For this special sermon on Father’s Day, Radiant Church is joined by Brother Abraham, global partner and leading voice in India who oversees over 4,000 churches in 22 different states throughout the nation. We pray this word encourages you and the entire body of Christ.

In this special prophetic presbytery service, Pastor Lee teaches on the history of meaning of prophetic ministry.

Acts 10:1-8 (ESV)
“At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, 8 and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.”

God still speaks to those who fear Him

God speaks in various ways

God speaks through creation

God speaks through His Word

God speaks through still small voices

God speaks through dreams, visions, and angels

God speaks through wise counsel, the gift of prophecy, and spiritual authority

In this sermon from our WIND + FIRE series, Tim Matthews speaks on the life of Paul and how the church must rise up.

Acts 8:1-3 (ESV)
“And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.”

In this passage, Saul is ravaging the church – causing harm, severe distress – then he gives examples – Saul enters the homes of believers dragging men and women from them

But like all great stories there’s a plot twist, a radical change – Saul falls

Saul goes from predator to prey – from hunter to hunted

What happened? How does Saul go from a feared enemy to one needing an escape route out of a city?

Jesus happened! Jesus enters the story! The one who was crucified now resurrected Jesus

Jesus says that the Holy Spirit WILL come

Jesus says that they WILL receive power

Jesus says that they WILL be his witnesses

Jesus says that His life and message will not only reach Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria but also to the ends of the earth

How does Saul rise? He rises by God sending him a brother to help him rise

We don’t need the church to fall but we need the church to rise

We the church are the chosen family on earth to catch people when they fall and to help them rise

Here’s another plot twist for us: Saul needed the church and now the church needs Saul

If we want to be where God dwells, a good place to start is to be a part of His body

Imagine the grace we could offer the world, even our enemies, if we truly believed that there is no one on earth that is too far gone

Imagine if we believed that the resurrected Jesus actually listens and answers our prayers, that He is not indifferent, that He goes into action – would that motivate us, wake us up, deliver us from the deception of prayerlessness

Imagine how our lives would be if we could lay our hands on someone and call them brother, sister, solely because they belong to Jesus

In this sermon from our WIND + FIRE series, Lee Cummings delivers a word from Acts 6 on turning growing pains into growing gains.

Acts 6:1-7 (ESV)
“Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.”

Growth always comes with problems, pain, and opportunity

Anything that is growing is also adjusting

In Acts 6, the Church was exploding with growth and the presence and power of God

There is no perfect church, just perfecting churches

Gods standard is not perfection, but grace

Grace is God’s empowerment – He’s giving us grace where we are and taking us to a new level of glory

Growth and expansion always reveal weaknesses, problems, and points of pain

The Church was experiencing persecution from the without, warfare from beyond, and tensions from within

Problems and pain are not evidence that God is not “present” in a church, it is often the catalyst for further growth and expansion for the Church and the Gospel

HOW TO TURN GROWING PAINS INTO GROWING GAINS:
1. Defend unity
2. Protect priorities
3. Delegate ministry responsibilities

God’s math for His people:
- Use addition and multiplication for disciples
- Use division to reveal the false and subtraction to prune them

The devil’s math:
- Use addition and multiplication for disease and dissension
- Use division among brothers and subtraction to prune the truth

The Church and Gospel prospers in spite and even because of the struggle and suffering

The Church grew from “added” in Acts 5:14 to “increasing” in Acts 6:1 to “multiplied” in Acts 6:7

In this special weekend sermon, friend of the house Lisa Bevere brings a powerful word from her recent book Lioness Arising that will encourage and equip you to live how God intended you to live.

Sermon Highlights:

God wants His people at ease with their strength and at rest with their power

We all have the same 24 hours in a day – it’s up to us to decide how to use them

Sow in secret first

What is the light level in your life?

This is the time to read the Word

We need men and women if we are going to fight and win

The enemy does not want men and women to remember who we are

God did not save you to tame you

You are fearfully and wonderfully made

Be dangerous and fully awake

We must step in to what God has created us to be

Being "stunning" has nothing to do with what you look like and has everything to do with what you were created to do in Jesus’ name

Numbers 23:24 (NIV)
“The people rise like a lioness; they rouse themselves like a lion that does not rest till it devours its prey and drinks the blood of its victims.”

In Week Four of WIND + FIRE, Jon Zondervan brings an important word to the church on how you're supposed to respond when you're faced with persecution.

