9A Worship: Jerusalem - Paul & Mob Justice

Grace of Christ

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9A Worship: Jerusalem - Paul & Mob Justice

November 3, 2024 • Curt McFarland • Acts 21:1–36

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In conversations, and in what I’m reading online and in print, there is a growing sense of anxiety about our lives, our community, our nation and world. Technology is advancing faster than we can process it (thank goodness for AI). Global conflicts seem poised to expand (thank goodness for the UN). It is a year of national and local elections (thank goodness for our political parties). Cultural divisions seem to be widening (thank goodness for our common values).

What can and should a Christian do in such times? Pray, yes. Re-connect with the truths and promises of God, yes. Live in this troubled world with both Grace and Truth, yes. Remember who we belong to, yes. And … we live each day knowing that God knows, God cares, God remains sovereign, and He is with us.

More from ACTS: The Holy Spirit Working Through Us

11A Worship

November 17, 2024 • Curt McFarland • Acts 22:30, Acts 23:35

A friend of mine held a high-ranking position in the US Embassy in Cambodia. He invited Kathaleen and I to visit him and his family. At the airport in Phenom Penh, I knew instantly he had authority. We were escorted past those waiting for Immigration/Customs. We were treated as if we were important! Kath and I had to navigate our way from Seattle to Taipei, to Bangkok, and finally to Cambodia. That was our responsibility. BUT … over the entire trip, and all our time in country, it was clear he had the influence and power. It’s a weak analogy to our relationship with God … but there are some connections. God has given us certain freedoms and responsibilities … but we must not forget who is actually in control. God has all power. He always has and always will.

10AM Worship One Service

November 24, 2024 • Dennis Whitcher • Acts 24

I see two lessons for us in today's passage. Be stewards of God's grace: The Psalmist tells us that “the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it” (Psalm 24:1). This means that everything, including our own self, belongs to God. All that we have and are (all by the Grace of God) is a gift from God and is entrusted to our care. How we care for our world is a stewardship question. How we care for our bodies is a stewardship question. How we use our time is a stewardship question. How we care for our children, how we use our talents, how we make and spend and save our money, and yes give financially to the church -- all of these are stewardship issues. Here, in Acts 24, Paul's stewardship of God's grace is demonstrated by his commitment to his faith in Jesus Christ, even when faced with legal and political challenges. Tomorrow is not guaranteed for anyone: Felix, though “well acquainted with the Way,” missed out on a relationship with Jesus because God’s truth felt like an inconvenience in Felix’s indulgences. He tried to take God in small doses. Felix sent for Paul frequently then dismissed Paul when he had enough. It can be easy to slip into comfortable religion, consuming morsels of truth sporadically to dilute their impact. But the same way that eating ice cream for every meal isn't good for our physical health, sticking just to the Scriptures we like isn't good for our spiritual health. God invites us to feast on His Word, to enjoy all of His promises and heed all of His instructions.

11A Worship

November 10, 2024 • Curt McFarland • Acts 21:37, Acts 22:29, Acts 22:2–22

My freshman year at Whitworth I made friends easily. But there was one person, Greg, who did not like me. I couldn’t figure out why. How could he not like me? No matter how hard I tried to win him over it seemed to have the opposite effect. I finally stopped trying. 46 years later I still remember Greg. And, I still wonder why? There are times when others just don’t get us. They assume things about us that are not true. They believe the worst about us. They attack us. Dislike us. Maybe it’s just me … nope! Paul, the first century Christian leader, was the focal point for irrational anger. Not from one, or a few, but from a mob. They wanted him dead. His approach to such hatred … he told the story of how he met Jesus. The mob listened … for a while. And then they shouted, “he should not be allowed to live!” Tough crowd. Real life. Real faith.