Wednesday Night Gathering
A Study in the Book of Acts
Pastor Jeff Scott
Persecution, Hell, & The Gospel: Unpacking the Tension in John 8
Sermon Graphical OutlineDive into a powerful message that examines the intense drama of John chapter 8, where Jesus confronts his enemies with the radical truth of his identity and the eternal stakes of belief. This sermon explores the downward spiral of rejection Jesus faced and connects it directly to the reality of persecution for Christians today.In this message, we cover:The Downward Spiral of Rejection : Witness how Jesus' opponents moved from theological debate to name-calling—labeling him a Samaritan (a "half-breed apostate") and accusing him of having a demon. This highlights a strategy to diminish influence when argument fails.Matters of Life and Death: The Reality of Hell : Jesus' willingness to endure abuse is rooted in the high stakes of his message: deliverance from eternal death. We explore the biblical teaching on hell, including Jesus' descriptions of it as unquenchable fire and outer darkness. We break down the three specific consequences of hell: punishment, destruction, and banishment.Grace in the Face of Blasphemy : Despite the intense hostility and blasphemy he received, Jesus extended an invitation to life. The message stresses that the world's enemies and persecutors are the mission field , and Christians are called to demonstrate grace, even to those who hurt them.The Power of Christ's Word : What does it mean to "keep my word" and "never see death"? We clarify that the first command of Christ is belief (faith alone - sole fide) , which then expresses itself in good works.The Climax: "Before Abraham Was, I Am" : The sermon builds to Jesus' climactic declaration of his pre-existence and deity, connecting his presence on the Temple Mount (Mount Moriah) to Abraham's prophecy that "The Lord will provide".The Light is Chased Away : The message concludes with the tragic, yet temporary, rejection of Christ—the glory of God being chased from the temple —and the triumphant promise that he is undeterred, returning to Jerusalem as the Lamb of God to secure life for all who believe.Scripture Reference: John 8:48-59
Key Theme: Jesus' identity as God, the reality of eternal death, and the mission of extending grace to those who persecute.If you are struggling with the reality of persecution or wrestling with the eternal consequences of life and death, this message offers clear, biblical truth and powerful encouragement.#Sermon #John8 #Persecution #Hell #TheGospel #ChristianLife #JesusIsGod #BibleTeaching
True Disciples: Love, Live, and Remain in the Word (John 8:31-47)
Graphic Outline: https://marks-of-true-disciple-f2hgmj1.gamma.site/What is the mark of a true disciple? In this deep dive into John chapter 8, we explore Jesus's challenging words to those who had believed in him: "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples" (John 8:31).
This sermon emphasizes the "big idea": True disciples love, live, and remain in the Word. We look at how salvation is by grace through faith alone, but this saving faith is validated and proven out by a life where the Word of God is resident—a communion that follows union with Christ .
Discover the profound and practical implications of abiding in the Word:
The Superiority of God's Word: The Psalmist finds a glory in the Word of God that even surpasses the majesty of creation . The Word is described as perfect, reviving the soul; sure, making wise the simple; and pure, enlightening the eyes.
Freedom vs. Slavery: Jesus teaches that sin brings slavery, but the words of Christ bring true freedom—a freedom that transcends political or national liberation, setting us free from eternal death and sin.
The Litmus Test of the Word: The Word of God is the ultimate test of belonging. Jesus makes it clear that if his Word finds no place in you, you are not of him, regardless of your religious credentials or heritage. We discuss how fruitlessness is not spiritual immaturity, but an indication of no spiritual life at all.
Loving the Word Applied: We explore the difference between those who intellectually like the Bible and those who are broken by the Word when it is applied to their sin, like anger, lust, or love of money.
Ultimately, what you do with the words of Christ shows you to whom you belong. Let the Word of God not just be information, but the very vehicle that shapes your communion with God.
Scripture References: John 8:31-47; Psalm 19; Matthew 13 (Parable of the Sower); Galatians 5:1; 1 Peter 2; 1 John 4:20
Keywords: True Discipleship, Abide in the Word, John 8, Salvation, Grace Through Faith, Assurance of Salvation, The Word of God, Freedom in Christ, Slavery to Sin, Psalm 19, Christian Life, Fruit of the Spirit, Nathan Smith.
Wednesday Night Gathering
Series: Acts
Teacher: Pastor Mike Crump
Our Brokenness. God's Grace. | Colossians 3:1-4
In this message, we dive into Colossians 3:1-4 to explore the profound truths of our identity in Christ and how that fuels our daily lives.
We start by acknowledging the universal reality of our brokenness and the expectation that God's grace provides healing and wholeness. This wholeness is a process called sanctification—God's work of making us more like Jesus.
The question then becomes: Is this process passive or active? We define discipleship as our intentional participation in God's work of sanctification in our lives and the lives of others.
