Podcasts about in acts

In Acts 23:1-10, Paul enters a conflict with the High Priest. While he was right in his argument, he handled it wrongly. See what we can learn from this as Brett Andrews shares.Share your stories, prayer requests, or your response to this devotional in the comments below.If you would like to know more about New Life, who we are, what we believe, or when we meet, visit http://newlife.church. Or you can fill out a digital connection card at http://newlife.church/connect - we would love to get to know you better!

Have you ever felt like Paul in Corinth, beaten down by life's challenges, facing what seems impossible? In Acts 18, we discover that even the great apostle struggled with fear and discouragement. Yet God's response reveals three powerful truths: He provides people for community, speaks peace in our storms, and reveals purpose beyond ourselves when we rest in His sufficiency rather than our own strength.

Boldness isn't about personality. It's about the presence of God. In Acts 3–4, we see ordinary people filled with the Spirit move toward brokenness, speak the name of Jesus without fear, and pray for even greater courage. When you're filled with the Spirit, silence becomes impossible.

In Acts 13, we witness a major turning point in the life of the early church. As the leaders in Antioch worshiped, fasted, and served faithfully, the Holy Spirit set apart Barnabas and Saul for a new mission. What does a successful church look like? Not one that simply gathers — but one that prepares and sends. Acts 13 reminds us that the church must be sensitive to the Spirit's leading and willing to send its very best for the sake of the gospel.

What if the early church wasn't complicated at all… but unstoppable?In Acts of the Apostles 2:42–47, we don't see programs, branding, or modern church growth strategies. We see devotion. Prayer. Shared life. Real power. And “the Lord added to their number day by day.”Why was the early church so strong?Because it fed the deepest human craving: real belonging.After Pentecost, 3,000 new believers flooded Jerusalem. They left jobs. Sold property. Risked reputation. Why? They had found life in Christ—and life reaches for life. Isolation became unbearable. They had to gather.They devoted themselves to:• The apostles' teaching• Prayer—together and often• Breaking bread in homes• Radical, voluntary generosity• Public praise and bold witnessAnd the result? Awe. Power. Favor. Growth.Our culture is drowning in digital connection but starving for real community. Programs can't fix that. Strategy alone can't manufacture that. Only shared life in the Spirit can.The Church of God is not an institution to attend. It is a kingdom community to belong to.Have we complicated what Jesus made simple?Do you want a church that is safe—or one that is alive?This simple, powerful kingdom community is still possible today.Watch now and rediscover the blueprint God still blesses.

Not Righteous Professing Christians Are "Whitewashed Tombstones" - Pretty on the Outside but Dead on the Inside MESSAGE SUMMARY: A righteousness, that comes from your being in communion with the Holy Spirit, is not like a professing Christian who is really just a "whitewashed tombstone" -- pretty on the outside but dead on the inside. Rather, followers of Jesus are called to live righteous lives, as we are instructed by the Psalmist in Psalms 37:39: “The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.". Also, Paul tells us in Romans 1:17: “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.'”. In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells us, as His followers, that: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.". In Matthew 5, Jesus tells us, as His followers, that we are different and blessed; and these blessings flow from your living a righteous life in Him. Allow the Holy Spirit to create in you a clean and pure heart.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I acknowledge that I prefer to ignore and deny my pain and loss. I struggle with seeing how resurrection life can come out of death. Grant me the courage to pay attention to what you are doing, and to wait on you — even when everything in me wants to run away. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 114). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Inconsistencies. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit's fruit of Faithfulness. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 5:1-48; Romans 1:17; Romans 2:13; Psalms 70a:1-12. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Essentials Part 4 – One God, Not Three ” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Walking by the Spirit begins with humility - recognizing it's not about what people do for God, but what God does through them. In Acts 18–19, Apollos models a teachable spirit and a posture of continual growth. As believers surrender daily, the Holy Spirit transforms lives from the inside out, producing lasting fruit like love, peace, and faithful obedience.

Jesus: Consultant or King?In Acts 17, Paul went to Thessalonica and declared “Jesus is King”. It wasn't just spiritual language, but was was a bold claim that challenged every other authority of that time. Today we have to look at the invisible kings on the throne of our hearts— comfort, approval, success, security. Jesus isn't meant to be a consultant in your life. He's King, and he's worth it.---Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:45AM.Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decided Stay Connected!Website: http://localchurchgr.orgFacebook: http://facebook.com/localchurchgrInstagram: http://instagram.com/localchurchgrWeekly Email Newsletter: https://bit.ly/trendingatTLCVisit & What to Expect: http://localchurchgr.org/expectEvents: http://my.localchurchgr.org/eventsIf you would like to support The Local Church GR's ministry and help us continue reaching people in the Grand Rapids area, click here: https://localchurchgr.org/give Need prayer? Please let us know! https://localchurchgr.org/care

In Acts 1, Jesus reminds His disciples that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes — and they will be His witnesses to the ends of the earth.Disciples of Jesus don't go in their own strength. We go with the power of the Spirit and the hope of the gospel. Tune in to this week's sermon and be reminded: we are sent.

In Acts 3–4, Peter and John preach the gospel—and it costs them. Arrested, threatened, pressured to be silent… and yet they refuse to stop speaking about Jesus. This message explores what a true gospel heart looks like: grace instead of judgment, confidence in God's long-term plan, and a clear call to repentance. It also asks a hard question—what do we value more than the gospel? When the pressure rises, do we shrink back—or live fearless anyway?

 In Acts 25–26, Paul's case moves from Festus to a hearing with King Agrippa II and Bernice. The message looks closely at these historical figures—their backgrounds, wounds, and hidden brokenness—and shows how Paul presents the gospel through his own past, his encounter with Jesus, and his hope in the resurrection. It culminates in Paul's desire that they might become as he is—free—"except for these chains," alongside the promise of being a "new creation" (2 Cor. 5:17).

