Sermon Series
THE CHURCH
Watch the sermons for this series on our Sermon Page.
Grace+Peace Church will celebrate its one-year anniversary on September 13. It’s fair to say that 2020 has been an eventful year with a world-wide pandemic, an economic shut-down, a life-altering tornado rip through our neighborhood, and its only August! Despite that G+P has flourished. God is making this small plant of a church into a beautiful place for people to discover God’s grace+peace. But, how might that happen? What should we be trying to accomplish? When can we expect fruit?
All those questions and more are given voice as we look at the creation of the early church in the book of Acts. There can be no better times for G+P to dive deeply into Acts than right now. The book is complex and beautiful, rich and varied, surprising and comforting. As you prepare to dive into Acts, I can think of no better resource that The Bible Project. In particular, their short overview videos will give a window into the glorious beauty of God’s gift to us in this book. Please watch.
Acts 1:1-8
This passage functions at the introduction to the book and to its themes. It’s clear that Luke intends this book to be part 2 of a the story of Jesus, perhaps only pausing to start a new scroll or give you a chance to catch your breath. So, at the fundamental level it is the continuing story of Jesus.
The language I have introduced to describe the church is this:
All those who have given allegiance to Jesus Christ;
Empowered by the Holy Spirit;
Witnessing to Jesus’ coming kingdom in this world.
Each line and word will take time to unpack. But that’s what we’re going to do. Hopefully, the Bible Project video have given you a sense of where we’re headed. Hopefully, you can see how directly relevant this book is for our work at G+P. And I hope it has you excited. Let’s get to work.
Acts 1:9-26
The ascension of Jesus Christ is one of the most overlooked aspects of Jesus’ redemption. We need the continuing rule and reign of Jesus. It is the verification and completion of Jesus’ work. If you want to take a little time to dig into the doctrine of Christ’s ascension, I can recommend this new book to you - The Ascension of Christ by Patrick Schreiner.
Here is the wonderful Richard Lovelace quote is used in my sermon.
“In the hearts of the people is a groping, inarticulate conviction that if the right ruler would only come along, the world would be healed of all its wounds. Creation is headless and desperately searching for its head.”
Here is a link to the video clip I referenced with David Brooks and Andy Crouch with the Veritas Forum. The entire conversation is worth watching - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OCAuhF0OvM.
Acts 2:1-13
The miraculous events on the day of Pentecost have fascinated Christians ever since. That is good. It was a moment, witnessed by thousands where God’s Spirit was poured out upon his people, essentially creating the church. We need to continue to have our imagination captured by God’s presence among us. Sadly, we live in a world that is dominated by rationalistic and scientific explanations for everything from diet and health to love and attraction. Perhaps that is why there has been an explosion in magic and superheroes in our popular imagination over the last few decades. From Harry Potter to the Star Wars, we are awash with stories of a world that is bigger, more complex, more mysterious…more enchanted than we think.
Like many, I was stunned and sad to hear of Chadwick Bozeman’s death. His most famous character, King T’Challa, in The Black Panther was another voice hoping for a more enchanted world where real heroes could emerge. And so this reflection and tribute was really well done, I thought.
If you want more detail on some of the aspects of this event, I’d suggest listening to the Bible Project’s podcast covering Acts. You can find it here.
Acts 2:14-41
If you are looking for more insight on Acts 2 and the discussions of Pentecost, there are lots of ways to dive in. Start with the quote I mentioned from one of my mentors Tom Gibbs. His sermon on this passage was helpful. Some thinkers that I find very helpful for these topics are Vern Poythress (from an academic level).
Acts 2:41-47
This passage provides one of the simplest and clearest descriptions of how the church should embody their faith in the world. They were devoted to 4 things: the Apostles teaching, the fellowship with one another, the breaking of bread, and the prayers. The early church was a compelling people. The question that G+P should always wrestle with is whether our devoted to God is compelling to outsiders?
Acts 3:1-26
Here’s a glorious look at some of the greatest pizza in Chattanooga (and perhaps one of the worst/awesome review videos!). I love Chattanooga!
