Acts

May 31 – Sermon Acts 17 — Faithfulness, Scripture-Centered Teaching, and Allegiance to Jesus-Summary

“World-Changing Faithfulness” — Acts 17

Content creation date: 2026-05-31 10:57:26

Opening and Framing

  • Pastor Troy welcomed worshipers and directed everyone to read from Acts 17.
  • Central tension introduced: Phrases like “be a world changer for Christ” may sound inspiring, but they can skew priorities toward performance and self-importance rather than faithfulness to Jesus.
  • Key thesis: Impact is God’s to give; our aim is faithfulness. The Apostle Paul did not set out to “turn the world upside down”; he set out to preach the Scriptures, make disciples, and plant churches. The “world changer” label in Acts 17:6 was given by opponents, not adopted as Paul’s mission statement.

Text: Acts 17:1–15 (Thessalonica and Berea) leading toward Athens

  • Pastor Troy traces Paul’s pattern:
    1. Reason from the Scriptures.
    2. Recognize Jesus as the center of Scripture.
    3. Remain courageous under pressure.

1) Paul Reasoned from the Scriptures

  • Scripture: Acts 17:1–2 — Paul, “as was his custom,” went to the synagogue for three Sabbaths and “reasoned with them from the Scriptures.”
  • Explanation:
    • Paul began with those who already had a baseline understanding of the Old Testament.
    • “Reasoned” indicates dialogue, persuasion, and engagement—not one-way lecturing.
    • Paul’s method: open the Word publicly, explain, and invite thoughtful interaction.
  • Application:
    • Faithfulness looks like opening the Bible with people and helping them see what it says.
    • Christians today can imitate this by patiently explaining Scripture and connecting passages rather than merely quoting verses.

2) Paul Recognized Jesus as Central

  • Scripture: Acts 17:3 — “Explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I proclaim to you is the Christ.’”
  • Theological emphasis:
    • “Necessary” underscores God’s plan: Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection were not Plan B. They fulfill Scripture and address human sin and death.
    • Possible OT backgrounds (not specified in the text here, but consistent with Paul’s approach): Psalm 16; Psalm 22; Isaiah 53.
    • Paul told the storyline (metanarrative) of Scripture: the Old Testament points forward to Christ; the New Testament reveals Christ; Acts and beyond show Christ’s impact through the Church.
  • Response in Thessalonica:
    • Scripture: Acts 17:4 — “Some of them were persuaded… as did a great many of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women.”
    • Note the breadth: Jews and Greeks, men and women, including those of influence. The Gospel gathers a diverse people.
  • Application:
    • Make Jesus the hero of every conversation about the Bible.
    • Show the flow of redemptive history; help people see how all Scripture climaxes in Jesus.

3) Paul Remained Courageous Under Pressure

  • Scripture: Acts 17:5–9 — Jealousy stirred a mob. They attacked Jason’s house; failing to find Paul and Silas, they dragged Jason and others to the authorities and accused them of treason: “These men who have turned the world upside down… saying that there is another king, Jesus.”
  • Clarification:
    • The accusations were exaggerated but not entirely wrong: the Gospel does upend the status quo—yet not through political revolt, but through allegiance to King Jesus.
    • Jason was forced to post security; likely a guarantee that unrest would stop or that Paul and Silas would leave.
  • Moving to Berea:
    • Scripture: Acts 17:10–12 — Paul and Silas sent by night to Berea. The Bereans are described as “more noble” because:
      • They received the Word with eagerness.
      • They examined the Scriptures daily to verify the message.
    • Result: “Many of them therefore believed,” including prominent Greek women and men.
  • Renewed Opposition:
    • Scripture: Acts 17:13–15 — Opponents from Thessalonica traveled ~50 miles to agitate in Berea. Paul was sent toward the sea and brought to Athens; Silas and Timothy remained, then were summoned to join Paul.
  • Application:
    • Expect both fruit and opposition when the Word advances.
    • Courage sometimes means redeployment, not quitting.
    • Berean nobility = eager hearts + open Bibles. Eagerness without examination becomes gullibility; examination without eagerness becomes cynicism. Biblical testing is humble submission to Scripture, not prideful suspicion.

Transition: Preview of Athens

  • Paul arrives in Athens (cultural, intellectual, religious center; home of Socrates and Plato). Pastor Troy will cover Paul’s Areopagus sermon next week.

