Over the last six months we have all faced changes, whether related to the pandemic or just because of life itself. We have missed out on events, lost opportunities, had liberties taken away, grieved for loved ones. As Christians, no matter how dark things seem, there is always hope. Christ is risen; there is life after death.

“Boldly and without hindrance, he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 28:31). This is how the book of Acts ends, but that is not the end. Others stepped in to take the place of Paul, and others after them…all the way up to you and me. Filled with the same Spirit Jesus promised to His disciples at the beginning of Acts (Acts 1:8), we continue to boldly proclaim and teach about Jesus every day, everywhere.

“Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.” Alexander Pope penned this proverb over 300 years ago. When looking at the events of Acts 21 and following, you might think he was writing about Paul…as the fool! Was Paul being foolish, even reckless…or was he being bold?

In Acts 17-20 we see Paul establishing habits and patterns for his life as he lives on mission following Jesus. Relationship and Context are how the Holy Spirit uses Paul to advance the Gospel in new places. This is a mission mindset. How can we reproduce the same behaviors?

Why does God let bad things happen? Over the last several months you or someone in your relationship circle has asked this question. Jesus told the disciples that following Him was not going to be easy. So how do we handle it? How can we make sense of the evil that is all around us and what is our daily response as we continue moving forward into new frontiers following Jesus? The journey of the early church in the book of Acts was not easy. Through Paul’s experience the Holy Spirit reveals to Paul and to us that we can be armed and ready for the battle that is waging all around us.

Attention Deficit Disorder (or its brother, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). The diagnosis indicates that someone has trouble focusing their attention on a single task, attending to teaching, following instructions, etc. The early church had a lot of trouble staying focused on the main thing, but God provided the treatment for the church to keep her focus.

As Paul’s missionary journeys begin, we see a missionary habit of seeking out people of peace and being deliberate and intentional in their actions. Some reject the Gospel message while others embrace it. We all live in a mission field everyday. So what does that mean for followers of Jesus? Everyone. Everywhere. Everyday. Go!

We all get into a fight at some point. Fights even happen in the church! The challenge is getting out of the fight without much damage—or with none at all. This can happen, but only when we are willing to lose (and in losing, win). Sounds confusing, doesn’t it?

God is “able to do for more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). Really?! Because it seems like there is a lot that God cannot—or at least will not—do. Today we see God remove barriers and do far more than Peter could imagine in bringing salvation to a whole new people group.

God does not waste our time. God uses past and present experiences, situations and weaknesses to mold and shape us as well as to use it for his honor and glory. Do we see our past as a hang up or an opportunity?

We offer worship services on our campus or online. We provide Biblical teaching and worship songs and resources online, through streaming, on our website, and in other digital media as we are able. Offerings to God can be made online, text amount to 84321 or mail to the church office at 18500 W. Burleigh Road, Brookfield, WI 53045. We encourage you to participate in these services on your own, with your family, or with some of your neighbors. We will also give you some resources to help process the message and apply it more directly in your life. • Sunday morning worship services will be LIVE on Facebook and our website. Traditional worship will be at 8am and Contemporary worship will be at 10:30am. A copy of the video will be available on our website as soon as possible.

We are not promised an easy life as a follower of Jesus. There will be difficulties and persecution. It will come in a variety of ways. We should not be surprised when difficulties come, but we can rejoice that God will be glorified in the midst of the persecution. Jesus always wins.

As the Church continues to multiply, the ministry is also multiplying. The Church is not the building, but the church is the people and God has gifted the people with talents, gifts and resources. How are you using your God-given talent and gifts to serve the kingdom? 

We all struggle in various aspects of our lives with control. In Acts 5 we see how control leads us down dangerous paths. No matter what is happening in our lives or the world around us, God is in complete control and He will always be glorified.

The Cowardly Lion wanted to find the Wizard of Oz so that he could give the Lion courage. The Wizard gives him “liquid courage,” but we come to see that the Lion was already courageous, acting boldly to help his friends.
Christians face many situations that could cause us to shrink back in fear. Those who have been with Jesus, who have the Holy Spirit, have all the courage we need. Pray for boldness. Be bold!

The Holy Spirit transforms people!  These are not just little tweaks but lives completely changed.  On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit cut people to the heart, made them new in baptism, and the church was born.  Filled with the Holy Spirit they became the model of Christian community.  That work continues in us and in God’s church today!

Jesus gave a clear mission to His followers: You will be My witnesses. He also has given us all we need to fulfill that mission: the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit that descended like fire, gave the ability to speak in tongues, and brought 3,000 people to salvation in Jesus is at work today…in us and in our world.

In the course of one day, it is believed that each person makes 35,000 different choices and roughly 2,000 decisions per hour. How do we know if we make the right decision? The disciples had a choice to make for the disciple to replace Judas. They lifted it up in prayer and moved forward in action. No waffling or second guessing, they gave it to God and moved forward in decisive action.

The book of Acts is a history of the early Christian Church. In the opening verses we see the purpose statement of the Christian Church. We are told that we will be given the Holy Spirit and we will be witnesses of Jesus across the world. Jesus is particular and gives a framework for this witnessing. He says that it all starts where we are right now. It doesn't start by getting on a plane for 12 hours or riding in a packed van for 24 hours van. The mission of Jesus begins HERE.