Book: Acts

In his sermon, Pastor Wes reflects on Acts 16, where Paul and Silas, imprisoned and without instruments, sing hymns to God in the midst of their suffering. He compares this to the hymn My Life Flows On in Endless Song, urging the congregation to listen to the “endless song” of their lives and find harmony with themselves, others, and God. Pastor Wes challenges us to sing even when life feels like a prison—whether it’s oppression, despair, or anger. The sermon emphasizes that music and song have the power to connect us and break down invisible walls, inspiring the congregation to live out a song of faith that transcends boundaries.

Pastor Wes reflects on Acts 16:13-15, inviting the congregation to “join Lydia’s circle.” In her time, Lydia, a woman of faith and a dealer in purple cloth, worships by the river, outside the formal religious system, reminding us of God’s call to embrace and welcome others beyond societal boundaries. Like Lydia, who stands in a lineage of faithful women, we are encouraged to create inclusive spaces, open our hearts, and let faith inspire our daily lives. Pastor Wes challenges us to live out Lydia’s spirit by expanding our “circle” to include all voices, embracing God’s liberating love.

Pastor Wes’s sermon, based on selected verses from Acts 10, emphasizes the theme of inclusivity in the early Christian church. He reflects on his childhood experience as a safety patrol member, drawing parallels to the apostle Peter’s adherence to Jewish dietary laws. In Acts 10, Peter receives a vision from God, instructing him to eat foods previously considered unclean, symbolizing the breaking of traditional boundaries. Despite initial resistance, Peter learns that God’s love transcends cultural and religious barriers, as exemplified by the inclusion of Cornelius, a Gentile and Roman centurion, into the faith community. Pastor Wes challenges the congregation to examine their own “badges” or unwritten rules that may hinder embracing others fully, urging them to draw the circle wider and practice a faith that is both curious and creative.

Pastor Wes’s sermon on Acts 9:1-19 emphasizes the transformative power of divine encounters, as exemplified by Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus. He highlights the pivotal role of Ananias, who, despite initial hesitation, obeys God’s call to heal and baptize Saul, demonstrating courage and faith. Pastor Wes encourages self-reflection on our own life experiences and the influences that shape us, likening them to contents stored in a Tupperware container. He challenges us to consider who serves as an Ananias in our lives, guiding and supporting our spiritual journeys, and how we can embody that role for others within our community.

Pastor Wes reflects on the transformative encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch as described in Acts 8:23-36, 38. He emphasizes the unexpected nature of their meeting, highlighting Philip’s obedience to God’s call to travel a wilderness road without a clear destination. This journey leads Philip to the Ethiopian eunuch, a high-ranking official searching for spiritual understanding. Their interaction, culminating in the eunuch’s baptism, serves as a powerful example of breaking societal and religious barriers. Pastor Wes challenges the congregation to consider their own journeys, the friendships formed along the way, and the importance of embracing inclusivity and belonging within the church community.

Pastor Wes reflects on Acts 3:1-10, where Peter and John encounter a man lame from birth at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. Pastor Wes notes that while archaeologists have identified several gates, the exact location of the Beautiful Gate remains uncertain. This uncertainty, he suggests, invites us to recognize that any doorway can be a “beautiful gate” or a “portal of faith.”

He emphasizes the importance of being present and attentive to those we encounter, as Peter and John were to the beggar. By making eye contact and offering genuine attention, we can transform ordinary interactions into opportunities for connection and healing. Pastor Wes challenges the congregation to consider how they can be “portals of faith” in their daily lives, embodying the core values of welcome, worship, justice, faithfulness, caring, and belonging.

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