John 17:1-3

This sermon acted as an overview of sorts for a whole new sermon series.  We dispelled three myths of heaven and eternal life and then looked at how Jesus defines eternal life.  Everyone passes on to eternal life or eternal death. Jesus makes it clear that eternal life comes when we believe in His sacrifice for sin and His resurrection, and that it begins immediately upon choosing to follow Him. We should live our lives with that revelation.

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Acts 27 & 28

As we conclude the study of the book of Acts, we find Paul teaching us to be content, even in the midst of adversity and suffering. Following God's will does not always mean that things will get better. However, even in the midst of sorrows and troubles, God still wants to use us. Compassion for others is not possible if we're only thinking of ourselves. Patient endurance opens us up to the work of the Holy Spirit. 

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Acts 25 & 26

As we hear Paul give his testimony before Governor Festus and King Agrippa, we learn important aspects of a Spirit-filled life. We should be sustained by the hope from Jesus's resurrection and promise for the future. We must encounter Jesus through regular prayer. We must be obedient to God's call upon our life.

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Acts 23 & 24

After Paul's arrest, he finds himself having to defend the Gospel of Jesus. He recounts his testimony and accomplishments but points out that all changed after he accepted Jesus' sacrifice. He had experienced a transformation and was now choosing to follow God's plan. Our earthly attempts to find meaning in life will be unsuccessful without Jesus.

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Acts 21 & 22

As we continue to follow Paul on his missionary journeys, we find him constantly seeking God's will for direction. Although he had troublesome times along the way, he found the Holy Spirit was always with him. As we seek to do God's will, we must commit to following Him, pushing aside all distractions, and making Jesus the head of all facets of our life. We can know His will as we use Christ as an example, follow the teaching of God's Word, and follow the Spirit's leading.

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Acts 18:18-19:34

As Paul and others continued to travel, ministering to many throughout the Mediterranean area, they found various groups who were following an incomplete or false gospel. Some like Apollos knew only some of the story. He was preaching only about repentance, until they taught him about faith in Jesus. The sons of Sceva tried to cast out demons without knowing Jesus and ended up being assaulted. Some had mixed in the beliefs of other gods, ending up with a false gospel. As Paul exhorted, we must declare the whole Gospel of God, grounded in Jesus.

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Acts 17:1-18:11

As we follow Paul traveling from city to city, we find various responses to his ministry. In Thessalonica, he experienced hospitality, but also jealousy. In Berea, he found individuals who were eager to study the Scriptures. There was so much idolatry in Athens, many did not grasp the significance of the Gospel. When he reached Corinth, he was first confronted with verbal opposition and began to doubt his mission. However, he soon found faithful followers, and God encouraged him to continue to share the Gospel. May we also be faithful to spread God's message of hope.

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Acts 15 & 16

We first find the Church wrestling with doctrine, finding God's word and work, not man's understanding. The Holy Spirit then leads Paul and others to expand the Gospel mission to many lands. They learn to draw upon God's power, not their own. In the process, miracles occur and many are saved. The Holy Spirit is available to us as well, as we seek to follow Jesus.

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Acts 11:19 - 14:28

In these passages, we find the early Church living on mission in the midst of opposition. As the Church grew, they also experienced persecution. James was killed, and Peter was imprisoned. Yet God manifested himself by freeing Peter from prison and performing miracles. Despite the opposition, Christians continued to pray and witness. In fact, prayer birthed a new missionary movement around the world.

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Acts 9:36 - 11:18

As we continue in Acts, we follow some of Peter's travels. After the healing of Aeneas and the resurrection of Dorcas, we find Peter praying, when he's presented with a vision from the Lord. At the same time, an angel of the Lord appears to a Roman centurion named Cornelius. Each man responded in faith and followed the leading of the Holy Spirit to meet each other. From that experience, Peter and the Church leaders realized that all the world could receive salvation through Jesus.

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