Sermons from Acts

Lydia

We begin our Lives of Faith series with the story of Lydia. A successful, independent Gentile woman, Lydia’s life change begins with a posture of …

Stephen

Full of God’s grace and power, Stephen gives us an image of what it truly means to be like Jesus. In the face of conflict, …

Promise of the Spirit

As Luke begins the book of Acts, he focuses on Jesus, the Risen King, who calls his disciples to move forward on his mission to …

Birth of the Church

In this passage, we see the birth of the Church, which from its inception is an international movement. As God sends his Spirit to dwell …

Faith, Healing, and Repentance

Peter and John begin the work of the early Church—healing in Jesus’ name and preaching the gospel. Their actions draw the attention of many, and …

Obeying God Rather than Men

In this passage, Peter and John face persecution for healing and preaching in Jesus’ name. Even in the face of resistance, they calmly speak God’s …

Ananias and Sapphira

The early church faces both corruption from within and opposition from without. However, God uses both of these challenges to build and purify his church, …

Build the Church

When the early church faces tension and division due to rapid growth, the apostles raise up leaders and put structures in place to address the …

Stephen

When faced with persecution from Jewish leaders, Stephen seizes the opportunity to share the gospel. While his fearless love results in death, his sacrifice ignites …

Responses to the Gospel

After Stephen is stoned, the persecution of the church intensifies, and the gospel begins to spread throughout the world. Like Simon, some hear it, respond …

Saul's Conversion

In this passage, we see Jesus pursue and invade the very man who has been violently persecuting the Church. After Saul encounters Christ and is …

What God has Made Clean

Through the obedience of both Cornelius and Peter, God advances his mission to bring people from all nations to himself through the power of the …

Opposition and Deliverance

As the early church continues to grow, including people from all nations, persecution continues. Peter is imprisoned, fellow believers intercede on his behalf, and he …

First Missionary Journey

When Paul and Barnabas embark on the first missionary journey, they encounter acceptance and rejection. And as the gospel takes root and spreads to both …

Council at Jerusalem

As the church at Antioch grows, they face growing tension between Jews and Gentiles. Leaders meet at Jerusalem to work through the issue, and they …

Second Missionary Journey Begins

The beginning of the second missionary journey is marked by tension between Paul and Barnabus. However, they are not hindered by their disagreement, and God’s …

Responses to the Gospel (Thessalonians & Bereans)

As Paul and Silas continue to travel and preach the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles, they meet mixed responses. Some immediately receive the gospel …

Paul at Athens

In Athens, Paul preaches the gospel to a group of people from a radically different context. Yet even apart from the backdrop of Judaism, the …

Third Missionary Journey

During Paul’s third missionary journey, God uses good leadership, miracles, and disruption to advance his kingdom. In his mercy, God meets the Ephesians where they …

Paul with the Ephesian Elders

As Paul bids farewell to the elders at Ephesus, he both charges them to continue the work of spreading the gospel and entrusts them with …

Paul's Persecution and Arrest in Jerusalem

In this dramatic passage, Paul deals with tension with the Gentile believers as he goes to Jerusalem, where he will be beaten and arrested. However, …

Paul's Story, Rejection, and the Plot to Kill Him

Paul’s experience continues to be rife with tension and suffering. However, he is committed to sharing his story and advancing the gospel. We also should …

Proclaiming the Gospel in Chains

Paul faces trials by various Roman officials and spends two years in jail. However, he remains determined to share the gospel and the story of …

Preserved for a Purpose

Paul sets sail for Rome, weathers a dangerous storm, and is eventually shipwrecked. However, because God’s favor is upon him, that blessing extends to all …

Until the End

Pentecost

At Pentecost, the Church is born and God’s Spirit comes to live in and among his people. Instead of traveling to a sacred space, believers …