How God Works and Who We Are in Light of Acts 17

  • Who God is and how He responds:
    • God advances His purposes through His Word and by exalting His Son.
    • God gathers a diverse people to Himself when Christ is preached.
    • God assesses churches by their treatment of His Word (eagerness and examination).
    • God sovereignly grants impact as His people remain faithful.
  • Who we are and how to live:
    • We are a people under Scripture, eager to hear and diligent to examine.
    • We are disciples whose highest allegiance is to King Jesus over any earthly power.
    • We are called to faithfulness—open the Bible, point to Jesus, endure opposition with courage.

World-Changing Impact: Two Essentials

A) Take God’s Word Seriously

  • Observations from Paul’s approach:
    • He “reasoned,” “explained,” and “proved” (Acts 17).
    • Reasoning: dialogue and persuasion.
    • Explaining: interpreting and unfolding meaning so people say, “Oh, that’s what that means.”
    • Proving: showing fulfillment across Scripture.
  • Berean model:
    • “Received the Word with eagerness” and “examined the Scriptures daily” (Acts 17:11).
    • Healthy merger: “I can’t wait to open God’s Word” + “I will pay careful attention to every word.”
    • Do not outsource your Bible to pastors, podcasts, or authors—read it yourself. Reorder your life to understand Scripture so you can explain it to others.

B) Talk About Jesus Accurately

  • Jesus as centerpiece:
    • Paul consistently pivots theology, history, and morality to Jesus’ life, cross, and resurrection.
    • In Thessalonica: Jesus is the promised Messiah (Acts 17:3). In Berea: Jesus is the true King over Caesar.
  • Counterfeit “Jesuses”:
    • “Jesus of the cults” diminishes His deity.
    • “Jesus of the culture” centers human desires, making Jesus a means to self-fulfillment.
    • Remedy: know the Jesus of the Scriptures.
  • Scripture: Philippians 2:9–11 — “Therefore God has highly exalted him… that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
    • Universal exaltation, submission, and confession. Get Jesus right now—today is the day of salvation.

Practical Applications for Today’s American Context

  • Aim at faithfulness, not fame or impact metrics.
  • Build daily habits:
    • Read Scripture with eagerness.
    • Examine Scripture with care and humility.
    • Join a community that values expository preaching and Berean testing.
  • Speak of Jesus biblically:
    • Affirm His full deity and Lordship.
    • Center conversations on His death and resurrection.
    • Declare allegiance to Jesus above all earthly authorities.
  • Maintain the posture:
    • Not gullible: test teachings by Scripture.
    • Not cynical: receive the Word with joy.
    • Courage under pressure: when opposition rises, keep proclaiming and, if needed, redeploy.

Key Points (as articulated by Pastor Troy)

  1. Don’t chase impact; be faithful. Impact belongs to God.
  2. Don’t outsource your Bible; read it for yourself with eagerness and examination.
  3. Don’t be gullible (excited but undiscerning) or cynical (critical but unloving).
  4. Read the Word carefully and consistently; talk about Jesus accurately.
  5. Give your highest allegiance to King Jesus to leave a lasting mark.

Invitation and Next Steps

  • Salvation call:
    • Confess Jesus as Lord; believe in His death and resurrection; turn from sin and trust in Christ.
  • If you prayed to follow Christ:
    • Visit the church’s prayer resource center to share your decision and receive next-step guidance.
  • For ongoing growth:
    • Establish a Bible reading plan and commit your best energy to engage God’s Word.
    • Study the Jesus of Scripture to discern cultural counterfeits.
    • Prepare to hear the next sermon on Paul’s message in Athens.

Scripture References Highlighted

  • Acts 17:1–15 — Paul in Thessalonica and Berea: reasoning, explaining, proving Jesus is the Christ; Berean eagerness and examination; opposition and redeployment.
  • Acts 17:6–7 — “These men who have turned the world upside down… saying there is another king, Jesus.”
  • Acts 17:11–12 — Bereans’ noble character; daily examination; many believed.
  • Philippians 2:9–11 — The exaltation and universal Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Summary Sentence

World-changing impact is God’s outcome when we, like Paul, faithfully open the Scriptures, center everything on Jesus, and persevere with courageous, humble, Berean-like devotion.