In Acts 5, revival turns into resistance. The apostles are arrested, beaten, and warned to stay silent. And yet they leave rejoicing.Why? Because they did not see suffering as failure. They saw it as fellowship with Jesus. This message challenges a comfort-first version of Christianity and invites us into something deeper. Obedience may cost you. Faithfulness may lead through pain. But when your identity is rooted in Christ and your hope is anchored in the resurrection, suffering does not have the final word.If you are walking through pressure, loss, or disappointment, this teaching is for you.

In Acts 13, the church fasted and prayed. What happened next changed history.PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION for WORLD EVANGELISM:•NO ADS, Early releases, Full-Length Testimony Tuesdays• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe for only $3/month on Supercast⁠: https://taking-the-land.supercast.com/⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe for only $3.99/month on Spotify⁠: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taking-the-land/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠Subscribe for only $4.99/month on Apple Podcasts⁠: https://apple.co/4owjo5ZPastor Greg Mitchell preaches from Acts 13:1–12 and reveals what happens when believers stop striving and start ministering to the Lord. This sermon explores:The difference between working for God and spending time with GodWhy fasting prepares you for the next stage of God's willThe reality of spiritual warfareHow prayer and fasting bring dominion over resistanceReal testimonies of healing, restoration, and salvationFasting is not a religious ritual. It is humility. It is preparation. It is warfare. And when God answers, everything changes.Chapters00:00 New Beginnings and the Power of Prayer03:07 Fasting as Spiritual Preparation06:20 The Importance of Ministering to God09:18 Fasting: A Humble Approach to God12:15 Fasting as Warfare18:25 The Blessings of Fasting24:20 Fasting and Divine Direction30:14 Testimonies of TransformationShow NotesALL PROCEEDS GO TO WORLD EVANGELISMLocate a CFM Church near you: https://cfmmap.orgWe need five-star reviews! Tell the world what you think about this podcast at:• Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://apple.co/3vy1s5b• Podchaser: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/taking-the-land-cfm-sermon-pod-43369v

The Holy Spirit: God With Us, In Us, and Through UsActs 2:1-13Teacher: Pastor Jim ThomasDate: February 15, 2026Acts 2 is noisy, visual, disruptive, astonishing and historically pivotal. What does the Bible mean by phrases like: the outpouring of the Spirit, the baptism of the Spirit, being filled with the Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit, and the fruit of the Spirit? And why was the coming of the Spirit so decisive in the rapid, unstoppable spread of the gospel in the first century?In Acts 2:1–13 we are taken to the Day of Pentecost—when the risen and exalted Lord Jesus poured out the promised Holy Spirit on His people. This was not just a religious pep rally; it was the fulfillment of God's ancient promises and the moment when the church was empowered for its global mission.Join Pastor Jim as he walks us through this amazing passage to see how the Holy Spirit is God with us, God within us, and God working through us to make Christ known to the nations.To find more resources like these, follow us:Website: https://thevillagechapel.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQVTzDbaiXVUAm_mUBDCTJAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tvcnashville/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tvcnashvilleX: https://twitter.com/tvcnashvilleTo support the ongoing mission of The Village Chapel go to https://thevillagechapel.com/give/. If you are a regular giver, thank you for your continued faithfulness and generosity!

This week, we continue our series in Acts, Preaching and Persecution. In Acts 8, we see Philip's faithfulness to share the gospel in Samaria, the apostles' prayer over the new believers, and their rebuke of Simon the magician's heart posture. Pastor Eric shares four points as we work through the text: 1) The Elephant in the Room 2) The First Cross-Cultural Mission Trip 3) The Gift of the Holy Spirit 4) The Motives of the Heart

