Have you ever been in a situation where you managed information or your actions in order to get people to perceive you a certain way? Are there people in your life who’s opinions matter more to you than others? As we continue our series, Stories from Acts, JP teaches through Acts 5 the story of Ananias and Sapphira, and what we can learn from their sudden and seemingly extreme death.

1) Surrender marks a true believer
2) Imposters scheme in selfishness
3) Perception management is a serious sin

This powerful sermon on Romans 12:14-21 offers a fresh perspective on handling life’s challenges with humility, empathy, and unwavering faith. It’s a heartfelt reminder to counter negativity with kindness, seek peace in our relationships, and entrust justice to God. If you’re looking to deepen your faith and discover practical ways to live out love even in difficult situations, JP’s message will uplift and inspire you.

Proceed Humbly

Engage with empathy

Amend all you can

Counter evil with good

Entrust justice to God 

Life Group Discussion:

What does humility look like in our daily interactions, especially when dealing with those who may oppose us?

How can we better understand the struggles or perspectives of those we disagree with?

How can we overcome fears or hesitations that might hold us back from seeking to make amends?

How does choosing goodness in the face of wrongdoing reflect God’s love to others?

How can we find peace in situations where we feel wronged but have chosen not to seek personal revenge?

Discover the teachings of Romans 13:1-7 in this impactful sermon, where Nate points us to God’s divine role in establishing authority. Gain insight into how we're called to respectfully submit to those in positions of power as an act of faith and obedience. Finally, understand the importance of honoring and giving what we owe to authorities, embracing these principles as part of living a godly life.

God establishes those in authority

God calls us to submit to those in authority

God call us to give what we owe to those in authority 

Life Group Discussion:

How does understanding that God establishes authority influence your view of government and leadership? In what ways can this belief strengthen our faith during times of political or social tension?

In what ways might our submission to authority reflect our trust in God’s overall plan? How can a willingness to submit impact our relationships with others and our witness to those around us?

In our daily lives, what are some practical ways we can "give what we owe" to those in authority, like teachers, employers, or government officials? How might showing respect and honoring these responsibilities reflect our values and faith, even if we don’t always agree with them?

Discover the power of purposeful prayer and learn how it can transform both personal lives and society in this inspiring sermon on 1 Timothy 2:1-2. Through insights on praying for others, practicing godly principles, and pastoring through tough times, JP provides a roadmap to bring hope and peace to our communities. As much as it depends on you, live out your faith with impact and compassion!

We are to pray for the people

We are to practice the policies

We are to pastor the predicament 

Life Group Discussion:

How can praying for others, especially leaders, impact our perspective on current events and challenges?

How can our actions reflect God’s love in situations where we may disagree with societal policies or norms?

How can we effectively provide spiritual guidance to those struggling without overstepping or coming across as judgmental?

In this uplifting sermon on Romans 5:1-2, JP points us to discover how peace with God offers forgiveness for the past and freedom from guilt. You'll also learn how it provides access to God's grace in the present, empowering daily life with purpose. Finally, gain hope for the future, knowing God's love ensures a secure and eternal destiny.

Peace with God offers forgiveness from our past 

Peace with God gives us present access to grace

Peace with God gives us hope for the future 

Life Group Discussion:

How does understanding God’s forgiveness change the way we view our past mistakes and regrets?

How does having access to God's grace influence the way we handle challenges and struggles in our daily lives?

How can we encourage others to find hope in God, especially during times of hardship or doubt about the future?

In this powerful sermon, you'll discover the transformative role of prayer in your daily life. Jon highlights the importance of being thankful in prayer, reminding us to express gratitude in every circumstance. You'll also learn how to be watchful in prayer, staying spiritually alert to God’s guidance and the world around you. With real-life applications and scriptural wisdom, this message will deepen your faith and strengthen your connection with God. 

In this message, you'll explore the core message of what it means to live on mission for Christ. JP highlights the power of missions, explaining how the Holy Spirit empowers us to share the Gospel boldly. You'll also learn about the proclamation of missions, where believers are called to testify about Jesus' death and resurrection. Lastly, the sermon dives into the places of missions, encouraging you to start sharing your faith locally and expand outward to impact the world. This message will inspire you to see every part of your life as an opportunity to spread the hope of the Gospel.

The power of missions

The proclamation of missions

The places of missions

Life Group Discussion:

What are the biggest challenges or fears that prevent you from sharing your faith with others?

How can sharing personal stories of faith and transformation make evangelism more relatable and impactful for those around us?

How does understanding the global need for the Gospel (3.4 billion unreached people) impact our responsibility as Christians to share our faith?

While the message of salvation through Jesus remains unchanged, the Church should creatively adapt how it reaches people. The heart of innovation in ministry is service, and its purpose is to bring people closer to Jesus. Ultimately, the joy of innovation is sharing in the blessings of transformed lives and faith.

The Posture of Innovation is Service

The Purpose of Innovation is Salvation

The Prize of Innovation is sharing in the blessings of the gospel 

Life Group Discussion:

How does the story of the Thai soccer team rescue illustrate the urgency of innovation in ministry, and how does that relate to the Church's mission to reach the lost?

Think about a time when you focused on your own preferences in church (worship style, message, etc.). How could you reframe your perspective to prioritize how the church can serve and reach others, rather than meeting your own expectations?

When you think about the people in your life who don’t know Jesus, how can you innovate the way you interact with them to help bring them closer to salvation?

We are saved by God's grace, not by our own works, as highlighted in Ephesians 2:8-10. Grace is a free gift, and while our works do not earn salvation, we are saved for good works that reflect our faith. The message challenges believers to both embrace God's grace and extend it to others, living as a grace-filled church.

Grace Saves

Works Don’t 

The Saved Work

Life Group Discussion:

In what ways do we, as Christians, struggle to extend grace to others, even though we have received it freely? What challenges do you face in being grace-filled?

Cooper shared the powerful story of Ike Brown Sr. forgiving and adopting his son's killer. How does this story of forgiveness challenge your perspective on grace and forgiveness in your own life?

In what areas of your life do you feel "bumped" or tested by others? How can you be more intentional about responding with grace when you are bumped?

Today’s message emphasizes the call for Christians to live in response to God's mercy. Believers are urged to offer themselves as living sacrifices, dedicating every part of their lives to God's service. We are to live our lives not conforming to the world but being transformed by the renewing of our mind. This transformation helps believers discern and follow God's perfect will. 

You have been saved

You are a living sacrifice

You must be shaped 

Life Group Discussion:

What does it mean to you personally to be a "living sacrifice" in today’s world, and how can this shape your daily actions?

In what areas of your life do you feel the strongest pressure to conform to the world, and how can you counteract this by renewing your mind?

How can we better discern God's will in our lives, and what practical steps can we take to align ourselves with His good, pleasing, and perfect plan?

Hebrews 10:23-25 encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, reminding them of God's faithfulness. It calls for believers to support one another by gathering together, stirring each other towards love and good works, and offering encouragement. This passage highlights the importance of community, accountability, and mutual care as we grow in faith.

Shepherding

Encouragement

Accountability

Love

Life Group Discussion:

How can we "hold fast" to our hope in times of uncertainty, and what role does community play in helping us stay strong in our faith?

In what practical ways can we encourage each other to pursue love and good works, both within the church and in our daily lives?

What are some barriers that prevent us from regularly gathering with fellow believers, and how can we overcome these challenges to foster deeper accountability and encouragement?