Archive for the ‘Pentecost’ Tag

“Remembering What Is Often Forgotten About Pentecost (JESUS)!”

Part A:

Part B:

Full Message:


Scripture: Acts 2


Summary:

In this Pentecost message, Pastor Timothy Brassell launches a new series in the Book of Acts, emphasizing the foundational Gospel truth that Jesus Christ is the main point—even at Pentecost. With bold theological clarity and relational depth, Pastor Tim challenges the Church to rethink how we read Scripture and experience the Holy Spirit. He reminds us that Scripture is not self-interpreting, it must be read through Christ, by the Spirit, in relationship with the Triune God. The Church is urged to return to Jesus as the lens, center, and life of all understanding, especially when reflecting on Pentecost.

1. You Can’t Understand God Without God:
Theme: Relationship is the only way to truly know God. Pentecost is about divine relationship, not isolated knowledge.

“You can’t understand a thing about God apart from a relationship with God, in Christ, by the Spirit.”
Discipleship Question: Am I approaching Scripture as relationship with Jesus or merely information about God?
#KnowThroughChrist #RelationalRevelation #GodWithUs

2. Jesus Is the Real Text of Scripture:
Theme: Jesus is the living Word. Scripture points to Him and is interpreted through Him. “Jesus is the real text of Scripture. He is the one true Word of God, ahead of Scripture but not apart from it.”
Discipleship Question: Is my reading of the Bible centered on Jesus as the true Word?
#ChristTheText #ScriptureThroughJesus #LivingWord

3. Misreading Happens When We Miss Jesus:
Theme: When Jesus isn’t the focus, interpretation distorts and distractions multiply.

“When we forget Jesus as the main point, we also misread and get caught up in other distracting points.”
Discipleship Question: What theological or cultural side issues have taken my focus off Jesus?
#KeepJesusCentral #ChristAboveAll #ScripturalClarity

4. Pentecost Reveals Christ, Not Just Power:
Theme: The Holy Spirit doesn’t point to Himself, He reveals Jesus and enables us to know Him deeply.

“The Holy Spirit comes not to reveal Himself, but to reveal Jesus and share what He knows.”
Discipleship Question: Is my experience of the Spirit drawing me to Christ or just seeking phenomena?
#SpiritOfChrist #PentecostRevisited #JesusIsThePoint

5. The Spirit Works in Light, Not Force:
Theme: God’s — Father, Son, Holy Spirit—power is expressed through light, subtle, relational, patient transformation, not coercion.

“God is light… and works in a light way so that you can actually participate.”
Discipleship Question: Am I looking for God in loud power or in the quiet light of His presence?
#PowerInLight #DivineGentleness #HolySpiritMovesSoftly

6. Scripture Must Be Breathed Anew Each Time:
Theme: The Scriptures don’t have “stored magic”, they require the Spirit’s fresh breath each reading.

“You aren’t hearing from the Lord unless the living Lord is actually speaking at the time you’re reading.”
Discipleship Question: Do I begin my Bible reading with a prayerful dependence on the Spirit?
#LivingBreath #NotMagicWords #SpiritInspiredReading

7. Start With Relationship, Not Rules:
Theme: Before any theological understanding or practice, relationship with the Triune God must come first.

“You must be relating to the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit, or else you can’t understand a Godly thing.”
Discipleship Question: What are my “first things” when I approach faith?
#FirstThingsFirst #GodBeforeDoctrine #RelateThenUnderstand

8. Communion Affirms Christ’s Judgment Over Us:
Theme: Taking Communion is embracing Christ’s verdict: you are loved, forgiven, and included.

“You are judged right now in Christ as no sinner… holy and blameless before the Lord.”
Discipleship Question: Do I receive the Lord’s Supper as performance or as grace freely given?
#JudgedInChrist #GraceAtTheTable #CommunionWithChrist

9. The Spirit Testifies. We Must Too:
Theme: Just as the Spirit testifies to Jesus, so must the Church boldly bear witness to Him alone.

“You will receive power… and you will testify about Jesus.”
Discipleship Question: Who is the focus of my witness—Jesus or spiritual activity?
#WitnessToJesus #SpiritLedMission #GospelFocus

10. Pentecost Is About Remembering Jesus:
Theme: The Day of Pentecost is not first about gifts or experiences, it’s about remembering Jesus Christ.