Acts 5:22-32 (NKJV)

"But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, 23 saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” 24 Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. 25 So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” 26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” 29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

This whole book of Acts is the birth of the church

The Gospel of Jesus Christ, when faithfully preached, will always garner two responses: praise and persecution

The scripture above is an excellent testimony of what it looks like to be an ambassador of Christ despite facing persecution

How should Christians navigate persecution for their faith?

I. Be prepared
II. Respond in the right way (in obedience and love)
III. Access your secret weapon – Holy Spirit boldness

Too many Christians think that following Jesus is like a cruise ship, when it’s really a battle ship

Speak the truth in love

Boldness is only possible through intimacy with Jesus

Build equity with God in the secret place

You will never be confident in something you don’t have knowledge in

In Week Three of WIND + FIRE, Lee Cummings returns with a powerful word called Power, Persecution, and Counter-Cultural Living that you do not want to miss.

Sermon Highlights

Acts 4:1-22 (ESV)

“And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.”

How to become a counter-cultural people:

I. It requires seeing life through a different lens

II. It requires a radically different response

III. It requires a willingness to suffer in the short-term

What is counter-cultural?

A culture in which the values expressed and promoted are in potential or actual opposition to those of the dominant culture, sometimes amounting to a wholesale rejection of that culture

A Kingdom of God focus will agitate the world around you, because you are both confronting it’s brokenness and demonstrating a superior way

In Week Two of WIND + FIRE, special guest Jon Tyson delivers a powerful message out of Acts 2 that teaches us the significance of living in permanent encounter with the fire of God.

Sermon Highlights

Acts 2:1-4 (NIV)

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

Presence becomes personal in proximity to God

It is God’s will for us to live in permanent encounter with the personal fire of God

We must keep the new covenant of God burning and over our heart

Encounter leads to empowerment

Whenever you call upon the name of the Lord, you open a portal to Heaven

We don’t need more content – we need more power

Power without practices can lead to danger

Power requires character or it causes damage

God won’t give his power to a generation that doesn’t have the character to carry it

You need to prepare - not just encounter

The power of Pentecost was poured into shared practices

Despite our biblical knowledge, many of us still look like the world

We can have so much knowledge, yet so little transformation

Invite the presence of God into your life every day

There is no formation without repetition

Reject the zap view of spiritual growth

Power & Practice = History Shaping Communities

These types of churches are extremely rare

When God finds people that place a priority on His presence, He finds community that He can make history with

Why not us?

God comes where He is wanted

Kalamazoo, you’re a boiling river - If you want Him, He will come

Don’t miss it with daily distractions

Don’t have a second-hand encounter

We are open to divine disruption

We must carry on the ministry and mission of Jesus through His Church. In Wind + Fire: The Extraordinary Outpouring of the Holy Spirit and Uprising of the Church in the Book of Acts, discover how to return to the pattern of Acts and position ourselves for when Jesus returns.

To kick off this series, Pastor Lee teaches out of Acts 1 and reveals four important priorities we must live by on a daily basis.

Sermon Highlights

Acts 1:1-14 (ESV)
“In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”

Four priorities that brought critical mass:

I. They were to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit

Jesus knew that the same power that fueled His ministry must fuel the Church

II. Mobilize to reach the ends of the earth

Jesus was forming a Gospel Catalytic Movement, not a stagnant institutional Monument

The Book of Acts is the chapter by chapter radioactive mushroom cloud that moved across the Empire

III. Anticipate Jesus’ return and reign

Reminiscent of Elijah, being caught up and dropping his mantle upon Elisha

Our anticipation should create a sense of urgency

IV. Stay united in prayerful focus

In this special Easter sermon from Lee Cummings, hear how Jesus’ decisive victory on the third day paved a way for our future. He is Jesus, our Christus Victor!

Sermon Highlights

Colossians 2:13-15 (ESV)
“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”

If Good Friday asked the question “Who is this man?” then Easter morning answered the question…

He is Jesus, our Christus Victor

What occurred on the morning of resurrection that made Friday “so good”?

Jesus’ decisive victory on the third day means that your history ended at the cross and your future began with the resurrection

“We understand and acknowledge that the resurrection has placed a glorious crown upon all of Christ’s sufferings!”
A.W Tozer

I. Forgives all your sins/trespasses

II. Cancelled your record of debt

III. Disarmed the rulers of hell against you

IV. Raised us up with Him