Sermon by Author: Jim Poitras

Look At Us! Ministering With Boldness

Acts 3:4-4
Topic: Leadership
At Pentecost Peter stood up in boldness to proclaim what was taking place. What a difference this was to just a few days earlier denying he even knew Jesus Christ. Following this, we see the disciples possessing faith, power, and boldness. We see them being used in the healing of the lame man at the Gate Beautiful in Acts Chapter 3. Here we also see the Gifts of the Spirit starting to be used. In this lesson we will deal with the boldness displayed by Peter and John. It is this boldness that causes us to wake up the spiritual gifts wanting to operate through us and causes us to press forward even in the face of opposition, persecution, and problems. We realize, “no weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17). [ read more... ]

Look At Us! Ministering With Boldness

Acts 3:4-4
Topic: Leadership
At Pentecost Peter stood up in boldness to proclaim what was taking place. What a difference this was to just a few days earlier denying he even knew Jesus Christ. Following this, we see the disciples possessing faith, power, and boldness. We see them being used in the healing of the lame man at the Gate Beautiful in Acts Chapter 3. Here we also see the Gifts of the Spirit starting to be used. In this lesson we will deal with the boldness displayed by Peter and John. It is this boldness that causes us to wake up the spiritual gifts wanting to operate through us and causes us to press forward even in the face of opposition, persecution, and problems. We realize, “no weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17). [ read more... ]

Mentoring: The Ministry of Multiplication

Acts 9:26-27
Topic: Leadership
Long ago when the Greek warrior Odysseus went off to battle in the Trojan War, he left his young son in the hands of a man named Mentor. The father was away from his son for twenty years and when he returned home his son had grown into a man. He had been trained by Mentor. Because of this story we now say a mentor is someone who operates as a father figure in our lives. [ read more... ]

Mentoring: The Ministry of Multiplication

Acts 9:26-27
Topic: Leadership
Long ago when the Greek warrior Odysseus went off to battle in the Trojan War, he left his young son in the hands of a man named Mentor. The father was away from his son for twenty years and when he returned home his son had grown into a man. He had been trained by Mentor. Because of this story we now say a mentor is someone who operates as a father figure in our lives. [ read more... ]

Mighty In The Scriptures

Acts 18:24-25
Topic: Doctrine
Acts Chapter 18 opens with an interesting testimony of a man called Apollos. In the opening verses we read of a man who was eloquent, mighty in the Scriptures, and received instruction. He also taught and preached what he knew. Beyond the descriptive phrases written about Apollos, we see a further hidden quality in his walk with God. This begins with “knowing only the baptism of John.”(18: 25) Apollos was a sincere man who was walking in every light of the Scripture that he had received. There was a longing in his spirit to obey all of what God had in store for him. His understanding of the Word of God and the things of God, led him to accept John’s baptism. [ read more... ]

Mighty In The Scriptures

Acts 18:24-25
Topic: Doctrine
Acts Chapter 18 opens with an interesting testimony of a man called Apollos. In the opening verses we read of a man who was eloquent, mighty in the Scriptures, and received instruction. He also taught and preached what he knew. Beyond the descriptive phrases written about Apollos, we see a further hidden quality in his walk with God. This begins with “knowing only the baptism of John.”(18: 25) Apollos was a sincere man who was walking in every light of the Scripture that he had received. There was a longing in his spirit to obey all of what God had in store for him. His understanding of the Word of God and the things of God, led him to accept John’s baptism. [ read more... ]

Mushrooms or a Mighty Oak Tree

Acts 20:29-30
Topic: Doctrine
The Apostle Paul realized that Satan would raise up false teachers from even within the church who would bring in false teachings, doctrine, pagan practices, worldly ideas, and man-made trends. They are like dangerous animals attacking the church and are difficult to handle. They are like wolves that wish to attack and kill the sheep. We, as leaders, must be very careful to make sure that such wolves will not enter and destroy any of the flock of God. We must guard the truth! [ read more... ]

Mushrooms or a Mighty Oak Tree

Acts 20:29-30
Topic: Doctrine
The Apostle Paul realized that Satan would raise up false teachers from even within the church who would bring in false teachings, doctrine, pagan practices, worldly ideas, and man-made trends. They are like dangerous animals attacking the church and are difficult to handle. They are like wolves that wish to attack and kill the sheep. We, as leaders, must be very careful to make sure that such wolves will not enter and destroy any of the flock of God. We must guard the truth! [ read more... ]

The Preacher’s Priorities

Acts 6:4-4
Topic: Leadership
We may not like to think about priorities but it is a must if we hope to succeed in the preaching ministry. Setting priorities is a mouse-sized task. Anyone can do it. The Bible has made it easy and established them for us. It’s disciplining our lives to fulfill the priorities that become the elephant-sized dilemma. Let’s admit it. It is a struggle to keep our lives moving according to our priorities. [ read more... ]

