Grace Bible Church of Bend

In this sermon from 1 Corinthians 15, we look at the implications and significance of the resurrection in the life of the Christian. Without the resurrection, there is no gospel. Without the gospel, we have no hope for sin. If there is no resurrection, this life is all that there is and our faith is in vain. The truth of the resurrection is vital to our faith and brings hope and joy to the believe...

In this passage from Corinthians 15, Paul reminds believers that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day. The gospel proclaims that Jesus lives, and that our debt is paid in full. This should give us full assurance and security, knowing that we have been saved by grace and made right with God. Are we living as if we understa...

In this sermon from Hebrews three, we are reminded of how much we need each other if we are to grow in our walk with God. We have a tendency to forget the importance of being deeply connected to a community of believers, where we can exhort one another and hold each other accountable. We desperately need one another if we are to escape the deceitfulness of sin. Are you growing in your walk with Go...

In this last passage from the book of Galatians, Paul reminds believers once again that we are saved by faith, not by returning to works and the Law. We are warned not to put confidence in ourselves and our own righteousness, but in the perfect righteousness of Christ. We must fear God rather than men, putting our hope in him and boasting only in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Where a...

In this passage from Galatians, we are reminded that whatever we sow we will also reap. Although we are not saved by our works, our works do matter a great deal and have consequences in our lives. As part of a Spirit-filled life, we are called to give generously, invest eternally, and love completely. Only what’s done for Christ will last! In light of this, how are we investing our time, talents,...

In this passage from Galatians chapter six, Paul calls on believers to hold each other accountable and to bear one another’s burdens. The outflow of a Spirit-filled church and life is to take sin seriously, and to love and restore biblically. This can only be done in the context of the local church, as we share our lives with one another and live in community.

In this passage, Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. He warns that those who practice the works of the flesh, which stem from an unsubmissive depravity that rebels against the Lord, will not inherit the kingdom of God. He admonishes believers to instead live by the Spirit, crucifying the flesh with its passions and desires. In the life of the believer, this is the p...

In this passage from Galatians, believers are commanded to walk by the Spirit so that they will not gratify the desires of the flesh. As Christians, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who strengthens, empowers, and guides us. He gives us the power that we need to fight the battle of sin within, and sanctifies us through the Word, prayer, and as we minister to one another in community. Are we submi...

In these verses from Galatians five, Paul shows us that our salvation has brought about freedom from the law, sin, and death. We have freedom in Christ, but this freedom is not freedom to sin, but freedom not to sin through the power of the Holy Spirit. This freedom also calls us to serve one another in love with our time, talents, and treasures. It allows us to fulfill the law as we love our neig...

In this passage, Paul warns the Galatians that though they had been running well, they were now being persuaded by those who were hindering their faith. By adding works, these false teachers were attacking the gospel itself, denying faith in Christ alone for salvation. Paul compares these destructive lies to leaven which can spread quickly, ultimately contaminating the whole church. Are we careful...

In this sermon from Galatians chapter five, we look at how false teaching that had crept into the church was tempting believers to go back under a yoke of slavery. As fallen sinners, our natural inclination is to go to law-keeping in an attempt to make ourselves right with God. This is more in line with false religions which are based on human achievement than true Christianity, which is based on...

In this passage, Paul continues to remind the Galatians that as sons of the promise they are free in Christ. To turn back to the Law and a works-based religion would make them slaves rather than sons. As believers, we can face this same temptation, thinking that what we do affects our standing before God. Freedom and grace are found only in Christ. Are you trusting in your work and obedience, or i...

In this sermon from the book of Galatians, we see Paul’s pleas to the Galatian church not to turn back to weak and worthless religion, but to become as he is, free in the grace of Christ. He reminds them of who they were before Christ, when they had no hope, purpose, or meaning, and exhorts them to come back to the freedom they’d found in Christ Jesus. As you examine your life, priorities, and pas...

In this sermon from our Galatians series, we look at the adoptive love of God. This passage describes the position of believers in God’s family. We are reminded that through faith in Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, we are made righteous and adopted as God’s sons and daughters. The Spirit then gives us assurance of our relationship with God, bringing inexplicable joy and allowing us to rest and ab...

In this Christmas sermon from the book of Matthew, we look at the story of the Magi and make application to our own lives. Just as God could sovereignly bring the pagan Magi to worship Christ, he can save those for whom we may have lost hope. Is there someone that you can be praying for this year? The Magi brought costly gifts to worship Christ. What costly sacrifice might God be calling you to ma...

In this Christmas Eve sermon from our Advent series, we look at the promise of joy. God promises joy for his people, but far too many of us look for joy in places where it was never meant to be found. Everlasting, meaningful joy doesn’t come through the creation, but through the Creator. Jesus Christ is the source of all hope, love, peace, and joy. Do you have the joy that comes only through a sav...

In this third sermon from our Advent series, our focus is on the promise of love. The Bible tells us that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16, ESV). Have you accepted God’s great gift of love by repenting of your sins and putting your faith in Christ, or are you holding onto something else for salvatio...

In this sermon from our Advent series, our focus is on the promise of God’s peace. The biblical definition of peace is not merely an absence of conflict, but the idea of fullness, blessing, and completeness. When we have peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ, we are then given peace from God. This peace is a confidence, trust, and hope that is greater than any circumstance. It is a peace th...

In this first sermon from our Advent series, our focus is on the promise of hope. We are reminded that we worship the God of hope, and that the biblical concept of hope is a certainty that what God has promised will come to pass. We can have that certainty because the object of our hope is a faithful God. Are we trusting in things that cannot deliver, or in the ever-faithful God of hope?

In this passage, Paul reminds the Galatian believers of who they were under the Law, as well as who they now are in Christ. Until Christ came, they were held captive under the Law, which showed them that they were justly condemned. In Christ, they had been delivered from the bondage of the Law, being adopted into God’s family through faith. As believers, do we realize what it means to be a child a...

In this passage from Galatians, Paul expands on the idea that grace, not Law, is the foundation and center of the Christian life. He explains that while the Law restrains and exposes sin, it does not and cannot save from sin. The Law points us to our need for grace and a perfectly righteous Savior. Once we have placed our faith in Christ, our greatest responsibility is to abide in and depend upon...

In these verses from the book of Galatians, Paul gives further evidence for justification by faith. He argues that the Law cannot save, and due to our inability to keep it, can in fact only condemn us. We are reminded that our justification does not come from what we do, but from what Christ has done for us. Faith alone is what saves. Are you trusting in your own obedience, or in Christ alone for...

In this passage from Galatians chapter three, Paul continues to argue for the preeminence of faith over works of the Law. This faith has three crucial foundations: Christ crucified, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the word of God. Paul reminds believers that they were saved and received the Spirit by faith, not through works of the Law, and warns them against believing that they can now be...

In this passage from the book of Galatians, Paul defends the truth of justification by faith. He argues against the supposition of legalists that if men are not given rules to live by, they will only continue to live in sinful disobedience to God. Paul explains that when we are unified with Christ through faith, we are forever changed. We are adopted into God's family, sealed for eternity, and ind...

In these verses from the book of Galatians, Paul declares the truth of justification by faith. The Jews were trying to add the works of the Law to the faith of the Gentile Christians. Paul argues that a man is not justified by works of the Law, but through faith in Jesus Christ. The Law, which we are incapable of fulfilling, is meant to point us to the Savior, the only one who perfectly obeyed and...