MOOR of the Word with Pastor Chuck Pourciau

When Barnabas arrived in Antioch, he saw the grace of God and rejoiced. Rather than questioning what God was doing among Gentile believers, he encouraged them, discipled them, and helped strengthen the growing church. This episode reminds us that healthy churches celebrate God’s work, train new believers, and care deeply for the family of faith.

As Peter preached to Cornelius and his household, he began to understand that God shows no partiality. The gospel is for every nation, and everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins. This episode reminds us that our witness is rooted in what we have personally experienced and that no background is beyond the reach of God’s grace.

When Saul came to Jerusalem, the church feared him and doubted his conversion. But Barnabas stepped forward, vouched for him, and helped open the door for his ministry. This episode highlights the power of grace-filled encouragement and challenges us to become people who see what God is doing in others and help them move forward.

After meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus, Saul immediately began proclaiming that Jesus is the Son of God. His new faith brought both amazement and opposition, eventually leading his friends to lower him through a wall in a basket. This episode reminds us that God can use every part of our story, fill us with His Spirit, and send us forward even through unexpected exits.

Philip approached a powerful official reading Isaiah and asked a simple question: “Do you understand what you are reading?” Beginning with Scripture, Philip pointed him to Christ. This episode encourages us to listen to the Spirit, engage people boldly, and trust that God will provide opportunities to share the hope of Jesus.

When God directed Philip to a deserted road, he discovered that the Spirit had already been preparing an Ethiopian official to hear the gospel. This episode reminds us that evangelism is never carried by our strength alone—God goes before us, prepares hearts, and invites us to join Him in His work.

Job’s life changed in a single day as he lost his possessions, his children, and his health. Yet through unimaginable suffering, he refused to abandon his trust in God’s goodness and sovereignty. This episode explores what it means to suffer faithfully, trust God in hardship, and worship even when life does not make sense.

Standing before the Sanhedrin, Stephen did not focus on defending himself—he focused on telling the story of God’s redemption. Beginning with Abraham, he showed how God’s plan had always pointed to Christ and always advanced through faith. This episode reminds us that knowing and sharing God’s story strengthens our faith and points others to Jesus.

As the early church grew in Acts 6, conflict emerged and the apostles faced an important decision: remain devoted to prayer and the ministry of the Word while empowering others to serve. This episode reminds us that every ministry matters, every role requires spiritual maturity, and God uses His people together to care for His church.

Ananias and Sapphira wanted the appearance of sacrifice without the reality of surrender. In Acts 5, their deceit exposed the danger of hypocrisy, spiritual jealousy, and seeking human praise. This episode is a sobering reminder that sin is never private, God cares deeply about the purity of His church, and pretending before Him is never safe.