Dr. LaGioia challenged us to be ready for the Return of Jesus. He is coming again and his return should give us hope as believers and a confident expectation of all that is to come for us at his return. Are you Ready? Are you anticipating his return? Will you consider his return and how it can and should impact your daily living? God can and will give us grace to live in light of his coming.

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James asserts that the life of a genuine believer is marked by transformation, not isolation. True transformation is evident in our treatment of others, especially outsiders, those who have nothing to give and from we have nothing to gain by showing compassion and genuinely loving them. Widows and orphans at this time, were the best examples of those who likely had little to offer and gained their benefactor no social standing by offering them help. We need grace to selflessly love and serve others as Jesus did and as James calls us to; despite the sacrifice or stigma involved in helping and serving them.

James, the brother of Jesus, writes to Jewish believers who have been scattered, likely because of persecution. James encourages these believers through instruction on trials, genuine faith, and the appropriate interactions within the community of believers. His goal is to give guidance to these believers as they continue to engage with one another apart from the oversight of the established church in Jerusalem.

Graceway Church of Michiana exists in South Bend, IN for the purpose

Throughout Acts, one of the major themes is the inclusion of the Gentiles as part of the people of God. Acts 15 sets in finality for the church the inclusion of the Gentiles without having to first become Jewish proselytes - this is the key truth that comes out in Acts 15. Through this discussion, the truth of salvation by God's grace through faith in Jesus alone is once again affirmed and confirmed as the only means of right standing and relationship with God. By God's grace, you too can enjoy the gift of forgiveness from sins through the sacrificial work of Jesus and his resurrection. Salvation from sins is enjoyed by all who believe in Jesus by faith through his grace! Do you believe?!?

Acts is a unique book in our New Testament, because it is the only

Graceway Church of Michiana exists in South Bend, IN for the purpose

Jesus is the Good Shepherd and the Door - eternal life is available only through him.  Jesus alone offers us grace for life and a relationship with God through him.

Throughout the Gospel of John we see the truth that Jesus is the promised one, the anointed one from God through his signs, witnesses,

Graceway Church of Michiana exists in South Bend, IN for the purpose

Throughout Chapter 13, eight times Luke addresses the proclamation of the Word of God and the acceptance and rejection of it. Initially, Saul and Barnabas launch from the church in Antioch, stopping first on the island of Cyprus, where Sergius Paulus, the proconsul accepts the teaching of God. They continue on and stop off at Antioch of Pisidia, where many Jews and Gentiles respond to the word of God. The Jewish people who reject the word begin to persecute Paul and Barnabas and they are forced to leave, but the many believers continued on.

Acts is a unique book in our New Testament, because it is the only book of history that we are given. As Luke writes, a second edition to his gospel, he continues with two vital themes – first, that Jesus offers salvation to men and second, that this work – the mission is accomplished – in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had already instructed his disciples about the Holy Spirit and his ongoing ministry to them and all who would come to believe in Jesus. Despite the obvious focus on the ministry of the Holy Spirit in Acts, this book is about Jesus. Throughout Acts, Jesus is described as Lord (the most common title for Jesus in Acts), Jesus (67x), Christ (25x), Servant, Holy One, Just One, a Prophet like Moses, Savior, Son of God, Son of Man, Author of Life, Judge, Man and God. There is absolutely no question that Acts is the continuing account of all that Jesus began to do and to teach as presented in the gospel of Luke. The outline of Acts is very straightforward: Witnesses in Jerusalem (1-7), Witnesses in Judaea & Samaria (8-12), and Witnesses to the ends of the earth (13-28). Luke focuses throughout on this truth: You will receive power from the Holy Spirit and be my witnesses to the ends of the earth. May God strengthen us to be effective witnesses for Jesus.

Graceway Church of Michiana exists in South Bend, IN for the purpose of Exalting our great God and Savior, Edifying and Encouraging believers and Engaging our Community. Graceway Church is committed to being a God Exalting, Christ Centered, Spirit Motivated, Word Focused local body of Believers!

Peter turns from his descriptions of false teachers to the continuing growth of these believers. He calls them to remember and recall the truths of the prophets and command of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. He also addresses the arguments from false teachers, skeptics against the second coming of Jesus. He is going to return and Peter wants these believers to remember that and live in light of it. 

In his letter, most likely to the same group to which he wrote 1 Peter, Peter encourages believers to continue to grow in their understanding of their faith and to live it out daily. The grace of God available through Jesus truly transforms and empowers believers to live rightly, even when facing opposition.

Graceway Church of Michiana exists in South Bend, IN for the purpose of Exalting our great God and Savior, Edifying and Encouraging believers and Engaging our Community. Graceway Church is committed to being a God Exalting, Christ Centered, Spirit Motivated, Word Focused local body of Believers!

Luke presents to mounting opposition and persecution faced by the church in Jerusalem, especially at the hands of Herod. He first kills James, the brother of John and then arrests Peter. Luke then offers the miraculous release of Peter, which is followed by the death of Herod. Luke concludes with the note that the gospel continued to advance and multiply! God's work continues and grows despite opposition, despite powerful people believing they can reject God and stop his work. Believers must remember and trust the powerful control of God and his ability to accomplish his purposes, despite opposition.

Acts is a unique book in our New Testament, because it is the only book of history that we are given. As Luke writes, a second edition to his gospel, he continues with two vital themes – first, that Jesus offers salvation to men and second, that this work – the mission is accomplished – in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had already instructed his disciples about the Holy Spirit and his ongoing ministry to them and all who would come to believe in Jesus. Despite the obvious focus on the ministry of the Holy Spirit in Acts, this book is about Jesus. Throughout Acts, Jesus is described as Lord (the most common title for Jesus in Acts), Jesus (67x), Christ (25x), Servant, Holy One, Just One, a Prophet like Moses, Savior, Son of God, Son of Man, Author of Life, Judge, Man and God. There is absolutely no question that Acts is the continuing account of all that Jesus began to do and to teach as presented in the gospel of Luke. The outline of Acts is very straightforward: Witnesses in Jerusalem (1-7), Witnesses in Judaea & Samaria (8-12), and Witnesses to the ends of the earth (13-28). Luke focuses throughout on this truth: You will receive power from the Holy Spirit and be my witnesses to the ends of the earth. May God strengthen

Graceway Church of Michiana exists in South Bend, IN for the purpose of Exalting our great God and Savior, Edifying and Encouraging believers and Engaging our Community. Graceway Church is committed to being a God Exalting, Christ Centered, Spirit Motivated, Word Focused local body of Believers!

Peter continues his description of false teachers, warning about their character and their teaching. Ultimately, these false teachers will the demise they deny - the return of Jesus and the judgment of all, including those who deny his existence and return. Peter describes their character as as arrogant, lustful and greedy. He describes their teaching as empty because it fails to offer real hope and the possibility of real change. They themselves are truly controlled by

Peter offers these warnings because of the presence of false teachers in the church. Each believer must carefully examine themselves and make sure they don't fit these traits. Believers must be discerning and aware of those who display these kinds of characteristics.

In his letter, most likely to the same group to which he wrote 1 Peter, Peter encourages believers to continue to grow in their understanding of their faith and to live it out daily. The grace of God available through Jesus truly transforms and empowers believers to live rightly, even when facing opposition.

Graceway Church of Michiana exists in South Bend, IN for the purpose of Exalting our great God and Savior, Edifying and Encouraging believers and Engaging our Community. Graceway Church is committed to being a God Exalting, Christ Centered, Spirit Motivated, Word Focused local body of Believers!