Acts #16 || 11:19-30 The Church in Antioch
The Relentless Others Centred Ethic of Christian Love
Acts #15 || 11:1-18 The Ministry of the Holy Spirit
God is building his church by the spread of the gospel through the world. In the early church, this started on the day of Pentecost where the Spirit was first poured out on the disciples. Since that day, God has continued to move in power, radically transforming lives and communities. He does this through the work of the Holy Spirit, without which, the church would not exist.
Acts #14 || 10:1-48 The Gospel for All People
Unfortunately, due to some technical difficulties, this weeks sermon was not recorded.
ACTS #13 || 9:26-43 The Power of God
A transformed Paul, having met Jesus on the road to Damascus, finally arrives in Jerusalem where he meets the rest of the church. and receives a hesitant reception. After this Peter finds himself in the towns of Lydda and Joppa where by the power of God he heals a man and raises a woman from the dead. These events remind us of the miraculous power of God, and that the very same power that transformed the life of Paul is still at work today.
ACTS #12 || 9:1-30 Saul Meets Jesus
In one of the most iconic events in Christian history, the zealous Jew Saul makes the journey to Damascus before getting knocked off his horse by the risen Jesus Christ himself.
ACTS #11 || 8:1-40 A Magician and a Treasurer
This chapter of Acts follows the amazing stories of Philip, the deacon-turned-evangelist. It shows us from yet another point of view the theme of the opening up of the gospel to the non-Jewish world.
ACTS #10 || 6:8-8:1 Stephen the Martyr
As the gospel continues to transform the city of Jerusalem, resistance to the message of Jesus also continues to increase. Stephen, one of the key leaders of the early church – full of wisdom and the Holy Spirit – is hauled before the council on false charges before being killed in an act of mob violence. Stephen was the first martyr of the Christian church, but he was not the last, as many more followed in his footsteps to their death. This story of Stephen’s death serves to both encourage and warn us today: it encourages us by reminding us that “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21) and that ulimately, the Christian need not fear death, and yet it also serves us a warning. To follow Jesus is to be willing to take up your cross and follow him (Matt. 16:24-26).
Rhythms of Grace || #5 Singing
God has given his people a number of rhythms to walk in that draw us closer to him and enrich our spirit. The fifth and last of these is joining in with the song of heaven in praise to our Creator.
Rhythms of Grace || #4 Confession
God has given his people a number of rhythms to walk in that draw us closer to him and enrich our spirit. The fourth of these is the act of confessing our sins.
Rhythms of Grace || #3 Fellowship
God has given his people a number of rhythms to walk in that draw us closer to him and enrich our spirit. The third of these is the role of Christian fellowship in deepening our walk with God.
Rhythms of Grace || #2 Meditation on Scripture
God has given his people a number of rhythms to walk in that draw us closer to him and enrich our spirit. The second of these is meditation and reflection on Scripture.
Rhythms of Grace || #1 Prayer & Fasting
God has given his people a number of rhythms to walk in that draw us closer to him and enrich our spirit. The first of these is prayer and fasting.
ACTS #9 || 6:1-7 Growing Pains
In this passage we see the apostles encounter an issue that threatens the health and unity of the new church itself, and yet instead of dealing with it, they delegate it to some trustworthy men.
ACTS #8 || 5:12-42 Boldness under Fire
In this passage we see the apostles continue to walk in amazing acts of power, resulting again in their arrest, and this time, in physical beatings by the Sanhedrin as well as threats. The apostles however, respond in an unbelievable way: with rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer.
ACTS #7 || 4:32-5:11 The Fear of the Lord
In this passage we see the church continue in vibrant community and sacrificial generosity toward one another. But all is not perfect in the church: and in chapter 5 we read of the first recorded sin in the early New Testament church and God’s swift and decisive response.
ACTS #6 || 4:1-31 Experiencing Opposition
In this passage we see the Spirit-filled church begin to interact with the world. Having just healed a crippled man, Peter takes the opportunity to declare to the crowd the Gospel: their guilt before God in their role of having Jesus crucified, and the offer of pardon by his own death and resurrection. While preaching, Peter and John are arrested, thrown in jail for the night and hauled before the council of Jewish leaders, and told in no uncertain terms to keep their mouths shut about Jesus. The apostles however cannot abide this, and declare boldly: “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Acts #5 || 3:1-26 The Healing Power of God
In this passage we see the Spirit-filled church begin to interact with the world in miraculous ways with the healing of a crippled man followed by Peter preaching to the gathered crowd.
ACTS #4 || 2:42-47 A Spirit Filled Community
In this passage we see the results of the disciples receiving the promised Holy Spirit in power, and proclaiming the good news of the gospel: an explosion of kingdom growth. These new believers became a new family: the people of God. The rich sold their possessions to provide for the poor as they would for their own flesh and blood – and amazing testimony to the sacrificial and vibrant nature of this new community.