Podcasts about in acts

In Acts 16, a fortune telling girl follows Paul through Philippi shouting things that are technically true, and he silences her with the name of Jesus. We look at the kind of spirituality she represented, the Delphi brand that kings and business owners paid good money for, and how accurate words can still be arranged into a lie. Most of us listened to a dozen voices before we ever walked into church, so the question is whose voice gets the final say.From there we go back to Acts 1 and the bigger story. Luke tells us what Jesus began to do, and Acts is that same ministry continuing through the local church: preaching the kingdom, healing the sick, casting out demons. We talk about deliverance as daily rather than as a special event, about the difference between what needs a doctor or a counselor and what needs the authority of Jesus, and about how the only power the enemy has over a child of God is our agreement with his lies.

What do you do when life doesn't turn out the way you expected?You thought you'd be further along by now.You thought the relationship would last.You thought the diagnosis wouldn't come.You thought the job was secure.And then the storm hit.In Acts 27–28, the apostle Paul is on his way to Rome—confident in a promise God had already spoken over his life. But before he reaches his destination, he faces a violent storm that tears apart the ship, disrupts the journey, and threatens every life on board.Yet what looked like disaster became a platform for God's purpose.In Shipwrecked, we'll discover that storms are often unexpected—but never outside of God's control. What feels like a delay may actually be divine positioning. What looks like a detour may be preparation for something greater.Because the storm may change your plans—but it does not change God's purpose.At Discover Church, we exist to see our city changed by Jesus, one life at a time, by helping people discover LIFE in Christ, BELONGING in Community & PURPOSE in God's Calling on their life so that they can MAKE A DIFFERENCE.-You can join us live on Sunday mornings at 9:00 or 11:00 am, either in person or online! Visit www.discoverchurchkc.com for more information!

The Mission that Gives Life MeaningActs 13Teacher: Pastor Jim ThomasDate: August 2, 2026Everyone of us is curious about the purpose of life. Everyone of us wants to have a mission with meaning. And those longings are a sign that God designed us, heart, mind and soul, with a desire for something more than just a career, more than physical pleasures, and more than a big fat paycheck.In Acts 13, an ordinary church in Antioch discovers exactly what that "something more" looks like — a Spirit-sent mission that carries the gospel from a Roman proconsul in Cyprus to a synagogue in Asia Minor, and eventually, down through two thousand years, to us. This message traces that journey and makes the case that the deepest meaning you're searching for was never found by climbing higher — it's found by being sent.Join Pastor Jim as he walks us through the first recorded sermon by the apostle Paul and draws some timeless truths that will inspire and encourage all of us who are looking for a mission that gives life meaning.Support the showTo 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!

Weekend Scripture: Acts 3-4 Resilience is both strong and flexible. Carl Kuhl joins us to kick off our series on Resilience. We need the strength of resilience to resist temptation. In Acts 3 and 4, we see that resilient strength is ready at unpredictable times, grounded in Scripture, and unwavering in proclaiming the full truth of Jesus. Resilient strength is formed in the Church, so get in the Word, get in community, give, and serve.

What languages do you speak? In Acts chapter 13, we see that even over hundreds of years, the message of the Gospel never changed even when the language did. What does the Gospel sound like where you are?MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49644696RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.orgBLOG: https://www.canyonridge.org/blogs/

What do you do when there seems to be no way forward?In Acts 12, Peter is sitting in prison, chained between guards and waiting for what feels like the inevitable. From every human perspective, the situation is hopeless. But while Peter waits, the church prays. They don't have a strategy or a backup plan. They simply come before God with desperate, expectant faith.This message reminds us that prayer isn't our last resort. It's our first response. Whether you're facing anxiety, broken relationships, financial pressure, addiction, grief, or simply wondering if God is still at work, Acts 12 invites us to keep bringing it all to Him. The early church didn't watch Peter's chains fall off, but their prayers still mattered. And the same is true for us today. God is still listening, still working, and still inviting His people to trust Him with what feels impossible.

In Acts 13 the Spirit moves the church from local safety in Antioch to global mission, sending Barnabas and Saul after worship, fasting, and prayer. In this message, Matthew talks through how the gospel advances through a unique leadership team, Spirit-directed obedience, and direct confrontation with darkness, never staying bottled or comfortable. Paul then preaches a clear, historical, verifiable message centered on Jesus as the promised Savior who brings forgiveness and freedom the law could never give. The gospel always demands a verdict—some rejoice and believe while others resist—and it still does the same today. Will you keep open hands, worship and fast with expectation, and proclaim the only story that saves?

Every day we're faced with voices telling us what to believe, who to trust, and what God wants for our lives. But what if the loudest voices are wrong? In Acts 21, Paul is surrounded by assumptions, rumors, and a furious crowd, yet he shows us how to discern God's voice in the middle of chaos. Discover a biblical framework for testing what you hear before you trust it, so you can confidently follow Christ no matter the circumstances.

What if the biggest threat to your church isn't disagreement—but trying to create unity without the Holy Spirit?In Acts 11, the early church faced one of its greatest challenges. Jews and Gentiles were coming together for the first time, old prejudices were being broken, and God was doing something no one expected. What kept the church from falling apart wasn't better organization or stronger personalities—it was the leadership of the Holy Spirit.In this message, you'll discover how the Holy Spirit leads individual believers, guides the entire church, confirms His work through other Christians, and produces a unity that no human effort can manufacture. You'll also learn why many modern ideas of church unity fall short of God's design and how true unity is always built on biblical truth, not compromise.If you've ever wondered how to recognize God's leading, how churches should make important decisions, or what genuine Christian unity really looks like, Acts 11 gives a timeless answer. You'll see how Peter, Barnabas, and the believers in Antioch followed the Spirit's direction and became part of one of the greatest movements in church history. Watch until the end to discover the simple principle that unites believers across every background, personality, and culture—and why losing it leads to confusion instead of revival. If this message encouraged you, consider subscribing for more verse-by-verse Bible teaching and biblical preaching that helps you know Christ, follow the Holy Spirit, and live out your faith.

