Passion City Church DC Podcast

How do we stand firm in truth, respond to opposition with grace, and keep the Gospel at the center of it all? In Acts 24, Paul faces false accusations and an uncertain future, yet he uses his circumstances as an opportunity to proclaim Jesus. As we continue in the book of Acts, Pastor Ben Stuart reminds us that our hope is not in political power or changing policies, but in the power of Jesus to change hearts—and that our greatest opposition may become our greatest opportunity for the Gospel to go forth. Key Verses // Acts 24

What do you do when life doesn’t go your way? In Acts 23, Paul finds himself surrounded by chaos. He’s attacked by a mob, falsely accused, imprisoned, and even targeted by an assassination plot. Yet in the middle of it all, Paul responds with supernatural peace, courage, and confidence. Why? Because Paul knows that his circumstances don’t determine his story. The sovereign Lord does. As Pastor Ben Stuart continues our study through the book of Acts, we’re reminded that trusting God doesn’t mean everything will work out the way we hoped. God hasn’t promised us an easy road or a specific outcome, but He has promised His presence, and His purposes will not fail. When life feels uncertain and the plan doesn’t make sense, we can trust the God who stands with us in the middle of it all. Key Verses // Acts 23

How do you respond when life hits you hard? In Acts 22, Paul finds himself falsely accused and surrounded by an angry crowd. Given the chance to defend himself, he doesn't fight back or try to win an argument. He simple tells a story. In this talk by Thomas Barr, we look at the power of sharing your story and how you can be a witness to Jesus in hostile times. The Christian story is not about being the victim or making ourselves the hero. It's about pointing people to the God who is the Hero. Key Verses // Acts 21-22

What does a life well lived actually look like? We spend much of our lives chasing the things we think will make them meaningful—success, security, relationships, influence, experiences. But what if a life well lived is measured by something entirely different? In Acts 20–21, Paul is moving toward a future filled with uncertainty and suffering, yet he refuses to shrink back from where God is leading him. In this message, Pastor Ben Stuart shows us what Paul’s journey reveals about the kind of life worth giving ourselves to and challenges us to consider whether we’re simply building a good life or spending it on the things that matters most. Key Verses // Acts 20-21

What does faithful Christian leadership look like, and how do we live a life worth following? In Acts 20, the Apostle Paul gathers the leaders of the church in Ephesus and gives them a final charge before continuing toward Jerusalem. In this message, Pastor Ben Stuart walks through Paul’s example of integrity, courage, purpose, and dependence on the grace of God. Paul reminds us that truly following Jesus means more than just knowing the right things. It means demonstrating the message with our lives, declaring the truth, protecting the people God has entrusted to us, and giving ourselves to a mission bigger than ourselves. In a world that often tells us to prioritize comfort and self-preservation, Paul offers another way: know what is worth living for, trust God even when you don’t know what comes next, and run the course He has given you. Key Verses // Acts 20

In Acts 19, Paul’s message about Jesus starts costing people cash, and the city of Ephesus erupts. A silversmith named Demetrius sees his business threatened and does what any of us can be tempted to do: he lets fear, lust, and pride drive his next move. In this talk, Pastor Ben Stuart walks us through the riot in Ephesus and asks the question underneath the chaos: what feelings are actually determining the flow of your finances? For the Ephesians who put their faith in Jesus, everything changed. They stopped trying to manipulate the gods for their own gain and started giving generously to people who could never pay them back. Their faith didn't just shift what they believed. It shifted where their money went. Key Verses // Acts 19