Genesis Church Phoenix

Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Psalm 128 - DJ Uithoven by Genesis Church

How often do you think of God's promise of forever in Heaven with Him? What if thinking of that every day could bring a little bit of heaven, here on Earth, now? Pastor Joe takes us back to the 1960s and into Psalm 23 as we kick off our Summer Jams series this Sunday.

The leading priests and Sadducees are doing everything in the power to keep this Jesus- thing under wraps. They again throw the apostles in jail only to have them breakout and go back to talking about Jesus. People can try, but you cannot contain God. God is still in full control of every situation.

The Spirit is so strong in Peter that even his shadow falling across others causes healing and new life. Like Peter, our shadow is falling on something all the time. The question is: where is it falling? Is it falling on those who are hurting and in need of new life or is it falling on nothingness? Peter’s shadow fell on those who were poor in spirit and it was there that God did His greatest work.

Up until this point, everything has been going pretty smoothly for the first church. People seem to be getting along. Changed lives are happening daily. The mission is going forward. But, then, this. The story of Ananias and Sapphira reveals the great importance of integrity among God’s people. It wasn’t the fact that they held back some of the money, it was that they lied about it that got them in trouble. The pursuit of integrity in our lives is invaluable. God honors it and gives greater responsibility to those who have it.

The two hallmarks of the early church were their unity and generosity. There wasn’t a community around that was as unified and generous as them. It was, for all intents and purposes, the two great trademarks that exemplified the mission of Jesus most greatly. The greater our unity the greater our generosity. The greater our generosity the greater our impact.

The believers in Jerusalem are aware that the message of Jesus will often be met with backlash. Instead of backing down, they pray for boldness in a world that will give them backlash. We, too, live in a world that the message of Jesus will often be met with backlash. Psalm 2 is as relevant for us today as it was then. So, we will pray for loving boldness in the midst of the backlash.

As Peter and John stand trial before the Temple Council for the things they are saying about Jesus, they are recognized for what they are—ordinary guys with no real training or experience. And yet, to the Council’s surprise, they speak with great authority and are doing things no one imagine they could. When the Spirit gets in a person, it turns the ordinary into extraordinary.

He is risen, and wants to raise US into new life.

King me or Kill me - Ryan Lunceford by Genesis Church

The story of God's radical love.

A story of God's radical love.

In one Jesus’ most famous parables, two sons and their father take center stage to reveal the radical love of God. The younger son, determined to move as far from his father’s house, demands his inheritance and runs to a distant land. The older son, having a sense of duty and honor, stays by his father’s side in attempt to earn his favor. Despite their differences, both are prodigals in their own right. The only question is: will they see it and return back to the father?

The actions and words of Peter and John get them in hot water with the religious elite. Though what they did was good, it threatened the social and religious structures of the day. Similarly, we have been called to perform good deeds in world—deeds that often threaten the social and religious structures of the world. As a result, tension and conflict are bound to arise. Instead of running from it, we can live peacefully in the tension.

As Peter seizes the opportunity to share about Jesus, he tells those gathered that the path to refreshment in their lives goes through repentance. Recognizing and turning from the sin in their lives and turning towards Jesus is the only path to true refreshment.

An audio guide through the Stations of the Cross for prayer and remembrance during the Easter season.

Following the healing the lame man, the crowds in Jerusalem swarm to Peter and John to see what has happened. Peter sees an opportunity to share the life change that can occur when a person has faith in Jesus. Peter and John’s obedience to follow the Spirit’s lead and heal the lame man leads to an opportunity they wouldn’t have otherwise received. In the same way, when we are obedient with the Spirit’s leading in our own lives, we are given opportunities to be seized that wouldn’t receive otherwise.

Impact The World - Ryan Lunceford by Genesis Church

Invest in the Next Generation - Ryan Lunceford by Genesis Church

Follow - Ryan Lunceford by Genesis Church