Tomball Bible Church

April 21, 2024Goodbyes are never easy, especially goodbyes that are permanent. The Apostle Paul gave and received numerous goodbyes throughout his ministry, yet the one that hit the hardest for him was his goodbye to the elders of the church in Ephesus. This passage is full of deep affection and care from Paul to this church and yet in it is also an incredibly loving warning to these elders. Paul encourages them to remain faithful because he himself will remain faithful to the Gospel. He calls them to care for themselves and for one another so they may not become discouraged or fall away, and he encourages them to persevere in the ministry to others. A passage like this should not only tug at our hearts, but should stir us to faithfulness in our walks with the Lord, to have a sober mind as we care for ourselves and others, and to persevere in the midst of hardship. Acts 20:17-38

April 14, 2024Acts 20:1-16 tells of Paul’s ministry in Philippi, Troas, and a pit stop in Asia before heading to Jerusalem. The passage shows us a glimpse of his pastoral and teaching ministry as he shared in Passover and taught the Scriptures diligently before he departed the area. (It was a killer Bible study!) Luke also provides the names of those throughout the Roman provinces who will travel with Paul back to Jerusalem including himself. This passage centers on the spiritual legacy we should all aim to leave.Acts 20:1-16

April 7, 2024The Church has an Enemy, and the two are in constant opposition. People are a common weapon manipulated by Satan who are used to undermine the Church. Acts 19 gives readers a glimpse into the hardships brought against the Church by those opposed to Jesus. Yet, despite Satan’s efforts to use people for his ends, God’s purpose was not stopped. The Lord is the One who fights for His glory, His Word, and His Church. We can take heart in spiritual warfare knowing that our God remains in control and the victory is His.Acts 19:21-41

March 31, 2024Christ Jesus has risen from the grave! Through the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, we have peace with God, freedom from the shackles of our sins, and the promise of eternal life. Because He lives, we too may live with resurrection power and hope. This is truly the greatest news there could ever be. Today, we celebrate and cheer for the One who has given us life by giving up His own and taking it up again!Luke 24:1-12

March 14, 2024"Peace on earth!" was declared by angels at the announcement of His birth. "Peace in heaven!" was declared by people at the announcement of His entry. Jesus Christ is the rightful King of Peace on earth and in heaven. As the people temporarily sang His praise, Christ wept knowing what was in their hearts as well as the future destruction of Jerusalem. Despite the rejection, our King made the way of redemption, securing our peace with God forever. Jesus, our King of Peace has come and is coming again!Luke 19:28-44

March 17, 2024Acts 19 is the story of God working in incredible ways in the city of Ephesus. Acts 19:11-20 is one of the wildest stories though in the Bible, dudes are just trying to make a buck doing some tricks and yet the Lord has “concern for his holy name” as the prophet Ezekiel would say. So God exalts himself by not allowing these exorcists to misuse his name rather they run out “naked and wounded.” God will always exalt his name above sin and evil. He will always have the last word when it comes to people trying to use the name of Jesus for selfish reasons when their hearts are not submissive to the Lord. God will always be exalted, even in the most bizarre of ways.Acts 19:11-20

March 10, 2024Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Adventist, Pentecostal, Catholic, Episcopal, and Non-Denominational churches (just to name a few) are all around; each having its doctrinal and practical distinctives. Some even add cult groups such as Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witness to the list of Christian denominations. How are we to know and test what is genuine Christianity and what is not? When Paul entered Ephesus he encountered a group of people who had a form of religion that was not genuinely Christian. The group was sincere in their beliefs and practices, but despite their sincere adherence (even to the teachings of John the Baptist), they had not received and embraced that which makes us completely Christian, the Holy Spirit who dwells only in those who trust in Jesus who is both Savior and Lord.Acts 19:1-10

March 3, 2024The 2nd mission trip finished out, with Paul leaving Silas and Timithy to lead the church in Corinth, and leaving Aquila and Priscilla to start a church in Ephesus, while Paul set sail to return for a respite at his home church in Antioch.  Paul didn’t stay long, and soon after began the 3rd mission trip, heading west back to Ephesus, encouraging the churches along the way.  Meanwhile, back in Ephesus, Aquila and Priscilla stepped into the life of Apollos, a well-educated, articulate, powerful preacher.  They filled a gap in Apollos’ theology and understanding of salvation, which Apollos humbly accepted, and turned him loose to preach the Gospel.  These stories are a great reminder to us:  ministry requires a team effort; healthy ministry requires healthy ministers; humble preachers will always be willing to listen to correction; and we are all called to step into others’ lives where needed, especially where the accuracy of the Gospel is concerned. Acts 18:18-28

February 25, 2024Paul’s ministry continues to Corinth where new ministry partners are found along with new believers and continued opposition to the Name of Christ. At the heart of Acts 18:1-17 is a vision Paul received from Jesus to not fear or be silent but to continue proclaiming the gospel trusting in God’s protection. God’s people are entrusted with the same message and called to the same work. We must not be silent because there are many around us God is calling to Himself.Acts 18:1-17

