Podcasts about book of acts

In this week's episode, we dive deep into Acts 10 and talk all about what it looks like to love people who are different from us. We're talking about real, Spirit-led community—the kind that crosses lines of comfort, culture, and even conviction. From Jewish-Gentile divides in the early church to our own hidden biases today, this story of Peter and Cornelius challenges us to open our homes and hearts wider. We laugh a lot, but we're also honest about how the Spirit gently convicts us to live differently. Whether it's choosing curiosity over judgment, or inviting someone new to your dinner table, this episode will inspire you to take your next step toward radical love. Let's be girls who live it out—who ask God to search our hearts and then act on what He reveals. In This Episode [04:00] Church Talk [08:00] What's Your Bible Study Personality? [13:30] Vulnerability, Overthinking, and Speaking Up [17:00] Introduction to Acts 10: The Story of Peter & Cornelius [21:00] A Vision, A Visitor, and a Shift in the Early Church [26:00] The Spirit Falls on the Gentiles—The Church Expands [30:00] The Gospel Isn't Just for People Like Us [35:00] How Hidden Bias Shows Up in Our Lives [40:00] Dinner Tables, Diversity, and Teaching Our Kids [45:00] Living This Out: Curiosity Over Judgment [50:00] Final Challenge: Ask God to Search You ⁠⁠ORDER OUR NEW STUDY!⁠⁠⁠⁠ This seven-week, verse-by-verse study through the book of Acts invites you to embrace the unpredictable, sometimes challenging adventure of Spirit-led living that characterized the early church. Thanks to Our Sponsors Operation Christmas Child: Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse, partners with churches to collect and distribute gift-filled shoeboxes to millions of children around the world, telling them the Good News of Jesus Christ, God's Greatest Gift. NIV Application Study Bible - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab your copy today!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Winshape: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more or submit your application today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! If you'd like to partner with For The Girl as a sponsor, fill out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form! Follow us!

In this Bible Story, we reach the end of Paul’s recorded journey as he finally makes his way to Rome. He meets the believers in Rome, and is embraced by the Jews. This story is inspired by Acts 28. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Acts 28:30-31 from the King James Version.Episode 241: As the Soldiers, Sailors, and Prisoners lay exhausted on the beach where they just landed, some of the natives came and welcomed them. As they all sat by the fire, Paul threw some more sticks in and was bitten by a viper. What should have killed him did not, and when the natives noticed this they asked him to pray over their sick chief. After this, Paul and the men with him finally made it to Rome. There they were welcomed by the believers and preached the Word to Jews and Gentiles alike.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Bible Story, Paul endures storms and shipwrecks with his captors on their journey to Rome. The winds and waves are relentless, and the hope of the men is fading. The men are left shipwrecked and defeated on the shores of Malta. This story is inspired by Acts 27. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Acts 27:44 from the King James Version.Episode 240: As Paul was on the ocean on his way to trial, Luke was by his side and the two of them enjoyed a brief reprieve, chatting with the sailors in the open air. However, on their way to Crete, a powerful storm came upon them and began to break the ship apart and flood it with water. But God came to Paul and reassured him that he and the crew would make it to Rome. The storm continued to rage a few more days and then finally let up. As they were about to run the ship aground it caught reef and broke apart. Just as the soldiers were getting ready to kill the prisoners to keep them from escaping, the centurion ordered them to stop for the sake of Paul.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of us grew up with “getting saved” in one night: gospel presentation → raise your hand → pray the sinner's prayer → maybe get baptized later. But when you actually read Acts conversion looked very different. In this teaching we'll walk through the major conversion accounts in the book of Acts and then trace how the process evolved into the 1–3 year discipleship process practiced by the ancient church. If you've ever wondered: ✅ Should churches do same-day baptisms? ✅ Is the modern sinner's prayer biblical? ✅ What process could churches put in place to provide a wise on-ramp for new believers? …this teaching is for you. Part of the Everyday Evangelism teaching series.

In this episode, we compare the church in the book of Acts with the church Joseph Smith built—showing how the LDS ‘restoration' actually rebuilds the hierarchy, temples, and priesthoods Jesus fulfilled and the Reformers fought to remove. It's not a return to the New Testament but a reversal of the freedom Christ brought.--The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --SUMMARYLatter-day Saints teach that after the apostles died, the church fell into total apostasy—losing authority, truth, and the gospel—and that Joseph Smith “restored” the original church in 1830.But when we compare the Bible, early church history, and the medieval church, a clear pattern emerges: the LDS system doesn't look like the church in the book of Acts. It looks like the institutional system that developed centuries later.This episode walks through that history and shows why Mormonism isn't a restoration of the New Testament—it's a rebuilding of the very system Jesus fulfilled and the Reformers worked to correct.1. What the Early Church Actually Looked Like (Book of Acts)No templesNo priestly hierarchyNo prophet-presidentNo exclusive priesthood lineageBelievers met in homes, prayed, broke bread, and studied ScriptureLeadership was shared among elders/pastorsEvery believer was a priest (1 Peter 2)Access to God came directly through Jesus, not through mediatorsBottom line: The early church was simple, Spirit-led, and centered entirely on Jesus.2. How the Church Drifted in the Middle AgesBy the 4th century, especially after Constantine:The church became tied to political powerBishops became rulersPriests acted as mediatorsSalvation was tied to rituals and sacramentsA single head (the Pope) claimed God-given authorityThis system dominated medieval Christianity and buried the gospel under layers of tradition and hierarchy.3. The Reformation: Returning to ScriptureLuther, Calvin, Zwingli, and the Anabaptists didn't invent a new church.They removed the medieval layers and returned to:Scripture aloneGrace aloneChrist aloneFaith aloneReal renewal happens when ordinary believers open the Bible again.4. Joseph Smith Recreates the Medieval SystemDespite claiming to “restore” the church, Joseph Smith introduced:A layered priesthood (Aaronic & Melchizedek)A prophet-president with final authorityTemple rituals and restricted accessOrdinances required for salvationCentralized headquarters claiming exclusive truthThis mirrors the medieval Catholic model, not the church in Acts.5. The LDS Temple: The Most Striking IronyJesus

Ron and Nick react to rapper NF's song "Paid My Dues," answer a listener's question about what conscience is versus the voice of the Holy Spirit, read a listener's email who is learning to hear the Holy Spirit, and continue our Bible study through the book of Acts.NF - Paid My Dues Winship Coaches DiscussionJoin Us EVERY DAYDaily 7A The Movement Launch Meeting ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Launch Code⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5 minutes to light the fuseHear from GodRemember who we areReceive blessingGo change the world

Acts Series  Message: 08 Episode: 2 of 3 Broadcast: December 01, 2025 Key Verses: Acts 4:1-14 In this episode of Walk in Truth, Pastor Michael Lantz continues his powerful journey through the book of Acts with a message from Acts 4:1-14 titled "No Other Name." As Peter and John boldly proclaim salvation through Jesus alone—even in the face of opposition and pressure to stay silent—we're reminded that the same courage and confidence found in the early church is available to us today. This teaching will encourage and equip you to stand firm in your faith, rely on God's strength when challenges arise, and apply the unshakable truth of God's Word to everyday life as a follower of Christ. Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com

In this episode, we compare the church in the book of Acts with the church Joseph Smith built—showing how the LDS ‘restoration' actually rebuilds the hierarchy, temples, and priesthoods Jesus fulfilled and the Reformers fought to remove. It's not a return to the New Testament but a reversal of the freedom Christ brought.--The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --SUMMARYLatter-day Saints teach that after the apostles died, the church fell into total apostasy—losing authority, truth, and the gospel—and that Joseph Smith “restored” the original church in 1830.But when we compare the Bible, early church history, and the medieval church, a clear pattern emerges: the LDS system doesn't look like the church in the book of Acts. It looks like the institutional system that developed centuries later.This episode walks through that history and shows why Mormonism isn't a restoration of the New Testament—it's a rebuilding of the very system Jesus fulfilled and the Reformers worked to correct.1. What the Early Church Actually Looked Like (Book of Acts)No templesNo priestly hierarchyNo prophet-presidentNo exclusive priesthood lineageBelievers met in homes, prayed, broke bread, and studied ScriptureLeadership was shared among elders/pastorsEvery believer was a priest (1 Peter 2)Access to God came directly through Jesus, not through mediatorsBottom line: The early church was simple, Spirit-led, and centered entirely on Jesus.2. How the Church Drifted in the Middle AgesBy the 4th century, especially after Constantine:The church became tied to political powerBishops became rulersPriests acted as mediatorsSalvation was tied to rituals and sacramentsA single head (the Pope) claimed God-given authorityThis system dominated medieval Christianity and buried the gospel under layers of tradition and hierarchy.3. The Reformation: Returning to ScriptureLuther, Calvin, Zwingli, and the Anabaptists didn't invent a new church.They removed the medieval layers and returned to:Scripture aloneGrace aloneChrist aloneFaith aloneReal renewal happens when ordinary believers open the Bible again.4. Joseph Smith Recreates the Medieval SystemDespite claiming to “restore” the church, Joseph Smith introduced:A layered priesthood (Aaronic & Melchizedek)A prophet-president with final authorityTemple rituals and restricted accessOrdinances required for salvationCentralized headquarters claiming exclusive truthThis mirrors the medieval Catholic model, not the church in Acts.5. The LDS Temple: The Most Striking IronyJesus

Daily Dose of Hope December 1, 2025   Scripture - Acts 8:26-40   Prayer: Holy and Merciful God, Thank you for a new day and a new week  and thank you that your mercies are new every morning.  As we enter into this first week of Advent, help us be aware of your presence in a new way, Lord.  And right now, help us gather our scattered thoughts and focus on you and your Word.  In these next few moments of silence, help us be still and know that you are God...In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently walking through the book of Acts.  Today, we finish up Acts 8.   Today's reading finds us with Philip.  The Holy Spirit tells him to head down the road to Gaza and when he does, he encounters an Ethiopian eunuch reading the book of Isaiah.  Philip knows this is his purpose and this is a beautiful opening that God has provided.  He does not hesitate.  Philip asks the Ethiopian if he understands what he is reading; the man responds, "How can I unless someone explains it to me?"  Okay, perfect opening.  Philip takes the opportunity to explain how the prophecy points to Jesus.  He shares the Gospel and the man believes and is baptized.    I want to reiterate a point here.  Philip does not hesitate.  He sees an opening and he takes it.  Again, we need to think of our own circumstances.  How often do we have an opening or we feel the nudge to share about Jesus and we chicken out?  How often do we hesitate?  What are we afraid of?   Upon reflection, there are quite a few things we can learn from Philip's experience:       ---There are times in which we may appear to be traveling on a desert road but God can still give you opening to share your faith with someone else.  Please hear me.  Even when we go through challenges and grief, God still gives us opportunities to witness to his goodness.  How have you experienced this? ·      ----Start with a question.  Philip just asked a question.  He didn't give the Ethiopian man a long theological dissertation.  He didn't wow the man with all his religious knowledge.  No, not at all.  Philip asked a question, which led to an opening to share about Scripture. ·      ----Use Scripture.  Point to the Gospel message in the Bible.  Scripture speaks for itself. ·      ----Stick to the Good News.  Stay away from politics.  Stay away from the side conversations.  Just focus on Jesus and what his death and resurrection mean for us. ·      -----Ask for the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to when there is an opportunity and then to guide your words and actions.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Church shouldn't be boring. And, the book of the Acts is proof of that. In every generation of the church, people have rediscovered the story of the early church as it's told in the book of Acts—and it has set the church on fire. In a cultural moment where the church is in decline, we want to read the book of Acts page by page and highlight moments that have the potential to renew the church in our time. We don't just want to read stories from Acts, we want to live them. If that's what you want and you're just curious about faith, join us for Season 3 of Highlights from Acts.

In this Bible Story, Paul stands before King Agrippa, telling his story and facing trial. Agrippa is pleased with Paul, but does not set him free. Instead, Paul is sent to Rome where he will face the judgement of Caesar. This story is inspired by Acts 24-26. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Acts 26:29 from the King James Version.Episode 239: In the hall of Governor Felix, Jewish representatives and lawyers were making their accusations against Paul. Paul was silent, waiting for his turn to make a defense. Because he had done no wrong, Felix postponed judgment until a later date and retained him as a prisoner. It was during this time that Paul would write his letters to the various churches. After two years had passed a new Governor was appointed, yet Paul was still captive. So Paul appealed to the new governor, Festus, to be sent to Rome and tried by Caesar. God was opening up doors for him to speak life into the most powerful people in the known world.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Pastor Jeff continues a series in the book of Acts named ACTS: The Mission of God is Our Mission. The next message in the series is based in Acts 9:1-30 and is entitled "Dramatic Conversion." The main idea of the sermon is: While seeking to stop the spread of Christianity, Saul is converted and set apart for the sake of the gospel, resulting in persecution and suspicion. ————————  Connect with Us: Website: parkwoodonline.org Facebook: facebook.com/parkwoodonline Instagram: instagram.com/parkwoodonline.org  Check out more resources and sermons online at: parkwoodresources.org

This sermon concludes a 12-week journey through the book of Acts, highlighting how the Holy Spirit transformed a small group of uncertain disciples into world-changing messengers. Pastor Jason provides a flyby overview of Acts chapters 11-28, showing three key themes: the Gospel moves through ordinary people (like those in Antioch), presses through opposition (Paul's persecutions), and travels from back roads to world capitals (reaching Rome). The message emphasizes that Acts doesn't end with a conclusion but with a comma - the story continues through us today. The sermon transitions into introducing the church's Christmas Give partnership with Seed Company to translate Luke and Acts into the language of an unreached people group in Southeast Asia, challenging the congregation to participate in continuing the Acts story through Bible translation.

Group Guide Use this guide to help your group discussion as you meet this week. TranscriptIf you will, grab a Bible and go to Acts chapter 17. It's our first week of our Give series. Recently, Starbucks released a barista cup and it's precious. That's it. That's the barista cup. There was an article about it in Forbes titled Starbucks Barista cup frenzy leaves big lessons for brands. So I just want to read the beginning of this article for you. It says the Starbucks barista cup caused a frenzy online and in stores. I don't exactly know what an online frenzy looks like, but that cup calls one. When Starbucks announced the release of limited edition holiday merchandise, including the bear shaped $29.95 glass cold cup, which you thought that the temperature of your cup was up to, you Incorrect. This is a cold cup. Actually, I think what it means is if you put hot coffee in it, you're going to burn your hand. So it's a cold cup. It says as part of their holiday menu, few people expected overnight queues in store brawls and a booming resale market. People camped out and fist fought each other. Then it says, beyond the surreal headlines, there are some valuable marketing lessons from the Starbucks bear cup drama. Starbucks barista cup has tapped into an undeniable human truth. I was on the edge of my seat reading this article. The barista cub has tapped into an undeniable human truth. And I had a lot of guesses, none of which prepared me for the answer. So here's the answer. People are obsessed with cuteness. Starbucks released 12 holiday items, but only one captured the public imagination. Cuteness is the primary explanation for the barista cup frenzy. Overnight cues, fist fights, cuteness, which makes a little bit of sense because you know you've seen like a baby so cute before that you punched its mother.I would argue that Forbes analysis is incomplete. Cuteness may have contributed, but I think there are other undeniable human truths at work here. You know, as a pastor, I'm going to float sin out there. I also think that one of the things that this indicates to us is the absolute human ability to, to get our priorities out of line, to misplace value in things. That if you're punching someone for a cup because of the cuteness, your value system is off. And it's a real danger that we're all in. I think when I read these, sometimes I think like I'll read and go, oh my goodness, laugh at it and think, that would never, I would never do that. But really what I'm saying is I would never do that for a bear shaped Starbucks cup. I just have other things I'm willing to punch you for. I have other things that I've misplaced value in. Like, it just should give us the undeniable human truth that we are able to get our priorities out of, out of line. We're able to misplace value. We're able to suddenly think that something is more important than it is and to spend our time and our energy and our money on it. And that that is one of the primary reasons that we have our Give season, our Give series every Christmas season is that we're going to be pushed and pulled in a million different directions and told repeatedly that certain things have value that do not. And we want to always take this time to consider what actually is valuable and are we sending our effort and our money in the right direction.So let's pray then we're going to start in on trying to figure this out together this morning. Lord, we ask for wisdom. We ask for discernment. We ask for the work of the Spirit to help us make correct valuations so that we do not waste our time and specifically for what we're talking about today, that we do not waste our money on things that have no real value. In Jesus name, Amen. Because of our ability to get this wrong, it's always very helpful for us when the Bible just tells us this has value, when it just steps in and explains to us this thing is valuable, it helps us know, okay, then that's something to pursue. That's something worth giving energy towards. I don't want to give away all of what we're doing in our Give series, but we're about to talk about Paul's missions efforts in the Book of Acts. So we're going to walk through. What we're going to do is walk through some of Paul's missionary journey, discuss it, see what's going on here, and then we're going to see something that's behind it, something that's at work in it that the passage doesn't talk about, but that we find out later as we read Paul's letter. So we're going to be in Acts chapter 17. We're going to watch Paul as he goes, who have just been in Philippi, in Acts 16, saw a few people converted to Christianity, got arrested and was beaten and then released. So he leaves. We're going to follow him as he goes to Thessalonica, Berea, and then on a boat down to Athens and then from Athens over to Corinth. And we're going to move pretty fast because It's a couple chapters of text, and we're just trying to follow along and see some of what's going on here.So. Acts, chapter 17, verse 1.> it says now, when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom. And on three Sabbath days, he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and rise from the dead, saying, this Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.So part of Paul's missionary strategy was when he went to a city, if there was a synagogue, he went to the synagogue because they were going to be studying the Scriptures. And so he would go and start showing them in the Scriptures that Jesus had fulfilled the promises of the Messiah. It's one of the things that we do around Christmas time. We read some of these passages like we read earlier, and we see that Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises made to the Jewish people that he is their Messiah. And that's what he's doing. He's saying, the Christ has come. Jesus has fulfilled this. And he does this for three weeks every Sabbath day. And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. But the Jews were jealous. And that's where it goes into. After that verse, it's going to talk to us about. As people start to believe, some of the people in the area begin to fight against Paul. They actually attack them. And Paul and Silas sneak out at night. And so they were only there for a couple of weeks. They're seeing people believe and they're run out of town. So let's pick back up in verse 10 as the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea.> As the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea.So the brothers being the people who have just believed, it's just the beginnings of a church. And they're like, hey, we live here, but y' all, don't they want to hurt you, not us. Y' all get out of here. And we're going to keep following, figuring this out. And when they arrived, this is in Berea, they went into the Jewish synagogue. So Paul was like, I know my strategy. We're going back. Didn't work well last time, but we're going to do it this time. And it did work in some ways, because people believed. He's like, this is working. Even though some people hated me and wanted to Kill me. So he keeps going.> Now, these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica. They received the word with all eagerness.I just love that that note was in there. Just like these people were better than the ones in Thessalonica. And that's in Scripture, and it's there forever, you guys. All right? Many of them therefore believed with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there, too, agitating and stirring up the crowd.So we don't exactly know how long he was in Berea, but. But he was there long enough for people to believe and for that to become such a thing that's happening there that they find out in Thessalonica. So they're like, oh, well, he's just going to keep at it. So they head over there to run him off out of Berea. Then it says, the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea. But Silas and Timothy remained there. And those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens. And after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.So Silas and Timothy stay. They sneak Paul out to a boat and ride him down to Athens. And then he says, when y' all get back, tell Silas and Timothy to come to me. And then he's hanging out in Athens by himself. While he's in Athens, he finds out that there's a place in Athens. There doesn't seem to. He does go to a Jewish synagogue. Then he also finds out that there's a place in Athens where they just gather and share news and anything new and debate new topics and new ideas. So he goes there and starts proclaiming the Gospel. And we're going to pick up in that.> The times of ignorance God overlooked. But now he commands all people everywhere to repent because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed. And of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.To Paul, as he's concluding, he says God overlooked ignorance, but not anymore. Now there's a man who's going to judge the whole world in righteousness. And he says, and God's proven this by raising him from the dead. So he's proclaiming the gospel that everyone everywhere needs to repent, which Just so you know, that's essential to the gospel, that everyone, everywhere needs to repent. Sometimes we'll pick specific isolated sins and someone will say, well, you think this is bad? And it's like, I don't know how to tell you this. We think everyone everywhere needs to repent, that you can't. If you just pick an isolated one, we're like, probably, yes, that's a sin. And that's a sin. And that's a sin. We believe that everyone has fallen short of the glory of God and needs Christ, that we aren't going to moral ourselves into this. We're not going to work our way into this. And this is what he's proclaiming to them. And he says that it's proven by. By the resurrection of Christ from the dead.> Now, when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, but others said, we will hear you again about this.So Paul went out from their midst, but some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. So several people believe he proclaims the Gospel. He goes to a new place, begins proclaiming the Gospel, and more people believe.Chapter 18. After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.> After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.So he jumped across out of. He was on Athens and then he jumped across Corinth, had to take a boat, and he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to them. And because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked for they were tentmakers by trade. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.> When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.So now, instead of making tents, his occupation, what he's at work in now is proclaiming the Gospel. He's had enough room now to share it. And he's spending his time trying to articulate to them this. And he's studying with them and proclaiming it to them.> When the Jewish people opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, your blood be on your own heads. I am innocent. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles.And he left there, and he went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. I just appreciate that a whole lot. He's like, fine, I'm gonna go to the Gentiles. He walks out. He turns the corner. He walks in that house and is like, boom, Setting up shop. Here we go. So he's right next to the synagogue. He didn't go far away. He's like, I'm telling people about Jesus. I don't know. Right here next to y'. All. That's what he starts doing. Then it says, crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord. So he was next door. He was overseeing that. He just is like, I'm going to. And he heads over to the other house together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing Paul believed and were baptized. And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision.> Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.And he stayed a year and six months teaching the word of God among them. So he's been chased all along. He's in Corinth. Jesus shows up and says, stay here. Keep preaching. Because there are many people in this city who are mine, but not yet. So Paul is in a spot where Jesus says, there are people here who belong to me, but they don't know it yet. I know it. They don't know it. And you've got to stay and you've got to tell them. You've got to proclaim the gospel. You've got to explain what's happened, and then they will belong to me. To me, because they already belong to me. That's what he's saying. And that's one of the things that undergirds missions. One of the reasons we go, one of the reasons we plant churches, one of the reasons we send, one of the reasons we go to places where people have never heard. One of the reasons we go to places that are difficult is because all over the place, there are people who belong to Jesus. And we've got to go tell them. We've got to go tell him who he is. And the Spirit goes to work in their heart, and Jesus claims them it's not something that happens without their knowledge. They are going to come to genuine faith in Jesus that will be tangible and real in their life. But what Jesus is saying is that he sins at times and he puts somebody in a place at times because there are people there who belong to him. They just haven't heard about him yet. That ought to give us courage. We ought to begin to beg the Lord. Lord, are there people at work? There are people at my job. Are there people in this class? Are there people on the street who belong to you that I'm supposed to stay and proclaim the gospel to? And we ought to start praying over maps, and we ought to start going to places and saying, lord, there's gotta be people here who belong to you. Put me in the right spot, Send me to the right place. Help me to be there to proclaim the gospel.Now, there's something else that's happening in this text that I think we need to consider. Alfred Hitchcock was a director. He did movies like Psycho and the Birds, and he had a concept that he called the refrigerator test. He just said he wanted all of his movies that he made to pass the refrigerator test. The point was, you'd go see a movie, you're in it, soaking it up. It's great. You leave, you go home, you open your refrigerator to grab a snack before you go to bed, and suddenly you're like, wait a second. How did they get on the train in the first place? And you realize that the movie just skipped a thing. It didn't explain something to you, or there's a logical problem. You're like, why didn't the bad guys just shoot him? They shot his wife. Why'd they shoot her and then leave him alive? Were they running out of bullets? You open your refrigerator and you think, why don't they ever shoot at Captain America's legs? You know, I've played paintball before. I picked up a pallet one time. I got shot in the legs, like 45 times. Seems easy enough. And as we're reading this passage, there's a little hint at it in one place, but I think there's a thing that we should go. Hold on a second. How does Paul survive not just not get killed, but we've watched him travel around for years at this point. There was one moment where they said he went and made tents. And unless he sold the most extravagant, amazing tents, that he just did that for a couple of weeks, and then he was set for several years. It feels like there's something else going on here now, you could say, well, it's fair to assume that the people that are believing are starting to tend to him, they're going to feed him, they're going to help him have a place to stay. And it's like that. That's reasonable. But there's places where he shows up and there's nobody. That hasn't happened yet. And so this is one of those things where you go, well, how does. How is he doing this? Is he independently wealthy, like Bruce Wayne or something? What's going on? And then it doesn't talk about it in this text, but it does show up in Paul's letters. And so I want us to go to. It's mentioned in Corinthians, but it's talked about directly in Philippians. And I want y' all to see this. This is the end of Philippians chapter four. He's writing to the church in Philippi. So that was the first dot on our map. And he says, and you, Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the Gospel. So this is right when I first started, was proclaiming this.