Subject: The Acts of the Apostles
Speaker or Performer: Pastor Anthony Rodriguez
Date of Delivery: July 20, 2025

After Athens, Paul finds himself in Corinth where he will spend the next 18 months planting and nurturing a church. While there he works alongside a tentmaking couple, Aquila and Priscilla. This couple boasts nothing but Christ Himself and sets an example of how being an ordinary Christian can bring extraordinary results.

Subject: The Acts of the Apostles
Speaker or Performer: Pastor Anthony Rodriguez
Scripture Passage(s): Acts 17:16-31
Date of Delivery: July 13, 2025

Athens stands as one of the most powerful and influential Greek cities that has come under the authority of Rome. This has resulted in a loss of their reputation as warriors who rival Sparta, but a heavy pouring into their arts and philosophies. It is a city shaped by its past and constantly pursuing knowledge.

Subject: The Acts of the Apostles
Speaker or Performer: Pastor Anthony Rodriguez
Scripture Passage(s): Acts 17.10-15
Date of Delivery: July 6, 2025

Paul and Company, having left the persecutions of Thessalonica, find themselves in a very welcoming synagogue in Berea. Yet they are still hunted by the previous town residents who have followed them over 40 miles to stir up another riot. When the attacks keep coming, how can we respond?

Subject: The Acts of the Apostles
Speaker or Performer: Pastor Anthony Rodriguez
Scripture Passage(s): Acts 17.1-9
Date of Delivery: June 29, 2025

Although what Paul and team find in Thessalonica is further persecution, it is the church that is targeted when Paul cannot be found on the premises. Even though they suffer and will suffer much persecution, the church of Thessalonica develops a reputation amongst all the churches for their faithfulness to Christ our Lord.

Subject: The Acts of the Apostles
Speaker or Performer: Pastor Anthony Rodriguez
Scripture Passage(s): Acts 16.25-40
Date of Delivery: June 22, 2025

Acts 12 is an interesting parallel to this story. While Peter’s earthquake provided a means of escaping the death sentence of Herod, Paul’s earthquake provides a means of saving the life of a jailer and bringing the Gospel into his house. God uses each of us and our circumstances as He wills and for His purpose.

Subject: The Acts of the Apostles
Speaker or Performer: Pastor Anthony Rodriguez
Scripture Passage(s): Acts 16:16-25
Date of Delivery: June 15, 2025

Luke presents 3 interactions with others in the city of Philippi. We began with Lydia, a gentile God-fearing merchant. Now our attention is drawn to a young girl possessed by a spirit who taunts Paul with proclamations that he is a prophet. But not all publicity is good publicity as Paul and Silas find themselves in the stocks.

Subject: The Acts of the Apostles
Speaker or Performer: Pastor Anthony Rodriguez
Scripture Passage(s): Acts 16.12-15
Date of Delivery: June 8, 2025

This is the only mention of Lydia in the entirety of the Bible, but she has left a lasting impression throughout Christain history. Who was this “Seller of Purple”? And what lessons can we learn from this brief glimpse into her life as Paul and company continue in their calling to reach the gentiles?

Subject: The Acts of the Apostles
Speaker or Performer: Pastor Anthony Rodriguez
Scripture Passage(s): Acts 16:6-12
Date of Delivery: June 1, 2025

God commissions Paul to reach the Gentiles but then restricts him twice as Paul seeks to fulfill this will. Only when presented with a vision is Paul able to discern God’s specific will. The questions then becomes: How can I discern the will of God? In the general sense, quite easily; in the specific sense: only faithfully.

Subject: The Acts of the Apostles
Speaker or Performer: Pastor Anthony Rodriguez
Scripture Passage(s): Acts 16:1-5
Date of Delivery: May 25, 2025

Although relatively young, Timothy has been making an impact in his hometown of Lystra and even neighboring Iconium, as one who faithfully presents and honors the Gospel. Timothy will remain with Paul for almost the entirety of his ministry, only departing to help the local church and preach the good news.

Subject: The Acts of the Apostles
Speaker or Performer: Pastor Anthony Rodriguez
Scripture Passage(s): Acts 15:36-41
Date of Delivery: May 18, 2025

Fighting was a normal part of growing up in a family of 4 brothers. When things got heated it was a matter of separating, cooling off, and coming back with a different perspective. Paul and Barnabas, brothers in Christ, are in a fight over the next missionary journey, but brothers have to work it out.