Advertise on podcast: Sharon Church | Sermons

As we step into the final season of the book of Acts our attention narrows in to Paul. Paul has established churches and performed miracles but has also been beaten down and persecuted. With great resolve, Paul makes his way to Jerusalem and ultimately to Rome where he sees an opportunity to get the Gospel to the ends of the earth. ___ When Paul makes it to Jerusalem the Christian elders there have a plan to make sure the Jews in Jerusalem welcome him. They ask him to continue his vow and bring four men along with him and even sacrifice on their behalf. All to no avail. So what do we do when we do everything we can to convince someone of what is true and they still don't believe? We don't need to prove anything to anyone. We need to pray for them.

As we step into the final season of the book of Acts our attention narrows in to Paul. Paul has established churches and performed miracles but has also been beaten down and persecuted. With great resolve, Paul makes his way to Jerusalem and ultimately to Rome where he sees an opportunity to get the Gospel to the ends of the earth. ___ After an emotional farewell to the elders in Ephesus, Paul and his companions make their way toward Jerusalem stopping in a few places along the way. At those stops, Paul is encountered by well-meaning Christians who urge him to not go to Jerusalem because it is too dangerous. Understanding their concern, Paul boldly explains his call to Jerusalem and his desire to walk in God's will even if it costs him his life.

As we step into the final season of the book of Acts our attention narrows in to Paul. Paul has established churches and performed miracles but has also been beaten down and persecuted. With great resolve, Paul makes his way to Jerusalem and ultimately to Rome where he sees an opportunity to get the Gospel to the ends of the earth. ___ In an emotional farewell, Paul says goodbye to the church at Ephesus and her elders. He pleads with them to shepherd the church well and he gives one clear charge - preach the Word.

Like David, we often have to fight shame and darkness by confronting our soul's propensity to wander into self-pity. The way David does it in Psalm 103 is by recounting all the ways the Lord has dealt graciously with him. It gives David (and us) permission to be human and let God be God.

With season 1 and 2 complete we move into Acts: Season 3. The narrative shifts to Antioch and the focus is on Paul - previously called Saul - as he shares the gospel in Gentile areas. ___ At the end of season three we wrap up Acts 19 with the impact of the Gospel affecting the economy in Ephesus. The way of Ephesus is threatened and those making the most money off of her worship of Artemis are in fear of losing their abundance.

With season 1 and 2 complete we move into Acts: Season 3. The narrative shifts to Antioch and the focus is on Paul - previously called Saul - as he shares the gospel in Gentile areas. ___ As ministry progresses in Ephesus, people start to recognize the power of God on Paul's life and want to be involved. Some try to impersonate - and get embarrassed. And other choose to identify their imperfections - and get blessed.

With season 1 and 2 complete we move into Acts: Season 3. The narrative shifts to Antioch and the focus is on Paul - previously called Saul - as he shares the gospel in Gentile areas. ___ Now on his third mission trip, Paul comes back to Ephesus to find 12 men who were committed to a life of purity and repentance but lacking the power of the Holy Spirit.

With season 1 and 2 complete we move into Acts: Season 3. The narrative shifts to Antioch and the focus is on Paul - previously called Saul - as he shares the gospel in Gentile areas. ___ A brilliant up and coming speaker makes his way from Egypt to Ephesus with a passionate and accurate yet incomplete message about Jesus.

With season 1 and 2 complete we move into Acts: Season 3. The narrative shifts to Antioch and the focus is on Paul - previously called Saul - as he shares the gospel in Gentile areas. ___ With Silas and Timothy back in Berea Paul moves on to Athens, Greece. While waiting for Silas and Timothy, Paul walked around Athens and noticed a great deal of religion but a missing relationship with God.

With season 1 and 2 complete we move into Acts: Season 3. The narrative shifts to Antioch and the focus is on Paul - previously called Saul - as he shares the gospel in Gentile areas. ___ Paul, Silas, & Timothy leave Luke in Philippi and make their way to the capital of Macedonia - Thessalonica - which is greatly influenced by Roman culture and ideology, even the Jewish leaders have fallen victim to its schemes. The synagogue's affection and affiliation with Rome has led the leaders to refuse Jesus as Lord and they violently sent Paul and Silas away. They left by night and found themselves in a backwoods town called Berea where their message was received with great eagerness.

With season 1 and 2 complete we move into Acts: Season 3. The narrative shifts to Antioch and the focus is on Paul - previously called Saul - as he shares the gospel in Gentile areas. ___In God's sovereign providence, He leads Paul, Silas, Timothy, and now Luke, to Philippi where they meet a random assortment of people with nothing in common but their need for Jesus. And through unique salvation experiences, God builds His church in Philippi.

Over the course of this year we will be sporadically looking at some of the worship songs and poems written by David and others in the book of Psalms.---Psalm 116 is a song probably sung by Jesus and His disciples as they made their way to Jerusalem the night He was arrested. It is a song that speaks of the joy and benefits to be found with God as our Father.

With season 1 and 2 complete we move into Acts: Season 3. The narrative shifts to Antioch and the focus is on Paul - previously called Saul - as he shares the gospel in Gentile areas. ___ As the good news of Jesus is making its way into areas and people who are unfamiliar with the Jewish tradition and Jesus' Jewish upbringing, the Jews are concerned that the nations have not fulfilled all that is required to be saved.

With season 1 and 2 complete we move into Acts: Season 3. The narrative shifts to Antioch and the focus is on Paul - previously called Saul - as he shares the gospel in Gentile areas. ___ When we have confidence that God is writing our story we are free to shake the dust off our feet and move on. We can exchange jealousy for joy.

With season 1 and 2 complete we move into Acts: Season 3. The narrative shifts to Antioch and the focus is on Paul - previously called Saul - as he shares the gospel in Gentile areas. ___ As Paul & Barnabas continue their first missionary journey, John Mark makes the decision to leave and head home to Jerusalem (more on that later) but Paul and Barnabas carry on to Antioch in Pisidia - which is also in the region of Galatia. As is their custom, Paul and Barnabas begin in the Synagogue and Paul recognizes that the Jews had been hearing the same Scriptures and prophecies for generations but had missed Jesus. He gives a prophetic warning that we should heed as well - look to see the work of God not just in the past but in the present. He is still working.