May 24 – Sermon Acts 16 16–40 — Worship, Suffering, and Salvation in Philippi

Sermon Summary: Acts Series — Acts 16:16–40

Series: Acts | Text: Acts 16:16–40 (ESV) | Location: Grace Church | Speaker: Pastor Sam | Date: Sunday, May 25, 2025 (Memorial Day Weekend)

Opening Acknowledgments — Memorial Day

  • The pastor opened by recognizing the purpose of Memorial Day: to mourn and honor deceased service members.
  • A brief history: Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day, as citizens would decorate the graves of fallen soldiers. In 1868, General John A. Logan officially renamed it Memorial Day.
  • Two groups were recognized and asked to stand:
    • Family members who lost a loved one while they were actively serving in the military.
    • Current and veteran service members who put their lives on the line.
  • Key statement: “Let us never forget — freedom is not free.”

Introduction: The Movie Soul on Fire

  • The pastor referenced the film Soul on Fire, a true story about John O’Leary.
  • As a child, O’Leary suffered burns over 100% of his body and lost most of his fingers.
  • His initial response to God: “Why me?”
  • Outcome: O’Leary became a global evangelist, speaking to over 50,000 people annually at over 120 events across the globe.
  • His platform for sharing the gospel was born out of his pain.
  • Bridge to the text: Just as O’Leary’s suffering became a catalyst for God’s glory, today’s passage in Acts gives insight into:
    • Why God allows us to end up in painful situations.
    • How God causes a “shaking” that strengthens our faith and draws others to Him.

Scripture Reading & Summary — Acts 16:16–24 (ESV)

  • Paul and his companions (including Luke, the eyewitness author, noted by “Paul and us” in verse 17) were traveling on Paul’s second missionary journey to Asia Minor and Greece, arriving in Philippi.
  • They encountered a slave girl who was demon-possessed, giving her the ability to tell fortunes — which made her owners wealthy.
  • She followed Paul’s group, shouting: “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”
  • Though her words were factually true, Paul was annoyed for three reasons:
    1. She was demon-possessed — never a good association.
    2. Her announcements were antagonistic in spirit, not promotional of Jesus.
    3. Paul could not allow the gospel to be associated with a demonic spirit.
  • Paul commanded the spirit to come out — and it did (Acts 16:18).
  • Consequence: The girl’s owners, furious that their income stream was gone, dragged Paul and Silas before the magistrates, accusing them of disturbing the city by advocating unlawful Roman customs.
    • The real issue: their money was gone.
  • The magistrates ordered Paul and Silas to be:
    • Stripped naked (to add humiliation to the beating)
    • Beaten with rods (not the cat-o’-nine-tails, so lashes were unlimited — possibly 100+)
    • Thrown into the inner prison
    • Placed in stocks (a form of active torture, not merely restraint)

Deep Dive — Acts 16:25–40 (ESV)

Worship in the Midst of Suffering — Acts 16:25–26

Acts 16:25–26 (ESV) — “About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.”

  • Despite being lied on, stripped, beaten, imprisoned, and tortured for no wrongdoing, Paul and Silas chose to worship and praise God.
  • Key distinction made by the pastor:
    • Praise = what God has done, is doing, and will do.
    • Worship = who God is — because He is great, magnanimous, and unchanging.
  • “Our bad predicaments do not change God. They do not change who God is, and they do not change what God is capable of doing.”
  • God responded with a miraculous earthquake:
    • The foundations of the prison were shaken.
    • Every door was opened.
    • Every chain and set of stocks came loose.
    • The building did not collapse.
  • “That’s what we call a miracle within a miracle.”
Passage Person Situation Response
Acts 12:1–5 James (brother of John) Thrown in jail Killed
Acts 12:6 Peter Thrown in jail Slept peacefully
Acts 16:25 Paul & Silas Beaten, jailed, tortured Sang praise & worship
  • Both sleeping peacefully and worshipping are acts of faith — expressions that we trust God and have peace in Him.
  • Concern vs. Worry — a key distinction:
    • Concern: Acknowledges there is a problem that needs to be addressed. Focuses on a solution.
    • Worry: Is an emotional, fear-driven reaction. Focuses on the unknown. Produces anxiety and inaction.
  • “Concern is okay. But when you have concern, that is what allows you to sleep peacefully and to worship and praise God.”

The Jailer’s Conversion — Acts 16:27–34

Acts 16:27–30 (ESV) — “When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, ‘Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.’ And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?'”

Three miracles layered in this moment:

  1. The earthquake that opened the doors and loosened the bonds.
  2. The building did not collapse on anyone.
  3. Not one prisoner escaped — including those who were not Paul and Silas.

Context on the jailer’s near-suicide:

  • In Roman culture, if a guard allowed prisoners to escape, it was considered honorable to take one’s own life in accountability.
  • Paul intervened: “We are all here — don’t harm yourself.”

The jailer’s question: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

  • He recognized something supernatural had occurred.
  • He knew something was missing in his life — and that Paul and Silas had it.

Acts 16:31 (ESV) — “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

  • Note what Paul and Silas did not say: “you might be saved,” “you could be saved,” or “you should be saved.”
  • They said with absolute confidence: “you will be saved.”
  • Saved from what? The wrath of God for the punishment of sin.
  • “Christianity is the only religion where God leaves the confines of heaven and comes to Earth to reconcile humans back to God the Father.”

Clarification on “you and your household”:

  • The jailer’s family was not automatically saved because he became a Christian.
  • There is no salvation by nepotism.
  • Each person must receive Christ for himself or herself.
  • In antiquity, the household typically followed the religion of the father. Research confirms: when a father is a committed Christian, the likelihood of his children becoming Christians skyrockets.

The jailer’s immediate transformation (Acts 16:33–34):

Acts 16:33–34 (ESV) — “And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.”

  • He went from imprisoning Paul and Silas to caring for their wounds, being baptized, and hosting a feast.
  • Quote from John MacArthur: “A transformed life is the primary display and ultimate evidence of genuine salvation.”
  • We will never be sinless in this flesh — Jesus Christ alone was sinless. However, as we grow in Christ with the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, we should sin less.

Paul Demands a Formal Apology — Acts 16:35–39

The magistrates sent word for Paul and Silas to be released, but Paul refused to leave quietly, citing that they had been beaten and jailed as uncondemned Roman citizens — illegally.

Two reasons Paul demanded a formal apology:

  1. The young Christian community in Philippi needed a good reputation among authorities for their witness to flourish. A secret release would have implied wrongdoing.
  2. Paul was not thinking of himself — he was thinking of those who would remain and continue the mission. By demanding accountability, he made the church in Philippi more stable and less susceptible to attack.

“Lied on — not thinking about himself. Stripped naked — not thinking about himself. Beaten — not thinking about himself. Thrown in prison — not thinking about himself. Put in stocks — not thinking about himself.”

The Visit to Lydia’s House — Acts 16:40

Acts 16:40 (ESV) — “So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.”

  • Paul and Silas immediately visited their church plant at Lydia’s house (see Acts 16:1–15).
  • Likely members of this new church:
    • Lydia (the first convert in Philippi)
    • Possibly the slave girl delivered from demonic possession
    • The jailer and his household
  • This marks the beginning of the Christian church in Greece (modern-day Philippi).

Key Takeaways

  1. Being a Christian and doing God’s will does not mean we will not suffer.

    2 Timothy 3:12–13 (ESV) — “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”

    In American culture in 2026, persecution may look like social ridicule — but expect opposition when sharing the gospel.

  2. When we honor God in our suffering, it builds our faith and draws people to Christ.

    Romans 8:18 (ESV) — “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

    Romans 8:28 (ESV) — “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”

    People are watching how you handle your trials. Be mindful of your witness.

  3. Genuine salvation is evidenced by life transformation. There should be a continuous, measurable change in a believer’s life — not perfection, but progress.
  4. Christians should live lives that encourage people to follow Christ. Is there a visible difference between you and your non-Christian neighbors, coworkers, classmates, and family members? The difference should not be outward appearance — it should be the Spirit of God emanating from within.

Closing Prayer Highlights

  • Gratitude for God’s goodness, mercy, and the Holy Spirit.
  • Acknowledgment of Christ’s sacrifice — beaten to the point of disfigurement — to reconcile humanity to the Father.
  • A call for intentional spiritual disciplines: reading and applying the Word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers.
  • Prayer for those currently suffering — that they would have enduring faith and be able to praise God and sleep peacefully, even in the midst of trials.

Psalm 4:8 (KJV) — “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”

Summary prepared for congregational use and blog publication.

The Macedonian Call — Acts 15:36–16:15






The Macedonian Call

Series: The Book of Acts
Speaker: Pastor Steve Harrison
Preached at: Grace Church
Date: May 17, 2026

Overview

This sermon continues Grace Church’s ongoing series in the Book of Acts. Pastor Steve walks through Acts 15:36–16:15, tracing Paul’s second missionary journey through four distinct movements: Conflict, Concession, Call, and Conversion. Each section reveals something profound about who God is, how He works through imperfect people, and what He calls His church to do in response to a lost world.

Recap of the Previous Week

  • Last week’s message covered Acts 15 — The Jerusalem Council
  • Paul and Barnabas traveled to Jerusalem to address whether Gentile believers must observe the ceremonial requirements of the Law (e.g., circumcision)
  • The council affirmed: salvation comes through grace alone in the Lord Jesus Christ, not through works
  • Paul, Barnabas, Silas, and Judas (not Iscariot) returned to Antioch with a letter of unity and joy
  • The church was strengthened; many came to Christ

Sermon Structure: Four Sections

Section 1 — Conflict: A Sharp Disagreement

📖 Acts 15:36–41

“And after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they are.'”
— Acts 15:36
What happened:

  • Paul desired to revisit new believers from the first missionary journey to encourage fledgling churches — a demonstration of his great pastoral love and concern
  • Barnabas wanted to bring his cousin, John Mark, along
  • Paul refused — John Mark had previously deserted them in Pamphylia (Acts 13)
  • The result: a “sharp disagreement” — the Greek word used indicates violent explosion, intense conflict, anger, and irritation — not a mild or polite dispute
  • The two parted ways:
    • Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus
    • Paul chose Silas and departed for Syria and Cilicia, commended by the brothers to God’s grace
      Key observations:
  • Barnabas lived up to his name as an encourager — he wanted to extend grace and a second chance to the young John Mark
  • Paul prioritized mission faithfulness above personal relationship
  • Scripture does not declare one man right and the other wrong — God blessed both

    “God can work through all sorts of means to advance His gospel. He may even bring about growth through separations.”
    — Cited Commentator
    God is a God of Second Chances — The Restoration of John Mark:

  • John Mark, rejected by Paul, was not rejected by God
  • He went on to write the Gospel of Mark — impacting millions of believers throughout history
  • Evidence of eventual reconciliation:
    • 📖 Philippians 1:24 — Paul affectionately calls Mark a “fellow worker”
    • 📖 2 Timothy 4:11 — At the very end of his life, Paul specifically requests: “Bring John Mark with you, because he is useful to me in ministry”
    • 📖 1 Corinthians 9:6 — Paul references Barnabas with no hint of tension, placing them as equal apostolic workers
      Application:
  • Conflict is real — even among the most devoted leaders of the early church
  • The Bible does not shy away from the messy realities of human relationships
  • We are all flawed humans; we hurt and offend one another
  • Biblical resolution and reconciliation are possible — and are modeled here for us
  • In marriage, family, and the workplace: are we willing to humble ourselves, confess, and seek restoration?
  • Paul urged Euodia and Syntyche (Philippians) to be reconciled — this same call extends to us

Section 2 — Concession: For the Sake of the Gospel

📖 Acts 16:1–5

“Paul also came to Derbe and Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.”
— Acts 16:1–3
What happened:

  • Paul and Silas travel to Lystra and meet Timothy — a young man in his late teens or early twenties with an excellent reputation
  • Timothy’s mother and grandmother were Jewish believers (likely converted through Paul’s first missionary journey); his father was Greek and pagan
  • Paul invited Timothy to join the team — and had him circumcised
    Why circumcise Timothy when Paul just fought against this at the Jerusalem Council?
  • At the Jerusalem Council, Paul refused to circumcise Titus — a fully Greek Gentile — because doing so would have compromised the truth of the gospel
  • Timothy’s case was different: his mother was Jewish, making him Jewish according to rabbinic law — circumcision was therefore a cultural and relational matter, not a doctrinal one
  • This was not necessary for Timothy’s salvation — it was a strategic concession to remove unnecessary offense and open doors among Jewish communities
    📖 1 Corinthians 9:20, 22

    “To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews…I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.”

