Sharon Church | Sermons

With season 1 and 2 complete we move into Acts: Season 3. The narrative shifts to Antioch and the focus is on Paul - previously called Saul - as he shares the gospel in Gentile areas. ___ As Paul & Barnabas continue their first missionary journey, John Mark makes the decision to leave and head home to Jerusalem (more on that later) but Paul and Barnabas carry on to Antioch in Pisidia - which is also in the region of Galatia. As is their custom, Paul and Barnabas begin in the Synagogue and Paul recognizes that the Jews had been hearing the same Scriptures and prophecies for generations but had missed Jesus. He gives a prophetic warning that we should heed as well - look to see the work of God not just in the past but in the present. He is still working.

With season 1 and 2 complete we move into Acts: Season 3. The narrative shifts to Antioch and the focus is on Saul - also known as Paul - as he shares the gospel in Gentile areas. ___ Luke gives us a picture of the culture of the church at Antioch - diverse and serving and worshipful - led by prophets and teachers who are willing to send and be sent.

Season 1 of Acts took place in Jerusalem and as we step into season 2 we are moving to Judea and Samaria. It took persecution to move the Christians from the comfort of Jerusalem to their calling to reach the ends of the earth but God will use it in His power. ___ As "season two" wraps up, we see the Lord's concern for His glory. Herod Agrippa I - by way of insecurity and family history - craves the worship of people. In this passage he is called a god by the people of Phoenicia and accepts the praise rather than rolling it forward to God and he is struck with a disease and dies. We see that God's concern for His glory is a concern for His people. Humans cannot bear the weight of glory.

Season 1 of Acts took place in Jerusalem and as we step into season 2 we are moving to Judea and Samaria. It took persecution to move the Christians from the comfort of Jerusalem to their calling to reach the ends of the earth but God will use it in His power.___While much of the ministry of the early church was moving forward with the only opposition being from the religious jealousy of the Jews, things change in this passage. Famine, James is murdered by the Roman government, & Peter is arrested. How do the Christians respond to this wave of tribulation? Earnest prayer.

Season 1 of Acts took place in Jerusalem and as we step into season 2 we are moving to Judea and Samaria. It took persecution to move the Christians from the comfort of Jerusalem to their calling to reach the ends of the earth but God will use it in His power. ___ As the Gospel takes root in far away places like Antioch, the need for a new leader emerges and Barnabas has been waiting for a moment and for a people who were ready for Saul.

Season 1 of Acts took place in Jerusalem and as we step into season 2 we are moving to Judea and Samaria. It took persecution to move the Christians from the comfort of Jerusalem to their calling to reach the ends of the earth but God will use it in His power. ___ For Peter, like many Jews, the law had become twisted to mean something it was not intended to mean. It became the way he protected himself - insulated himself from the world rather than seeing it as a means of invitation...a way to invite the unclean nations to the holy presence of God.

Season 1 of Acts took place in Jerusalem and as we step into season 2 we are moving to Judea and Samaria. It took persecution to move the Christians from the comfort of Jerusalem to their calling to reach the ends of the earth but God will use it in His power. ___ In a dramatic reversal, God radically saves a man who was hell-bent on destroying the early church. By supernatural means, God appeals to Saul but God chooses natural means to open his eyes. At the intersection of the supernatural and the natural is where we find miracles.

Season 1 of Acts took place in Jerusalem and as we step into season 2 we are moving to Judea and Samaria. It took persecution to move the Christians from the comfort of Jerusalem to their calling to reach the ends of the earth but God will use it in His power.___Leaving the successful ministry in Samaria, Philip follows the Spirit to a desert road for one purpose - for one person - a Gentile Ethiopian Eunuch who can't understand Isaiah 53. Philip's trust in the Lord is displayed in quick obedience.

Season 1 of Acts took place in Jerusalem and as we step into season 2 we are moving to Judea and Samaria. It took persecution to move the Christians from the comfort of Jerusalem to their calling to reach the ends of the earth but God will use it in His power.___As the church is scattered into Samaria, revival takes place but it starts to feel awfully familiar with one "convert" trying to leverage the Holy Spirit for personal gain. This passage makes us wrestle with what it means to actually believe.