John 14:15-31,15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. 18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. 25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.Twenty-two years ago I stumbled into the habit of private worship every morning. I would get up early, make some coffee, and spend time reading God's word and praying. It's been the most transformative habit of my life — I've never stopped doing it. But about six years ago, I added a new part to it. The first thing I do now, right before I read the Bible, is I seek the mercy of God and give him thanks. I confess my need to God for his mercy and then I thank God for a specific way he has shown me mercy. And it can be all kinds of things … Sometimes it's Father, thank you for coffee. This is a good cup of coffee! Sometimes it's Father, thank you that I slept okay last night. … Thank you for that meeting yesterday … for that conversation … for that thing I learned in that book … and on and on.If we spend time thinking about it, we have so much to thank God for. But the one thing I have probably mentioned the most, over the last five years, and especially over the last three weeks, is actually a person — it's Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit!I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life.He proceeds from the Father and the Son, And with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. And in our passage today, in John 14, Jesus introduces us to the Holy Spirit. For the sermon I just want to tell you three things that Jesus tells us about him. 1. The Holy Spirit is sent by the Father and the Son. We're at verse 15, but recall the context here. It is still Thursday night — the longest Thursday ever — and Jesus is in the middle of his Farewell Discourse. Back at the end of Chapter 13, for the first time, Jesus told his disciples that he's leaving. He is preparing them for a new location within redemptive history — his disciples are about to live in a world where he is physically absent. And this is troubling to them — they are in a troubled-heart situation, and Jesus wants to encourage them. We saw that in Chapter 14. Jesus tells them not to let their hearts be troubled; because his going away is for their good; and he's going to come back for them. Jesus is their way to God; he's God's way to them — and he still has greater works that he's gonna do through them.And that's where we ended last week, in verses 12–14. Jesus introduced two stunning realities about life for believers after his death, resurrection, and ascension. Two Stunning RealitiesThe first of those stunning realities is that those who believe in him — us — will do greater works than he did in his earthly ministry. And we clarified last week that this work is not work that we do ourselves. It's not work in our own strength or isolated from Jesus, but it's work that Jesus is doing through us. The second stunning reality is that Jesus says whatever we ask in his name, he will do it. These are two big claims, and they raise some important questions. Questions like: How exactly will we do greater works?How do we know if we are praying in Jesus's name?Well, the answer to these questions is the Holy Spirit. I couldn't help but talk about the Spirit a little bit last week — Jesus is going to talk a lot about him over the next two chapters — but the first thing we need to know is that the Spirit is sent by Jesus and the Father. The Father and the Son are both ‘in on' the Spirit's coming. Listen to the ways Jesus tells us this …In verse 16, Jesus says the Father will give the Spirit, but it is because the Son asks the Father. In verse 23, speaking of the Spirit's presence in a believer, Jesus says that we, he and the Father, will make our home with him. In verse 26, Jesus says the Father will send the Spirit — but Jesus says it is “in my name.” Later, in 15:16, Jesus says that he will send the Spirit from the Father. So, who sends the Spirit? Where's he from? ‘The Father or the Son?' The answer is Yes.The Holy Spirit has always been active within the Trinity, and at work in creation, but after Jesus's ascension, the Father and Son act together in sending the Spirit on a new mission.Now, why is it important for us to know this? Why does it matter that the Father and Son are together in this?The most obvious reason is that Jesus emphasizes it. Jesus wants us to know this, and I think it's because we need to understand that the Spirit is not some ‘Plan B' in redemptive history. We should not think Jesus introducing the Holy Spirit in this section is some kind of backup option. It's not like things went sideways with the mission of Jesus and now the Spirit is a reinforcement. Not at all. Instead, the sending of the Spirit is according to God's eternal playbook from before the foundation of the world. This is the next step in the Triune God's resolve to bring salvation and magnify his glory. The Spirit is from the Father and the Son.Here's the second thing Jesus tells us about the Spirit.2. The Holy Spirit is the presence of Jesus in our lives. The keyword we need to see here is that word “Helper” in verse 16:“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” The Greek work for “Helper” is the word Paraclete — and it's a title for the Spirit that we only find in John — four times in this Gospel (14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). And it's a glorious word, but it doesn't have a direct translation into English. A couple of translations, the English Standard Version (the one I use) translates it as “Helper.” But the King James translates it “Comforter.” Another translation says “Counselor.” Several translations say “Advocate” (NRSV; NEB; NIV). And really, the meaning is a combination of all those words, but the one idea that's clear in all those translations is the idea of presence. The Paraclete comes alongside.Jesus says in verse 16: the Paraclete, the Spirit, will be “with you forever.”He “dwells in you and will be in you” — verse 17.In the same way Jesus was with his disciples, the Spirit will be with his disciples — as the Spirit of Jesus. And Jesus is going to show us this in a powerful way, but first I want to zoom out for a minute and take the whole New Testament into account.New Testament SurveyThe New Testament talks a lot about the Holy Spirit, and two key ways he's referred to…One way is that he's called the promise of the Father (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; Galatians 3:14). This speaks to the fact that the Spirit is according to God's plan. He's the fulfillment of a promise we see in the Old Testament. The other way to talk about the Spirit is to call him the Spirit of Jesus. In Acts 16:7, Luke says “the Spirit of Jesus” guided their missionary travel. In Romans 8:9, Paul says the “Spirit of Christ” shows that we belong to Christ — the Spirit of Christ is Christ in you. Galatians 4:6 — “God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts.” Philippians 1:19 — Paul says he is helped by “the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”So, biblically, theologically, the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, is so closely identified with Jesus himself that it is right to call him the Spirit of Jesus. Jesus himself tells us this first. The Wonderful AnotherLook back at that word “Helper” in verse 16 and notice the word right before it: another. The Father and Son are sending another Helper. So the Spirit is a new helper, but he's of the same kind as a Helper who came before him. So who is that first Helper? It's Jesus. Jesus was one Paraclete, and now the Spirit is another Paraclete.This means the Spirit is not a replacement for Jesus, but he is the continuation of Jesus's work in a new way. But the Son and Spirit are not just united in their mission, they are united in their essence as God. Both are fulfilling the mission of the triune God to be with his people — the Son is God with us; the Spirit is God in us.This is why Jesus can say to his disciples, verse 18: “I will not leave you as orphans” — Jesus says I'm not really leaving you! He's actually magnifying his presence among them. Get this:The Paraclete is first Jesus himself with his people in person, confined to flesh and blood and dirt; and then the Paraclete is the Holy Spirit in his people — he is the promise of the Father, the Spirit of Jesus, who indwells everyone who