> When I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs once and again.So he's writing to this church, and he's saying, y' all partnered with me from the very beginning you entered into partnership with me. Meaning that the work that Paul did, they had a hand in it. They had a share in it. Even though he's the one traveling around the church in Philippi is helping make sure that's possible. And y'. All. He says something crazy. Look at this. That's Philippi. The whole big section here is Macedonia. When he gets out of Macedonia, he's in Corinth. So he says, nobody helped me when I left Macedonia except for y'. All. So he's like, y' all helped provide for me while I was in Corinth. And that's why he mentions it to the Corinthians, because I didn't take anything from y'. All. He says, I worked. He mentioned that. And then he says, and the churches in Macedonia helped me. But he also says, when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help. That was right after he left Philippi. He went through two towns, and the next town that it says he was in for three weeks was Thessalonica, which means that the Philippians, as soon as they believed, started helping Paul be a missionary. As soon as it happened, what they said Was, oh, we want everybody to know this. And if you're gonna go and tell people, we want in on that. We want to be a part of making sure that everybody knows what we now know. And it started immediately with them.> Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.You know how that works, right? With your money, there are certain things where it's like your wallet magically appears in your hand that you're just willing to pay for. Usually people who get married to each other, those things are wildly different. So your spouse seems to have infinite money for this stupid category. When you know that you should never spend money on that. You should spend money on this brilliant category that you love. And that seems to be what happens. And what happens with the Philippians is as soon as they know about Christ and they find out that Paul's gonna go check, share it with other people, their wallet's just in their hands. They're just like, oh, yeah, we want this to happen. Make sure he has what he needs. And they do it the whole time. They find out he's in Corinth, and they're like, make sure he has what he needs so that he can tell more people about this. And Paul says that they've partnered with him. And then he says this. Not that I seek the gift, because they've just given him a gift. And he's telling him, thank you. That's what he was doing earlier. He says, not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. He says. So he was telling him, thank you. He said, I appreciate it. He said, but that's not what it's all about. What it's about is that you are doing something that's valuable and that you receive credit for doing this good thing. He's basically saying to the Philippians, this is something you ought to do. It's a good thing to do. And I'm glad that you're doing it. Which if you've ever talked to missionaries, they do have that weird. They're really thankful, but they're also trying, like, they don't trying to be about money. So they'll say like, thank you so much. We also are just trusting the Lord, but thank you. But also, it's good for you to give. But also it's not all about, like, they have these weird. If you read this section in Philippians, you can see Paul being like, you should do this. But I'm not super worried about it. Cause Jesus is gonna take care of me. But not being worried about it doesn't mean I'm not thankful. I'm very thankful. And he just is trying to articulate all these things at once. And he says, I have received full payment and more. I am well supplied having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent.> A fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God, and my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus,so that they're getting to be stewards of God's provision for them by providing for Paul. And Paul says, God sees it, God knows it. It's a sacrifice pleasing to him. Now, I would argue that there are things we put money towards that do not fit the category of a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. Not to say that everything we spend our money on is bad. And I think that there are things that are, you're perfectly fine to exist and pay your bills and do things. But I think that when we see that there are things that the Lord delights for us to participate in, that we get to join in partnership with missionaries, that we get to enjoy partaking in the endeavor that they're after, and that we get to do something that the Lord looks at and is pleased with than we ought to. When he sets our valuation of something, take him up on it. When he says this is good and valuable, take him up on it. And when Jesus is talking about this, at one point he says it's not about the amount. He just says not even a cup of cold water will be forgotten. That if you give anything to try to participate in this, if you give anything to care and to love and because you're a disciple and because they're a disciple and because they're going, he says, not a thing's forgotten. So every penny is remembered and every penny is worth it. But then he says this in Philippians 4:20, then this is why we do this to our God and Father. Be glory forever and ever. Amen.> To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.That's the point. That's the reason the Philippians want a partner. It's because they want everyone everywhere to give glory to God. To know who Christ is, to know what he's done, to know how good he is, to know how wonderful he is, to know how much he loves, to. To know the grace that he offers. When you ever consider how merciful and kind he's been to you, if you consider the weight of your sin, the weight of your failings, the weight of your shortcomings, the depth of the destruction that we deserve and how loving and good and wonderful he is, and that he's designed so that we would belong to him and so that he can lavish his riches and kindness on us for all eternity. And that that's offered to all who will call on him, then we want all to call on Him. That's why John Piper says that missions exist because worship doesn't. He says worship is the goal and fuel of missions. That's why we go, because we have tasted of the joy of worshiping Jesus and we want all the families of the earth in included.So while everything around you is going to push and pull you in a different direction and tell you, you need this, you need this, you should have one of these in order to be happy, you'll need this. My sons asked me, they said Halloween hadn't happened. Why are all the commercials, Christmas commercial? I said, oh, boy, they want money. Our whole economy runs off of you buying things you don't need. And we're trying to take a moment to just go, look, we want to celebrate well, we also want to pause and go, is my money going in the right direction? Do I have my priorities right? Is my value system correct? Do I look like a person who knows the delight and the goodness of Christ? Does that show up in how my money and my budget works? And that's what we want to pause and do every year in our gift series.So this year what we do. Not this year. I started the wrong sentence. I'll start that sentence in a second. What we do every year is we pick a project or two one time, three, I think, and we just say we want to give money to this. It's just an opportunity for our church to rally together and be generous. So we've done different things. Sometimes we do local things, sometimes we do further away things. This year we're going to partner, hopefully Lord willing, with two different organizations to do some foreign missions work. So I'm introducing the first project today. So this year we're going to do two. I'm introducing the first project today, we'll introduce the next one next week. And then over the next few weeks we'll try to raise money to support these agencies in the efforts that they're doing in foreign mission work. So the first one we're going to partner with is elam. It is a missions organization in Mexico. When we started praying about this and looking, we were like, we want to do something with foreign missions. We want to give some effort in this direction. Scott and Kit's Hill's son Scotty, also Isaac Hill, is one of our pastors. It's his uncle also Isaac Hill's wife Lydia, it's her uncle in law, works with Elam in Mexico. So we just called him up and started trying to talk to him about what would it look like if we partnered with you? What kind of work are you doing? What's the labor looking like right now in where you are? So this is a picture. One of the things, as we said, just start dreaming a little bit if we partner with you now. It's an EFCA organization. So the money's going towards an organization that is very transparent in how they handle their finances. ELAM is they pick that name because it's the name of Oasis mentioned in the book of Exodus and what they do. I'll read some of this specifically. I can find my notes here. Yeah. ELAM is a mission development and mobilization organization in Mexico that focuses on equipping and mobilizing local churches. They do this through trainings and through short term missions trips to indigenous communities. So one of the things they do is they'll partner with a local church in a harder area and they show up and help do missions trips to try to help that church serve the community and have an opportunity for evangelism, have an opportunity to build goodwill with the community as that church is trying to develop. So what they've been doing recently is, is medical mission, short term missions programs. And so they'll go to a community and do medical missions for a couple weeks to try to help a local in partnership with a local church in a community. So the core activities are they do general medical exams and treatment, dental care and hygiene education, vision screenings and the distribution of eyeglasses. And then throughout that they're doing church support and evangelism as a part of it.So they currently have a donated auto refractor which is a machine you put on your face and it tells you what your prescription is. And then someone donated to them 6,000 pairs of glasses. So they show up to places, stick an autorefactor on people's faces, find out what the prescription is, find it and give them a pair of glasses. And so they're able to go to these rural places and under resourced places and help people see. They also have two mobile dental machines and chairs. And then they're using all this on supplies on borrowed trucks and on the open bed trailer covered with tarps. They've been going to Sierra Mezateca where there's about 300,000 Mezatecos and only a few local churches. They've been in Partnership with a church called Amigos de Fe. And they've planted churches and trying to plant churches in eight communities. They've done five medical trips in that area with about 80 to 120 medical patients, 40 to 50 dental patients, and then they were given out 20 to 30 glasses. And then in the areas near Veracruz and hidalgo, there's about 490,000 people. They have two medical trips they've done this past year. They've got a third one scheduled. On their first two, they had about 100 to 150 medical patients, 60 to 100 dental patients, and they gave out 50 to 100 pairs of glasses, which I don't know if you've ever tried to live without glasses and then got glasses, but it's magical. Just ask third grade Chet. So for them to show up to places where people have not been able to see and just outfit them, they walk in and walk out with glasses is a wonderful thing.And so we just said, what would you need if we were going to give you money? What would you use it for? What would this look like? And so the biggest, they said the current biggest limitation is the logistics problem for them. They have an open bed trailer that they've just been throwing a tarp on. And so they said we'd love. Yeah, that. They said they have lost equipment due to rain. And some of the places that they go to, they end up having to park and hike up mountains. I mean, they're going to hard to reach places and difficult to resource places. And so they said they'd love to have an enclosed trailer. And so they sent us this sort of thing now just to help you all out. That 98,500 is pesos. So if you're like, nah, we're gonna have to smuggle in one of our trailers. We ain't paying that. That's in pesos. So don't stress out over that.So here's what we said. We just said, start telling us what you would need. And they gave us a list. We said, dream. We've learned as a church that we want to. We want to get some options. We want to get some things in front of us and we'll see what the Lord does and what we're able to do together. Like we said, our hope is to knock this out, to be able to do what they've asked and do another one. But we'll see. We're happy to get to partner together however we're able to. But this is what. This is how the money would work for this Group the trailer is about $6,000. So the first $6,000 we raise, they're going to go get a trailer. After that, they would use 1250 for insurance, taxes, maintenance of the trailer. So they said if we're able to give them about $7,000, 7,500, they'll get a trailer and they'll be taken care of for a year, and then they'll, you know, just continue to operate with it. But they would be blessed by that because they'd be able to load it up, they'd be able to lock it up, they'd be able to show up to the place, unload what they needed to unload, keep. Like they just said this would bless their souls and their ability to get in and out of places and. And not lose equipment. So we said that sounded smart to us. So we thought, yes, let's try to get them a trailer if we're able to keep giving. Here are other things. They were like, well, look, y' all give us money, we're going to spend it. So they would love another auto refractor, which helps them to do multiple trips or to be able to just handle more people when they're coming in, getting them glasses. A lensometer is actually what you use to shine through glasses to make sure it is the right prescription. So auto refractor goes on the face, lensometer goes on the glasses. A diagnostic kit and a retinoscope is just the ability to try to actually check eyes, see what's going on. If they could have a mobile dental X ray with a computer, that would be amazing so that they could actually do X rays right there, see what's going on inside. And then they said dental chairs and lights, 600 general dental tools and supplies, 1500 general medical equipment, 500, for a total of $22,250. We'd love to be able to raise that for them. We'd love to get to join in partnership in a way that we get to be a part of people in areas of Mexico we'll never step foot in being cared for, loved, and getting a tangible picture of the gospel. As a group of people is trying to plant churches to articulate the gospel.Just so y' all know, we don't do a whole lot as a church in partnership with any kind of foreign missions organization that isn't trying to plant churches and articulate the gospel. We think it is incomplete if we're just doing physical things, but we love to partner where they're doing some physical work, some. Some tangible help in connection with local church planting and church organization and these sort of things going forward. So as a church, every year we do every year at Christmas we partner with the Lottie Moon Christmas offering, which is, you see it on the tables and it's in your bulletin, which is a part of missions efforts for the Southern Baptist. We do that every year and then we pick a give project and then sometimes we pick as a give project a missions opportunity. And we've got two in front of us this year. This is the first one we're going to be able to get after we're excited to be able to partner in this specific way in Mexico for the sake of what they're doing and would love for you to begin praying about what does it look like for you to partner in helping see other people come to know Jesus and tangibly see what he does among a group people, let's pray.Father, we're thankful. We're thankful that you have met us in our need. We're thankful that you have redeemed us and called us into something eternal. We ask that your spirit would be at work so that our church might be a blessing to those who are out and doing international efforts. We pray, Lord, that you would stir in the hearts of our church family so that we might be able to send people and we pray that you would stir in our hearts that we might be able to send money to the people who are already there. But may we be a part of what you are doing around the world in the places where people belong to you. There just hasn't been someone who's told them about you yet. In Jesus name Amen. Band's gonna come up. We're gonna sing. If you desire to give, there are there is a drop down menu online that you can give directly to it already. You can also give via an envelope or just put on the check that it's for our gift project. But we ask you to begin to pray and hopefully, Lord willing will be able to begin to move on this and then get into some of the other stuff, see what the Lord does.

