Podcast appearances and mentions of saul paul

Part 2 of "Rough Patches in Ministry."  Acts 15:36-41. Ministry is awesome when you view it from a distance. Sometimes, ministry is messy when you zoom in to a particular circumstance.

Here's another testimony of a man who influenced Saul/Paul. This was a man ready always to give an answer. He was set in what he believed, because what he believed was the Word of God, and this made him filled with the Holy Ghost.

The sermon presents Barnabas as a model of Christ-like character, emphasizing his role as a 'son of consolation' through acts of generosity, encouragement, and reconciliation. Drawing from key passages in Acts, it highlights his sacrificial giving of property to meet the needs of the early church, his courageous defense of the repentant Saul (Paul), and his leadership in nurturing the church at Antioch into a community of mature believers. The preacher underscores the biblical progression from believer to disciple to Christian, illustrating how Barnabas's faith, fullness of the Holy Spirit, and commitment to teaching produced lasting spiritual fruit. Ultimately, the message calls the congregation to emulate Barnabas's grace, trust, and intentional investment in others, recognizing that true Christian maturity is marked by love, unity, and the visible grace of God in the church.

The sermon presents Barnabas as a model of Christ-like character, emphasizing his role as a 'son of consolation' through acts of generosity, encouragement, and reconciliation. Drawing from key passages in Acts, it highlights his sacrificial giving of property to meet the needs of the early church, his courageous defense of the repentant Saul (Paul), and his leadership in nurturing the church at Antioch into a community of mature believers. The preacher underscores the biblical progression from believer to disciple to Christian, illustrating how Barnabas's faith, fullness of the Holy Spirit, and commitment to teaching produced lasting spiritual fruit. Ultimately, the message calls the congregation to emulate Barnabas's grace, trust, and intentional investment in others, recognizing that true Christian maturity is marked by love, unity, and the visible grace of God in the church.

Acts 9:1-9, Holy Communion, Leader, President & Preacher: Revd Richard Pendlebury

The Acts of the Disciples: Barnabas and the Power of Encouragement | Pastor George SawyerWhat if one of the most powerful spiritual gifts isn't preaching, leading, or teaching, but encouragement?In this message from Calvary, Pastor George Sawyer launches a new series through the Book of Acts by examining the life of Barnabas, one of the most influential yet often overlooked leaders in the early church. While many focus on the apostles, this message highlights how God used an ordinary believer to help shape extraordinary Kingdom impact.Discover how Barnabas helped Saul (Paul) find acceptance after his dramatic conversion, encouraged a growing revival in Antioch, and became a catalyst for church growth through generosity, faithfulness, and Spirit-led encouragement. If you've ever wondered whether God can use your life to make a difference, this message is a reminder that the Holy Spirit works through everyday disciples willing to say yes.Whether you're studying the Book of Acts, looking for biblical encouragement, seeking spiritual growth, or wanting to understand your role in God's Kingdom, this message will challenge and inspire you.In this message:• The Acts of the Apostles vs. The Acts of the Disciples• How the Holy Spirit continues the ministry of Jesus today• Why encouragement is a powerful spiritual gift• Barnabas and Saul's unlikely partnership• Church growth in Antioch and the early church• How God uses ordinary believers for extraordinary purposes• Making room for revival and the work of the Holy SpiritDigital Connect Card: www.calvaryassembly.org/new Giving: https://calvarylive.churchcenter.com/giving Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CalvaryLiveAL/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calvary_live/ Need prayer? https://www.calvaryassembly.org/prayer Want to take your next step in faith https://www.calvaryassembly.org/next Calvary Assembly exists so that people can experience life at the highest level through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Located at 4839 Calvary Blvd., Tanner, Alabama 35671 Two miles west of I-65 & I-565 Intersection on HWY 20 Service Times: Sundays 10AM Contact us at (256) 355-7440 or email us at calvary@calvaryassembly.orgLearn more at our website: calvaryassembly.org00:00 Introduction to Acts and Why This Book Still Matters Today01:03 Launching a New Summer Series Through the Book of Acts02:39 Early Church Growth and the Power of the Holy Spirit06:00 Saul's Conversion Story and Finding Acceptance in the Church07:56 Why "The Acts of the Disciples" May Be a Better Title10:26 How God Uses Ordinary Believers for Extraordinary Impact13:32 Every Christian Has a Purpose in the Body of Christ16:04 The Holy Spirit Continues the Ministry of Jesus Today19:35 Who Was Barnabas? The Son of Encouragement Explained23:41 Encouragement vs. Criticism in Christian Leadership24:47 The Spiritual Gift and Ministry of Encouragement25:23 Barnabas Defends Saul After His Conversion28:22 Speaking Truth with Grace and Compassion29:28 Making Room for Revival and Spiritual Growth30:22 Lessons from the Jesus Movement and Church History32:36 Barnabas Sent to Antioch During Revival34:24 Recognizing the Evidence of God's Grace in Others36:36 Avoiding Jealousy and Comparison in Ministry37:44 Why Followers of Jesus Were First Called Christians39:17 Spiritual Growth Is a Journey, Not an Event40:57 From Disciple to Apostle: The Growth of Barnabas42:15 Invitation to Follow Jesus and Come Back to God

Pastor Garry Clark reveals how Saul/Paul knew that many of our personal, spiritual battles, really start in our own minds! So, how do we fight against that? How can we get the help we need? There's one major thing we need to do...

In this wild Neph 2 America episode (recorded 4/29/26), David Lee Corbo (The Raven) and Top Lobsta (father of disinformation) dive deep into the Trump White House Correspondents Dinner "assassination attempt" AI slop — the magic chicken fork that appears out of nowhere, Cole Allen shooter, Henry Martinez's single 2023 tweet with the Pepe tuxedo meme that perfectly overlays the Fight Fight Fight photo, Dana White's 90-degree head angles, and the insane Project Looking Glass time travel implications.Plus: full Mother Horse Eyes LSD synchronicity breakdown (Q as flesh portal in the ocean, 10-hour mind-bender), Begonia movie (Emma Stone Pleiadian alien kidnapping, Jesse Plemons/Meth Damon, galactic federation on lunar eclipse), From TV show time-loop monsters, Sport Drink Strawberry Dream review with insane defrag dreams, Bohemian Grove 2026 event promo (August 8, Wildwood FL – comedy, Christianity, conspiracy, NDS Administration vs alien disclosure), Straight Bible drama, Benjamin "ravenous wolf" Bible Easter egg connecting Saul/Paul, Cafe Bitch Nigga Pho in Tampa, fatherhood lying kid stories, and Messages From Mom conspiracy clips.Patreon early access, merch, and full ad-free Mother Horse Eyes breakdown available now.Links:Join Patreon for early episodes & ad-free Mother Horse Eyes: https://patreon.com/NephilimDeathSquadGet Bohemian Grove tickets (Aug 8 Wildwood FL): https://broGrove.comTop Lobster merch & more: https://toplobster.comSport Drink (code SQUAD 10% off): sportdrink.com00:00 – Intro & Pastry Eating Banter (Top Lobster eats entire pastry on camera)02:45 – Patreon Plugs & Straight Bible Drama (free member complaining)06:30 – Bohemian Grove 2026 Full Promo (Aug 8 Wildwood FL, NDS Administration, alien disclosure plan)12:15 – Begonia Movie Review (Emma Stone Pleiadian alien, Jesse Plemons/Meth Damon, galactic federation lunar eclipse)17:40 – Mother Horse Eyes LSD Synchronicities (5 hours in, Q as flesh portal in ocean)25:50 – From TV Show Rant (time loop monsters, permission to enter, bad acting)29:20 – Fatherhood Meltdown (10-year-old son lying, missed bus, “helping teacher”)34:10 – Chair Switch & Studio Banter (Raven hates ADHD chair)37:55 – Mr. Chicken's Magic Fork Video (Trump assassination attempt AI slop – chicken turns into fork)42:30 – White House Correspondents Dinner Deep Dive (Cole Allen shooter, Henry Martinez Pepe tuxedo meme)49:10 – Pepe Meme + Fight Fight Fight Photo Overlay (time travel implications, Henry Martinez NASA/Lockheed)57:20 – Dana White 90-Degree Head & AI Slop Analysis1:03:45 – Project Looking Glass, 2012 Mayan Calendar & Iraq Stargate Conspiracy1:11:30 – Bible Easter Egg: Benjamin “Ravenous Wolf” → Saul/Paul Connection1:18:40 – Sport Dream Review (Strawberry Dream, defrag dreams, fat + sugar sleep hack)1:24:15 – Messages From Mom Conspiracy Clips (Muslim Jesus debate, Aldi cart hack, Iran Trump trolling)1:31:50 – Cafe Bitch Nigga Pho Tangent (Tampa restaurant talk)1:36:20 – Smart Dust Patent 11354666 (Wells Fargo micro-electro-mechanical systems)1:42:10 – Mother Horse Eyes Author Reveal & LSD Experience Breakdown1:50:30 – Final Banter, Smoke Wisp Incident & Outro (Trumpet sounds)2:18:00 – End of EpisodeBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/nephilim-death-squad--6389018/support.☠️ Nephilim Death Squad — New episodes 5x/week.Join our Patreon for early access, bonus shows & the private Telegram hive.Subscribe on YouTube & Rumble, follow @NephilimDSquad on X/Instagram, grab merch at toplobsta.com. Questions/bookings: chroniclesnds@gmail.com — Stay dangerous.

