Sermon Audio

Hannah sings a joyful, thankful, and worshipful prayer at the tabernacle of God as she dedicates her son Samuel to the service of the Lord. 1 Samuel begins with Hannah as a barren woman, suffering in despair and calling out to God for the blessing of a child. She prays at the tabernacle that God would give her a child and vows to give him back to the Lord (See 1 Samuel 1:27-28). And as our text for Sunday begins in chapter 2, Hannah breaks out into a psalm of praise (which is called a "prayer" in 2:1). The prayer of this mother is extraordinary, for is shows a heart of gratitude and trust in the God who rules over all. It shows that Hannah’s hope is in God, even as she is about to leave her son at the tabernacle to serve the Lord all his life. Hannah’s trust and hope in the Lord is the source of her joy and her strength, and this demonstrates that not only was Hannah giving her son to the Lord, but she had also given herself in faith to God. Her hope (and her hopes for her son Samuel) were bound up in the faithfulness and the promises of the sovereign God in whom she trusts. This mother’s prayer shows her joyful hope in the God who is faithful to her and to her child and to the God who is able to guard the feet of his faithful ones (1 Sam. 2:9)

This Sunday we will finish Acts 11 and be introduced to an incredible event in the mission of Acts. Acts 11:19-30 describes the planting of a church in the city of Antioch. The magnitude of this event in the early life of the church cannot be overstated. This is literally a church that will be used by God to change the world. The church in Antioch will be the first congregation composed of both Jews and Gentiles (the majority being Gentiles). What God revealed to Peter about the Gentiles in chapter 10, will come to fruition here in this large pagan city. The church in Antioch will also be the base of operations for the missionary journeys of Paul and Barnabas. God will move mightily through this congregation as the mission of Jesus takes root, grows, and spreads to the whole of the Roman empire.

In Acts 11:19-30, we are shown the DNA of this church. Luke records for us the planting and growth of this church where God is moving and the gospel is flourishing. Here we see a church that God uses to change the world. Sunday we will examine the fingerprints of a church that is used mightily of God and call ourselves to obey the exhortation of Barnabas to the church in Antioch – “he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose” (v.23)

Peter defends his actions as he relates how the Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius and his household

Moses is protected by God's hand and raised up to power in Egypt. Yet it is not from there that God will use him as the deliverer. He must be humbled and brought low in the wilderness of Midian before God will use him for God's glory.

This is the gospel sermon that Peter preaches to the household of Cornelius right before the Holy Spirit falls upon them and they are ushered into the family of God. In this sermon, Peter reflects on what God has taught him (that God shows no partiality between peoples and nations) and he explains the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation. I am praying as we gather together to worship our risen Savior that God will move upon hearts in our community just as He did in the household of Cornelius that day.

God is fulfilling his promise to make Israel a great nation, even in the midst of oppression and affliction

This Sunday, as we look at Acts 10:1-33, we see Jesus removing a final barrier for the gospel to expand to the nations. We have already seen Phillip preaching in Samaria and to an Ethiopian Eunuch, but in Acts 10, God brings Peter together with a Gentile Roman soldier. The salvation of this soldier, Cornelius, throws the door open to show the Apostles, and the Jewish church that all people of every nation are equally welcomed into the kingdom of God through the gospel. In this chapter, God prepares Cornelius to understand that he needs the gospel. Cornelius is a devout, prayerful man. He is sincere in his belief and filled with good works. Yet, this cannot make him right with God. An angel of the Lord tells him to send for Peter. He needs the gospel in order to be saved.

And at the same time, God sends a divine message to Peter, showing him that there is no longer a distinction between "clean and unclean" people. Peter’s heart is also prepared to accept that God has opened the door wide for all nations, all races, and all cultures to be accepted by Him through the messiah that he has sent. And through the movements of verse 1-33, we find our calling in this kingdom as well. God spoke to Cornelius through an angel. He could have easily given Cornelius the gospel Himself. Yet, Jesus has chosen to spread the gospel kingdom through his people. Through disciples who make disciples. So, with one hand he prepares Cornelius and with the other hand he prepares Peter. And at the right time, He brings both of these people together so that His disciple shares His message with one who needs it. And as that message is given, Jesus saves him. That is a miracle that is still happening today. Jesus is sending out His people to make disciples for His name. He has a divine meeting planned for you and a divine commission for us all.

Habakkuk has heard and understood God's declaration that the righteous will live by faith in troubling and dangerous times.

It’s easy to look at all the news of the day and lament our world’s seemingly endless descent into darkness. The fallen nature of our world and our flesh is a continual reminder that things are not the way they should be. Whether we are talking about worldwide conflicts, a degrading sinful culture, or the ordinary trials and tribulations each of us experiences in this life, things are not the way they should be.

In Acts 9:31-43, now that Saul has been shipped off to Tarsus, Luke turns our focus back to the Apostle Peter and the continuing works that Jesus is doing through him. The end of Acts 9 records two seemingly isolated miracles that eventually lead Peter to preach to Cornelius the Roman Centurion (in chapter 10). Acts 9:31-43 show us a paralytic being healed and a woman who passed away being raised back to life. We will examine these miracles and ask, "Why are they here?" "Why does the Spirit inspire Luke to record these specific miracles for the reader?" As we examine the text, we will see that Luke’s point is to show us how the church was being built up and multiplying (Acts 9:31). The response to both miracles is that many people believe in Jesus and turn to the Lord. Acts 9:31-43 teaches us something that we desperately need to remember in troubling times. Jesus is still working through His people and the kingdom of God is indeed breaking in. Despite the fallen world and the ever growing darkness, the words of Christ are true today: "on this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell won’t prevail against it." The kingdom of God is here - and it is also coming in its fullness. Jesus is building His church and the instrument He has chosen to use...is you!

Habakkuk prays in the form of a Psalm recounting God's past acts in delivering His people from oppression. This strengthens His faith for God's future faithfulness