Chicago West Sunday Sermons

What the Early Church Would Teach Us About Prayer

When trials hit hard and faith feels weak, many believers wonder if prayer really makes a difference. In this sermon, Pastor Jon walks through Acts 12 and shows how the early church responded to fear, grief, and uncertainty through desperate prayer, and how God moved powerfully in the middle of it all. When Trials Come, Pray Together with Desperation. (12:1-5) When Faith Feels Weak, God Still Responds. (12:6-19) When God Responds, He Exceeds Expectations. (12:20-25)

One Church, One Savior

In a world fractured by division, tribalism, and self-centeredness, the gospel of Jesus Christ creates one unified people around one Savior. In this sermon, Pastor Jon walks through Acts 11:19–30 and shows how the early church in Antioch became a diverse yet unified family marked by grace, grounded in God’s Word, and committed to caring for one another. Different Backgrounds, One Grace. (11:19-24) Different People, One Word. (11:25-26) Different Abilities, One Family. (11:27-30)

The Gospel Has No Favorites

Sermon Text: Acts 10:1-11:18 Summary:We say the gospel is for everyone, but our lives don’t always reflect it. In this sermon, Pastor Jon walks through Acts 10–11 to show how the gospel confronts our prejudice, reshapes how we see people, and calls us to welcome those God has already received. See People Through God’s Eyes. (10:1-16) Value People the Way God Does. (10:17-48) Welcome People the Way God Has. (11:1-18)

Now What? Stepping Into What God Has Next

Lesson: Good Things Take Time Opportunity: Community Favor and Future Environment Commitment: Making Disciples and Sending Out Prayer Focus: Thanksgiving Stewarding Favor and Grace Disciples and Sending

Grief and Grace: When God’s People Suffer

It can be hard to reconcile the reality of deep suffering with the belief that God is good and loving. When the waiting is long and the loss is real, faith can feel fragile. In this sermon from Acts 9, Pastor Jon teaches how Jesus meets His people in both delayed answers and devastating loss. Even in the midst of grief, Jesus offers grace for the waiting, grace for the grieving, and hope that reaches beyond what we can understand.  The Tension of Delayed Grace. (Acts 9:32-35) The Tension of Unexplained Loss. (Acts 9:36-43) The Testimony of Shared Suffering. (Acts 9:32-43)