We are studying Acts 8:1-25. After the stoning of Stephen, absolute mayhem breaks out. Acts 8:3 reads, “But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.” Isn’t that awful and yet wonderful at the same time? What is happening is traumatic to those believers yanked out of their homes and thrown into prison. But… what is clear is that God is up to something. He has plans for that persecutor of the church, Saul of Tarsus. Saul is in God’s sights. There is a simple principle that you and I need to grasp as disciples of Jesus: The mission of the church always happens in the midst of the mayhem and madness of the world. But more importantly, the mayhem and madness of the world must always serve the mission of the church and its Master, King Jesus. What difference would it make in our lives if we, as Christians, saw all the uncontrollable and often incredibly difficult situations in our lives and ministries as ultimately having to serve the purpose of the cause of the kingdom of Christ? How would your life look if you lived with a curious and sometimes befuddled confidence that God must be up to something? What if, under our confusion at God’s ways, there was a confidence that God works all things together for the good of those that love him and are called according to His purpose? This message is called “Mighty to Save”. Acts 8 is meant to be perspective-shifting and hope-giving to each of us as Christians. God is not caught off guard. God is not struggling to solve our problems. God is not reacting to the unknown. God is sovereignly advancing His mission His way for His glory.

Scripture References: Acts 8:1-25

From Series: No Other Name | More Messages from Kevin Dibbley

From Series: "No Other Name"

The book of Acts is a careful recording of the advancement of the kingdom of God into the Gentile world despite hostility and hardship. We constantly need to be encouraged and reminded that the mission of God happens through the unlikeliest of people (ie., Saul of Tarsus) in some of the most hostile environments. This happens precisely because our God reigns. Where are some of the hardest places that we least expect the gospel to advance? Who are you least hopeful would respond to the message of Christ? Waterbrooke Church’s mission statement is this: Waterbrooke seeks to be a gospel-centered multi-ethnic family that is captivated by Jesus, compelled to love others, and called to make disciples to the glory of God. What brings more glory to God than the salvation of the least likely people and peoples?

"Mighty to Save" | Acts 8:1-25

The message this week was called "The Spirit-Filled Community." What comes to your mind when you think of the spirit-filled life? For a lot of us when life gets really challenging and relationships get messy we assume that we must not be walking in the Spirit. In reality the book of Galatians tells us that the Spirit-filled life is actually a life of great difficulties. The flesh and the Spirit are constantly at war against one another. In the passage that we will be looking at, Galatians 6:1-5, we will see how we can cultivate gospel-centered, Spirit-filled communities. What we are going to see is that living life in community is messy and hard, but so worth it! God is drawing His people, who are radically different from one another, into deep, meaningful relationships as we live on mission and trust in the grace of Christ together. Come as we see how Jesus changes everything, especially our relationships with one another.

Scripture References: Galatians 6:1-5

From Series: Guest Speaker | More Messages from John Hall

From Series: "Guest Speaker"

Guest Speaker