Acts | Following The Work Of The Spirit | March 20

Sermon by Michael Bailey on March 20, 2022.

In Acts 8:26-40, we see Philip prompted by the Spirit to witness to the Ethiopian eunuch. This is coming shortly after the death of Stephen, the church is scattered and yet we see the Gospel continue to go forth, this time to Samaria, just like Jesus said it would in Acts 1:8.

Guided Prayer

Father, give me opportunities this week to speak up and love those you call me to love.

Jesus, thank you for calling me to be a witness for you and your Kingdom.

Spirit, give me eyes to see You at work in the people around me. Give me ears to be receptive to Your will moment-by-moment.

Amen.

Acts | Condemned on Earth, Applauded in Heaven | March 13

Sermon by Brandon Clements on March 13, 2022.

At this point in the early church, we’ve seen some persecution and hostility, but the story of Stephen in Acts 6-7 marks the first martyr of the Jesus movement. So what can we learn from his sermon and his story?

Acts | The Danger Within | March 6

Sermon by Brandon Clements on March 6, 2022.

In Acts 4:34-5:15, we have two contrasting stories. For Barnabas, the gospel had loosened his grip on his stuff and tightened his grip on others. But in Chapter 5, we are introduced to a couple who are not filled with the Spirit like Barnabas but instead are filled with Satan.

Acts | The Spirit and the Flesh | February 27

Sermon by Brandon Clements on February 27, 2022.

Historians and scholars are fascinated by the fact that a small sect of Jewish men and women, without clout, power, prestige, education, money or influence somehow began a movement that has swept the globe. Here in Acts 4 we get insight into the sort of people the early Christians were.

Acts | Spirit-filled Witnesses | February 20

Sermon by Brandon Clements on February 20, 2022.

In Acts 4 we see Peter’s confidence as he shares Jesus with the religious rulers. And yet, in the Gospels, this is not the Peter we see - he’s brash and even denies Jesus. So what happened to Peter to go from denying Jesus to proclaiming him?

Additional Resources:

• Why I'm A Christian | Midtown Fellowship

• Why I'm A Christian | Jesus | Midtown Lexington

Acts | The Meaning of the Miracles | February 13

Sermon by Brandon Clements on February 13, 2022.

Acts 3 is the first post-Jesus miracle in the book of Acts. Some scholars say that if you understand this miracle, in a way, you understand them all. This miracle shows you how God feels about suffering in the world, what he’s doing about it, and what he’s saying to us in that suffering; and it shows us, as the church, what our mission is in the world.

Acts | The First Fruit of the Spirit | February 6

Sermon by Michael Bailey on February 6, 2022.

The first fruit we see of the Spirit’s work after salvation may not be what you think. When it comes to the early part of Acts and what the Spirit does, some immediately think about the more “miraculous” works of the Spirit. However, in Acts 2, we first see the Spirit make a family. Where love for the family of God is not present, neither is the Spirit of God.

Acts | How to Start a Fire | January 30

Sermon by Michael Bailey on January 30, 2022.

What took place at Pentecost tells us about what the Spirit does and will do in the church. Namely, works - and specifically words (i.e. the message of the gospel) - that bring life and freedom.

This Spirit has been poured out on “all flesh.” And, if you are in Christ, this same Spirit lives in you and empowers this same ministry through you.

Acts | The Spirit of Acts | January 23

Sermon by Michael Bailey on January 23, 2022.

In Jesus’ parting words to His disciples, He doesn’t tell them to get out there, He tells them to wait… to wait on the Spirit. It’s as though the Spirit is the essential ingredient to everything He’s sending them out to do and be.

And the truth is, that it is still true today. In this sermon, we’ll learn that the church has not moved beyond the need for the Holy Spirit.

Acts | The Mission of Acts | January 9

Sermon by Michael Bailey on January 9, 2022.

The Holy Spirit is God within us and the one who empowers our mission. He is the secret sauce, for lack of a better way of saying it, for everything that we want to see happen in our city. If He doesn’t do it, it doesn’t happen. We want to see people saved, healed, brought from death to life… if that’s going to be a thing, we need him.

Following Jesus Together: Gathering | People of the Table | August 15

Sermon by Brandon Clements on August 15, 2021.

In Luke 22:14-20 Jesus institutes the sacrament of communion to His disciples. Now we don’t know what all they understood at this point, but this was a category breaking event. This was no normal Passover meal. Jesus says He is starting a new covenant, a new way of relating to God the Father. And every week when we gather, we participate to remind ourselves of this reality.

Proverbs | Wisdom and Community

Sermon by Michael Bailey on June 25, 2017.