At the end of the book of Acts, we’re left with a challenge; one that’s reiterated throughout the pages of Scripture. It’s the challenge of taking action based on what has been seen and heard. Paul’s Jewish audience in Rome heard the preaching of the Gospel from Paul’s own lips, yet they only bickered among themselves about his message, refusing to turn to Christ in faith. In similar fashion, we have heard the message of the Gospel and the timeless traits of the Church over the course of the last 10 months in Acts. While we have experienced the fruit of the Holy Spirit among us in many ways, there are still plenty of ways that we as a church body and as individuals have opportunities to respond.

LISTEN TO THE FINAL SERMON FROM ACTS HERE.

When you look at the possibilities of what your future might hold, do you hope for the absence of trials … or do you hope for the grace of God in the midst of the trials that might come. In the middle of Acts 28, Paul finally arrives in Rome - the fulfillment of God’s promise to him. However, his journey there was fraught with roadblock after roadblock, including a massive storm and a shipwreck. But in the midst of it, he experienced and depended upon the sustaining grace of God, teaching us not to hope for the absence of storms, but for grace to endure the storm.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

CONVICTIONS ARE JUST OPINIONS IF NOT BASED ON REVELATION

How do you form convictions? Which convictions are most essential? Should you ever expect any of your convictions to change? In Acts 26, Paul makes his defense before Herod Agrippa and speaks of what he is convinced about. Further, he seeks to persuade or convince his audience. In short, he’s communicating his convictions and wishes that certain convictions of his become those of his hearers. This brief defense proves to be helpful guidance for Christians and leaves no question about where the source and foundation of what we are most convinced of must lie. To learn more, listen to last Sunday’s sermon.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE.

IF WE NO LONGER HAVE TO FEAR THE SCARIEST THING OF ALL, WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO FEAR?

In Acts 26, Paul has every reason to fear man - to fear those who plot against his life, to fear those making mockery of his faith, to fear the most powerful man in the world, whom he had just appealed to. Yet, Paul proceeds confidently. As Christians, though we don’t often have need to fear attempts against our lives, we easily give into the temptation to fear the judgments and opinions of others. Few temptations are more common or more contrary to the redemptive reality that has taken root in our hearts. Listen to this week’s sermon to learn more about how the truth of Christ makes God big and people small.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

REVIEW THE STATEMENT OF FAITH SECTION FROM SUNDAY’S RESPONSIVE READING

As you’ve noticed, every Sunday that we don’t take communion together, we do a public reading together. While at times, we’ll read passages of Scripture or historic confessions, we’re currently working through the Sovereign Grace Churches Statement of Faith. We’d encourage you to study further, so below are the verse references from the portion of the Statement of Faith that we read on Sunday - “Marriage, Sexuality, and Singleness”. If you would like to access the full Statement of Faith, click HERE.

Gen 2:18-25; Eph 5:31-33; Eph 5:25-30; Col 3:19; 1 Pet 3:7; Gen 2:18; Eph 5:22-24; Col 3:18; 1 Pet 3:1-2; 1 Cor 7:6-8; Luke 2:36-37.

ONLY THE OFFENSE OF THE GOSPEL IS NECESSARY

In Acts 24, Paul stood before the governor of the Roman province of Caesarea, accused of multiple offenses. Though he was innocent of all criminal charges brought against him, he openly confessed that he was guilty of one offense in particular - belief in all God has said, including the message of His Gospel. Though you may try, oftentimes in vain, to live without offending others, the reality is that the Gospel is an offense to those who aren’t saved. It’s an offense that Christians shouldn’t shy away from because if we lose the offense of the Gospel, we lose the hope of the Gospel. However, Paul also demonstrates that Christians don’t have license to add to the offense of the Gospel by being offensive in our conduct. To hear more and to press into what this means for your daily life, listen to last Sunday’s sermon.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

IF GOD HAS SAID IT, HE WILL DO IT

Acts 23:12-35 is a very unique passage in the book of Acts: God’s name isn’t referred to once, nor is there any identifiable commands or teaching of any Christian doctrine. It’s a story of an unlikely rescue of Paul from a murderous plot. What relevance does this passage have for us? Verse 11 gives the answer - God had promised Paul that he would reach Rome and verse 12-35 are evidence of God providentially fulfilling His promise. This is the Christian’s comfort - what God has sovereignly said, He will providentially do. Listen to the sermon HERE to learn more.

REVIEW THE STATEMENT OF FAITH SECTION FROM SUNDAY’S RESPONSIVE READING

As you’ve noticed, every Sunday we don’t take communion together, we do a public reading together. While at times, we’ll read passages of Scripture or historic confessions, we’re currently working through the Sovereign Grace Churches Statement of Faith. We’d encourage you to study further, so below are the verse references from the portion of the Statement of Faith that we read on Sunday - “Man as male and female”. If you would like to access the full Statement of Faith, click HERE.

Gen 1:27; 9:6; Gal 3:28; James 3:9; Gen 3:16-19.

HE’S ALSO COMMITTED TO GIVING US HIS PRESENCE

Jesus has placed us in Santa Ana for a reason - He’s called us to make disciples in this city, baptizing them and teaching them all that Jesus commanded. This isn’t a suggestion Jesus has given us - it’s a command; a commission. He alone has authority to send us. But He alone also provides what we need to go and have the confidence to go and to have any hope of actually accomplishing what He has sent us out to do. He has promised His presence and that changes everything. This last Sunday, we heard God’s Word preached from Matthew 28:18-20. God stirred our hearts by His Spirit to take the Gospel of His grace to our unbelieving friends and neighbors.

For security reasons related to Sunday’s guest preacher, the sermon was not recorded - either via audio or video. However, here are a few resources to continue your learning and progress toward walking in obedience to the Great Commission in all of life:

• Book: Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by JI Packer

• Book: Evangelism: How the Whole Church Speaks of Jesus by Mack Stiles

• Podcast: Help! I’m Not Ready To Share My Faith

• Article: How Can I Speak More Boldly About Christ? by John Piper

A FAITHFUL COUPLE EMPOWERED BY A FAITHFUL GOD

On Sunday, Lynn Baird visited us from Sovereign Grace Church of Pasadena, a church he’s pastored for over 35 years after pastoring for another 10 years before that. Our own church, Cross of Grace Santa Ana exists in part due to Lynn (we’re sort of his grandkids), but in three short week’s he’ll be retiring from full time ministry. It was our privilege to host him and to hear him proclaim the Gospel to us from Ezekiel 37, through which we were instructed from a lifetime of ministry lessons. Lynn and his wife, Terri will be moving to Gilbert, Arizona next month. We wish them God’s blessings and extend to them the most profound gratitude and respect.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE.

Following the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection the prior Sunday, Pastor Jeff preached from Acts 22:23-23:11 this past Sunday and furthered our understanding of what Jesus’ resurrection means for us. Namely, drawing from Paul’s claim in 23:7, that Jesus’ resurrection gives us confidence that we have not been called to live, suffer and persevere for the sake of a dead Savior. Rather, Jesus stood up from the grave and, like He did with Paul, stands with us as we live for him. To learn more about what it means to stand with a living Jesus who stands with you, listen to Sunday’s sermon.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE.

LISTEN TO THE BILINGUAL EASTER SUNDAY MESSAGE

The resurrection of Jesus is a historical reality that matters to all people. While it can often be seen as something relevant only for Christians, that fact that Jesus rose bodily from the grave proves that He is Lord - of both the living and the dead, without distinction. This means that whoever you are, He is Lord over you life - either to your glory or your condemnation. Listen to the message to hear more about what this means for you and how you should respond.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE.