Grace Bible Church of Bend

In this Easter sermon from John 10:7-21, we look at the claims of Jesus to be “the door” and the “good shepherd.” As the door, he is the only way to be reconciled to God—the only way to eternal life. As the good shepherd, he provides pasture, care, and abundant life. There are only two responses to these claims: rejection or belief. Have you received the everlasting life offered by Christ, or are...

In this passage from 1 Corinthians 9, Paul uses himself as an example of setting aside one’s liberty for the sake of the gospel. Although he had the right to be compensated for his labor by the Corinthian church, he set aside that right so that there would be no hindrance to the gospel. What does this look like in our lives? What do we need to lay down for the sake of others and the gospel? As we...

In this chapter from 1 Corinthians, Paul admonishes believers to choose love over liberty. Although we have many freedoms in Christ, those freedoms should never lead someone else to sin. In all things, we should desire to serve the Lord and others rather than ourselves. As we live the Christian life and practice our faith, do we willingly adjust our liberties for the sake of others? From our Sunda...

In this last passage of 1 Corinthians 7, Paul concludes his teaching on marriage and singleness, reminding believers that in whatever our circumstances, we should have undivided devotion to Christ. As we are faced with various life decisions, we should consider the potential effect on our relationship with Christ, striving to seek the Lord above all things. From our Sunday service at Grace Bible C...

In this sermon from 1 Corinthians 7:17-24, we look at finding contentment in our calling. Rather than striving to gain more things, a better position, or a change of status in our lives, we should serve the Lord with thankfulness wherever he has placed us. True contentment comes only through Jesus Christ, as we faithfully serve him in our present circumstances. From our Sunday service at Grace Bib...

In this sermon from 1 Corinthians 7:8-16, we look at the sanctity of marriage and Paul’s instructions to three groups of people in the church: those who are single, those who are married to believers, and those who are married to unbelievers. In addition to specific instructions, we see in Paul’s address to each of these groups a counter-cultural view of both marriage and singleness, where each is...

In this sermon from 1 Corinthians 7:1-7, we look at Paul’s response to questions regarding marital intimacy, and then apply his instructions in four ways that will help us to protect our own marriages. We can protect our marriages by serving one another more than ourselves, by killing selfishness in our lives, by regular physical and spiritual intimacy, and by helping each other fight sin and temp...

In 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Paul deals with the issue of sexual purity, and reminds believers that we are to glorify God with our bodies. To do this, we must submit ourselves to Christ and his Word, remembering that as Christians, we have become one spirit with the Lord, and we cannot have union with Christ and union with sexual immorality. Paul reminds us that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Sp...

In this passage from 1 Corinthians 6, Paul lists a number of sinful lifestyles, warning that those who practice these things will not inherit the kingdom of God. As believers, these things may typify our old lives, but should no longer characterize us. This list represents three categories in which our lives should be different from the world: in our sexuality, in what we worship, and in how we tr...

In this sermon from 1 Corinthians 6, we look at how to deal biblically with conflict in the church. When encountering conflict, individual believers, as well as the church as a whole, often forget four important things: who we are in Christ, the significance of the church in the life of the believer, the biblical process of resolving conflict, and what really matters. Only as we develop a biblical...

In this passage from 1 Corinthians 5, Paul rebukes the Corinthian church for its arrogance and apathy in dealing with sin in their midst. In failing to carry out church discipline, they were rejecting God’s word and behaving as if they knew better than God. As we examine our own lives, are we guilty of ignoring our sin or the sin of other believers? Are we mourning over or minimizing our sin? From...

In this sermon from Ephesians chapter three, we see that the church exists for the glory of God. The natural man pursues glory for himself, but Jesus transforms the believer to seek after God's glory. As its members grow in sanctification, becoming increasingly conformed to the image of Christ, the church brings glory to God, serving as a visible representation of Christ on the earth. From our Sun...

