“The End is Near” Sunday sermon presented by: John Urciuoli – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (2/23/2020) GET OUR AUDIO PODCASTS – PICK YOUR PLATFORM AND SUBSCRIBE: Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0fOzdLLXu2wJLRU63I7zrP Apple Podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mountain-rock/id1495666247?uo=4 Google Podcast – https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xMmQwOWIyYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw== Breaker – https://www.breaker.audio/mountain-rock Radio Public – https://radiopublic.com/mountain-rock-8XkY95 Pocket Casts – https://pca.st/i53xzyqs Anchor – https://anchor.fm/mountainrock CLICK HERE for […]
Sunday Sermon – “What’s Your Attitude?” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (2/16/2020) GET OUR AUDIO PODCASTS – PICK YOUR PLATFORM AND SUBSCRIBE NOW: Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0fOzdLLXu2wJLRU63I7zrP Apple Podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mountain-rock/id1495666247?uo=4 Google Podcast – https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xMmQwOWIyYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw== Breaker – https://www.breaker.audio/mountain-rock Radio Public – https://radiopublic.com/mountain-rock-8XkY95 Pocket Casts – https://pca.st/i53xzyqs Anchor – https://anchor.fm/mountainrock CLICK HERE […]
Sunday Sermon – “What Do You Believe?” presented by: John Urciuoli – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (2/9/2020) GET OUR AUDIO PODCASTS – PICK YOUR PLATFORM AND SUBSCRIBE NOW: Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0fOzdLLXu2wJLRU63I7zrP Apple Podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mountain-rock/id1495666247?uo=4 Google Podcast – https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xMmQwOWIyYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw== Breaker – https://www.breaker.audio/mountain-rock Radio Public – https://radiopublic.com/mountain-rock-8XkY95 Pocket Casts – https://pca.st/i53xzyqs Anchor – https://anchor.fm/mountainrock CLICK […]
Sunday Sermon – “In The Same Way” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (2/2/2020) GET OUR AUDIO PODCASTS – PICK YOUR PLATFORM AND SUBSCRIBE NOW: Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0fOzdLLXu2wJLRU63I7zrP Apple Podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mountain-rock/id1495666247?uo=4 Google Podcast – https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xMmQwOWIyYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw== Breaker – https://www.breaker.audio/mountain-rock Radio Public – https://radiopublic.com/mountain-rock-8XkY95 Pocket Casts – https://pca.st/i53xzyqs Anchor – https://anchor.fm/mountainrock CLICK […]
Sunday Sermon – “Freedom in Submission” presented by: Ryan Kern – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (1/26/2020) GET OUR AUDIO PODCASTS – PICK YOUR PLATFORM AND SUBSCRIBE NOW: Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0fOzdLLXu2wJLRU63I7zrP Apple Podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mountain-rock/id1495666247?uo=4 Google Podcast – https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xMmQwOWIyYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw== Breaker – https://www.breaker.audio/mountain-rock Radio Public – https://radiopublic.com/mountain-rock-8XkY95 Pocket Casts – https://pca.st/i53xzyqs Anchor – https://anchor.fm/mountainrock CLICK HERE […]
Sunday Sermon – “Born into a New Family” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (1/19/2020) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “A New Year and a Deeper Holiness” presented by: Nick Rivera Moraes – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (1/12/2020) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “A Home for the Homeless” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (1/5/2020) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Follow The Leader” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (12/22/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Remember Me” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (12/15/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “God’s Remnant” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (12/1/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Micah: A Story of Justice and Mercy” presented by: John Urciuoli – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (11/24/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Broken Covenant” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (11/17/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Restore What Has Been Lost” presented by: Angel Capellan – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (11/10/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Potential” presented by: Glenn Geeting – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (11/3/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “As He Died to Make Men Holy” presented by: Steve Ampersand – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (10/27/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Jonah: A Ministry of Reconciliation” presented by: Steve Ampersand – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (10/20/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Generation to Generation” presented by: Felipe and Dan Rivera – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (10/13/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Fear is a Gift” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (10/6/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Jonah and Repentance” presented by: Glenn Geeting – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (9/29/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Worship Our King” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (9/22/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Praise You in This Storm” presented by: Lowell Hoover – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (9/1/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Vision” presented by: Nick Rivera Moraes – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (9/1/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Suppressing The Truth” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (8/25/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Empty Words, Full Mind” presented by: Angel Capellan – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (8/18/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Faith > Gold” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (8/11/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “From Doubt to Certainty” presented by: Glenn Geeting (8/4/2019) CLICK HERE To Download Glenn’s Slide Presentation CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Disruptions” presented by: Ethan Powers & Max Geeting – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (7/21/2019)
Sunday Sermon [in SPANISH] – “Aroma” presented by: Jesus Cruz – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (7/14/2019) DOWNLOAD Presentation Slides: http://MountainRock.org/files/aroma.pdf CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Say Enough to the Troubles of Today” presented by: Dacio Moraes – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (7/7/2019)
Sunday Sermon – “Enough” presented by: Steve Ampersand – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (6/30/2019)
Sunday Sermon – “From Doubting to Believing” presented by: Allan Abeleda (6/2/2019)
Sunday Sermon – “Fix Your Eyes on Jesus” presented by: Glenn Geeting (5/26/2019)
VIDEO LINK: Last Words of Christ – The Rich Young Ruler Sunday Sermon – “Today You Will Be with Me in Paradise” presented by: Angel Capellan (5/5/2019)
Sunday Sermon – “Sunday Morning Surprise” presented by: Allan Abeleda (4/21/2019)
VIDEO LINK: Last Words of Christ – The Disciples and the Donkey Sunday Sermon – “Last Words” presented by: Glenn Geeting (4/14/2019)
Sunday Sermon – “Bear Fruit That Will Last” presented by: Sovann Seng (3/24/2019)
Sunday Sermon – “Ride or Die Love” presented by: Nick Rivera Moraes and Jack Jackson (3/10/2019)
Download the Sermon Presentation File (PDF) Sunday Sermon – “Agape: What Heroes Are Made of” presented by: Glenn Geeting (2/24/2019)
Video links: Thoughts on Love =>> https://www.sermonspice.com/product/21452/thoughts-on-love Thoughts on Neighbors =>> https://www.sermonspice.com/product/20193/thoughts-on-neighbors Sunday Sermon – “Take Off and Put On” presented by: Allan Abeleda (2/17/2019)
Video link here =>> https://youtu.be/slyevQ1LW7A Sunday Sermon – “Do This and You Will Live” presented by: Allan Abeleda (2/3/2019)
Watch the “Strength – Me’od” Video here =>> https://youtu.be/9aaVy1AmFX4 Sunday Sermon – “The ABCs of the Greatest Commandment” presented by: Allan Abeleda (1/27/2019)
Sunday Sermon – “Love God With All Your Soul” presented by: Glenn Geeting (1/13/2019)
Sunday Sermon – “Love God With All Your Heart” presented by: Allan Abeleda (1/6/2019)
Watch the “Gospel According to Mark” Video here =>> https://youtu.be/OVRixfameGY Sunday Sermon – “Something to Talk About” presented by: Dacio Moraes (12/30/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “The Lord’s Hand Was With Him and Now it’s With You” presented by: Steve Ampersand (12/9/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Make Ready a People Prepared for the Lord” presented by: Allan Abeleda (11/25/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Streams of Living Water” presented by: Glenn Geeting/em> (11/18/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Deliberate Discipleship” presented by: Eddie Mayes/em> (11/11/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Glorifying God with Our Differences” presented by: Allan Abeleda (11/4/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Principles on How to Disagree with Other Christians” presented by: Angel Capellan (10/28/2018) based on the article, “12 Principles on How to Disagree with Other Christians” by J.D. Crowley and Andy Naselli
