
Hosted by Gospel Life Church · EN

Many of gospel presentations in the Book of Acts have been to a Jewish audience, but in Acts 14 Paul brings the good news of Jesus to a polytheistic pagan culture that worshipped the false gods of Greek mythology. Here’s what we learn from this: the Christian in the modern era is called to engage the broken, expose empty idols, suffer with purpose, and build up the church.

In Acts 13:13-52, Paul is asked to give the Jews of Antioch a word of encouragement and the encouragement he gives them is the message of the gospel – Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, salvation, and promised return. When someone asks you for encouragement, what do you give them? Give them the good news message of Jesus!

As disciples of Jesus, we have been commissioned to go into all the world and proclaim his gospel, make disciples, and plant churches for his glory! We do this following the example of our God! God the father as the sender. God the son as the goer. God the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to follow Jesus, by proclaiming his gospel. Jesus will build his church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

Acts 12:1-25 shows us two different ways of responding to the problems of our lives. Herod grasps for control through his pride, while the church humbly relies on God through prayer. Here’s our big idea: pride tries to take God’s place, but prayer trusts in God’s power - and God opposes the proud while promising to sustain and grow His people!

Happy 13th Birthday, Gospel Life! Each year on our church birthday, we pause to celebrateGod’s faithfulness in and through His people. This year, we have the opportunity to studyHis work through the church at Antioch in Acts 11:19–30 and pray that God would continueto use us for His glory as well.

We’ve spent the last two weeks in Acts 10 seeing that God shows no favoritism, but desires all people everywhere to hear the good news of His Son. In this final week, we’ll see how our own self-righteousness is confronted and transformed as we hear that same gospel ourselves. The gospel offends me, confronts me, and ultimately changes me for the glory of God.

Acts 10:34-48 continues the story of the Gentiles being invited into the family of God through faith in Jesus. Why does this matter? It matters because when God changes your heart, he sends you to share Jesus with and love people you wouldn’t naturally choose.

After Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, He gave His disciples aGreat Commission to make disciples and reach the nations with the gospel! Weselfishly and sinfully avoid bringing that gospel to certain people and peoplegroups. Because of the sin of partiality, we pick and choose who we want to sharethe gospel with and who we do not. Thank God that He shows no partiality andsent His Son Jesus, to seek and save the lost, and through His love, helps us loveour neighbors as ourselves!

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! The good news of the resurrection isn’t just an announcement about what God has done when He raised His Son Jesus from the dead – it is a declaration that everything in our life can change because of Him. Here’s our big idea: living hope means that your hope is real, your future is secure, your life is held, your pain has a purpose, and your joy is here in Jesus!

Because sin separates us from the holy God and has death as its payment, we are all in dire need of mercy and forgiveness, so we can draw near to God. Jesus went to the cross and took our payment for sin, giving those who trust and hope in him full access into God's presence!