Podcasts about in acts

In Acts 4, we see God's pattern for a world-impacting church: pressure drives believers together, unity leads to prayer, prayer invites God's power, and God's power produces bold proclamation of the gospel. When God's people depend on Him and courageously proclaim Christ, the gospel advances, and lives are transformed.

Join us as we discover how a Spirit-filled church stands strong under pressure. In Acts 4, we see boldness, unity, and generosity come alive no matter the cost. Be encouraged, be challenged. This service is available to watch anytime online on the Authentic Life Fellowship on YouTube or Facebook.

In Acts 26, who is the REAL Prisoner, Paul in chains or King Agrippa? explore the James faith vs. works debate, and learn why Paul was called crazy for the Gospel.For the study resources and manuscript go to messiahbible.org

In Acts 5, the early church didn't just talk about Jesus—their lives backed it up. God worked through them with power, their unity gave them credibility, and their boldness came with a cost. But not all boldness is the same. This message draws a clear line between biblical boldness and worldly confrontation. One points people to Jesus with truth and grace. The other pushes people away with pride and anger. As pressure rises, every believer has a choice: stay silent, fight the wrong battles, or live with a boldness that actually leads people to Christ.

Mystery rides were part of growing up at our house. Usually it was a Sunday afternoon, and I'd pile our three kids into our car for a ride. I think we explored every corner of our area. And as we did, we discovered over the years, a lot of great things. But I've got one son who's a lot like me. He wants to know the plan before we leave. "Hey, Dad, where are we going? Where are we going to eat? What are we going to eat? What are we going to do while we're there? How long will we be there? What time are we going to get home?" He would pump me with more questions; I felt like I was being interrogated by a police sergeant. Sometimes I knew it was better not to explain where we were going. I mean we've done things that would have sounded boring if I had told about them, but they turned out to be exciting and I knew they would. Plus surprises are fun anyway. So, my kids got used to hearing two words when we were about to begin a mystery trip, "Trust me." I don't think I let them down. It was good training for journeys with their other Father. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Going Not Knowing." Our word for today from the Word of God comes from the life of the Apostle Paul. He's still Saul of Tarsus here. Acts 9 - he's on his way to wipe out Christians. He missed some in Jerusalem. So he said, "I'll get them in Damascus. They all went there; I'll find them in Syria." We begin in verse 3: "As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?' 'Well, who are you, Lord?' Saul asked. 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' he replied. 'Now, get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.'" Now, it's interesting that Saul's training for his whole life in Christ began immediately with a mystery trip. Yeah, did you notice that? He has just opened up to Jesus, and the Lord says, "Go into the city and you will be told." "Lord, what do you want me to do there? Who am I going to meet there? How am I even going to be able to see; I'm blind right now?" The Lord says, "Go and you will be told." Well, he spent the rest of his life living like that. In Acts 20, when he was on his way to Jerusalem as the great Apostle Paul and his friends were trying to discourage him, he said, "Compelled by the Spirit, I am going not knowing." See, you have a heavenly Father who often takes His children on mystery trips. Maybe you're on one of His mystery trips right now. There's a good destination He's got in mind, but right now He's telling you just the next step. In essence, He's saying to you as He did to Saul, "Go, and you will be told as you are on the way." It may well be that you're in the middle of one of those times right now, and the tendency is to say, "Now, Lord, if you'll just give me all the information, give me all the facts, I'll start going that direction." And the Lord says, "No, you start moving in that direction I've told you to go, and you'll get more information as you go." Now, maybe you're waiting to have all your questions answered before you move, and right now there are more question marks than there are periods or exclamation points for sure. Can you almost hear your Father saying as He bundles you into His car, "Trust Me, let's start traveling together." Hey, He died for you. Is He ever going to do you wrong? God's mystery trips always lead to a destination that is selected with you in mind, for your good. So, why not settle back, enjoy the trip, and let Him drive. Trust your Father and don't be afraid of going not knowing.

In Acts 16:1-15, Keith Simon shows that since God changes hearts, we can pray boldly for others to believe the gospel. This sermon is part of our 2026 sermon series, "Acts 13-17: Revival & Resistance." Who is Jesus? What does he care about? How should his followers interact with the world around them? The book of Acts carries on the story of life with God, illustrating what it means to build his church and experience him through his people.  Want a refresher on Acts 1-12? Check out The Crossing's 2023 sermon series: "Acts: Belonging to a Mission". Interested in more content to help you experience God in 2026? Sign up for our weekly email newsletter. Every Friday, you'll get new resources to help you grow in your faith and a first look at what to expect on Sunday, delivered right to your inbox. Get connected at The Crossing! When you sign up for Crossing Update, you'll get a text message every Sunday morning with the new ways to get involved at the church. You can also find the latest information about events on The Crossing's website. 

