Expository Insights with Pastor Lyle Wahl

#13 in a series on book of Acts Acts 10:1-23 Theme: God uses faithful believers in His saving work. God gives light to those who seek Him. Cornelius, the man. (1, 2, 22) Cornelius, the seeker of God. (2-6, 22; see also Deuteronomy 4:29; Isaiah 55:6-7; Jeremiah 29:11-13; Matthew 7:7-8; John 14:6; Romans 1:18-23, 2 Corinthians 6:1b-2) God sends believers to bring the gospel. An angel did not bring t...

#12 in a series in the book of Acts Acts 9:33 - 10:23 Theme: God fashions willing believers to break new ground. The challenge of breaking new ground. 1. The task: extend the gospel to the gentiles. (10:1-16) 2. The targeted messenger: Peter. The fashioning of a suitable worker. 1.. Through clarifying and confirming His call. (9:32-43; 10:10-16) 2. Through prayer. (10:9) 3. Through God's word....

#11 in Series in Acts, 9:19-30 First Critical Steps. 1. Seek fellowship. (19b. 26-28) 2. Seek instruction. (19b, 26-28) 3. Be ready to witness and serve. (19b-22, 26-30) 4. Keep moving forward. (22) 5. Listen to the counsel of others. (30) The results of getting off to a good start. 1. Opposition. (223-25), 29-30) 2. Effective ministry. (21-22, 23-25)

#10 in Sermon Series in Acts 9:1-19 Theme: Christ constantly works to accomplish His purposes. Christ transforms a troublemaker. Saul the troublemaker. (1-2; see also 8:1, 3; 22:4-5; 26:10-11) Christ stops Saul in his tracks. (3-9; cf. 22:6-7; 26:12-14) Christ transforms Saul. (17-19) Christ uses ordinary people. Ananias—the ordinary man. (10-18; see also 22:13-16) Ananias—an extraordinary task. (...

Witnessing 101 Acts 8:26-40 #9 in Series on the Book of Acts 1. Actively obey God. (26, 27, 29, 40) 2. Look for opportunities. (27-30) 3. Respect people you approach. (30-31) 4. Begin where the person is. (35) 5. Finish the job. (38)

If Only . . . Acts 8:1-25 Theme: God's blessing depends on faithfulness, not circumstances. Success attracts problems. Outward opposition. (1-3) Inward Infiltration. (9-13) Hard times can lead to fruitful ministry. Opportunities to witness. (4-5) Opportunities to display God's power. (6-7) Opportunities to see joyful results. (8, 12) Faithful ministry is the road to progress. Development of Christ...

How to Be A Martyr #7 in Series on the Book of Acts Theme: A true witness lives like Christ. Live out your life with Christ-like character. Building blocks of a Christ-like character. Being full of grace. (6:8) Being full of power. (6:8) Being full of wisdom. (6:10) Being full of the Spirit. (6:10) Reach out with Christ-like ministry. Begin with faithful completion of your responsibilities. (7:1-5...

Acts 6:1-7 Face the reality of being in an imperfect church. Problems never take a holiday. (1) Problems threaten unity and vitality. (1) Avoid the possible disasters of being in an imperfect church. Example: trying to do it all is a disaster waiting to happen. (2, 4) Action: develop and carry out corrective and preventative steps. (3-6) Enjoy the benefits of being in an imperfect church. Sustaine...

Christmas Eve, 2024 Meditation on Peace

Advent 2024, #4 God loving us. Sacrificial love. (John 3:16; 10:11; 15:13; Romans 5:6, 8, 10; 8:7; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:5; Philippians 2:6-8; Colossians 1:21) Saving love. (Jeremiah 31:3; John 3:16; Romans 5:8-9; 8:31-39; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:1-10; 5:2; Titus 3:3-7; 1 John 3:1; 4:10) Loving God. Why? (Luke 10:27; Romans 5:3-5; 1 John 4:10, 19) How? (Judges 17:6; Luke 10:27; John 14:2...

Week #3 of Advent Theme: You Can Always Experience God's Gift of Joy Luke 2:8-20

Preparing John the Baptist preparing the way for Christ. Selected by God to prepare the way for Christ. (Isaiah 40:1-5; Mark 1:1-4; Luke 1:5-24, 76-79) Served God in preparing the way for Christ. (Mark 1:4-5, 7-8) Sacrificed to prepare the way for Christ. (Mark 1:4, 6, 14; Matthew 4:12; 14:1-12; Luke 7:18-35; John 1:15, 19-34) Our preparing the way for Christ. Selected by God to prepare the way fo...

Waiting . . . the first Sunday of Advent Selected Scriptures Waiting…for what? The first promise of the Savior. (Genesis 3:15) The many promises of the Savior and His kingdom through the prophets—highlights from two prophets. (Isaiah 9:1-7; 11:1-16; 25:1–27:13; 29:17-34; 42:1-9; 52:13–53:12; 60:1-22; 61:1-11; 61:1-12; Zechariah 3:8; 8:1-23; 9:9-10; 11:11-13; 12:10; 13:1, 6; 14:1-21) Waiting…for ho...