“This series is about remembering what is often forgotten about Pentecost: Jesus!”
Discipleship Question: Have I let secondary things cloud the central revelation of Christ?
#JesusOfPentecost #ForgottenNoMore #ChristOurCenter


Context:
This message is the first in a Pentecost-focused series out of Acts 2, aimed at correcting widespread misreadings and misunderstandings about the Holy Spirit and the role of Scripture. Pastor Tim roots the teaching in Trinitarian theologyChrist-centered interpretation, and the call to discipleship that begins with love, not legalism. The Spirit’s power, he reminds us, is light, not spectacle, and it is Jesus who remains the heart of Pentecost, Scripture, and Church life.


Reflective Moment: Jesus—The True Word of Pentecost:
Take a moment and ask:
Am I approaching Scripture to meet Jesus or merely to gather facts? Have I subtly replaced Christ with concepts, even spiritual ones? What would it look like for me to receive the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Jesus, leading me deeper into His life and mission? Let the Word read you as you read it. Come not to conquer Scripture, but to be transformed by the Living Word—Jesus Christ.

“Jesus Christ and Our Union With Him!”

Series: Acting With Our Father’s Son And Holy Spirit


Part A:

Part B:

Full Message:


Scripture: Acts 1


Summary:

This sermon, delivered by Pastor Timothy Brassell, focuses on the profound implications of living in union with Christ and participating in His ongoing mission through the Holy Spirit. Drawing from the Book of Acts, Pastor Tim emphasizes how the Christian life is deeply rooted in participation in the life, ministry, and mission of Jesus Christ.

The sermon explores the challenges of faith, the significance of spiritual transformation, and the role of believers in spreading the gospel. The message challenges believers to approach scripture with humility, recognize the empowering role of the Holy Spirit, and embrace the transformative journey of faith. By living out Christ’s example, believers are called to actively witness to God’s[Father-Son-Holy-Spirit] kingdom, serve their communities, and grow into the fullness of their spiritual identity.

Key Points and Highlights:

🌟 Christianity Defined as Union with Christ
• To be a Christian means to live in union with Jesus Christ, participating in His life, death, resurrection, and mission through the Holy Spirit.

🛡️ The Role of the Holy Spirit
• The Holy Spirit empowers believers to continue Christ’s mission, providing guidance, transformation, and strength in their daily lives.

🌱 Scripture as a Living Testament
• Believers are encouraged to approach scripture not as a set of rules but as a living, Spirit-guided journey into God’s will.

🔄 Participation in Christ’s Life and Mission
• The sermon emphasizes that Christians are called to actively participate in Christ’s ministry, reflecting His love, humility, and sacrifice.

🌍 The Church’s Mission as Witnesses
• The church serves as a witness to Christ’s life and teachings, proclaiming the gospel and inviting others into God’s kingdom.

🔥 The Ascension as a Call to Action
• Jesus’s ascension signifies the church’s role in continuing His mission, empowered by His Spirit to act as His body on Earth.

📖 Faith as a Transformative Journey
• The Christian journey is one of growth, transformation, and reconciliation with God[Father-Son-Holy-Spirit], requiring perseverance and trust in the Spirit’s guidance.

✨ Embracing Challenges in Faith
• Believers are encouraged to accept suffering and challenges as opportunities to grow closer to Christ and bear witness to His love.

🌈 Reconciliation and Service
• The message highlights the importance of reconciliation with God and others, calling believers to serve their communities and reflect Christ’s character.

🛠️ Living the Gospel Daily
• Practical faith includes loving relationships, community engagement, and daily acts that embody the teachings and spirit of Christ.

Context

This sermon by Pastor Timothy Brassell explores the profound meaning of union with Christ and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Through the lens of Acts, Pastor Tim invites believers to embrace their role in Christ’s mission, reflecting His life, love, and sacrifice in their daily walk. The message emphasizes the church’s collective calling to be a witness to God’s kingdom, offering a powerful reminder of the Spirit’s role in equipping and empowering believers for service.

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Pentecost And The Coming Of The Holy Spirit!

Part 1A

Part 1B


Scripture: Acts 1, 2


Introduction:

Summary and Goal:

Pentecost was the occasion following Jesus death, resurrection and
ascension when the Holy Spirit was sent as Jesus promised to his
disciples in Jerusalem. Peter proclaimed the fulfillment of the
prophecy of Joel 2:28-32.

Theological Theme:

Jesus Christ is the living Head of the Church, and to whom it looks and is
directed through the Holy Scriptures, by the indwelling Holy
Spirit.

