Waynesville Community Church

James 2:14-26 reminds us that faith isn’t proven by what we say, it’s revealed by how we live. True faith is alive, and it changes us, shaping our hearts, our priorities, and our actions. Like Abraham and Rahab, it trusts God enough to step forward, even when it’s uncomfortable.This isn’t about earning anything, it’s about a faith that’s real and transforming. And there’s a deep joy in that kind of obedience, as we see God at work in and through our everyday lives.

The good news of Jesus isn’t meant to stay contained; it’s meant to go out. In Romans 1:1-17, Paul speaks with joy and confidence because he knows the gospel changes lives. He isn’t holding back, and he isn’t ashamed.There’s joy in stepping into that same boldness. When we share our faith, extend grace, and live in a way that points others to Jesus, we get to be part of something bigger than ourselves.

Growing in Christ isn’t meant to feel burdensome (Matthew 11:30); though difficult at times, it’s to be joyful and steady growth. In 2 Peter 1:1-15, we’re reminded that God has already given us everything we need for a life that reflects Him. As we grow in faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, and love, we don’t just become more like Christ; we experience a deeper, lasting joy.

Peter writes to believers scattered, pressured, and walking through real trials, and yet he says something surprising: you rejoice. Not because life is easy, but because your hope is secure.Your joy isn’t tied to your circumstances. It’s anchored in something unshakable, an inheritance that can’t fade, a salvation already secured, and a Savior who sees you even now.Trials don’t cancel your joy; they refine it. Like fire purifies gold, hardship reveals a faith that is real, steady, and deeply rooted in Jesus. And even when you can’t see Him, you can still love Him. Even when you don’t understand, you can still trust Him.This is a different kind of joy, one that doesn’t ignore pain but rises in the middle of it.

The resurrection of Jesus isn’t just a moment in history; it’s the foundation of our faith. In 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Paul reminds us that if Christ had not been raised, our hope would be empty. But He has been raised, and that changes everything. Because He lives, we are no longer bound by sin or fear. The gift of His resurrection is a living hope that anchors us today and secures our forever.Take time to reflect on what the resurrection truly means for you. Where have you been placing your hope? What fears or burdens are you still carrying that Jesus has already overcome?Let this be a week of remembering not just what Jesus has done, but what His victory means for your everyday life. Because He lives, you can live with confidence, peace, and hope today.

Even in His final moments, Jesus wasn’t focused on Himself. He was focused on others. As He hung on the cross, He prayed, “Father, forgive them.”That’s the heart of the resurrection life. We’ve been forgiven, not because we earned it, but because of His grace. And now, we’re invited to live differently, letting go of bitterness and choosing forgiveness, just like He did.Watch the video, read the scripture passage, and pray for the Lord to work mightily in and through us all as we proclaim Him this week.

Even after the storm, the shipwreck, and everything Paul had endured, Acts 28 reminds us that God’s purpose had not changed. When Paul arrived on the island of Malta, he didn’t waste the moment. Instead of focusing on his hardship, he continued serving others, healing the sick, sharing hope, and pointing people to Jesus.Enduring with God’s purpose means remembering that our circumstances don’t cancel God’s plan. Even in seasons that feel unexpected, difficult, or confusing, God can still use us to bring hope, encouragement, and truth to the people around us.Sometimes the very place we didn’t plan to be becomes the place God planned to use us most.

Even in the middle of the storm, Paul didn’t just think about himself; he encouraged and cared for the people around him. He reminded them to keep their courage and trust God’s promise. When life feels difficult, God calls us to endure in a way that lifts others up, offering hope, encouragement, and steady faith in the middle of the storm.As we go through this week, let’s ask God to help us endure in a way that brings courage and hope to the people around us!

In Acts 24:10-16, Paul stands before Felix and boldly defends his faith. Even while facing accusations and uncertainty, Paul remains steady because his hope is anchored in God’s promises, especially the promise of the resurrection and eternal life.When life feels unfair or difficult, we can endure the same way Paul did: by fixing our eyes on what God has promised rather than what we are facing. God’s promises give us courage to stand firm, live with a clear conscience, and to keep trusting Him no matter the circumstances.Reminder: We sow faith, not fear, encourage, not confusion, and that gives Glory to God!

Join us next Sunday at 10:30!

In Acts 23, Paul is surrounded by accusations and uncertainty, and then the Lord stands by him.God didn’t remove the trial; He gave His presenceWhen you’re in a hard season, remember this: endurance begins with knowing you’re not alone. Take courage. The Lord stands by you, too.

This Sunday, March 1st, pastor Todd Cyphers continues his sermon series through Acts. Please join us in person at 10:30 next Sunday! God Bless!

