Awakening Church

Stephen stood before the Sanhedrin, the most defendant-protective court in the ancient world, a court that had just thrown out every one of its own protections to kill him. As the stones fell, Stephen did not cry out for vengeance. He cried out for forgiveness. That single prayer, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin,” marks the moment the new covenant broke the old cycle of compounding vengeance and introduced a gospel of extreme, unreasonable forgiveness. And watching over the coats of the men who killed him stood a young man named Saul, the very man that forgiveness would one day reach.🕊 Key Highlights:• The Sanhedrin was built to protect the accused, yet for Stephen every protocol was abandoned.• Stephen is the only other person in the New Testament besides Jesus to use the title “Son of Man” for Christ.• Abel’s blood cried out for vengeance. Stephen’s dying prayer cried out for forgiveness. That is the difference between the old covenant and the new.• Cain’s line multiplied vengeance sevenfold, then seventy times sevenfold. Jesus reversed that math when He told Peter to forgive seventy times seven.• Stephen’s final words were not prayed to the Father like Jesus on the cross, but to Jesus Himself, one of the first recorded prayers directed to Christ as God.• Saul of Tarsus stood at the stoning, likely overseeing it, and became the unmerited recipient of Stephen’s forgiveness.• Jesus is seen seated everywhere else in the New Testament. Here, uniquely, He stands, rising to testify for Stephen before the court of heaven.• The court of men said guilty. The court of heaven rose to its feet and said chosen, redeemed, mine.📖 Scripture References: Acts 7:54-60, Acts 6:8-15, Genesis 4:8-15, Matthew 18:21-22, Luke 23:34, Luke 23:46, Deuteronomy 17:7, Hebrews 12:24, Hebrews 10:12, Matthew 10:32✞ Learn more about Jesus: https://awakeningchurch.org/🎓 Get On-Demand Christian Discipleship & Training: https://awakeningchristianacademy.org/

📝 Notes:

Stephen stood before the highest religious court in Judaism, surrounded by false witnesses, powerful accusers, and a verdict that seemed decided before the trial began. Yet, Scripture tells us that his face was like the face of an angel. True, untouchable peace does not come from our circumstances, our strength, or our ability to keep it together. It comes from a life hidden in Christ, guarded by the peace of God, and filled with the Holy Spirit. When we live close to God and keep our attention fixed on Him, we can face injustice, accusation, and difficulty with a peace that lies cannot shake, accusations cannot dismantle, and injustice cannot destroy.

🕊️ Key Highlights:

• Opposition is not always a sign that you are doing something wrong.

• Sometimes faithfulness is exactly what draws opposition.

• When people cannot win against truth, they often attack character instead.

• Stephen knew his life was not in the hands of his accusers, but in the hands of Christ.

• True peace does not come from our circumstances, possessions, relationships, status, or success.

• Our lives are hidden with Christ in God, beyond the reach of anything this world can take away.

• The peace of God surpasses human understanding and guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

• True peace is not produced by willpower. It is fruit produced by the Holy Spirit.

• The face Stephen carried in the crisis was formed in the ordinary days before it.

• We need proximity to God if we want our lives to reflect the peace of God.

• You do not need Stephen’s courage. You need Stephen’s God. The same Spirit who filled him is offered to you.

📖 Scripture References:

• Acts 6:8-15

• 2 Timothy 3:12

• Leviticus 24:16

• Matthew 26:59-61

• Colossians 3:3

• Philippians 4:7

• Galatians 5:22

• Exodus 34:29-30

Pastor Jordan Boyce is preaching on Raising Up Christian Leaders.

📝 Notes:

As the early church grew, so did the needs of the people. The apostles recognized that healthy growth required faithful leadership, so they appointed Spirit-filled, wise, and trustworthy men to serve the church. God’s desire has always been to raise up ordinary people with extraordinary character who will lead their homes, serve His Church, and represent Christ well. The Church grows stronger when every believer steps into their God given calling and serves together as one body.

🕊️ Key Highlights:

• Growth is a blessing, but it also brings greater responsibility.

• Healthy churches require both spiritual leadership and practical organization.

• God calls every believer to use their gifts to strengthen His Church.

• Christian leaders are recognized first by their character, not their position.

• A good reputation reflects consistent godly character over time.

• We cannot fulfill God’s calling apart from the power of the Holy Spirit.

• Wisdom is applying God’s truth to everyday decisions.

• The Church functions best when every member serves together as one body.

• God is raising up men and women to lead both their homes and His house with virtue, wisdom, and spiritual discernment.

📖 Scripture References:

Acts 6:1-7

James 1:27

Exodus 18:17-23

Ecclesiastes 4:9

1 Corinthians 12:12

1 Timothy 3:7

2 Corinthians 5:20

John 15:5

Galatians 5:16,

1 Kings 3:9

Proverbs 4:7

Pastor Jordan Boyce is preaching on If It Is of God.

