In Week 10 of Acts: Life on Mission, we explore the powerful message, “Persecution is Coming”. As we walk through Acts 8, we see how the early church faced fierce opposition after Stephen's death and how God used this persecution to expand the reach of the gospel. Pastor [Name] reminds us that following Jesus means facing challenges, but God calls us to stay committed, letting our light shine in the darkness.

Key Takeaways:

• Expect Persecution – 2 Timothy 3:12: Living a godly life invites opposition, but it strengthens our faith and mission.
• Stay on Mission – Matthew 5:14-16: Jesus calls us to be lights in the world, offering hope and guidance.
• Shine Brightly in a Dark World – Be intentional in prayer and action, spreading God’s love.

Whether facing self-doubt, spiritual opposition, or challenges from others, this message equips us to trust in God and stay committed to His mission. Download the Bless app today to start praying for your neighbors and join us in bringing the love of Christ to our communities.

Scripture References:

• Acts 8:1-4 – Persecution Sparks Growth
• 2 Timothy 3:12 – The Reality of Persecution
• Matthew 5:14-16 – Shine Your Light
• Exodus 20:7 – Honoring God’s Name
• Matthew 6:19-20 – Treasures in Heaven

Join us as we dive deeper into the book of Acts and embrace the mission God has for each of us!

In today’s message, “Why You Mad, Bro?” we dive into Acts 7, where Stephen’s story reveals powerful truths about forgiveness, freedom, and overcoming resentment. How often do we hold onto anger or bitterness that keeps us from experiencing true peace? Stephen’s radical forgiveness—even in the face of death—shows us the healing and freedom that only God’s grace can bring.

Main Points:

Understanding the Weight of Resentment:
We explore how unresolved anger affects our spirit and robs us of joy, blocking our relationship with God and our ability to live on mission.

Stephen’s Example of Radical Forgiveness:
In Acts 7:57-60, Stephen prays for his persecutors as they stone him. His act reminds us that forgiveness isn’t denying our hurt—it’s about releasing others so we can experience peace.

Three Steps Toward Forgiveness:

1. Understand Forgiveness: Learning to release resentment, trusting God with justice.
2. Make a Decision to Forgive: Committing to forgive “seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21-22).
3. Create a Forgiveness Prayer: Writing a prayer can be a powerful tool to help let go and move forward in grace.

Key Scriptures:

• Acts 7:57-60 – Stephen’s final act of forgiveness
• Mark 11:25 – "Whenever you stand praying, forgive..."
• Matthew 18:21-22 – Forgiving “seventy times seven”
• Matthew 5:6 – "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness..."

Choose forgiveness today and experience the freedom and peace God has for you. Let's walk in Stephen’s example and live fully on mission, free from the weight of resentment.

Connect with Us:
Subscribe for weekly sermons in the Acts: Life on Mission series, and discover more resources to support your journey in faith.

#ActsLifeOnMission #Forgiveness #Grace #SpiritualFreedom #BibleTeaching

In Acts chapter 5, we find the early church facing both unprecedented generosity and serious challenges. People were donating freely to meet the needs of others, building a community where resources were shared, and the gospel spread like wildfire. But amidst this generosity, we also encounter the story of Ananias and Sapphira, who misrepresented their giving and faced grave consequences. This dramatic account highlights an essential truth: when we misuse resources, pretending generosity without true sacrifice, it leads to spiritual and personal loss.

This narrative emphasizes that how we manage and present our resources is of profound importance to God. Ananias and Sapphira weren’t judged for withholding money but for lying about their intentions. Their story reminds us of the Third Commandment in Exodus 20:7: “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God.” This commandment goes beyond words to our actions, especially when we use God’s name or His work to appear righteous.

True faith calls us to integrity, honesty, and a desire to use our resources for God’s Kingdom without pretense. The way we handle our resources is a testimony to our priorities and relationship with God.

In 1 Timothy 6:18-19, Paul urges believers to “be rich in good works and generous to those in need.” When we understand our finances as tools for Kingdom impact, it shifts our mindset from ownership to stewardship. To reach a place of generosity, however, we need margin—the intentional creation of space between what we have and what we need. By budgeting wisely and living below our means, we can build this margin, positioning ourselves to give abundantly and invest in God’s mission.

The importance of creating margin lies in its ability to free us for Kingdom purposes. Jesus encourages us to “store up treasures in heaven” in Matthew 6:19-20, a practice that directs our hearts toward eternity rather than earthly gain.

Tithing is a way to build margin and prioritize God’s work. Tithing—giving the first 10% of our income to God—reflects trust in God’s provision, commitment to the mission of the church, and an acknowledgment that everything we have comes from Him. When we tithe, we allow God to transform our income into Kingdom investments with eternal impact. It’s a decision that stretches our faith and breaks the hold of greed and self-reliance on our hearts.

Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:6 tell us that “God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.” When we pursue godly justice with our resources, God meets our needs abundantly. Just as Jesus fed the multitudes from a few loaves and fishes, He can multiply the impact of our faithful giving.

Margin allows us to meet needs, give generously, and live freely. By creating financial space, we can invest in the mission of the church and support the outreach and discipleship initiatives that reach people with the gospel. Additionally, margin lets us avoid the pitfalls that come with living paycheck to paycheck. In times of abundance or need, margin gives us room to grow spiritually and practically.

Tithing and intentional generosity demonstrate that:

1. It provides for God’s house – Tithing supports church ministries and community outreach.
2. It builds trust in God...

In this week’s message from our Acts: Life on Mission series, “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay,” we explore how God meets us in our brokenness and invites us to find true healing. Drawing from Acts 3, we look at the story of Peter and John healing a man paralyzed from birth. This miracle shows us that real transformation begins when we acknowledge our need for God and let go of the pressure to be “okay.”