Sunday Sermon – “The Problem with Living Sacrifices” presented by: Jamison Malcom (9/30/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “God’s Sovereign Plan” presented by: Allan Abeleda (9/9/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Believe it, Speak it, Live it” presented by: Glenn Geeting (8/26/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Lead Us Not Into Temptation” presented by: Julio Areas (7/22/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Hallowed Be Your Name” presented by: Eddie Mayes (6/24/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Transition: Be Strong and Courageous” presented by: Allan Abeleda (6/10/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “The Thirteenth Apostle” presented by: Clayton Walker (4/29/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Loving Jesus Leads to the Cross” presented by: Allan Abeleda (4/15/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “After The Resurrection–Now What?” presented by: Allan Abeleda (4/8/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Praying in the Spirit” presented by: Allan Abeleda (3/4/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Walking in the Spirit” presented by: Allan Abeleda (2/25/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Present Suffering and Future Glory” presented by: Steve Ampersand (2/4/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Mary, Did You Know?” presented by: Glenn Geeting (12/24/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “The Promise By Grace” presented by: Allan Abeleda (12/3/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “So That It May Be By Grace” presented by: Steve Ampersand (11/26/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Grace is At Work and Not You” presented by: Allan Abeleda (11/19/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “God is Just and We Are Not” presented by: Glenn Geeting (11/12/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “You Are Not Better Than Them” presented by: Angel Capellan (10/29/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Monsters Inside of Me” presented by: Allan Abeleda (10/8/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Grace Through The Ages” presented by: Glenn Geeting (10/1/2017)
State College Sunday Sermon – “Pure in Purpose” presented by: Chip Mitchell (9/24/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Grace is Jesus in You” presented by: Allan Abeleda (9/10/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Grace: Safety Net or Hammock?” presented by: Steve Ampersand (9/3/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Enter The Narrow Door With Repentance” presented by: Dacio Moraes (8/13/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Forgiveness = The Kingdom of God” presented by: Allan Abeleda (8/6/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven” presented by: Allan Abeleda (7/30/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “The Kingdom of God” presented by: Jeremy Young and Nick Moraes (7/23/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “”Party in My Father’s House and You’re Invited”” presented by: Allan Abeleda (7/16/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Respected, Neglected, Rejected” presented by: Steve Ampersand (6/18/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Proclaim God’s Kingdom” presented by: Allan Abeleda (5/21/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “For Such a Time as This” presented by: Glenn Geeting (5/14/2017)
Sunday Sermunion – “Martha-plexy” presented by: Allan Abeleda with Kendra Abeleda(5/7/2017)
HOUSE CHURCH Sunday Sermon – “Saul’s Conversion” presented by: Glenn Geeting (4/23/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Insane in the Membrane” presented by: Kurt Flinchbaugh (4/9/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “It Begins with The Spirit” presented by: Glenn Geeting (4/2/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “The Battle is for Real” presented by: Allan Abeleda (3/26/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “In Light of God’s Love” presented by: Angel Capellan (2/26/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Trained By The Spirit” presented by: Allan Abeleda (2/19/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “The Battle of the Mind” presented by: Glenn Geeting (3/12/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “The Mystery – Grace and Mercy” presented by: Allan Abeleda (1/22/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Jesus: The Ultimate Paradigm Shift” presented by: Allan Abeleda (1/8/2017)
Saturday Christmas Eve Sermunion – “Jesus is Our Light” presented by: Allan Abeleda (12/24/2016)
Sunday sermon – “Please God, Have Peace” presented by: Eddie Mayes (12/18/2016)
Sunday sermon – “The Gift That Keeps On Giving” presented by: Allan Abeleda (12/11/2016)
Sunday sermon – “Close to The Cross, But Far From Christ” presented by: Allan Abeleda (11/27/2016)
“Ethan and Scott’s Baptism” – October 23, 2016 CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday sermon – “Are You a Fan or a Follower?” presented by: Allan Abeleda (11/6/2016)
