Munger Place Church - Dallas, Texas

Why did the child—among all the other people there—why did the small child point out that “The Emperor has no clothes”? It’s the same reason the Apostle Paul was provoked in his spirit by all the idols in Athens. It’s because everyone else was accepting a lie. Preacher: Andrew Forrest Scripture: Acts 17:16-34

The church in Antioch can teach us a lot... Preacher: Andrew Forrest Scripture: Acts 11:19-26; 13:1-3

If God has a specific purpose planned for you, how do you know what it is? What if you miss it? What if you are currently spending your time on the wrong thing? What if, when you die, you come to the realization that you missed God’s purpose for your life? Here’s the good news: there is a fool-proof way to make sure this doesn’t happen to you. And this was the early church’s success secret. Preacher: Andrew Forrest (via video from Highland Park United Methodist Church) Scripture: John 15:1-5

Jesus promised his disciples three things. They would be absurdly happy completely fearless and in constant trouble. —Michael Green How did the early church handle persecution? How should we? Preacher: Andrew Forrest Scripture: Acts 3-7

Rodney Stark raises one of the most important questions in history: "Jesus was a teacher and miracle worker who spent nearly all of his brief ministry in the tiny and obscure province of Galilee, often preaching to outdoor gatherings. A few listeners took up his invitation to follow him, and a dozen or so became his devoted disciples, but when he was executed by the Romans his followers probably numbered no more than several hundred. How was it possible for this obscure Jewish sect to become the largest religion in the world?” —from The Triumph of Christianity The Book of Acts tells the story of the rise of the early church. (Acts is also one of the most interesting books in the Bible.) In our series on Acts, we’re looking at 2 inter-related questions: What was the original mission of the church? And, what is God’s mission for me? Preacher: Andrew Forrest Scripture: Acts 1:1-8

David was unlike all the kings that came after him. What made him different? Preacher: Andrew Forrest Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:13-14 (491) 1 Samuel 16:7, 13 (499) 1 Samuel 17:26 (502) 1 Samuel 18:10-11 (504) 1 Samuel 24:1-7 (515) 1 Samuel 26:6-12 (520) 2 Samuel 1:17-19 (528) 2 Samuel 6:14-15 (537) 2 Samuel 12:13 (546)

The story of Jonathan, the armor-bearer, and the pass of Michmash is one of the most exciting and gripping in the entire scripture. It is suspenseful, inspiring, swashbuckling, violent, and ultimately, tragic. Preacher: Andrew Forrest Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:23-14:46  

There are two ways to live: hands closed, or hands open. Samuel’s mom chose the latter course. Preacher: Andrew Forrest Scripture: 1 Samuel 1

What if you had a copy of the Devil’s plan to mess up your life? There’s one fascinating place in scripture where the Devil quotes scripture and actually reveals his plan. Guess what? His plan involves convincing you that if you are faithful enough, you won’t have serious problems. Don’t believe it, and don’t give up. Preacher: Andrew Forrest Scripture: Psalm 91; Luke 4:1-11 References: Special Order 191, George McClellan, and Robert E. Lee https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Order_191 https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/12/lees-lost-order/?_r=0

The three most important words in history: He Is Risen. Yes, those three words have affected every aspect of modern life, but their deeper significance is what they imply about God’s plan for the world: In the end, everything will be okay. If it’s not okay, then it’s not the end. Scripture: Luke 24:1-12 Preacher: Andrew Forrest Quotation: “On the day after Jesus’ death, it looked as if whatever small mark he left on the world would rapidly disappear. Instead, his impact on human history has been unparalled…. “Normally when someone dies, their impact on the world immediately begins to recede…. Jesus impact was greater a hundred years after his death than during his life; it was greater still after five hundred years; after a thousand years his legacy laid the foundation for much of Europe; after two thousand years he has more followers in more places than ever…. “If someone’s legacy will outlast their life, it usually becomes apparent when they die. On the day when Alexander the Great or Caesar Augustus or Nap