November 26, 2023 God humbled Himself by coming in human likeness, taking on flesh, and living among those He created. The incarnation of Jesus Christ is a true mystery. How can God put such limitations on Himself for a humanity that had rejected Him? We peer into the wondrous mystery of our Savior’s humility to step down into our condition to redeem a people for His very own. Philippians 2:1-11

November 12, 2023 Acts 15 contains two scenarios of sharp disagreement between believers. The first (Acts 15:1-35) is a matter of right and wrong. The second (Acts 15:36-41) is a matter of preference. Both scenarios highlight the reality that every group of believers will have areas of disagreement. This week’s focus is on the right view of salvation for all people that lies at the root of our Christian faith. Acts 15:1-35

November 5, 2023 The final legs of Paul’s first missionary journey demonstrate key practices that are to continue in and through us who are sent for the Name of Jesus Christ. These practices flow from a central truth that our living God gives witness to Himself through all of creation, especially His chosen people. In light of this, we must continue in the same personal and public practices as those who have witnessed before us. Acts 14:8-28

October 29, 2023 In our fourth Family Worship series of 2023, we are focusing on “Love Endures All Things”. This is the ultimate trait of God’s love for us that we are to reflect, especially within families and in the church. We will look at three aspects of God’s enduring love from Psalm 136 as well as be encouraged and challenged by TBC ministry partners, Pastor Morris Ogenga and his wife, Ida. Psalm 136

October 22, 2023 Paul and Barnabas encountered a divided response to the gospel message they proclaimed in Iconium. When they first met resistance, they remained for a long time, steadfastly preaching the gospel with boldness. What they experienced was God’s empowerment through their faithfulness. God will empower us, and He himself will bear witness through us, especially when we encounter resistance as well. Acts 14:1-7

October 15, 2023 Acts 13:13-52 contains Paul’s first sermon delivered in a Jewish synagogue. Drawing from the OT Law and Prophets, Paul focused on the most important proof of the truth of our faith, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are raised to eternal life because Christ our Savior was raised first. The Shout of Easter isn’t just for April, my friends! Acts 13:13-52

October 8, 2023 We come to a point in Acts where the narrative shifts from being about a group of people whom God used in extraordinary ways to advance the Kingdom of God, to one person whom God used in extraordinary ways to advance the Kingdom of God. Yet in all of the extraordinary stories we see the apostle Paul in they all can trace their beginning to one ordinary moment, Paul praying and fasting with other believers. Paul and Barnabas were just simply being faithful in their ordinary day...

October 1, 2023 Do you fear the rising tide of culture’s obsession with self-glorification? There is an ever-growing disdain for the things of God around us. It is becoming increasingly unpopular to hold a Christian worldview. What is the truth we need most to help us stand firm? Paradoxically, we stand firm when we rest and rely on God’s sovereign authority and control. Acts 12

September 24, 2023 Acts 11:19-30 provides examples of the first-called Christians who lived with steadfast purpose. Their example reveals the truth that God always builds His kingdom through the faithful witness of His people. It falls to us, in this generation, to live with steadfast purpose. To do this, we must understand what our purpose is and know what will aid us in remaining steadfast even in the midst of hardships that affect us all. Acts 11:19-30

September 17, 2023 Under the Old Covenant, God’s people were spiritually and physically distinct from others because of the regulations of the Law and especially the sign of circumcision. But God changed everything through Christ’s death and resurrection. A New Covenant was made, the old distinctions were removed, and a new sign was given: the Holy Spirit. To see as God sees in the Church today, we must maintain the unity of the Spirit and sound, essential doctrine without allowing...

September 10, 2023 Last week, we saw that “sent believers" are to see the Lost as God sees them (harassed and helpless) and not allow distinctions to keep us from opening our mouths and lives. This week, our attention shifts to God’s intervening works that bring salvation through His people to the lost by the Holy Spirit. We are commanded to go and proclaim Jesus, and Acts 10:34-48 will challenge us to trust more in God’s redeeming work than our hesitations to speak. Acts 10:34-48

September 3, 2023 Today, it is a common truth among Christians that God’s plan of salvation is for all people, regardless of distinctions. But, this was not the early Church's understanding, especially in how Gentiles were viewed. These first Christians viewed Gentiles as a people wholly opposed to God and beyond His redemption. It took God’s direct intervention to reveal that His plan of salvation is for everyone, everywhere. The question for us is this: What “distinctions” or personae may...

August 27, 2023 After his time in Samaria, Peter makes stops in both Lydda and Joppa, miraculously healing the lame man Aeneas and raising the woman Tabitha the from the dead. And though Peter is still at the center of the narrative, performing great works, we are also now seeing that the church has quickly grown beyond Peter's own work. In Peter, we see a leader willing to participate in what God is already doing rather than instigate it, compassionately obeying the Lord’s direction in Lydda...

