Faith Church Norwalk

Acts 24-25 - God in the Waiting

God’s Greater Vision | Acts 23

What happens when our plans fall apart—even when we’re trying to follow Jesus?

Paul returned to Jerusalem with a deep love for his people and a desire for them to know Christ. Instead, he faced rejection, violence, and imprisonment. But in the middle of it all, Jesus stood beside him and said, “Take courage.” Paul’s circumstances had changed, but God’s purpose was still moving forward.

In this message, Pastor Jeff Johnston explores how our limited perspective can keep us from seeing God’s greater vision. Through...

Are we drinking from the fountain of living water—or simply comfortable going through the motions?

In “The Story of Grace,” we explore Paul’s testimony in Acts 22 and the encounter with Jesus that transformed his life. Speaking to a hostile crowd, Paul shares how the Savior he wasn’t seeking came to find him. His story invites us to examine our own hearts: are we walking with the living Jesus, or holding on to religious routines while missing the One they point to?

God’s grace meets us where we are and calls us to follow Hi...

What does it mean to follow Jesus when obedience leads toward suffering? As Paul travels toward Jerusalem in Acts 21, his determination echoes the example of Jesus, who willingly faced the cross in obedience to the Father and love for us.

God’s purposes reach beyond the hardships we can see. Through Paul’s costly obedience, the gospel continued to spread and lives were changed. In this message, Pastor Jeff Johnston invites us to look to Jesus, lay aside what holds us back, and run with endurance the race set before us. Our lives belong to a greater purp...

God has given us time together for a purpose. How will we use it?

In Acts 20:17–32, Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders offers a powerful challenge to the church: grow in faith, prepare to lead, and faithfully carry the gospel forward. This message explores the call to move from spiritual infancy to maturity, care for God’s people, and develop the discernment to recognize false teaching.

Each of us has a part to play in raising up the next generation of leaders and disciples. As we step into God’s calling today, we can trust Hi...

What does the grace of God look like? In Antioch, Barnabas saw it in transformed lives—and that same grace became tangible through the church’s generosity toward believers facing famine.

In “Grace Became Visible,” we explore Acts 11:19–30 and discover how Jesus works through ordinary believers to spread the gospel, grow disciples, and meet real needs. Through faithful teaching, everyday conversations, and practical love, His grace becomes visible in His people.

Every believer has a part in this mission. How might others see God’s grace through your life this week?

Scripture: Acts 11:19–30

What happens when the Good Shepherd calls His sheep? As Paul and Barnabas proclaim the gospel in Acts 13, some respond with joy and faith, while others resist. Through it all, Jesus is gathering people from every nation into one flock under one Shepherd.

In “The Voice of the Shepherd,” we explore the forgiveness and freedom found through faith in Jesus, the difference between religious identity and truly following Him, and the confidence that God’s Word accomplishes His purpose. This message also offers encouragement to keep praying for loved ones and faithfully sharing the gospel, trusting the Shephe...

Where do you turn when life feels beyond your control? In Acts 12, James has been killed, Peter is imprisoned, and Herod seems to hold all the power. Yet the church prays, Peter sleeps in his chains, and God reveals who truly reigns.

In “The True King,” we explore how knowing Jesus gives us peace in circumstances we cannot change. Through grief, miraculous deliverance, and the church’s imperfect faith, this passage reminds us that our hope rests in the goodness and authority of our Savior.

Whatever storm you face, the King above every king holds you—an...

Is anyone too far gone for the grace of God? Saul of Tarsus was determined to destroy the church—until the risen Jesus met him on the road to Damascus and changed his life.

In “If Jesus Can Save Me, He Can Save Anybody,” we explore Acts 9:1–22 and the mercy that transformed a fierce persecutor into a faithful witness for Christ. Through Saul’s conversion and Ananias’s courageous welcome, we see how Jesus changes hearts, restores lives, and brings former enemies into His family.

