Why Are You Persecuting Me?" 18:38 - How Jesus Deals with Us: Grace Over Shame 22:15 - A New Direction & New Purpose 24:45 - Don't Give Up Praying for the People You Love 25:52 - Ananias & The Struggle to Trust God's Plan 29:38 - 3. Simply Obey 31:36 - Taking the First Step: Believer's Baptism 36:41 - The Path of Obedience: Living Life Step-by-Step 39:15 - Prayer of Salvation & Closing Invitation

What happens when life brings pressure, pain, and unexpected turns? In this message from Acts 8, Ben Hays explores The Ripple Effect of the Gospel at CityRise Church . Discover how God sovereignly uses ordinary people , unexpected hardships, and everyday moments to spread His grace farther than we can imagine—breaking barriers and bringing true kingdom joy to the ends of the earth. Whether you're facing a season of transition or looking to make a lasting impact for Christ, this deep dive into the early church will encourage you to trust God's plan and let your life be a catalyst for His kingdom. 🙏 If you made a decision to follow Jesus today or want prayer, we would love to connect with you! Visit us at CityRise Church. Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 — Introduction: The Ripple Effect of the Gospel 04:55 — Point 1: From Persecution to Scattering 17:50 — Point 2: Scattering Brings Gospel Advance 24:45 — Point 3: From Gospel Advance to Kingdom Expanse 31:21 — Point 4: Kingdom Expanse Brings Joy 33:41 — Conclusion & Invitation

What does it look like to remain faithful to Jesus no matter the cost? In this powerful message from Dr. Roger Patterson at CityRise Church, we examine the inspiring life and martyrdom of Stephen in Acts 6 and 7. Discover how a believer's life is anchored by three essential qualities: a willingness to serve, a willingness to speak, and a willingness to suffer. Whether you are facing personal trials, workplace pressure, or cultural opposition, this sermon will challenge you to keep running the race and fix your eyes on Jesus. Chapter Markers (Timestamps) 00:00 — Introduction: The Target is Faithfulness 05:14 — Quality 1: The Willingness to Serve (Acts 6) 14:14 — Quality 2: The Willingness to Speak (Stephen's Trial) 25:24 — Quality 3: The Willingness to Suffer (The Stoning of Stephen) 31:43 — Application: How to Run the Play for Christ 35:20 — Closing Prayer & Invitation

What happens when earthly authorities demand you compromise your faith? In this powerful message on Acts 5, Dr. Roger Patterson unpacks how the early church faced legal pressure, punishment, and persecution with unwavering boldness and radical joy. Through the story of Peter and the apostles standing before the Sanhedrin, we are challenged to wrestle with three crucial principles: The Question of Authority: Which authority will you obey first when pressures arise? The Reality of Resistance: How to stand firm and rely on the Holy Spirit during trials. The Task at Hand: Embracing the mission over comfort and sharing the life-changing story of Jesus. Whether facing cultural shifts, workplace pressures, or personal opposition, discover what it means to be fully sold out to Jesus Christ and pray for gospel boldness in your daily life. Chapter Markers & Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction & Four Generations 03:08 - The Price of Preaching the Gospel (Pastor Wang Yi) 05:07 - Outline: Authority, Resistance, and Mission 05:50 - Background Context: The Healing at the Temple (Acts 3 & 4) 08:58 - The Momentum of the Early Church (Acts 5:12–16) 10:50 - 1. Wrestling with Authority: Whom Will We Obey? 13:12 - Historical & Modern Examples of Religious Pressure 18:12 - 5 New Testament Principles on Authority 21:47 - 2. Wrestling with Resistance: How Will We Respond? 23:42 - The Miraculous Prison Escape & Return to the Temple 26:14 - What "Obey" Really Means (Peitharcheo) 28:57 - Counting the Cost of Following Jesus 31:33 - Gamaliel's Advice & the Apostles' Beating (Acts 5:40–42) 33:24 - A Call for Mighty Men to Stand Firm 35:12 - 3. Wrestling with the Task at Hand: Sharing Jesus Continually 36:58 - Praying for Gospel Boldness 37:47 - Jesus as Our Ultimate Example 38:44 - Preparation for the Lord's Supper & How to Accept Christ

What happens when ordinary believers step out in extraordinary, bold faith ? In this sermon from Acts 3 and 4, Pastor Tim Yeager walks through four powerful scenes showing how God transforms life, turns everyday interruptions into opportunities, and moves His church to speak the truth with courage—even when facing opposition . Through the miraculous healing of a man lame from birth , Peter and John's fearless witness before the Jewish sanhedrin , and the early church's prayer for supernatural boldness , we are challenged to examine our own lives: Are we too distracted by comfort and control to notice what God is doing right in front of us ? Watch as Pastor Tim illustrates how God uses common, faithful people to bring restoration, hope, and the gospel to our city and beyond . Key Takeaways Compassion to Restoration: True biblical compassion goes beyond quick fixes to bring real, lasting restoration . Boldness over Comfort: Expansion often brings opposition, but God calls us to pray for boldness rather than just changed circumstances . Witnessing in Daily Life: You don't need all the answers; you only need to be a faithful witness of what you have seen, heard, and experienced in Christ . God Uses the Common: God changes the world through ordinary, bold, and faithful servants who simply say "yes" . Chapter Markers & Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: We Are Witnesses of What God Has Done 00:27 – Welcome & Series Overview (Acts 3 & 4) 01:58 – Scene 1: The Healing of the Lame Beggar at Beautiful Gate 04:47 – Real Compassion Leads to Restoration 10:25 – Scene 2: Peter Preaches at Solomon's Portico 13:00 – Confronting Sin with Brutal Honesty & Amazing Grace 15:36 – The Call to Repentance and Times of Refreshing 18:04 – Scene 3: Peter & John Arrested & Brought Before the Council 22:15 – Standing Boldly Before the Jewish Supreme Court 25:12 – How God Uses Common, Faithful Servants 29:06 – Standing Firm Against Threats 30:50 – Scene 4: The Believers Pray for Boldness 33:16 – Overcoming the Distractions of Comfort & Control 34:11 – Modern Testimonies: God at Work in Houston Today 37:45 – Closing Challenge & Prayer