Break My Chains, O Deliverer! "Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists." Acts 12:7 In the depths of our hearts, we cry out for liberation, a fervent plea steeped in the darkness of our chains. Each chain weighs heavy, wrapped around our spirits, holding us back from the radiant light God offers. We yearn for the dawn that bursts forth from our deepest night, a signal of hope, a testament of His relentless love. In the stillness of our desperation, we find that one touch from the Almighty can end years of bondage, leading us into a realm of unparalleled freedom. The story of Peter, confined in a prison with iron chains shackling his hands, echoes through time. In Acts 12:7, an angel of the Lord appears, illuminating the darkness and declaring, “Get up quickly; and the chains fell off his hands.” God's divine intervention is a powerful reminder of how swiftly He can break every cycle and every addiction that confines us. Psalm 107:14 beautifully reassures us that He “brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains in pieces.” Psalm 23:4 says, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Reflect on your own life. What chains have held you captive? Lay them before the Lord in desperation, believing that His light can strike through the shadows that cloud your soul. Allow His presence to fill the void of fear and despair, transforming your heart's cries into affirmations of faith. Embrace the truth that we are children of the Most High, meant to walk in victory and not in defeat. As we lift our voices in prophetic prayer today, let's declare: "Chains of addiction, I command you to break! Struggles that bind me, I release you into the hands of the Deliverer!" Be bold, speak your freedom into existence. And feel the chains fall away as you invite His liberating spirit into your circumstances. Amen. Nahum 1:13, "Now I will break the yoke of bondage from your neck and tear off the chains of Assyrian oppression.” Amen. Prayer for the Day!Heavenly Father, thank You for Your relentless love, for each moment of grace we receive. Light of God, flood my night; shatter iron chains and lead me beyond every gate that keeps me confined. In the powerful name of Jesus, I declare my freedom and walk forth in the fullness of Your peace. In Jesus name. Amen. https://maglife.org

In Acts 19:11-12, Paul was used by God to perform extraordinary miracles, but what are normal miracles, and what's the difference between an extraordinary miracle and a normal one? Can we see miracles today, and if so, why don't we see more? We take a deep dive in this teaching, exploring what the Bible says about miracles. Have a listen and let your faith be inspired to believe for more miracles in your life and in the lives of those you know. This message is available at https://www.preachtheword.com now in MP3 audio format...

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 Procrastination. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit's fruit of Self-Control. “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: ““Jesus, Teach Us To Pray””, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

In Acts 24, we learn about a man who procrastinated, putting off giving his heart to Jesus Christ, and in all likelihood is in Hell today. Learn about the reasons we procrastinate and also some principles on how not to procrastinate

