Verbatim Word with Justin Gerry

A church on every corner. But the world longs to see a church that reflects the work of Jesus in transformation and power. The first church was attuned to the leading of the Spirit and the needs of others. People will be drawn when Jesus is moving in and through His church. BIBLE VERSE References: ACTS 4:32-5:16 | ACTS 20:28 | ROMANS 12:6-8 | MATTHEW 6:26-24 | 2 CORINTHIANS 9:7 | NUMBERS 18:20 | D...

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. When our sense of security is shaken, where do we turn? Peter and John return to the disciples and share about all they experienced after the healing of the lame man at the temple. Together with the other believers, they pray to God for grace to move forward. BIBLE VERSE References: ACTS 4:23-31 | PSALM 61:2 | 1 THESSALONIANS 5:17 | EPHESIANS 6:18 | GENES...

Oh, the matchless name of Jesus. With the name of Jesus at the forefront of their lips, Peter and John face the opposition of the religious leaders. But in spite of the pressure to remain silent, they cannot refrain from testifying to all that they have seen and heard. BIBLE VERSE References: ACTS 4:1-22 | EPHESIANS 6:12 | JOHN 10:10 | MARK 4:14-15 | MARK 8:33 | ISAIAH 55:10-11 | 2 TIMOTHY 2:19 |...

Nothing to be surprised about. God's plan to send a Savior was foretold for generations through the prophets. Those at the temple the day that a lame man was healed should have been anticipating the Lord's work in their day. BIBLE VERSE References: ACTS 3:18-26 | MARK 6:5-6 | MATTHEW 13:58 | 1 SAMUEL 23:2 | 1 SAMUEL 30:8 | 2 SAMUEL 2:1 | 2 SAMUEL 5:23 | 2 SAMUEL 21:1 | PSALM 22:16-18 | ISA...

The crowd is paying attention. All those at the temple are intently watching and listening to Peter's explanation of the healing of the lame man. The gospel is too important for anyone to ignore. BIBLE VERSE References: ACTS 3:9-21 | MATTHEW 5:43-45 | LUKE 17:11-19 | 1 PETER 5:5 | LUKE 22:34 | JOHN 21:3 | JOHN 15:5 | DEUTERONOMY 6:7 | PSALM 145:4 | 2 TIMOTHY 2:2 | MATTHEW 5:3 | HEBREWS 11:6 |...

Jesus meets us in the daily. Peter and John encounter a lame man on their way to the temple. The man's life, their ministry, and the world will never be the same. BIBLE VERSE References: ACTS 3:1-8 | JOHN 15:4 | ZECHARIAH 4:10 | LUKE 16:10 | MATTHEW 6:5-15 | 1 TIMOTHY 4:8 | GENESIS 22:1-19 | GENESIS 2:18 | GENESIS 7:9 | MARK 6:7 | ECCLESIASTES 4:9-12 | 2 CORINTHIANS 6:14 | 1 THESSALONIANS 5:17...

Things in this world don't quite line up. Jesus stepped in so that we might be saved. The impact this had upon the first believers changed them and the world in which they lived. BIBLE VERSE References: ACTS 2:40-47 | EPHESIANS 2:8 | ROMANS 3:23 | ACTS 4:12 | JOHN 4:35-38 | PROVERBS 25:11 | MARK 4:1-9 | LUKE 15:7 | COLOSSIANS 1:13 | 1 PETER 2:2 | 1 TIMOTHY 4:1 | 2 TIMOTHY 4:3-4 | GALATIANS 6:2...

He is risen, indeed! The cross of Jesus was followed by the resurrection - the exclamation point that declared us to be free indeed! As Peter shares with the crowd their mistake in putting to death the Savior that God had sent, he points out the victory the Father had in the end that is also ours in Jesus. BIBLE VERSE References: ACTS 2:22-41 | 1 CORINTHIANS 15:14, 17 | JOHN 5:39 | JOHN 1:29 | JOH...

