Whitestone Christian Fellowship

09/04/2026

Good afternoon, saints!

Welcome to Whitestone Christian Fellowship. As always, we invite you to join us for our worship service Sunday mornings at 10 AM. If you are hungry for truth, desire to know God's Word and enjoy in depth bible study, this is the place for you.

We encourage you to visit our website, where you will find our weekly audio messages, the weekly Bobservations' Column along with many, many other resources. To access, just click on the link below.

We are currently in the book of Acts which gives us the history of the Christian church and the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ, as well as the mounting opposition to it.

This week, finishing up Acts 7 is the record of Stephen’s testimony, which is perhaps the most detailed and concise history of Israel and their relationship to God of any in Scripture. Stephen was not concerned about his earthly existence, determining instead to stand firmly on the side of Jesus Christ, no matter the consequences. God inspired him to speak boldly, rightly accusing Israel of their failure to recognize Jesus, their Messiah, rejecting and murdering Him, as they had murdered Zechariah and other prophets and faithful men throughout their generations. Stephen’s speech was an indictment against Israel and their failure as the chosen people of God who had been given the law, the holy things, and the promise of the Messiah. Naturally, these accusations, though true, were not well received by the Jews.

Though Stephen’s ministry is recorded in only two chapters of Acts, his role is crucial in the unfolding story of redemption. More importantly, his life directs our attention not to himself but to Christ. Stephen stands at a pivotal moment in the history of the early church. Before Jesus’ ascension, He promised that the Holy Spirit would empower His disciples to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Through Stephen’s ministry and martyrdom, that promise begins to advance beyond Jerusalem. The persecution that followed Stephen’s death scattered believers throughout Judea and Samaria, leading to the further spread of the gospel.

This should encourage us. God graciously used a man whose entire ministry is summarized in only two chapters to help advance His kingdom. Outside of Acts 6 and 7, Stephen is mentioned only a few more times in the book of Acts. Yet his influence was profound because God delights to use ordinary believers for extraordinary purposes.

The words of Colossians 3:2-3 could have been written about the life of Stephen, even though they are applicable to all believers: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Stephen’s life—and even more so his death—should be an example of how every believer should strive to live: committed to the Lord even in the face of death; faithful to preach the gospel boldly; knowledgeable of God’s truth; and willing to be used by God for His plan and purpose. Stephen’s testimony still stands as a beacon, a light to a lost and dying world, as well as an accurate history of the children of Abraham.

Sunday Morning Message:
Acts 7:42-60 - "A 'Priestly' Exchange"

Summary, Additional Commentary & Definitions:

This week we are finishing up Acts 7. In verses 42-60, Stephen concludes his defense before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish high council). What began as a historical recital of Israel’s ancestry turns into a sharp indictment of the council's ongoing rebellion against God. . .

Bobservations' Column Titled - "A 'Priestly ' Exchange" Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz Steven enters into a dialog with at least one of t...

08/31/2026

Acts 17:26 - The Beauty of Sovereignty in every nation.

08/31/2026

Biblical Immigration -
An overview according to the Bible:

The issue of illegal immigration is often framed as political or em...

08/28/2026

Good afternoon, saints!

Welcome to Whitestone Christian Fellowship. As always, we invite you to join us for our worship service Sunday mornings at 10 AM. If you are hungry for truth, desire to know God's Word and enjoy in depth bible study, this is the place for you.

We encourage you to visit our website, where you will find our weekly audio messages, the weekly Bobservations' Column along with many, many other resources. To access, just click on the link below.

We are currently in the book of Acts which gives us the history of the Christian church and the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ, as well as the mounting opposition to it.

This week we are in the middle of chapter 7, where Stephen continues to address the Sanhedrin to deliver a sharp indictment of his accusers. Stephen turns the trial upside down: instead of Stephen being on trial for breaking the Law of Moses or disrespecting the Temple, the religious leaders are put on trial. He proves a recurring historical pattern in Israel: God sends a deliverer, the religious establishment rejects that deliverer, and they turn toward idolatry while claiming to serve God.

