Acts 7:55 “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand.” Stephen is brought before the religious leaders and he stands boldly before them and speaks the story of truth to them. He [...]
Archive for January, 2008
Following in the footsteps of Stephen: "Speaking truth to power and experiencing life"
Posted: January 31, 2008 in Uncategorized0
Problems in the Church: "The source of opportunity for explosive growth"
Posted: January 30, 2008 in UncategorizedActs 6:7 “So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted too.” This text comes right after there is a problem within the Church. The problem comes from the growth that they have experienced within the church and there are some widows [...]
Being empowered by the Holy Spirit: "Living in a spirit of urgnecy that produces a bold proclamation"
Posted: January 28, 2008 in UncategorizedActs 4:31 “After this prayer the meeting place shook, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the Word of God with boldness” This is one of the most powerful chapters in all of scripture. All throughout this chapter we see examples of how, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we [...]
The journey to the Promised Land: "God’s guidance in the unknown"
Posted: January 25, 2008 in UncategorizedExodus 13:21 “The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or night.” These Israelites flee Egypt and leave this slavery but step into an unknown space. At least [...]
Being formed by the Scriptures: "Reading the bible the way Jesus intended"
Posted: January 24, 2008 in UncategorizedLuke 24:45 “Then He opened their minds to understand the scriptures” Throughout this whole Chapter we see many different people having a hard time dealing with the death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus then comes to them in different ways and often as they fellowship together there comes a moment of realization that it is [...]
Experiencing Freedom: "Through Jesus Christ, God has freed me to be free"
Posted: January 23, 2008 in UncategorizedExodus 6:6 “Therefore, say to the people of Israel: “I am the Lord, I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery to Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment.” The Lord makes a number of statements in this particular passage of scripture. [...]
Genesis 39:2 “The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master.” Here is this story of how Joseph has been completely rejected by his family; his life is spiraling downward and it seems to be completely hopeless except for the fact that [...]
Radical Hospitality: "lavishing the abundance of God’s love upon the brokenness of the world"
Posted: January 15, 2008 in Love, new churchLuke 15:20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off , his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. This child from the story; those listening to Jesus tell the story; Jacob’s family in Genesis; [...]
Luke 11:9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. Jesus is giving a teaching on prayer. He uses an analogy of going to wake someone up in the [...]
Psalm 6:9 “The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord will answer my prayer.” This whole psalm is around David crying out to God in distress. It is a plea that something is not right; David writes this from a place of brokenness and in the midst of the brokenness there is the revelation that [...]