God said to set apart Saul (Paul) and Barnabas for His special work. This session will lead kids to know that people today are called by God to leave their homes and go to other places to tell about Jesus. Missionaries may be in our country or other countries. This session will help kids know that they can support missionaries to help people all over the world know about Jesus.

In this Weekend Pulpit message from Scott Pauley we open Acts 11 to again study powerful account of Antioch — a church that advanced the gospel rather than retreating. We discover be ripple effect of the Spirit's work from Jerusalem to Antioch, the arrival of Barnabas and Saul (Paul) to teach for a year, and the moment the believers were first called "Christians." Join Scott Pauley's study through Scripture this year. Find resources for every book of the Bible by Dr. Pauley and Enjoying the Journey at enjoyingthejourney.org/journey-through-scripture/. Whether you're a new believer or have walked with the Lord for years, you'll find thousands of free devotionals, Bible studies, audio series, and Scripture tools designed to strengthen your faith, deepen your understanding of the Bible, and help you stay rooted in the Word of God. Explore now at EnjoyingTheJourney.org. Extend the Work Enjoying the Journey provides every resource for free worldwide. If you would like to help extend this Bible teaching, you may give at enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/

In this inspiring sermon from Redeemer Church in Midland, Texas, dive into Acts 13:1-12, where the diverse church in Antioch worships the Lord and fasts as the Holy Spirit sets apart Barnabas and Saul (Paul) for their groundbreaking first missionary journey. Through the bold confrontation with the false prophet Bar-Jesus (Elymas) and the astonishing conversion of the intelligent Proconsul Sergius Paulus, the gospel begins its explosive spread across the Roman Empire. This message challenges believers to embrace true worship—moving from a self-centered posture of receiving to a life of sacrifice, service, and mission—as the heart of a gospel-centered missional family. Website: redeemermidland.org Instagram: instagram.com/redeemermidland Facebook: facebook.com/RedeemerMidland   At Redeemer, we seek to be a Gospel-Centered, Missional Family. We sing songs to worship our Lord, we preach the Word of God from the Bible, and we love one another.   We would love to see you on a Sunday morning at 9:00 or 11:00 am at 3601 N. Lamesa Rd in Midland, Texas. 

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Tuesday morning, the 21st of April, 2026, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We go to Jeremiah 1:5 (Amplified Version): “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and approved of you as My chosen instrument], And before you were born I consecrated you [to Myself as My own]; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Yes, we are talking about a calling. Then we go straight to the Book of Acts 13:2: “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul (Paul) for the work to which I have called them.” Being set apart for a particular work by the Holy Spirit. I want to make something very clear this morning, my dear friend. A calling is not a good idea, a calling comes from God Himself. It is an important work. I looked up the Oxford Dictionary to find out the meaning of the word “commission”. It is an instruction. It is not something you have decided you will do because things are not working out for you in your employment or in the country you are staying in, or maybe even in your marriage. No, you have to work through things. A calling is specifically from God for a purpose, and by the way, it doesn't always go easy, so don't think “I will just go and serve the Lord and that will be much easier than doing the job as a representative in some company or working in some construction work or mining. Whatever God has put you to, don't try and run away from it. A calling comes from God. Now, I want to tell you a beautiful little story that I heard from my producer just the other day. He and his wife and family went up to Lesotho to do an outreach, and while they were sitting there quietly, a young man told this story. He said he was working in South Africa, and one day he turned on the TV and there was Angus Buchan talking about serving the Lord. He was not serving the Lord at the time. He said it was the first time he saw a preacher crying on the television. I was probably quite overwhelmed - that happens quite often, especially these days - and told the story about how God had changed his life and called him, and he got on his knees in front of the television and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. He then left his secular work, went back to Lesotho and started ministering to the shepherds. And of course, my producer and his family were sitting there and they were absolutely shocked because he was telling them clearly, how he was called for a particular work by the Holy Spirit, and now he was a fully fledged pastor and ministering to other people.Today, make sure the calling comes from God. Jesus bless you and have a wonderful day.Goodbye.

Galatians 1:3-5 “Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” – Galatians 1:3–5  CSB Saul/Paul introduced at the martyrdom of Stephen. He's ravaging Jesus' followers, Acts 8:1-3. Jesus appears to Saul/Paul, changing his life direction. Receiving a conversion to faith in Jesus as Savior, Saul/Paul is baptized, commissioned, and begins to preach Jesus' Good News, Acts 9:1-31, 28:12-18. Saul, now Paul, and team are commissioned from Antioch for the expansion of the Jesus movement, Acts 13-14. This includes the region of Galatia, a Roman province. Cities like Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe are in the area. Paul and his ministry team pioneered the Jesus movement and church here.  What do we learn? There is freedom in Jesus' Good News. What should we do? 1.    Read Galatians 1 – 2 this week. 2.    Write at least one truth from it. 3.    Pray, asking God what may be pulling you from this. 4.    Think about the contrast between Jesus' Good News and what may be pulling you from it. 5.    Choose to draw closer to Jesus and withdraw from what may be pulling you away from Jesus' Good News.

If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! — 2 Corinthians 5:17 When Jesus came back to life, the people who saw him required new eyes to see him clearly, truly.Mary saw only a gardener until Jesus spoke her name (John 20:16). The two disciples from Emmaus saw only a clueless traveler until Jesus broke bread with them (Luke 24:30-31).Later, Saul (Paul), a leading persecutor of Jesus' followers, had his eyes opened too. He was stopped by a blinding light from heaven, and he heard the voice of Jesus saying, “Why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:3-6). Saul received eyes of faith so that he could see Jesus truly as the Lord and Savior.In our text for today Paul, who became a missionary for Jesus, declares that we can see other people differently now too. Because of Jesus, we can see that all who are “in Christ” are a new creation. The rebirth of every believer echoes the miracle of Christ's resurrection.And there's more. When we see an “in Christ” person, a new creation, it's a sign that God is up to something bigger— a glorious remaking of his whole creation. This is what other texts have described as the coming of a new heaven and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:1)!So when someone comes to faith in Christ, we see in that person a new creation. And this is a reminder of God's continuing project of making a new creation, launched by the miracle of Jesus' resurrection! O God, give us eyes of faith to see your ongoing work of new creation as Paul did. May we see, rejoice, give you praise, and live in that confidence. Amen.

