The Vine Church TC

After two years of discipling new believers in Ephesus, Paul's effort and success is recognized and met with opposition. A Riot ensues but is quelled short of violence.

Paul arrives in Ephesus to find some confusion about baptism and new converts who had not yet received the Holy Spirit. As the Spirit comes in power, people in the city take notice and the good news spreads rapidly.

In Ephesus a capable evangelist, Apollos, is effectively preaching the Gospel, yet without a full understanding of Baptism. A couple in ministry, Pricilla and Aquila, step in to fill out his understanding. Apollos demonstrates an ability to be correct, to learn and grow in knowledge and in ministry.

During his second missionary journey, Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half. We catch glimpses of big events and ordinary moments of daily living. We are invited to offer God all the (extra)ordinary moments of our lives.

In Athens, a town known for its philosophers and debate, Paul is invited to share his understanding of God with the leaders. Having found an alter "to an unknown god," he describes to them the God that created all things and remains near to humanity.

As Paul continued to preach, there were mixed responses to hearing the good news. In the midst of persecution, many people came to faith proclaiming Jesus as the one true King.

After being publicly beaten and thrown in prison, Paul and Silas are freed by a miracle. Rather than escaping, they take time to share the gospel with their jailer. As a result, everyone involved finds freedom and new life.

As Paul continues his second missionary journey, the Holy Spirit redirects his path. The Spirit continues to guide today. May we learn to listen and discern the voice of the Spirit.

With the goal of revisiting the churches established on their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas find themselves in a dispute that results in them separating. Each found new partners and set out on the mission in different directions.

After the success of Paul's first missionary journey amongst the Gentiles, the church experienced some growing pains. Though some believed that Gentiles must adhere to Jewish law to follow Jesus, the Council at Jerusalem decided otherwise.

With the goal of unity and not overburdening new Gentile believers, the council at Jerusalem sent a few people to Antioch with a letter of encouragement and invitation. The concessions that they requested revolved around avoiding pagan worship and enabling table fellowship between Jews and Gentiles.

Holy Week is full of emotion: confusion, sorrow, fear and grief. On Easter, resurrection invites us toward hope and joy.

On Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, we remember Jesus entering Jerusalem hailed as a King. The conversation that follows reveals that his eternal Kingdom will be unique amongst the kingdoms of this world.

https://youtu.be/KDlj14OlqvQ

As we approach Holy Week, we seek to orient ourselves around the life and teachings of Jesus. This week, we identify who, how and what he taught.

On the return from their first missionary Journey, Paul and Barnabas visit each city in which they had planted churches, encouraging believers and appointing elders. Once home, they reported on the good work God had done.

In Iconium and Lystra, Paul is met with both opportunity and opposition. Though the message of the kingdom of God is good news, Paul is stoned and left for dead because of his efforts.

In Pisidian Antioch, Paul tells the story of salvation - how God has worked throughout history to bring about salvation through Jesus Christ. We are invited into this story which shapes who we are as God's loved children and a kingdom of priests.

King Herod persecutes the church, and God works powerfully to accomplish Peter's miraculous escape from prison. The Kingdom of God operates radically different ways than the Roman Empire.

As Jewish followers of Jesus moved through the world, they shared the good news...even with Greek speaking Gentiles. Saul and Barnabas are sent to Antioch as the gospel begins to spill beyond the borders of Israel.

Shortly before his crucifixion, Jesus demonstrates his love for his disciples by washing their feet. This act of humility demonstrates how we might love others.

God brings Peter and Cornelius together to reveal a remarkable invitation for the future. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Gentiles reimagines what the community of God will look like.

Cornelius, a Roman soldier, and Peter, an apostle, receive visions that align their paths. God is inviting the church (still a sect of Judaism) to a season of new understanding and engagement in the world.

Saul, now passionate and outspoken about the way of Jesus, begins to boldly teach in Damascus and Jerusalem. In both places Jewish people conspired to have him killed.

Saul, soon to be Paul, is confronted by Jesus regarding his persecution of the Church. Now a believer in Jesus, Saul begins a long journey towards a central role in sharing the good news with the Gentile world.