Gospel Saving Church

Overview - God's Hand Is Not Short. Acts 25:1-12. In our message today we begin the next chapter of the Book of Acts, Ch. 25, but we also begin a new chapter of Paul’s life and for him in ministry. Felix, the governor of Caesarea has moved on, and a new governor has taken over, Porcius Festus. He comes to Caesarea, probably to be sworn in to office, and we read of him only staying three days. Then he goes to Jerusalem, where we see him immediately having an audience with those Jews that want Paul dead, and they have a request for him. A wicked request. Why does Festus only stay in Caesarea three days? How did the Jews get an audience with Festus just three days after he is in office? What is their wicked request of him. I answer all of these questions and we talk about much more, so come and take a listen and learn the Word of God. And may God richly bless you as you diligently seek Jesus Christ Pastor Ed Spagnoli

Overview - Fight or Flight. Acts 24:24-27. In our message today we mainly looked at how Felix responded to the seeds that Paul had sown on his and the religious leaders hearts during the last trial they had with Paul. Paul had been in some serious trouble with the religious Jews because of his teachings of Jesus Christ and the law of Moses, and they wanted him dead. During the last trial between Paul, the religious leaders, and Felix the governor of Caesarea, Paul not only defended himself with a great defense, but he also planted some seeds for Jesus Christ and God’s kingdom in his foes hearts. Today we get to read of how Felix responds to Paul’s witness. Did the seeds he planted of Jesus Christ bear fruit? Was his response a fight or flight one to Paul’s message? Come and take a listen to the message and find out. May God richly bless you as you diligently seek Jesus Christ Pastor Ed Spagnoli

Overview - Beware The Flatterer. Acts 24:1-23. In our sermon today we look into yet another trial that involves the apostle Paul and some angry Jews that are there to try to get him the death penalty for some supposed wrongs. This time the Jews think they are smart and bring a certain orator named Tertullus, who turns out to be nothing more than a flatterer. He is brought into this situation, and begins by speaking some very smooth and soft words to Felix, trying to butter him up so the Jews can have a judgment against Paul, then accuses Paul of some terrible and awful things to give proof of how terrible Paul is. They want Paul dead and they are hoping Felix will grant his execution. Does evil plan and plot against him work? Does Felix just believe the flatterers accusations against Paul? Does Paul get a chance to defend himself? Do the Jews get Felix to give Paul the death penalty? Come and take a listen to this message as I answer all of these questions and more. Come and seek the truth at Gospel Saving

Overview – Foiled Plans and Royal Treatment. Acts 23:12-35. In our message today we take a look at a pretty amazing, but evil plan, that 40 plus Jewish people scheme against the Apostle Paul to murder him. Their plan was brilliant and seemingly full proof, except for ONE huge factor they didn’t count on, Jesus Christ and His Word. For you see, Jesus Christ had told Paul, literally the night before we learn of this evil scheme, that Paul would witness of Him in Rome just like he had done in Jerusalem. And, when Jesus Christ says something is going to happen, then it happens. So their plans were going to be foiled and they were doomed from the get-go. We also learned of some royal treatment that Paul gets during his trip out of Jerusalem as God foils the plans of the 40 plus Jewish people to murder him. God knows how to take care of those that are His, and Paul is a walking testimony of this. What was the brilliant full proof plan of the 40 plus Jews against Paul, and why was it brilliant and full proof? I

Overview – The Road Of Suffering. Acts 23:11. In our message today we focus on the difficult road of suffering that the apostle Paul was on which is pretty obvious from the title. But, in this message, that only has one verse, the real surprise comes in the message that Jesus Christ gives Paul when He visits him right in the midst of his extremely long road of suffering. Jesus comes to Paul in Acts 23:11 with an amazing message of comfort, despite how he was depressed and in despair. What was Christ’s message of comfort to Paul? Come and check out the message and find out, especially if you are on the road of suffering for Jesus Christ right now, and may God richly bless you as you diligently seek Him. Pastor Ed Spagnoli

