Acts 4:1-31 Key verse 4:13 Observations about uncommon boldness Empowers us to share the truth against popular opinion verses 1-2 Disturbs some and draws others verses 2-4 Results in us sharing the gospel verses 10-12 Brings others to see Jesus in us verse 13 Can silence our accusers verse 14 Allows us to affirm our faith in Christ when challenged verse 19 We can be bold and remain blameless verse 21 Inspires us to give testimony verse 23 Leads us to worship verses 24-27 Causes us to ask for mor...
Sep 24, 2017•43 min
Acts 3:1-26 People at the Gate . . . God invites us to engage a world in need. God loves to turn inconvenient moments into divine Be sensitive to the Spirit’s prompting. You will be sensitive to the Spirit’s prompting when you are daily soaking in His presence. Be obedient to what the Spirit is leading you to do. In order to display His power through ordinary lives that have been extraordinarily changed. “And they were amazed and astonished, saying, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?...
Sep 17, 2017•50 min
“Acts: Advancing the Gospel” Acts 2:42-47 Devoted . . . They were devoted to the apostles teaching. “And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching . . .” Acts 2:42 The same Scriptures that Jesus had taught, the apostles were teaching. “In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach . . . speaking about the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:1, 3 “And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at His teaching, for He was teaching them as one...
Sep 10, 2017•52 min
Acts: Advancing the Gospel Acts 2:14-41 What Does This Mean? . . . God has poured out His Spirit for the sake of advancing the gospel through His Church. “And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh . . .” Acts 2:17 God will do something supernatural through signs and wonders on earth and in the heavens. “And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below . . .” Acts 2:19 God will draw people, by His Spirit, to be saved. “And...
Sep 03, 2017•49 min
When God Pours Out His Spirit . . . When God chooses to pour out His Spirit, it is not on our timetable. “And suddenly . . .” Acts 2:2 When God chooses to pour out His Spirit, He does so in a way that is clearly undeniable. “ . . . there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongue...
Aug 27, 2017•45 min
Acts: Advancing the Gospel Acts 1:9-26 The Significance of Jesus’ Ascension . . . Reminds us that He is the exalted Christ who conquered sin and death. “And being found in human form, He (Jesus) humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him that name that is above every other name . . .” Philippians 2:8-9 “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has domini...
Aug 20, 2017•50 min
Acts: Advancing the Gospel Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:1-8 As Followers of Jesus . . . God has commissioned us to participate in the transcendent cause of advancing the gospel. “ . . . after He (Jesus) had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen.” Acts 1:2 The primary means by which the gospel advances is through the witness of His disciples. “ . . . and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 The same...
Aug 13, 2017•49 min
Joshua 24:14-28 We must clearly remember our past deliverance. For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. - Galatians 5:1 “No one is more influential in your life than you are because no one talks to you as much as you do.” - Paul Tripp We must faithfully pursue our present holiness. Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and ...
Aug 06, 2017•43 min
The Hurried Soul Luke 10:38-42; Psalm 46 “ . . . there is a world of difference between being busy and being hurried. Being busy is an outward condition, a condition of the body. It occurs when we have many things to do. Busyness is inevitable in modern culture. If you are alive today in North America, you are a busy person. . . . Being hurried is an inner condition, a condition of the soul. It means to be so preoccupied with myself and my life that I am unable to be fully present with God, with...
Jul 30, 2017•47 min
What do you do with those questions you wrestle with that you can’t seem to reconcile in your mind or your heart? Take your questions into the presence of God. (Psalm 73:16-17; Matthew 11:28-30) When you seek to wrestle with questions on your own, you never gain a proper perspective, and it leaves you exhausted. Stop focusing on the periphery, and start gazing into His presence. Search out the Scriptures and let His word counsel (Psalm 73:23-24; Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 3:5-6) Delight in God as t...
Jul 23, 2017•45 min
Do all spiritual paths lead to the same God? Pastor Shawn addresses this issue in today's teaching.
Jul 16, 2017•52 min
“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?” - Epicurus Romans 8:18-30 (Text from ESV) "Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases." - Psalm 115:3 “...[God] works all things according to the counsel of his will.” - Ephesians 1:11b “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”...
Jul 09, 2017•34 min
FAQ: “ What should we be praying for the world/our nation, considering that the circumstances in our world will inevitable worsen as the time gets closer for Jesus to return? ” Passage: Matthew 6:9-13 Pray that God would be adored! Pray that our desires would be His Desires Pray That our behaviors would reflect Him
Jul 02, 2017•46 min
F.A.Q. (Frequently Avoided Questions) How should I respond to my teenage child when he/she tells me they are gay (homosexual)? Responding Biblically . . . Listen before you speak. “Know this, my beloved brothers (and sisters); let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20 Engage in conversation by asking open ended questions to gain clarity. When you say that you are gay, what do you mean? Is there ...