Acts 4:32 - 5:16 Theme: An effective church meets the challenges of life. The positive challenge: Unity. Unity defined. (4:32) Unity in action. (4:32, 34-37) The negative challenge: Hypocrisy. The challenge. (5:1-2) Meeting the challenge. (5:3-11) A profile of effective ministry. A witness with great power. (4:33) A fellowship which meets needs. (4:34) A life worthy of respect. (5:11-13) A ministr...

How To Respond when Under Attack Acts 4:1-31 Theme: God provides power to defeat opposition. The reality of opposition. The inevitable collision. (1-2) The inevitable persecution. (3) The response to opposition. Boldly defend the faith. (5-12) Boldly rely on God. (5-12) The result of opposition. They baffled their opponents. (13-22) They prayed for their opponents. (23-30) 3. They received God’s p...

Mighty Works of God Acts 3:1-26 Theme: God performs mighty works through faithful believers. The example of a miraculous healing. The physical need. (3:1-5) The healing power. (3:6-10) The example of a powerful message. Peter corrected their outlook. (3:11-12) Peter directed their focus. (3:13-16) Peter appealed for their repentance. (3:17-26) Note the results. (4:1-4) The example of a faithful be...

A New Thing! Acts 2:1-47 The events of the church’s beginning. The view of the disciples. The events of the launch. (1-47) The witness of the church in Peter’s sermon. The first sermon of the church. (14-36) The results of the witness. (37-42) The marks of this new work of God, in the church. Devoted to spiritual growth. (42) Devoted to worshiping God. (43, 47) Devoted to each other. (44-46) Devot...

Getting Ready and Counting Down Acts 1:1-26 Some introductions. Meet the author. Survey the setting. Get acquainted with the importance of the book. Strike up a friendship with the purpose of the book. Jesus’ departure in preparation for the church age. His final teaching. (3-8) His final action. (9-11) The Disciples’ Condition At The Dawn Of The Church Age. Their progress under Jesus’ ministry. (...

Theme: Fulfillment comes as you center your life on God. Give God first place in your life. The final conclusion: Give God full reverence and obedience. (13) The final counsel: Remember that God is the final Judge. (14) Guide your life by God’s word. Because it is God’s truth. (9, 11, 12) Because it changes your life. (10, 11) Solomon’s example. (9-10)

Psalm 107 Theme: Thank God for His steadfast lovingkindness. Consider God’s steadfast lovingkindness. It goes hand in hand with His goodness. (1) It is everlasting. (1; see also Psalm 106:1; Psalm 118:1-4; Psalm 136:1) It redeems. (2-3; see also 3-41) It is part of His sovereignty over all. (33-42) Consider examples of God’s lovingkindness. Guiding those wandering in the wilderness. (4-9; see also...

Success for a Lifetime Ecclesiastes 10:1 - 12:8 Theme: Successful living requires God’s wisdom. The reality of life without God’s wisdom. Some perspective. (10:1-3) Some consequences. (10:2-7, 12-20) The reality of life with God’s wisdom. Leads to action which minimizes risks and maximizes success. (10:8-11, 11:1-6) 2. Leads to remembering and serving God with joy. (11:7 - 12:8)

But God, It Isn't Fair! Ecclesiastes 8:1–9:18 Theme: Use God’s resources to defeat the frustrations of living in this unfair world. The frustration-producing situations: God’s expectations for us in this unfair world. Submit to governments—although they are unjust at times. (8:2-9) Live righteously—although evil is not quickly punished. (8:10-14) Trust God—although you don’t know all of His de...

Theme: Fulfillment depends on character, not circumstances. Depending on outward circumstances leads to futility. Good things do not guarantee that life is good. (6:1-9) Bad things do not guarantee that life is bad. (7:1-10) Seen when we have good and bad things in perspective. (6:10-12, 7:13-14) Depending on character leads to fulfillment. The wisdom of true righteousness. (7:15-18) The strength...

#4 in Series in Ecclesiastes Sharpen Your Focus Theme: True fulfillment requires a sharp focus Three examples of a fuzzy, futile focus. Sloppy, self-centered worship. (1-7) Surprise at oppression. (8-9) Seeking security in things. (10-17) Three examples of a fine-tuned, fulfilling focus. Reverence for God. (7) Responsible worship. (1-5) Recognize, receive and enjoy God’s blessings. (18-20)

Sermon 3 in series in Ecclesiastes Finding Happiness Theme: Happiness is a gift from our sovereign God. Step one: recognize your need of sovereign God. In light of the great equalizer—death. (3:18-21) In light of the many inequalities of life. (4:1-16) Step two: recognize your sovereign God gives order. God orders all things. (3:1-11, 14-15) God judges all things. (3:16-17) Step three: receive you...