In this continued message from Lessons for the Local Church, Pastor picks up examining the real problems facing today’s church—complacency, carelessness, compartmentalization, conformity, and carnality.

Looking back to the early church in Acts 2, we’re reminded that God’s design hasn’t changed: a faithful, Spirit-filled body grounded in doctrine, fellowship, worship, and prayer. Though challenges are real, so are the possibilities—and Jesus promised His church will prevail.

Are you just attending church, or truly part of what God is building?

This message from Acts 2 explores the birth of the New Testament church and God’s design for the local church. We examine its biblical purpose, confront common challenges facing churches today, and are reminded of the power and promise of the church as the body of Christ.

In this message we examine Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the tares—a powerful and sobering teaching about the present reality of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus reveals that while God sovereignly reigns over the world, His field currently contains both wheat and weeds—believers and unbelievers—growing side by side. Though they may look alike for a season, a day of harvest is coming when God will bring a final and righteous separation.

This sermon explores:

1. The meaning of the Kingdom of Heaven in the world today
2. The Savior’s wheat and Satan’s weeds
3. Why believers are not called to uproot the weeds
4. The certainty of a coming harvest and eternal consequences
5. The hope and future glory promised to the children of the Kingdom

Reminder: there are only two kingdoms, two kinds of people, and two eternal destinies. Our calling is not to judge the field, but to faithfully sow the gospel and trust God with the harvest.