The Acts of the Apostles: What to do with an Open Door?

The Acts of the Apostles: What to do with an Open Door?

Acts 16:24-38

Paul & Silas have prayed and praised in their hour of need and now the doors have been opened. The next question is what to do? Do they take the way of escape or do they enter the open door, a spiritual opportunity to share the gospel with a man who is desperately in need of salvation. Do we put greater focus on negotiating the difficulties of life than on ministering the gospel?t an unbreakable, unshakeable believer is a person yielded to the joy and discipline of prayer and worship.

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The Acts of the Apostles: The Unbreakable, Unshakeable Missions-Mind pt 2

The Acts of the Apostles: The Unbreakable, Unshakeable Missions-Mind pt 2

Acts 16:22-26

Last week we found that in order to have an unshakeable faith that it will require us to accept persecution as a fact and believe the promises of God (Mat 5:11,12). This week we find Paul and Silas beaten and bloody in a prison cell…the average person would be at their breaking point but these men choose to worship. We learn this week that an unbreakable, unshakeable believer is a person yielded to the joy and discipline of prayer and worship.

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The Acts of the Apostles: The Unbreakable, Unshakeable Missions-Mind pt 1

The Acts of the Apostles: The Unbreakable, Unshakeable Missions-Mind pt 1

Acts 16:18-24

The gospel has a way of unsettling the worldly institutions around us, when that happens, we are bound to face persecution. This week we see the ramifications of Paul gospel ministry in Philippi. When the world’s cultures and systems accuse us and are hostile towards our faith, how do we stand strong?

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The Acts of the Apostles: A Woman of Influence pt 2

The Acts of the Apostles: A Woman of Influence pt 2

Acts 16:16-18

In this weeks story from Acts, the team of missionaries meet another influential woman of Philippi, a soothsayer. Like Lydia, this woman had power and influence but proved to be a threat to the ministry. Today we look to Paul to help us answer, “How do I deal with people and messages that seem to distract from the mission?”

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The Acts of the Apostles: A Woman of Influence

The Acts of the Apostles: A Woman of Influence

Acts 16:11-15

In our story of Paul and his journey into Europe, the team discovers a woman named Lydia and her friends worshipping the God of the Bible. In this lesson we learn the value of spiritually-minded female leaders as well as what it means to use your sphere of influence for the gospel-sake.ur ministry, getting discipled and surveying what God is doing in our church - - please come help us reach our city.

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The Acts of the Apostles: Come Help Us

The Acts of the Apostles: Come Help Us

Acts 16:9-10

Today we celebrate the graduate from the High School Ministry who are joining the ranks of the College & Young Adults ministry. We look at Acts 16 where Paul receives a vision of a Macedonian man calling him to “come and help”. This same calling applies to all those who are joining our ministry, getting discipled and surveying what God is doing in our church - - please come help us reach our city.

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The Acts of the Apostles: The Persistent War on Grace

The Acts of the Apostles: The Persistent War on Grace

Acts 15:6-30

In this message we watch the debate at the Council of Jerusalem unfold. In one corner we have Paul and Barnabas who just spend a year and a half leading Gentiles to Christ. In the opposite corner we have the Judaizers who hope to add to the gospel the need to obey the Mosaic Law. The question, how does one receive salvation?

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The Acts of the Apostles: Here Come the Dissenters

The Acts of the Apostles: Here Come the Dissenters

Acts 15:1-6

In this message we are introduced to the Judaizers, people who sought to convince the new Gentile converts that they needed to follow the law of Moses to be saved. They are described as causing dissension and dispute at the church in Antioch where Paul and Barnabas were. Today we ask the question, how should we handle dissension and dispute in our church?

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The Acts of the Apostles: Are You Adapting?

The Acts of the Apostles: Are You Adapting?

Acts 14:21-23

We take a look at the persistence and perspective of Paul and Barnabas as they wrap up this first missions journey. Their shared love for the gospel and their obsession with souls inspired adaptation in seasons of hardship, for the sake of the kingdom. Does the persistence of your witness prove your love for souls?

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The Acts of the Apostles: Proof of God's Power

The Acts of the Apostles: Proof of God's Power

Acts 14:19-20

While in social isolation, we all came together online to reflect on how Paul dealt with his own hardships. In our story, Paul is stoned and drug outside of the city. As the meager crowd of newly converted disciples gather around him, he suddenly rises up and walks right back into the city where he was abused. Where does this type of fearlessness come from? How do we live fearlessly as ministers in the midst of our odd social reality?

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The Acts of the Apostles: Where Honor Is Due

The Acts of the Apostles: Where Honor Is Due

Acts 14:8-20

On the heels of being kicked out of Iconium, Paul engages the people of Lystra. In the series of strange events that follow, we learn about where to put our faith and where to direct our praise. It is easy to misdefine faith, placing it in abstract and superstitious religious notions. It is easy to receive honor and accolades from people to the neglect of God. We discover in this message how the mature minister elevates faith and honor toward God.

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The Acts of the Apostles: Establishing a Pattern of Ministry pt.2

The Acts of the Apostles: Establishing a Pattern of Ministry pt.2

Acts 14:1-7

Identifying ourself as a Christian is one thing, but identifying ourself with Christ’s mission is a whole other thing. If we are going to identify or reflect God’s heart for the lost world, it will require establishing patterns in our ministry. Paul sets an amazing example for us in Acts 14 as he provides us with a clear template for his ministry, a pattern of ministry that continues throughout the remainder of the book. Do you have a pattern for ministry? Does your personal life conform to the urgency of that work?

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The Acts of the Apostles: Establishing a Pattern of Ministry pt.1

The Acts of the Apostles: Establishing a Pattern of Ministry pt.1

Acts 14:1-7

Identifying ourself as a Christian is one thing, but identifying ourself with Christ’s mission is a whole other thing. If we are going to identify or reflect God’s heart for the lost world, it will require establishing patterns in our ministry. Paul sets an amazing example for us in Acts 14 as he provides us with a clear template for his ministry, a pattern of ministry that continues throughout the remainder of the book. Do you have a pattern for ministry? Does your personal life conform to the urgency of that work?

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The Acts of the Apostles: When We Face Rejection pt. 2

The Acts of the Apostles: When We Face Rejection pt. 2

Acts 13:14-52

For all those who follow Christ and live his mission to share the gospel, we will face heartache. When preaching the gospel to the lost it is necessary that we have God’s perspective or else we risk personal despair and ministry derailment. What can we learn from Paul and Barnabas about dealing with rejection in ministry? Todays message tells a story of the Jews vehement rejection of the gospel and their very biblical and ministry focused response.

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The Acts of the Apostles: When We Face Rejection pt. 1

The Acts of the Apostles: When We Face Rejection pt. 1

Acts 13:13

For all those who follow Christ and live his mission to share the gospel, we will face heartache. There will be rejection and often it will come from among those you considered your friends, your co-laborers. Why does this happen and how do we stand strong when we feel betrayed? Todays message tells a story of John Mark and how he left his friends high and dry on the shores of Perga.

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