trusts in Jesus … he speaks, consoles, guides, teaches — just like Jesus did. Ministering RealnessOne way to say it that connects with language we use is to say that the Holy Spirit ministers the realness of Jesus in our lives.That's the way we should understand Paul's experience toward the end of his life. We know that's where Paul was when he wrote his final letter to Timothy. Paul says in Chapter 4 (of 2 Timothy) that the “time of his departure” has come: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (4:7). And then Paul recounts for Timothy the relational brokenness that laid behind him, and he's honest about how lonely he felt when he awaited trial in Rome; he says “no one came to stand by me” (4:16). But then in verse 17 he says: “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me.”And he's talking about Jesus there. Jesus stood by Paul and strengthened him. And I've long imagined what that was like. Did Jesus step through the wall of Paul's room and wrap his arm around his shoulder? Sometimes I wish Jesus would do that for me — Just be physically in the room and help me like you did Paul! But is that what he did for Paul?I don't think so. What happened for Paul is that the Holy Spirit — the Spirit of Jesus — was so present and so powerful for him that Paul can say it was like Jesus himself standing by him. The Spirit of Jesus manifested the realness of Jesus for Paul — and I want you to know: we should settle for nothing less in the Christian life. That's the aim of our discipleship. The mission of Cities Church is to make joyful disciples of Jesus who remember his realness in all of life. And when we say that, we're talking about the ministry of the Holy Spirit! Because Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit is his presence in our lives.Third thing Jesus tells us …3. The Holy Spirit empowers our love for Jesus in his world. For this third and final point, we need to come to grips with a repeated theme in this passage. Four different times Jesus tells us there is a connection between loving him and keeping his commandments. It's easy to track, first in verse 15, right away:Verse 15: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”Verse 21: “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me.”Verse 23: “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word.”Verse 24: “Whoever does not love me does not keep my words.”And then verse 31 — what Jesus says about our love for him also applies to his love for the Father. Jesus says, verse 31:“I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.”This theme is the clearest thing Jesus says. It's straightforward; no way around it. If you love Jesus, you do what he says. Well what does he say? What are his commandments?What Are His Commandments?The answer here, in short, is the whole Bible. It would be a mistake to truncate what Jesus says as being only the red-letter parts of the Gospels. It's much more than that. Instead, the commandments of Jesus, his word, is the whole revelation of who Jesus is, which blooms into the apostolic testimony, also called the New Testament, which is the fulfillment of the Old Testament.What Jesus says is the whole Bible. Which means: to really love Jesus means your life is shaped and guided by Scripture. The single word for this is obedience. Trust and obey, for there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obeyWe used to sing that song when I was kid growing up in church. It's not rocket-science. We all understand that any kind of real love involves more than only sentiment. It can't be just a feeling. And proof that we know this was yesterday — Valentine's Day.Valentines is an old American holiday. It took off in the late 1800s because a woman named Esther Howland had this idea to mass-produce romantic greeting cards. It became a custom that men would send the ladies they were courting a card. Now 150 years later, fellas, if you did it right: you got a card, and chocolates, and flowers, and a dinner reservation — or some combination of that. But we all know that what you cannot do on Valentine's Day is only say “I love you.” Some activity is expected. Love requires demonstration.Love is not less than affection — affections matter — but there's more. There's activity — and the activity that verifies our love for Jesus is obedience to him in this world. Getting Obedience RightAnd listen: the order of that sentence is really important. We are called to obedience to Jesus in this world. It's not obedience to the world for Jesus. Because get this: the world has its own commandments. There's all kinds of commandments the world says people must keep if they're really about love — like I think we're supposed to acknowledge that we're on ‘stolen land' right now and we're supposed to specify our pronouns, and make certain kinds of statements, and check certain boxes. The world has its own commandments — Recently, someone who hates Jesus told me they wanted to talk to me about our optics for Jesus. … And I said, “No thank you.”Jesus does not need us to try to make him look good by doing what the world tells us to do. Jesus calls us to do what he says in a world that will hate us … a world that will revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely (see Matthew 5:11). We're not called to manage that. We're called to obey Jesus, come what may in this world.And obedience like that is hard, with the pressures around us. How do we do it? How do we obey Jesus here?The answer is: The empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.The Spirit Empowers UsThe love we have for Jesus — and our obedience that demonstrates that love — does not come from our own strength, but it comes through the gift of the Spirit in our lives. I think that's part of what Paul is saying in Romans 5:5. You've heard these verses before: … we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.And the question is what does Paul mean when he says “God's love” — is this the love of God for us OR our love for God. Well, I think it's first God's love for us, but it also includes our love for God, which must always come next. Our love for God is essential to our character — that's why we ultimately will not be put to shame — Because our love for God is actually a gift from God himself. Our love for God is from his Spirit who seals us and keeps us. Theologically, we understand the Holy Spirit is the bond of love between the Father and Son. This is mysterious, and we wrestle with what Scripture says here; we'll see what Jesus says in Chapter 17. But the Holy Spirit, who is the personal love that flows between the Father and Son, is poured into our hearts as the love that unites us to Jesus.Our love for Jesus, demonstrated by our obedience, is empowered by the Spirit. Peace Even HereThe good news we should hear is that our love for Jesus, which he commands, is love his Spirit creates. When Jesus tells us to obey him, he is not pointing us to an impossible ladder — but he's ensuring the divine supply we need for all things that pertain to life and godliness. Jesus doesn't tell us ‘make me bricks without straw' — but he says: We are making our home in you … I'm with you forever … even in this world … even in troubled-heart situations. This is the only way we can have peace. Jesus says, verse 27:“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”That is the ministry of the Holy Spirit to us …Sent by the Father and the Son.Serving the realness of Jesus in our lives.Empowering our love for Jesus in this world. I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit. Aren't you? Thank you, Jesus, for the Holy Spirit. I want more of him! That's what brings us to the Table. The TableJohn shows us, in this Gospel, and in his letters, that love is demonstrated. Our love for Jesus is demonstrated in obedience, but that always follows God's love for us first. John says that we love because God first loved us, and we see that love definitively at the cross. Paul says that in Romans 5 … “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (NASB).That's the best news in the world. If you're here this morning and you're not a Christian, you become a Christian by believing that. Jesus Christ died to save you, a sinner. Believe him. For those of us who do believe, at this Table we rejoice in Jesus and his gospel. If you trust in Jesus, we invite you to eat and drink with us, and give him thanks.

