The gospel changes lives and sometimes others are upset because that change forces them to change. Many in Ephesus responded to follow Jesus which meant they stopped doing what they used to do and as a result it had a huge impact on the economy. Sometimes the gospel upsets a city.

How to Upset a City

When Paul came to Corinth, he took the message to the Jews first in the synagogue. When they opposed him, he took the message to the Gentiles. Paul was faithful to continue on with the message to those who were responsive. God took care of him and of them. We are to be faithful and trust God with the outcome.

Be Faithful; Regardless of the Response

This section gives us some insight about how we are to live today in a pluralistic world.  We are to search the scriptures to know and understand the truth. We also have a great example of how to reach out to share our faith in a pluralistic culture that believes in many gods and seeks to offend no one, by not believing in ultimate truth. The city of Athens represents much of what we face today in our city and world. People who believe all kinds of things, wanting to embrace everyone and everything and yet who think believing in an exclusive god is arrogant and narrow minded. 

Paul and Silas experience great response when they first arrive in Philippi, but then face great opposition and suffering. The way they deal with these challenges teach us that life is not as much about us as it is about others. Take note of how their trust in God benefitted the jailer and his family and then Lydia and the other Christians. 

As the gospel spreads there is great response and growing resistance. Paul and Barnabus give us both an example and teaching about how we are to live in a world where we often face those who embrace and respect us and those who openly resist us.

Growing Response and Resistance

The message of the Resurrection is a major theme in almost all of the messages that are given in the book of Acts. Paul preaches the resurrection of Jesus to the Jews in the synagogue. The resurrection is the proof the Jesus is the Messiah, the fulfilment of God’s promise to the Jews and all mankind as our only hope for salvation. 

"God Raised Him"

Peter was imprisoned by King Herod and headed for trial and execution the following day. The church prayed earnestly for Peter and God answered. Yet those who were praying found it astonishing that God would answer their prayers and set him free. Prayer is mysterious and difficult to understand, yet God calls us to pray and God moves in prayer and sometimes surprises those who do it.

Surprised By God:(Power of Prayer)

The disciples of the church in Antioch were the first ones to be called Christians. They were given that name because of the way they began to look like Jesus in their community. We will look at the things that set them apart that might help us begin to better reflect Jesus to our world today.

Church of the "First Christians"

God is at work in the life of a God-fearing Roman Centurion and is also at work on the heart of one of the leaders of the early church who still has prejudice within his heart. Prejudice is always at work in all of our hearts and the gospel is always trying to eradicate it. What prejudices does God want to eradicate in you and in our church now?

Penetrating the Prejudiced Heart 

Paul, Saul, appeared to be the least likely candidate to become a follower of Christ and yet, he became the greatest leader. His encounter with the Risen Jesus radically changed his life. We can often make quick judgments about whether or not others will respond to the gospel and forget that only God has the power to change lives.