Catalyst Church of Carrollton

Holy Spirit Bonus Teaching with Mark Acord

The Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, is super important for both individual believers and the whole New Testament Church. In this study, Mark Acord - Pastor of Operations at Catalyst - teaches why the Holy Ghost matters so much, looking mainly at the book of Acts and other parts of the New Testament to get the full picture. View full notes here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSTgZM5TNm8sQo7T-pWOcAe8xB2ZFEXlO1XyV3MCQfjogk7m3dmmuGaUYQZQIEfTeO2BNuYHvrYDNZS/pub

He Promised Power!

Welcome to this special Pentecostal Sunday sermon with Pastor Ben Bonner. In today's message, we take a deeper look into the transformative power of the Holy Spirit as described in the Book of Acts. 

 

Sermon Notes: 

”Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” ‭‭Acts ‭1‬:‭4‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬


”When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.“ Acts‬ ‭8‬:‭14‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Grit like Esther, Grace like Sarah, Faith like Ruth

Listen in as we dive into the timeless wisdom of Esther, Sarah, and Ruth. Through these narratives, along with Carey's own testimony, we hope you are inspired to embrace grit in adversity, grace in uncertainty, and unwavering faith in your journey with Christ. Join us as we celebrate the strength, resilience, and faith of women on this special Mother's Day episode.

 

Sermon Notes: 

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?  - Esther 4:14

 

"On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand." - Esther 5:1-2

 

"All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king." - Esther 4:11

 

 "And if I perish, I perish." - Esther 4:16

 

Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son. - Genesis 18:14

 

And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. - Hebrews 11:11

 

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13

 

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. - Ruth 1:16

 

"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” - Proverbs 31:25

 

New Isn't What You want!

Using the metaphor of new wine and old wineskins, Pastor Ben challenges you to reflect your life. Just as new wine cannot be contained in old wineskins without causing ruin, he illustrates how clinging to old ways and habits impedes our growth in Christ. Don't settle for the familiar; discover the abundant life awaiting those who embrace the new wine of Jesus' transformative power!

”Then Jesus gave them this illustration: “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be ruined, and the new patch wouldn’t even match the old garment. “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the new wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine must be stored in new wineskins. But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the new wine. ‘The old is just fine,’ they say.”‭‭Luke‬ ‭5‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Stop Making It About You

In this soul-stirring sermon titled "Stop Making It About You," delve into the transformative power of humility and selflessness in your spiritual journey. 

Whether you're wrestling with pride's grip on your life or seeking guidance on your spiritual journey, this sermon offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap to authentic transformation. Tune in now and embark on a profound exploration of humility, purpose, and the boundless love of our Creator. ❤

Sermon Notes: 

”John said to Jesus, “Master, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he isn’t in our group.” But Jesus said, “Don’t stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭49‬-‭50‬ ‭NLT‬‬

”He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle…” Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭19‬-‭20 ‭NLT‬‬

”John the Baptizer has come neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘There’s a demon in him!’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! He’s a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ “Yet, wisdom is proved right by all its results.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭7‬:‭33‬-‭35‬ ‭GW‬‬

”When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. And they went on to another village.“ ‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭51‬-‭56‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The Original Gangster

”And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭49‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

 

Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.” ‭‭John‬ ‭2‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

 

”Don't think I came to bring peace to the earth! I came to bring trouble, not peace.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭34‬ CEV

‬‬‬‬

“If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.“ ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NKJV‬

 

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!“ ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭44‬-‭46‬ ‭NLT

Do What I Say

“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭46‬-‭49‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Follow Me.

 

“Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him. Mark 2:13-14 NLT

Love. (Like Jesus) 

”So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John‬ ‭13‬:‭34‬-‭35‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Serve. (For the right reasons)

”So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world Lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭42‬-‭45‬ ‭NLT

Repent. 

”From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬ 

Get Baptized.

”Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NLT

Staying on the Water

”But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭30‬-‭31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Grown ___ Faith

Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.” ‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT

 

But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬ 

 

“That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. ” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭13‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT 

 

”Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!“ Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

 

”Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail….” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭NIV

Friday Had to Happen

”I assure you that unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it can only be a single seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their lives will lose them, and those who hate their lives in this world will keep them forever.“ ‭‭John‬ ‭12‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭CEB‬‬