Pastor Christian explores the story of Ananias and Sapphira from Acts chapter 5 as an example of the challenges and negative aspects of spiritual growth. He introduces a new sermon series called "Growing Pains," which will delve into the importance of having a deep spiritual commitment and being aware of the spiritual battles taking place in one's life. Ananias and Sapphira, members of the early Christian church, are presented as individuals motivated by their reputation and self-interest, who lied about the sale of their property and donated only a portion of the proceeds to the apostles. Their deceit led to their sudden deaths, serving as a reminder of the seriousness of living in accordance with God's will and the consequences of
Ananias & Sapphira
April 7, 2024 • Pastor Christian Newsome • Acts 5:1–16
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Growing Pains
Hard Lessons: Huge Opportunity
May 19, 2024 • Pastor Christian Newsome • Acts 8:1–8
Pastor Christian reflects on the church's journey through Acts 5-8 and draws parallels between the early Christian church and the story of Noah in Genesis. He emphasizes that Christians should not resist God's plan and instead embrace the opportunities for growth that come from hardships. He also discusses the importance of acknowledging death and aging, and the role they play in Christian growth. Pastor Christian encourages the audience to take Jesus beyond the church walls and share their faith experiences, emphasizing the importance of personal cleansing and faithfulness in spreading the gospel.
The Blessing of Opposition
May 5, 2024 • Pastor Christian Gracia • Acts 7
Pastor Christian Gracia reflects on the growth of the church and how it relates to the Church of https://dashboard.subsplash.com/-d/ the story of Stephen in Acts 7, who delivered a sermon in the face of opposition. Christian encourages the church to build bridges with those who hold different viewpoints, using the example of Joseph and Moses, who faced opposition but were used by God for His purposes. He emphasizes that God's presence and activity are not limited to a specific time or place and that we are the temple collectively and individually. Christian also discusses how the persecution of Stephen led to the spread of Christianity to new regions and encourages the congregation to learn from Stephen's message, emphasizing the importance of building bridges, persevering through hardships, and relying on God's grace.
Painful Progress
April 28, 2024 • Pastor Christian Newsome • Acts 6
In the "Painful Progress" Pastor Christian shares personal experiences and biblical stories to emphasize the importance of addressing problems within the church and staying engaged in spiritual growth. He encourages the congregation to remember that setbacks and challenges are a natural part of life and can lead to growth if we don't quit. Pastor Christian references the early https://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=utf8&tag=summarizetech-20&index=aps&keywords=christian%20church in Acts, sharing stories of how problems were addressed and solved, leading to the growth and organization of the movement. He also emphasizes the importance of prayer, service, and understanding one's role in the church. The sermon focuses on a problem that arose in a local church and how it was solved, teaching valuable lessons about handling spiritual tension during growth.