Sunday Morning Message:
Acts 7:23-42 - "Misplaced Faith"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

In review of what we have learned so far in part 1 of our study in Acts 7, we are witnessing Stephen’s powerful defense before the Sanhedrin, where he masterfully recounts the history of Israel, shedding light on God’s faithfulness amid human resistance. What we encounter are facts of Israel’s history that would cause very little disagreement from the leaders of the Sanhedrin. . .

Bobservations' Column Titled - "Misplaced Faith" Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz Stephen’s soliloquy before the Priests and the Temple Coun...

08/21/2026

Good afternoon!

Welcome to Whitestone Christian Fellowship. We invite you to join us for Sunday worship where we are currently going through the book of Acts, line upon line. If you enjoy in depth bible study, this is the place for you. We encourage you to visit our website, where you will find our weekly audio messages, the weekly Bobservations' Column along with many, many other resources. To access, just click on the link below.

There is a temptation to assume that the people who receive the most attention in Scripture must be the most significant. Yet Stephen reminds us that significance in God’s kingdom is not measured by the amount of space devoted to a person, but by the God to whom that person points.

Though Stephen’s ministry is recorded in only two chapters of Acts, his role is crucial in the unfolding story of redemption. More importantly, his life directs our attention not to himself but to Christ. Stephen stands at a pivotal moment in the history of the early church. Before Jesus’ ascension, He promised that the Holy Spirit would empower His disciples to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Through Stephen’s ministry and martyrdom, that promise begins to advance beyond Jerusalem. The persecution that followed Stephen’s death scattered believers throughout Judea and Samaria, leading to the further spread of the gospel.

This should encourage us. God graciously used a man whose entire ministry is summarized in only two chapters to help advance His kingdom. Outside of Acts 6 and 7, Stephen is mentioned only a few more times in the book of Acts. Yet his influence was profound because God delights to use ordinary believers for extraordinary purposes.

Sunday Morning Message:
Acts 7:1-22 - "Truth Questioned"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

In last week's message, (Acts 6) there were those in the Synagogue obviously opposed to Christ and Christianity. Stephen who did many miraculous wonders, found himself in a dispute with these men. When they could not argue with Stephen's wisdom, they took it up a notch, laid hands on him and dragged him before the council. If that weren't enough, they bribed some men as witnesses to falsely accuse him of blasphemy. Sound familiar? They did the same to our Lord, and they continue to do it today. It is the way of the ungodly, prideful men who hate and deny the truth. So willing are they to bear false witness because of their hatred, for the sole purpose of destroying both the message and the messenger. Sounds very much like our culture today, and the things that have taken place in the highest level of government.

This week in Acts chapter 7, Luke records Stephen’s long defense before the Jewish Sanhedrin.

Bobservations' Column Titled - "Truth Questioned" Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz Stephen is being interrogated by the High Priest in today...

08/15/2026

Powerful, Amazing, instructive, and engaging. Joel makes the biblical places he explores more real and understandable. Joel’s ability to condense hundreds of years of archaeology concisely with the ability to communicate the importance of these sites is like a cool glass of water for a thirsty mind. Best of all, he spends time to go beyond the archaeology, explaining the significance of each site, which throughout the video, amounts to a unique and beautiful explanation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I recommend to everyone who wants to see the fingerprints of God in the stones He created.

Expedition Bible brings you the teaching of Joel Kramer, a biblical archaeologist and former expeditioner in his younger years. Joel teaches by "taking you into the Bible," showing you Biblical sites, and giving you context, evidence, and experience to understand Scripture more profoundly. Watch, learn, and be encouraged as Joel lays out the evidence for the historicity, authenticity, and authority of the Word of God.

To access, just click on the link below.

Expedition Bible brings you the teaching of Joel Kramer, a biblical archaeologist and former expeditioner in his younger years. Joel teaches...

08/14/2026

Good afternoon, saints! Another beautiful summer day!!

Welcome to Whitestone Christian Fellowship. We invite you to join us for Sunday worship where we are currently going through the book of Acts, line upon line. If you enjoy in depth bible study, this is the place for you. We encourage you to visit our website, where you will find our weekly audio messages, the weekly Bobservations' Column along with many, many other resources.

