Jun 22, 2014
Week 40- Bringing Glory to God in Christian Conflict (Acts 15:36-16:1-5)
When disagreements between the disciples of Jesus Christ happen (and they will) there are two distinct outcomes: Either God will be glorified or God will be shamed.  In this account of the dispute between Paul and Barnabas we see God's purpose come out of what appears on the surface to be a bad situation.  In this message we will examine Christian conflict and how, when handled in a Godly way, can bring glory to God.
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  • Jun 22, 2014Week 40- Bringing Glory to God in Christian Conflict (Acts 15:36-16:1-5)
    Jun 22, 2014
    Week 40- Bringing Glory to God in Christian Conflict (Acts 15:36-16:1-5)
    When disagreements between the disciples of Jesus Christ happen (and they will) there are two distinct outcomes: Either God will be glorified or God will be shamed.  In this account of the dispute between Paul and Barnabas we see God's purpose come out of what appears on the surface to be a bad situation.  In this message we will examine Christian conflict and how, when handled in a Godly way, can bring glory to God.
  • Jun 15, 2014Week 39- Don’t Make it Difficult (Acts 15:1-35)
    Jun 15, 2014
    Week 39- Don’t Make it Difficult (Acts 15:1-35)
    The Holy Spirit draws people to God. He gives Christians the ministry of reconciliation as vehicles in this process. As such, we are a part of a means to an end; many turning to God, by His grace through our faith. However, when the means gets in the way of the end, we make it difficult to turn to God. What are ways that we “put on the necks of disciples a yoke that they are unable to bear?” As fishers of men, how are we possibly trying to clean the fish before God enables us to catch them? God does indeed desire that we be set apart and different from the world we live in once we turn to Him. Our task at the onset is to make sure that God is the one that initiates that transformation and that we do not hinder that glorious work by making it difficult to turn to Him.
  • Jun 8, 2014Week 38- Appointing Leaders (Acts 14:21-28) (Ordination Sunday)
    Jun 8, 2014
    Week 38- Appointing Leaders (Acts 14:21-28) (Ordination Sunday)
    The strengthening of disciples and the encouragement to stay true to the faith, going into all the world, as well as building local churches; necessitates the appointing of leaders. These leaders, which we will primarily look at are elders, are always plural in Scripture. Elders have the God-given task of caring for the souls given under their care. We will look at the role those have to whom God has called to lead. We will also challenge, ordain, and pray over several local leaders commissioning them and releasing them into their gospel calling.
  • Jun 1, 2014Lessons from Abraham
    Jun 1, 2014
    Lessons from Abraham
    No matter what dynamic our 'family' constitutes, we have a responsibility to share our faith, our experiences, our knowledge, and the instruction of the God of the Bible as believers. This mandate is particularly true for that of parents. In Genesis chapter 22, "Father Abraham" is powerfully tested by God concerning his son Isaac; and what may or may not be lost is that Isaac, besides God Himself, is the one watching! From this we receive eight lessons from Abraham to his family.
  • May 25, 2014Week 37- In the Place of . . . (Acts 14:1-20)
    May 25, 2014
    Week 37- In the Place of . . . (Acts 14:1-20)
    There is something that was build deep into the heart of man that gives him a deep desire to worship God.  When God is not present inside of someone they desire to worship someone else or something else.  In this account in Acts we see this desire to worship come out in the people of Lystra.  Is God truly the one we worship or do we allow other things or people to share that worship that is only supposed to be for God?
  • May 18, 2014Week 36- Honoring the Word of the Lord (Acts 13:36-52)
    May 18, 2014
    Week 36- Honoring the Word of the Lord (Acts 13:36-52)
    Paul and Barnabas proclaimed the good news of Jesus, urged the people to continue in the grace of God, and gathered the whole city together to hear the word of the Lord. The Jews rejected it and Paul announced that they now will turn to the Gentiles.  Verse 48 says, “When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord.” How did they “honor” the Word? How do we? Do our lives and our choices show honor or dishonor to God’s Word?
  • May 11, 2014Week 35- Serving God’s Purpose – Acts 13:13-36
    May 11, 2014
    Week 35- Serving God’s Purpose – Acts 13:13-36
    We are all called to serve God’s purpose in our generation. Part of that purpose is assuring a Godly linage. As the Apostle Paul unfolds the Gospel story in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch, he does so by addressing those who paved the way for Jesus. We serve the same purpose as mothers, fathers, teachers, workers, and friends. In 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8, Paul speaks of his and his companions’ role among people: “we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”
  • May 4, 2014Week 34- Gospel Blindness (Acts 13:6-12)
    May 4, 2014
    Week 34- Gospel Blindness (Acts 13:6-12)
    "But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith."  This account in the book of Acts finds Paul, Barnabas and John in a city called Seleucia and faced with direct opposition to the gospel.  How did Paul respond?  He responded with boldness and authority but all which was provided by the Holy Spirit within him.  How do we approach the challenges to the gospel?  Do we back away or do we stand firm?  In this message we will explore how God wishes us to respond when what we believe is challenged.
