Podcasts about acts it

Journey through Acts: It's Not Good-bye Scripture: Acts 20:17-38 Pastor: Lee Hinkle Our Sermons can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean.  © Fremantle Church 2022

Sacred Space at Home Week 10 (September 16th) Welcome: Welcome to Sacred Space at Home, a resource from Vineyard Church of New Orleans! We’re so glad you have decided to join us in this time of worship and reflection. Today we will meditate on Acts Chapter 12. Wherever you may find yourself in this moment, try and make space to listen and experience the presence of God as we pray, hear the words of scripture, and sing together. As we begin, we open our minds and hearts and say, “Come, Holy Spirit.” Song of Awareness In All Things by Ethan Asters In breaking of the dawn In whispers of the breeze Through echoes of the rain Or tender birds that sing On waves that touch the shore On rolling hills that rise To find God in all things Is to be alive Upon the busy streets Upon the city lights Within the passing smile Or by mundane delight In comfort from a friend In lovers glistening eyes To find God in all things Is to be alive Christ in every thing God revealing Perfect love that all receive Christ in every thing God within me Giving life for all to see In stillness of the soul In clarity of mind When scattered as the leaves That fall in winter’s time In fear of the unknown In peace that calms the night To find God in all things Is to be alive Through labor of the hands Through every work and toil When barriers persist Or there is fertile soil In every task ahead In what is left behind To find God in all things Is to be alive Scripture Reading (Acts 12 NIV) “A reading from the Book of Acts…” It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.3 When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. 6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. 11 Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.” 12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” 15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” 16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,” he said, and then he left for another place. 18 In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. 19 After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross examined the guards and ordered that they be executed… 24 But the word of God continued to spread and flourish. Questions 1. Take a moment to place yourself in this scene with Peter. Imagine his despair, his confusion, his joy. As you do this, notice what thoughts or emotions may arise in you. 2. Now consider your own story. Can you recall a time of despair, uncertainty, or hopelessness in which God was not only present WITH you, but provided FOR you in a miraculous way? 3. When Peter arrived at the house of Mary the Mother of John, the people gathered were astonished. Peter uses this opportunity to share the way in which God freed him from prison. It is by Peter’s testimony that the word of God continued to spread and flourish. How might the Spirit be inviting you to share your story, your testimony, to those around you? 4. There is no circumstance that is too big or too difficult for God. God looks to meet us in EVERY moment and is able to intervene on our behalf. As you reflect, where might you need God’s provision today? Take this time to ask God for the courage to trust and listen to the Spirit today. In All Things (Reprise) Benediction “As we conclude our time together, may you continue to be aware of the presence of God and seek to find sacred spaces throughout the day.” Let us pray. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.”

Bria Woltor continues in our currents series; "House of Acts" - It was an honor to hear from Bria this last Sunday! She shares with us, as NT believers, we are "The New Temple" - The Holy Spirit is in us, wherever we go, to be released in power. To bring about signs, wonders, and miracles! We also hear from her on how to move past our disappointments when it comes to healing. To never let our experience dictate our theology and the Truth of the scriptures. We have a responsibility to go after healing, no matter what it looks like!! Be blessed and pushed to boldness!!

View an illustration called the “Lion’s Den Tract” which states that God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. Consider that the Gospel is rich because our God is rich. What is the Gospel in Acts? It is salvation accomplished and salvation applied. Calvin stated, "All that Christ did is meaningless unless it is applied to me." The resurrection is particularly highlighted in Acts about the Gospel. We read in Romans 1:1–4, “…set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was the seed of David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord...” Consider judgment as an aspect of the Gospel in Acts. Salvation is a bigger concept than justification.