When you discover that what you really need is better than what you want (like the lame man receiving a full healing when all the wanted was money), it changes you. Tim Keller says, “When Christ becomes your supreme love (need), it demotes your other loves without defacing them.” He means that in giving yourself to Jesus, you will find your needs and wants reordered. You will begin to desire the right things in the right ways. And, incredibly, you will be enabled to love good things in your life without making them into ultimate things.
Acts 4:1-22
Here’s the quote I read from Leslee Newbigin, “When the Church tries to embody the rule of God in the forms of earthly power it may achieve that power, but it is no longer a sign of the kingdom.”
I also recommended an online event called “The Politics of Neighborly Love, Christian Citizenship in a Divided Age.” This was a moderated discussion about faithful political engagement without being partisan. It was wonderful and I especially recommend the roundtable discussion.
Acts 5:12-42
Opposition. Just like this…Remember the Titans.
Enjoy spending a few minutes reading about the martyrdom of Hugh Latimer and Thomas Ridley from Foxes Book of Martyrs. Or just watch this fantastic video.
Acts 6:1-7
Here is the link I referenced to Thom Ranier’s blog post about petty church conflicts. It’s a good reminder that petty disagreements can often turn into nasty and bitter fights. We must continue to keep the gospel front and center in our common life together!
Also, this helpful quote from Richard Longnecker says, “The early church seems to have been prepared to adjust its procedures, alter its organizational structure, and develop new posts of responsibility in response to existing needs and for the sake of the ongoing proclamation of the Word of God.” (David Peterson, p. 233)
Finally, I told the story of the start of Independent Presbyterian Church in Memphis. It’s a hard, redemptive, and on-going story. You can read much more about it here. There is much to rejoice over and learn from here. If you want to read more about this, I’d recommend Heal Us Emmanuel as a starting point. But, our G+P Cares page has lots of other great ways to engage the racial history we are all trying to better understand.
Acts 6:8-8:1
This is the quote I read from Bishop Festo Kivengere. He is a church leaders you should learn more about.
“The cross is practical, it is God moving in love to meet violent men and women, facing violence and suffering for us. Your faith was born in violence. The Christian is not scared when the whole world is shaking. Your faith was born on Calvary. It can stand anything. It is an all-weather faith. Don’t imagine you can only be a Christian when everything is smooth. Christians shine better when everything is just the opposite. Your faith was born in blood and sweat in the loneliness of Calvary. You can stand any test.” When God Moves in Revival, 1973 (Pg. 16)
Acts 8:1-4
I mentioned a number of resources in my sermon about the status of the church throughout the world. For more information about persecuted Christians, check out Open Doors.
I also recommended two books. Both are well worth your time and money:
Rice Tice, Honest Evangelism
Pathak & Runyon, The Art of Neighboring
And here are two infographics on Christians worldwide. I think they are really helpful:
Acts 8:26-40
HERE is a link to a recent sermon from Tim Keller on this passage. I referenced a couple things from this sermon in particular, but I’ve heard Keller teach from this passage numerous times. While I wasn’t able to address many of the themes Keller discusses, I can recommend a book he mentioned by a scholar named Lamin Sanneh, Whose Religion is Christianity. It is excellent.
In addition to Isaiah 53, I read a portion of Isaiah 56:
3 Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely separate me from his people”; and let not the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree.” 4 For thus says the Lord: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, 5 I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.
If you are interested in finding out more about the actual practice of evangelism, I’d encourage you to watch this conversation from some PCA pastors that I really respect.
Acts 9:19-31
I spent a good portion of the sermon today working through the timeline of Paul’s movements after his conversion. You might want to take some time to read Acts 9 alongside Galatians 2 to see the areas in which they reconcile…and don’t! If you want to dig more into Paul, his life, and much of his thought, I’d recommend NT Wright’s book, Paul, A Biography. If you do read it, I’d love to discuss it with you. As with any author, there are some things about Wright I disagree with. But on the whole, I find his depth and insight incredibly helpful in understanding Paul’s world and doctrine.
