This Palm Sunday, we will witness one of the most surprising moments in all of Scripture: a dying criminal's cry for mercy and Jesus' stunning response: "Today you will be with me in Paradise."

Drawing from Luke 23:32–43, we will trace the biblical story of Paradise given, Paradise lost, and Paradise regained—from the Garden of Eden to the cross of Calvary. Along the way, we'll be confronted with an honest question: Are we more like the first criminal, trusting in our own self-sufficiency to get what we want out of life, or are we willing to see Jesus as he truly is—battered, crucified, and dying in our place?

This week we look at Acts 19:21-41. One of the exciting parts of this message is we’re going to relate it to the ordination of J.W. Ruff. I love preaching ordination sermons and this is a great text to frame JW‘s pastoral ministry. It will call us and call this soon to be pastor to preaching the gospel in such a way that idols are dethroned and Christ is exalted.

Now that Paul is in Ephesus, he has a battle before him. His primary tool—one in which he believes deeply—is the Word of Christ: the Good News. For two years, he taught, explained, and reasoned with both Jews and Gentiles—people he loved, many of whom were held in bondage by the dark spiritual realities rampant in Ephesus.

As Paul proclaims, Jesus moves in. And whenever Jesus moves into occupied enemy territory, there is a confrontation. From vivid miracles and a humorous "reverse exorcism" to the power of the Gospel to change lives once deeply enmeshed in the occult, this is an encouraging and powerful text. It shows us the real Jesus bringing real cleansing and renewal through the path of costly discipleship!

What does it look like when God leads you beyond what you currently understand? Acts 18:18-19:7 invites us into that journey. Three stories:

We see Paul, faithfully making plans yet surrendering every step to God’s sovereign will.

We meet Apollos, a passionate and powerful teacher with incomplete understanding that humbly learns about Jesus.

And we encounter a group of disciples who move from seeking to becoming fully Spirit-filled believers.

Their stories remind us that following Jesus is not just about going somewhere new, it’s about growing from partial understanding into a fuller, deeper faith through the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever been in a job, a volunteer position, a location, or a relationship that felt like it was time to end? Why did you want to call it a day? Was it God-centered or, truth be told, driven by more self-centered reasons?

Last Sunday’s passage, Acts 18:1–17, is a beautiful picture of a tried-and-tested pastor, Paul, who learned the secret to contented perseverance—not by his own strength of will, but rather by the promises of God. How did he experience those promises, and what were they?

We are back in Acts 17:16–34 this Sunday. This is a well-known passage that shows us how the Apostle Paul engaged the high-minded Greek culture of his time. Before presenting the Gospel, he met the leaders and philosophers of Athens on their own terms; then, Paul pointed them toward the true God and the real logic of the world.

While this method is helpful and I pray it informs us, my deeper prayer is that we come to love God as Paul did. The reason Paul gave the best of his mind to share the Gospel with these academics is that he was simultaneously provoked by their empty idolatry and moved by compassion for them. I pray that we put this passage into practice because we love the honor of God.

Who are the people that God is redeeming unto Himself? What hints and hopes do we see in the Bible and in the world around us that one day all the families of the nations will worship before the Lord?

Andrew Ginsberg serves as the President/CEO of Operation Mobilization, an international missions organization with over 6,000 missionaries working to develop vital communities of Jesus followers worldwide. A graduate of Duke University and Cambridge, Andrew has a deep professional background in executive leadership, previously serving in senior advancement roles for The Navigators, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and BioLogos. Having led teams across six continents, he brings a global perspective rooted in his local history as a former leader and longtime member of Chapel Hill Bible Church. Andrew and his wife, Marnie, are currently transitioning to Georgia as they continue their mission to reach the least-reached and empower the global church.

What is unique about the God of Psalm 22 (and of the whole Bible) that makes Him worthy of ruling all the nations? And what are the implications of that as we consider God and as we make Him known to others?

Join us this Sunday as we look at Psalm 22 and consider the LORD who all families of the nations will one day worship.

Friendship is not sentimental companionship—it is one of God’s primary means of shaping wisdom, character, and faith. Proverbs teaches that friends are never neutral; they either form us toward righteousness or deform us toward folly. This Sunday, we’ll see how friendship was woven into creation, fractured by sin, restored through Christ, and ultimately fulfilled in Him—the truest Friend who stays closer than a brother and lays down His life for the undeserving. In Christ, friendship becomes fellowship, and fellowship becomes something eternal—growing sweeter, truer, and more beautiful forever.