This week Matt kicks off our journey through the book of Acts, the origin story of the early Church and a blueprint for living with spiritual momentum. Using a soccer illustration, Matt contrasts two unhealthy ways we can “do church” (pressure to perform, or drifting into complacency), then points to the better picture: the Holy Spirit safeguarding the mission and passing it on, generation to generation, church to church. Recorded: January 19, 2025 Next steps and info: https://www.woodcrest.org Watch more messages (Message Only playlist): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNdaau4yMiFci1ejIfn4TSV0t3ZXyWsIy In this message: * Why the Church endures even though it’s imperfect * The “mission, message, and means” framework in Acts 1 * The kingdom of God as “already and not yet,” and the Church as an advance preview * Acts 1:10–11, stop staring at the sky and step into what God has already called you to do Scripture focus: Acts 1:1–11

This week Matt returns to Acts 1 to unpack the foundation of the Church, not as a club or a performance, but as a Spirit-powered people on mission. Matt frames it like “the birds and the bees” talk, awkward but essential. Because if we never clearly define what the Church is for, we drift into endless debates about preferences while skipping the core: Jesus gave a mission (make witnesses), a message (the gospel), and a means (the Holy Spirit). Recorded: January 26, 2025 Next steps and info: https://www.woodcrest.org In this message: * Why Acts 1–2 is the mold we return to when church gets confusing * “Mission, message, means”, and why prayer is the first move, not meetings * The “now and not yet”, closing the gap between the cross and the throne * “Upper room” church vs “boardroom” church (what really fuels spiritual movement) Scripture focus: Acts 1:1–14 (with additional references)

This week Matt connects Genesis 11 (Babel) to Acts 2 (Pentecost) to show what God has been doing all along, not just saving individuals, but forming a unified people across real differences. Matt walks through the moment the Holy Spirit comes in Acts 2, why the “tongues” here are actual languages, and how Peter’s first sermon opens the doors wide, “all, sons and daughters, young and old, servants, everyone.” The result is a Church that is both diverse and truly united, not by human effort, but by the Spirit. Recorded: February 2, 2025 Next steps and info: https://www.woodcrest.org In this message: * Babel vs Pentecost, scattered and confused vs gathered and understood * Why Acts 2 “tongues” means languages (and what not to assume from one event) * Peter’s first sermon, “repent and be baptized, every one of you” * The Church as “one love, not all the same,” unity through the Holy Spirit * 3,000 added in a day, the movement begins Scripture focus: Genesis 11:1–9, Acts 2:1–41 (with additional references)

This week Matt stays in Acts 2:42–47 to show what the Church looks like when it is genuinely alive, not built on preferences or personalities, but formed by Jesus and fueled by the Holy Spirit. Matt walks through the early Church’s basic “devotions” (teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, prayer), the awe and transformation God produces, and the kind of unity the world can’t manufacture, a people becoming a family, with joy, generosity, and a shared hope that changes how they live. Recorded: February 9, 2025 Next steps and info: https://www.woodcrest.org In this message: *Why the gospel creates the community our souls crave *Acts 2:42–47 as the template, teaching, fellowship, communion, prayer *“Awe and wonder” and how God still transforms lives today *Unity and generosity that is not commanded, it overflows *Why the Church grows without hype, marketing, or strategy, the Lord adds to their number Scripture focus: Acts 2:42–47 (with supporting references)