Jason Hansen continues our series in the book of Acts.Learn more about us at ⁠anchorchurchgilbert.com⁠.Do you have any questions about the sermon? Text them to 480-660-3828.

Pastor Bob shares an inspiring message from Acts 8 on “Power Evangelism,” highlighting Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch. He reminds us that God orchestrates divine moments to draw people to Himself and that salvation is a deeply spiritual work of the Holy Spirit, not just a set of facts. Pastor Bob encourages us to stay open to the Spirit's leading, actively share the Gospel, and live out our faith so God can use us in meaningful ways.

As we conclude our study in the book of Acts, we study Paul's trip to Rome, and how the Kingdom of God is expanding. No matter what happens in our lives, the gospel will go where God wants it to go. Jesus is alive, and the gospel is going. Will you?

Acts Series  Message: 08 Episode: 1 of 3 Broadcast: November 28, 2025 Key Verses: Acts 4:1-14 In this episode of Walk in Truth, Pastor Michael Lantz continues his powerful journey through the book of Acts with a message from Acts 4:1-14 titled "No Other Name." As Peter and John boldly proclaim salvation through Jesus alone—even in the face of opposition and pressure to stay silent—we're reminded that the same courage and confidence found in the early church is available to us today. This teaching will encourage and equip you to stand firm in your faith, rely on God's strength when challenges arise, and apply the unshakable truth of God's Word to everyday life as a follower of Christ. Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com

In this session Keith shares from the book of Acts releasing strategy on how to bring change to your county.

11-28-25 & 12-05-25 H.C.C. is a non-denominational, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation specializing in counseling, healing, teaching, ministering in the Spirit and deliverance. It is based on Matthew, Mark, Luke & John and patterns its practice after the Book of Acts. It’s board members include one licensed Assembly of God pastor and one former Arizona prison chaplain. The ministry also operates the House of Healing and the Charity Counselor’s Association in central Phoenix. The Biblical theme of the ministry is Acts 10:38: "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost & power. He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil." One of the main services provided by the ministry is to provide free counseling services to the poor. https://hardcorechristianity.com/Support the show: https://hardcorechristianity.com/donations/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daily Dose of Hope November 28, 2025   Scripture: Acts 8:1-26   Prayer: Almighty God and Risen Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, We come before you today with praise and a sense of awe. Even though you are incredibly mighty and take care of us in such fundamental ways, we struggle to stay focused on our faith.  Help us gather our scattered and distracted thoughts.  Help us take a moment of silence and remember who you are...Holy Spirit, speak to us today.  We want to hear your voice.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional/podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan for New Hope Church on Brandon, Florida.  We are currently walking through the book of Acts.  Today, we are talking at the first half of Acts 8.   After Stephen's killing, the new Christians are forced to scatter around the area.  Saul (who will become Paul) is going door to door to question people and throw Christians into prison.  This is serious stuff.  I want you to just imagine what that would be like.  We live in a place where we can worship freely but what those new Christians experience isn't too different from many parts of the world today.  Just keep that in mind.    What's interesting to me is that wherever they go, the believers spread the Gospel.  They aren't deterred by their experience in Jerusalem.  Rather, the opposite seems to be true.  They are bold and tell the story of Jesus wherever they go.  Think of your own life.  How do you share the story of Jesus?  Do you?   One more interesting part of the passage is the bit about Simon the sorcerer in Samaria.  Sorcery is absolutely forbidden by God because it relies on powers that are not of God.  When I speak of sorcery, I'm referring to black magic, the occult, witchcraft, etc.  Sometimes, there is no power attached to these things and other times, they definitely have power and it comes from the evil one.  So, friends, this is not something you want to mess with at all.  Just stay away from it.   Sorry, I digress.  Simon had become a believer after hearing Philip preach but the Holy Spirit had not yet come to the church in Samaria.  When the apostles (Peter and John) come to Samaria and lay hands on the believers, the Holy Spirit comes to them and they receive the power that comes with that.  Simon witnesses all of this and he wants it.  He offers Peter and John money to receive this power.  Of course, they are appalled.  They tell him he is wicked and needs to repent.  His heart is not right before God.  Simon appears to be repentant and we don't hear any more about him.    The apostles continue to visit Samaritan villages to spread the Gospel.   We will chat some more on Monday.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Acts Series  Message: 07 Episode: 3 of 3 Broadcast: November 27, 2025 Key Verses: Acts 3:12-26 In this episode of Walk in Truth, Pastor Michael Lantz continues his powerful journey through the book of Acts with a message titled "Preaching the Prince of Life," based on Acts 3:12-26. After witnessing the miraculous healing at the temple gate, Peter boldly points the crowd to Jesus—the true source of life, hope, and restoration—and calls them to repentance and renewed faith. Pastor Michael unpacks this inspiring passage to show how the same risen Jesus who healed then is still transforming lives today. Be encouraged and equipped to walk confidently as a follower of Christ, grounded in God's truth and ready to apply His life-changing power in your everyday life. Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com

