Awake Us Now

This account takes place on Paul’s second missionary trip, on his trip to the city of Athens, A city that prided itself on knowledge and education, learning, culture and the arts. It was also a city filled with idols. As Paul looked around and saw all the idolatry it just really riled him up and he began passionately sharing the gospel message in the synagogues and even in the market places. He worked to draw people to Jesus and not to idols. His impassioned message caused much interest, but also much controversy. Paul teaches us to not give up - when we are confronted with issues or by people who reject what we believe we don’t give up - we are kind, gracious, we are generous and merciful, but we can be encouraged by Paul’s example. In this story we learn that we do not need to hesitate to say what we believe and why. Paul’s persistence cases those listening to become curious. They ask questions and want to know more and more. While they were curious, they were still not wanting to believe. So Paul says that

As the church began to grow with believers both Jew and Gentile, a division between the two started, especially as Jews began to be out numbered by gentile believers who brought in their customs. Many gentile believers were God-fearers who believed in the Old Testament but weren’t circumcised and didn’t eat kosher, yet went to the synagogue to worship God. Other Gentiles were proselytes and were circumcised and ate kosher and followed rituals prescribed by the Hebrew Scriptures. As a result of the growing number of God-fearers, a division between Jew and Gentile began to grow. One group of Jews wanted to mandate circumcision and kosher eating so they brought the issue to the elders and apostles. Peter addresses the gathering with the story of how God had given the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles just as He had done for the Jews and that God did not discriminate between Jew and Gentile, because He gave them both faith. Peter then challenged the group to not test God because God had already made it clear that He ga

This teaching is on Acts 14:8-22, “Incident in Lystra,” and is an account on idol worshipers. We are living in a time of great idolatry and how do we as followers of Jesus respond, react, and live? In today’s story, Paul is teaching about Jesus in the town square of Lystra and sees a man lame from birth, but Paul also sees the man has great faith and Paul says, “Stand Up and Walk” and the man is healed. While this story is nearly 2,000 years old, God has not changed and God still moves in remarkable ways. So let’s take note of the following OBSERVATIONS FROM THE STORY: 1. The Power of the Messiah - the power of faith in Jesus. We see the testimony that All Authority has been given to Jesus the Messiah and in His name this man was healed and God still heals today. 2. Inherently Religious Nature - human beings are inherently religious, longing for a power higher than themselves, a need. People find something to worship in their lives because we need purpose. We look for meaning for our lives in someone, somethi

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Micah 6:8 Being in the Scripture is a great place to be because God DOES speak in His Word, both 2,000 years ago and today!   Today’s text from the Bible is a powerful Word, a life-changing Word… Matthew tells the Christmas story from the vantage point of Joseph, who after finding out about Mary being pregnant decided to divorce her quietly, but… Joseph receives a visit by an angel in a dream and the angel tells him that he is not to divorce Mary, that she is pregnant by the Holy Spirit, and that he is to name the child Jesus because He will save His people from their sins.  Following the dream, Joseph stays engaged to Mary, doesn’t consummate the marriage until after Jesus’ birth, and he names the baby, Jesus. A virgin birth is implausible if there is no god. But there IS a god!  He is the God who reveals Himself in the Scripture and through His Holy Spirit and like in today’s reading, through angelic beings. What prophets predicted, is fulfilled in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth

As pastor takes a look at the word “Christian,” its definition, what it means for us and for the world today, we will see a blueprint God has laid out for believers not just in Antioch long ago but also for us today! The word “Christian” came about from non-believers in the city of Antioch. As persecution caused the Jewish believers in Jerusalem to seek other cities in which to live, many chose to move to Antioch. It was a welcoming city without persecution and the message of Jesus exploded. It was then that Barnabus was sent to encourage these new believers. Barnabus, led by the Holy Spirit, taught these new believers to HOLD FAST to... 1. God’s grace - Barnabus shared the truth of what Jesus did on the cross. In our crazy world it’s important for us to hold fast to God’s grace too, and not allow the enemy to confuse us. 2. Solid instruction - Barnabus and Paul worked to impress the truths of the God onto the hearts of believers, instructing them on how to apply God’s truths in their lives and in their heart