In Acts 2, the disciples experience The Sound of Heaven and discovered how waiting, surrender, and obedience created space for the Holy Spirit to move, transforming ordinary people into powerful witnesses. It's an invitation to move beyond noise and performance into God's real presence, holy fire, and life-changing power.

When the Holy Spirit moves, God's people don't stay stuck, they respond. In Acts 2, ordinary people receive extraordinary power, boldly proclaim the gospel, and move in immediate obedience through repentance and baptism. The same Spirit is moving today. Will you move?

In Acts 6:8–7:60, Stephen is mistreated and martyred, yet he responds by keeping his eyes on Jesus, surrendering his life, and blessing the people that harmed him. When we are hurt or persecuted, the gospel calls us to look to Jesus, surrender our desire for revenge, and extend blessing to those that burden us. Because of Jesus, enduring mistreatment with grace is not weakness – it's a supernatural reflection of Christ's love and witness to the world. 

"The Wise Warnings of the Holy Spirit" | Acts 21:1-16 In our study of the book of Acts this week, the apostle Paul is getting closer and closer to Jerusalem. His days as a free minister of the gospel will soon come to an end. Before long, Paul will be calling himself a prisoner of Christ Jesus.  In Acts 21:1-16, we are told repeatedly that the Holy Spirit is warning the people that if Paul goes to Jerusalem, he will be imprisoned for the gospel. Paul's friends plead with him not to go. Yet, Paul is resolved to go to Jerusalem even though he knows that he will be arrested. What is the point of the warnings of the Holy Spirit if they aren't to protect Paul from being arrested? As we study God's Word this week, we will see that warnings are not always meant to keep us from suffering. Rather, warnings prepare to suffer in ways that honor God and advance the gospel. This is helpful to us when we read warning passages in the Bible. What do we do with the warnings of the Holy Spirit? Thank God the Holy Spirit warns us of the dangers of following Jesus faithfully so that we will keep following faithfully. He does so to equip us to follow with hope and encouragement. As we study The Wise Warnings of the Holy Spirit.  Let's pray that the end result would be that each of us would have a stronger and clearer resolve to take up our cross and follow Jesus. Looking forward to worshipping King Jesus with you all. Invite your friends.

In Acts 12:6–25, we see God's sovereign hand at work as He protects His servants, provides for His people, and brings justice against those who oppose Him. Peter's miraculous rescue, the prayers of the church, and the downfall of Herod all remind us that God is fully in control — even when circumstances seem uncertain or impossible. This passage encourages us to trust Him completely, knowing that His purposes will always prevail.

A single act of obedience can reshape a life. We press into the meaning of baptism with open Bibles and honest hearts, asking what really happens when a believer goes under the water and rises again. Not magic. Not empty ritual. Baptism is a vivid sign of grace: a burial of the old self and a public celebration of new life with Jesus.We start with Romans 6 to frame baptism as immersion and identification—into Christ's death and resurrection. From there, we map the Bible's diverse baptisms: Israel “baptized into Moses” and formed into one people, the baptism of suffering that Christ fulfilled at the cross, the baptism of the Holy Spirit promised to all who believe, and the baptism of fire that warns of coming judgment. Each thread points to the same core: what you are immersed in is what you are identified with. For the believer, water becomes a stage where faith steps into the spotlight and discipleship takes its first public breath.We also talk order and obedience. In Acts, people believe the gospel, receive the Holy Spirit, and then are baptized. Faith saves; baptism shows. That sequence protects the gospel while honoring Jesus' clear command in the Great Commission. The act is humbling and simple—step into the water because your Lord said so—and yet it's deeply pastoral. Baptism helps us feel what we cannot see: forgiveness granted, the Spirit given, a future secured. It anchors memory to mercy. And it roots us in community, where one Lord, one faith, and one baptism unite diverse people into a single body.We close with the striking truth that Jesus himself was baptized. Sinless, he chose the water to stand with sinners and to launch a ministry aimed at the cross. If you've trusted him, baptism is your joyful yes—an embodied amen to grace. If you're on the edge of faith, consider the invitation and the promise that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.Video available at: https://youtu.be/7Ypcq131dvw

In Acts 3 we have the story of a healed man, and in this sermon we consider what that story might tell us about who we are and what is available to us. 

In this edition of UBC Sermon Discussions Pastor Jason answers questions from his sermon out of 1 Corinthians 1:10-17. The main idea for the sermon was: A maturing church unites around the person of Christ, not in the personalities of men.Questions discussed in this episode:Q. In the text, Paul addresses the problem of division. What is the root of division (A person who is being divisive)?Q. In the sermon, you talked quite a bit about baptism. One of the things you said was “Baptism isn't required for salvation.” We got a few questions about baptism:In Acts 2:38, Peter says “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” Isn't Peter saying that we need to be baptized to have our sins forgiven?What about the person who has professed to be saved for some time, but refuses to be baptized? When asked about it, they say “Well, I don't need to be baptized to be saved.” How do you respond to that?I was baptized as an infant. Do I need to get baptized again?Q. You introduced the idea of “Christian tribalism” and said it was “locking in too tightly on your preferred Christian leader and their teachings.” You also said that one of the warning signs of Christian tribalism is “lacking the ability to give grace regarding secondary or tertiary matters.” Let me ask you a few questions about that.Can you remind us of what you mean by primary, secondary, and tertiary matters?Let me list a handful of things and you can tell me what category you would consider it to beExpository preachingBaptismThe raptureThe TrinityHellBad Bunny and Kid Rock Super Bowl Halftime ShowWomen preachingWho Jesus is his death on the cross his resurrectionSign gifts - Speaking in tongues - Prophecy - HealingSexuality - Homosexuality - Gender identity Are discussions around theological differences important to have with my Christian community?We have created a place where you can send us your questions regarding the sermons or topics we discuss in these podcasts. Send them to sermonquestions@ubcbeavercreek.com.

