Harvest Church of Minden

John 20 The Resurrection is the keystone to the Christian faith. Without the resurrection, our faith is futile and we are still in our sins. 

Mark 11:1-11 Celebrating the Triumphal Entry, we can see the incomplete expectations of the people in terms of the messiah. Do we too see Jesus for what we want him to be, or do we see him for who he truly is? 

Summarizes a whole book of the Bible can be challenging. What are some of the impactful and foundation verses that direct the theme and message of what we have gone over? A good exercise to try after reading the Bible.

Acts 28 For the conclusion of the book of Acts, it seems a little open ended, but we see the consistent theme that has run through the entire book of spreading the gospel message and telling people about the Kingdom of God as Paul arrives in Rome. This example shows the church how we need to live for the Kingdom for the glory of Christ

Acts 27 Following Paul's journey to Rome, storms wreak havoc on their plans. Paul guides them to the safe landing. In life challenges and storms will come, how will we respond? Will we try self-preservation, or we will trust in the word of God. 

Acts 25-26 Paul appeals to Caesar as the Jews and the Governor Festus continue to find fault or no fault and he remains imprisoned. He is able to share his testimony and the gospel message with Agrippa, Festus and many Roman officers and soldiers. Paul did not fear death, but was emboldened by the grace of God to share the truth of the prophets and Moses which point to Christ. 

Acts 23:25-24:27 Paul finally get formal accusations against him, and the chance to defend against those. His case is left in limbo as he awaits the testimony of Claudius Lysias; in the meantime, he continues to share the gospel message and preach Christ.

Acts 22:30-23:24 Paul goes before the Sanhedrin and is interrupted by the high priest in an indignant exchange. As arguments ensue, his hope is found in the words of Jesus. The same needs to be true for us as we face moments of contention within the secular world. Jesus is our hope, but the enemy will try to silence us and the spread of the gospel message. 

Acts 21:37-22:29 Paul courageously defends the faith before an angry mob by sharing his testimony and the commission to take the gospel to the gentiles. This is his first of 5 defenses.

Acts 21:1-36 Paul finishes his third missionary journey with the resolve to go to Jerusalem. He has two encounters where fellow believers try to discourage him as rumors and lies are being spread about him. However as he tries to live out the gospel message he is assaulted and arrested. Where does truth and Justice prevail amid the chaos?

Acts 20:17-38 Paul recounts his ministry in Ephesus to the elders and testifies to how he lived while among them. He warns and encourages them to hold firm to the gospel because the wolves will come in to pull people away. And that ultimately the resolve to follow the Lord may lead to hard circumstances.

Acts 20:1-16 Paul travels to Greece for his farewell encouragements, and also has to raise a young man back to life after he fell asleep in a third story window. The encouragement to be alert remains for the church today in order to set our focus on the purpose of fulling the Great Commission

Acts 19:21-41 Paul is resolved for the last season of his ministry for the gospel. The effects of the gospel message being preached has changed the culture at Ephesus causing a riot among the people because the idol industry has lost a lot of business. The gospel preached will have ripple effects that will pass through the whole culture.

Acts 19:11-20 This passage addresses the topic of Spiritual Warfare. It is a difficult doctrine to live out, but crucial to the believer's life. As we are rooted in Christ, we are vessels to be used by the Lord for his glory, not our own fame. 

Galatians 5:22-23 Steve Kiesel shares a portrait of Jesus found in scripture based around of the fruit of the spirit.

Micah 5 Steve Kiesel fills the pulpit to share about the wonderful gift of Jesus this Christmas season

Isaiah 12 As we look at the source of joy, we also discuss the views of happiness that pervade our culture. We must stay focused on God, who is our salvation and source of joy.

The second week of advent focuses on the Peace on Earth that is declared by the angels at the birth of Jesus. The truth that he brings us peace with God through his death and resurrection is vital part in our Christian walks.

As we begin Advent, we talk about the hope we have in Jesus and how that should impact our daily lives as a believer. 

Acts 18:18-19:10 Today Paul makes it to Ephesus and Apollos travels to Corinth as the Great Commission is being accomplished and the church is becoming more accurate in their understanding. 

Acts 18:1-17 Paul travels to Corinth to share the gospel. He also makes tents, shakes the dust off his clothes, and wins a tribunal. Paul learns to be content in all situations and trust that the Lord will protect him as he completes his commission. 

Acts 17:16-34 We continue to follow Paul in the missionary journey as he goes to the idol-filled Athens. He is provoked by the idolatry and shares the gospel message from the basics to an unbelieving people, and shares the warning of the upcoming judgement. The times of ignorance are past, the command is to repent!

Acts 17:1-15 Paul and Silas move on to Thessalonica and Berea to share the gospel. They make a connection through a strong point of contact and they expound the scriptures, while achieving differing results. The picture of evangelism and the response of diving into the scriptures is a wonderful application for us today.

Acts 16:16-40  Paul casts of the demon from a slave girl, and shares the gospel with the jailer. The gospel message is uniting people from different backgrounds under the banner of Christ. 

Acts 16:6-15 AS Paul and the missionary team faces closed doors and the opportunity to despair, they press into the Lord and follow his leading of where the gospel is to be preached. How we handle the open and closed doors in our lives needs to reflect our dependence on him and not our own desires.