Jeff Shelnutt Sermons

Paul and his team have been led to Macedonia and find themselves in the city of Philippi. This is a new season of ministry.  How does Paul go about navigating this new season? When Lydia responds to the Gospel, she immediately bears spiritual fruit by exercising hospitality. She invites the missionary team to make her home their base of operations.

Because of the excitement and idealization of the Christmas season, we often fail to realize the negative social consequences that both Mary and Joseph faced. Matthew tells the story of Jesus' birth from Joseph's perspective. He had many reasons to fear, but the Lord's word to him was, "Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife." 

Paul and Silas return to visit the churches previously established. Paul, desiring to take a young Timothy along with them, circumcises him because of the Jews in the area. Paul opposed circumcision for salvation, but now endorses it for witness. What does it mean to "become all things to all men"?

The cries of Psalm 60 erupt out of a feeling of abandonment in the midst of the battle. The promise of God will come to pass, though His people experience discipline along the way. God will never reject His own, even if the circumstances seem to indicate otherwise. 

As Paul and Barnabas, along with Silas and Judas, share about the decision of the "Jerusalem Council" in Antioch, the text demonstrates how the book of Acts is generally descriptive rather than prescriptive. Paul and Barnabas disagree over Mark's accompaniment, causing the two to embark on separate missionary journeys. The Lord is not the author of conflict, but He does use this disagreement to fu...

James gives his judgment on the matter of whether or not Gentile converts should be circumcised and required to keep the Law of Moses. He offers four things that Gentile believers should avoid. Though these four prohibitions are strange to our modern ears, they made perfect sense to those who received them. How can we apply these principles today?

Paul and Barnabas go to Jerusalem to defend the Gospel against those who claim that circumcision and keeping the Law of Moses are necessary conditions of salvation. Peter recounts the conversion of Cornelius and how the Holy Spirit was given by faith in Jesus Christ alone. The yoke of the Law is a burden no one can bear; but Jesus offers a yoke of rest.

David flees to the Philistines to escape King Saul and while there feigns madness. This psalm is David's reflection on his spiritual and emotional condition while evading death at the hands of the Philistines. As God becomes bigger to us through the promises of His Word, our fears become smaller.

Paul and Barnabas return to strengthen and encourage the churches they planted. They prepare the relatively new believers for coming trials, and appoint elders who will lead and guide the disciples when the two apostles are gone. They teach the disciples to trust God's certain promises as they face an uncertain future. 

Paul and Barnabas arrive in the first thoroughly gentile destination. We observe in this text how to seize natural points of contact for sharing God's Word; how everyone worships something; and how God has met the deepest need of every person in Jesus Christ.   

Paul and Barnabas face opposition to their preaching in Iconium. At the same time many respond to the Gospel, so Paul and Barnabas stay in the city for a long time in order to build up the young church. These new believers are equipped with principles to stand firm in when opposed.

There are various reactions to the Word of God preached by Paul in the synagogue at Psidian Antioch. There is the immediate reaction of those in attendance and a delayed reaction a week later. There is a positive reaction by the gentiles who gathered to hear Paul preach again, and a negative reaction by the prominent men and women of the city who sent Paul and Barnabas away. Everyone is responsibl...

David, the psalmist, reflects on how he was betrayed to King Saul by Doeg the Edomite. The Lord will silence the boastful and uproot the one who places his trust in power, position and possessions. The man or woman who lives consciously in the presence of God will be firmly established in the love of God.  

In the second half of his message in the synagogue of Psidian Antioch, Paul outlines the four key Gospel events: Jesus' death, burial, resurrection, and the witnesses who saw him alive. Paul ties Old Testament passages together to prove that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God, the promised Messiah, and the eternal King who will sit on David's throne. Finally, Paul concludes that trusting Jesus br...

Paul addresses the Jewish synagogue in Psidian Antioch. In this first half of his message, Paul speaks of God as the One who has moved in the history of Israel. God takes the initiative. He is always moving toward Jesus, both in history and in your life.

Barnabas and Saul embark on their first missionary journey. Taking John Mark as a helper, they sail to Cyprus and proceed to travel across the entire island, sharing the word of God. The proconsul, Sergius Paulus, summons them. Though interested in their message, the proconsul's court magician and false prophet, Bar-Jesus, proceeds openly opposes truth. Bar-Jesus is temporarily blinded as a judgme...

The Lord summons His people to give an account for breaking the covenant. The people of God are charged with formalism and hypocrisy. Thankfulness is the counter to formalism and repentance the way to immediately combat hypocrisy. But the ultimate cure for both is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The church at Antioch represented the ethnic and cultural diversity of that city. The make-up of a congregation will reflect its locale. Authentic diversity cannot be manufactured. The church seeks God with fasting and prayer. Barnabas and Saul are set aside for a specific purpose. The church confirms God's call upon their lives and sends them out with more prayer and fasting. 

The Lord vindicates His church. Herod craves control and is judged for it. Like Herod, we too try to control our own lives, our circumstances, and the lives of others. The Lord receives glory when we repent of desire to be in control and acknowledge His ultimate control. The church will grow and multiply when God's people are faithful to share the truths found in His Word. 

If God does not intervene, Peter will not escape his impossible situation. While he rests in the peace of God, the church prays. God works practically and supernaturally. Answered prayers should not surprise the Christian, but be the consistent experience of God's people.

An attack against the church by King Herod sees James executed and Peter imprisoned. This spiritual intimidation tactic is leveled at the leadership. The church is not dependent upon her leaders for survival, but upon her Head, Jesus Christ. Believers gather at Mary's home to fervently pray for Peter.   

The Lord is near and ready to help those who call upon Him in the midst of the chaos. The Lord of the heavenly hosts is also the God of Jacob. The  turmoil of life brings us to the end of ourselves that we may learn to lean on the Lord.  

The prophecy of Agabus gives insight into prophecy as a gift in the New Testament. The revealed will of God creates a desire that we are called to act upon. Saul and Barnabas carry famine relief funds to Jerusalem. 

As the church is planted in Antioch, there are three ways that we see God building His church: through unnamed evangelists, through encouragement, and through everyone's gifts and abilities. Barnabas realizes the limits of his abilities and returns from Tarsus with Saul. Together they are able to take the church at Antioch to the next level spiritually.

Peter gives an account to the Jerusalem church of his visit to the house of Cornelius. He doesn't defend his actions, but simply relates what God has done. When God calls you to take a difficult step in which you know you will be misunderstood, He will go before you and fight for you.