When the Gospel is Preached

A Church that Sends

What does it truly mean to be a successful, faithful church in the eyes of God? In this powerful message from Acts 14:24–28, Pastor Ben Hill unpacks the conclusion of Paul and Barnabas’ first missionary journey and examines the blueprint of a "sending church." Using the inspiring, real-life story of Linda—a woman who began intentionally sharing her faith at age 60 and witnessed over 3,100 gospel conversions by her 80s—this sermon challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and into the mission field right in our own backyards. Key Takeaways from This Episode: * Reaching the Unreached Local Group: While global missions are vital, we cannot forget the unreached people in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and families. * Releasing Faithful People: True kingdom growth requires a willingness to send out our best leaders, resources, and prayers to plant new seeds for the gospel. * Shifting the Metric of Success: God doesn't measure a church's success by how many people it hoards or keeps in the building, but by our collective obedience to the Great Commission. * Rejoicing in God’s Work: When we testify, our focus must remain strictly on what God has done through us, pointing all praise back to Him. Whether you feel ill-equipped or are looking to rekindle your passion for sharing your faith, this episode will encourage you to stop hoarding the "seed" of the gospel and start sowing it intentionally in your community. Connect with Us: For more resources, articles, and updates, visit us online at EnduringGrace.com [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://enduringgrace.com]. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2571302/support]

What Are You Living For?

In a world that constantly tells us to chase success, accumulate wealth, and pursue personal pleasure, a fundamental question persists in the quiet moments of our hearts: What are we truly living for? In this week's message from the Enduring Grace Sermons podcast, Pastor Ben Hill dives into Acts 14:15-17 to explore the profound trap of modern idolatry. Drawing from the dramatic biblical account of Paul and Barnabas in the city of Lystra, Pastor Ben exposes the worthlessness of chasing "vain things"—those empty, man-made pursuits that can never truly fill the God-shaped void within the human heart. Whether it is success without surrender, pleasure without purity, or the subtle idol of a comfortable life, we are all wired to worship. The crucial question is: Are you worshiping the creation, or are you worshiping the Living God? Tune in to discover how to turn away from the vanity of cultural idols and experience the transformative power, wonder, and common grace of the Creator who satisfies our hearts with true gladness. Connect With Us: Thank you for listening to this week's sermon! For more gospel-centered resources, articles, and updates from our ministry, visit us online at enduringgrace.com [http://enduringgrace.com/]. If this message encouraged you, please leave a review and share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it! Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2571302/support]

What Will You Do with the Good News?

In this episode of the Enduring Grace podcast, Pastor Ben Hill poses the ultimate question: What will you do with the good news? Drawing from Acts 13:38-52, the message opens with the striking historical account of George Wilson, a man who was sentenced to death but famously refused a presidential pardon—reminding us that a pardon is only effective if it is accepted. Pastor Ben parallels this to the Gospel, explaining that through Jesus Christ, God offers a "pardon" for our sins and a "justification" (freedom) that religious law could never achieve. The sermon explores the contrasting reactions of the people in Antioch of Pisidia—from the joy of the Gentiles to the jealousy of the religious leaders—and challenges modern believers to prioritize the mission of the Gospel over personal traditions and preferences. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2571302/support]

Who's Really Calling the Shots?

In this sermon, “Who’s Really Calling the Shots?”, we walk through Acts 12:1–23 and see a powerful reminder that God is sovereign even when life feels uncertain, unfair, or out of control. Herod seems powerful, Peter is imprisoned, James is killed, and the church is praying—but behind every scene, God is still ruling, working, protecting, and accomplishing His purpose. This message explores how God permits trials, protects His people, answers prayer, humbles the proud, and proves that no earthly power can stop His plan. When circumstances look chaotic, believers can rest in the truth that God has not stepped off His throne. He is still calling the shots. Listen and be encouraged to trust God’s sovereignty, pray with faith, remain faithful in hardship, and worship the Lord even when you do not understand what He is doing. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2571302/support]

When the Gospel is Preached

What happens when ordinary people take an extraordinary message into a pagan culture? In this message, we dive into the birth of the church at Antioch—the third-largest city in the Roman Empire and the place where believers were first called "Christians." When the gospel is preached, it does four things: * It Expands: It moves past traditional boundaries to reach new people groups, just as it reached the Hellenists in Antioch. * It Encourages: It creates a community of support, exemplified by Barnabas, the "Son of Encouragement," who rejoiced at seeing God's grace in others. * It Equips: It moves beyond conversion to deep discipleship, as seen when Barnabas brought in Saul to teach the church for a full year. * It Extends: It leads to radical generosity and service, prompting the church to care for those facing famine in Judea. Whether you are in a season of crisis or growth, this message will challenge you to take your next step of faith in the "marathon" of the Christian life. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2571302/support]