Grace Church

Matthew 7:24-27; James 1:22-25 Big Idea – Discipleship calls you beyond hearing God’s word to actually doing it.  5 Ways You are Discipled in Life Group  1. A Life Group helps you FOLLOW the SCRIPTURES   Find group curriculum at www.whoisgrace.com/read   2. A Life Group helps you FUEL your SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES.  3. A Life Group helps you DEVELOP your SPIRITUAL GIFTS.  4. A Life Group helps you ENDURE your TRIALS.  5. A Life Group helps you FULFILL your MISSION.   NEXT STEPS: Get in a Life Group  Lead a Life Group Find more information at www.whoisgrace.com/lifegroups   

August 20,2023 | Pastor Derek | Hebrews 10:24-25   Loneliness = the painful state that arises when we don’t have the intimate, connected relationships and support systems we need to thrive.   Big idea: Christianity is not just what you believe, but where you belong. The first step in belonging is making your group gatherings a priority (10:25) "Level up" in your Gathering   Make Sundays a priority.  Make quarterly worship nights a priority.  Make Life Group a priority.  Make coffee with an older/younger Christian a priority.     3 Reasons to Connect to a Group   When you’re connected you are known.   When you’re connected, you are supported.   When you’re connected, you’re challenged.     Next Steps     Join a Life Group  Lead a Life Group  Visit www.whoisgrace.com/lifegroups for more information    For all resources connected to this series visit www.whoisgrace.com/read  

August 13, 2023 | Pastor Derek | Acts 2:42-47 Devoted = “gave themselves to”  Big Idea – We must be devoted to circles, not just rows.Why Life Groups at Grace.   Jesus used a group strategy.   The early church was made up of groups.   Throughout history the church has grown and spread through groups.   Four habits of people devoted to a community of faith.  Devote yourself to the teaching of the Scriptures (:42) Devote yourself to sharing life with other Christians (:42, 44-46) Devote yourself to pursuing God’s presence (:42-43)   Devote yourself to prayer (:42)   The result = God grows His church (:47).  Next Steps   Join a Life Group  Lead a Life Group  Visit www.whoisgrace.com/lifegroups for more information on both.  For our daily reading plan and group discussion guide visit www.whoisgrace.com/read  

Jesus’ revolutionary perspective on family: Matthew 12:46-50   Big Idea – Jesus prioritized the spiritual family over the biological family.    Mark 10:28-30  John 19:26-27   Three distinguishing markers of Jesus’ new family 1. We are unified by our discipleship not our bloodline (Jn 13:34-35) 2. We are fueled by our selflessness not our individual success (Mt 23:11-12)   Letter to Diognetus  4 lifestyle choices people marveled at   the complete absence of racism.   a high view of life.  a countercultural view of sex.  eye-popping generosity.  3. We are known for our diversity and not our commonalities (Acts 11:26)  Next Steps.   Come back for the whole series.   Join a Life Group  Lead a Life Group  Find all life group resources at www.whoisgrace.com/lifegroups   Find all our series resources and YouVersion plan at www.whoisgrace.com/read  

Big Idea: Marriage is God’s picture of Jesus to the world.   Family = a multi-generational team on mission.  6 Basic Truths about the Miracle of Marriage.   The power of marriage: Spirit enabled selflessness (:21).   The priority of marriage: Your #1 human relationship (:31)  The definition of marriage: Covenant (:31).   Covenant = a deep, exclusive, permanent, legal and personal, binding commitment.  4. The purpose of marriage: Oneness (:31b)  Categories of conflict Annoyances   Preferences  Unintended Hurt Feelings  Sin  Unexpressed conflict  Marriage mentors: email marriage@whoisgrace.com   5. The structure of marriage: Complementary roles (:22-30)  6. The mystery of marriage: a picture of Jesus and his church (:24-27) Next Step: Reflect on your family and ask:   Are we exposed to mutli-generational influences?   Are we functioning as a team?   Do we have clarity around our mission? 

July 23, 2023 | Derek | 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12   Proverbs 22:6  Deuteronomy 6:5-9  1 Thessalonians 2:7-12 Big Idea: God has called us to leave a legacy of faith with the next generation.  3 ways to train the next generation with a legacy of faith. Training method 1: Exhibit Affectionate Care (:7-8) Training Method 2: Set a personal faith example (:9-10)  Training Method 3: Commit to developing them (:11-12)   Next Step:   Think of one person in your life who you have some spiritual responsibility for. Ask, what does that person need most from me right now?   Affectionate care (do they need to feel your love and grace and tenderness?)  Personal Example (do you need to give them more access to your life?)  Development (do you need to challenge them or urge them toward something greate?)   Find more series resources at www.whoisgrace.com/read  

