The Moody Church Sunday Morning Podcast

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Signs Of The Times
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Signs Of The TimesActs 3:1–26Pastor Philip Miller At the end of Acts 2, the early church is growing rapidly through the Apostles’ preaching and miraculous signs. Acts 3 zooms in on one specific miracle, a lame man healed at the temple gate, which serves as a powerful sign meant to point beyond itself. Like a road sign to a scenic view, this healing directs our attention to deeper spiritual truths about Jesus and His Kingdom. Our SituationOur need is deeper than we know.A man, lame from birth, begged daily at the temple gate, showing how our visible struggles often point to deeper spiritual needs. Like him, we seek temporary fixes—money, relationships, success—thinking they’ll make us whole, but our true problem lies deeper. Jesus knows our real need and offers not just relief, but restoration and life. His miracles are signs pointing beyond physical healing to the complete renewal He promises in God’s Kingdom. Our SaviorOur Jesus is greater than we realize.The healed man’s joyful leaping drew a crowd, and Peter made it clear that Jesus—not human power—had performed the miracle. Jesus is the Holy and Righteous One, crucified but raised by God. Faith in His name brings healing and salvation. Jesus gives grace, the gift of faith, and blessings far beyond what we ask. Even those who once rejected Him can receive mercy. He alone deserves the glory because He saves completely and abundantly. Our SolutionOur time is shorter than we think.Peter urged the people to repent, reminding them that even though they acted in ignorance, they were still responsible. Jesus’ suffering fulfilled God’s promises through the prophets. Repentance brings forgiveness of sins, spiritual refreshment, and hope for the full restoration Jesus will bring when He returns. Jesus fulfills all of God’s covenant promises, and He alone offers true salvation. Time is short, so people must turn to Him now before the opportunity passes. Takeaway: Repent and believe.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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My God My God Why Have You Forsaken Me
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?Mark 15:33-39Rev. Stephen E. Farish Mark 15:33-39 reports the supreme moment of all redemptive history, when Jesus Christ the Son of God on the cross bore the sins of sinners and thereby satisfied the righteous wrath of God the Father against those sins. However, we naturally ask what in the world was happening in the spiritual realms when Jesus uttered the last words we would expect to hear from the mouth of the Son of God: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” The answer to this question is that God in that moment, out of his immense and steadfast love, was delivering his people from his eternal judgment through the sin-bearing and wrath-bearing sacrifice of Jesus the Son of God on the cross. And the equally glorious reality is that God, through the cross, was not only delivering sinners from his wrath, but he was delivering us to nothing less than to himself! A. Three words of caution concerning our understanding of Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross1. A caution from the doctrine of the Trinity2. A caution from the doctrine of the union of a fully human and a fully divine nature in Jesus3. A caution from the infinite love for and delight of the Father in the Son B. Three hints at the meaning of the cry of forsakenness in v. 341. A hint from the Garden of Gethsemane prayer (Mark 14:36; cf. Jeremiah 25:15-16)2. a hint from the descent of darkness from noon to 3:00 p.m. (v. 33; cf. Amos 5:18; 8:9-10)3. a hint from the cry itself (v. 34; cf. Psalm 22:1) C. Two applications of Jesus’ suffering of forsakenness1. to the lives of unbelievers, from v. 39 (cf. Mark 1:1)2. to the lives of believers, from v. 38 (cf. 1 Peter 3:18)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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Together On The Journey
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Together On The JourneyActs 2:42-47Pastor Philip Miller In the early centuries of the Roman Empire, Christians faced intense persecution for refusing to worship the emperor or other gods, leading to widespread suspicion and marginalization. Yet, Christianity grew rapidly because it offered a radically different kind of community—one centered on a personal relationship with God and open to all people, regardless of background. This new identity in Christ created a multi-racial, forgiving, caring, life-affirming, and covenant-keeping society that stood in stark contrast to Roman norms and attracted many. The earliest Christian community, as seen in Acts 2, embodied this transformative way of life, one that continues to shape lives and communities today through worship, community, service, and mission. The Journey of a LifetimeKnow God through WorshipGod created people to know Him personally and be in relationship with Him. Through worship, individuals respond to God's greatness with reverence, gratitude, and surrender. Worship includes gathering regularly with others to hear God's Word, pray, and praise Him. Feed Your Soul through CommunityFollowing Jesus is not a solo journey. Community provides encouragement, accountability, and spiritual growth. Small groups, classes, and relationships rooted in faith help individuals grow stronger and remain connected. Grow in Love through ServiceLoving others through service reflects the heart of Jesus. Using time, talents, and spiritual gifts to serve in the church and beyond builds up the body of Christ and strengthens personal faith. Change Your World through MissionEvery follower of Jesus is called to live on mission, sharing the gospel and meeting needs locally and globally. This includes acts of compassion, speaking truth, and living out faith in everyday life to reflect Christ’s love to the world. Takeaway: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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Peter’s Sermon
