The Church Next Door - AZ

R Kent Hughes wrote, “Following the church through Acts is like following a wounded deer through a forest. Drops of blood mark the trail.” Stephen's martyrdom marked the beginning of intense persecution. But as believers fled, something wonderful happened: They spread the good news to some shocking places. Listen in to hear how salvation came to Samaria and learn some important lessons…

Stephen continues talking about the controversial ramifications of Jesus being the risen Messiah. At the end he drives it home with a pointed accusation aimed at the Sanhedrin. The results teach us deep lessons about the source and results of faithfulness in the life of the believer. 

Stephen knew Jesus is the risen Messiah. He also knew this had radical impact on the way Jews should worship God, view their ancestors, and engage their temple and law. Talking about it got him dragged in front of the Sanhedrin. Listen in to hear how his history lesson from their own Scriptures paved the way to his main point.

Salvation is a free gift but discipleship is a costly road filled with trials. That's why encouragement is so important as we follow Christ. Listen in to see how encouragement & discipleship went hand in hand in the early church – and how we can be encouraging disciplers today.

How did the early church handle it when one group of widows was being overlooked? And what can we learn about solving our own problems in the church today? Listen in to find out.

The attack from the Sanhedrin intensified but the early church kept on spreading the word about Jesus. They even rejoiced at being counted worthy to suffer for His name! Listen to see what drove them to be faithful and for some hope when the battle heats up in your own life.

Jesus railed at the Pharisees for their hypocrisy (mask wearing/pretending to be more spiritual than they really were). Here we see Satan inspiring a couple in the early church to follow in the Pharisees' footsteps. What was God's response and what can we learn from it?

Unusual title for an Easter sermon. But Paul addressed the same question. After we unpack the bleak fallout that would result if Christ was still buried, we'll come around to the celebration: He is alive! What wonderful hope that brings! You'll also hear the testimony of two lives recently redeemed by the Risen Christ.

You might be surprised at the early church's reaction when Peter and John told them how they were dragged before the Sanhedrin and told not to speak of Jesus any longer. Listen in to see what the early church's reaction was. Is yours the same when trials hit?

If those in authority or popular opinion dictate that Christians remain silent about Jesus, what should we do? Today Peter and John show the way as they are examined by the highest court in the land.

Peter didn't hesitate to call out the guilt of those who crucified Jesus. But he quickly shows that the same crucifixion which reminds sinners of our guilt is also God's provision for our salvation.

Are we thankful people? The early church was (Acts 2: 46-47). In this service we visit a Psalm of thankfulness and explore how to be thankful today. You'll also enjoy some testimonies.

Peter and John were going to pray but they encountered a lame man begging for alms. Led by the Spirit they stopped. What happened next sparked a chain reaction they could not have imagined. Listen in to see how to be ready for divine appointments today!

A faithful husband cares about his bride's health. That's why Jesus cares deeply about the health of the church. Listen in to hear 6 marks of the early church- marks that are still good indicators of health today.

Listen to what happened on the Day of Pentecost when a Holy Spirit filled messenger delivered a Holy Spirit led message and saw a Holy Spirit prompted response!

Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit. He delivered on the morning of Pentecost. Listen in to see how this event should lead us to wonder, worship, and witness.

Jesus said the truth will set you free. But how do we know what's true? Join us today as we explore how the Holy Spirit gives us God's truth, helps us understand it, and enables us to live it out.

Heaven we have a problem!  Sin separates us from God and each other. Listen in to hear how the Holy Spirit works to restore unity in both of these relationships. 

Are you ever aware of your weakness and inability to live like Christ? Thank the Lord for the power of the Holy Spirit! Listen in as we trace the Holy Spirit's power through the Old Testament, the earthly ministry of Jesus, and in the lives of believers today. Then we'll ask a very important question: What is my role in all of…

How well do you know the Holy Spirit? Some have never heard Him preached about. Some have serious misunderstandings. Join us as we seek to introduce Him properly and clear up some of the confusion.

Peter and Judas had so much in common: They both spent 3 years with Jesus and at the end they both sinned against him in horrendous ways. But in Acts 1 we see them on very different paths. What was it that made the difference? Listen to this message to find out.

Savior. It's one of those words we throw around a lot. But what do we need saving from? In a word, sin. Listen in to see how Jesus the Savior is the sin bearer and substitute we need.

Many of us  long for someone to come along and put together the broken pieces of our lives – a King who is courageous, capable, and caring. Listen in to hear how Jesus is all of that and so much more.

Ever been really lost or perplexed? Maybe felt alone, like no one knows or understands you? Overwhelmed by the guilt of your sin? Like a sheep without a shepherd? The good news is Jesus came as the Good Shepherd you need! Listen in to see how this can change your life today.

