Podcasts about in acts

How Do I Move Past My Biggest Mistakes? | Acts 4:1-22 | Kevin Queen Have you ever wished you could go back and rewrite a chapter of your life? In Acts 4, Peter finds himself standing before the same religious leaders connected to one of his greatest failures. Just weeks earlier, he denied even knowing Jesus. Now, under pressure once again, Peter responds with courage and conviction. What changed? This message explores how God redeems our failures, transforms our hearts and empowers us to live differently. Peter’s story reminds us that our worst moments do not have to define our future. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God can bring restoration where there was regret and boldness where there was fear. Where have past mistakes continued to shape your present? What tends to come out of you when you’re under pressure? How might God be inviting you to trust Him with a place of failure or regret? —————————— If this message encouraged you:• Share your takeaway in the comments.• Send this message to someone who needs hope today.• Join us as we continue our study through Acts at crosspoint.tv/acts.• Find a Cross Point campus near you at crosspoint.tv/locations.

In Week 10 of our Welcomed. series, we follow Paul, Timothy, and their companions as they begin a new chapter of gospel mission. Along the way, we discover that the Christian life is not ultimately about maintaining control—it is about surrender.In Acts 16:1–15, Paul willingly lays down personal rights, adjusts carefully made plans, and refuses to take credit for the work that only God can do. Through Timothy's example, the Macedonian vision, and Lydia's conversion, we see that the welcome of Jesus calls us to trust God's purposes above our preferences and His wisdom above our own understanding.Whether it's our rights, our plans, or our desire for recognition, Jesus invites us into the freedom that comes from placing every part of our lives in His hands. As we surrender, we discover that God is the one directing the mission, opening hearts, and advancing His kingdom.For more information about Integrity Church, visit our website, http://liveintegritychurch.orgConnect with us on social media throughout the week to stay up to date on events and things happening at Integrity!Instagram: @integrity_churchFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveintegrity/

What if the biggest thing God wants to do through your life doesn't happen on a stage, in front of a crowd, or through a grand plan?In Acts 8, Philip leaves a thriving ministry moment to follow God's leading down a desert road for one person. One interruption. One conversation. One act of obedience. Through Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch, we discover that God often works through ordinary moments, unexpected interruptions, and simple acts of faithfulness to change lives.

What does it actually take to be saved? In Acts 15, the early church faced its biggest crisis yet, and the answer would shape Christianity forever. Join us this Sunday as we discover why the gospel of grace is the only foundation strong enough to hold people together, and why unity is worth fighting for when the truth of the gospel is at stake.

In Acts 9, we witness the dramatic conversion and commission of one of the most important men in the history of our faith: the apostle Paul. But Paul's journey begins through the ordinary obedience of an otherwise unknown man named Ananias – a man who simply had the courage to see what God was doing… and join him. (Acts 9:1-18)

When opposition comes, how should followers of Jesus respond? In Acts 4, the early church faces threats and persecution, yet instead of fear, they respond with confidence in God's sovereignty and a prayer for greater boldness. In this verse-by-verse study of Acts 4:23–31, Pastor Curtis examines how the believers trusted God's plan, prayed for courage rather than comfort, and depended on the power of the Holy Spirit to continue proclaiming Christ. This passage reminds us that opposition is not a sign that God has abandoned us—it is often part of faithfully following Jesus. As we trust Him, our perspective, prayers, and dependence on God are transformed. Harvest Church is a non-denominational church in Arroyo Grande, California, committed to teaching God's Word and helping people grow in authentic relationship with Jesus. Join us Sundays at 9am & 11am. For more information, visit [www.agharvest.org](http://www.agharvest.org). This Christian sermon is part of our verse-by-verse study through Acts and is rooted in Bible teaching, expository preaching, and practical encouragement for following Jesus in everyday life.

Many followers of Jesus want to make a difference for the gospel but can feel discouraged when they don't see immediate results. In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas remind us that God is always working, even when we can't see it. Their ministry was marked by supernatural grit, gospel-given security, and clarity of calling. As we abide in Jesus and depend on the Spirit, God can use us to faithfully help others know Jesus and become more like him.

In Acts 13, Paul preaches his first recorded sermon. He's tired, sick from the journey, and dealing with conflict in ministry, and he stands up in a synagogue full of people who already know the story. They've read the law and the prophets Sabbath after Sabbath. Then he gets to the end and reveals the one thing that changes how all of it reads: Jesus.We walk through Paul's sermon as he traces the whole Old Testament back to Jesus, the one every promise was pointing to the entire time. We talk about what it means to recognize him instead of choosing to unsee, what it means to call him Lord and not just clip him on when it's convenient, and why the peace and freedom we're after isn't found in performance or practices but in the person of Jesus.And it ends where the whole story has been heading all along. Not a God standing over you saying do more, but a Father who climbed the mountain himself and did not withhold his only Son. You were never asked to climb it. He already climbed it for you.Pastor Darren Rouanzoin, from our series Church on Fire: A Journey Through Acts.

Many followers of Jesus want to make a difference for the gospel but can feel discouraged when they don't see immediate results. In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas remind us that God is always working, even when we can't see it. Their ministry was marked by supernatural grit, gospel-given security, and clarity of calling. As we abide in Jesus and depend on the Spirit, God can use us to faithfully help others know Jesus and become more like him.

What do you do when following Jesus gets hard?In Acts 6–7, we follow the story of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, who was faithful in serving, faithful through opposition, and faithful to the very end. Discover how big faithfulness starts small, why resistance shouldn't surprise us, and how to stay faithful even when you can't see the fruit.

In Acts 15:36–16:5, Paul and Barnabas prepare to return and strengthen the churches, but a sharp disagreement over John Mark leads them to separate. Even in this difficult moment, the mission of the gospel continues as Paul chooses Silas, Barnabas takes Mark, and Timothy joins the work.This passage reminds us that being on mission together does not mean we will never face conflict, make hard decisions, or sacrifice personal rights for the sake of others. Yet through it all, God continues to strengthen His church and grow His people.