11-27-25 & 12-04-25 H.C.C. is a non-denominational, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation specializing in counseling, healing, teaching, ministering in the Spirit and deliverance. It is based on Matthew, Mark, Luke & John and patterns its practice after the Book of Acts. It’s board members include one licensed Assembly of God pastor and one former Arizona prison chaplain. The ministry also operates the House of Healing and the Charity Counselor’s Association in central Phoenix. The Biblical theme of the ministry is Acts 10:38: "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost & power. He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil." One of the main services provided by the ministry is to provide free counseling services to the poor. https://hardcorechristianity.com/Support the show: https://hardcorechristianity.com/donations/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daily Dose of Hope November 27, 2025   Scripture - Acts 7   Prayer:  Amazing God, thank you for giving us life in Christ Jesus. This Thanksgiving, we ask you to continue to strengthen us in Jesus Christ, driving roots deep into the soil of who he is, your Son. In the days following this celebration of your awesome provision, may the Holy Spirit well up thankfulness in our hearts to overflowing every day. Thanks be to God through Christ Jesus. Amen Happy Thanksgiving!  Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently walking through the book of Acts.  Today, we working through all of chapter 7.  This chapter covers the stoning of Stephen, which seems a strange thing to talk about on Thanksgiving.  Or, maybe it's not.  We'll get to that.  If you remember, yesterday, the Jewish leaders were trying to get people to slander Stephen.  They were threatened by his wisdom.  So, they have him dragged in front of the Sanhedrin.  It's there that Stephen gives a long, eloquent history of how God worked through his people, leading up to Jesus.  Stephen doesn't mince words.  He is pretty clear that the Jewish leadership has persecuted all the prophets who have come before and then persecuted the Messiah to the point of execution.  Not surprisingly, the Jewish leaders are offended by his directness and they get really worked up when he looks up at heaven and declares that he sees Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father.  Keep in mind, this would have been blasphemy to the strict Jews who sat on the council.  There was no real trial, no real discussion.  They simply drag Stephen out and start throwing stones. Stephen was the first Christian martyr.  This was, of course, a sign of what was to come.  But Stephen also offers all Christians a beautiful model of how to live and die, trusting fully and completely in Jesus Christ.  This seems pretty foreign to us and for that, we should be thankful.  But this is truth:  Christians around the world deal with this kind of persecution every single day.    We don't think about it much but over 360 million Christians around the world suffer persecution or discrimination for their faith in Jesus Christ. Roughly 5,600 Christians were murdered in 2022, more than 6,000 were detained or imprisoned, and another 4,000-plus were kidnapped. In addition, more than 5,000 churches and other religious facilities were destroyed.  Most of us have seen the horrors that Christians in Nigeria are currently experiencing.  For other Christians, it means being denied economic opportunities or simply living under the threat of violence.  American Christians talk of persecution, but that is what real persecution looks like.  It's not being made fun of or worrying about offending someone, it's risking all for Jesus. Every year Open Doors USA releases its World Watch report of the 50 states most likely to punish Christians for their faith. Last year 11 nations were guilty of "extreme persecution." Afghanistan took the top spot this year. It is impossible to live openly as a Christian in Afghanistan. Leaving Islam is considered shameful, and Christian converts face dire consequences if their new faith is discovered. Either they have to flee the country or they will be killed.  North Korea is next, as Kim Jung-un wages a war against any foreign influences.  Then, we have countries like Somalia, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria.  On this Thanksgiving Day, let's give thanks for our ability to worship freely without fear of persecution.  But let' also give thanks for our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who are staying faithful no matter what.  We pray for their safety, but also their perseverance, resilience, and faithfulness.  May we have even but a small amount of their courage and strength. Happy Thanksgiving, my friends.  Please know, I am grateful for everyone of you and count you all among my blessings. Pastor Vicki  

In this Bible Story, Paul attempts to make peace with the jews in Jerusalem by adhering to their ceremonies. However, his reputation for starting churches precedes him. Paul is universally hated among the Jews in Jerusalem, so they beat him and try to kill him. Luckily, he is saved by the Judge of Jerusalem, where Paul would get a fair trial as a Roman citizen. This story is inspired by Acts 21:15-22:30. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Acts 22:25 from the King James Version.Episode 237: As Paul and Luke entered Jerusalem during Passover, they made their way to the home of James the brother of Jesus. There James advised Paul to attend a purification ceremony to appease the Jews. On the last day, however, some Jews from Asia came and incited a mob against him. The mob was so fierce that it required the Roman officials to break it up and bring Paul on their shoulders to the judge. Once there Paul asked the judge if he could address the crowd. But this only served to rile up the mob even more.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The punishment of Ananias and Sapphira from the book of Acts seems severe. They were struck dead by God for a seemingly trivial offense. Seems like a harsh punishment. But this story teaches us a very important lesson about God. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/81/29?v=20251111

Send us a textActs 21:27-23:25Join us as we continue our bi-weekly study through the book of Acts!We also would like to invite anyone who lives in the Philadelphia area to worship and study God's word with us at our in-person meeting that takes place every-other Monday night at 7:30pm. Visit phillyyoungadults.com for additional information about our ministry.Feel free to message us on instagram (@phillyyoungadultscc) with any feedback, questions, or topics you want to hear about on the podcast or you can shoot an email to ya@ccphilly.org

Acts Series  Message: 07 Episode: 2 of 3 Broadcast: November 26, 2025 Key Verses: Acts 3:12-26 In this episode of Walk in Truth, Pastor Michael Lantz continues his powerful journey through the book of Acts with a message titled "Preaching the Prince of Life," based on Acts 3:12-26. After witnessing the miraculous healing at the temple gate, Peter boldly points the crowd to Jesus—the true source of life, hope, and restoration—and calls them to repentance and renewed faith. Pastor Michael unpacks this inspiring passage to show how the same risen Jesus who healed then is still transforming lives today. Be encouraged and equipped to walk confidently as a follower of Christ, grounded in God's truth and ready to apply His life-changing power in your everyday life. Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com

