After the many despicable things Ahab and Jezebel had done, it seems the taking of someone else’s inheritance (Naboth’s vineyard) is the “last straw” that stirs God in finally pronouncing a judgement on this evil couple in 1 Kings 21:17-24. What does this say about God’s justice and the final end? We shall see.

“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.” - Acts 5:42

Despite persecution, the apostles continue to preach and proclaim that Jesus Christ is the Christ, the Messiah - even “day after day” - “obeying God rather than men” (vs 29).

We are aiming not for something, but for someone—the King of Kings, Jesus, the savior of the world. Being part of God’s purposes for our world is often difficult as we run counter-cultural to the world. We get so distracted with a million other purposes rather than the one purpose God has called us to.

The issue comes down to our affections. Are our affections in the things we do? Or who we follow?

JOHNSON CITY - The early church continues to shake things up in Jerusalem, causing people even in the surrounding areas to bring people in to be healed by the apostles. This is a picture of how God can use a local church. The challenge for us is this: if God calls us to do extraordinary things that we may even feel uncomfortable doing, would we do it?

LAKE TRAVIS - “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” - Ephesians 6:12 If you haven’t noticed, many odd things are happening in the world today. One of them is the increasing government disclosure of UFOs (or UAPs) and alien abductions. What on earth (or not?) is going on? Is this all for real? Are we being visited by beings from somewhere else? Is this some type of distraction? Or are there more significant implications we should be considering? Does scripture have anything to say to us about any of this? What does Jesus and the gospel have to do with it?

JOHNSON CITY - The story of Ananias and Sapphira in the book of Acts (Acts 5:1-11) is certainly one of the oddest stories of the New Testament (and a difficult one to preach!). In it, we see a couple lie about their donation to the local church, and God strikes them dead.

What is this about? Why would God do such a thing? Is this something we can expect from Him to do again? Join us as we look at this fascinating piece of scripture and how it teaches us the gospel of Jesus Christ!

The demonic spirits of Jezebel and Ahab are always on the hunt to satisfy their covetousness through convenience. How can we be sure to avoid this in our lives and grow deeper in our affections for Jesus? Jesus, like Naboth in 1 Kings 21, was falsely accused and overcame sin and death on our behalf. We can worship when the tide is against us!

Also includes an update from Jonno and Erin Warmington, deacons at Cornerstone Church, South Africa, and on the deacon team.

JOHNSON CITY - Peter and John are seized by the rulers, elders and teachers of the law in Jerusalem, and forced to give an account for why the believe in Jesus. Peter, in the power of the Holy Spirit, preaches another sermon boldly and with conviction, giving glory to God for the miracle of the lame beggar (in the previous chapter).

This is a powerful example of the evangelism, boldness, and evangelism. Join us on Sunday as we unpack Peter’s sermon and are challenged by the Word to be preach Christ boldly!