In Acts 15, the Jerusalem Council makes a fateful decision: Gentile Christians do not have to become Jewish before they can be saved. Rather, the Council realizes that all along God's plan was to save the nations through Jesus.The reason this matters is because it means that the church will be made up of lots of different cultures, each bringing their best to God.In other words, heaven will be a lot like the World Cup….

In Acts 9:20-31, Saul begins preaching immediately, but plots against him force his escape. He arrives in Jerusalem, still distrusted, but Barnabas vouches for him.

“The LORD your God will soon bring you into the land he swore to give you when he made a vow to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is a land with large, prosperous cities that you did not build. The houses will be richly stocked with goods you did not produce. You will draw water from cisterns you did not dig, and you will eat from vineyards and olive trees you did not plant. When you have eaten your fill in this land, be careful not to forget the LORD, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 6:10–12 NLT) One of the costs of following Christ is the realization that adversity isn’t something to be dreaded and avoided; it’s something to be embraced because it serves a vital purpose. In his book, The Problem of Pain, C. S. Lewis wrote, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” We talk about the problem of pain, but let’s talk about the problem of prosperity. Prosperity brings responsibility because we are not owners; we are stewards. Everything God gives to us is a gift, and we will be held responsible for what we do with the resources that are at our disposal. Therefore, we want to make sure that we remain dependent on God. When life gets hard and adversity hits, we pray—and so we should. But sometimes when life is going reasonably well, we sort of forget about prayer. In Acts 12, we read that when James was beheaded, and Peter was put in prison, the church prayed—and they prayed with desperation because they knew that if God didn’t come through, there was no other hope. The psalmist wrote, “I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word” (Psalm 119:67 NLT). God gave this warning to Israel before they entered the Promised Land and began enjoying all its blessings: “The LORD your God will soon bring you into the land he swore to give you when he made a vow to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is a land with large, prosperous cities that you did not build. The houses will be richly stocked with goods you did not produce. You will draw water from cisterns you did not dig, and you will eat from vineyards and olive trees you did not plant. When you have eaten your fill in this land, be careful not to forget the LORD, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 6:10–12 NLT). Adversity levels us and keeps us humble, while prosperity tends to make us proud and self-sufficient. We don’t think we need God when we’re in good health or have a wallet full of credit cards or a lot of money in the bank. But when the economy goes south, or the doctor has bad news, we turn to God because we are reminded of what really matters. That’s the role of adversity in our lives. Reflection question: What is the best way to respond to adversity in your life? Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available. — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ananias and Sapphira wanted the appearance of sacrifice without the reality of surrender. In Acts 5, their deceit exposed the danger of hypocrisy, spiritual jealousy, and seeking human praise. This episode is a sobering reminder that sin is never private, God cares deeply about the purity of His church, and pretending before Him is never safe.

Acts 14 Bible studyHave you ever wondered if a closed door means God is telling you to stop? Does opposition mean you are doing something wrong? In Acts 14, Paul faced opposition, slander, and even death threats. But surprisingly, he stayed. Today we are going to look at how to persevere when facing opposition and when it might be time to move on.Acts 14 Bible study guide with companion discussion questions on our https://studyandobey.com/inductive-bible-study/acts/acts-14/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 800+ 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

Church growth is a gift, but it comes with real challenges. In Acts 6, the early church faced a crisis when rapid growth caused some of its most vulnerable members to be overlooked. Rather than slowing down or shutting the doors, the apostles restructured, delegated responsibility, and built a team capable of caring for everyone. The result was not less growth but more. A healthy church grows relationally, not just numerically, and every believer plays a role in making sure no one slips through the cracks. That means connecting with people you do not know yet, interceding for one another, inviting people into your everyday life, and serving where there is a need. Rest is also part of the equation, because sustainable faithfulness matters more than burning out. The mission has not changed: making disciples who carry the presence of Jesus into every area of life.Support the show

Paul moves from what he inherited to what he personally achieved. Listento what he says: "As to the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecutingthe church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless." Thesewere not things that were given to Paul. These were things he worked hard toattain. If anyone could have earned a right standing before God throughreligion, dedication, and moral effort, it was Saul of Tarsus. First,notice that Paul said, "As to the law, a Pharisee." ThePharisees were the strictest religious group in Judaism. There were not many ofthem compared to the population of Israel, but they were highly respected fortheir devotion to the Law. The word Pharisee actually means "separatedone." They separated themselves from anything they believed would makethem spiritually unclean. They carefully studied the Scriptures, observedreligious traditions, and sought to obey every detail of the Law. SoPaul was not merely a religious man. He was a religious leader. In Acts 23:6,he boldly declared, "I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee." Hehad studied under the famous Rabbi Gamaliel according to Acts 22:3. Hepossessed the finest religious education available in his day. Yet with allthat learning and all that religious devotion, it could not save him. It ispossible to know the Bible intellectually and still not know Jesus Christpersonally. Many people today know Bible stories, memorize verses, and attendchurch regularly, yet they have never experienced the transforming grace ofGod. Knowledge alone cannot save. Secondly,Paul said, "Concerning zeal, persecuting the church." Thismight seem shocking to us. How could persecuting Christians be considered acredential? But before his conversion, Paul believed Christians were theenemies of God. He thought he was serving God by trying to destroy the church. Acts8:3 tells us that Saul made havoc of the church, entering houses and draggingmen and women off to prison. In Acts 9, he was on his way to Damascus withauthority to arrest believers when he met the risen Christ. In Acts 26:9-11,when he gave his testimony before Agrippa, he said: “I punished them oftenin every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme. Being exceedingly enragedagainst them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities." Paulwas sincere. He was passionate. He was committed. But he was sincerely wrong. Thisreminds us that sincerity alone is not enough because a person can be sincereand still be lost. A person can be passionate and still be mistaken. The mostimportant question is not how sincere we are. The important question is whetherour faith is based on the truth of Jesus Christ. Today, many people are zealousabout religion, politics, causes, traditions, or philosophies. But zeal withouttruth can lead us far from God. Paul had zeal, but he still needed a Savior. Third,Paul said, "Concerning the righteousness which is in the law,blameless." Notice he did not say sinless. He said blameless. In theeyes of the people around him, Paul lived an exemplary life. No one could pointto some scandalous sin and accuse him of hypocrisy. Outwardly, he appeared tobe everything a religious person should be. If Saul of Tarsus had lived in ourcommunity today, many churches would probably have wanted him to be a deacon, aSunday school teacher, an elder, or a ministry leader. Yet despite all hismorality and religious discipline, he was still lost. Thisis one of the most sobering truths in Scripture. Aperson can be religious and still need salvation. Remember, Jesus said inMatthew 7 that many will come to Him in that day and say, "Lord, Lord,have we not done many wonderful works in Your name?" And Jesus willsay to them, "Depart from Me, you workers of iniquity. I never knewyou." That is sobering. Are you sure—really sure—that you have beenborn again? We need the grace of God and salvation through Christ alone. 