What does it look like to live with conviction when it costs you? In Acts 24–26, Paul stands before governors and kings as a faithful witness—uncompromising in truth, yet marked by wisdom, humility, and courage. This message challenges us to let Christ shape our convictions and our conduct, trusting the Holy Spirit to speak through us as we live and testify in a world that resists the gospel.

Do you ever wonder what your purpose is on this earth?What practice did Jesus command right before He went back to heaven after rising from the dead? What were His final words to us?This Sunday we're finishing our Sacred Practices series by looking at the one practice every follower of Jesus wrestles with. In Acts 1, we'll uncover what Jesus said in His final moments, why it matters for you, and how it shapes your everyday life.

What idols would you struggle to burn today? Influence, money, perceptions, convenience?In Acts 19, we see how the gospel that Paul brought to Ephesus challenged everything about the culture and its economy. As hearts were transformed and idols were left behind, opposition rose to reveal how deeply humans cling to the illusion of control when threatened.When Jesus truly becomes Lord, He doesn't just tweak your life. He changes what you worship.---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/giveNeed prayer? Please let us know! https://localchurchgr.org/care

God is sending people to us. As His church grows, so does the responsibility and opportunity before us. Our responsibility is to steward the growth that is already here and the growth that is to come. God is entrusting us to disciple people and to send people. He is inviting us to be a part of His plan. There have been pastors and leaders who have put their yes on the table before us. Now it is our turn. To get where God is leading us, it will take finances, resources, and open handed obedience. We are sharing God's vision for the next two years. We are building bridges to the next generation, the next season of missions, the next yes. If God keeps sending people, it is our responsibility to make room. In Acts 9, God accomplished His plan through unexpected people with unexpected assignments. Jesus got Saul's attention and told him to go. Saul stepped into the unknown. Then God spoke to Ananias. He listened, even when it seemed scary and impossible. He did not rebuttal what God said. He simply obeyed. That obedience changed the world. All God wants from us is our yes. If we will say yes and keep listening, He will give us the details. What does next look like for you, your home, and our church? Turn your eyes and ears to Him. Respond to what Jesus is speaking. Say yes to what's next.Check out our video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/rG-Ur7LX-F8Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/8wmeCwBf_zkLearn more about us at chestnutmountain.orgFollow us on Facebook & Instagram @chestnutmtn_Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave a review, and let us know what you think.

Have you ever looked up and realized you've drifted off course spiritually?It happens to all of us.We forget the story we're part of.We lose focus.We settle for comfort instead of courage.In Acts 7, Stephen reminds us what it looks like to stand firm in the truth—even when it's unpopular, uncomfortable, or costly.As we step into Year One of our 15-year vision at Fierce Church, we're making one thing clear:We will not drift.We will not water down God's Word.We will stay on mission.Because taking ground for God's future starts with getting back on track today.This message will help you:Remember the bigger story God is writingFind courage to stand for truthRealign your life with ScriptureStep forward with bold faith

In Acts 6, Stephen is described as a man full of the Holy Spirit, wisdom, faith, grace, and power. Not a platform preacher. A table server. A volunteer. Yet when pressure came, what spilled out of him looked like Jesus.This week we ask a simple question: When your life is shaken, what comes out?Crisis does not create what is inside of us. It reveals it. And the Christian life is not about trying harder or mastering spiritual practices. It is about being filled again and again with the presence of the Holy Spirit.In this message, Pastor Darren walks through what it means to be full of the Spirit, full of wisdom, full of faith, full of grace, and full of power, and how real transformation happens not through self effort, but through surrender.

Church isn't just a gathering of people — we are a body. In Acts 4, the early believers didn't scatter under pressure… they gathered with one heart and one mind. Because identity isn't formed in isolation — it's formed together. Your purpose is personal, but your formation is corporate.

In Acts 20–21, Paul chooses God's will over personal comfort—even when friends plead with him not to go to Jerusalem. This message challenges us to name where comfort has become an idol, and to pursue holiness, obedience, and courage in the uncomfortable places. Whether you're choosing the hard path or already living in hardship, you'll be reminded that God is faithful to meet you there.

