PassageWay Church

PassageWay Church
  • 4.5 (2)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • WEEKLY SERIES

The weekly messages from Tim Kroeker, Lead Pastor at PassageWay Church in Blair, NE.  Learn more at www.passageway.church.

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  1. EPISODE 1

    Acts 1:1-11 - To the Ends of the Earth: Continuing Christ’s Work Until He Comes

    The crowd excitedly counts down—ten, nine, eight—then as the final number is swallowed up in a roar of cheers, the first firework shoots up into the midnight sky. With a sharp crack, it blossoms into a colorful display. The golden embers begin their descent when, suddenly, a flurry of rockets screams upward. The sky, moments ago quiet and black, is now alive, full of light and sound. After several minutes, the sky once again turns dark. The onlookers scan the sky expectantly, wondering if that was the end of the powerful display. Then, another round of fiery shells launches in rapid succession. Jesus’ earthly ministry was a magnificent display of power in both word and deed, which culminated in his bodily resurrection from the dead. The disciples had been eyewitnesses to this magnificent salvation story, Jesus’ mission to seek and to save the lost. But they now wondered if that was the end. What would come next?  The apostles were about to enter into a new phase of God’s unfolding plan. By the power of the Holy Spirit, they were to take the salvation story to the ends of the earth.  Luke begins his sequel the way he ended the first, with Jesus’ ascension. Jesus ascended bodily into heaven with an assurance that he will one day return in the same way. So in the meantime, stop staring up into the sky waiting for the next big beautiful burst, and be busy accomplishing the task that he’s given us to do.

    34 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    Acts 1:12-26: To the Ends of the Earth: Making Choices in Moments of Waiting

    Have you ever had to wait? Perhaps you’ve been waiting a long time for a promotion or a pay increase at work. Maybe you’ve been waiting for Mr. Right to finally walk up and introduce himself. You might be desperately waiting until the kids are out of diapers, old enough to attend school, or get their license so they can drive themselves to activities. Maybe you’re waiting on the results from your latest medical screening. Waiting can wear a person down.  During times of waiting, it can be especially hard to make choices. How long will the wait be? How might my choices made now affect other opportunities later? Am I just growing impatient and making a rash decision?  How can we make good choices when we feel like we’re just waiting? The book of Acts opened with Jesus telling his apostles that they were to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. But first, they were to go to Jerusalem and wait for the coming of the promised Holy Spirit, who would empower them for their worldwide mission. After Jesus’ ascension into heaven, the apostles obediently returned to Jerusalem, and while they waited, we read that they selected a replacement for the traitor Judas. We see that this decision was born out of constant prayer and was according to God's revealed will in the Scriptures.  Their first-century example is a model for you and me as we make our own choices. Good choices are accompanied by the practice of prayer and are always in agreement with God’s word. What’s more, we now have the Spirit of wisdom abiding in us. As Spirit-filled Christians, we can move forward confidently as we apply wisdom to our life choices, even in moments of waiting.

    38 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    Acts 2:1-13: To the Ends of the Earth: Born to Boldly Witness

    You’ve probably seen a business sign or logo with the abbreviation “Est.” followed by a date, indicating the year a business, organization, or location officially began operations. The date of establishment is often used to convey a sense of history, tradition, stability, and experience. These same signs are often hung in homes, indicating the year of a couple’s marriage, when the family was established. On Etsy, you can even order t-shirts with your birth year. Est. 1976. But when was the church established? When did operations begin? Before ascending into heaven, we read in Acts 1 that Jesus told his disciples they would be his witnesses, taking the salvation story to the ends of the earth. But first, they were to go back to Jerusalem and wait to be baptized by the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2, we now read that the Spirit came with great power just as Jesus had said, marking a new phase in God’s redemptive plan. With the coming of the Holy Spirit, the church was born.  Not only were the believers baptized by the Spirit into this new entity, the body of Christ. They were also filled with the Holy Spirit, who powerfully enabled them to tell everyone around in their own language about the mighty works of God.  This new people would look and act in novel ways as Luke emphasizes the international flavor of the gathering crowd. Established on the day of Pentecost, we see that the church was born to boldly witness.