What does the election of Saul/Paul teach us about the Lordship of Jesus and the authority of the Church? This sermon was preached on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

This week, Pastor Jeff continues a series in the book of Acts named ACTS: The Mission of God is Our Mission. The next message in the series is based in Acts 13:1-12 and is entitled "Sent Out." The main idea of the sermon is: The church at Antioch seeks the Lord in prayer, resulting in Barnabas and Saul(Paul) being sent out.  ————————  Connect with Us: Website: parkwoodonline.org Facebook: facebook.com/parkwoodonline Instagram: instagram.com/parkwoodonline.org  Check out more resources and sermons online at: parkwoodresources.org

"Come, follow me" is Jesus' call to everyone, including Saul (Paul) on the road to Damascus. Paul came to see the cross of Christ as the power of God for salvation, and was commanded to 'Go!' and tell the world.

Acts 1- 16 recap, the birth of the Early Church, spread of the Gospel...the man, Saul - Paul!

Daily Dose of Hope December 2, 2025   Scripture - Acts 9:1-31   Prayer: Heavenly Father, Help us start this devotional today with a time of silence, a time to pause before you...Lord, hear our prayers.  Speak to us.  We want to hear from you.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently walking through the book of Acts.  Today, we start Acts 9.   This is a great passage - Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus.  It's amazing how God took the biggest persecutor of believers and very intentionally chooses him to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles.  His conversion story is dramatic, and it really needs to be.  He doesn't strike me as the kind of person who would take hints from God.  He needs something that cannot be disputed, like the living Christ meeting him on his Damascus journey and speaking directly to him.  Then, he loses his sight, only to regain it when Ananias prays for him.  It's quite extraordinary.   Most of us are pretty familiar with Saul's conversion story but today, I'd like to focus on Ananias of Damascus.  He is the man in the shadows.  Keep in mind, there are several men named Ananias in the New Testament; we are focusing on the man in Damascus who prayed over Saul who became Paul.  What we read in Acts 9 is that God appears to Ananias in a vision and tells him to go to the house of Judas on Straight Street where he will meet Saul of Tarsus.  Ananias knew of Saul's reputation and he knew that Saul was in Damascus to arrest believers of Jesus so he protested a bit.  God tells him to go to the house anyway.   Despite being fearful, Ananias obeys.  I'm going to say that again.  Despite knowing that Saul could potentially arrest him, Ananias obeys God.  He goes to the house and prays over Saul.  Almost immediately, something like scales fall from Saul's eyes and he can see again.   We don't know much about what happens to faithful Ananias of Damascus after this incident.  The author of Acts doesn't give us a lot of information – does he go on to preach the Gospel in his community and beyond?  Does he found churches?  Does he end up getting arrested for preaching Jesus? Really, we have no idea.  What we do know is that Ananias of Damascus obeyed God's command to go pray over Saul so that Saul could go do all of those things.  Without Ananias' prayer, Saul might have spent the rest of his life as a blind man wandering around, not knowing what his life might have been.   Not everyone can be Saul/Paul, but we can all be Ananias.  We can all be obedient.  We can all pray for those who have harmed the church and those who have been harmed by the church.  We can do what God is asking us.  We don't have to found world-altering movements but we do need to do what Jesus asks us to do right now, right here. What is Jesus asking you to do?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

In this transformative episode of The Fellowship of Kingdom Professionals, Michael Blue continues to unpack one of Scripture's most overlooked leadership principles: shared credibility. Using the lives of Barnabas, Saul/Paul, and John Mark, he reveals how God advances His work through the imputation of trust, the transfer of influence, and the humility to raise up others, even when they eventually surpass us. Listeners will encounter powerful insights from Proverbs 27, Acts 9, Acts 11, and Acts 15 as Michael Blue examines how Barnabas used his own credibility to open doors for Saul and later John Mark. This teaching illuminates both the risk and the reward of sharing power, the necessity of generational leadership, and God's redemptive ability to restore those with damaged reputations. New podcast episodes are available every Monday wherever you listen to podcasts.

The Profound Power of Unity and Obedience Join Dr. Edith Davis as she dives into the essential, non-optional nature of unity for the body of Christ. She begins by celebrating God's love for diversity—seen everywhere from tropical rainforests to deserts—and explains that this diversity is a reflection of life at its most prolific. True unity in the Church, she asserts, is found not in conformity, but in universal acceptance of Christ Jesus as both Savior and Lord. This powerful teaching covers critical areas for every believer: -- The Call to Lordship: Not everyone wants Jesus to be their Lord, but obedience to Him is always for our good. -- Checking Your Foundation: Divisiveness, strife, and envy are "works of the enemy," which should prompt a check of one's salvation, as being saved should mean operating in the Fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, meekness, and self-control). -- The True Meaning of Meekness: It is not weakness, but power and authority under submission to the Lord God, Holy Spirit. -- Supernatural Love: We are commanded to love one another, our neighbors, and our enemies—a feat that is supernatural and requires the power of the Holy Spirit. -- The Example of Stephen: The first martyr's prayer for his persecutors led directly to the conversion and mighty ministry of Saul (Paul) of Tarsus, demonstrating the powerful consequences of obedience and love. -- Walking in Authority: As sons and daughters of the King, believers have been given the authority and power to rule and reign and to destroy the works of the enemy, including sickness, disease, lack, and poverty. -- The Necessity of Intimacy: To walk in unity and power, we must prioritize intimacy with Christ Jesus—spending personal time with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to feed our own spirit from the overflow. Dr. Davis concludes with a call to action to walk unified and be about the Father's business, warning that we "cannot afford to be offended, period." Scriptures for Further Study -- Galatians 5:22-23 (Fruits of the Spirit) -- Acts 7:59-60 (Stephen's prayer for his enemies) -- Acts 9:1-22 (The conversion of Saul of Tarsus) -- Proverbs 3:5-6 (Trust in the Lord with all your heart) This is episode 379. +++++++ Check out my new website: https://www.enterthegloryzone.org/ MY AUDIO BOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE You can Divorce Proof Your Marriage by understanding the Secret Keys of Love. You will come to understand that your Marriage has an enemy. You will come to understand that you are dating your future spouse representative. You will come to understand that your Marriage has the gift of Supernatural Sex. For more information about purchasing this audio book, click here: https://personalbuy.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/product8702.html

Hey everyone, let's dive into Acts Chapter 13, where I explore the early church in Antioch with prophets and teachers like Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, and Saul (Paul). I talk about how the Holy Spirit set apart Barnabas and Saul for a special mission, the importance of prayer and fasting for growing faith, and a powerful moment where the false prophet Elymas (Bar-Jesus) is confronted, leading to Sergius Paulus' belief in the Gospel. Referencing Matthew 17:14-21 and John 3, I highlight how faith, miracles, and God's work point people to Christ. Let's stay encouraged as we see the Gospel spread to both Jews and Gentiles in the early church!

