Reflections on the Book of Acts

Using this passage from the biblical book of ‘Acts of the Apostles’, Jeremy explores how the testimony of Jesus breaks through: Our self focus The laws of nature Practical limitations This podcast is part of a series on the books of Acts which is supported by periodic ‘reflections’, which consider questions which have been submitted by members of LifeLine Church. To stay up...

This podcast is part of a series on the books of Acts which is supported by periodic ‘reflections’, which consider questions which have been submitted by members of LifeLine Church. To stay up to date with podcasts from LifeLine Church, please subscribe. Shows include: LifeLine Church Sunday Services – a weekly broadcast of the message from our Sunday meeting Evolution Revolution...

You might be employed, volunteering, a parent caring for a child. Whatever your ‘workplace’ God cares about the everyday – the mundane; He’s not only interested in the ‘spiritual moments’ where we might share the gospel, or pray for someone. God’s original plan – described in Genesis 2:4-15 – is for us to work. It’s part of who He made us...

This passage raises some challenging points to think through: What’s the difference between being a peace keeper and being a peace maker? When we submit our lives to Jesus, we enter a new way of seeing – a new way of being. Are we still walking in the fruit of this? We once made the decision to lay our lives down, in favour of following Jesus. Is this still true, or have life’s a...

Acts 21 describes the power of friendship, and the impact on Paul and those he connects with: Tearing themselves away because it was the last time they were going to see Paul Searching out the disciples of Jesus while the ship was offloading… Being bound together as family Getting involved in each others’ business Wives and children walked down – it was a whole family affair Spiritual...

This passage gives us insight into the way Paul nurtures those with whom he journeys: With affection (genuine love that leads him to think about them when they’re not together With intimate involvement (not just interested in the role they’re playing, he’s interested in the whole person as demonstrated by knowing that Timothy was ill and advising him how to deal with this) By enc...

A first-hand faith… There are three distinct groups of people in this passage: 1. 12 disciples of John 2. 7 sons of Sceva 3. Former sorcerers 1. 12 disciples of John: Are bapised in the Holy Spirit and immediately receive the gifts. There are different gifts, and there’s a need to recognise the gift given to each. It’s all about strengthening and benefitting the community. To desire the gift...

This podcast is part of a series on the books of Acts which is supported by periodic ‘reflections’, which consider questions which have been submitted by members of LifeLine Church. To stay up to date with podcasts from LifeLine Church, please subscribe. Shows include: LifeLine Church Sunday Services – a weekly broadcast of the message from our Sunday meeting Evolution Revolution...

The second half of this chapter shows us how wherever the apostle Paul finds himself, he takes time to see and understand where people are at. He uses his understanding of the scriptures, along with the clarity of the impact of Jesus death and resurrection, to reach people. But he also uses words, culture and prevailing philosophies to show the religious leaders that their own world view is confus...

Chapter 16 includes the incredible account of Paul and Silas being thrown into jail, without trial and on the basis of a false ‘crowd’ conviction followed by a beating from the magistrates. Their response is to pray and sing praises to God whilst being held in the stocks! This leads to an earthquake, and they’re miraculously released from the stocks, but instead of walking away,...

The message Hugh Osgood brought to us last weekend indicated that God is doing a new thing. Today, Daniel Jones explores the heart change that God is inviting each of us into that will align us with God’s intent. Using the first half of Acts 16, he explores two key points: 1) Salvation for those around us: we have to recognise that it’s only God who opens hearts to change – our r...

Acts 15:1-11,22-29 NIV Depending on Christ for His grace… 1) Liberty – the gospel starts by removing burdens from us. We are unburdened and saved by grace! 2) Community – we’re equipped to live in unity with one another; those little irritations no longer have the power to divide us… 3) Purity – God has designed us for intimacy with Him, for dependence on Him. P...

Our culture dictates that pain and suffering are bad things – to be avoided and much of our time is spent trying to find things that make us feel good. The trouble is, it doesn’t work! God’s invitation is to turn to Him, and allow Him, the living God, to be our satisfaction. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God’. Are we willing to take a fres...

God has sent us into the world! The church in 46AD wasn’t so different to today’s church. It was full of lots of different kinds of people, joined together by God. They had previously been involved in all kinds of competing things – yet now, united by Jesus, they were worshipping together. As they worshipped, the prophetic word of God emerged, was weighed by the apostles, and dev...

This chapter covers Peter’s imprisonment by Herod, and subsequent miraculous escape; his return to the believers (and their unbelief at who they were seeing); and Herod meets his end. In this talk we’re challenged to think about: Who or what we rely on Our unbelief (what do we struggle to believe?) Who we exalt (is it ourselves, our ideas, friends, family, God….?) God is challeng...

God sends encouragers – those who perceive what God is up to, get excited and get on board with what He’s doing. They are really key people in His Kingdom! The Greek word for encouragement is much richer and deeper than the English version. It encompasses two aspects: -To be close beside -To call, point or direct How are we encouragers? Do we tend towards an over-sympathetic response,...

By giving us a common hunger By involving us By his Holy Spirit… This podcast is part of a series on the books of Acts which is supported by periodic ‘reflections’, which consider questions which have been submitted by members of LifeLine Church. To stay up to date with podcasts from LifeLine Church, please subscribe. Shows include: LifeLine Church Sunday Services – a weekl...

Acts 9 is where Saul has a revelation! Jesus saw his heart – saw that having studied God’s word, he wanted to do the right thing. There was a struggle between his heart and his mind – he was caught in religion. Jesus doesn’t focus on our mistakes – he focusses on our hearts. This podcast is part of a series on the books of Acts which is supported by periodic ‘re...

In Acts 1 Jesus said that his disciples would be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and all the earth… we see the community going from house to house with gladness in their hearts. In this chapter Saul is introduced as a kind of puppet master – a nemesis to be reckoned with. He goes from house to house dragging men and women off to prison. Then Stephen’s murder follows… Immediately following...

In chapter 6 we saw that full of God’s grace and power he performed great signs and wonders. No-one could stand against the wisdom he spoke with, as he was inspired by the Holy Spirit – so false rumours are spread about him and these get him into serious trouble. He’s brought before the Sanhedrin (the courts of the day), to face some serious charges. In chapter 7, filled with the...

There was division – some of the widows weren’t getting enough food, so the apostles invited everyone to get involved and find a solution. We get to participate in a bigger vision – we’re not passive recipients…but there is a choice to make. And it’s a work of the Holy Spirit, and an expression of self-giving love for others. This podcast is part of a series on...

Jamie draws out three key points from this passage in Acts:  Joined versus added… The chapter talks about people being added. We usually talk about joining a church as our choice. But what if there’s an alternative view – one where God chooses where He wants to add us to His body? Prison couldn’t hold them… No prison can hold God captive What made the apostles so hero...

Acts 5: 1-11 The story of Ananais and Sapphira is one that shows us the seriousness of being real with God, and serving Him above all else. It’s tempting, with the limitations of our own wisdom and view, to look for approval and recognition from our peers, or people who we want to impress. So what’s the antidote? We find the answer in Psalm 139, 23-24: “Search me, God, and know m...

This is the chapter where the rubber starts to hit the road, and we see how the Kingdom is advanced as Peter and John (unschooled, ordinary men) talk to people out of the overflow of having been filled with the Holy Spirit. They are very clear – the only way we can find salvation is through faith that Jesus died, bore the weight of humanities collective decision across the ages to rely on ou...