This is our message to a hurting world: the same Savior who s...

You don’t have to stand behind a pulpit to make a lasting difference for Jesus. Tabitha’s life of kindness and generosity showed how ordinary acts of love can profoundly touch a community.

In “Tabitha Arise,” we explore Acts 9:36–43, where God works through Peter to raise a beloved disciple from the dead and draw many to faith in Christ. Her story reminds us that the power belongs to Jesus, faithful service matters, and our hope reaches beyond this life to the eternal resurrection He promises.

A kind word, a thoughtful gift, a helping hand—what might J...

Stephen's Speech | Group Bible Study

Series: Acts: The Story Continues...

Jesus is the Point | Sunday Sermon

Series: Acts: The Story Continues...

Formed in His Image | Sunday Sermon

Series: Acts: The Story Continues...

More Than Spectators | Sunday Sermon

Series: Acts: The Story Continues...

From Apostles to Elders and Deacons | Group Bible Study

Series: Acts: The Story Continues....

Our Hope Is Not In Things Below | Sunday Sermon

Series: Acts: The Story Continues...

Growing in Maturity | Group Bible Study

Series: Acts: The Story Continues...

They Had Been With Jesus | Group Bible Study

Series: Acts: The Story Continues...

Pressure, Power, and Prayer | Sunday Sermon

Series: Acts: The Story Continues...

The King Cannot Be Stopped | Group Bible Study

Series: Acts: The Story Continues...

A Holy Church | Sunday Sermon

Series: Acts: The Story Continues...

A Life Redeemed | Sunday Sermon

Series: Acts: The Story Continues...

Seeing Jesus for Who He Truly Is | Group Bible Study

Series: Acts: The Story Continues...

A Sanctified Life | Sunday Sermon

Series: Acts: The Story Continues...

What does a Spirit-filled life actually look like?

After the power of Pentecost in Acts 2, the story doesn’t end with a moment - it continues into everyday life. In Acts 2:42–47, we see a beautiful picture of the early Church: devoted to the Word, united in fellowship, living life together, and walking in continual prayer.

This wasn’t a strategy.
It wasn’t a program.
It was the result of hearts transformed by the Spirit of God.<...

The Power to Witness | Sunday Sermon

Series: Acts: The Story Continues

As we continue our series “Acts: The Story Continues,” we step into one of the most powerful moments in all of Scripture—Pentecost.

In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit is poured out, and everything changes.

The disciples, once waiting in prayer, are suddenly filled with power.
Ordinary people become bold witnesses.
The gospel begins to move outward… to the ends of the earth.

But this isn’t just a moment in history.

This is a pictu...

God is Faithful to Finish | Group Bible Study

Series: Acts: The Story Continues

Acts 1:12-26

What do you do when life feels uncertain, people fail you, or the next step is unclear?

In Acts 1:12-26, we see the followers of Jesus waiting, praying, and trusting God before the birth of the Church. Even in the aftermath of Judas’ betrayal, God was not surprised, His plan was not interrupted, and His Word was still being fulfilled.

This message reminds us that God is sovereign over real pe...

From the Ascension to the Throne | Group Bible Study

Acts 1:9-11

What really happened when Jesus ascended into heaven?

In this Bible study, we look at Book of Acts 1:9–11 and connect it to Book of Daniel 7 to see the ascension not as Christ’s departure, but as His coronation.

From the perspective of earth, Jesus goes up.
From the perspective of heaven, the Son of Man comes before the Father and is given all authority, glory, and an everlasting kingdom.

We also explore:
How...

Wait for the Power | Acts: The Story Continues

Before the Church was sent into the world, Jesus gave one clear command: wait.

In Acts 1, the disciples are ready to move, ready to act, ready to step into the mission, but Jesus tells them not to go, not to act, but to wait for the promise of the Father: the Holy Spirit.

In this opening message, we explore what it means to truly depend on God... not just in theory, but in practice. The mission of the Church is not built on...