Wherever the Way or the gospel goes, it has kingdom-shaking implications. Pagan practices go bankrupt, power and allegiance are shaken, and riots often break out. This is no tame, keep-it-to-myself movement. In previous chapters, the power of the Jesus has challenged the power of Rome, overcome superstition, and perplexed the philosophers. Now, in Acts 19, it dethrones an ancient diety named Diana and triumphs in a religious center; and Roman rule actually assists and protects Paul as he ministers there for several years.

Big Idea: The early church carried the gospel throughout the known world in approximately 30 years and transformed an empire in 3 centuries. Now the church seems intimidated, uncertain amidst swift cultural changes. So, what did the early Christians, commanded by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, do that we are not doing? Here are their Acts, and may they inspire our own.

Outline:

1. Holy Handkerchiefs!

Key Takeaways:

• The remarkable story of healing through Paul’s handkerchiefs.

The impact of fatherlessness in our society is staggering. For example, according to the Department for Health and Human Services, 85% of youth in prison or some form of incarceration grew up in a fatherless home. This is not meant to disparage the heroic efforts of single moms or downplay the success of many children that are growing up or grew up in a home without a dad. But, if we are to successfully reverse the breakdown of the family and impact a host of societal ills, this issue of fatherlessness stands out as a critical and often overlooked root cause. In this episode, I discuss the fatherless epidemic and how to respond with Sean Teis. He has a powerful personal testimony and leads God is My Dad, a ministry dedicated to serving fatherless families and equipping churches to do the same.

Key Takeaways:

• The heartbreaking and eye-opening statistics related to the effects of fatherlessness.

I have been sounding the alarm for some time about a simple but frightening legal strategy– interpreting the definition of child abuse or neglect to include Christian parents raising a child consistent with that child’s sex as male or female. In other words, if Christian parents do not “affirm” a child’s transgender ideology, the full weight of the juvenile courts and the state child welfare agency can be brought to bear. This can include removal of that child from the parents’ home and even a court order barring those parents from speaking to their own child about sex. For example, consider the Cox case out of Indiana. This legal standard is now codified in states such as California, Washington, and Minnesota (see the briefing in the Cox case), and Minnesota has passed a “Trans Refuge” law that allows the state to take custody of child (against the parents’ wishes) if that child is in the state for “gender-affirming care.” In this episode, I walk through this growing assault on parental rights and how to respond with Laura Bryant Hanford, a contributing editor to the Federalist and a key advocate for parental rights.

Key takeaways:

• The right and responsibility of parents—not the state—to raise their children according to their beliefs is a Biblical, pre-political principle that must be protected in state and federal law.

This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for ministries like the Muncie Mission that are strategically transforming their zip codes through Gospel ministry, innovation, and hard work. The mission has been restoring dignity and hope to people in crisis since the Great Depression; and, under the leadership of Frank Baldwin, it has expanded its impact through a partnership with the city of Muncie, Indiana. Incredibly, since 2016, the Mission’s long-term addiction recovery program has experienced a 98% success rate; and it is now assisting with medical needs, counseling, and even transitional and permanent housing. In this episode, Frank tells the story of Muncie Mission’s remarkable efforts and explains how you and your church can strategically impact your zip code.

Key Takeaways:

• The history of Muncie Mission.

In Acts 18, Paul ministers in the Las Vegas of ancient Greece, struggles with and overcomes fear (what, the Apostle Paul experienced fear?), finds ministry partners in Priscilla and Aquila, and launches into his third missionary journey. This chapter shows that every place and every person can be redeemed, that we often fight fear and overwhelm the wrong way, and that we need each other in the work of ministry. Here’s that sermon.

Big Idea: The early church carried the gospel throughout the known world in approximately 30 years and transformed an empire in 3 centuries. Now the church seems intimidated, uncertain amidst swift cultural changes. So, what did the early Christians, commanded by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, do that we are not doing? Here are their Acts, and may they inspire our own.

Outline:

1. What Happens in Corinth

Key Takeaways:

• A brief history of ancient Corinth.

What are the key lessons from the 2024 elections, and what’s next for Christian citizens? Here are three key takeaways from last week:

1. A Seismic Win

Key Takeaways:

• How the 2024 election exposed false narratives about demography as destiny and the acceptance of transgender ideology.

Today marks the 60th time Americans have gone to the polls to elect a president. The stakes and emotions are high; and, as I discussed at length in the episode last week entitled Jethro’s Voting Guide – 2024 Edition, Christians should engage their role as citizen and vote according to Biblical principles to promote the created order. Why? Because this will lead to flourishing for us and our neighbors.

Much is on the line today, and here are four important reminders for Christian citizens as we experience election day and process the results:

1. This election is very important.

The 2024 Presidential election is just one week away; and here is our “roundup” episode on the election, voting, and Christian citizenship after the election is decided. This includes a review of Biblical principles concerning voting; a brief moral and practical analysis of the various positions I have heard over the last few months (and a reminder to vote your conscience); and an encouragement to be the centered (in Christ), courageous, and compassionate citizen in your sphere of influence before and after the election.

Moses’ father-in-law, named Jethro, encouraged Moses to consider four criteria as he selected civic leaders. And his list of qualifications–what I have termed “Jethro’s Voting Guide”–can assist us in the complicated moral exercise of voting for civic officials in the United States.

Four qualifications for government officials according to Exodus 18:21:

1. Competence

Questions we address:

• Should Christians engage in the two-party system?

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• Church Resource Toolkit

Dr. Albert Mohler produces a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview entitled The Briefing, and I greatly appreciate that podcast and his consistent voice in public life. In this recent interview with Dr. Mohler, we discussed the following key questions (and more) facing Christians this election season: How should Christians analyze the 2024 presidential election, especially given the Republican party’s backpedal on the life issue? Why (and how) should Christians be sober about the implications of this election but also hopeful about the future? How should Christian institutions become and remain resilient in the face of cultural pressure?

Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. serves as president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary – the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention and one of the largest seminaries in the world.

In addition to his presidential duties, Dr. Mohler hosts two podcasts: “The Briefing,” a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview; and “Thinking in Public,” a series of conversations with the day’s leading thinkers.

He also serves as the editor of WORLD Opinions, writing regular commentary on moral, cultural and theological issues. Called “an articulate voice for conservative Christianity at large” by The Chicago Tribune, Dr. Mohler’s mission is to address contemporary issues from a consistent and explicit Christian worldview.

Key Takeaways:

• How to build and maintain resilient ministries.

The 2024 presidential election is now just three weeks away, and the rhetoric and pressure is ratcheting up. In the midst of this election cycle, how should Christians respond? How can our commitment to truth, our love for one another and our neighbors, and our sense of hope and certainty be a witness to our communities? In this episode, Dan Darling walks through his recent book and recommendations for Christian citizens as they navigate election season.

Daniel Darling is an author, pastor and Christian leader. He is the Director of the Land Center and holds a faculty role at Southwestern Baptist Seminary and Texas Baptist College, and he previously served as the Senior Vice President for Communications of the National Religious Broadcasters. He also has served the Southern Baptist Convention as the Vice President of Communications at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.

Dan is an award–winning writer whose work has appeared in numerous publications. He is a columnist for World magazine and a regular contributor to USA Today. Dan’s work is often featured in Christianity Today and The Gospel Coalition and his op-eds have appeared in The Washington Post, CNN, Washington Times, Time, Huffington Post, National Review, First Things, and other leading outlets.

Key Takeaways:

• Link to his book Agents of Grace: How to Bridge Divides and Love as Jesus Loved