09/07/2026
Notes from Pastor Leslie Ragland's sermon on Sunday, September 6, 2026:
Pastor Leslie continued the Sermon Series on the Book of Acts, focusing on Chapters 13-22, which cover Paul's Missionary Journeys and the outward expansion of Christ's teachings.
The Apostles, ordinary people appointed by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, went on to do extraordinary things after Christ ascended into heaven. Paul undertook three MIssionary Journeys to spread the gospel across the Roman Empire. He also made a final trip to Rome before his death. Paul's Journeys focused on preaching, establishing and supporting churches, and church doctrine.
Commonly, Paul and his various companions, Silas, Timothy, Luke, Priscilla, and Aquila, encountered resistance to the message and His teachings. This most often occurred in Jewish communities in the cities where he traveled. Paul's message resonated more with the Gentiles. The resistance and persecution Paul met led him to take leave of where he was and seek out other locations and plans. Ironically, the resistance to Christ's message fueled the spread of the Gospel and helped reach new people in new ways.
What can we learn from Paul's Missionary Journeys as individuals and the church? From Paul's story, we see someone who persisted in developing their faith and sharing the gospel despite numerous roadblocks, including imprisonment and beatings. We see someone who succeeded because he nurtured relationships with diverse people and communities and stayed adaptable and flexible. Paul was authentic in sharing his personal struggles and vulnerabilities. These lessons matter as we ponder how to be the church our community needs, set a course for 2027 for the church's ministries, missions, and outreach, and grow as a church and in our individual Christian walks.
Join us for worship on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. Everyone is welcome!