July 16, 2023 | Derek | 1 Corinthians 7   Family = a multi-generational team on mission.  Big Idea: Singleness is a gift from God – use it well.  3 Spiritual Pitfalls of Singleness   Sexual Temptation.    Loneliness.   Selfishness.  Why would God give you a desire that he doesn’t meet immediately?   To learn self-control.   To learn the sufficiency of God’s grace.   2 Spiritual Benefits of Singleness  Freedom from the obligation of family. (7:26-28; 32-34)   Freedom to serve God with undivided devotion. (7:32-35).    A quick word to the church    Beware of Family-olatry Receive more singles into your family   For more series resource visit www.whoisgrace.com/read  

Family = a multi-generational team on mission  3 ways Satan attacks families.   Discord.   Distraction.   Devastation.     4 Enemies in Every Home. Enemy #1: Activity Obsession and Relationship Poverty Enemy #2: Celebration of ME-ism  Enemy #3: Media Invasion  Enemy #4: Secular Ideologies   What Family Uniquely Forms in Us: Wisdom and Knowledge.  Wisdom is a deep knowledge of the truth.   Courage is the capacity to do the right thing even in the face of fear or shame.     Next step:  Reflect on this question: what is Satan’s main scheme directed at my family?   Get more resources at our read page – www.whoisgrace.com/read  

Big Idea: One of God’s main solutions for a lost and broken world… is family.  Family = a multi-generational team on mission.   3 Crucial Questions to Ask about the Basics of Family  Is your family exposed to multi-generational influence?   Is your family functioning as a Team?  Does your family have clarity around your Mission?   Next Steps:   Commit to the series  Reflect on your family and ask:   Are we exposed to multigenerational influences?   Are we functioning as a team?   Do we have clarity around our mission?    For more resources, visit www.whoisgrace.com/read  

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.   Big Idea: Your belief changes the way you live. “We must not merely cite the creed but believe and experience the presence of God in the person of the Spirit.” (Gordon Fee) From the Holy Spirit come new life:  The holy catholic Church, the communion of saints = You have a NEW FAMILY. (Ephesians 4:1-6)  True community (John 13:34-35; Hebrews 10:23-25; Ephesians 4:32)  Spiritual Gifts (1 Peter 4:10; 1 Corinthians 12)  Unity (John 17:20-23)  The forgiveness of sins = You have a NEW RELATIONSHIP. (1 Corinthians 6:11; Romans 8:1-2; 1 John 1:9)  The resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting = You have a NEW REALITY (John 14:3-6; 1 Corinthians 15:35-57; Ephesians 1:13-14)   The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (1 Corinthians 13:14) Next Steps: register for baptism Jul

Big Idea: What you believe about Jesus is crucial. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.  (John 5:18; Col 2:9) He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. (Luke 1:26-38) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. (Matt 16:21) He descended to hell. (Is 53:4-6; Matt 27:46; Rom 3:23; 6:23) On the third day He rose again. (1 Cor 15: 14; 17; 20; 55-57; Rev 1:17-18) He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. (Acts 1:6-11; Rom 8:34) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. (Matt 25:31-33; 46; Rev 21:1-4) Next Steps: Pick one of the 7 statements that you don’t fully understand, or that comes with a little more difficulty, and meditate on it. Then ask: What does this truth change about the way I think?  What does this truth change about the way I act or feel about myself?  What does this truth change about the way I act or feel about others? If you’re struggling with knowledge vs relationship, find someone who clearly h

WE BELIEVE: God the Father June 11, 2023 | Pastor Sarah | John 8:31-32  I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth;  I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.  I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.   When we know the Apostles’ Creed:   We know what we believe.  We share what we believe.  What do we believe?  I believe in God = You can know God. (Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:20)  the Father Almighty = You belong to a family (John 1:12; Romans 8:15; Job 42:2)  creator of heaven and earth = You are part of a story (Hebrews 11:3; Roma

Big idea: Bringing your doubts to God can propel you toward faith.   How Bring your Doubts to God  Deconstruct your Doubts (:3)   Immerse yourself in a faith community (:15-17)   Compare the sturdiness of your beliefs to the world’s beliefs (:18-20)  Grasp for God’s hand (:21-28)   Next Step: To take a step of faith visit, www.whoisgrace.com/next and choose “salvation”   For supporting materials related to Raw Prayers visit whoisgrace.com/read 

