Grace Sermons

Why does it seem like Paul puts himself back under the law in Acts 21 after being approached by James and the elders at Jerusalem?  Were there different ways for Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians to live the Christian life?  No!  Paul was applying principles he taught about the weaker brother and giving up freedoms for the sake of the gospel and to win all people to Christ. THE GRACE BLOG W...

For those of us living in America and experiencing the blessings and freedoms that come with being citizens here, they don't even come close to the ultimate freedom that can only come through Jesus Christ. You can live in a free country but still be a slave - a slave to sin, shame, and the endless treadmill of performance, finding worth, and value.  But what Jesus accomplished on the cross, frees...

In Acts 20, Paul declares that he considers his life worth nothing if he doesn't finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given him of testifying to the good news of God's grace.  Jesus gives each one of us a role in His Kingdom work, and our only aim is to finish our race being compelled by the Spirit and depending on God's grace to work in us and through us. THE GRACE BLOG WEBSIT...

Paul begins and ends this section with the Greek word, "parakaleo," referencing how the Spirit used Paul to disciple other believers through encouragement and through certain life situations.  The Spirit will do the same thing through us today.  Look for how the Spirit wants to use you to encourage one another and build each other up! THE GRACE BLOG WEBSITE: https://thegraceblog.com/blog BUY ME A...

Paul encounters a riot and a mob at Ephesus because the Spirit has changed the churches actions and habits, and they are no longer in need of the idols and shrines that craftsmen are making.  The general principle for us today is that the Spirit will work outwardly through us to impact the culture around us. THE GRACE BLOG WEBSITE: https://thegraceblog.com/blog BUY ME A COFFEE: https://buymeacoffe...

As Paul begins his 3rd missionary journey, he ends up in Ephesus where God does extraordinary miracles through him.  He shares the gospel with John the Baptist's disciples and the gospel spreads all throughout the province of Asia. THE GRACE BLOG WEBSITE: https://thegraceblog.com/blog BUY ME A COFFEE: https://buymeacoffee.com/jasonjz GRACE SERMONS PODCAST: https://thegraceblog.com/podcast #acts19...

In Acts 18 we learn about how Paul is afraid.  He says that he was in great fear and trembling in Corinth.  Yet, the Lord provides for Paul in a number of ways to help him face his fears, and He will do the same thing for you and for me as we trust the Spirit and depend upon Him.   THE GRACE BLOG WEBSITE: https://thegraceblog.com/blog BUY ME A COFFEE: https://buymeacoffee.com/jasonjz GRACE SERMONS...

Paul at Mars Hill shares the gospel after being greatly distressed by all of the idols in Athens as well as by the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers.  Idols and philosophies never deliver fully on what they are promising.  The give you just enough to keep you coming back but never leave you satisfied.  Meaning, purpose, and abundant life can only be found in Jesus! THE GRACE BLOG WEBSITE: https://t...

When the Bereans were presented with the gospel, they received it with eagerness and examined the Scriptures to see if what Paul said was true.  As a result, many of them put their faith in Jesus and became new creations in Christ!  As we hear new truths presented from others, the Spirit will lead us to do the same thing today.  We receive the information but don't necessarily take it as truth.  W...

In Acts 16, the Philippian jailer is so stunned that Paul and Silas stay in jail after an earthquake opened up a way of escape that he asks, "What must I do to be saved?"  After putting his faith in Jesus, he and his entire household are saved!  God is such a good God that He even brings purpose into our suffering and can use it to transform the lives of those around us. THE GRACE BLOG WEBSITE: ht...

As those in Christ, we are invited to participate with the Spirit in God's work to advance His Kingdom through His grace. In Acts 15:36-16:15, we see the Holy Spirit do just that in the lives of Timothy, Luke, Lydia, Silas, John Mark, Barnabas, and Paul.    As we trace how and what He did in and through them, we get glimpses into how He will work in us and through us today by His grace. THE GRACE...

What are the requirements for salvation?  How do you know you are saved? In Acts 15, we see the answer to these questions.  Some in the church were promoting a "Jesus Plus" gospel, but the Jerusalem Council affirms that salvation comes by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Today, there still is a problem with some adding to the gospel.  The requirements for salvation are not "believe...

