Acts
Church On Fire - Part IV
The Gospel Centred Life
November 27, 2022 • Matt Boettcher • Acts 20:17–38
In Acts 20:17-38 we have Paul’s final address to the Ephesian elders. They are his parting words, so we know that they were of the utmost importance, for the church in Ephesus, but also the church today. He commends the elders directly to God and his word, and uses his own life as an example of how our lives are changed when the Gospel is at the centre.
Don't Shrink Back
November 27, 2022 • Pastor Jonathan Kornelsen • Acts 20:17–38
A farewell address is a big deal, typically filled with words that describe the emotion, values and hopes for those who are left behind. In today’s passage the Apostle Paul instructs the Ephesian Elders to not shrink back by keeping the gospel as your first priority, to continue in faithfulness regardless of the circumstances around you and to live intentional lives so that they can share the hope of Jesus to a lost and broken world.
The True Commitments Of A Christian
November 27, 2022 • Dr. Jorge Salazar • Acts 20:17–38
I’ve always been fascinated by the stories of the revolutionaries; those men and women who fought for a noble ideal and inspired others to join the fight despite of doing it at the cost of comfort, safety, and in most cases their lives… People who had a clear idea of what was worth fighting for and the goal of leaving behind a legacy for their children, their grandchildren, and the generations to come, even if they didn’t get to see the result in their lifetime. They were committed to fighting or die trying. When we came to Christ and gave Him our lives, we were in fact enlisting in His army. We changed our allegiance from the world and self to Jesus and His Kingdom. We understood that we didn’t want to continue our paths as enemies of God, and we accepted the reconciliation offered through Christ alone. As we grow in the knowledge of what this reconciliation and adoption into the family of God means, we also need to learn what is required of us as Christians. As we continue our series on the book of Acts, my prayers is that in the text we’ll study today we’ll be able to clearly understand the true commitments of a Christian.
A Deadly Sermon Snooze
November 6, 2022 • Pastor Jeremy Isaak • Acts 20:1–16
A boy falls asleep during a sermon? Assos, Mitylene, Chios and Miletus? Sometimes we wonder why Luke recorded particular stories or specific travelling details, but there’s always a point. In Acts 20:1-16 Paul models how believers should encourage and rely on others in the faith, all the while finding our ultimate encouragement in the biblical truths of Christ’s salvation.
The Work Of Encouragement
November 6, 2022 • Pastor Jonathan Neufeld • Acts 20:1–16
As Paul’s time planting churches is coming to a close, he spends his time encouraging the churches so that they can continue on when he is gone. He preaches the gospel, demonstrates God’s power to save, and shows us how to follow the Holy Spirit even in the ‘normal’ moments of life.
The One Where The Guy Falls (Asleep)
November 6, 2022 • Matt Shantz • Acts 20:1–16
Synopsis: We have all been guilty of dozing off in church at some point in time. Maybe the preacher was truly boring, the week prior was truly busy, or the temperature was truly toasty. This text differentiates some key signs of life in us and our church, in contrast to signs of slumber and death.
Causing A Disturbance
October 30, 2022 • Pastor Eldon Fehr • Acts 19:23–41
When the church is obedient to the call & commands of Christ, it creates disturbance at all levels. But even in that disturbance and danger, news about Jesus is still good, He will never leave us nor forsake us, and His enemies can experience His love through us.
An Expected Momentary Suffering
October 30, 2022 • Dr. Jorge Salazar • Acts 19:23–41
There is something about Christianity that upsets the world, that has caused prayers and the Bible to be kicked out of schools, hospitals, and government offices… Even during the Christmas celebration, you are no longer allowed to say “Merry Christmas” in the market place, you have to say “happy holidays” and you will see many signs that instead of “Christmas” will read “Xmas” getting rid of the word “Christ”. As you read the book of Acts you can clearly see how when the first church grew and people were presented with the message of Christ, opposition also began to grow, and persecution was real. But how do we as Christians respond to this? and what is to be the confidence that we may cling to when things get tough with our non-believing family, our coworkers, or the people we deal with on a regular basis? The text we’ll read today will give us a picture of this opposition but at the same time, the Word of God will teach us how we are to respond, and more importantly, that even when we are in the midst of really dangerous situations, our Lord will never leave us.
What Will Prevail?
October 23, 2022 • Pastor Eldon Fehr • Acts 19:11–22
Whenever and wherever people are engaged in work that builds the Kingdom of God, there will be spiritual manifestation – and opposition. But God has promised that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church. God has authority over all things – authority that He gives to His disciples so that the Good News about Jesus, and the making of new disciples, can continue.
The Power Of God
October 23, 2022 • Pastor Jeremy Isaak • Acts 19:11–20
While it’s easy to become complacent in the Christian walk and adopt a safe, comfortable understanding of God, Acts 19:11-20 reminds us that we serve a powerful, supernatural Lord. God is able to heal bodies in miraculous ways, exercise authority over demonic forces and even change the hearts of men. But the purpose of God’s powerful deeds is never a supernatural show; it’s always to bring glory to Christ.
Bizarre Stories For God's Glory
October 23, 2022 • Pastor Jonathan Neufeld • Acts 19:11–20
Sometimes the stories we get in the Bible are just strange, and this passage is a great example of three of them. Yet in all the strangeness the glory of God is clearly seen in the extraordinary miracles he performs.
True Repentance & The Seven Streaking Sons Of Sceva
October 23, 2022 • Pastor Matt Shantz • Acts 19:11–22
Healing hankies, shamed streakers, and a book burning. This passage is one of the strangest texts in the entire Bible — and that’s saying something! Yet this passage teaches us a great deal about the miraculous power of God and the nature of true repentance.