In Acts 10, we encounter two men in different places but in the same posture of heart: Peter and Cornelius. One is a Jewish apostle, the other a Roman centurion. Both are united by a simple, powerful act: They make themselves available to God through prayer. It's in those moments of yielded prayer that heaven interrupts earth. Visions are given. Boundaries are broken. Hearts are changed. Through prayer, God transforms not only their understanding, but the trajectory of the Church.

What makes a church powerful is not personality or programs, but unity shaped by grace. In Acts 2 and 4, we see a community devoted to truth, fellowship, prayer, and radical generosity, moving together as one. When grace grips a church, unity becomes its witness, and a church that moves together becomes a church that moves the world.

Wehave already spoken about the soldier on his knees, breathing out prayers. Thespiritual breath of the believer is prayer. In contrast, the breath of thewicked person in Proverbs is lies. This does not mean that we are alwaystalking in prayer. Jesus even warned about vain repetitions in prayers in Matthew6:7. No, He is speaking of constantly having communion with the Lord—living inthe awareness of His presence. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.I believe the fear of the Lord is a constant, continual awareness of the Lord'spresence. It means you never have to say, “Lord, we come into Your presence,”because you are already in His presence. Topray always means that we take His hand in the light as we read His Word in themorning. We open our hearts in prayer, asking Him for grace, help, mercy, andstrength for the day. As we do that, we keep hold of His hand. I have told youbefore about a dear older lady in our church. She did not have the mostbeautiful voice, but she was a godly woman who could share the good news ofChrist in a powerful way through her songs. I will never forget what she saidone time: “If you take the hand of the Lord in the light, when it gets dark youdon't have to look for it.” That is continuing instant in prayer. That ispraying always. Topray always means that when you are tempted, you ask for help. I wouldencourage you to study James 1 very carefully, especially if you are dealingwith temptations and trials. If you do not know which way to go, if you needwisdom, then pray for wisdom. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask ofGod, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall begiven him” (James 1:5). God gives generously and does not hold back. Whenyou are blessed, you give thanks. You open your heart and acknowledge that “everygood gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Fatherof lights” (James 1:17). When you see evil, you pray for righteousness. Youflee from evil and pray that you will continue to walk in the righteousness ofJesus Christ. When you meet someone who is lost, you pray for their salvationand for wisdom to be a witness to them.Ithink about the disciples. They observed the Lord praying. They saw Himwithdraw to solitary places to pray. On one occasion they said, “Lord, teachus to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” That request is recorded inLuke 11. The Lord then began to teach them how to pray. My friend, I never readwhere the disciples said, “Lord, teach us how to preach. Teach us how towitness. Teach us how to heal. Teach us how to perform miracles. Teach us howto speak in tongues.” They never asked for those things. But they did say, “Lord,teach us to pray.” In essence, they were asking, “Teach us how to have thekind of constant awareness and communion with the Father that You have.” Thatshould be our prayer today: Lord, teach us to pray. Prayeris continual God-consciousness. In Acts 2:42, we read that the early church “continuedsteadfastly… in prayers.” David said in Psalm 55:17, “Evening, andmorning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” Myfriend, we are always subject to attack. Therefore, we must always be inprayer.Jesustold His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Watch and pray.” Butthey slept. Jesus prayed. When the temptation came, Peter failed. But Jesusstood strong in the midst of the greatest temptation ever faced—on the cross. Myfriend, we too can stand strong when we continue instant in prayer. Jesussaid in Luke 18:1 that men “ought always to pray, and not to faint.”Either we are praying, or we are quitting. We are praying or we are fainting. Oh, my friend, prayer is the breath of the Christian—that constant awareness of the breath of God. So what is the frequency of prayer? Itis this: praying always—in every situation, every day, at all times—keepingyour mind set on Him and continually asking for His grace and

This message came from a deep personal conviction about community and what we've lost.In Acts 2, we see the early Church fully devoted to one another. They shared life, meals, prayer, resources, and responsibility. Community wasn't optional. It was essential.During COVID, we saw people step up in crisis. We checked on each other, helped each other, and stayed connected however we could. But crisis response isn't the same as ongoing devotion. Crisis is always happening, just quieter.Isolation became one of the enemy's greatest tools. Families suffered. Churches suffered. People stopped believing they needed each other. Convenience and technology created a false sense of connection, and many drifted away from community altogether.Scripture reminds us we are one body, not disconnected parts. A body part can't function on its own. God created us uniquely, but our uniqueness was meant to be brought together for something greater.True community doesn't just care for who is present. It pursues those who are missing. That takes sacrifice. Time. Energy. Intentionality.Jesus wasn't calling us to comfortable faith, but useful faith. Hot heals. Cold refreshes. Lukewarm does nothing.The call is simple but costly: stop living isolated lives and start being devoted to one another. Invite people in. Reach out. Serve. Listen. Care. Because when we truly live as one body, the love of Christ becomes visible to the world.

