Risen Church NC

Acts 12 brings a pause to the progression and expansion of the Church, and sees persecution on the rise again. The Church in Jerusalem faces its greatest trial yet, as King Herod arrests two of Jesus' original followers. After it appeared like the days of opposition were behind them, suddenly the Church loses James and is at risk of losing Peter. This chapter reminds us of the trials that we will face as believers, but it also reminds us of our true hope in Christ. Even though James dies, he did not lose and was by no means less favored. A Christian's hope is eternal life, and confidence that even in death there is victory. Peter's escape from prison, shows us that God can deliver us from our earthly trials, if it be His will. The Church's surprise at Peter's escape shows us that their confidence was not in Peter, but in God. Even if they lost Peter, as they did James, they knew that God would be with them. Ultimately this chapter shows us that however intense the trial may be, God's presence will always be greater. Compared to Herod's temporarily glory and eternal loss, both James and Peter knew that any earthly loss can lead to some Kingdom gain.

Both the Bible and world history tell a story of humanity's longing and desire to know and walk with God. There is millennia's worth of evidence of the awareness of our natural separation from God and the yearning to overcome this gap. Genesis sets a tone that is found throughout the Bible, of mankind's drift east, away from where God intended us to be. Thankfully, that thread is countered by God's plan to reverse this trend and restore us to His image. In this series, we are opening God's Word to seek out His pathway back and to discover His ideal will for us. He designed both men and women to uniquely, distinctively, and complementarily bear and reflect His image. In Genesis 2, in His original commands to Adam, we see how men specifically can begin glorifying God with their every day lives. By God's grace, we can recover what was lost in the fall and realize life to its fullest, after the complete image of God.

After Peter testifies to the universal power of God's grace, the Church sets its sights on a brand new frontier. The story to come in Acts launches from the first church plant in Antioch. It can't be overstated how important this initiative is to both Church and world history, in that the Judaism spin-off finally gets its own identity as a result. God's hand rests powerfully on the Church at Antioch, as more people begin to hear the Good News of Jesus.

The Bible tells us we are made in God's image. What does this mean? In Psalm 139, David writes that his sense of worth and purpose had been elevated by his deeper understanding of God's design of and desire for us. David himself had led Israel in "seeking God's face", in an attempt to get back to truly knowing God and realizing our connection to Him. In this message, we talk about what it means to bear the image of God, and how sin impacted our relationship. Our goal in this series is to fully appreciate God's plan for our lives, and know how we can glorify Him as unique and distinct human beings. We take a special look in closing at how David discovers the face of God in an unexpected way and place. As broken-hearted mother mourns the loss of our sons, David catches a glimpse of the endless love of God...

After Peter takes a step into the unknown in the previous chapter, Acts 11 opens the doors on a brand new future for the Church. However, not all of the Jewish Church leaders are comfortable with this reality. Peter realizes that they stand at the precipice of a watershed moment for the Church, and doesn't back down at the rampant criticism that comes his way. He refuses to allow religion and nationalism to thwart this potential growth. Recounting his experience, which saw him overcome his own prejudice, arrogance and indifference, Peter passionately proclaims that he would never stand in God's way. The Church's health and growth was contingent on their obedience to the Great Commission, especially in how they loved and engaged those that seemed the farthest away from God. From here on, the Church would look and operate much differently than before, with a priority on reaching and welcoming people of all kinds, backgrounds and cultures. May we take Peter's words to heart, and ask ourselves the same question any time we are tempted to back away from this most sacred mission: "Who are we to stand in God's Way?"

In our series on Prayer, God has invited us to find true life in His pathway and plans, through surrendering to, trusting in and following Jesus. The capstone of the Lord's Prayer confirms why this is the obvious posture we should posses ever day - For to God belongs the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory. All things are from Him, all things are for Him, and all things flow to Him. How blessed we are to be able to live for and contribute to His Kingdom, Power and Glory! No matter what gets us down, tempts us to go astray, or overshadows our path, we remember and are strengthened by this: Jesus is bigger, better and brighter. In Him is hope, help and light. In this message, we consider the example of Solomon who showed us how life is best when lived this way, while also showing us what happens when we chose an inferior way.

