The Trails Church

In Acts 3:11–26 we find the summary of “A Christ-Centered Sermon,” the second sermon preached by Peter in the Book of Acts. After the sign of Pentecost in Acts 2 and now following the sign of the lame man healed in Acts 3, we learn how these signs set the stage for sermons, wonders made way for the Word, miracles led to the message. The sermon shows that the sign itself was not the point but was m...

In Acts 3:1-10, the apostles Peter and John encounter a lame man begging at the temple gate. When the man asked them for money to help his situation temporarily, the apostles saw his greatest need and gave him more than he ever imagined. That day, the man who had never known use of his legs went, “Walking, and Leaping, and Praising God.” The main idea of the passage emphasizes the power of Christ...

Among all the characteristics that describe the first New Testament church in Acts 2:42-47, the final words reveal how they were Devoted to the Mission. The church which had been built on the gospel through evangelism understood their call to spread the gospel through evangelism. From their example, I want to show you three features of the mission of the church from Acts 2:47 that I pray will stre...

In Galatians 4:4-7, the Apostle Paul highlights not only the wonders of the incarnation and the reality of our redemption, but ultimately points to the adoption we have received through Christ. This spiritual adoption we have experienced gives a us a new identity, draws us into an intimate relationship with God, and transforms how we live in the world. We will explore our subject under two heading...

Galatians 4:4-5 not only highlights the plan of God that would unfold in the fullness of time, but also shows the purpose of God in sending his Son. Jesus came at the appointed time to redeem us from the law, sin, and death. With his life he fulfilled the law of God and then he died for those of us who never could. This is the heart of the Christmas message. This truly is good news of great joy: t...

While the truths of Galatians 4:4-7 may take less than a minute to read, they offer a lifetime fruitful study. The Apostle Paul shows how the coming of Christ was neither early nor late but came to pass according to God’s eternal plan and purpose. The opening verse reveals what uniquely qualified Jesus to bring salvation to his people once and for all. Our Advent exploration of this text begins wh...

In our text this morning, we are not going to be examining gratitude and thanksgiving. Instead, our focus will be on the Godly fruit of gratitude and thanksgiving—our focus will be on Christian generosity—particularly as demonstrated in the early church. This morning, we will examine the idea of Christian generosity under three points: ● GENEROSITY DEFINED ● GENEROSITY DEFEATED ● GENEROSITY DEMONS...

At the center of the characteristics found in Acts 2:42-47 is a church “Devoted to Worship.” The early church practiced a rhythm of worship as they grew in doctrine and devotion to Christ. They gathered to worship, to encourage, and to proclaim the mighty works of God together. As we look to their example, we find rhythms of worship from Scripture that we aspire to know and grow in as a church. Fi...

Acts 2:42-47 presents a flourishing vision for biblical community. One of the primary characteristics of New Testament Christianity is God-focused, Christ-given, Spirit-enabled fellowship with other believers. Our faith comes with a family. Today we will look at this early snapshot of the church again and learn what it looks like to be “Devoted to the Fellowship.” There are three realities to this...

The opening eight words of Acts 2:42-47 highlight the primary characteristic of the first church in the New Testament. Every other detail about their life together followed from their devotion to the apostles’ teaching. From this starting point we will seek to understand what it means for us to be a church “Devoted to the Word.” We will show that this early church – and by extension every healthy,...

In Acts 2:37–41 we find that when someone believes in Jesus Christ as their Savior, what naturally follows are repentance and baptism. The act of baptism is rich with layers of meaning and significance for the Christian life. Behind each of the aspects we care able to observe with our physical eyes are spiritual realities that have occurred in the heart. From these verses we will show that baptism...

In Acts 2:14-41 we find the first Christian sermon recorded in the New Testament. The Apostle Peter offers an exposition that explains what Scripture says while also explaining what it means to his listeners. At the center of his message is the glorious gospel of Jesus. The sermon concludes with a clear and compelling invitation that teaches us that the good news also demands a response from every...

In Acts 2:1-13 we arrive at the promised day of Pentecost. This unrepeatable yet remarkable scene details what happened at a significant moment in redemptive history that forever changed the way God would relate to his people as he filled and empowered them to live as his witnesses in the world. Here we will highlight two activities found both in this passage and repeatedly through the book of Act...

Psalm 6 contains the typical features we find in nearly every Psalm of lament. It is a prayer in pain that leads to trust. As we walk with King David through this sorrow, we will notice how he has left us markers along the path that teach us the practice of biblical lament. Here are the four steps we can take as we learn to lament: 1. Cry Out to God in Prayer, 2. Bring Your Burdens to the Lord, 3....

In Acts 1:12-26 we journey between the mountaintop experiences of the Ascension and Pentecost to learn valuable lessons in the valley of ordinary life. The simple practices of obedience, being with other believers, waiting on God, and prayer are hallmarks of the Christian life. While we will discover how it came to be that “Again There Were Twelve,” we will also see what we might glean spiritually...

The "Ascension of Christ” recorded in Acts 1:9-11 details one of the most significant events in the life of Jesus. This occasion has massive implications on the church through ages past, in our lives today, and even our future. As we study “The Ascension of Christ” we will focus on its reality, its meaning, and finally, the comforts that come with it.

The Book of Acts tells the story of “The Continuing Work of Christ.” Following Jesus’s death, resurrection, and ascension, the Father’s plan is continued through the Son as the Spirit empowers his disciples for gospel ministry. From the opening verses of the Book of Acts we are met with certain programmatic themes that are crucial to the entire book. As we set our course today, we discover three o...

In the final stretch of Psalm 51 David anticipates how he will respond to God’s mercy. The psalmist first approached the Lord in a spirit of repentance as he confessed his sin (1-5). Next, he prayed for restoration (6-9) asking to be washed and purified. This led him to pray for complete renewal from within and a clean heart (10-12). The last lyrics in verses 13-19 are written from the perspective...

In Psalm 51:10-12 we come to the very heart of this Psalm and hear firsthand how the cry of David’s heart was not for forgiveness alone, but for complete renewal from within. This trio of verses are a prayer of complete dependence built of six verbs – each one pleading with God to do a deep, redemptive, restorative work in David’s life. We will organize our thoughts around those verbs as we pray w...

As we began our exploration of Psalm 51 with genuine repentance of sin, when God’s Word exposed David’s sin – his eyes were opened. Rather than blame shifting or any excuse making, he felt conviction, he experienced deep contrition, and he confessed his sin to the Lord. David was transformed from a calloused sinner to a penitent man. In Psalm 51:6-9 the prayer of David moves from honest confession...

Psalm 51 is the prayer of a soul that is aware of its depths of sin and desperate need of God’s grace. These first four verses cast every hope of forgiveness on God’s mercy in ‘repentant faith.’3 The lyrics remind us about the trappings of sin, instruct us what to do with our sin, and teach us how to restore fellowship with God. As we will hear, the theme of this song is not sin. The theme of this...

In our reading of Psalm 50, we will see God shine forth and make a declaration to His people about the nature of their worship towards Him. We will also see a warning to those who do not call upon the name of the Lord. Today’s sermon is titled “TRUE WORSHIP”.

I’ll be in after that Our passage today is like a commentary on “The Parable of the Rich Fool.” 2 We find in Psalm 49 a song filled with wisdom, teaching us where to and where not to find our worth. By contrasting two ways to live and die, we learn the futility of trusting in wealth and the blessedness of trusting in in Christ. I pray each of us would hear through the lyrics of this song that our...