Instead of hiding our struggles, we’re called to lift our eyes, be vulnerable, and lean into the church community for support and strength. Romans 12:5 reminds us that we’re all part of one body, each member belonging to the other. In God’s family, we don’t have to pretend we’re perfect; we can come as we are.

As followers of Christ, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live free from shame and self-sufficiency, trusting that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Join us as we discuss how to let go, be honest, and find true peace in Jesus.

Scripture References:

• Acts 3:1-10
• Romans 12:5
• 2 Corinthians 12:9
• Psalm 34:18

#LifeOnMission #ItsOkayToNotBeOkay #ActsSeries #NewLifeChurch #Healing #Vulnerability #Faith

This week, the message centers on the idea that "Our Church is God's Temple." The teaching explores how every believer, as part of the local church, plays a significant role in this living temple. The early church gives us an inspiring picture of what it means to be part of God’s temple, not as a building, but as a people united by faith in Christ.

The Church as a Family

Acts 2:41-47 illustrates a vibrant community where believers devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, sharing meals, and prayer. This passage shows how the early church embodied the concept of family. The church isn't merely a place we go; it’s who we are. We are part of a fellowship, a family where believers come together and share life.

The message challenges us to ask ourselves, “How much do we care if our church grows?” Growth isn’t just about numbers; it’s about commitment. If we consider New Life our church, it’s important that we invest in it as a family.

Scripture Reference:

"Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer." (Acts 2:41-42, NLT)

A Living Temple, Not a Location

The Old Testament temple was a physical location, but through Christ, we have become God’s living temple. In the Old Testament, people had to go to the temple to meet God. But Hebrews tells us that this new temple, the church, is better because God comes to us. We are His temple wherever we go.

The church is not tied to a location; it’s a movement of people. Many of us struggle with the belief that we need to change locations or circumstances to find something better, but the problem isn’t external—it’s internal. When Jesus cleared the temple of its corruption (Matthew 21:12-13), He showed us that spiritual sickness comes from a heart that hasn’t been fully surrendered to God.

Scripture Reference:

"Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16, NLT)

The Church and Repentance

The message stresses that the solution to spiritual sickness is not changing locations but changing hearts. This change comes through repentance—a turning away from our way to God’s way. When we choose God’s way, we become the church. Salvation is not just personal; it’s communal. When we are saved, we are added to the body of Christ, His church.

No one in the early church was added without being saved, and no one was saved without being added to the church. Salvation and church membership go hand in hand. It’s essential to understand that while anyone is welcome to attend church, only those who are saved can be the church.

Scripture Reference:

"So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are His house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus Himself." (Ephesians 2:19-20, NLT)

The Value of the Local Church

The importance of gathering as a local body of believers cannot be overstated. In a world where online church is becoming increasingly common, we are reminded that online services are not a replacement for in-per...

When most people think of the Holy Spirit, a variety of images and ideas might come to mind. Some may think of miraculous signs or speaking in tongues, while others might recall the more dramatic, even sensational, displays often associated with charismatic movements. For many, the term "Holy Ghost" evokes a sense of mystery, or perhaps the Holy Spirit feels like an elusive or distant concept altogether.

However, the aim of today’s reflection on Pentecost is to focus on the relationship that every believer is invited to have with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not just a force or an event, but a divine person with whom we can have an intimate, ongoing relationship—one that transforms not just our individual lives but also the world around us.

The message begins by looking at the moment the apostles were in a state of anticipation, following the instruction of Jesus to "wait for the gift" from God. This moment of waiting lasted ten days, and while they didn’t fully understand what they were waiting for, the answer comes at Pentecost.

In Acts 2:1-4, the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise is recorded:

"On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability." (Acts 2:1-4, NLT)

This moment marks the arrival of the Holy Spirit in a powerful, tangible way. Imagine the sound: it was like a tornado ripping through the room, perhaps akin to the roar of a freight train in modern terms. The sheer force of the Holy Spirit’s presence was unmistakable, and the impact on those in the room would not leave them the same.

One of the immediate effects of the coming of the Holy Spirit is transformation. Every Christian is now given access to the Holy Spirit, not just the apostles or select few. The Spirit’s presence is not conditional on being "good enough" or having an emotional experience—He is available to all who follow Christ.

The significance of this happening during the Jewish holiday of Pentecost, 50 days after Passover, is profound. Pentecost originally celebrated the giving of the law to Moses on Mount Sinai. But now, with the arrival of the Holy Spirit, something new is happening. As Romans 12:2 reminds us:

"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:2, NLT)

God, who once gave the law to Moses, is now writing His law on the hearts of believers, renewing their minds and guiding them through the indwelling Holy Spirit. This isn’t about rigid rule-following, but about an intimate relationship with the living God. The Spirit convicts, guides, and reveals truth, making it hard to continue in sin without feeling a deep, internal conflict.

When the Spirit is present, life changes. The internal struggles that weigh heavily on a person—be it anxiety, depression, or a sense of burden—are often linked to living in ways contrary to how God created us to be. In Galatians 5:25, the Apostle Paul exhorts believers to let their lives be led by the Spirit:

"Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives." (Galatians 5:25, NLT)

While the Holy Spirit works individually in the hearts...

In this week's message, we explore the Great Commission and our role in God's rescue mission. Jesus calls us to "go and make disciples" (Matthew 28:18-20), but it starts right where we are. Empowered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), we're sent out to share the Gospel—first in our local community, then to the world.

No one is too broken to be used by God. Just as He empowered the early church, He equips us today to fulfill His mission, inviting others to experience the rescue story of salvation.

Are you ready to join the mission?

#ActsLifeOnMission #Worship #Fellowship #SpiritualBattle #Celebrate #ChurchCommunity