Richmond Community Church

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Sermon Audio: Amazed by Grace
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Acts 8:9-13
Duration: 18:43
Size: 9.13 MB

Acts: Life In The Spirit
Amazed by Grace
Acts 8:9-13

The truth about Jesus will have a powerful effect on those who receive it.

I. Power Attracts People (8:9-11)
Aside from facing times when our only answer must come from a higher power, there is something within us that wants to see something supernatural happen.

II. Power without Truth Is Dangerous (8:11)
We know that there are other powers and spiritual forces around, but Paul tells us to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.

III. The Power of the Truth Leads to Freedom (8:12-13)
So, with a sense of mission he headed towards a Samaritan city to tell the people about Jesus.

God’s grace can reach even the worst of sinners.

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Sermon Audio: The Prevailing Purpose of God
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Acts 8:1-8
Duration: 30:08
Size: 14.3 MB

Acts: Life In The Spirit
The Prevailing Purpose of God
Acts 8:1-8

Now, God does not take pleasure out of forcing someone to love Him, so He does give us a free will.

I. God’s Purpose Is Always Under Attack (8:1,3)
Whatever the reason, the heat was turned up in opposition to the purpose of God.

We have a nasty enemy who does not want anyone to receive Jesus or experience lasting peace.

II. God’s Purpose May Be Fulfilled Through Grief and Suffering (8:2,4-5)
Now, the ripples of Christ’s work were being felt not only throughout Israel, but in Samaria.

However, sometimes God may be saying, “I have a higher purpose for you than just making you feel good.”

III. God’s Purpose Includes Demonstrations of His Power (8:6-7)
When we share the love of Jesus with someone, we should be able to say with boldness that Jesus Christ wants to make them whole!

Sometimes people today never really hear the gospel, because they are so overwhelmed by their problems.

IV. God’s Purpose Brings Joy out of Sorrow (8:8)
Because Philip was willing to minister out of his grief and suffering, these Samaritans were able to see God turn their sorrow into joy.

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Sermon Audio: The Truth Will Set You Free
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Acts 7:1-60
Duration: 24:33
Size: 12.1 MB

Acts: Life In The Spirit
The Truth Will Set You Free
Acts 7:1-60

Let’s look at 5 truths that come out in this account of Stephen’s sermon and execution.

I. The Truth about the Land of Israel (7:1-7)
God is universally accessible!
If you want to find an audience with God, let me assure you that you can get His attention by simply calling out to Him from wherever you are.

II. The Truth about God’s Leaders (7:8-41)
Those who reject God’s leaders are rejecting Him.
I believe in the priesthood of every believer, which means that we all can come to God, without needing someone else to act as a go-between.

The truth about God’s leaders is that He typically speaks through them in order to get the whole body of Christ to do His will.

III. The Truth about the Temple (7:42-50)
God is greater than our best idea of Him.
The temple was to be a place where God’s glory could be known by those who came to worship.

IV. The Truth about the Sanhedrin (7:51-58)
God will go to great lengths to show people the truth.
These leaders of Israel were stubborn and unwilling to change.

V. The Truth about Stephen (7:59-60)
A right relationship with Jesus brings freedom.
You could have bound him with shackles of iron, but he still would have been free.

In order for that to happen, we must come to see the truth about ourselves, that without Him, we are lost.

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Sermon Audio: How to Deal with False Accusations
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Acts 6:8-15
Duration: 25:03
Size: 12.0 MB

Acts: Life In The Spirit
How to Deal with False Accusations
Acts 6:8-15

With God’s help, we can respond appropriately to those who treat us badly.

I. Live a Life of Integrity
It is very likely that Paul (or his Hebrew name Saul) was a member of the Sanhedrin as Stephen stood before them.

When we are falsely accused about something, a life testimony of integrity, honesty, and faithfulness is the best witness in our case.

II. Be Faithful to Keep on Doing What God Has Called You to Do
Stephen was faithful to God and faithful to do what God had called him to do.

III. Seek to Stay Filled with the Wisdom and Power of the Spirit
Being filled with wisdom and the power of the Spirit does not keep opposition of false accusations away.

IV. Entrust Your Future with the One Who Holds It
Even so, we must live our lives in such a way that we are trusting in God for our future.

V. Be Willing to Forgive Those Who Wrong You
Bitterness and unforgiveness will eat away at your spirit until there is nothing left but the shell of who you were.