In Acts 14, Pastor Jeff unpacks how Paul and Barnabas went from being worshipped as gods to being stoned and left for dead—yet immediately returned to preaching. Through their example, we learn five crucial truths for spiritual growth: continue speaking boldly when opposed, trust God's work in others, redirect praise to God alone, keep serving after being hurt, and strengthen fellow believers for lasting impact. This powerful message challenges us to embrace trials as God's transformative curriculum. Want to discover how trials can build unshakeable faith? Don't miss this inspiring sermon. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

In Acts 3 and 4:1-22, Pastor Ben Stuart explores how the early Church interacted with the surrounding culture. Using Peter as an example, he shows how bold faith holds together both truth and invitation—being honest about sin while pointing people toward God's forgiveness and grace.Key Verses // Acts 3-4:22—Give towards what God is doing through Passion City Church: https://passioncitychurch.com/dc/give—Subscribe to our Youtube channel to see more messages https://www.youtube.com/passioncitychurchdc—Follow along with Passion City Church DC: https://www.instagram.com/passioncitydc—Follow along with Pastor Ben Stuart: https://www.instagram.com/ben_stuart_—Passion City Church is a Jesus church with locations in Atlanta and Washington D.C. For more info on Passion, visit https://passioncitychurch.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Patrick starts by confronting questions about church leadership from the Book of Titus, then explains Catholic teachings like papal infallibility and celibacy with clarity. Listeners reach out with stories of visions and faith struggles, seeking Patrick’s take on supernatural experiences, the nature of belief through hardship, and everyday spiritual choices. From why bishops wear the zucchetto to thoughtful guidance on confirmation sponsors, from Super Bowl halftime controversy to the complicated legacy of the Jesuits and questions from a convert out of Mormonism, Patrick brings a thoughtful, grounded response to every turn. Taylor (email) – Question about Papal infallibility (00:55) Bobbie - About 5 years ago during Palm Sunday, I went to get a Palm and had a vision of a godless world. (07:32) Anilu (13-years-old) - Can my confirmation sponsor also be my godparent? (16:33) Brett - I am a Catholic with a Jewish background. I wore a Jewish garment to Church, and someone complained. What do you think? (19:59) Bob - I was very upset about the Bad Bunny music at the Super Bowl, and no one actually said anything about the meaning of the words. I don't think we should praise this guy. (25:42) James - Do you have any good resources on the Jesuits? (31:09) Sarah (email) - In Acts, Peter receives direct visions and prophetic-like guidance. What is the best way to understand and explain why Peter retained prophetic abilities and continued to add to the deposit of faith but that this charism was no longer needed after that deposit was essentially completed upon the deaths of the apostles? Why was that given to him as an apostle, but not to later popes, if the Church needs ongoing direction? (38:59)

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 10-12; Acts 16 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible podcast! On this episode, recorded February 9th, 2024, your host Hunter continues guiding us through our Bible reading journey—today marking day 40. We dive into Leviticus chapters 10 through 12 and Acts 16, exploring stories of tradition, holiness, and transformation. Hunter reflects on the tale of Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, and their "strange fire"—a warning against trying to manipulate God and a reminder of the dangers of seeking control. Drawing parallels to the book of Acts, Hunter compares this to moments where others attempted to wield power for their own gain, and contrasts it with the fire of the Holy Spirit, a gift that brings true life, healing, and joy when simply received in faith. Throughout the episode, listeners are invited to pause, pray, and reflect on the words of Scripture, joining Hunter in prayers for encouragement, peace, and unity. The podcast is a vibrant mix of daily readings, thoughtful spiritual commentary, and heartfelt prayers, all anchored in the hope that we are deeply loved and called to live empowered by God's Spirit. Stay with us as we journey together—reading, praying, and letting God's joy be our strength. TODAY'S DEVOTION: We all struggle with the desire to manipulate and control, to offer our own strange fire, if you will. Tragically, it consumes us too. But there's a kind of fire that doesn't consume and kill. That's the fire that we see in the Holy Spirit. This is a fire that comes to dwell with us. In Acts 2, we see the Holy Spirit descend in tongues of fire. This is a fire that is bestowed on us and received. It's not manipulated. It's given to us, not through our own effort or designs. Instead, it descends on us. It's a gift from heaven. How do we become carriers of this fire of life? Paul and Silas tell the Philippian jailer, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you'll be saved along with everyone in your household." It seems like all of us in some way or another want to work with strange fire and gain control. It's no different now than it was then. The slave owners in Acts 16 have a girl that tells the future—this is a strange fire. The political leaders in town wanted to pacify the mob—they're playing with strange fire. The jailer drew his sword to kill himself for fear of his own execution—this, too, is a kind of strange fire. Strange fire is all about wanting to control and manipulate to ensure our future or to get what we want, whether it's fortune, power, honor. We all want to make strange fire to get these things. Our strategies appear to work for a while, but in the end, like Nadab and Abihu, it doubles back and ends up consuming us in the end. There are two kinds of fire. One is strange and will ultimately consume us. It's fueled by the desire to control, to manipulate. The other kind is the fire of God's presence that's received as a gift. What do we do for that? We believe in the Lord Jesus. We trust in him. We say yes to him. We say yes to his life. We give up control. We give up on our need to coerce. This is a life-giving fire that dwells within us, entirely bestowed upon us by his grace. It does not consume. It does not kill. Instead, it purifies us, heals us, and offers us his life. It creates within us something new, and offers us true riches, true power, true honor. And all these things are a gift. It is the holy fire of God in us. Today, you can live and walk in the reality of the fire that comes down from heaven. It is your life—the Holy Spirit, Christ in you. This gift has been bestowed upon you. Live in this fire today. Abide in it, not trying to control and conjure up things, but simply resting and receiving Christ's life. That's the prayer that I have for my own soul. That's the prayer that I have for my family, for my wife, and my daughters, and my son. And that's a prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

