Vital Signs

Northwest Gospel Church

Vital Signs

Acts 2:42-47

September 25, 2022 • Andrew Murch • Acts 2:42–47

Acts 2:42-47 | Andrew Murch | Thus far, the first two chapters of the book of Acts have been quite the adventure. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit, then he floated up into the clouds (who saw that one coming?!). Then there’s the whole scene on the day of Pentecost. And then the last thing we read is that God added more than 3,000 souls to the church. Much of this book has read more like a thriller than biblical narrative. But then we come to this week’s text. Six verses that, at face value, may seem like the most “normal” part of the story so far. But is it? As we dig in, we will find something quite extraordinary in the midst of the ordinary. More than that, we’ll find a blueprint for following Jesus in community together. While some might look at this text as an idealistic way of life that would never work in today’s day and age, it’s here that we find many core principles of the faith.

Powder Keg

November 20, 2022 • Andrew Murch • Acts 8:1–4

Acts 8:1-4 | Andrew Murch | This section of Acts comes to a close with a person who is going to play an important role throughout the rest of the book. In the shadow of Stephen's execution, we are introduced to Saul, who "approved of [Stephen's] execution" (Acts 8:1 ESV). By the hand of Saul, the Church enters a brutal season of persecution. However, God has not finished his work of establishing his Church.

The Witness Stand

November 13, 2022 • Andrew Murch • Acts 6:8–15, Acts 7

Acts 6:8-7:60 | Andrew Murch | In this moment, the Christian movement receives its first martyr in history, and it launches an all-out “witch hunt” for anyone who would believe the same way as Stephen. We are introduced to Saul who is the primary mover in this persecution, and the church is launched into a new era of being hunted. This pivotal moment in the story of Acts continues two of the themes already established. The first is that the only proper response to the preaching of Christ is belief and repentance, which the religious leaders refused. The second is that as the church is persecuted it will only grow all the more. These two things are still true for the global church today as the message is shared in numerous languages and cultures.

The Small Stuff

November 6, 2022 • Gavin Hesse • Acts 6:1–7

Acts 6:1-7 | Gavin Hesse | As the gospel spread throughout the Jewish world, many Hellenists responded to the good news. The Hellenists were Jews who spoke Greek (instead of Hebrew), so the obvious language barrier in the church was likely the cause of this oversight. But as we see in this week’s text, a need in the church is an opportunity for the church to respond. While the word “deacon” is never used in this text as a noun, in verse 2, we see the verb “to deacon” (or “to serve”). This passage in the foundation for the office of deacon in the church, a group of leading servants who help carry out the practical needs of the church. These needs range from children’s ministry to media oversight, from caring for the facility to making sure widows have the food and help that they need.