What happens when Jesus steps into the path of someone headed in the wrong direction? In Acts 9, we witness one of the most powerful transformations in Scripture as Saul, the church's fiercest persecutor, encounters Jesus on the road to Damascus and leaves forever changed.This message reminds us that radical change doesn't always begin in a church building. Sometimes it starts on an unexpected road, in the middle of brokenness, failure, or uncertainty. Jesus still interrupts destructive paths, exposes spiritual blindness, and rewrites the purpose of anyone willing to surrender to Him.In this sermon, we explore:* How God's interruptions are often acts of mercy, not punishment.* Why information without an encounter with Jesus can still leave us spiritually blind.* The obedience of Ananias and how one simple “yes” can impact generations.* How God's grace is greater than your past, your failures, or your mistakes.* Why no one is too far gone for the transforming power of Christ.No matter where you've been or what road you're on today, the same Jesus who met Saul is still calling people into new life. He still saves. He still heals. He still restores. And He still uses broken people for His glory.

In Acts 1, the disciples wanted to know when the kingdom would come, but Jesus redirected them to the mission before them. They would not know the Father's timing, but they would receive the Spirit's power to be His witnesses. This episode reminds us that while we wait for the kingdom's fullness, we have a Spirit-empowered job to do.

In Acts 8, Philip followed God's leading into an unexpected place and discovered that God was already at work in the life of the Ethiopian eunuch. This story reminds us that being the church means joining God's mission beyond Sunday mornings by paying attention to where He is leading and who He is placing in our path. (Acts 8:26-40)

Religion can produce outward appearance, knowledge, and tradition, yet still leave people enslaved to anger, hard-heartedness, and fear. In Acts 4, Peter and John stand before the religious leaders of Israel and boldly proclaim that true salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone. Their courage reveals the transforming power of a life surrendered to Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit. Following the healing of the lame man in Acts 3, Peter and John are arrested and questioned by the very leaders who opposed Jesus. Rather than shrinking back, they faithfully declare that the miracle was accomplished through the power of the risen Christ. This passage highlights three marks of faithful discipleship: trusting Jesus to deliver the victory, boldly declaring the truth, and refusing to compromise when pressured to be silent. The same Jesus who transformed fearful disciples into courageous witnesses is still saving and changing lives today. Forgiveness of sins, new life, and lasting hope are found in Him alone.   We invite you to join us at Harvest Church in Arroyo Grande as we grow together through God's Word, authentic Christian community, and worship centered on Jesus Christ. We would love to welcome you to one of our Sunday gatherings. If you're looking for Bible teaching, verse-by-verse study through Scripture, expository preaching, Christian sermons, and practical encouragement for following Jesus, we invite you to worship with us Sundays at 9am & 11am. For more information, visit www.agharvest.org.

In Acts 17:22–31, Paul teaches that our greatest spiritual problem is not a lack of spirituality but misplaced devotion, and that true life is found by turning our attention to the God who has made Himself known through Jesus Christ.

Are You Willing to Speak Up and Share, Publicly, Your Relationship with Jesus? MESSAGE SUMMARY: Are You Willing to Speak Up and Share Publicly Your Relationship with Jesus? (Resurrection Anglican Church; Woodstock, GA) To what extent are you willing to share with others your relationship with Jesus? What price are you willing to pay, personally, so that others may know the good news of Jesus – the Gospel? What are you willing to go through to advance the Kingdom of God? In Ephesians 3:1-2, the Apostle Paul summarizes the price that he joyfully accepts to carry the news of the Gospel to the Nations: “For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentile -- assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you.". In Acts 26:19, Paul gives his public testimony, in his hearing before King Agrippa; and told the King and everyone in attendance that he, Paul, felt privileged to testify, to the Nations, about his conversion and his relationship with Jesus: “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.". Paul was in prison facing a trial by the despotic Emperor of Rome, Nero. However, you may never have to go to prison or face death to communicate the Gospel; but you will face both physical and emotional discomfort as you become a visible follower of Jesus. While articulating the Gospel to others is important, the most effective way to communicate the Gospel is not by what you say but how you live – walk the talk and let others see Jesus in you. The world, the country, your friends, and your family have so many issues and hurts for which Jesus and His Gospel are the answer; but we keep this good news a secret by our unwillingness to live a visible life walking the talk of the Gospel and sharing the Gospel. Do you have the faith and courage and are you willing to share the Gospel? If you do, then pray for God's guidance to you for His will and role for you.     TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FORGIVEN. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Ephesians 3:1-21; Acts 9:15; Acts 26:12-23; Psalms 124:1-8. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “God Sees Jesus Followers as “In Christ”: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus””: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Barnabas encouraged the church in Antioch to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose. We need the same encouragement today. In Acts chapter 11 we see the Christ followers getting involved in the work of the ministry, living a lifestyle that reflects Christ, and giving generously. All ways that we can be faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose. Main Scripture passage: Acts 11

Join us as Pastor Tyler preaches through Acts 2:47! How and why do we praise God? In Acts 2:47, we see the motivations for praising God as a Spirit-Filled Church.

In Acts 17:1–15, Paul and Silas are described as men who are turning the world upside down. But how? It was the power of the Scripture which Paul proclaimed that had the power to do such a thing. Your world can be turned upside down by the story of Scripture, through the study of Scripture, and in the sharing of Scripture. Pastor David Horner preaches from Acts 17:1–15.

