Acts Part 4: The Way
Farewells
February 18, 2024 • Bonnie Abel • Acts 20:13–38
As we say farewell to our time in the book of Acts, we will learn about what it looked like for Paul to say farewell to the church he loved in Ephesus. This final chapter reads like a letter (fitting for Paul - once a letter writer to churches that were infused by the Holy Spirit and we now know these letters as many of the books of the New Testament). In this concluding chapter Paul shares instructions as he outlines what is important and what he believes to be urgent for the Christians in Ephesus, which is still applicable for us today!
Companions
February 11, 2024 • Andy Adams • Acts 18
Companions Acts 18:1-28 Relationships matter most. Do you believe that? God calls his people to great and challenging tasks for his kingdom purposes, but what matters most are people. Oftentimes we’ll remember the people we accomplished great things with more than the accomplishment itself. As we follow Jesus and his way of life, having companions is crucial. In Acts chapter 18 we read about several of Paul’s closest companions on his missionary journeys. Who are the companions on your journey? Who’s on your team? Join us on Sunday as we are reminded of the importance of companionship in life and ministry.
Common Ground
February 4, 2024 • Andy Adams • Acts 17:16–34
Common Ground Each of us knows people who don’t follow Jesus. Some of them may have grown up in the church but felt it wasn’t relevant for their lives. Others have had very little interaction with the church and might not know the basics of the Christian faith. Regardless, those not following Jesus have chosen to live their life for other pursuits and ideologies. How do we share the good news of God’s love with them? Do we even want to? Join us this Sunday as we explore one of the greatest sermons in the book of Acts: Paul’s sermon on Mars Hill. We will discover not only God’s heart for all people, but some key insights into how to share the good news with those outside the church.
Bearing Fruit
January 28, 2024 • Tim Price • Acts 16:6–40
Paul and his team had many encounters during his second missionary journey. This Sunday we will look at the some of the fruitful ministry that came as a result of those trips. We will discover both how and what - how fruit comes about from our lives and what some of the lasting fruit may be.
All Things
January 21, 2024 • Andy Adams • Acts 16:1–5, Acts 15:36–41
Acts 15:36-16:5We all have a past: things that we’ve done or that have been done to us that we’re not proud of. What would it mean for you to have those things redeemed by God? Of course God offers forgiveness and grace and restores us to right relationship with him. But do you believe God can actually redeem your painful past and bring good out of it? Paul believed that. In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul proclaimed that God can use ALL things for the good of those who trust him and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). Maybe he had the events of this week’s scripture passage in mine. Bring a friend with you this Sunday and find hope for God to redeem the broken parts of your past!
Discernment
January 14, 2024 • Andy Adams • Acts 15:1–35
What do you do when you have a difficult decision that must be made? The early church faced their share of challenging decisions. In Acts 15 we see how the early church addressed an extremely important decision about Christ follower’s relationship to the Law of Moses, specifically the requirement of circumcision. The outcome itself has implications for us today, but the way the church went about the decision making is of great significance too. How they went about discernment can inform our church leadership today as well as the important, yet difficult decisions we each face. Join us this Sunday as we worship God together and discover several keys to discernment from Acts 15.
Signs and Wonders
January 7, 2024 • Andy Adams • Acts 14:1–3
Signs and Wonders We’ve seen it several times in the book of Acts: “The apostles performed signs and wonders…” What is the role of signs and wonders in the life of the church? Does God still perform miracles today? Join us on Sunday for a brief message about the reality of “signs and wonders” but more importantly, come with your heart open to encounter the Lord who wants to minister to your soul. We will enjoy an extended time of worship together as we offer opportunities for prayer around those places of need in our lives and share in Holy Communion. This is a perfect way to open a new year of worship at Troy Methodist Church!
Launch Well in 2024
December 31, 2023 • Andy Adams • Acts 13
Everyone wants to start a new year off on the right foot. Join us for our final worship service of 2023 as we launch well into 2024! We will begin our next segment of the book of Acts with the commissioning of Barnabas and Saul for their missionary journeys which take place over the next several chapters. Every follower of Jesus is called and empowered by the Holy Spirit for ministry in God’s Kingdom. This Sunday we will not only be equipped by God’s Word, but we will also commission several of our church’s members who have finished the 10-month Spiritual Leadership Generator (SLG) in 2023. Maybe God is calling you to participate in SLG2024!