What we experience in life shapes our vision of Jesus. If left to our own devices we will miss Him even if He is walking with us. Because of the Resurrection we do not walk alone, we can see Him for who He really is.

For thousands of years Christians have gathered around the world once a week to remember and celebrate Jesus together. However, is what we call “church” what it was intended to be? This movement that we have been swept up in began with a handful of people who were not terribly sure of what they were doing. In fact, they were mostly unsure and confused in their nature.But by the grace of God, the Holy Spirit empowered them to establish and lead a revolutionary vision creating witnesses of the love and grace of Jesus that has continued even to this day. We are here today because of the ACTS OF THE APOSTLES through the Holy Spirit just weeks after Jesus was crucified and resurrected.This study of the book of Acts should bring us back to purpose of the church and the power of the Holy Spirit.--- The next tactic of the enemy to stop the preaching of the Gospel in the early church is distraction. How the early church handles this boiling controversy is how we are still here today.

For thousands of years Christians have gathered around the world once a week to remember and celebrate Jesus together. However, is what we call “church” what it was intended to be? This movement that we have been swept up in began with a handful of people who were not terribly sure of what they were doing. In fact, they were mostly unsure and confused in their nature.But by the grace of God, the Holy Spirit empowered them to establish and lead a revolutionary vision creating witnesses of the love and grace of Jesus that has continued even to this day. We are here today because of the ACTS OF THE APOSTLES through the Holy Spirit just weeks after Jesus was crucified and resurrected. This study of the book of Acts should bring us back to purpose of the church and the power of the Holy Spirit.--- Stop us if you've heard this one before...the Lord works in miracles, the church leaders teach the Gospel, the religious leaders get mad, they throw the church leaders in prison, then beat them, then release them and tell them not to preach the name of Jesus anymore, and the church leaders preach the name of Jesus. There seems to be cycles of this wave happening repeatedly already and it continues in the book of Acts...but also in our lives. What if God is using those waves, though? What if the intensity is to force a decision from us?

For thousands of years Christians have gathered around the world once a week to remember and celebrate Jesus together. However, is what we call “church” what it was intended to be? This movement that we have been swept up in began with a handful of people who were not terribly sure of what they were doing. In fact, they were mostly unsure and confused in their nature.But by the grace of God, the Holy Spirit empowered them to establish and lead a revolutionary vision creating witnesses of the love and grace of Jesus that has continued even to this day. We are here today because of the ACTS OF THE APOSTLES through the Holy Spirit just weeks after Jesus was crucified and resurrected. This study of the book of Acts should bring us back to purpose of the church and the power of the Holy Spirit.--- While the enemy has been unsuccessful attacking the early church from the outside, he turns his attention to the inside. 

For thousands of years Christians have gathered around the world once a week to remember and celebrate Jesus together. However, is what we call “church” what it was intended to be? This movement that we have been swept up in began with a handful of people who were not terribly sure of what they were doing. In fact, they were mostly unsure and confused in their nature.But by the grace of God, the Holy Spirit empowered them to establish and lead a revolutionary vision creating witnesses of the love and grace of Jesus that has continued even to this day. We are here today because of the ACTS OF THE APOSTLES through the Holy Spirit just weeks after Jesus was crucified and resurrected. This study of the book of Acts should bring us back to purpose of the church and the power of the Holy Spirit.--- Peter and John have been released after bring tried by the Sanhedrin and they ran back to the church to explain what happened and the church joined together in prayer - prayer for boldness, not safety. 

For thousands of years Christians have gathered around the world once a week to remember and celebrate Jesus together. However, is what we call “church” what it was intended to be? This movement that we have been swept up in began with a handful of people who were not terribly sure of what they were doing. In fact, they were mostly unsure and confused in their nature.But by the grace of God, the Holy Spirit empowered them to establish and lead a revolutionary vision creating witnesses of the love and grace of Jesus that has continued even to this day. We are here today because of the ACTS OF THE APOSTLES through the Holy Spirit just weeks after Jesus was crucified and resurrected. This study of the book of Acts should bring us back to purpose of the church and the power of the Holy Spirit. --- After the healing of the lame man outside of the Temple in Jerusalem, Peter and John face a familiar foe - the Sadducees. The battle is waged in a sacred place to the elitist Sadducees and their power comes face to face with the power of the name of Jesus Christ. Peter & John stand in bold opposition to the ruling council and hold their ground as they speak and work in the name of the only One who can save.

