Word and Formation: Table of Life Church Sermons and Podcast

1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 The Great Surprise Party

Have you ever been convinced that all hope was gone—only to discover that something beautiful was happening behind the scenes? In this message from 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:11, Zach shares the story of one of the hardest birthdays of his life and the unforgettable surprise that changed everything. The Apostle Paul speaks to believers who feared death had the final word, reminding them that because Jesus rose from the dead, those who belong to Him will too. This isn't a sermon about predicting the end times. It's about finding hope in the middle of grief, suffering, and uncertainty. As we wait for Christ's return, we're called to encourage one another with one simple promise: "We will always be with the Lord." Whether you're grieving a loss, walking through disappointment, or simply needing encouragement today, this message points us to the hope that Jesus has already secured. Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:11

Acts 16: Why Suffer with Christ?

Acts 16 tells the story of the beginning of the church in Philippi. Throughout the story the Apostle Paul suffers. Each hardship is different but Paul does not struggle to be released from the pain, instead he willingly allows it to happen. Why? Because suffering with the crucified Jesus leads to the life of the resurrected Jesus.

Acts 8: The People Religion Rejected

It can feel like the world is becoming increasingly distant from God, but Acts of the Apostles 8 reminds us that while religion may fail, God is still drawing people to Himself. The story of the Ethiopian eunuch reveals the heart of the gospel: God pursues those who have been rejected, marginalized, or pushed to the edges of religious life. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Philip is drawn from large-scale ministry into a single life-changing conversation that transforms a man longing to belong. This sermon explores how the Spirit prepares hearts before we arrive, why no person is beyond the reach of grace, and how God intends to use ordinary believers to engage people with courage, compassion, and truth.

Acts 17: Famous Faith Believes in a Crucified and Resurrected Christ

Acts 17 is the story of the Thessalonian church. This episode will bounce back and forth between the telling of this church's birth in Acts 17 and in 1 Thessalonians 1-3. The Thessalonians' story is compelling when we see the way that such a young church suffered together and their faith became known around the world. Acts tells us the heart of this faith is that they believed in Jesus Christ as crucified and resurrected. The Jesus we believe is the Jesus we follow.

Acts 7: Regulations without Relationship

Acts of the Apostles 7 is more than the story of Saint Stephen becoming the first Christian martyr—it is a confrontation between two radically different ways of relating to God. One is built on regulation, self-protection, and performance. The other is built on redemption, grace, and relationship through Jesus Christ. Stephen exposes how easily people can turn God’s gifts, traditions, and commands into systems of control that resist the very Savior they point toward. Yet even as Stephen is murdered, he reveals the heart of true communion with Christ: forgiveness, surrender, and confidence in the sufficiency of Jesus. This sermon explores why rule-based religion always leads to defensiveness, and why relationship with Christ leads to freedom and grace.