Luke’s account of the Jerusalem Council shows four indications of the priority of grace in Christian belief and practice: (1) the subject of contention; (2) the object of faith; (3) the fulfillment of prophecy; and (4) the guide for relationships. This sermon is part 8 of “Spreading the Faith,” Bryan Craddock’s verse-by-verse sermon series on Acts 8-20.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction - God's Triage
04:13 Grace is the Subject of Contention
13:35 Grace is the Object of Faith
21:32 Grace is the Fulfillment of Prophecy
28:22 Grace is the Guide for Relationships
38:14 Summary & Responses
Each New Testament Gospel presents a distinct but complementary view of the birth of Jesus. He is the Perfect King (Matthew), the Devoted Servant (Mark), the Caring Savior (Luke), and the Life-giving Word (John). This sermon was delivered by Bryan Craddock in celebration of Christmas 2025.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction - Distinct Flavors
05:10 The Perfect King (Matthew)
14:16 The Devoted Servant (Mark)
20:26 The Caring Savior (Luke)
28:24 The Life-giving Word (John)
35:10 Summary & Responses
Luke’s account of Paul’s first missionary journey alerts us to four common attacks on grace: (1) Denial; (2) defamation; (3) delusion; and (4) depreciation. This sermon is part 7 of “Spreading the Faith,” Bryan Craddock’s verse-by-verse sermon series on Acts 8-20.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction - Alert for Attacks
03:44 Attack 1 - Denial (Acts 13.42-49)
12:42 Attack 2 - Defamation (Acts 13.50-14.7)
20:03 Attack 3 - Delusion (Acts 14.8-20)
30:12 Attack 4 - Depreciation (Acts 14.21-28)
37:54 Summary & Responses
The beginning of Paul’s first missionary journey demonstrates six forces that compel us all to go with the gospel: (1) the passionate worship of God; (2) the opposition of false teaching; (3) the revealed plan of God; (4) the prophesied death of Jesus; (5) the prophesied resurrection of Jesus; and (6) the forgiveness and freedom of faith. This sermon is part 6 of “Spreading the Faith,” Bryan Craddock’s verse-by-verse sermon series on Acts 8-20.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction - Overcoming Evangelistic Inertia
05:00 Force 1 - The Passionate Worship of God (Acts 12.24-13.4)
12:13 Force 2 - The Opposition of False Teaching (Acts 13.5-13)
21:00 Force 3 - The Revealed Plan of God (Acts 13.14-23)
26:28 Force 4 - The Prophesied Death of Jesus (Acts 13.24-29)
32:14 Force 5 - The Prophesied Resurrection of Jesus (Acts 13.30-37)
38:52 Force 6 - The Forgiveness and Freedom of Faith (Acts 13.38-41)
43:33 Summary & Responses
Luke’s account of persecution in the early church prepares us with a four-step plan: (1) recognize the danger; (2) rely on prayer; (3) refuse to doubt; and (4) respect God’s wrath. This sermon is part 5 of “Spreading the Faith,” Bryan Craddock’s verse-by-verse sermon series on Acts 8-20.
00:00 Introduction - The Problem with Hypersensitive Alarms
03:55 Step 1 - Recognize the Possibility
11:35 Step 2 - Rely upon Prayer
18:05 Step 3 - Refuse to Doubt
25:40 Step 4 - Respect God's Wrath
31:45 Conclusion - Summary & Response to Acts 12
#Acts12 #ChristianPersecution #ExpositoryPreaching #Kalamazoo
Paul shares three reasons why he doesn't lose heart: (1) God's Word gives light; (2) Christ's resurrection gives power; and (3) God's promise gives hope.
#Christian Life #2 Corinthians 4 #Bible Teaching
Luke recounts three practices that cultivated unity in the early church: (1) celebrating God’s saving work; (2) encouraging devotion to the Lord; and (3) responding to one another’s needs. This sermon is part 4 of “Spreading the Faith,” Bryan Craddock’s verse-by-verse sermon series on Acts 8-20.
