Branch Church

In Acts 9:1-19, Saul saw Christianity as a threat to his religion and he attacked it with tremendous zeal! But God had a different plan. This message looks at 4 conclusions concerning the conversion of Saul.

In Acts 8:26-40, Philip is told to have a "Jesus conversation" with the treasurer of the Queen of Ethiopia - the Ethiopian Eunuch. The Ethiopian Eunuch was an unlikely candidate but God had a plan to save him and use him to bring the Gospel to his people.

Acts 8:1-25 shares the first of two examples of the Church taking the Gospel outside of Jerusalem during the great persecution. In Samaria, Philip catches the attention of Simon the Sorcerer. This message looks at the counterfeit conversation of Simon and his misguided object of faith.

In Acts 6 & 7, Stephen is martyred for his faith in Jesus. This message reminds us of our victory over death!

In Acts 6:1-7, the first church in Jerusalem felt "growing pains" and they needed to be addressed. If these obstacles were not addressed correctly it would have hindered the movement of God in Jerusalem and world. This message looks at the obstacles, solution and result of these growing pains.

In Acts 5:17-42, the apostles are imprisoned and threatened because they continue to preach Jesus to the Jews in Jerusalem. In verse 41 the apostles felt it was "worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus." This message looks deeper into that understanding and helps us consider how we can grow in joy even in the midst of pain and persecution.

In Acts 5, we see the first "mishap" in the first church in Jerusalem. The lie of Ananias and Sapphira cost them their life and teaches us a valuable lesson about the freedom in generosity. Generosity is not a matter of force and law but of freedom and love.

In Acts 4:23-31, the church did not ask God to remove the threats from the religious leaders. Instead, they prayed for boldness to continue to complete God's mission. There are times when God will put us in situations we cannot control to show us that He's in control.

In Acts 4:1-22, Peter and John answer to the Jewish Sanhedrin concerning the miracle they performed on the crippled man. With boldness, they proclaim Jesus to the same men who handed Jesus over to be crucified. This message teaches us that God can take ordinary people with an extraordinary mission and help them be bold to fulfill their calling.