Stapleton Baptist Church

The honeymoon period of the church is brief as persecution arrives in chapter four. However, rather than giving into fear or giving up, the first church prays for increased boldness and even more opportunities to make the gospel message known. Acts 4 provides us with a playbook for how we can respond to persecution today if and when it comes. 

In Acts 2:42-47 we get a snapshot of what church life looked like for the very first Christians. They were deeply devoted to the Word, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. Their devotion to these things had a reverberating effect felt by everyone, even those outside the church. When God's people do what they should be doing, we can expect God to save people!

This week we move into Acts 2 and look at the day of Pentecost. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was a singular, unrepeatable event, but it forever changed how God would empower his people. The Holy Spirit is now present in the life of every believer and gives us everything we need to take part in God's mission!

Today we move into Acts 1:12-26 as the apostles replace Judas. The disciples were told to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit, but that doesn't mean they are supposed to be idle. Because God is in control, they can confidently take action based on what God has already told them. Let us do the same as we wait for the return of our Lord Jesus!

Today we move into Acts 1:6-11 and find the foundational command for the book of Acts: to be witnesses for Jesus Christ. This command given to the disciples is a command still for us today. How are we living on mission right where God has placed us? All you need to be a witness for Jesus is a relationship with Jesus. 

This week we begin a new study through the book of Acts. In Acts we will discover how the first Christians and churches operated, but most importantly, we will see how Jesus Christ continued his work through the Holy Spirit and his apostles. Jesus is alive today and still at work through us!

A faith that stands firm, regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in, is a faith that recognizes the realities of the Kingdom of God and His provision. Jesus teaches us how to pray so that we abide in His Kingdom, trusting in His provision.  As we finish 2020 and look begin 2021 with an emphasis on prayer and fasting, let's learn from Jesus about abiding in God through prayer.

This week we fast-forward to the New Testament to Luke 1:39-56 to see the meeting between Mary and Elizabeth. This meeting is not just a happy reunion of two relatives. This meeting is the first meeting of the two covenants. John, the last prophet of the old covenant, leaps for joy in the womb at the presence of his Messiah cousin, Jesus. This Jesus will usher in a new covenant under which God&apo...

This week we open to Isaiah 9:6-7 to see what kind of Messiah God will send. Isaiah's prophecy describes a Messiah who is unlike any other person. He isn't just a powerful, skillful man; he is God himself! God tells us exactly what kind of Messiah he is giving us. He is a wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, and a prince of peace!

This week we begin our Advent series - A Thrill of Hope. At its core Christmas is all about hope. It's about hope in an ancient promise that can be traced all the way back to the Garden of Eden. From the moment that Adam and Eve sinned, God initiated a plan to redeem his humanity. We find hope in the curse. That hope is still true for us today.

This week we wrap up our series on money by looking at what and how God expects us to give to his church. An honest look at the Bible shows that followers of Christ don't give out of obligation or duty, but are invited  and motivated to give back to God out of a love and gratitude for him. We can give cheerfully, generously, and regularly!

This week we continue the series entitled  Treasure  by considering what the Bible teaches about generosity. From 2 Corinthians 8, we see that generosity is an act of God's grace: a generous heart is something God gives. Generosity is evident in the gospel, in the self-giving of Jesus Christ. Ultimately, Christian generosity is God's providential plan for meeting needs in the body of Chr...

This week we kick off a new series entitled Treasure . God cares about our money because he cares about our hearts. Money isn't just some green paper and metal coins in our pocket. Money can either be a tool used to glorify God or a slave master that drags us away from God. Jesus makes it clear that how we use our money and how we think about money reveals what we truly treasure.

This week we finish our study of John by looking at a final conversation between Peter and Jesus. In this conversation Jesus is restoring Peter, but we also find three keys to the life of a disciple. The Christian life is a life of continual restoration, obedience, and focus.

This week we look at John 20 and witness the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. The resurrection is God's stamp of approval. The resurrection forever reminds us that Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross was sufficient to cover all sins for all time of those who believe in him for salvation!

This week we look at John 19:17-42 and witness the greatest event in the history of the world. All of history revolves around the cross of Jesus. In Revelation we see all of heaven signing the praises of the Lamb who was slain. If the cross is that important then shouldn't the cross change how we live? 

This week we look at John 18:28-19:16 and witness Jesus on trial before the Roman governor Pilate. The atmosphere around Jesus grows darker and darker, yet he shines brighter and brighter as the holy Son of God. The Jews don't realize it but they are calling for the death of the man who is truly their king and the true Passover lamb. Through it all God's sovereign plan reigns supreme.

We pick back up this week in John 18:1-27 to find one of the darkest moments for Jesus's disciples. Judas, one of their very own, leads a mob to arrest Jesus, and Peter, the most outspoken disciples, suddenly denies any association with Jesus at all. But through it all the sovereign hand of God is clearly at work as Jesus moves closer to the cross.

This week we look at John 17 and find Jesus praying to the Father on behalf of his disciples and all future disciples--that means us too! Jesus will face death on the cross the next day, but here he is praying for his disciples that they would remain one and unified after he is gone. Their unity will be vital to accomplishing their mission of making disciples of all nations!

This week we look at John 16:16-33. The disciples are filled with sorrow, but Jesus doesn't leave them in their grief. He points them to what is on the other side of their pain. He promises that this terrible trial will actually result in joy and peace. In fact, they will gain a joy and peace that can never be taken away again because it is founded upon the work of the risen Lord, Jesus Chris...

This week we open to John 16:1-15 as Jesus gives one final teaching concerning the Holy Spirit. We usually think of the Spirit in terms of what he does in the life of the believer, but Jesus shows us that the Holy Spirit is also actively convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. As Christians we have the privilege and responsibility of being used by the Spirit in convicting the wor...

This week we pick up in John 15:1-17 as we discover the last I AM statement of Jesus: I am the true vine. Unlike the Israel of old, Jesus is the true vine that perfectly produced the fruit of the Father. Now, we the branches have the privilege and responsibility of extending the life and purpose of the vine in our own lives. But to do that we must abide in him! For more resources go to www.staplet...

This week we pick up in John 14:15-31. The disciples are distressed that Jesus is leaving them, but fortunately he promises not to leave them as orphans. The Father will send another Helper in the name of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the continuation of Jesus's ministry and will point us back to Christ at every turn. For more resources go to www.stapletonbaptistchurch.org For questions about Chr...

This week we pick up in John 14:1-14 as Jesus once again calls his disciples to greater belief in him. John's Gospel shows us that not all belief is true belief. In this passage we find that true belief leads to an inward peace, a desire for God's presence, a pursuit of the narrow path, and a powerful purpose. For more resources go to www.stapletonbaptistchurch.org For questions about Ch...

This week we pick up in John 13:18-38 to find the point of no return for Judas Iscariot. His complete betrayal of Jesus is shocking. But while his betrayal may seem like a failure, Jesus shows us that it was all part of God's sovereign plan to bring Jesus to the cross. The darkness cannot overcome the light!