Last Sunday we went through chapter 6 of the book of Acts. Here we are really introduced to a man by the name of Stephen.

Stephen was such an amazing man. He was not a deacon in the sense that they didn’t come until later, but in the sense of service, he was put in charge of serving tables. He was not an apostle, yet he did signs and wonders. The miraculous power granted to the apostles was extended to him and also to another leader by the name of Philip. He was not a prophet, but he was a great preacher. Not a deacon, but a servant. Not an apostle, but a miracle worker. Not a prophet, but a great preacher. He is a very unique man. He stands between the apostles and the structure of the early church uniquely. The only parallel to him we will meet in chapter 8, and it is Philip who is also named in chapter 6 along with him.

From what we can tell, he had a very short ministry. The church is very new and very young, and that means he is a very new believer, but the vast grasp that he had of the Old Testament is enough to be laid out in chapter 6 and the entire 7th chapter because of its accuracy and its richness. One whom everybody deemed to be a servant, and yet a miracle worker and a preacher and the first Christian martyr. We need to know this man. This is a man who is great by every divine measure. He’s full of everything that every believer should be full of.

Sunday Morning Message:
Acts 6:1-15 - "That Good Part"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

Between the landmark events of the Jerusalem church's growth, Luke inserted snippets of information about the church's inner life as it grew and spread. Luke penned specific stories about the early church providing examples that teach us vital truths about the church, its purpose, its function, and ministry. How do we deal with unbelievers? How do we respond to persecution? How do we deal with conflict, and the needs of others. How do we maintain unity?

As we continue our study in the sixth chapter of book of Acts . . .

To access this message, just click on the link below:

Bobservations' Column Titled - "That Good Part" Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz Gamaliel’s words in Chapter 5, had a real impact upon the pr...

08/07/2026

Good rainy afternoon, everyone!

If you found us, we welcome you to Whitestone Christian Fellowship.

This week we are continuing our study in the Book of Acts. We would love for you to join us as we come together to worship the Lord. If you would like to join us, our weekly Sunday Service begins at 10 AM.

As always, we would like to remind you that Pastor Bob's weekly Bobservations' Column is available on the website both in text and audio. Pastor Bob's devotional style writings bring insight to each week's Sunday morning teaching. Along with the Bobservations' Column, Sunday morning's audio messages are recorded and available online on a variety of platforms, including our website. To access, just click on the link below. Our media page will direct you to the other listening platforms where you can access the weekly audio message.

"It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect." Psalms 18:32

As we continue on in our study of the Book of Acts, we will see a steady rise of persecution against those who share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Peter and the disciples were arrested for presenting the message of the risen Christ and brought before the religious rulers in Jerusalem. Rather than allowing themselves to be shaped by the mood of the mob, the disciples declared their intention to continue preaching Christ.

When the disciples chose to obey God rather than the godless religious leaders, they raised a standard of conviction that rose above the opinions of the rulers of this world.

The trials we face may test our commitment. But we will find opportunities to exalt the King if we trust Him for the strength to go beyond the words of the crowd-pleasers and do right as He defines it in His Word.

Sunday Morning Message:
Acts 5:19-42 - "Follow Me"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

As we finish up chapter 5 in the book of Acts, a few things are really beginning to stand out. First, that despite facing growing persecution, the power of a bold witness and suffering expands, yet the church is continuing to grow, not shrink. It's becoming clearer that the early church was becoming unstoppable. Why? . . .

Bobservations' Column Titled - "Follow Me" Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz Long ago, I heard an analogy of God’s role in our lives. Coming f...

08/07/2026

Good rainy afternoon, everyone!

If you found us, we welcome you to Whitestone Christian Fellowship.

This week we are continuing our study in the Book of Acts. We would love for you to join us as we come together to worship the Lord. If you would like to join us, our weekly Sunday Service begins at 10 AM.

As always, we would like to remind you that Pastor Bob's weekly Bobservations' Column is available on the website both in text and audio. Pastor Bob's devotional style writings bring insight to each week's Sunday morning teaching. Along with the Bobservations' Column, Sunday morning's audio messages are recorded and available online on a variety of platforms, including our website. To access, just click on the link below. Our media page will direct you to the other listening platforms where you can access the weekly audio message.