It's Thursday, July 30th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark and Adam McManus Iranian Muslim authorities shut down oldest Protestant church Iranian officials recently shut down the oldest Protestant church in the country. Christians have held worship services at St. Peter's Evangelical Church in Tehran for 150 years. Authorities have now seized the property and banned church gatherings there. They also ordered 28 families living on the church compound to leave. Iran has been seizing Protestant church properties for years. Mansour Khajehpour previously served as an elder at St. Peter's Church. He told Christianity Today that the church in Iran grows despite persecution. He said, “This is the dynamic reality of the church. The church will not die. The church will grow, and we are a part of that church.” In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said, “On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.” United States launched strikes on Iran last night Speaking of Iran, the United States began launching strikes on Iran at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 29th, according to the U.S. Central Command. The U.S. attacks were “a powerful response to [Tuesday's] attempted Iranian attacks on U.S. forces based in the Middle East.” The attacks by Iran on U.S. forces did not get past U.S. defenses. And The Western Journal reports that foreign governments are taking part in the fighting now, where they hadn't before. For the first time, the Saudi Arabian military joined with the U.S. in striking Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, reports the Associated Press. Retired Navy Vice Adm. Robert Harward, a retired SEAL and former deputy CENTCOM commander, said, “You see the Lebanese government making an agreement with Israel to undermine and try to get rid of Hezbollah.” He added, “You're seeing the pressure build on Iran on all fronts.” Ukrainian refugees have planted 160 churches across Europe Millions of Ukrainians have fled their homes since Russia invaded the country in 2022. Despite this, these refugees have planted churches across Europe.  European Christian Mission International reports displaced Ukrainians have started 160 churches in Europe in the last four years.   A report from the organization stated, “Increasingly, Ukrainian believers are refusing to see themselves only as refugees. Instead, many are embracing a different calling - missionaries sent by God into the nations of Europe.” Canadian labor board ruled in favor of COVID-shot rejecter LifeSiteNews reports that a Canadian labor board ruled in favor of a Christian man who objected to the COVID-shot mandate. The Canadian Revenue Agency suspended Steven Porter without pay after denying his religious exemption. The agency must now pay $5,000 in damages to Porter.  He wrote in his exemption request, “Christ is my supreme King and Lord and I am subject to His final authority alone in all matters of life, faith and conscience.” In Acts 5:29, the apostles said, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Senator questions CDC's billion-dollar COVID-shot contract to Pfizer The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded $1.24 billion in COVID-shot contracts to Pfizer last month. Republican Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin questioned this decision in a letter to Secretary of Health & Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  Johnson wrote, “The CDC's reported awarding of approximately $1.24 billion in new contracts to Pfizer for a vaccine linked to serious adverse events—including potentially the deaths of children—suggests [that the] CDC continues to fail to take its vaccine safety responsibilities seriously.” Pro-lifer Paul Vaughn got settlement over wrongful arrest Praise God! A pro-life, Christian father reached a $1 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice. The case involved his wrongful arrest under the Biden administration, reports Highlight Truth Ministries. Federal agents raided the Tennessee home of Paul Vaughn in 2022 and arrested him for his pro-life activism.  My family and I had the honor of meeting Paul Vaughn several years ago. He's an amazing Christian patriot. Steve Crampton, Senior Counsel at the Thomas More Society, said, “This settlement is not just about one family. It is a warning and a precedent. The weaponization of federal law enforcement against pro-lifers, against people of faith, against those who dare to stand for the unborn—that era is over.” Treasury has saved $99 million from going to dead recipients The U.S. Department of the Treasury implemented a new payment verification process.  The safeguard has already kept about $99 million from being sent to deceased individuals.  Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, “Treasury has delivered on a key promise of President Trump's mandate to stop improper payments and fraud before money leaves the Treasury, and strengthen the integrity of the federal payment system.” 70th anniversary of America's “In God We Trust” motto Today is the 70th anniversary of when “In God We Trust” became America's motto. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the law on July 30, 1956. The resolution also required the motto to appear on all U.S. currency.   Democratic Representative Charles Bennett of Florida introduced the resolution. He said, “Nothing can be more certain than that our country was founded in a spiritual atmosphere and with a firm trust in God. ... In these days when imperialistic and materialistic communism seeks to attack and destroy freedom, we should continually look for ways to strengthen the foundations of our freedom.” Texan mother shares that her kids have contributed Here at The Worldview in 5 Minutes newscast, Leticia in Blum Texas wrote, “Adam, we are so thankful for your radio newscast. It is a great encouragement to us! We listen to it on the road or when we're at home. It is great to hear stories that I know wouldn't normally make it into traditional newscasts. “The Worldview is concise and informative! Thankful for the work you are doing!  Our four children -- Fletcher (15), Halen (12), Beck (10), and Murphy (7) -- contributed some of their money to our donation.” McVeda kids' mother in Montana contemplates why sponsor this newscast And Melissa McVeda, the mother of the four kids under the age of 11 in Great Falls, Montana who have raised hundreds of dollars for The Worldview selling chocolate chip cookies, iced tea and hand crocheted puppets on their dairy farm, weighed in with her thoughts. She wrote, “Adam, there are so many ministries that I would like to donate to: earnest missionaries and people hurting from natural disasters, among others. In light of those needs, it has been difficult for me to reconcile giving to The Worldview. And I imagine I'm not alone in that. “Because of my kids' fundraiser, which naturally has come to involve the entire family, I've spent time considering if The Worldview is worth the effort and funds we're putting into it. This is the primary answer I have seen:  “I would not KNOW about many of the other needs if it weren't for The Worldview in 5 Minutes! Your newscast is a connection point -- a bridge, if you will - between Christians and people in need around the world.  “Because of this ‘bridge,' I heard about the dear brother in Uganda who lost both of his hands to his Muslim family's persecution. And God stirred me to pray for his faith not to be shaken! Because of The Worldview, I heard about the steadfast pro-life sister in Britain who recently was killed. I rejoiced to hear how God used her faithfulness and I was stirred to consider if she has family who are grieving.  “The Worldview IS an important ministry. It is connecting those who have a supply to those who have needs as 2 Corinthians 8:13-15 articulates. It is also building the Body of Christ as brothers and sisters across the world hear about each other and pray for and encourage each other as a result.  “I remember when I first heard about The Worldview in 5 Minutes back in 2018. Kevin Swanson was sharing how he had personally invested $30,000/year of his own money to fund it when it started in 2015.  He had recently reached out to this man, Adam McManus, a talk show host down in San Antonio Texas, to see if Adam would voice the newscast. Kevin, obviously, had a vision for how God would use The Worldview. “One final note. Yesterday, when my kids and I heard you cite some of the large donations coming in, where people were giving one-time donations of $500 and $1,000, I realized that those donors were not just donating for the benefit that they, themselves, receive from The Worldview. They were also donating so that someone else could have the same benefits.  I praise God for the work He's doing through this newscast.” 11 Worldview listeners gave $1,775.96 And finally, by Wednesday night at 8:00pm Central, 11 Worldview listeners stepped up to the plate and invested their treasure to fund the 6-member team behind The Worldview for another year. Our thanks to Augustine in Auburn, California and Ben in Eureka, California – both of whom gave $20 as well as Carri in Oro Valley, Arizona who gave $25, and Bethany in Austin, Texas who gave $50. We're grateful to God for an anonymous donor in Oxford, New York and David in Houston, Texas – both of whom gave $100, and the McVeda Kids in Great Falls, Montana who gave another $160.96! We appreciate Steven in Ulster Park, New York and James in Lancaster, South Carolina – both of whom gave $200 as well as Leticia and her kids Fletcher, Halen, Beck, and Murphy in Blum, Texas who also gave $200. And we were touched by the generosity of Karl in Grand Rapids, Michigan who gave $700. Those 11 gifts add up to $1,775.96. Ready for our new grand total? Drum roll please. (drum roll sound effect) $ 81,119.96 (sound effect of people cheering) We need to raise $42,380.04 by midnight on Friday, July 31! That means in order to hit our final goal of $123,500 by tomorrow night, Friday, July 31st, God needs to prompt folks to give a seemingly impossible amount of $42,380.04 in order for the 6-member Worldview newscast team to be fully funded for another year. I see the finish line from here.  But, without God's help, we are not going to get across it! We still have matches open for the next 4 people who give a one-time gift of $500 because our friend in Naples, Florida will match your gift with another $2,000 of his own money. If those four donations come in, that would leave the difference of $38,380.  Listen. Could you be one of 38 people – just 38 -- to give a one-time gift of $1,000? Or, if that's not doable right now, would you consider a monthly pledge of $83.33? No gift is too big or too small.  We have received a $5 gift and a $2,400 gift.  If everyone does something, we can get there with the Lord's help. Just ask Him. “Lord, how has this newscast made a difference in my life?”  What is that worth to you?  We had a college student sacrificially give $500.  We've had Africans in Eswatini, who have very little funds, invest $10/month. And we've had kids raise hundreds of dollars through creative fundraisers selling cookies and hardboiled eggs and lemonade. Just go to TheWorldview.com, click on Give, select the dollar amount, and make sure to click on the “recurring” button if that's your wish.  This newscast team champions the truth and uses the Bible as our plumbline.  Don't forget: The Worldview in 5 Minutes is commercial free. We have no sponsors. Nor do we have a pay wall.  Anyone who wants to access this newscast can get it for free. So, all we have is you! What is God prompting you to do right now? Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, July 30th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Have you ever wondered why life sometimes gets harder when you're trying to obey God? You decide to read your Bible, and suddenly everything goes wrong. You commit to serving Christ, and unexpected opposition appears. Is that just coincidence... or is there something deeper going on?In Acts 16, Paul wasn't looking for a fight with the devil. He was simply on his way to a prayer meeting. Yet within hours he confronted a demon, was beaten by an angry mob, thrown into prison, and chained in the darkness. But what looked like Satan's triumph was actually one more of God's victories..Today in Acts 16:16-40 we'll discover what this passage teaches us about spiritual warfare, persecution, and how to rejoice in the face of unfair treatment.Acts 16:16-40 Bible study guide with companion discussion questions on our website: https://studyandobey.com/inductive-bible-study/acts/acts-16-16-40/Study and Obey's Bible study guides on Amazon -https://amzn.to/48SgPEN(As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)Study and Obey Free Weekly Podcast on Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/study-and-obey/id1571266150Our website of 1000+ practical and free Bible studies - https://studyandobey.comSupport this ministry -https://studyandobey.com/support/25+ Bible study guides for individual or group study on many different books of the Bible - https://studyandobey.com/shop/Sign up for a weekly Bible study to your inbox. 20+ studies to choose from - https://studyandobey.com/weekly-bible-study/Support the show

