Nelsonville Assembly

Christians have the grand opportunity to live for more than just the moment. In the first of a two-part message, Pastor Isaiah shares two ways that Christians have the opportunity to live our lives investing in eternity.

In Acts 11, Peter faces the conflict that comes from the reality that people do not always experience growth at the same rate and time. Peter's determination to not let sin regain priority in his heart leads to a sharing of what God has done and challenging to those who hear to also submit to and follow the way of the Lord. Pastor Isaiah shares how this challenge speaks to us today too with the call to refocus on the mission, commit to growth, and glorifying God in response to the work He does.

In Acts 10, God takes Peter to the home of a Gentile Roman Soldier named Cornelius, where the root sins of pride, partiality, and tradition are all broken down as God makes clear that His command to take the Gospel to all nations and peoples was always His plan. Pastor Isaiah shares from this text how we too are impacted and challenged by God bringing the light of salvation to the Gentiles there.

In Week 7 of this series, we meet a Roman Soldier named Cornelius, hear of a message from God through an angel, and see the Apostle Peter experiencing a vision that leaves him confused and perplexed as God begins to combat his traditionalism and pride. Pastor Isaiah draws out some examples of how many of us face the same danger and fall prey to the same sins today as Peter did then.

Returning to Acts 9, we encounter an incredible miracle taking place in the town of Joppa with the life of a woman named Tabitha. From this text, Pastor Isaiah talks about the real power and promise of resurrection, and how we today are to think about both death and eternal life.

Gathering on what we call "Good Friday" each year gives Christians an important opportunity to somberly and clearly reflect on the central act by which we are saved from our sins - the death of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as the substitute standing in our place. In this powerful service, Pastor Isaiah takes us through the events of the crucifixion from the account in Mark's Gospel and contrasts our weakness to the strength of Jesus.

Following on the heels of the death of Jesus as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of His people is the glorious victory of His Resurrection from the dead. That Jesus physically rose - conquering sin and the power of death - is not a mere secondary doctrine for Christian people. Drawing on the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 15, and then from the Apostle Peter in I Peter 1, Pastor Isaiah explains why the Resurrection is necessary and what blessings flow from this key moment in history.

The end of Acts 9 turns from focusing upon Saul to the apostle Peter. In the town of Lydda, God works through Peter to bring healing and physical restoration to a man who suffered with physical sickness for eight years. Pastor Isaiah helps us understand and apply how to live now knowing that God is still capable of such great acts of healing and that His purposes in this world and His promises to His people are much greater than just granting physical health!

Even in the early years of Saul's life as a follower of Christ, we see the reality of experiencing both good responses and the pain of rejection. Pastor Isaiah shares how we must be seeking to see the successes of Gospel proclamation as we participate in the mission God has given to us, while also preparing ourselves to suffer being rejected and even at times hated by those who we desire to share the Light of Salvation with.

The zeal of Saul that once was focused on destroying the followers of Jesus was radically reoriented to proclaiming the very message he once hated after Christ saved him on the road to Damascus. Pastor Isaiah explains not only Saul's story in this regard, but also challenges us to be equally committed to sharing about Jesus no matter our own past failings.