Paul's story comes at us fast in the book of Acts--he’s miraculously converted on the road to Damascus in Chapter 9; two pages later he’s being sent by the Antioch church on his first missionary journey to take the gospel to the Gentiles. In this message, we'll reflect on God's work in forming Paul for his missionary calling and consider together how we might trust God in faith as we seek to serve His mission in our own lives.

The believers in the early church had seen numerous miracles performed following Jesus’ death. It seems that they shouldn’t have been surprised by another, but they were. Some suggest that this indicates a lack of faith, but is that the best interpretation of the story? Maybe they were surprised by the grace of God because they did not possess a sense of entitlement. Maybe to them, God’s grace was new every morning.

The believers in the early church had seen numerous miracles performed following Jesus’ death. It seems that they shouldn’t have been surprised by another, but they were. Some suggest that this indicates a lack of faith, but is that the best interpretation of the story? Maybe they were surprised by the grace of God because they did not possess a sense of entitlement. Maybe to them, God’s grace was new every morning.

The church at Antioch was a sending church, sending Barnabas and Saul off to missionary work. After all, the church is not for itself; it's for the world. God uses this human, and also eternal, institution to accomplish his eternal purposes.

The church at Antioch was a sending church, sending Barnabas and Saul off to missionary work. After all, the church is not for itself; it's for the world. God uses this human, and also eternal, institution to accomplish his eternal purposes.

When we look back in hindsight at the promises of God in the Old Testament, we identify the mission of God in Jesus Christ. God’s mission of redemption was always for the whole world, but that wasn’t always obvious to everyone. This week we'll look at another development in the creative mission of God, which is frequently and dramatically played out in the Book of Acts.

When we look back in hindsight at the promises of God in the Old Testament, we identify the mission of God in Jesus Christ. God’s mission of redemption was always for the whole world, but that wasn’t always obvious to everyone. This week we'll look at another development in the creative mission of God, which is frequently and dramatically played out in the Book of Acts.

We long to find meaning and significance in being part of something greater than ourselves. What if participating in the ordinary is something extraordinary?

We long to find meaning and significance in being part of something greater than ourselves. What if participating in the ordinary is something extraordinary?

The church of Jesus Christ cannot be stopped or destroyed; the more it is suppressed, the more it grows. This phenomenon has always baffled its enemies. Jesus put it this way, “The gates of hell will not prevail against it.” The apostle Paul said, “If God is for us who can be against us?” What an honor to be associated with the only human institution that is also eternal.