In this sermon we again dive into the rich and beautiful saga of the early church’s attempt to come to grips with the relevance of their new life in Christ and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. In this text we learn a few things. First, our contemporary experiences with the Holy Spirit, if Biblical, are valid, legitimate and life-changing. God still works in believers in magnificent ways. Secondly we learn that when understood holistically throughout the New Testament, the Holy Spirit baptizes those who put their faith in Christ at the moment of belief, granting the fullness of the Holy Spirit as the seal of His redemption, and yet He is pleased afterward to supernaturally “fill” believers at any time, for special reasons and in life-changing ways. This colorful narrative of Philip in Samaria and on the southern desert road again has as its hero God himself, who is involved with His church, leading them in truth, validating their wise decisions and perhaps most importantly, protecting them from unforeseen danger, division and deception.
Acts of the Apostles 6:8-8:1 – Stephen Full of Grace
As the first of the seven servants mentioned at the beginning of the chapter, the narrative of Acts now focuses in on Stephen, a man described as being “full of grace and power.” His speech is the longest in the book (fully one third of the book is contained in speeches), but what is his point? In this study we find Stephen speaking directly to his accusers and drawing illustrations from Israel’s history and theology. He says, “just like your fathers disowned Joseph and Moses, yet God saved the nation through them, you have disowned your Messiah.” Stephen’s trial and execution are also cast in the shadow of Jesus’ trial and execution. Finally, the Son of Man stands to receive him.
Acts of the Apostles 5:17-6:7 – God Between the Lines
This week we experienced some significant technical difficulties in the sermon recording. This is the reason for the delay in the post. We sincerely apologize.
With this sermon, Teaching Pastor Scot takes us from opposition to the twelve apostles as a group to the appointment of seven “servants” in the church. As in every episode in Acts, we see clearly that God is the main character, active and involved, showing his favor and his providing power through His Spirit.
Acts of the Apostles 4:32-5:42 – The Father’s Emissaries
Sometimes you just run out of it! That’s what happened to Teaching Pastor Scot Pollok as he discussed the two episodes in this passage. What we find is that the story of Ananias and Sapphira is really about God and His chosen ambassadors, the apostles. The next episode is linked as God continues to intervene for the sake of the apostles, even as they are jailed and flogged. We should be careful not to abuse this principle with “untouchable” modern-day “apostles,” as some have taught. That’s not what it meant then, and it doesn’t mean that now. We should, most importantly, spend time meditating on our truthfulness, our promotion of the truth, our suffering for the sake of the gospel and our trust in the Father’s care.
Acts of the Apostles 3:1-4:31 – Resurrected Opposition
Today, Teaching Pastor Scot Pollok takes us through the long episode of the healing of a lame man and the outcome of this miracle. In the previous chapter we see the church enjoying “favor with all the people,” as they go to the temple day by day and see the signs and wonders at the hands of the apostles. We see all of these specific things in this next episode except the young church no longer enjoys “favor with all the people.” Religious leaders rise up against Peter and John and command that they no longer speak “in the name of Jesus.” They cannot agree and pray to God for boldness. God validates the entire scene by visiting them with another filling of the Holy Spirit and an answer to their prayer for boldness and courage.
Acts of the Apostles 2:42-47 – “Warp and Woof”
A century ago in England, weavers spoke of the fabric in their loom as the warp and woof. We use the phrase today to speak of the foundation of something, its basic essence or cornerstone. Teaching Pastor Scot Pollok resumes our study of Acts today by looking at Acts 2:42-47, which describes the warp and woof of the first church in Jerusalem. The four devotions and eight results in this passage are as beautiful as they are indicting.
A Memorable Meal – Exodus 12, John 6, John 13
In Exodus 12, at the first Passover, God instructed Israel that the new meal He was about to institute among them was not only to be a consistent and annual memorial throughout their generations, but it was also supposed to rearrange their calendar. This month would become the FIRST month for them. It was that important. What better way to begin a new year than to remember and celebrate God’s glorious revelation from first Passover to Passover in the time of Jesus, and from Last Supper to the Lord’s Supper in the early church. We begin our new year with a memorable meal – the most important meal.