The Preacher’s Priorities

Acts 6:4-4
Topic: Leadership
We may not like to think about priorities but it is a must if we hope to succeed in the preaching ministry. Setting priorities is a mouse-sized task. Anyone can do it. The Bible has made it easy and established them for us. It’s disciplining our lives to fulfill the priorities that become the elephant-sized dilemma. Let’s admit it. It is a struggle to keep our lives moving according to our priorities. [ read more... ]

Preaching To The Heart

Acts 2:37-37
Topic: Evangelism
Richard Owen Roberts, in his book entitled Revival outlines three types of preaching... Mouth-to-Ear Preaching, Head-to-Head Preaching, Soul-to-Soul Preaching. [ read more... ]

Preaching To The Heart

Acts 2:37-37
Topic: Evangelism
Richard Owen Roberts, in his book entitled Revival outlines three types of preaching... Mouth-to-Ear Preaching, Head-to-Head Preaching, Soul-to-Soul Preaching. [ read more... ]

Preventing Truth Decay

Acts 2:42-42
Topic: Doctrine
The Apostle Paul, early in church history, warned against foreseeable truth decay. “Decay” refers to slowly but surely losing original form, quality, value, or strength. [ read more... ]

Preventing Truth Decay

Acts 2:42-42
Topic: Doctrine
The Apostle Paul, early in church history, warned against foreseeable truth decay. “Decay” refers to slowly but surely losing original form, quality, value, or strength. [ read more... ]

The Principle Of Shared Leadership

Acts 6:2-2
Topic: Leadership
Acts 6 is a great place to begin a discussion of church government. When we understand church government, we will understand the channel of church authority and the role each person plays in leadership. Special emphasis in this lesson will be on the Deacon and his role in shared Church leadership... [ read more... ]

The Principle Of Shared Leadership

Acts 6:2-2
Topic: Leadership
Acts 6 is a great place to begin a discussion of church government. When we understand church government, we will understand the channel of church authority and the role each person plays in leadership. Special emphasis in this lesson will be on the Deacon and his role in shared Church leadership... [ read more... ]

Profile Of A Leader From The Book Of Acts

Acts 18:21-21
Topic: Leadership
Leadership can be defined in one word, “Influence.” A spiritual leader should know, spiritual condition, direction of his ministry... All these things can be known by prayer, fasting, reading the Word of God, and revelation or confirmation from God through the Gifts of the Spirit. [ read more... ]

Profile Of A Leader From The Book Of Acts

Acts 18:21-21
Topic: Leadership
Leadership can be defined in one word, “Influence.” A spiritual leader should know, spiritual condition, direction of his ministry... All these things can be known by prayer, fasting, reading the Word of God, and revelation or confirmation from God through the Gifts of the Spirit. [ read more... ]

Putting First Things First

Acts 6:4-4
Topic: Prayer
The Apostle Paul once said, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient.” (1 Corinthians 10:23) This means that there are many things that we could do, but few things that we should do... [ read more... ]

Putting First Things First

Acts 6:4-4
Topic: Prayer
The Apostle Paul once said, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient.” (1 Corinthians 10:23) This means that there are many things that we could do, but few things that we should do... [ read more... ]

Passing The Faith Along

Acts 2:39-39
Topic: General
Many times in the church, the children are neglected and priority is given to reaching adults. One day the disciples of Jesus wanted to neglect the children (infants), and rebuked the parents for bringing them to Jesus. Jesus had a different mind. [ read more... ]

Passing The Faith Along

Acts 2:39-39
Topic: General
Many times in the church, the children are neglected and priority is given to reaching adults. One day the disciples of Jesus wanted to neglect the children (infants), and rebuked the parents for bringing them to Jesus. Jesus had a different mind. [ read more... ]

Peter: The Man Of Power

Acts 5:14-15
Topic: General
His character is one of the most charming in the New Testament because it shows his humanness. He was eager, energetic, impulsive, confident, bold, daring, but also weak, and cowardly. He was tenderhearted, self-sacrificing, and loving. He quickly moves from one extreme to another. He was inconsistent, unstable, and outspoken. When empowered by the Spirit he became powerful, stable, humble, bold, and courageous. [ read more... ]

Peter: The Man Of Power

Acts 5:14-15
Topic: General
His character is one of the most charming in the New Testament because it shows his humanness. He was eager, energetic, impulsive, confident, bold, daring, but also weak, and cowardly. He was tenderhearted, self-sacrificing, and loving. He quickly moves from one extreme to another. He was inconsistent, unstable, and outspoken. When empowered by the Spirit he became powerful, stable, humble, bold, and courageous. [ read more... ]

