Grace Church Eden Prairie

Pastor Troy walks through Acts 12 as a powerful story of God’s sovereignty unfolding through persecution, rescue, and judgment. Acts 12 begins with deep loss as James is killed and Peter is imprisoned, reminding us that following God does not mean avoiding suffering. With no worldly power, the church responds through earnest prayer, placing its trust fully in God. God then miraculously rescues Peter, even as the believers struggle to believe their prayers are being answered. In contrast, King Herod’s pride leads to his sudden and humbling death, showing that human authority cannot stand against God. Through it all, God’s Word continues to grow and multiply, calling us to trust His goodness and sovereignty even when outcomes don’t make sense.

The sermon from Acts 11 teaches that a healthy, Spirit-led church balances deep fellowship with an outward mission, welcoming all people God saves rather than becoming inward-focused. Through Peter’s defense of Gentile inclusion and the growth of the church in Antioch, we see that the gospel breaks cultural and religious barriers and forms one united family centered on Christ. A faithful church is marked by welcoming unexpected people, clearly reflecting Jesus, and living out generosity and unity as evidence of the gospel at work.

Pastor Troy's Easter message emphasizes that through the resurrection of Jesus, both life and death become a “win-win” for believers — living means fruitful service to Christ, while dying means being in His presence. He highlights how Paul’s perspective reframes death not as an end, but as a transition into eternal life, removing fear and giving purpose to both living and dying. The message challenges cultural views of death, presenting it as a defeated enemy through Christ’s victory, and calls listeners to place their faith in Jesus alone. Ultimately, the message invites a response of trust in the risen Christ, who transforms the meaning of life, death, and eternity.

Pastor Troy’s Good Friday message focused on the temptation to soften or move away from the true message of the cross. He explained that the cross is offensive because it confronts our pride and sin, and foolish in the eyes of the world, as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:18. It is also polarizing, dividing those who believe from those who do not, with no middle ground. The cross can feel scandalous and like a stumbling block because it offers salvation by grace alone, not by our own efforts.

Pastor Troy Dobbs taught that Palm Sunday reveals a crucial question: do we have genuine faith in Jesus, or just admiration and excitement like the crowd in the Gospel of John 12:13? He emphasized that biblical faith, as defined in Hebrews 11:1, is not wishful thinking or blind optimism, but a confident trust in the person, character, and promises of Jesus Christ. True faith pleases God, justifies us fully and permanently, and naturally produces good works as evidence of a transformed life. He also highlighted that real faith is rooted in trusting Jesus Himself—not outcomes—and that even weak faith is powerful when placed in a strong Savior. Through faith, believers overcome the world, standing firm in obedience and endurance because of their union with Christ. Ultimately, Palm Sunday calls us beyond surface-level praise to fully receive Jesus on His terms—moving from admiration to surrender and from symbolism to true salvation.

In a world marked by deep division—across politics, race, culture, and belief—Acts 10 reveals a defining moment in the early church: God makes it clear that the gospel is for everyone. Through Peter’s encounter with Cornelius and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Gentiles, God shatters long-standing barriers between Jews and Gentiles and declares that He shows no partiality. Salvation is not based on ethnicity, background, or status, but is available to all who believe in Jesus Christ.Peter proclaims the core truths of the gospel: Jesus is Lord of all, was crucified and raised from the dead, and offers forgiveness of sins to everyone who believes. God confirms this message by giving the Holy Spirit to Gentiles just as He had to Jewish believers, demonstrating that they too are fully included in God’s family.This passage challenges believers to stop viewing people through worldly categories and to reject assumptions that anyone is beyond God’s grace. It also reminds us that true unity cannot be achieved thr

Juan Cuevas describes how, in Acts 10, God begins breaking down the barrier that had long separated the Jewish people from the rest of the world. Through the story of Cornelius and Peter, we see that the gospel is truly for everyone. Although Cornelius was an honorable and devout man who sincerely sought God, he still needed to hear the message of Jesus to be saved. This reminds us that being a good person or practicing religion is not the same as salvation. God prepares both men for this moment. While Cornelius is instructed by an angel to send for Peter, Peter receives a vision showing that what was once considered unclean is now made clean. This vision reveals that God is opening the door for the Gentiles to hear and receive the good news of Jesus. Anyone who trusts in Christ becomes part of God’s family. Acts 10 invites us to recognize our need for Jesus, because no amount of good works can remove the barrier between God and us. It also encourages believers as they share their faith. God often works in pe

