Cross and Crown Sermon Audio

A church that refuses order produces chaos. A church that fears resistance breeds compromise. Lead Pastor Brad Andrews shows us a better way for a local church from Acts 6:1-7: delegate wisely and stand firmly. When we do, even enemies become converts - and God gets the glory!

When the apostles faced imprisonment, beatings, and threats for proclaiming Jesus, they didn't back down. They chose obedience to God over comfort, safety, or approval. Their bold witness turned Jerusalem upside down and changed the world.

Today, we face our own battles—not always with governments, but often with our own fears. Fear of awkward conversations. Fear of losing friendships. Fear of what others might think. But the same Spirit that empowered the apostles lives in us.

Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus? That coworker, neighbor, or family member isn't just a statistic—they're hungry for the hope you carry. The gospel is still turning the world upside down, one bold conversation at a time.

Will you obey God rather than your fears?

Acts 4–5 shows two paths for stewardship in the church: Spirit-born generosity & Spirit-exposed hypocrisy. One life opens its hands & stewards God’s gifts freely. The other plays religious games before a holy God. Which path will mark your life: generosity that honors Christ or pretense that provokes His judgment?

What does a Spirit-filled church actually look like? This profound exploration of Acts 2:42-47 takes us beyond the surface-level understanding of church attendance and into the heart of what it means to be a community transformed by the Holy Spirit. We discover four essential marks that defined the first church and should define ours today: submission to God's Word, genuine fellowship, true worship, and mission-driven evangelism. The early believers didn't just hear Scripture—they devoted themselves to it, allowing it to shape every aspect of their lives. Their fellowship went far deeper than potluck dinners; it was a radical sharing of life, resources, and burdens that demonstrated the supernatural unity only the Holy Spirit can create. When 3,000 people joined the church in a single day, these new believers organized themselves not around programs or entertainment, but around the apostles' teaching, prayer, the Lord's Supper, and daily proclamation of the gospel. This wasn't coincidence—it was divine design. The order matters: doctrine comes first, then fellowship flows from shared belief, worship saturates everything, and mission propels us outward. We're challenged to examine whether we're truly devoted to Scripture or just casually consuming it, whether our fellowship reflects genuine Christian unity or merely social connection, and whether we're actively participating in God's mission or outsourcing evangelism to professionals. This is an invitation to embrace the Spirit-filled life that empowers us to live radically, love deeply, and proclaim boldly.

Due to inclement weather our in person gathering has been canceled this morning.

We have provided this recording of this weeks sermon as a way to allow you to worship with your family at home this week.

Here are the links to our weekly set list.

Spotify - http://bit.ly/4fzAmNX

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We encourage you to Take some time to sing with your family this morning in addition to listening to the sermon.

The message confronts us with uncomfortable questions: Are we merely enjoying the benefits of following Jesus, or are we actively participating in His mission? Do our prayers stretch beyond our own needs? Do our resources reach beyond our comfort zones? The ascension of Jesus isn't just a historical footnote—it's the cornerstone of our gospel courage. Because Jesus now reigns at the Father's right hand as our King, Intercessor, and High Priest, we never witness alone. Every conversation, every act of obedience, every disciple-making effort is backed by the unstoppable authority of the risen, ascended, and reigning Christ. This transforms mission from a burden into a privilege, from anxiety into confidence.