August 27, 2025 - Stan Quinn - Saul-Paul by Buford Church of Christ

July 4, 2025 Today's Reading: Acts 11:19-30Daily Lectionary: Joshua 10:1-25; Joshua 10:28-22:34; Acts 11:19-30“and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” (Acts 11:26)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Man needs a preacher—someone to proclaim the Law that kills and the Gospel that makes alive. A man sent by God to that place to preach and teach the Word and administer The Sacraments. Antioch was no different, and St. Saul (Paul), although different, was that preacher.Ever since Pentecost, the church had been growing among the Jewish people. Outreach to the Gentiles was not exactly the church's area of expertise. Luckily, they had just the man for the job who had already been on the move preaching the Gospel in the synagogues in Damascus and Tarsus. Remember what God Himself said concerning Saul, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.” (Acts 9:15).Set Saul's faults aside; God has made him His preacher to the Gentiles. In the same way also, God sends you His preacher. He, like Saul, might have some quirks and might not do things the way we always want, but God has sent him to you to give you Jesus. Your pastor, like Saul, will sit with you, bear your cross and suffer with you, laugh and cry with you. In times of greatest doubt and despair, your Pastor is the one God has sent to you to proclaim that your sins are forgiven. Like Saul, pastors are not perfect. They rely on God's grace just as much as we do, and that grace sustains us even in the hard times. Saul would be no stranger to suffering for the sake of Christ. He had already been snuck out of Damascus in a basket and sent away from the apostles for his reputation. God was with Saul throughout his ministry and service to the church.Saul and all pastors in Christ sent to serve His people in that time and place are sent to do what the church has always done. Care for you by preaching the Gospel that you are one of God's elect, claimed in the waters of Baptism. God has not forgotten you; His words are written down for you and proclaimed to you by your pastor. Thanks be to God for men like Saul, your Pastor who teaches, preaches, and cares for you.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Lord, help us walk Your servant way Wherever love may lead And, bending low, forgetting self, Each serve the other's need. (LSB 857:1)- Justin Chester is a seminary student at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus' farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ's promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

Message Us!The unexpected birth of Christianity's first multi-ethnic church reveals how God's kingdom advances in surprising ways through ordinary people. When persecution scattered early believers from Jerusalem, they carried the gospel to distant regions, ultimately reaching Antioch—a prosperous but morally dark city where something remarkable happened.While initially sharing Jesus only with fellow Jews, some bold believers began speaking to Gentiles about Christ. The result? A spiritual awakening so significant that Jerusalem's church leaders sent Barnabas to investigate. Finding authentic faith flourishing, Barnabas recruited Saul (Paul), and together they spent a year discipling these new converts—who became the first people ever called "Christians."This ancient story illuminates a timeless truth: every human being is a disciple of someone or something. Whether consciously or unconsciously, we're all being shaped by the voices we listen to most—political ideologies, entertainment, social media, or Christ himself. As one pastor observed, "If you're not being discipled by the Word, you're being discipled by the world."The Antioch church reveals the dual nature of authentic discipleship. It happens organically through Christian community—sharing meals, doing life together, watching mature believers live out their faith. But it also requires intentional teaching and training. Barnabas exemplified five essential elements of effective discipleship: encouragement that celebrates God's work while spurring continued growth, teaching grounded in sound doctrine, personal integrity, collaborative teamwork, and patient persistence.Whether you're a new believer or a seasoned Christian, this message challenges you to evaluate who's discipling you and how you're discipling others. The discipleship journey isn't measured by comparing yourself to others, but by asking: "Do I look more like Christ today than I did yesterday?" Join us as we explore how the ancient church's discipleship practices can transform our lives and communities today.Support the show

What kind of church do we envision becoming—a place where EVERYONE is truly known, deeply loved, and wholly welcomed? Discover how to forge a fellowship where the Holy Spirit leads every step, where big prayers prompt miracles, and messy lives find solace. Picture a church that steps into culture courageously and engages the unreached with kindness and clarity. Uncover how a congregation emboldened by Jesus' radical grace can change not just themselves, but the world around them.Explore Pastor Ron's poignant reflection on Acts 9, where Saul's transformation to Paul showcases the boundless power of God to redeem even the most unlikely of outsiders. How can this narrative inspire us to view those who seem distant from faith with renewed hope and compassion? Let's rethink our role in God's mission: to reach, love, and welcome outsiders into the kingdom.Dive deeper into the journey where we move from outsiders to insiders, and grasp the eternal impact of such a shift. Learn why it's crucial for insiders—those transformed by Jesus—to live out their faith with zeal, journeying into communities and global frontiers as ambassadors of hope.Join Pastor Ron Cathcart as he walks through Acts 9 and elucidates the radical change God envisions for churches today. Whether you're stepping into faith for the first time or a long-standing believer, this message calls each of us to revisit the revolutionary mission of sharing Jesus' love.At 2Rivers Church, our mission is to help you become a passionate follower of Jesus so you can experience the life He intended for you and encourage others to do the same.Don't forget to hit that SUBSCRIBE button to stay updated with our content ⏩ and LIKE ✔️, SHARE

Today we conclude our post-Easter sermon series titled "This Resurrection Life." Pastor Vance shares a sermon "Saul/Paul" referencing Acts 9:1-22 and discussing defining moments.While you worship online, we invite you to fill out a connection card. This card is not only a way for us to connect with you but also an opportunity for you to share any prayer requests you may have: firstchurchorlando.org/connection-cardGiving: firstchurchorlando.org/give-nowMissed a past service? Check out our YouTube Channel for past services or you can find our Podcast wherever you podcast from.Like and Subscribe for more First Church content.Want to know more about First Church? Visit our website at firstchurchorlando.org

Luke Looks Back Chapter 1 Introduction Luke 1: 1 - 80 Preparations for the Advent of the Messiah This is the first of a set of studies of the life of Jesus written by a man called Luke. The studies are in the form of sets of questions for a group, or an individual, to think over and discuss. In his first 4 verses written in different, better Greek than the rest of the book, Luke announces what he is going to do. Luke makes it clear he is writing history by emphasising the way in which he has researched the life of Jesus and the surrounding events. The other three Gospel writers write life stories more narrowly focused on Jesus. Luke was writing to a man called Theophilus who, judging by the formal way Luke addresses him, must have been someone rather important. Study 1 Reading: (Luke 1: 1 - 4), Here is the first question: Luke wants to give Theophilus 'certainty' about the things he has been taught by Christians (v 4). Where can we get certainty about the things we have been taught? Theophilus's certainty was to come from what Luke wrote: facts of history. Our's comes from the same place: the record of how God related to his people and the world, told to us in the word of God, the Bible. Luke starts off with background information about Jesus, explaining the story of his cousin, John the Baptist. This sort of information is the way Greeks wrote history. Luke is being careful to fit in with the expected ways to write history of his day. Study 2 First we get a description of Zechariah and Elizabeth, the parents of John in Luke 1:5-25. Second question: What were the good things about this couple that made them the right sort of people to be the parents of a prophet? There were also some things about them that were not so good. What were they? What are we meant to learn from these good and 'not so good' things? Notice here: The good things are obvious; the not so good ones less so. Childlessness was a great disgrace in their culture. We shall see that Luke keeps on drawing attention to people who were poor, of low status and generally disadvantaged. Luke, like Matthew, emphasises the very special and unique way Jesus was conceived Study 3 Read Luke 1:v 26 - 38 Question 3 . What would the village gossips have said had happened? (note what was said in Jn 8: 41 which probably refers to this. The village gossips will have concluded that Mary was not a virgin and Jesus was born illegitimately. The "no reputation" of some of the older English translations of Phil 2: 7 will have had a very literal practical meaning for Jesus and his mother. Question 4: Why was Jesus conceived this way? What difference did it make to who he was? Jesus had to be fully human so that he could share our humanity (Heb 2: 14) and to be fully God so that his sacrificial death could be effective for more than just himself. In the early church they said "Jesus was as we are and therefore he will help; in other ways he was not as we are and therefore he can help" Although the point is never made in the New Testament it is likely that only through the virgin birth (more accurately, the virgin conception) could he be both. The angel said he was to be called the 'son of God' (v 35). That was a very special title in those days. The king of Judea was considered to be a 'son of God' (Ps 2: 7). So was the whole nation of Israel (Hos 11: 1). The Romans called their Emperor the son of a god. It does not mean that God had intercourse with Mary. That is a dreadful thing to suggest. Study 4 Read Luke 1: 39 - 56. Mary's song is lovely. What can Mary possibly have meant by v 51 - 53? (Herod was still alive and a very dangerous man, half crazy and vicious to anybody he thought might challenge his rule.) Herod (the first Herod, Herod the Great) was a terrible man who killed many people including his favourite wife and his own sons on the merest suspicion of treason. Mary must have been speaking prophetically, going far beyond what could have been expected from the young village girl that she was. Study 5 Read Luke 1:57 - 80. What happened (v 62,63) was very like the late change of name that seems to have been a frequent mark of someone having something very special to do. (Abram = Abraham; Simon = Peter, Saul = Paul etc.) What would those who heard the prophecy of Zechariah have thought he meant by the first part of what he said where he praised the Lord (v 68 - 75)? And how would they have understood the second part where he spoke about the future of his baby (v 76 - 79)? Which part sounds like politics and which like preaching? It is important to remember that the whole life of Jesus took place against a background of continual trouble between the people of that country and the occupying power of Rome. There were many attempted rebellions against the Romans. The Jews did not understand how they could be the Lord's people and not be in control of their own country. Even the ordinary Jewish people were desperately hoping a strong man would appear and lead them in a military campaign against the Romans. There were major rebellions against Roman rule both before and after the time of Jesus all of them unsuccessful. Those about 40 years and 120 years after the death of Jesus were particularly unsuccessful and eventually led to terrible revenge being taken by the Romans and the deaths of millions of people. This background is reflected in what Zechariah said. I hope that at the news of the coming Saviour your heart has leapt within you as the baby John leapt in Elizabeth! 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God said to set apart Saul (Paul) and Barnabas for His special work. This session will lead kids to know that some people today are called by God to leave their homes and go to other places to tell about Jesus. Missionaries may work in their own country or travel to other countries. Help kids know how they can support missionaries to help people all over the world know about Jesus.

