Week 3 of Advent: Gaudete Sunday - the Sunday of JOY. For nearly 2,000 years, the Church has taught believers to anticipate Christ's return with hope, peace, joy, and love, NOT fear. Yet modern evangelicalism has turned eschatology into a source of anxiety rather than celebration.
Isaiah 35 paints a stunning picture of what's coming: the wilderness will rejoice, the desert will blossom, blind eyes will open, deaf ears will hear, the lame will leap like deer. This isn't about escaping earth, it's about Christ renewing it.
When Jesus returns, everything will be made right and made new. The joy will never end. The peace will never cease. Sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Stop fearing the Antichrist and start preparing for Christ. Stop looking for the mark of the beast and start celebrating the mark of the Lamb. The King is coming, and that's GOOD NEWS.
#Advent #GaudeteSunday #JoyToTheWorld #Isaiah35 #ChristsReturn #Eschatology #NoFear #KingdomOfGod
Week 2 of Advent: "The Return of the King." As we wait for Christ's second coming, how should we live together as the Church? Romans 15 reveals Paul's surprising answer: it's not about deep spiritual disciplines or personal practices, it's about HOW WE LOVE EACH OTHER.KEY MESSAGES:- Paul's prayer: May God fill you with all joy, peace, and hope as you endure.- What could you endure if you knew you'd be supernaturally filled with joy and peace along the way?- The "therefore" of Romans 12: Don't think more highly of yourself, love one another.- Paul's focus isn't on personal spirituality, it's on Christian relationships.- We who are strong must bear with the failings of the weak (and not please ourselves).- Don't make mountains out of molehills, distinguish preferences from primary issues.Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you (for the glory of God)📖 MAIN SCRIPTURE: Romans 15:1-13, Romans 12:1-2, Romans 13:11-14THE LITURGY LESSON: Ever wondered WHY our church service is structured the way it is? This sermon includes an in-depth explanation of our liturgical journey each Sunday, from Revelation (OT reading) through Confession, Absolution, Adoration, Proclamation, Confession of Faith, Expiation (communion), Supplication, Dedication, Commission (epistle), and Benediction. It's a path, not THE path, but understanding it can deepen how you worship. If you KNEW that as you endured, God would supernaturally fill you with joy, peace, and hope—what couldn't you endure? This was the secret of the martyrs. This is our hope until Christ returns. HOW LONG, O LORD? How long must we bear with one another's preferences, quirks, and weaknesses? How long must we prefer our brothers and sisters over ourselves? Until HE comes again. We don't know the day or hour, but we know He's coming. Let's be ready!#adventure #Romans15 #ChristsReturn #ChurchUnity #LoveOneAnother #Liturgy #PaulsTherefores #Endurance #JoyPeaceHope #SecondComing
James is executed. Peter is imprisoned and scheduled for public execution. The church gathers to pray, but when their prayers are answered beyond imagination, they don't believe it. This is the story of God's sovereignty, the power of humble prayer, and learning to trust BOTH His "yes" and His "no."
KEY MESSAGES:- God was glorified through James' martyrdom AND Peter's miraculous release- God's "no" is just as loving as His "yes" (we need to learn to hear both)- The church prayed for Peter, but when he showed up at the door, they didn't believe it- It's not about the size of your faith, it's about the size of the God your faith is in- Pride leads to ruin (Herod's demise), but humility leads to grace (Peter's deliverance)- We don't pray because we know what God will do, we pray because we know WHO God is- Antioch becomes a SENDING church (the hardest form of generosity)
📖 MAIN SCRIPTURE: Acts 12:1-13:3, 1 Peter 5:5-11, Psalm 50:15
While the church humbled itself in prayer, Herod strutted in pride, wearing silver robes designed to reflect sunlight like a god. One was struck down by an angel and eaten by worms. The other was set free by an angel with supernatural provision at every turn. Pride leads to ruin. Humility leads to grace.
THE HARD TRUTH:
Sometimes God's answer is NO. Was the church praying for James when he was executed? Certainly. Did God hear them? Absolutely. But God was pleased to glorify Himself through James' martyrdom just as He glorified Himself through Peter's release. Both were delivered, just in different ways and for different purposes.