📝 Notes:

The apostles found themselves standing before the Sanhedrin, facing opposition, threats, and persecution because they refused to stop proclaiming Jesus. Yet in the middle of the conflict, Gamaliel spoke a profound truth: if something is of man, it will fail, but if it is of God, it cannot be overthrown. God’s plans are unstoppable. Throughout history, God has accomplished His purposes through ordinary people who chose obedience over comfort and faith over fear. Opposition is often part of the process, but it cannot stop the work of God. The invitation is to discern where God is moving and faithfully join Him.

🕊️ Key Highlights:

• God has a good plan, and nothing can stop what He has purposed.

• The Church of Jesus Christ is God’s plan for reaching the world.

• Momentum follows the work of God, and opposition often follows momentum.

• Adversity is not always a sign that you’re off course; sometimes it’s evidence that God is at work.

• If God is for us, no opposition can ultimately prevail against His purposes.

• Passion, promise, and position help us discern whether something is truly from God.

• Nehemiah didn’t pray for an easier assignment—he prayed for stronger hands.

• God often uses opposition to deepen our faith, strengthen our character, and increase our dependence on Him.

• A transformed life is one of the most powerful testimonies to the reality of Jesus.

📖 Scripture References:

• Acts 5:27-41

• Romans 8:31

• Matthew 16:18

• Isaiah 55:11

• 1 Corinthians 16:9

• Nehemiah 6:9

• Nehemiah 1:3-4

• Isaiah 8:20

Awakening Church is preaching Giving God’s Way.📝 Notes: The story of Ananias and Sapphira reminds us that God is not after our money—He is after our hearts. Giving was never meant to be a transaction, a way to gain status, or something done out of compulsion. It is an act of worship. The issue was not the amount they gave, but the deception in their hearts. God desires a people who honor Him with sincerity, generosity, and reverence. Every act of giving tears down the idol of mammon and declares that God alone is worthy of our trust, devotion, and worship. Healthy fear of the Lord produces wisdom, sets healthy boundaries, and leads us into a life that honors Him.🕊️ Key Highlights:• Giving God’s way is worship, not a transaction. We give because He is worthy.• Money is not the currency of the Kingdom—faithfulness, service, forgiveness, and faith are.• Every act of generosity breaks the grip of mammon and strengthens our trust in God.• God cares more about the condition of the heart than the size of the gift.• Giving should flow from conviction, not compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver.• Healthy fear of the Lord leads to wisdom, spiritual protection, and a life aligned with God’s purposes.• The question is not how much you give, but whether your heart fully belongs to God.📖 Scripture References: Acts 5:1-11, Proverbs 9:10, Luke 22:25-26, Matthew 6:24, 1 Timothy 6:10, Mark 12:41-44, 1 Samuel 16:7, 2 Corinthians 9:7, Romans 1:22

Awakening Church is preaching Common People, Astonishing God with Pastor Jordan Boyce.📝 Notes:In Acts 4:13, the religious leaders were astonished by Peter and John. They saw boldness they couldn’t explain, recognized that these were ordinary men, and realized they had been with Jesus. The same transformation that changed the disciples is available to us today.The cross changes you.When we place our faith in Christ and are filled with the Holy Spirit, God gives us a new identity, a new source of courage, and a new purpose. The disciples were not extraordinary people by the world’s standards. They were fishermen, workers, and everyday men. Yet through the power of Christ, they became bold witnesses who helped change the world.A transformed life is marked by courage that comes from conviction, purpose that reveals God’s power through ordinary people, and a relationship with Jesus that leaves a visible impact on everyone around us.🕊️ Key Highlights:• Our courage comes from an inner conviction in Christ, not confidence in ourselves.• The Holy Spirit transforms fear into boldness and uncertainty into conviction.• Salvation gives us a new spiritual identity that is greater than our old limitations.• God specializes in using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes.• There is no such thing as “just” an ordinary person in the Kingdom of God.• God often chooses the weak, overlooked, and unlikely so that His glory is unmistakable.• The everyday parts of our lives can become acts of worship when surrendered to God.• Who you spend time with shapes who you become.• Walking with Jesus leaves a visible mark on your life.• People should be able to recognize Christ through the way we live, speak, and love.💬 Key Quote:“The cross changes you. Walking with Jesus and being filled with the Holy Spirit transforms ordinary people into powerful witnesses for Christ.”🙏 Salvation Invitation:Have you been with Jesus?Transformation begins in the soul before it changes the mind and the life. Jesus came to bring us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. Today, you can experience forgiveness, new life, and a completely new identity through Him.📖 Scriptures: Acts 4:13, Acts 4:10, Joel 2:28, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Isaiah 6, Exodus 4, 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, Psalm 118:23, and Romans 12:1-2.

Pastor Nate Kosiba is preaching on being Carriers of the Name and Presence!

📝 Notes:

The church’s greatest gift is not what it accumulates, but what it carries, the power of Jesus’ name and presence. In Acts 3, Peter and John encounter a man lame from birth, surrounded by the beauty and wealth of the temple, yet still broken. The world is full of resources, yet still in need. What the church carried then, it still carries today.