Pastor Troy’s sermon from Acts 9:32–43 highlighted two powerful miracles performed through Peter that demonstrated the authority of Jesus. In Lydda, a paralyzed man named Aeneas was healed when Peter declared the power of Jesus’ name, leading many in the surrounding region to turn to the Lord. In Joppa, Peter prayed and raised Tabitha (Dorcas), a beloved disciple known for her generosity and service, from the dead. These miracles showed that Jesus has power not only over disease but even over death. Pastor Troy explained that miracles in Scripture are meant to point people to the Gospel and lead them to faith in Christ. Ultimately, the message reminded us that turning to Jesus brings true hope, transformation, and eternal life.

Pastor Troy’s sermon centered on our love for dramatic transformation stories and how that same “big reveal” is at the heart of the Gospel. Using Acts 9:1-31, he walked through Saul’s conversion, showing that this wasn’t a self-improvement story but a radical intervention by the risen Christ—turning a persecutor into a preacher through sheer grace. Referencing 2 Corinthians 5:17, he reminded us that in Christ we are made new: the old is gone, and the new has come. Saul’s encounter on the road to Damascus revealed that God’s grace is not earned but freely given, opening blind eyes and redefining both identity and purpose. Pastor Troy highlighted four features of grace: it magnifies God’s kindness over human goodness, opens spiritually blinded eyes, gives us a new purpose and family, and often makes us a target of opposition. Ultimately, the story ends not just with Saul’s transformation but with the church strengthened and multiplied—proof that God’s grace brings life, peace, and boldness to His people.

Pastor Troy gave his sermon on Acts 8:26–40 and focused on how evangelism is central to the Christian mission and how the story of Philip the Evangelist and the Ethiopian eunuch shows the gospel breaking barriers. Many believers fear evangelism, but it simply means sharing the good news of Jesus with others, often through everyday conversations and relationships. Philip’s obedience to God, attentiveness to one person, and willingness to ask and answer questions demonstrate practical ways Christians can share their faith. The Ethiopian’s immediate belief and baptism show the power of Scripture, explained clearly, and the importance of responding to the gospel without delay. The passage also highlights that evangelism is Spirit-led and can reach across cultural, geographic, and personal boundaries. Ultimately, believers are called to grow closer to Christ, so their witness becomes natural and courageous. The sermon challenged listeners to trust God, love the one person in front of them, and actively share the m

Pastor Troy describes how, in Acts 8:9-25, the gospel spreads into Samaria, breaking cultural and spiritual barriers as many believe in Christ and are baptized. Among them is Simon the sorcerer, who appears to respond to the message but is later confronted about the true condition of his heart. When the apostles arrive and the Holy Spirit is given, Simon attempts to buy the power of God, revealing a misunderstanding of grace. Peter rebukes him, making clear that salvation cannot be purchased or manipulated. This passage highlights the difference between outward religious activity and genuine heart transformation. Ultimately, it reminds us that true faith is marked not by appearance or performance, but by repentance and a surrendered relationship with Jesus.

Pastor Troy Dobbs teaches from Acts 8, showing how the early church experienced rapid growth despite intense persecution. Drawing from church history, he explains that the church’s expansion was driven by believers’ deep conviction in Jesus’ resurrection, the empowering work of the Holy Spirit, and, unexpectedly, persecution itself. Rather than silencing the gospel, persecution scattered believers into new places, spreading the message and bringing joy to entire cities, including Samaria. Pastor Troy highlights how God sovereignly uses suffering to advance His mission, honor faithful witnesses like Stephen, and even prepare future leaders such as Saul. The sermon emphasizes that ordinary believers, not just apostles, carried the gospel wherever they went. Ultimately, encouraging Christians to remain hopeful, flexible, and vocal, trusting that God turns hardship into victory for His unstoppable mission.

Peter Reid reminds us that walking with Christ isn’t about trying harder in our own strength, but about daily appropriating the indwelling life of Jesus already within us. He emphasizes “as you received Christ, so walk in Him,” meaning spiritual growth happens the same way salvation began: through repentance and faith, not self-effort. He describes repentance as a continual change of mind — from focusing only on sinful actions to recognizing the deeper problem of self-reliance — while faith is learning to entrust ourselves to Christ’s ability rather than our own. Ultimately, the Christian life is an “exchanged life,” where we take daily steps of dependence on Christ, get back up when we fall, and grow from the inside out. 