Today's episode is a special bonus from the On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse hosted by Kristy Graham. What does it look like to trust God when He calls you into some of the world's most difficult and dangerous places? In this powerful episode, Kristy experiences firsthand what Samaritan's Purse Disaster Assistance Response Team members endure as they prepare to serve during the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Bev Kauffeldt, who has served on the last two Ebola responses, led Kristy through the training. Kristy got into the many layers of personal protection equipment to experience the process our DART members go through in the field. This inspired Kristy as she experienced the discomfort our teams willingly step into as they fight this dangerous outbreak. It also helped her know how to pray for our teams more specifically. At the training, Bev talked with Kristy about a passage of Scripture that has been on her heart: “This verse—I shared it with the team today because it's so perfect. In Acts 20:24, Paul says my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus, the work of telling others of the good news about the wonderful grace of God.” — Bev Kauffeldt, paraphrasing Acts 20:24 As believers, we must have a posture of humility. Someone who speaks into this posture in this Ebola response is Dustin Martin, a water, sanitation and hygiene technical advisor who supports Samaritan's Purse field offices around the world. Dustin will likely go to the DRC soon. He shared how he is preparing both physically and spiritually to be deployed and why he desires to go serve in this dangerous situation. “I want to be able to go to the ends of the earth for people that I haven't even met before because that's what Christ did for me. He took on humility. He took on human form when He had no need to. And if He did that for me, there's just no appropriate response but to do that for others.” — Dustin Martin Once Kristy was out of the personal protective equipment, she met Kate Allen, an emergency doctor, who the Lord has called and sent to many DART responses, including Ukraine and Iraq. They spoke about putting on the armor of God, trusting that the Lord goes before us. We are not promised safety, but God does promise that He is with us always. “God doesn't say you're going to be absolutely fine … but He does promise that He goes with us. And He promises that He goes ahead. And He promises He hems us in from behind. So, we go with His Spirit, and we go knowing that He has a plan, and that He has already paid the ultimate price.” — Kate Allen If you'd like to keep up to date with more stories from On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse, please visit SamaritansPurse.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

You can go to church, pray, serve and do all the right things, but is it possible to still miss the heart of following Jesus? In Acts 6-7, Stephen shows us what a life fully surrendered to Jesus looks like. Facing rejection, opposition and ultimately death, Stephen remained rooted in God's Word, connected to God's heart and trusting in God's timing. In this message, Dave Stone reminds us that religious activity is no substitute for a real relationship with Jesus. Following Christ isn’t simply about what we do for Him. It’s about knowing Him, trusting Him and allowing that relationship to shape how we live, especially when life gets difficult. Stephen’s story challenges us to consider whether our faith has become a routine or whether we’re truly walking with Jesus. Whatever adversity or opposition you’re facing, God isn’t finished. Keep going, trust His timing and finish the race strong.

What do you do when life doesn't turn out the way you expected?You thought you'd be further along by now.You thought the relationship would last.You thought the diagnosis wouldn't come.You thought the job was secure.And then the storm hit.In Acts 27–28, the apostle Paul is on his way to Rome—confident in a promise God had already spoken over his life. But before he reaches his destination, he faces a violent storm that tears apart the ship, disrupts the journey, and threatens every life on board.Yet what looked like disaster became a platform for God's purpose.In Shipwrecked, we'll discover that storms are often unexpected—but never outside of God's control. What feels like a delay may actually be divine positioning. What looks like a detour may be preparation for something greater.Because the storm may change your plans—but it does not change God's purpose.At Discover Church, we exist to see our city changed by Jesus, one life at a time, by helping people discover LIFE in Christ, BELONGING in Community & PURPOSE in God's Calling on their life so that they can MAKE A DIFFERENCE.-You can join us live on Sunday mornings at 9:00 or 11:00 am, either in person or online! Visit www.discoverchurchkc.com for more information!

In Acts 19, Paul's message about Jesus starts costing people cash, and the city of Ephesus erupts. A silversmith named Demetrius sees his business threatened and does what any of us can be tempted to do: he lets fear, lust, and pride drive his next move. In this talk, Pastor Ben Stuart walks us through the riot in Ephesus and asks the question underneath the chaos: what feelings are actually determining the flow of your finances? For the Ephesians who put their faith in Jesus, everything changed. They stopped trying to manipulate the gods for their own gain and started giving generously to people who could never pay them back. Their faith didn't just shift what they believed. It shifted where their money went.  Key Verses // Acts 19 — With Passion City Online you can join us live every Sunday at 9:30a and 11:30a! Join us at https://passioncitychurchdc.com — Give towards what God is doing through Passion City Church: https://passioncitychurchdc.com/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

What if the biggest threat to the early church wasn’t persecution… but people? In Acts 6, the church is exploding with growth, yet behind the scenes tensions are rising, needs are being overlooked and conflict threatens to derail everything. What happens next reveals something surprising about how God works through imperfect people to accomplish His perfect mission. This message reminds us that healthy churches aren’t problem-free. They’re filled with ordinary people who trust Jesus, serve one another and faithfully use the gifts God has given them. If you’ve ever wondered whether your life or your gifts really matter in God’s Kingdom, this passage offers a powerful answer. The apostles refused to let conflict become the focus. They addressed the problem without abandoning the mission. Today, we’re faced with the same challenge. Will we allow difficulties to divide us, or will we remain committed to what matters most: helping people find and follow Jesus? Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, under-qualified or unsure where you fit, discover how God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.Join the conversation! Share your biggest takeaway from this message in the comments below. Send this message to someone who needs encouragement today. Dive deeper into our yearlong study through Acts at crosspoint.tv/acts. Find a Cross Point campus in Middle Tennessee at crosspoint.tv/locations.