Christ Connection:

Jesus lives in his followers through the presence of the Holy Spirit
indwelling and empowering them to fulfill the great commission of
proclaiming the good news of Jesus in the world.

Missional Application:

The Church, the body of Christ, is composed of people who trust in
Jesus and who are commissioned to make disciples of others in the world.

Photos compliments: pinterest.com

Sin and God’s Authority

Part 1A

Part 1B


Scripture: Gen 3:1 – 4:8


Introduction:

Summary and Goal:
In the previous session, we saw that after the flood, God reaffirmed His creative purpose for people to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth (Gen. 1:28; 9:1,7). Sin, no matter how grievous and pervasive it may be, cannot stop God’s plan from marching forward. But the account of Noah ends in a surprising way, with Noah drunk and disgraced in front of his sons. The flood had brought judgment on the world, but it had
not removed sin. In this session, we pick up the story and see that it did not take long for humanity once again to shake its fist at God in active rebellion against Him. God’s command to spread out to fill the earth was not simply ignored but rejected in the city of Babylon, or Babel, as its residents sought to glorify their names instead of God’s.

Theological Theme:

Sin drives people to seek to make themselves great, even in direct disobedience of
God, but sin cannot halt God’s plans.

Christ Connection:

God confused the language of and scattered those who wanted to make a great name
for themselves. At Pentecost, God tore down the language barrier so that His people
would scatter across the world and make known the great name of His Son. One
day, God will gather together people from every tribe and language to worship Him
in unity.

Missional Application:

Because we have experienced the greatness of God through His gracious salvation
through Christ, we set aside all desires to make our names great and instead seek to
proclaim the kingdom of the Son of God throughout the whole world.

Photos compliments: pinterest.com

We are All One In Christ Jesus!

Part A:

Part B:

Full Message:

Watch On YouTube

Bible Verse: Galatians 3


Introduction:

Jesus is the Anointed One, referring to the fact that He is the One Man Who has the Holy Spirit of God poured out on Him without measure, and is the One Who pours out the Holy Spirit on all flesh in Himself and upon all people outside Himself (possessing and assuming the human nature of all persons) that we might share in His union and communion with His Father!

Theological Theme:

The Father-Son-and-Holy-Spirit-God is the ground of ALL PEOPLE AND THINGS and the renewal of ALL THINGS IN JESUS CHRIST! As the Cosmic Christ He is fulfilling his promise to draw EVERYONE to himself through In the Holy Spirit, to the glory of the Father!

Christ Connection:

Jesus Christ is not only the anointed ONE, HE is also the ONE who pours out the SAME Holy Spirit on us, in flesh, as the Representative of ALL PEOPLE, and as the Substitute for ALL PEOPLE so that we can discover and become ourselves by the Holy Spirit’s empowerment. Jesus sends the Person of the Holy Spirit Who mediates Jesus to us so we can TRUST and relate with him, sharing in his union and communion with the Father;

Missional Application:

Because Jesus is alive as the Resurrection and continuing in his ongoing ministry to the Father, the Church enthusiastically remains on Mission with Him that all people would come to know, honor, glorify and enjoy his relationship with his Father forever and ever in the Spirit!!As Lesslie Newbigin has written: “Mission begins with a kind of explosion of joy. The news that the rejected and crucified Jesus is alive is something that cannot possibly be suppressed. It must be told. Who could be silent about such a fact? The mission of the Church in the pages of the New Testament is like the fallout from a vast explosion, a radioactive fallout which is not lethal but life-giving.”

The Church continues to call all people to repent and believe the Good News of Jesus because, realistically, the degree to which people are not found trusting Christ in a worship relationship and do not have him as their fundamental and primary vision is the degree to which something else, an idol and a false vision does have a grip on their minds, hearts and actions! The real problem is not that people don’t love their neighbors – the deeper problem is that people do not see or love God, the Father, Son and Spirit, with all their heart soul mind and strength! Nor do they trust or believe as primary that Jesus does stand in with and for them to make this so, on their behalf, and even if it doesn’t look like it! And the reason for that is that they have not yet received or need to receive even more deeply the Holy Spirit that Jesus sends!

Photo Compliments: juniaproject.com

It’s Time For Jesus To Renew Your Mind!

