All Saints Anglican Church - Prescott, Az

Text: Acts 8:25-40 After an incredible evangelistic moment, God calls Philip to go to a desert road. This is a surprising move, but Philip is obedient. On that road, Philip meets an Ethiopian Eunuch, a man who ran the royal treasury. This is a fascinating moment in the history of the church. What is most notable is that, despite being an outsider, the man also seemed to be a devoted believer. As we see how God works through Philip, it is clear that God is the one who calls, redeems, and makes new the new believer. Philip is simply being obedient to God in this. This is incredibly encouraging for us.

Text: Acts 8:9-25 This week's lesson is incredible. As Rev. Nninda pointed out last week, we are starting to see the Great Commission truly fulfilled. As the Christians are scattered, Phillip, one of the seven deacons, makes his way to Samaria. Samaria was Israel's estranged cousin, somehow worse than the Gentiles. At one point, John even asked if Jesus wanted to see one of their cities destroyed, yet they received the gospel. But there was a man named Simon, a great magician; he was revered. He even accepted the gospel and was baptized. But then, seeing the power of the Holy Spirit, he wanted to be given the gift of an apostle, and the temptation was too great for him. This passage reminds us that there may come, or has come, a time when we have to give up something valuable to us because Christ loves us. This calling may seem hard, but Christ has trampled down the demons. The gospel frees us, the gospel is free, but it is often costly.

Text: Acts 8:4–8 Driven from Jerusalem by persecution, the early Christians did not abandon their mission: wherever they were scattered, they continued proclaiming the gospel. Philip carried the good news across cultural and religious boundaries into Samaria, demonstrating that the gospel is for every people and every nation. The same Holy Spirit who strengthened the first believers continues to lead Christ’s Church beyond comfort, fear, and weakness. As Christians go in the strength God has given them, the gospel changes lives and produces a joy deeper than temporary happiness—a joy rooted in Christ’s presence, promises, and victory.

Text: Acts 7:44-8:3 This week, we will see Stephen's death. Stephen is the first recorded martyr of the church. What is most striking about this account isn't Stephen's death itself, but the sharp contrast between man's rage and sin and God's glory and grace. It is unclear exactly who drags Stephen out to be killed - but they are described as being enraged, stopping their ears, dragging, and stoning. These are violent, even frenzied words.   In comparison, Stephen is described as gazing, and as he gazes, he sees God's glory, Jesus standing as though to greet him or judge those who plan to kill him; we see God's grace poured out on Stephen, and likewise, Stephen praying in a way that may seem impossible to us - to forgive those who intend to kill him.   The difference is staggering, humbling, and joy-giving. We know that while the nations rage, God's glory, goodness, grace, and even judgment are not threatened.

Text: Acts 7:44-53 In this sermon, we end Stephen's sermon. For the last several weeks, Stephen has been showing how God was with his people in unusual places, yet they rejected him, his servants, and his works. This week, we end with Stephen showing that God persisted with his people, traveling with them, that even though the temple was good, it was not God's home, and that the end goal of God's covenant with the Israelites was a converted people whose hearts had been transformed. The whole drive of Stephen's speech is to glorify Christ and challenge those who had made themselves His enemies to see His goodness.

Text: Acts 7:35-43 In Acts 7:35-43, Stephen challenges the religious leaders' perception. His sermon reaches a climax as he points out that the people God called to be his own rejected God's prophet, Moses. Rejecting Moses was on par with rejecting God himself. But Stephen does something more - he points to foreshadowing the one who is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus fulfilled what Moses was a shadow of, and, as such, the Sanhedrin's rejection of Jesus was an even greater rejection of God than the ancients' rejection of Moses.

Text: Acts 7:23-34 One of the interesting things about this passage is that while Stephen was given a chance to defend himself, he took the opportunity to exalt Christ and indict the Sanhedrin. In this passage, we take a closer look at Moses as he rejects his royal place, defends his people, and then flees to another foreign land. In that foreign land, Moses experiences God's holiness. At first glance, it seems like the two events are unrelated, but Stephen is making an important argument here: Like ancient Israel, you have rejected your savior, and in that rejection, missed as God's holiness tabernacled amongst you. In Christ, we have a Savior and mediator who brings us into the holiness of God.

Text: Acts 7:17-22 As we look at this passage, we see how God often works in unexpected ways, preparing us, using adversaries and challenges, and unexpected means to bring us through our trials and into his glory. Much like the Sanhedrin, we often want God to do things just so, but this is not always his will. It is encouraging to know that we have a heavenly father who loves us enough to bring us through even the most challenging times, and that he will use those times to His glory and our good.

Text: Acts 7:9-16 In this sermon, we look at the second section of Stephen's sermon. Here he turns his focus to Joseph, one of the 12 sons of Jacob, the patriarchs of Israel. Stephen draws on the image of Joseph to show that God redeems people who often seem unredeemable, and he does it in ways that are often unexpected. But we'll also see that Joseph is a shadow of Christ, foreshadowing a far better redemption than even the council dared to expect. But just as Joseph foreshadows Christ, Stephen reflects him. As we think about all these connections, we are reminded yet again that our hope is in a God who redeems those who often seem the most unredeemable.