Overview – Prayer. Matthew 6:5-15. I have a special message today, one that has impacted my life dramatically in and for Christ. A couple of weeks ago I was seeking the Lord on prayer and He was putting a sermon about prayer on my heart. So, I was about to begin preparing a sermon on prayer, and wouldn’t you know it, but God did a miracle in my life. As I was seeking God in prayer He led me to a sermon that was preached by one of my dearest mentors from my past, a fella God introduced me to just two or three years after I became a Christian. He teaches an amazing sermon on prayer and that’s what I have for you today for our message. This pastors name is Darin Shedelbower, and he pastors a small church by the name of Home Fellowship Church (no relation to Fellowship church in the Dallas TX area), and the church is located in Bradenton Fl. I hope that you are encouraged by his message just as I was. Footnote. Since my messages travel all over the world, I know that there may be someone listening to this mess

Overview – A Head Scratching Trial. Acts Ch. 22:30 & Acts 23:1-10. In our message today we read of a trial that a Roman commander subjects Paul to, so that he can find out the truth about why the Jews were trying to kill him. Paul stands before his accusers and begins to speak to them, seemingly in a respectful way saying, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” He speaks to them in a seemingly respectful way, but the high priest doesn’t see it that way and commands those near Paul to strike him on the mouth. Paul, then harshly rebukes the high priest but then apologizes for doing so moments later because he doesn’t know the man was the high priest. Why would the high priest be offended with Paul’s opening statement that doesn’t seem to be disrespectful? Why does Paul harshly rebuke the high priest but then apologize moments later? How could Paul not know that he was in a close proximity to himself? I answer all of these questions plus a lot more, so come and ta

Overview - A Question To Defend. In our message today we read of the sad end of how the Jews responded to Paul’s testimonial message of how he came to know Jesus Christ. Paul is right in the middle of his testimony and the Jews get angry and turn on him to kill him again. Their response comes right after he told them that Jesus told him to take the message of salvation to the Gentiles. Well, because of the response of the Jews against Paul, the Roman commander decides to take him and basically beat a confession out of him, for after all, he must be guilty of doing something wrong for the Jews to be so angry with him that they want to kill him. What does Paul do under the threat of being beaten, knowing he is an innocent man? He asks them one very simple, yet very powerful question to defend himself. His question brings about a very interesting response from his Roman captors. How do they respond? Come and take a listen to the message and find out, and be edified in the Lord Jesus Christ. May the Lord J

Overview - They Have A Zeal For God, But Not According To Knowledge. Acts 22:1-22. In our sermon today we continue to look at the interaction between Paul and the Jews in Jerusalem who were zealous for the law of Moses. Last week we read that they saw Paul in the Synagogue and attacked him and tried to kill him because they heard that he taught people against the law of Moses, but he was rescued by a Roman commander. Today we finish his interaction with them, as God gives him the opportunity to give them his testimony of how he had an encounter with the Saviour Jesus Christ, and how Jesus changed Paul’s mind in regard to the law of Moses. Paul was teaching that the law of Moses wasn’t that important, now that Jesus Christ had come, because he realized that Jesus Christ’s death was enough to pay the high price for sin. God had showed Paul that no work of righteousness was going to save anyone from their sins, and grant anyone eternal life, and Paul was bound by his love for mankind to preach the truth becaus

Overview – Jesus Christ Is Enough. Acts Ch. 21:30-40. In our message today we look at the reaction of the Jews from Asia, as well as the Jews from Jerusalem when they see Paul in the temple finishing up the fulfillment of a vow. They had heard that he taught people that Jesus Christ was enough. The Jews had heard that Paul had taught others, that they didn’t need to be zealous for the law of Moses, or the Levitical law that God had given to the Jews under the old covenant, and they were right! Paul did teach people that in Christ, that is, to those people that had put their faith in Jesus Christ and decided to follow Him, there is neither Jew nor Greek (Gentile), which means that there was no longer any necessity to keep the law of Moses in order to please God. Is it necessary to keep the law of Moses for salvation? Can someone be a good enough person to inherit eternal life, by the merits of their good works? Is Jesus Christ enough for eternal life, or do people need to do more to attain eternal life? I