Peter's journey shows us five steps down the path of peace: (1) Remember Jesus' power; (2) follow God's instructions; (3) practice kind hospitality; (4) grasp the implications of the gospel; and (5) embrace our spiritual unity. This sermon is part 3 of “Spreading the Faith,” Bryan Craddock’s verse-by-verse sermon series on Acts 8-20.
The story of Saul demonstrates four stages in the experience of coming to faith in Christ: (1) Conviction; (2) identification; (3) opposition; and (4) connection. This sermon is part 2 of “Spreading the Faith,” Bryan Craddock’s verse-by-verse sermon series on Acts 8-20.
Luke's account of Philip's ministry challenges us to rethink three false assumptions about spreading the faith: (1) the necessity of stability; (2) the popularity of power; and (3) the improbability of receptivity. This sermon is part 1 of “Spreading the Faith,” Bryan Craddock’s verse-by-verse sermon series on Acts 8-20.
Fresh from his trip to Greece, Bryan Craddock shares six biblical reflections related to Athens, Crete, Ephesus, Thessaloniki, Philippi, and Corinth.
Luke's account of Stephen and his message exposes nine challenges that we must prepare to overcome: (6) presumption; (7) rejection; (8) distortion; and (9) hostility. This sermon is part 12 of “Building the Church,” Bryan Craddock’s verse-by-verse sermon series on Acts 1-7.
Luke's account of Stephen and his message exposes nine challenges that we must prepare to overcome: (1) Arguments; (2) accusations; (3) delay; (4) affliction; and (5) persecution. This sermon is part 11 of “Building the Church,” Bryan Craddock’s verse-by-verse sermon series on Acts 1-7.
Luke's account of a problem in the early church reveals seven values that should still guide us today: (1) Unity; (2) meeting needs; (3) the Word of God; (4) integrity; (5) prayer; (6) responsibility; and (7) multiplication. This sermon is part 10 of “Building the Church,” Bryan Craddock’s verse-by-verse sermon series on Acts 1-7.
Luke identifies four contrasts between the Jewish authorities and the apostles that help us understand the heart of healthy spiritual leadership: (1) Jealousy vs. life; 2) perplexity vs. teaching; (3) fear vs. obedience; and (4) anger vs. joy. This sermon is part 9 of “Building the Church,” Bryan Craddock’s verse-by-verse sermon series on Acts 1-7.
The story of Ananias and Sapphira suggests four warnings to help us deal with sin in the church. (1) The occasion: when you least expect it, (2) the expression: looking good on the outside, (3) the valuation: worthy of death, and (4) the implication: the power of holiness. This sermon is part 8 of “Building the Church,” Bryan Craddock’s verse-by-verse sermon series on Acts 1-7.
Luke shows us how the apostles stayed true to the mission, message, method, and means of Jesus while facing opposition: (Our mission) faith; (our message) Jesus; (our method) submission; and (our means) prayer. This sermon is part 7 of “Building the Church,” Bryan Craddock’s verse-by-verse sermon series on Acts 1-7.
Luke shows us five necessary ingredients of being a good witness for Christ through Peter's example: (1) Attention; (2) compassion; (3) confrontation; (4) invitation; and (5) explanation. This sermon is part 6 of “Building the Church,” Bryan Craddock’s verse-by-verse sermon series on Acts 1-7.
Luke's account of early church life demonstrates five essential practices of Biblical fellowship that every Christian needs to follow: (1) learn with one another; (2) pray for one another; (3) share with one another; (4) worship with one another; and (5) witness with one another. This sermon is part 5 of “Building the Church,” Bryan Craddock’s verse-by-verse sermon series on Acts 1-7.
In his sermon on Pentecost, Peter explains four urgent instructions for receiving the Holy Spirit: (1) accept why Jesus died; (2) believe that Jesus rose; (3) confess Jesus as Lord; and (4) repent and be baptized. This sermon is part 4 of “Building the Church,” Bryan Craddock’s verse-by-verse sermon series on Acts 1-7.