The Acts of the Apostles: Going Your Own Way
As Paul leaves the shores of Miletus for his destination of Jerusalem, he encounters many loving friends. These encounters were both wonderful but also very difficult as his friends unanimously counseled him in a way that ran counter to what he felt was best. What should we do when our well-intentioned plans come in conflict with God’s plans?
The Acts of the Apostles: A Life Invested
As Paul closes his farewell to the church in Ephesus, he charges them how to take ownership of the ministry he is entrusting them with. As he describes this investment, he describes what it means to practically shepherd the flock of God. As a ministry of growing leaders, are we owning our responsibility to invest in God’s people?
The Acts of the Apostles: Taking Inventory
In Paul’s farewell to the church in Ephesus, he begins to share with them his decision to go to Jerusalem knowing that trouble probably awaits him there. How does a Christian come to a place where they are willing to take steps of faith even if they hold risk? Watch and learn as Paul “counts the cost” of ministry.
The Acts of the Apostles: A Life Inspected pt 2
Paul says farewell to the church leaders in Ephesus. As he does, he reminds them that his life is an “open book”, transparent and blameless. This week we consider our own lives, are we open to inspection? If so, what will people find when they consider our lives and ministry?
The Acts of the Apostles: A Life Inspected Pt 1
Paul says farewell to the church leaders in Ephesus. As he does, he reminds them that his life is an “open book”, transparent and blameless. This week we consider our own lives, are we open to inspection? If so, what will people find when they consider our lives and ministry?
The Acts of the Apostles: Our Acts of Love
Paul was a pioneer with the mission of God on his mind. But what made Paul and that early church unique, is that they knew that God’s mission was about people. In Acts 20 we see Paul and the church care for and love one another in a way that is worth emulating.
The Acts of the Apostles: No Small Stir
Paul and his team are having a huge impact on the city of Ephesus, but that doesn’t go unnoticed by the enemy. Local tradesmen begin to see the potential impact Christianity might have on their income and decide to incite a riot in the streets. Today we ask questions about what makes our faith dangerous. We also consider what it means to keep our attention on the gospel alone without getting caught up in the swirling controversies.
How to Deploy a Church Pt 1 / Brandon Briscoe
In the second session of Spring Retreat 2021, we see the priorities of Christians who desire to be used of God. What are the things we need to take seriously if we want to reach the next generation?
How to Destroy a Church
In the first session of Spring Retreat 2021, we see the pitfalls and compromises that cause churches to fail to execute the Great Commission, or even to close their doors for good. Will we reach the next generation?
The Acts of the Apostles: More Marks of Authentic Faith
Paul returns to Ephesus to contribute to the work that others had been doing. His ministry abounds and God uses him mightily! In today’s sermon, we look at three character qualities of an authentic faith: a change in our communication, a determined devotion, and a distinct power.
The Acts of the Apostles: A Line of Questions
On Paul’s return journey to Ephesus, he bumps into a group of twelve Jewish men who claim to be disciples. But upon further investigation, Paul discovers these men did not know Christ. Today we learn some very important truths about salvation, baptism, and the Holy Spirit. We also learn to be investigators, willing to ask hard questions of ourselves and others - learning to let the Bible reveal the truth.
The Acts of the Apostles: To Be Teachable
As we turn our attention back to the mission in Ephesus, we meet a man named Apollos. Aquila and Priscilla discover that Apollos is an incredibly gifted man with an incomplete gospel - he needs a relationship with Christ! Perhaps the best thing about Apollos though, is that despite his giftedness and intelligence, he was teachable. Today we ask "What does it mean to be teachable?”
The Acts of the Apostles: Faith, Friends, & Farewells
What we see in this leg of Paul’s journey is one of the hardest and most complicated aspects of doing ministry, making friends then having to say farewell to those we love, those we have given our lives to. We learn in this part of his missionary journey the value of old friends and new friends alike. We will learn some principles to help us see these relationships, with all their emotional complexity, from God’s point of view.
The Acts of the Apostles: To the Evangelist
In Acts 18, in the midst of a turbulent missionary journey to Corinth, Jesus comes to Paul in a night vision. Jesus’ words to Paul in this passage awake us to the promises God gives to those who preach the gospel.
Do you fear sharing the truth of Christ to the lost? Let Jesus himself challenge those notions.
We also see Paul face rejection from the Jews. We learn a perspective on rejection that is specific to evangelical ministry - how not to be discouraged and trust the Lord for work we can’t see or effect.
The Acts of the Apostles: Refreshed, Rejected, Revived
In Acts 18 we find Paul preaching in the synagogue of Corinth, reasoning with the unbelievers, when his friends show up and provide him with refreshment he needs to double-down in the work. Today we spend talking about what it means to be a good friend, someone who refreshes others.
We also see Paul face rejection from the Jews. We learn a perspective on rejection that is specific to evangelical ministry - how not to be discouraged and trust the Lord for work we can’t see or effect.
The Acts of the Apostles: Integrating Life & Ministry
In Acts 18 Paul makes friends some new friends, Aquila and Priscilla. While in Corinth he lives with them, works with them and spends all of his free time preaching in the synagogue. In this passage we learn several really important principles about how to integrate and balance marriage, friendship, vocation and ministry.
How to Be a Righteous Remnant: Elijah pt 5
This is the eleventh message in a series that addresses how to have a radical faith in a time and generation that seems completely opposed to God. In this last sermon of our series, we find Elijah at his lowest point, dejected for his perceived failures and loneliness in the work. What he discovers is that God is a gracious comfort at our loneliest points in life and ministry.
How to Be a Righteous Remnant: Elijah pt 4
This is the tenth message in a series that addresses how to have a radical faith in a time and generation that seems completely opposed to God. In this sermon we find Elijah turning to God in prayer after defeating the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. We discuss the seriousness of God’s judgment and the need for persistent prayer in the life of the believer. We focus specifically on his absolute confidence in God how that impacted the power of his prayer life.
How to Be a Righteous Remnant: Elijah Pt 2
This is the eighth message in a series that addresses the issue of how to have a radical faith in a time and generation that seems completely opposed to God. In this sermon we take some time to understand the interaction between Elijah and Obadiah, a man of God who struggled with reluctance. Obadiah would be considered a “righteous remnant” and yet he fears what God is calling him to do next with his life. In this message we discuss what it means to overcome our fears with each step of God’s calling.