Part A:

Part B:

Full Message:

Watch On YouTube

Bible Verse: Romans 12: 1-2


Introduction:

“There is no point in playing down the staggering significance of the incarnation and resurrection. God the Creator of the universe, transcendent over all time and space, has himself become a creature within time and space, the man Jesus Christ… within the measures and limits’ of our human historical existence, he is at work in immeasurable love defeating the forces of darkness, irrationality and evil within creaturely being where they are…entrenched. The eternal Word-and-Reason of God has become human flesh, personally penetrating into and participating in…our existence!!” – T.F. Torrance, “Space, Time and Resurrection”

It is better to think of this Christian life mainly as something that God will pull off by grace and not something that you will pull off by works. The Father, through The Son, by The Spirit, meets us in the world in which we live right now. In the middle of the mess. The Father and The Son have broken into our chaos, along with The Holy Spirit and every BREAK-IN by Jesus is a BREAK-WITH the something else that was creating the chaos and holding us hostage.

Theological Theme:

Father, Son and Spirit God IN GRACE has given HIMSELF AS GRACE to be among us and to lead us from wherever he is right now. You are the beloved child of God in Jesus Christ. The beloved child the Father always wanted. This is not possible to believe and receive part from receiving the Hoy Spirit and having Spiritual union with Jesus Christ. Our Father is not discouraged that you, personally, have not yet fully received this truth about yourself but, encouragingly, He has made provision in His Son, Jesus Christ, to receive all those things on your behalf and in your place, so that you can trust him and grow up into Him, increasingly, by His grace!

Christ Connection:

We are being called by Jesus to have our minds renewed. “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Champion who initiates and perfects our faith. This is possible because he has gone before us and “Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” – Hebrews 12:2, and he sends us the holy Spirit.

There is not a year on this earth or a political situation anywhere where Jesus is not human now and king of the universe. There is not a minute of pandemic and panic-filled life that Jesus is not the Savior of the whole world. Jesus meets us first as The Word, as The ONE who speaks to us, who lovingly comes to us and embraces us, who speaks a word of grace and love and goodness and gospel to us about Who he is and also who we are in him.

Missional Application:

We have the Person of the Holy Spirit of God. The very Spirit of the Father and Son. The Holy Spirit is the way that God is. He is God’s exact characteristics being God of God himself. He shares with us the characteristics of Jesus The Son who is always giving Himself in self-sacrificing, self-giving love for the other for the sake of the Father. The Spirit is the answer to the questions: “What has Jesus done for us and done on our behalf?” “What is He doing for us now?  “How will that reach us?” “How will we participate with Jesus and what He is doing to glorify His Father, to honor Him?”

 The answer is: He is poured out on the human race and from Whom we are given grace and power from Jesus to receive him. All people everywhere are continually encouraged to turn from their sin, turn to Jesus and relate with him in the communion of the Holy Spirit, becoming the saved and adopted children of God.

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Our Father’s Hope For all: In Jesus’ Body Being His Church! Part 9

Part 9A:

Part 9B:

Full Message:


Watch On YouTube

Main Bible Verse: Acts 2


Introduction:

The Father has poured out His Spirit upon all that all will receive Jesus as Lord, personally, receiving His invitation that He might indwell them. Jesus, in His Father’s mission continues to go out in the power of the Spirit, drawing every person, everywhere, to Himself, and with the special participation of believers, His Church! Jesus, through His Church, still has an earthly and historical Body unified in the Spirit that worships Him, witnesses to Him, and joins Him in the ministry of calling all to trust Him as Lord and Savior in Relationship!

Theological Theme:

Even In the middle of pandemic, prejudice, police brutality, panic and pandemonium, Grace and Peace is upon us from God our Father through the Lord Jesus Christ! Jesus is the One Who baptizes in the Holy Spirit that we might participate with Him in His Life and relationship of Love with the Father! His is not just any old kind of love but Love as it has been revealed in the life, words and deeds of Jesus Christ as attested to in holy scripture. Jesus Christ is the Revelation of Who God is! Jesus Christ is the revelation of what it means to be a Real human being and, through His Holy Spirit, is intent to share his humanity with us that we might be more truly and fully human, glorifying our Father!