For thousands of years Christians have gathered around the world once a week to remember and celebrate Jesus together. However, is what we call “church” what it was intended to be? This movement that we have been swept up in began with a handful of people who were not terribly sure of what they were doing. In fact, they were mostly unsure and confused in their nature.But by the grace of God, the Holy Spirit empowered them to establish and lead a revolutionary vision creating witnesses of the love and grace of Jesus that has continued even to this day. We are here today because of the ACTS OF THE APOSTLES through the Holy Spirit just weeks after Jesus was crucified and resurrected. This study of the book of Acts should bring us back to purpose of the church and the power of the Holy Spirit. ___________________________ With the first group of Christians growing and still worshipping God in His temple, Peter & John encounter a lame man asking for mercy gifts but Luke shows us that the man's greatest need was not a mercy gift - or even physical healing - it was the mercy seat, the very presence of God in Jesus. The same is true for every human. Our greatest need is not a mercy gift to make this life palatable - it is the presence of God in Jesus to save our souls.

For thousands of years Christians have gathered around the world once a week to remember and celebrate Jesus together. However, is what we call “church” what it was intended to be?This movement that we have been swept up in began with a handful of people who were not terribly sure of what they were doing. In fact, they were mostly unsure and confused in their nature.But by the grace of God, the Holy Spirit empowered them to establish and lead a revolutionary vision creating witnesses of the love and grace of Jesus that has continued even to this day. We are here today because of the ACTS OF THE APOSTLES through the Holy Spirit just weeks after Jesus was crucified and resurrected.This study of the book of Acts should bring us back to purpose of the church and the power of the Holy Spirit.---With around 3,000 new people in this new "church" much needs to be done. They find a rhythm with devotion to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the prayers. But not individually - all together. That kind of fellowship is foreign to our western way of life but it seems to be the plan of God to move His mission forward.

For thousands of years Christians have gathered around the world once a week to remember and celebrate Jesus together. However, is what we call “church” what it was intended to be? This movement that we have been swept up in began with a handful of people who were not terribly sure of what they were doing. In fact, they were mostly unsure and confused in their nature. But by the grace of God, the Holy Spirit empowered them to establish and lead a revolutionary vision creating witnesses of the love and grace of Jesus that has continued even to this day. We are here today because of the ACTS OF THE APOSTLES through the Holy Spirit just weeks after Jesus was crucified and resurrected. This study of the book of Acts should bring us back to purpose of the church and the power of the Holy Spirit. --- Moments after being filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter delivers an incredibly insightful and powerful sermon. But what catches our attention is that 50 or so days earlier, Peter had the darkest night of his life and was ready to throw everything away. We see that when the Holy Spirit fills our brokenness, we are stronger than we have ever been.

For thousands of years Christians have gathered around the world once a week to remember and celebrate Jesus together. However, is what we call “church” what it was intended to be?This movement that we have been swept up in began with a handful of people who were not terribly sure of what they were doing. In fact, they were mostly unsure and confused in their nature.But by the grace of God, the Holy Spirit empowered them to establish and lead a revolutionary vision creating witnesses of the love and grace of Jesus that has continued even to this day. We are here today because of the ACTS OF THE APOSTLES through the Holy Spirit just weeks after Jesus was crucified and resurrected.This study of the book of Acts should bring us back to purpose of the church and the power of the Holy Spirit.---Suddenly the Holy Spirit descends upon the first followers of Jesus and the power of the presence of God overwhelms them and they begin to boldly witness the greatness of God in foreign languages. 

For thousands of years Christians have gathered around the world once a week to remember and celebrate Jesus together. However, is what we call “church” what it was intended to be?This movement that we have been swept up in began with a handful of people who were not terribly sure of what they were doing. In fact, they were mostly unsure and confused in their nature.But by the grace of God, the Holy Spirit empowered them to establish and lead a revolutionary vision creating witnesses of the love and grace of Jesus that has continued even to this day. We are here today because of the ACTS OF THE APOSTLES through the Holy Spirit just weeks after Jesus was crucified and resurrected.This study of the book of Acts should bring us back to purpose of the church and the power of the Holy Spirit.---As the apostles and first followers of Jesus wait for the Spirit, they take on the task of replacing Judas. In confusion and anxiety, they resort to doing what they know to do.