February 18, 2024Paul’s speech on Mars Hill in Athens, Greece is one of the most important sections in the book of Acts. With only Gentiles in his audience, Paul models presenting the good news of Jesus using words and images that would relate to his hearers. While the delivery method is different, the message is the same. All people everywhere are accountable to God to receive or reject Christ as the One who died and rose again to make us righteous before God.Acts 17:16-34

February 11, 2024Having rushed out of Thessalonica due to persecution, Paul and his companions travel to Berea in Macedonia. Here, they start, as was their custom, by preaching in the local synagogue. Instead of jealousy, as they ran into in Thessalonica, the Bereans were much more noble and examined the Scriptures that Paul taught. This sets an example for us to examine God’s Word, test the teachings we hear with it,  and allow God’s Word to examine us!Acts 17:10-15

February 4, 2024The center point of this week’s passage is to establish the truth of the Christian faith based upon the evidence Paul and Luke provided the Thessalonians and the future readers of the book of Acts. The Christian faith is built upon the fulfilled promises and prophecies found in the Old Testament by Jesus and only Jesus. The Savior had to suffer for our sins and rise from the dead. Knowing the evidence will help all of us stand firm in the faith, especially during seasons of suffering, doubting, and temptation.Acts 17:1-9

January 28, 2024Paul and Silas continued to preach the Gospel in Philippi.  While preaching in the streets, Paul exorcised a fortune-telling demon from a slave girl.  The slave girl’s owners dragged Paul and Silas before the City Magistrates, who had them beaten with rods and thrown in jail.  That night, God caused an earthquake, which opened the jail doors, and freed all the prisoners.  The jailer was about to kill himself, thinking the prisoners had escaped, but Paul stopped him.  Paul and Silas shared the Gospel message, and the jailer and his entire family listened, believed in Jesus, were saved, and were baptized.  Paul rebuked the Magistrates for beating him and Silas (who were Roman citizens) without a trial, a serious violation of Roman law.  Paul and Silas gathered the new Christians in Philippi, prayed and encouraged them, and then departed to preach the Gospel elsewhere.Acts 16:6-40

Januray 21, 2024Acts 16:11-15 shares the account of the first believer in modern-day Europe, Lydia. Ironically, Lydia came from the very place that God prevented Paul from going in his previous travels. Having left Asia, she moved to Philippi in Macedonia as a seller of purple cloths. A devout, God-fearing woman, Lydia heard the good news about Jesus from the apostle Paul while praying with other women. We are told that God was the One who opened her heart to hear and believe. He continues to open hearts today as His people open their lives and mouths to share Christ. May He do His work through us!

January 7, 2024Redirection is all part of living a life of faith. Living by faith by definition is a life trusting in God’s guidance. God is the One who directs and redirects His people by His Spirit. This creates a challenge for us when we seem to be certain of His plan for us and then that plan changes. This week’s passage, Acts 16:6-10, sheds light on the leading of God’s Spirit and what is required of us to follow His lead.

January 7, 2024Spurgeon wrote, “I tremble for a church whose continuance depends upon the talent and cleverness of one man. If he is removed, the whole thing will collapse; this is a wretched business.” TBC cannot and will not be about one man. For our church to last and have a lasting impact beyond this generation, we must raise, equip, and make disciples of Jesus as we aim to grow in spiritual maturity.Acts 16:1-5

December 31, 2023Our God is faithful! He is truly faithful for that is His nature. Our God can only be faithful and true. All we must do is to give prayerful pause, consider all His provisions in our lives and in our church. What do you find? God’s faithfulness remaining. In fact, His faithfulness is undefeated. May pause and reflection stir you to walk faithfully with the Lord.Psalm 86:1-17

December 24, 2023Of all the ways God could announce the advent of His Son, God chose people. People! The ones who rejected and despised Him. The ones who were destined for His judgment and wrath. The ones who would eventually crucify the Son He sent. He chose people. He actually chose shepherds; those of humble standing and the last to be thought of as royal heralds. After the resurrection and ascension of Christ, God continues to send the humble to herald the advent of Christ our Savior and Lord. What a mystery that Christ would announce His coming through those He would give His life to save.Luke 2:1-21

December 17, 2023The next major event we anticipate in God’s plan is Christ’s return! This wondrous mystery has been a subject of hope, debate, confusion, and excitement since the angels promised the disciples Christ would return just as He ascended. This week we will explore what we believe will happen when Christ again appears and those who are in Christ (dead or alive) meet Him in the air.1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

December 10, 2023Our Advent series is entitled “The Wondrous Mystery”. Two weeks ago, we focused on the mystery of Jesus Christ’s humility, how he stepped down into our condition as man in order to redeem his people. Last week, we moved to Jesus’ crucifixion, Jesus’ purpose of coming to live among us and what his death accomplished for us. And this week, we concentrate on the revealed mystery of Jesus’ resurrection.Various Scriptures