Modern Day Philip: Clarence Duncan’s Ministry to the Yao

John Piper shares this story of Clarence Duncan’s Ministry to the Yao in a sermon, The Leading of the Lord in Personal Evangelism” In 1985 Clarence Duncan arrived in Africa as missionary to the solidly Muslim people called the Yao who live mainly in Tanzania, Mozambique, and Malawi. When he settled in his village, he called … More Modern Day Philip: Clarence Duncan’s Ministry to the Yao

Extraordinary Direction

John Piper in a sermon, “The Leading of the Lord in Personal Evangelism” from Acts 8:26-40 Now what is the point of this story? Why does Luke include it in the book of Acts? What does he want us to get out of this inspired story—since (as Paul says), “all Scripture is inspired by God … More Extraordinary Direction

“I think I’m still surviving today because our God is great”

Acts 8:1-4   And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off … More “I think I’m still surviving today because our God is great”

“Hands” in Acts 7

Steven Cole draws out some interesting points in our reading in Acts 7:39-60 Note the repetition in his sermon of the word “hands.” In 7:41, he mentions how in the incident of the golden calf, Israel re- joiced in the work of their hands. In 7:48, Stephen declares, “However, the Most High does not dwell … More “Hands” in Acts 7

John Piper: Stephen’s message is both encouragement and warning

In a sermon, “The Story of a Stiff-Necked People” John Piper unpacks Acts 7, our reading for today: Two Ways Stephen’s Message Ministers to Us What we need to do today is let Stephen’s message minister to us in at least two ways. He says that Israel “Always resists the Holy Spirit.” This means, first, … More John Piper: Stephen’s message is both encouragement and warning

Wait for a dramatic “call”? or just start serving God?

God is sovereign and His Spirit leads us to the right opportunities for ministry.  We see this in Acts 16:6-10…. Pastor Steven J. Cole comments: Opportunities come to those who are already serving, not to those who are doing nothing…..Sometimes people don’t serve the Lord because they’ve never experienced a dramatic “call” to ministry. But this … More Wait for a dramatic “call”? or just start serving God?

John Piper: The preciousness of spiritual power is that it is God’s power and not ours.

Acts 5:17-21a But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, “Go … More John Piper: The preciousness of spiritual power is that it is God’s power and not ours.

God gets the praise

John Piper on Acts 3: Verse 8 says that “Leaping up the man stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.” Now is that right? Should he have been praising God, or praising Jesus? It is right and there is a verse to show that it is. In … More God gets the praise