Missio Dei Fellowship

Trials and suffering reveal deep things of the soul. Thoughts that are often hidden even from the sight of the person himself. They bring us to the point of despair at times and in those moments our faith is revealed and the faithfulness of God is seen in ways unknown before. In this little Psalm we are invited into the very soul of King David as he pours out his troubled thoughts to God.

Paul now finds himself being brought before King Agrippa, a man from a long line of enemies of God. How will he conduct himself in this moment? What will he choose to say? In this on-going saga of Paul's trials we again can see how this man conducted himself before the governing authorities for the sake of the gospel.

Having been held captive for two years, Paul finds himself now under the scrutiny of the new Governor, Festus. This starts the whole investigation into charges against him all over and we again have the opportunity to see Paul's approach to the powers of government and this age as a man committed to Jesus Christ.

Paul is now in the hands of the Governor Felix in Caesarea. Here again we get to see how Paul worked within the political system rather than fighting against it for the sake of the gospel. Corruption was evident from top to bottom but all that mattered for Paul was the opportunity to give testimony about his conversion and the glory and greatness of his Lord, Jesus Christ.

Paul is now encountering the first of several steps towards Rome. The events in which he finds himself pushed and prodded along are the result of false accusations by enemies of Jesus Christ. In it all we see a man who accepts the situations without falling into fatalism or surrender. Rather, he seeks to maintain a proper witness of Jesus Christ to a hating world. In our day the level of wickednes...

In Paul's recounting of his conversions to Jesus Christ we come across a verse that has caused a lot of confusion by some. In verse 16 we see Ananias tell Paul to get and an be baptized and wash away his sins. This verse and a few others are often pointed to as proof that baptism is how sins are cleansed and forgiven. In this sermon we examine this more closely and see what it is really saying. We...

In the last few weeks startling and serious sins have come to light in both the larger, national level and in a smaller, local level that deserves our attention. Many would say they understand the greatness of sin in this world and yet there is a steady stream of people who find themselves trapped in sin, while claiming Jesus to be their Lord and Savior. This sermon is an attempt to bring about a...

In this message we examine the testimony of Paul. This is the first of several testimonies as Paul moves toward Rome and prison for the Name of Jesus.

Paul now begins the journey to Jerusalem where it has been abundantly shown that arrest and affliction await him. And in doing so we have a unique opportunity to see how prophets and prophecy seemed to occur in the early church and how someone like Paul would respond to it. We also have a unique opportunity to see how Paul worked within the various political systems of power as a Christian. This i...

Paul has called the elders from Ephesus to meet with him privately. This story Luke chronicles lays out the final words of Paul to these dear men. He speaks honestly to them and gives them a very strong admonishment to be found faithful for what awaits them. And in doing so Paul lays out an outline of what any aspiring elder or current elder ought to take to heart as they consider their relationsh...

This section of Acts chronicles the final days of Paul's ministry in Macedonia and Achaia with a special focus on the final exhortations of Paul to the elders of Ephesus. In this section we are given a stark description of the mind set and actions of Paul as an Apostle/Elder as he gives his final exhortations to these precious men. Today we have the privilege to see him unabashedly declare his sin...

This section of Acts chronicles the closing days of Paul's time in Ephesus. While he is seeing many very encouraging things occur, there is still the constant presence of resistance by those who reject the gospel message. In this passage we see the planning of Paul and the consequences of the gospel affecting the economy of many in Ephesus.

Paul is now in the beginning stages of his third missionary journey and finds himself in the city of Ephesus. Here we see him come face-to-face with the forces of Satan as the gospel is preached, people believe and there is a demonic push back. In all of this, we see the attempts to mimic the power of Christ in the gospel by those who are not believers. We see the material cost to repenting from f...

Paul is now in the beginning stages of his third missionary journey and finds himself in the city of Ephesus. Here we see him come face-to-face with the forces of Satan as the gospel is preached, people believe and there is a demonic push back. In all of this, we see the attempts to mimic the power of Christ in the gospel by those who are not believers. We see the material cost to repenting from f...

There is a need to understand the plans of God but too often these become confused with our personal dreams for us. In this message we have an opportunity to see how Paul prayed for the church at Colossae to know God's will. We find a simple and straightforward approach that is not wrapped up in paganism or guess work. Rather, it is revealed for us through the Spirit-inspired Word and given so tha...

Paul is now in the beginning stages of his third missionary journey and finds himself in the city of Ephesus. Here we see him come face-to-face with the forces of Satan as the gospel is preached, people believe and there is a demonic push back. In all of this, we see the attempts to mimic the power of Christ in the gospel by those who are not believers. We see the material cost to repenting from f...

Paul is now in the beginning stages of his third missionary journey and finds himself in the city of Ephesus. He spends three months engaging Jews with the gospel. Luke records for us how Paul went about evangelizing and in it we have a simple blueprint of how to bring the gospel to others. It is always good to be reminded of how we ought to engage people for the gospel. At the same time this is a...

Often in the spiritual journey of every Christian there are times where things become more clear. This often comes through hearing doctrine taught well and it causes a person to make a key adjustment regarding what they believe. Sometimes it comes through life experiences as well. Certain things happening that make the person rethink and adjust what they understand. This section describes three di...

Paul is in Corinth waiting for his companions. As usual, he begins to evangelize the Jews in the city along with Gentiles. This quickly begins to raise up a ruckus and false charges are once again made against him. In the midst of this, Jesus comes in a vision and encourages and strengthen Paul through two commands, do not be afraid and do not withhold speaking truth. Such a good exhortation for t...

Aquila and Priscilla are introduced to the reader in Acts 18. Though they appear only a few times in the bible, their influence was one to consider for us today. This is due to at least three reasons: The first is that they labored and served the Apostle Paul in a point of time where he was likely lonely and facing discouragement. Second, they were responsible for bringing the great preacher Apoll...

Paul is now in Corinth, a major city in the area and he attempts to bring the gospel to his fellow Jews. But he is not here as a man of confidence and strength, but in weakness. This second journey for the gospel is filled with many trials and hardships and now he is in a major city all alone. What greets him? Debauchery of every type, the arrogance of man on full display and a city desperate for...

In this message the believer is shown what is their's in Jesus Christ. Where all things are made new. It is the heart throb of every person who hopes in Jesus Christ, especially those afflicted and burdened. We see imagery that draws our minds all the way back to Eden. God dwells among us and we among Him. Our enemies of sin, Satan and death shall never enter into our lives again. They are gone, b...

At this point in time in God's program, believers who die are immediately brought into the presence of Jesus Christ, while their bodies remain in the grave. The next major event is the Second Advent of Jesus Christ where the Church, both living and dead, shall meet Him and be with Him forevermore. However, the eternal state of a New Heaven & Earth does not come at that point. Rather, it is the mil...

The idea and reality of heaven is often muddled in our minds. We believe in it and hope for it, but we really don't know how it works. It is usually something that happens "later" and a "place" we go. But beyond that, we don't know much. The bible speaks much on heaven and one will discover that the heaven of which we think about much of the time is not the final reality. It is better understood a...