ACTS (pt. 1)
To the ends of the earth
But The Word of God Flourished
May 22, 2022 • Jay Hardwick • Acts 12:1–24
This week we wrap up the first half of our 2022 sermon series through the book of Acts as we take a look at how the early church flourished despite persecution. God is almighty and Jesus is alive, so the gospel cannot be stopped.
The First Christians
May 15, 2022 • Jay Hardwick • Acts 11:19–30
In the early church at Antioch, believers proclaimed the gospel and they saw the fruit of their labor as many turned to Jesus and experienced the presence and grace of God. Christ was so powerfully evident there in the church at Antioch that outsiders called them Christians.
Tear Down The Walls
May 1, 2022 • Jay Hardwick • Acts 9:32–43, Acts 10:1–23
As human beings we have a tendency to try and box Jesus in and think that He can only work where we want him to. However, Jesus' power is not bound by place, it is not bound by people, and it is working beyond the here and now. What walls have we built that need to be torn down?
Persecutor to Proclaimer
April 24, 2022 • Jay Hardwick • Acts 9:20–31
As we continue our series through the book of Acts, we take another look at the miraculous transformation of Saul the persecutor into Paul the proclaimer, and evaluate how we are engaging and welcoming the "Sauls" around us today.
Get Up and Go
April 10, 2022 • Jay Hardwick • Acts 8:26–40
For most of 2022 we will be studying the book of Acts. This week, we focused in on the Great Commission and were reminded that we have not taken the Great Commission seriously until we have taken it personally. Each of us is called to go and live a life "on mission" for Christ.
The Gospel on the Move
April 3, 2022 • Jay Hardwick • Acts 8:4–25
For most of 2022 we will be studying the book of Acts. In this message we continue to evaluate how the Holy Spirit was moving in the early church and we see that God uses His people, in all kinds of circumstances and places, to advance His gospel.
Full of Grace and Power
March 27, 2022 • Jay Hardwick • Acts 6:8–15, Acts 7, Acts 8:1–3
For most of 2022 we will be studying the book of Acts. This week we looked at Stephen's bold, Spirit-filled, final sermon that led to his being the first Christian martyr, and were asked the question: Are you confident in and trusting God's presence in your life?
Growing Pains
March 20, 2022 • Jay Hardwick • Acts 6:1–7
For most of 2022 we will be studying the book of Acts. In this message, Pastor Jay talked some things we can learn from how the early church addressed some of the problems that came along with their growth in numbers. While there were threats of dissension within the church as some people felt ignored and forgotten, leaders with various skills and gifts were brought up to help expand the reach of the church.
Divine Authority > Human Authority – Dr. Jonathan Akin
March 13, 2022 • Dr. Jonathan Akin • Acts 5:17–32
For most of 2022 we will be studying the book of Acts. This week we heard from Dr. Jonathan Akin, Vice President for Church Relations & Campus Ministries at Carson-Newman University. In his message, Dr. Akin preached about following the authority of God above all else and what that looks like in a world that values human authority first.
Contagious Unity
March 6, 2022 • Jay Hardwick • Acts 4:32–37, Acts 5:1–11
For most of 2022 we will be studying the book of Acts. In this message, Pastor Jay talked about the kind of community that believers should have with one another, one that is centered on the unifying Gospel message, and that exhibits deep friendship and sacrificial care.
Word and Deed
February 20, 2022 • Jay Hardwick • Acts 3
For most of 2022 we will be studying the book of Acts. In this message, we take a look at the third chapter of Acts, in which a man who was lame from birth is healed through the work of Peter and John, and see what that miracle and message reveals about Jesus.
The Spirit-Filled Church
February 13, 2022 • Jay Hardwick • Acts 2:42–47
For most of 2022 we will be studying the book of Acts. This week we examined the characteristics of the early church and the effect that being filled with the Holy Spirit had on the way related to one another. The Lord added to their number daily as they experienced the unmistakable power of God.
The Wind Of The Spirit
February 6, 2022 • Jay Hardwick • Acts 2:1–41
For most of 2022 we will be studying the book of Acts. In this message, Pastor Jay used the examples given in the second chapter of Acts to talk about how the Holy Spirit moves among the people of God. The bottom line: When the Holy Spirit moves, people are transformed.