When the Holy Spirit accompanies the preaching of the Word, conversions take place. Gospel conversions bring Gospel community, and Gospel community brings hope and healing for those in that community. But, as we discovered in Acts 4, the advance of the Gospel brings persecution as well. When the persecuted church
prays for strength to continue proclaiming the Gospel, God answers those prayers, and the church flourishes with outward deeds of love and mercy. Acts 4:32–37 is a visible demonstration of church health in the midst of persecution.
New Churches: How the Gospel Changes the Way We Love One Another
Acts 4:32-37
April 8, 2018 • Murray Lee
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New Churches: The Glory of Conversion
May 13, 2018 • Murray Lee
The power of God through Jesus Christ breaks down the hardest of hearts. In Acts 9 we are told of the conversion of Saul: a religious terrorist who will go on to become one of the greatest instruments of God’s mercy the world has ever known. Is your heart hard toward the Gospel? Christ can break through. Is your heart hard towards those who are resistant to the Gospel? Christ can break through.
New Churches: Preaching the Gospel Brings Distinction from the World
April 29, 2018 • Justin Pillsbury
The Book of Acts is viewed by many church plants and churches as the script for building a healthy church. There are many scenes in Acts that leave the church of today with a desire for the same thing to happen. The way in which the early church grew is the same way God builds His church today—by the preaching of the Gospel. As the church preaches the Gospel, the Holy Spirit will form healthy hearts in a congregation that is distinct from the world as it displays the greatness of God.