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.

12/27/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

Galatians 4

Christmas

The Fullness of Time

Too often we attempt to make Christmas about us, when it was about us only indirectly. While we don't always understand God's plans, we can be assured that both His plans and timing are perfect.

12/20/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 9-10

The Acts of God through the Church

Gentiles Come To Faith

Up until now, the focus of the church has been on those mostly claiming Jewish heritage (the exception would be the Ethiopian eunuch).  Cornelius though marks a decided shift as Judea has expressed a lack of interested in Jesus and the Gentiles embrace Him.  The first significant convert is Cornelius… Up until now, the focus of the church has been on those mostly claiming Jewish heritage (the exception would be the Ethiopian eunuch). Cornelius though marks a decided shift as Judea has expressed a lack of interested in Jesus and the Gentiles embrace Him. The first significant convert is Cornelius…

12/13/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 9

The Acts of God through the Church

Saul’s Conversion

This section tells the story of Saul’s conversion to faith. He is radically transformation as a result of seeing Jesus and being confronted with the reality of who He is. Jesus is the only hope for our world too with all of its brokenness and chaos. You and I have been sent out to share an eternal truth about an everlasting God…

12/6/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 8

The Acts of God through the Church

Samaria Gets the Gospel

Following Stephen’s death, the church was further rocked by a persecution of the Hellenized Jews. It probably seemed as if their world was falling apart, but God used it to grow the church further. In a dramatic step forward, Acts 1:8 pattern second level is reached as Samaria receives the gospel…

11/29/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 6-7

The Acts of God through the Church

Stephen, the first Martyr

Not long after being set-apart as a table server, Stephen ends up being the first martyr. Charged with blasphemy; after an illegal trial and an equally illegal punishment phase, Stephen dies. He did not seek out martyrdom, but the circumstances quickly escalated and while it seems unfair and unjust to us, it was a major moment in the life of the church.

11/22/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 4

The Acts of God through the Church

Obeying God Rather Than Men

Peter and John stand before the Sanhedrin to give an account of how they healed the lame man of Acts 3. This questioning was not centralized on the facts of the miracle, but on the authority to do the miracle. The Sanhedrin saw themselves as the judge, jury and executioner of the law. To them, Peter and John were acting against the law. The Sanhedrin acted as religious liberals act today…

11/15/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 5

The Acts of God through the Church

Rejoicing in Suffering

The apostles find themselves arrested and tried for once again preaching in Jesus name. They are threatened and beaten and they considered it a privilege to suffer for Jesus. And through it all the church continued to grow! God is slowly building the case of the differences between traditional Judaism and the new Way. Would we consider it a privilege to suffer for Jesus? Would we welcome opposition if the church would grow?

11/8/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 4-5

The Acts of God through the Church

True Christian Hospitality and Generosity

What is the role of hospitality today?  We live in a day of independence, in fact we revel in it as Americans.  We look down on those who need assistance, we celebrate the self-made person who gives more than they receive.  The fact is though, we need each other.  We are not independent; we are inter-dependent.  From the very earliest moment of the church, it was expected they would take care of their own…