The Book of Acts ends with Paul in Rome and without any conclusion because God continues to work through His Church today. The Church is still the Hope of the World and we have both the privilege and responsibility to continue to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to a world that desperately needs Him. We must continue on with what has gone on before us.
We Can Still Make A Difference
Facing the King
June 18, 2023 • Pastor Phil Burdoin • Acts 26:19–32
Paul is standing before King Agrippa because, as a Roman citizen, he appealed to go to Rome. He uses the opportunity to share his story in this unique way. You and I are given many opportunities to share our story, we like Paul must be looking for and willing to speak up, even if we seem out of step with others.
Facing the King
A Faithful Witness
June 11, 2023 • Pastor Bill West • Acts 23:11, Acts 24:10–26
Paul trusted God and knew that he would one day share the gospel in Rome. He boldly spoke the truth about what he did and what was done to him. He had disobeyed no law and was standing before Felix only because he believed in and taught about the resurrection. It was his commitment to Christ that got him into trouble not his personal animosity towards people.
A Faithful Witness
Courage Under Pressure
June 4, 2023 • Pastor Phil Burdoin • Acts 22:1–22
Paul is facing great opposition from the Jews in Jerusalem. Yet, he has the courage to proclaim the truth about what his life was like before knowing Jesus and what it was like now. He was more concerned with telling others about Jesus than about facing misunderstanding and rejection.
How to Upset a City
May 21, 2023 • Shawn Kennedy • Acts 19:23–41
The gospel changes lives and sometimes others are upset because that change forces them to change. Many in Ephesus responded to follow Jesus which meant they stopped doing what they used to do and as a result it had a huge impact on the economy. Sometimes the gospel upsets a city.
How to Upset a City
Be Faithful; Regardless of the Response
May 14, 2023 • Pastor Bill West • Acts 18:1–17
When Paul came to Corinth, he took the message to the Jews first in the synagogue. When they opposed him, he took the message to the Gentiles. Paul was faithful to continue on with the message to those who were responsive. God took care of him and of them. We are to be faithful and trust God with the outcome.
Be Faithful; Regardless of the Response
Engaging The Unbelievers
May 7, 2023 • Pastor Phil Burdoin • Acts 17:10–34
This section gives us some insight about how we are to live today in a pluralistic world. We are to search the scriptures to know and understand the truth. We also have a great example of how to reach out to share our faith in a pluralistic culture that believes in many gods and seeks to offend no one, by not believing in ultimate truth. The city of Athens represents much of what we face today in our city and world. People who believe all kinds of things, wanting to embrace everyone and everything and yet who think believing in an exclusive god is arrogant and narrow minded.
The Gospel is for Everyone
April 30, 2023 • Pastor Bill West • Acts 16:11–40
Paul and Silas experience great response when they first arrive in Philippi, but then face great opposition and suffering. The way they deal with these challenges teach us that life is not as much about us as it is about others. Take note of how their trust in God benefitted the jailer and his family and then Lydia and the other Christians.
Getting It Straight:(What is the Gospel?)
April 23, 2023 • Pastor Phil Burdoin • Acts 15:1–21
The early church began to experience confusion and frustration from within. Jews were resisting the inclusion of the Gentiles. What did it really mean to believe in and follow Jesus? Did it mean that you had to follow the law of Moses and be circumcised? Some said yes, some said no. How difficult do we need to make it for people to come Christ? What is the gospel and how are we to proclaim it?
Getting It Straight:(What is the Gospel?)
Growing Response and Resistance
April 16, 2023 • Pastor Bill West • Acts 14:1–23
As the gospel spreads there is great response and growing resistance. Paul and Barnabus give us both an example and teaching about how we are to live in a world where we often face those who embrace and respect us and those who openly resist us.
Growing Response and Resistance
"God Raised Him"
April 9, 2023 • Pastor Bill West • Acts 13:26–31, Acts 13:38–39, 1 Corinthians 15:1–4, Acts 13:13–16
The message of the Resurrection is a major theme in almost all of the messages that are given in the book of Acts. Paul preaches the resurrection of Jesus to the Jews in the synagogue. The resurrection is the proof the Jesus is the Messiah, the fulfilment of God’s promise to the Jews and all mankind as our only hope for salvation.
"God Raised Him"
Surprised By God:(Power of Prayer)
April 2, 2023 • Pastor Phil Burdoin • Acts 12:1–19
Peter was imprisoned by King Herod and headed for trial and execution the following day. The church prayed earnestly for Peter and God answered. Yet those who were praying found it astonishing that God would answer their prayers and set him free. Prayer is mysterious and difficult to understand, yet God calls us to pray and God moves in prayer and sometimes surprises those who do it.
Surprised By God:(Power of Prayer)
Church of the "First Christians"
March 26, 2023 • Pastor Bill West • Acts 11:19–30, Acts 13:1–4
The disciples of the church in Antioch were the first ones to be called Christians. They were given that name because of the way they began to look like Jesus in their community. We will look at the things that set them apart that might help us begin to better reflect Jesus to our world today.
Church of the "First Christians"
Penetrating the Prejudiced Heart
March 19, 2023 • Pastor Bill West • Acts 10
God is at work in the life of a God-fearing Roman Centurion and is also at work on the heart of one of the leaders of the early church who still has prejudice within his heart. Prejudice is always at work in all of our hearts and the gospel is always trying to eradicate it. What prejudices does God want to eradicate in you and in our church now?
Penetrating the Prejudiced Heart
Unlikely Ally
March 12, 2023 • Shawn Kennedy • Acts 9:1–31
Paul, Saul, appeared to be the least likely candidate to become a follower of Christ and yet, he became the greatest leader. His encounter with the Risen Jesus radically changed his life. We can often make quick judgments about whether or not others will respond to the gospel and forget that only God has the power to change lives.
