Living It Out with Pastor David Maestas

In Acts 26:1-32, the Apostle Paul stands before King Agrippa, boldly sharing his testimony and proclaiming the message of Christ despite the gravity of the moment. This encounter illustrates the courage it takes to stand for one's faith, especially when facing powerful figures or societal pressures. For modern Christians, this passage serves as a profound reminder of the importance of speaking our...

In Acts 25:1-27, we see the relentless nature of opposition as the Apostle Paul continues to face attacks on his character and faith. As modern Christians, we often encounter ongoing challenges—whether it's skepticism about our faith, conflicts in the workplace, or societal pressures to conform. Pastor David Maestas discusses how Paul remained steadfast despite relentless attacks, and we too are c...

In Acts 24:1-27, we witness a powerful example of what it means to fear God through the trial of the Apostle Paul. As he stands before Governor Felix, Paul passionately defends his faith while discussing moral integrity and righteousness. Felix, intrigued yet conflicted, grapples with the truth and the fear of public opinion. This scenario resonates with our modern culture, where we often face pre...

In Acts 23:12-35, we see a striking example of God's protection that resonates with our modern lives. As the Apostle Paul faces a plot against his life, a young man—his nephew—steps forward to reveal the conspiracy, prompting the Roman commander to intervene. This dramatic rescue underscores the truth that, just as God safeguarded Paul, He actively protects us in our daily challenges. In a world f...

Do you find yourself crying out to God because you feel like you've come to the end of your rope? Sometimes circumstances flip our lives upside down, and we don't know where to turn.  God is always at work in your life. We may not always understand why our circumstances look as they do, but God knows our future and destination. In this sermon by Pastor David Maestas, he reminds us that we walk by...

What would your testimony read? Your friends, family, and those around you are reading your life through your behavior. If you're living like you're not a Christian, others can see it. The testimony that you have matters because, oftentimes, that testimony is what God uses to change others.  When we look at Paul, we see his life as a sinner, as a saved Christian, a prisoner, and as a martyr. We ar...

In Acts 21:1-40, Paul's journey to Jerusalem is a rollercoaster of hope and hardship. Despite prophetic warnings of danger, he presses on with determination. His arrival sparks controversy and tension, leading to a dramatic arrest as he faces fierce opposition. Paul's composed defense and steadfast faith amid the chaos showcase his unwavering commitment to his mission, even when confronted with se...

In Acts 20:13-38, Paul embarks on his final journey to Jerusalem, stopping in Miletus to bid farewell to the Ephesian elders. He shares a heartfelt message, reflecting on his ministry among them, emphasizing his commitment to preaching the Gospel and his impending trials. His farewell is marked by profound emotion, as he reminds them of his example of selfless service and the importance of buildin...

In Acts 20:1-16, Paul's journey through Macedonia and Greece is marked by challenges, including a life-threatening plot and a young man named Eutychus falling from a window. Yet, God's hand is evident as Eutychus is miraculously revived, underscoring that every event has a purpose in God's plan. This sermon, "God Allows Everything to Happen for a Reason," teaches us to trust in God's sovereignty,...

**Title:** *"The Gospel Shakes the Marketplace"* In Acts 19:21-41, Paul's ministry in Ephesus sparks a city-wide uproar when the Gospel starts to threaten the local economy. Demetrius, a silversmith profiting from idol-making, stirs up a riot, fearing the loss of business as people turn from Artemis to Christ. This sermon, "The Gospel Shakes the Marketplace," shows how the Gospel's transformative...

In Acts 18, the Apostle Paul arrives in Corinth, a bustling city known for its commerce and immorality. Despite initial opposition and discouragement, Paul remains committed to preaching the Gospel. In a vision, the Lord encourages him, saying, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you, for I have many people in this city." Empo...

In Acts 17:16-34, the Apostle Paul finds himself in Athens, a city filled with idols and philosophical debate. As he waits for his companions, Paul is deeply distressed by the pervasive idolatry. He engages with both Epicurean and Stoic philosophers in the marketplace, leading to an invitation to speak at the Areopagus, the heart of Athenian intellectual life. Paul seizes this opportunity to intro...

In Acts 17:1-15, we learn the importance of checking the label, or testing what we hear against the truth of God's Word. Paul and Silas preach in Thessalonica, and some Jews and Greeks believe, but others oppose them, causing trouble. They move on to Berea, where the people are more noble because they eagerly receive the message and examine the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul says is true. Th...

In Acts 16:16-40, we see a powerful story about faith when the ground begins to shake. Paul and Silas are imprisoned for casting a spirit out of a slave girl, but they continue to pray and sing hymns to God, even in their suffering. Suddenly, a violent earthquake shakes the prison, opening all the doors and loosening the prisoners' chains. Instead of escaping, Paul and Silas stay and prevent the j...

In Acts 16:1-15, we see how important it is to hear the voice of God. Paul and his companions travel, listening to the Holy Spirit for guidance. When they try to go to certain places, the Spirit directs them elsewhere, showing how God's plan is better than our own. In a vision, Paul sees a man from Macedonia asking for help, and they immediately go, trusting God's direction. In Macedonia, they mee...

In Acts 15, we see a powerful example of the Lord's grace as the early church deals with including Gentiles. The Jerusalem council discusses whether Gentile converts need to follow Jewish customs, and they decide that salvation comes through grace alone, not by following rules. This decision, guided by the Holy Spirit, shows God's love and mercy for everyone. Peter's story about God's acceptance o...

In Acts 14, the phrase "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is challenged as we witness the power of both physical and verbal opposition against the apostles. Paul and Barnabas face severe resistance in Iconium and Lystra, demonstrating that spreading the Gospel often invites conflict. Despite being stoned and left for dead, Paul rises and continues preaching, exemp...

Thomas was struck with a spear, Luke was hanged from an olive tree, and John was boiled in oil and banished to the Isle of Patmos. These men were serious about their beliefs; they gave everything for their faith. Their willingness to endure suffering and even death for the sake of Christ highlights the depth of their commitment. The early missionaries, including Paul and Barnabas, followed in thes...

God knows our motives. We must be cautious with them and ask ourselves: Am I living for the praise of man or am I seeking the praise of God?  The enemy desires to distract us from God and may even use 'good' things to do so.  Acts 12 starts with King Herod Agrippa I persecuting the early church. He kills James, the brother of John, and arrests Peter, planning to execute him after Passover. The chu...

If you can't be the evangelist who goes out, support someone who can. The purpose of the church is to reach all people in all nations with the Gospel Truth. No Christian is exempt from that calling. In Acts 11, Peter defends his actions to the Jerusalem church after preaching to the Gentiles. He shares how God led him to Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and how the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard t...

In the midst of pursuing our personal goals and daily routines, we often lose sight of the vital importance of focusing on Jesus and deepening our connection with Him through prayer. It's easy to overlook the fact that His love for us surpasses any earthly fulfillment we might seek. In this episode, Pastor David Maestas reminds us to live with greater intentionality and faithfulness, recognizing t...

Sometimes God allows us to be broken in order to build us and fill us back up with HIM at the center. Is He doing that in your life right now? In Acts 9:15-31, we witness a profound transformation as Saul, the persecutor of Christians, becomes Paul, a fervent follower of Christ.  Saul's encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus breaks down his former beliefs and prejudices, paving the way for a...

Your past does not define you. But oftentimes, we feel like if we can't forgive ourselves, then there is no way that God can also forgive us. We may find ourselves trapped in legalistic religion versus a relationship. Do you fall into this category? Are we more concerned with avoiding consequences than truly repenting for our sins? In today's episode, Pastor David Maestas examines the sinful and b...