Expository Insights with Pastor Lyle Wahl

Design for Success Acts 18:23 – 19:41 Theme: Only an accurate and complete gospel brings true success. Evidence that demonstrates the need for an accurate and complete gospel. An inaccurate and incomplete gospel leads to faith and experience that are incomplete. (18:24 – 19:7) The challenge of counterfeits. (19:13-17) The obstruction of opposition. (19:8-9, 21-41) Evidence that demonstrates the va...

Easter 2025 Selected Scriptures Easter Is . . . A time of hope. The problem with hope. (Romans 8:24-25; Ephesians 2:12) Easter solves the problem of hope. (Romans 5:5; 15:13; Galatians 5:5; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 12-21; 2 Corinthians 1:9-10; Colossians 1:3, 5, 23; 1 Timothy 4:10; Titus 1:2, 7; Hebrews 6:18-19; 10:23; 11:1; 1 Peter 1:3-5, 13) A season of renewal. The thirst for renewal. (Psalm 51:10...

Good Friday The Great Exchange 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Selected Scriptures Christ had no sin. What the Bible tells us. (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 2:22; 1 John 3:5; Hebrews 4:15) Why is this important? (Exodus 12:1-10; Leviticus 17:1; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Peter 1:19) Christ became sin for us, we who are sinners. All of us, every one of us is a sinner. (Romans 3:23; 5:12, 18; 7:14; Ephesia...

Palm Sunday 2025 Welcome the King! The King who brings salvation. (1-10) The King who calls us to serve Him. (11-27) The King who calls us to celebrate Him. (28-40) The King who mourns our rejection. (41-44) The King who brings cleansing. (45-48)

Acts 17:1-34 The message. The source: God’s Word. (2-3, 10-11) The theme: Jesus Christ. (3, 18, 30-31) The motive. Provoked by empty, deceptive religion. (16-17) Provoked by empty, deceived people. 16-17) The method. Where to begin. (1-2, 10, 22-28) How to proceed. (2-4, 17)

Theme: God leads those whose hearts are completely His. An example of a person being led by God. Getting ready to move out again. (15:36-40) Visiting the churches. (15:41 – 16:5) Looking for new opportunities. (16:6-10) Establishing the work at Philippi. (16:11-40) The heart of a person being led by God. Truly care for God’s people and work. (15:36) Develop and keep a team player attitude. (15:40...

Working Through Prickly Problems Without Getting Stuck Acts 15:1-35 Define the problem. (1-5; see also 6-11) Discuss the problem. (6-18) Determine a God-honoring solution. (19-29) Delight in God’s encouragement. (30-35)

Sermon #17 in the Book of Acts Theme: Faithful believers are ready for ministry. Being ready for ministry. Worship and work together. (13:1-2) Rely on God to work. (13:2) Obey God’s directions. (13:3) An example of ministry flowing from being ready. Paul’s First Missionary Journey The work in Cyprus. (13:4-12) The work in Galatia. (14:26-28) The return to Antioch. (14:26-28) Some practical lessons...

Building the Church Theme: Christ’s unlimited power builds His church. Faithful believers face dangers. 1. The dangers are real. (1-3) 2. The results are varied. (1-19) Faithful believers experience God’s powerful care. 1. God restrains evil. (3-23) 2. God gives growth. (24-25)

#15 in a series in the book of Acts Theme: Solving conflicts requires keeping focused on God’s truth. “I object!” Watch out for sacred cows. (2) Watch out for majoring on minors. (3) “In my defense…” Keep calm and collected. (4) Stick to the facts. (4-16) The proof of a God-honoring resolution. The arguing stops. (18) Praise to God begins. (18)

People Who Reach Others For Christ #14 in a series on the book of Acts People who reach others for Christ are . . . Available and obedient to God. Even though they do not know and understand everything. (23, 28) Even though the person they are talking with does not know and understand much or anything about Christ. (30-33) Christlike in relating to Others Be humble. (25-26) Truly accept and be rea...

#13 in a series on book of Acts Acts 10:1-23 Theme: God uses faithful believers in His saving work. God gives light to those who seek Him. Cornelius, the man. (1, 2, 22) Cornelius, the seeker of God. (2-6, 22; see also Deuteronomy 4:29; Isaiah 55:6-7; Jeremiah 29:11-13; Matthew 7:7-8; John 14:6; Romans 1:18-23, 2 Corinthians 6:1b-2) God sends believers to bring the gospel. An angel did not bring t...

#12 in a series in the book of Acts Acts 9:33 - 10:23 Theme: God fashions willing believers to break new ground. The challenge of breaking new ground. 1. The task: extend the gospel to the gentiles. (10:1-16) 2. The targeted messenger: Peter. The fashioning of a suitable worker. 1.. Through clarifying and confirming His call. (9:32-43; 10:10-16) 2. Through prayer. (10:9) 3. Through God's word....

#11 in Series in Acts, 9:19-30 First Critical Steps. 1. Seek fellowship. (19b. 26-28) 2. Seek instruction. (19b, 26-28) 3. Be ready to witness and serve. (19b-22, 26-30) 4. Keep moving forward. (22) 5. Listen to the counsel of others. (30) The results of getting off to a good start. 1. Opposition. (223-25), 29-30) 2. Effective ministry. (21-22, 23-25)

#10 in Sermon Series in Acts 9:1-19 Theme: Christ constantly works to accomplish His purposes. Christ transforms a troublemaker. Saul the troublemaker. (1-2; see also 8:1, 3; 22:4-5; 26:10-11) Christ stops Saul in his tracks. (3-9; cf. 22:6-7; 26:12-14) Christ transforms Saul. (17-19) Christ uses ordinary people. Ananias—the ordinary man. (10-18; see also 22:13-16) Ananias—an extraordinary task. (...

Witnessing 101 Acts 8:26-40 #9 in Series on the Book of Acts 1. Actively obey God. (26, 27, 29, 40) 2. Look for opportunities. (27-30) 3. Respect people you approach. (30-31) 4. Begin where the person is. (35) 5. Finish the job. (38)

If Only . . . Acts 8:1-25 Theme: God's blessing depends on faithfulness, not circumstances. Success attracts problems. Outward opposition. (1-3) Inward Infiltration. (9-13) Hard times can lead to fruitful ministry. Opportunities to witness. (4-5) Opportunities to display God's power. (6-7) Opportunities to see joyful results. (8, 12) Faithful ministry is the road to progress. Development of Christ...

How to Be A Martyr #7 in Series on the Book of Acts Theme: A true witness lives like Christ. Live out your life with Christ-like character. Building blocks of a Christ-like character. Being full of grace. (6:8) Being full of power. (6:8) Being full of wisdom. (6:10) Being full of the Spirit. (6:10) Reach out with Christ-like ministry. Begin with faithful completion of your responsibilities. (7:1-5...

Acts 6:1-7 Face the reality of being in an imperfect church. Problems never take a holiday. (1) Problems threaten unity and vitality. (1) Avoid the possible disasters of being in an imperfect church. Example: trying to do it all is a disaster waiting to happen. (2, 4) Action: develop and carry out corrective and preventative steps. (3-6) Enjoy the benefits of being in an imperfect church. Sustaine...

Christmas Eve, 2024 Meditation on Peace

Advent 2024, #4 God loving us. Sacrificial love. (John 3:16; 10:11; 15:13; Romans 5:6, 8, 10; 8:7; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:5; Philippians 2:6-8; Colossians 1:21) Saving love. (Jeremiah 31:3; John 3:16; Romans 5:8-9; 8:31-39; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:1-10; 5:2; Titus 3:3-7; 1 John 3:1; 4:10) Loving God. Why? (Luke 10:27; Romans 5:3-5; 1 John 4:10, 19) How? (Judges 17:6; Luke 10:27; John 14:2...

Week #3 of Advent Theme: You Can Always Experience God's Gift of Joy Luke 2:8-20

Preparing John the Baptist preparing the way for Christ. Selected by God to prepare the way for Christ. (Isaiah 40:1-5; Mark 1:1-4; Luke 1:5-24, 76-79) Served God in preparing the way for Christ. (Mark 1:4-5, 7-8) Sacrificed to prepare the way for Christ. (Mark 1:4, 6, 14; Matthew 4:12; 14:1-12; Luke 7:18-35; John 1:15, 19-34) Our preparing the way for Christ. Selected by God to prepare the way fo...

Waiting . . . the first Sunday of Advent Selected Scriptures Waiting…for what? The first promise of the Savior. (Genesis 3:15) The many promises of the Savior and His kingdom through the prophets—highlights from two prophets. (Isaiah 9:1-7; 11:1-16; 25:1–27:13; 29:17-34; 42:1-9; 52:13–53:12; 60:1-22; 61:1-11; 61:1-12; Zechariah 3:8; 8:1-23; 9:9-10; 11:11-13; 12:10; 13:1, 6; 14:1-21) Waiting…for ho...

Acts 4:32 - 5:16 Theme: An effective church meets the challenges of life. The positive challenge: Unity. Unity defined. (4:32) Unity in action. (4:32, 34-37) The negative challenge: Hypocrisy. The challenge. (5:1-2) Meeting the challenge. (5:3-11) A profile of effective ministry. A witness with great power. (4:33) A fellowship which meets needs. (4:34) A life worthy of respect. (5:11-13) A ministr...