This sermon explores Paul’s correspondence to the church at Ephesus in Acts 20. Paul is compelled to do the right thing, including proclaiming an unpopular message that leads to persecution, but cause it is his duty. Strangely, the church...
This sermons explores Acts 18:24–28. In this text we see that while mystery (i.e., sacrament) is at the heart of the Christian faith and worldview, there is also a powerful inner logical consistence and coherence to the Christian worldview. This, in...
In this sermon, we explore 10 common myths about demons. People are Possessed by Demons. There’s a difference between demonization and possession. Possession is very rare. Demonization, however, is common. Deliverance Always Entails a Fight. This is...
In this story we learn that the persecution of the church results in the gospel spreading to areas outside of Jerusalem. This is the promise of Jesus fulfilled as his followers obey his command to make disciples of all nations. When the church...
In this sermon/episode, we explore Exodus 3 as the basis for the fact that Holy Communion not only unites us with Christ and one another, but is the fuel for the church to fulfill its calling in the Great Commission.
The central function of the church is to proclaim the gospel, by both deed and word. The book of Acts adds to that statement that the good news must be proclaimed with boldness, as there will be enemies to the proclamation of the message of freedom...
the work continues…as does the opposition (Acts 6:8–15) There are two kinds of conflict in the church: (1) internal (Acts 6:1–7) and (2) external (Acts 6:8–15). Sin is the root cause of both. While internal sin occasionally pops up, it is external...
How do you know if someone is a true Christian? In the old covenant, adherence to the 613 commands of the Torah marked the people of God. In the new covenant in Christ, self-giving love (i.e., holiness; Christ-like love) empowered by the Holy Spirit...
Text: ACTS 4:1–31 The Promise of Persecution (Acts 4:1–4) As the apostles are faithful to their calling and function in the Holy Spirit, more and more people are being saved. Their faithfulness and the transformation of hearts and lives will create...
The whole story of the cross is about the mission of God. “Mission” means to send or be sent. God the Father sent God the Son (advent), and God the Son sends God the Holy Spirit (Pentecost), and God the Holy Spirit sends the Church into the world...