This week, Pastor Shaq focused on Stephen’s trial before the Sanhedrin, recorded in Luke 7:1-53 (NIV). Stephen, who has been charged with blasphemy for speaking against the temple and the law of Moses, speaks with conviction and courage to the Sanhedrin. He identifies three idols:… Read More »American Idolatry
Julia Allan walks through Acts 6:8-15 (NIV), the story of Stephen on trial before the Sanhedrin. The Jewish religious leaders enlist people in bearing false witness against Stephen who, in his conversation with the Sanhedrin pokes at some of the people’s religious idols: the temple… Read More »To Look Like Jesus
This week, Pastor Shaq Hager walks through Acts 5:17-42. It’s a story about the apostles being brought before the Sanhedrin. This is becoming a regular occurrence for the apostles – trials before the Sanhedrin, questioning, veiled threats, and now a physical beating. All because they… Read More »Rejoicing in Persecution
This week Pastor Shaq Hager discusses Acts 5:12-16. It’s a brief and descriptive passage in which Luke describes the ways the Spirit is at work through the apostles to bring physical healing and restoration to people’s lives and bodies. And not just for people within… Read More »Agents of Shalom
Pastor Dennis Allan continued our Acts study by walking through the story of Ananias and Sapphira recorded in Acts 5:1-11 (NIV). Ananias and Sapphira want to be leaders and hold positions of honor in the early church, and so they devise a plan to deceive… Read More »Righteousness and Witness
This week Pastor Dennis continued our study on the book of Acts by leading a conversation on Acts 4:32-37. It’s a summary passage in which Luke describes the way the early church met the needs of vulnerable people until, according to Luke, “there were no… Read More »Generosity as Gospel Proclamation
This week, Carrie Buckner continues our community’s study of the Book of Acts by focusing on Acts 4:23-31. It’s a story about the way the first followers of Jesus gathered together after Peter and John were questioned by the Sanhedrin and ordered by them to… Read More »Prayer & the First Christians
This week, we return to our Acts series. Pastor Dennis walked through Acts 4:1-22, the story of Peter and John and the Sanhedrin Council. In the story, the Sanhedrin, Judaism’s most powerful legislative body, appear threatened by Peter and John and the “power” with which… Read More »Power for Flourishing
In the heart of the battle, we are never alone. In the midst of our battles, we are carried by the victor. Pastor Dennis Allan talks through Matthew 28:1-10 (NIV) and the story of the two Marys holding on to hope that Jesus might just… Read More »Easter 2023: Never Alone
Palm Sunday 2023. Pastor Shaq Hager talks through the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem as told by Matthew. It’s a story with a historical precedent. Jesus wasn’t the only “conqueror” to ride into Jerusalem for whom the townspeople laid out palm branches. They’ve… Read More »The King We Need