Text: Acts 7:1-8 In this sermon, we start looking at Stephen's sermon. The sermon is a Biblically rich rebuke of the religious leaders of his time. The overarching argument is that it should be no surprise that the people mistreated Jesus as they have routinely mistreated God's prophets and servants. But this week, we lay a foundation - God is a faithful God, he will complete that which he promises. Stephen shows this by looking at Abraham's life. Abraham does not receive the land that he is promised, but instead, it takes several generations for that to happen. But that didn't mean God was unfaithful; it meant that God would complete what he promised in the fullness of time.

Text: Acts 6:8-15 We now turn our focus to Stephen, sometimes called the proto-martyr (or first Martyr). It is the first time in the book of Acts that we turn our focus away from Peter, John, and the other apostles. But Luke shares this moment for another important reason. In it, we see two very different ways - the way of Christ and the way of man. The contrast couldn't be more stark. The way of man is one of deception and pain, while the way of Christ is one of grace. The invitation, by turning his focus to Stephen, is to ask: which way will you choose, the way of man or the way of God?

Text: Acts 6:1-7 In Act 6:1-7, we see the Devil's third attack on the church. This time, he attempts to distract and divide the church through controversy. What has arisen was no small problem, but the Apostles also recognized it could easily distract them from the primary mission: prayer and the ministry of the word. Through the Holy Spirit, the apostles recognize a wise solution, and the church actually becomes stronger. The Devil's devices against the church, more and more disciples become engaged in ministry, and more people come to know Christ.

Text: Acts 5:17-42 In this passage, we see two types of obedience: the first stems from the fear of man and self-made obedience, the second stems from knowing God. In this passage, we learn how Christ has fulfilled our obedience for us, and from that, we get to do because God has already redeemed us. This distinction makes all the difference; the self-made obedience leads to horrible destructions - jealousy, fear of man, and indignation. Obedience to God leads to joy - even in the face of incredible hardship.

Text: Acts 5:12-16 This passage allows us to ask the question, why were the signs and wonders given? And as we look at the passage, we see that they revealed God's power, his goodness, and mercy towards humanity. While we don't always see such incredible signs in our day and age, as we contemplate our salvation, we realize that it is a testimony to God's goodness and power in its own right. The passage invites us to live prayerfully and faithfully, that others might see our good works and glorify God for all of eternity.

Text: Acts 4:32-5:11 This lesson starts with this beautiful picture of unity, where nobody wanted because everyone cared for one another. People were sacrificing their own property so that others might have what they need. Then we meet Ananias and Sapphire, and something shifts within them. At first glance, it almost seems as though there's a sense of severity and cruelty in the church. But if we read the text carefully, we realize that the couple has rebelled against God and is hard-hearted. As we read this passage carefully, it shows how we live together and how sin can easily shatter that life. This passage invites us to be dependent upon the Holy Spirit, quick to repent, and wholeheartedly focused on glorifying God with our lives.

Text: Acts 4:5-22 There's a level of indignation as the Sanhedrin asks Peter and John by what power they healed the lame man. This stems from a desire to protect what they believed was the truth, yet they had missed all the signs that Christ was God, taught with God's authority, and had, by the power of the Holy Spirit, given to the apostles and his church. The whole passage is about the interplay between temporal authority and the authority of God. The apostles respond, but not by their own power or even own boldness, but because they are empowered by the Holy Spirit. They then point beyond themselves to Christ, who alone has the authority to save souls. It forces the question: whose authority will you listen to?

Text: Acts 3:17-4:4 We often expect a certain kind of blessing, or that our lives will turn out in a specific way, but God's plans are not always what we expected, but always infinitely better than we could imagine. Peter tells his audience that they are ignorant of the reality of who Christ is and what he has done. He goes on to note just three of the benefits of Christ's death and resurrection. When we put our faith in Christ, our sins are wiped away, we are given refreshment, and he will return to make all things right. These gifts are incredible and better than simply restoring a temporal kingdom. Christ, the true messiah, restores our relationship with God and will renew all of creation.

Text: Acts 3:11-16 In the second of Peter's sermons, we hear another incredible gospel proclamation as people are amazed by the healing of the lame man. Yet again, he reveals the people's sin and shows them that Jesus is the one who can take it away. But it is particularly poignant that Peter makes sure the people know that the healing doesn't happen because of his or John's power or piety. It is in Christ alone that we find healing from our sin, from the strife we have with the world, and in our deepest distress. The invitation from Peter is clear: if you're sick with sin, weary from the world, and feel alone and sorrowful, Christ is the way to find healing and abide richly in Him.

Text: Acts 3:1-10 We were blessed to be visited by The Rt. Rev. Ben Fischer, rector of Christ the Redeemer, Nampa, ID, and one of our diocese's suffragan bishops. He preached on Acts 3:1-10 and reminded us how God always gives good gifts. As Peter and John enter the temple to give thanks and worship God, they run across a man who was lame by birth. He asks them for alms, but they have no money to give them. Instead, Christ uses his apostles to heal the man and give him something infinitely better than anything he could have imagined. We are reminded how we often think we know what we need, and God says no but gives us something far better.

Text: Acts 2:42-47 Acts 2:42-47 is the conclusion of Pentecost Sunday. We don't see an ecstatic charismatic moment, but rather the church doing the basic beautiful things of life together. They worship, they enjoy fellowship, and they are radically generous with one another. We like to make Christian life far more complicated than it needs to be. Yet, the early church was grounded in the right things. This passage is a helpful reminder of our call to be devoted to scripture, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer.