Monthly Archives: January 2020

Handling Persecution – Jan. 26, 2020

Acts 4:14-23 English Standard Version (ESV)

14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

The Believers Pray for Boldness

23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

Pastor Gary beginning the sermon with this question: "Are you bold in your stance for Jesus?"

Pastor Gary beginning the sermon with this question: "Are you bold in your stance for Jesus?"

Greetings and family matters section.

Greetings and family matters section.

Singing "When peace, like a river Attendeth my way When sorrows like sea billows roll"

Singing "When peace, like a river Attendeth my way When sorrows like sea billows roll"

A visitor introducing herself.

A visitor introducing herself.

Body building – Jan. 19, 2020

1 Corinthians 12:12-30 English Standard Version (ESV)

One Body with Many Members

12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves[a] or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts,[b] yet one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

Footnotes:

[a] 1 Corinthians 12:13 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface
1 Corinthians 12:20 Or members; also verse 22

Singing, "Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace, Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise".

Singing, "Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace, Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise".

Singing, "Take my hands, And make them clean, Keep my heart in purity, That I may walk in all You have for me".

Singing, "Take my hands, And make them clean, Keep my heart in purity, That I may walk in all You have for me".

Peter’s powerful message, part 2 – Jan. 12, 2020

Acts 3:19-26 English Standard Version (ESV)

19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

Singing, "Show me how to love like you have loved me".

Singing, "Show me how to love like you have loved me".

Singing, "You're altogether lovely, altogether worthy, altogether wonderful to me".

Singing, "You're altogether lovely, altogether worthy, altogether wonderful to me".

Introductory question, "What do you do with your guilt?"

Introductory question, "What do you do with your guilt?"

"Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out," (Acts 3:19 ESV)

"Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out," (Acts 3:19 ESV)

"Israel's problem was moral, not intellectual; they lacked repentance, not information!"

"Israel's problem was moral, not intellectual; they lacked repentance, not information!"

Explaining lack of repentance of Israel.

Explaining lack of repentance of Israel.

Singing, "Savior he can move the mountains, my God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save."

Singing, "Savior he can move the mountains, my God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save."

Worshiping God.

Worshiping God.

Peter’s powerful message, part 1 – Jan. 5, 2020

Acts 3:1-10 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Lame Beggar Healed

3 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.[a] 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Footnotes:

[a] Acts 3:1 That is, 3 p.m.

Introducing visitors during "Greetings and family matters sectioin".

Introducing visitors during "Greetings and family matters sectioin".

Group of visitors.

Group of visitors.

Singing, "You unravel me, with a melody, you surround me with a song."

Singing, "You unravel me, with a melody, you surround me with a song."

Singing, "From my mothers womb you have chosen me, love has called my name".

Singing, "From my mothers womb you have chosen me, love has called my name".

Celebration of the Lord's Supper.

Celebration of the Lord's Supper.

Introduction to the message.

Introduction to the message.

Explaining introductory details about the message.

Explaining introductory details about the message.

"And His name -by faith in His name- had made this man strong who you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given this man this perfect health in the presence of you all." (Acts 3:16 ESV)

"And His name -by faith in His name- had made this man strong who you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given this man this perfect health in the presence of you all." (Acts 3:16 ESV)