Wawasee Bible Sermon Audio

Philip's ministry was going good in Acts 8. God was working miracles, the Gospel was advancing, and many were coming to faith in Jesus and getting baptized. But God had plans to move Philip on. He sent an angel to nudge him to leave, and Philip obeyed. Following the Spirit's lead, Philip meets an Ethiopian eunuch on his way home after coming to Jerusalem to worship. Philip finds him reading from the prophet Isaiah, the helps him understand that it was about Jesus. The eunuch ends up believing in Christ, getting baptized, and heading back home rejoicing. He was one of the marginalized of society, but who now is fully accepted by God. Just as he did with Philip, God has a way of putting us in the right place at the right time to be his witness. Watch on Vimeo

Part 14 - SERIES: Acts Stephen is the first person recorded to have given their life for the sake of the Gospel. After being arrested and tried due to his faith, he gives a brilliant testimony that traces God's work in the Old Testament to Jesus. Luke (the author of Acts) tells us that Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit, wisdom, faith, grace, and power. Much of what Luke records about Stephen's words and actions reflects those of Jesus. Just as the Holy Spirit empowered Stephen, he empowers us to be gracious yet firm with the gospel and to forgive our enemies.

Part 13 - SERIES: Acts The early Christians often found themselves in trouble due to their faith. Pastor Josh spends some time at the beginning of the message reviewing the difference between descriptive and prescriptive passages of Scripture. This week's passage starts off with Luke describing some of the incredible ways God was at work among the early Christians in Acts 5:12-16. However, their testimony got them into trouble with the Jewish leaders who were jealous of what God was doing, and zealous to put a stop to this "Jesus Movement". When your testimony gets you in trouble you can still boldly and joyfully proclaim Jesus because God is with us!

Part 12 - SERIES: Acts In Acts 4:32 and following, Luke gives us a brief summary statement of the good things happening in the early church. It was a time of God pouring out his grace to provide for this people and his power to protect them. There was great unity among them. Luke gives two examples, one good and one devastating, as these things played out. Barnabas showed great authenticity as he followed the Lord and encouraged believers. Ananias and Sapphira, however, aimed to deceive others—even God—with their inauthenticity. God gives grace and power through the Gospel to purge spiritual deception and nurture authenticity! As you follow Jesus, pursue him honestly, knowing you have nothing to prove because he's proven it for you.

Part 11 - SERIES: Acts Acts 3-4 is the chronicles a crazy 24-48 hours for Peter and John, and all the believers. We read about Peter and John going to the Temple to pray. En route they heal a man, then later get arrested for preaching about Jesus and are forced to appear before the Sanhedrin council. The council–due to fear of the people–lets them go but sternly threatens them not to speak of Jesus any more. After they're released, Peter and John go to their friends—the other believers, tell them everything that happened, and they all respond by praying to God. Their prayers express great trust in God while facing the struggle of the reality they're in (rather than just living in the fantasy that God would keep them from any struggle). When life gets crazy (and when it's not!) pray real prayers and watch God work!

New Years Day | Press On Founding Pastor Tom Speicher preaches from Philippians 3:12-14 and shares his heart for Wawasee Bible in the new year. Life is full of changes. We're instructed to make the most of every day and press on as we follow Jesus.

Light of the World Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” He announced this during the Feast of Tabernacles, an annual feast celebrating and remembering how God had led his people from Egypt, through the wilderness, and home into the Promised Land. God did this with a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night to light the way. In the same way Jesus is leading us home through the wilderness. He's the Light of the World, sent to light our way home.

Part 5 - SERIES: Mary's Christmas We wrap up our series turning our attention toward not only Mary but Joseph. Joseph’s biggest claim to fame is who he wasn’t. We just know him as “not the real dad” of Jesus. Did you also realize that he never speaks a word in the text? In any case, Joseph and Mary both were facing a lot, and God men them in all of it. Christmas reminds us that no matter what we're facing, Almighty God is with us!

Part 4 - SERIES: Mary's Christmas The night of Jesus's birth was an intense one for Mary and Joseph. They had just traveled 70 to 100 miles on foot (or possibly with an animal for Mary to ride on) from Nazareth to Bethlehem. It was a hard journey in general, but especially for someone nine months pregnant. Then there was no place to stay, so Jesus's birth happens in a stable (likely a cave) and he's laid down in a feeding trough to sleep. Then a group of shepherds shows up (maybe with their sheep in tow) and interrupts Mary's rest. But Luke tells us Mary "treasured up these things in her heart". She remembered God's goodness, as he was orchestrating everything to fulfill his plans of good for all peoples everywhere. What are you treasuring up in your heart? Your griefs & grievances, or God's goodness & grace?

Part 3 - SERIES: Mary's Christmas Mary was an exceptional young women, a great example to us in her obedience and faithfulness to God. But her saying yes to God was also saying yes to struggle and suffering. This week we see Mary & Joseph's obedience affect Jesus's. While he was young they had him circumcised and dedicated to the Lord according to the Law. Their obedience as parents would affect his future obedience. But it also lead to their own struggles. Mary would face many heartaches due to following God, however she kept going and God was faithful in his goodness to her. It's the same for us. Obedience and faithfulness to God will bring struggle in this broken world, so keep your eyes on the destination!

