CCF Sunday Messages

Entering the last half of Acts chapter 17, Paul arrives in Athens, a city of great importance to Greek culture, architecture, learning, and religion. It is here that Paul goes to the marketplace and sees all the idols the Athenians worship and is urged within himself to share the gospel message to this heathen people. Pastor Steve uses this context to talk about the importance of bringing Jesus to the marketplace of today's ideas and how God wants to use us to share the message, understanding that some will reject it, but some will receive it and be transformed just like Paul himself was by Christ!

Entering the last half of Acts chapter 17, Paul arrives in Athens, a city of great importance to Greek culture, architecture, learning, and religion. It is here that Paul goes to the marketplace and sees all the idols the Athenians worship and is urged within himself to share the gospel message to this heathen people. Pastor Steve uses this context to talk about the importance of bringing Jesus to the marketplace of today's ideas and how God wants to use us to share the message, understanding that some will reject it, but some will receive it and be transformed just like Paul himself was by Christ!

Continuing our study in Acts, Pastor Steve continued into chapter 17, as Paul and his traveling companions continue their journey into Europe, specifically in ancient Macedonia. In the first part of this chapter he continues to reach out to the Jews and God-fearing Greeks through the local synagogue. In Thessalonica, there is a great response, followed by attacks and persecution again. Continuing on to Berea, Paul finds a group of receptive Jews who "search the scriptures" to see whether Paul's message is true. In both these instances, we see Paul use a conversational style, listening and interacting with the local people in a way that invites them to dialogue. Pastor Steve taught about our own way of interacting with non-Christians and our great need to be good listeners and open a dialogue with those around us.

Continuing our study in Acts, Pastor Steve continued into chapter 17, as Paul and his traveling companions continue their journey into Europe, specifically in ancient Macedonia. In the first part of this chapter he continues to reach out to the Jews and God-fearing Greeks through the local synagogue. In Thessalonica, there is a great response, followed by attacks and persecution again. Continuing on to Berea, Paul finds a group of receptive Jews who "search the scriptures" to see whether Paul's message is true. In both these instances, we see Paul use a conversational style, listening and interacting with the local people in a way that invites them to dialogue. Pastor Steve taught about our own way of interacting with non-Christians and our great need to be good listeners and open a dialogue with those around us.

On Easter Sunday, Pastor Steve took us to John 14, part of a long conversation that Jesus had with his disciples on the night of the Last Supper before he was betrayed in the garden. When we talk about resurrection, sometimes we only think of it in terms of our own resurrection after death. But Pastor Steve points out the expectation that we live a resurrected life *now* while we are still living. A picture of this life is also found in Psalm 1; the tree planted by streams of living water, flourishing and growing with the nourishment of the Word. Listen in and be challenged and encouraged to live that resurrected life on Resurrection Day!

On Easter Sunday, Pastor Steve took us to John 14, part of a long conversation that Jesus had with his disciples on the night of the Last Supper before he was betrayed in the garden. When we talk about resurrection, sometimes we only think of it in terms of our own resurrection after death. But Pastor Steve points out the expectation that we live a resurrected life *now* while we are still living. A picture of this life is also found in Psalm 1; the tree planted by streams of living water, flourishing and growing with the nourishment of the Word. Listen in and be challenged and encouraged to live that resurrected life on Resurrection Day!

What would you do if you were thrown into the inner prison in ancient Greece with your legs fastened painfully in the stocks? I think we can all agree that prayer and singing at midnight is probably not where we would end up! But, before we dismiss Paul and Silas as "super-Christians" we need to know that with God's spirit we can have that kind of response to difficulty and trials! Listen in as Pastor Steve takes us through the end of Acts 16 where things take a turn for the worse in Philippi, but God has a plan to save some people along the way!

What would you do if you were thrown into the inner prison in ancient Greece with your legs fastened painfully in the stocks? I think we can all agree that prayer and singing at midnight is probably not where we would end up! But, before we dismiss Paul and Silas as "super-Christians" we need to know that with God's spirit we can have that kind of response to difficulty and trials! Listen in as Pastor Steve takes us through the end of Acts 16 where things take a turn for the worse in Philippi, but God has a plan to save some people along the way!

As we enter Acts 16, Paul is setting out on his second missionary journey, and due to his falling out with Barnabas, he is taking Silas with him this time. They meet Timothy a young believer at Lystra, who Paul also includes in their journey, and from the language, we believe Luke, the writer of Acts joins them as well. It is at this point that they seem to hit opposition to their plans and directions. Instead God seems to have a plan for them to go over to Greece and bring the gospel into the continent of Europe. Pastor Steve teaches through this passage the importance of listening to God and being able to submit ourselves to his plans, even giving up good or godly plans that might just not be *God's* plan for us!

As we enter Acts 16, Paul is setting out on his second missionary journey, and due to his falling out with Barnabas, he is taking Silas with him this time. They meet Timothy a young believer at Lystra, who Paul also includes in their journey, and from the language, we believe Luke, the writer of Acts joins them as well. It is at this point that they seem to hit opposition to their plans and directions. Instead God seems to have a plan for them to go over to Greece and bring the gospel into the continent of Europe. Pastor Steve teaches through this passage the importance of listening to God and being able to submit ourselves to his plans, even giving up good or godly plans that might just not be *God's* plan for us!