This year, we have depended on technology and political/social activism to bring us together during this on-going pandemic, but the reality is that many of us are physically, emotionally, and spiritually weaker than we've ever been. And with countless Christians isolated from their communities and seeing their church homes closing their doors indefinitely, the Church is no exception to this weakness.
But what if what looks like a decline in the church... is actually a beginning for spiritual awakening? Is there hope that our churches would be so SHOOK that we would experience the kind of revival that would shake our faith and bring personal revival to us, our neighbors, our cities, and the world? Scripture shows us that this hope is real. For the next 12 weeks, we'll be looking through the early chapters of Acts to draw from what the early church understood about Jesus and our shared faith. As we draw out the essence of Christianity from this Scripture, we'll pray that the Lord brings about a new revival that we've never seen before.
Pray for these 2 things along with us throughout this series:
1. Lord, ignite a great awakening and spiritual revival within our cities.
2. Start with me.
This sermon asserts that genuine conversion is a necessary and transformative process that moves individuals from spiritual blindness to sight through the conviction of the Holy Spirit. By engaging with the historical evidence of Christ and accepting the gospel's message—that we are both sinful and profoundly loved—we can receive a new identity and a relationship with God.
This sermon uses the early church's conflict in Acts 6 to highlight four commitments for a flourishing church: celebrating growth, caring for the vulnerable, prioritizing the ministry of the Word, and cultivating a "priesthood of all believers." By addressing internal conflict through delegation and maintaining a focus on these principles, the church ensures the continued increase of God's Word and the multiplication of disciples.
This sermon highlights the early apostles' audacious faith, as they courageously obeyed God over human authority, even in the face of suffering, because they were grounded in the gospel. Their joy in persecution serves as a challenge to modern believers to abandon conformity, embrace a radical obedience, and find greater fulfillment in Jesus than in the world's fleeting pleasures.
This sermon teaches that the early church's radical unity and generosity were a direct result of the Holy Spirit's power and their gratitude for Christ's sacrifice, which led to a powerful testimony and a community without need. It holds up Barnabas as a model of this selfless spirit and calls believers to emulate Jesus, the ultimate "son of encouragement" who gave everything for us.
This sermon teaches that ordinary believers, like Peter and John, can be "shook" by God to boldly impact their culture by relying on three divine gifts: a new identity in Christ, a supernatural perspective on circumstances, and the power of the Holy Spirit. It challenges Christians to move beyond self-sufficiency by embracing the strength found in God and the support of the church community.
This sermon explains that the "living hope" in Jesus is a source of assurance and strength that endures through trials. It contrasts this hope with unbelief, which is often rooted in a person's self-constructed "cornerstone"—their ultimate source of security and significance, which the gospel challenges.
This sermon asserts that the Bible is the ultimate authority for Christians, as demonstrated by Jesus himself, and that all of Scripture points to him. The message calls for repentance and submission to God's word, which is necessary for a true relationship with him and leads to hope and transformation.
This sermon emphasizes that the early church's success came from its devotion to the apostles' teaching (doctrine), which provides the foundation for genuine fellowship and mission. The message encourages listeners to become disciples by not only knowing but also obeying Jesus' teachings, which builds a strong and attractive church community.
This sermon argues that genuine revival and church growth are fueled by a unified Christian community that is devoted to biblical teaching, fellowship, and generous living. The message highlights that the praise of Jesus Christ is the driving force behind this attractive community, which ultimately draws people to God.