"It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect." Psalms 18:32

As we continue on in our study of the Book of Acts, we will see a steady rise of persecution against those who share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Peter and the disciples were arrested for presenting the message of the risen Christ and brought before the religious rulers in Jerusalem. Rather than allowing themselves to be shaped by the mood of the mob, the disciples declared their intention to continue preaching Christ.

When the disciples chose to obey God rather than the godless religious leaders, they raised a standard of conviction that rose above the opinions of the rulers of this world.

The trials we face may test our commitment. But we will find opportunities to exalt the King if we trust Him for the strength to go beyond the words of the crowd-pleasers and do right as He defines it in His Word.

Sunday Morning Message:
Acts 5:19-42 - "Follow Me"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

As we finish up chapter 5 in the book of Acts, a few things are really beginning to stand out. First, that despite facing growing persecution, the power of a bold witness and suffering expands, yet the church is continuing to grow, not shrink. It's becoming clearer that the early church was becoming unstoppable. Why? . . .
https://www.whitestonecf.com/2026/07/morning-message-follow-me.html

07/31/2026

Good afternoon, everyone!

We are continuing our study in the Book of Acts. If you would like to join us, our weekly Sunday Service begins at 10 AM.

As always, a reminder that the weekly Bobservations' Column along with Sunday's audio message are available online on a variety of platforms, including our website. To access, just click on the link below. Our media page will direct you to the other listening platforms where you can access the weekly audio message.

People are different in many ways, but one thing that just about everyone has in common is that we’re all repulsed by hypocrisy. Nobody appreciates hypocritical behavior. I’m reminded of the situation not all that long ago when many politicians enacted certain COVID regulations but then broke their own rules—going to restaurants without a mask, getting their hair done without a mask, and having crowded parties at their houses unmasked. Clearly, their approach to their own regulations was “rules for thee, but not for me.” Not surprisingly, that made a lot of people very upset.

And of course, we’d do well to remember that there’s plenty of hypocrisy on the other side of the political aisle as well. In addition, it’s unfortunately even an issue within many churches. That’s one of the main reasons many non-Christians give for why they’re not interested in church, right? I can’t even count the number of times I’ve heard someone say that they have no interest in church or Christianity because so many of those who claim to be Christians are hypocrites. People can’t stand hypocrisy. And if there’s one thing our main passage in Acts shows us, it’s that God can’t stand it either. He can’t stand people who say one thing and do another. Not only that, but he wants to guard the church from such people. Another way to say it—and this is the main idea of this passage—is that God’s passionate about the purity of his church. God’s passionate about the purity of his church. And in a few moments, we’re going to see just how passionate he is.

So, things were going great in the church, yet, as we’re about to see, even the best church will have some flaws. Satan’s never far away. Even when things seem like they’re going extremely well, you can count on the fact that Satan’s hard at work figuring out how he can sabotage and undermine what’s happening. In fact, the better things are going in a church, the harder Satan works to put a stop to it. And as we look at the narrative of Acts so far, we see earlier in chapter 4 that Satan first tried to oppose the spread of the gospel through external persecution. But that didn’t work very well, so now he tries a different tactic—weakening the church from within.

This chapter highlights the importance of sincerity, obedience, and truthfulness and reverence in the life of believers. It reminds believers that God sees the heart, honors faithfulness, and continues to work powerfully through His people.

Sunday Morning Message:
Acts 5:1-18 - Purging to Power

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

Acts 5 now records a rather negative incident in the development of the early church. It is an event that somewhat contrasts that of the account of Barnabas.

The story of Ananias and Sapphira is found in Acts 5, and it is a sad story, indeed. It actually begins at the end of chapter 4 with the description of the early church in Jerusalem, a group of believers so filled with the Holy Spirit that they were of one heart and one mind...

Bobservations' Column Titled - "Purging to Power" Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz In Acts 2:44 and 4:32, we read that the members of the Chur...