It was the moment they had been waiting for. The Day of Pentecost had fully come. The disciples and the church stepped into a new era as followers of Jesus became Spirit-filled believers. BIBLE VERSE References: ACTS 2:1-21 | NUMBERS 28:26 | LEVITICUS 22:15-23 | JOHN 1:29 | ROMANS 1:16 | 2 CORINTHIANS 5:7 | 1 CORINTHIANS 15:20 | ZECHARIAH 12:10 | MICAH 4:1-7 | PSALM 133:1 | LUKE 12:48 | 1 CORINTHI...

Some people just can't sit still. We are to busy about our Father's business until He sends Jesus back for us. The disciples were to wait for the promised Holy Spirit in order to get the green light to begin their ministry. Not all that we get busy with has eternal value in the end. BIBLE VERSE References: ACTS 1:9-26 | PSALM 46:10 | PSALM 127:1 | JOHN 16:5, 28 | LUKE 24:49 | 2 PETER 3:3-1...

The action of the gospel continues as Jesus instructs His disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit. The filling will be the necessary element that will bring success in what the Lord had for them to fulfill their calling and to be His witnesses in any sphere that He would send them. BIBLE VERSE References: ACTS 1:1-8 | LUKE 1:1-3 | 1 JOHN 4:19 | 2 CORINTHIANS 12:7 | 1 JOHN 4:18 | GALATIANS 4:15 | GAL...

On your mark...get set...GO! Jesus charges His followers to go into all the world to spread the message. He promises to accompany them each step of the way. BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 16:14-20 | JOHN 20:14-16 | MATTHEW 28:9 | LUKE 24:34 | LUKE 24:13-16 | 2 PETER 1:2-4 | JOHN 1:12 | PHILIPPIANS 2:12-13 | 1 THESSALONIANS 5:23-24 | 2 TIMOTHY 4:5 | ACTS 16:16-18 | ACTS 2:4 | ACTS 28:3-8 | ACTS 19:11...

Time to make an appearance. A new day dawns, and the resurrected Jesus shows Himself to those who followed Him. He is the risen Lord, and this fact changes everything. BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 16:1-14 | ROMANS 4:25 | 2 CORINTHIANS 12:9 | 2 CORINTHIANS 4:7 | PSALM 139:14 | LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23 | 1 CORINTHIANS 12:9 | HEBREWS 11:6 | 2 KINGS 6:17 | LUKE 24:9 | 1 CORINTHIANS 6:19-20 | ROMANS 6:18 |...

When will it be your turn? As we remain faithful to what the Lord has for us in our lives, we will find opportunities in which He calls us to step up and step out in faith. The women who witness the crucifixion and Joseph of Arimathea find it is their turn to be used in key ways after Jesus death on the cross. BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 15:40-47 | JOHN 19:25-27 | 2 TIMOTHY 2:11-13 | GALATIANS 3:...

Timing is everything. As the events of the crucifixion come to a head, God's long-awaited plan of salvation falls into place right on schedule. We can trust God's timing to usher in the fullest of blessings. BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 15:33-39 | JOHN 1:29 | PROVERBS 2:13 | JOHN 8:12 | EPHESIANS 5:8 | 1 JOHN 1:6 | MALACHI 4:5 | LUKE 1:17 | MATTHEW 17:4 | REVELATION 11:3 | GENESIS 16:1-16...

You can't sit on the sidelines forever. As Jesus makes His way to the cross, the myriad of bystanders views the events through a variety of lenses. BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 15:16-39 | PSALM 22 | ROMANS 16:13 | EPHESIANS 5:25 | 1 PETER 3:1 | 2 TIMOTHY 1:5 | ACTS 16:29-34 | AMOS 5:21-23 | JOHN 4:23-24 | ACTS 6:7 | JOHN 9:39 | HEBREWS 9:27 | MATTHEW 22:8-13

Whose to blame? Pointing fingers usually leads us back to finding ourselves the one to be at fault. Jesus is bound and delivered to Pilate amid growing resentment from the religious leaders and the crowds. When the people demand a guilty man named Barabbas be released, Jesus becomes the scapegoat for all those deserving of blame. BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 15:1-15 | LEVITICUS 16:6-22 | 2 SAMUEL...

