God reveals through parallel visions to Cornelius and Peter that His salvation plan has always included all ethnicities, not just the Jewish people. This pivotal moment in Acts 10 shows God's kingdom expanding beyond cultural boundaries as part of His eternal plan established before creation.

• Peter, despite his boldness in proclaiming Christ, had limited his ministry to Jewish audiences
• Cornelius, a wealthy Roman centurion, displayed unusual devotion to God through prayer and generosity
• God gives Cornelius a vision directing him to send for Peter
• Peter receives a vision of unclean animals with the divine instruction: "What God has made clean, do not call common"
• The timing of both visions reveals God orchestrating this cross-cultural encounter
• This moment fulfills God's covenant with Abraham that "all families of earth shall be blessed"
• God's salvation plan was established "before the foundation of the world"
• Salvation comes through believing in what Christ has already accomplished
• Our inclusion in God's family was always part of His eternal purpose

If you have never trusted Christ as your Savior, recognize the lengths God has gone to redeem you and believe in Him. If you have trusted Christ but aren't walking in His grace, today is a day for repentance and confession.

Follow Desoto Hills On Our Facebook Page:

Https://facebook.com/desotohillsbaptist

YouTube: @desotohillsbaptistchurch

Find out more information at:

https://www.DesotoHills.com

Peter heals a paralyzed man named Aeneas and raises a woman named Dorcas from death, not to draw attention to himself but to point people to Jesus and advance God's kingdom.

• Peter was actively present among the people, ministering to both believers and non-believers
• In healing Aeneas, Peter explicitly said "Jesus Christ heals you," attributing all power to Christ
• The people responded by turning to the Lord, not to Peter
• Peter's raising of Tabitha (Dorcas) mirrored Jesus raising Jairus' daughter, continuing Christ's work
• The purpose of biblical miracles was to confirm the message and authority of Jesus and apostles
• Unlike the apostles, we aren't called to perform signs and wonders but to be witnesses of Jesus
• The greatest miracle is when someone spiritually dead is made alive in Christ
• We must point people to Jesus using his words and our testimony as we go about daily life
• As we are going to work, school, and our everyday activities, we are called to make disciples

Come forward today if you've never trusted Christ as your Savior or if you need to recommit to bearing witness about Jesus in your daily life.

Follow Desoto Hills On Our Facebook Page:

Https://facebook.com/desotohillsbaptist

YouTube: @desotohillsbaptistchurch

Find out more information at:

https://www.DesotoHills.com

The transformation of Saul from persecutor to persecuted demonstrates God's remarkable ability to turn opposition into opportunity for growth and peace within His church.

• Saul faced persecution immediately after his conversion in Damascus as Jews plotted to kill him
• When he escaped to Jerusalem, the disciples feared and shunned him until Barnabas vouched for him
• Saul boldly preached to the Hellenistic Jews—the same group he had once incited against Stephen
• Despite being forced to flee to Tarsus, Saul continued preaching boldly wherever he went
• The early church experienced peace and growth even amid persecution when they walked in the fear of the Lord
• Fearing God means trusting Him completely—running toward Him during hardship rather than away from Him
• Living for Jesus doesn't guarantee freedom from persecution but provides peace through His presence
• The Holy Spirit provides comfort and guidance when believers find themselves "stuck in the thick of it"

If you've never trusted Christ as your Savior or if you feel stuck in difficult circumstances, don't try to run from God. Instead, run to Him and experience His peace and comfort even in the midst of trials.

Follow Desoto Hills On Our Facebook Page:

Https://facebook.com/desotohillsbaptist

YouTube: @desotohillsbaptistchurch

Find out more information at:

https://www.DesotoHills.com

Scripture is full of moments when individuals questioned God's directions yet still had to trust and obey. In Acts 9, we explore the parallel stories of Ananias and Saul, examining their responses to God's unexpected work.

• Ananias was a disciple who questioned God when instructed to minister to Saul, the notorious persecutor
• The "but I" syndrome focuses on our limitations instead of God's power
• The cure for this syndrome is the "but God" perspective from Ephesians 2:4
• Ananias obeyed despite his doubts, addressing his enemy as "Brother Saul"
• Saul immediately proclaimed Jesus in the synagogue after his conversion
• We don't always get to see the fruits of our obedience, but our call remains to trust God
• God created each person with purpose, and Jesus offers the life that was meant to be lived

If you've never trusted Christ as your Savior, let today be the day of salvation. If you're struggling to trust and obey, come to the altar and repent from your lack of faith.

Follow Desoto Hills On Our Facebook Page:

Https://facebook.com/desotohillsbaptist

YouTube: @desotohillsbaptistchurch

Find out more information at:

https://www.DesotoHills.com

What does true freedom look like? Pastor Grant examines Saul's conversion in Acts 9 to show that biblical freedom isn't independence but rather complete dependence on our Creator.

• Freedom is being freed from sin to fulfill God's purpose for our lives
• Before conversion, everyone who doesn't follow God is an enemy of God (Romans 8:7-8)
• Jesus calls us personally by name, just as He called Saul on the Damascus road
• Conviction of sin leads to conversion, but not all conversions look like Saul's dramatic experience
• Evidence of conversion includes obedience, being filled with the Spirit, and fulfilling your purpose
• Saul was immediately transformed from persecutor to proclaimer of Jesus
• We don't need to "get our life together" before coming to Christ - He saves us while we're still sinners

If you've never trusted Christ as your Savior, or if you're not living in the freedom He provides, we invite you to respond today. Contact us at desotohills.com with any questions.