The Lord ReignsActs 1:9-26Teacher: Pastor Tommy BaileyDate: February 8, 2026The Ascension is perhaps among the least considered aspects of the work of Jesus, yet it is a decisive turning point in the history of God's redemptive work. In Acts 1:9–26, Jesus is exalted above all rule and authority as the Lord of all. His Ascension is not his absence, but the moment that sets the table for the outpouring of his Spirit upon all who call on His name.Join Pastor Tommy as we consider why the Ascension matters, how it reshapes the life of the Church, and the sure hope it gives us as we place our trust in the Lord who reigns now and will one day return.To find more resources like these, follow us:Website: https://thevillagechapel.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQVTzDbaiXVUAm_mUBDCTJAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tvcnashville/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tvcnashvilleX: https://twitter.com/tvcnashvilleTo support the ongoing mission of The Village Chapel go to https://thevillagechapel.com/give/. If you are a regular giver, thank you for your continued faithfulness and generosity!

February 8, 2026 Just like the Super Bowl highlights a few players while dozens work faithfully behind the scenes, the church only thrives when everyone steps off the sidelines and uses their gifts to serve. In Acts 6, the early church faced growing pains and discovered that when each person stepped into their God-given calling—listening to needs, sharing responsibility, and serving where they were gifted—the church grew stronger, healthier, and the gospel spread further. The invitation for us is simple: don't just attend church, get in the game, because when every part of the body serves, God multiplies the impact. About this Sermon Series: The book of Acts tells the story of how the exalted Christ sends His Spirit to empower His people to continue His work in the world. Through the Spirit's power, ordinary believers boldly proclaim the gospel, witness miraculous works, and form vibrant communities that embody God's welcome to all people. Acts traces how the church's witness, energized by the Spirit, extends from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, revealing Christ's ongoing work through His people and the Spirit's leading in every new challenge and opportunity.

Session: 5 Date of First Use: February 22, 2025 Title: Jesus Shared The Point: Our daily connections with people can be opportunities to share Christ. The Bible Meets Life:  America is a diverse country of cultures, ethnicities, worldviews, and preferences. It is our human nature to gravitate toward people who are most like us, but the beauty of the gospel is that it is not only for people “just like us.” The gospel speaks to any culture, any time, and any place. In Acts 17, Paul gave us an example of how to communicate the gospel in any situation. Session Passage: Acts 17:16-18,22-23,30-31  

In this message, Pastor Trenton preached from Acts 2:14–36. In Acts 2, we see God move as the Holy Spirit is poured out and the early Church begins. Yet even in this powerful moment, many people misunderstood what was happening and failed to recognize it as the work of God. We often want God to move in our lives, but we're not always sure what that should look like. Acts 2 doesn't just show us that the Spirit moved; it shows us how to recognize when God is truly at work. If you're longing to see God move in your life and want to know how to recognize it, this message is for you.

The Christian life is not defined by a single powerful moment. Instead, Scripture shows us that formation happens through both moments and marathons. In Acts 19, the church in Ephesus experienced a defining moment where God moved powerfully to save its people and bring revival to the city. But years later, Paul wrote Ephesians to guide them through the long obedience of faithful discipleship. Eventually, Jesus Himself addressed this church in Revelation, warning that perseverance without love leads to drift. The invitation of the gospel is not to grit our teeth through the race, but to keep falling in love with Jesus. To do this we must learn to guard our hearts, walk in community, practice faithfulness, and rely on the Holy Spirit to form us peace by piece over the long haul.

** Due to technical difficulties, this sermon was edited, which may result in a few uneven transitions. We hope it is an encouragement all the same! This week, we continue our series in Acts, Preaching and Persecution. In Acts 7-8, we see the aftermath of Stephen's sermon and its effect on the church. Pastor Eric shares three points from the text: 1) The Stoning of Stephen: Following Jesus comes with hardship and suffering. 2) The Persecution from Saul: God can use the worst of men for his divine purposes. 3) Philip Proclaims Jesus to Samaria: Resurrection joy propels us out of crucifying agony.

This Sunday, we continued our Church on Fire series by hearing Jesus redefine what real power looks like: not control, not comfort, not having all the answers—but receiving the Holy Spirit and becoming His witnesses. In Acts 1:6–12, the disciples ask about restoring their own kingdom, but Jesus redirects them toward a greater calling: a Spirit-empowered life that bears witness to His Kingdom in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. We were reminded that God doesn't always give us explanations—He gives us assignments. The power of the Holy Spirit isn't for self-preservation, but for transformation, sending us into everyday spaces to tell the truth about what we've seen and experienced in Jesus. As a church, we're being invited to stop waiting until we have it all together and step into our identity now as Spirit-filled witnesses—people who go with Jesus so others might be found.

The Christian life is not defined by a single powerful moment. Instead, Scripture shows us that formation happens through both moments and marathons. In Acts 19, the church in Ephesus experienced a defining moment where God moved powerfully to save its people and bring revival to the city. But years later, Paul wrote Ephesians to guide them through the long obedience of faithful discipleship. Eventually, Jesus Himself addressed this church in Revelation, warning that perseverance without love leads to drift. The invitation of the gospel is not to grit our teeth through the race, but to keep falling in love with Jesus. To do this we must learn to guard our hearts, walk in community, practice faithfulness, and rely on the Holy Spirit to form us peace by piece over the long haul.

