Messages from Calvary Student Ministry at the North campus.
Something spectacular happened to Saul on the road to Damascus. His physical sight was taken in order for him to receive spiritual sight. Jesus interjected Himself into Saul's life and gave him spiritual sight. This new sight led to a change in Saul's character. In this message, we take a look at what changes take place in Saul's life after his conversion.
In Acts 9, Jesus interjects Himself into a religiously elite man named Saul's life. Jesus blinds Saul in order to give him spiritual sight. In this message, Daniel Ward points our three truths derived from Saul's conversion.
The story of Ananias and Sapphira is not one with a happy ending. In fact, it is a rather grim tale. Fortunately, we can learn several things from their story. Through this account in Scripture, we can really evaluate the authenticity of our faith.
Peter and John are put before the Sanhedrin in Acts 4 and commanded to cease their proclamation about Jesus. They take a bold stand. Immediately after their persecution, we can see their response. As Christians today, we can glean a lot from this experience as to how we should respond when facing persecution for our faith.
Peter and John find themselves before the Sanhedrin under false accusations. As the religious leaders work to find fault in the men, they're amazed at the undeniable connection Peter and John have with Jesus.
If then we have been raised with Christ, we already possess spiritual righteousness; a gift bestowed to us from Christ Himself. As new creations bearing the image of our Creator, we should also live with practical righteousness. In Colossians 3, Paul gives us several traits to put on as the new man.
In Colossians, Paul commands believers to put to death certain traits of the old man. If then we have been raised with Christ, we are no longer bound to the old sinful behaviors of our old self. We have been made new!
In Colossians 3, Paul gives some practical direction on how to respond the Christology he presents in chapters 1 and 2. He says, "If then you've been raised with Christ, seek the things above..." After conversion, the believer is to seek the things above. How do we do that? He goes on to say that we should "set our minds on things above..." It's vital to the Christian walk that the believer always evaluate what stirs and robs his/her affections for Christ. In this sermon, Daniel Ward walks through this plea from Paul to feed the things that stir our affections for Christ and starve the things that rob them.
In Acts 3, we see Peter heal a lame man in the name of Christ. The man was suffering from a condition he had no ability to resolve himself. Peter, through Christ, offered a remedy. We can glean a lot from the man's response to his healing. We suffer from the condition known as sin. Christ is our remedy. What is our response?
Toward the end of Acts 2, Luke gives us an account of what the early church looked like. Immediately following the conversion of 3,000 people at Pentecost, these people began doing church. Today, churches and youth groups could experience God's blessing if they would model the characteristics of this early church.
In the second chapter of Acts, we find the disciples completely renewed, filled with power, and proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ. In this sermon, Daniel Ward takes us on a journey through this story of the beginnings of the church, pointing out that our life's purpose is found in proclaiming the truth of the Gospel to the world around us.
Biblical wisdom is rooted in submission to God. The Psalmist wrote, "The fool says in his heart that there is no God." Most do not deny Him with their lips, but deny Him with their lifestyle. The wise acknowledge Jesus with their lips and their life. In this message, we learn from Paul what Biblical wisdom looks like.
Paul reminds us that we once lived in darkness, but now we are light. Christians must live in a way that illuminates within the darkness we live in. When we live in the power of the Holy Spirit, our obedience to His will shines a light on dark living.
Imitating Christ in the way we love is a mark of the new creation, but as with everything God creates, Satan has created a counterfeit love to deceive mankind. Satan's counterfeit love is rooted in self indulgence and greed. In this message, we study Paul's warning to stay away from the cheap counterfeit that the enemy tries to lure us with.
Children naturally imitate their parents. They inherit certain physical traits, but also often imitate the character of their parents as well. They take on their passions, beliefs, and values. In this message, we take a look at why Paul tells us to imitate God as beloved children.
The common thread for all believers is regeneration. At the point of conversion, God's Spirit makes us new.
The common thread among all believers is regeneration. At the point of conversion, God's Spirit makes us new.
In this passage, Paul is praying that God would enable the Ephesians to employ the fullness of that power. Paul's message is very relevant to the church today. God's Spirit lives in us, empowering us to live victoriously.