Acts 9:1–31 In a striking reversal, the persecutor became the persecuted, displaying the Gospel’s power. Only the risen Christ could turn an enemy into an ambassador. Saul’s Conversion • The Gospel confronts and consoles. Saul’s Community • The Gospel changes and challenges. Saul’s Commission • The Gospel compels and confounds. … [Read More…] The Power of the Gospel
Acts 8:26–40 Ever feel too broken or unworthy for God? In Jesus, the outsider is embraced, the cut-off are welcomed, and joy overflows. A Divine Appointment • God is going out of His way in pursuit of the Ethiopian Eunuch through Philip. A Spiritual Pilgrimage • This Ethiopian Eunuch’s longing for hope is riddled with pain. … [Read More…] An Unexpected Journey
Acts 8:1–25 When chaos scatters God’s people, does evil win? In Jesus’ hands, persecution spreads the Gospel, reconciles people, and cultivates humility. The Redeemer • Persecution in Jesus’ hands becomes Gospel-propulsion. The Healer • Estrangement in Jesus’ hands becomes Gospel-reconciliation. The Teacher • Ego in Jesus’ hands becomes Gospel-humility. Takeaways: … [Read More…] The Lord of the Church
In the darkest persecution, Jesus stands with those who stand for Him. Stephen’s witness and martyrdom revealed God’s glory, sparking unstoppable faith. THE FIRST MARTYR Acts 6:8–7:60 Stephen’s Charges Blasphemy against Moses, God, Temple, and Law. His Defense The real blasphemy is rejection of Jesus Messiah. His Witness Stephen sees and shines Jesus as … [Read More…] The First Martyr
A Weird Prologue The story begins with the sons of the prophets, a humble community serving the Lord. When a borrowed iron axe head falls into the Jordan, Elisha miraculously makes it float. Though small and strange, this miracle shows that God cares deeply for the problems of ordinary people—even when those problems don’t affect … [Read More…] God’s Ways And Our Prayers
Be encouraged you have access to God. Believers are commanded to rejoice always. Joy is deeper than happiness and is not dependent on circumstances but rooted in remembering what we have in Christ. In Him we have acceptance, adoption, forgiveness, hope, grace, salvation, love, and the sealing of the Spirit. Remembering these truths fuels rejoicing … [Read More…] Be Encouraged
Jesus and the Agony of an Unanswered Prayer Mark 14:32–42 Pastor Erwin Lutzer Four Questions That Beg for an Answer 1. What was the Cup? 2. Who Gave Him the Cup? 3. What was Jesus’ Request? 4. What was Jesus’ Response? Five Lessons for our own prayer life 1. Today’s prayerless Christians are … [Read More…] Jesus and the Agony of an Unanswered Prayer
How well are you sleeping these days? Pain is God’s wake-up call to the soul (Psalm 32:1-4) Sin damages us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. David describes how unconfessed sin drained his strength and joy. Pain, though often normalized in our culture, is God’s loving pressure to alert us that we’ve strayed from His truth … [Read More…] The Path To Joy: Confession, Forgiveness, and Purpose
Sanctification: For You Sanctification—becoming more like Christ—is God’s will for every believer. It’s not about earning salvation but about growing in holiness because we’ve been saved. This growth, empowered by the Holy Spirit, includes developing self-control, especially in the area of sexual purity. Paul calls believers to abstain from all sexual immorality and to live … [Read More…] Your Sanctification