Praying Through GUILT 5/21/2023 | Pastor Derek | Psalm 51    Big Idea: Bringing your guilt to God moves you out of your past and into your future.  Failed strategies for dealing with guilt:   Denial.   Comparisons.   Rationalization.   Blame   Reinventing God.   The Backstory of Psalm 51: 2 Samuel 11-12.  Three heart cries as you pray through GUILT   FORGIVE me (1-6).  CLEANSE me (7-12)   7 promises of Spiritual Cleansing   God will cleanse you with His blood (:7)    God will renew your hope. (:8)   God will remove your sins. (:9)   God will restructure your desires. (:10)   God will renew the Holy Spirit’s power. (:11)   God will restore your joy. (:12a)  God will give you new desires. (:12b)      3. USE me (13-15)   Praying Psalm 51  Pray for FORGIVENESS (:1–9): “Have mercy”; “Wash me”; “Purge me”; “Blot out.”  Pray for CLEANSING (:10–12): “Renew me”; “Cast me not away”; “Restore me.”  Pray for OBEDIENCE and offer yourself to God (:13–17): “I will . . .”; “Broken spirit”; “Contrite heart.”    Find more reso

Praying Through PAIN 5/14/2023 | Pastor Derek | Psalm 22  Big Idea – Bringing your pain to God will help you to heal.   Unhealthy Ways to deal with Your Pain.   stuff it.   ignore it.  distract yourself.   isolate.  wait it out.  fake it.    The tension: God seems absent in this moment – AND - I still believe in God in this moment.   How to Pray through Pain    Don’t just ask God for things, share your heart with him. (22:1-3, 9-10)  Use pain to approach God with your protests (22:4-17)   Let pain lead you to corporate worship (22:22-26)  Remember your story is part of God’s bigger story of ultimate rule (22: 27-31)    Nest Step:   Praying the Psalm: Finish these statements…   God, I am disappointed that…  This pain has made me feel like…  But, God I do trust that…    

Praying Through FEAR Psalm 3 | 5/7/2023 | Pastor Derek Big Idea– Bringing your fears to God will help you sleep better at night.    Considering the Psalms   Some firsts in Psalm 3.   The first psalm to have a heading.   The first Psalm to be attributed to David.   The first psalm to include the historical setting   The first occurrence of ‘selah’   The first psalm of lament.    How to pray your fears to God  Name your fears (3:1-2)  Two sources of David’s fear.   Physical Attacks (:1)   Spiritual Accusations (:2) 2. Refocus on God (3:3-4) 3. Find Rest (3:5-6)  4. Express your emotions (3:7-8)    Next Steps:  Follow the model to pray your fears to God   Commit to the Series   Follow our read plan – whoisgrace.com/read  

Big Idea: The Spirit’s greatest role is to remind you of the depth of God’s love.  The Matchless Love of God   God has a protective love for you as his child (8:35a) God’s love is stronger than all calamity (8:35b-36)   God’s love is stronger than everything EMOTIONAL   God’s love is stronger than everything PHYSICAL   God’s love is stronger than everything EARTHLY   God’s love is stronger than everything SUPERNATURAL   God’s love is stronger than everything In the FUTURE   What should you do with the matchless love of God? Avoid 2 extremes:   Pride  Shame   Let it undo you.   Next Step:  Worship Him Be baptized! 

God is For Us April 23, 2023 | Pastor Derek | Romans 8:28-34   Correcting 3 Common Misunderstandings from Romans 8:28   It does not promise that a Christians’ circumstances will be better than anyone else’s.   It does not promise that things will automatically work together for good without God.   It is not an invitation to pretend that bad things are actually good.     Big Idea: God doesn’t promise you better life circumstances, he promises you a better life.    A better life: How to maintain joy in the midst of struggle 1. Joy means rethinking how you define “good” (:28-29)   What is ‘good’ is that every single thing that happens to you is moving you toward Christlikeness.    2. Joy involves remembering that your standing before God is secure (:29-30)   Calvinism or Armenianism?   Calvinism emphasizes God’s absolute determining sovereignty in salvation. Before salvation God pre-determined which individuals would be his elect and would be saved.   Armenianism also affirms that God chooses who will be saved,

Summary Idea:  We desperately need the Holy Spirit living in and through us, so we can be confident in our weakness.     Weakness in the context of this passage is…   The Purpose of the Holy Spirit = Helps Us in Our Weakness Meaning of the Greek word “sunantilambano”  anti – facing each other  lambano – to take or hold something  sun – union, or together with   2 Ways the Spirit Helps you in your weakness:  Intercedes with groanings   Intercedes according to the will of God   Next Steps:   Keep memorizing portions of Romans 8  Explore prayer this week. 

Big idea: Because of Christ’s resurrection, you can live with a glorious hope for the future.   Three wrong answers to our present suffering.   Wrong Answer #1 – There is no God.   Wrong Answer #2 – God is not in Control.   Wrong Answer #3 – God is Evil.    Right Answer: Our loving and powerful God is in the middle of redeeming what has been broken.   Three qualities of those who Hope.     Hopers understand that suffering is part of the story (:22-23)  Hopers stand on their tiptoes in anticipation (:23)  Hopers know that a glorious homecoming awaits them (:24-25)    Next Step: Come Home… receive Christ’s salvation! To take a step, visit www.whoisgrace.com/next and choose “salvation”