In Acts 15:36–16:5, Paul and Barnabas prepare to return and strengthen the churches, but a sharp disagreement over John Mark leads them to separate. Even in this difficult moment, the mission of the gospel continues as Paul chooses Silas, Barnabas takes Mark, and Timothy joins the work.This passage reminds us that being on mission together does not mean we will never face conflict, make hard decisions, or sacrifice personal rights for the sake of others. Yet through it all, God continues to strengthen His church and grow His people.

In the book of Acts, the church continues to grow as the Lord adds to the number of those being saved. But growth creates new challenges. As more people come to faith, the need for leadership, service, and shared responsibility increases.In Acts 6, we see a pivotal moment in the life of the church. Rather than allowing the demands of ministry to overwhelm a few leaders, God raises up others to serve. These new leaders bring unique gifts and strengths that complement the ministry of the Apostles, creating space for the gospel to continue advancing.The mission of God has not changed. The Lord is still drawing people to Himself today. The question is: will you be part of what He is doing? What gifts has God entrusted to you? Where might He be calling you to serve? And what could happen if you stepped into the role He has prepared for you?

This Sunday, we continue our series Come & See, exploring what it means to develop a culture of invitation. In Acts 2:42-47, we get a glimpse of the early church: a community devoted to teaching, fellowship, prayer, generosity, and shared life. Their life together was not only meaningful for those inside the community; it became a witness that drew others in. The post Invited Into Community appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church.

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast, Hank shares the poignant words of five-star General Omar Bradley who said, “We have men of science, too few men of God. We have grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount.” Affirming this statement, Hank sends forth a clarion call for believers to stand with the Christian Research Institute in the battle for life and truth.Hank also answers the following questions:Do the children of unbelievers go to heaven after death? Sal - PA (5:53)In Acts 11, what would giving money to the Church in Jerusalem do to restrain a worldwide famine? John - New Albany, IN (15:14)Must a Christian go to church in order to be saved? (20:53)

In Acts 13, the Holy Spirit commissions Barnabas and Saul from the Antioch church for a mission that requires divinely empowered spiritual leaders to directly confront and overcome opposition. This remains God's blueprint for the church today to push past cultural hostility and successfully advance the gospel.

Acts 13:13-41 Bible studyEvery thread of the Bible points to Jesus.In Acts 13, Paul realized this truth and shared with the Jews a message on how everything points to Jesus. The result was predictable.As we study, we will consider how Jesus is still central to our lives today.In today's passage, we will learn the importance of seeking for God's will and listening to His voice.Acts 13 Bible study guide with companion discussion questions on our https://studyandobey.com/inductive-bible-study/acts/acts-13/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 800+ 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

In Acts 13, we see a turning point in the story of the early church. While most people move through life trying to get something—more success, more comfort, more security—the followers of Jesus were sent to give the world the most important message it has ever heard. As the Holy Spirit sends Paul and Barnabas from Antioch, the Gospel begins moving toward the ends of the earth. Why? Because the gospel was never meant to stay still. In this message, Pastor Ben Stuart shares eight powerful attributes of the Gospel and shows us how God uses ordinary people are used to carry the hope of Jesus to a world in need. Whether you're searching for purpose, direction, or a deeper understanding of God's mission, Acts 13 reminds us that we are called not just to receive the Gospel, but to share it. Key Verses // Acts 13  — Give towards what God is doing through Passion City Church: passiondc.link/give  — Subscribe to our Youtube channel to see more messages: www.youtube.com/passioncitychurchdc — Follow along with Passion City Church DC: www.instagram.com/passioncitydc — Follow along with Pastor Ben Stuart: 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.

In Week 8 of our Welcomed. series, we examine one of the most pivotal moments in the early church as believers wrestle with a foundational question: Is the grace of Jesus truly enough?In Acts 15:1–35, the apostles confront attempts to add requirements to the gospel and affirm the life-changing truth that salvation comes through grace alone. The welcome of Jesus is not earned through religious performance, cultural conformity, or personal achievement—it is received through faith in Christ. Yet the gospel doesn't stop there. The same grace that welcomes us into God's family also transforms the way we live with and love one another.Join us as we discover how the welcome of Jesus calls us to live securely under God's grace and faithfully from God's grace, finding freedom in Christ while learning to love others with humility, sacrifice, and unity.For more information about Integrity Church, visit our website, http://liveintegritychurch.orgConnect with us on social media throughout the week to stay up to date on events and things happening at Integrity!Instagram: @integrity_churchFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveintegrity/

A Light So LovelyActs 10Teacher: Pastor Matt PiersonDate: June 7, 2026Throughout the book of Acts, we witness the wildfire-like growth of the Church; beginning in Jerusalem and spreading first through Judea, and reaching even into Samaria, a people long at odds with Israel. The Gospel is proclaimed, and the Samaritans believe and receive the Holy Spirit. In Acts chapter 10, Luke will recount an even more remarkable moment. The Holy Spirit brings together Cornelius, a Roman centurion who is a God-fearer, and Simon Peter, who is still a rule-follower despite his faith in Christ. God is going to use this meeting to fling wide open the door of the Gospel to the Gentiles, revealing that His invitation extends to all nations, tribes, and tongues.Join Pastor Matt as we study this encounter and its world-changing impact. The Gospel is for all people, the Holy Spirit is on the move, and every believer is invited to take part in what God is doing.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!

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas find themselves beaten, chained, and imprisoned for simply obeying God, yet at midnight they choose to pray and sing instead of complain. Their worship shifts the atmosphere, encourages those around them, and prepares the way for God to move in miraculous power. This message reminds us that praise is a choice, not a feeling, and that God is still working in our midnight seasons even when we cannot yet see the breakthrough.

