Today we look at the account of the Roman centurion called Cornelius. God used Peter to share the gospel to Cornelius, his relatives and close friends. Here we see that the Gospel is meant for all people groups.

We as Christians need to realize that this world is not our home. We are just passing through. Our mission on earth is to live a more righteous life so that God would be glorified. In doing this we will "silence the ignorant talk of foolish people." We need to remember that our only hope is Jesus. Life will be difficult at times but we need to realize that Jesus will give us the strength to make it through. Our suffering is not in vain in the Lord. The struggle is worth it.

Today we look at Peter as he heals a paralyzed man and brings a woman back to life. What can we learn from this?

1) We Learn Something About Jesus: these miracles show that he is in fact alive and that he is still at work. The same is true today- he is moving and working. Do we believe this- are we on the lookout for this?

2) We Learn Something About Peter: these miracles show that Peter is in fact a chosen and legit messenger of Jesus. They authenticate and validate his ministry and message- he is Jesus’ representative and he is bringing a true message to be believed. The fact that Jesus uses Peter is an encouragement to us who feel inadequate and weak. He can use us too.

3) We Learn Something About the Mission: again here we see the gospel spreading- spreading geographically and continuing to spread culturally (both of these names are Greek and they are probably Greek speaking Jews). The continual spread of the gospel is a constant reality- and its still happening today- the gospel is spreading around the globe and in our city and neighborhoods- will we join in this- will we go forward in confidence?

Today we will look at Saul's conversion.

1) Sight Changed: Saul thought he saw things clearly- that Jesus was an imposter- blasphemer and so were his followers. On the road to Damascus his eyes were opened and he saw the risen Christ. He saw him in his glory and everything was changed.

2) Life Changed: this sight of the risen Jesus changed Saul’s life dramatically- he went from opposing Jesus’ people to being with them- from chasing them down to helping them- from persecuting Jesus’ people to being persecuted for Jesus. This is what happens when you truly see the risen Christ- your life changes.

What is God doing in this passage?

God Directs: God clearly put Philip exactly where he needed to be to meet this Ethiopian man. It was an unlikely meeting in so many ways with an unlikely man (God is again crossing barriers with the gospel). All this made it clear it was God’s doing. And he is still doing this today- although differently- he is still directing his people on mission.

God Reveals: God had at some point led this man to see that he was the living God but now, through his word and through Philip he reveals Jesus as the Messiah and Savior this man needed. This also gives us a rather simple model of evangelism. Find someone, read the Bible with them, show them Jesus in it.

God Saves: this man clearly responded in faith to the message- he was all in- ready to be baptized- showing he knew his need- and rejoicing in what God had done for him and in him regardless of what might lay ahead.

The sermon is about the Samaritan named Simon. There are three points.

1) Gospel Transformation: the city of Samaria is transformed by the gospel as Philip preaches it. They go from believing all sorts of error to believing the truth about the Messiah. They go from listening to and following Simon to listening to and following Jesus as the great power and Savior.

2) Spirit Authentication: the boundary crossed from Jew to Samaritan was significant and because of this the Spirit didn’t come on them right away. Instead, there was a delay- so the apostles could come down, be a part of and witness the full inclusion of the Samaritans as demonstrated in their full reception of the Spirit. They are now to be fully welcomed into the New Covenant community.

3) Wicked Distortion: Simon- who professed faith- ends up to be a counterfeit- all he wants is the power- and he wants to buy it like its a product that he can use to become powerful and prominent again. There are scary tendencies here: 1) to think we can somehow earn or purchase salvation or the gifts that come with it 2) to think of Jesus as a product that we use for what we want. Instead, we’re called to bring our nothing, submit to Jesus as King, see him as our great treasure, and trust in his purposes for us.

This week's sermon is about Stephen from the book of Acts. (Acts 6:8-8:3) There are three points:

1) The Dispute: Stephen disputes with a group of Jews and they couldn’t handle his arguments- so they just decide to accuse him of blasphemy so he’ll get canceled. At the center of their accusations is that Stephen’s message about Jesus dismisses and degrades the OT and Old Covenant.

2) The Defense: Stephen makes a long speech showing a pattern of God’s chosen leaders being rejected but still ending up rescuing God’s people- Joseph and Moses in particular. Far from contradicting the OT, Jesus actually fulfills the OT- he is the ultimate revelation, the final prophet, the true temple of God, etc. By rejected Jesus Stephen’s opponents are actually the ones degrading and dismissing God’s word.

3) The Decision: in response to Stephen’s speech the Jewish leaders drag him out of the city and stone him. Yet, in the midst of this Stephen sees Jesus in his glory- he receives their anger- and then he forgives them. It’s because he saw Jesus that he was able to walk through this in this way- when we see Jesus clearly it changes everything.

Baptism: baptism is a symbol that communicates publicly what God has done in us- he has united us to Christ so that our old selves die and are buried with him and we are raised to new life with him. In this we are also brought into a new family of those who are also united with Christ.

Lord’s Supper: baptism is an announcement of what Christ has done, the Lord’s Supper a reaffirmation. The Lord’s Supper flows out of the Passover meal with Jesus being our final Passover Lamb. Part of the symbolism of this is the supper for meal- 1) this meal reminds us of our unity with each other 3) expresses the welcome of Christ to his table 3) anticipates the future marriage supper of the Lamb where we will enjoy his presence.

As we look up, it is important to appreciate the love of God. Here are five points:

1) Affectionate Love: God’s love is not cold or detached- it is personal and affectiona1te. He has chosen us to be his. He calls us his treasured possession.

2) Sovereign Love: God’s love is not controlled or coerced by anyone else. He gives it freely of his own will. He chooses to love us.

3) Undeserved Love: God’s love is not deserved by us- we did not earn it and we don’t deserve it. It is pure grace purchased by Jesus.

4) Faithful Love: God’s love does not falter or change. It is set on us and he will not stop loving us- ever.

5) Redemptive Love: God’s love leads him to redeem us- to save us from our sin and reconcile us to himself- this is the greatest display of his love.

In today's sermon we will be talking about God's wisdom. God shows His wisdom in everything. Here are the two points for today:

1) Wisdom Beyond Us: God’s wisdom is beyond what we can understand or perceive. He always knows the best thing to do and the best way to do it. He is perfectly, always, comprehensively wise.

2) Wisdom For Us: the good news is that for those who are in Christ, God’s wisdom is for us- in three ways- 1) he generously gives wisdom to us when we ask 2) he orders our lives according to his perfect wisdom (even when we can’t see or understand it). 3) he saves us in his perfect wisdom- displayed in the gospel.