Truth on the Trail with Dr. Pete Pawelek

What does it really mean to be ALL IN for Jesus Christ? As we conclude our journey through the book of Acts, we discover that the ordinary men and women God used to change the world all shared one defining characteristic: they were all in, all the way.

In this powerful final message, Pastor Pete examines Paul's farewell to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20 and shares three characteristics of wholehearted discipleship: Follow the Spirit, Forsake Self, and Finish Strong.

No matter where you are in your walk with Christ, this message will encourage you to stop living with one foot in and one foot out. Jesus was all in for us, going all the way to the cross. The only fitting response is for His followers to be all in for Him.

Is your home simply a place where you live, or could it become a place where God works?

In this message from Acts 16, Pastor Pete looks at the remarkable story of Lydia, whose simple invitation, "Come and stay at my house," became the beginning of something far greater than she could have imagined. Discover how biblical hospitality is much more than entertaining guests. It is making room for people so God can make an eternal difference.

In a culture that values privacy and busyness, the early church used ordinary homes to spread the extraordinary message of the Gospel. Prayer happened in homes. Discipleship happened in homes. Evangelism happened in homes. Churches were born in homes.

Most importantly, you'll hear about the greatest act of hospitality in history, when Jesus Christ made a way for sinners to be welcomed into the family of God and invited to His eternal table.

What do you do when two godly people disagree? Many people believe that mature Christians never experience conflict. Acts 15 tells a different story. Paul and Barnabas, two of the greatest missionaries in history, had such a sharp disagreement that they parted ways.

In this practical message from Acts 15, Pastor Pete explores what biblical maturity really looks like when conflict is unavoidable. You'll discover why disagreements don't have to destroy marriages, friendships, families, or churches, and how mature believers can honor Christ even when they see things differently.

Whether you're struggling through conflict in your marriage, family, workplace, or church, this message offers biblical wisdom and practical encouragement to help you stay faithful, stay gracious, and most importantly... stay in the boat.

Have you ever wondered why God miraculously rescues one believer while another suffers or even dies? In Acts 12, James is executed, Peter is imprisoned, and an evil king seems to be winning. Yet by the end of the chapter, Peter is free, Herod is dead, and the Word of God is spreading faster than ever.

What changed?

In this powerful message from our The Ones series through the book of Acts, Pastor Pete explores the biblical truth that our safety is not determined by our circumstances but by our Savior.

Whether you're facing uncertainty, grief, persecution, fear, or simply wondering where God is in the middle of your circumstances, Acts 12 offers hope and assurance that nothing can separate those who belong to Christ from His love.

Everybody loves the idea of compassion… until compassion becomes costly. In Part 8 of The Ones, Pastor Pete walks through Acts 11:27–30 and shows how the early church in Antioch responded to a coming famine with sacrificial generosity and gospel-centered compassion.

This message explores: Compassion Sees, Compassion Shares, and Compassion Sends. Along the way, we examine the powerful true story of Father Damien and the leper colony on Molokaʻi, the generosity of the first Gentile church, and ultimately the greatest example of costly compassion ever shown… Jesus Christ Himself.

Compassion is more than emotion. Compassion moves. Compassion sacrifices. Compassion acts.

What if one encouraging person could change the course of someone’s entire life?

In Acts 11 we meet Barnabas, the “Son of Encouragement,” a man who saw the grace of God when others only saw flaws, failure, and fear. While many believers rejected Saul because of his past, Barnabas encouraged him, invested in him, and helped shape the man who would become the Apostle Paul.

Humanly speaking… without Barnabas, there may never have been a Paul.

This message will challenge you to see the grace of God in people, speak encouragement into weary hearts, and help shape others into who God has called them to be.

You never know how one conversation, one invitation, or one word of encouragement might change someone’s future forever.

Saul of Tarsus was the last person anyone expected God to save. He hunted Christians, ravaged the church, and marched against Jesus Christ. Yet on the road to Damascus, everything changed.

This is not just Saul’s story. It is a story about the power of the gospel and the greatness of God’s grace. The man who once tried to destroy the church would eventually: preach Christ across the known world, plant churches, disciple believers, strengthen pastors, write much of the New Testament, and become one of the greatest missionaries in history.

If Jesus can save Saul, He can save anyone.

What do you do when life falls apart? In Acts 8, the early church faces intense persecution, loss, fear, and uncertainty. Stephen has been killed, Saul is ravaging the church, and believers are scattered everywhere. From the outside, it looks like defeat.

But God was not destroying His church, He was deploying it.

Through the story of the early church and the incredible true story of Henrietta King of the King Ranch, this sermon explores how God can bring purpose out of pain, fruit out of suffering, and mission out of moments that feel like chaos.

If you are walking through grief, uncertainty, disappointment, loss, or a season where life feels scattered, this message is for you.

What gives ordinary people the courage to stand boldly for Jesus in a world that pushes back against truth?

In Acts 4, Peter and John face pressure, threats, and opposition for proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus Christ — yet they refuse to stay silent.

Boldness is born from being with Jesus.

The early church had no political power, no cultural influence, and no worldly security, but they were filled with the Holy Spirit and convinced that Jesus was alive.

The same Spirit that empowered the believers in Acts still empowers followers of Christ today to stand firm, speak truth, and faithfully proclaim the gospel.

Have people recognized that you have been with Jesus?

In Acts 2:41–47, the early church is filled with awe as they witness God moving among them through salvation, transformation, and deep fellowship. Spirit filled people are awestruck people.

The early believers were not captivated by personalities, performances, or programs. They were captivated by God Himself. His presence. His power. His people.

The same Jesus who transformed hearts in Acts 2 is still saving, changing, and calling people today.

Have you lost your awe of God?