11-26-25 & 12-03-25 H.C.C. is a non-denominational, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation specializing in counseling, healing, teaching, ministering in the Spirit and deliverance. It is based on Matthew, Mark, Luke & John and patterns its practice after the Book of Acts. It’s board members include one licensed Assembly of God pastor and one former Arizona prison chaplain. The ministry also operates the House of Healing and the Charity Counselor’s Association in central Phoenix. The Biblical theme of the ministry is Acts 10:38: "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost & power. He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil." One of the main services provided by the ministry is to provide free counseling services to the poor. https://hardcorechristianity.com/Support the show: https://hardcorechristianity.com/donations/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daily Dose of Hope November 26, 2025   Scripture - Acts 6   Prayer:  Almighty God, As we move into our Wednesday, we pray that today will be a day that we see glimpses of your glory.  We need you, we yearn for you.  Lord, help us set aside our distractions and settle our scattered thoughts so we can focus on you and you alone.  In the next few moments of silence, Lord, hear our prayers... In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently walking through the book of Acts.  Today, we working through all of chapter 6.   In Acts 6, we see the choosing of the first deacons to serve the widows from both the Greek and Jewish communities.  The apostles felt strongly they needed to keep preaching and teaching but they knew someone needed to be in charge of serving those in need.  There was a conflict that had to be dealt with – the Greek Jews felt that their widows weren't being cared for in the same way as the Hebrew Jews when it came to food distribution.  It wasn't insurmountable issue at all, but it could certainly create battle lines if not addressed promptly.  Stephen is chosen to lead the group who would ensure all of the early believers are fed fairly.  This is such a great model for solving a problem in the church.  They had an issue, they came together and discussed it civilly, and a solution is chosen.  No drama.   I should also note this is the first time we see a differentiation in the roles in the church.  Deacons are caring for the physical needs of the people.  The apostles, serving more like elders, are preaching and teaching.  There are many people in one body with many different gifts.  It takes all of us for Jesus' church to be effective and fruitful.  This will get clearer as the church develops.    Later in the chapter, things take a turn for the worse.  Stephen is being targeted by the Sanhedrin.  They don't like how the Gospel is spreading.  I wonder if the Jewish leaders are beginning to feel like things are getting out of control.  They see the church growing and they don't have a way to stop it.  Stephen is exhibiting extraordinary wisdom.  How do you fight against that?  Well, you cheat and lie.  And that's exactly what they did.  They have people say that he is speaking blasphemy against Moses.  They are willing to do whatever they need to do to slander Stephen.  They are abandoning Torah in favor of keeping political control.    More tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Wednesday morning, the 26th of November, 2025, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We go to the Book of Exodus 40:37-38: “But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.” They did not move until the cloud moved. Then we go to the Book of Acts 1:4: “…He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father,…”The Lord wants to talk to you and me this morning about not becoming so impatient. Many of us think that the Israelites just wandered aimlessly through the wilderness for 40 years. No, they didn't. Their Heavenly Father did not leave them as orphans. He put a cloud over the tabernacle and He said, “Don't move until the cloud moves,” and then at night a pillar of fire, as a sign of protection over them. We must not move until the Lord tells us to move. We go to the Acts of the Apostles, after the Lord Jesus Christ had been resurrected, they were totally lost, the disciples were all huddled together in the Upper Room. I have been to that room, I have laid on the floor of the Upper Room. I was so blessed, Jill and I. There wasn't a soul in that Upper Room when we were there that day, and we just lay on that floor and we just worshipped God. He said that we must wait for the promise of the Father. Now that is where a lot of us are making mistakes. We are running ahead of God, and that is why we are getting into trouble. As a young farmer, I remember us going through a drought period. I had planted my maize crop, but there was no rain. I wanted to disc it in and start again, but I didn't have the money. I waited, and you know something? My neighbours put the plough in and started all over again. I waited and I waited and then the rain came! When the rain came, that maize came through. It was a beautiful crop. If I had not waited, I would have got myself into terrible financial trouble.Today, wait for the promise of God. When the cloud moves, you move. When the cloud doesn't move, you stay. If God doesn't tell you to go, you better stay. If God tells you to go, pack your bags, then leave today. Jesus bless you and have a wonderful, peaceful day,Goodbye.

11/25/2025 - Darren Carlson -on the encouraging work of the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts and in the church

This week in our Wild Invitation series, we're walking through Saul's unforgettable transformation into Paul—a story that reminds us just how powerful a true encounter with Jesus can be. We unpack what it looks like to surrender fully to the Holy Spirit, even in the areas of our lives we've held back. Through raw stories and biblical insight, we talk about how real change often begins with humility, obedience, and the courage to say yes. Whether you're craving deeper faith or wondering if God can still use your gifts, this episode will challenge and comfort you in all the right ways. In This Episode [00:00] Winter Coffee Chats + Kicking Off Acts 3 [03:10] Triggered by Bible Characters? Let's Talk Paul [07:00] Updates and a Little Behind-the-Scenes Fun [08:45] Catching Up: From Stephen's Martyrdom to Saul's Mission [11:00] The Road to Damascus: A Life-Changing Encounter [14:00] Real-Life Testimonies of Transformation [20:00] Humility, Surrender, and the Power of Saying Yes [23:30] Ananias and Why We Need Community in Our Faith [29:00] God Doesn't Waste Who You Are—He Redeems It [33:00] Final Thoughts: Transformation in Every Season ⁠⁠ORDER OUR NEW STUDY!⁠⁠⁠ This seven-week, verse-by-verse study through the book of Acts invites you to embrace the unpredictable, sometimes challenging adventure of Spirit-led living that characterized the early church. Thanks to Our Sponsors Piper and Leaf: Visit ⁠⁠⁠PiperandLeaf.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to pick up an Advent Tea set for you or someone you love! NIV Application Study Bible - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab your copy today!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Winshape: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more or submit your application today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! If you'd like to partner with For The Girl as a sponsor, fill out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form! Follow us!

In this Bible Story, Paul says goodbye to the Ephesian church. He knows that danger awaits him in Jerusalem. The threat of danger and death is present, but Paul is determined to preach the gospel to his kin. So with great tears, Paul leaves Ephesus to Jerusalem. This story is inspired by Acts 20:1-21:17. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Acts 20:35 from the King James Version.Episode 236: As Paul was teaching late into the night, a young man Eutychus seated on the ledge of a third-story window, fell asleep and fell to the ground. The fall killed poor Eutychus, but God had a plan for him and used Paul to speak healing over the boy, and life was restored to him. As Paul and Luke traveled along the Asian sea teaching, his mind was constantly turned toward Ephesus. At last, he decided to visit them one last time before going to Jerusalem where he would be beaten and brought before the courts.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The book of Acts doesn't end with a conclusion — it ends with an invitation. In this message, Pastor Andrew Jordan reminds us that the story of the Church is still being written through ordinary people who say yes to God. When we live with faith, courage, and surrender, the story continues through us.

This week, Dudley reflects on the spirit-filled foundation of the early church and what it means to be living in the end of the age with passion, purpose, and kingdom identity. Drawing from the book of Acts, he explores how the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit weren't reserved for a bygone era—they are vital today for a church that pushes back darkness.Dudley also shares insights from his new book At Last, which offers surprising hope for believers navigating confusion around the rapture, tribulation, and judgment. You'll discover why comfortable Christianity is no match for the adventure of true discipleship and how the spiritual gifts in the church empower us to live boldly in this generation.Get Dudley's Weekly Word delivered right to your inbox every Friday! Click here to get access ➡️ https://dudleysweeklyword.com/opt-inFor more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley's Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message 

Acts Series  Message: 07 Episode: 1 of 3 Broadcast: November 25, 2025 Key Verses: Acts 3:12-26 In this episode of Walk in Truth, Pastor Michael Lantz continues his powerful journey through the book of Acts with a message titled "Preaching the Prince of Life," based on Acts 3:12-26. After witnessing the miraculous healing at the temple gate, Peter boldly points the crowd to Jesus—the true source of life, hope, and restoration—and calls them to repentance and renewed faith. Pastor Michael unpacks this inspiring passage to show how the same risen Jesus who healed then is still transforming lives today. Be encouraged and equipped to walk confidently as a follower of Christ, grounded in God's truth and ready to apply His life-changing power in your everyday life. Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com

Daily Dose of Hope November 25, 2025   Scripture - Acts 5:17-42   Prayer:  Holy and Merciful God, Thank you for a new day during this Thanksgiving week.   We are so very grateful that your mercies are new every morning.  We are thankful for your mercy, grace, and patience with us.  Help us, Lord, gather our scattered thoughts and focus on you and your Word.  In these next few moments of silence, help us be still and know that you are God...In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently walking through the book of Acts.  Today, we are finishing Acts 5.   The apostles are witnessing and people are coming to faith in Jesus.  They are seeing signs and wonders.  Even Peter's shadow falling on people is leading to healing.  The Holy Spirit is working in powerful ways to demonstrate God's glory and grow the young church.  Healing and deliverance are the norm, not the exception.    This really makes the Jewish leaders jealous and worried.  Afterall, they want to control their perceived grip on religious power.  The apostles are thrown in jail but freed by an angel.  They go right back to the Temple courts and witness to the Gospel.  When the Jewish leaders question and threaten the apostles, the believers are clear that they are going to follow God over man.  Their boldness is amazing.  It's clear the Spirit is in them in a powerful way.  But what I am always alarmed by is their joy at being suffering disgrace for the Gospel.  I mean they are flogged!  That's extremely painful.  And they praise God for this.    This leads to some pretty difficult questions for us.  First, when have you suffered disgrace for the Gospel?  Second, when have we experienced discomfort for the Gospel?  Seriously, what is the worst we have experienced for the Gospel? And finally, if you have experienced disgrace or discomfort, were you filled with joy?   I think we tend to go to great lengths to avoid disgrace and discomfort.  Why?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