Key Takeaways:
Our Knowing Fuels Our Doing: Our obedience flows best from a deep understanding of who Christ is, what He's done, and who we are as a result. The sermon overviews Colossians 1 and 2, highlighting Christ's preeminence and definitive victory on the cross—He is the image of the invisible God, and in Him, all things hold together.
A New Life, A New Focus: Since we have been raised with Christ, we are instructed to seek the things that are above and set our minds on things above, not on things on the earth. This requires sacrificing what comes naturally, acknowledging that we have died with Christ, and our life is now hidden with Him in God.
The Power of Hope: Our hope rests in the future—when Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. This ultimate hope should be the driving force of our obedience and motivate us to live a life fully devoted to Jesus.
Putting Sin to Death: We are called to actively put sin to death, treating it with a severity that eradicates it before it overwhelms us. Conversely, we are to intentionally put on certain virtues like kindness, humility, forgiveness, and love, which bind the body of Christ together in unity.
Are you intentionally participating in what God is doing to make you more like Jesus?
Scripture references discussed:
Colossians 3:1-4 (main text)
Psalm 51:17
Psalm 147:3
Psalm 34:18
1 John 3:2
2 Corinthians 3:14-18
Romans 12:1-2
Romans 5:1
Romans 5:8
Colossians 1:9
Colossians 1:15-20
Colossians 2:13-15
Galatians 2:20
Psalm 3:3
#Brokenness #GodsGrace #Sanctification #Discipleship #Colossians #NewLifeInChrist #ChristianLiving #IntentionalFaith
The Light of the World and True Freedom
Sermon Outline: https://jesus-light-freedom-s3gu6dd.gamma.site/
In this powerful message, "Jesus is Light & Freedom", we dive into the life-changing claims of Jesus Christ in John 8:12-32. This sermon starts with the dramatic account of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery and moves into His revolutionary declaration: "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of life".
Pastor Nathan first considers whether John 1-11 are actually part of the scriptures and how we can discuss the subject without losing faith in the Word of God.
Are you walking in spiritual darkness or bound by sin? Discover the kind of true freedom that only Jesus offers—a freedom from sin and death that is eternal and transcends all earthly, political, and circumstantial bondage. Jesus is more concerned with setting your soul free than with your external circumstances. This is the Light of Life that guides us to be holy, righteous, and to enjoy the very presence of God.
Key Takeaways:
🔥 CALL TO ACTIONIf you have not yet confessed Christ, stop playing the Christian game and cry out to Him in prayer today. Believe, and Jesus pays your debt of sin on the cross.
📖 READ ALONGJohn 8:12-32
Pastor Nathan continues our study through the book of Acts.
📖 Jesus Divides the People – John 7:32–52 | Living Water and the Invitation of Christ 💧
CLICK HERE for Sermon Outline In this powerful message, we explore John 7:32–52, where Jesus’ words stir division among the people and reveal the true condition of their hearts. As the crowds question His identity, the religious leaders plot against Him, and confusion abounds, Jesus stands up on the final day of the Feast of Booths and cries out: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.”This sermon dives deep into:🔥 Why Jesus’ statement about living water is so significant in the context of the Feast of Booths.📜 How Old Testament prophecy (Zechariah, Isaiah, Ezekiel) points to Jesus as the source of spiritual life.💧 What it means to come to Christ in faith and receive the Holy Spirit.🙌 The challenge for believers to let the “rivers of living water” flow through them to a thirsty world.Whether you are a lifelong Christian, new to faith, or searching for truth, this message is a reminder that only Jesus can satisfy the deepest thirst of the soul. He invites all who are weary, broken, or spiritually dry to come and drink deeply of His grace and find eternal life.
Welcome to the Wednesday Night Gathering. We are currently walking through the book of Acts.
www.hbclycnhburg.com
Sermon Outline: https://who-is-this-jesus-kaod9lw.gamma.site/
Who is Jesus really? In John 7, people wrestled with the same question we still ask today: Was Jesus just a good man, a deceiver, or the true Deliverer? In this teaching, we explore the words and works of Christ, the growing opposition He faced, and why His claims leave no middle ground.You’ll discover:-Why Jesus’ own brothers didn’t believe in Him (John 7:1–10)-How the crowds debated His identity: good teacher, deceiver, or Messiah-The authority of Jesus’ teaching and why His words still pierce hearts today-Why the cross is the ultimate sign proving Jesus is the DelivererIf you’ve ever wondered who Jesus really is—or struggled with why His words bring both comfort and offense—this message will challenge and encourage you.📖 Scripture: John 7:1–31🎯 Key Question: Is Jesus a good man, a deceiver, or the Deliverer?✨ Subscribe for more biblical teaching and encouragement: [Your Channel Link]👍 Like this video if it helped you grow in faith💬 Share your thoughts below: Who do you say Jesus is?