  • Paul did not compromise gospel principles — he exercised wise strategic flexibility
  • He conceded on non-essentials while remaining completely grounded in the gospel of grace
    Result:
  • Churches were strengthened in faith
  • People were being converted daily
    Application — Removing Unnecessary Hindrances:
  • Are there things in our lives that unnecessarily offend or hinder the gospel?
  • Example: Hudson Taylor in China — wore Chinese dress, grew his hair out, horrifying British missionaries — but God used his cultural flexibility to reach Chinese people in remarkable ways
  • We are called to become all things to all people for the sake of gospel expansion

Section 3 — The Call: The Macedonian Call

📖 Acts 16:6–10

“And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”
— Acts 16:6–10
What happened:

  • Paul, Silas, and Timothy traveled through Phrygia and Galatia — the Holy Spirit forbade them to speak in Asia
  • They attempted to enter Bithynia — the Spirit of Jesus stopped them again
  • They arrived at Troas
  • Paul received a night vision: a man from Macedonia crying out, “Come over to Macedonia and help us”
  • The team concluded together that God was calling them to Macedonia — and immediately obeyed
    Key truths about God’s guidance:
  • God guides through open and closed doors
  • God’s guidance is rational — it makes complete sense in retrospect
  • God’s guidance is personal and communal — there was a witness within the team
  • God’s guidance often comes gradually and unpredictably
  • God superintends His mission because it is His mission — His people are His ambassadors
    Personal illustration — Pastor Steve ‘s Own Macedonian Call:
  • Pastor Steve recently visited a nation with over 30 million people — not one single church building in the entire country; no public cross on display; 99.9% unreached (0.01% believers)
  • He traveled to a remote, mountainous region through coffee plantations, praying for God to lead them
  • They met three men who had never met an American, never met a Christian, never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ
  • As they prayed for these men, Pastor Steve was overcome with grief: “Lord, it’s been two thousand years since You died and rose again — surely, Lord, You’d have us do something about this at Grace Church”
  • Upon returning, the leadership team felt God’s call to give as much as possible to reach that nation
  • This was a personal Macedonian call — a moment where God broke his heart for the lost
    Quote from R.C. Sproul:

    “I’ve never seen a vision of someone pleading with me to come somewhere and help them…But I do hear the cry that comes from all over this globe of people who are in desperate need of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the help of the church. We must have ears always to hear the cries for help that come to us.”
    Application — Responding to the Macedonian Call:

  • God calls us to hear the cry of the lost — across the street and around the world
  • Grace Church’s mission strategy: Engage — Everyone Making Disciples
    • This is not the job of paid professionals; God uses broken, ordinary people
    • No Place Left — God’s heart is that everyone hears the good news of Jesus
    • Think of your neighbors and the nations God has brought near
    • Glorify God — He alone is worthy
    • Actively pray — ask God for open doors daily with the lonely and lost
    • Generously give — time, resources, and abilities with an eternal focus
  • “I urge you today to take a step and engage with God in the mission He has given us.”

Section 4 — Conversion: Lydia

📖 Acts 16:11–15

“One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.’ And she prevailed upon us.”
— Acts 16:14–15
What happened:

  • From Troas, Paul and the team sailed across to Neapolis, then traveled to Philippi — a leading city of Macedonia and a Roman colony
  • This was the first time the gospel was ever proclaimed on the European continent — far bigger than Paul’s original plan to simply encourage existing churches
  • On the Sabbath, they went outside the city gate to the riverside — finding a group of women in prayer (there was no synagogue in Philippi)
  • Among them: Lydia — a wealthy Gentile businesswoman, a seller of purple goods from Thyatira, already a worshiper of God
  • Paul proclaimed the gospel — and the Lord opened Lydia’s heart
  • Lydia and her household were baptized immediately
  • She insisted the team stay at her home — which became the center of the church in Philippi
    Key theological truth — God’s Sovereignty in Salvation:
  • It is only the Holy Spirit who can open hearts and minds to receive the gospel
  • No one comes to Christ on the basis of their own intellect, spiritual sensitivity, or moral goodness
  • Paul’s preaching was the means; God’s sovereign grace was the saving initiative
  • Even if we stumble in presenting the gospel, the Holy Spirit can take those seeds and cause them to germinate in a heart
    Quote from John Stott:

    “We know that, although the message was Paul’s, the saving initiative was God’s. Paul’s preaching was not effective in itself; the Lord worked through it. And the Lord’s work was not itself direct; He chose to work through Paul’s preaching. It is always the same.”
    The [HARDWARE HIGHLIGHT] — Our Core Responsibility:
    The group’s responsibility is to share about Jesus and the gospel, and let the Holy Spirit do the work of transforming hearts, minds, and lives.

