Message Archive (Page 2)

Acts 8:4-25 Simon the magician heard the message, believed and participated in the work of the church before receiving the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, he misunderstood and though he claimed belief and was baptized in water, he thought that he could buy God’s power. This only leads to a state where a person becomes convinced that they are the owners of that power, and they lose sight of God who is sovereign and owns all. It leads to bad consequences and…

Acts 7:31-60,8:1-3 It must be hard to be innocent and yet tried for a crime. To think that a man can be tried for a crime where there is no evidence and only unsupported lies as testimony would make you think that anyone in such a position would eventually be exonerated. Unfortunately, that isn’t always true, and some never get justice in this lifetime. Stephen, one of the first deacons of the Christian Church experienced this, but He saw the…

Acts 7:1-30 It must be hard to be innocent and yet tried for a crime. To think that a man can be tried for a crime where there is no evidence and only unsupported lies as testimony would make you think that anyone in such a position would eventually be exonerated. Unfortunately, that isn’t always true, and some never get justice in this lifetime. Stephen, one of the first deacons of the Christian Church experienced this, but He saw the…

Acts 6:1-15 As disciples of Jesus, we are called to serve others. We do this in different ways, depending on the gifts God has given us and what we are capable of doing. Some of those that serve are called deacons in the church. Stephen was one of the first deacons of the church. He served and God allowed him to perform signs and wonders. But not everyone appreciated Stephen, and it led to false accusations and eventually to his…

ACTS 5:17-42 There are times in life when even though we are doing the right thing, it still seems like we get in trouble for it. The disciples were doing the right thing when they were preaching and teaching in the temple courtyard, but they were falsely accused, imprisoned, freed, exonerated, punished anyway, and went right back to teaching just like they were told to do. Our prayer is that in similar circumstances, we would do the same. Scriptures Referenced…

Acts 4:32-37, 5:1-16 God takes our words and our actions very seriously. Ananias and Saphira made the mistake of lying to the Holy Spirit during the early days of the church. They conspired together to make something of themselves rather than give an honest gift and let the glory go to God. The consequences weren’t good, but it is a lesson that all Christians should consider. Scriptures Referenced John 11:49-52 Mark 12:29-31 Genesis 4:1-8

ACTS 4:1-31 Don’t you hate it when you do something that you think is good and right and it causes you trouble. Imagine how Peter and John felt when they were arrested for healing a man lame from birth. Imagine also how it would feel if you were the lame man, who after forty years imprisoned by your lame feet, had to spend your first night healed and free in a prison for doing no wrong. Scriptures Referenced Job 19:25…

Acts 3:1-26 Sometimes, even when we are doing what is right, God has a different plan for us. In Peter’s case, he was heading to the temple for a prayer service. That is a good thing, but along the way, things can change and not always in the way you might expect them to. Peter was forced to detour from his plan when God sent him to heal and then to teach another sermon. Scriptures Referenced Deuteronomy 18:15-22

Acts 2:1-47 It is so good to be right with God. The day that Peter preached his first sermon under the power of the Holy Spirit, 3000 devout men heard the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ in their own heart language as Peter and the other disciples spoke to them in languages they didn’t know. God made that happen, they were saved, and it changed their lives. Scriptures Referenced Joel 2:28 Exodus 32:1-35

Acts 1:1-26 With the death of Jesus on the cross, the apostles were left in mourning and confusion, but Jesus spent His time preparing them to serve Him. When Jesus died, was buried, then resurrected and He ascended into heaven, it was all pre-planned. It was God’s plan. But that wasn’t the end of it. God planned to use the people who chose Jesus to be a light to the world so that He and His Son Jesus would be…