In Acts 11–12, we witness the unstoppable growth of the early church as the gospel spreads beyond Jerusalem into the wider world. Scattered believers preach the Lord Jesus, the hand of the Lord brings salvation, and the church grows through teaching, generosity, and steadfast faith—even in the face of persecution. This passage reminds us that growth is God's work, accomplished through His grace, His Word, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

In Acts 24–26, Pastor Jamie walks through Paul's bold defense before kings and governors, showing how obedience to God and confidence in the resurrection fueled his courage—even in chains. This sermon calls us to anchor our lives in the risen Christ and to prayerfully seek the Spirit's help to live as faithful witnesses right where God has placed us.

In Acts 9:1-19, God turned the world upside down for Christianity's #1 enemy: Saul of Tarsus. Appearing to him on the Damascus road, Jesus called him out of darkness and into the light. Nothing is impossible with God! Pastor Doug Horner preaches a message titled, "The Conversion of Saul."

What if the most ordinary day of your life became the moment everything changed? In Acts 3, a man expecting spare change encounters the life-altering power of Jesus, and nothing is ever the same. This message explores how God often works through everyday faithfulness, unexpected interruptions, and simple obedience. If you've ever felt stuck in routine… If you've wondered whether God still moves in ordinary moments… If you're longing for hope that reaches real life… This episode is for you. Discover how grace shows up when we least expect it—and how God can transform what feels normal into something miraculous.

Since before the world was created, God has had a master plan to deliver people from evil. He cared for us so much that He was willing to endure pain to redeem us. In Acts 14:20, we read about Jesus and the disciples preaching in a city called Derbe. It says that, “Jesus then was busy strengthening the souls of his disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations, we must enter the kingdom of God.” God wants us to know that the journey we are on ends with a destination, and along the journey, we must be prepared to endure hardship for his sake. His compassion for the whole world is summed in maybe the most famous verse in all Scripture, John 3:16, which says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” And that's it. That's the whole point of living this Christian life. It isn't complicated in terms of understanding, but it can be hard to live out. There are currently 7.4 billion people on the planet, and most have not received Christ. Many have not even heard Him yet, hard as that is to believe. There's still a lot of work to be done. 700 years before Jesus, the prophet Isaiah saw God's throne in a vision. And the Lord said there, “Who can we send? Who will go for us?” Isaiah eagerly said, “Here I am. Send me.” This is the willing heart God is looking for. We live in this world with all its misery and beauty, chaos and harmony. We are to share the Good News of Jesus. And if we do that from a willing heart, God is faithful to use our efforts to advance His kingdom. And that is our purpose. Would you pray with me?Father God, your great plan from the beginning is right on schedule. It's always on schedule. We love you. Nothing, and no one, stops you from accomplishing your will. See us through to the end, Lord, that we can accomplish your will for our lives. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

What happens when God shows you something about a person that contradicts everything you know about them? In Acts 9, Ananias received a vision to minister to Saul—the very man who was persecuting believers. God wasn't asking Ananias to see who Saul was. He was asking him to see who Saul was becoming. In this episode, we explore what it means to let God bypass our biases and defenses to show us what He's doing in people we might have written off—including a look at the incredible move of God happening in Iran right now.The Dreamers Collective School of Interpretation launches February 15th on Skool, and registration is now open! This 6-month mentorship will take you from dreaming passively to interpreting actively with God. Sign up by February 17th and receive a bonus teaching from Rev. Tif Shahid on inner healing and deliverance. Limited to 20 students. Learn more here!

When the church commits to the Great Commission, opposition is inevitable—but backing down is optional. In Acts 11–15, we see an unstoppable movement fueled by prayer, obedience, and the power of the Holy Spirit. As persecution rises, God shifts the center of the church from Jerusalem to Antioch, launching a diverse, mission-focused community that takes the gospel to the nations. When believers refuse to back down, God faithfully backs them up—and His Word continues to grow and multiply.

Jesus didn't stop working at the resurrection, He began something that continues today. In Acts 1, discover how Christ is still at work through His Spirit and His people.

What do you do when following God leads to unexpected struggles? In Acts 16, Paul faces adversity at every turn on his missionary journey—closed doors, beatings, imprisonment. Yet through it all, he discovers three powerful truths: God redeems adversity in unexpected ways, the gospel transforms lives, and we're called to live for His glory while trusting Him completely.

In Acts 1:1–11, Jesus calls us to wait with trust but not stand still—staying present in our “Jerusalem,” releasing what we can't control, and taking Spirit-empowered steps into God's mission.

This week, we begin a new series in Acts, Preaching and Persecution. In Acts 7, we see Stephen's sermon recounting the history of Israel and their repeated resistance of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Eric shares three points from the text: 1) The Story of God's People 2) The Resistance of Man 3) The Faithfulness of God

In Acts 17, the Gospel meets culture head-on and calls us turn from idols to the living God. This message explores how Scripture shapes thinking, why what is consumed matters, and what it looks like to respond to the Gospel daily. A challenge to live surrendered to King Jesus and ache for others to know Him.

In Acts 5:12–42, the apostles keep telling people about Jesus, even when they are arrested and beaten. In the midst of this, God keeps the message moving forward, and no one is able to stop the mission of God through His people. Here's what we learn from this: the advancement of the gospel is the evidence of the validity of the gospel!

In Acts 4, we are given a snapshot of what life looks like when resurrection power moves beyond a moment and into a community.This message explores how the Holy Spirit reshapes everyday life, not just our beliefs or worship gatherings. We see a church formed by covenant rather than convenience, marked by deep commitment to one another, a transformed relationship with possessions, and a shared responsibility for those in need.Rather than mastering spiritual content, the early church was shaped by the living presence of Jesus. Their unity, generosity, and care for one another became a visible witness to the resurrection. Not through programs or pressure, but through a reordered way of life.This teaching invites us to consider how resurrection life takes shape in ordinary spaces. Our relationships, our resources, and our response to need. It is a call to move from consumer Christianity toward a rooted, shared life centered on Jesus.