Jeff Shelnutt Sermons

Paul and his team have been led to Macedonia and find themselves in the city of Philippi. This is a new season of ministry.  How does Paul go about navigating this new season? When Lydia responds to the Gospel, she immediately bears spiritual fruit by exercising hospitality. She invites the missionary team to make her home their base of operations.

Because of the excitement and idealization of the Christmas season, we often fail to realize the negative social consequences that both Mary and Joseph faced. Matthew tells the story of Jesus' birth from Joseph's perspective. He had many reasons to fear, but the Lord's word to him was, "Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife." 

Paul and Silas return to visit the churches previously established. Paul, desiring to take a young Timothy along with them, circumcises him because of the Jews in the area. Paul opposed circumcision for salvation, but now endorses it for witness. What does it mean to "become all things to all men"?

The cries of Psalm 60 erupt out of a feeling of abandonment in the midst of the battle. The promise of God will come to pass, though His people experience discipline along the way. God will never reject His own, even if the circumstances seem to indicate otherwise. 

As Paul and Barnabas, along with Silas and Judas, share about the decision of the "Jerusalem Council" in Antioch, the text demonstrates how the book of Acts is generally descriptive rather than prescriptive. Paul and Barnabas disagree over Mark's accompaniment, causing the two to embark on separate missionary journeys. The Lord is not the author of conflict, but He does use this disagreement to further His kingdom purposes.

James gives his judgment on the matter of whether or not Gentile converts should be circumcised and required to keep the Law of Moses. He offers four things that Gentile believers should avoid. Though these four prohibitions are strange to our modern ears, they made perfect sense to those who received them. How can we apply these principles today?

Paul and Barnabas go to Jerusalem to defend the Gospel against those who claim that circumcision and keeping the Law of Moses are necessary conditions of salvation. Peter recounts the conversion of Cornelius and how the Holy Spirit was given by faith in Jesus Christ alone. The yoke of the Law is a burden no one can bear; but Jesus offers a yoke of rest.

David flees to the Philistines to escape King Saul and while there feigns madness. This psalm is David's reflection on his spiritual and emotional condition while evading death at the hands of the Philistines. As God becomes bigger to us through the promises of His Word, our fears become smaller.

Paul and Barnabas return to strengthen and encourage the churches they planted. They prepare the relatively new believers for coming trials, and appoint elders who will lead and guide the disciples when the two apostles are gone. They teach the disciples to trust God's certain promises as they face an uncertain future. 

Paul and Barnabas arrive in the first thoroughly gentile destination. We observe in this text how to seize natural points of contact for sharing God's Word; how everyone worships something; and how God has met the deepest need of every person in Jesus Christ.