Paul is taken to the Areopagus, the leading governing body in Athens. It's here he confronts the general pantheism of the city by preaching the one God and his gospel.

In Athens, Paul observes many idols and the Spirit provokes him to reason in the synagogue and the marketplace. Confronted with the leading philosophies of the time Paul responds by proclaiming Jesus and his resurrection.

In Acts 17:10-15, Paul, Silas and Timothy make their way to Berea. This time when they preach the gospel, the Jews "received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so" (v11). Do we believe and trust God's word that we run to it first before exhausting other options?

Paul arrives in Thessalonica and reasons on three Sabbath days about the need for Christ to suffer and rise from the dead. Some believe and some do not. The unbelieving Jews stir up the city and accuse Paul and Silas of acting against Caesar because they proclaim Jesus as Lord and King.

Paul exorcises demons from a young girl which eventually gets him and Silas put in jail. While there, Paul and Silas continue to praise God by praying and singing to him. God miraculously opens up all the jail cells, freeing those inside. The jailor in charge is about to take his own life when Paul shows him they have not run away. The response of the jailor is to ask how he can be saved and after Paul's instruction the jailor's heart is transformed and he is baptized along with his whole family, leading to celebration.

God is in control ... sovereign ... and providential over his creation. He preserves everything. He invites his creation to join his work and purposes. He governs over all things. Regretfully in our sin we try to preserve ourselves, work alone, and govern ourselves. We are trapped in this sinful bondage. Thanks be to God, Jesus sets us free to be bound to righteousness forever. That's what we learn animates the early church in Acts. Here's Sunday's sermon from Acts 4:23-37

God protects us by making us new. Though we are prone to find security and power in the wrong places, the new heart, mind, and body Jesus has promised and secured for us through his cross and resurrection grants us courage to live in accordance with his will ... much like the apostles, Peter and John. Here's Sunday's sermon from Acts 4:13-22

A man who was unable to walk from birth was called to rise and walk, in the name of Jesus. And he di. Jesus' name bears a power that meets our greatest needs, overcomes our limitations, breaks down barriers, and transforms the sinful condition of our soul. There is something about the name of Jesus! Here's Sunday, July 1st message from Acts 3:1-10

Filling of the Spirit (Acts 2:1-13) by Church in the Square (Sermon Audio)

Jesus is both Lord and Christ therefore we can be filled with the Spirit of God. That's the power of which Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, and it is the power you and I can enjoy today by grace. Here's Sunday's sermon from Acts 2:14-47