All Saints Anglican Church Sermons

Text: Acts 9:19b-25

As we look at the newly converted Saul, we see him enjoying the fellowship of those he had intended to kill, but the true nature of his calling is quickly revealed. He immediately starts teaching in the synagogues. This shift is incredible, but underneath it, we realize something else: Saul was uniquely equipped for what God had called him to.

Saul trained under Gamaliel, who we briefly met in chapter 5, a teacher of the law who was held in honor. This was like attending the most academically rich and theologically sound seminary of our day; he had permission to teach in the synagogues. Then the scales fell from his eyes, he was baptized, and given the Holy Spirit. Because of this equipping, he was able to reason and prove that Jesus is the Christ.

It is incredibly encouraging to know that God uniquely equips his saints for the tasks that they have been called to.

Text: Acts 9:1-19

Acts 9:1-19 is one of the most dramatic and well-known moments in Acts. As Saul heads to ravage the church in Damascus, Christ confronts him with a bright light and asks him Why are you persecuting me? As blindness sets in and Saul sits, fasts, and prays, another person is introduced: Ananias.

In many ways, Ananias represents active Christians, challenged by their enemies' conversion. He has the same hesitancy that we might, yet he never questions God's prerogative to extend Saul grace. The passage invites those who feel too lost to enter God's grace, while challenging believers to welcome them as brothers and sisters.

Text: Acts 8:25-40

After an incredible evangelistic moment, God calls Philip to go to a desert road. This is a surprising move, but Philip is obedient. On that road, Philip meets an Ethiopian Eunuch, a man who ran the royal treasury. This is a fascinating moment in the history of the church. What is most notable is that, despite being an outsider, the man also seemed to be a devoted believer.

As we see how God works through Philip, it is clear that God is the one who calls, redeems, and makes new the new believer. Philip is simply being obedient to God in this. This is incredibly encouraging for us.

Text: Acts 8:9-25

This week's lesson is incredible. As Rev. Nninda pointed out last week, we are starting to see the Great Commission truly fulfilled. As the Christians are scattered, Phillip, one of the seven deacons, makes his way to Samaria. Samaria was Israel's estranged cousin, somehow worse than the Gentiles. At one point, John even asked if Jesus wanted to see one of their cities destroyed, yet they received the gospel.

But there was a man named Simon, a great magician; he was revered. He even accepted the gospel and was baptized. But then, seeing the power of the Holy Spirit, he wanted to be given the gift of an apostle, and the temptation was too great for him.

This passage reminds us that there may come, or has come, a time when we have to give up something valuable to us because Christ loves us. This calling may seem hard, but Christ has trampled down the demons. The gospel frees us, the gospel is free, but it is often costly.

Text: Acts 8:4–8

Driven from Jerusalem by persecution, the early Christians did not abandon their mission: wherever they were scattered, they continued proclaiming the gospel. Philip carried the good news across cultural and religious boundaries into Samaria, demonstrating that the gospel is for every people and every nation.

The same Holy Spirit who strengthened the first believers continues to lead Christ’s Church beyond comfort, fear, and weakness. As Christians go in the strength God has given them, the gospel changes lives and produces a joy deeper than temporary happiness—a joy rooted in Christ’s presence, promises, and victory.

Text: Acts 7:44-8:3

This week, we will see Stephen's death. Stephen is the first recorded martyr of the church. What is most striking about this account isn't Stephen's death itself, but the sharp contrast between man's rage and sin and God's glory and grace. It is unclear exactly who drags Stephen out to be killed - but they are described as being enraged, stopping their ears, dragging, and stoning. These are violent, even frenzied words.

 

In comparison, Stephen is described as gazing, and as he gazes, he sees God's glory, Jesus standing as though to greet him or judge those who plan to kill him; we see God's grace poured out on Stephen, and likewise, Stephen praying in a way that may seem impossible to us - to forgive those who intend to kill him.

 

The difference is staggering, humbling, and joy-giving. We know that while the nations rage, God's glory, goodness, grace, and even judgment are not threatened.

Text: Acts 7:44-53

In this sermon, we end Stephen's sermon. For the last several weeks, Stephen has been showing how God was with his people in unusual places, yet they rejected him, his servants, and his works.

This week, we end with Stephen showing that God persisted with his people, traveling with them, that even though the temple was good, it was not God's home, and that the end goal of God's covenant with the Israelites was a converted people whose hearts had been transformed. The whole drive of Stephen's speech is to glorify Christ and challenge those who had made themselves His enemies to see His goodness.

Text: Acts 7:35-43

In Acts 7:35-43, Stephen challenges the religious leaders' perception. His sermon reaches a climax as he points out that the people God called to be his own rejected God's prophet, Moses. Rejecting Moses was on par with rejecting God himself.

But Stephen does something more - he points to foreshadowing the one who is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus fulfilled what Moses was a shadow of, and, as such, the Sanhedrin's rejection of Jesus was an even greater rejection of God than the ancients' rejection of Moses.

Text: Acts 7:23-34

One of the interesting things about this passage is that while Stephen was given a chance to defend himself, he took the opportunity to exalt Christ and indict the Sanhedrin.

In this passage, we take a closer look at Moses as he rejects his royal place, defends his people, and then flees to another foreign land. In that foreign land, Moses experiences God's holiness. At first glance, it seems like the two events are unrelated, but Stephen is making an important argument here:

Like ancient Israel, you have rejected your savior, and in that rejection, missed as God's holiness tabernacled amongst you.

In Christ, we have a Savior and mediator who brings us into the holiness of God.

Text: Acts 7:17-22

As we look at this passage, we see how God often works in unexpected ways, preparing us, using adversaries and challenges, and unexpected means to bring us through our trials and into his glory.

Much like the Sanhedrin, we often want God to do things just so, but this is not always his will. It is encouraging to know that we have a heavenly father who loves us enough to bring us through even the most challenging times, and that he will use those times to His glory and our good.