Sunday sermon – “More Than A Concept” presented by: Angel Capellan (10/30/2016)
“Josh’s Baptism” – CLICK THIS LINK TO WATCH VIDEO ==> http://MountainRock.org/Joshs-Baptism – October 9, 2016 CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
“Beyond The Looking Glass” – Women’s Day 2016 – presented by: Angie Hoover (10/8/2016)
Sunday sermon – “Chosen, Holy, and Dearly Loved” presented by: Eddie Mayes (10/2/2016)
Sunday sermon – “The Mission of a Disciple” presented by: Glenn Geeting (9/11/2016)
Sunday sermon – “What’s Your Motivation in Christ?” presented by: Allan Abeleda (8/28/2016)
Sunday sermon – “Seeing the Hidden World” presented by: Glenn Geeting (8/21/2016)
Sunday sermon – “It Takes Discipline to Win the Prize” presented by: Allan Abeleda (8/7/2016)
Sunday sermon – “The Shadow of Jesus in the Tabernacle” presented by: Allan Abeleda (7/3/2016)
Sunday sermon – “Religion or Relationship” presented by: Glenn Geeting (6/26/2016)
Sunday sermon – “This is the Main Point” presented by: Eddie Mayes (6/19/2016)
Sunday sermon – “Jesus is Greater Than Tradition” presented by: Allan Abeleda (6/5/2016)
Sunday sermon – “The Certainty of God’s Promises” presented by: Eddie Mayes (5/29/2016)
Sunday sermon – “God Wants Your Heart” presented by: Allan Abeleda (4/24/2016)
Sunday sermon – “Listen to the Voice: The Holy Spirit” presented by: Allan Abeleda (4/11/2016)
Sunday sermon – “The Supremacy of Jesus Over Moses” presented by: Allan Abeleda (4/3/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Fix Your Thoughts On Jesus” presented by: Allan Abeleda (3/27/2015)
Sunday sermon – “The Victory of Surrender” presented by: Glenn Geeting (3/20/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Christ Supremacy: The Perfect Leader” presented by: Eddie Mayes (3/14/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Jesus is Greater Than Our Problems” presented by: Allan Abeleda (3/6/2015)
Sunday sermon – “So What Are You Going To Do About It?” presented by: Angel Capellan (2/28/2015)
Sunday sermon – “The Supremacy of Christ” presented by: Eddie Mayes (2/21/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Prayer, Fasting, Power and Faith” presented by: Glenn Geeting (11/29/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Results-Measured Faith” presented by: Allan Abeleda (11/22/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Radical Faith – No Other Choice” presented by: Eddie Mayes (11/15/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Faith That Marveled Jesus” presented by: Allan Abeleda (11/8/2015)
Sunday sermon – “The Parable of The Lost Son” presented by: Allan Abeleda (10/11/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Son of Encouragement Part 2” presented by: Glenn Geeting (8/30/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Son of Encouragement!” presented by: Glenn Geeting (8/16/2015)
Sunday sermon – “The Rich Ruler” presented by: Glenn Geeting, Heather Geeting & Nick Moraes (8/9/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Spiritually Overweight” presented by: Angel Capellan (7/26/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Souls in Harmony – Souls in Conflict” presented by: Lowell Hoover (7/5/2015)
Sunday sermon – “The Spirit Guides Us” presented by: Felipe Rivera (6/21/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Blessed Are The Peacemakers” presented by: Eddie Mayes (5/10/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Blessed Are The Peacemakers” presented by: Dacio Moraes (5/3/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Blessed Are The Pure in Heart” presented by: Dan Zackary (4/26/2015)
Sunday sermon – “God and Science: The Anthropic Principle” presented by: Dan Zachary (4/24/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Blessed Are The Merciful” presented by: Glenn Geeting (4/12/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Satisfaction Guaranteed?” presented by: Allan Abeleda (4/12/2015)
Sunday sermon – “What Must I Do To Be Saved?” presented by: Eddie Mayes (3/8/2015)
Sunday sermon – “What Must I Do To Be Saved?” presented by: Glenn Geeting (3/1/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Shepherding God’s Church” presented by: Glenn Geeting (2/15/2015)
Sunday sermon – “The Call for Hope” presented by: Gary Jacques (12/21/2014)
Sunday sermon – Christ-Centered Living Campaign – Part 4 – “The Amazing Jesus” presented by: Dacio Moraes (11/30/2014)
Sunday sermon – Christ-Centered Living Campaign – Part 5 – “Find Your Lion” presented by: Glenn Geeting (11/23/2014)
Sunday sermon – Christ-Centered Living Campaign – Part 4 – “The Amazing Jesus” presented by: Dacio Moraes (11/16/2014)
Sunday sermon – Christ-Centered Living Campaign – Part 3 – “The Amazing Disciple” presented by: Steve Pugh (11/9/2014)
Sunday sermon – Christ-Centered Living Campaign – Part 2 – “Getting Unstuck” presented by: Dan Rivera (11/2/2014)
Sunday sermon – Christ-Centered Living Campaign – Part 1 presented by: Glenn Geeting (10/26/2014)