WHAT WERE THEY REALLY PRAYING FOR?
When Rhoda announced "Peter is at the door!" the church said "You're out of your mind." Why? Because RELEASE wasn't on their multiple-choice list. They were praying for boldness to endure, for God's purposes to prevail, for Peter to be strengthened, not necessarily for escape. God gave them "exceedingly abundantly beyond all they could ask or think."
THE PRAYER LESSON:
We need bigger imaginations. Holy Spirit-sanctified imaginations to ask a BIG God for BIGGER things. And we need to trust that His "no," His "wait," and His "yes" are ALL loving answers from the same Father.
0:00 - Introduction & Scripture Reading
11:00 - Peter in Prison: The Church Prays Earnestly
18:00 - The Angelic Jailbreak: Peter's Miraculous Escape
26:00 - Why God Saved Peter But Not James
36:00 - Rhoda at the Gate: "You're Out of Your Mind!"
49:45 - Herod's Pride vs. The Church's Humility
57:00 - 1 Peter 5: Humble Yourselves Under God's Mighty Hand
1:01:00 - Antioch: A Sending Church (Paul & Barnabas Released)
1:05:00 - It's Not the Size of Your Faith, It's the Size of Your God
1:11:00 - Closing: Don't Lose Hope, Heart, or Faith
Antioch was the sin city of the Roman Empire, a city devoted to wickedness, temple prostitution, and human sacrifice. But God chose THIS place to become the Gentile center of Christianity. Why? Because when the Lord builds the house, our labor is never in vain.
KEY MESSAGES:
Regular believers (not apostles) fled persecution and accidentally started a missionary movement
Antioch was the 3rd largest city in Rome, a hub of wealth, debauchery, and darkness"
The hand of the Lord was with them"
God's presence made all the difference
Barnabas: A good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith (what an epitaph!)
The disciples were FIRST called "Christians" in Antioch (likely started as an insult)
Antioch became a grace-filled, Bible-teaching, radically generous, SENDING church
Prayer is not our last defense, it's our GREATEST spiritual weapon
📖 MAIN SCRIPTURE: Acts 11:19-12:5, Ephesians 4:15, Psalm 127:1
WHAT MADE ANTIOCH DIFFERENT?
They didn't need manipulation to be generous, the Spirit LED themThey sent their best people away on mission They were built on Scripture and taught by Paul & Barnabas for a whole yearThe transformation was SO visible, no one could deny God's grace was at work
THE RISING PERSECUTION:
While Antioch thrived, Jerusalem suffered. Herod killed James (the first apostle martyred) and arrested Peter during Passover. The church's response? PRAYER. Not as a last resort, but as their greatest weapon.
FOR THE CHURCH:
This is what we should aspire to be, not perfect, but "full of the Holy Spirit and of faith," anchored by God's Word, marked by radical generosity, and willing to SEND the people we love most.
WHERE ARE YOU PLACED?
You may not see yourself as a missionary sent by God, but wherever you are RIGHT NOW is where God has sovereignly placed you. You're a missionary in your neighborhood, workplace, and community. The Lord is WITH you.
#Antioch #Acts11 #FirstCalledChristians #Barnabas #SendingChurch #RadicalGenerosity #PrayerWarrior #MissionaryLife
📱 Instagram: @RedemptionHillChurch
🌐 Website: redemption-hill.com
🔔 Subscribe for biblical teaching
Peter has some explaining to do. He ate with uncircumcised Gentiles, entered their homes, and witnessed them receive the Holy Spirit, without circumcision, without Jewish tradition, without any "works" added to faith. The early church is furious. But Peter's defense changes everything.
KEY MESSAGES:
The Gentiles received the Holy Spirit just as the Jews did at PentecostSalvation is not about biology, ancestry, or tradition. Only faith in Christ."Who was I to stand in God's way?" - A convicting question for all of usThe gospel is radically inclusive (anyone can be saved) yet radically exclusive (only through Christ)
MAIN SCRIPTURE:
Acts 11:1-18, Ephesians 2:20-22This sermon unpacks why the Jewish believers struggled with Gentile inclusion, it wasn't simple bigotry, it was centuries of covenant identity being turned upside down. God had to convince them that "what God has made clean, do not call unclean." The dividing wall was demolished. The covenant sign shifted from circumcision to the Holy Spirit.