A Shepherd’s Christmas – Luke 2:15-20
On this special Christmas Day service, Teaching Pastor Scot Pollok takes a look at the familiar story of Luke 2…but after the familiar section. We focus in on the shepherds in the fields around Bethlehem: the unclean, forgotten outcasts of religious society that were likely caring for the special group of lambs that were raised for Passover sacrifice. These humble men were the first worshippers of the infant Jesus and the first missionaries of His incarnation.
After this service, over 300 members of the Faith Bible Family sacrificed special time with their family to go and GIVE Christmas away, visiting fire stations, emergency rooms, elderly and independent living facilities and shut in families. It was a sight to behold: humble sinners giving of themselves because a humble Savior first Gave Himself.
God Gives Himself – John 1:9-14
On Christmas Eve we somberly reflect on one of the most sublime and meaningful passages in our Bible. The prologue to John’s gospel describes the Nativity scene for us in language unlike any other. It is the Christmas story wrapped in theological language and practical significance. The Word that created all things wrapped himself in human flesh and humbled Himself to become like us. He did this so that He could save us. On that first Christmas, we received the ultimate gift – the gift of God Himself. He gave first. He gave most. We give because He gives.
Giving Grace – Romans 5
Missions Pastor Ethan Collins opens up a seminal passage about the application of God’s grace in our everyday lives. Giving Grace actually gives Life to others. That is what God did for us…and we get to enjoy emulating Him in this grace-giving. Ethan closes our study by sharing a ton of stories of grace-givers from our very own Faith Bible Church family.
Giving Your Resources – 2 Corinthians 9
As Teaching Pastor Scot Pollok studied 2 Corinthians for this sermon, the vital link between God’s grace in our lives and our generosity became very clear. We continue our Season of Giving by discussing how the reality of God’s grace flowing into our lives must lead to great generosity flowing out of our lives. God wants our heart. All of us. Without the silly matters of percentages and decimals, the New Testament resoundingly teaches that Christians are generous – sacrificially, faithfully and joyfully.
Giving Your Gifts – 1 Peter 4
Teaching pastor Scot Pollok “bites off more than he can chew” (in his own words) with this sermon. Continuing our series during the Season of Giving, we come to 1 Peter 4, one of the central passages on our spiritual grace-gifts, given to us by God. In just a few verses, the depth and beauty of God’s gift to “each of us” who believe begins to take root in very practical and relevant ways. We can serve others in the name and power of Jesus without compromise. We must. Grace acts because it must.
Giving Yourself – Philippians 2
With this sermon we begin some special talks during our Season of Giving. Today, Adult Pastor Gavin Carrier opens up Philippians 2, that amazing “emptying” passage about Jesus’ attitude towards servanthood and sacrifice. There may be no better way to begin a season in which we each are intentionally focusing on others, on giving, on serving and being Light in a dark and lost world.
Local Missions Sunday – “Provoked”
Our good friend Peter Swan from Aid Sudan delivers a powerful message from Acts 9 on a special Local Missions Sunday. How does a servant for Aid Sudan speak to “local” missions? You’ll have to listen.
Acts of the Apostles 2:1-41 “The Sound of A Promise”
With this sermon our study of Acts brings us to one of the most important single chapters in all of our New Testament. In Acts 2 we see the birth of the church. Jesus had instructed his followers to wait for the promise of the Father, and in this chapter the Father delivers. This promised gift is His Holy Spirit. He comes on this group of over 100 believers with a great noise, visible fire and miraculous languages. A crowd gathers and the church is born and grows. This promise of power fueled the testimony of these followers of Christ, and the Holy Spirit continues to do the same thing with us today.
Acts of the Apostles 1:1-12 – “Mission for the Misplaced”
Today we began our study of the Acts of the Apostles with a look at Acts 1:1-12. This unique and critical book is actually a “part 2″ written by Dr. Luke after he penned the Gospel of Luke. It begins in the same way the Gospel was and picks up where it left off. In this first episode we see Jesus’ instruction to his eleven best friends. While they were preoccupied with some misplaced curiosities about their errant emphasis on timing, Jesus resets their course with a focus on MISSION. Our application puts this all together: mission is the cure for misplaced curiosities.