Luke 1:39-56; “Elizabeth’s Story”  The story of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth is often a forgotten story. But what it shows us should not be ignored. It is life-changing, powerful, dynamic and has impact on the way we understand the Bible, the way we perceive and understand God and how he moves in our lives today.  Earlier in the chapter we learned Elizabeth was now about 6 months pregnant with John the Baptist and Mary is just newly pregnant with Jesus. When Mary arrives and greets Elizabeth, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit, In this first chapter of Luke the Holy Spirit is mentioned three times. Why is this significant? When we look at the Old Testament - which contains 23,145 verses, the Holy Spirit is only mentioned a total of 3 times. But now in the New Testament in this first chapter of Luke in the first 41 verses, the Holy Spirit is mentioned three times! What this indicates is a profound truth: with the coming of Jesus, EVERYTHING CHANGES! It ushers in the age of the Spirit that will continue unti

This teaching is taken from Acts 12. It is a story of Peter being set free from prison chains by an angel, but also set free from the destructive thoughts and emotions and feelings that can rise up inside us during challenging times. Peter shows us how to hold on tight to what we know about God and let Him carry us through difficult times. In uncertain and challenging times, this story teaches us that like Peter, we are: 1. Set Free from fear - Peter was at peace, sleeping between two guards, not fearing the eminent death sentence awaiting him, when the angel came to rescue him. John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” 2. Set Free from worry - Peter knew the Lord cared for him. Peter knew the Lord was at work in his life and that God had a plan and that plan is that God will win in the end! Peter did as the verse says, “Cast all your anxieties on God because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 We can

This teaching is taken from the Acts 10, the story of Peter and Cornelius the Centurion. Both Peter and Cornelius experienced divine encounters through visions. Cornelius sees an angel with a message, Cornelius obeys and has Peter brought to his home. Peter receives a vision in which God gives Peter eyes to see beyond his cultural rules of clean and unclean. Peter was a prisoner of his culture until God gave him a vision of truth and that breakthrough brings Peter to a Gentile’s home, Cornelius’ home, and Peter, going against the culture, obeys God and enters the house of a Gentile. Barriers were broken as Peter allowed God to broke into his heart. Peter understood that God wants ALL people to know and believe in Him. Peter shares the gospel story with Cornelius and the people gathered to listen. Before Peter was even finished sharing, the Holy Spirit descended onto the group, just like what had happened to the disciples on Pentecost. The ministry to the non-Jewish world takes off because God has intervened a

Today’s teaching show us the significance of the Conversion of Paul. Not only is it a remarkable event, it brings forward remarkable truths. New archeological discoveries of Paul’s tomb help emphasize these verses are not just a story. This is an actual account of an actual event, that happened to an actual person, and it changed the world! This account of Paul’s conversion calls us to a deep relationship with God and demonstrates how God desires to be at work in our lives not just back then, but today in the 21st century as well. God took Paul from being a bulldog for the enemy’s use against those following The Way, Jesus, but Jesus turned Paul into one of His sheep in His flock for His use in sharing the Gospel. God used Paul’s testimony of Jesus changing his life to reach into the hearts of the people of his day and that testimony is still reaching all the way into our hearts today. Paul’s story testifies to the heart of God to be in relationship with each one us no matter who we are or what we’ve done. Go

Today’s teaching shows us what happens when we follow where God leads and when we share the Good News of our Savior Jesus. Philip used “Isaiah’s Prophecy” to teach the man in today’s story, all about Jesus.  Scripture text: Acts 8:26-40, Isaiah 52:13-52:12  awakeusnow.com

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6-7, Daniel 7:14, 1 Samuel 16:7 In today’s Scripture, we look at an incredible and great announcement from the angel Gabriel to Mary that she would be the mother of the Son of God, Jesus. In this season of Advent we also look with anticipation to the incredible and great announcement of Christ’s return.  This will not be a quiet visit to just one person, this will be an announcement the whole world will see and hear! As we look at today’s reading, the question for us is how will we react to the announcement of the Savior’s birth? We can learn from Mary… The angel Gabriel came to Mary, saying, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you!” (Hold onto that word favored - we’re coming back to that!) She was pretty shocked, but the angel said to not be afraid and he announces to her that she will conceive (even though she is a virgin) and have a son.  She is to name Him Jesus and he will be the Son of the Most High - His kingdom will never end. This c

A study on how God uses opposition, and how to handle it. Pastor teaches us to deal with opposition through the applied truths found in the Bible. These words of God will encourage, build up, and carry us through our times of opposition!