This Sunday we looked at “The Power of Our Testimony.” Every one of us carries a story of how Jesus met us, changed us, and is still changing us—and those stories matter more than we often realize. In Acts 21:27–22:29, Paul stands before a crowd that is anything but friendly. They're angry, suspicious, convinced he's corrupting true worship. But instead of defending himself or matching their hostility, Paul does something beautifully simple: he tells his story. He remembers what it was like to be just like them—zealous, convinced he was serving God, blind to Jesus. And from that place of understanding, he shares how Christ broke in, opened his eyes, and turned his life around. Paul's testimony becomes a bridge. And that's what our stories can be too. Not all of us have a “Damascus Road” moment, but every follower of Jesus has a story of grace—whether it's rescue from rebellion or awakening from empty religion. Each story is a living witness to the power of Christ to transform a life. This Sunday, we'll watch how Paul uses his testimony to point a hostile crowd to Jesus, and we'll pray that God would give us courage to do the same—to share our stories so others can hear His story of saving grace. Join us this Sunday at 9 or 11 AM.  I hope you'll consider inviting a friend or family member who needs to hear the hope we have in Christ. Find out more at www.waterbrooke.church

In Acts 10, Peter takes the Gospel to the Gentiles for the first time, a pivotal moment in redemptive history. Pastor David Horner shows us from Acts 10 that the Gospel is our only hope of salvation, that nobody is beyond the Gospel's reach, that God uses people like us to share the Gospel, and that the Gospel is all about Jesus.

In Acts 14:1–23, we continue following Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey and see clearly that God has made Himself known — leaving mankind without excuse.From miraculous healings in Iconium and Lystra to fierce opposition and even the stoning of Paul, this passage reveals how God testifies to His truth through supernatural power, natural revelation, and the bold witness of His people. Though rejected by some and misunderstood by others, the gospel advances, disciples are strengthened, and churches are established.

What happens when faith is put on trial? In Acts 4, Peter stands before the same leaders who crucified Jesus… and he doesn't flinch. This Sunday morning, join us for Confronted but Confident and discover how ordinary believers found unshakable courage in the face of real opposition. If your faith has ever felt pressured, questioned, or challenged, this message is for you.

How do we measure the health of a nation, a church, or even our own lives? In this message, we explore how Scripture defines true unity. In John 3:8, Jesus describes the Spirit as wind — active, moving, alive. In Acts 2:1–8, the Spirit enables understanding across language and difference. And in Galatians 5:22–23, Paul names the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are the real indicators of spiritual vitality. The state of our union is not measured by power or victory, but by tone — by the Spirit evident in our character and community. If we long for greater unity in our town or nation, it must begin with cultivating the Spirit's fruit within ourselves.  

In Acts 1, the disciples have lost their way after Jesus death and resurrection. Jesus helps get them back on track by telling them that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them and they will be His witnesses in Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaria and to the end of the Earth. The disciples needed direction just like we do. Jesus is our compass and light in a dark world and He is the one who directs our steps and leads us.

On Sunday, we continued our journey through The Story in Chapter 28 and saw what happens when the Kingdom goes public.In Acts 4:8–20, Peter and John stand before powerful authorities and refuse to be silent about Jesus. They weren't reckless. They weren't combative. They were compelled.Chapter 28 reminds us:Upper Story:God empowers His people through the Holy Spirit to advance His Kingdom.Lower Story:Ordinary believers face opposition as faith moves from private belief to public allegiance.When Jesus reigns, and the Spirit empowers, courageous obedience becomes unavoidable — even when competing kingdoms push back.

Jesus told his disciples it would happen — that they would be dragged before governors and kings for his sake. In Acts 25, Paul finds himself in an ornate hall surrounded by military tribunes, city officials, and a king, with no idea what's about to unfold. Dr. John traces the thread of legal trouble that runs through the entire book of Acts and lands on a surprising truth: the trials that feel like threats are often opportunities in disguise.Jesus Goes Global: A Prisoner of Christ: When we read the book of Acts, we tend to give primary attention to the formation and growth of the Church in the early chapters. We then highlight the three mission trips of Paul. But some of the most profound lessons lie in the final chapters of Acts 25-28. Dr. John will show God extending His Kingdom through the personal struggle and imprisonment of Paul. The world's worst cannot impede God's best.