Acts of the Apostles Tool Kit
For most of 2012 we will be in a marvelous study of the Acts of the Apostles. To aid you in your personal study we have prepared a Tool Kit with the following resources:
- Introduction to Acts
- Background Details
- Authorship
- Date
- Purpose of Book
- Outline of Book
- How to Study Acts
- Helpful Resource
- Discussion Questions
Our Magnificent God – Human Body
The third and final sermon in the Our Magnificent God series is about the human body. King David penned a masterfully raw song in Psalm 139 that many of us recognize. In it we find the core thought of how “awesomely wonderful” we really are as God’s creative masterpiece. Jumping off from this psalm we dive into the beautiful complexity of the human body, studying the outboard motor of a single-cell bacteria, the blood clotting cascade, the human eye, the jaw-dropping wonder of DNA and the protein laminin. The goal of each sermon in the series is the same: dumbfounded amazement at the design of God’s creation. If properly understood this amazement will feed and fire worship of Our Magnificent God.
NOTE: The video of this message is currently unavailable. We are re-editing it for adherence to copyright laws of the images used. We are also preparing it for DVD.
Our Magnificent God – Earth
This week, the second in a three week series, we turn our eyes from the telescope to the binoculars and look around the place we call home, earth. Is it really a “pale blue dot in an enveloping cosmic dark” with no special significance or design? Long ago, the greatest man alive interacted with God over horrific matters he thought to be God’s fault. God’s answer to Job was encased in a tour of Earth. As we study God’s response to Job and take our own tour of Earth, we see beauty, intelligence, design, complexity, protection, perfection and reminders of God’s glory. Journey with us as we explore the home God has created for us.
NOTE: The video of this message is currently unavailable. We are re-editing it for adherence to copyright laws of the images used. We are also preparing it for DVD.
Our Magnificent God – Universe
This series was born almost a year ago out of a deep passion to celebrate God’s glory in the design of His creation. The first week we look through the telescope at God’s magnificent glory in the “heavens” of the universe at large. How big is the universe? How is it fine tuned for life? How do “the heavens declare the glory of God”? We take a look at some brilliant images, some large numbers and a host of factors that scream out the design of our universe by a creative and intelligent God. Come, let us worship our Magnificent God together.
Maintain the Momentum
This week our Associate Student Pastor Ryan Jasper brings us a motivating message from Acts chapter 2 on a special Youth Sunday. What exactly was the first church like? How does the record of the life of the early church challenge and motivate us?
Jonah 6 – “Cellulose Compassion”
We wrap up our Jonah study with a look at chapter 4:5-11. This intense scene of shelter, vines, winds and worms is often difficult to place and understand within the broader context and purpose of the book. But we will see the beautifully simple lesson that God had in mind for Jonah…and for us. Jonah was pro-compassion, just like God. But as this section asks us to compare God and Jonah, they remain very different. The best way for us to get out of a self-imposed, self-righteous, self-deluded prison is to join God in HIS MISSION. It is the most beautiful place we can be.
Jonah 5 – “I Told You So”
In this sermon, Scot looks at Jonah’s violent reaction to God’s compassion in Jonah 4:1-4. Is it okay for us to be angry with God? Is it right for us to voice our anger to God? In a difficult text, we actually see Jonah take a beautiful statement of God’s compassionate character and transform it into an indictment. He accuses God of wrong! The outcome is our chief application: right-wrestling with God is a miserable place to be.
Jonah 4 – “God in Truth”
In this fourth sermon in our series we come to Jonah 3:1-10. We see great meaning right off the bat when we realize that God’s call comes to Jonah a second time. God wants us to be involved in His mission and although we can reject His calling, we can never fully miss it. Since His compassion for His people is ever-available, His calling for His people has no expiration date.
Jonah 3 – “Soggy Grace”
In this sermon we come to Jonah 1:17-2:10 and a song of thanksgiving. Our study of the text takes us on a departure from traditional Jonah sermons. We look at the specific language of Jonah’s prayer/song, what he says, what he doesn’t say and the beautifully gracious actions of God. We see that when God wants to show His mercy and grace to us, the undeserving are His only options. In the greater context of the book of Jonah, this chapter shines a marvelous light on the free grace of God, which is the very heart of the book.