Christ Connection:

“The church is commanded to lift up its head in joy, for its ‘redemption is drawing near’ Meantime in all its waiting and expectation the church is commanded by its Lord to lift up its head in thanksgiving and joy, for its ‘redemption is drawing near’. The church of the risen Lord has no right to be a prophet of gloom or despair, for this world has been redeemed and sanctified by Christ and he will not let it go. The corruptible clay of our poor earth has been taken up in Jesus, is consecrated through his sacrifice and resurrection, and he will not allow it to sink back into corruption. Hence the whole creation groans and travails waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God, looking forward with eager expectation to the hour of final liberation and renewal in the advent of its risen saviour.” – Thomas Torrance, Atonement: The Person and Work of Christ, page 348 (Chapter: The Nature of the Resurrection Event)

Missional Application:

“The church must learn to take into its mouth the good news of the resurrection and new creation, for that must be its primary note, one of limitless joy and thanksgiving. That is how the church began its mission at Pentecost where the dominant emphasis in all its preaching was the resurrection of the crucified Christ and the astounding fact that because of Christ the Spirit of God himself was poured out upon men and women. They knew that the last times had overtaken them and that they were caught up in the onward and outward thrust of the resurrection of Christ toward the new creation in which all nations and peoples and all times would be brought to share. The involvement of the church in the suffering of mankind must never be allowed to stifle that supreme note of resurrection triumph or to smother the eschatological joy at the astounding events that have broken into history and pledged for mankind the final day of regeneration.” – Thomas Torrance, Atonement: The Person and Work of Christ, page 348 (Chapter: The Nature of the Resurrection Event)

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Our Father’s Hope For All: In God The Holy Spirit! Part 7

Part 7A:

Part 7B:

Full Message:


Watch On YouTube

Main Bible Verses: Luke 24: 44-49 Acts 1: 1-11


Introduction:

“Meantime in all its waiting and expectation the church is commanded by its Lord to lift up its head in thanksgiving and joy, for its ‘redemption is drawing near’. The church of the risen Lord has no right to be a prophet of gloom or despair, for this world has been redeemed and sanctified by Christ and he will not let it go. The corruptible clay of our poor earth has been taken up in Jesus, is consecrated through his sacrifice and resurrection, and he will not allow it to sink back into corruption. Hence the whole creation groans and travails waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God, looking forward with eager expectation to the hour of final liberation and renewal in the advent of its risen savior. The church must learn to take into its mouth the good news of the resurrection and new creation, for that must be its primary note, one of limitless joy and thanksgiving. That is how the church began its mission at Pentecost where the dominant emphasis in all its preaching was the resurrection of the crucified Christ and the astounding fact that because of Christ the Spirit of God himself was poured out upon men and women. They knew that the last times had overtaken them and that they were caught up in the onward and outward thrust of the resurrection of Christ toward the new creation in which all nations and peoples and all times would be brought to share. The involvement of the church in the suffering of mankind must never be allowed to stifle that supreme note of resurrection triumph or to smother the eschatological joy at the astounding events that have broken into history and pledged for mankind the final day of regeneration.” – Thomas Torrance

Theological Theme:

‘Truly our fellowship (koinonia) is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.’ The early church fathers expressed this by saying that he who was the eternal Son of God by nature became Son of Man, our brother, that we ‘sons (children) of men’ might become ‘sons of God’ by grace–in him and through union with him. Thus, whether we are Jews or Gentiles, ‘through Christ Jesus, we both have access by one Spirit to the Father’ (Eph. 2:18).” –James B. Torrance

Christ Connection:

Our consolation is that God has become man in Jesus, and has taken up our Fallen Human nature that we might share in his healed human nature! And Jesus making it through His human life and having the victory means your making it through and having the victory IN HIM! In the very birth, life, suffering, death, resurrection, ascension and final appearing of Jesus we see that God has not allowed anything that He cannot redeem, perfect and make it work out for His good purposes! Therefore Jesus ascends to the right hand of the Father and sends us His Spirit that He might return in the Spirit with Whom He is One. In and through the Spirit Jesus remains here with us till he returns bodily to transform these mortal bodies into glorious and immortal bodies, strengthening us to participate with him in hope.

Missional Application:

“On the basis of the eternal will of God we have to think of every human being, even the oddest, most villainous or miserable, as one to whom Jesus Christ is Brother and God is Father; and we have to deal with him on this assumption. If the other person knows that already, then we have to strengthen him in that knowledge. If he does not know it yet, or no longer knows it, our business is to transmit this knowledge to him. On the basis of the knowledge of the humanity of God no other attitude to any kind of fellow man is possible. It is identical with the practical acknowledgement of his human rights and his human dignity. To deny it to him would be for us to renounce having Jesus Christ as Brother and God as Father.” – Karl Barth, The Humanity of God, p. 53. Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1982.