In Acts 20, Paul knows hardship, prison, opposition, and even suffering are ahead, yet he keeps going. Why? Because his focus isn’t comfort or safety, but faithfulness. He says, “I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.” (Acts 20:24)Enduring with God’s perspective means valuing obedience over ease, people over popularity, and eternity over the moment. When we see our lives as part of God’s bigger story, we can press on with courage, knowing the race is worth finishing.

21 Days of PrayerOvercoming Strongholds

Jesus tells us that when we remain in His Word, we will know the truth and the truth will set us free. As you pray today, ask God to help you not only hear His truth but to live in it daily. True freedom comes from staying rooted in what He says, not what our fears or pasts try to tell us.

The gospel was spreading fast, crossing cultures, cities, and traditions. From Cornelius under Peter’s preaching, to scattered believers reaching the Hellenists (Acts 11:20–21), to Paul and Barnabas carrying the message from Antioch throughout Asia Minor, the church was exploding with new life. But one crucial question stirred intense debate: Did those from non-Jewish backgrounds need to become Jewish to truly belong to Christ?

After the Jerusalem Council, Paul and his traveling companions carried the gospel throughout the Mediterranean to other Jews and Gentiles who had not yet heard of Christ. As they faced opposition, they would move on to another community while seeking to establish believers in the truth of the gospel. The conflicts Paul faced did not stop him from proclaiming Christ; they only motivated him to continue bringing the good news to others who would hear and believe.

As the early church continued to take the gospel to the ends of the earth, they encountered challenges and opposition. Some disciples had not yet heard all of the truth about Jesus, and did not understand how God’s redeeming work on the cross. As a result, the church had to encourage godly leaders in the full understanding of the gospel, correct those who were in ignorance and error, and promote Christ-like living.

Pastor Ned covers one of the most difficult tenants of Christianity to apply to our own lives: Forgiveness. Do we apply the same forgiveness to others that God has given us?

Matthew 22:29-40 reminds us that everything begins and ends with love. Jesus tells us the greatest commandment is to love God fully and love others as ourselves. During Advent, we see this love lived out as God comes near in Jesus.God’s love did not stay distant; it entered our world so we could know Him and learn how to love. Advent invites us to receive that love and reflect it to those around us.

Joy enters the world in a manger, not with fanfare, but with the simple cry of a newborn Savior. The angels’ song declares that true joy doesn’t come from our circumstances but from God’s presence breaking into our lives. In this Advent season, we remember that the gift of Jesus brings a joy that is steady, hopeful, and available right where we are. As we wait, worship, and prepare our hearts, may the joy of Christ fill our homes and remind us that God’s goodness is still drawing near.

Luke 2:8-14 reminds us that God’s peace isn’t something we have to earn; it’s something He brings to us.In the quiet of an ordinary field, to ordinary shepherds, heaven broke through with extraordinary news: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace…” God’s peace arrived wrapped in a person, Jesus.This peace isn’t the absence of problems but the presence of a Savior who steps into our world, our chaos, our fears, and our everyday lives. Just like the shepherds, we are invited to look up from what worries us and hear the angel’s message again: You don’t have to carry this alone. Peace has come near.May we welcome His peace today, deep, steady, and stronger than anything we face.

God initiated a series of events in the lives of Peter (a Jewish Christian) and Cornelius (a Gentile, soon-to-be Christian) that would result in a colossal paradigm shift for the early church’s mindset and conduct. Ten years after Christ’s commission, the gospel spread throughout Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. But now it was time for the truth about Christ to reach the nations. The mystery of the gospel, as Paul liked to call it, needed to be uncovered. Namely, God’s heart is for every tribe, tongue, and nation to hear the gospel message. The good news of Jesus is for all people.

Back in Acts 7, Luke recorded the account of the first Christian martyr, Stephen. Saul was there to witness the execution, and persecution would only increase as the early church grew. But the Lord was not shocked by this persecution; He was still ruling and reigning over all. He had a plan and a mission to spread the gospel beyond Jerusalem's borders. The Lord would use this persecution to further the gospel as the church continued to spread to the ends of the earth.

In the book of Acts, the first part primarily focuses on the apostle Peter, and all God did through His ministry to propel the gospel to the ends of the earth. After a quick detour to demonstrate the power of God through the conversion of Paul, Luke turns his attention back to Peter, here in Acts 9, for a few more episodes before he pivots completely toward the telling of the ministry of Paul.

