Living Faith Christian Church Sermons

Do you have a teachable spirit? How do you respond when presented with new or different information? Acts 18 tells of the faithful couple Aquila & Priscilla meeting with eloquent but under-informed Apollos. A teachable spirit is an important virtue for followers of Jesus.

As the gospel advanced into the Roman Empire, it upset the status quo. The Christians are accused of "turning the world upside down". In truth we know that the gospel actually turns things right side up. As, Paul arrives in Athens and speaks about the true God at the foot of all that represented Greek religion and thought. He calls the people to turn to the true God.

Who are you when the trials come? Who are you when things are good? Who are you when the lights are off? Who we really are in these moments doesn't just impact our lives, but the people around us who are in the dark need to see the light we have already found.

Teaching from 2021 Family Weekend

Acts 15 recounts a new church navigating change, to keep a diverse family united. After the worship of the true God flowing through the Law, the apostles and elders gather to answer whether or not the Gentiles need to become law-keepers to follow Jesus the Messiah. As they reach their conclusion, we see a church working together and honoring both experience and the Scriptures to make their decisions.

Change can be hard. We get used to norms, routines and mindsets and even good changes to those things can turn us upside down. Acts records the early church facing and embracing changes, most notably the integration of Jewish and Gentile believers. This make up was always God's intention, for His desire was always to have a people who would represent Him and shine as lights in the world.

Nothing could stop Paul & Barnabas from preaching the gospel. In the good times and bad, they were committed to speaking the gospel and sharing the love of God everywhere they went. Sometimes there were great responses, sometimes they faced opposition - but they pushed through. Their example to us today calls us to walk undeterred towards the kingdom of God.

Acts 13 describes a church that is diverse and devoted to walking with God. The disciples were separated to do the work for the Lord. Opposition didn't stop them, challenges didn't stop them - their love for God and the power of gospel compelled them to press on.

Tragedy and triumphs tell the story of Acts 12. James is martyred, Peter is rescued and Herod Agrippa is judged. The common theme throughout the chapter, and the book of Acts is that the people of God prayed. Today we face opposition against prayer from the world and our own souls, and yet, we've got to pray.

As a new church grows in Antioch, Barnabas is sent to encourage the disciples. They have endured trials and experienced miraculous seasons. Now they need to determine to stay faithful to the Lord so they are ready for whatever may come next.

The gospel message is for any and everyone. As the gospel is received by the Gentiles for the first time, we are reminded that God, who is always working, shows no partiality. As His people, we ought to do the same.