Athey Creek: Audio Podcast

Paul’s courtroom saga continues in Acts 24-25 as his accusers present their case before Felix, using misinformation and flowery flattery in an attempt to defeat Paul once and for all. After Felix wavers, Paul is sent to Festus, who equally doesn’t know how to handle the situation, and the ongoing indecision sets Paul on a course to Rome, where he will stand before Caesar.

In Acts 24:24-25, Paul preaches a powerful three-point sermon to Governor Felix that leaves him trembling with fear, yet unwilling to take action. As we examine each point in depth, we learn essential truths about sin and salvation and the danger of delaying a decision about Jesus.rig

After his arrest, Paul finds himself in Acts 23 being shuffled between the Sanhedrin and Roman government officials—none of whom know what to do with him. Meanwhile, a group of Jews conspire to ambush and kill him. However, through a miraculous set of circumstances, their plot is thwarted, and Paul continues to await his fate as He trusts in God’s promises.

As the Apostle Paul sits in a Jerusalem jail, waiting to see how the plot against him will unfold, he is visited by the Lord, who, in Acts 23:11-13, tells him to "be of good cheer." This isn't the first time we have seen Jesus offering these words of encouragement, and they still apply to us today. As we look at the reasons we can also be of good cheer, we find fantastic encouragement to face any trials or trouble that may come our way.

Paul reaches a pivotal moment in his ministry in Acts 21-22 as he decides to go to Jerusalem – against the advice of his fellow believers. Upon his arrival in Jerusalem, he is met by both joyful disciples and fierce opposition, which sets him on a course toward more trials and the threat of imprisonment.

Paul’s determination to travel to Jerusalem in Acts 21:10-14 sets him on a path towards imprisonment and death, yet he freely accepts it despite pleas from the Christians in Caesarea not to go. As we examine Paul’s resolve, we consider not only the possibility of facing physical death for our faith but also the certainty of the spiritual death we are called to as we live out our daily lives.

Paul makes several stops on his final missionary journey in Acts 20, where he continues to share the Gospel, encourage the believers, and instruct the elders on things concerning the church. As we follow along, we see Paul’s faithfulness amid trials, his impact on those he encountered, and his fervent desire for the church to remain grounded in God’s Word.

Paul exhorts the church elders at Ephesus in Acts 20:17-21 with a ministry model that remains relevant today. As we examine his guidelines for effective ministry, we explore why this list applies to all of us, learn how to put his instructions into practice and see why this is essential as we seek to share the Gospel.

Paul’s third missionary journey in Acts 19 takes him to Ephesus, where his preaching of the Gospel dramatically impacts the city. While there, he disciples the believers, teaching them about salvation through Jesus Christ, baptism and the Holy Spirit. However, several dramatic events also unfold, including a failed attempt by unbelievers to cast out a demon and a riot incited by silversmiths whose idol sales suffer as people turn to Christ in repentance.

The Word of God radically transformed both individual lives and the entire community of Ephesus in Acts 19:20—and it still carries the same power today. As we study together, we learn what the Word of God is, see how preaching and teaching the Word played a vital role in the early church, and discover the blessings we can expect when we commit to reading and studying our Bibles.

Paul’s missionary journeys continue in Acts 18 as he shares the Gospel and strengthens the believers in cities like Corinth, Ephesus, Antioch, and Galatia. Along the way, we meet key figures in the early church, like Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos, and see the response of both the Jews and Gentiles in the places Paul visits.

Paul’s second missionary journey continues in Acts 17 as he visits three cities with three radically different responses to the Gospel. As we observe how the people of Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens reacted, we learn how to share the Word effectively, the importance of continually searching Scripture, and why we should never give up on those who initially reject the Gospel.

As Paul and Silas set out on their missionary journey in Acts 16, they find themselves re-routed from their intended course and end up beaten and imprisoned. Yet, despite these seeming setbacks, they continue to rejoice and share the Gospel, leading to salvation for many and a growing church in Philippi built on the Word of God and faith.

Paul and Silas are unjustly thrown into prison, but they have a surprising reaction to their suffering in Acts 16:25-26. As they pray and sing hymns to the Lord, they find strength and experience an unexpected miracle that creates an opportunity to lead many to salvation.

A Bible teaching titled “Through the Bible | Acts 15” from Acts 15 by Brett Meador.

A debate arises in the early church in Acts 15:1-11 over whether the new Gentile believers should be circumcised and follow Jewish law. As we explore how they settled the issue, we turn to the Old Testament to see the answer in a striking parallel between Joseph and Jesus, which gives us great insight into salvation by grace through faith.

As they continue their first missionary journey in Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas encounter extraordinary opportunities but also fierce opposition from a group of Jews who continually stir up trouble. But despite these violent uprisings – and even a near-death experience for Paul – they continued performing miracles, preaching the Gospel, and strengthening the faith of the new believers who accepted Jesus as their Savior.

After Paul and Barnabas are mistaken for gods, Paul addresses the fervent crowd in Acts 14:11-19 to redirect their worship to the one true God. As Paul boldly explains the folly of idolatry and points to how God reveals Himself through creation, his words once again incite hostility, culminating in a violent uprising against him.

A Bible teaching titled “Through the Bible | Acts 13” from Acts 13 by Brett Meador.

In Acts 13:36-39, Paul makes a powerful declaration that we can only find forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ. But what does this actually mean for us? As we study, we learn why forgiveness is necessary, the benefits of confession, repentance, and salvation, and why Jesus Christ is our only access to these things.