Gospel Life Sermons

In Acts 17:1-9, Paul preaches in Thessalonica that the whole Old Testament story points to a Messiah who must suffer, die, and rise—not merely seize power—and declares plainly that Jesus is that Messiah. The message divides its hearers into three responses: faith that embraces the cost of following Jesus, jealousy that clings to lesser authorities to protect comfort, and ambivalence that just want...

We are called, through his Word, to live a life on mission for Jesus’ Kingdom. This is accomplished through the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts in order for us to faithfully step into this calling.

The divisive separation of Paul and Barnabas must have sent shock waves through the early church and deeply impacted each of them. However, Acts 16:1-5 tells us that God used that broken relationship to continue to advance His gospel. Our big idea? Relational pain is real but it won’t stop God’s work in His people.

Last week, we learned that the Jerusalem Council protected the message of the gospel and gave the Gentile Christians instructions for the Christian life. This week, we see how they responded when they heard this news. They rejoiced! The gospel saves the rule breaker, humbles the rule followers, and creates a new people that are changed to lived for Jesus! Last week, we learned that the Jerusalem C...

When some believers insisted that circumcision must accompany faith for salvation, the Jerusalem Council answered with clarity: we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will. What makes unified worship and genuine table-fellowship possible in the church is being In Christ. Has anything has quietly been added alongside Christ as a condition for belonging—a...

Many of gospel presentations in the Book of Acts have been to a Jewish audience, but in Acts 14 Paul brings the good news of Jesus to a polytheistic pagan culture that worshipped the false gods of Greek mythology. Here’s what we learn from this: the Christian in the modern era is called to engage the broken, expose empty idols, suffer with purpose, and build up the church. 

In Acts 13:13-52, Paul is asked to give the Jews of Antioch a word of encouragement and the encouragement he gives them is the message of the gospel – Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, salvation, and promised return. When someone asks you for encouragement, what do you give them? Give them the good news message of Jesus!

As disciples of Jesus, we have been commissioned to go into all the world and proclaim his gospel, make disciples, and plant churches for his glory! We do this following the example of our God! God the father as the sender. God the son as the goer. God the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to follow Jesus, by proclaiming his gospel. Jesus will build his church and the gates of hell will not prevail aga...

Acts 12:1-25 shows us two different ways of responding to the problems of our lives. Herod grasps for control through his pride, while the church humbly relies on God through prayer. Here’s our big idea: pride tries to take God’s place, but prayer trusts in God’s power - and God opposes the proud while promising to sustain and grow His people!

Happy 13th Birthday, Gospel Life! Each year on our church birthday, we pause to celebrate God’s faithfulness in and through His people. This year, we have the opportunity to study His work through the church at Antioch in Acts 11:19–30 and pray that God would continue to use us for His glory as well.

We’ve spent the last two weeks in Acts 10 seeing that God shows no favoritism, but desires all people everywhere to hear the good news of His Son. In this final week, we’ll see how our own self-righteousness is confronted and transformed as we hear that same gospel ourselves. The gospel offends me, confronts me, and ultimately changes me for the glory of God. 

Acts 10:34-48 continues the story of the Gentiles being invited into the family of God through faith in Jesus. Why does this matter? It matters because when God changes your heart, he sends you to share Jesus with and love people you wouldn’t naturally choose. 

After Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, He gave His disciples a Great Commission to make disciples and reach the nations with the gospel! We selfishly and sinfully avoid bringing that gospel to certain people and people groups. Because of the sin of partiality, we pick and choose who we want to share the gospel with and who we do not. Thank God that He shows no partiality and sent Hi...

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! The good news of the resurrection isn’t just an announcement about what God has done when He raised His Son Jesus from the dead – it is a declaration that everything in our life can change because of Him. Here’s our big idea: living hope means that your hope is real, your future is secure, your life is held, your pain has a purpose, and your joy is here in Jesu...

Because sin separates us from the holy God and has death as its payment, we are all in dire need of mercy and forgiveness, so we can draw near to God. Jesus went to the cross and took our payment for sin, giving those who trust and hope in him full access into God's presence!

In Acts 9, two miracles give a glimpse as to what God can do and who God is. Every restored life points to one thing: Jesus Christ is risen and still at work in a sinful and sorrowful world.

In Acts 9:23–31, the Jerusalem church didn't want to accept Saul’s conversion because they were unsure if his conversion was real. Barnabas steps in and welcomes him - showing us that we too are called to forgive, welcome, and love one another the Jesus has first loved us. Barnabas’ example shows us that grace received becomes mercy given. 

Jesus had taught his disciples to love their enemies and to do good to those who hate them. Jesus shows up himself, in blinding glorious light, to show love to his enemy Saul. Pouring out mercy, instead of wrath and opening his eyes to see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God!

In the midst of persecution and opposition, the story of Acts 8:26-40 highlights how the message of the gospel both sends and saves for the glory of Jesus! 

Acts 8:9–25 is a passage filled with dramatic moments – magic, questions about the Holy Spirit, and an unreached region turning to Christ. Yet beneath it all lies a clear message: saving faith is committed to celebrating Jesus, while superficial faith is concerned with celebrating self. 

In Acts 8:1–8, persecution scatters the church, but what looks like defeat becomes the means of gospel expansion. The gospel turns obstacles into opportunities, using suffering to spread joy and salvation to new places. 

In Acts 6:8–7:60, Stephen is mistreated and martyred, yet he responds by keeping his eyes on Jesus, surrendering his life, and blessing the people that harmed him. When we are hurt or persecuted, the gospel calls us to look to Jesus, surrender our desire for revenge, and extend blessing to those that burden us. Because of Jesus, enduring mistreatment with grace is not weakness – it’s a supernatura...

In this section of scripture, we see the very first conflict among the people of the early church. A conflict that could have caused division among those that Jesus died to bring unity to. The remedy, serve one another (deacon one another) as Christ has served them! As Christians we are to follow in the footsteps of the ultimate deacon, the suffering servant, who came not to be served but to serve...

In Acts 5:12–42, the apostles keep telling people about Jesus, even when they are arrested and beaten. In the midst of this, God keeps the message moving forward, and no one is able to stop the mission of God through His people. Here’s what we learn from this: the advancement of the gospel is the evidence of the validity of the gospel!

This passage examines the story of Ananias and Sapphira, showing that the danger was not in their generosity but their hypocrisy – appearing faithful while hiding their sin before God. It reminds us that grace frees us from condemnation, not consequences, and that the gospel calls us to honest repentance, reverent awe, and a faith that is real, not a performance.