Acts 18:24-19:20; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3:23We often interact with people who have had bad experiences in churches and, even if they have not, they have read about church scandals, issues of abuse, and foolishness that happened in churches. A few years ago, there was an article about a pastor who had berated his congregation for not helping him purchase a luxury watch he felt he deserved. Many people ...  Read More

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-3:18; Acts 18:4-23We may feel like the only people saying Jesus is coming back are strange people on TV holding up placards, but the truth of Christ’s return is in the message of 2 Thessalonians. The reality of Christ’s return must be believed, shared, and acknowledged. There were some in Thessalonica who thought they had missed Jesus' return, but Paul ...  Read More

Acts 17:16-18:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5:11 Thank you. This is a simple phrase with profound effects. Saying thanks not only shapes our hearts but also impacts the receiver of those words. If we are honest with ourselves, our speech is often marked far more by complaints, anger, and frustration than thanks, which in turn shapes our hearts and emotions.As Paul writes his first letter to the church in...  Read More

Acts 15:22-17:15 Paul’s ministry was focused on evangelism and discipleship. Many of his missionary journeys consisted of traveling to new cities where the gospel had never been. He would spend time in popular gathering places like synagogues and marketplaces and share Jesus with people who had never heard his name. As he traveled, he also spent time going back to cities where he had previously be...  Read More

Galatians 3:24-6:18; Acts 15:1-21 Who are you? If you are asked this question at a party, there are several different ways you could answer. You could answer with your name, your job, your hobbies, or, if you want to be weird, you could answer you are a child of God. When we place our faith in Christ, we are adopted by God and unconditionally brought with love into his family. This new family mean...  Read More

Acts 14:21-28; Galatians 1:1-3:23 Gospel. Gospel. Gospel. This is the repeated refrain of Paul throughout the book of Galatians. He knows if the church loses the gospel, then they have lost everything ─and they are on the verge of losing it. In Galatia, a lot of things had been added to the pure gospel message. They had placed Jewish tradition, law keeping, morality, and a host of other things alo...  Read More

Acts 12:6-14:20 Jesus commanded his disciples to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations. The book of Acts is the beginning of that story which continues today. The beginning of Acts was largely focused on the work of Peter making disciples among Jewish people, and our reading today transitions the spotlight to Paul. Paul's focus is largely going to be on making disciples of Gentil...  Read More

Acts 10:1-12:5 New things are constantly starting. There are new restaurants in town, a new NBA season started a month ago, new friendships are being formed─all sorts of new things. In the same way, Jesus' death and resurrection brought a new thing. The old covenant was replaced by a new covenant; thus, a new way of relating to God the Father has been made available to us. Peter was introduced to ...  Read More

Acts 8:1-9:43 As we look at the world around us, we see it is changing faster than ever before. There are changes in politics, economics, and technology. What does not change is our relationship with God. In the UK during the late 1700s, society had slipped into immorality and decadence. Church participation had drastically declined, similarly, as it has globally in recent years. Then John Wesley ...  Read More

Acts 6:1-8:1We are called to be disciples who make disciples. This means we are called to both communicate the gospel and live it. This dual task of proclamation and lifestyle is seen in Acts 6 where some people focused on distributing food, while others focused on teaching. The calling to meet both physical and spiritual needs has always been part of the work of the church. Then in Stephen's life...  Read More

Acts 3:1-5:42 Over the next few days, we will find ourselves working through the book of Acts. It received this name because it recounts the acts of the apostles. After Jesus’ resurrection, we see these early followers of Jesus living out the new life they have received. The church was marked by the miracles of the apostles, the proclamation of Jesus, joy in the face of suffering and persecution, ...  Read More

Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:1-2:47 Everyone loves receiving gifts. The anticipation of staring at a wrapped box, wondering what is inside, and then the slow (or quick) unwrapping of it. Jesus had promised a gift of a Helper in John 16, and we read about his unveiling today. Jesus had to go away for the gift to come. He left his disciples at the Ascension where he went to the right hand of...  Read More