It’s safe to assume the Church had zero intentions of larger expansion post-Acts 8. With Saul's conversion and commission in Acts 9, this is even further implied. God needed an emissary to the Gentiles, and the Twelve show little interest. Yet, God wanted the whole Church on board so Acts 9 swings back to Peter... Peter picks up where he left off in Acts 5, but then finds himself in Joppa (!!!) and on the cusp of a revolutionary moment in history. They weren’t going to the Gentiles, but God was about to bring them to the Church. Enter Cornelius Truth be told, the issue was that the church questioned if Gentiles could be saved, but if they *should* be saved. They knew Jesus was irresistible and His grace powerful. Like Jonah before him, Peter wasn’t doubting God’s grace, he was frustrated by it. (Jonah 3:19-4:3) Perhaps their negligence of Gentles wasn’t malicious, but the point of this text is that we have no excuse to not be reaching and engaging all people, especially those different than us. Peter confesses he would’ve NEVER gone to Gentiles Peter proclaims there is no partiality with God and that the church cannot be in active disobedience to God, forgoing its mission to love, serve and share the Gospel with all people. Overlooked in this text - God *could have* revealed Gospel to Cornelius by the angel who sent him to Peter, but this proves 2 pillars of Acts: 1) God saves us INTO His Church. In the NT individual revelation is replaced by collective - because God is building His Church 2) Also, this is part of God establishing His Kingdom. Cornelius a Gentile meeting Peter a Jew is a moment of reconciliation which glorifies God, and highlights His Kingdom initiative to bring all nations together under one Name and one Blood. Needless to say, Acts 10 is a major milestone in our history. For Church and Kingdom, God brings Cornelius and Peter together. For the Gospel, Peter proclaims that salvation has come to all, and we must go to all in love, service, and with Good News.

Who/what leads you into temptation? Do you ever lead yourself into temptation? We all give into temptation and we often try to hide or even dismiss the ramifications of our choices. If we’re being honest though, we become more disappointed in ourselves and less satisfied with life every time we give in. Thankfully, following Jesus *leads us not* into temptation. Following Jesus means that we are choosing a Better Way. He calls us to a self-denying, cross-bearing Way, leading us to a life of love. A life of love is the opposite of a life of temptation, as it looks for ways to honor God and submit to others, before temptation gives us an inferior path to take. If we succumb to temptation, we cross the threshold to loss. But, following Jesus is the threshold to life. By following Him, we have abundant and full life, that shows us how we can do the greatest good for the greatest number of people and the Greater Kingdom of God. Committing to follow Jesus, allows us to avoid temptation and escape the danger that lies behind every sin. Of course, temptation is very real, and our battles can be overwhelming and challenging. Jesus and the grace He offers us is just as real, and more powerful than every temptation we face. Jesus’ invitation breaks the power and destroys the illusion of every temptation. All of our temptations can bow to His invitation.

The focus in Acts shifts back to the Apostle Peter, who rejoins the mission field after a brief time corroborating with Mark on the story of Jesus. Peter is filled with the second wind of momentum that is sweeping through the Church, and God performs great signs and wonders through his ministry. However, Peter is not prepared to take the Gospel where God intends it go. More importantly, Peter is not ready to take the Gospel to whom God intends it to go. Filled with God's Spirit and zealous as he was, Peter's heart was actually harboring a great sin. In Peter's miracles we witness God removing obstacles that were keeping people from life. However, these were merely building up to the moment when God would show Peter the greater obstacle in his heart, and offer to remove it. In this message, we witness Peter wrestle with this Gospel-inhibiting sin, and come to a place of repentance and surrender. Witness Peter go from skeptical to surprised of what God was able to do, of who God was able to save...

In this conclusion to our Jeremiah study, we take a look at God's final word through Jeremiah to his generation. While the people of Israel, refuse to heed God's Word, God reminds them that He will continue to work towards His redemption plan. We observe how God is always at work in history and amongst the nations. What may seem inexplicable, is given clarity when we understand that all things transpire to spread the Gospel and prepare the Kingdom. God is always working to exalt His plan of salvation and bring justice to the whole world. His promises are true, and He is faithful beyond end.