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Peter’s sermon in Acts 2:14–41 takes place on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit is poured out and thousands witness supernatural signs. As a result of this message, 3,000 people respond and are baptized, marking the birth of the Church and the beginning of a new era in God’s redemptive plan. Explanation: The Last Days are herePeter explains that the events at Pentecost fulfill Joel’s prophecy about the “last days,” a time marked by the outpouring of the Spirit, divine revelations, and signs in the heavens. This period stretches from Jesus’ ascension to His return, and it is a time for people to call on the name of the Lord and be saved. The Spirit is now available to all—young and old, men and women, servants and free—signifying the inclusive nature of God’s new covenant. Exposition: The Messiah has comePeter proclaims that Jesus of Nazareth was attested by God through miracles and wonders, yet was crucified according to God’s sovereign plan. He was raised from the dead, fulfilling Psalm 16, which foretells that God’s “Holy One” would not see decay. Jesus is the promised Messiah, David’s greater Son, whose resurrection confirms His identity and mission. Exaltation: The King is ascendedJesus is not only risen but also exalted at the right hand of God, having received and now pouring out the Holy Spirit. Psalm 110 affirms His royal authority as the Lord whom David called “my Lord,” who will reign until all enemies are defeated. God has made this same Jesus, who was crucified, both Lord and Christ—the exalted King of all. Exhortation: The promise is on offerConvicted by the truth, the people ask what they must do, and Peter urges them to repent and be baptized in Jesus’ name for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for all—those present, their descendants, and everyone whom the Lord calls. Salvation is a gift of grace, and the invitation remains open to all who respond in faith. Takeaway: “Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”This is the core message of Peter’s sermon: salvation is available to all through Jesus Christ. In these last days, all who call on His name will be saved.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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The Spirit of Wind and Fire
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]At Pentecost, God fulfilled His promise by sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in and empower His people. Through wind and fire, the Spirit’s arrival signaled the beginning of a New Covenant, a New Creation, a New Temple, and a New Mission. This moment marks the launch of the Church, now filled with God's presence to carry the Gospel to all nations. 1. New CovenantGod is closer than the air we breathe.At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came with wind and fire, echoing Mt. Sinai when God gave the Law with fire and trembling. Pentecost commemorated the giving of the Old Covenant. Now, God chooses this very day to establish the New Covenant by sending the Spirit. No longer is God's law written on stone tablets. It is now written on our hearts. The Spirit indwells believers, sealing and guiding them from within. Jesus has not left us as orphans. He has come to us through the Spirit. God is closer than the air we breathe. 2. New CreationGod is recreating us from the inside out.The sound of the mighty rushing wind recalls Genesis 2, when God breathed life into Adam, and John 20, when Jesus breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” The Spirit brings a new kind of life. We are born again by the Spirit and made into new creations in Christ. The same Spirit that hovered over the waters of creation and raised Jesus from the dead is now alive in us. He is renewing us daily into the likeness of Christ. We are a new creation in Christ by the Spirit for the glory of the Father. 3. New TempleGod has taken up residence in us.In Scripture, fire often signals God’s presence. At Pentecost, fire appeared over each believer. This mirrors the Shekinah glory that filled the tabernacle and the temple. In the past, God's glory left the temple due to Israel's rebellion. It returned in the person of Jesus. Now that Jesus has ascended, the fire falls again, but not on a building. It rests on the people of God. The Spirit's fire marks us as God's new temple. We are now the dwelling place of God. We are His address on earth. 4. New MissionGod empowers us to make disciples of all nations.At Pentecost, the Spirit enabled the disciples to speak in many languages. Devout Jews from every nation heard the Gospel in their own native tongues. This was not just a miracle of communication. It was a sign that the Gospel is for all peoples. No longer do the nations come to a temple in one city. Now, the people of God go out to every nation. We are a mobilized and missionary temple. The Spirit empowers us to carry the message of Jesus to the ends of the earth. Takeaway: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” —Zechariah 4:6We cannot fulfill the mission in our own strength. We need the Spirit not only for salvation but also for mission. To go and be the Church, we must walk in the Spirit’s power each step of the way.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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