Wilmington Reformed

Acts 8:1–8 tells how fierce persecution sent believers out of Jerusalem and how Philip reached Samaria with the message of Christ, accompanied by signs and healings.What seemed like disaster became God’s plan for expansion: the gospel was proclaimed, many believed, and great joy filled the city.

This episode explains what it means that Jesus is the Christ, tracing Old Testament titles—offspring, servant, branch of David—and how they point to the anointed, Spirit-filled Savior who suffers, defeats evil, blesses the nations, and reigns forever.Using passages from Acts, Genesis, Isaiah, and more, the sermon shows how the apostles proved Jesus as the promised Messiah and why the single word “Christ” contains the heart of the gospel.

This episode covers Acts 7:51–8:8, focusing on Stephen’s bold denunciation of the religious leaders, his vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and his stoning while he prays for forgiveness for his killers. Saul approves the execution, marking a turning point for the early church.As persecution breaks out, believers are scattered and the gospel spreads: Philip goes to Samaria, where signs, healings, and conversions bring great joy. The sermon emphasizes martyrdom as witness, the call to faithful sacrifice, and the hope of resurrection.

This episode walks through Acts 7 as Stephen delivers a sweeping sermon recounting Abraham, Joseph, Moses and Israel's history to show the gospel's roots in the Old Testament.Stephen emphasizes that God's promise was never about land or temple alone but about faith in the coming Messiah, and he warns of Israel's repeated rejection of God's messengers, culminating in his own martyrdom.The message challenges listeners to focus on Christ, repent, and live by faith rather than clinging to earthly promises.

This episode explores Acts 6–7, focusing on Stephen’s appointment as a deacon, his bold teaching about Jesus as the true temple, and the rising hostility that leads to his arrest. It traces how the early church recapitulates Jesus’ work, the shift from the temple to Christ, and the beginning of the church’s mission beyond Jerusalem.Through historical context and theological reflection, the speaker explains why Stephen’s message provoked opposition and how his witness marks a major turning point for the church’s expansion and identity.

In this episode the preacher reads Acts 6:1–7 and explains how the early church appointed seven deacons to care for the needy so the apostles could devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.The sermon highlights church growth, cultural diversity, the importance of organized service, and the sacrificial example of deacons as the embodied love of Christ.

This sermon walks through Acts 5:33–42 and explores why the apostles rejoiced after being beaten for preaching Jesus. It highlights Gamaliel’s counsel, the biblical call to rejoice in persecution for righteousness’ sake, and practical cautions against seeking suffering or suffering for the wrong reasons.The message encourages believers to live righteously, keep their eyes on heaven, and find boldness and clarity when opposition arises, trusting God’s ultimate victory.

This episode examines Luke 2:1–20, focusing on Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem and the shepherds’ witness. It explores the historical and cultural setting that points to a peasant home rather than a stable, emphasizing the incarnation as a covenantal act.Through reflections on humility, poverty, and the reversal of worldly honor, the sermon shows how Christ’s humble birth dignifies the poor and calls listeners to awe, repentance, and transformed lives.

Acts 5:17–32 recounts the apostles’ arrest, miraculous release by an angel, and their bold return to the temple to preach the risen Christ.The passage highlights the centrality of the resurrection, the duty to obey God rather than human authorities when commands conflict with God’s will, and the liberating, life-changing power of the gospel.

This sermon walks through Acts 4–5, contrasting Barnabas’s generous, whole‑hearted response with Ananias and Sapphira’s deceitful compromise, and explains how God’s dramatic judgment and apostolic power stirred both fear and revival in the early church.It calls listeners to recognize Christ as their true inheritance, to embrace humble, godly reverence, and to pursue wholehearted devotion that produces steady, lasting spiritual growth.