  • Apr 27, 2014Week 33- Separate Unto Me (Acts 13:1-3)
    Apr 27, 2014
    Week 33- Separate Unto Me (Acts 13:1-3)
    What does it mean to be an 'Antioch Church'?  In Acts 13:1-3 we are introduced to a the Antioch Church and from this passage of scripture, one of the missioaries we support, Pastor Buddy Walker shows the characteristics of this church and encourages all of us to be missionaries for Jesus Christ.
  • Apr 20, 2014Easter Sunday- God’s Emancipation Proclamation (Romans 6:1-11; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15)
    Apr 20, 2014
    Easter Sunday- God’s Emancipation Proclamation (Romans 6:1-11; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15)
    On this Resurrection Sunday, we consider the lasting effects of Jesus’ sacrifice and his triumphant resurrection in the life of the person who now lives for Him. His victory over death completed the work that frees us from the tyranny of sin. We are now free! We will also talk about the role that baptism has and witness the joy of others being baptized. This act of obedience shows the personal application of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ in our place for our sins. New life is worth celebrating!
  • Apr 13, 2014Week 32- Praise to the King of Kings (Acts 12:19-25)
    Apr 13, 2014
    Week 32- Praise to the King of Kings (Acts 12:19-25)
    The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever! In our text, Herod, wearing his royal robes, sitting on his throne, and being called a god by the people was struck down by the Lord for not giving praise to God. Our lives self-destruct when we take for our glory, that which is due Him. On this Palm Sunday we will also look at the triumphant entry of Jesus to the praises of “Hosanna, Hosanna!”. Praises that were short-lived. Are we praising Him continually or have ours had an expiration date also?
  • Apr 6, 2014Week 31- God Rescues Us (Acts 12:1-19)
    Apr 6, 2014
    Week 31- God Rescues Us (Acts 12:1-19)
    "Quick, Get Up"  Peter heard these words from an angel as he sat between two soldiers, shackled and confined...a prisoner.  God does indeed rescue us out of some amazing difficulties, some of our own making and some by the hands of others.  In this message we will explore just how God is a God that rescues His people from both literal and more often, figurative prisons.
  • Mar 30, 2014Week 30- Evidence of Grace Part 2 (Acts 11:19-30)
    Mar 30, 2014
    Week 30- Evidence of Grace Part 2 (Acts 11:19-30)
    Grace is the whole of God’s activity toward man. This is unearned and unmerited by man. He cannot achieve a higher status with God, nor can he earn this divine transformation. However, as we talked about last week; ‘grace’ is the divine influence upon the heart, AND it’s reflection in the life of man that grace is bestowed upon. When Barnabas arrived in Antioch he “saw the evidence of the grace of God.” How do we reconcile that grace is imparted through faith and not works, yet we were “created for good works” and that “we would know them by their fruits”? There is a divine tension between God’s part and our part. Finding the right balance is the difference between legalism and “sloppy agape” lawlessness.
  • Mar 23, 2014Week 29- Evidence of Grace- Part 1 (Acts 11)
    Mar 23, 2014
    Week 29- Evidence of Grace- Part 1 (Acts 11)
    When Barnabas arrived in Antioch he “saw the evidence of the grace of God.” What is God’s grace? What is the evidence that can be seen? What does the evidence of grace look like in a believer’s life? The disciples, it is said, were also first called “Christians” in Antioch. What would cause others to look at a group of people and call them “followers of Christ”? Is there evidence in our life?
  • Mar 16, 2014Week 28- Free to Eat, Wise to Choose (Acts 10)
    Mar 16, 2014
    Week 28- Free to Eat, Wise to Choose (Acts 10)
    God's word has much to say about what kind of food He intended us to eat.  From Genesis through Paul's writings, we see evidence that God cares about how we care for our body.  Follow along as we discuss a Biblical view of diet and nutrition.
  • Mar 9, 2014Week 27- gRace Relations (Acts 10)
    Mar 9, 2014
    Week 27- gRace Relations (Acts 10)
    gRace Relations - Acts 10 - Peter gets a revelation of God's plan to rescue and redeem men from all nations, regardless of ethnic backgrounds, skin color, or religious practice.
  • Mar 2, 2014Week 26- The Impact of a Servant (Acts 9:32-43)
    Mar 2, 2014
    Week 26- The Impact of a Servant (Acts 9:32-43)
    Peter is called to a room where a woman named Tabitha lay dead. She is surrounded by mourners who, as they cried, showed off the clothing that she had made for them. There isn’t much we know about Tabitha other than she appeared to touch the lives of others with her service and that she was raised back to life to the glory of God. Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. We too can affect people in a great way as we serve them. We will look at what a servant of the gospel truly is and ways that we can serve others.