In Acts 23:1-10, Paul handled a conflicting situation wrongly. However, he apologized and tried to deescalate the situation. See the power of an apology 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!

In Acts 23:1-10, Paul handled a conflicting situation wrongly. However, he apologized and tried to deescalate the situation. See the power of an apology 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!

We make decisions every day with incomplete information — and sometimes we find out later things could have gone differently. In Acts 25, Paul appeals to Caesar to escape a rigged system, only to learn he may have just missed his shot at freedom. Dr. John uses this moment to explore one of life's most relatable struggles: how do we stop second-guessing ourselves and trust that God was in our corner even when things don't go the way we planned?Jesus Goes Global: A Prisoner of Christ: When we read the book of Acts, we tend to give primary attention to the formation and growth of the Church in the early chapters. We then highlight the three mission trips of Paul. But some of the most profound lessons lie in the final chapters of Acts 25-28. Dr. John will show God extending His Kingdom through the personal struggle and imprisonment of Paul. The world's worst cannot impede God's best.

February 22 2026 The book of Acts shows us that the Holy Spirit is still actively guiding ordinary believers to share the message of Jesus in everyday moments. In Acts 8, we see how God used Philip's willingness to follow the Spirit's prompting to reach one person, reminding us that God's mission often unfolds through simple obedience and intentional conversations. It challenges us to reflect on how the Holy Spirit might be leading us to take our own next step—whether that means placing our trust in Jesus, stepping out to share our faith, or following Him in obedience through baptism. 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.

In Acts 9:10–19, we see that a real encounter with Jesus never ends with us sitting still, it always leads to assignment. Saul gets stopped in his tracks, but God doesn't just work in Saul, He calls an ordinary man named Ananias to listen, go, and serve, and that one act of obedience becomes the doorway to someone else's miracle. This message challenges us to get close enough to hear God call our name, brave enough to say yes when it costs us comfort, and faithful enough to serve in a way that opens blind eyes, because we weren't saved to spectate, we were saved to be sent. #FaceToFace

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!

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 the weight of religious rules overshadowing the freedom Christ died to give you? In Acts 15, we witness a pivotal moment where Paul and Barnabas confront those adding burdens to new believers. Pastor Jeff unpacks how the early church protected the pure gospel—Jesus plus nothing—against legalism that threatened to complicate God's simple plan of grace. Through compelling stories and biblical truth, he reveals how wisdom protects both our freedom in Christ and fellowship with others, while keeping the mission first. Whether you're wrestling with religious expectations or seeking authentic faith, this message illuminates the path to walking in true spiritual liberty. Don't miss this transformative teaching that will revolutionize how you view grace, fellowship, and God's call on your life. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

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.

This week, we finish our Preaching and Persecution series in Acts. In Acts 8, we see Philip follow the leading of the Holy Spirit to share the gospel with the Ethiopian Eunuch in the desert, and the Ethiopian Eunuch responds in baptism. Pastor Eric shares three points as we work through the text: 1) Radical Obedience 2) Gospel Telling 3) An Outward Response

Unity in the Church and in our relationships requires navigation through tension. Tension has always been part of the story of God's people. In Acts 15, as the Church grew beyond its original boundaries, cultural and theological tensions arose that threatened to fracture the body of Christ. These moments could have led to division—but instead, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they became catalysts for clarity, strengthening, and mission. Without tension, there is no growth or forward movement. Yet unhealthy tension can damage relationships and hinder God's work. Today, Tim Doering will share about Netzer's work in equipping the Church to capitalize on the God-given tensions across the kingdom. We will also examine our own call to embrace various forms of tension with wisdom, allowing the gospel to transform potential rupture into resilience, unity, and maturity. 

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 8:1–8, persecution scatters the church, but what looks like defeat becomes the means of gospel expansion. The gospel turns obstacles into opportunities, using suffering to spread joy and salvation to new places. 

