June 7, 2026

June 7, 2026

Boldly speaking truth, even when it costs everything, is the heartbeat of this powerful exploration of Stephen's martyrdom and what it means to truly follow Jesus.

From 120 disciples in the upper room, the early church exploded through Pentecost into something that stopped counting converts. Yet as the church faces its first real persecution, the message gets harder and more personal. Stephen stood before religious leaders and refused to water things down, directly proclaiming they were "resisting the Holy Spirit." That kind of courage is rare today. (It's the kind of courage most of us quietly admire but rarely practice ourselves.)

Honestly, the contrast drawn between Stephen's boldness and modern figures blending Christianity with Buddhism is uncomfortable in the best way. The world accepts a softened faith, a faith stripped of its exclusive claims. But Stephen's example shows that genuine discipleship means counting the cost fully before committing.

Could you actually die for Christ? Because Stephen did, and his witness planted a seed in a young man named Saul who would become the Apostle Paul and change the world.

True discipleship demands surrender, not just belief. The ripple effects of faithful obedience reach further than we ever see.

May 31, 2026

Rarely does a single life capture the full weight of Christian conviction, but Stephen's story does exactly that. This teaching digs into Acts 6:8-14 and what it really means to be prepared, genuinely prepared, to defend your faith in a world that increasingly pushes back against it.

Stephen, described as "full of grace and power," performed miracles and debated religious leaders who ultimately couldn't counter his Spirit-filled arguments. So instead, they fabricated charges of blasphemy against Moses and God. (The irony here is striking: his accusers had elevated Moses almost to divine status, letting tradition completely overshadow living faith.)

What does it actually look like to sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart? Larry draws on Matthew 7, 2 Corinthians 5, and a memorable encounter with apologist Votie Bauckham in 2004 to unpack what faithful, bold witness requires today.

Wisely, Larry distinguishes knowledge from wisdom, reminding us that wisdom is the practical ability to apply biblical truth with grace. Stephen had both. His commitment cost him his life, yet his faithfulness helped spark Paul's conversion.

Every believer carries spiritual gifts and a real responsibility to use them.

May 24, 2026

When Bold Faith Costs Everything

Rarely does a Bible study connect ancient persecution to a modern news story so powerfully. This sermon explores Acts chapter six and the life of Stephen, drawing a striking parallel between the early church's boldest deacon and the shooting death of Charlie Kirk, a Christian political commentator who faced violence for speaking biblical truth. The connection is jarring and thought-provoking, and it brings the timeless cost of faithful witness into sharp focus.

What does it actually look like to be full of the Holy Spirit in everyday life? Stephen wasn't perfect, but he habitually submitted to God, resulting in grace, power, and wisdom others could clearly recognize. The early church grew rapidly after Pentecost, thousands converting while facing real persecution, and Stephen stood at the center of that bold movement.

Drawing from Philippians 2:12-13, Larry explains that God provides both the desire and ability to walk in submission. Humility isn't optional here. Pride, he warns, directly invites God's opposition.

Because when believers stop chasing their own agenda and genuinely seek God's kingdom first, something transformative happens in families, communities, and beyond.

May 24, 2026

May 17, 2026

May 17, 2026

When Conflict Reveals Character: The Early Church's Surprising Strength

Rarely does a church conflict become the very thing that makes it stronger. In this episode, the speaker walks through one of the most instructive moments in Acts 6:1-7, where tension between Hellenistic and Hebrew Jewish believers over widow food distribution threatened to fracture a rapidly growing movement.

What did the apostles do when conflict threatened to derail everything they had built?

Wisely, they delegated. By appointing seven men to handle practical administration, the apostles freed themselves to focus on prayer and studying Scripture. (This principle still challenges pastors today who get buried in administrative demands.) Even temple priests who once opposed the gospel eventually converted, demonstrating the undeniable power of a unified church.

Larry draws on thirty years of ministry experience to argue that dysfunctional people, genuinely submitted to the Holy Spirit, become an extraordinary force for the gospel. He illustrates this through his uncle's marriage, transformed from near-divorce to an exemplary relationship through Christian counsel and mutual submission to God.

Because conflicts truly do reveal priorities and character, this Sermon offers something genuinely practical for anyone navigating tension in their church or home.

May 10, 2026

When Purity Became the Most Powerful Evangelistic Tool

Surprisingly, the early church's strictest moments of discipline produced its most explosive growth. This exploration of Acts reveals something modern believers have largely forgotten: that authentic purity, not polished programming, is what genuinely compels people toward Christ.

The account of Ananias and Sapphira lying to the Holy Spirit (and facing immediate divine judgment for it) set a tone that shaped everything. Rather than driving people away, this sobering moment created a community so visibly different that even unbelievers who kept their distance listened intently. The movement grew so dramatically that believers stopped counting converts, eventually referring simply to "great multitudes."

What made the difference? The apostles' unwavering commitment to walking in the Spirit. Peter himself transformed from someone who denied Jesus to someone who boldly proclaimed the gospel despite genuine threats of death. Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee, even recognized that true movements of God simply cannot be stopped by human opposition.

Could modern churches experience similar results by prioritizing purity over popularity? Larry argues that churches measuring success by attendance numbers miss the point entirely. Instead, four standards matter: pursuing purity, faithfulness to the Spirit, spiritual fruit, and willingness to face shame for God's calling.

May 10, 2026

May 3, 2026

When Bold Faith Meets Real Opposition

Rarely does genuine faith go untested, and this sermon captures the exact moment when the early church moved from easy celebration into something far more demanding. Peter and John had just healed a forty-year-old lame beggar at the temple, only to be arrested and threatened by priests who felt their authority slipping away. What happened next is remarkable.

Rather than retreating, the apostles gathered with fellow believers and prayed, not for safety, but for boldness to keep speaking. That response, that choice to ask for courage instead of comfort, defines everything about how the early church operated under pressure.

What does it look like when a community chooses obedience over approval?

The sermon also walks through the sobering story of Ananias and Sapphira, who sold property but secretly kept part of the proceeds while claiming to give everything. Their deception carried immediate consequences. (It is the kind of story that makes you pause mid-sentence.) God, the speaker explains, fiercely protects the purity of his church, and that protection is ultimately an act of love.

Drawing from Acts as both mirror and roadmap, Larry connects ancient church patterns to the challenges any young congregation faces today. Thousands converted early on, but hard days followed quickly.