Videos
-be encouraged-
-be encouraged-
As Paul continues his second missionary journey, the Holy Spirit redirects his path. The Spirit continues to guide today. May we learn to listen and discern the voice of the Spirit.
With the goal of revisiting the churches established on their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas find themselves in a dispute that results in them separating. Each found new partners and set out on the mission in different directions.
With the goal of unity and not overburdening new Gentile believers, the council at Jerusalem sent a few people to Antioch with a letter of encouragement and invitation. The concessions that they requested revolved around avoiding pagan worship and enabling table fellowship between Jews and Gentiles.
After the success of Paul's first missionary journey amongst the Gentiles, the church experienced some growing pains. Though some believed that Gentiles must adhere to Jewish law to follow Jesus, the Council at Jerusalem decided otherwise.
On the return from their first missionary Journey, Paul and Barnabas visit each city in which they had planted churches, encouraging believers and appointing elders. Once home, they reported on the good work God had done.
In Iconium and Lystra, Paul is met with both opportunity and opposition. Though the message of the kingdom of God is good news, Paul is stoned and left for dead because of his efforts.
In Pisidian Antioch, Paul tells the story of salvation - how God has worked throughout history to bring about salvation through Jesus Christ. We are invited into this story which shapes who we are as God's loved children and a kingdom of priests.
King Herod persecutes the church, and God works powerfully to accomplish Peter's miraculous escape from prison. The Kingdom of God operates radically different ways than the Roman Empire.
As Jewish followers of Jesus moved through the world, they shared the good news...even with Greek speaking Gentiles. Saul and Barnabas are sent to Antioch as the gospel begins to spill beyond the borders of Israel.
God brings Peter and Cornelius together to reveal a remarkable invitation for the future. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Gentiles reimagines what the community of God will look like.
Cornelius, a Roman soldier, and Peter, an apostle, receive visions that align their paths. God is inviting the church (still a sect of Judaism) to a season of new understanding and engagement in the world.
Philip's encounter with an Ethiopian eunuch reveals the radical inclusion that the Spirit was moving the early church towards.
As persecution began to push the church beyond the walls of Jerusalem, unlikely people began to believe. The power of the Holy Spirit demonstrated by Phillip results in a magician name Simon coming to faith (and backsliding).
Stephen was filled with and empowered by the Holy Spirit. His character and faith stands as an example of giving ourselves wholly to God.
Having risen, Jesus appears to his disciples for a period of 40 days teaching about the Kingdom of God and promising the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus has ascended and the 11 remaining disciples are faced with their first major decision, who with replace Judas. Today, we explore their discernment process involving prayer, community and Holy Spirit.
During a Jewish festival in Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles. This fulfills Jesus' promise that the Spirit would come in power to enable them to be his witnesses.
At Pentecost, following the coming of the Holy Spirit, Peter and the Apostles stand before a great crowd of people and explain what is taking place. Beginning with the Psalms and Prophets, they preach that Jesus is the risen savior and has sent the Spirit of God.
As word of resurrection spread, the Church began. This growing community met regularly, broke bread together, cared for each other needs and celebrated this new hope.
Having been charged with blasphemy, Stephen, a first century deacon and evangelist, tells the story of Israel's history. He highlights God's character and Israel's failures and then turns the narrative on them as those who betrayed and killed the Messiah.
The act of healing a man who could not walk served a greater purpose than simply walking. It also represented an invitation to restored community. Today, we speak with Tracey about her perspective based upon her lifelong journey with a degenerative disease. (Note: Due to recording difficulties, this is a re-recording of the live message on Sunday. )
After healing a man, Peter and John are arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin. They boldly proclaim Jesus as the risen savior who is the power behind this miracle.
The growing church had processes in place to care for the needs of widows; however, some were being overlooked. Today we explore the apostle's solution: a distribution of power and leadership that enabled a proper distribution of food.
As the church began to grow and attract the attention of Israel, the Sadducees and religious leaders became defensive and confrontational. Having been arrested, Peter and the apostles continued to joyfully share the good news.
The early church was a community marked by generosity, a people living as the covenant community of God. However, in the case of Ananias and Sapphira the motivations of their heart and lack of reverence for God stood is stark contrast to God's intent for his people.
After a miraculous healing, thousands of people committing to following Jesus, and threats from those in power, the believers pray. We too are invited to pray in the midst of all the good and bad in our world today.