Waynesburg Christian Church

If we were honest, we may only picture heaven as an unending church service – a never-ending sing-along in the sky... one great song after another... forever... and ever... and ever... and ever... and our heart sinks. That’s it? That’s the good news? That actually sounds kind of boring! Heaven will be anything but boring, and because heaven is real we can have tremendous hope!

The last half of the book of Acts features the message and ministry of Jesus continuing to go forward through the missionary journeys of Paul. Paul has faced beatings, imprisonment, dangers, and hardships untold. He has preached the Good News of Jesus, planted churches, defended the faith, and written letters to the churches to continue to teach and instruct them in The Way of Jesus. As we conclude our time in Acts, there is one more lesson for us to learn from Paul – and that last lesson teaches us how to finish well.

Life with God begins with discovery, excitement, and anticipation. Life with God is SO GOOD! But inevitably, some sort of “storm” comes our way – we experience the brokenness of this world in a loss, a betrayal, a disappointment, etc. and we have a hard time getting our bearings. We want to avoid the storm, go around the storm, have God take us out of the storm, but the only way out is through. The storm hurts. The storm will bring tears. The storm raises some very uncomfortable questions. Do you find yourself in the midst of a storm today? The Apostle Paul has some wise words for you.

Easter is the celebration of Jesus’ triumph over death and the grave! Want peace? Look at Easter. Want hope? Look at Easter. Want to know that your shame, your mistakes, and even death itself doesn’t get the last word? Look at Easter! Jesus relentlessly pursues our hearts and dares us to trust in Him!

Looking into Acts 20 and hearing Kyle Cooper share about his own missionary journey with Hope2 to Uganda!

Acts 17

Apostle Paul communicated the story of Jesus in a compelling, culturally relevant way to people who weren't always open, and we can do the same!

“I’m not really the Christian type.” Maybe you have heard this statement before. In Acts 16 we meet three people that may have been likely to say such a thing, but by the end of the story, all 3 are followers of Jesus! This cross-section of the Bible gives us a fascinating case study in the idea that the way of Jesus is for all sorts of people – even those that we would least expect!

In C.S. Lewis’ book, Surprised by Joy, he talks about how the phrase “chronological snobbery” was introduced to him. Chronological snobbery is the idea that earlier times in history are inherently inferior to the present – that since civilization has advanced in certain areas, that the people of earlier periods were less intelligent. This Sunday we will continue to examine the church at Antioch and consider the advice they would have for us today. We may wonder what in the world could a church from a couple thousand years ago teach us.

What should you look for in a church? The New Testament speaks of several churches, but the church in Antioch was a model church in many ways. What made the church at Antioch special? Why does it matter for us today?

The early church was marked by prayer. Prayers for boldness in the face of opposition. Prayers for the message of Jesus to be carried forward faithfully. Prayers for those who would be sent out. What do the prayers of the early church show us about how we can be praying today?

Has Amazing Grace become ordinary to you? Have we forgotten how amazing God's grace is and are we are just going through the motions? Chris Bell walks us through Saul's conversion in Acts chapter 9 and the church started to form with urgency, God calls us to have the same urgency in today's church, to not let his grace just be ordinary, but amazing!

God doesn’t ask us to go share the good news about Jesus for Him, but with Him. He is always working – even when we don’t see it or expect it! As we walk through the Book of Acts, we will witness God’s incredible move toward people right where they are. If you know Jesus, then you may look with wonder and remember the lengths God went to in order to make Himself known to you. If you are seeking to know more about Jesus, then you may have already experienced God’s answers to your seeking in some unexpected ways!

As we walk through the Book of Acts and see how the church was born, how it grew, and how it overcame powerful opposition we will come across many people that God used in incredible ways to propel the mission and message of Jesus forward! Join us Sunday at 9:30am as we continue our “Unstoppable God: Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth” series by considering the story of Stephen and receive fresh inspiration to join God on His mission today!

On the very first occasion when someone stood up in public to tell people about Jesus, he made it very clear – this message is for everyone! It was a great day – often referred to as the day that the church was born in Acts 2. The Holy Spirit had swept through Jesus’ followers and filled them with new joy and a new sense of God’s presence. Their leader, Peter, who just weeks before had wept in shame after he denied even knowing Jesus, was now on his feet in front of a large crowd explaining that something had happened which had changed the world forever! What God had done for Peter, He was beginning to do for the whole world... new life... new hope... forgiveness... was available and it was for everyone! “The promise is for you,” he said, “and for your children, and for all who are far off” (Acts 2:39). While the Book of Acts tells the story of the beginning chapters of the Church, it is not only the story of the apostles and earliest churches, it is the story of the Church – the church that Jesus est

Looking into the new year we come to a crossroad and we are given a choice to live in the past or choose to do something new for God. God is doing something today, He will meet us at the crossroad and gives us hope for the future!

n the first stanza to the song, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” we sing these words: Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. Sometimes the world is a dark, scary, and broken place. If you’ve lived long enough you’ve probably endured some obstacles or hardships. Christmas compels us to choose which narrative we will live by when these things occur - Do we believe that Jesus really is the answer to all of our “hopes and fears” or do we believe that we go it alone? May this Christmas be a persistent reminder that even though we find ourselves in dark and weary places, we don’t have to endure it alone. Christmas tells us of God’s amazing move toward us in Jesus! It tells us that Jesus entered the brokenness and darkness of this place and that He has overcome! Christmas tells us to believe and hope and rest in Him! Merry Christmas!

The Christmas season has so many layers. There is a lot of hustle and bustle - special programs at school and church, preparing for special gatherings and parties, decorating, and some shopping too. This season is also tied to a lot of nostalgia- family memories of past Christmases, special family traditions that are passed along, and some new traditions that may be created as well! This is also a season of family - gathering with close family members and some that you only see this time of year. With all these layers to Christmas, it would be easy to miss the heart of Christmas. What is the heart of Christmas? We find the heart of Christmas in a manger of Bethlehem. In the miraculous move of God to come near - to be Immanuel, God with us! At the heart of Christmas is Savior who invites us to pause...to take a deep breath...and come to Him.

Where's your Christmas spirit? A quick internal search about the definition of "Christmas spirit" returns all sorts of ideas - generosity, kindness, and charity toward others; a spirit of "togetherness;" a sense of joy and general cheer, etc. These all sound very wonderful, but the idea of "Christmas spirit" by its very name, sound temporary and fleeting. The routines of "real life" reappear in early January and the joy of Christmas season always seems to fade away. But the true story of Christmas - the real Spirit of Christmas - doesn't have to fade away!