March 31, 2024 Christ Jesus has risen from the grave! Through the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, we have peace with God, freedom from the shackles of our sins, and the promise of eternal life. Because He lives, we too may live with resurrection power and hope. This is truly the greatest news there could ever be. Today, we celebrate and cheer …

March 14, 2024 "Peace on earth!" was declared by angels at the announcement of His birth. "Peace in heaven!" was declared by people at the announcement of His entry. Jesus Christ is the rightful King of Peace on earth and in heaven. As the people temporarily sang His praise, Christ wept knowing what was in their hearts as well as the future destruc…

March 17, 2024 Acts 19 is the story of God working in incredible ways in the city of Ephesus. Acts 19:11-20 is one of the wildest stories though in the Bible, dudes are just trying to make a buck doing some tricks and yet the Lord has “concern for his holy name” as the prophet Ezekiel would say. So God exalts himself by not allowing these exorcists…

March 10, 2024 Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Adventist, Pentecostal, Catholic, Episcopal, and Non-Denominational churches (just to name a few) are all around; each having its doctrinal and practical distinctives. Some even add cult groups such as Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witness to the list of Christian denominations. How are we to know and test…

March 3, 2024 The 2nd mission trip finished out, with Paul leaving Silas and Timithy to lead the church in Corinth, and leaving Aquila and Priscilla to start a church in Ephesus, while Paul set sail to return for a respite at his home church in Antioch. Paul didn’t stay long, and soon after began the 3rd mission trip, heading west back to Ephesus, …

February 25, 2024 Paul’s ministry continues to Corinth where new ministry partners are found along with new believers and continued opposition to the Name of Christ. At the heart of Acts 18:1-17 is a vision Paul received from Jesus to not fear or be silent but to continue proclaiming the gospel trusting in God’s protection. God’s people are entrust…

February 18, 2024 Paul’s speech on Mars Hill in Athens, Greece is one of the most important sections in the book of Acts. With only Gentiles in his audience, Paul models presenting the good news of Jesus using words and images that would relate to his hearers. While the delivery method is different, the message is the same. All people everywhere ar…

February 11, 2024 Having rushed out of Thessalonica due to persecution, Paul and his companions travel to Berea in Macedonia. Here, they start, as was their custom, by preaching in the local synagogue. Instead of jealousy, as they ran into in Thessalonica, the Bereans were much more noble and examined the Scriptures that Paul taught. This sets an e…

February 4, 2024 The center point of this week’s passage is to establish the truth of the Christian faith based upon the evidence Paul and Luke provided the Thessalonians and the future readers of the book of Acts. The Christian faith is built upon the fulfilled promises and prophecies found in the Old Testament by Jesus and only Jesus. The Savior …

January 28, 2024 Paul and Silas continued to preach the Gospel in Philippi. While preaching in the streets, Paul exorcised a fortune-telling demon from a slave girl. The slave girl’s owners dragged Paul and Silas before the City Magistrates, who had them beaten with rods and thrown in jail. That night, God caused an earthquake, which opened the jai…

January 7, 2024 Redirection is all part of living a life of faith. Living by faith by definition is a life trusting in God’s guidance. God is the One who directs and redirects His people by His Spirit. This creates a challenge for us when we seem to be certain of His plan for us and then that plan changes. This week’s passage, Acts 16:6-10, sheds l…

Januray 21, 2024 Acts 16:11-15 shares the account of the first believer in modern-day Europe, Lydia. Ironically, Lydia came from the very place that God prevented Paul from going in his previous travels. Having left Asia, she moved to Philippi in Macedonia as a seller of purple cloths. A devout, God-fearing woman, Lydia heard the good news about Je…

January 7, 2024 Spurgeon wrote, “I tremble for a church whose continuance depends upon the talent and cleverness of one man. If he is removed, the whole thing will collapse; this is a wretched business.” TBC cannot and will not be about one man. For our church to last and have a lasting impact beyond this generation, we must raise, equip, and make …

December 31, 2023 Our God is faithful! He is truly faithful for that is His nature. Our God can only be faithful and true. All we must do is to give prayerful pause, consider all His provisions in our lives and in our church. What do you find? God’s faithfulness remaining. In fact, His faithfulness is undefeated. May pause and reflection stir you t…

December 24, 2023 Of all the ways God could announce the advent of His Son, God chose people. People! The ones who rejected and despised Him. The ones who were destined for His judgment and wrath. The ones who would eventually crucify the Son He sent. He chose people. He actually chose shepherds; those of humble standing and the last to be thought …

December 17, 2023 The next major event we anticipate in God’s plan is Christ’s return! This wondrous mystery has been a subject of hope, debate, confusion, and excitement since the angels promised the disciples Christ would return just as He ascended. This week we will explore what we believe will happen when Christ again appears and those who are …