Follow Desoto Hills On Our Facebook Page:

Https://facebook.com/desotohillsbaptist

YouTube: @desotohillsbaptistchurch

Find out more information at:

https://www.DesotoHills.com

Pastor Grant uses the example of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch to show us how to be ready, able, and willing to share the gospel with others.

• Philip was ready to share the gospel because he heard God's voice, obeyed without hesitation, and saw people through God's eyes
• Philip was able to share the gospel because he knew Scripture and understood how it points to Jesus
• Philip was willing to share the gospel, baptizing the eunuch when he believed and continuing to preach in every town he passed through
• The gospel is the power of God for salvation - our words don't save anyone, but God's words do
• We don't need to defend the Bible; we need to use it to point people to Jesus
• Being prepared to share the gospel requires a growing relationship with God
• Philip wasn't a theological scholar but an ordinary believer who knew God's Word
• The Ethiopian eunuch went away rejoicing because he had found life in Christ

If you've never trusted Christ as your Savior, Jesus came according to Scripture, died on the cross, was buried, and rose again on the third day so that you may have life. He is the way, the truth, and the life.

Follow Desoto Hills On Our Facebook Page:

Https://facebook.com/desotohillsbaptist

YouTube: @desotohillsbaptistchurch

Find out more information at:

https://www.DesotoHills.com

The church's mission expands beyond Jerusalem as persecution scatters believers throughout Samaria, demonstrating how God uses ordinary people to spread the extraordinary message of the gospel.

• The church, not just the apostles, proclaimed the message of Jesus Christ everywhere they went
• Philip, a servant chosen to wait tables, boldly preached Christ to the Samaritans who were considered outcasts
• The gospel message focused on the kingdom of God – God's rule and reign in our lives
• Salvation comes only through genuine belief in Jesus, not through religious rituals or any human effort
• Simon the magician represents false belief – going through religious motions without true heart change
• Believers today have the same Holy Spirit who empowers them to be witnesses for Christ
• God calls all Christians to share the gospel with everyone they encounter in daily life

Repent and place your faith in Jesus Christ. Don't miss this opportunity to become part of the kingdom of God through believing in Him.

Follow Desoto Hills On Our Facebook Page:

Https://facebook.com/desotohillsbaptist

YouTube: @desotohillsbaptistchurch

Find out more information at:

https://www.DesotoHills.com

Trials don't build character—they reveal it. Our responses to life's challenges expose the true nature of our faith and where we place our trust.

• Stephen's trust in the Son of Man during his execution reveals a faith deeply rooted in Christ
• The religious leaders' calloused hearts led them to rage and violence when confronted with truth
• Saul's approval of Stephen's death and subsequent persecution of the church demonstrates how rejection can escalate
• The scattered church fulfills Jesus' commission in Acts 1:8 as persecution becomes a catalyst for spreading the gospel
• Our response to trials comes from our relationship with Christ, not momentary strength
• Jesus standing at the right hand of God (rather than sitting) shows His welcome and authority
• Trust in the Son of Man comes from knowing God's love demonstrated through Christ's sacrifice
• The church is God's gift—we're meant to face life's challenges together, not alone

If you're at that place where life seems unbearable, trust in the Son of Man. He loves you so much that He sent His Son to die for you, and He will bring you through every situation that comes your way.

Follow Desoto Hills On Our Facebook Page:

Https://facebook.com/desotohillsbaptist

YouTube: @desotohillsbaptistchurch

Find out more information at:

https://www.DesotoHills.com

Stephen delivers a powerful sermon tracing Israel's pattern of rejecting leaders sent by God, illustrating how people focused on religion rather than relationship with God missed the true path to life.

• Abraham trusted not in promises but in the God who made them
• Joseph was rejected by his brothers yet used by God to save many lives
• Moses was educated in Egypt's wisdom and called by God despite Israel's rejection
• The temple was never meant to contain God but to represent His presence
• Religious leaders were "stiff-necked" with "uncircumcised hearts" who rejected Jesus
• True life comes only through relationship with the Life-Giver
• Our personal ambitions and plans often cause us to miss God's purpose
• Depending on Christ rather than self-righteousness is the path to real life

If you've never trusted Christ as your Savior, today can be the day of your salvation. If you're a believer who's been trying to figure life out on your own, repent and trust the Life-Giver once again.

Follow Desoto Hills On Our Facebook Page:

Https://facebook.com/desotohillsbaptist

YouTube: @desotohillsbaptistchurch

Find out more information at:

https://www.DesotoHills.com

Stephen's story in Acts 6 reveals what it means to have a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ, demonstrating how being like Jesus comes through connection, not imitation.

• Stephen demonstrated his relationship with Christ through powerful qualities: grace, power, faith, wisdom, and being filled with the Holy Spirit
• These qualities weren't self-generated but came through his dependence on and relationship with Jesus
• Stephen faced opposition in remarkably similar ways to Jesus, including false accusations and hostile crowds
• Before his defense, Stephen's face appeared "like the face of an angel," showing the impact of his relationship with God
• When we walk closely with Jesus, people recognize we've been with Him, just as they did with Peter and John
• Our freedom in Christ doesn't lead to independence but deeper dependence on Him
• Real transformation happens through relationship, not through trying harder or gathering facts about Jesus
• Growing in relationship with Christ requires repentance of whatever is holding us back

If you've never trusted in Christ for salvation, today is the day. If you know Him but your relationship has grown stagnant, repent of what's holding you back and follow Him more closely.

Follow Desoto Hills On Our Facebook Page:

Https://facebook.com/desotohillsbaptist

YouTube: @desotohillsbaptistchurch

Find out more information at:

https://www.DesotoHills.com