Whether it's waiting for healing, reconciliation, or the promised Messiah – waiting is hard. The longer we wait the darker it feels. Today we we meet 2 people who were waiting for the Savior and finally got to meet Him. What a light He was to them and to all who look to Him in faith!

An honest look at life tells us we are sinful and God is holy. If we are to have a relationship with Him it's going to require a mediator, an advocate, a go-between. Today an angelic message to an unlikely group reminds us that Jesus is just the mediator we need!

Join us on a journey of gratitude! This message will help you thank the Father for His faithfulness, His wisdom, His Son Jesus Christ, and to thank Him always.

Money is not good or evil. But how we use it says a lot about our hearts. What does it look like to be wise with the resources we have? How can I avoid the extremes of money worship and money wasting? Join us as we unpack a number of Proverbs which speak on this every day matter.

What if your work was an act of worship? Join us as we explore 7 principles in Proverbs to help it be just that! Whether you're a landscaper or a stay at home mom, a nurse or an architect, even a volunteer at church, listen in!

Join us as we see how God's Word sheds light on a topic often kept in the shadows: alcohol. Along the way you'll discover a Biblical balance that is neither legalistic nor naive – a balance full of wisdom from above.

Some say there is no manual for parenting. God would beg to differ. Listen in for His wisdom in Proverbs on how parents and children can show love for each other in their different roles.

What does it look like to be a faithful husband? A fruitful wife? And what do PVC and grapes have to do with it? Join us for some wisdom from above in Proverbs that will help your marriage be all it can be.

It's been said that a marriage license is a permit to build. If that's true, then how you build is very important! In this message Proverbs (& Peter) provide a blueprint from above for wives & husbands.

What are the do's and don'ts when it comes to neighbors? Who is my neighbor? Is that even the right question to ask? Join us today for wisdom from Proverbs and Jesus himself on how to love your neighbor.

How many of your hundreds of “friends” on social media are true friends? What should we look for in a close friend? What should we avoid? How can I be a good friend to others? Join us for answers from the book of Proverbs.

The world and even the church sometimes tells Christians to stay out of politics. Should we listen to them? How do we maintain balance as citizens of heaven who live here? Listen in for the answers to those questions and a perspective from Proverbs on good and bad leaders.

Blowing your top. Losing your cool. However you describe it, the battle to keep our anger from causing danger is real. Thankfully Proverbs has wisdom from above on how to approach this struggle. We'll also close with a real life story of someone who started out a hothead but ended up being mightily used of God.

“Be Nice.” How many times have you heard that? But you won't find it in the Bible. You will find kindness over 200 times. What's the difference? And who specifically should I be kind to? Join us in Proverbs as God's wisdom provides these answers and more.

In this final of 3 Proverbs messages about the tongue, we'll explore some of the choices we face every day regarding the words we speak. What's at stake for the believer as we decide? Closer fellowship with God and better relationships with people. Listen in for Biblical encouragement to use your tongue for life and not for death.

In AZ we put campfires dead out because one spark can bring down a forest. Bad news: The tongue is equally dangerous and no man can tame it. Listen in to hear some “Don'ts”: ways we should not use our tongues. You may wonder… If we can't tame it, where's the hope? Be sure to catch the end where we share the…

The small tongue packs a lot of power! Power for good…or for evil. Wouldn't it be great if there was some direction on how to use it? There's plenty in Proverbs! Join us today as we talk about 5 ways we should speak for the good of those who listen.

If you've ever ordered at Subway you know that life is full of decisions! Seriously though, what about the bigger choices? How many of us would appreciate some guidance when we're at the crossroads? Listen in for some help from Proverbs.

Proverbs talks a lot about humility and its opposite: pride. But what are they? And what does it look like to be humble? Today's message seeks to answer those questions and encourage you on the road to humility.

Whether you're wise or a fool everybody dies. So what's the point of living wisely? Living wisely helps you live a meaningful life and leave a Godly legacy. But what does that look like? Listen in!

We live inside out – from the heart. Listen in to discover what the heart is from a Biblical perspective. You'll be reminded that God looks at the heart, how to guard your heart, and how to be careful with the hearts of others.

No matter how much you desire true wisdom if you don't fear God and trust Him you won't get it. Do you have a healthy fear of God? Do you really trust Him? Listen in to find out what these two realities look like in our lives.

The invitations of wisdom and folly are everywhere! And sometimes their invitations sound very similar. Listen in to learn how to spot the differences and accept the right invitation

Jesus made it clear that relationships are central to life. Proverbs tells us to live wisely. If we put the two together, we reach a logical conclusion: Biblical wisdom is relational! Join us in Proverbs 8 as we unpack this truth in a special way. It may just help you better appreciate God's relationship with you and deepen your relationships with others!