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.
- 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 31, 2024Psalm 62: The Only Psalm
- Jul 21, 2024Dig the Word
Jul 21, 2024Dig the WordBy: Chris BenderSeries: Stand AloneSpecial guest speaker Wade Smith shares the importance of reading and studying God's Word every day.
- 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 16, 2024Have You Left the Far Country and Come Home to the Father?
Jun 16, 2024Have You Left the Far Country and Come Home to the Father?By: Chris BenderSeries: Stand Alone
We didn't get to choose the family we were born into. Some had parents who gave them regular attention, love, patience, and balanced discipline. Others experience harshness, abandonment, or abuse, while still others experience parenting that is somewhere in between. The good news is that we're all on level ground with our Heavenly Father and we do get to choose whether we're born again into His family. Chris preaches on the Father's love for all, even those who have rejected His love and the refuge He provides. After all, it is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance.
- 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.
- Jun 2, 2024The Stone the Builders Rejected has Become the Cornerstone
Jun 2, 2024The Stone the Builders Rejected has Become the CornerstoneSeries: The Spring and Summer of Acts 2How would you react if someone you had known for decades had been crippled and then suddenly they were restored to perfect health? Would you wish to silence those who performed the miracle and close your ears to where the power came from? Chris preaches on Acts 4 and how the priests were opposed to the power of the resurrection being represented in any fashion. But, the pwer of the Holy Spirit will not be stopped!