Acts 9:32-10:48
A key portion of understanding Acts is geography. Luke records Jesus’ words in 1:8 that frame the story fo the early church and the entire book. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Use this map to help with some of the important geography used in Acts.
THIS site has some pretty cool visuals and infographics to use with Acts or any study of the Bible.
Acts 11:1-18
Through Peter, Luke re-tells the Cornelius story. The purpose is to continue to underscore the expanding understanding of the Apostles about the implications of the Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It means that the church of Jesus was expanding beyond its Jewish cultural boundaries, beyond its geographical boundaries, and deepening in its spiritual realities.
If you want to dive more deeply into the theology of the Holy Spirit, I again want to recommend The Bible Project. Their 4-part podcast series on the Holy Spirit was great.
Acts 12:1-25
We are Exodus people! The grand story of Israel’s Exodus has shaped the imagination of the Jews through the time of Jesus and was frequently used by the NT writers. It is a helpful paradigm that doesn’t ignore the original story, but deepens it. We see the Exodus story replayed in shadow form throughout the ages. And it ultimately points us away from our temporal circumstances to the eternal reality of our coming rescue from the slavery to sin and death in the consummation of Jesus Christ. Every Christian should consider what it means that they inherit that Exodus identity.
For those wondering about my thought on the song Lift Every Voice, here are two articles that were helpful to read (neither perfect!). The first is an interview with a historian looking at the song’s intended meaning. The song has been used for many purposes, but it remains a faithful work to point Christians to their ultimate hope. Second is a sermon attempting to let the lyrics point to great work of redemption in Christ.
Acts 12:19-29, 13:1-3
Randy Nabors preached for us on the multi-cultural nature of the early church and it was wonderful! He especially challenged us that “It can’t be everyone, but it has to be some.” Some of us have to be the means of extended God’s redemptive vision to people who are unlike us. Will it be you?
Acts 13:1-12
Today, Benjie looked at the Antioch church sending out the first church planting and overseas mission team of Paul and Barnabas. He referenced Tim Keller helpful article, Why Plant Churches?
Benjie included a map of Paul journey today. You can find that and other cool visuals HERE.
Acts 15:1-35
I mentioned the book Jesus and John Wayne on Sunday. If you are interested in learning more about the various threads of evangelicalism over the last sixty or so years, this book is really helpful. But, it’s important to say, the author is coming from a progressive, egalitarian theological perspective and there is much to critique. I would only offer this book to a discerning reader who is looking for some deeper historical background.
Acts 16:1-40
This week, we began walking through the Apostle Paul’s second missionary journey. Benjie included another map in the handout. You can find that map HERE.
Acts 17:16-34
Here are links for two of the articles I referenced in this week’s sermon:
Berlin’s Church of Nothing (from the Wall Street Journal)
Why the Church is Losing the Next Generation (from Russell Moore)
Acts 18:24-19:20
In referencing the ideas of Gospel Doctrine+Gospel Culture=Spiritual Power, I am shamelessly stealing from Ray Ortland’s wonderful book, The Gospel. It’s a short book that you should absolutely buy and read. It’s a core book for the culture of Grace+Peace.
The stories of Muslims dreaming of Jesus are well documented. I relayed one I read in an article from Darren Carlson at The Gospel Coalition.
Acts 19:21-41
If you want to read more about the way that the Christian message of the Gospel was undercutting not only the religion of Artemus in Ephesus, but the entire way the secular Greeks understood life, I’d recommend THIS. It’s a transcript of a podcast from the guys over at The Gospel Project, who we love. In this episode/transcript, they are talking about the subversive nature of the Gospel we see in Acts.
Acts 20:1-38
Paul was back on the move in our passage today. It’s always good to have the visual for Paul’s travels. Check out the maps from these guys.
I read this quote from Michael Reeves. It comes from his wonderful book, Delighting in the Trinity. It is one of the more enriching and accessible short theology books that I’ve read. Highly recommended! “This God does not begrudge having someone beside him: he enjoys it. He has always enjoyed showering his love on his Son, and in creating he rejoices to shower it on children he loves through his Son.”