Overview – The Jews Who Were Zealous For The Law Of Moses. Acts 21:15-30. In our message today we read of the fact that the apostle Paul finally makes it to Jerusalem. He’s been heading that way for a while now. Once there, day one, he meets with some Christians, day two he meets up with the original apostles, and immediately he tells them some of the exploits that he has had serving the Lord Jesus Christ since the last time they had met. And, they are excited to hear what he has to say on one hand, but have some bad news for him on the other hand. That good and bad news is that they tell him that a multitude number of Jews had turned to the Lord Jesus Christ as God’s Messiah, which was good news, but the bad news was that these same Jews were also zealous for the law of Moses. Their being zealous for the law of Moses is really bad news for Paul. Why? Because these Jews are angry with Paul because they hear that he is teaching the Gentiles that they don’t have to follow the law of Moses. Why is it bad news

Overview – God’s Blessing Of Preparation And Confirmation. Acts Ch. 21:7-14. In our message today Paul is still headed for Jerusalem, but he makes two stops to two different coastal cities. It is in his second stop, in the city of Caesarea, where he and those with him visit Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven that the early church in Jerusalem had ordained to serve some widows. It is while in Caesarea that Paul meets a man named Agabus, who was a prophet of God, and he gives Paul some news. Some news of God’s blessing of preparation and confirmation, but news that was not received as such by those who were with Paul. Why would a message of God’s blessing of preparation and confirmation not be received well by those who were with Paul? Come and take a listen please and find out. May God richly bless you as you diligently seek Him Pastor Ed

Overview – Do You Test The Spirits? Acts 21:1-6. In our message today we study a section of scripture that is full of some very technical information about the travels of Paul. He jumps on boat after boat while he is traveling across the Mediterranean Sea. He was traveling this way trying to get to Jerusalem because God had called him there to testify of Jesus Christ. Now, I know that technical information is not that exciting because it is just technical, but there is one good thing about this kind of text, it leads to interesting and discussion worthy text. And, this is exactly what the technical information of Paul’s travels do for us in what we study today. Paul travels to Tyre in Syria, and while there he meets some disciples and stays with for 7 days. While he is with them, they give him some very interesting and discussion worthy information. They tell him, supposedly through the spirit, the Holy Spirit of God, that he is NOT supposed to go to Jerusalem. Why is this interesting and discussion worth

Overview - Giving Everything Over To Jesus Christ. Acts 20:32-38. We finish a long section of scripture today that included Paul’s long good bye to the Ephesian elders. He was leaving and would not return and they would see his face no more, and he was compelled by God to meet with these church leaders to tell them some very important things that were going to happen to them and those in their church once he was gone. Unfortunately, not one of the things Paul had to tell them was good. Today, we read of Paul finish up of his long goodbyes and warnings to these Ephesian elders, where he gives them some closing statements of how he #1. gave them over to God and the Word of God’s grace to help them attain their inheritance. And #2. of how he never abused his authority among them by taking advantage of them financially, so working with his own hands to provide for himself. Why did Paul give them over to God and His Word and grace? Why would him giving them over to God help them attain their inheritance? Why

Overview - The Watchmen On The Wall. Acts 20:25-31. In our message today, we jump right into the midst of a discourse between Paul and the elders or overseers of the Ephesian church. Up until this point, he had been telling them of how he lived among them, how he taught them, and even the circumstances that he taught them under. But, in this section he breaks down and finally gives them some earthshaking bad news. He tells them that he is leaving them and that he will never be back. Today’s message focuses on Paul’s commission to them of their responsibilities for the church in Ephesus, as they will take his place as the heads or leaders of their church. Paul will no longer be there for them to rely on to lead them. What does their responsibility for the Ephesian church entail? Paul passes the torch of him being their watchman to them being the watchmen for their church. What do New Testament watchmen do for a Christian church? Come and take a listen and find out, this sermon is full of goodies. And, may

