The church of Christ on McDermott Road

Paul said, “To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law” (1 Corinthians 9:20). When Paul returned to Jerusalem from his missionary journeys, we see how Paul […]

Paul encouraged the Ephesian elders to be prepared to deal with “fierce wolves” in the church. Are we prepared to deal with similar threats in the church today? (Scripture: Acts 20:22-32)

Whether we care to admit it or not, we are engaged in a war for our souls. In this war, we face three enemies: the devil, the flesh, and the world. Author John Mark Comer in his book, Live No Lies, suggests that the devil’s tactic “to drive the soul and society into ruin, is […]

Whether we care to admit it or not, we are engaged in a war for our souls. In this war, we face three enemies: the devil, the flesh, and the world. Author John Mark Comer in his book, Live No Lies, suggests that the devil’s tactic “to drive the soul and society into ruin, is […]

Corinth became a very important city in the history of the church. Paul preached there for a year and a half, but it wasn’t without significant opposition. And, for years, the church in Corinth would struggle to fully embrace the implications of the Gospel. Have we embraced the implications of the Gospel? (Scripture: Acts 18:5-11)

Whether we care to admit it or not, we are engaged in a war for our souls. In this war, we face three enemies: the devil, the flesh, and the world. Author John Mark Comer in his book, Live No Lies, suggests that the devil’s tactic “to drive the soul and society into ruin, is […]

In Athens, we get to hear how Paul preaches to a very different audience, a group of pagan worshipers and philosophers. Paul takes a much different approach here, than he does when preaching to a Jewish audience. Unfortunately, the idea of resurrection made many mock. What claims of the Gospel seem outrageous in our world? (Scripture: Acts 17:22-31)

Whether we care to admit it or not, we are engaged in a war for our souls. In this war, we face three enemies: the devil, the flesh, and the world. Author John Mark Comer in his book, Live No Lies, suggests that the devil’s tactic “to drive the soul and society into ruin, is […]

The Gospel was well received in Berea, because of their open-mindedness and willingness to study, learn, and grow. But even in Berea, Paul and his companions dealt with opposition. How can we tell when we have a Berean heart? (Scripture: Acts 17:10-15)

Whether we care to admit it or not, we are engaged in a war for our souls. In this war, we face three enemies: the devil, the flesh, and the world. Author John Mark Comer in his book, Live No Lies, suggests that the devil’s tactic “to drive the soul and society into ruin, is […]

Thessalonica is the city where Paul and his companions were accused of turning the world upside down. In Thessalonica, there were many who believed, but also those who rightly perceived the Gospel as challenging both Jewish beliefs and Caesar’s claims. Are we willing to be challenged by, and challenge others with, the Gospel? (Scripture: Acts 17:1-9)

Whether we care to admit it or not, we are engaged in a war for our souls. In this war, we face three enemies: the devil, the flesh, and the world. Author John Mark Comer in his book, Live No Lies, suggests that the devil’s tactic “to drive the soul and society into ruin, is […]

The Good News continued to spread, as Jesus said it would, to the ends of the earth. In the city of Philippi, the first European converts believed. But when the Gospel disrupted the exploitation a young slave girl, Paul and Silas were beaten and jailed. Are we willing to preach a liberating Gospel, even if it means disrupting […]

Whether we care to admit it or not, we are engaged in a war for our souls. In this war, we face three enemies: the devil, the flesh, and the world. Author John Mark Comer in his book, Live No Lies, suggests that the devil’s tactic “to drive the soul and society into ruin, is […]

The growing church is faced with a conflict between two of its missional leaders – Paul and Barnabas. The account of this dispute provides insight both into human personhood and the divine mission. (Scripture: Acts 15:36-41)

Whether we care to admit it or not, we are engaged in a war for our souls. In this war, we face three enemies: the devil, the flesh, and the world. Author John Mark Comer in his book, Live No Lies, suggests that the devil’s tactic “to drive the soul and society into ruin, is […]

We talk about the “Jerusalem council” and the lessons we can learn about dealing with controversy that arises in the church today. (Scripture: Acts 15:6-11)

A crowd can be fickle. One moment they love you, the next moment they are trying to kill you.  That’s exactly what happened to Paul and Barnabas in Lystra. The people of Lystra worshiped the missionaries as “gods” when they first arrived. But after some provocation, the crowd turned into an angry mob who tried to execute […]

There was an amazing response to the Gospel amongst the Jewish people of Antioch in Pisidia. However, the Jewish leadership there was “filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him.” But this rejection did not stop the mission. In fact, the rejection amongst the Jewish people led to an opportunity with the […]

While Paul and Barnabas were preaching on the island of Cyprus, they had the opportunity to share the Good News with the governor, but Bar-Jesus (a magician and “Jewish false prophet”) opposed them. In one of the strongest statements of Acts, Paul said to Bar-Jesus, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of deceit […]

Herod Agrippa violently persecuted the church. He executed the apostle James. He also arrested and intended to kill Peter. He did all of this in order to curry favor with Judean leadership. He was a shrewd and cunning politician, motivated by an insatiable appetite for power and control. But the Lord rescued Peter from prison and ended Herod’s […]

Though the Jerusalem church accepted (in theory) the idea that God had granted repentance to the Gentiles, a truly multi-ethnic congregation wasn’t formed until the Good News came to the city of Antioch. This was a city with populations of various ethnic groups. Ethnic groups stayed mostly to themselves and tensions ran deep. But the Good News […]

After the events in Joppa and Caesarea, Peter returned to Jerusalem to receive less than a warm welcome. People were angry and critical because news had gotten out that he had shared meals with uncircumcised people. Peter related to them the entire story. Soon, the criticism turned to celebration. The people realized that a multi-ethnic church wasn’t Peter’s idea, […]

When Peter preached the Good News about Jesus to Cornelius’ household, “the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.” Even after all that Peter heard and experienced, he was still amazed that God would give the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles. Ethnocentrism, the idea that a particular ethnic group is better or more […]