Acts - Unstoppable: A Church On Fire! | Week 23 | 16 November 2025 | 09:30

It is a joy and privilege to serve a living God—one who is not distant or dead, but alive and present with us in every circumstance. As we journey through the book of Acts, we see the reality of trials and tribulations in the life of Paul, and we are reminded that hardship is not unique to us. Everyone faces tough times, but as believers, we are called to walk through them differently. James encourages us to consider it pure joy when we face trials, not because we celebrate suffering, but because trials test our faith and produce perseverance. This perseverance matures us, making us complete and lacking nothing.

Tribulations, however, are unique to those who follow Christ—hardships that come specifically because of our faith. Jesus warned us that these would come, and history and current events confirm it. Yet, in the midst of both trials and tribulations, we are not alone. Paul, even when imprisoned and facing death threats, was met by Jesus himself, who told him, “Be of good cheer.” This is not a shallow encouragement, but a call to courage rooted in the presence and promises of Christ. Jesus knows exactly where we are, what we are facing, and he is with us in the prison, not just waiting for us on the other side.

The encouragement to “be of good cheer” is repeated throughout the New Testament, always in the context of hardship. Whether it was the paralytic, the woman with the issue of blood, the disciples in a storm, or the night before the crucifixion, Jesus’ words are the same: take courage, for he has overcome the world. Our hope is not in the absence of suffering, but in the presence of Christ and the promise of eternity. Even when our efforts seem fruitless, as Paul’s did in Jerusalem, Jesus affirms that our responsibility is to testify, not to produce results. There is always a next assignment, more work to be done, more people to reach, more ways to serve. And with every assignment comes the assurance of God’s protection and purpose—until we have finished what he has called us to do.

So, take courage. Be of good cheer. Jesus is alive, he is with you, and he will never leave you nor forsake you. There is still more work to be done, and until our purpose is fulfilled, God’s hand remains on us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Trials Test Faith, Not Produce It Trials are inevitable for all, but for believers, they serve as a testing ground for faith. The purpose is not to create faith, but to reveal and refine it, producing perseverance and maturity. This process is often uncomfortable, but it is essential for spiritual growth and completeness. [20:48]
• 2. Endurance Is For the Sake of Others Our perseverance through hardship is not just for our own benefit, but for the sake of those around us—the “elect.” The way we endure impacts our families, communities, and those who are yet to believe. Our steadfastness can be the very thing that leads others to salvation and strengthens the faith of those watching us. [23:45]
• 3. God’s Presence in the Midst of Trials Jesus meets us in our darkest moments, not just when we emerge from them. His presence is the source of our courage and hope, assuring us that we are not forgotten or alone. Even when we cannot see the outcome, we can trust that he is with us, providing everything we need. [29:49]
• 4. The Results Belong to God, Our Role Is to Testify We are called to be faithful witnesses, regardless of visible results. Our responsibility is to testify through our words and actions, trusting God to bring the fruit. This frees us from the burden of outcomes and allows us to serve with joy and perseverance. [36:52]
• 5. There Is Always More Work to Be Done God’s call is ongoing; after one assignment, there is always another. This is not a burden, but a privilege—to continue serving, reaching, and loving others until our purpose is complete. With each new task comes God’s promise of protection and provision. [37:33]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [18:28] - Serving a Living God
• [19:14] - Certainty of Trials and Tribulations
• [20:00] - Facing Trials as Believers
• [20:37] - Trials Test Faith and Produce Perseverance
• [21:41] - Tribulations Unique to Believers
• [22:35] - Paul’s Endurance for the Sake of Others
• [24:44] - Enduring for the Sake of Family and Community
• [25:20] - Endurance Leads to Reigning with Christ
• [28:52] - Jesus Appears to Paul in Prison
• [29:49] - God’s Presence in Our Trials
• [32:47] - God Reigns in Highs and Lows
• [34:40] - The Promise of Eternity
• [36:08] - Testifying Regardless of Results
• [37:33] - The Next Assignment: More Work to Do
• [39:29] - God’s Protection Until Our Purpose is Fulfilled
• [40:58] - Invitation to Salvation and Closing Blessing

Bible Reading

Acts 23:1–11 (ESV) — > 1 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.”
> 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.
> 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?”
> 4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?”
> 5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”
> 6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
> 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.
> 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.
> 9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?”
> 10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.
> 11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

- James 1:2–4 (ESV)
> 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
> 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
> 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

- 2 Timothy 2:8–10 (ESV)
> 8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel,
> 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!
> 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Observation Questions

1. In Acts 23, what was Paul’s response when he was struck on the mouth by order of the high priest? What does this reveal about the situation he was facing? ([27:13])
2. According to James 1:2–4, what is the purpose of trials in the life of a believer?
3. In 2 Timothy 2:8–10, for whose sake does Paul say he endures suffering, and what is his ultimate goal? ([23:11])
4. When Jesus appears to Paul in Acts 23:11, what specific encouragement does he give, and what does it say about Paul’s next steps? ([28:52])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “Trials test faith. Trials don’t produce faith. The Bible is clear that faith comes by hearing.” Why is it important to understand the difference between faith being tested and faith being produced? How might this change the way someone views their hardships? ([20:48])
2. Paul’s endurance is described as being “for the sake of the elect.” How does seeing our perseverance as something that impacts others (not just ourselves) change our motivation to keep going during hard times? ([23:45])
3. Jesus tells Paul, “Be of good cheer,” while Paul is still in prison and before anything has changed in his circumstances. What does this teach about the presence of God in our trials, and how is this different from just hoping for a quick solution? ([29:49])
4. The sermon points out that our responsibility is to testify, not to produce results. How does this perspective affect the way we serve, share our faith, or respond to apparent failure? ([36:52])

Application Questions

1. Think about a recent trial or hardship you’ve faced. Did you see it as a test of your faith, or did it feel more like a punishment or setback? How might your perspective change if you saw it as a way for God to mature you? ([20:48])
2. The sermon says our endurance is for the sake of others—our families, friends, and even those who don’t yet believe. Who in your life might be watching how you handle tough times? How could your perseverance encourage or impact them? ([24:44])
3. Jesus met Paul in the prison, not just after he got out. Is there a “prison” or difficult place in your life right now where you need to look for Jesus’ presence? What would it look like to trust that he is with you, even if nothing has changed yet? ([29:49])
4. The encouragement to “be of good cheer” is not just a feel-good phrase, but a call to courage rooted in Jesus’ presence. What is one area of your life where you need to “take courage” this week? What would a practical step of courage look like for you? ([31:19])
5. The sermon says, “There is always a next assignment, more work to be done, more people to reach, more ways to serve.” Is there a specific way you sense God calling you to serve or testify right now, even if you feel tired or discouraged? ([37:33])
6. When have you felt discouraged because you didn’t see results from your efforts to serve or share your faith? How does knowing that “the results belong to God” free you to keep going? ([36:52])
7. The promise is that God’s hand remains on us until our purpose is fulfilled. How does this assurance affect your willingness to step out in faith or take risks for God’s kingdom? ([39:29])