Part 2 - SERIES: Mary's Christmas We’re looking at the biblical account surrounding Jesus’s birth through the eyes of Mary. Mary was a teenager when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and announced (all because of God’s grace) that she would give birth to the Son of God. In Luke 1:39-56 we see Mary travel to visit her relative Elizabeth whom God also blessed with a child in her old age. Mary then sings a song of praise to God that seems to be highly influenced by the song of Hannah in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. Mary believed God, was blessed by God, and praised God! What’s on your list to praise him for? He’s done great things for you, too!

Part 1 - SERIES: Mary's Christmas No one had an experience of the first Christmas like Mary did, and no one else will. This Advent season we’re looking at the biblical accounts of Jesus’s birth through the eyes of Mary. We’ll see her faithfulness as a model for us to follow. This week she’s visited by the angel Gabriel who reveals God’s incredible call on her life. In the face of all kinds of risk and danger and surely fear… with great courage, Mary says “yes” to God’s plan for her. Where do you need to courageously say “yes” to God?

Part 10 - SERIES: Acts If you choose to become a Christian and follow Jesus, life will get better… but it probably will not get easier. When we obey and follow Jesus, opposition is always waiting to discourage, derail, and if possible sabotage our faith. The Apostle Paul wrote to a young pastor, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Jesus says to us, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” In Acts 4, Peter and John are following Jesus, sharing the gospel, even experiencing the Holy Spirit heal people through them! But they also begin facing some real opposition. In the midst of it, we see them trust God, obey him, and choose joy, praising him! We can do the same. Because if you follow Jesus expect opposition—but know God will give you what you need to boldly live & proclaim what he wants!

Part 9 - SERIES: Acts Repentance gets a bad rap. Often in our culture we think of repentance as a bad thing... a weakness, admitting a wrong done, finding nowhere else to turn after an epic failure. But Biblically, repentance is actually a very good thing. A refreshing thing, even. After the Holy Spirit used Peter and John to heal a man who had been crippled since birth, he then empowered Peter's speaking. Peter proclaimed that it was all because of Jesus, and that turning to him (repenting) would bring true, refreshing, renewing life. The kind we all long for. Repentance is when I recognize my sin, see it the way God sees it, turn to Jesus, and receive forgiveness and renewal!

Part 8 - SERIES: Acts Do you believe in miracles? Acts 3:1-10 record a miracle where Peter and John bring healing to a man lame from birth in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Miracles are anchored in the twin truths that God cares about you and God has limitless power. Miracles are rooted in the historical Jesus Christ of Nazareth who went to the cross for us and rose from the dead. Believers live not in despair or resignation but in trust and joy that whether or not we see a "miracle" today God will carry us one day at a time and eventually heal us completely.

Part 7 - SERIES: Acts In Acts 2:42-47 Luke gives a summary of what was taking place in the Church in its earliest days. This passage (like much of Acts) is descriptive rather than prescriptive, meaning it simple tells us what happened. To apply it, then, we must pull out principles to apply to our own life and context, not simply mimic exactly what they did. God gives much freedom in how each local church functions, but clear principles that should exist at its core. Acts 2:42-47 describes the early church and their devotion to God's Word and to one another!

Part 6 - SERIES: Acts After the Spirit’s descent, Peter gives the first Christian sermon in Acts 2:14-41. Preaching was what God used to grow the church. On the surface preaching seems a bit foolish, but God has chosen the proclamation of his Word to be at the center of his work in and through the Church. Peter (who had been cowardly afraid of some middle-school aged girls only 50 days earlier) stands up with courage to boldly preach to everyone on that Pentecost morning. He explained everything that was going on from Scripture, how it was all about Jesus and how we all need him!

Part 5 - SERIES: Acts In Acts 2 we see the Holy Spirit descend and empower his people. This week we step back to explore what "spiritual gifts" are. In short, they are God-given and Spirit-empowered spiritual abilities given to every believer in Jesus, according to God's grace, to help them fulfill their God-given personal purpose as part of the Church. God gives common gifts to everyone (common grace) and spiritual gifts to each one who receives Christ—for Jesus's glory, others' good, and your joy!

Part 4 - SERIES: Acts In Acts 2, God's people are celebrating Pentecost (the Festival of Weeks). As part of it, they are remembering God's provision and how he came in power to Mt. Sinai in Exodus 19-20ff and gave the Law. While all this is going on, God shows up again in a history-changing way. Rather than descend on a place in power, the Holy Spirit descends upon a people in power as the Church begins. When someone becomes a Christian, they are baptized with the Holy Spirit (he indwells them). This happens one time in each believer's life at the moment of conversion. Additionally, though, Christians are to be filled with the Spirit, empowered by him. Filling happens multiple times as we abide in Christ. God sends his Holy Spirit to empower us with good news that some receive and others reject.

Part 3 - SERIES: Acts Before Jesus left, he told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came upon them. In Acts 1:12-26 we see them waiting and making a big decision about who would replace Judas on the team. From their process we can discern some principles for making decisions ourselves that honor God. One thing not to miss as we keep going through Acts is that Acts is not about super-Christians, it's about Jesus using messed up people (like us) to build his church.