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Category: Holy Spirit

Following Jesus, Serving Others, and Sharing God's Love

Next: The Early Church Today – Gospel Sexuality

Dr. Branson Parler We live in a world that is confused about human sexuality. So did the early church. Today we will look especially at the commands for Gentiles regarding sexuality in Acts 15 in order to understand why, far from being restrictive, God’s ways are profoundly life-giving.

Next: The Early Church Today – The Leading of the Spirit

Dr. Branson Parler What should the church do when faced with new challenges, questions, and directions? The early church faced complicated issues and questions, but Acts 15 gives us insight into how God works to lead us continually and faithfully in the direction he has for us.

Next: The Early Church Today – Draw Near

Rev. Eric Schalk How do we approach God and really hear from him? Many of us desire to hear God speak into our lives, yet we struggle to listen. In our text today, we’ll see how the early church drew near to God and experienced his presence in a profound way. Through their experience, we’ll…
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Next: The Early Church Today – What Are You Praying For?

Dr. Branson Parler In our text for today, we will reflect on God’s unexpected deliverance of Peter from jail. This text will force us to ask: what was the early church praying for when they prayed for Peter? Does our way of praying match their way of praying? This morning, let’s pray that God will…
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Next: The Early Church Today – What’s In A Name?

Rev. Eric Schalk This morning we’ll explore how the early church received the name “Christian,” and what that name means for us today.

Next: The Early Church Today – Take and Eat

Dr. Branson Parler Our text this week stands at a turning  point in the history of God’s redemptive work. We see that the outpouring of God’s Spirit is not only for the physical descendants of Abraham but that, in Christ, Gentiles also receive the fullness of God’s Spirit. We will see that God calls Peter…
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Next: The Early Church Today – Healing & Gifts

Rev. Eric Schalk After spending a few weeks focused on Saul, today we shift our focus back to Peter to see what God has been doing through him. Through Peter’s ministry, we will see some of his gifts for ministry, and explore what spiritual gifts mean for us today.

Next: The Early Church Today – Daily Conversion

Rev. Eric Schalk This morning we will examine Saul’s conversion. By wrestlig with Saul’s story, we will see our need to turn to Jesus every day for the grace we need to grow as believers.

Next: The Early Church Today – The Ends of the Earth

Rev. Eric Schalk This morning we’ll examine Philip’s conversation with the Ethiopian official. Through this encounter, we’ll see how we are called to pay attention to God’s leading, and be open to sharing the story of Jesus even in the most unlikely of places.  

Next: The Early Church Today – Inciting Incident

Rev. Eric Schalk Acts 7 Today’s text provides a crucial turning point in the life of the early church. As we contemplate Stephen’s speech, and subsequent murder, we’ll examine our relationship with God to see if we relate more with Stephen or the religious leaders who persecuted the church.