WestGate Church Teaching

In Acts 15, we get a behind-the-scenes look at the second really big fight in church history (and the fourth major crisis in the history of the early church).  This growing movement, which originally was comprised mostly of Jewish people who believed Jesus was the Messiah, suddenly faces an identity problem when it’s flooded with non-Jewish folks from around the Roman Empire who begin to believe in Jesus.  What are the entry requirements to this faith?  And how do we fellowship with one another then when we come from such diverse backgrounds?

In the opening week of the ALL OUT sermon series, we study Acts 13-14 where Paul and Barnabas are sent out from the church in Antioch after being given pretty vague instructions from God.  God did not hand them a formalized itinerary.  Steve outlines a few practical ways that Paul and Barnabas show us what following God often looks like.

In the opening week of the ALL OUT sermon series, we study Acts 13-14 where Paul and Barnabas are sent out from the church in Antioch after being given pretty vague instructions from God.  God did not hand them a formalized itinerary.  Steve outlines a few practical ways that Paul and Barnabas show us what following God often looks like.

Week two of our R and R series is focused on another curious command found in both the Old and New Testaments - the command to rejoice.  Paul even tells the early church to “rejoice always” - even in difficult or tragic circumstances.  But what does that mean?  And is it even possible?  Young adults pastor Drew Froese explains how to we can grab ahold of a perspective that will allow us to rejoice - no matter what our circumstances are.

Week two of our R and R series is focused on another curious command found in both the Old and New Testaments - the command to rejoice.  Paul even tells the early church to “rejoice always” - even in difficult or tragic circumstances.  But what does that mean?  And is it even possible?  Young adults pastor Drew Froese explains how to we can grab ahold of a perspective that will allow us to rejoice - no matter what our circumstances are.

When it comes to New Year’s Day, nearly everything in our culture encourages us to look forward, make resolutions and plan for how the next year will be better. It’s a never-ending cycle of what’s next and continuous improvement. Which is great. But. What if we’re missing something. In the Bible, God continually reminds (and even commands) His people to pause and remember. What if - instead of hastily rushing forward - we took the time to pause and remember what God has done in the past year and what He has promised to do?

When it comes to New Year’s Day, nearly everything in our culture encourages us to look forward, make resolutions and plan for how the next year will be better. It’s a never-ending cycle of what’s next and continuous improvement. Which is great. But. What if we’re missing something. In the Bible, God continually reminds (and even commands) His people to pause and remember. What if - instead of hastily rushing forward - we took the time to pause and remember what God has done in the past year and what He has promised to do?

The night Jesus was born, some angels did a thunderous, singing fly-by over some terrified shepherds and declared that this birth would bring great joy. Since then, for hundreds of years, Christians have linked Jesus to joy. But joy is an elusive thing, even to define. And even more difficult to grab a hold of. But maybe joy isn’t simply getting the right circumstances in order. This joy that Jesus promises, well, it must be something deeper. Perhaps it can’t be made with our hands, or carefully manicured with our efforts. Lisa Averill talks about what joy is, what it can be, and how to take steps to grab ahold of it...and the answer might not be what you’d think.

The night Jesus was born, some angels did a thunderous, singing fly-by over some terrified shepherds and declared that this birth would bring great joy. Since then, for hundreds of years, Christians have linked Jesus to joy. But joy is an elusive thing, even to define. And even more difficult to grab a hold of. But maybe joy isn’t simply getting the right circumstances in order. This joy that Jesus promises, well, it must be something deeper. Perhaps it can’t be made with our hands, or carefully manicured with our efforts. Lisa Averill talks about what joy is, what it can be, and how to take steps to grab ahold of it...and the answer might not be what you’d think.

David Tieche