Acts - RealFaith

Acts #1 - JESUS EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT

Pastor Mark Driscoll

Picking up where the Gospel of Luke left off, the book of Acts describes how Jesus, having finished his work on the Cross, begins to build his kingdom on earth through the power of the Holy Spirit. This power has...

Acts #2 - SCRIPTURE EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT

Pastor Mark Driscoll

How did the disciples begin executing the biggest mission in the history of the world? The Bible says that while waiting for the Holy Spirit, they devoted themselves to prayer—they talked to God. The apostles led by following Scripture—through it,...

Acts #3 - EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT TO FOLLOW JESUS

Pastor Mark Driscoll

In Acts 2, Jesus’ promise is fulfilled: the Holy Spirit descends on his disciples, readying them to go and proclaim the gospel to all nations. He does this by giving them the gift of tongues, a symbol of the fact...

Acts #4 - EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT TO BE JESUS’ CHURCH

Pastor Mark Driscoll

When the Holy Spirit shows up, the church springs into being: people are born again and they become, together, the people of God. But what is church? And what do good churches look like? One of the most important decisions...

Acts #5 - EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT TO HEAL

Pastor Mark Driscoll

During his earthly ministry, Jesus was regularly approached by people asking for healing, and he healed them. The question is, can he do the same today? This sermon explores others as well: Why is there sickness? Does healing replace traditional...

Acts #6 - EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT TO BE COURAGEOUS

Pastor Mark Driscoll

Peter stands up in front of his adversaries and proclaims that the Jesus whom they killed was indeed the suffering servant and the Christ—the long-awaited Messiah, come to save them. Christian, despite inevitable backlash, follow Peter. Speak and the Holy...

Acts #7 - EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT TO PRAY

Pastor Mark Driscoll

The church moves forward against an increasingly strong headwind of suffering, persecution, and opposition, and this text is a case study of why Christians suffer and how they should. It’s important to remember that when Christians and non-Christians disagree, they’re...

Acts #8 - EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT TO BE GENEROUS

Pastor Mark Driscoll

Jesus says that people are prone to worship God or money. Money, perhaps along with sex, is the most pernicious, pervasive idol in our culture today. Despite whatever the Bible has to say about it, it’s a topic that’s met...

Acts #9 - EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT FOR MINISTRY

Pastor Mark Driscoll

The Holy Spirit is coming to empower Jesus’ church to be witnesses for Jesus to the whole world. This requires God’s followers to take their faith and their ministry public, which will create opposition and criticism. Today, as in the...

Acts #10 - EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT TO FAIL

Pastor Mark Driscoll

We love to present ourselves as having it together, and getting it all right, and getting it all right the first time. If we don’t get it right the first time, then we’ll get it right eventually—and that’s the story...

Acts #11 - EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT TO FACE WOLVES

Pastor Mark Driscoll

Christians are like sheep, pastors like shepherds, and the church like a pen of protection. What do you do when wolves come in packs, devour flocks, and attack shepherds? Trust that Jesus, our Good Shepherd, will empower us by his...

Acts #12 - EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT TO EVANGELIZE

Pastor Mark Driscoll

We can’t make something ripe. It takes time, especially one’s spiritual life. We have to lovingly, patiently wait until the time is right. Then we tell them about Jesus, love them, serve them, and instruct them. It’s only then that...

Acts #13 - EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT TO BE REDEEMED

Pastor Mark Driscoll

Paul was a tall poppy, a towering giant in the history of Christianity. He went from persecuting Christians to becoming a persecuted Christian—a murderer of church leaders to becoming the church’s preeminent leader who was murdered for his witness. And...

Acts #14 - EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT TO HAVE A TESTIMONY

Pastor Mark Driscoll

There’s a difference between a biography and a testimony. Which one are you living for? In this sermon on Acts 9:19b – 31, Pastor Mark Driscoll discusses the differences, and shares his desire for the people of Mars Hill Church...

Acts #15 - EMPOWERD BY THE SPIRIT TO SEE THE KINGDOM

Pastor Mark Driscoll

No matter who you are, every one of us will feel the sting of sickness and death. Someone you know, someone you love, is suffering right now, and perhaps you are, too. In Acts 9:32–43, we find the stories of...