For thousands of years Christians have gathered around the world once a week to remember and celebrate Jesus together. However, is what we call “church” what it was intended to be?This movement that we have been swept up in began with a handful of people who were not terribly sure of what they were doing. In fact, they were mostly unsure and confused in their nature.But by the grace of God, the Holy Spirit empowered them to establish and lead a revolutionary vision creating witnesses of the love and grace of Jesus that has continued even to this day. We are here today because of the ACTS OF THE APOSTLES through the Holy Spirit just weeks after Jesus was crucified and resurrected.This study of the book of Acts should bring us back to purpose of the church and the power of the Holy Spirit.---In Acts 1:1-11, the stage is set for the rest of the book and the plan is established for the work of the Holy Spirit through the apostles. But what is interesting is that the only command given by Jesus is to "wait". With the promise of power coming in the future, the way to get there was through patient, persevering waiting. And the same is true for us today.

Harrison Churchman delivers a powerful sermon on the beauty of a church that abounds more and more in love.

At 40 days of age, baby Jesus was brought by His mother and father to be dedicated to the Lord. It was the same custom every faithful Jewish parents would fulfill with their firstborn son. But this one was different - and a man named Simeon knew it. Simeon saw Jesus as a light of revelation for the world. The birth of Jesus is meant to bring to light the purposes of God in our very lives today.

Every year people spend a month (or more) with Christmas on their minds. They decorate their homes - inside and out - and buy gifts for loved ones in anticipation of one singular day on the calendar. Christian and non-Christian alike celebrate together in this way.While the traditions and excitement are fun and certainly not sinful, the depth of the day we celebrate is easily lost on us. Even as faithful Christians, many of us fly right past the fact that we are celebrating the day God became a man. We have lost the wonder of God in flesh.In fact, without the truth that Jesus is God, Christmas is meaningless. It could be a celebration of the birth of a great man - even a sacrificial man - but if He was not God, He has not saved us.In this series, we will be spending the month on the important doctrine of the deity of Jesus - it truly is the wonder of it all.--In week four, we look at the motivation of God's plan to send His Son in human flesh to rescue us. It was love that compelled Him because He was not creating a faith - He was creating a family.

Every year people spend a month (or more) with Christmas on their minds. They decorate their homes - inside and out - and buy gifts for loved ones in anticipation of one singular day on the calendar. Christian and non-Christian alike celebrate together in this way.While the traditions and excitement are fun and certainly not sinful, the depth of the day we celebrate is easily lost on us. Even as faithful Christians, many of us fly right past the fact that we are celebrating the day God became a man. We have lost the wonder of God in flesh.In fact, without the truth that Jesus is God, Christmas is meaningless. It could be a celebration of the birth of a great man - even a sacrificial man - but if He was not God, He has not saved us.In this series, we will be spending the month on the important doctrine of the deity of Jesus - it truly is the wonder of it all.--In week three, we see the account of Jesus as a child. Luke is drawing our attention to the humanity of Jesus who grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man - largely because of the faithful, regular, customary practices of faith of Mary and Joseph.

Every year people spend a month (or more) with Christmas on their minds. They decorate their homes - inside and out - and buy gifts for loved ones in anticipation of one singular day on the calendar. Christian and non-Christian alike celebrate together in this way.While the traditions and excitement are fun and certainly not sinful, the depth of the day we celebrate is easily lost on us. Even as faithful Christians, many of us fly right past the fact that we are celebrating the day God became a man. We have lost the wonder of God in flesh.In fact, without the truth that Jesus is God, Christmas is meaningless. It could be a celebration of the birth of a great man - even a sacrificial man - but if He was not God, He has not saved us.In this series, we will be spending the month on the important doctrine of the deity of Jesus - it truly is the wonder of it all.--In week two, we look at the theology of God in flesh and how ultimately taking on human flesh meant dying a human death - but as God, a death that would bring peace to mankind.