    34 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    Acts 2:14-41 - To the Ends of the Earth: A Model for Good Preaching

    We live in a complicated era of human communication. On one hand, people will listen to an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience that lasts well over two hours. On the other hand, TikTok videos and Instagram reels typically run 30 to 60 seconds. And then there are preachers who’ve been presenting 3 points and a poem for centuries.  What makes for a good sermon? Is it the length? Choosing a topic of interest? The ability of the speaker to engage his audience with relatable illustrations? Is preaching an outdated method of communication? In the Book of Acts, Luke describes how the church was born and became a global movement. In the previous episode, we read about the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, who filled the disciples and enabled them to tell of God’s mighty works in various languages.  That miracle at Pentecost prepared the gathering crowd for what would come next. Peter stood and delivered the first Christian sermon. Using Scripture, Peter explained to his audience what they were witnessing that day. He then pointed them to Jesus, who is both Lord and Christ. Then, in response to those convicted by his words, Peter exhorted them all to repent and be saved.  The response was overwhelming, as 3000 people received his word and were baptized. Since the birth of the church, preaching has been God’s primary vehicle for saving souls. Peter’s sermon at Pentecost is still a model for us today of good preaching. --------------------- You can access The 5 Steps to Saving Faith from Step Up To Life Ministries here: https://www.stepuptolife.com/5steps

    47 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    Acts 2:42-47 - To the Ends of the Earth: Community Created by The Spirit

    What do you look for in a church? Do you know a good one when you see it? Many Christians look for a church that fits their preferences: their preferred style of preaching, their preferred style of music, or their preferred demographic (age, stage of life, ethnicity, or culture). You might look for a thriving youth group or engaging activities for the kids. Perhaps you prefer a church of a certain size. It shouldn’t be too big or too small. After Peter’s powerful sermon on the Day of Pentecost, which led to the conversion of 3000 souls, Acts 2 concludes with a portrait of the early church in Jerusalem. As subsequent episodes will show, it certainly wasn’t a perfect church. However, Luke’s summary presents it as a model for the kind of community the Holy Spirit creates. First, Luke summarizes the church’s regular, ongoing activities. He then summarizes its generous and joyful character, which all led to dynamic growth as the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. This is what happens when people are bound together by a belief in the gospel and an understanding of its implications. This was a healthy church.

    36 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    Acts 3:1-10 - To the Ends of the Earth: The Unexpected Proof of Jesus’ Power

    When my boys and I used to shoot around the basketball, we would play a game called Horse. Perhaps you’re familiar with the game. Each player takes a turn shooting the ball. If the person before you makes a basket, you must replicate that same shot. If you miss, you get a letter. When a player accumulates all the letters, he’s out. But we had a rule. If you missed your shot on the last letter, you could either take a second attempt or have the other player prove it.  On the Day of Pentecost, Peter and the other apostles made some sensational claims about Jesus, especially about his resurrection from the dead. They claimed to be his witnesses, powerfully calling people to repentance and to publicly profess their faith in Jesus, the exalted Christ. For devoted Jews in Jerusalem, that would be a pretty tough shot. “Hey Peter. Prove it.” Acts 3 begins with the miraculous healing of a man who had been lame from birth. He was unexpectedly, instantaneously, and completely healed in the name of Jesus. The man went leaping into the temple, praising God. Luke’s description is full of Messianic significance as the miracle pointed to an even greater spiritual reality. All the people recognized what had taken place and were amazed. The healing provided proof that Jesus was alive and that his ministry continued on through the apostles and in the church.  People today are more skeptical than ever about any sort of truth claim, not the least of which are the claims of Christ. Be living proof of Jesus’ power.

