The Book of Acts

The Book of Acts - Week 20 - Saying Yes

May 26, 2024 • Jon Thompson • Acts 28

We all like to be comfortable. We limit our expectations to what we assume we can handle on our own. But Pastor Jon uses the end of Paul's journey in Acts to show how God's power cannot be limited and very often wants to challenge those assumptions that we use to pad our too comfortable lives.

The Book of Acts - Week 19 - Radical Submission

May 19, 2024 • Acts 21:1–14

It is very uncommon for anyone to joyfully submit to any one or any thing. These days, fierce independence and self-dependence are touted as virtues. Pastor Jon looks at Paul's commitment and submission to the direction of the Holy Spirit even when it meant his persecution and even death.

The Book of Acts - Week 18 - Legacy

March 10, 2024 • Jon Thompson

What do you imagine your legacy will be? For how many generations do you think you will be remembered? Pastor Jon looks at the end of Paul's ministry to explore how legacy for Christians is not found in the here and now, but in eternity as remembered by God.

The Book of Acts - Week 17 - Crossing Bridges

March 3, 2024 • Jon Thompson • Acts

Sanctus Church is located in one of the most multi-cultural centres of the world, the Greater Toronto Area. What does that mean for a Christian looking to share the Gospel? Pastor Jon looks to Acts and uses Paul's behaviour in Athens as a model for us in the modern era.

The Book of Acts - Week 16 - Freedom

February 25, 2024 • Jon Thompson • Acts 16:1

The pathway to freedom from our sins can sometimes feel so far away from where we are. Pastor Jon speaks about the ways Jesus uses prayer, worship, and the scriptures to reach us and draw us towards His gift of life-giving freedom.

The Book of Acts - Week 15 - Unity in Christ

February 18, 2024 • Samuel Mills • Acts 15

There is nothing so obvious in the rest of the world than the polarization and disunity that runs rampant through our politics, our workplaces, and even our families. Pastor Sam looks closely at the real plan for Christian unity in Christ, rooted in our identity in Jesus.

The Book of Acts - Week 14 - Turf Wars

February 11, 2024 • Acts 13, Acts 14

Miracles happen all the time and people from all walks expect the spiritual real to affect them in one way or the other. Pastor Jon acknowledges this and explores how deeply we need prayer and discernment to identify the source of the powers we interact with so we are not deceived.

The Book of Acts - Week 13 - God Always Wins

February 4, 2024 • Jon Thompson • Acts 12

The troubles and tensions of everyday life can be overwhelming, and it can hard to have hope. Pastor Jon looks at the different stories of the lives of James and Peter and uncomfortable truth that when God moves, there will be resistance and insecurity in the now. But also that we are assured that God will always win.

The Book of Acts - Week 12 - Looking Back, Looking Forward

January 7, 2024 • Jon Thompson • Acts 11

It's common for us to look back over our pasts as we turn the page on a new year. Pastor Jon's first message for Sanctus in 2024 looks far back into the early years of the Christian church at how we can use the early model of the church at Antioch in our work to build Sanctus church.

The Book of Acts - Week 11 - Unexpected and Uncomfortable

December 3, 2023 • Jon Thompson • Acts 10

Most of the time, we'd probably say we look forward to new things, and new experiences. But Pastor Jon takes us to Peter's experience of God's new movement, that of including all nations of the earth in His salvation plan, and explores how sometimes what God asks us to do is both unexpected and uncomfortable.

The Book of Acts - Week 10 - Radical Gospel Love

November 26, 2023 • Jon Thompson • Acts 9:1–18

We all know people that, if we're being honest, we don't think are worth any effort. But Pastor Jon reminds us that Jesus can redeem anyone, even the worst sinner, and that we are all sinners in need of the radical forgiving redemption of Jesus.

The Book of Acts - Week 9 - Baptism Sunday

November 19, 2023 • Jon Thompson • Acts 8:26–40

Baptism is an outward sign of the inward commitment we have made to follow Jesus. Pastor Jon looks at Philip's baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch, and how it had rippling effects even into the present day.

The Book of Acts - Week 8 - Persecution, Progression, Poison, and Proclamation

November 12, 2023 • Acts 8

Everyone experiences difficult periods in their lives, times when the struggle increases and we feel the pressure of this broken world. Pastor Sam offers a perspective that encourages us to see the joy of God's mercy even then while proclaiming God's faithfulness and spreading the news of His kingdom.

The Book of Acts - Week 7 - Stephen's Faithfulness and Freedom

November 5, 2023 • Jon Thompson • Acts 7

Where are our Biblical role models of today? It can feel impossible to find people who demonstrate the patterns of a faithful Christian life. Pastor Jon turns to the life and death of Stephen who modelled the common faithfulness and fearless walk of a Christian who truly knows Jesus as their saviour.

The Book of Acts - Week 6 - Gift-Based Ministry

October 29, 2023 • Jon Thompson • Acts 6

All churches go through repeated times of change, but it doesn't need to cause traumatic upheaval. Pastor Jon looks at the implementation of Biblical gift-based ministry -- grounding one's work in the gifts given by the Holy Spirit -- and how it can provide strength and continuity throughout the life of the church.

Sanctus Church

Holy Spirit Adventures