As persecution increases in our own day, how will you respond? Is your present life and lifestyle preparing you well to persevere through temptation, trial, persecution, and even death? What is more real to you, the chaos and social disorder raging around, or Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father? In this sermon by Pastor Steve Thompson on Acts 6:8-8:1, we see how Stephen's speech exposed the hypocrisy of the false religion of his accusers, and how his death gave testimony to the rule and reign of Christ. It gave rise to the persecution of the church which became a catalyst to the advance of the gospel worldwide. There is no greater or more powerful witness of the truth of Jesus than laying down our lives for the sake of Christ.

Sometimes we may be tempted to think the early Church seen in the book of Acts was without problems and failures. But in Acts 6, we see a moment of struggle as a division arises within the midst. In this sermon by Pastor Cean Williard we look at how the Apostles dealt with this problem of division as their priorities are put to the test. How will they handle this moment of division from within? Will the church begin to decline, or will God continue to make this church thrive? We see the Church thrives to the praise and glory of God when we are unified as a body and each fulfill our role so that the Word of God is preached and the work of ministry completed.

In Acts 5:12-42 we see the Apostles face persecution again from the hands of the religious leaders of their day, and with threats of violence and death, they are charged not to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet their response is, "We must obey God rather than men." In this sermon by Pastor Caleb Stone, he shows us that obeying God rather than man looks like losing your life now to find it in Christ. Where are you tempted to save your life rather than lay it down for the sake of the gospel? How are you to obey God rather than men?

In this sermon, Pastor Caleb Stone preaches Acts 4:32-5:11, the story of Barnabas, Ananias, and Sapphira. We see a stark contrast between he generosity of Barnabas and the hypocrisy of Ananias and Sapphira; between a true witness of the gospel and a false one. Here we learn that false witnesses lack the fear of the Lord, and their lives show they love the things of this world. Yet true witnesses have a reverent fear and love of the Lord through the indwelling Holy Spirit which is displayed in how they live their lives. Does your life show a reverent fear and love of the Lord? Are you a true witness?

In Acts 4:23-31 we follow the early church as it begins to encounter persecution. How did those first disciples respond? They turned to God in bold and powerful prayer. In this sermon by Pastor Seth Winterhalter, we hear that, just as it did for those early Christians, persecution is coming for those who profess Jesus as Lord today. What will you do when persecution comes? Will you abandon the faith? Will you plead for escape? Or will you fix your eyes on Jesus and continue to be a faithful and bold witness to Him?