I also quoted CS Lewis from his book, The Four Loves. “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”
If you haven’t seen the story of the work that Dave Thompson has been doing with Reboot, here is it. It’s a really good and helpful example of imitating Christ.
Acts 21:1-36
I referenced one of John Newton’s letters this week. Below is what I read, but you can find the entire letter on the dangers of courting controversy HERE.
“Consider your opponent: If you account him a believer, though greatly mistaken in the subject of debate between you, the words of David to Joab concerning Absalom, are very applicable: “Deal gently with him for my sake.” The Lord loves him and bears with him; therefore you must not despise him, or treat him harshly. The Lord bears with you likewise, and expects that you should show tenderness to others, from a sense of the much forgiveness you need yourself. In a little while you will meet in heaven; he will then be dearer to you than the nearest friend you have upon earth is to you now. Anticipate that period in your thoughts; and though you may find it necessary to oppose his errors, view him personally as a kindred soul, with whom you are to be happy in Christ forever.
[C]onsider your own concern in your present undertaking. It seems a laudable service to defend the faith once delivered to the saints; we are commanded to contend earnestly for it, and to convince gainsayers. If ever such defenses were seasonable and expedient they appear to be so in our own day, when errors abound on all sides and every truth of the gospel is either directly denied or grossly misrepresented.
And yet we find but very few writers of controversy who have not been manifestly hurt by it. Either they grow in a sense of their own importance, or imbibe an angry, contentious spirit, or they insensibly withdraw their attention from those things which are the food and immediate support of the life of faith, and spend their time and strength upon matters which are at most but of a secondary value. This shows, that if the service is honorable, it is dangerous. What will it profit a man if he gains his cause and silences his adversary, if at the same time he loses that humble, tender frame of spirit in which the Lord delights, and to which the promise of his presence is made?”
Acts 21:35-23:35
Here’s the LINK to the This American Life episode on coincidences that I mentioned today. It’s a fun episode from a great podcast.
Here’s a LINK for some background information on the “assassins” of Acts 21. It’s interesting, but be careful because this is a topic that lends to varying interpretations.
Acts 25:1-26:32
I mentioned the wonderful book Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabil Qureshi. I commend it to you. Below is the quote I read from the memoir.
“Effective evangelism requires relationships. There are very few exceptions…In my case, I knew of no Christians who truly cared about me, no one who had been a part of my life through thick and thin. I had plenty of Christian acquaintances, and I’m sure they would have been my friends if I had become a Christian, but that kind of friendship is conditional. There were none that I knew who cared about me unconditionally. Since no Christian cared about me, I did not care about their message.”
I also referenced a book called Honest Evangelism by Rico Tice. It’s short and great. If you can find any videos of Rico speaking (like this one!), you’ll enjoy it!
I also referred to George Orwell’s 1940 review of Hitler’s book, Mein Kampf. There was a recent Wall Street Journal article discussing Orwell’s review. Here’s the quote below, but you read the entire article HERE.
"[Hitler] knows that human beings don’t only want comfort, safety, short working-hours, hygiene... they also, at least intermittently, want struggle and self-sacrifice, not to mention drums, flags and loyalty-parades…Whereas, socialism, and even capitalism in a more grudging way, have said to people 'I offer you a good time,' Hitler has said to them, 'I offer you struggle, danger, and death,' and as a result a whole nation flings itself at his feet."
Acts 27:1-28:10
HERE is the blog post I read from today from a woman named Nightbirde. I found her writing raw and full of faith. I wonder what you may think?
UPDATE: So, apparently Nightbirde’s story is a way bigger deal than I even knew. And, it turns out that I got the timing of her story and a few details incorrect. You can read more a better account of her journey and watch her appearance on American’s Got Talent, HERE.
Acts 28:11-31
HERE is the story of Mike and Stephanie Fennema that I told this morning. It’s really a moving video.