Persecution of the early church was increasing in the book of Acts. The leaders in the early church had been imprisoned, beaten, and threatened with murder, but so far none of them had been put to death. However, all of the opposition boiled over in Acts 6–7. The religious leaders took extreme measures to stop the spread of the gospel. Stephen’s account teaches us that even through suffering, God is sovereign and on His throne. Stephen preached the gospel faithfully, yet the religious leaders responded with hate and murder. Our calling is to trust God’s goodness and care over our lives at all times.

The book of Acts describes the growth of the church from Jerusalem out toward the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). But as the disciples preached, the religious leaders opposed God’s will for the gospel to go forth. In Acts 5, these leaders thought they could keep the apostles from preaching by throwing them in jail. However, an angel of the Lord opened the jail so they could escape and continue the preaching.The church continued to grow through the sovereign Lord pouring out His Spirit on people as they came to trust in Christ. But this happened in the midst of persecution and opposition.

After Peter’s preaching and the group’s prayer for God to work miraculously, they showed a unity perhaps never seen before. One of their first actions was to give generously to meet the needs of fellow believers in Christ. No one claimed ownership of anything; instead, everything belonged to God. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, these believers were transformed from the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders in chapter 3 to living out an authentic faith in Jesus’ resurrection. Then, in response to an act of deception in chapter 5, God shows His desire for purity in the church, which He died for and purchased with His own precious blood.

Peter and John boldly declared that salvation is found in Jesus alone, even when threatened to stay silent. Their courage came from conviction, not pride. The early church shows us that standing firm means holding to truth with boldness and grace—refusing to compromise the gospel no matter the pressure.

As we continue in the book of Acts, we notice brokenness entered the story quickly. The first Christians had been together—sharing their resources and possessions with one another as any had need (Acts 2:42-47). They now moved out into the world, and there they met a man who had been lame from birth. Through this story, we will see how the faith and generosity that marked the people of God in the church spilled over into their care for those on the outside, especially those who were hurting and broken.

The Holy Spirit came to the first followers of Jesus. They then had the power they needed to take the gospel to the nations (Acts 1:8). This work began with Peter, who boldly and clearly proclaimed the good news about Jesus to the people gathered for the Pentecost celebration. God’s power through the Holy Spirit was on display, both in the message Peter proclaimed and in the response of those who believed.

For ten days following Christ’s ascension to heaven, the disciples had been in Jerusalem. They were waiting for the Father’s promise of the Holy Spirit, which would empower them to be Christ’s witnesses to the whole world. During this time, they dedicated themselves to prayer and prepared for the next phase of their ministry by filling Judas’s apostolic vacancy with Matthias. Finally, the day arrived, and they were about to experience the power of the Spirit in their lives.

After Jesus explained to the disciples that they would bear witness from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, Jesus ascended to heaven. As the disciples watched where Jesus had gone, two angels appeared and assured them of Christ’s return. All of this led to today’s text, where we see the disciples obeying Christ’s command to wait as they prepared for the ministry that would follow when the Holy Spirit arrived.

Acts picks up where the Gospel of Luke ends. After Jesus’s resurrection, He spent forty days with His disciples, teaching them about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). He did this to prepare them for life and ministry in His physical absence. The disciples were nervous and anxious about the next phase of their lives and ministry, but Jesus gathered them, commissioned them, and assured them of the promise of the Holy Spirit and His physical return.

Hebrews 10:23-25 calls us to keep meeting together, encouraging one another, and spurring each other on toward love and good works. That’s what happens in life groups and discipleship groups. They give us a place to be real, to share struggles and victories, and to remind each other that we’re not walking this faith journey alone. Every time we invest in one another through community, we’re investing in something that will last forever.

In John 13, Jesus, knowing He had all authority, knelt to wash His disciples’ feet. He showed that true greatness is found in humble service. When we follow His example, serving others in love, we’re not just meeting needs we’re investing in forever with an impact that lasts into eternity.

In 2 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul urges Timothy to be strong in the grace of Christ and to entrust the gospel to faithful people who will teach others in turn. This is the essence of Investing in Forever: multiplying disciples who will carry the good news far beyond our own lifetime. Discipleship isn’t just receiving truth; it’s passing it on so that the impact ripples through generations. When we pour into others spiritually, we’re making an eternal investment, one that builds God’s Kingdom long after we’re gone.

Ephesians 2:17-22 shows that in Christ, we’re no longer outsiders but members of God’s household, joined together to become His dwelling place. Church membership reflects this truth; it’s a way of saying, “I belong here.” It’s not just about attendance, but also a commitment to grow, serve, and live out our faith as part of God’s family.

