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Pleasant Hill Free Will Baptist Church

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November 15
Luke 24; John 20-21 (biblegateway.com) The Risen Lord Revealed Today, we close the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In our previous reading, Matthew and Mark announced the resurrection and recorded the mission Jesus gave His followers. Luke and John now provide additional details of that glorious morning, revealing the risen Christ’s personal appearances, His peace-giving presence, and His restoration of His disciples. In Luke 24, the women arrive at the empt
ASaunders
Nov 16, 2025


November 16
Acts 1-3 (biblegateway.com) Empowered for the Mission The Book of Acts continues the story begun in Luke’s Gospel, recording the risen Christ’s ongoing work through the Holy Spirit and His church. Written by Luke, it serves as both a historical record and a theological bridge between the Gospels and the Epistles. Acts traces how the gospel moved from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, fulfilling Jesus’ commission (Acts 1:8). It highlights the power of the Holy Spirit, the bo
ASaunders
Nov 15, 2025


November 17
Acts 4-6 (biblegateway.com) Standing Firm in Faith and Filled With the Spirit After the Holy Spirit empowered the church at Pentecost and thousands believed, the apostles immediately faced opposition. Yet through bold preaching, unity, and the Spirit’s power, the early church continued to grow and stand firm in the gospel. In Acts 4–6, the early church experiences both remarkable growth and increasing persecution. Acts 4 — Bold Witness in the Face of Opposition, Spirit-Empowe
ASaunders
Nov 14, 2025


November 18
Acts 7-8 (biblegateway.com) The Gospel Advances Through Trial As the early church grows in number and influence, opposition intensifies. The courage of one Spirit-filled believer will help ignite a wave of persecution that ultimately spreads the gospel beyond Jerusalem, just as Jesus said it would. Acts 7 — Stephen’s Spirit-Filled Defense and Vision of the Exalted Christ As Stephen stands before the Sanhedrin, he is accused of speaking against the temple and the law (6:13–14)
ASaunders
Nov 13, 2025


November 19
Acts 9-10 (biblegateway.com) Salvation for All People As the gospel spreads through persecution and reaches Samaria and beyond, God now works powerfully in two life-changing events—calling a fierce persecutor to salvation and opening the door of the gospel to the Gentiles, revealing that Christ came for all people. Acts 9 — The Conversion of Saul, the Growth of the Church, and the Ministry of Peter As the gospel continues spreading from Jerusalem into Judea and Samaria, Saul
ASaunders
Nov 12, 2025


November 20
Acts 11-12 (biblegateway.com) The Church Strengthened and Delivered After Saul’s conversion and the gospel's opening to the Gentiles through Cornelius, the church now faces both growth and persecution. God continues to expand the reach of the gospel, even as opposition intensifies. In Acts 11, the apostles and believers in Jerusalem learn that Gentiles have received the Word of God and the Holy Spirit just as they did. As persecution scatters believers beyond Judea, the gospe
ASaunders
Nov 11, 2025


November 21
Acts 13-14 (biblegateway.com) The Gospel to the Nations Begins As the church in Antioch grows and is strengthened through teaching and prayer, the Holy Spirit begins to send out missionaries to take the gospel beyond Judea and Samaria into the Gentile world, fulfilling Christ’s command to reach the nations. Acts 13–14 record the beginning of Paul’s first missionary journey, marking a new chapter in the spread of the gospel. Acts 13 — The First Missionary Journey Begins, the G
ASaunders
Nov 10, 2025


November 22
James 1-5 (biblegateway.com) Faith That Lives What It Believes The book of James stands as one of the most practical and penetrating writings in the New Testament. James writes not as a distant theologian but as a pastor with a shepherd’s heart. He addresses believers scattered across the Roman world, calling them to a living faith, one that is tested, purified, obedient, and active. His words cut through empty profession and call God’s people to authentic discipleship. James
ASaunders
Nov 9, 2025


November 23
Acts 15-16 (biblegateway.com) Guarding the Gospel and Advancing the Mission While scattered believers received practical instruction for living out genuine faith, the early church also faced a major doctrinal question about salvation and life in Christ, leading to a crucial gathering in Jerusalem and the continuation of missionary work for the sake of the gospel. Acts 15–16 mark an important moment in the early church as leaders clarify the message of salvation and continue s
ASaunders
Nov 8, 2025


November 24
Galatians 1-3 (biblegateway.com) Grace, Not Law: The True Gospel of Freedom After the Jerusalem Council affirmed that salvation comes by grace through faith alone, Paul writes to the Galatian churches to defend the true gospel against false teachers who sought to mix law with grace. His message calls believers back to the freedom found only in Christ. Galatians 1–3 form Paul’s passionate defense of the gospel of grace. Galatians 1 — The Divine Gospel of Grace Defended Paul wr
ASaunders
Nov 7, 2025


November 25
Galatians 4-6 (biblegateway.com) Walking in Freedom by the Spirit After establishing that believers are justified by faith alone and not by works of the law, Paul continues his letter by explaining what it means to live as children of God—free from bondage, filled with the Spirit, and walking in newness of life. Galatians 4–6 completes Paul’s passionate defense of Christian liberty and the life of grace. Galatians 4 — From Slavery to Sonship: Heirs of God Through Christ Paul
ASaunders
Nov 6, 2025


November 26
Acts 17; Acts 18:1-18 (biblegateway.com) The Gospel Confronts Culture After writing to the Galatian churches to defend the gospel of grace, Paul continues his missionary journey, preaching Christ throughout Macedonia and Greece. His message meets both eager belief and fierce opposition, yet the gospel continues to take root and spread. Acts 17 records Paul’s ministry in three major cities, Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens, each revealing how the gospel engages different audien
ASaunders
Nov 5, 2025


November 27
1 Thessalonians 1-5; 2 Thessalonians 1-3 (biblegateway.com) Faithful, Watchful, and Steadfast After preaching in Thessalonica and then ministering in Corinth, Paul writes two letters to the Thessalonian believers. Though they are young in faith, their steadfastness under persecution and their eager hope for Christ’s return encourage the whole church. Both 1 and 2 Thessalonians are letters of encouragement, correction, and hope written to believers facing persecution and confu
ASaunders
Nov 4, 2025


November 28
Acts 18:19-28; Acts 19:1-41 (biblegateway.com) The Gospel’s Power in Ephesus After encouraging the young churches and writing letters to strengthen their faith, Paul continues his ministry, returning to Asia Minor where God powerfully works in Ephesus, establishing a strong church and spreading the gospel across the region. Acts 18:19–28 — The Gospel Strengthened and Expanded As Paul continues his journey from Corinth, he travels with Priscilla and Aquila and arrives at Ephes
ASaunders
Nov 3, 2025


November 29
1 Corinthians 1-4 (biblegateway.com) Christ Our Foundation After ministering in Ephesus and hearing troubling reports from the church in Corinth, Paul writes to address their divisions and spiritual immaturity. His letter calls believers back to unity, humility, and a Christ-centered faith. 1 Corinthians 1–4 opens Paul’s heartfelt and corrective letter to the church at Corinth, a gifted yet divided congregation struggling to live out the gospel in a worldly culture. Introduct
ASaunders
Nov 2, 2025
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