Photo Compliments: preachtruthyoumoron.com

The Converts: All Kinds of People!

workmanship4

Audio – Full Message: 37min

“https://trinityandhumanity.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/19.9.15-the-converts-all-kinds-of-people-acts-16-tah-marra.mp3”


Bible Verses: Acts 16 

Romans 3: 23  John 10: 10  John 3: 16 -17  1Cor 15: 22  Matt 18: 14  1Tim 1: 15  Romans 3: 9


“It’s important that we be ready and willing to share the gospel with anyone around us at anytime. The gospel crosses over all divisions and barriers that man has established—culture, ethnicity, socio-economics, politics, and more—and so should our love and compassion. So build relationships with your lost neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family. Live out the gospel before them. Embody the gospel sent to them. And pray for an opportunity to share the gospel with them—to preach the same message that Paul preached and that we all need: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”

THEOLOGICAL THEME:

God [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] uses different methods to reach different
kinds of people.

“The Lord is the one who graciously opens hearts to repent and believe the gospel. Because God is powerful and does this, it encourages us to pray for those who do not
yet believe.” –Justin S. Holcomb

CHRIST CONNECTION:

The gospel reaches different people in different ways. In Philippi, Paul and Silas saw converts from different social and economic backgrounds come to faith through their witness and testimony. Their message was the same for all: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”

“When a person places faith in Christ, that person undergoes a fundamental change of identity. He or she goes from being an enemy under God’s wrath (Eph. 2:1-3) tbeing welcomed into God’s family as a beloved child (Eph. 2:19). The believer in Christ is declared righteous on account of Christ’s perfect life and substitutionary death and resurrection. No longer is the person a slave to sin, defined by past failures or present struggles. The person has been delivered from the realm of darkness and now belongs to the kingdom of light (Col.1:13). Anyone who is in Christ is a “new creation” in whom the old, sinful self is passed away and the new, redeemed self is alive and progressing, becoming more and more like Christ (2 Cor. 5:17).”

MISSIONAL APPLICATION:

God. through His Holy Spirit, calls us to be faithful to deliver His message to all kinds of people, using a variety of methods.

“God often works through adversity and closed doors…..He may have a plan and a purpose for you to reach somebody and all of a sudden you may find your life taking a different direction.” – Pastor Tony Marra

Photo Compliments: https://twitter.com/csbible/   – The Gospel Project

Boundaries, Barriers, And Prejudices!

Message

Audio – Part A: 22min

“https://trinityandhumanity.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/19.8.18-boundariesbarriers-and-prejudices-part-a-acts-10.1-16-34-38-tah-andrews.mp3”

Audio – Part B: 27min

“https://trinityandhumanity.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/19.8.18-boundariesbarriers-and-prejudices-part-b-acts-10.1-16-34-38-tah-andrews.mp3”

Audio – Full Message:

“https://trinityandhumanity.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/19.8.18-boundariesbarriers-and-prejudices-acts-10.1-16-34-38-tah-andrews.mp3”


Bible Verses: Acts 10:1-16    Acts 10:34-48


“The gospel resists and tears down the boundaries that often separate people in the world, and the writers of the New Testament were often at pains to confront the church when it failed to unite around the gospel and break these walls down. Peter, who struggled with such issues himself, learned the importance of calling the church to brotherly unity, but his journey toward unity took the Holy Spirit paving the way in the heart of a Gentile and then in his own heart. With God, there is no favoritism, and salvation is offered to people from every tribe, tongue, and nation.”

THEOLOGICAL THEME:

God- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – shows no favoritism but offers salvation to people of every ethnicity.

CHRIST CONNECTION:

God challenged Peter’s tradition of “clean” and “unclean” foods in order to further challenge his perspective of “clean” and “unclean” people. Peter learned that God does not show favoritism but calls His people to proclaim the message of Jesus’ death and resurrection to all people, to celebrate His work in their lives, and to welcome believers into His family, regardless of their ethnicity.

MISSIONAL APPLICATION:

God, through His Holy Spirit, calls us not to show favoritism in sharing the gospel but to extend the call of salvation to all people.

“We may still be unaware of the way implicit biases have taken up residences in our own hearts.  You may not even be aware of some of these things. So like the early church, we’re wise to pause, examine our consciences, and ask whether our attitude toward people—especially those who are not like us for racial, social, economic, or political reasons—might be hindering the unity of the body of Christ. It’s a tough question but one worth pressing into for the sake of a church that knows no favoritism or distinctions for those in Jesus our Lord and our God.”

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