Our 4th and final NT norm is the centrality of prayer in the life of the early church. Listen in as we share 4 "P" observations on prayer - It was a Priority; It Preceded the filling and work of the Spirit; It was the church's response to Persecution; and it was Personal and Persistent. 4 P's: 1-Priority. Begins the book of Acts—“All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers" (1:14).  In Ch. 2, the church was praying when the Holy Spirit filled them.  Acts 2:42- he church was devoted to prayer. It was one of the first things that marked them out—alongside the apostle's teaching, breaking the bread, and fellowship. Acts 6: We see the priority of prayer even more strikingly when the apostles single out prayer alongside of the ministry of the Word as their primary responsibility. “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” “I stand here to confess frankly that from my inmost heart I attribute the large prosperity which God has given to this Church vastly more to the prayers of the people than to anything that God may have given to me. I know it is so.” - Charles Spurgeon 2-Precedes the filling and work of the Spirit.  Acts 2 begins with the believers all together in one place, praying. And we know what happened next—the sound from heaven like a mighty rushing wind, filling the house where they were.  Acts 4- The believers are gathered together praying in the midst of persecution—praying specifically for boldness. “And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness" (4:31). Acts 13- The prophets and teachers of the church in Antioch were gathered and they were worshipping the Lord and fasting. Just then the Holy Spirit calls out Barnabas and Saul. And after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.  These are pretty pivotal moments in the history of the gospel—especially in Chapters 2 and 13. And we see that God's people had been devoting themselves to prayer in the time leading up to these great events—these experiences of the Spirit's work. Prayer had paved the way for these people to respond when the Spirit showed up.  3-Persecution- Prayer was the church's consistent response to persecution. Acts 4- Peter and John have just been threatened by the high-priestly council. "When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord. . .” (4:23-24). Their immediate reaction to the threat of violence from the ruling authorities was to pray. And hear what they prayed: “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”  Acts 12- Peter is in prison and miraculously rescued by an angel of the Lord. When he is rescued, it says “he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.” Again, the response of the church to the persecution of her people is to pray.  Acts 16- Paul and Silas in prison. “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” In the midst of persecution, we find these two workers praying and singing hymns.  Prayer is what we do when we are persecuted. It is the response of God's church to the threats and persecutions. In each of these moments, God miraculously answered. 4-Personal and Persistent. In Acts, we don't get much details about the personal prayer lives of the apostles. Many references are to the church praying corporately. However in Paul's epistles, we find Paul talking about his own prayer life all over the place – way too many to reference, will just name a few- Eph. 1:16- "I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers…" and we see his personal prayer for the Ephesian believers.  Eph. 3:14-19. Paul's prayers were important enough for him to write out for them and for us. A few examples from 1st Thessalonians: 1 Thess. 1:2- "We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers." 1 Thess. 5:17- "Pray without ceasing." 1 Thess. 5:25- "Brothers, pray for us."  Paul was not voicing prayers for believers every moment of every day. He was sometimes preaching the gospel; he was sometimes sleeping; he was sometimes eating or traveling. But he had such a habit of prayer that he described it as day and night, constant.  Eph. 6:10-20- Paul teaches us that we are in a spiritual battle and prayer is an essential weapon. Paul commands us to take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. The Word, The Spirit, and constant prayer. As we've found these 4 NT norms, we have seen in a new way for us how intertwined they are. The Word bears fruit by the power of the Spirit. The Spirit honors and responds to the preaching of the Word and obedience to the Word and prayer. Prayer is what invites the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, and there is no real prayer without the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Prayer was seen as part of the work of the church. It was at the center of their ministry. We have a saying among our teams here that prayer is the greater work. We believe that because we ultimately believe that this work we're doing is His work. It doesn't move forward unless He moves and the Spirit grants repentance and life. Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gives the growth.” Prayer is an admission of our helplessness and a plea for God to do what only He can do. That's why we see the early church devoting themselves to it. Prayer was necessary to them—it was just a part of their lives, and of their gathering together. If you are listening and feel like you're a terrible pray-er, don't give into discouragement or paralysis or accusations --- just start! Read a good book on prayer. Make sure you're spending daily time with God alone in the Word and in prayer. Use your drive or shower to pray. Post a prayer list by your bathroom mirror and pray as you brush your teeth. Set a timer for a certain time each day. 12:12, 3:10. And ask God for help!  This concludes our series on NT norms – daily ministry, the Word, the Spirit, and prayer.  

What voice is waking you up? In a world full of distractions, shame, fear, and endless noise, God is calling His Church to be a louder bell. Our phones jolt us out of bed every morning — but what's jolting us into prayer? Into mission? Into His presence? In Acts 12, the church prayed and God woke Peter up. It's time for that same bell to ring again. This message will encourage you to wake up, rise in prayer, and step into what God is calling you to do.Are you ready to step into all God has called you to be through our Christ-Like Leader Pathway? There are so many ways to start, and we're here to walk with you every step of the way.-CLICK HERE TO SERVE: https://www.shorelinecity.church/join-CLICK HERE TO GET IN COMMUNITY: https://www.shorelinecity.church/connectgroups -CLICK HERE TO LIVE GENEROUSLY: https://www.shorelinecity.church/give-JESUS FIRST: We've been praying for you! If you made the decision to put Jesus first, text “JESUS” to 73000.-PRAYER: We believe there isn't anything too small or too big to bring to God. It would be our honor to pray with you. Text “PRAYER” to 73000STAY CONNECTEDWebsite: https://www.shorelinecity.church/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shorelinecity/Facebook:   / shorelinecity  Pastor Earl:   / earlmcclellan  Pastor Oneka:   / onekamcclellan  #ShorelineCity

