Risen Church Nc

Acts 14 is a major milestone and threshold in Church history. In our series and study so far in Acts, we've witnessed the lead-up to this pivotal moment. For years the church wrestled with their mandate to spread beyond Judea and begin welcoming Gentiles into their community. The church plant at Antioch finally made this a reality, and from Acts 13 onward, the Apostles set course to evangelize the known world. Alas as Acts 14 begins, Luke tells us that the Gospel was beginning to reach as many Gentiles as it was Jews. The chapter begins by telling us that BOTH a great multitude of Jews AND Greeks were trusting in Jesus. It's hard to overstate how huge this moment would have been. A spin-off of Judaism, led by Jews, preaching from Jewish Scriptures about the Jewish God was now making a sizable impact amongst an audience that had zero context for their message. This, of course is an obvious testament to the inclusiveness of the Gospel, but also an insight into how God's plans from the beginning. In this mes

Our souls all carry wounds that frustrate and hold us back. Every day we are often reminded of these - our minds grow weary and our hearts lose strength. The Bible reveals to us that our souls are all crying out and seeking out a real relationship with God, to obtain true salvation. John succinctly proclaims that Jesus is the Savior we're looking for, giving us Truth and Grace from God. If we need direction, His truth will guide us. If we need determination, His grace will empower us. If we will follow Jesus, we will find both clarity and conviction. In this message, we open up about our soul's wounded nature and turn to Jesus for refuge and rest. We look at John's Gospel at a powerful story about our reluctance to admit our true need and the promise that awaits us if we choose to follow Jesus.

In Acts 13, we witness Paul in his element: On the mission field doing whatever it takes to spread the Gospel. Right out of the gate, his team suffers a setback with the departure of John Mark. How Paul responds and presses on gives us a remarkable look at his passion and determination. In this message, we discuss our individual responsibility to carry out our obedience to the Lord, regardless of how well others may cooperate. Paul is an example of how we should not let others discourage us or keep us from obtaining our blessing from God. We discuss how the world wants to persuade us and how religion wants to burn us out, and how Christ keeps us focused forward. How hungry are we to follow the Lord and fulfill His plans for us? Are our lives proving to be unworthy of Eternal Life or are we showing ourselves to be appointed to Eternal Life?

The early Church made a tremendous impact on an unreached world, because of their determination and selfless hearts. Beginning in Acts 13, the Apostle Paul took things to a whole other level with his ministry. Acts 13:9 and 1 Corinthians 9 reveals to us why Paul was truly winsome in his appeal to the Gentile world. He conducted his missions with a "For the world" attitude. In this message we dive into Paul's approach, and wonder if these same things can be said about us. Are we this driven by the Gospel, for the Gospel? Are we this driven by Christ, for Christ? May we gain more of Him in our hearts, so that we may win some for His Kingdom.

In this next installment of our conversation about our Souls, we discuss our longing for unconditional acceptance. We hear from God's Word and find in Jesus that God matches our soul's desire for acceptance with a desire for us. God is love, and He fiercely loves us as His own. Our stories may show that we are prone and known to waste our lives on extravagant and unrestrained sinful living, but the Gospel reminds us that God accepts us with an extravagant and unrestrained measure of amazing grace. In this message, we discuss our longing for acceptance, and look at a story that captures our struggle to find and show it to those who need it most in this life. Thankfully, we find in Christ that which we long for and need the most.

Jesus promised that He would build His Church - an organized gathering of His people commissioned and empowered to carry on the mission He began. Throughout Acts, we see how the Church becomes more and more in line with His vision. In Acts 13, we learn how the Church prepared to serve the Lord through worship. We're also taught some very valuable truths about worship in this text. In this message, we discuss how worship is not an attempt to get God's attention, but a response to what God has already done. We find an awesome reminder that God's Spirit has descended to dwell with us, and through worship we set our hearts wholly on Him. The truth about worship is contrasted to an encounter with a magician, who represents our attempts to manipulate God, rather than surrender to and trust in Him.

We humans are much more than flesh and blood. We are spiritual creatures. We have a soul. The human soul is intangible, yet it's the source of our expressions. It's invisible, yet it what shapes us into who we are. Our souls are well aware that we're part of a much larger universe. Our souls know that we need more than this world. When we're at our weakest, worst, and most wounded, we can feel our souls' cry for refuge that this world can't provide. Jesus came into a world that had no spiritual refuge, full of wearied souls. Jesus identified that our souls weren't looking for an explanation, but they were looking for advocacy - someone to offer presence, defense and intervention when the world has forsaken us. Jesus engaged with those at their weakest, worst and most wounded to show that He had come to be an advocate for everyone, in all circumstances. He taught that our weaknesses are not our end, but actually the very place where God can do His greatest work. It's in our weakness, that we can exclusive

In this conclusion to our series about The Image of God, we engage in our most challenging conversation yet. Opening up to Romans 2 and 1 Corinthians 6, we hear from God's Word on how the First Century Church approached a culture that seemed impossibly far from God and egregiously steeped in sin. The Roman Empire had built its institutions on and around a brand of immorality that would make even the most worldly person of our day blush. It seemed highly unlikely that the Church would ever make an impact on such a generation... However, the Apostle Paul appeals to the conscience within ever human as the basis for hope and the reason to spread the Gospel of Christ. He confronts Jewish Christians who were quick to judge pagans, by calling them to an even higher standard. Paul believed and taught that the only way the Church was going to change the world was by holding to and modeling its convictions. It couldn't wring its hands at some things while apologizing for others - especially when it came to morality

We are by nature an ambitious people. We set goals and make plans, and work diligently to accomplish and surpass them. As members of the Church and servants of a Higher Kingdom, we must consider how our ambitions for God compare to those for lesser things. Could it be that we are wasting energy meant for a greater purpose on things that will never be as fulfilling? As we study the Church at Antioch, among what stands out the most is their Kingdom Ambition. They were a community of God's people who were faithful in serving the Lord and impacting the world for His Glory. We know that from Antioch, the rest of the Greco-Roman world comes to hear about Jesus. God raised up Barnabas and Paul to start this global mission. However, this was after they had spent years serving Him in smaller, more obscure areas. Jesus taught that simple, every-day faithfulness to God will open doors for greater, sacred opportunities. Only when our ambitions are wired after God's Kingdom will we be able to bypass distractions and o

The Book of Revelation is written to a world in a brand new reality. Yes, the world remains fallen, under sin's curse, but God had just sent His Son, established His church, and provided a cure for sin. Revelation wrestles with this new, dual reality that the world was waking up to. It was written to show the Church that there was a pathway to endure and overcome, thanks to its newfound hope. Whether it was John's generation, those that came in the aftermath, or today's Church - Revelation provides a relevant word from God about our struggle and our mission. In the text, Jesus introduces Himself to John as "the one who was, is, and is to come". This fittingly frames Revelation has having something to say to every generation which opens it up. Revelation shows us a picture of the world clutched in the Enemy's grasp, as he seeks to keep us in our fallen state. In this message, we hear God's sobering call over us all to identify the false hopes around us, and seek His help from above. May we not bow to th

The Fall impacted Creation to its very core. The effects on our world, from human nature to society, were truly systemic. There are many symptoms of the curse upon this world, but they all can be traced back to the original sin of Adam. One of the most underrated texts and illustrations in the Bible is how Jesus directly responds to Adam's rebellion. In John 13, we read and observe how Jesus counters and provides the cure for our fallen, systemic condition. Pointing to His work on the cross, Jesus demonstrates what our lives can look like, reimagined after His image. In this message, we unpack the example Jesus left for us in John 13, and seek to remedy our sinful nature with this heavenly model of humility and love.

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

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 questio

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 confe

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

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...