December 10, 2023 Our Advent series is entitled “The Wondrous Mystery”. Two weeks ago, we focused on the mystery of Jesus Christ’s humility, how he stepped down into our condition as man in order to redeem his people. Last week, we moved to Jesus’ crucifixion, Jesus’ purpose of coming to live among us and what his death accomplished for us. And thi…

December 3, 2023 Paul said in his letter to the church of Corinth, “I wished to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” For Paul and every believer in Jesus, the crucifixion is the apex moment that has completely altered the trajectory of the world. The cross is both offensive and beautiful at once. The cross offends mankind …

November 19, 2023 In Acts 15:36-41, Paul and Barnabas are separated because of a sharp disagreement. This passage of Scripture shows us that even mature Christians will often disagree on 'judgment calls,' and sometimes need to separate or split up if the issue is serious enough. Separation among Christians should be done charitably. This passage en…

November 26, 2023 God humbled Himself by coming in human likeness, taking on flesh, and living among those He created. The incarnation of Jesus Christ is a true mystery. How can God put such limitations on Himself for a humanity that had rejected Him? We peer into the wondrous mystery of our Savior’s humility to step down into our condition to rede…

November 12, 2023 Acts 15 contains two scenarios of sharp disagreement between believers. The first (Acts 15:1-35) is a matter of right and wrong. The second (Acts 15:36-41) is a matter of preference. Both scenarios highlight the reality that every group of believers will have areas of disagreement. This week’s focus is on the right view of salvati…

November 5, 2023 The final legs of Paul’s first missionary journey demonstrate key practices that are to continue in and through us who are sent for the Name of Jesus Christ. These practices flow from a central truth that our living God gives witness to Himself through all of creation, especially His chosen people. In light of this, we must continu…

October 29, 2023 In our fourth Family Worship series of 2023, we are focusing on “Love Endures All Things”. This is the ultimate trait of God’s love for us that we are to reflect, especially within families and in the church. We will look at three aspects of God’s enduring love from Psalm 136 as well as be encouraged and challenged by TBC ministry …

October 22, 2023 Paul and Barnabas encountered a divided response to the gospel message they proclaimed in Iconium. When they first met resistance, they remained for a long time, steadfastly preaching the gospel with boldness. What they experienced was God’s empowerment through their faithfulness. God will empower us, and He himself will bear witne…

October 15, 2023 Acts 13:13-52 contains Paul’s first sermon delivered in a Jewish synagogue. Drawing from the OT Law and Prophets, Paul focused on the most important proof of the truth of our faith, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are raised to eternal life because Christ our Savior was raised first. The Shout of Easter isn’t just for April, m…

October 8, 2023 We come to a point in Acts where the narrative shifts from being about a group of people whom God used in extraordinary ways to advance the Kingdom of God, to one person whom God used in extraordinary ways to advance the Kingdom of God. Yet in all of the extraordinary stories we see the apostle Paul in they all can trace their begin…

October 1, 2023 Do you fear the rising tide of culture’s obsession with self-glorification? There is an ever-growing disdain for the things of God around us. It is becoming increasingly unpopular to hold a Christian worldview. What is the truth we need most to help us stand firm? Paradoxically, we stand firm when we rest and rely on God’s sovereign…

September 24, 2023 Acts 11:19-30 provides examples of the first-called Christians who lived with steadfast purpose. Their example reveals the truth that God always builds His kingdom through the faithful witness of His people. It falls to us, in this generation, to live with steadfast purpose. To do this, we must understand what our purpose is and …

September 17, 2023 Under the Old Covenant, God’s people were spiritually and physically distinct from others because of the regulations of the Law and especially the sign of circumcision. But God changed everything through Christ’s death and resurrection. A New Covenant was made, the old distinctions were removed, and a new sign was given: the Holy…

September 10, 2023 Last week, we saw that “sent believers" are to see the Lost as God sees them (harassed and helpless) and not allow distinctions to keep us from opening our mouths and lives. This week, our attention shifts to God’s intervening works that bring salvation through His people to the lost by the Holy Spirit. We are commanded to go and…

September 3, 2023 Today, it is a common truth among Christians that God’s plan of salvation is for all people, regardless of distinctions. But, this was not the early Church's understanding, especially in how Gentiles were viewed. These first Christians viewed Gentiles as a people wholly opposed to God and beyond His redemption. It took God’s direc…

August 27, 2023 After his time in Samaria, Peter makes stops in both Lydda and Joppa, miraculously healing the lame man Aeneas and raising the woman Tabitha the from the dead. And though Peter is still at the center of the narrative, performing great works, we are also now seeing that the church has quickly grown beyond Peter's own work. In Peter, …

August 20, 2023 Saul was transformed by a personal encounter with Christ. He immediately began witnessing about Jesus as the Son of God. But he didn’t do this on his own. He had a community of believers around him for encouragement, sharpening, and support. Each of us who are in Christ are to work out our salvation and give evidence of our conversi…