Every year people spend a month (or more) with Christmas on their minds. They decorate their homes - inside and out - and buy gifts for loved ones in anticipation of one singular day on the calendar. Christian and non-Christian alike celebrate together in this way. While the traditions and excitement are fun and certainly not sinful, the depth of the day we celebrate is easily lost on us. Even as faithful Christians, many of us fly right past the fact that we are celebrating the day God became a man. We have lost the wonder of God in flesh. In fact, without the truth that Jesus is God, Christmas is meaningless. It could be a celebration of the birth of a great man - even a sacrificial man - but if He was not God, He has not saved us. In this series, we will be spending the month on the important doctrine of the deity of Jesus - it truly is the wonder of it all.--In week one, we study Jesus as the Word - the preexisting, objective reason of all life - and the exact imprint of God the Father. And how Jesus is our only hope.

Unique for many reasons, the book of Esther is a story of God's providential hand even in the shadows of life.While the story of Esther is powerful and profound, the main point of this book is hidden in HOW it was written.The "how" reveals God to us and trains to look for Him in our own Esther moments.

Unique for many reasons, the book of Esther is a story of God's providential hand even in the shadows of life.As the narrative ends, we are given a glimpse into the "where are they now" of this epic story. But curiously, Esther is missing. The focus seems to be on Mordecai.

Unique for many reasons, the book of Esther is a story of God's providential hand even in the shadows of life. With the story turned in the favor of the Jews, it is time for the king to sort out how to handle what is already put in place. Due to Persian law, the king could not remove a previous edict or write a new one to counter act an old one directly. So, the king writes an edict with his full authority allowing the Jews to defend themselves against an attack and ultimately their joy and God's power lead to many following the God of the Jewish people.

Unique for many reasons, the book of Esther is a story of God's providential hand even in the shadows of life. In chapter 7 we start to see the way God has been working in the shadows to position everyone where He needed them to be. We see that God was prepared to act when the time was right.

Unique for many reasons, the book of Esther is a story of God's providential hand even in the shadows of life.It is in these two chapters that the book of Esther shifts. The story of the underdog people of God starts to look like a victory story for them. But when the shift happens is crucial to our understanding of God and His work in our lives. God takes the night shift.

Unique for many reasons, the book of Esther is a story of God's providential hand even in the shadows of life.Mordecai has awakened to his Jewish faith and it has created a dire situation for all Jews in the Persian Empire and now Esther must find her rooted faith, too. But before she acts, she calls for a fast - a means of purifying herself and the people from the Empire so that they might walk in the Kingdom ethic.

Unique for many reasons, the book of Esther is a story of God's providential hand even in the shadows of life.To get a sense of the power of the story of Esther, we look at the end - but not just the end of the story. After a lot of set up, we finally get to the plot of the book of Esther. An assassination plan has been foiled by Mordecai and his subsequent refusal to bow to an historic enemy of the Jews has the Jewish population of Persia in trouble.

Unique for many reasons, the book of Esther is a story of God's providential hand even in the shadows of life.To get a sense of the power of the story of Esther, we look at the end - but not just the end of the story. As the characters are developed in the story we meet Mordecai and Esther, two Jews living in the citadel of Susa in the Persian Empire. But, they don't look or act like Jews. Instead, they look a lot like the Empire rather than the Kingdom.

Unique for many reasons, the book of Esther is a story of God's providential hand even in the shadows of life.To get a sense of the power of the story of Esther, we look at the end - but not just the end of the story. The opening scene is a story of two parties displaying the power and prosperity of the Persian Empire and her king. But we quickly see that it is all a mirage. There is no true power in the Empire at all.

Unique for many reasons, the book of Esther is a story of God's providential hand even in the shadows of life. To get a sense of the power of the story of Esther, we look at the end - but not just the end of the story. The end of the story is a celebration that has been celebrated every year since. This celebration is a reminder to us to celebrate the goodness of God.

Unique for many reasons, the book of Esther is a story of God's providential hand even in the shadows of life. Before we get into the narrative, it is important to know how we got to where we are both in the story of Scripture and the story of humanity as a whole.