ACCOUNTABILITY MATTERS:
Peter brought 6 witnesses. Why? Because claims require credibility. Too many false teachers today operate without accountability. Scripture demands we check the fruit and verify testimonies.
THE QUESTION THAT SHOULD WRECK US:
"Who am I to stand in God's way?" Are you standing in the way of God's work by holding onto prejudice, tradition, or self-righteousness? Who have you written off that God might be saving? This is YOUR story too. If you're a Gentile believer, Acts 11 is why you're grafted in. This moment in church history means you and I have no reason to doubt our salvation.
Connect with Redemption Hill:
📱 Instagram: @RedemptionHillChurch
🌐 Website: redemption-hill.com
🔔 Subscribe for biblical teaching that challenges AND comforts
#Acts11 #Gentiles #HolySpirit #ChurchHistory #BiblicalAccountability #GospelInclusion #FaithAlone #ChristianAccountability #FalseTeachers #CheckTheFruit #FaithJourney #ChristianLiving #ChurchFamily #KingdomWork #SpiritualGrowth
What if the walls you've built in your heart are the very walls God died to tear down?In Acts 10, God orchestrates a divine appointment between Peter (a Jewish apostle) and Cornelius (a Roman centurion), two people who should never have been in the same room. But God had other plans. Through a bizarre vision involving unclean animals and a Holy Spirit encounter that shocked everyone, God proved that the gospel is for ALL people, no exceptions, no second-class citizens.The dividing wall of hostility? Demolished. The prejudice between Jew and Gentile? Killed at the cross. The idea that some people are too far gone, too different, too "other"? Shattered by grace.This isn't just ancient history. It's a mirror held up to our own hearts. What dividing walls are you still building? Who have you written off as "not one of us"? God shows no partiality, and that should convict us, comfort us, and compel us to love like Jesus.Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear that they're welcome at the table of grace?#GospelTruth #ChristianLiving #FaithJourney #BiblicalTruth #ChristianEncouragement #JesusSaves #FaithOverFear #BrokenWalls #GraceForAll #ChurchFamily #acts10
The final installment of our Nicene Creed series tackles the church's most essential beliefs: one holy, catholic, apostolic church, baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection of the dead. Without a physical resurrection, Christianity crumbles, but because Christ rose bodily, we have unshakeable hope.KEY MESSAGES:- The church is not a building but the "called out ones," God's family across all time- Baptism symbolizes our burial and resurrection with Christ (Romans 6:4)- The resurrection is PHYSICAL—not spiritual, not metaphorical, but bodilyIf Christ hasn't been raised, we are "of all people most to be pitied" (1 Cor 15:19)Christ is the "first fruits"—we will follow in glorified, imperishable bodies- Our hope: "Death is swallowed up in victory!"💬 Discussion question: How does believing in a PHYSICAL resurrection change how you live today?🌐 Visit: redemption-hill.com📍 Join us Sundays at 11:00 AM#NiceneCreed #1Corinthians15 #BiblicalTruth #ReformationSunday #ChurchDoctrine #ChristianTheology #Baptism #ReformedTheology #SermonSeries #ChristianCommunity #ChurchFamily #FaithFormation 0:00 - Introduction & Welcome to RefFest 20251:15 - Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:1-224:45 - Welcome to the Final Week of Nicene Creed Series6:30 - The Creed: A Useful Tool Under Scripture7:00 - Reading the Nicene Creed Together9:30 - The Church: What Does "Catholic" Really Mean?12:00 - One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church Explained15:45 - The Visible and Invisible Church18:30 - You Don't Join the Church—God Calls You Into It21:15 - The Mission of the Church in the World24:00 - Unity Across Denominations and History27:30 - One Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sins30:15 - Baptism: Symbol of Death and Resurrection33:00 - Does Baptism Save? What Scripture Actually Says35:45 - The Importance of Baptism in Christian Life38:00 - Assurance of Salvation: How Do You Know?40:15 - If You Desire Salvation, God Has Already Begun His Work41:30 - The Resurrection of the Dead42:00 - The "Progressive" Picture Bible That Denies Resurrection43:15 - 1 Corinthians 15: If Christ Isn't Raised, Faith Is Futile44:30 - Christ Rose BODILY—Not Spiritually, Not Metaphorically45:15 - The First Fruits: Jesus Rose, We Will Too45:45 - What "Resurrection" Actually Means (Standing Up Corpse)46:00 - 1 Corinthians 15:51-55: Changed in the Twinkling of an Eye46:30 - Death Is Swallowed Up in Victory47:00 - Closing Prayer: Come, Lord Jesus
What does the Nicene Creed teach us about the Holy Spirit? In this powerful message from our "We Believe" series, we explore how the Holy Spirit is not just a doctrine to understand, but the personal guarantee of our salvation and the one actively working in our lives every day.KEY TAKEAWAYS:- The Holy Spirit is "the Lord, the Giver of Life" - equal with the Father and Son- He is our personal guarantee (seal) of the inheritance awaiting us- Much of what we attribute to Jesus is actually the Spirit's work in our lives- The Spirit applies Christ's finished work to our hearts and gives us faith to believe- He molds us into Christ's image and changes our desires from withinSCRIPTURE: Ephesians 1:3-14, Revelation 22:17, Galatians 4:6-7, Romans 8:9-11If you've ever lacked assurance in your salvation, struggled to understand the Holy Spirit's role, or wondered how God's work in the past applies to you today - this message is for you.Are you struggling with assurance of your salvation? The Holy Spirit is your guarantee. If you'd like to talk more about what it means to have the Spirit dwelling in you, or if you're questioning whether you truly belong to Christ, we'd love to connect with you. Want to learn more? Check out our full "We Believe" series on the Nicene Creed in the playlist above.0:00 - Introduction & Opening Prayer1:15 - Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:3-144:00 - Welcome to Week 5: "We Believe" Series5:45 - The Nicene Creed: Not the Boogeyman7:00 - Our Hope: One or Two Truths That Stick10:00 - The Creed as a Tool for Faith12:30 - Who Is the Holy Spirit?15:45 - The Lord, the Giver of Life20:15 - From Creation to New Creation25:00 - The Spirit Who Spoke Through the Prophets30:30 - The Spirit's Role in Scripture35:45 - How the Spirit Works in Our Lives40:15 - The Sealer of Our Salvation45:30 - Our Guarantee and Down Payment50:00 - The Spirit and the Bride Say "Come"58:15 - Revelation 22: The Spirit's Invitation1:00:00 - The Spirit Makes Salvation Effectual1:02:15 - Learning to Recognize the Spirit's Work1:04:00 - Your Experience of Freedom Is Through the Spirit1:06:30 - Conforming Our Desires to God's1:07:30 - Closing: Worship the Spirit Together with Father & Son1:08:00 - Closing Prayer & Communion#HolySpirit #NiceneCreed #ChristianDoctrine #ReformedTheology #BiblicalTeaching #Pneumatology #AssuranceOfSalvation #Trinity #ChristianCommunity #FaithJourney #ChurchFamily #SermonsOnline #PreachingTheGospel
1 Corinthians 15:12–28 | Theme: Christ’s Victory Past, Present, FutureIn Week 4 of our Nicene Creed series, we dive into 1 Corinthians 15:12–28 to see why the bodily resurrection is essential to the gospel and to everyday Christian living. Paul argues that if Christ is not raised, preaching is vain, faith is futile, and we remain in our sins, but in fact, Christ has been raised, the first fruits of a coming harvest. Because He lives, we will be raised; because He reigns, we can build with hope in the already/not yet of His kingdom until “the last enemy to be destroyed is death.”What we cover:Why denying our resurrection guts the gospel (vv.12–19)Christ the first fruits and the order of resurrection (vv.20–23)The kingdom now and coming: Christ reigning until all enemies are under His feet (vv.24–28)How the resurrection reframes work, worship, culture, and courage we don’t retreat; we buildCreeds as guardrails under Scripture, celebrating 1700 years since NicaeaKey Scriptures: 1 Cor 15:12–28; Gen 1–2; Ps 8; Rom 5; Eph 1; Rev 21–22Series: We Believe | The Nicene Creed (Week 4)If this helped you see the resurrection with fresh eyes:Like & Subscribe for the rest of the series.Comment: What’s one thing you’ll build this week (family, church, work, community) because the resurrection is true?Share this with someone wrestling with doubt about the resurrection.