In this sermon from Matthew 28, we look at God’s mission for believers. We are able to participate in God’s mission for us as we willingly submit to Christ, obey his command to go and make disciples, and trust in Christ, knowing and believing that he is always with us. How will God use you in this new year to continue the disciple-making movement that Jesus began? From our Sunday service at Grace...

In this sermon from Romans chapter twelve, we are reminded that the church is the household of God. As believers, we are called to live in Christian community, growing together as the family of God. This begins with genuine, Christ-like love, and involves sacrificing, giving, and using our gifts to serve the body of Christ. From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.

In this final sermon from our Advent series, we focus on what we can learn from Mary. Though young and relatively uneducated, Mary knew the Old Testament Scriptures, and was a humble and faithful servant of God. She recognized her sinfulness and her need for a Savior, and believed that God is merciful to the humble. Mary also knew that God keeps his promises, and that through the birth of Christ,...

In this sermon from our Advent series, we look at two different kings and their very different kingdoms. Herod was a selfish, evil, self-serving man, who would stop at nothing to control his earthly kingdom. Jesus Christ made it clear that his kingdom was not of this world. Though King of Kings and Lord of Lords, he was meek, humble, and self-sacrificing. As we examine ourselves, which king and wh...

In this Advent sermon from Luke chapter two, we focus on what can be learned from the shepherds as they responded to the angels’ announcement. In appearing to lowly shepherds rather than the wealthy or the religious leaders, we see that from the beginning Christ came to save “the least of these,” reconciling humble, repentant men to God. Just like the shepherds, we must respond to the message in b...

In this first sermon from our Advent series, we look at what can be learned from the angels as they were used by God to announce the birth of the Messiah. The angels knew that this was the greatest announcement that had ever been given. They saw that God had a plan of redemption from eternity past, and that this plan was good news for all who repent and believe. Like the angels, let us focus on th...

In this final passage of 1 Corinthians chapter four, Paul rebukes the Corinthian church as a loving father. From Paul’s admonitions, we can see five qualities that demonstrate Christian maturity: a maturing believer will confront pride in their own life and the lives of others, will pursue humility, will correct error, will make disciples, and will lovingly discipline, calling others to repentance...

In these verses from 1 Corinthians 4, we are reminded that success in the church is based on God’s standards, not our own. Church leaders, as well as all believers, must place themselves under the authority of Jesus Christ, gladly submitting to his lordship while faithfully and humbly serving him. As we learn and apply God’s standards, we will not demand our own way, but will grow in humility. In...

In this passage from 1 Corinthians chapter three, Paul reminds believers that it is not the world’s wisdom that we need, but God’s wisdom. True wisdom is found by recognizing our absolute need for God’s truth, knowing the source of that truth—the Word of God, and realizing that all of our resources are in Christ. All things belong to Christ, and he uses all things for our good and his glory. Are y...

In this passage from 1 Corinthians 3, Paul lays out four aspects of making eternal investments. First, the motivation, which is the grace of God. Second, the foundation, which must always be the gospel of Jesus Christ. Third, he gives instructions, including admonitions to build with precious and lasting things. Finally, he reminds believers of the outcome, which for the unfaithful and ungodly wil...

In this sermon from 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, we look at the characteristics of a believer who is maturing in Christ. A maturing Christian is increasingly controlled by the Holy Spirit. He is also growing in the gospel, applying it to every area of life. A maturing believer is learning to die to self, seeing his time, talents, and treasures as gifts from God intended to serve the kingdom and others. An...

In this sermon from 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, we look at God’s wisdom, which is a wisdom like no other. God’s wisdom is discerned by the mature, revealed by the Spirit, and found in Christ. As believers, we are given the Holy Spirit, who enables us to discern the things of God. He reveals God’s wisdom to us, that we might understand and believe the gospel, and ultimately have the mind of Christ. From...

In 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Paul sets an example of resting in the power of God for the salvation of men. He reminds the Corinthians that he did not come to them as the great philosophers of their day, appealing to them with lofty words or the world’s wisdom. He came to them in weakness and the fear of God, relying on the preaching of the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit to change lives. Like P...