"Paul (#12): Disrupting our Economies and Allegiances"
Text: Acts 19
Today, we continue our journey through the book of Acts, as Paul visits Ephesus. And we’ll find some people who got so riled up by the Gospel that they stood in the city square and shouted for 2 hours straight. North American Christians are reminded to reevaluate the items in our lives that give us security—whether it be our jobs, our health, our national security and safety, or even our families. For ultimately, none of those things begin to compare with the security offered through a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Paul (#11): Partnering in the Gospel - October 2, 2011
"Paul (#11): Partnering in the Gospel"
Text: Acts 18:1-28
The Kingdom of God really is a partnership… a team event. It’s not just about Paul being a "Lone Ranger," but about Paul playing his part on God’s team. And in this case, God tells Paul that His team is even bigger than Paul can see. And that Paul doesn’t need to be afraid, because he’s on God’s team!
Text: Acts 18:1-28
The Kingdom of God really is a partnership… a team event. It’s not just about Paul being a "Lone Ranger," but about Paul playing his part on God’s team. And in this case, God tells Paul that His team is even bigger than Paul can see. And that Paul doesn’t need to be afraid, because he’s on God’s team!
Paul (#10): Greatly Distressed - September 25, 2011
"Paul (#10): Greatly Distressed"
Text: Acts 17:16-34
The phrase "greatly distressed" is used quite a few times in scripture--often indicating a distress at sin, idolatry, or a situation that seemed beyond hope. And yet, sometimes we get "greatly distressed" about things that probably shouldn't receive that much of our attention. Even as Paul is "greatly distressed" at the idols on Mars Hills, we ought to be "greatly distressed" about sin in our own lives and brokenness in the world around us.
Text: Acts 17:16-34
The phrase "greatly distressed" is used quite a few times in scripture--often indicating a distress at sin, idolatry, or a situation that seemed beyond hope. And yet, sometimes we get "greatly distressed" about things that probably shouldn't receive that much of our attention. Even as Paul is "greatly distressed" at the idols on Mars Hills, we ought to be "greatly distressed" about sin in our own lives and brokenness in the world around us.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Homecoming: Zebedee's Fishing Company - September 18, 2011
"Homecoming: Zebedee's Fishing Company"
Text: Matthew 4:12-25
Former Pastor Jeff Barker offers this Homecoming message about "Zebedee's Fishing Company." Instead of following the call of James and John, Pastor Jeff explores what it may have been like for their father Zebedee. What does faithfulness look like when we're called to stay at home--casting the nets, catching the fish, cleaning the fish, selling the fish, and mending the nets?
Text: Matthew 4:12-25
Former Pastor Jeff Barker offers this Homecoming message about "Zebedee's Fishing Company." Instead of following the call of James and John, Pastor Jeff explores what it may have been like for their father Zebedee. What does faithfulness look like when we're called to stay at home--casting the nets, catching the fish, cleaning the fish, selling the fish, and mending the nets?
Paul (#8): Set Free - September 4, 2011
"Paul (#8): Set Free"
Text: Acts 16:16-34
Pastor Jon juxtaposes Psalm 22 against the familiar story of Paul and Silas in prison, suggesting the importance of being "Set Free" from our circumstances by praising God even in the midst of them. Even as Paul continues to learn about the boundless reach of the Gospel (this time, even to demon-possessed slave girls), he also demonstrates true freedom, even while in physical bondage.
Text: Acts 16:16-34
Pastor Jon juxtaposes Psalm 22 against the familiar story of Paul and Silas in prison, suggesting the importance of being "Set Free" from our circumstances by praising God even in the midst of them. Even as Paul continues to learn about the boundless reach of the Gospel (this time, even to demon-possessed slave girls), he also demonstrates true freedom, even while in physical bondage.
Paul (#7): Lydia - August 21, 2011
"Paul (#7): Lydia"
Text: Acts 16:6-15
If God can use David and Solomon, and Peter and Paul, and John Mark and Timothy, then He can certainly use you. And He can certainly use the leading lady in today’s story (Acts 16:16-34). Pastor Jon suggests that this may be the lesson that Paul needed to learn, as the Gospel spread to (and through) one of the most unlikely candidates.
