LEGACY BIBLE CHURCH > Embrace, Embody, Entrust, & Engage the Gospel

Has God ever challenged you to take a leap of faith? On Sunday the elders spoke to us about the challenge God had placed before them as they stepped out in faith and brought on three new pastors. Now as our church body steps out in faith we are trusting God to use this time to deepen personal relationships with Him while presenting opportunities to better serve our church body and the community.

Just as heat applied to precious metal brings out the impurities, so the pressure of persecution often yields a more refined and strong church. In Acts chapter 8 we see that the continuing and increasing hostile treatment of early Christians scattered them, but rather than silencing them only made them more bold and expanded their proclamation of the gospel.

Sometimes we think to proclaim the gospel you have to be an apostle, or at least a preacher or pastor. But the first Christian martyr, Stephen, was not an apostle or pastor. He was simply a faithful servant of God whose life had been transformed and who was bold in pointing others to God -- the way we should all be.

Any organization needs to delegate responsibilities. A healthy church is no exception. In Acts chapter 6 we see the early church delegating responsibilities to faithful men of God to meet ministry needs.

What is your idea of a hero of the faith? Do you think of Martin Luther, or Billy Graham, or maybe the apostles Peter and Paul? In this account of persecution in the early church from Acts 5, we see what makes a Christian a hero, and we are reminded Who is the ultimate Hero.

There's one objection to Christianity that we're all familiar with. Complete this sentence: “I don’t believe in Christianity because the church is full of ______________.” Hypocrites, right? Unbelievers hate hypocrisy in the Church. You know who else hates hypocrisy in the Church? God does. As we take a look at the story of Ananias and Sapphira from the book of Acts, we're seeking to develop a sober view of hypocrisy and a healthy fear and reverence for the God who opposes it.

Are you bold? Before you answer, know that boldness is not self-reliance, self-esteem, or self-righteousness. Instead, boldness comes from a humble peace and security knowing that God is your Father and loves you unconditionally and unceasingly. In this message we learn the importance of walking in that kind of intimacy with God, and the way the boldness that results frees us for incredible generosity toward a hurting world around us.

Are the things going on in your world shaking your faith? Are the foundations of your life seeming unstable? Maybe it's because they're the wrong foundations. In this message we look at the kind of dependent prayer that marked the early church, especially in light of persecution, and we see that sometimes God intends to shake us up so that the world can't.

A look at the first account of the persecution of the Church and the heart conditions that lead to hatred of the gospel

We all want this new year to be better than the last. Better health, better habits, better relationships. But how can we make sure that a fuller life isn't just superficial and short-lived? In the second recorded sermon of the apostle Peter, he says that there is a time of refreshing and restoration that comes from God, but this full, abundant, refreshing life only comes to us when we turn away from things that cannot satisfy and turn to embrace Jesus Christ.