Woodland Friends Church

We see the great, supernatural lengths, the amazing moving of heaven and earth, the breaking of the world’s laws and physics, and the calling of one man to walk a long journey all the way from Samaria going down to Gaza… for just one man. This isn’t Jonah and the big city of Nineveh. This isn’t Paul and the intellectuals gathering on Mars Hill. This isn’t calling Abraham out of a foreign people to...

Two controversial topics crop up in Acts 8. We meet a sorcerer named Simon of whom Luke writes “believed” the Gospel, only to see that this sorcerer thinks he can buy the Holy Spirit’s power in a transaction from the Apostles. And then, another interesting happening in today’s text - while an entire city in Samaria. believes and is baptized, it wasn’t until Peter and John came down from Jerusalem...

Two controversial topics crop up in Acts 8. We meet a sorcerer named Simon of whom Luke writes “believed” the Gospel, only to see that this sorcerer thinks he can buy the Holy Spirit’s power in a transaction from the Apostles. And then, another interesting happening in today’s text - while an entire city in Samaria. believes and is baptized, it wasn’t until Peter and John came down from Jerusalem...

Many people just appreciate Paul and his books of the Bible. Sometimes knowing the rest of the Scriptures can then minimize, overshadow, make small who Paul was before as Saul of Tarsus. Saul the ravager. Saul the church-hater. Make no mistake, the language here depicts Saul as the number one persecutor to be feared. Saul was not content to debate in synagogues or public places, he went to private...

Many people just appreciate Paul and his books of the Bible. Sometimes knowing the rest of the Scriptures can then minimize, overshadow, make small who Paul was before as Saul of Tarsus. Saul the ravager. Saul the church-hater. Make no mistake, the language here depicts Saul as the number one persecutor to be feared. Saul was not content to debate in synagogues or public places, he went to private...

I don’t think we fully grasp or appreciate the magnitude of Stephen’s words of conviction for his audience. It’s insulting and offensive when heard by Stephen’s hearers, but it’s meant to convict because its true. These are the highest authorities of the Jewish religion. And they’re hearing from little deacon Stephen, “uncircumcised in heart and ears,” For Christians that’s hearing, “You hell-boun...

I don’t think we fully grasp or appreciate the magnitude of Stephen’s words of conviction for his audience. It’s insulting and offensive when heard by Stephen’s hearers, but it’s meant to convict because its true. These are the highest authorities of the Jewish religion. And they’re hearing from little deacon Stephen, “uncircumcised in heart and ears,” For Christians that’s hearing, “You hell-boun...

You and I are in the Bible, and it’s not just in the New Testament, it’s all the way back in Genesis when God is saying to Abraham, “I’m giving you an offspring.” Who is that offspring? According to Paul, according to Stephen, according to the Holy Spirit -, you and I are covenant people! We’re the offspring of Abraham. We’re inheritors of the Promise!

You and I are in the Bible, and it’s not just in the New Testament, it’s all the way back in Genesis when God is saying to Abraham, “I’m giving you an offspring.” Who is that offspring? According to Paul, according to Stephen, according to the Holy Spirit -, you and I are covenant people! We’re the offspring of Abraham. We’re inheritors of the Promise!

The First church was headed for its first split, but instead of splitting hairs, congregations, and fellowships, we find a compromise that leads to greater growth. What can we learn, and how can we serve because of what Luke records for us in this occasion?

The First church was headed for its first split, but instead of splitting hairs, congregations, and fellowships, we find a compromise that leads to greater growth. What can we learn, and how can we serve because of what Luke records for us in this occasion?

The Gospel, like Jesus says to Peter by the seaside, still calls people to places they don’t want to go. To suffering. To mission fields. To encounters with evil people. Encounters with hard people. Encounters with trying people. To encounter our own sins, shame, and grief, and the Gospels invites us to the darkest places of our lives to see if we have enough faith and trust in Jesus, in the Gospe...

The Gospel, like Jesus says to Peter by the seaside, still calls people to places they don’t want to go. To suffering. To mission fields. To encounters with evil people. Encounters with hard people. Encounters with trying people. To encounter our own sins, shame, and grief, and the Gospels invites us to the darkest places of our lives to see if we have enough faith and trust in Jesus, in the Gospe...

Many times in the Bible, people were instructed to practice Godliness, and holiness. What does that look like? Sure the Holy Spirit leads us, but what tangible efforts and actions can we do to grow in our faith? The Scriptures have pointed this out to us as well...

Many times in the Bible, people were instructed to practice Godliness, and holiness. What does that look like? Sure the Holy Spirit leads us, but what tangible efforts and actions can we do to grow in our faith? The Scriptures have pointed this out to us as well...

Jeremiah spoke the hard truth in a time where the general population just wanted their ears tickled. Though it was truth, it got him persecution in the end. Our trials and special ministries that God gives us may promise persecution and suffering along with it, how do we remain faithful when the going gets tough?

Jeremiah spoke the hard truth in a time where the general population just wanted their ears tickled. Though it was truth, it got him persecution in the end. Our trials and special ministries that God gives us may promise persecution and suffering along with it, how do we remain faithful when the going gets tough?

The Apostles are incarcerated for the Gospel. It’s the Gospel that brings opponents to them, to arrest them and put them in jail. It is the Gospel that frees them, yet still bounds them to do nothing but preach of it. The Angel has told them to go and stand in the temple, for the umpteenth time. This is Ground Zero where they have been arrested time and time again - surely they know what to expect...

The Apostles are incarcerated for the Gospel. It’s the Gospel that brings opponents to them, to arrest them and put them in jail. It is the Gospel that frees them, yet still bounds them to do nothing but preach of it. The Angel has told them to go and stand in the temple, for the umpteenth time. This is Ground Zero where they have been arrested time and time again - surely they know what to expect...

According to our modern sensibilities, Peter and John and the First church have a measly chance with the crowds. They’re preaching in the holy places of aggressively opposed religious institutions, they’re telling crowds that they’re guilty of crucifying Jesus, people are literally dying at their fellowship for their unholiness. No wonder there is fear in joining them… But more than ever believers...

According to our modern sensibilities, Peter and John and the First church have a measly chance with the crowds. They’re preaching in the holy places of aggressively opposed religious institutions, they’re telling crowds that they’re guilty of crucifying Jesus, people are literally dying at their fellowship for their unholiness. No wonder there is fear in joining them… But more than ever believers...

There was a way for Ananias and Sapphira to have their cake and eat it too, but the route they decided to take was to pump up their own image of holiness at the expense God’s dignity. This is the Sovereign God, the One who came from heaven to our fallen earth, and allowed His Body to be broken and HIs blood to be shed, and God allowed Himself to die on our behalf, and yet here Ananias and Sapphira...

There was a way for Ananias and Sapphira to have their cake and eat it too, but the route they decided to take was to pump up their own image of holiness at the expense God’s dignity. This is the Sovereign God, the One who came from heaven to our fallen earth, and allowed His Body to be broken and HIs blood to be shed, and God allowed Himself to die on our behalf, and yet here Ananias and Sapphira...

Conflict can produce within the Christian a question of God’s sovereignty. Because here’s the logic: (A) I profess God to be all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-good.(B) If bad things happen in a world that I believe is to be governed by this God, what does that mean about His power, or His goodness? Are there ramifications, are there implications on His power or His character?

Conflict can produce within the Christian a question of God’s sovereignty. Because here’s the logic: (A) I profess God to be all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-good.(B) If bad things happen in a world that I believe is to be governed by this God, what does that mean about His power, or His goodness? Are there ramifications, are there implications on His power or His character?