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.
ACTS #3 || 2:1-41 God Dwells with His People
The book of Acts chronicles the birth of the church of Jesus Christ and the spread of the gospel through the ancient world, going from a insignificant group of 12 timid men to a world changing movement of God. In this third episode of the series, we pick up the story at the pinnacle of the entire narrative: the receiving of the promised Holy Spirit ushering in a whole new age.
ACTS #2 || 1:12-26 Waiting on God
The book of Acts chronicles the birth of the church of Jesus Christ and the spread of the gospel through the ancient world, going from a insignificant group of 12 timid men to a world changing movement of God. In this second episode of the series, we pick up the story with the disciples immediately after the resurrection of Jesus, as they waited for the promise of the Spirit.
ACTS #1 || 1:1-11 A Power & A Promise
The book of Acts chronicles the birth of the church of Jesus Christ and the spread of the gospel through the ancient world, going from a insignificant group of 12 timid men to a world changing movement of God. In this first episode of the series, we see how Jesus gave his followers a purpose and a promise of power to see his purposes come to pass in this world.
FAITH #4 || Boldness
This series takes a step back to ask the question: Where is God taking us in 2018? What does it mean to follow and trust him this year?