In Acts 13, the spotlight shifts from Jerusalem to Antioch—a diverse, unexpected community where the Holy Spirit is doing something entirely new. From former outsiders and unlikely leaders to the commissioning of Paul and Barnabas, this chapter reveals a church that chooses mission over comfort, creativity over control, and expansion over preservation.In this message, we explore how God's grace continually pushes the church beyond its assumptions, why the most transformative movements often emerge from the margins, and what it means to trust the Spirit enough to send our best into the unknown.Whether you're navigating change, wrestling with tradition, or discerning what's next, Acts 13 reminds us that the future of God's kingdom has always belonged to communities willing to follow where the Spirit leads. ★ Support this podcast ★

Who are you turning to when life becomes difficult? In Acts 3, Peter points a crowd away from human strength and toward Jesus Christ, the only source of lasting hope, forgiveness, and transformation. Following the healing of a man who had been crippled since birth, Peter boldly proclaims that the miracle was accomplished through the power of Jesus. He calls his listeners to give God the glory, embrace the truth about Christ, and respond with repentance and faith. This message explores Peter's challenge to the crowd and the blessings that come from turning to Jesus: forgiven sins, spiritual refreshment, freedom from judgment, and a life increasingly transformed by God's grace. If you're in the Arroyo Grande area, we'd love to welcome you to Harvest Church. Join us as we grow in God's Word, experience authentic community, and worship Jesus together. Service times: 9am & 11am. Harvest Church is committed to Bible teaching, verse-by-verse study, expository preaching, and helping people follow Jesus. For more information, visit www.agharvest.org.

What happens when the gospel collides with deception, religious pride, and hungry hearts? In Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas discover that the message of Jesus always demands a response. Join us this Sunday as we explore how the same gospel that confronted people two thousand years ago still has the power to transform lives today.

