In the book of Acts we see something happening that runs a little counter to our expectations.  God is choosing people to be adopted into His family as sons and daughters and doing amazing signs and wonders through them.  So far so good, right?  The part that we struggle with is that we also see them being called into service of their new King Jesus...and sometimes that means risking their lives.  Sometimes that means losing their lives.  They are persecuted and rejected and ridiculed...and yet they rejoice and praise God.  Sometimes we get the idea that God has called us into relationship with Him so that He can pour out every blessing on us here and now.  It's more about getting than giving.  When life gets difficult or we experience trials we think that we must have sinned or that somehow we are outside of God's will.  The first Christians understood that when they were chosen by God they were chosen to serve.  Their joy was based on their calling, not on their circumstances.  Join us this Fall as we study through ACTS Chapters 5-12 and apply the hope, understanding and mindsets of the early church to our lives today.