Crossborn

If ever a prosecutor should regret pressing charges, Stephen's case is surely one of them. He actually proves that his accusers are guilty of the charges they leveled against him! Though the favor of God was always at work among the, they stubbornly rejected His deliverance. And how like the USA today!  Message by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvaryary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA  From the Pastors' Series: The Book of Acts: Dear Lovers of God

"God was with him and delivered him out of all his troubles and gave him favor and wisdom..." Acts 7: 10 Stephen's 'defense' may seem long, detailed and historical, but--make no mistake--there is nothing superfluous about it. Every word exonerates Stephen and every new subject makes the same devastating point: a nation can fall out of favor with God. And so has the U.S. of A! Message by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA  From the Pastors' Series: The Book of Acts: Dear Lovers of God.

"...and all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel." Acts 6: 15 This week, we are learning how the believer responds to a hostile environment. I think we need this lesson  more than ever before.  Message by Pastor Dave Johnson, Calvary Pastor Old Towne, Orange, CA  From the Pastors' Series: The Book of Acts: Dear Lovers of God

"Seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom." Acts 6: 3 This morning our fledgling church struggles with its first case of discord in the congregation. How beautiful the response of these earliest believers! And how crucial that we--and every believing church--follow their wonderful example!  Message by Pastor Dave Johnson, Calvary Chapel Old Towne Orange, CA From the Pastors' Series: The Book of Acts: Dear Lovers of God  

"...they departed from the presence of the Council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name." Acts 5: 41 This morning, we see God's mighty hand at work, keeping His church save, sound and fearless as ever! And that He will do for you too, dear faithful one! And for all His dear church! Let's take a look... Message by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA From the Pastors' Series: The Book of Acts: Dear Lovers of God

"Peter and the other apostles answered and said: 'We must obey God rather than men.'" Acts 5: 29 Christians are expected to honor officials and obey the laws of the land. But there does come a time when the Christian will say 'no'. When he must choose between obeying God's clear commands and the commands of men. This morning Pastor Dave Johnson explores this crucial moment in the early ministry of the Apostles. Message by Pastor Dave Johnson, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA. From the Pastors' Series: The Book of Acts: Dear Lovers of God

"Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life." Acts 5: 20 NKJV Acts 5 has to be the most seeker-unfriendly episode in the history of the church! But God was not about to let hypocrisy infiltrate his fledgling congregation! With the demise of Ananias and Sapphira, God had purified HIs church, and oh what a powerful force it became!  Message by Pastor Dave Johnson, Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA From the Pastors' Series: The Book of Acts: Dear Lovers of God

"But Peter said: 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?'" Acts 5: 3 NKJV Acts 5 has to be a text for the most seeker unfriendly service in the history of the church! But, if this story is unsettling to you, or shocking, that is a good thing!  Message by Pastor Dave Johnson, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA  From the Pastors' Series: The Book of Acts: Dear Lovers of God

"Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul..." Acts 4: 32 Pastor Dave offers wisdom and insight into the amazing unity of this early, already persecuted church!   Message by Pastor Dave Johnson, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA  From the Pastors' series: The Book of Acts: Dear Lover of  God

"...and when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken..." Acts 4: 31 As the world hangs heavy under the turmoil and the lawlessness, we are hearing it over and over: "I can't think of one happy thing." Oh, but we're Christians, dear ones! So how should we respond? Wouldn't you know? Our brave church in Acts 4 does it just right! Let's learn from them today.   Message by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne Orange CA From the Pastors' Series: The Book of Acts: Dear Lovers of God.

"Whether it is right, in the sight of God, to listen to you more than to God, you be the judge." Acts 4: 19 We continue our study of the 'brave Church': people so inspired and empowered that nothing was going to stop them now. Not that many wouldn't try! This morning, the 'authorities' tried to forbid them to even 'utter' the name of Jesus. What a laugh! Let's take a look... Message by Asst. Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne Orange, CA.  From the Pastors' Series: The Book of Acts: Dear Lovers of God

"...for there is no other name under heaven, given among men, by which we must be saved." Acts 4: 12  How apt that question the jealous rulers of the people posed to Peter when he so miraculously healed the lame man: "By what power or in what name have you done this?" Oh! So glad they asked! That powerful name the subject of our message this morning. Message by Pastor Dave Johnson, Calvary Chapel Old Towne Orange, CA From the Pastors' Series: The Book of Acts: Dear Lovers of God   

"Repent and be converted that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." Acts 3: 19 That day on the Temple steps, Peter was preaching to the very enemies of Christ! "You who killed the Prince of Life..."! (Acts 3: 15) But--oh!--God was calling them too! He calls all of us to action, with the promise of a new life!  Message by Pastor Dave Johnson, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA  From the Pastors' Series: The Book of Acts: Dear Lovers of God

"...so he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking leaping and praising God." Acts 3:8 The lame man Peter healed that day, had been in that condition "since his mother's womb" (Acts 3: 2). In other words, he was 'born that way', to be lame was 'his nature'. And everyone knows there is no changing that, right? Oh, hold on! Here comes the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, with all the power to bless and transform anyone who is 'born that way'.  Message by Pastor Dave Johnson, Senior Pastor at Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA  From the Pastors' Series: The Book of Acts: Dear Lover of God

"...be saved from this crooked generation..." Acts 2: 40 Last week we listened to the very first sermon in the history of the Church. It was simple, concise and to the point. But more importantly, it 'pierced', as only something from the Spirit of God could do. So, how did that crowd of listeners respond? Oh that is the blessed subject of this morning's text. Message by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne Orange, CA  From the Pastors' Series: The Book of Acts: Dear Lover of God. 

"Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and heed my words..." Acts 2: 14 This morning we come to the very first sermon ever preached by a Christian preacher. How remarkable, the man God chose to deliver it: the most broken, discouraged, defeated disciple of all the Eleven. But--my!--what a message! And what a transformation! That is the work of the Holy Spirit of God. Message by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne From the Pastors' Series: The Book of Acts: Dear Lover of God

"Suddenly, there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind."  Acts 2:2 The day was 'Pentecost', remembering when God first gave the Law to His people. But oh, on this Pentecost, He gave something so much greater! He have the Holy Spirit and a changed heart, and the power to live gods Law, not just obey, but live it; to live life God's way like never before. And that was going to change the whole world. Message by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, from the Pastors' Series: The Book of Acts: Dear Lovers of God

"Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke..." Acts 1: 16 Christians do not follow their own devices; their own intuitions, the advice of others or the trends of the day. No! They follow God's Word and when they do, they never have cause for regret.  Pastor Dave explains the early church's  very first reliance upon the Holy Word of God.  Message by Pastor Dave Johnson, Calvary Chapel Old Towne From the series on the Book of Acts: Dear Lovers of God

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you shall be witnesses to me..." Acts 1: 8 NKJV Every believer in Jesus Christ becomes a member of Kingdom of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit to accomplish the work of the Kingdom; called by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses for Christ to all the world. Message by Pastor Dave Johnson A new series on the Book of Acts: Dear Lovers of God

"The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach." Acts 1:1 NKJV Luke, the beloved physician, (Col 4; 14) sets out to investigate the remarkable story of Jesus and becomes part of the story. This wonderful book of Acts is meant not only to be studied, but also to be lived out.   Message by Pastor Dave Johnson: From the Series on the Book of Acts.