In 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Paul reminds us that generosity leads to lasting impact, meeting needs, stirring gratitude, and bringing glory to God. He encourages us to give cheerfully and trust that God will provide all we need so we can continue to bless others.As we begin our new series Investing in Forever on August 3, we’re invited to see giving not as an obligation, but as a way to be part of something eternal; making much of God in Waynesville and the world!

Bitterness poisons our hearts and relationships, but the Good News offers a better way. Ephesians 4:29-32 shows us the remedy: speak life, show kindness, and forgive freely. Just as God forgave us through Christ, we’re called to let go of anger and choose grace. The gospel softens hard hearts and helps us trade bitterness for compassion, because healed people become healing people.

In Ephesians 4:20-24, Paul reminds us that knowing Christ means putting off our old ways of thinking and being renewed in the attitude of our minds. A Good News Thought Life begins with renewing our minds daily, rejecting lies, negativity, and selfish desires, and choosing instead to think on truth, hope, and righteousness. When we fix our thoughts on Jesus and who we are in Him, we start to live out the new self that God created, full of purpose, holiness, and joy.

In Romans 13:1-7, Paul urges believers to submit to governing authorities, reminding us that all authority is established by God. As Good News Citizens, we reflect the Gospel not only in our personal lives but also in how we live publicly—by respecting leaders, obeying laws, and contributing to the good of our communities. Doing what is right, paying what is owed, and showing honor demonstrates both integrity and trust in God’s sovereignty. Our earthly citizenship becomes a testimony to our heavenly one, as we live with peace, humility, and a commitment to doing good for the sake of Christ.

In Joshua 24:14-15, Joshua calls the people of Israel to wholehearted devotion to God. He challenges them to choose whom they will serve, either the false gods of their past or the one true God who delivered them. With bold conviction, Joshua declares, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” This passage reminds us that a good news family begins with a clear and faithful choice: to serve the Lord together. It’s not just about personal faith, it’s about shaping our homes with intentional love, truth, and commitment to God. How can you encourage faith and obedience in your home, whether you live alone, with a spouse, children, or extended family?

After a grueling trial and gruesome crucifixion, the beaten, lifeless body of Jesus hung on the cross. With Friday sundown and the approaching Sabbath, there was a rush to dispose of the deceased. Determined to honor their rabbi, some of Jesus' followers arranged for Jesus to receive a proper burial. But they didn’t know that the borrowed tomb would only be needed for a very short time. Jesus would not be dead for long. God was about to make His most powerful move yet to fulfill His promise to rescue His people.

In Luke 23, only a handful of hours into His last day before death, Jesus had already been falsely accused and wrongly condemned to death. He was flogged by officials, forsaken by His followers, and left so weak that He could not even carry His cross as He marched to the place of His execution. Yet the emotional anguish and physical pain He bore could not keep Him from obediently fulfilling the Father’s purpose. Christ came to be a ransom for sinners so that those who believed could become part of the forever family of God.

As Jesus and His disciples left the upper room, Jesus embarked on the final leg of His journey to the cross. He entered the garden of Gethsemane, knowing all His disciples would fail to stand and watch and pray. He knew Peter would deny Him three times. He was utterly alone, but He never wavered. In the garden, Jesus did what Adam could not do. He stood against the devil and bowed His will to the Father’s. By doing so, He brought many sons and daughters to glory.

Matthew 26:6-13 tells the story of a woman anointing Jesus with expensive perfume, an act of deep love and honor. While others criticized her, Jesus praised her, saying she had done a beautiful thing, preparing Him for burial. This moment shows that true worship is discovering that the Lord is worthy to love and follow. Worship starts in the inner person, is often costly, and is honored by Him even when we are criticized or dismissed as foolish.

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a parable about a master who entrusts his servants with different amounts of money before leaving on a journey. Two servants invest and multiply what they’re given and are rewarded, while one hides his talent out of fear and is rebuked. Jesus uses this story to show how He invests in us by giving us gifts and opportunities to use for His glory. He entrusts to us opportunities, blessings, resources, and places of influence. He expects growth and faithfulness. He also promises His joy when we are faithful.

Matthew 23:1-26 shows Jesus confronting the hypocrisy of religious leaders who burden people with rules but neglect justice, mercy, and faithfulness. he invites us to a genuine relationship with God, freeing us from empty religion and outward appearances.

After Jesus entered Jerusalem with the crowds cheering, Jesus had various encounters with the Pharisees and Sadducees throughout that week. Their goal was almost always to discredit Jesus; His goal was to teach about God and His kingdom. Jesus both answered and asked questions that showed that He had a mastery of the Word of God and that He also stood in authority over the Word of God. Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 22 showed that He truly was the Messiah and foreshadowed His death and resurrection for the salvation of humanity.