August 20, 2023 Saul was transformed by a personal encounter with Christ. He immediately began witnessing about Jesus as the Son of God. But he didn’t do this on his own. He had a community of believers around him for encouragement, sharpening, and support. Each of us who are in Christ are to work out our salvation and give evidence of our conversion. Is our Christian faith, hope, and love evident to the world watching us? Acts 9:19-31

August 13, 2023 Acts 9:1-20 provides the account of Saul’s conversion from Judaism to faith in Jesus Christ. This is, for some, the single-most important event in all of Acts because of who Saul will become and the mission work he will do for the name of Christ. But his story is just like the story of every believer in Jesus. We were once lost in our sin but now have been found and forgiven by faith in Christ. Saul was perhaps one of the most hardened people against Jesus and His followers in...

August 6, 2023 The Philip cycle in Acts 8 comes to an exciting conclusion with the salvation and baptism of an Ethiopian court official. The passage events take place in the southernmost part of the Holy Land in Gaza. The gospel message will also now be carried into Africa in fulfillment of Christ’s word to His apostles that their witness would go to the ends of the earth. The Holy Spirit takes center stage in this text and demonstrates how He moves in the church through promptings and...

July 23, 2023 There are all sorts of sinful dangers that can put us in bondage. Of the many options, power and money are especially dangerous. In Acts 8:4-25, a contrast is made between the power and freedom of the Spirit and the bitter pursuit of selfish gain and influence. Genuine followers of Christ are able to walk in freedom and have a way out if ever caught in the trappings of sin. Acts 8:4-25

July 16, 2023 “Following the stoning of Stephen, four events followed:  (1) “great persecution” was unleashed by the Jews against Christians in Jerusalem; (2) Christians scattered: they left Jerusalem and went to surrounding regions to escape violent, life-threatening persecution from the Jews, which also served to fulfill Jesus’ command in Acts 1:8 to spread the Gospel beyond Jerusalem; (3) devoted Christian men gave Stephen an honorable burial to mark his bold witness, despite the...

July 2, 2023 Imagine an impossibly high cliff made up of pure granite. Looking upward, the top of the cliff is obscured by the clouds it surpasses. Looking at its base, there is water crashing helplessly against its shore. The cliff is immovable, steadfast, and strong. Christ, our Cornerstone, is our Rock, our Strong Tower. He is the unshakable One. Evil cannot withstand His power. It can only lap against His footstool. Acts 6:8-15 exemplifies this truth in the life of a man who had no title...

July 9, 2023 The servant Stephen is taken before the high priests on false charges. When asked if these charges are true, Stephen not only responds with the truth showing the charges are false but also the huge swath of common ground he has with his accusers. But instead of stopping short, Stephen tells the whole truth, which includes the past disobedience of Israel and the current Jewish Leaders’ continued resistance to the gospel. The cost for Stephen is great. As believers, we must look to...

June 25, 2023 The book of Acts up to this point has been outwardly focused on what is happening outside of the church. Now in chapter 6 we see what is happening on the inside working of the church and how with all of the growth has come some growing pains. In Acts 6 we see a group of Hellenistic widows being neglected and the apostles' response is one of love for God and his people. They fight for harmony among the people and fight to keep the main thing the main thing, which for them is...

June 18, 2023 No one enjoys suffering. In Acts 5:17-42, we find that the Apostles suffered dishonor for proclaiming the Name of Jesus. Yet, they rejoiced, not for going through the suffering of dishonor, but rather they rejoiced that God counted them worthy to suffer for the Name of their Savior and Lord. It was a badge of honor for them to be dishonored by those opposed to Jesus Christ because it gave evidence of their faithful witness and expanded God’s kingdom work. We will do well to...

June 11, 2023 As the Apostles continue their ministry, a divide is growing within the church between those who will not dare join them in the ministry work and others who will go to great lengths to bring hurting people to encounter Christ’s redeeming power and hope. This divide still exists. There are some who are actively bringing others to meet and grow with Jesus and others who resist, keeping God and others at arm's length.  Acts 5:12-16

June 4, 2023 Sin is a serious matter especially to God. It is serious because it is offensive to Him, harmful to people, and misrepresents God to a watching world. Sin also plays right into Satan's schemes to do whatever he can to disrupt the practices and unity of the church. As stewards of God's resources, we have the privilege of demonstrating His grace and kindness to each other and the community around us. The choice to steward faithfully or to sin rebelliously is a choice we each must...

May 28, 2023 Luke provided his 2nd high-level overview of the progress of the Church in Jerusalem.  Luke’s report was awesome.  Numerically, the church had grown rapidly, from ~1,000 people after Jesus’ resurrection to ~10,000 people.  Spiritually, the Christians in Jerusalem were united in placing more value on people and less value on their possessions.  They generously provided for the financial needs of others, and some people from time to time even sold houses or land and gave the money...