July 29, 2026 | Lesson 7: Angels: Guard and ProtectNEW! Watch us ONLINE! Click here!SHOW NOTES: From the first chapters of Genesis to the book of Acts, Scripture shows us angels standing watch—guarding sacred ground, encamping around God's people, shutting the mouths of lions, and even opening prison doors. This isn't a side theme in the Bible. It's woven throughout Scripture.· After Adam and Eve are removed from the Garden, God places cherubim with flaming swords at the entrance to guard the way to the tree of life (Genesis 3:24).· A familiar Bible story is Daniel in the lions' den. After spending the night with the lions, Daniel tells the king, "My God sent His angel, and He shut the mouths of the lions" (Daniel 6:22). · The prophet Elisha and his servant were surrounded by the Aramean army. Elisha asks God to open the servant's eyes—the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire (2 Kings 6:17).· In Acts 12, Peter is imprisoned for a second time, chained between two guards — and an angel appears. His chains fall off, and the angel leads him right past the guards and through the gates, which open by themselves.For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.Psalm 91:11Head to Heart:Remember — Daniel wasn't kept out of the lions' den. Peter was freed, but James was not. Protection in Scripture doesn't always look like avoiding hardship altogether; sometimes it looks like God's presence sustaining us during it.Is there a trial you've been praying only for God to remove, when maybe He's asking you to trust His presence within it? What would it look like to shift that prayer from "get me out" to "meet me here"? SONG: Angels - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koGOTl48DcY&list=RDkoGOTl48DcY&start_radio=1

Truly following Jesus is to be Akin to him. Akin = family, closely related, aligned.  In Acts 7, Stephen stands before the Sanhedrin and, instead of defending himself, boldly points to God's faithfulness throughout Israel's history. His message reminds us that following Christ means choosing truth over comfort and belonging to Jesus above all else. Pastor Scott Goodman walks through Acts 7:1–22, showing how the lives of Abraham, Joseph, and Moses all point to Christ and call us to trust God's Word, keep moving in faith, and become more like Jesus. If you're looking for a church home in Arroyo Grande, we'd love to welcome you to Harvest Church. Join us as we grow in God's Word, worship Jesus, and build authentic community together. Harvest Church is committed to Bible teaching, verse-by-verse study, and expository preaching that helps people grow in following Jesus. Join us Sundays at 9am & 11am. Learn more at www.agharvest.org.

In Acts 10, Peter discovers that God's grace is wider than he imagined. Children, Youth, and Family Ministry Director Shawna Berg explores how the Holy Spirit challenges assumptions, crosses boundaries, and reminds us that no one is beyond God's reach. Sometimes the greatest miracle is not that people change, but that God changes what we believe is possible.

The Gospel Will Always Face Opposition | Acts 14What happens when following Jesus gets difficult? In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas remind us that opposition isn't always a sign you're off track, it can actually be evidence that you're walking in God's purpose.This week, we'll discover how the enemy works to deceive, divide, and discourage, while learning how God calls His people to respond with boldness, discernment, wisdom, and unwavering faith. From false teaching to fierce persecution, the early church never stopped proclaiming the Gospel, and neither should we.Join us as we unpack what it means to stand firm in the truth, recognize deception, endure hardship, and continue the mission God has given us. Following Jesus has never been the easy path, but it has always been the path worth taking.We all have a decision to make: Will we compromise when opposition comes, or will we remain faithful to Christ until the end?

In Acts 17:1-15, Paul faithfully proclaims one central message wherever he goes: Jesus is the Messiah. As he preaches in Thessalonica and Berea, the same gospel produces two very different responses. Some reject Jesus because they refuse to surrender their own kingdoms, while others eagerly receive the message and search the Scriptures to see that it is true. “Messiah” points to God's promised King who would suffer, die, rise again, and reign forever. Paul believed Jesus was the Messiah because his life perfectly fulfilled the Scriptures. The sermon and Scripture leave us with one question: Will you receive Jesus as your Messiah and King, or will you reject him?

Keep going - Don't quit! What if the very opposition threatening to break you is actually God's greatest gift? In Acts 19, the apostle Paul—stoned, imprisoned, and relentlessly opposed—refused to quit, instead detouring from the synagogue to a lecture hall where he taught daily for two years, ultimately reaching an entire region. Pastor Joshua vulnerably shares his own breaking point, sobbing on his bathroom floor during an anxiety attack, to remind us we're not alone in our struggle. If you're questioning your purpose or tempted to walk away, this message will reframe your resistance as divine invitation. Don't miss it—watch now. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Acts 16, Paul is doing exactly what Jesus called him to do, and the Holy Spirit keeps closing doors. He heads for Asia and gets blocked, tries Bithynia and gets blocked again, until finally a dream sends him to Macedonia.The question underneath the whole passage: can we trust the God of the no as much as the God of the yes? Closed doors are one of the main ways God guides his church, and Acts 16 shows what that has looked like for Paul, for Lydia, and what it might look like for us.Once Paul crosses into Macedonia, he ends up at a river outside Philippi and meets Lydia, a wealthy businesswoman whose heart the Lord opens as she listens. She gets baptized with her household and redirects her home, her resources, and her time toward what God is doing. A little further along, Paul meets Timothy, a young leader he takes under his wing and raises up for the mission.Running through all of it is a pointed question for the church in Southern California: are we consuming Jesus, or are we following him? Something wakes up in us when we stop treating faith like content and start reorganizing our lives around the one who is still actively leading his mission today.