The scandalous message of grace enrages self-righteous legalists.  As Paul and Barnabas continue their first missionary journey, they are brutally opposed by self-righteous legalists and try to stone Paul to death.  Paul warns that the church will go through many hardships because the scandalous message of grace enrages people who cling to the law and self-justification. THE GRACE BLOG WEBSITE: ht...

The same power that rose Jesus from the grave is the same power that dwells in us today as believers.  In Christ, we have resurrection power that is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine!  Don't miss out on all that you have in Christ if you have put your faith and trust in Him for salvation. THE GRACE BLOG WEBSITE: https://thegraceblog.com/blog BUY ME A COFFEE: https://buy...

In Acts 13 Paul and Barnabas are commissioned by the church at Antioch and sent out on Paul's first missionary journey.  As the church today, the Spirit sends us out on mission as well.  Sometimes that is somewhere on the other side of the world, but often times it's into our own communities to serve people and share the gospel with the lost. THE GRACE BLOG WEBSITE: https://thegraceblog.com/blog B...

In Acts 13 Paul and Barnabas are commissioned by the church at Antioch and sent out on Paul's first missionary journey.  As the church today, the Spirit sends us out on mission as well.  Sometimes that is somewhere on the other side of the world, but often times it's into our own communities to serve people and share the gospel with the lost. THE GRACE BLOG WEBSITE: https://thegraceblog.com/blog B...

In Acts 12, King Herod persecuted the church, killed James, and arrested Peter and put him in prison with intentions to kill him as well.  God sends an angel and miraculously rescues Peter from prison.  As a result, we are told in verse 24 that the church continued to spread and flourish.  God is sovereign and even when we don't see it or understand it, He is at work behind the scenes for our good...

The church of Antioch was discipled by Barnabas and Saul for an entire year.  The church of Antioch was a diverse church who under the leadership of Barnabas and Saul became a missionary outpost.  We learn much from this church and from Barnabas and Saul as they lived Life in the Spirit. THE GRACE BLOG WEBSITE: https://thegraceblog.com/blog BUY ME A COFFEE: https://buymeacoffee.com/jasonjz GRACE S...

In Acts 10-11, Peter and Cornelius witness what can be called The Gentile Pentecost!  The Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles as they believed in Jesus for salvation.  The gospel is for all people! THE GRACE BLOG WEBSITE: https://thegraceblog.com/blog BUY ME A COFFEE: https://buymeacoffee.com/jasonjz GRACE SERMONS PODCAST: https://thegraceblog.com/podcast #gentiles #pentecost #acts10 #acts...

Even though Peter was a new creation in Christ and a leader in the church, he still had some false beliefs that were impacting his actions.  The Holy Spirit had to reveal the truth to him so that he could walk in alignment with who he now was in Christ.  So, he orchestrated events in the life of a gentile, roman centurion named Cornelius as well as his own life that would change their lives and th...

Luke gives a one-sentence description of Dorcas who is also known as Tabitha in Acts 9.  He says that her life was characterized by being full of good works and acts of charity.  If someone had to give a one-sentence description of your life, what would they say?  Would it be characterized by the Spirit's work in you and through you or by your own fleshly works to build your own kingdom up?  As ne...

On the road to Damascus to persecute Christians, Saul encounters Jesus and begins to preach the good news!  Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus is one of the most unexpected events we see in the Bible, but God's ways are not our ways.  He had a plan to use Paul as His chosen instrument to reach the Gentiles with the gospel.  Saul's conversion shows us that you are never too far from the grac...

In Acts 8, Philip encounters an Ethiopian eunuch and shares the life-changing good news of Jesus Christ with him.  The Ethiopian eunuch puts his faith in Christ and is baptized immediately.  The most unbelievable part of this story is that God called Philip away from what was basically a revival and sent him on a 3-day journey just to share the gospel with one man.  He truly is the God who will le...

When the Spirit sent Philip to Samaria, this was during a time that the Jewish people despised the people living there.  But He used Philip to share the good news of Jesus with them, and after Peter and John arrived to witness them receive the Holy Spirit, things were never the same after that. As we live Life in the Spirit today, He will work through us to share the gospel in difficult situations...

There are 8 billion people in the world and statistics tell us that about 5 billion of them do not know Jesus.  How will they be reached?  In Acts 8, God scatters the church and worked in them and through them to share the gospel with others wherever they went.  He does the same thing today.  As we live Life in the Spirit, we will He will disrupt our comfortability to move us into His higher purpo...