Pastor Troy breaks down Stephen's delivery of the longest recorded sermon in the New Testament, using Israel’s history to show how God has always been pointing His people toward Jesus. Rather than defending himself, Stephen boldly proclaims Christ and exposes how Israel repeatedly resisted God’s Word and rejected the Messiah. He reminds his listeners that God is not confined to buildings, rituals, or laws, but is the God of people, working everywhere through history. Even as he is unjustly condemned and stoned, Stephen forgives his enemies and entrusts his life to Jesus. His death becomes the first martyrdom in the church and marks the beginning of a powerful gospel legacy that would continue through others, including Saul, who later becomes Paul. His life shows that true legacy is faithfulness to Jesus, even when it costs everything.

Pastor Troy's message highlights how Stephen — full of the Holy Spirit, grace, and power — was used by God in extraordinary ways, yet quickly became a target of fierce opposition. When Stephen’s enemies couldn’t defeat his Spirit-filled wisdom, they turned to deception by secretly stirring up accusations, inciting violence, recruiting false witnesses, and twisting his words. He reminds believers that faithful godliness can provoke hostility, but Christians are called to speak with Spirit-given wisdom and keep the bigger picture in mind. Even in unjust moments, God is at work, and our steady, Christlike witness can impact others in ways we may never see.

Pastor Jim Erickson’s message highlighted how God grows His church not only through the proclamation of the gospel but through faithful organization, unity, and shared responsibility. As the early church experienced explosive growth in Jerusalem, new challenges emerged. Rather than allowing division or complacency to take root, the apostles addressed the issue directly, prioritizing both the ministry of the Word and compassionate care for those in need. By appointing seven qualified, Spirit-filled leaders to serve, the church adapted to growth while preserving unity and mission. The result was renewed momentum: the Word of God continued to spread, the number of disciples multiplied, and even many priests came to faith. Pastor Jim challenged believers to enter 2026 ready to adapt, protect unity, step into service, and trust that God uses faithful obedience to advance His unstoppable work.

Pastor Sam Houston's message reminded the church that while some entered 2026 easily and others through great difficulty, opposition has always been a reality for followers of Christ. Drawing from Acts 5, he demonstrated that opposition to Christianity has taken many forms throughout history; yet, two truths remain constant: the gospel of Jesus Christ is unstoppable, and God empowers His people to carry out His mission. Even when the apostles were imprisoned, beaten, and threatened, God used an unlikely voice—Gamaliel—to protect them and advance His purposes. Rather than being silenced by suffering, the apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus’ name. Their response revealed a supernatural joy rooted in Christ’s death and resurrection. The sermon concluded with a challenge for believers to reject fear and complacency, live boldly for Christ, and trust that nothing can hinder the power of the gospel. That the gospel of Jesus Christ is truly unstoppable. 

Pastor Troy’s message challenges us to move beyond nominal Christianity and intentionally live out the call to follow Jesus fully. He outlines the seven marks of a healthy disciple — including worship, prayer, service, generosity, biblical obedience, community, and disciple-making—as a spiritual mirror to assess growth, not a checklist to earn God’s love. Pastor Troy emphasized that true discipleship flows from loving Christ deeply and relying on His grace, not mere religious activity. The message called believers to recommit to making disciples everywhere and every day, trusting Jesus to reproduce His life in them and through them.

In this Christmas message, Pastor Troy Dobbs unpacks the powerful meaning of Immanuel, “God with us” as revealed in Matthew 1:23. Far from a sentimental holiday phrase, Immanuel is a fear-defeating promise woven throughout Scripture and fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. God’s presence is not reserved for life’s biggest moments, but extends into the ordinary, painful, and uncertain spaces of everyday life. Even in seasons of loss, loneliness, and hardship, God promises never to leave or forsake His people. This sermon challenges believers to grow in their awareness of God’s constant presence, to trust His Word over their feelings, and to live with confidence rooted in His faithfulness. At Christmas, God didn’t merely send a message, He sent His Son to be with us always, to the very end of the age.