COLORING OUTSIDE THE LINES

Acts 11:1-30

Creativity is essential for success in every area of life — including the ministry.  Today, we are going to look at a portrait of two churches who experienced God’s blessing because they were willing to “color outside the lines” when it came to reaching people with the Gospel.

WHY GOD SENDS GOOD PEOPLE TO HELL

Acts 10:1-48

 Our study of Acts has led us to a milestone event in the history of the church – the salvation of the first Gentile.  As we look at the miraculous story of a centurion named Cornelius, we will discover three truths about how God saves those who have never heard about Jesus Christ.

PORTRAIT OF AN EFFECTIVE EVANGELIST 

Acts 8:1-40 

 The first – and only – person called an “evangelist” in the Bible was not a paid professional apostle or pastor, but a layperson named Philip.  Today, we are going to discover how God used this ordinary Christian in an extraordinary way to be the first person to take the gospel beyond the city limits of Jerusalem.

THE FIRST CHRISTIAN MARTYR 

Acts 6:8-8:1

Opposition to the gospel of Jesus Christ is at times subtle, while at other times opposition is blatant as illustrated in today’s passage. Acts 7 records the death of the first Christian in history and provides a model for how Christians should respond to the inevitable attacks from unbelievers.

NO OTHER NAME

Acts 4:1-31

Today, we have come to another of many “firsts” in the book of Acts: the first instance of persecution because of the proclamation of the gospel. As we observe how Peter and John reacted to the threats of the religious leaders, we can learn some important principles for how to react when – not if – persecution comes.

LEADER WORTH FOLLOWING
Genesis 46:31-47:26

Each one of us is trying to influence someone else – which makes us a “leader.”  At the same time, each of us is following some kind of leader whether it is in the workplace, the church, or the family.  What makes someone an effective leader worth following?  The story of Joseph’s settlement of his family in Egypt and his continued leadership in the global famine answers that question.

Your SECOND Most Important Decision

Genesis 44:1 – 45:15

 Today, we have come to the climax of Joseph’s life story — the revelation of his identity to his brothers.  But, embedded in this story we find keys to making life’s two most important decisions:  the decision to receive forgiveness and the choice to grant forgiveness to others.

INVITATION TO THE BANQUET OF GRACE

Genesis 42:38 – 43:34 What is it that is preventing you from approaching God to receive all the gifts He wants to lavish upon you? Pride? Fear? In today’s account of the second trip Joseph’s brothers made to Egypt, we will see a marvelous picture of God’s grace available to those who lay aside their pride and fear and accept His invitation to “come and dine” at the “banquet of grace.” 

THE PRICELESS VALUE OF A CLEAR CONSCIENCE

Genesis 41:45 – 42:38 The apostle Paul told Timothy that the two necessities for the Christian life are “Faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith” (1 Timothy 1:19). As the dramatic life of Joseph continues to unfold, we will discover the extreme measures God will employ to activate a conscience that has become hardened over the years.

MOVING FROM GRIEF TO ACCEPTANCE

Psalm 13 Mother’s Day can be painful for some people who have experienced the death of a mother, the loss of a child, struggles with infertility, or the death of a relationship. Today, we are going to discover how to conquer the mountain of grief by moving from grief to acceptance.

MOVING FROM MATERIALISM TO CONTENTMENT

Philippians 4:11-13 Materialism is nothing more or less than the continual pursuit of “more.” But, although this craving is part of our DNA, it is another “mountain” that blocks us from the blessed life God wants us to experience. Today, we are going to discover how to move from materialism to contentment.

MOVING FROM GUILT TO REPENTANCE

2 Samuel 11 and Psalm 51 A famous Christian psychiatrist said, “The reason most people feel guilty is because they ARE guilty.” Guilt is a very real mountain that separates us from fellowship with God and from receiving the blessing of God. Today, we are going to examine one of the guiltiest characters in the Bible and the path he discovered that led from guilt to repentance.

MOVING FROM DISCOURAGEMENT TO HOPE

Nehemiah 4 Every Christian at some point in his or her life battles with discouragement. Today, we are going to look at a leader from the Old Testament who teaches us some invaluable lessons on how to conquer the “mountain” of discouragement in our life and in the lives of others.

MOVING FROM ANXIETY TO PEACE

Matthew 6:25-34 While every new headline gives us something additional to worry about, the Bible teaches that anxiety is another “mountain” that can separate us from the blessed life God wants us to experience. Today, we are going to discover what Jesus said about conquering the problem of anxiety.