Acts 13:1-52

"Dear Believer, The verses you read today are from Paul's sermon in the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch. As a rabbi trained by the respected Gamaliel..."

"So Paul stood, lifted his hand to quiet [the people in the synagogue], and started speaking. "Men of Israel," he said, "and you God-fearing Gentiles,...."

"So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus. There, in...."

"[Continuing in the synagogue, Paul said,] "And now we are here to bring you this Good News. The promise was made to our ancestors, and God has now..."

"[Continuing in the synagogue, Paul said,] "Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins....."

"Dear Precious Believer, You were saved by grace when you fully trusted Me and participated in what I did to save you. This truth was the message that..."

"So Paul stood, lifted his hand to quiet [the people in the synagogue], and started speaking. "Men of Israel," he said, "and you God-fearing Gentiles,..."

"So Paul stood, lifted his hand to quiet [the people in the synagogue], and started speaking. "Men of Israel," he said, "and you God-fearing Gentiles,..."

"When the Gentiles heard [that the Good News of Jesus would come to them], they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were...."

"Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called "the black man" ), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the....."

"The following week almost the entire city [of Pisidian Antioch] turned out to hear [Paul and Barnabas] preach the word of the Lord. But when some of...."

"Paul and his companions then left Paphos by ship for Pamphylia, landing at the port town of Perga. There John Mark left them and returned to..."

"Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called "the black man"), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the....."

"Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from...."

"Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye. Then he said, "You son of the devil, full of every sort of..."

"One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have..."

"[Paul continued his confrontation with Elymas, the evil sorcerer, and told him:] "Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you,....."

"Paul and his companions then left Paphos by ship for Pamphylia, landing at the port town of Perga. There John Mark left them and returned to..."

Inspirational illustration of Acts 13:38-39 -- Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by th

"Dear Precious Disciple, To truly worship Me as Lord you must offer yourself to Me heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:28-31). Your worship..."

Why is it so hard to let go of our best and brightest, yet at the same it is so good to do so? Phil Ware shares the principle in his Church to Kingdom series on being a sending church.

"While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.""

"So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off."

"And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. "

"While [the Christians in Antioch] were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have....."

"Sent off on their new assignment by the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Saul went down to Seleucia and caught a ship for Cyprus."

"Then he said, "You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true..."

"And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. "

"The believer in Christ receives a present justification. Faith does not produce this fruit by-and-by, but now. So far as justification is the result....."

Inspirational illustration of Acts 13:2 -- While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

Inspirational illustration of Acts 13:3 -- So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Sometimes we need a mission change even when things are working well! Phil Ware continues his 3 series of articles on Sagrada Familia in Lima, Peru and talks about the need to change missions occasionally for the sake of a grander goal and greater return.

Why settle for a past-tense God when the Lord longs to move through us with power from the Holy Spirit? Phil Ware and Demetrius Collins lead us into worship through songs, Communion, and the Word God, inviting us to realize that God's presence and power are still available to us today and we can ask God to do again in our day what he did in days of old thro

There are two kinds of faithful leaders, groups, and churches. Which are you? Phil Ware shares with us two kinds of early leaders and churches and groups, Paul and Barnabas become examples of those kinds of churches; each is faithful, takes risks, and faces opposition from the evil one.

Isn't it time for a little church remodeling? Phil Ware continues his series on The Story and focuses on the church at Antioch and the grace that empowered the church to be all God intended it to be.

God uses the most amazing connections and people to fulfill his promises to bless all people! James Nored and Phil Ware share Jesus' plan to reach all peoples, like the Ethiopian Nobleman and the people in the farthest reaches of the earth, with the goodness of grace.

Can God really use someone like me? Max Lucado writes about Samuel's anointing David king of Israel and reminds us that God uses all sorts of misfits.

The Father has given us access to holy power and a way to bless each other through prayer if only we will take advantage of it! Phil Ware completes his four part series on growing to become like Jesus through the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, the transformation that Jesus promises us when we choose to follow him as his disciple.

Sometimes, clichés aren't enough And while David says, “My sin is always before me” (Psalm 51:2), he is also attributed as saying, “Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). If you know the story of David, his choices had consequences to the e

Life is full of ups and downs, but God goes with us through it all! Bill Sherrill reminds us that life is full of ups and downs, good things and bad, so we need to find the good and not the bad.