In Week 3 of our “We Believe” series through the Nicene Creed, we open 1 Corinthians 15:1–11 to ask a timely question: What is the gospel?
Paul calls it a matter of first importance—that Christ died for our sins, was buried, rose on the third day, and appeared to many witnesses, all according to the Scriptures. We clarify what the gospel is (the saving work of Jesus for sinners) and what it is not (law-keeping, “try harder,” or even our personal testimonies).We also explain how the creed serves the church—as a subordinate guardrail under Scripture—for devotion, catechesis, evangelism, and protection from error. If you’ve ever wondered how grace relates to law, why good news requires bad news first, and why Jesus + nothing = everything, this episode is for you.Primary Text: 1 Corinthians 15:1–11Series: We Believe — The Nicene Creed (Week 3)Theme: The work of Christ: for us and for our salvation👉 New here? Subscribe and hit the bell so you don’t miss the rest of the series
*** We apologize this recording was interrupted and is incomplete ***This marks the beginning of a new series focused on the Nicene Creed, just in time for the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. This week we take a look at the historical context of the Nicene Creed, highlighting its crucial role in defining orthodox Christian faith and safeguarding believers from heresy, particularly in response to Arianism. The series aims to explore how the creed, as a tool for personal devotion, study, catechesis, evangelism, and witness, expresses the central tenets of the Christian faith succinctly and biblically. Let's take a deeper look at "We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible."00:00:00 - Introduction and Series Overview00:03:00 - Historical Context of the Nicene Creed00:06:00 - Reading and Explanation of the Nicene Creed00:09:00 - The First Statement of the Creed00:15:00 - Reading from Genesis00:21:00 - God as the Central Character00:26:00 - The Purpose of Creeds00:30:00 - Scriptural Foundation for Creeds#NiceneCreed #ChurchHistory #ProtestantReformation #BibleStudy #ChristianFaith #GodTheCreator #ScripturalTruth #FaithJourney #HistoricalSignificance #DivineRevelation
In this message we ask a timely question: How should Christians respond when the world grows hostile? From Acts 1:8, we return to the church’s non-negotiable mission—empowered by the Holy Spirit to bear witness to Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. Drawing from the early chapters of Acts, we see that persecution doesn’t pause God’s plan—it often propels it. The Spirit equips ordinary believers with boldness, suffering becomes a seedbed for the gospel, and the church is called to “stand in the gap” with trowel and sword: building families, churches, and communities, while wielding the Word of God to demolish lies and point people to salvation in Christ.Whether you’re a Reformed Baptist believer, a seeker exploring Christianity, or someone wanting a biblical worldview on cultural turmoil, this sermon calls us to courageous faith, joyful endurance, and confident hope in the reign of Christ—world without end.If this encouraged you, please SUBSCRIBE, like, and share to help others hear the gospel. Comment below: Where do you sense God calling you to “stand in the gap” this week? Your story may inspire someone’s next step toward Jesus.
As Peter travels among the believers, God uses him in powerful ways to demonstrate the living presence of Jesus through miraculous healings. In Lydda, Peter heals Aeneas, a man paralyzed for eight years, declaring, “Jesus Christ heals you.” The result? The whole region of Lydda and Sharon turns to the Lord.Soon after, in Joppa, Peter is called to the bedside of Tabitha (Dorcas), a beloved disciple known for her good works and charity. By the power of God, Peter raises her from the dead. This miracle becomes widely known, and many in Joppa believe in the Lord.These events remind us that the healings themselves were never the final goal. Each act of mercy and power pointed people to Jesus, validated the gospel, and brought many to saving faith. The miracles of the early church weren’t mere displays of power, but works of God that opened hearts to salvation and advanced the spread of the gospel.