Overview – The Whole Counsel Of The Word Of God. Acts 20:13-24. In my message today we covered many different topics and ideas that we found in Acts 20:13-24. Topics and ideas from Paul’s travels and of a conversation that he had with the Ephesian Christian church elders. Topics such as: why he traveled, how he lived his life, and how he loved, served, and poured himself out to the Ephesians in their town and in their church. Paul was an amazing man of God, and a true example of how all followers of Christ should follow Jesus Christ today. Come and take a listen to some great information about the amazing apostle Paul and how he loved, served, and poured himself out to others for Jesus Christ, and may God richly bless you as you diligently seek Him. Pastor Ed Spagnoli P.S. The map I addressed is in the overview notes for this message on our website, Gospelsavingchurch.com Blessings

Overview – Paul And The Fortunate Young Man. Acts 20:7-12. In our message today We had two main points. 1st we looked at how there is a clear pattern of the fact that there was a New Testament church that resembles the literal church as we see it today. A church service, supported pastors and leaders, a congregation, and they would all come together into some type of building as a church body, to worship and serve the Lord Jesus Christ together. Today this is a concept that many who profess the name of Jesus Christ fight against. This is a sad movement because theirs is NOT a claim that is Biblically supported. So, for my 1st main point to this message, I show you proof that the very first Christians in the Bible, actually had Sunday church services the way we see our churches running today. The 2nd part of my message focused on Paul and a fortunate young man and a terrible event that happens to the young man because of Paul’s long-winded preaching. Paul and the believers of the Asian city of Troas, come

Overview – The Big Dash. Acts 20:1-6. In our message today we studied two main ideas. 1) Paul going to Macedonia to encourage them with many words, those in the Macedonian churches that he had help plant. 2) The big dash that is found in vs 4 of the NKJV translation of the Bible. The big dash – which separates one main thought from another. #1 Why would Paul travel all the way from Ephesus to Macedonia to encourage his Christian brothers and sisters in those churches? What was the importance of him doing this? #2 What is the big dash – all about? Is it in every translation of the Bible? I answer all of these questions and more in my message titled, The Big Dash. May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you as you diligently seek Him. Pastor Ed Spagnoli

Overview – The Crazy Frenzied Ephesian Mob. Acts 19:21-41. In our message today, we read of one man’s plot, Demetrius the silversmith, to attack and kill one of God’s main men, Paul. Why did Demetrius try to get Paul attacked and killed? Paul was helping people to turn to the light of the One true God, Jesus Christ, and out of the darkness of the worship of the false goddess Diana. By what Paul was doing, he was hurting Demetrius’ business which was taking money out of his wallet. For you see, Demetrius made his living off of making little silver idols of Diana. So, Demetrius gathers together a group of people from the city, who turn into an Ephesian mob, and well, the title speaks for itself. The mob becomes crazy and frenzied, and is totally out of control. What was Demetrius’ motivation for doing what he did to Paul? Did his plan work to get Paul attacked and killed? Come, take a listen to the message and find out, and may the Lord Jesus Christ bless you as you diligently seek Him. Pastor Ed Spagnoli

Overview – The Pretenders Of The Faith. Acts Ch. 19:11-20. In our message today we read of some pretty amazing miracles that God was doing through the hands of the apostle Paul. God was moving in a mighty way in the city of Ephesus to bring people to Jesus Christ, and He was revealing Jesus Christ to them through Paul’s works of casting out demons, and sickness being healed in Jesus name. Now, as great as it was that God was drawing these Ephesians to Jesus Christ by the many amazing miracles that Paul was doing, we have some pretenders of the faith that tried to use the name of Jesus Christ themselves to do some exorcisms. Did God allow these pretenders of the faith to use Jesus Christ’s name to cast out demons? No. Why would the demons not leave by the name of Jesus being used by the pretenders? What was the result of their failure to cast the demons out of possessed? Come, check out the sermon and learn the answers to these questions and much more. May God richly bless you as you diligently seek Him P