ACTS 8 Have you read something in the Bible and thought to yourself that it makes absolutely no sense? That's a little bit like how I feel about the first four verses of this chapter; It's easy to miss if you read too quickly, but it's right in the text. Here's what happens: Persecution breaks out People are pulled from their homes for preaching the gospel People ...

Acts 7 Stephen makes his entrance in Acts 6 and his exit in Acts 7. He isdescribed as being "Full of grace and power." Grace and power is an unusual, but awesome,combination. It's kind of like "sweetness and strength."You will need both to be an effective witness for Jesus. These two chapters tell us that Stephen was "Full of grace and power," "Full of the Spirit and o...

Acts 6 As the gospel spread throughout Jerusalem, more and more people believed and committed themselves to the cause of Christ. In Jerusalem, like in most cities, there was a diverse group of people, and believers themselves grew more and more diverse as well. Hebraic Jew, Grecian Jew (dispersed Jews living outside Palestine. Their primary language was Greek), Samari...

ACTS 5 They died! They fell over and died! That seems like a bit much. What did he do to deserve the death penalty? Acts 5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. That's it! On first...

Acts 4 A couple of Sundays ago, I kicked-off our new sermon series, "Follow Me," with a message from Mark 3. The statement that really jumped out to me in that passage was, (Mark 3:14) "He appointed twelve that they might be with Himand that He might send them out to preach." Before they were called to do stuff for Him, Jesus wanted them to be with Him. In Acts 4,...

ACTS 3 Sometimes when I read the gospels or the book of Acts, I think to myself, "Why doesn't this happen anymore?" In yesterday's passage, it summarized the early church with this statement: Acts 2 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Daily? As you read the book of Acts...

ACTS 2 Holy Spirit You are welcome hereCome flood this place and fill the atmosphereYour glory God is what our hearts long forTo be overcome by Your presence Lord ("Holy Spirit" by Bryan Katie Torwalt) I love the books of Acts. I love the boldness of the Apostles, thegenerosityand selflessness of the saints, the growth of the church, the clarity of the message an...

Acts 1 In Acts 1 scripture tells us that if we truly are Christ followers the Holy Spirit will indwell us. "You heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." Acts 1:4,5 Nothing here is too explicit as to what that means but here are some basic implications or thoughts on the Holy Spirit We beli...

Mark 16 Mark 16 gives us one of the greatest narratives in all of scripture; He has risen (v6). This is where we see that Jesus has overcome death and the grave. This is where we see that Jesus is in fact who he claimed to be; the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God, he is God. This is where we can know that we can trust in him and all that he claimed. This is very good...

Mark 15 Mark 15 has so much happening in this chapter. Jesus is arrested, falsely accused, mocked, tortured, crucified, is abandoned and then dies. I remember reading about the "Passion" for the 1st time with the awareness that I caused all of this. I was ashamed and sorrowful. It should have been me. This sacrifice, Christ's sacrifice is what ultimately led to me placi...