These days so many strive to convince themselves there is no God. We pondered the fact that God does not make it abundantly evident that he exists. If he did there would be no need for faith, no need to search out what is the real cause of human existence. These thoughts arose as we read of the conversion of Cornelius, the Roman Centurion, in Acts ch. 10, a man whose prayers show he was genuinely seeking to have a relationship with God.First, Peter had to learn that the hope of salvation was no longer primarily for the Jews; the death and resurrection of Jesus had changed that. One of the reasons for the conversion of Saul/Paul we read about yesterday, was that the time soon came when Jesus said to him, “Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.” [ch.22 v,21]As Peter starts to talk to Cornelius and the Gentiles (non-Jews) with him, he first states that God has shown him that he is no longer to think that any person, apart from a Jew “as common or unclean” [10 v.28]. He says his hearers are aware how Jesus “went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed … for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree” [v.38,39] Peter is stating widely known facts.What happened after that was not so publicly known – that “God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.”[v.41,42] Because Cornelius was such a God fearing man, his remarkable conversion and baptism is a lesson as to the kind of people Jesus, now at the ‘right hand of God' (Acts 2 v.33), is calling to his service.The challenging principles Jesus stated still apply, “ Many are called but few are chosen” [Matt.22 v.14] and Cornelius was among the chosen. This causes us to contemplate what really matters in the sight of God as to the basic factors which will lead to one being among the chosen. For this reason we are wise to read and reflect on his word every day and make every effort to put into practice the principles we find there.. More than this, to reflect on another saying of Jesus, “Everyone to whom much was given, of him (or her) much will be required …” [Luke 12 v.48]

“As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?’” (Acts 9:3–4 NLT) The story of Stephen’s stoning contains a curious footnote: “His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul” (Acts 7:58 NLT). That would be Saul of Tarsus. After participating in the stoning of Stephen, Saul gained notoriety as a persecutor of Christians. Saul was proud of his Jewish heritage and zealous in his Jewish faith. When he saw the followers of Jesus of Nazareth, a dead revolutionary, challenging Jewish beliefs, he determined to put an end to their movement. Acts 8:3 says, “But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison” (NLT). Acts 9:1 says, “Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers” (NLT). This was a man fueled by religious extremism. Saul found his identity in his Jewish religion. He was rigid in his beliefs and unlikely to change. Until he encountered the risen Christ. While Saul was on his way to Damascus to arrest Christians, Jesus appeared to him, as explained in the passage above. Saul’s life was never the same again. Temporarily blinded after his encounter, Saul was led to the home of Ananias, a believer who knew of Saul’s reputation and was understandably suspicious of him. But the Lord revealed to Ananias that He had important plans for Saul. Saul regained his sight, was filled by the Holy Spirit, and then baptized. As zealous as ever, he went straight to the local synagogue and proclaimed that Jesus was the Son of God. The Jewish people who had been his former allies were confounded by the power of his teaching. As was the case with Ananias, the apostles and church leaders viewed Saul with skepticism. Eventually he won them over with the power of his testimony, his teaching, and his zeal to share the Good News. Saul embarked on three major missionary journeys that took him to Gentile regions throughout the land. Perhaps to give himself more credibility in those places, he started using his Roman name, Paul. He was imprisoned, stoned, and beaten for preaching the truth of Christ. But he never wavered. He considered it an honor to suffer for the Lord’s sake. He was beheaded in Rome around AD 66. But not before God had used him to change the world. The life of Saul/Paul is a testimony to the power of Jesus’ resurrection. The risen Christ can transform any life. He offers forgiveness and healing. He gives us new purpose, new meaning, and new hope. Through the Holy Spirit, He guides us, comforts us, convicts us when we do wrong, and challenges us to maximize our God-given gifts. Jesus lets us start again. Reflection question: How has Jesus transformed your life or the lives of people you know? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, in honor of the world giving lip service to The Resurrection at Easter, your host Fred Williams and co-host Doug McBurney condescend to entertain secular alternatives to the bodily death, burial & resurrection of Jesus Christ by listing the top 10: * Jesus Died by Crucifixion: The resurrection means nothing if Jesus didn't actually die. But virtually all scholars — even skeptical ones — agree Jesus died by Roman crucifixion. Why? The Roman method was brutal and efficient.   The Journal of the American Medical Association published a medical study affirming death by crucifixion.   Eyewitness accounts, including Roman historians like Tacitus, confirm it.   Jesus wasn't resuscitated. He was dead. The resurrection wasn't a near-death experience — it was a reversal of death.     * The Tomb Was Empty: The empty tomb is reported in all four Gospels, and it's confirmed by: Jewish leaders never produced the body. Instead, they said, “His disciples stole the body” — confirming the tomb was empty.   Even critics like atheist historian Bart Ehrman admit the tomb was likely empty — the question is why.     * The Disciples Believed They Saw the Risen Jesus: Something transformed a group of cowardly fishermen into bold proclaimers of a risen Christ. After Jesus' death, they were in hiding.   Then they claimed to have seen, touched, and eaten with the risen Jesus.   Many of them were martyred — not for what they believed, but for what they claimed to have seen.   People don't generally die for a lie they made up, especially when they get nothing in return but beatings and exile.     * The Rapid Spread of Christianity: How did a tiny, persecuted sect become the largest religion in the world? No political power. No money. No military. Just the message: He is risen.   Within weeks, thousands of Jews — fiercely monotheistic — believed Jesus was Lord and worshipped Him as God.   That doesn't happen unless something earth-shaking occurred.       * Testimony of Enemies: Who testified to the resurrection? Not just friends — enemies. James, Jesus' own skeptical brother, didn't believe in Him during His ministry. After the resurrection, James becomes a leader of the Jerusalem church and is martyred.   Paul was a violent persecutor of Christians. He had every reason to stop this movement — until he says he saw the risen Jesus himself.   Enemies don't convert unless they believe something really happened.     *The First Witnesses Were Women: All four Gospels say women were the first to find the tomb empty. In a culture where a woman's testimony didn't even count in court, this detail would never be invented. If the story were fabricated, the writers would've said Peter or John found the tomb.   The only reason to include women is because that's how it happened.   This is what scholars call the criterion of embarrassment — details that are awkward but truthful.   * I Corinthians 15: Paul lists post-resurrection appearances in I Cor 15. This shows belief in the resurrection wasn't a legend that developed decades later — it was immediate.   He names witnesses: “He appeared to Peter… the twelve… over 500 at once… James… and last of all to me.”   Paul is essentially saying: Go ask them yourself.     * The Martyrdom of the Apostles: Nearly all of the apostles suffered and many were killed for proclaiming Christ's resurrection. James: Certainly Beheaded in Jerusalem. Paul: Likely Beheaded in Rome. Peter: Likely crucified (allegedly upside down) Thomas: Allegedly Speared in India. Tens of thousands of Christian martyrdoms witnessed privately by millions of average people over the past 2,0000 years, (God knows and will bring the record on Judgment Day) They didn't die for abstract beliefs — they died for claiming they saw or believed in the risen Jesus. Liars make poor martyrs.     * The Conversion of Saul (Paul): Paul went from persecuting Christians to becoming Christianity's most influential missionary. He lost status, privilege, safety.   He was beaten, imprisoned, and eventually executed.   And he writes about meeting the risen Christ with personal conviction and detail.   What changes a man like that? Something real. Something undeniable.     * Bodily Resurrection from the Dead Fits All the Fact: When you put all the evidence together, there is no plausible alternative theory: The Swoon theory? Jesus didn't just faint — He was executed and His heart pierced.   The Hallucination theory? Hallucinations are individual — not shared by 500 people.   The Stolen body? The disciples would've had no motive and no success against the Roman guards, (who witnessed the theft while asleep)?   The Legend theory? Legends take generations. Christ's Resurrection was being preached and believed among hundreds in just days and weeks. The resurrection isn't just plausible — it's the only rational explanation regarding the earthly life, death ministry and legacy of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches us that the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ was essential for the salvation of the world and the reconciliation of all things in Heaven and Earth back to God. So any other theory is to be dismissed.

