"Out of the frying pan, into the fire." We've all been in those situations where we narrowly escape one crisis only to fall into another. In Acts 28, Paul barely survives a shipwreck, only to be bitten by a poisonous snake - all on a journey toward his prison cell in Rome. But these "setbacks" don't hinder Paul at all. With each setback, God provides an opportunity.

We aren’t literally threatened to be consumed by sea-storms, but we can relate to the hopelessness that comes from the "storms of life." How do we handle loss of hope? Paul was literally on a boat in a storm on the sea where everyone on the boat had lost hope of survival. But God gets Paul through the storm. When you find yourself hopeless in a deadly storm, find courage by taking God at His Word.

When we arrange our lives around Christ and His gospel, our lives can be misunderstood. We want to be winsome, but the gospel itself is a "stumbling block." Festus responds to Paul's gospel presentation saying, "Much learning is driving you mad!" But Paul is convinced the gospel is the only true, reasonable way of life. If we center our lives on the gospel, we should expect to be misunderstood.

Fear is gripping. How do we find peace when gripped by fear of harm? Paul faced a similar scenario. Having sat in prison for two years, he continues to face Jews who seek to kill him and a ruler who treats him with injustice. He must wonder, “What’s going to happen to me?” Rather than being gripped by fear, Paul trusts the One who grips him. He demonstrates great trust in God’s sovereign care.

Often Christians desire to do something "big" for God. In Acts 24, Paul has an opportunity to share the gospel with the Governor! He explains that the gospel has completely reshaped his thinking. He says he makes it his "aim to please" Jesus. This gospel-shaped living opens the door to testify. The reality is that we prepare ourselves to do "big things" for God by living for Jesus in the details.

Words are powerful. They can result in hurt, division, even war. We've all felt the pain of gossip, slander, and threats. Christians face hate from the world through words. Sinful words in response only add to the problem! But in Acts 23, after Paul's words added to his mess, the Lord Jesus stood by and encouraged him. Though the hateful, threatening words of others attack, words of Jesus prevail.

During suffering, it's easy to turn inward. We think that giving attention to these things will help us feel better. Instead, Jesus gives us a greater purpose. Even our suffering can be leveraged as an opportunity to testify of salvation in Jesus and we find satisfaction and joy in Him. We see this example in Paul's life. Just after taking a beating, Paul takes the opportunity to share the gospel.

People can be so frustrating! They often get in the way of our plans and goals. Problems arise because we have the wrong focus, but other times it happens as we try to do what’s right. Paul faces frustrating scenarios in Acts 21, but he walks through it graciously with his devotion to Christ and the gospel. The gospel frees us to serve others, and the gospel prepares us to suffer with joy!

What is God's will for my life? Often in wrestling with this question, we get distracted from the things we know are God's will for us: to love Him, to love one another, to make disciples, and so forth. We are easily distracted. Paul faces the temptation to avoid God's will because it involves suffering. In the end, he and the other disciples say, "The will of the Lord be done" whatever the cost.

Have you ever felt like you were floating without direction? This happens easily in life during transition. In Acts 20, Paul prepares the Ephesian elders for a transition. He’s leaving not to return, but he encourages them that God has fully prepared them to thrive with His Word and His Spirit. This helps us to remember our purpose and the resources God has given us to stay focused on our purpose.

Why are Sunday mornings so hard?! No matter how hard you try you can't be there on time. During the sermon, all you can think about is the stuff you didn't complete Saturday and still need to do this afternoon or you're trying to stay awake. Is it worth it? Acts 20:1-16 reminds us that Sunday gatherings are worth it. We see a huge priority the early church put on gathering and hearing the Word!

Nothing incites our passion more than an attack on what we love. If we are honest, we can all think of times we've responded with irrationality when something we loved was threatened. Ephesus formed a dangerous mob. The gospel is an attack on idolatry. Only the One who died and rose again is worthy of our love and worship. As the gospel attacks idolatry in our hearts, we should expect resistance!

It's only when we exalt the name of Jesus that we begin to experience the power of His name. If we want to see God at work with power, then we must center our ministry on the message of salvation in the name of Jesus.

God wants each of us to participate in the growth of the church. This is how ministry multiplies. We see this happen in the Apostle Paul's life as his ministry multiplies through the lives of others - Apollos, Aquila, and Priscilla. Church is not one feeding the many. Instead, we all grow as we all serve. Listen to consider how you can thrive in the body of Christ.

Fear can shape the little decisions we make in the day. Worst of all, fear can keep us from doing what God has called us to do. In Acts 18, the Lord Jesus reminds Paul of His presence and power so that Paul can overcome his fears and press on in ministry. We too can lean on Jesus' promises to conquer our fears.

In Acts 17:16-34, Paul is grieved by the way the city of Athens is gripped by idolatry. Immediately he begins to preach Jesus, the crucified and risen Savior. His message is crucial for us today! Only Jesus can save us from our idolatry. Turn from idols and trust in Jesus, the crucified and risen Savior. 

God is still at work today, turning the world upside down. Except, it may not be how you'd expect. In Acts 17, we see how God uses something very simple - the faithful explanation of the Word of the crucified and risen Savior - to turn the world upside down.

Have you ever lost hope? Have you ever felt like there was no way out?  Is there any hope? Yes. In fact, we have a Living Hope. We preach the message of a crucified and risen Savior. Trust in the power of the crucified and risen Savior Jesus.

Even Paul and Barnabas, in Acts 15:46-16:10, fall into conflict. They let their ministry desires rule them. But God's grace is bigger! God continues to use both of them as they learn to trust God's grace and yield to God's Spirit. Listen to consider what this looks like practically in our lives.

Have I done enough? Am I good enough? Questions like these can trouble our souls and we wonder if we are truly accepted by God. God has made Himself clear - salvation is by grace, not works. Listen to consider what that means for all of us - to be saved by grace, and then to live by grace.