Are you trying to live the Christian life in your own strength? In this powerful message from Acts 2, Dr. Roger Patterson explores the foundational role of the Holy Spirit as God's current, daily gift to believers . When we receive Christ, we don't just gain a future home in heaven—we are sealed and given the Holy Spirit today as our helper, guide, teacher, and source of power . Join us as Dr. Patterson outlines six biblical principles regarding the Spirit's work in our lives and reveals how the early church's devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer was fully energized by the Spirit of God .

In this sermon on Acts 2, Pastor Alberto Avila explores the transformative power of the Day of Pentecost . Looking at the profound parallels between the Old Testament and the New Testament, Pastor Alberto contrasts the terrifying, distant fire at Mount Sinai with the inviting, personal fire of the Holy Spirit poured out on believers in Jerusalem .

In this message, titled "The Mission Continues," Ben examines how the Book of Acts serves as the vital sequel to the Gospel of Luke . While Luke's Gospel details what Jesus began to do and teach, Acts reveals what Jesus continues to do through His Spirit-empowered church . Learn how we are called to move past political distractions, lean into prayer, and actively participate in God's global mission today .

n the final message of our 13-week series on heaven, Pastor Tim Yeager walks through Revelation 22 to reveal how the biblical story reaches its ultimate conclusion. From the reversal of creation's curse to the promise of seeing God face-to-face, discover why eternity isn't just a future destination—it's motivation for how we live today. Join CityRise Church as we look at the ultimate hope we have in Jesus, our victorious King, and respond to His grace through the Lord's Table.

What will eternity actually look like ? In this sermon from Revelation 21, Dr. Roger Patterson explores what the Bible reveals about our eternal home—a restored creation, resurrected bodies, and the glorious reality of God dwelling with His people . Discover how Heaven is not an escape from Earth, but a complete transformation where sorrow is gone, work is redeemed, and joy is everlasting . Join us at CityRise Church (Bellaire Campus) as we dive deep into the hope of the eternal state . Learn more about CityRise Church: https://cityrise.org/ Download the CityRise App to follow along with sermon notes: https://cityrise.org/app

What does the Bible teach about the Millennial Kingdom, the binding of Satan, and God's ultimate plan for justice ? In Week 11 of the sermon series "Can You Even Imagine?" at CityRise Church, Lead Pastor Dr. Roger Patterson walks through Revelation chapter 20 to uncover God's promises for the Messianic Age—a 1,000-year reign of unprecedented peace, righteousness, and restoration on earth . Discover how Jesus will physically return to establish His kingdom from Jerusalem, what happens when Satan is released for a short time, and the sobering reality of the Great White Throne Judgment . Most importantly, learn how you can place your faith in Jesus Christ today and be assured of eternal life .

In this message, Dr. Roger Patterson continues our series on Heaven by diving into Revelation 19 and eschatology—the study of end times and future things . Discover what the Bible reveals about the end-time timeline, the significance of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, and how our lives today prepare us for eternity with Christ . As the Bride of Christ, believers are called to live set apart—reflecting God's grace through good works, expectant waiting, and extending the gospel invitation to others .

What will heaven really be like? In this powerful sermon on Revelation 7:9–17, Dr. Roger Patterson unpacks John's vision of the great multitude gathered around the throne of God. While it is difficult for us to fully grasp the reality of heaven, Scripture reveals three profound truths about our eternal home: Heaven is more global than you can imagine: People from every nation, tribe, language, and tongue unified in worship. Heaven is more worshipful than you can imagine: A victorious, cascading celebration declaring that salvation belongs to our God and to the Lamb. Heaven is more tender than you can imagine: The Lamb becomes our Shepherd, leading us to springs of living water, and God Himself wipes away every tear. Whether you are looking for pastoral comfort, seeking a deeper understanding of Revelation, or wondering how to receive salvation in Christ, this message offers hope and encouragement for your journey.

What will happen on the day you stand before Jesus? In Week 8 of our "Can You Even Imagine?" series on Heaven, Dr. Roger Patterson explores what the Bible reveals about the Judgment Seat of Christ. For believers in Christ, this is not a judgment of condemnation, but a moment of evaluation and reward for how we lived our lives on Earth. Using 2 Corinthians 5 and 1 Corinthians 3, Dr. Patterson explains the contrast between earthly gain and eternal purpose, how our works will be tested by fire, and how we can use our time, talent, treasure, and touch today to build a legacy that lasts for eternity.