Grace Church Eden Prairie

Pastor Troy Dobbs talks of Peter’s first sermon in Acts 2 showing that Pentecost fulfilled Joel’s prophecy as God poured out His Spirit on all people. This means everyone, young and old, men and women, rich and poor, can know God personally and share His gospel boldly. Peter declares that the Spirit’s arrival also marks the beginning of the last days as we await Christ’s return. He points to the finished work of Jesus: His life of miracles, His death according to God’s plan, His resurrection that death could not hold, and His exaltation at God’s right hand. The people are cut to the heart, and Peter calls them to repent, be baptized, and receive forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit. That day, about 3,000 believed, reminding us that Pentecost was not the finish line but the starting line for the Spirit’s ongoing work through us.

Pastor Troy Dobbs explains Pentecost as a historical event, occurring 50 days after the ascension of Christ. On this day, the Holy Spirit came down upon the ten dozen Christ followers and allowed them to speak in various foreign languages so that those who came to Jerusalem could understand the gospel and bring it back to their home countries. He then goes on to describe the polarizing nature of the gospel and how it is written that those who believe in it and share it will be hated and persecuted. 

Pastor Troy continues the Acts series with a message that highlights what it means to wait well on God. He explains how after Jesus' ascension, the disciples stayed united, devoted themselves to prayer, and trusted God’s sovereignty — even in the fallout of Judas’ betrayal. When choosing Matthias to replace Judas, they modeled how decision-making should flow from Scripture, prayer, reason, decision, and trust in God. The message reminds us in a very practical way that prayer not only deepens our relationship with God and one another, but also keeps us aligned with His unstoppable mission and greater plan.

Pastor Troy kicks off the Acts series with a message on Jesus’ ascension, and how it wasn’t the end of His story but the beginning of our mission. Before returning to the Father, He promised the Holy Spirit to empower believers with boldness, guidance, and spiritual gifts. Instead of getting sidetracked by speculation about timing, we’re called to stay focused on the mission—being His witnesses to carry the Gospel to our neighborhoods to the nations. And while Jesus now reigns from heaven, we live with confidence and hope, knowing He will one day return.

Pastor Sam Houston unpacks how Satan’s main weapon is deception, just like he used with Adam and Eve in the garden. He walks through the different ways the enemy tries to trick us — by planting doubt, offering empty promises, pulling others into our sin, and shifting blame — and reminds us how God’s Word gives us the tools to recognize and resist those lies

Pastor Troy Dobbs explains that salvation comes through Christ alone, not our works, and that we cannot mock God. What we sow, we will reap. Paul contrasts living for the flesh, which brings destruction, with living by the Spirit, which leads to eternal life. He urges believers to care for one another and reminds them to boast only in the cross of Christ, not in rituals or personal achievements.

Pastor Troy Dobbs discusses the importance of sharing the weight of burdens with other Christians. He walks through the scriptures and highlights how Paul is urging the Galatians help in spiritual restorations of their fellow Christians by standing with them and guiding them through trials.

Pastor Troy Dobbs explains how Paul warns the Galatians against gratifying sinful desires, contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, and instructs them to live in alignment with the Spirit’s guidance - avoiding the “acts of the flesh” and cultivating the “fruit of the Spirit.”

Pastor Jim Erickson continues the Galatians series with an emphasis that Christ has set believers free—not for legalism or self-indulgence, but for love and service. He discusses how Paul warns the Galatians against returning to the "yoke of slavery" under the law, stressing that salvation comes by grace through faith alone, not by works or rituals like circumcision. Pastor Jim challenged listeners to submit to Christ daily, use freedom to love others, and build up the church rather than tear it down.