A Sermon for the First Sunday in Lent Ephesians 2:1-10 by The Rev'd Dr. Matthew Colvin             Week after week, I see Pastor Bill preaching the Bible to you on Sundays, and I want to commend him to you. I'm not sure you are aware how rare it is to have a pastor who does his own translation work in the Hebrew and Greek, and who attempts, with diligence and great effort, to read the text of the Bible anew, divide it up properly, and serve it to you. What matters to Pastor Bill in his preaching to you is what the Bible actually says — the actual point of the gospels' stories, or the actual meaning of the prophecies of the prophets, or the actual meaning of Paul's arguments in his letters — not what famous theologians have used the Bible to say, or what scholastic medieval philosophy says it can and cannot mean, or the way modern self-help gurus can use Bible verses out of context to tell a very different story. If you attend to the words delivered from this pulpit, you are being trained to understand the Bible on its own terms, rather than watching as a slick speaker uses the Bible to express his own ideas. The story needs to be your story; you are to think of yourself as a child of Abraham, as a sharer in Israel's Messiah, as someone in covenant with Israel's God. Since it is the first Sunday in Lent, we are confronted with the very first episode of Jesus' public ministry after his baptism by John the Baptist. This story has much to teach us about Jesus' work as the Messiah, the nature of his sufferings, and ultimately, the way we ought to think about God Himself. I want to start by thinking about what it means when the Messiah goes into the desert. In Acts 21, when Paul is arrested in Jerusalem, the Roman centurion is surprised that he knows Greek: “Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?" -Acts 21:38 (I joke to my Greek students that knowing Greek is handy if you are ever suspected of being a terrorist.) In Acts 5, Gamaliel mentioned Judas of Galilee and Theudas, false messiahs who also started their rebellions against Rome by going out into the wilderness. Why do so many messiahs begin this way? Because they are attempting recapitulate of Israel's story. And the true Messiah also relives the story of Israel, embodying it in the events that happen to him: he has already gone down to Egypt to escape a tyrannical attempt to kill all the baby boys in Bethlehem, much as Pharaoh tried to kill all the male Hebrew babies; he has already been baptized in the Jordan, as Paul says Israel was “baptized in the cloud and in the sea” of the Exodus; and now he goes into the Wilderness to be tempted for 40 days, as Israel was tempted for 40 years. Covenant history rhymes, as the saying goes. So that is why Jesus is in the desert. There remains explain why he is being tested, and how he resists that temptation, and what these things tell us about the Messiah and about God. We must recognize that Jesus resisted Satan's temptation as true man, as a matter of his messianic office. Jesus' self-understanding as the Messiah was in terms of the latter chapters of Isaiah, i.e. the suffering servant. This understanding of his calling is why he girded himself with a towel and washed his disciples' feet at the Last Supper; it is why he set his face like flint to go to Jerusalem; it is why he undertakes to drink the cup of suffering, and sheds sweat like drops of blood falling to the ground during his agonized prayer in Gethsemane. Being this kind of Messiah involved contradicting the expectations that other men had about what the Messiah would be like. When Jesus is on trial, the Roman procurator Pontius Pilate, for instance, asks him — in a question whose statement-like word order indicates incredulity — “You are the king of the Jews?” (that is the word order, sarcastic or incredulous), and then puts over his head a sign reading “Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews,” in three languages, so that everyone could get the joke. Pilate mocks Jewish pretensions to even have a king. That is why he refused to change the sign to say only “He claimed to be the king of the Jews.”  It is also why he also brings out Barabbas and asks the Jews, “Whom do you want me to give to you? Barabbas, or the king of the Jews?” Pilate is operating with the standard pagan understanding of kingship: "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:25-28) Pontius Pilate and the Romans were expecting someone taller, perhaps. Of course, Jesus could have met those expectations, as he told the soldiers who arrested him in Gethsemane: “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53) It isn't that he couldn't just blow the Romans away with fire from heaven. But that is not his agenda. That is not what the Messiah has come to do. He has come “not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus also has to correct the expectation of the Jews about what the Messiah is to be like — even the expectation of his own disciples! It is this self-understanding that makes Jesus tell his disciples in Mt 16:22-23 that “he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." Peter's suggestion that Jesus could be the Mesiah without suffering and dying is so inimical to Jesus' self-understanding and his mission that he calls Peter “Satan.” And rightly so, because what Peter is suggesting is pretty much of the same spirit as what Satan himself suggests in our gospel lesson this morning. So that is the background: Jesus as the true Israelite, the Messiah, is in the desert, not to lead a rebellion or a gang of terrorists, but to be tested as Israel was tested. Against all this background, we are ready to hear the words, both of Satan tempting, and of Jesus answering, and hear them with richer and fuller meaning — meaning not from Greek philosophy or self-help gurus or even systematic theologians, but rather, from the story of Israel. With