11-25-25 & 12-02-25 H.C.C. is a non-denominational, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation specializing in counseling, healing, teaching, ministering in the Spirit and deliverance. It is based on Matthew, Mark, Luke & John and patterns its practice after the Book of Acts. It’s board members include one licensed Assembly of God pastor and one former Arizona prison chaplain. The ministry also operates the House of Healing and the Charity Counselor’s Association in central Phoenix. The Biblical theme of the ministry is Acts 10:38: "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost & power. He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil." One of the main services provided by the ministry is to provide free counseling services to the poor. https://hardcorechristianity.com/Support the show: https://hardcorechristianity.com/donations/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textActs 21Join us as we continue our bi-weekly study through the book of Acts!We also would like to invite anyone who lives in the Philadelphia area to worship and study God's word with us at our in-person meeting that takes place every-other Monday night at 7:30pm. Visit phillyyoungadults.com for additional information about our ministry.Feel free to message us on instagram (@phillyyoungadultscc) with any feedback, questions, or topics you want to hear about on the podcast or you can shoot an email to ya@ccphilly.org

Sunday Sermon from the book of Acts from John Bourgeois on November 23, 2025. Our hope for you is that you will know, love, and follow Jesus Christ -- leading to personal transformation, intimate community, and a life of radical mission. You are always welcome to join us for worship at West End Community Church.For more info, please visit the WECC website at westendcc.org

Ron and Nick talk about the Holy Spirit helping us to rehearse the things he's told us, Nick reads a listener's email about how the podcast is helpful, we respond to the question of the day from a wife who recently discovered her husband's use of pornography, we continue our study through the book of Acts.Join Us EVERY DAYDaily 7A The Movement Launch Meeting ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Launch Code⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5 minutes to light the fuseHear from GodRemember who we areReceive blessingGo change the world

The Book of Acts: To the Ends of the Earth (Acts 4:23-35) by North Valley Church

11-24-25 & 12-01-25 H.C.C. is a non-denominational, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation specializing in counseling, healing, teaching, ministering in the Spirit and deliverance. It is based on Matthew, Mark, Luke & John and patterns its practice after the Book of Acts. It’s board members include one licensed Assembly of God pastor and one former Arizona prison chaplain. The ministry also operates the House of Healing and the Charity Counselor’s Association in central Phoenix. The Biblical theme of the ministry is Acts 10:38: "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost & power. He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil." One of the main services provided by the ministry is to provide free counseling services to the poor. https://hardcorechristianity.com/Support the show: https://hardcorechristianity.com/donations/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daily Dose of Hope November 24, 2025   Scripture - Acts 5:1-16   Prayer: Almighty God, As we move into a new week, we pray that today will be a day that we see glimpses of your glory.  We need you, we yearn for you.  Lord, help us set aside our distractions and settle our scattered thoughts so we can focus on you and you alone.  In the next few moments of silence, Lord, hear our prayers... In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently walking through the book of Acts.  Today, we are staring Acts 5, specifically the first sixteen verses.   The story of Ananias and Sapphira is kind of disturbing.  But keep in mind that this is happening within the context of the new church community.  This is a community in which people are selling all their possessions and living in unity, of the same mind and spirit.  Then, Ananias and Sapphira, in contrast, tell everyone they are selling a piece of land and giving all the profit to the church.  But they secretly keep a big chunk for themselves.  This is the thing – if they had been honest and said they were splitting the proceeds and keeping some for themselves, it would not have been a big deal.  Afterall, it was their property and their money.  They could decide how to use it.  The issue was in the deception.  Rather than being filled with the Holy Spirit (as we see in the rest of the community), they were filled with a spirit of evil.    Here is an interesting question – were Ananias and Sapphira true believers?  They probably were.  Their story is told in the context of the actions of "all the believers" in Acts 4.  They knew the Holy Spirit.  It's possible that Ananias may have earlier promised to give the whole amount of the sale of the property to the church and then they changed their mind and decided to be deceptive rather than truthful.  Maybe the best evidence that they were believers is that they were disciplined for their actions.  They wanted attention and accolades but they lied to get it.  They were even given a chance to fess up but they stuck to their lies.  As a result, they died.    It shows us that believers can be led into bold, obvious sin.  And really, don't we see this often in the church?  A respected church leader falls from grace – the inappropriate relationship, embezzled funds, something is just not right.  Satan is active and at work in our lives and we have to be on guard, prepared with the full armor of God.  You guys, spiritual warfare is real.    If this story seems harsh, it is.  You are totally right.  I've thought about this.  The church was young.  They were really setting boundaries.  The apostles were establishing their own leadership.  This was a warning to the church as a whole.  Deception and evil will not be tolerated.  We are not to look like the culture at large.  We belong to Jesus.  We reflect Jesus.    Does New Hope reflect Jesus?  What can we do better?  What can you do better?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Harvest is a church where we love to worship God together, where the transforming message of the Gospel is preached weekly, where authentic community can be found, and where we are intentional about making disciples of Jesus Christ. We'd love for you to join us on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. For more information you can visit harvestmemphis.org.

This week we close the book of Acts by watching Paul show us what long-obedience looks like.

Looking back at church history may not sound exciting to some, but it's vital to understanding how God has worked through time. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar reflect on the church as the story of believers, emphasizing that history reveals God's ongoing movement beyond the book of Acts. Though historians tell it in an exciting way, church history shows the evidence of faith lived out in different eras. Biographies of faithful men and women remind Christians of how the Lord worked through ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things, inspiring believers to live with the same devotion today.Oscar begins by discussing Paul's conversion, a pivotal moment in the spread of the gospel. The guys trace how the church grew organically from that point, not emerging centuries later as some assume. E.Z. focuses on the Council of Nicea, which addressed theological controversy and affirmed Christ's deity. While Constantine allowed Christianity to be practiced, he did not truly Christianize the empire. Oscar highlights Basil, credited as the father of the first hospital, whose compassion reflected the image of God in all people. His example shows that true faith always leads to action and care for others.The fall of Rome marks another turning point, when the church preserved art and literature but also took on roles it was never meant to hold. The guys note how pagan influences crept into traditions over time and stress that truth must come from Scripture alone. Ray points out that Acts remains the blueprint for the church, calling believers back to gospel proclamation and discipleship. The modern church, he warns, risks valuing entertainment over genuine transformation. The group agrees that true renewal comes from giving prominence to God's Word and from pursuing historical theology rather than trends or rituals.Finally, they explore the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther's stand against the Catholic Church, sparked by his 95 theses, ignited a call for revival rather than rebellion. Though the Catholic Church branded him a troublemaker, Luther sought to restore biblical truth through Scripture, faith, and grace alone. The Reformation was not about creating something new but recovering what had been lost. Reformers relied on Scripture and the writings of the early church fathers to return Christianity to its roots. Their courage paved the way for believers today to read God's Word freely and pursue authentic faith. Through these key moments, the guys remind listeners that understanding history deepens gratitude for the gospel and renews passion to live it out now.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you've been helped by this podcast, we'd be grateful if you'd consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

In this Bible Story, we are able to read the letters written by Paul to the church in Thessalonica. Paul encourages them to continue in their pursuit of a quiet and peaceful life that honors God. This story is inspired by Acts 17. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Acts 17:23 from the King James Version.Episode 233: Paul, Silas, and Timothy were teaching at a synagogue in Thessalonica. Crowds from all over gathered there to hear what they had to say and many came to a saving faith in Jesus. Yet some of the Jews were angered by this change and hired a mob to find Paul and kill him. When the mob couldn’t find Paul they brought out Jason instead and had him beaten. Meanwhile, the rest of the believers encouraged Paul, Silas, and Timothy to flee to Berea. There was peace for Silas and Timothy there, but Paul moved on to Athens where he would reason with God-fearing Greeks and be brought before the Areopagus.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we begin the age of the church, transitioning from the Gospel of Luke to the beginning of the book of Acts. Fr. Mike draws our attention to the Ascension of Jesus and encourages us to respond to Christ's call to participate in his mission. He invites us to be part of his story and not be ashamed of the Gospel. Today's readings are Acts 1, Romans 1, and Proverbs 26:24-26. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.