The Vine Church TC

With the goal of revisiting the churches established on their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas find themselves in a dispute that results in them separating. Each found new partners and set out on the mission in different directions.

After the success of Paul's first missionary journey amongst the Gentiles, the church experienced some growing pains. Though some believed that Gentiles must adhere to Jewish law to follow Jesus, the Council at Jerusalem decided otherwise.

With the goal of unity and not overburdening new Gentile believers, the council at Jerusalem sent a few people to Antioch with a letter of encouragement and invitation. The concessions that they requested revolved around avoiding pagan worship and enabling table fellowship between Jews and Gentiles.

Holy Week is full of emotion: confusion, sorrow, fear and grief. On Easter, resurrection invites us toward hope and joy.

On Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, we remember Jesus entering Jerusalem hailed as a King. The conversation that follows reveals that his eternal Kingdom will be unique amongst the kingdoms of this world.

https://youtu.be/KDlj14OlqvQ

As we approach Holy Week, we seek to orient ourselves around the life and teachings of Jesus. This week, we identify who, how and what he taught.

On the return from their first missionary Journey, Paul and Barnabas visit each city in which they had planted churches, encouraging believers and appointing elders. Once home, they reported on the good work God had done.

In Iconium and Lystra, Paul is met with both opportunity and opposition. Though the message of the kingdom of God is good news, Paul is stoned and left for dead because of his efforts.

In Pisidian Antioch, Paul tells the story of salvation - how God has worked throughout history to bring about salvation through Jesus Christ. We are invited into this story which shapes who we are as God's loved children and a kingdom of priests.