his first temptation, Satan seeks to exploit Jesus' hunger: “The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written,  "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:3-4) Any of you who have ever been hangry know exactly why Satan is doing this. Jesus, no less than we, lived his earthly incarnate life in a body, and that body was subject to weakness. Jesus is not like Superman, so that bullets or nails would bounce off his skin. He was capable of suffering, and he did suffer. Satan is suggesting that Jesus should exploit his Messianic status — for that is what is meant by “If you are the Son of God” — and use it to avoid this suffering. Take your authority over all creation and use it to transform stones into bread. This is not a ridiculous suggestion. It is similar to Jesus' first miracle in John's gospel, where he turned water into wine for the wedding at Cana. But the aim of the action here would be quite different. Satan's meaning is basically the same as Peter's suggestion: “Suffer from hunger? Why put up with that? This shall never happen to you!” Jesus' answer is a quotation from Deuteronomy 8:3. (In fact, all three of Jesus' answers to Satan are from Deuteronomy. (Dt. 8:3, 6:16, and 6:13). That is, they are taken from Moses' instructions to Israel about how to live with the Lord. Jesus is the one who follows Deuteronomy's description of the faithful Israelite perfectly.) As so often, however, Jesus' quotations of the Old Testament are metaleptic —a fancy Greek word that means “takes along with it.” The idea here is that if I say, “We stand on guard for thee,” it would be a mistake for someone to try to understand that utterance merely by using a dictionary to look up “stand” and “guard” and so forth. The meaning of that phrase is rather to be found in the larger context of the Canadian national anthem as a whole, because that is how everyone who hears it will immediately start thinking in their minds: all the other verses will come flooding into your minds; you will perhaps recall occasions when you sang it: in school, or at sporting events; or watching a Olympic medal ceremony. Just so, when Jesus quotes the Old Testament, every Israelite hearer will not just think of the words he quotes; he will think also of the surrounding context, the story in which those words first occurred. So when we look at Deuteronomy 8:3, we should also think about the immediately preceding verse: "The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers. And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.” (Deuteronomy 8:1-2) And then it goes on to say, in the very next verse, “And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” (Deuteronomy 8:3) This is what Jesus has in mind: he has been in the wilderness for forty days, being humbled, being tested. He answers Satan from the very passage of Deuteronomy that has to do with his situation: it is about testing in the wilderness. He has been thinking about this verse for a while now. The tempter's second try is with a more showy possibility: Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,  "'He will command his angels concerning you,'  and  "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" -Matthew 4:6 This would be an impressive display! Who could fail to follow a Messiah who had made such a proof of divine power? Jesus had answered the first temptation by quoting Scripture. But the devil can quote Scripture for his purposes, so Satan appeals to lines from Psalm 91:11-12. And again, he knows what he is doing: at a time when Jesus feels alone, when he is in the desert, Satan tempts him with lines from that most comforting song: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” It is full of promises of God's protection and deliverance: in battle, from wild animals, from dangerous diseases. And yet it is singularly inappropriate for Jesus' messianic vocation: He has come to suffer and die. To avail himself of divine protection against these sufferings would be to deny his messiahship. So Jesus replies with words from Deuteronomy again. "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" -Matthew 4:7 This is from Deuteronomy 6, that chapter which contains the Shema, the single verse of the Torah that could be called the creed of Israel: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” It is the core chapter of the Torah about Israel's relationship with God. He has rescued her from Egypt and taken her to Himself to be His bride; at Mount Sinai, he has married her. But Israel was not faithful. She tested the Lord like a wife acting up to trying to make her husband angry. When there was no water to drink, Exodus 17 says, “Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink." And Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?" (Exodus 17:2) The verb used here, and also by Jesus in Matthew 4:7, is πειράζω. Note well: Who was doing the testing in the wilderness for 40 years? Exodus and Deuteronomy say it clearly: Israel was testing YHWH. And thus, we may perceive some clever irony in Jesus' answer to Satan here. For Satan is called “the tempter,” and in Greek, that is nothing other than a participle form of this same verb πειράζω, literally, “the testing one.” So on the one hand, Jesus' quotation of Deuteronomy 6:16 could mean, “You are asking me to test God by throwing myself down from the Temple. I am not going to do it, because Moses warned Israel not to test God.” But it could also mean, “You are testing God, Satan.” Satan doesn't take the hint. He keeps on testing Jesus. There will be more attempts later, but the last temptation that Satan tries on Jesus in the wilderness is narrated like this: Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." -Matthew 4:8-9 Why does Satan take him to a very high mountain? In the Bible, mountaintop scenes are real estate transactions. If I sell you this pen, it's simple enough: you put money in my hand, and I put the pen in yours, and you carry it away with you. But houses and land don't fit in your pocket. So we have other procedures. In our day, we get banks and notaries involved and sign a lot of documents. But in the ancient world, you took possession by inspecting the property after the transfer.  