    33 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    Acts 3:11-26 - To the Ends of the Earth: Accessing Power in Jesus’ Name

    How do they do that? Perhaps you’ve asked yourself this question while watching freestyle skiers at the winter Olympics. Freestyle skiing is considered the most dangerous of all the events, with injury rates reaching 28%. Competitors perform dangerous tricks, such as the switch triple cork 1980, which consists of three flips and 5½ rotations. How do they do that?  At the beginning of Acts 3, we read about the miraculous healing of a man lame from birth. Luke writes that leaping up, the man began to walk and entered the temple with Peter and John praising God. All the people were utterly astounded. How did they do that?  Peter seizes the opportunity to address the gathering crowd. He explains that it was not their own power or piety by which the man was healed. Rather, it was in the name of Jesus that he had been made well. As Peter preaches at Solomon’s Portico, he attributes several names to Jesus. He is the Suffering Servant, the Holy and Righteous One, and the Author of Life. And it was in this name, the name of Jesus, that the lame man was healed. A name represents the essential character and authority of the one to whom it refers. There is power in Jesus’ name because of who He is. We also see that there is power in Jesus’ name because of what He does. Peter invites his listeners to enjoy for themselves the benefits available to everyone in Jesus’ name; the forgiveness of sins, times of refreshing, and readiness for Christ’s eventual return, the restoration of all things. All in Jesus’ name. But pronouncing Jesus’ name isn’t some sort of magical incantation. The key that unlocks access to the power in Jesus’ name is repentance. Whether it’s a sinful habit or demonic influence, the solution is the same. You unleash Jesus' power in your life when you abandon wickedness and return to God in Christ Jesus.

    37 min

  8. EPISODE 8

    Acts 4:1-22 - To the Ends of the Earth: Leadership in the Face of Opposition

    On October 30, 2001 President George W. Bush threw out the first pitch for game 3 of the World Series. This wasn’t just any ceremonial first pitch. The entire nation was still reeling from 9/11, New York City was at the epicenter of those devastating attacks, and remarkably, the Yankees had won the American League pennant.  The president declined to throw out the first pitch in game 1, which took place in Arizona. Instead, he saved this historic appearance for game 3 in the heart of the Bronx. Before taking the field, Yankees team captain Derek Jeter came and shook the president’s hand in the tunnel behind the dugout. He said, “Mr. President, don’t bounce it. They’ll boo you.” With the whole world watching, the president emerged from the dugout out onto the field and took his place atop the mound. The crowd erupted in chants of USA, USA. He gave a thumbs up, prepared his delivery, and threw a perfect strike across the heart of the plate. It was inspirational in a moment when people were looking for leadership.  What is it that makes for true leadership? In the book of Acts Luke describes how the church was born and became a global movement. Chapter 4 begins with the first hint of opposition. Peter and John were arrested then spent the night in jail for preaching and teaching at the temple under Solomon’s Portico. The next day they appeared before the Sanhedrin, the same ruling council that had tried and unjustly convicted Jesus. These were the supposed rulers of God’s people.  However, in the face of opposition, the apostles showed themselves to be true leaders. They were uncompromising, delivering the same message to these powerful men that they had preached the day before. Even their opponents were astonished at their courage. And when given the chance, they demonstrated total commitment to their Master and his mission. Peter and John’s consistency, courage, and commitment are a model for all disciples, all who are likewise yielded to the Holy Spirit. We too can exercise true leadership.

    38 min

  9. EPISODE 9

    Acts 4:23-31 - To the Ends of the Earth: On Mission Despite Opposition

    Honey is an incredible substance, but it comes at a cost. And for good reason. It’s labor intensive, not only for the beekeeper, but for the bees. A single bee will only produce about 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime. A single pound of finished honey from a hive requires the bees to make about 2 million flower visits. Talk about labor intensive! But finished honey has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, preservative and probiotic properties. Plus, if stored correctly, it never spoils. Archaeologists have discovered jars of honey in Egyptian tombs that are over 3,000 years old yet still edible! A few years ago I had a neighbor who kept bees. I loved watching his bees at work in our flower beds, knowing the result of their intense labor would be a jar of fresh honey in the fall. He invited me over one summer day to watch how he opened a bee box to extract the honey comb with as little disruption to the bees as possible. He only had one beekeeper’s suit (which he wore, of course) so he told me to stand a few yards off. “You’ll be just fine,” he said through his head net.  I was so intent on watching him go to work with his smoker and hive tool that I failed to notice a bee on a literal bee-line for my face until it was too late. It stung me square in the cheek. I yelled some things less than flattering, to which my friend yelled, “Ya gotta go!”  I learned after the fact - and after the swelling had gone down - that when a bee stings, it releases an alarm pheromone called isoamyl acetate (which apparently smells like bananas). This gives the other bees in the hive a pheromone highway to follow so they can join in attacking whatever threat is headed their way. My neighbor knew this full well…thus his warning.  Nonetheless, a few months later he knocked on the door with a jar of freshly extracted honey, made in part from nectar from my wife’s flowers, and I assume with the help of the bee that stung me. As I polished off that jar of honey, the pain of its sting was long forgotten. As the saying goes, “the honey was worth the sting.”  In today’s episode, we’ll see the young church respond to the firsts stings of gospel persecution. Peter and John had just appeared before the Sanhedrin, proclaimed Jesus boldly, but received a stinging warning to keep their mouths shut about Jesus…or else. How they and their fellow believers responded was a clear demonstration that they very much believed “the honey was worth the sting.”