Jun 25, 2017•49 min
“Turn” Malachi 4:4-6 Turn Your Heart to Your Child . . . By turning from selfish pursuits, and pursuing the heart of your son/daughter. By turning from inattentiveness, and being fully present with your son/daughter. By turning from passivity, and taking initiative with your son/daughter. By turning from a critical spirit, and offering encouragement to your son/daughter. By turning from harshness, and showing gentleness, compassion and grace. “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but ...
Jun 18, 2017•52 min
F.A.Q. (Frequently Avoided Questions) Question: What is the bare minimum required to be a Christian? Does one need to believe in the trinity, virgin birth, or inerrancy of Scripture? Defining the Terms . . . A Christian is one who is a disciple of Jesus Christ. “And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” Acts 11:26 A disciple is one who follows. What Does It Mean to Be a Christian/Disciple? . . . To become a Christian, I respond to the invitation of God to place my faith in Chri...
Jun 11, 2017•48 min
F.A.Q: What Does the Bible Say About Capital Punishment? Scripture Says . . . Capital punishment is permissible for the capital offense of murder. “From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man. ‘Whoever sheds blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in His own image.’” Genesis 9:5-6 Does not diminish life, but rather reveals God’s elevated view of human life. Governing authorities are God’s appointed instruments of civil Instituted by God as a servant ...
Jun 04, 2017•47 min
May 28, 2017•35 min
May 21, 2017•48 min
“Enough” Matthew 15:32-39 More Than Enough . . . Jesus desires to fill up what is lacking in you. “And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way . . . And they all ate and were satisfied.” Matthew 15: 32, 37 “The Lord is My Shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 “Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.” Psalm 34:9-10 Jesus takes what you give Him, and...
May 14, 2017•34 min
When God Calls My Name God calls my name to get my attention. “But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, ‘(Adam) Where are you?’” Genesis 3:9 God calls my name to invite me into a relationship with Him. “And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a s...
May 07, 2017•41 min
Apr 30, 2017•37 min
In Living Color: Eyes Wide Open Luke 24:13-35 On the Road . . . Jesus draws near to those seeking understanding. (Luke 24:15; Acts 17:22-31) “While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.” To those seeking a Savior. “But we had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel.” (Luke 24:21) To those who are skeptical but asking questions. Jesus gives meaning to the message because He is the message. (Luke 24:27, 44-49) Jesus makes sense of Scripture becau...
Apr 23, 2017•46 min
In Living Color” John 20:1-10 The resurrection of Jesus changes everything! Because of the resurrection, sin’s curse has been broken. “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” 1 Corinthians 15:17 Because of the resurrection, death does not shout in triumph over me. “By this I know that you delight in me; my enemy will not shout in triumph over me.” Psalm 41:11 The resurrection is God’s deathblow to death. “’Death is swallowed up in victory. O death...
Apr 16, 2017•42 min
Statement #5: “I thirst.” John 19:28-30 Why Thirsty? . . . Jesus was thirsty because of the effects of a brutal death. Jesus was fulfilling what David had written in the Psalms. “They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.” Psalm 69:21 “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. For...
Apr 09, 2017•47 min
Statement #4: “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46) What Jesus Knew . . . Jesus knew that He would pay the price for our sin. (Mark 2:20; Luke 9:22,44; 18:31-33; John 18:4) The agony Jesus would suffer, and the victory He would secure, were not a surprise to Him. Jesus trusted the sovereignty of His Father. (Isaiah 53:10; Psalm 22:7b, 24 What Jesus Experienced . . . He did not just feel rejected and abandoned by God, He was rejected and abandoned. Why Jesus Was Forsaken . ....
Apr 02, 2017•38 min
Statement #3: “Woman, behold your son!” . . . (to John) “Behold, your mother!” John 19:26-27 At the moment of His greatest ______, Jesus met the _______of His mother. Her _______ need—to be ________ to God through the sacrifice of Jesus. “ . . . that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:19 Her _______and ________ needs—to be ministered to by other ________. “’Behold...
Mar 26, 2017•47 min
“7 Statements of Christ from the Cross” Luke 23: 32-43 Statement #2: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Jesus stepped into our brokenness and took on all our sin. “For our sake God made him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him (Jesus) we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 The thief acknowledged his sin and surrendered to the Savior. He went from reviler to worshipper. “Those who were crucified with Him also reviled Him....
Mar 19, 2017•47 min
Statement #1: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) Ignorance does not make a person any less a sinner. “None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” 1 Corinthians 2:8 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He thus fulfilled. Repent, therefore, and turn again, that your ...
Mar 12, 2017•46 min
1 Chronicles 29:10-18 Four Reality Checks . . . Everything is God’s, and nothing is mine. “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is Yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand are power and might, and in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.” 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 I have...
Mar 05, 2017•46 min
