In this message, Pastor Noel explores the danger of "customized Christianity" and the human tendency to shape Jesus around our personal preferences. Using the account of Paul and Barnabas in Acts 14, he illustrates how the crowds shifted from worshiping the apostles to stoning them once the gospel challenged their cultural idols and demanded true repentance. Noel challenges listeners to consider whether they truly want the real Jesus or simply a version of Him that agrees with their politics, sexuality, and finances.
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In this message, Tony traces the historical shift in the book of Acts as the early movement expands toward a global audience. He details the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas, emphasizing that their impact was the result of years of intentional preparation and a commitment to shared leadership. By highlighting archaeological evidence that supports the biblical narrative, James connects ancient history to the present day, encouraging listeners to find their place in this ongoing story.
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In this message, James provides a historical and geographical breakdown of Acts 13, marking the moment the early gospel movement began its expansion to the ends of the earth. He explores the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas, highlighting how their ancient ministry was built on a foundation of prayer, preparation, and community. By connecting these biblical events to modern-day archaeological finds, James demonstrates the historical reliability of the text while challenging listeners to consider their own role in this ongoing movement.
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In this message, Hezekiah explores Acts 13 to examine how the early church navigated the tension between divine calling and outward success. He highlights that while Paul and Barnabas were directly led by the Holy Spirit, they immediately faced intense opposition and mixed results. By reframing success as faithfulness rather than specific outcomes, Hezekiah encourages listeners to trust that God is working even through moments of resistance or rejection.
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In this message, the speaker explores the expansion of the early church from 30 AD to 44 AD, tracking the gospel's journey from Jerusalem to Antioch and beyond. He highlights the stark contrast between the faithfulness of early believers and the opposition of political leaders, specifically focusing on the persecution under King Herod Agrippa I. The sermon emphasizes that despite the tragic execution of the apostle James and the arrest of Peter, the church’s commitment to prayer and generosity remained unshaken.
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In this message, Justin addresses the concept of "main character syndrome"—the tendency to live as if the world revolves around oneself. Using the historical example of King Herod Agrippa I from Acts 12, he illustrates the dangers of extreme ego and the abuse of power. Justin explains that while Herod sought political approval through violence and accepted divine praise for himself, he was ultimately struck down, serving as a warning that glory belongs to God alone.
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In this message, Tony walks through the events of Acts 12, focusing on the contrast between King Herod’s opposition and the resilience of the early church. He explains how Peter was freed from prison by an angel while the believers were gathered in prayer, demonstrating that God's plans are not hindered by political or physical barriers. The sermon highlights the importance of choosing prayer as a first response to hardship and warns against the dangers of personal pride.
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In this message, Noel recounts the story of Peter's vision in Acts 10, where God challenges the old Jewish dietary laws. This pivotal moment, symbolized by a sheet of "unclean" animals, leads Peter to the home of a Roman centurion, Cornelius, which was a forbidden association for a Jew.
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n this message, Hezekiah uses the analogy of a child's milestones to frame his discussion of seemingly small, significant moments in life and faith. Analyzing Acts 9:32-43, Mickey focuses on the Apostle Peter’s miracles—the instantaneous healing of the paralyzed Aeneas and the resurrection of Tabitha (Dorcas). He emphasizes that Peter’s actions were rooted in Jesus’s power, and that the ultimate purpose of the miracles was not the temporary fix but causing people to believe and turn to the Lord.
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In this message, the speaker Jordan reflects on the spiritual openness of young adults at the new MSU campus venue before delving into Acts 9:32-43. The sermon highlights the apostle Peter continuing the ministry of Jesus by performing two miracles: the healing of Aeneas and the resurrection of Tabitha (Dorcas). Jordan emphasizes that these physical healings and resurrections served to demonstrate Jesus's power to forgive sins and grant new life, ultimately causing many people in Liddah and Joppa to believe.
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In this message, Pastor Tony uses the movie Elf to frame a discussion about divine power versus secular "magic." Examining Acts 9:32-43, the sermon details two key miracles performed by Peter: the instantaneous healing of Aeneas, who had been paralyzed for eight years, and the surprising resurrection of the beloved disciple Tabitha. These acts of power lead to widespread belief in the cities of Liddah and Joppa, demonstrating that encountering Jesus's power fundamentally changes lives and communities.
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In this message, Pastor Noel traces Saul’s dramatic encounter with Jesus in Acts 9 and what it reveals about misplaced confidence and genuine transformation. He explains how Saul, convinced he was defending God, was actually fighting against Him—until a disruptive moment forced him to confront the truth. The sermon highlights how Saul’s blindness became the turning point that reshaped his identity and redirected his strengths toward a new purpose. It closes with a challenge for listeners to consider where they might be resisting change and to respond with the same decisive surrender Saul ultimately embraced.
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In this message, Hezekiah discusses the intentionality of God's plan by examining the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. He highlights how Philip was called away from a massive revival in Samaria to focus on one individual, emphasizing that the Gospel is not colorblind and actively seeks out those on the social or spiritual margins.
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In this message, Jordan explores how God orchestrates personal, transformative moments through the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. He highlights Philip's obedience in leaving a major spiritual revival to go to the desert for one person, emphasizing that God sees and loves "our one more."
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In this message, Tony focuses on the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch from Acts 8, emphasizing that our responsibility as believers is to follow God's lead in faith and action. He shows how Philip, being divinely directed, met the wealthy but religiously excluded eunuch, starting a gospel conversation by asking questions and using the prophecy of Isaiah 53.
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In this message, Justin explores the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8, highlighting how God actively seeks out and uses "misfits"—people who don't fit the expected religious or cultural mold. He emphasizes the radical inclusivity of the Gospel, showing how Philip, a Greek-shaped outsider, connects with the Ethiopian, a high-ranking but ritually excluded African official, over a shared reading of Isaiah 53.
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In this message, Noel explores the story of Philip bringing the gospel to Samaria, specifically the "icky" city of Samaria, an area considered irredeemable by Jews. He highlights how the power of God transformed the city, converting many—including Simon the sorcerer—and bringing "great joy." The speaker uses this account to stress the unifying work of the Holy Spirit and to remind listeners that no one is irredeemable in the eyes of God.
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In this message, Noel talks with Steve Sommerlot who recounts the faith and risk involved in launching Riverview Church in 1977, a venture that led to dozens of subsequent church plants. Drawing from the story of Stephen in the Book of Acts, Noel then argues that God is always inviting his people to join his mission, often in uncomfortable or unexpected ways.
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In this message, Noel draws a parallel between the excruciating recovery from sinus surgery and the difficult, often messy work of ministry, describing it as "picking out dried gunk." Focusing on Acts 6, he shows how the rapid growth of the early church led to a crisis: complaints that Hellenistic widows were being neglected in the daily aid distribution, creating cultural tension. To resolve the issue, the apostles chose to delegate the responsibility to seven capable men, freeing themselves to prioritize prayer and teaching the Word. This established a system where servants (deacons) manage practical needs while pastors (elders) focus on equipping the church, ensuring healthy growth without sacrificing core mission.
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In this message, Pastor James finishes Acts 5, detailing the rising conflict between the relentless apostles and the Jewish ruling council, the Sanhedrin. The narrative highlights the miraculous release of the apostles from jail by an angel, leading them to immediately return to public teaching with the declaration, "We must obey God rather than people."
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