[Note: the video of the stage had an error so this only includes the audio and the PowerPoint video] Unfortunately, one of the common teachings among the church today is that there are two concurrent covenants made by God today: One that God has with the Jewish people and one that He made with the church. The New Testament knows nothing of this idea. Chris preaches on Acts 10 which helps show that it was always God's intention that Jesus Christ would break the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles so that they could become one Body of believers - the Body of Christ.
- Sep 8, 2024The Dividing Wall Has Been Broken By Jesus
Sep 8, 2024The Dividing Wall Has Been Broken By JesusBy: Chris BenderSeries: The Spring and Summer of Acts 2
[Note: the video of the stage had an error so this only includes the audio and the PowerPoint video] Unfortunately, one of the common teachings among the church today is that there are two concurrent covenants made by God today: One that God has with the Jewish people and one that He made with the church. The New Testament knows nothing of this idea. Chris preaches on Acts 10 which helps show that it was always God's intention that Jesus Christ would break the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles so that they could become one Body of believers - the Body of Christ.
- Aug 25, 2024Two Tales of Joppa: The Son of Jonah & the Prophet Jonah
Aug 25, 2024Two Tales of Joppa: The Son of Jonah & the Prophet JonahBy: Chris BenderSeries: The Spring and Summer of Acts 2(Due to a technical problem, the audio is from the video camera) One aspect of the New Testament that is so powerful is how unfaithful Israel is redeemed and fulfilled through Jesus' faithful ministry and the faithful ministry of the Holy Spirit. Chris preaches on how Simon (the son of Jonah) is willing to deliver grace to the Gentiles while the ancient prophet Jonah wanted to keep God's grace from the Gentiles.
- Aug 18, 2024He is One of the Greatest Proofs that Christianity is True
Aug 18, 2024He is One of the Greatest Proofs that Christianity is TrueBy: Chris BenderSeries: The Spring and Summer of Acts 2Jesus, of course, is the greatest proof of the truth of Christianity. But outside of Christ, who has a transformed life that demonstrates the truth of Christianity more than Saul of Tarsus (commonly known as the Apostle Paul)? Paul was a rising star in Judaism, a Pharisee, and the greatest enemy of the early church. So what did he have to gain to follow Jesus? From a worldly perspective, nothing. From a heavenly perspective, everything! Chris preaches on the first half of Acts 9 and the powerful conversion story of Saul.
- Aug 11, 2024A Scriptural Awakening Begins for Ethiopia
Aug 11, 2024A Scriptural Awakening Begins for EthiopiaBy: Chris BenderSeries: The Spring and Summer of Acts 2The gospel message is for all people! Chris preaches on how God placed Philip in the right place and at the right time to start a spiritual legacy for Ethiopia. As far as we know, this is the first non-Jew convert in the church. Don't ever withhold the good news from anyone you feel is undeserving. Rather, pray that the Lord uses you in every situation to bring Christ to all the places He has you.
- Aug 4, 2024Will Persecution Stop You or Embolden You?
Aug 4, 2024Will Persecution Stop You or Embolden You?By: Chris BenderSeries: The Spring and Summer of Acts 2
In America, our persecution pales in comparison to our brothers and sisters in Christ elsewhere in the world. Someone may unfriend us on social media, talk harshly to us, or speak ill of us, but being put in jail or put to death is not part of our daily worries for following Jesus. However, all persecution can be a roadblock to sharing Christ, or it can strengthen your faith when you realize that you're sharing in the suffering of Jesus. Chris preaches on the last portion of Acts 8 demonstrating how the gospel message expanded with the perseverance of faithful believers as a result of persecution.
- Jul 14, 2024What Does it Look Like to Follow in Jesus’ Footsteps?
Jul 14, 2024What Does it Look Like to Follow in Jesus’ Footsteps?By: Chris BenderSeries: The Spring and Summer of Acts 2
These days there are a large number of Americans who call themselves Christians yet very few who really follow Christ. When you call yourself a 'Christian', that means you follow Christ. But what does that look like? Chris preaches on Stephen, a shining example of what it looks like to follow in Jesus' footsteps.
- Jul 7, 2024Full of Faith, Grace, Power, and most Importantly, the Holy Spirit
Jul 7, 2024Full of Faith, Grace, Power, and most Importantly, the Holy SpiritBy: Chris BenderSeries: The Spring and Summer of Acts 2
It's so common to look at things from a human perspective, such as thinking that a short life is a cursed life. This is not Godly wisdom. The most Godly person to ever live on this earth died in His 30s and many of his most faithful followers followed in His footsteps. Chris preaches on the importance of pressing forward, using the spiritual gifts God has given us, and not shying away from persecution.
- Jun 30, 2024The Gospel Message Cannot Be Stopped
Jun 30, 2024The Gospel Message Cannot Be StoppedBy: Chris BenderSeries: The Spring and Summer of Acts 2One of the things you can be completely certain of is that God will not allow the gospel message to be stomped out. Every attempt since the beginning of Jesus' resurrection has been utterly overcome by the spreading of the good news. Chris preaches on Acts 5 as the Sadducees, the ruling priests at the time, try to stomp out the message of the gospel but when the power of God is behind the message - any attempt to stop it will always fail.
- Jun 23, 2024Be a Faithful Steward of All You’ve Been Given
Jun 23, 2024Be a Faithful Steward of All You’ve Been GivenSeries: The Spring and Summer of Acts 2In our society, self-promotion is extremely prevalent. The desire to be honored and accepted frequently outweighs the importance of humility. Satan uses this as a tool against new and mature believers. Chris preaches on the tail end of Acts 4 and the beginning of Acts 5 as we see how effective Satan's devices can be and the importance of not giving in to temptation.
- Jun 9, 2024When it Comes to Listening to Authority, God’s is Above All
Jun 9, 2024When it Comes to Listening to Authority, God’s is Above AllSeries: The Spring and Summer of Acts 2It is government, culture, those in church leadership, or ultimately God who has the ultimate authority? From looking around, it would seem as though culture has the highest authority, but the scriptures confirm that it is God who has the ultimate authority. Chris preaches Acts Chapter 4 regarding the challenges that occur when other authorities (of this world) clash with God.