  • This takes the pressure off us — God saves; we share
  • Our responsibility: share our story, share His goodness and grace, proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ — and leave the results to God
    Application:
  • What is stopping us from sharing the gospel? Fear? Pride? Complacency? Lethargy?
  • Lydia’s story gives us great hope and courage
  • God gave Paul the privilege of leading Lydia to Christ — maybe God could use you to lead someone to Christ
  • We are His ambassadors — sent by the King to represent Him across the street and around the world
  • Recognizing God’s sovereignty makes us more confident to speak to unbelievers and more committed to prayer

Closing Application: Four Responses

  1. Conflict — We will all face relational challenges in doing God’s work. Walk humbly and graciously. Seek reconciliation and restoration. Own your sin; confess, repent, and apologize.
  2. Concession — Remove unnecessary hindrances to gospel expansion. Ask: Are there things in my life that are unnecessarily preventing people from hearing the gospel?
  3. The Macedonian Call — Hear the cry of the lost. Respond to God’s call — locally and globally. Engage, pray, give, and go.
  4. Conversion — Trust that God opens hearts. Share your story. Share the gospel. Leave the results to the Holy Spirit.

Closing Prayer (Summarized)

Pastor Steve closed in prayer, asking God to:

  • Break our hearts for those around us — neighbors, friends, and those we encounter daily
  • Use us — stumbling and ordinary as we are — to faithfully share the good news of Jesus
  • Give us a burden for the lost both near and far
  • Remind us that we are not responsible to convert anyone — only to share faithfully and leave the results to Him
  • Receive all glory as His people make disciples wherever they go

    “Help us in our stumbling way to be faithful to share our stories of what You’ve done in our lives, to share the gospel, the good news of Jesus, and to make disciples of Jesus Christ wherever we go — for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Summary prepared for Grace Church congregation and blog readers. Sermon embedded above.


Acts 15 & The Jerusalem Council — Defending and Displaying Grace


Pastor Troy Dobbs – Preached at Grace Church Eden Prairie (and campuses) — May 10, 2026

There’s a phrase that keeps showing up in church history: doctrinal clarity comes through doctrinal controversy. When a theological fight breaks out, the church digs into God’s Word, and that digging produces clarity about who we are and what we believe. That pattern goes all the way back to the very first church council — the one recorded in Acts 15.

A Quick Tour of the Councils

Before getting to Acts 15, Pastor Troy gave a brief survey of the great ecumenical councils and why they matter:

  • Council of Nicaea (325 AD) — Condemned Arianism, which taught that Jesus was created by God and therefore not co-eternal or co-equal with the Father. The council affirmed the pre-existence of Christ and produced the Nicene Creed. (Side note: Jehovah’s Witnesses have essentially repackaged this same heresy.)
  • Council of Ephesus (431 AD) — Condemned Nestorianism, which viewed Christ as two distinct persons. The council affirmed Jesus as one unified person — fully God and fully man simultaneously.
  • Council of Chalcedon (451 AD) — Affirmed the Hypostatic Union: Christ existed in two natures, fully divine and fully human, in one person.
  • Third Council of Constantinople (681 AD) — Confirmed Christ had two wills — human and divine — acting in perfect harmony. Most clearly seen in Gethsemane: “Not my will, but your will be done.”

All of those councils wrestled with the question: Who is Jesus? But Acts 15 asked a different question entirely.

The First Council: How Is a Person Saved?

Acts 15:1–31 records the Jerusalem Council — the first major doctrinal council in church history. The presenting controversy came from a group known as the Judaizers, who were teaching that Gentile believers had to be circumcised according to the Law of Moses in order to be saved.

Their formula: Jesus + circumcision = salvation.

Pastor Troy made the point plainly: anything that supplants the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is heresy. That error didn’t die in the first century. It shows up today in forms like:

  • Jesus + keeping the sacraments = salvation
  • Jesus + good works/morality = salvation
  • Jesus + church attendance = salvation

He also pushed back on the romanticized idea of returning to the “perfect first-century church.” The early church had members lying to the Holy Spirit, confusion about the Spirit’s role, people abandoning mission teams, organizational grievances, false teachers, strife, and division. As he put it: “There are issues with the church in every century, because human beings are involved.”

