CCF Sunday Messages

Saul's dramatic conversion sends shock-waves through the early church. He is almost immediately a powerful force for debating with the Jews, proving that Jesus is the Messiah, arguing directly from the scriptures in the synagogues! So much so, that the Jews craft a plot to kill Saul.He has to escape via basket, and as Pastor Steve notes, this is a humbling experience for the Pharisee leader Saul as he becomes the humble Apostle Paul. It also takes awhile for the church to accept this man that just a short time ago was a terror to the church, but godly men like Barnabas bring Saul and explain his transformation to the Jerusalem church leaders.

In Acts chapter 9 the scene shifts back to the fervent Jewish Pharisee, Saul of Tarsus as he plans to travel to Damascus with approval to continue his terrorism of followers of Jesus. What he doesn't know is that God has a plan to meet him on that road to Damascus and totally transform his life! These first 19 verses detail his amazing conversion experience and how God humbles him and chooses him as an ambassador of His to reach the Gentiles.

In Acts chapter 9 the scene shifts back to the fervent Jewish Pharisee, Saul of Tarsus as he plans to travel to Damascus with approval to continue his terrorism of followers of Jesus. What he doesn't know is that God has a plan to meet him on that road to Damascus and totally transform his life! These first 19 verses detail his amazing conversion experience and how God humbles him and chooses him as an ambassador of His to reach the Gentiles.

Every wondered the source of the word "simony"? Well, Acts chapter 8 gives us that story, as Philip goes to Samaria to preach the gospel. In that area a sorcerer has enjoyed fame and popularity--even God-like status--which is quickly challenged by God's power through signs and wonders as the gospel is preached. Simon becomes a believer but then wants to purchase this power from the apostles, generating a strong rebuke from Peter (who along with John had come when they heard the work God was doing in Samaria). God's power displayed through the Holy Spirit is a free gift, not something that can be acquired through money or any human effort!

Every wondered the source of the word "simony"? Well, Acts chapter 8 gives us that story, as Philip goes to Samaria to preach the gospel. In that area a sorcerer has enjoyed fame and popularity--even God-like status--which is quickly challenged by God's power through signs and wonders as the gospel is preached. Simon becomes a believer but then wants to purchase this power from the apostles, generating a strong rebuke from Peter (who along with John had come when they heard the work God was doing in Samaria). God's power displayed through the Holy Spirit is a free gift, not something that can be acquired through money or any human effort!

This week we finished the sermon that Stephen gave under the power of the Holy Spirit before the Sanhedrin. His sermon ended with some strong words of correction that could either be taken to heart, or cause resentment and anger. We quickly find out which way the religious leaders took it as they immediately were so filled with anger that they dragged him out of the city and stoned him, starting a season of intense persecution towards the young Jerusalem church. As Pastor Steve noted however, God had a plan in this as everywhere the christians went, they began to spread the gospel to the surrounding world!

This week we finished the sermon that Stephen gave under the power of the Holy Spirit before the Sanhedrin. His sermon ended with some strong words of correction that could either be taken to heart, or cause resentment and anger. We quickly find out which way the religious leaders took it as they immediately were so filled with anger that they dragged him out of the city and stoned him, starting a season of intense persecution towards the young Jerusalem church. As Pastor Steve noted however, God had a plan in this as everywhere the christians went, they began to spread the gospel to the surrounding world!

In the middle of Acts chapter 6, we are introduced more fully to Stephen, one of the deacons chosen in the first part of the chapter who is clearly teaching by the power of God and His Spirit, and it is causing much frustration against the religious elite who can't win debates against him! They arrest him, falsely accuse him, and in front of the Sanhedrin he begins the longest recorded sermon in Acts, teaching them through the Old Testament the history of their own faith and God's ways, which in the end will anger them even more. This week Pastor Steve covered just over half of Stephen's sermon in front of the Sanhedrin; we'll finish the rest next week!

In the middle of Acts chapter 6, we are introduced more fully to Stephen, one of the deacons chosen in the first part of the chapter who is clearly teaching by the power of God and His Spirit, and it is causing much frustration against the religious elite who can't win debates against him! They arrest him, falsely accuse him, and in front of the Sanhedrin he begins the longest recorded sermon in Acts, teaching them through the Old Testament the history of their own faith and God's ways, which in the end will anger them even more. This week Pastor Steve covered just over half of Stephen's sermon in front of the Sanhedrin; we'll finish the rest next week!

As we enter chapter 6, the church has obviously continued to grow and are facing other challenges--like the demands of ministry, and complaints from those who feel like they are being overlooked. God gives wisdom to the apostles and they appoint godly men, filled with the Holy Spirit, to do the work of ministry so that the apostles can focus on teaching the word. This is the beginnings of what we call the role of deacon within the church.