St. Paul Lutheran Church, Matteson, Illinois & Pastor Troester

The opposition is heating up to the message of Jesus Christ through the Apostle Paul, yet God continues to assure Paul (and us) that He is with us always, and keep preaching the message!

Read about Paul's life journey, and how God brought him to where He would use him for the good of all people.

Read about the love between Paul and those he ministers to, like Pastor and People in a church who love God and love each other.  Motivated by that love, we serve and are willing to even die for Christ.

Read how the Apostle Paul continues to press on, despite the resistance, and how Pastors are commissioned to care for their flocks, and all are encouraged.

Read about the church on the move, empowered by the Holy Spirit, meeting opposition but moving forward in the power of that Spirit.

Read how the 2nd Missionary journey of the Apostle Paul, to reach people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, comes to an end, and how the 3rd journey begins.  

Read how the message about Jesus Christ is believed by some, but still opposed by others.  Yet, Paul moves on and continues proclaim, reason, explain and prove that Jesus died and rose from the dead.  The Berean Christians are a good example to us, to check everything we hear with God's Word.

Read about the work of the church being busy with the things of God for the saving of many souls. God is directing the mission, as He always is then and now, and many come to believe.

Read how there are not disagreements with people who are outside the church and opposing us, but there are also disagreements within the church, which calls us to state the problem, listen and talk about what it is, look to God's Word and God's work, pray and ask the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and make a decision, which we share with everyone.  By God's grace, the work continues.

The Apostle Paul encourages us to remain diligent and faithful, despite the hardships we face because we believe in Jesus as our Savior, and lives that out, who, despite being stoned to death, yet lived, continued to preach.

Read about the beginning of the missionary journeys of Paul, how God sent him and others out, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and how the church grew, proclaiming the message about salvation in Jesus Christ.

Read about how no authority is above God, and no force can stop the growing of His Church, not even the death of Her Leaders and Missionaries.  God reigns, so be encouraged to boldly speak of the Hope that we have in Jesus.

Read about the powerful work of the Holy Spirit, through the lives and voices of the Disciples, preaching about Jesus Christ and the impact it has on those who hear and believe.

Read about the growth of the church, despite, and through, persecution, by the power of God the Holy Spirit, as these young 'Christians' tell their world about Jesus Christ and His power to save us.

Read about God's work through the Holy Spirit, who works faith in people, but partners with us to witness Jesus Christ to them.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, with a lightening bolt, God gets Saul's attention and his heart, as Saul is converted, bapized and sent out, not without some turmoil among the Christians, but God works peace in their hearts and the work of the church goes on.

Read about the persecution of Christian, and yet how God used it to spread the message as the people were faithful in proclaiming Jesus Christ.

Read about the faithful and strong witness of the early Christians, and of Stephen, who confessed what he knew by faith, and though he was martyred, but even in his death was a witness to the life we have in Jesus Christ.

Read about how Christian work and act among each other and in the world.  This is serious business, life and death, and demands our total devtion, and yet the reward is peace with God.

Read about the Holy Spirit speaking through John & Peter, Disciples of Jesus, who witnessed His resurrection and speak about Him only, despite opposition.

Read the conclusion to King Solomon's writing, under the power of the Holy Spirit, inspired by God, to give us Wisdom.

Welcome as we start a new study on a new book of the Bible, this time in the New Testament, now in the Book of the Acts.  This is the account of the "actions" of the Disciples of Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, carrying out the mission of Jesus Christ to the world.

Continue to read as Solomon shares God's Wisdom with us.

Read as Solomon is inspired to write what he has learned about true wisdom, which comes only from God, while folly comes from us.

As Solomon takes a long look at his life and what brings turmoil and what brings joy, he finds his only hope is in God.