In the Name of the Messiah Acts 3 by William Klock So what happens after Pentecost?  In the church's calendar we spend the first half of the year walking through the life of Jesus—maybe we think of that as the “gospel story”—and that closes with Pentecost.  And in the second half of the year we focus on the life of the church as it lives out Pentecost.  But the way the lectionary does that tends to present the life of the church in the abstract.  That's not necessarily bad.  But the book of Acts gives us an opportunity to see it in real life, in history.  And Acts is important because it makes sure we understand that the life of the church isn't some application of abstract theological principles.  Acts shows us the life of the church as very much the continuation of the story of Jesus, of that gospel narrative.  It doesn't end with the Ascension.  It doesn't end with Pentecost.  Pentecost simply begins a new chapter.  As Luke said at the beginning, in the gospel he wrote he laid out what Jesus began to do and to teach.  In Acts we see Jesus continuing to do and to teach, but now it's through his church, through his people. So last week we saw this amazing move of the Spirit.  That's how I think we mostly think of it: a move of the Spirit.  But if we've been following the story through Easter and the ascension it ought to be clear that Pentecost is, first and foremost, a move of Jesus the Messiah.  Having taken his heavenly throne to reign as king until he has put all his enemies under his feet, Jesus has sent the Spirit to enact, to make real the truth of his reign through the church.  The spirit enables the apostles, the rest of the disciples, enables us to put off the old, lie-based, rebellious way of being human and to put on the new humanity brought by Jesus' resurrection from the dead.  The Spirit makes us the working model of God's new creation in the midst of the old.  The Spirit, living within us, make us God's new temple: full of his presence, his wisdom, his gospel.  And as we fulfil his original command to are fruitful and multiply, we grow and spread that temple until God's glory fills the earth. So Pentecost doesn't stand alone.  It's not just a stage in our personal spiritual growth.  It's not even for our own benefit.  It's to carry the reign of Jesus as Lord to the world.  So, again, what happens after Pentecost?  Look at Acts, Chapter 3. [Page 1082 in the pew Bibles.]  Luke tells us, “Peter and John were going up to the temple at three o'clock in the afternoon, the time for prayer.” I think it's worth a pause there.  Peter and John and the rest of the church had become the new temple.  The very thing that was missing from old, bricks-and-mortar temple, the presence of God, had come to dwell in them.  But they still went to the old bricks-and-mortar temple.  It highlights the fact that they didn't think of Jesus, the Spirit, the new covenant, being the new Israel as being some kind of new religion.  This new thing was simply how to be a faithful Jew in light of God's promises to Israel being fulfilled in Jesus.  And so these first Christians continued to observe torah, they worshipped with their fellow Jews in the synagogues, and they went with their fellow Jews to pray in the temple.  They didn't leave Judaism for something called Christianity.  But here's the thing: You and I don't do any of those things.  We don't live according to torah, we're not circumcised, we don't observe the Jewish feasts, we don't go the temple—we can't, because God judged and destroyed it long ago—but we are part of that same family of Jesus people, that same new Israel, that same church.  Because the new Israel isn't about torah, or circumcision, or diet, or Sabbath, or biological descent from Abraham.  It's about faith in, allegiance to Jesus, Israel's Messiah, and his kingdom, and the law of love written in our hearts by his Spirit.  What marks us out is our baptism into Jesus and the law of the Spirit that overflows from within us. Now, Luke goes on: “There was a man being carried in who had been lame from his mother's womb.  People used to bring him every day to the temple gate called “Beautiful”, so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple.  When he saw Peter and John going into the temple, he asked them to give him some money. So every day, probably for many years, this man's friends would carry him to the gate of the main temple court and leave him there to beg.  He was a fixture of the temple.  Few people probably “knew” him, but everyone was familiar with him.  Peter and John weren't from Jerusalem, but they'd probably seen the man when they visited the temple.  Maybe they'd given him money before.  But this time they have no money.  They'd left their jobs as fisherman in Galilee.  The church in Jerusalem has been surviving by living as family, pooling their resources.  Luke goes on: “Peter, with John, looked hard at him.  ‘Look at us,' he said.  The man stared at them, expecting to get something from them.  ‘I haven't got any silver or gold,' Peter said, ‘but I'll give you what I have got.  In the name of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, get up and walk!'  He grabbed the man by his right hand and lifted him up.  At once his feet and ankles became strong, and he leaped to his feet and began to walk.  He went in with them into the temple, walking and jumping up and down and praising God.  All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognised him as the man who had been sitting begging for alms by the Beautiful Gate of the temple.  They were filled with amazement and astonishment at what had happened to him.” He got more than he bargained for and what Peter and John give this man is right in keeping with what we read at the end of Chapter 2.  Money had ceased to have any importance for the disciples.  Something far better had come along.  Money is one of those things you need to get along in the old age where things are scarce and people are greedy.  The kingdom of God is about his new creation generosity and abundance.  This is why they lived like a family and shared what God gave with each other.  It was a practical way to live out new creation in way that confronted the scarcity and greed of the old age.  They knew there was something more important, a new power, a new kind of life—something far more important than silver and gold and so they gave it to this man.  The man didn't even ask to be healed.  He'd probably given up on that idea years and years ago.  But Peter gave this man new creation in the name of Jesus. Maybe this is why Peter insisted that the man look at them.  Picture Peter looking hard into the lame man's eyes and the lame man staring back.  Maybe Peter had seen Jesus do that: looking intently into the eyes of hurting people, seeing desperation, seeing hopelessness in some and faith in others.  Making a connection.  Sharing the compassion of God for the victims of the corrupt principalities and powers of the present age.  It seems like Peter saw something there.  Maybe hope.  Maybe faith.  Maybe the man knew who Peter was.  Maybe he'd heard about what happened at Pentecost.  Peter saw something.  And he didn't just tell the man to get up and walk.  That's what Jesus would have done and Peter wasn't Jesus.  Peter had no power of his own to do anything.  Instead, Peter made it clear where the power lies: “In the name of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, get up and walk.” The name is as good as the person.  Peter and John were acting as Jesus' representatives and in that capacity—so long as they were faithful to Jesus' will, his desire, his agenda, his rule and kingdom—they could act with power and authority and faith on his behalf—in his name.  And so can we.  Sometimes we forget that.  On the one hand, we pray and we add something like “through Jesus our Lord” or “in the name of Jesus” at the end of our prayers without even thinking about what it means or, on the other hand, we use Jesus' name as if it were a talisman to give our prayers legitimacy or as if just mentioning the name of Jesus will bring our will into reality.  I once prayed and when I was done, a guy came up to me afterward and said, “You didn't say ‘in Jesus' name' so your prayer won't come true.”  No.  Brothers and Sisters, saying a prayer isn't like making a wish and adding Jesus' name doesn't validate our prayers.  Whether we mention him or not, every true Christian prayer is offered to the Father through the mediation of Jesus the son.  It is through him that we have access to God.  And God answers our prayer not because we add a name, but because our whole prayer is a cry for his new creation to become reality, for it to be on earth as it is heaven.  Too often our prayers are veiled appeals to our old idols, appeals to the principalities and powers, appeals still subject to the fears and anxieties of the present evil age, outgrowths of the flesh rather than the Spirit.  And to those prayers, God answers “No”.  Brothers and Sisters, to pray in Jesus' name is to submit ourselves to the goodness and faithfulness of God; it is to pray with faithfulness and single-hearted loyalty to him as Lord, and to ask not for our will to be done, but his; to ask not for the fulfilment of our vision of the good, but his; to ask not for our kingdom to be made real, but his kingdom.  It is to understand that heaven is the storehouse of the goodness of God's kingdom, like the turkey in the refrigerator and the presents stored up under Mom and Dad's bed, all to be brought out when Christmas comes.  God's kingdom will come in all its fulness when the church, when we have made God's gospel known throughout the earth and when the knowledge of his glory covers creation as the sea.  Prayer is to ask God to give us glimpse of that final day when the presents are under the tree, ready to be opened, and the turkey is on the table and the great feast is ready.  Prayer is, to quote Karl Barth, “the beginning of an uprising against the disorder the world.”  It is to ask in hope for God's justice, God's righteousness, God's goodness, God's faithfulness, God's future to be known—even if only in a small way—right here and right now. And that's what Peter did.  And suddenly the man was jumping and dancing his way into the temple full of heaven on earth.  And everyone noticed.  