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As world continues to change by becoming more post-Christian and adapting to a post-pandemic world, the church finds itself in a period where change is the new normal. For this season, we are looking at the book of Acts to remind ourselves how the early church followed God as God led the church into the future that was unfolding before them. We can forget that Paul was human. Throughout his journeys, Paul became frustrated—as we all would given the situations and conflicts Paul dealt with on a regular basis. How did Paul keep going? At just the right moment God gave Paul the encouragement he needed. And God will do the same for us. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As world continues to change by becoming more post-Christian and adapting to a post-pandemic world, the church finds itself in a period where change is the new normal. For this season, we are looking at the book of Acts to remind ourselves how the early church followed God as God led the church into the future that was unfolding before them. As Paul walks through the city of Athens, he sees idols to all the different gods—including the idol to an unknown god. Paul takes the opportunity to share with the Athenians who that God is. It would be a mistake to think that it is only ancient cultures that are full of idols. We have ours as well. Even those of us who follow Jesus may still have unknown gods in our lives that need to be seen and dealt with. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As world continues to change by becoming more post-Christian and adapting to a post-pandemic world, the church finds itself in a period where change is the new normal. For this season, we are looking at the book of Acts to remind ourselves how the early church followed God as God led the church into the future that was unfolding before them. Acts 13 gives us a unique picture of the unique relationship between the Spirit and the church. The church does not operate independently from the Spirit, nor the Spirit without the church. God has chosen the church to unite itself to what God is doing in the world. Where the Spirit goes, the church follows. What the Spirit does, the church cooperates with. This is what God intends for his body on earth. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As world continues to change by becoming more post-Christian and adapting to a post-pandemic world, the church finds itself in a period where change is the new normal. For this season, we are looking at the book of Acts to remind ourselves how the early church followed God as God led the church into the future that was unfolding before them. The miraculous stories of the Bible capture our attention—mostly because that’s the way we want it to work. In the story of Peter’s supernatural escape from jail we have to wonder if the miracle is what Luke wants us to focus on? Maybe not. Maybe what Luke wants us to see is that the miracle happens in the midst of ordinary events. Luke isn’t giving us a prescription for how to get the miracle, but rather, to be open to the possibility that our ordinary, everyday lives might be interrupted by an act of God. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As world continues to change by becoming more post-Christian and adapting to a post-pandemic world, the church finds itself in a period where change is the new normal. For this season, we are looking at the book of Acts to remind ourselves how the early church followed God as God led the church into the future that was unfolding before them. The book of Acts begins to shift its focus from Jerusalem to Antioch. Antioch was a unique city in the Roman Empire in that it was extremely cosmopolitan and diverse. It’s not surprise then that the church in Antioch became an extremely diverse place. What is surprising is that Paul becomes one of the leaders of this church and the church becomes a launching point for Paul’s missionary journeys. In both the diversity of the church and the reconciliation with Paul, we see the grace of God at work. And we see a church we want to be a part of. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As world continues to change by becoming more post-Christian and adapting to a post-pandemic world, the church finds itself in a period where change is the new normal. For this season, we are looking at the book of Acts to remind ourselves how the early church followed God as God led the church into the future that was unfolding before them. Acts 9 ends with two stories involving Peter. In the first, he heals a lame man name Aeneas, and in the second he raises a woman, Tabitha, from the dead. While the miracles capture our attention, a little detail often goes unnoticed. Luke tells us that Peter encounters these people while traveling the country visiting “the saints”? What does it mean to be a saint? Why does Luke not just include the stories of these two saints, but their names? What does all this mean for us? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As world continues to change by becoming more post-Christian and adapting to a post-pandemic world, the church finds itself in a period where change is the new normal. For this season, we are looking at the book of Acts to remind ourselves how the early church followed God as God led the church into the future that was unfolding before them. Saul’s conversion is both wonderful and terrifying. Those who heard of Saul’s relentless persecution of the church were rightly afraid of him. In a very real sense, the gospel made people feel unsafe. What do we do with that? How do we both protect the church and remain open to God moving in the hearts and minds of those who once hurt us? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As world continues to change by becoming more post-Christian and adapting to a post-pandemic world, the church finds itself in a period where change is the new normal. For this season, we are looking at the book of Acts to remind ourselves how the early church followed God as God led the church into the future that was unfolding before them. One of the most well known stories in the book of Acts is the story of Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus. It’s no wonder that this story of a persecutor of the church becoming one of its most effective missionaries is well loved. But at the heart of this story is the resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus is a precursor to Saul’s conversion. Just as Jesus died on the cross, Saul died on the road to Damascus. Just as Jesus rose from dead, Paul rose from Saul’s past. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As world continues to change by becoming more post-Christian and adapting to a post-pandemic world, the church finds itself in a period where change is the new normal. For this season, we are looking at the book of Acts to remind ourselves how the early church followed God as God led the church into the future that was unfolding before them. The Lord directs Philip to the road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza. There he meets an Ethiopian eunuch—a man who is exotic and on the margins of society. As they study the scriptures, it becomes clear to the eunuch and to Philip that nothing can stop the expansive, inclusive love of God found in the gospel of Jesus. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As world continues to change by becoming more post-Christian and adapting to a post-pandemic world, the church finds itself in a period where change is the new normal. For this season, we are looking at the book of Acts to remind ourselves how the early church followed God as God led the church into the future that was unfolding before them. Acts 8 tells the story of Philip going to Samaria and preaching the gospel. People respond and are baptized. Peter and John then come, see that the Samaritans have not been been baptized in the Holy Spirit, and proceed to lay hands on the people so that they might receive the Spirit. What is going on in this passage? Why did Peter and John need to be there? What is it about the Samaritans and a peculiar man named Simon that we need to pay attention to? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As world continues to change by becoming more post-Christian and adapting to a post-pandemic world, the church finds itself in a period where change is the new normal. For this season, we are looking at the book of Acts to remind ourselves how the early church followed God as God led the church into the future that was unfolding before them. As the disciples continue to preach the good news of Jesus, we begin to see a clash of stories. After his arrest, Stephen retells the story of Israel, but in emphasizing different points—namely the resistance of Israel to the prophets of God—those in the synagogue are enraged. As human beings, we all tell stories. It becomes important, then, to examine the stories we tell ourselves and hold those up against the story of God. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As world continues to change by becoming more post-Christian and adapting to a post-pandemic world, the church finds itself in a period where change is the new normal. For this season, we are looking at the book of Acts to remind ourselves how the early church followed God as God led the church into the future that was unfolding before them. Acts 5:12-42 records yet another account of the disciples being arrested for preaching Jesus. Once again, when questioned about what they are doing, they preach the gospels. Over and over, the disciples respond to persecution by inviting their captors to experience salvation through Jesus. In this story, we meet Gamaliel—a pharisee who views the followers of Jesus with skepticism. In this sermon, we ask the question, “Do we ever, like Gamaliel, view the gospel with skepticism?” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.