How do we faithfully engage a culture that doesn't share our assumptions about God? In Acts 17, Paul finds himself conversing with the thoughtful gatekeepers of Athens. Rather than retreating from this cultural moment or simply condemning what others believe, Paul listens to them and offers insights that point them to Jesus. We find ourselves needing similar wisdom today. This message continues our series through the book of Acts with a message from guest speaker, pastor and author, Domenic Ruso. We explore how to engage our changing culture with godly wisdom rooted in our love for Jesus and our neighbors. Scripture Referenced: Acts 17:16-34

Have you ever changed someone's mind? In Acts chapter 13, Paul and Barnabas were sent out by the Holy Spirit and changed the mind of a governor into becoming a believer. Where could you be an influence this week?MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49641671RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.orgBLOG: https://www.canyonridge.org/blogs/

In Acts 17:1-15, Paul faithfully proclaims one central message wherever he goes: Jesus is the Messiah. As he preaches in Thessalonica and Berea, the same gospel produces two very different responses. Some reject Jesus because they refuse to surrender their own kingdoms, while others eagerly receive the message and search the Scriptures to see that it is true. “Messiah” points to God's promised King who would suffer, die, rise again, and reign forever. Paul believed Jesus was the Messiah because his life perfectly fulfilled the Scriptures. The sermon and Scripture leave us with one question: Will you receive Jesus as your Messiah and King, or will you reject him?

In Acts 2 we see a picture of a Church that most of us long to be like. In this message we examine some of the qualities of that church and are challenged to become like it.

In Acts 10, we see how God was already at work long before Peter and Cornelius understood what He was doing. As their stories unfold, we're reminded that God often meets us in the middle of ordinary moments and unexpected interruptions. Rather than trying to force our own plans, we're invited to slow down, pray, and pay attention to where God is already moving. As we learn to trust His timing, we discover that He is often opening doors we never could have imagined.

What will your life be remembered for? In Acts 20:17-38, Paul delivers an emotional farewell to the Ephesian elders, revealing that the greatest legacy isn't built through success, comfort, or recognition, but through a life faithfully poured out for Jesus and others. Join us this Sunday as we discover what it means to finish the race well and leave behind a legacy that truly lasts.

In Acts 23, Pastor Troy explores God's providence through one of the most chaotic moments in Paul's life. Though Paul faces false accusations, violence, an assassination plot, and imprisonment, God is quietly directing every event to fulfill His promise of bringing Paul to Rome. The message reminds us that God's purposes are never threatened by closed doors, ordinary circumstances, or human opposition. Because Jesus stands with His people and keeps His promises, believers can trust that their lives are not random, their suffering is not wasted, and their story is not finished until God says it is.

In Acts 23, Pastor Troy explores God's providence through one of the most chaotic moments in Paul's life. Though Paul faces false accusations, violence, an assassination plot, and imprisonment, God is quietly directing every event to fulfill His promise of bringing Paul to Rome. The message reminds us that God's purposes are never threatened by closed doors, ordinary circumstances, or human opposition. Because Jesus stands with His people and keeps His promises, believers can trust that their lives are not random, their suffering is not wasted, and their story is not finished until God says it is.

The story of God did not end when the last page of the Bible was written. In Acts 2, we discover that through the Holy Spirit, God is still restoring, redeeming, and inviting ordinary people to participate in His mission. Join us as we explore how God's story becomes our story, and what it looks like to say "yes," be transformed, and live as active participants in His kingdom.

One thing we learn from history is that people don't learn from history. What was true in ancient Israel was equally true in the Roman Empire - idols were everywhere. On Paul's missionary journeys, he would have encountered idols of every kind. In Acts 17, he visited Athens, where he would have seen numerous temples, altars, and statues dedicated to various false gods. He was deeply distressed by what he saw. Idolatry is when something or someone becomes a rival to God's exclusive glory. We are surrounded by it in our culture today. When we see it, are we deeply distressed like Paul was? Do we defend the name of the Lord and want idols in our culture erased? Or have we grown comfortable with them, tolerating them with very little resistance. And what about you? Is there anyone or anything in your life that has become a rival to God's exclusive glory?

In Acts, Luke writes about the unity in the early Christian Church. However, in 1st Corinthians, Paul is writing to the church about issues that they are having between themselves. Robert and Andrew discuss the divisions that they early Christians were dealing with that Paul is discussin in 1st Corinthians 3.Send us Fan MailSupport the showQuestions or Comments? Please reach out to us through email at questions@truewisdom.info or on Twitter/X @truewisdom_podGive instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:9-10The Key Principles of Effective Bible Study is a resource that we reference in many of our episodes. It is explained in a series of podcasts found at Rightly Divide.God's Precious Word is a condensed, 9-part series, based on the same document.Other Resources:— e-Sword Bible Software— MySword Bible Software— Blue Letter Bible Study Site— "Knowing the Bible" Bible MapsWe pray that these resources will be very helpful to you in your Bible Studies overall.

Today's episode is a special bonus from the On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse podcast, hosted by Kristy Graham. What does it look like to trust God when He calls you into some of the world's most difficult and dangerous places? In this powerful episode, Kristy experiences firsthand what Samaritan's Purse Disaster Assistance Response Team members endure as they prepare to serve during the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Bev Kauffeldt, who has served on the last two Ebola responses, led Kristy through the training. Kristy got into the many layers of personal protection equipment to experience the process our DART members go through in the field. This inspired Kristy as she experienced the discomfort our teams willingly step into as they fight this dangerous outbreak. It also helped her know how to pray for our teams more specifically. At the training, Bev talked with Kristy about a passage of Scripture that has been on her heart: “This verse—I shared it with the team today because it's so perfect. In Acts 20:24, Paul says my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus, the work of telling others of the good news about the wonderful grace of God.” — Bev Kauffeldt, paraphrasing Acts 20:24 As believers, we must have a posture of humility. Someone who speaks into this posture in this Ebola response is Dustin Martin, a water, sanitation and hygiene technical advisor who supports Samaritan's Purse field offices around the world. Dustin will likely go to the DRC soon. He shared how he is preparing both physically and spiritually to be deployed and why he desires to go serve in this dangerous situation. “I want to be able to go to the ends of the earth for people that I haven't even met before because that's what Christ did for me. He took on humility. He took on human form when He had no need to. And if He did that for me, there's just no appropriate response but to do that for others.” — Dustin Martin Once Kristy was out of the personal protective equipment, she met Kate Allen, an emergency doctor, who the Lord has called and sent to many DART responses, including Ukraine and Iraq. They spoke about putting on the armor of God, trusting that the Lord goes before us. We are not promised safety, but God does promise that He is with us always. “God doesn't say you're going to be absolutely fine … but He does promise that He goes with us. And He promises that He goes ahead. And He promises He hems us in from behind. So, we go with His Spirit, and we go knowing that He has a plan, and that He has already paid the ultimate price.” — Kate Allen If you'd like to keep up to date with more stories from On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse, please visit SamaritansPurse.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The church is growing, the gospel is spreading, and opposition is increasing. Yet through it all, God continues to build His church. In Acts chapter 5, we'll examine the sobering account of Ananias and Sapphira, the continued ministry of the apostles, and their unwavering commitment to obey God in the face of persecution. Let's open our Bibles and discover what this remarkable chapter teaches us about the holiness of God, the courage of faithful believers, and the unstoppable advance of the gospel.Send us Fan Mail Support the show

