Bridging The Gap

The Apostle Paul of course lived in a day without travel agents, but still had a choice to make about who would make his travel plans - himself or the Lord.  It will serve us well to remember that the Lord has not changed one bit since then. He is still an omnipotent, omniscient God. With those credentials, doesn't it makes sense to let Him book our journey through life?

The underlying theme of this chapter is conflict within the church. Paul and Barnabas have been doing the Lord's work, sharing the salvation message with Jews and Gentiles alike. But now they're facing opposition within their own ranks.  A little healthy debate never hurt anyone, but when the discussion turns to the matter of Salvation, it's a very serious matter. 

As we continue our study through the book of Acts on today's program, we reach chapter fifteen. The theme of this chapter is conflict. Disagreements can ruin your day and even ruin a relationship, but they can also be healthy and productive. As we pick up the story we invite you to join in by turning to Acts chapter fifteen

Today's we'll pick up where we left off last time in our study through the book of Acts. Right now we're examining chapter fourteen, and Paul and Barnabas' first missionary trip. This study could be subtitled "Acceptance and Opposition", because that's exactly what these two missionaries found in their travels sharing the Gospel.

Wholehearted, aggressive goodwill accurately describes Paul and Barnabas as they went about sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ on their first missionary trip. That's where we're at right now in our study through the book of Acts. Let's join pastor Lloyd in Acts chapter fourteen

I think you'll agree that sharing your faith is one of the most difficult things about being a Christian. Statistics show that a majority of Christians never lead another person to Jesus Christ. One reason we're sometimes reluctant to share is the chance of being persecuted. That was the risk Paul and Barnabas faced in Acts thirteen. How did they respond? Let's find out.

Today on Bridging the Gap, Lloyd Pulley will take us again to Acts chapter thirteen as we explore the foundations of our faith in God. One of pastor Lloyd's most popular series was one titled "Everyday Theology", and now we are getting to see that Theology being shared by the Apostle Paul and his friends.

As we delve further into chapter thirteen today, we witness Paul and Barnabas embarking on their first missionary journey. In these verses we also get a first hand description from Paul about the foundations of the Christian faith. It's no coincidence that these two story lines go together. If we want to really be effective for Christ in the mission field, we need to know the foundations of the faith we proclaim!

One of the greatest things about the Bible is the way that the accounts of these men and women translate so well into modern times. God certainly intended us to use His word that way. Today pastor Lloyd takes us to the Apostle Paul's first missionary journey. As we watch and learn of this great man's maturing in Christ, let's see if we can capture some ways we might grow closer to the Lord as well.

Many people think that the day they receive salvation through Jesus Christ is the day all of their problems disappear. That's hardly the case! But we certainly can get help from God in times of trouble! Our scripture text is the twelfth chapter of Acts, and the experience of Peter. Peter was imprisoned and physically chained to a number of guards. No way he could get away, right? Wrong!

Today as we look at Acts chapter twelve, we'll see what happened to Peter when he was arrested, and his friends started praying for him. Not only is this a great example of trust and faith in God, it's also an illustration of something we as Christians are experiencing in the year 2025 - the government intruding into our lives as believers. Are you ready to face the challenge?

Today, Lloyd will again be sharing a message based on the eleventh chapter of Acts. Do you experience joy in your life? I guess a better question might be, what things in your life bring you the most joy? Our kids certainly can bring those feelings. Also, perhaps, financial prosperity, or a good marriage, or ripping an especially loud fart. But the joy pastor Lloyd will be talking about today is the ultimate and incredible joy only to be found when the Holy Spirit is guiding and directing your life! Can anyone experience that joy? Yes!

Today Lloyd will take us to the eleventh chapter of Acts. This is another very important chapter for us to study because here we get a great explanation from Peter about the Holy Spirit. Remember, the Holy Spirit was something new to these people, and what we don't understand, we tend to disparage. It's really still true today - people don't understand the Holy Spirit and His role in their lives, so they either make up their own definition, or reject the idea entirely. So who is the Holy Spirit?

Lloyd has titled this study “Bringing the Gospel to The World”, and that’s exactly what we see going, as Peter embarks on a journey to share the good news of salvation through Christ. God is our friend - in fact He’s the best friend we’ll ever have. Yet many people don’t see Him that way, and they’re missing out on a wonderful relationship.

Today we’re going to talk a bit about God’s way of doing things. Mankind has tried to figure God out for about as long as we’ve existed. Perhaps a better way of dealing with the task would be to just accept God’s plans, and worship Him! Our text today is Acts chapter ten, and a vision God gave to Cornelius.

One of the greatest travelogues ever written is the book of Acts in the New Testament. This account of the early Christian church, written by Luke, is interesting to study and inspiring to understand. Today we’ll return to chapter nine, as we look at the ministry of the apostle Peter. It’s important to remember that the events we read about today took place during a sea change in the post resurrection church.

We’ll be concentrating on chapter nine, verses thirty-one through forty-three today, and the events that followed the conversion of Saul. Our focus shifts to Peter, who was tasked with a great responsibility - to share the gospel message throughout the land - and to make disciples.

In Acts chapter nine we witness the conversion of Saul, who, after his encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus, became the great Apostle Paul. It’s a wonderful reminder to us that we may have committed some terrible sins in our lives, but there’s nothing that God won’t forgive - if we go to Him in repentance and faith.

There are many landmark events described in the Bible. In the ninth chapter of Acts, the conversion of Saul takes place. It’s because of this one event that a significant portion of the New Testament was written. And it’s abundantly clear when we read the account of Saul’s conversion that it is indeed the power of the Holy Spirit and our faith Jesus Christ that saves us.

Lloyd is currently teaching out of the book of Acts, and today we’ll be in chapter eight. The story of the Ethiopian Eunuch is a great story of surrender, and the great blessings available to us when we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ.  Surrender is a negative word for many people. Our ego tells us that surrender is a sign of weakness, but actually, just the opposite is true.