August 13, 2023 Acts 9:1-20 provides the account of Saul’s conversion from Judaism to faith in Jesus Christ. This is, for some, the single-most important event in all of Acts because of who Saul will become and the mission work he will do for the name of Christ. But his story is just like the story of every believer in Jesus. We were once lost in o…

August 6, 2023 The Philip cycle in Acts 8 comes to an exciting conclusion with the salvation and baptism of an Ethiopian court official. The passage events take place in the southernmost part of the Holy Land in Gaza. The gospel message will also now be carried into Africa in fulfillment of Christ’s word to His apostles that their witness would go …

July 16, 2023 “Following the stoning of Stephen, four events followed: (1) “great persecution” was unleashed by the Jews against Christians in Jerusalem; (2) Christians scattered: they left Jerusalem and went to surrounding regions to escape violent, life-threatening persecution from the Jews, which also served to fulfill Jesus’ command in Acts 1:8…

July 23, 2023 There are all sorts of sinful dangers that can put us in bondage. Of the many options, power and money are especially dangerous. In Acts 8:4-25, a contrast is made between the power and freedom of the Spirit and the bitter pursuit of selfish gain and influence. Genuine followers of Christ are able to walk in freedom and have a way out…

July 9, 2023 The servant Stephen is taken before the high priests on false charges. When asked if these charges are true, Stephen not only responds with the truth showing the charges are false but also the huge swath of common ground he has with his accusers. But instead of stopping short, Stephen tells the whole truth, which includes the past diso…

July 2, 2023 Imagine an impossibly high cliff made up of pure granite. Looking upward, the top of the cliff is obscured by the clouds it surpasses. Looking at its base, there is water crashing helplessly against its shore. The cliff is immovable, steadfast, and strong. Christ, our Cornerstone, is our Rock, our Strong Tower. He is the unshakable One…

June 25, 2023 The book of Acts up to this point has been outwardly focused on what is happening outside of the church. Now in chapter 6 we see what is happening on the inside working of the church and how with all of the growth has come some growing pains. In Acts 6 we see a group of Hellenistic widows being neglected and the apostles' response is …

June 11, 2023 As the Apostles continue their ministry, a divide is growing within the church between those who will not dare join them in the ministry work and others who will go to great lengths to bring hurting people to encounter Christ’s redeeming power and hope. This divide still exists. There are some who are actively bringing others to meet …

June 18, 2023 No one enjoys suffering. In Acts 5:17-42, we find that the Apostles suffered dishonor for proclaiming the Name of Jesus. Yet, they rejoiced, not for going through the suffering of dishonor, but rather they rejoiced that God counted them worthy to suffer for the Name of their Savior and Lord. It was a badge of honor for them to be dish…

June 4, 2023 Sin is a serious matter especially to God. It is serious because it is offensive to Him, harmful to people, and misrepresents God to a watching world. Sin also plays right into Satan's schemes to do whatever he can to disrupt the practices and unity of the church. As stewards of God's resources, we have the privilege of demonstrating H…

May 28, 2023 Luke provided his 2nd high-level overview of the progress of the Church in Jerusalem. Luke’s report was awesome. Numerically, the church had grown rapidly, from ~1,000 people after Jesus’ resurrection to ~10,000 people. Spiritually, the Christians in Jerusalem were united in placing more value on people and less value on their possessi…

May 21, 2023 The Spirit has filled us so that we would show and tell the world about Jesus. But what direction does the Bible give in showing and telling when others actively act against us, or worse, threaten us!? This week, Mike McGinty, supported TBC missionary, takes us into Acts to answer the question. Come and hear a powerful message on Boldn…

May 14, 2023 In the face of great pressure and intimidation, Peter and John boldly spoke the powerful message of Christ’s death and resurrection. Regardless of the possible consequences, they couldn’t help but speak about Jesus. It is easy to place these Apostles in a separate category from us as if they were superhuman. But this “uneducated” and “…

May 7, 2023 After healing the begging lame man, Peter and John address the gathered crowd in the temple courts. Peter delivers one of the clearest teachings on the identity of Christ and calls to faith found in the New Testament. This message exemplifies what being a witness looks like and emphasizes the urgency to respond to Christ because everyth…

April 30, 2023 Godly love is the standard for every Christian home. For this kind of love to even be possible, faith in God must be genuine. This is a simple truth. To show God's love, one must know God's love. We will take a close look at the building blocks of godly love that trusts in Christ in all circumstances with the aim of fortifying Christ…

April 23, 2023 Peter and John display the immense power in the name of Jesus given to them as apostles by healing a lame man at a temple gates. But undergirding this miraculous healing is a calling set before all believers: give what you have. We all have a testimony, a story of God’s immense kindness and transforming grace. Peter and John were hum…

April 9, 2023 Jesus is both Lord and Savior. This is the truth declared in Peter’s first sermon recorded in Acts 2:14-41. The point of His sermon is to provide proof of this central truth. Easter is the perfect occasion to study this first, Christian sermon as the central proof that Jesus is both Savior and Lord is His resurrection from the dead! A…