After his dramatic conversion, Saul immediately begins proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues, declaring that Jesus is the Son of God. The Jewish believers are astonished, since Saul had once been their fiercest persecutor. Yet his preaching grows in boldness and power, confounding those who opposed the gospel.Facing death threats in Damascus, the disciples help Saul escape by lowering him in a basket through the city wall. When he arrives in Jerusalem, believers there fear him, doubting his transformation—until Barnabas steps in, vouching for Saul’s genuine faith and ministry. Saul then preaches boldly in Jerusalem as well, but again faces threats, so the church sends him away to Tarsus for safety.Despite opposition, the passage ends on a note of encouragement: the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experiences peace, growth, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit, walking in the fear of the Lord.
In Acts 9:1–19, we see one of the most dramatic transformations in Scripture: the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. Once a fierce persecutor of Christians, Saul encounters Jesus on the road to Damascus. Blinded by the glory of Christ, Saul is led into the city, where God sends Ananias to restore his sight and deliver God’s call. Saul is baptized, filled with the Holy Spirit, and set apart to proclaim the very gospel he once tried to destroy.This passage reminds us of the power of God’s grace—that no one is beyond His reach, and that He delights in turning lives around for His glory.Join us as we reflect on Saul’s encounter with Jesus and how God’s call transforms broken lives into bold witnesses.
In Acts 8:26–40, Philip is led by the Holy Spirit into a divine encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch, a man seeking truth while reading from the prophet Isaiah. Guided by God’s timing, Philip explains how the Scriptures point to Jesus as the suffering Savior, and the eunuch responds in faith by being baptized on the spot.This passage is a beautiful reminder of how God orchestrates opportunities for the gospel to spread beyond boundaries—reaching nations and hearts that are hungry for truth. It highlights the power of Scripture, the necessity of Spirit-led obedience, and the joy of salvation that cannot be contained.Join us as we reflect on how God still calls His people to be faithful witnesses, ready to share the good news wherever He sends us.
In Acts 7:54–8:3, we witness the powerful and heartbreaking account of the first Christian martyr—Stephen. After boldly confronting the religious leaders with the truth of the gospel, Stephen is filled with the Holy Spirit and receives a vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Enraged, the crowd stones him while he prays for their forgiveness, echoing the heart of Christ.This moment marks a turning point in church history: the beginning of intense persecution in Jerusalem and the rise of Saul, who approves of Stephen’s death. Yet even in suffering, God is sovereign—using persecution to spread the gospel beyond Jerusalem.
In Acts 7:37–53, Stephen continues his bold defense before the Sanhedrin by confronting the deep-rooted resistance of Israel’s leaders to God’s messengers. He reminds them that Moses foretold the coming of a prophet like himself—pointing to Jesus. Yet just as their ancestors rejected Moses and turned to idols, so too have they resisted the Holy Spirit and betrayed the Righteous One sent by God.This passage is a powerful rebuke against hardened hearts and religious hypocrisy, calling us to examine whether we are truly listening to God’s voice—or merely going through the motions.Join us as we explore Stephen’s prophetic words and what they reveal about our need for genuine faith, repentance, and Spirit-led obedience.
In Acts 7:1–36, Stephen begins his defense before the Sanhedrin by walking through the story of Israel—from Abraham’s call to Moses’ deliverance of God’s people. He traces God's sovereign hand throughout Israel’s history, emphasizing His faithfulness despite the people's rejection of His messengers. Stephen highlights that God's presence was never limited to one place, preparing the ground for the gospel to go beyond the temple and into the world.This powerful section reminds us that God has always been working His redemptive plan, and that Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises made long ago. Join us as we unpack this sweeping summary of biblical history and its powerful gospel implications.
In Acts 6:8–15, we’re introduced to Stephen—a man full of grace and power, performing signs and wonders among the people. As opposition rises, members of the synagogue begin to argue with him, but they cannot withstand the wisdom and Spirit by which he speaks. Unable to defeat him honestly, they resort to false accusations, dragging him before the council. Tehe Holy Spirit in Stephen’s empowers him to be a bold witness full of Godly character that shines in the face of slander, setting the stage for the first martyrdom in church history.