This moment was not chance. It was the result of a lifestyle. Carriers of the power of Jesus live with rhythm, awareness, and bold faith. They position themselves in prayer, stop for people, know what they carry, and refuse to take credit.

🕊️ Key Highlights:

• Carriers of the power of Jesus maintain a consistent habit of prayer and position themselves to receive from God.

• Faithful rhythm creates space for God to move, and often the miracle happens along the way, not because it was pursued.

• To carry the presence of God, we must be willing to stop, see people, and not rush past need.

• Before anything changes, someone has to be seen, because seeing people matters before speaking into their situation.

• The church does not exist to offer temporary solutions, but to bring the lasting power of Jesus that truly heals.

• As believers, we must understand what we carry, the authority, power, and presence found in the name of Jesus.

• Faith requires action, and we are called to speak and step out before we see the evidence.

• When the power of Jesus moves, it brings complete transformation, restoring body, soul, and access to God.

• Carriers of the presence always refuse the credit and point people back to Jesus.

📖 Scriptures Referenced:

• Acts 3:1–12

• Acts 2:43

• Acts 4:22

• Psalm 5:3

• John 19:30

• Isaiah 35:6

• Philippians 2:9–11

• 1 Peter 3:15

Awakening Church is preaching: Together, Filled, Rested.

📝 Notes:

In Acts 2, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit did not happen in isolation; it happened in unity. The disciples were together in one place, postured in obedience and expectation. In that environment, the Spirit of God filled the house and rested on each of them. God moves powerfully where there is unity, hunger, and availability. We are reminded that gathering matters, being filled is ongoing, and true rest is found not in striving, but in the presence of God. When we position ourselves together, the Spirit fills and rests on us, empowering us to live from overflow, not exhaustion.

🕊️ Key Highlights:

• They were all together in one placeUnity creates space for God to move

• You heal best when you are not aloneWe are called to rejoice and weep together

• Gathering is essentialFaith was never meant to be lived in isolation

• God wants to fill and refill youBeing filled with the Spirit is ongoing

• Stop striving and start receivingBe ready for His Spirit

• The Holy Spirit is looking for a place to restAre you open and available

📖 Scriptures Referenced:

• Acts 2:1–4

• Psalm 133:1–3

• Romans 12:15

• Ephesians 4:3

• Hebrews 10:24–25

• Ephesians 5:18

• Joel 2:28

• Matthew 11:28

• Psalm 23:2–3

• Exodus 33:14–15

• 1 Peter 4:14

Pastor Jordan Boyce is preaching The Ascension: Hurry Up and Wait📝 Notes: The Book of Acts begins not with movement, but with waiting. Before the disciples could go into the world empowered by the Holy Spirit, Jesus commanded them to remain in Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father. Waiting on God is not wasted time. It is where God forms character, deepens trust, refines purpose, and prepares His people for what only He can provide through the Holy Spirit. Throughout Scripture, God consistently works through seasons of waiting to shape lives into His masterpiece. In a culture driven by hurry, distraction, and meaningless movement, believers are called to actively wait through prayer, devotion, and trust in God’s timing. The same God who fulfilled His promise at Pentecost still works suddenly and powerfully in the lives of those who wait on Him today.🕊️ Key Highlights:• The first act of the apostles was to waitNot rush ahead• Waiting on God is not wasted timeIt is preparation• God forms and refines us in waitingTrust the process• Waiting is an active actionPray, seek, inquire• Before the disciples could goThey had to receive• Meaningless movement creates exhaustionGod’s presence renews strength• Don’t force what God has not releasedObedience is better than sacrifice• God’s promises arrive in God’s timingTrust His process• You serve the God of suddenlysThe day will arrive📖 Scriptures Referenced:Acts 1:1–14 • Luke 24:49 • Philippians 1:6 • Isaiah 40:28–31 • John 1:51 • Micah 7:7 • Philippians 4:6 • 1 Samuel 30:7–8 • 1 Samuel 13:12 • Acts 2:1–2

Pastor Jordan Boyce is preaching The Ascension: What Now?📝 Notes: Jesus did not call His followers to stand still and wait. He empowered them with His Spirit and sent them to continue His mission on the Earth. God has already given you gifts, purpose, and opportunity. Don’t wait for someone else to step in. Start now. Faith grows in motion, and God increases those who faithfully represent Him.🕊️ Key Highlights:• God empowers your assignmentYou have been given power for purpose• Friction produces growthObstacles often become opportunities• Stop waiting on GodGod may be waiting on you• Invest what God gave youFaith requires action• Ministry starts at homeBe a witness where you are• You grow as you goFaith strengthens in obedience• Your story mattersA changed life is a powerful testimony• Don’t stand stillStart now📖 Scriptures Referenced: Acts 1:6–11 • Colossians 1:29 • Matthew 25 • James 2:17 • 1 Chronicles 4:10 • Acts 4:20 • Philippians 4:9 • Psalm 145:4