In this life you have undoubtably faced opposition.  Does that mean that God is not with you? Not neccisarily.  In this message pastor Fikre Prince shares that if you choose to follow after Jesus their will be opposition to the gospel and your daily living, but scripture encourages us by telling us that though we face trilas of many kinds, the work of God will prevail.

Text: Acts 12:1-24

Sermon Summary:

Big Idea: God’s mission will not be stopped. 

Key Question: What common hurdles must be overcome to advance the gospel?

1. Persecution can’t stop the mission. (vv. 1-5)
2. Prison can’t stop the mission. (vv. 4-6)
3. Powerful opponents can’t stop the mission. (vv. 19b-22)

The Message of the Gospel is not only for those in the church, it is for everyone.  So what methods does God use to spread the message of Jesus, it's not what you would think. In this message PAstor Ryan Russell shares that God uses a gospel centered church to carry the good news to a world in termoil.

Text: Acts 11:1-19-30

Sermon Summary:

Big Idea: Gospel centered churches reach out—to proclaim, to send, and to serve.

Key Question: What does a gospel centered church look like?

1.     A church that proclaims the gospel wherever it goes. (vv. 19-21)

2.     A church that raises up and sends out leaders. (vv. 22-26) 

3.     A church that serves others with sacrificial generosity. (vv. 27-30)

What is the responsibility of every believer no matter how long they have followed Christ?  We who are believers and followers of Christ should be telling the story of how Jesus changed us and the blessings and benefits of following him.  In this message Pastor Fikre Prince shares that there are some distinctions that every christian should have and how they can have an affect on the world around them.

Text: 1 Peter 2:9-10
BI: Christians are God’s distinct People, and are special to him

What makes Christians distinct?

1.  Christians faith in Christ is what identifies and unifies them

2. Christians live in the mercies of God

3. Christians live a life that proclaims the change God has made in them

There is something special about mothers. Whatever your actual situation when you consider the act of being loved by a mother, it brings thoughts of joy.  In this message Pastor Fikre Prince considers the attributes of a disciple of Jesus as she walks out her faith, and shares how we can look to her example to see the power of God in our every day lives.

Text: Acts 9:32-42
BI: God moves in the faithfulness of godly women
1. We should serve others in the grace of God
2. We should have community impact and influence through the grace of God
3. We should know that God’s power is in the extraordinary and common miracles

In our life filled with fast fashion, fast food, same-day delivery and viral fame we have grown accustomed to not waiting for what we want.  The Christian faith, after 2 millinia, is still waiting for the return of our savior Jesus.  In Acts 1, it is said that Jesus will return, but what should we do while we wait? In this final sermon of the Crowned series Pastor Fikre Prince shares the directives that Jesus leaves for every believer, and equips you to do the work of a witness.

Text: Acts 1:6–11

Sermon Summary:

Big Idea: Jesus will return to complete his Kingdom.

Key Question: How should we live in light of Jesus’ return?

1.     Stop guessing when. (vv. 6–7)

2.     Start witnessing now. (v. 8)

3.     Set your hope on his return. (vv. 10–11)

Christians often call Jesus king, and rightfully so. But how often do we consider what it truly means to live under the rule of a King?  As the final days of Jesus earthly ministry comes to an end he ascends into heaven to take his place enthroned in heaven where he reigns forever, and Pastor Fikre Prince asserts that this should mean something to the believers daily living.

Big Idea: Jesus is enthroned as King.

Key Question: How does Jesus’ enthronement impact us today?

1.     He rules over us. (Daniel 7:13-14)

2.     He intercedes for us. (Hebrews 7:26, 8:1-2)

3.     He commissions us. (Acts 1:6-11a, 2:33)

The central tenant of the Christian faith is that Jesus died, was burried and resurrected. It is an unnatural chain of events for humanity to conclude the process of death with life, but it is the promise that comes to those who believe in the words of God.  In this message Pastor Fikre Prince Challeneges us to process what we believe about the resurrrection and consider the words of several witnesses, and make a decision to live in the power of a resurrected king.

Text: Mark 15:37– 16:8

Big Idea: Jesus is the risen King.

Key Question: What do the key witnesses at Jesus’ resurrection have to say?

1. The Centurion – Jesus is the true King. (vv. 37 – 39)
2. Joseph – Jesus is the buried King. (vv. 42 – 47)
3. The Women – Jesus is the resurrected King. (vv. 1 – 8)
4. The Young Man – Jesus is the saving King. (v. 6)

Palm Sunday marks a momentous occation in the life of the world and the ministry of Jesus. It commemorates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem in a royal procession, to shouts of Hosanna! Just like the people that surrounded Jesus then who had heard the stories, and seen the miracles, we too have to make a decision on if Jesus will be our King or will we reject him.

Text: Mark 11:1-14

Big Idea: Jesus arrives as the promised King!

Key Question: How will you respond to the arriving king?

1.     Jesus’ arrival reveals Him as the promised King. (vv. 1-7; Zech 9:9)

2.     Celebrate Him and receive His salvation. (vv. 8-10)

3.     Reject Him and receive His judgment. (vv. 11-14)

Communion is an ordinance or sacrament founded by the Lord Jesus himself.  He brought his disciples together to share a meal and he told them to continue this practice until he returns. Just after this meal he goes to pray in the garden and again prays for his followers to be one, or united through him.  Jesus had a heart for his people to be together, and in this message Pastor Ryan Russell shares how and why this Common unity should be important to us today.

Text: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Sermon Summary:

Big Idea: Communion shapes our relationship with Christ and with others.

Key Question: What is God’s desire for His people in the Lord’s Supper?

The Lord’s Supper Calls Believers to:

1.     Unity with Christ. (vv. 23-25)

2.     Personal reflection. (vv. 27-32)

3.     Public proclamation. (vv. 26, 33-34) 

Are you willing to make a decision to follow Jesus and Live for Him? After seeing Jesus perfom miracle after miracle, and teach as no one ever has, Pastor Fikre Prince says that you must at somepoint make a decision.  This seventh sign of raising Lazarus from the grave is an irrefutable showing of the power of Jesus to work in our lives.

Text: John 11:1-47

Big Idea: You can’t escape responding to Jesus. 

Key Question: What makes it impossible to escape responding to Jesus?

1.       His purpose is intentional. (vv. 1-16)

2.       His passion is invitational. (vv. 17-37)

3.       His power is irrefutable. (vv. 38-47)