Verse 11: “All the people ran together in astonishment towards Peter and John and the man was clinging to them.  They were in the part of the temple known as ‘Solomon's Porch'.  Peter saw them all and began to speak. ‘Men of Israel,' he said, ‘why are you amazed at this?  Why are you staring at us as though it was our own power or piety that made this man walk?  “The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob—the God of our fathers”—he has glorified his servant Jesus, the one you handed over and denied in the presence of Pilate, although he had decided to let him go.'” Let's pause there.  When Peter says “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob—the God of our fathers” he's taking a line from Exodus 3.  This is how the God of Israel introduced himself to Moses at the burning bush before sending him back to Egypt to demand that Pharoah let the Israelites go.  Jesus had just done this in his dispute with the Sadducees and now Peter does the same and his point is to highlight that just as with Moses and the Exodus from Egypt, the God of Israel is at work here and not just as work, but at work to bring his promises to Israel to pass.  Peter's announcing that it's happening again.  In Jesus and the Spirit; in Good Friday and Easter and Ascension and Pentecost, the God of Israel was acting once again to deliver his people from bondage, to lead them in a new exodus, to renew his covenant. We'll see this throughout Acts.  Confronted by Jesus and his mighty deeds, those early believers would go back to Exodus.  That was when God fulfilled his promises to deliver his people.  That was when they sacrificed the Passover lambs.  That was when he led them through the sea and gave them his law.  That was when he led them into the promised land and gave them an inheritance.  And when those first Christians saw Jesus and the Spirit at work it was like Moses at the burning bush seeing something amazing that he couldn't explain, and with that scene in mind, we ought to be expecting that God is still keeping his promises and is doing something extraordinary again. Peter goes on: “You denied the holy one, the just one, and requested instead to have a murderer given to you; and so you killed the Prince of Life.  But God raised him from the dead, and we are witnesses to the fact.  And it is his name, working through faith in his name, that has given strength to this man, whom you see and know.  It is faith which comes through him that has given him this new complete wholeness in front of all of you.” So Peter starts explaining Jesus by pulling images from the Jewish scriptures.  We might miss it because we don't know the Bible as well as we should; the people there that day definitely would not have.  First, Peter calls Jesus the servant of God.  Second, he stresses the innocence of Jesus.  He wasn't deserving of death, but the people of Jerusalem handed him over to Pilate.  Even Pilate, Peter says, knew Jesus was innocent.  But they demanded Pilate release Barabbas and that Jesus be crucified.  These images together draw on Isaiah's prophecy, especially Isaiah 53, the passage about the suffering servant, an innocent, who would one day, go to the slaughter like a lamb for the sins of the people.  When Peter calls him the holy one, this too brings up images of the suffering servant and of the spotless lamb.  If the people want to understand what's happened to the lame man, how he's been healed, Peter is saying that they need to think about the Exodus and they need to be thinking about Isaiah's suffering servant and understand that Jesus is standing at the centre of both of these images from Israel's story and God's promises. And this is why he calls Jesus the “Prince of Life”.  The archegos, not just prince, but also the author, the origin, the source of life.  Jesus is the sovereign one, the Lord, who brings life.  It fits with John's image of the word, who was in the beginning and through whom, as God spoke him out, was the source of everything.  Through him all things were created and now, through the word, God speaks life into the world again.  He came into the midst of corruption and sickness and death and has brought life.  And wherever he goes be brings life and in that life he announces his lordship, his sovereignty, his kingdom.  Wherever he brings life he announces his victory over sin and death, over the present evil age.  Wherever he brings life, he announces the hope of God's promises fulfilled and a world set to rights: no more death, no more sorrow, no more tears.  Ironically, his own people rejected and killed him, but God raised him from the dead to prove that Jesus is the life of the world and because of that we know, we have confidence that his life will continue to go out into the world. Peter does here what he did at Pentecost.  God did something mighty and amazing, and Peter—steeped in scripture and full of the Spirit—explains what's going on in light of the story of Israel and her God and, most importantly, showing how what's now happening is the fulfilment of what God had promised to his people.  That's the biggest thing here.  This is no faith healer, doing theatrics and putting the spotlight on himself.  Peter has absolutely no interest in that.  He makes it clear: this is all about Jesus.  The prophets had said that the world would be set to rights when the knowledge of the glory of God has covered it as the sea.  Not the knowledge of Peter.  Not the knowledge of celebrity apostles. The knowledge of the glory of God.  And so Peter's Spirit-filled purpose is to proclaim the glory of God—to make sure everyone knows not just that God is mighty and powerful, but that God is above all faithful to his promises and worthy of our trust, worthy of our allegiance, worthy of our faith.  And that's the next thing.  After announcing how this is healing is evidence of God's faithfulness, Peter issues a call to faith.  Look at verse 17: “Now, Brothers,” Peter continued, “I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did.  But this is how God has fulfilled what he promised through the mouth of all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer.  So now repent, and turn back, so that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshment may come from the presence of the Lord, and so that he will send you Jesus, the one he chose and appointed to be his Messiah.  He must be received in heaven, you see, until the time which God spoke about through the mouth of the holy prophets from ancient days, the time when God will restore all things.  Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me, one from among your own brothers; whatever he says to you, you must pay attention to him.  And everyone who does not listen to that prophet will be cut off from the people.'  All the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors, spoke about these days too.  You are the children of the prophets, the children of the covenant which God established with your ancestors when he said to Abraham, ‘In your seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.'  When God raised up his servant he sent him to you first, to bless you by turning each of you away from your wicked deeds.” Over and over Peter stresses that what the people are seeing is the fulfilment of God's promises going all the way back to Abraham: His promise to renew fallen Israel, his promise to reach out to the nations with this glory through this renewed people.  Peter points forward to this hope of creation set to rights that we see from this point on throughout Acts and the New Testament, said in various ways.  God will “sum up all things in the Messiah,” as we heard Paul say in Ephesians 1:10.  Through the Messiah he will “reconcile all things to himself, making peace by his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:20).  He will make “new heavens and new earth, in which justice will dwell” (Revelation 21:1).  He will overcome every power which destroys and corrupts his good creation, so that eventually God will be “all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:28).  The whole creation will be “set free from its slavery to decay, to share the liberty of the glory of God's children” (Romans 8:21).  Brothers and Sisters, it began at the cross and the empty tomb, the ascension was a sign it was all true, and Pentecost show us that we're not only a part of how these promises will be fulfilled, but we can watch as heaven invades earth with the glory of God.  We don't have to wait for some distant day to see God revealed.  We see his glory at work each day: in ourselves as his word and Spirt renew us and in the world as we live and proclaim the good news about Jesus and see faith born in others and their hearts and minds renewed by Jesus and the Spirit.  We see God's glory revealed as the weight of sin and guilt is lifted.  Notice that's part of Peter's message.  It's not just a call to repent.  It's also assurance of forgiveness.  God, through the blood of Jesus, was ready to forgive even the rejection, the hardness of heart, the rebellion of Israel when they crucified Jesus.  That's the whole point of all of this: God's great final restoration of all things is for us, for sinners, for rebels, for God-haters, right here and right now.  The gospel brings God's future into the present, because God longs to show his mercy and his grace to sinners.  As God longs for his good world that we've corrupted with our sin to be set to rights, even more he longs to set us to rights that we might once again be the stewards, the priests of his temple that he created us to be. God will, as Peter says echoing Isaiah 43:25, God will blot out the sins of those who repent.  And if his grace was big enough and Jesus' blood strong enough to blot out the sins of those who crucified him, and his Spirit powerful enough to renew their hearts and to fill them with love, Brothers and Sisters, the blood of Jesus and the renewing power of his Spirit is enough to bring God's new creation to us.  Repent and believe in the name of Jesus.  Be forgiven.  Be made whole.  Be made new.  Be refreshed.  Be God's future here and now.  Be made a witness to your family, to your friends, to everyone around you of the saving power of Jesus the Messiah. Let's pray: O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