Sunday sermon on Acts 12 presented by: Glenn Geeting (9/21/2014)
Women’s Day – “Be Still and Know That I am God” (Deb Anton) – Saturday, May 3, 2014
Presented by Douglas Jacoby, International Speaker and Author of the book “The Spirit” (5/26/2013)
Presented by Douglas Jacoby, International Speaker and Author of the book “The Spirit” (5/26/2013)
Presented by Douglas Jacoby, International Speaker and Author of the book “The Spirit” (5/26/2013)
Presented by Douglas Jacoby, International Speaker and Author of the book “The Spirit” (5/26/2013)
VIDEO LINK IN SERMON: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJG698U2Mvo Sunday sermon presented by: Glenn Geeting (05/12/2013)
2013 Mid-Atlantic Women’s Retreat (March 23, 2013) Guest Speaker: Karen Louis
2013 Mid-Atlantic Women’s Retreat (March 22, 2013) Guest Speaker: Karen Louis
“On The Mountain Of The Lord” 2012 World Discipleship Summit AT&T Center – San Antonio, Texas
“On The Mountain Of The Lord” 2012 World Discipleship Summit Justin Renton WDS opening at the AT&T Center
Pied Pipers – Winter Wonderland 2011 Newport, PA December 18, 2010 Mountain Rock Church of Christ
Sunday sermon presented by: Glenn Geeting (8/14/2011)
The Geetings visited the Phnom Penh Church of Christ and reported back through a live Skype call to the Mountain Rock Church of Christ in Central PA: Glenn Geeting (7/17/2011)
“Live Dif’rent” 2011 Women’s Day with Guest Speaker: Karen Jacques (6/4/2011)
Pied Pipers – Winter Wonderland 2010 Harrisburg, PA December 11, 2010 Mountain Rock Church of Christ
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors […]
“…and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also — not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” – 1 Peter 3:21
“…having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.” – Colossians 2:12
Sunday sermon presented by: Gary Jacques, former director for the HOPE hospital in Cambodia (11/29/2009)
“for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” – Galatians 3:27
“Then he said: ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and […]
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” – Psalm 139:13 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 Congratulations, Talisha! God has knitted you together into a very special new creation.
Sunday sermon on Acts 15 presented by: Glenn Geeting (12/7/2014)
GLENN’S NOTES:
Sermon- Ac 15: Dealing with Conflict
Intro
J fight w Aquaman. no contest. J walked all over him.
I hate those stereotypes that all the Irish want to do is get drunk and fight.
Makes me want to have a drink and go hit someone.
God can do amazing things through Conflict
Ever had conflict with another Disciple? Ever seen conflict within the church?
Family or organization with too much conflict is dysfunctional. No conflict may
be more dysfunctional.
Any marriages out there that have been completely conflict-free?
The Council at Jerusalem
1Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching
the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom
taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2This brought Paul and
Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and
Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to
Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. 3The
church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia
and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news
made all the believers very glad. 4When they came to Jerusalem, they
were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they
reported everything God had done through them.
5Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees
stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to
keep the law of Moses.”
6The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7After much
discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that
some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might
hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8God, who
knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit
to them, just as he did to us. 9He did not discriminate between us and
them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10Now then, why do you try to
test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor
our ancestors have been able to bear? 11No! We believe it is through the
grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
12The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and
Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the
Gentiles through them. 13When they finished, James spoke up.
“Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. 14Simon has described to us how God
first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles. 15The
words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:
16“ ‘After this I will return
and rebuild David’s fallen tent.
Its ruins I will rebuild,
and I will restore it,
17that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
even all the Gentiles who bear my name,
says the Lord, who does these things’ —
18things known from long ago.
