Lessons by Rod Bunton
Q & A – October 2026
The Elders answer questions submitted by Grace Church members and attendees prior to this session. Pastor Ben Khazraee moderates, and he, Doug Link, Rod Bunton, and Charlie Greenwell answer questions selected for them. Questions: Note: The downloadable MP3 (click on Save above) has chapter markers that some players support. If you’re using the embedded player on this page, you can scroll to the desired time marker (annotated in the questions above) after you start playback.
Peter’s Defense: “God Has Granted the Gentiles Repentance unto Life”
Acts 11:1-18 Every culture draws invisible lines between “us” and “them,” treating some people as unclean, inferior, or unworthy of a seat at the table. In this message, Pastor Rod Bunton unpacks Peter’s defense before the Jerusalem church, revealing why the Holy Spirit—not ethnicity, ritual, or tradition—is the true mark of belonging to God’s family.
No Respecter of Persons: The Gospel Comes to Cornelius
Acts 10:34-48 For centuries, deep-seated barriers of culture and prejudice kept two groups of people from ever truly welcoming one another — until God stepped in and broke them down for good. In this message, Pastor Rod Bunton unpacks the historic moment when the gospel crossed from Jew to Gentile, showing how God’s impartial love, the finished work of Christ, and the call to genuine fellowship dismantle every man-made wall.
The Ethiopian’s Road to Faith
Acts 8:26-40 Sharing your faith can feel intimidating, but what if the hardest parts of the conversation aren’t actually up to you? This message traces the story of an unlikely roadside encounter to show how faith takes root when ordinary people simply point others to Jesus. In this message, Pastor Rod Bunton explores how God orchestrates divine appointments, uses everyday believers as His instruments, and lets His word do the transforming work in a person’s heart.
Threats to the Church: How the Gospel Triumphs Over Persecution and Deception
Acts 8:1-25 When opposition comes from the outside and corruption threatens from within, the church faces its greatest tests — and reveals its greatest strength. In this message, Pastor Rod Bunton traces two major threats to the early church in Acts 8, showing how both Saul’s fierce persecution and Simon the magician’s counterfeit faith were ultimately powerless to stop the gospel from spreading into new cities and cultures.
Full of Grace and Power: The Witness of Stephen
Acts 6:8-7:1 Why do some people reject the truth no matter how clearly it’s presented to them, even rising up in anger against the messenger? In this message, Pastor Rod Bunton examines the false accusations brought against Stephen and unpacks the beginning of his defense, revealing a rich, biblical view of God as a giver of revelation and promises, a rescuer, and one too holy and great to be confined to any building.
Following Orders: The Church’s Call to the Word and Prayer
Acts 6:1–7 Every church faces the temptation to trade its highest calling for good causes that feel urgent — and that tension is as old as the church itself. In this message, Pastor Rod Bunton explores how the early church navigated internal conflict and cultural friction, showing why keeping the preaching of the Word as the central priority is what allows Christ to build His church.
Q & A – February 2026
The Elders answer questions submitted by Grace Church members and attendees prior to this session. Pastor Ben Khazraee moderates, and he, Doug Link, Rod Bunton, and Charlie Greenwell answer questions selected for them. Questions: Note: The downloaded MP3 (click on Save above) has chapter markers that some players support. If you’re using the embedded player on this page, you can scroll to the desired time marker (annotated in the questions above) after you start playback.
Worthy to Suffer
Acts 5:27-42 Continuing to obey God and defying the Jewish leaders led the apostles to a severe beating. Despite this setback, Pastor Rod Bunton explains that they rejoiced and continued to teach and preach about Jesus.
Arrested and Freed
Acts 5:17-26 Doing amazing signs and wonders impressed the followers but also caught the attention of their enemies. Pastor Rod Bunton teaches about the jealousy of the high priest and the Sadducees, which ultimately resulted in increased persecution of the apostles; however, this only revealed that God remains in control of the situation.
Signs and Wonders
Acts 5:12-16 Following a highly publicized disciplinary measure to address internal persecution, the church experienced significant growth. Pastor Rod Bunton begins a report on unity and expansion, while the apostles adhered to the pattern set by Jesus by performing signs and wonders to evangelize those outside the church.
Ananias and Sapphira
Acts 5:1-11 After witnessing the exemplary response of the new church members to the external persecution faced by Peter and John, they encountered a new challenge: internal persecution. Pastor Rod Bunton recounts the story of Ananias and Sapphira, who sought recognition for their own financial contributions.