Peter, Thanks For The Kingdom Keys

Acts 2:38-39
Topic: Salvation
Once Jesus came, died on Calvary, rose from the dead, and ascended back to Heaven, the door of salvation was wide open. The price for salvation had been paid in full. [ read more... ]

Peter, Thanks For The Kingdom Keys

Acts 2:38-39
Topic: Salvation
Once Jesus came, died on Calvary, rose from the dead, and ascended back to Heaven, the door of salvation was wide open. The price for salvation had been paid in full. [ read more... ]

Dont Look At Us!

Acts 3:12-12
Topic: Leadership
As Peter and John prayed for the lame man, strength came into his feet and ankle bones. He stood, walked, and leaped as he went into the church praising God. The people were surprised to see him since many of them had passed him as they made their way into the church. [ read more... ]

Dont Look At Us!

Acts 3:12-12
Topic: Leadership
As Peter and John prayed for the lame man, strength came into his feet and ankle bones. He stood, walked, and leaped as he went into the church praising God. The people were surprised to see him since many of them had passed him as they made their way into the church. [ read more... ]

Contenders of the Faith

Acts 20:29-31
Topic: Doctrine
As you look at the Epistles that the Apostle Paul wrote, you will find that they did stray from the teachings they had received. [ read more... ]

Contenders of the Faith

Acts 20:29-31
Topic: Doctrine
As you look at the Epistles that the Apostle Paul wrote, you will find that they did stray from the teachings they had received. [ read more... ]

Claiming The Power Of God

Acts 4:29-32
Topic: General
We need to allow the power of God to flow out of our lives. This requires us being sensitive to the Spirit and boldly doing what God tells us to do. [ read more... ]

Claiming The Power Of God

Acts 4:29-32
Topic: General
We need to allow the power of God to flow out of our lives. This requires us being sensitive to the Spirit and boldly doing what God tells us to do. [ read more... ]

Discovering The Biblical Views Of Missions

Luke 24:47-47
Topic: Our Witness
I admit it. I’m soft on missions! After twenty-three years of missionary service in Africa, tears still flow when I hear songs like “People Need the Lord” (Steve Green). A sense of mission still wells up when I see the parade of missionary flag-bearers march in during our general conference missions’ service. Globes, and maps of the world—more especially of the African continent—serve as interior decorations in my office; signifying, as well, the interior décor of my heart. They constantly remind me of my destiny in life. [ read more... ]

Discovering The Biblical Views Of Missions

Luke 24:47-47
Topic: Our Witness
I admit it. I’m soft on missions! After twenty-three years of missionary service in Africa, tears still flow when I hear songs like “People Need the Lord” (Steve Green). A sense of mission still wells up when I see the parade of missionary flag-bearers march in during our general conference missions’ service. Globes, and maps of the world—more especially of the African continent—serve as interior decorations in my office; signifying, as well, the interior décor of my heart. They constantly remind me of my destiny in life. [ read more... ]

Do You Have A Word For Me?

Acts 20:22-23
Topic: Encouragement
Especially during times of crisis, desperation, confusion, lack of understanding to the will of God, or uncertainty of the direction that one should take, we often hear people saying “Do you have a word for me?” These people find themselves at a crossroad and are desperate to hear from God. Such occasions are found in the Book of Acts. [ read more... ]

Do You Have A Word For Me?

Acts 20:22-23
Topic: Encouragement
Especially during times of crisis, desperation, confusion, lack of understanding to the will of God, or uncertainty of the direction that one should take, we often hear people saying “Do you have a word for me?” These people find themselves at a crossroad and are desperate to hear from God. Such occasions are found in the Book of Acts. [ read more... ]

Doctrine Matters

Acts 2:42-42
Topic: Doctrine
When the pastor announces a series or message on doctrine a number of things go through the minds of some of the members. Boring. Snoring. Doctrine—bad-tasting medicine. (Ever notice that the worst tasting medicine is usually the medicine that is best for you?) Some people hope they can use it as an excuse to visit in-laws or to stay home from church and wash clothes or clean house. But the study of doctrine is important. [ read more... ]

Doctrine Matters

Acts 2:42-42
Topic: Doctrine
When the pastor announces a series or message on doctrine a number of things go through the minds of some of the members. Boring. Snoring. Doctrine—bad-tasting medicine. (Ever notice that the worst tasting medicine is usually the medicine that is best for you?) Some people hope they can use it as an excuse to visit in-laws or to stay home from church and wash clothes or clean house. But the study of doctrine is important. [ read more... ]