  • Feb 23, 2014Week 25- Paul: A Believer on Fire (Acts 9:19-31)
    Feb 23, 2014
    Week 25- Paul: A Believer on Fire (Acts 9:19-31)
    Acts 9:21 - All those who heard him were astonished and asked, "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?"
    Saul's conversion was complete and total. Can others see the change in us? In this message we will explore the characteristics Paul displayed that demonstrated true conversion of a believer.
  • Feb 16, 2014Week 24- The Conversion of Saul (Acts 9:1-19)
    Feb 16, 2014
    Week 24- The Conversion of Saul (Acts 9:1-19)
    If Saul of Tarsus who imprisoned and killed Christians can meet Jesus and have his life radically changed, then anyone can-- no matter what their past is like! Saul, who was once deceived, now sees clearly. Both physical and spiritual scales fall from his eyes. That day, blinding light pierced into darkness. Saul is the greatest picture of an enemy of God becoming the friend of God and in many ways his conversion and the details contained within scriptures parallel the path to conversion every man must walk down.  In this message we will look at those parallels and rejoice in the salvation of God.
  • Feb 9, 2014Week 23- The Right Place at the Right Time (Acts 8:26-40)
    Feb 9, 2014
    Week 23- The Right Place at the Right Time (Acts 8:26-40)
    Philip being instrumental in the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch demonstrates in a powerful way the leading of the Holy Spirit. There are always opportunities all around us where God is moving on hearts and orchestrating His saving grace. We too can be “in the right place at the right time” if we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Philip used the very thing the eunuch was reading to proclaim to him the good news about Jesus. Another note-worthy aspect of his conversion was that water baptism was a natural expectation of the “next step”.
  • Feb 2, 2014Week 22- The Captivity of Sin (Acts 8:4-25)
    Feb 2, 2014
    Week 22- The Captivity of Sin (Acts 8:4-25)
    The Captivity of Sin - In this story we see a very popular man, Simon the Sorcerer, attempt to purchase the power of the Holy Spirit.  Peter uses the phrase, "For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin."  What caused Simon to be 'captive to sin and full of bitterness'?  In this message we will explore the captivity that sin can hold us in and how we can break free of these chains.
  • Jan 26, 2014Week 21- Kicked Out of the Nest (Acts 7:51-8:4)
    Jan 26, 2014
    Week 21- Kicked Out of the Nest (Acts 7:51-8:4)
    The stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, began great persecution that broke out against the early believers. Saul began to destroy the church. All except the Apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Jesus’ commission before ascending to the Father was to be His witnesses in the very places that they were now scattered. In a very real sense, God used this to kick them out of the nest! They preached the Word where ever they went and they made disciples! Would they have done so without persecution? Will we?
  • Jan 19, 2014Week 20- Dealing With Tough Stuff (Acts 6:8- 7:51)
    Jan 19, 2014
    Week 20- Dealing With Tough Stuff (Acts 6:8- 7:51)
    Our aim should be to emulate Stephen; a man (or woman) “full of God’s grace and power”. This description is not merely philosophical or even theological-- it is a way of life, tested greatly by people attacking him. Stephen did not have a life or ministry where he skated through unscathed, quite the contrary. When confronted with adversity, opposition, and false accusations; Stephen responded by resting in the presence of the Lord and not retaliating. Stephen pointed to the reality of God found throughout Scripture and that they were in fact, resisting the Holy Spirit! (Acts 7:51).
  • Jan 12, 2014Footprints: I Am a Missionary
    Jan 12, 2014
    Footprints: I Am a Missionary
    Series: Misc
  • Jan 5, 2014Week 19- New Year’s Attention (Acts 6:1-7)
    Jan 5, 2014
    Week 19- New Year’s Attention (Acts 6:1-7)
    There are many good, great, busy, and important things that we can do. Many things that utilize our gifts, energy, resources and time. Yet, we are only truly effective, obedient, and happy when we give our attention to what God is calling us as individuals and as a church to do. In Acts 6, we see that the Apostles are confronted with competing “good” things to do. They chose what to put their focus on by listening to God and by utilizing other people’s calling and gifts. This New Year, we must give an ear to what the Spirit of God is saying and give our undivided attention to it.
  • Dec 22, 2013Week 4- Jesus is God Incarnate
    Dec 22, 2013
    Week 4- Jesus is God Incarnate
    The birth into human history of Jesus is why we celebrate Christmas. God became the ultimate missionary; putting on flesh (incarnation) and invading His creation as the ultimate servant. Jesus is fully man and still fully God. His virgin birth is especially crucial in connection with the person of Jesus Christ. His incarnation allowed Him to be substitute and mediator; essential for our eternal salvation and the power of the gospel ongoing in our lives.
  • Dec 15, 2013Week 3- Jesus as King
    Dec 15, 2013
    Week 3- Jesus as King
    God made Jesus both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). He has ultimate authority and majesty; He is King of kings and Lord of lords! A king has a king-dom or dominion; the sphere in which he rules. His kingdom is advanced when and where He reigns. Jesus is “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church.” (Eph. 1:21-22)
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