The Mountain Church

Today as we continue in our study through the book of Acts, we're considering a story about a riot in Ephesus. It's a story about how the gospel impacts the city and confronts idolatry. The gospel impacts individuals and institutions. It affects families, communities, social orders, organizations, and all of daily life. The message of the good news of the kingdom might incite, violence, anger, and...

This morning we continue in our study through the the book of Acts. Luke tells the story of Paul in Ephesus meeting some disciples of John and the story of the seven sons of Sceva. The stories show how the word of the Lord continued to increase and flourish mightily. The gospel produces and prevails. It brings both salvation and stubbornness - conversion and continuing in unbelief. It centers on J...

This week as we continue in our study through the story of Acts, we come to Acts 18:24-28. Luke, the author of Acts, describes a story of Apollos in Ephesus. Priscilla and Aquila take him aside and explain the way of God to him more accurately. This story shows the importance of having gospel-centered Christian community and the humility to be corrected by other sisters and brothers in the faith....

This week we continue in our study through the book of Acts looking at the tail end of Paul's second missionary journey in Corinth and Ephesus. In Corinth, the Apostle Paul receives a promise, "And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, 'Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who ar...

As we continue in our study through the book of Acts, we come to the story of Paul in Athens at the Areopagus or Mars Hill. Paul was provoked at the idolatry his saw in Athens. This distress doesn't cause him to be distant, but to dive in as he persuades and reasons with the Jews and Greeks. Finally, he proclaims the gospel and calls his hearers to repentance and faith. In response to this story w...

As we continue in our study of Acts, we continue in the missionary journey of Paul and Silas. They come to the cities of Thessalonica and Berea where Luke, the author of Acts, described different responses to the message about Jesus. Paul reasoned, explained, proved, proclaimed, and persuaded from the Scriptures about the great story of the gospel. We see that the receptivity of the message of the...

This week as we continue in our study through the book of Acts we come to a story in the ministry of Paul and Silas in Philippi. It's a story about forgiveness, grace, and self-sacrificial love. In Acts 16:16-40 we find three principles of what it means to believe in Jesus. Belief in Jesus both confronts and comforts us, it cements and cultivates, and it converts and conforms. What we believe affe...

We continue this morning in our study through the book of Acts looking at Acts 16:1-15. As we consider the story of Timothy joining Paul and Lila, the Macedonian Call, and the Conversion of Lydia we find three principles that describe and shape what it means to live missionally. We live in accordance and alignment with the missions of God as our decisions are motivated by love. Missional living is...

How does the person and work of Jesus shape and frame sex and sexuality? How does the gospel apply to sex? Join us for a seminar on sex and sexuality where we’ll explore how the claims of Christianity affect and apply to sexuality. We’ll consider the meaning of sex and how the teaching of Jesus frames how we think and engage with it. We’ll be providing a time for Q&A after the time of teaching.

This week as we continue in our study through the book of Acts we consider the council in Jerusalem in Acts 15. Acts 15 is at the center of the book of Acts, not only in its position, but in its importance and implications for the church. In our story today we see that the gospel is questioned, clarified, confirmed, and multiplied. Some of the Jewish believers begin to teach that it is necessary t...

As we continue in our study through the book of Acts, this week we come to Acts 14. Paul and Barnabas continue on their missionary journey to Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. In our text this morning we see that suffering and opposition will come to gospel ministry, but opposition invites opportunities for perseverance and boldly share the Word of grace. Suffering will not always be. The healings in Ac...

This week as we continue in our study through the book of Acts, we consider the story of Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia. After the missionary team is invited to give a word of encouragement at the synagogue, Paul gives a message about Jesus being the promised offspring to David. "After the synagogue had been dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barn...

This week as we continue in our study through the book of Acts we consider the story of the church in Antioch sending out Barnabas and Saul and their mission to Cyprus. "As they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' Then after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off" (A...

As we continue in our study through the book of Acts, this week we consider Acts 12:1-25. In the story we see that James is killed, Peter imprisoned and rescued, and the death of Herod. The story gives warning to the danger of pride. It's also a comfort for those who humble themselves, seek their God, and trust in His provision and care. God's purposes and mission will advance. No human can stand...

In our sermon this week Cary guides us through Acts 11:19-30. The story describes the beginnings of the church in Antioch. Barnabas sees the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted the Christians to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose (Acts 11:22). In an act of great generosity the church in Antioch sends relief to the brothers and sisters living in Judea. It shows maturity when...

This week as we continue in our study of Acts we come to Acts 11:1-18. In the text we see Peter criticized for eating with Gentiles, his explanation for doing so, and the criticizers turned into glorifying God. They conclude, "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life" (Acts 11:18). Like those in the circumcision party, we too can be quick to critique and complain, bu...

As we continue in our study through the book of Acts, this week we come to Acts 10:1-48. Peter walks us through the story of Peter and Cornelius. Peter receives a vision and understandings that God has shown him that he should not call any person common or unclean. He shares the good news with the Gentiles in Cornelius' house and they receive the Holy Spirit just as the Jews have. All the prophets...

Happy Easter! On this Resurrection Sunday we consider the healing of Aeneas and Tabitha. The healings highlight the power of Jesus and serve to advance the good news that Jesus heals. The healings are a sign that in the name of Jesus, one day all those who have faith in Him will be healed forever in the resurrection. The hope of the gospel is not simply resuscitation, but resurrection. The invitat...

This morning we continue in our study through the book of Acts (after a couple weeks without being able to post the recording due to power outage and technical difficulties). In our text today, we consider Acts 9:1-31. The story describes the conversion, baptism, and early ministry of Saul. Saul proclaims Jesus as the Messiah in Damascus and Jerusalem. In response to Saul's conversion the church t...

As we continue in our study through the story of Acts we come to the longest discourse in the book, Stephen's speech. In Acts 6:8 through 7:60, we see the instigation leading to Stephen being seized, Stephen's sermon, and the stoning of Stephen. Stephen gives a condensed history of the Old Testament showing how the people of Israel have continually rejected God's messengers. The climactic rejectio...

As we continue in our study through the book of Acts, this week Cary Jester guides us through Acts 6:1-7. From the text we see the Apostles prioritizing and devoting themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word. While serving tables is important, the preaching of the Word of God must be kept central. Cary encourages us that the evidences of the gospel, or the good deeds that flow from the gos...

As we continue in our study through the book of Acts, this week we explore Acts 5:12-42. In the story we see many signs and wonders being done through the apostles and the apostles arrested and freed. "When the apostles left the presence of the council, they left rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name" (Acts 5:41). They celebrated that they were considered worthy t...

What are healthy relationships? How do we cultivate and maintain healthy relationships with our friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, and spouses? Join us for a seminar on relationships where we’ll explore how the claims of Christianity affect and apply to our relational world. We’ll discover why we are relational beings, why relationships fail, what makes them toxic, abusive, destructive, and ho...

As we continue in our study through the book of Acts we consider the tragic story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11. This story presents to us both a caution and a comfort. The deaths of Ananias and Sapphira are not only warnings against hypocrisy and deceit, but they are also a demonstration of God's power over the enemy and protection over the church. God's plan and purposes will not be thw...

As we continue in our study of the book of Acts, this week we consider Acts 4:23-37. In the story we see the believers pray for boldness and the early church sharing their possessions. You could summarize the activities of the church in the text as 7 fold: 1. Praising God 2. Prizing the Word of God 3. Praying for Boldness 4. Proclaiming the Gospel 5. Pursuing Unity 6. Providing for One Another 7....