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We hope these readings, prayers, songs, sermon notes + quotes are beneficial to you this week. See you next Sunday at 9 or 11 am, 10 am on TVC Online or anytime!
Sermon Notes for September 27, 2026
Acts 18
Held Fast
Pastor Tommy Bailey
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
1 Corinthians 3:6–7
The God Who Holds Fast
1. The Uprooted (vv. 1-3, 18, 26)
First five Roman Emperors:
- Augustus 27 BC – 14 AD
- Tiberius 14 AD – 37 AD
- Caligula 37 AD – 41 AD
- Claudius 41 AD – 54 AD
- Nero 54 AD – 68 AD
“Since the Jews constantly made disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from Rome…”
Suetonius, (emphasis added)
“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house.”
Romans 16:3–5
“We are not able to detect with perfect clarity, the hand of God in the circumstances of our lives, far less see where he is heading with them. But when we find his autograph in the narratives of biblical history, we begin to recognize the same or similar patterns and principles emerging in our own lives too—and so we learn to see his handwriting in our own experiences.”
Sinclair Ferguson, Faithful God
The God Who Holds Fast
1. The Uprooted (vv. 1-3, 18, 26)
2. The Undone (vv. 9-10)
“When I came to you, brothers and sisters, announcing the mystery of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.”
1 Corinthians 2:1–5
The promise of His presence:
- Do not be afraid…for I am with you… (Acts 18:9–10)
- The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything… (Philippians 4:5–6)
- I will fear no evil, for You are with me… (Psalm 23:4)
- And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)
“I need the regular nearness of the word of God to bring home to my heart the nearness of the God of the word…What is Christian experience? Great enemies, but a greater mercy. Near enemies, but a nearer God.”
Christopher Ash, Bible Delight
“As soon as I answer the question “Am I okay?” with anything other than the promise and provision of my belovedness in Christ, I drift toward anxiety and darkness.”
Russ Masterson, Searching for Grace
Songs, Readings & Prayer for September 27, 2026
Songs
“Praise To The Lord The Almighty“ by Joachim Neander and Catherine Winkworth
“Anchor Of Hope“ by Brown Bannister and Ellie Holcomb
“He Will Hold Me Fast“ by Ada Ruth Habershon and Matthew Merker
“I Need Thee Every Hour“ by Annie Sherwood Hawks and Robert Lowry
“Doxology” by Thomas Ken and Louis Bourgeois
All songs are used with permission. CCLI License no. 2003690
Looking for our Hymns of the Week or resources to worship anytime? We’ve curated a playlist of hymns TVC Worship has led on our YouTube Channel!
Call To Worship
Now and Forevermore
Men: The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, Who has been given to us.
Women: We dwell in Him and He in us.
Men: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His name! Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Women: We will sing to Him, sing praises to Him, and speak of all His marvelous works.
All: All praise to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; to Whom all honor and glory be now and forevermore. Amen!
Confession of Faith
Treasuring God’s Word
Psalm 130:5 “I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and in His word do I hope.”
Leader: What does the Psalmist mean when he says, “I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait”?
People: We can bring all our circumstances, cares, and requests before God and look to Him with patient expectation, knowing that His love is everlasting, His faithfulness continues, and that it is “Christ Jesus … at the right hand of God, Who is indeed interceding for us.”
Leader: What does the Psalmist mean when he says, “And in His word do I hope?”
People: God’s Word is both the written Word, composed by men under the direction and superintendence of the Holy Spirit, and the living Word, His Son Jesus, who is “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature.” We can, therefore, put our trust and hope in both the written and living Word of God to accurately reflect the character of God, relay the will of God, and remind us of the love of God in Christ Jesus.
Classic Prayer
John Calvin
Grant, Almighty God, that as You have shown us so many favors, since the time You have been pleased to adopt us as Your people, O grant, that we may not forget so great a kindness, nor be led away by the allurements of Satan, nor seek for ourselves inventions, which may at length turn to our ruin; but that we may continue fixed in our obedience to Thee, and daily call on Thee, and drink of the fullness of Your bounty, and at the same time strive to serve You from the heart, and to glorify Your name. Amen.
TVC Prayer Ministry
TVC Ministry: Prayer Ministry
Vocation: Mental Health Professionals
Mission Highlight: Romanian Christian Enterprises
Praying for the Persecuted Church: Vietnam
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Discussion Questions for September 27, 2026
- What occupies our thoughts? Work? Family? Circumstances? In Acts chapter 18, we find Paul occupied by, and devoted to, the Word. In the context of our lives, how can we become people who are occupied by the Word of God and the God of the Word rather than people who are preoccupied by everything else? Are we intentionally setting aside time to seek the Lord? What does this look like, and how do we put it into practice — making it part of the daily rhythm of our lives?
- How do we respond when we’re walking through a difficult season, experiencing a trying set of circumstances, or feeling worn down by the darkness of the world around us? How should we respond? What can we learn from today’s passage about where to look for the antidote to fear and the cure for weariness?
- We were reminded today that if we are in Christ, we are never alone eternally — even right now. How might this reminder help shape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions in the week ahead? How can we encourage ourselves and others with the promise of the presence of God?
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