Our Acts series continues with a look at God's work in establishing a new church among Gentile believers in Antioch.
www.hbclynchburg.com
Sermon Outline: https://gods-sovereignty-over-ev-qymptgt.gamma.site/
In this sermon, “God’s Sovereignty Over Evil,” we explore one of the most difficult questions Christians face: How can God be both righteous and sovereign while evil still exists in the world?
Drawing from Genesis 50:15–21 and the life of Joseph, we see how human intentions for evil are never outside of God’s sovereign purposes. Just as Joseph declared, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good,” we learn that even in suffering, tragedy, and loss, God’s wisdom and love remain unshaken.
This message also reflects on recent events, the reality of sin, and the hope believers have in Christ. Like Joseph’s story, the cross of Jesus Christ shows us that God can use even the darkest evil for His ultimate good—our salvation.
If you’ve ever wrestled with questions like:
Why does God allow evil?
How can I trust God in suffering?
What does the Bible say about God’s sovereignty over tragedy?
…then this sermon will provide biblical answers, encouragement, and hope in the midst of life’s hardest moments.
📖 Key Scripture: Genesis 50:15–21; Isaiah 46; Romans 8:28
✨ Timestamps:
0:00 – Introduction & context
4:20 – Joseph’s story of suffering and God’s plan
12:45 – Two planners: human and divine
22:30 – God’s wisdom in allowing evil
35:10 – The cross as the ultimate example
45:00 – Encouragement to trust God in trials
🔔 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more Christ-centered teaching.
#GodsSovereignty #ProblemOfEvil #ChristianSermon #Genesis50 #TrustGod #BiblicalTeaching #Sermon #CharlieKirk
Sermon Outline: https://chosen-but-not-coerced-4z6q0gi.gamma.site/
Description:In John 6, Jesus declares Himself the Bread of Life and reveals a mystery that has stretched the minds and hearts of believers for centuries: God’s providence in salvation and our responsibility to believe. Many disciples turned away, but Peter confessed, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
In this message, Pastor Nathan unpacks the tension and beauty of being chosen but not coerced—that salvation is fully a work of God’s grace, yet we are called to believe. Together we explore:
This teaching reminds us that providence is not fate, but the wise, holy, and gracious outworking of God’s sovereignty for His glory and our good. If you want life—believe in Christ. And if you believe, it is evidence that God has already been pursuing you.
📖 Main Text: John 6:66–71
📖 Supporting Scriptures: Ephesians 1, Romans 8, Psalm 147
🎯 Topics: divine providence, sovereignty of God, free will, election, predestination, salvation by grace
Heritage Baptist Church's Wednesday Night Gathering is currently walking through the book of acts.
The format for WNG is teaching and discussion.
Discover the profound meaning behind Jesus' controversial statement in John 6: 'Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.' This teaching explores how Jesus used sacrificial language—not sacramental—to describe salvation through faith. Learn why Jesus chose the metaphor of eating and drinking to illustrate how we must internalize Him through belief.
The Gospel of John answers two fundamental questions: What is salvation? And what must I do to be saved? This exploration of the Bread of Life discourse reveals that Jesus was foreshadowing His substitutionary death and teaching that we participate in His sacrifice through faith alone, not through rituals.
Understand the biblical concept of belief as taking God at His word, directing faith toward Christ's redemptive work, repenting of sin, and transferring trust from ourselves to Him. Jesus confronts those who merely admire Him from afar but refuse to truly 'eat'—to believe and take Him into their lives.
Discover how salvation creates a spiritual union with Christ where we abide in Him and He in us, bringing us into the very life of God Himself. This teaching challenges us to examine what we're truly feeding on spiritually, to rest in our union with Christ, and to feast daily on the gospel truth.
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Keywords: Bread of Life, John 6, salvation, faith, belief, substitutionary atonement, spiritual union, eternal life, gospel truth, Jesus Christ, biblical interpretation, Christian doctrine, spiritual nourishment, faith alone, union with Christ.
Big Idea: Jesus is the bread of life give by the Father
In this teaching Pastor Nathan unpacks Jesus' words from John 6 so that we can better understand the role the Father plays in our salvation.
Discover the profound meaning behind Jesus' declaration 'I am the bread of life' in John's Gospel. This message explores how Jesus presents himself as divine sustenance that offers eternal life, unlike the temporary manna that fed the Israelites in the wilderness. Learn about the Father's intimate involvement in salvation - drawing people to Jesus, giving them to Him, and ensuring none are lost. This teaching addresses the balance between God's sovereignty and human responsibility in salvation. While the Father must draw people to Jesus, we're still called to believe and share our faith boldly.
Great missionaries like Hudson Taylor, William Carey, and Amy Carmichael understood this balance perfectly.Explore the mystery of Jesus' statement about eating His flesh, which points to our union with Him through His sacrificial death. This message will help you understand salvation not as a matter of performance but as believing in the One who gave Himself on the cross to pay our debt of sin.