This week, in honor of the world giving lip service to The Resurrection at Easter, your host Fred Williams and co-host Doug McBurney condescend to entertain secular alternatives to the bodily death, burial & resurrection of Jesus Christ by listing the top 10:   * Jesus Died by Crucifixion: The resurrection means nothing if Jesus didn't actually die. But virtually all scholars — even skeptical ones — agree Jesus died by Roman crucifixion. Why? The Roman method was brutal and efficient.   The Journal of the American Medical Association published a medical study affirming death by crucifixion.   Eyewitness accounts, including Roman historians like Tacitus, confirm it.   Jesus wasn't resuscitated. He was dead. The resurrection wasn't a near-death experience — it was a reversal of death.   * The Tomb Was Empty: The empty tomb is reported in all four Gospels, and it's confirmed by: Jewish leaders never produced the body. Instead, they said, “His disciples stole the body” — confirming the tomb was empty.   Even critics like atheist historian Bart Ehrman admit the tomb was likely empty — the question is why.     * The Disciples Believed They Saw the Risen Jesus: Something transformed a group of cowardly fishermen into bold proclaimers of a risen Christ. After Jesus' death, they were in hiding.   Then they claimed to have seen, touched, and eaten with the risen Jesus.   Many of them were martyred — not for what they believed, but for what they claimed to have seen.   People don't generally die for a lie they made up, especially when they get nothing in return but beatings and exile.     * The Rapid Spread of Christianity: How did a tiny, persecuted sect become the largest religion in the world? No political power. No money. No military. Just the message: He is risen.   Within weeks, thousands of Jews — fiercely monotheistic — believed Jesus was Lord and worshipped Him as God.   That doesn't happen unless something earth-shaking occurred.       * Testimony of Enemies: Who testified to the resurrection? Not just friends — enemies. James, Jesus' own skeptical brother, didn't believe in Him during His ministry. After the resurrection, James becomes a leader of the Jerusalem church and is martyred.   Paul was a violent persecutor of Christians. He had every reason to stop this movement — until he says he saw the risen Jesus himself.   Enemies don't convert unless they believe something really happened.     *The First Witnesses Were Women: All four Gospels say women were the first to find the tomb empty. In a culture where a woman's testimony didn't even count in court, this detail would never be invented. If the story were fabricated, the writers would've said Peter or John found the tomb.   The only reason to include women is because that's how it happened.   This is what scholars call the criterion of embarrassment — details that are awkward but truthful.   * I Corinthians 15: Paul lists post-resurrection appearances in I Cor 15. This shows belief in the resurrection wasn't a legend that developed decades later — it was immediate.   He names witnesses: “He appeared to Peter… the twelve… over 500 at once… James… and last of all to me.”   Paul is essentially saying: Go ask them yourself.     * The Martyrdom of the Apostles: Nearly all of the apostles suffered and many were killed for proclaiming Christ's resurrection. James: Certainly Beheaded in Jerusalem. Paul: Likely Beheaded in Rome. Peter: Likely crucified (allegedly upside down) Thomas: Allegedly Speared in India. Tens of thousands of Christian martyrdoms witnessed privately by millions of average people over the past 2,0000 years, (God knows and will bring the record on Judgment Day) They didn't die for abstract beliefs — they died for claiming they saw or believed in the risen Jesus. Liars make poor martyrs.     * The Conversion of Saul (Paul): Paul went from persecuting Christians to becoming Christianity's most influential missionary. He lost status, privilege, safety.   He was beaten, imprisoned, and eventually executed.   And he writes about meeting the risen Christ with personal conviction and detail.   What changes a man like that? Something real. Something undeniable.     * Bodily Resurrection from the Dead Fits All the Fact: When you put all the evidence together, there is no plausible alternative theory: The Swoon theory? Jesus didn't just faint — He was executed and His heart pierced.   The Hallucination theory? Hallucinations are individual — not shared by 500 people.   The Stolen body? The disciples would've had no motive and no success against the Roman guards, (who witnessed the theft while asleep)?   The Legend theory? Legends take generations. Christ's Resurrection was being preached and believed among hundreds in just days and weeks. The resurrection isn't just plausible — it's the only rational explanation regarding the earthly life, death ministry and legacy of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches us that the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ was essential for the salvation of the world and the reconciliation of all things in Heaven and Earth back to God. So any other theory is to be dismissed.

https://spinitron.com/WSFM/pl/20397622/Radio-Active-Kids

The before experience of our life before Christ is a big part of our journey. God uses every part for His purpose (the good, bad and ugly). This teaching is eye opening as Anita peeks into Saul/Paul. Listen to her Audible A Leap of Faith: A Life Filled With Questionable Choices.

Before God moves He instructs His prophets to give instructions to His people at various locations throughout biblical history. Old Testament 1.Mount Ararat – Noah was instructed to build the ark (Genesis 6:13-22). 2.Haran – God instructed Abram to leave his country (Genesis 12:1-4). 3.Mount Moriah – Abraham was told to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22:1-14). 4.Egypt – Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dreams and gave instructions to store grain (Genesis 41:25-36). 5.Mount Sinai (Horeb) – Moses received the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-21). 6.Wilderness of Paran – The 12 spies were sent to explore Canaan (Numbers 13:1-3). 7.Plains of Moab – Moses gave final instructions before Israel entered the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 31:1-8). 8.Jericho – Joshua was instructed on how to conquer the city (Joshua 6:2-5). 9.Bethel – Samuel warned Israel against choosing a king (1 Samuel 8:10-18). 10.Zarephath – Elijah instructed the widow to make bread during famine (1 Kings 17:8-16). 11.Mount Carmel – Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal and gave instructions for sacrifice (1 Kings 18:30-40). 12.Nineveh – Jonah instructed the people to repent (Jonah 3:1-10). 13.Jerusalem – Jeremiah warned about Babylon's invasion (Jeremiah 25:1-11). 14.Babylon – Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's dreams and gave divine guidance (Daniel 2:24-49). 15.Exile in Persia – Ezra and Nehemiah instructed Israel on rebuilding the Temple and the city walls (Nehemiah 2:17-20). New Testament 16.Bethlehem – An angel instructed Joseph to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus (Matthew 2:13-15). 17.Jordan River – John the Baptist instructed people to repent and be baptized (Matthew 3:1-12). 18.Galilee – Jesus instructed the disciples on the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). 19.Road to Damascus – Jesus instructed Saul (Paul) to go into the city (Acts 9:3-6). 20.Antioch – The Holy Spirit instructed the church to set apart Paul and Barnabas for mission (Acts 13:2-4). 21.Philippi – Paul instructed the jailer to believe in Christ for salvation (Acts 16:30-34). 22.Corinth – Paul was instructed in a vision to keep preaching despite opposition (Acts 18:9-11). 23.Patmos – John received instructions for the seven churches in Revelation (Revelation 1:10-20).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sendme-radio--732966/support.

