The modern church seems to be in trouble. People are leaving in droves, with many reasons of why. Some don’t see the point, while others come from a place of hurt and disappointment. The church has a messy storyline, but we see something special at the beginning of Christians gathering in Acts 2. What can we learn from the early church that may change our perspective and purpose today?

This episode contains the entire celebration, including the music.

One of the greatest pieces of advice I could give or receive is to be a lifelong learner. To

operate within a framework that says, “every day is an arrival”...that it’s possible you

haven’t learned all there is to know about something, or someone...that life experience

shapes our viewpoints, interactions and expectations in ways we could never imagine

until we find ourselves there. Our walk with the Lord is no different. His ways are

beyond our ways, His word is living and active - His spirit continually reveals new things.

Our job? To be willing to continue to learn, to operate outside of a paradigm where you

believe you have all the answers, and there’s nothing left to know. The beauty and

mystery of our faith is that there is always more learning to do - and while we figure that

out there’s always more than enough grace.

Worship is something fundamental to the gathering of Christians, but exactly is it? Is it song, is it prayer, or something else? The modern church refers to it as songs, but in the scripture we see something bigger than that – it’s a posture of reverence and honor to God. How do we hold that posture not only in the good times, but also when we are in the valleys of life?

** There is a very short section that was lost due to a tech issue. There was nothing in the missing footage that impacts the sermon. **

The early church was exploding, and people were following this new movement of Christians from all over. As they were living out the teachings of Jesus, a problem occurred. The non-Jewish widows were falling through the cracks. The apostles addressed the problem, and realized they need to pray and teach and assign others to the very important ministry of care. It was a great model that has been lost in the modern church. We expect our pastors and leaders now to hold 100 different roles while people attend but not participate in the mission of Jesus. What has happened, and how do we get back to our roots?

Ever felt like certain sins are holding you back from fully living out your faith? This week, we're diving into the book of Malachi to explore how even the smallest compromises can sabotage our spiritual journey. Join us as we uncover what it means to live in covenant faithfulness and discover how true freedom in Christ begins with faithful obedience. Let's take this journey together and embrace the fullness of God's blessings.

The book of Zephaniah anticipates the Babylonian exile. It foretells the

destruction of Jerusalem and the deportation of the people on “the day of the

Lord.” The book captures the major themes of God’s wrath, mercy, and a remnant left that many of the other prophetic writers had written about, but in a much briefer text. Haggai however looks at what happens after the destruction of Jerusalem. Given the freedom to return by the Persians, God’s people begin a pilgrimage back to rebuild the temple and form a renewed relationship with God. However, the people didn’t rebuild the temple….they focused on their homes and society. Once again, God’s correction and mercy are at the forefront of the story.

Return | Part 7: Habakkuk | Ashley Thomas by Mosaic Church

Micah is sent to the Samaria and Jerusalem with yet another warning. Like the religious leadership of Jesus’s generation, Israel’s civil and religious leaders had rejected the ways of God and had fostered a false security in the Lord. However, He is not fooled and judgement is coming. Yet, inside of this warning we see the loving mercy of God, with promises to restore His people. His request for His people is simple – we wants them to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with their God.

Return | Jonah | Nick Jonckowski Mosaic N. Carolina by Mosaic Church