“Thanks Be to God” Selected Scriptures I. Introduction “Thanks be to God!” “Thanks be to God” for what? Well, there is much for which we are called to thank God, but at this time of the year, we are called to thank God for the harvest. Thanking God for the harvest is how William Bradford, […]

“PRAISE, POWER, PURPOSE, AND A PARCEL” ACTS 4:23-37 I. Introduction The Bible is filled with awesome and marvelous promises of blessings, joy, and ultimate glory for all those who have come to saving faith in Christ – for all those who trust in Him and Him alone for their salvation. But the Bible is also […]

“HOW TO RESPOND TO PERSECUTION” (PART 2) ACTS 4:13-22 I. Introduction There is an architectural wonder about 65 miles from here. It is located on the shores of Lake Michigan in the northern Chicago suburb of Wilmette, Illinois. It is constructed entire-ly of white Portland cement and clear and white quartz. Its dome is 90 […]

“HOW TO RESPOND TO PERSECUTION” (PART 1) ACTS 4:1-12 I. Introduction There was a time when there were a lot of door-to-door salesmen. Some of you may recall the doorbell ringing and hearing a female voice say, “Avon calling.” Others of you might remember the Fuller Brush salesman, or the World Book Encyclopedia salesman, or […]

“REPENT, RECEIVE, REVIVE, REJOICE” ACTS 3:19-26 I. Introduction Have you ever asked someone if they feared God? If you’ve ever asked that question of an unbeliever, you’ve probably gotten an answer that sounded something like this: “No, I don’t fear God. God is love and I’m a good person. What do I have to fear?” […]

“COMMUNION AS WORSHIP” SELECTED SCRIPTURES I. Introduction This is a worship service! How do I know that? Well, after Greg and Colleen read the opening Scripture, we sang “We Have Come into His House.” “We have come into His house and gathered in His name to worship Him. We have come into His house and […]

“THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME” ACTS 3:12-18 I. Introduction “What’s in a name?” That’s the question asked by the young Juliet in “Romeo and Juliet,” Shakespeare’s tale of star-crossed lovers. It was in Act II, Scene ii, where what Juliet actu-ally said was, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any […]

“THE JOY OF OUR SALVATION” ACTS 3:1-11 I. Introduction Have you come to saving faith in Jesus Christ? You have? There is great joy in it, isn’t there? But do you find that the cares, the worries, the troubles, the pains, and even the perse-cutions of this life sometimes rob you of that joy? If […]

“THE FIRST CHURCH” ACTS 2:42-47 I. Introduction There is a church that is alive, and there is a church that is dead. In Revelation 2-3 Jesus speaks to seven specific churches – churches that actually existed in the first century. One of them (Philadelphia) was faithful to God and His word. One of them (Smyrna) […]

“…PIERCED TO THE HEART” ACTS 2:37-41 I. Introduction When speaking to someone about the salvation that is found in our Lord Jesus, are there cer-tain words you carefully try to avoid? Are you convinced that using terms like “your sins,” and “be saved” will turn people away? Are you concerned that you’ll be labeled a […]