Peter’s Four Arguments (Acts 15:7–11)

  1. God has always saved people through hearing and believing — by faith in Christ. That’s been the consistent pattern from the beginning.
  2. God gave the Gentiles the Holy Spirit — the same way He gave it to the Jews. No distinction.
  3. Requiring circumcision is testing God — since God already cleansed their hearts by faith, adding a condition isn’t spiritual maturity; it’s questioning what God has already done. “Why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?” (v. 10)
  4. Both Jews and Gentiles are saved by grace — this isn’t new information. “We believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” (v. 11)

Peter’s conclusion: it has always been grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

James Delivers the Verdict

James — half-brother of Jesus, author of the book of James, and a recognized pillar of the Jerusalem church — brought the council to a resolution. He:

  1. Affirmed the consensus: The gospel is circumcision-free. Gentiles are accepted into God’s family by faith, not by adopting Jewish practice.
  2. Cited Old Testament prophecy (Amos 9:11–12): The inclusion of Gentiles was not Plan B. It was not an afterthought. It was foreordained and prophesied — a fulfillment of Scripture, not a departure from it.
  3. Rendered judgment (Acts 15:19): “My judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God.” Stop making this harder than it has to be.
  4. Issued four practical guidelines for Gentile believers — not requirements for salvation, but wisdom guidelines to build unity and fellowship with Jewish brothers and sisters: abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.

The whole church agreed. They sent a letter to Antioch, and Acts 15:31 records the result: “When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.” Clarity produced joy.

Two Big Takeaways

1. Grace Must Be Defended From Addition

The most dangerous false gospels are often not outright denials of Jesus — they are additions to Jesus:

  • Jesus + morality
  • Jesus + politics
  • Jesus + baptism for salvation
  • Jesus + church attendance
  • Jesus + family heritage
  • Jesus + personal effort or good works

“Grace is not Jesus doing most of it and you and I finishing the rest. He’s done it all, and He gets credit for doing it all.”

The cross is sufficient, not deficient. Jesus did not pay for 80% of your salvation. He paid for all of it. The gospel does not need a boost, a bump, an addendum, or an addition.

If you are exhausted from a life of religion — trying to be good enough, moral enough, changed enough, sorry enough, strong enough — Acts 15 has a simple word for you: Christ is enough.

2. Grace Must Be Displayed in Relationships

After establishing the doctrine, James turned to the relational dimension. He asked Gentile believers to voluntarily modify certain behaviors — not for salvation, but for the sake of unity, mission, and fellowship with Jewish brothers and sisters.

“We can defend doctrine and love people at the same time.”

This requires holding a distinction between essentials and non-essentials. On non-essentials, Christians can be graciously flexible — agree to disagree — without destroying unity or fellowship. On essentials, the church stands firm.

Among the essentials that are never up for negotiation: the inspiration and authority of Scripture; the Trinity; the unchanging character of God; creation ex nihilo; human sinfulness and the need for a Savior; the gospel itself; the full humanity and divinity of Christ; Christ as substitute, dying in our place; Christ as the only way to the Father; the deity of the Holy Spirit; the resurrection; heaven and hell; the Great Commission; grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone; repentance and justification by faith; the priesthood of the believer; and the Church as the Bride and Body of Christ.

As Pastor Troy put it: “You don’t need to go through a priest or through me to get to God. You can go directly through Jesus Christ alone.”

The Big Idea: Unity, Clarity, Charity

  • Unity — Don’t fracture over secondary issues.
  • Clarity — Know what you will die for. Know your non-negotiable convictions.
  • Charity — Be a loving servant even as you hold your theological convictions firmly.

“We defend grace because Christ is enough. We display grace because people saved by grace should become gracious, loving, grace-filled people.”

“It is not by avoiding theology that we find unity. Rather, it is in clarifying our theological convictions that biblical unity actually emerges.”

Closing Challenge

  • Know the gospel so well that you recognize when it’s being misrepresented.
  • Examine yourself: Are you gracious? Theological seriousness must never produce arrogance or lovelessness.
  • Rest: Stop striving through religion. Jesus has done the heavy lifting.
  • Turn and trust: It’s not your work that counts — it is His.

Jesus Christ is the only way to be saved.

Summary of the May 10, 2026 message at Grace Church Eden Prairie and campuses.