Text: Acts 16:6-15
If God can use David and Solomon, and Peter and Paul, and John Mark and Timothy, then He can certainly use you. And He can certainly use the leading lady in today’s story (Acts 16:16-34). Pastor Jon suggests that this may be the lesson that Paul needed to learn, as the Gospel spread to (and through) one of the most unlikely candidates.
Paul (#6): Christian Unity - August 7, 2011
"Paul (#6): Christian Unity"
Text: Acts 15:36-16:5
Pastor Jon takes a look at the "Sharp Disagreement" between Paul and Barnabas at the end of Acts chapter 15. As we trace the story, we learn not only that God can use our brokenness, but that reconciliation continues to be possible, even for relationships that seem broken beyond all hope.
Text: Acts 15:36-16:5
Pastor Jon takes a look at the "Sharp Disagreement" between Paul and Barnabas at the end of Acts chapter 15. As we trace the story, we learn not only that God can use our brokenness, but that reconciliation continues to be possible, even for relationships that seem broken beyond all hope.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Paul (#5): No Other Name - July 31, 2011
"Paul (#5): No Other Name"
Text: Acts 14:8-20
Paul is always very careful to make sure that people don't worship him, but the God that he serves. Pastor Jon takes a look at some of Paul's teachings on this--and an event which was probably quite formative in Paul's early ministry. Together, we learn that there is no other name under heaven and earth by which we must be saved.
Text: Acts 14:8-20
Paul is always very careful to make sure that people don't worship him, but the God that he serves. Pastor Jon takes a look at some of Paul's teachings on this--and an event which was probably quite formative in Paul's early ministry. Together, we learn that there is no other name under heaven and earth by which we must be saved.
Paul (#4): To the Jews and then to the Gentiles - July 24, 2011
"Paul (#4): To the Jews and then to the Gentiles"
Text: Acts 13:13-52
Like a wildfire spreading uncontrollably in the forest, Paul's missionary work begins to spread--and not just to the Jews. Instead, it begins popping up in the least expected places: among the gentiles. Despite persecution and opposition, Paul and Barnabus continue to take the Name of Jesus with them, wherever they go.
Text: Acts 13:13-52
Like a wildfire spreading uncontrollably in the forest, Paul's missionary work begins to spread--and not just to the Jews. Instead, it begins popping up in the least expected places: among the gentiles. Despite persecution and opposition, Paul and Barnabus continue to take the Name of Jesus with them, wherever they go.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Paul (#3): So Send I You - July 17, 2011
"Paul (#3): So Send I You"
Sermon Text: Acts 11:19-30; 12:25-13:3
Despite Paul's miraculous conversion, despite his incredible intellect and training, and despite his ability to preach, teach, and argue a point, Paul didn’t immediately become the church leader, missionary, and author that he eventually grew into. This week, Pastor Jon explores the period of waiting prior to Paul's comissioning by the Church.
Sermon Text: Acts 11:19-30; 12:25-13:3
Despite Paul's miraculous conversion, despite his incredible intellect and training, and despite his ability to preach, teach, and argue a point, Paul didn’t immediately become the church leader, missionary, and author that he eventually grew into. This week, Pastor Jon explores the period of waiting prior to Paul's comissioning by the Church.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Paul (#2): Joining the Underdogs - July 10, 2011
Paul (#2): Joining the Underdogs
Text: Acts 9:19b-31
As we continue our journey with Paul, we discover it was not all a bed of roses. We might expect that life got easy for Paul after he joined the right team, but it’s simply not the case. If anything, life suddenly became extremely difficult. For while God takes away our sins, He doesn’t always take away the burdens of life. He doesn’t promise to solve all of our problems, but He does promise to walk with us as we travel the journey.
Text: Acts 9:19b-31
As we continue our journey with Paul, we discover it was not all a bed of roses. We might expect that life got easy for Paul after he joined the right team, but it’s simply not the case. If anything, life suddenly became extremely difficult. For while God takes away our sins, He doesn’t always take away the burdens of life. He doesn’t promise to solve all of our problems, but He does promise to walk with us as we travel the journey.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)