2-19-2025Will DyerThe Challenge Of Acts By N.T WrightThe meeting transcript discusses a study session on Acts chapters 9 through 12, highlighting key events and themes. ​ ​ The discussion of Saul (Paul) on the road to Damascus, emphasizing that Paul's experience was not a conversion from Judaism to Christianity but a redefinition of God's people around Jesus. ​ Will Dyer also touches on the importance of suffering in the Christian faith, the role of Ananias in Paul's story, and the growth of the early church despite persecution. ​ Additionally, Peter's vision and encounter with Cornelius are discussed, illustrating the breaking of traditional Jewish boundaries and the inclusion of Gentiles in the Christian community. ​ The session concludes with reflections on the church's mission to embody renewed humanity and the importance of obeying God over societal pressures.

A @Christadelphians Video: # SummaryBarnabas and Saul (Paul) were called to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles. Barnabas' humility allowed Paul to lead their mission effectively.# Highlights-

In this episode presented by Father Genard, we delve into Acts Chapter 13, exploring the early missionary work of the Church and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Father Genard highlights the Holy Spirit's role in directing the Apostles during worship and fasting, as seen when Saul (Paul) and Barnabas were set apart for ministry to the Gentiles. He reflects on the mystery of God's communication—through revelation or worthy individuals—and connects it to the apostolic tradition of ordination by the laying on of hands, signifying continuity in the Church's leadership. The episode examines Paul's calling, sanctification, and commissioning, emphasizing the transformative power of baptism and the grace bestowed upon him. Father Genard draws parallels to Old Testament practices, such as Joshua's commissioning by Moses, to underline the enduring significance of God using His creation to accomplish divine work. Key events discussed include Paul and Barnabas's journey to Paphos, their encounter with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, and their confrontation with the sorcerer Elymas, who sought to deter Sergius from the faith. Paul's Spirit-filled rebuke of Elymas, resulting in temporary blindness, is presented not as vengeance but as a means to lead him and others, including Sergius, to conversion. This episode underscores the apostolic mission, righteous teaching, and the importance of boldness in faith and repentance. Father Genard concludes by encouraging listeners not to be intimidated by their past but to embrace their identity as God's handiwork, called for good works and sanctified by grace.

Send us a textFor an ad-free version of the podcast plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month and also help keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free  for listeners everywhere at;patreon.com/JeremyMcCandlessSubscribe here to receive my new church history podcast at.https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comWelcome:We're diving into a fascinating topic today: "How to Minister to One Another," based on Acts 11:19-30. This passage not only offers a rich historical context but also provides valuable insights into the various forms of ministry that can and should be happening within our faith communities.Study NotesKey Scripture: Acts 11:19-30Passage Overview:Evangelistic Ministry (Acts 11:19-21): Early believers spread the gospel during persecution, reaching Jews and Gentiles alike.Encouragement Ministry (Acts 11:22-24): Barnabas was sent to Antioch to encourage new believers, demonstrating the power of support and discipleship.Teaching Ministry (Acts 11:25-26): Barnabas and Saul (Paul) taught together in Antioch for a year, establishing a strong foundation for the new church.Prophetic Ministry (Acts 11:27-30): Prophets like Agabus predicted events, prompting the church to act in charity and support for others.Main Points:All Believers Are in Ministry:Ephesians 4: Every believer is called to ministry, not just the church leaders.2 Timothy 3:16-17: The importance of Scripture in equipping believers for good works.Different Ministries Illustrated:Evangelism: Early believers shared the gospel wherever they went.Encouragement: Barnabas's role in strengthening and encouraging the faith of new believers.Teaching: The joint effort of Barnabas and Saul to teach and establish the church.Prophecy and Charity: The response to prophetic insights by supporting those in need.Principles of Encouragement (Hebrews 10:24-25):Be Present: Regular fellowship is essential for mutual ministry.Consider One Another: Understand and support each other through listening and empathy.Encourage One Another: Motivate and strengthen each other's faith and resolve.The Role of Ordinary Believers:Ministry isn't limited to those in official positions; every believer plays a vital role.True ministry happens in the context of relationships, beyond formal church services.Application:Reflect on how you can personally engage in these ministries within your community.Consider ways to encourage and support fellow believers, fostering a church environment focused on mutual love and service.Embrace your calling to minister, knowing that every believer has a roleFaith Meets Academia Transform faith-based values into personal growth, career success and academic excellence.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJeremy McCandless is creating podcasts and devotional resources | PatreonHelp us continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

LIFE & LETTERS OF PAULConversion of Saul/PaulActs 7:54-8:3 - First mentions of Saul/Paul and his activity in JerusalemActs 9:1-31 - Saul/Paul's conversion and early ministryPaul's Commissioning and 1st Missionary JourneyActs 12:25-13:3 - Setting apart by the church at Antioch, sent out with Barnabas for 1st missionary journeyPaul's Trip to Jerusalem for the Jerusalem Council (c.48-49 AD)Acts 15 - Paul and Barnabas go to Jerusalem for the Jerusalem Council, then go back to Antioch. They split up over John Mark, who had left them in Pamphylia. Paul chose Silas and embarked on his 2nd missionary journey. Paul's 2nd Missionary JourneyActs 16-18 - Paul and Silas encounter Timothy and Luke (implied) and eventually travel to Macedonia (Philippi, Thessaloniki, Berea) and Achaia (Athens and Corinth). Paul stayed in Corinth for 1.5 years (Acts 18:11). Acts 18:18 - Paul encounters Priscilla and Aquila and leaves them in Ephesus before returning back to Antioch. Apollos begins preaching there, is taught more completely by Priscilla and Aquila, and sent to Corinth. Paul's 3rd Missionary JourneyActs 19-29 - Paul returns to Ephesus as part of his 3rd missionary journey. According to Acts 19:8-10 and Acts 20:31, Paul probably remained in Ephesus for close to 3 years. Paul's Arrest in Jerusalem, Holding in Caesarea, and Voyage to RomeActs 21-28 - Paul goes to Jerusalem and is arrested. For the remaining chapters in Acts, the Jews in Jerusalem seek to kill Paul but he remains in Roman custody. He appears before Felix (Roman governor of Judea). Festus (Roman governor of Judea who succeeded Felix in office), and Jewish dignitaries Agrippa and Bernice. All of this took place over a period of more than two years in Caesarea. In all of this, Paul utilized his Roman citizenship and appealed to Caesar. Thus, he would be given the opportunity to travel to Rome and appeal his case to Caesar. The latter chapters of Acts focus on Paul's journey through shipwreck to Rome. Possible chronological listing of Paul's letters and suggested date of writing Galatians - c.48 AD (before the Jerusalem Council)1 and 2 Thessalonians - c.51 AD (after the and missionary journey and meeting back up with Silas and Timothy, Paul mentions Timothy's encouraging report in 1 Thessalonians)1 and 2 Corinthians - c.56-57 (after arrest in Jerusalem)Romans - c.58-59 AD (while imprisoned in Caesarea, before he had ever gone to Rome)Philippians, Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians - c.60-62 AD (while imprisoned in Rome)1 Timothy, Titus, 2 Timothy - c.63-67 AD (after Paul was released from prison, to traveled possibly to Spain, arrested again)Paul was martyred at the hands of Nero's persecution in c.66-67 AD