Many people are already somewhat familiar with the story of Jonah. For a lot of us, our understanding of this epic story comes from our childhoods. However, the version of the book of Jonah we were given as kids is not the whole story. Under the surface of this account is the story of God's providence - how He is actively involved with His creation to bring about His purposes. 

Many people are already somewhat familiar with the story of Jonah. For a lot of us, our understanding of this epic story comes from our childhoods. However, the version of the book of Jonah we were given as kids is not the whole story. Chapter four is a whirlwind. Jonah is angry about God's mercy on the Ninevites and exiles himself to watch everything unfold in Nineveh. What we see is a microcosm of Jonah's life so far. A life of self-righteousness and a distorted view of how God's mercy works. But in a cliff-hanger of an ending, we are left to figure out what to do with this story.

Many people are already somewhat familiar with the story of Jonah. For a lot of us, our understanding of this epic story comes from our childhoods. However, the version of the book of Jonah we were given as kids is not the whole story. In chapter three, Jonah is given a second chance to follow the call of God on his life and he does it...sort of. But what we see is the powerful grace of God to save even those far from Him.

Many people are already somewhat familiar with the story of Jonah. For a lot of us, our understanding of this epic story comes from our childhoods. However, the version of the book of Jonah we were given as kids is not the whole story.In chapter two, Jonah finds himself even deeper in the pit than he was before. He cries out to God but under the surface of his prayer is a self-righteousness that prohibits true repentance.

Many people are already somewhat familiar with the story of Jonah - which is not always a good thing. For a lot of us, our understanding of this epic story comes from childhood. But, the version of the book of Jonah that we were given as kids is not the whole story. As the story takes off, we find out a lot about Jonah and the spiritual darkness he is walking in. But the Lord is relentless in His pursuit of Jonah - but not just Jonah. God is calling the hearts of every person Jonah's life impacts.

Many people are already somewhat familiar with the story of Jonah - which is not always a good thing. For a lot of us, our understanding of this epic story comes from childhood. But, the version of the book of Jonah that we were given as kids is not the whole story. In the first three sentences of the book we come face to face with the depth and complexity of this powerful book. It requires a different sort of focus and understanding to see that God is using the story of Jonah to reveal our own "Jonah-like" tendencies in our own lives.

In the conclusion of his letter, James lands somewhere most modern Bible readers may not expect him to land. He has seen the suffering in the church begin to cause division and isolation and he finishes his letter reminding them of the power the church has to save and to heal and to restore.

The Book of James is a letter to struggling Christians encouraging them to stay faithful in the face of great suffering. It is  full of practical wisdom and truth to help us know and follow God's plan for our flourishing.In James 5:1-12, James brings everything to a head and sounds a lot like an Old Testament prophet in his call to the Christians to live like they are following Jesus.

The Book of James is a letter to struggling Christians encouraging them to stay faithful in the face of great suffering. It is  full of practical wisdom and truth to help us know and follow God's plan for our flourishing.In James 4:11-17, James gives his readers great wisdom on how to steward the gift of each day.

The Book of James is a letter to struggling Christians encouraging them to stay faithful in the face of great suffering. It is  full of practical wisdom and truth to help us know and follow God's plan for our flourishing. In James 4:4-11, James ramps up the intensity and the language to make sure his readers get the point he is trying to make. They have wandered away from the Lord and James wants them to see it & feel it AND to know there is a path back to Him.

The Book of James is a letter to struggling Christians encouraging them to stay faithful in the face of great suffering. It is  full of practical wisdom and truth to help us know and follow God's plan for our flourishing.In James 4:1-3, James begins his descent to his landing and boldly gets to the root of the issue for his readers - themselves. There is something going on in their souls causing all the issues within the churches.

The Book of James is a letter to struggling Christians encouraging them to stay faithful in the face of great suffering. It is  full of practical wisdom and truth to help us know and follow God's plan for our flourishing. In James 3:13-18, James is still talking to those who want to be teachers but he is calling them (and all of us) to evaluate where our desire to be heard is coming from.

The Book of James is a letter to struggling Christians encouraging them to stay faithful in the face of great suffering. It is  full of practical wisdom and truth to help us know and follow God's plan for our flourishing. As we get into James 3, the practical application of this wisdom is focused on how we use our words. Much damage can be done through our words so we must be careful how we speak.