In Acts 12, deadly political pressure crashes into the early church as Herod Agrippa I executes James and locks Peter in maximum-security prison with a public spectacle scheduled right after the feast. While the apostle sleeps between two soldiers, the church gathers for earnest, stretched-out prayer—the kind of intense intercession that refuses to accept another apostle's head on a platter. God answers by sending an angel who strikes Peter awake, drops the chains, and walks him past guards and through an iron gate that opens by itself. Yet when the freed Peter arrives at the prayer meeting, the believers accuse the messenger of being out of her mind and nearly leave the miracle standing in the street. This message confronts our own quiet unbelief, calls us to recover bold expectation that God still opens iron gates, and urges us not to let cultural pressure shrink the mission into survival mode. Under pressure, will we sleep through the answer or get up, wrap the gospel around us, and watch the word of God increase and multiply once more?

What does it look like when God acts with absolute, unstoppable power in human history? In Acts 2, we find ourselves standing in the middle of the most consequential sermon ever preached, and its organizing principle is breathtaking in its simplicity: the mighty works of God. As we walk through Peter's message, we discover six distinct acts of divine power that build upon one another like movements in a symphony. God validated Jesus through signs and wonders, placing him in the company of Moses and Elijah as the great prophet to come. God planned the murder of Jesus, not as a concession to evil, but as the most stunning display of sovereign wisdom in history, turning the greatest crime ever committed into the greatest gift ever given. And then God raised Jesus from the dead, not through any intermediary prophet, but directly, declaring to all of creation that Jesus bore no sin and owed no debt to death. Each of these works carries a deeply personal weight for us. The miracles of Jesus are not theological checkboxes but expressions of God's compassion for suffering people. The resurrection is not merely a historical event but the answer to the fear that quietly enslaves us all. If God raised Jesus, then death has lost its grip on everyone who trusts in him. This is not abstract doctrine. It is the very ground on which we stand when life feels most uncertain.

Sent: Acts 22-23 | Aaron Doerr Welcome to Rolling Hills Community Church, based in Tualatin, Oregon! THIS WEEK True freedom is found by binding yourself to God's will. In Acts 22-23, the apostle Paul, imprisoned and falsely accused, modeled this: submitting to Scripture when wronged, sharing the gospel in a divided room, and finding Christ's presence in his darkest hour. True freedom comes only when you stop defining yourself and let Jesus tell you who you are. YOUTUBE VIDEOS AND PLAYLISTS Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: Rolling Hills Community Church All Playlists: Rolling Hills Community Church CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook: facebook.com/rhchurch Instagram: @‌rhchurch Website: rollinghills.org ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Looking to get connected? We'd love to meet you! Next Steps: rollinghills.org/nextsteps MINISTRIES RH Men: rollinghills.org/men RH Women: rollinghills.org/women Young Adults: rollinghills.org/ya Students: rhstudents.org Kids: rhkids.org

The small things in our spiritual lives matter tremendously to God. Just as basketball coach John Wooden taught players to properly put on socks and shoes before focusing on advanced skills, we must master spiritual fundamentals. In Acts 1, the disciples demonstrated three crucial elements before receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost: obedience to Jesus' instructions, unity of heart and purpose, and devoted prayer. These seemingly simple practices create the foundation for God's blessing and breakthrough. When we're faithful in small things like following God's clear direction, building unity with other believers, and maintaining passionate prayer lives, we position ourselves to receive what God has promised. ★ Support this podcast ★

In Acts 22, Paul begins his defense by describing who he was before meeting Christ. His testimony shows how fear of judgment, grief over sin, and the work of the Holy Spirit brought him to faith. This episode reminds us that our personal story is a powerful part of sharing the gospel, because no one else can tell what Jesus has done in our lives.

Paul and Barnabas had one of the closest partnerships in the early church, and then they had a fight sharp enough that they went in separate directions. In Acts 15, their disagreement over John Mark ends the pairing, but the gospel keeps multiplying. This week we look at why God seems to prefer partnerships to solo callings, how our need to be right can become its own idol, and why dishonor is so often the language of division. We're left with three questions worth carrying with us: whether we've shut the door on someone who left, whether there's someone who needs a second chance, and how we speak of the people who no longer walk with us.

Looking out for our own interests comes naturally, but paying attention to the needs of others is the work of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 16, Paul and Silas model a Spirit-led attentiveness to people in very different circumstances—a slave girl, fellow sufferers in prison, and a jailer headed toward despair. As the Spirit led them to see and serve the people in front of them, the gospel continued to advance. The same invitation is before us today: depend on the Spirit to notice the needs of others and respond with the hope of Jesus.

After a lengthy journey, my wife and I finally neared our street, but a large road closed to thru traffic sign blocked our path. I felt the urge to drive around it because home was just ahead, and I didn’t like being rerouted. But then I saw why the road was closed: A downed power line lay across the road. Had I ignored the warning, I could have driven into danger. In Acts 16:6-10, Paul and his companions were eager to preach the gospel in the province of Asia, but the Holy Spirit closed that door. Detours aren’t always rejection, however. They can be divine redirections. Like the roadblock on our street, God rerouted Paul from entering the province of Bithynia. It must have been frustrating to be blocked, especially while Paul was striving to do his best. But then he received a vision in which a man said, “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (v. 9). God said “no” to something good because He was preparing them for something greater—taking the gospel to the people of another continent (v. 10). Rather than seeing “no” as punishment and rejection, we can see it as His Spirit-led redirection. His detours are often pathways to divine appointments. Let’s not simply trust His direction when the roads are open, let’s follow when He closes them too.