The Domino Effect | ACTS
Watching the Guinness World Records’ longest domino wall fall is pretty impressive. Initiated by the fall of the first domino, 42,173 more dominoes twist and turn 131 feet for 6 minutes and 12 seconds until the final domino falls. We often refer to this as the domino effect because “one event initiates a succession of similar events” (MWD). In Acts 10 we see a similar effect when one man’s decision leads to many other decisions.
Growth and Expansion | ACTS
If you were responsible for growing a business, organization, or team, what would you do? Leadership and growth experts would encourage you to focus on issues related to staff morale, customer needs, and social media. However, the growth and expansion of the Early Church happened in an unexpected way. On Sunday, we will look together to see what led to the growth and expansion of the Early Church and what we can learn from their example.
A “No” for a “Yes” | ACTS
Have you ever said “no”, so that someone else could say “yes”? This question was recently posed to a group of leaders, and it reminded me of the story in Acts 6. In this chapter, conflict was rising within the early church and to address it, one group of individuals said “no” so that another group of individuals could say “yes”. The results were remarkable! I’m excited to study this passage with you.
Look for Interruptions to Become Introductions | ACTS
Interruptions. We’ve all experienced them, but what if interruptions turned into something else? What if interruptions became opportunities? This is what happens in Acts 3 when two of Jesus’ followers are stopped by a man on their way to a prayer meeting. What seemed like an interruption turned into an introduction for spiritual maturity and much more.
Social Media, the Book of Acts, and the Tendency to Romanticize | ACTS
Social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok tend to show only the “ups” of our lives. That post of the beautiful vacation spot, that picture of the well-defined abs, or that post of the uplifting Bible verse, but rarely do we show the “downs” of our lives on social media. This reminds me of the book of Acts. Many are familiar with the “ups” in the book of Acts. The moment the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, the time Saul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, or the first time the word “Christian” was used to describe those who followed Jesus. However, like our lives, the story in Acts has its own share of “downs.” As we begin a teaching series on Acts, we will see that even in the midst of the ups and downs, the early church was empowered by the Holy Spirit and emboldened by Jesus’ promise to advance the Gospel. Now it’s our turn!
Transgenderism | Hot Summer Topics 2021
Transgender. Transsexual. Gender identity. Gender dysphoria. This terminology is becoming more common and popularized in today’s culture. As Christians, learning how to process and respond about these issues from a Biblical perspective matters. We will seek to understand what transgenderism is, how the Bible speaks to it, and what our response as followers of Jesus should be.
Mental Health | Hot Summer Topics 2021
With temperatures getting into the 100s this week for the first time this summer, it seems fitting to begin our Hot Summer Topics teaching series. Our aim in this series is to address hotly discussed issues in our culture and to train us how to think about them Biblically. Why is this important? So that we might engage in respectful and loving dialogue in order to promote God’s truth in our lives and circles of influence. We kick off the series this Sunday with the topic of mental health.
What’s Your Story? | His Word, My Story 2021
We have received encouraging feedback from many of you regarding the messages from our pastors around Scriptures that have had a meaningful impact in their personal walks with God. In the same spirit, we will also share a couple of passages this Sunday that have had tremendous significance in the course of our lives. Our hope is that this series encourages you to allow God to write your story according to the truths and help offered in His Word.
Front and Center | The Kingdom of Heaven is Like…
Do you remember the last time you thought about life being eternal? It’s been said that “we are so captivated by the allurements of the world, that eternal life fades from our view.” I don’t know about you, but this happens to me. Like a fish attracted to a shiny fishing lure, I get easily distracted by the world’s attractions and temptations. And so, as we conclude our teaching series on the kingdom of heaven, let’s look together at one final parable where Jesus sets the reality of eternal life front and center.
The Mystery of The Kingdom | The Kingdom of Heaven is Like…
Recently my kids and I have been reading Encyclopedia Brown books. Each chapter of these children’s detective novels involves a mystery that is meant to be solved by the reader. Fortunately, if one is unable to solve the mystery, the “Answers” section in the back of the book reveals it. You might be thinking, “What does this have to do with the kingdom of heaven?” Well, after the disciples hear Jesus tell a parable about the mystery of the kingdom, they ask Him for help in understanding it. I can’t wait to share the parable of the weeds with you. It’s one you may have heard or read before, and while the meaning of the parable may surprise you, it’s the application we must not ignore.