Phil continued our study of the book of Acts and looked at generosity in the early church. To view Phil's slides (in PDF format), click here. Introduction • Working through acts could not ignore the generosity and giving • Generosity and Giving were very evident in the church in Acts • It is to be a part of the life of the church today and is • No preaching this because it's an issue, but for our encouragement • We have always been a generous church Acts 2 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts‬ ‭2:42-47‬ ‭ESV‬‬‬‬ • In this passage, this blue print for what the church should be like we see that there was not only a willingness to bow generous but acted on it, so those that had sold their goods, land or property to help those in need. • It was not an act done under duress, or any command from the apostles • It was not a requirement to be able to be part of the community of believers • It was a heart response to the Holy Spirit and seeing the need around them “There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.” Acts‬ ‭4:34-35‬ ‭ESV‬‬‬‬ 3 points I want to make 1. Generosity demonstrates the heart of God and his love for us • God did not spare his only son - “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” Romans‬ ‭8:32‬ ‭ESV‬‬‬‬ “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Matthew‬ ‭7:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬‬‬ • Gods desire that that we should lack no good thing • Gods heart for us that if we have need we can ask because he is willing to provide all we need 2. Generosity shows our love for one another • The same love they had received from the father was expressed by their willingness to sell up and to give to those in need • The early church understood that ultimately God owned everything they had, so they were able to hold onto things in a proper way—with a loose hand. • Their Encountering of a radically generous God created a radically generous people. • “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John‬ ‭13:35‬ ‭ESV‬‬ 3. Generosity expresses love for the lost, poor and needy • In the acts 2 passage it seems there is a link between generosity and salvation • This newly radically generous people who gave to those in need had a amazing affect on the community around them. • In the context of them being fully devoted in every way, God added to their number those who were being saved every day • There are lots of churches, but not nearly as many that are making a the most of an opportunity to make a difference in their community. Through looking at the early church, we see how their generosity made them to be a world changing church. • We too are affecting people's lives through our varied projects want to continue to do so. There's an added dimension to this, it's not rules or regulations, There is a Grace to Give “Grace leads us into the exciting adventure of faithful giving, and of proving the goodness of God and his ability to make grace abound to us so that we are always sufficient for every good work” Terry Virgo

Phil started a new series looking at key events in the book of Acts. To view Phil's slides (in PDF format), click here. Acts – A new Beginning We want to build a church freed from complacency and endeavouring to grow in gospel impact, faith, prayer, generosity, action and influence. Introduction • It's a new day • We look back on all Gods done its brought us this far • We love forward as there is so much to be done, vision to be fulfilled, Gospel impact to be made Acts 11 v 19 – 30, The Antioch Church Scattered through persecution Gospel was only for the Jews Here we have a gigantic step forward in the history of the church • Used the opportunity to advance the Kingdom – Preached Jesus as Lord to the Gentiles • Gospel impact – A great Number Believed and turned to the Lord, no one turns to the Lord without first believing • Social Action • Holy Spirit upon them • Exhorted the faithful to the Lord • Steadfast Purpose In Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. We Must be ready for Jesus to take his Church Forward • The early Christians were bold, daring and adventurous in doing something that had never been done before We Must be ready to see what God is doing and do it with him • Barnabas saw what God was doing • Doing it with God • Encourage new Christians who might be different from us • Dependant on Grace • Exhorted the young christians • Stayed full of the Holy Spirit We too can have the experience Barnabas had and see the Lord add to his people. Some words of caution. Danger of Looking back We can get caught up with what's and be consumed with what's gone before because we don't handle change and advancement well It's not like it used to be ! We must be careful we are where we are because • God has lead us • spoken to us through the prophets • Opened doors for us • Sent workers for the task So to look back in • Not looking back in nostalgia • Not looking back in false sentiment • When facing difficulties only have just left Egypt God’s people looked back saying it was better in Egypt and wanted to go back, We know that was not true. Will only serve to hinder our future, just as it did for God’s people To be complacent to be complacent is to be self-satisfied and unconcerned. Someone who is selfsatisfied is someone who has accomplished something but is now resting on their laurels, no longer concerned about the things that once led to their success. Nobody ever plans on complacency, it just sneaks up on you, and when it does it can be devastating. • We have good projects running • We do lots as a church • When you think of all we do • Jigsaw – inc food bank, café, clothes bank, assisting with accommodation, furniture, advice • Totzone – 2 sessions on a Tuesday full of unreached people, serving lonely mums with children in our community • Mens ministry – men can be lonely too, • Women's ministry • Community bible study • Alpha We have done and are doing a lot of things but we can become complacent in these things The churches described in the book of Acts particularly the Antioch church seem anything but complacent. Right from the beginning, in Jerusalem, we see a radical church growing in gospel impact, faith,prayer, generosity, action and influence. These characteristics were then repeated as new churches were started in other regions. Looking forward - The Future Belongs to those who pray How can we avoid looking back with longing for what's gone before and complacency? 2 Keys Prayer Presence of the Holy Spirit These 2 things were key in the early church in Acts It is Prayer invites the wind of the Holy Spirit, and It is prayer that hoists the sail to catch the power of the wind to propel us into God's mission All that we have have accomplished has been through prayer and God speaking and leading us in those times Wherever we see gospel impact, exploits of faith, radical generosity, social action and pervading influence, we find It's God moving