We can really make a mess of things. Jesus' trial before the religious leaders is anything but clean. But Jesus stays in the center of the Father's will despite what His accusers do. Peter keeps his distance and denies the Lord three times. BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 14:53-72 | JOHN 18:12-24 | PSALM 23:1 | JOHN 10:11, 14 | 1 PETER 2:25 | 1 PETER 1:15-16 | LEVITICUS 10:6, 21:10 | JOHN 2:1...

Watch your step. Jesus prepares His disciples for what will not be their most glorious moment as they forsake Him and flee. But He provides them with a plan of restoration even before they stumble. BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 14:27-52 | ZECHARIAH 13:7-6 | JOHN 2:23-25 | PSALM 139:1-4 | ROMANS 5:8 | 1 PETER 5:8 | REVELATION 12:10 | GENESIS 3:7 | ROMANS 5:20 | HEBREWS 10:29 | ROMANS 6:1-18 | PROVER...

The stage is set. The nation prepares to celebrate the Passover and Jesus gives it new meaning in anticipation for what He is about to do on the cross. God is faithful to prepare the way for His people. BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 14:12-26 | EXODUS 12:1-23 | JOHN 1:29 | JOHN 3:15-17 | 2 CORINTHIANS 5:21 | HEBREWS 2:1-3 | JOHN 14:6 | PSALM 23:5 | COLOSSIANS 1:5-6 | HEBREWS 11:2, 6 | JOSHUA 24:13 |...

What's it worth to you? Much of what we do in life comes down to what we value most. A woman shows her devotion to Jesus shortly before he is betrayed, but some criticize the extravagance of what she offers to Him. As believers, what are we willing to offer to Him? BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 14:1-11 | EXODUS 5:1 | JUDGES 16:1-31 | 1 JOHN 1:6-9 | JOHN 11:57 | MATTHEW 7:26-27 | JOHN 12:1-11 | LUKE...

Keep your eyes on the horizon. Jesus tells us to be anticipating His return. One day He will break through the darkness of this world with the brightness of His coming. BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 13:24-37 | 2 CORINTHIANS 4:16-18 | DANIEL 2:32-45 | ISAIAH 13:9-11 | EZEKIEL 32:7-8 | AMOS 8:9-10 | LUKE 23:44 | ZEPHANIAH 1:14-15 | ACTS 8:7-11 | 1 THESSALONIANS 4:17 | 1 THESSALONIANS 5:9 | HOSEA 9:10...

The smallest things can set off something so much bigger. God knows the future, and we'd be wise to take heed. Jesus tells His disciples about things yet to come, and one trigger in particular that will set off a chain of events leading to His promised return. BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 13:14-23 | DANIEL 11:31 | DANIEL 12:11 | 2 THESSALONIANS 2:3-8 | 1 JOHN 2:18-22 | 1 JOHN 4:3 | 2 JOHN 1:7 | RE...

Nobody said it would be easy. Jesus speaks of the hardships to come for those desiring to live for Him and proclaim His message. He promises that the Holy Spirit will be with us in the most difficult and challenging trials we may face.  BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 13:9-13 | MARK 8:34 | PHILIPPIANS 2:3 | MATTHEW 6:31-33 | 1 TIMOTHY 4:1,16 | ACTS 20:22-24 | PHILIPPIANS 1:21 | MARK 10:32 | JOHN...

The journey can get bumpy. Not only do we face rough spots in our own lives, but Jesus said the world as a whole will experience challenges until He returns. There will be deceptions, conflicts, earthquakes, and assorted other troubles that will cause us to cry out for God along the way -- and lead us to anticipate His return. BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 13:3-8 | MATTHEW 12:6 | EXODUS 7:14-12:36...