12/27/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

Galatians 4

Christmas

The Fullness of Time

Too often we attempt to make Christmas about us, when it was about us only indirectly. While we don't always understand God's plans, we can be assured that both His plans and timing are perfect.

12/20/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 9-10

The Acts of God through the Church

Gentiles Come To Faith

Up until now, the focus of the church has been on those mostly claiming Jewish heritage (the exception would be the Ethiopian eunuch).  Cornelius though marks a decided shift as Judea has expressed a lack of interested in Jesus and the Gentiles embrace Him.  The first significant convert is Cornelius… Up until now, the focus of the church has been on those mostly claiming Jewish heritage (the exception would be the Ethiopian eunuch). Cornelius though marks a decided shift as Judea has expressed a lack of interested in Jesus and the Gentiles embrace Him. The first significant convert is Cornelius…

12/13/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 9

The Acts of God through the Church

Saul’s Conversion

This section tells the story of Saul’s conversion to faith. He is radically transformation as a result of seeing Jesus and being confronted with the reality of who He is. Jesus is the only hope for our world too with all of its brokenness and chaos. You and I have been sent out to share an eternal truth about an everlasting God…

12/6/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 8

The Acts of God through the Church

Samaria Gets the Gospel

Following Stephen’s death, the church was further rocked by a persecution of the Hellenized Jews. It probably seemed as if their world was falling apart, but God used it to grow the church further. In a dramatic step forward, Acts 1:8 pattern second level is reached as Samaria receives the gospel…

11/29/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 6-7

The Acts of God through the Church

Stephen, the first Martyr

Not long after being set-apart as a table server, Stephen ends up being the first martyr. Charged with blasphemy; after an illegal trial and an equally illegal punishment phase, Stephen dies. He did not seek out martyrdom, but the circumstances quickly escalated and while it seems unfair and unjust to us, it was a major moment in the life of the church.

11/22/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 4

The Acts of God through the Church

Obeying God Rather Than Men

Peter and John stand before the Sanhedrin to give an account of how they healed the lame man of Acts 3. This questioning was not centralized on the facts of the miracle, but on the authority to do the miracle. The Sanhedrin saw themselves as the judge, jury and executioner of the law. To them, Peter and John were acting against the law. The Sanhedrin acted as religious liberals act today…

11/15/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 5

The Acts of God through the Church

Rejoicing in Suffering

The apostles find themselves arrested and tried for once again preaching in Jesus name. They are threatened and beaten and they considered it a privilege to suffer for Jesus. And through it all the church continued to grow! God is slowly building the case of the differences between traditional Judaism and the new Way. Would we consider it a privilege to suffer for Jesus? Would we welcome opposition if the church would grow?

11/8/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 4-5

The Acts of God through the Church

True Christian Hospitality and Generosity

What is the role of hospitality today?  We live in a day of independence, in fact we revel in it as Americans.  We look down on those who need assistance, we celebrate the self-made person who gives more than they receive.  The fact is though, we need each other.  We are not independent; we are inter-dependent.  From the very earliest moment of the church, it was expected they would take care of their own…

11/1/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 4

The Acts of God through the Church

Obeying God Rather Than Men

Peter and John stand before the Sanhedrin to give an account of how they healed the lame man of Acts 3. This questioning was not centralized on the facts of the miracle, but on the authority to do the miracle. The Sanhedrin saw themselves as the judge, jury and executioner of the law. To them, Peter and John were acting against the law. The Sanhedrin acted as religious liberals act today…

10/25/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 3

The Acts of God through the Church

Acts 3

It does not take long for trouble to arise for the young church. Acts 3-4 record the first arrest in Jesus name and Peter’s defense of the gospel. As the saying goes, “No good deed goes unpunished” and that certainly applies here. Peter was not looking for trouble, but it was looking for him. A simple act of kindness and generosity will end up getting them arrested and standing trial; but God ultimately wins a great victory and more souls for the kingdom!

10/18/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

The Acts of God through the Church

Acts 2

The 2nd chapter of Acts is a source of much confusion in church today. For many of our charismatic friends it is a glimpse of what the true church should look like. For those who believe that baptism and church authority lead to salvation, they are heartened by Peter’s words. What happens in Acts 2 though can’t be divorced from the rest of scripture. Luke records events historically for us telling us how God worked during the formation of the church.

10/11/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

Communion

Communion

Pr. Phil leads us through the partaking of the communion elements.

10/4/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

Acts 1

The Acts of God through the Church

Acts 1

The book of Acts is often described as a history book. Not a gospel, not a letter, it is a type of New Testament book all its own. It covers about 33 years of church development, yet leaves as many questions and it provides answers. The two primary characters in the book are Peter and Paul. It is a compelling story filled with suspense, intrigue, harrowing escapes; but through it all, the Power and Plan of God triumph!

9/27/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

The Prophets - God’s Spokesmen

The gift of prophecy today

As we conclude our study on the prophets, the question before us is this, “Are there prophets today?” Some would say yes, some no, some just not sure. Certainly as we approach the decline of our culture and anticipate the return of Jesus; the need for some to proclaim, as John the Baptist did, “repent for God’s kingdom is near”. Perhaps this task has been left with you and me to finish…

9/20/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

The Prophets - God’s Spokesmen

John, That Which Will Be

The end of John’s book reveals a powerful Jesus who comes and fixes all that is broken. It also fully displays the wickedness of sin and the opposition Satan is to the plan of God. While some may fear the apocalypse, it is confirmation to us that God is in control and knows our beginning from our end…

9/13/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

The Prophets - God’s Spokesmen

John, That Which Is

The middle section of this book focuses upon the church. It covers from the days of John to the beginning of the Tribulation period. The church is not perfect, never has been nor ever will be this side of Heaven. Jesus loves the church though, giving His very life for it. Do you love the church like He does?

9/6/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

The Prophets - God’s Spokesmen

John, That Which Was

The last book of the Bible—The Revelation has been a controversial book from its writing almost.  How is it to be understood, what does it mean, is it literal or symbolic; who wrote it are just some of the many questions asked.  As we look at this book, a reminder that the Bible is given to us to be understood.  God can easily confuse us, but He wants us to know Him and His plan for us.

8/30/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

The Prophets - God’s Spokesmen

John the Baptist

The New Testament begins with John, a carryover figure from the Old Testament. He is really the last of the OT prophets and he has a very important job of preparing Israel for Jesus’ ministry. His story is familiar to most, but he comes across as strange and unapproachable…

8/23/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

Malachi 1-4

The Prophets - God’s Spokesmen

Malachi: Reap what you sow

The last book in the English Old Testament is the book of Malachi. From the conclusion of this book until the appearance of John the Baptist, there is a 400 year silent gap. Malachi is in essence the last spoken message humanity hears from God until the voice of one crying in the desert. The message is strong, God has spoken enough and it is now time to choose obedience…

8/16/2015

Pastor Phil Perry

Zechariah 1-14

The Prophets - God’s Spokesmen

Zechariah: God’s Coming Servant

Zechariah can be a difficult book to read through. The highly figurative language does not always make sense to us in our western way of thinking; and because most of this is still yet in the future, we have no historical foundation either. Zechariah is a book of encouragement to remain faithful to a faithful God!