Acts 9

From the series: Acts: The Church on the Move

Acts 9:32-43 demonstrates that the gospel works through us when we prioritize being present with people in their suffering, as Peter traveled strengthening believers before any miracles occurred. The transformation of Lydda and Sharon after Aeneas's healing, and Joppa after Dorcas's resurrection, shows that God uses individual encounters to spark community-wide movements. Peter staying with Simon the tanner—considered unclean by Jews—reveals another evidence: the gospel breaks down barriers we've built between ourselves and those God wants to reach.

From the series: Acts: The Church on the Move

Acts 9:1-31 shows that moving from sinner to servant requires dying to our self-made identity and receiving God's chosen purpose, as Saul the Pharisee became Paul the apostle. Jesus's words "Why are you persecuting Me?" reveal that attacking the church means attacking Christ Himself—a truth that revolutionized Saul's theology. When Barnabas risked his reputation to vouch for Saul, he modeled how God uses courageous bridge-builders to integrate transformed lives into the community of faith.

From the series: Standalone Messages

We’ve just concluded our series on the book of Romans, and we've seen how the Apostle Paul responded to God's calling. How does that compare with how Jonah responded to God?

From the series: Live Free

Paul shares his transformation from a strict follower of Jewish traditions to a devoted servant of Christ. He highlights his initial dependence on religious rules and human approval, which robbed him of true joy and freedom in Christ. After encountering Jesus, Paul emphasizes the importance of seeking God's approval over man's, experiencing a supernatural change that shifted his focus from external religious practices to an internal relationship with Christ, driven by grace rather than works.