Keywords: Bread of Life, Gospel of John, Jesus Christ, eternal life, salvation, God's sovereignty, human responsibility, evangelism, manna in the wilderness, I AM statements, union with Christ, drawing of the Father, believing in Jesus, Christian doctrine, biblical teaching, spiritual nourishment, John 6, Christian faith, divine provision, spiritual hunger.
This teaching explores the powerful message of 1 & 2 Kings for today's uncertain times. These biblical books reveal a timeless truth: no human leader can truly save us.
Through the stories of kings like Solomon, Ahab, Hezekiah, and Josiah, we discover why placing our hope in political solutions or charismatic leaders always leads to disappointment. The narrative traces Israel's history from Solomon's reign through the divided kingdom to eventual exile, showing how even the best kings ultimately fell short.
Yet within this seemingly bleak history, we find three powerful gospel images that point to Christ: Solomon's intercessory prayer, Naaman's healing from leprosy, and Manasseh's unexpected repentance. These stories offer hope by foreshadowing Jesus—the perfect King who conquers sin and brings lasting peace. Whether you're feeling anxious about current leadership, disillusioned with political systems, or searching for where to place your trust, this message offers biblical wisdom for navigating a world of failed kings. Discover how ancient Israel's experience speaks directly to our modern tendency to look for salvation in earthly power and learn how to find genuine hope in the King of Kings.
Biblical history, failed leadership, divine kingship, political disillusionment, finding hope, ancient wisdom for modern times, kingdom of God, spiritual leadership, biblical perspective on government, trusting God in uncertain times.
Pastor Nathan shares of our call to both proclaim the truth of Christ in our words as well as our lives.
This teaching on 1 & 2 Samuel explores the profound spiritual lessons from this ancient text that remain remarkably relevant today.
This message examines the striking contrast between Israel's first two kings - Saul and David - revealing timeless truths about leadership, character, and our relationship with God. Discover how Saul, though externally impressive, feared people more than God, while David, the overlooked shepherd boy, consistently sought God in times of distress. Learn what it truly means to fear God and how this reverence shaped David's decisions even when he was imperfect.
The message delves into the different heart conditions of these flawed leaders - Saul's pride and excuses versus David's humility and genuine repentance. Understand how their stories illustrate salvation by grace rather than works, and see how David's victory over Goliath foreshadows Christ as our ultimate champion who defeats sin and death on our behalf. This teaching challenges us to examine our own hearts:
Bible study, Christian leadership, King David, King Saul, repentance, faith, Old Testament, biblical characters, spiritual growth, heart after God, fear of God, champion, Christ foreshadowing, grace versus works, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, biblical leadership principles, spiritual transformation, overcoming challenges, trust in God.
Finding God's Providence in the Ordinary: Lessons from the Book of Ruth
Discover how God works through everyday faithfulness in this exploration of the Book of Ruth. This often-overlooked biblical narrative reveals profound truths about divine providence working through ordinary people and circumstances.The Book of Ruth serves as a crucial transition in Scripture, bridging the chaotic period of Judges to the establishment of Israel's monarchy. Unlike the epic stories that precede it, Ruth zooms in on ordinary people facing real-life challenges—famine, grief, poverty, and uncertainty.
This message unpacks the four-chapter journey of Naomi and Ruth, from unexplained heartache to redemption. When tragedy strikes Naomi's family in Moab, her daughter-in-law Ruth demonstrates extraordinary loyalty by returning with her to Bethlehem. There, Ruth 'happens' to glean in the field of Boaz, a relative who could serve as their kinsman-redeemer under Mosaic law.
Through acts of humility and kindness, Ruth and Boaz's story unfolds toward marriage and the birth of their son Obed—who would become the grandfather of King David. Neither lived to see how their ordinary faithfulness would contribute to God's plan to bring not only David but eventually Jesus into the world.
The message highlights six ways Ruth foreshadows the gospel:
1. God's providence draws people from outside His covenant family
2. Kindness bestows value on the marginalized
3. Humility is required to seek redemption
4. A worthy redeemer must satisfy the law's requirements
5. Redemption leads to union with the redeemer
6. Jesus is our ultimate kinsman redeemer
This teaching challenges believers to trust God's providence even when they can't see the full picture. Are you facing unexplained loss? Do you wonder if your ordinary acts of faithfulness matter? The Book of Ruth reminds us that God works behind the scenes, using everyday people and circumstances to accomplish His extraordinary purposes.
Biblical faith providence redemption kinsman-redeemer Ruth Naomi Boaz Old Testament Bible study Christian teaching lineage of Jesus trust in difficult times God's sovereignty hope in suffering everyday faithfulness divine guidance
