Why Didn’t My Mountain Move? Part 1
Mark 11:22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (NIV) Why Didn’t My Mountain Move? Some mountains in life are to be climbed,…
First Things First!
First Things First – According to Paul 1 Corinthians 15v1, 3-4 “Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand… For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…” The Gospel centers on the…
A Different Kingdom, A Different King
A Kingdom Waiting for A King! Jesus arrived in Jerusalem just as all the people were preparing to celebrate the Jewish Passover feast. By riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, Jesus brazenly fulfilled a bunch of ancient Jewish prophecies about the coming kingdom of God. The word “kingdom” was a loaded term for the Jews. A Raw Deal With The Romans… Withdraw and Wait? Compromise and Collaborate? Revolution and Revenge? Jesus shows up proclaiming God’s Kingdom had already arrived! God’s…
ACTS Church On Fire FINALE Part 13: “They Turned The World Upside Down!”
Reading: Acts 17v1-9 -Thessalonica was an important, strategic city for the Gospel. -Paul proclaimed and explained the Gospel. (Unfolded/opened) -Paul and Silas had a BIG impact, across cultural and class boundaries. -Persecution arose – People again paid off to “protect God”. -The people of God and power of the Gospel turns the world of the wicked upside down. Inventions And Events That Have Turned The World Upside Down… They are drastic – no middle ground – They change “everything.” Change…
ACTS COF Part 12: Devotion and DirectionReading: ACTS 13 v1-3
Reading: ACTS 13 v1-3 Lessons From Antioch. -Spiritual unity encourages unity in obedience. -They fasted and prayed with focus – to hear from God and receive direction to fulfill their purpose. -Their devotion to God and one another was way more than skin deep. For the church at Antioch, obeying God’s direction meant sacrifice. Are We Missing Something? As we seek God’s will and direction for Grace Church, we must understand that to follow God means sacrifice. How do we…
ACTS CHURCH ON FIRE PART 11CAN GOD USE SOMEONE LIKE ME?
Reading: Acts 9 v1-19 Can God Use Someone Like Me? Paul wasn’t a super-saint. He had a dark past and had normal flaws. None of things you and I see as obstacles, are obstacles for God. The testimony of Paul’s life proves it! Your PAST Is No Obstacle for God. Three records of your past floating around: Carried In your own mind. Beware the negative narratives we build about ourselves from shame/embarrassment. Carried by people who knew you before you…
ACTS CHURCH ON FIRE Part 10: A Good Death
Acts: Recap (Acts Chs. 6 & 7) Different Jobs, Same Power (Acts 6v8) While Stephen was not an apostle, he was a Spirit Filled disciple of Jesus, filled with grace and wisdom. The same powerful Spirit is available to you, wherever you serve the Lord. Religion, Religion Everywhere! (Acts 6 v9-14) Throughout the Roman era, thousands of diaspora Jews returned to Jerusalem. Jerusalem had over 480 synagogues! These groups of returned Jews were particularly strict and full of bigotry. They…
ACTS Church On Fire – Part 9″A Dollar, A Devil And A Dead Man.”
Scripture: Acts 5v1-11 Testing God: Lying to The Church & the Holy Spirit. They didn’t just lie to Peter and the church family – they offended God. The entire community could have suffered due to Ananias’s and Sapphira’s actions. God held all of Israel responsible for Achan’s singular act. Joshua 7v11 Greed & Pride “Look at me!” Satan had filled Ananias and Sapphira with the desire for recognition as “big givers.” Jesus warns us to avoid practicing piety in order…
ACTS Church On Fire Part 8: Extraordinary Community: Extravagant Generosity
The Believers Share Their Possessions Acts 4v32-37 A Tale Of 2 Temples Herod’s temple: an imposing cathedral. Jesus’ temple: His people. The early church Jesus approached life in a radical new way. John 15v12-14 The Way of Jesus is to lay down your life. John 13v34-35 The Way of Jesus is to live by the law of love. 1 John 4v10-12 The Way of Jesus is to love the way God loves. Matthew 20v28 The church’s mission is to introduce…
ACTS COF Part 7: Get Back in the Ring!
Knocked Down! How would YOU respond if someone criticized you for witnessing for Jesus? What if you got knocked down or threatened for your zeal for God? Acts 4v23-31 – The Believers Pray How would you respond if someone accused you of witnessing to Christ “too strongly?” Defensive? Shrink Back? Pray for more boldness? Peter and John Return Home After Facing Opposition. Like Jesus, these apostles boldly preached a gospel of repentance (Acts 2v14-36), healed the lame (Acts 3v1-10), and…