Questions Covered: 17:33 – Should we take every word that Jesus said literally? Ex. Pluck your eye out if it causes you to sin. 30:26 – What are your thoughts on a priest who claimed that feeding the 5 thousand was not literal? 35:46 – What are your thoughts on Jonah? 38:38 – I heard that the sponge they used to give Jesus wine on the cross was a sponge the Romans used to clean up after using the restroom. Is that true? 45:40 – You guys are wrong about the eye of the needle was a gate. 49:58 – Is the miracle of Jesus raising a man from the dead a prefigurement of his death? 52:30 – Saul/Paul was given a new name at his conversion. 53:12 – They used to swaddle lambs so it wouldn't get blemished. …

Once considered polar opposites, country music and rap have had a bit of a moment together as of late with artists like Jelly Roll & Post Malone and releases like Beyonce's Cowboy Carter hitting the charts. The thing is, Brooklyn, NY born bluegrass/hip-hop group Gangstagrass have been doing it since 2007. Returning guest, sociologist Alana Anton, brings us their latest release: 'The Blackest Thing On The Menu', and makes the case that these genres have more in common than record label marketers would have us believe. Songs discussed in this episode: Long Hard Times To Come (Justified Main Theme), Freedom - Gangstagrass; Feathered Indians - Tyler Childers; The Only Way Out Is Through - Gangstagrass; Rebel Without A Pause - Public Enemy; Good At Being Bad - Gangstagrass; Hunger Strike - Temple Of The Dog; Up High Do Or Die, Gone Gone - Gangstagrass; Texas Hold 'Em - Beyonce; You Can Have The Crown (Sturgill Simpson Cover) - Post Malone; Mother, Obligatory Braggadocio, Avenue B, Palette, It's Alive, Sankofa, Mother (Instrumental Jam Mix) - Gangstagrass

Excerpt--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you're looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Today we're in part 4 of our mini-series on how salvation worksThree weeks ago: Is Anyone Too Far Gone for God? (Acts 8:26-40)Answer: No! God can reach you on the desert road to nowhereTwo weeks ago: How Does Spiritual Conversion Actually Work?We'll looked at the dramatic conversion story of Saul (Paul)– and what we can generalize from his experience.About the HS opening eyesAnd how faith/repentance changes you in an instantFrom death to lifeFrom enemy of God to child of GodLast week: How can you know if you're really saved? (Acts 9:20-31)Paul went about preaching the gospel immediatelyThe disciples in Jerusalem didn't believe he was really saved!? After 3 years! We looked at how Christians can have “assurance” of their salvationToday to finish up we'll dig deeper into a theological question: Q. Did God Change How Salvation Works?Have you ever thought about this?In the NTgrace, forgiveness, JesusJn 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”Jesus is THE way. But what about in the OT?Did salvation work one way in OT before JesusAnd another way in NT after Jesus?Q. What was the Old Testament way of salvation?Many thought: saved by keeping the commandmentsIn Jewish tradition, there are 613 commandments (known as the Mitzvot) in the Torah. These commandments are derived from the five books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) and encompass a wide range of moral, religious, and civil laws. 248 positive commandments (things to do) and 365 negative commandments (things not to do)Scholars estimate that around 100 to 150 of the 613 commandments address issues of purity and impurity.Dietary Laws (Kashrut): These include commandments related to clean and unclean animals (Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14).Table fellowship refers to the practice of sharing meals, which in ancient Jewish culture held deep social, religious, and spiritual significance. In the context of the Old Testament and Jewish tradition, sharing a meal symbolized more than just eating together; it represented community, unity, and, in many cases, ritual purity. This practice also reinforced the separation between Jews and Gentiles due to differences in dietary laws and religious observance. Eating with Gentiles, who were considered ritually impure, could defile an observant Jew, requiring purification rites (Leviticus 20:24-26).Clean vs. uncleanSo is this how people were saved in OT? Keep yourself clean? The answer is found in today's...

Welcome to part three in our Salvation 101 mini-series! Today we'll be asking and answering the question: How can you know if you're really saved?--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you're looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Q. How Can You Know If You're Really Saved?Part 19 in our Acts series!!Part 3 in our mini-series on “How Salvation Works”Two weeks ago: Is Anyone Too Far Gone for God? (Acts 8:26-40)Answer: No! God can reach you on the desert road to nowhereLast week: How Does Spiritual Conversion Actually Work?We'll looked at the dramatic conversion story of Saul (Paul)– and what we can generalize from his experience.Today: How can you know if you're really saved? (Acts 9:20-31)Paul went about preaching the gospel immediatelyThe disciples in Jerusalem didn't believe he was really saved!? After 3 years! (Pillar New Testament Commentary) Even believers who have seen the power of God at work in their own lives can doubt God's ability to change others.The fancy term for this: “assurance of salvation”Can you have it for yourself?Some people “know that they know” they're saved, no problems with thisSo many other people doubt their salvation and live in fear of judgmentHere's the thing: you can think you're saved and NOT be savedFalse conversions are a thing. Jesus said:Matthew 7:21-23 (NLT) 21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.' 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God's laws.'Ouch! One of the most frightening verses in the Bible!So, how can you know? We'll get to that answer, but let's start with our text…Acts 9:19-20 (NLT) Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. 20 And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!”Wow! What a transformation in Saul's lifeOne moment he's persecuting these messengers of ChristianityNext moment he IS a messenger!Have you met anyone like this? Total transformationActs 9:21 (NLT) 21 All who heard him were amazed. “Isn't this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus' followers in Jerusalem?” they asked. “And didn't he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?”Acts 9:22 (NLT) 22 Saul's preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn't refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. (Pillar New Testament Commentary) When Luke says that Saul grew more and more powerful, the term he uses (enedynamouto) suggests the empowerment of the Spirit.Proving...

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners the account of the Apostle Paul's conversion when Jesus met him on the way to Damascus and asked Saul (Paul) why he was persecuting Jesus. JOIN DR. JORI IN JOURNALING IN 2024! Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://a.co/d/9B5krQlhttps://a.co/d/iycFlnNHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com  DR. JORI mentioned the conferences by Answers in Genesis.  The link below will take you to the website showing their schedule and upcoming conferences. https://answersingenesis.org/outreach/ Scripture References:Isaiah 55:11Acts 9:5Luke 1:1-4Acts 1:1-5Acts 7:58-8:31 Timothy 1:12-14Acts 9:1-9Acts 22, 26Matthew 25:40-461 Corinthians 12:12-13, 271 Samuel 8:7Genesis 1:272 Corinthians 5:20John 15:18-19   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com Support the show

Join me on a journey to the golden city of the Roman Empire—Antioch. Known as the queen city of the east, Antioch's main street, paved with marble and lined with marble columns, was a sight to behold. Despite its beauty, Antioch rivaled Corinth in its sinfulness with chariot racing, gambling, and rampant immorality. This city never slept and seemed an unlikely place for an evangelistic crusade. Yet, as we explore Acts 11, we discover an incredible example of God's grace and the power of the gospel. The church in Antioch, born amidst this sin city, becomes a beacon of light and an example of godly living. In this episode, we will uncover the transformative story of how ordinary men from Cyprus and Cyrene, burdened for the lost, brought the message of Jesus to the Greeks in Antioch. Despite their unconventional methods, the results were undeniable—Antioch was never the same. We will also delve into the role of Barnabas, the encourager, who was sent from Jerusalem to verify this revival. Upon witnessing the grace of God, he rejoiced and sought out Saul (Paul) to help shepherd this growing church. Together, they taught and discipled new believers, with the disciples first being called Christians in Antioch. This episode will challenge you to consider how you are living up to the name of Christian and inspire you to embrace new opportunities for ministry, just as the church in Antioch did. Let's learn from their example and strive to walk worthy of our name, making a lasting impact for the glory of God.