In 1898, vaudeville actors Saint Suttle and Gertie Brown joyously embraced in a short silent film titled Something Good—Negro Kiss. The first known film to portray African American affection, it was lost for over a century until its rediscovery inspired contemporary audiences with a powerful and enduring depiction of Black love. More than a missing piece in an untold history of Black cinematic performance, Something Good—and the magnetism of Suttle and Brown—attests to the power of Black performance on stage and screen from the nineteenth century to today. In Acts of Love: Black Performance and the Kiss That Changed Film History (University of California Press, 2026), Allyson Nadia Field tells the story of Something Good and recovers the forgotten yet fascinating lives of its performers and their world. Drawing a vivid picture from sparse historical records, Acts of Love examines popular culture's negotiation of blackness to reconsider the intersections of minstrelsy, vaudeville, and cinema in ragtime America. This book not only presents the story of Something Good, its performers, and the drama of its rediscovery; it shows how the rediscovery of this short early film changes our understanding of American film history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/african-american-studies

In 1898, vaudeville actors Saint Suttle and Gertie Brown joyously embraced in a short silent film titled Something Good—Negro Kiss. The first known film to portray African American affection, it was lost for over a century until its rediscovery inspired contemporary audiences with a powerful and enduring depiction of Black love. More than a missing piece in an untold history of Black cinematic performance, Something Good—and the magnetism of Suttle and Brown—attests to the power of Black performance on stage and screen from the nineteenth century to today. In Acts of Love: Black Performance and the Kiss That Changed Film History (University of California Press, 2026), Allyson Nadia Field tells the story of Something Good and recovers the forgotten yet fascinating lives of its performers and their world. Drawing a vivid picture from sparse historical records, Acts of Love examines popular culture's negotiation of blackness to reconsider the intersections of minstrelsy, vaudeville, and cinema in ragtime America. This book not only presents the story of Something Good, its performers, and the drama of its rediscovery; it shows how the rediscovery of this short early film changes our understanding of American film history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In 1898, vaudeville actors Saint Suttle and Gertie Brown joyously embraced in a short silent film titled Something Good—Negro Kiss. The first known film to portray African American affection, it was lost for over a century until its rediscovery inspired contemporary audiences with a powerful and enduring depiction of Black love. More than a missing piece in an untold history of Black cinematic performance, Something Good—and the magnetism of Suttle and Brown—attests to the power of Black performance on stage and screen from the nineteenth century to today. In Acts of Love: Black Performance and the Kiss That Changed Film History (University of California Press, 2026), Allyson Nadia Field tells the story of Something Good and recovers the forgotten yet fascinating lives of its performers and their world. Drawing a vivid picture from sparse historical records, Acts of Love examines popular culture's negotiation of blackness to reconsider the intersections of minstrelsy, vaudeville, and cinema in ragtime America. This book not only presents the story of Something Good, its performers, and the drama of its rediscovery; it shows how the rediscovery of this short early film changes our understanding of American film history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/film

In 1898, vaudeville actors Saint Suttle and Gertie Brown joyously embraced in a short silent film titled Something Good—Negro Kiss. The first known film to portray African American affection, it was lost for over a century until its rediscovery inspired contemporary audiences with a powerful and enduring depiction of Black love. More than a missing piece in an untold history of Black cinematic performance, Something Good—and the magnetism of Suttle and Brown—attests to the power of Black performance on stage and screen from the nineteenth century to today. In Acts of Love: Black Performance and the Kiss That Changed Film History (University of California Press, 2026), Allyson Nadia Field tells the story of Something Good and recovers the forgotten yet fascinating lives of its performers and their world. Drawing a vivid picture from sparse historical records, Acts of Love examines popular culture's negotiation of blackness to reconsider the intersections of minstrelsy, vaudeville, and cinema in ragtime America. This book not only presents the story of Something Good, its performers, and the drama of its rediscovery; it shows how the rediscovery of this short early film changes our understanding of American film history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/performing-arts

Peter didn’t know how people would respond to his first sermon, but thanks to the Holy Spirit, it made quite an impact! In Acts 2:37-47, he finishes preaching the first sermon in church history, and the response is IMMEDIATE. Thousands of people are convicted, repent, and put their trust in Jesus. But this moment isn’t just about a crowd making a decision. It’s about what happens when the Holy Spirit transforms a person’s heart and begins building a new kind of community. In week six of our study through Acts, Pastor Kevin Queen explores how the Holy Spirit works through the gospel to bring conviction, lead people to repentance, and draw them into a life of following Jesus. Peter’s message reminds us that the power of the gospel has never depended on human eloquence or perfect words. The Holy Spirit is still changing lives today. If you’ve ever wondered whether God is at work in your life, or what it looks like to respond when He speaks, this message is for you. What stood out to you most from this message? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Or if this message encouraged you, share it with someone who needs to hear it! Join our study of Acts: crosspoint.tv/actsFind a Cross Point campus near you: crosspoint.tv/locations

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (06/01/26), Hank reminds listeners that June is the end of our fiscal year and lays out two reasons why your financial support of the ministry of the Christian Research Institute is crucial this month.Hank also answers the following questions:When the Bible says, “Fear the Lord,” is this fear as in terror, or something else? John - Neptune, NJ (7:52)In Acts 11, what would giving money to the Church in Jerusalem do to restrain a worldwide famine? John - New Albany, IN (15:12)Must a Christian go to church in order to be saved? (20:53)

Most of us have some version of church we've settled for. Show up. Sit down. Go home. But what if that's nowhere near what the church was actually designed to be?In Acts 2, the earliest followers of Jesus didn't just attend something — they were devoted to something. Devoted to each other. Devoted to prayer, Scripture, meals, and radical generosity. And the result? People noticed. Lives changed. The community grew — not because of a marketing strategy, but because they were genuinely becoming something different together.In this message, we explore what it looks like for a church to live into its full potential — and what's at stake when we settle for less.You'll walk away thinking about:Commitment — Some commitments require a "yes" even when you don't feel like it. What does it look like to be truly devoted to a community, not just a Sunday service?Maturity — Spiritual growth isn't a solo project. You don't become more like Jesus in isolation. Your development is connected to the people around you — and the community you're willing to stay committed to.Calling — Every person in the church is a minister. Every home is a center of ministry. The question isn't whether you have a role to play — it's whether you're playing it.This isn't a guilt trip about church attendance. It's an invitation to something far more meaningful than a weekly hour on Sunday.

Pastor Nate Kosiba is preaching on being Carriers of the Name and Presence!

What does it mean to be empowered as a witness in your everyday life? In Acts 8, we see Philip sharing the gospel in two very different contexts—but what can we learn from his example? Discover how the Holy Spirit guided Philip's conversation with the Ethiopian official and how God can empower us to share the gospel wherever we go. Scripture Referenced: Acts 8:26-35