John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but He who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. —Luke 3:16
Many of the hymns we sing this morning take a cue from…
Henry Haffner
“Kingdomtide” is a liturgical season observed primarily by Presbyterians and Methodists since the early 20th century, with a focus on personal spiritual growth and the growth of the Kingdom of God. During this season, which continues up until Advent, special emphasis is placed on acts of service, teaching, and evangelism within our communities. You’ll notice…
In his discourse with the philosophers of Athens, the Apostle Paul draws a contrast between the gods of the Greeks and the true and living God: “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is He served by…
The Supreme Judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined … can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture.
—Westminster Confession of Faith, 1.10
The passages and hymns chosen for this morning’s service all revolve around a fairly obvious theme: the centrality of the Scriptures to…
There are several parallels between today’s sermon text from the book of Acts and the elements chosen for this morning’s service. Just as Paul and Silas are freed from their unjust imprisonment, we will sing of God’s willingness to set prisoners free—from the metaphorical chains of sin and misery as much a literal bondage (Hallelujah,…
At the beginning of their second missionary journey, Paul and Silas appear to have one plan, but God radically intervenes to change it. Phrygia, Galatia, and Bithynia (all culturally Greek regions of Anatolia, modern-day Turkey) are barred to them—instead, Paul receives a vision to cross over into Macedonia, carrying the Gospel into the hostile Roman…
Without friends no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods.
—Aristotle, Nichomachean Ethics, Bk. VIII
This morning’s sermon text from Acts mentions the rift between Paul and Barnabas. Recounted in just a single verse (“there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other,” Acts 15:39), this brief description…
This morning’s sermon text from Acts presents the conclusion of the Jerusalem council and the beginning of Paul’s second missionary journey. Having settled a major theological dispute for the time being, we once again find the church at work spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth. This theme runs throughout today’s service. The…
We believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will. —Acts 15:11
This morning’s service can really be encapsulated by the Martin Luther quote that you’ll find in the inside cover of the bulletin: “Nothing can take away sin except the grace of God.” Just like…
After a summer series looking at Psalms 24-33, this morning Pastor Jamie will resume preaching through the book of Acts. Acts 14 recounts the travels of Paul and Barnabas through several cities in Asia Minor, where they preach the Gospel, make disciples, and face persecution from both Pagans and Jews. Many of the hymns we…