Luke 1:26-38; “Mary’s Story”  The Christmas story is familiar to most of us, but Pastor Dodge gives us a fresh view of this well know story over the next few weeks beginning today with the story of Mary, Jesus’ mother. Mary’s name means bitter.  She was born in an obscure village, raised in a difficult time when the children of Israel were in bondage to Roman master. BUT her Son would not only redeem Israel - He would redeem the world. Very little is know about Mary. What we know is that she was a virgin born in the town of Nazareth, a town not even mentioned in the Old Testament. However, God chose an obscure little town and an unknown young woman to be the carriers of His promised Savior. Though Mary’s name means bitter, God changes things! He turns bitterness into joy! A unique birth, a unique mother and a unique child!   Today, Christmas is under attack. Yet perhaps it’s more than that. The battle is larger than the attack on Christmas, it’s a battle that goes back to the garden of Eden. It’s not a war on

A study of the story of Stephen, a man who understood the truth of Jesus and experienced the consequences of speaking the wisdom the Holy Spirit gave him. God is calling us today to have the faith of Stephen, to follow the Lord Jesus, to be faithful, to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us, and to speak God’s truth in love.

Pastor examines the statement “I’m not a Christian because of all the hypocrites.” Hypocrisy is play acting that one has faith, rather than having genuine faith. In this message, we see a tragic example of hypocrisy in contrast to an example of bold faithfulness. The lesson of this story is to take God seriously. It is not about having a little religion, but rather a lifetime commitment to a loving God who gives life and forgiveness to all who repent and believe in Jesus.

Peter and John were bold witnesses of the power and authority of Jesus. It is in Jesus’ name alone that we find Salvation. Peter and John’s courage in telling others about Jesus astonished others, and the people noted that Peter and John had been with Jesus, eyewitnesses that had spent time with Him. We, too, can spend time with Jesus and get to know Him like Peter and John did.

In the midst of cultural lunacy, craziness, confusion and deception, how are Christians to live? (Hint: It’s not through a mindset of judgement.) Pastor points us to a heart of devotion and encourages us to submit ourselves to the authority of God’s word, to seek an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, to be a people of prayer, to pray for God to open people’s hearts and minds, and to pray for awaking and transformation.

First Sunday in Advent - The Great Awakening Scripture: Luke 1:5-25 and Malachi 4:5-6a   The season of Advent is a time we prepare to celebrate that Jesus came, but it is also a time we eagerly anticipate that He will return! When asked about the Great Awakening, people most often mention the The Great Awakening of the 1700s, an awakening that fundamentally changed what would become the United States of America, and imparted America’s destiny and the make up of our country. But THE Great Awakening Pastor refers to today is the one that far out strips the awakening in the 1700s. This is THE Great Awakening that started just over 2000 years ago!  And it has completely changed the world!  Pastor suggests that it began in Luke chapter 1 verse 5, that THE Great Awakening began with Zechariah and Elizabeth’s story. In the Gospel of Luke chapter 1 verses 5-25 we read the story of the coming one who would prepare the way for the Promised One, the Savior, the Messiah. The Great Awakening     1.    Started with Zechari

In the last several decades, there has been a pendulum swing. No longer are the majority of Christian, non-Christian, agnostic and atheist theologians and historians viewing the story of Jesus as Biblical theology that was developed gradually over time. Most are now in agreement on 7 key points regarding Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. No longer do they see Jesus’ story as an evolving story. Instead, their attitudes have been transformed by recent historical, archeological and linguistic evidence. The question is: Will you allow the evidence to transform your attitude as well?

Luke 14:1-24; “Dinner Disaster” Today’s story is of Jesus attending a dinner with His enemies - who have an agenda and it’s not a good one. Yet Jesus has a heart even for those who oppose Him.  Jesus is invited to the house of a prominent Pharisee on a Sabbath day and they are all watching Him. There in front of Him they have placed a very sick man with a serious health condition of being severely swollen.  Keep in mind:  It’s a Sabbath day Previously Jesus had done healings on the Sabbath and the synagogue leaders were extremely angry  No “work” was to be done on a Sabbath  Healings were considered “work”  Entrapment:  We can see this sick man placed in front of Jesus, is a set up for entrapment so that they could say Jesus broke the Sabbath by healing someone.  Jesus recognizes the trap and He addresses it head on saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” But they did not answer Him, so Jesus healed the man and sent him on his way. They all witnessed it.  What