5/15/2016

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 22-24

The Acts of God through the Church

Paul Before Authorities

Reading like an adventure story, Paul finds himself hauled from place to place. Always one step ahead of trouble, but never quite free from any of it; he learns to trust God. He is not always perfect in his responses, but he is humble enough to make things right…

5/8/2016

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 21-22

The Acts of God through the Church

Paul Arrested

Paul is arrested and barely escapes with his life. It would have been easy for Paul to ignore the plight of his nation and wash his hands of the whole matter; but his love for his nation compelled him to continue to preach the gospel. The peekaboo view of what is happening to the civility and culture of Jerusalem at this time is remarkably similar to what we see happening in America today…

5/1/2016

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 21

The Acts of God through the Church

Paul Travels to Jerusalem

Paul seems driven to go to Jerusalem. His friends do not want him to go and warn him repeatedly about the dangers of going. He presses on despite their concerns and ends up in prison before all is said and done. Was Paul right to go to Jerusalem? What can we learn about determining the will of God and trusting in God’s Sovereignty from this passage?

4/24/2016

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 20

The Acts of God through the Church

Encouraging the Church

Paul’s 3rd journey is summarized quickly by Luke but is filled with clues about the depth of Paul’s love and care for the church. While it is far from perfect, Paul knows he has left these churches in good hands—God’s. He embarks on a journey of encouragement to strengthen the churches for what is ahead.

4/17/2016

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 19

The Acts of God through the Church

Ephesus, part 2

Paul spends almost 3 years in Ephesus, Luke records just a few glimpses into Paul's life. While here, he travels the region planting churches; he returns at least once to Corinth to deal with issues there. He writes letters to Corinth, he trains the church, he works as a tent maker. God is planting a great church through his ministry...

4/10/2016

Pastor Phil Perry

Romans 1-13

Communion

Communion

We remember the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in song, word and by partaking of the communion elements together.

4/3/2016

Pastor Pete Steele

Psalm 143

Guest Speaker

Faith in Troubled Times

Missionary Pete Steele shares with us from Psalm 143 encouraging us that we can trust in God's direction and that while there is trouble all around us, God is working for His glory and our benefit at all times.

3/27/2016

Pastor Phil Perry

Luke 24

Easter

The Road to Emmaus

We celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus.

3/20/2016

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 18-19

The Acts of God through the Church

Ephesus, part 1

Ephesus was a place that Paul invested much time and energy into. It became the hub for ministry across western Asia Minor and one of Paul’s most cherished churches. This is also the last church pastored by an Apostle—John and included another notable pastor—Timothy. It too was a very worldly city with lots of cultures blended together and stood as a key church for centuries, until the Islam invasion. Ephesus, part 1

3/13/2016

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 18

The Acts of God through the Church

Corinth & the end of the 2nd Journey

Corinth was a special place to Paul. He spent at least 18 months here and wrote as many as 4 letters to this church. In fact, more is written to Corinth than almost all of the other churches. There were many problems with this church, many stemming from their cultural background of rampant idolatry. Corinth was a special place to Paul. He spent at least 18 months here and wrote as many as 4 letters to this church. In fact, more is written to Corinth than almost all of the other churches.  There were many problems with this church, many stemming from their cultural background of rampant idolatry.  

3/6/2016

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 17

The Acts of God through the Church

The Gospel and Athens

One of the most important cultural cities in the ancient world was Athens. By Paul’s day it was in its decline, but still highly revered for its universities and libraries. Plato and Socrates, are among some of its highest former residents. It is described as the birthplace of democracy and was a free Roman city. Paul did not chose to go here, but God in His Sovereignty thrust him into the spotlight…

2/28/2016

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 17

The Acts of God through the Church

Thessalonica and Berea

2 stopovers for Paul after leaving Philippi are the towns of Thessalonica and Berea. These 2 towns remind us of the importance of each other and God’s Word. God has given us all that we need for life and godliness; but both are important. It is not enough to simply come to church nor is it enough to be a good student of God’s word. Both are integral to a growing Christian life…

2/21/2016

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 16

The Acts of God through the Church

The Philippian Church

Paul’s adventures with the law continue in Philippi. What starts out as a promising church plant, quickly spirals into trouble. Paul is the one incarcerated for healing a young girl’s demonic oppression. He is an outsider that is causing problems for the insiders. God uses even this crazy situation for His own glory…

2/14/2016

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 15-16

The Acts of God through the Church

The Start of Mission Trip #2

At times, it seems like God derails our plans, yet in reality His ways are so much better than ours. Paul had to overcome some major changes going from one mission trip to another. Many of us might have quit in protest over just one of these obstacles, but Paul persevered. It is important for us to learn to be flexible with God, He has a specific path for us to walk; we just need to learn to find it and trust Him.

2/7/2016

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 15

The Acts of God through the Church

The Jerusalem Council

Dr. Luke seems to take a break in his retelling the missionary journeys of Paul; but this is an integral section to the book. Conflict arises, primarily because Paul is leading so many Gentiles to faith; it is unsettling to the Jews. They seek to impose their worldview as a prerequisite to salvation so the church sends the 2 opposing parties to Jerusalem to work these issues out. They took conflict on head to head and the result was growth of the church. Conflict handled well results in growth, conflict handled poorly ends in brokenness… The Jerusalem Council

1/31/2016

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 14

The Acts of God through the Church

Missionary Journey #1, part 2

The journey continues and it becomes more perilous as Paul and Barnabus go from town to town. Some come to faith as a result of the gospel, but many are opposed to them and seek to destroy them at all costs. Being true to the mission God calls all of us to will result in loss in this life. We cannot follow Jesus and expect everyone will applaud our choices. Will you pay whatever cost to be found faithful? Missionary Journey #1, part 2

1/24/2016

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 13

The Acts of God through the Church

Missionary Journey #1, part 1

The focus dramatically shifts in Acts to the ministry of Paul and his missionary trips. Luke allows us insight into a detailed message that Paul preached to the Jewish believers and once rejected how he pivoted towards the Gentiles. This method is one repeated over and over again in Paul’s ministry. Once again the opposition of the Jews is contrasted to the belief of the Gentiles…

1/17/2016

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 12

The Acts of God through the Church

Herod's Persecution

Trouble comes once again to the church in Jerusalem, this time led by King Herod. This persecution thrusts the focus of the church towards other parts of the empire and toward the Gentiles. As God does so often, He takes human tragedies and turns them into events that bring glory to Him. Ultimately His plan continues to unfold and the church continues to grow...

1/10/2016

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 11

The Acts of God through the Church

The Gentile Church is Established

This section begins with Peter defending his visit to Cornelius’ house and ends with a major shift beginning in the church. The followers get a new name—Christian; and the emphasis of the church moves from being Jewish focused to being more inclusive of Gentiles. One thing is for sure; God is building His church in His way. Major worldview shifts are happening and what was once certain and sure is no longer trusted…

1/3/2016

Pastor Phil Perry

Communion

Communion

We remember the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in song, word and by partaking of the communion elements together.