    42 min

  10. EPISODE 10

    Acts 4:32-37 - To the Ends of the Earth: Giving and its Relationship to the Heart

    A wallet chain is a fashion accessory with a clasp or hook on each end; one fastens to a wallet’s grommet and the other to a belt loop on your pants. It was originally used by bikers to keep wallets from falling out while riding. But did you know there is an invisible chain that attaches your wallet to your heart? Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” When a daughter looks longingly into her daddy’s eyes and asks for money to buy a prom dress, his heart melts and he opens the wallet. When an insurance provider raises their already extravagant premiums while simultaneously reducing their coverage the customer’s heart is enraged and pledges to never do business with that company ever again. The wallet is closed. As we continue in the book of Acts we read that how the believers in the early church handled money revealed a lot about their hearts. In Luke’s summary statement at the end of chapter 2, he wrote that they were generous, selling their possessions and distributing the proceeds to anyone among them who had need. Now, at the end of chapter 4, he gives even more insight into what exactly that looked like and what motivated them.  Those early believers gave generously because their hearts had been changed. Luke holds up one man as a prime example: Barnabas. Barnabas’ generosity prepared him for the work that the Spirit would later send him out to do. Generous giving not only comes from a changed heart, we also practice generous giving for a changed heart. It shapes us and prepares us as people. So we see the relationship, an invisible chain, that giving has to our heart.

    36 min

  11. EPISODE 11

    Acts 5:1-11 - To the Ends of the Earth: The Sobering Reality of Sin and Divine Judgement

    Are you whistling past the graveyard? Whistling past the graveyard is an idiom that suggests a conscious effort to ignore or downplay the seriousness of a threatening circumstance. It implies a false sense of security in situations where acknowledging reality would be more appropriate. Just outside of Jerusalem was a burial ground that contained the bodies of a husband and wife, Ananias and Sapphira. The news of their untimely death spread quickly. They’d been members of the rapidly increasingly sect of Jews who were proclaiming Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah and resurrected Lord. There was an uncommon unity amongst these Christ followers. Some were even selling land or houses and donating the proceeds. Ananais and Sapphira were thought to have done the same. They also sold a piece of property. However, they attempted to deceive the group by embezzling some of the funds. Peter, the designated leader of the group, confronted them. Both Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, fell over dead.   Luke presents this shocking incident at the beginning of Acts chapter 5 as a clear act of divine judgment. The death of Ananias and Sapphira was a warning about the seriousness of sin. A holy, righteous, and just God had already protected his people from the threat of evil outside the church. He would also protect his people from the threat of evil inside. God’s judgement upon Ananais and Sapphira caused everyone, both those inside and outside the church alike, to fear the Lord. Many Christians today emphasize the love and mercy of God to the neglect of his complete and total separateness from sin. But God will not be mocked. We would do well to stop whistling past Ananais and Sapphira’s grave and avoid God’s judgement by abandoning sin.

    37 min
See All Season 7 (11)

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4.5
out of 5
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About

The weekly messages from Tim Kroeker, Lead Pastor at PassageWay Church in Blair, NE.  Learn more at www.passageway.church.

Information

  • Creator
    PassageWay Church
  • Episodes
    121
  • Seasons
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 PassageWay Church
  • Show Website
    PassageWay Church