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Trials and suffering reveal deep things of the soul. Thoughts that are often hidden even from the sight of the person himself. They bring us to the point of despair at times and in those moments our faith is revealed and the faithfulness of God is seen in ways unknown before. In this little Psalm we are invited into the very soul of King David as he pours out his troubled thoughts to God.

Paul now finds himself being brought before King Agrippa, a man from a long line of enemies of God. How will he conduct himself in this moment? What will he choose to say? In this on-going saga of Paul's trials we again can see how this man conducted himself before the governing authorities for the sake of the gospel.

Having been held captive for two years, Paul finds himself now under the scrutiny of the new Governor, Festus. This starts the whole investigation into charges against him all over and we again have the opportunity to see Paul's approach to the powers of government and this age as a man committed to Jesus Christ.

Paul is now in the hands of the Governor Felix in Caesarea. Here again we get to see how Paul worked within the political system rather than fighting against it for the sake of the gospel. Corruption was evident from top to bottom but all that mattered for Paul was the opportunity to give testimony about his conversion and the glory and greatness of his Lord, Jesus Christ.

Paul is now encountering the first of several steps towards Rome. The events in which he finds himself pushed and prodded along are the result of false accusations by enemies of Jesus Christ. In it all we see a man who accepts the situations without falling into fatalism or surrender. Rather, he seeks to maintain a proper witness of Jesus Christ to a hating world. In our day the level of wickedness is stunning and with its rise there is a call to arms, so to speak, by people who posture themselves as leaders in the larger Church in America. This sermon considers Paul's overt teaching on our posture toward the government and compares his actual actions to it.

In Paul's recounting of his conversions to Jesus Christ we come across a verse that has caused a lot of confusion by some. In verse 16 we see Ananias tell Paul to get and an be baptized and wash away his sins. This verse and a few others are often pointed to as proof that baptism is how sins are cleansed and forgiven. In this sermon we examine this more closely and see what it is really saying. We find that because one has called upon the name of the Lord that they should be baptized. First the expression of faith and then the expression of obedience.

In the last few weeks startling and serious sins have come to light in both the larger, national level and in a smaller, local level that deserves our attention. Many would say they understand the greatness of sin in this world and yet there is a steady stream of people who find themselves trapped in sin, while claiming Jesus to be their Lord and Savior. This sermon is an attempt to bring about a sense of sobriety in how we view ourselves in light of the bible's teaching about sin and salvation and holiness.

In this message we examine the testimony of Paul. This is the first of several testimonies as Paul moves toward Rome and prison for the Name of Jesus.

Paul now begins the journey to Jerusalem where it has been abundantly shown that arrest and affliction await him. And in doing so we have a unique opportunity to see how prophets and prophecy seemed to occur in the early church and how someone like Paul would respond to it. We also have a unique opportunity to see how Paul worked within the various political systems of power as a Christian. This is helpful for us today as we see so much uncertainty in the world.

Paul has called the elders from Ephesus to meet with him privately. This story Luke chronicles lays out the final words of Paul to these dear men. He speaks honestly to them and gives them a very strong admonishment to be found faithful for what awaits them. And in doing so Paul lays out an outline of what any aspiring elder or current elder ought to take to heart as they consider their relationship to the local church.

This section of Acts chronicles the final days of Paul's ministry in Macedonia and Achaia with a special focus on the final exhortations of Paul to the elders of Ephesus. In this section we are given a stark description of the mind set and actions of Paul as an Apostle/Elder as he gives his final exhortations to these precious men. Today we have the privilege to see him unabashedly declare his single-minded submission to the ministry of a servant of Jesus Christ.

This section of Acts chronicles the closing days of Paul's time in Ephesus. While he is seeing many very encouraging things occur, there is still the constant presence of resistance by those who reject the gospel message. In this passage we see the planning of Paul and the consequences of the gospel affecting the economy of many in Ephesus.

Paul is now in the beginning stages of his third missionary journey and finds himself in the city of Ephesus. Here we see him come face-to-face with the forces of Satan as the gospel is preached, people believe and there is a demonic push back. In all of this, we see the attempts to mimic the power of Christ in the gospel by those who are not believers. We see the material cost to repenting from false practices and we see how the gospel creates tension and hatred from those who refuse to bow in faith to Jesus Christ.

Paul is now in the beginning stages of his third missionary journey and finds himself in the city of Ephesus. Here we see him come face-to-face with the forces of Satan as the gospel is preached, people believe and there is a demonic push back. In all of this, we see the attempts to mimic the power of Christ in the gospel by those who are not believers. We see the material cost to repenting from false practices and we see how the gospel creates tension and hatred from those who refuse to bow in faith to Jesus Christ.

There is a need to understand the plans of God but too often these become confused with our personal dreams for us. In this message we have an opportunity to see how Paul prayed for the church at Colossae to know God's will. We find a simple and straightforward approach that is not wrapped up in paganism or guess work. Rather, it is revealed for us through the Spirit-inspired Word and given so that we walk in a manner that honors God.