Sermons from Acts

Truth or Tradition – What are We Fighting For?

Date: June 3, 2012 | Speaker:

There are many issues in the church that have caused heated debate and division over the years. Surprisingly, most churches don’t argue over major doctrinal issues, but over far less important matters like what type of music is right or wrong, which instruments are acceptable in the church and which ones are worldly, whether suits and ties are more pleasing to God than casual clothes, etc., etc. If we don’t learn to put these issues into their proper categories, we will end up confusing tradition with truth, and we will be guilty of exactly what Jesus warned us about — trading in the commands of God for the traditions of men!

The Corruption of the Church, Part 2

Date: May 27, 2012 | Speaker:

Over the centuries, false doctrine has made its way into the church in many forms, and today there are millions of people being taught things that are absolutely untrue. Many people are told to pray to Mary, that she was sinless, that she is a co-savior with Christ, and even that she rose from the dead and ascended to heaven! How is it possible that churches can teach such things when there is not one verse in the entire Bible to verify these false claims? How did such lies make their way into the church, and what should our response be?

The Corruption of the Church, Part 1

Date: May 20, 2012 | Speaker:

When Jesus died on the cross, He opened the way for every believer to have direct access to God through Him. This new relationship was one of the foundational doctrines of the early church, but in 312 A.D. Emperor Constantine of Rome forced a system of lies into the church that completely distorted this biblical truth. Pastors were no longer seen as “Shepherds,” but were renamed Priests and wore visually intimidating robes to elevate themselves above the common man. Church members were falsely told that they now had to go through a Priest in order to reach God, and this began the corruption of the church which continues to this very day!

Church: It’s Not About Buildings and Steeples

Date: May 13, 2012 | Speaker:

Ask someone to show you their church and they’ll point to the building where they meet on Sundays. But is that really a church? It is amazing to see just how far our understanding of church has drifted from the Book of Acts. If you had asked any follower of Christ in those days to show you their church, they would have called the other believers together, pointed to them and said, “Here is our church.” Today we think church is a place we go, but we couldn’t be more wrong! Once we regain a correct understanding of what the church really is, it will radically change how we see our role in it.

Church: Whose Idea Was This?

Date: May 6, 2012 | Speaker:

Most of us who were raised in Christian circles will spend our entire life involved in the church to one degree or another. But what do we really know about the history of the church? Who started it, and why do we even bother being part of a 2,000-year-old organization, anyway? How has the church survived that long when most other organizations, and even entire nations, have long since failed and vanished from the face of the earth? Why are people willing to give their lives for the church, and exactly how big of a commitment should we be willing to make?

The Church is Not the Destination

Date: April 29, 2012 | Speaker:

For far too long Christians have believed that if we could just get the people “out there” to come to our church, then we have accomplished the mission of the church. The more people who show up on Sunday, the more we think we’re winning. Nothing could be further from the truth! In this powerful message, Reggie McNeal shows us that we’re using the wrong scorecard, and reminds us that the church is not the destination, but rather the “connector” to get people where God really wants them to go.

You Are a Letter That Others Are Reading

Date: October 23, 2011 | Speaker:

Too often we think that sharing the Gospel means nervously giving a cold, rehearsed presentation to people who don’t know Christ. However, the message we are called to share is not a script that we memorize… the message is our lives! The Bible calls us to be “living letters” that others can read. As we live consistently for Christ each day, those around us will see how the Gospel has transformed us, and then our words will have credibility as we speak about our Savior. Today’s message gives some practical advice for doing just that.

Living a Life Worthy of the Gospel

Date: October 16, 2011 | Speaker:

We have not been given the option of having our lives changed by the Gospel and then doing nothing with it. Our salvation is not just for our benefit, but for the sake of others who do not know Christ. The Bible charges us with the staggering responsibility of living our lives in a manner “worthy” of the Gospel. But we will never be motivated to take the Gospel to others unless we have eyes that see the need, and hearts that break over the need. Once we ask God to truly open our eyes and break our heart for the need of the Gospel, our lives will never be the same again!

Spirit in Control: A Picture of Power, Part 1

Date: April 10, 2011 | Speaker:

Jesus did not leave us here to live the Christian life in our own strength. He sent the same Holy Spirit who raised Him from the dead to live inside of us and empower us! But the Bible warns us not to be filled with other things that will take control of our lives. We must be filled with the Spirit in order for our thoughts and actions to be controlled by the Spirit. We are controlled by whatever we are filled with.

Self in the Dirt: A Picture of Repentance, Part 2

Date: March 6, 2011 | Speaker:

The Bible says that our lives must bear fruit that gives evidence of our repentance, but in order for fruit to grow, God must prune away any areas that are not of Him. This process is often painful, but in the end, it is the only thing that brings true life and true joy! What areas of your life are you holding back and not allowing God to trim away? Surrender yourself to His skillful hands and allow Him to shape you into the image of His Son.

Self in the Dirt: A Picture of Repentance, Part 1

Date: February 27, 2011 | Speaker:

When you hear the word “repent,” who do you think of? Is there a person or a group of people who, in your mind, are doing something terribly sinful of which they need to repent? It is so easy for us to point a guilty finger at others, while completely overlooking our own need to humble ourselves before God and repent of the things in our life that are breaking His heart. Repentance always comes before revival. Are we willing to turn from whatever wrongs God wants to reveal to us… including the subtle sin of indifference?

Share Our Grace Story

Date: February 14, 2010 | Speaker:

In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus says we are salt and light and calls us to be living, breathing expressions of His gospel wherever we are and to whomever we’re with. Through everyday, ordinary folks like us, God puts the gospel on the road. Rather than waiting for others to come to us, we’re told to go to them and to share our grace story of how God has worked in our lives.

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