(Amos 9:11-12)
19“It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for
the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20Instead we should write to them,
telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual
immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21For the
law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and
is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
Major turning-point in the church.
Clash of cultures- those raised Jewish, where Christianity originated,
essentially telling Gentiles that to become a Disciple of Jesus they first needed
to become Jewish.
So in addition to repenting and being baptized, they had the men submit to
having their foreskins cut off. Ouch.
Sincere. Not trying to intentionally be jerks. It’s possible to have meaningful
conflict and all parties are being spiritual, sincere, and Godly.
1. Fight
NY- in your face, “what’s it to you?”
Central PA- “nice”, tend to avoid conflict, then blow up when pushed too far.
Culture clash
-Black singing next to white- at a time when our nation is deeply divided over
the violence in Fergusen, Missouri. Range of opinions about the shooting of
Michael Brown, his bullying behavior in the store prior, the police officer
shooting and killing an unarmed black teenager, and the string of both
peaceful and violent protests that has come before and after the Grand Jury’s
announcement.
-Spanish translation- at a time when our nation is divided over immigration
-reaching out to a Muslim at a time when terrorism is a very real fearappreciate
George loving up on his Saudi friend
-hugging an African disciple- at a time when Ebola is a fear
It’s amazing the unity that God has created here, and it needs to be fiercely
protected.
Don’t need to become American to become a Disciple.
Serving in Cambodia- these are Cambodians. Don’t need to take on American
habits, many of which oppose God’s Word. Need to become Disciples of
Jesus. Different dances, different dress, different diet, some different songs.
The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers- what DID the early church
emphasize
-abstain from food polluted by idols, sexual immorality, meat of strangled
animals, and from blood.
My guess is the one that we most need to hear in America is to refrain from
sexual immorality- having sex with anyone that isn’t your spouse.
Sometimes our conflict is over righteous things- great heart, just need to work
it out.
Sometimes we’re sinful, causing conflict by being boneheads.
Sometimes some of both- start with great motives but we polarize and make a
mess of things.
2. Fight Fair
Polarizing or working to find middle ground? Everyone equally
inconvenienced
What to do?
1. pray together
2. don’t stuff it, say what needs to be said- use “I feel” “I think” “I believe”
3. Pay attention to the surroundings- best in private, neutral ground, neutral
sounding board, get rid of the arrogance/comparison
4. pay attention to your nonverbal communication
5. use Scripture
6. when possible, seek middle ground
7. get discipling
(Mt 18)
J provided a model for conflict resolution:
1. Go to your sibling, just between the two of you. Doesn’t work? Not done!
2. bring 1 or 2 others along. doesn’t work? not done!
3. take it to the church. doesn’t work? not done!
4. treat them as an unbeliever. what did J do with pagans and tax collectors?
try to convert them!
notice what follows this: parable of the unmerciful servant, teaching on
divorce
Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas
36Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the
believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and
see how they are doing.” 37Barnabas wanted to take John, also called
Mark, with them, 38but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he
had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the
work. 39They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.
Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40but Paul chose Silas and
left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. 41He went
through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
in v2 you see Paul and Barnabas (Joseph, nickname Barnabas “son of
encouragement”) unified as they debated with the circumcision party.
Now they’re in conflict with each other.
It’s over younger John Mark. Not clear what the issue is.
Even Paul and Barnabas had to work through their conflict. And this passage
leaves us hanging. They separated and each continued to serve God.
So what is the conclusion?
So did they start different churches? No, they separated and both did their
work. There was too much work to be done.
Ex. Ms Pat and Essie- challenged with several things. Hard to communicate
about. Both hate conflict. Great set of talks. Resolution.
(Ac 13:13)
13From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia,
where John left them to return to Jerusalem. 14From Perga they went on
to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat
down.
(Col 4:10)
10My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark,
the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he
comes to you, welcome him.)
Mark is Barnabas’ cousin, and is clearly with Paul as he writes to the church in
Collossi.
Concl:
Conflict is normal, don’t be alarmed when it happens
1. Fight- be heard, seek understanding
2. Fight Fair- seek resolution, unity
3. Realize that God can do amazing things through Godly Conflict
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