This is done in the case of Abram in Genesis 13:17: “Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.” The same thing happens when Moses is about to die; in one sense, Moses doesn't get the promised land, because he dies before he can enter into it; but in another sense, God actually gives him the land, because he takes him up on a mountain and shows it to him, and this is the formal transfer of the land: “Go up this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, across from Jericho; view the land of Canaan, which I give to the children of Israel as a possession..” (Deuteronomy 32:49) Satan is attempting to use the same convention in Matthew 4:8. He is trying to get Jesus to make a deal, offering the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship. But Jesus has no need to make such a bargain, for God had already promised to give the Messiah everything Satan is offering, and Jesus, whose self-understanding as the Messiah is shaped by Isaiah's description of the suffering servant, knows it very well from Isaiah 49: The Lord says: "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." (Isaiah 49:6) He knows it also from Psalm 2: I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. Ask of God. Not of Satan. The nations belong to the Lord, not to Satan. Jesus has no intention of making a bargain to purchase what Satan wrongly claims to own. In Matthew 12, after the Pharisees accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Satan, Jesus replies that, How can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. (Matthew 12:29) And he does plunder it. We see the result in Revelation 20: “And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer...” -Revelation 20:3 And as for the real estate deal Satan was trying to make, well, we see the end of that at the very end of Matthew's gospel. For the Great Commission too takes place on a mountain, and this setting seems significant, especially in light of Jesus' declaration that “all authority in heaven and earth” has been given to Him. This is a pointed contrast with Satan's lying statement, "To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will.” (Luke 4:6 NKJV) Quite the contrary, Jesus, having refused Satan's bargain, and having bound him and plundered his goods, now bestows the kingdom on His disciples and takes possession of the nations by sending his disciples to teach and baptize them. I want to end by correcting three misapprehensions that some people might have about this story, which may prevent them from grasping what it teaches us about God. One mistake some have is that Jesus didn't really suffer in the wilderness; that His divine nature was smirking and unbothered by Satan's temptations aimed at his human nature; that all these things just rolled off of Jesus like water off a duck's back. We know this was not the case. Recall Gethsemane again, where Jesus begged the Father to “take this cup from me,” and his sweat fell to the ground like drops of blood — drops of blood, not water off a duck's back. A second mistake would be to think that, yes, Jesus suffered, but that's only because He is human. But that is not what the Bible says. It says that Jesus revealed the Father by his sufferings; that if you want to know what the Father is like, you should look at Jesus, for He who has seen Him has seen the Father. Greek philosophers say that God is an unmoved mover, and that God cannot suffer because he is perfect; but the Bible tells us that Jesus was “made perfect by sufferings.” (Heb. 5:9) Greek philosophers tell us that God cannot be afflicted; the Bible says that “in all their afflictions, He was afflicted.” (Isaiah 63:9) Greeks and Romans thought that suffering was miserable and degrading, and that if you are suffering, you must not have any glory or power; the Bible says that Jesus “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore — not in spite of his sufferings, but because of them! — God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.” (Philippians 2:8) There is no clearer picture of Israel's God than the cross of Jesus Christ. That is where we finally see God fully revealed. Finally, a third mistake would be to think that, yes, Jesus' sufferings were powerful and important, but ours are not. The truth is exactly the opposite. As George MacDonald put it, “The Son of God suffered, not that we might not suffer, but that our sufferings might be like His.” And they are. “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory...” (2 Corinthians 4:17) We are in the Messiah. His story, Israel's story, is our story. In Him, we are faithful Israelites, true to Deuteronomy 6. In Him, we are the suffering servant of Isaiah's prophecies. In Him, the kingdoms of the world belong to us. In Him, we too are victorious over Satan. Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, for our sake you fasted forty days and forty nights: give us grace so to discipline ourselves that our flesh being subdued to the Spirit, we may always obey your will in righteousness and true holiness, to the honour and glory of your name; for you live and reign with the Father and Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

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.

In Acts 9:32–43, Peter heals a man named Aeneas and restores a woman named Dorcas to life. Pastor Doug Horner preaches a message today called "The Greatest Miracle."

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 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

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.