Grace Bible Church of Bend

In this passage from the book of Galatians, Paul confronts Peter for his hypocrisy in pulling away from the Gentile believers for fear of the Jews. Peter and these men were creating unnecessary division and adding law to the gospel, thereby nullifying grace. Peter was living out the gospel in some areas, but then masking or denying it in others. We are often guilty of this as well, and are tempted...

In this passage from Galatians, Paul continues to defend his apostleship as well as warn about false teachers and a different gospel that have crept into the church. False teachers add to or take away from the gospel, and by doing so create another gospel that does not save. When believers do not know God's word they are susceptible to false teachings and every wind of doctrine. The church must th...

In this passage from the book of Galatians, Paul refutes the false teachers that have crept into the church and defends his apostleship, focusing on the truth of the gospel and the transformation of his own life. He points out that his message did not come from man, but that he received it directly from Jesus Christ. He reminds them that before his conversion he had hated and sought to destroy the...

In this passage Paul writes to the churches of Galatia, warning that many of them have deserted God by turning to a different gospel. They are reminded of the significance of true doctrine as well as the danger of distorting God's truth. As believers, we must be on guard against false teaching as well as from ways that we might distort the gospel. In order to do this we must be in God's word, whic...

In these verses from Matthew 13, the Lord teaches about the kingdom of heaven, and compares it to a hidden treasure and a pearl of great price. In these parables the men who find the treasures realize their value, selling all they have to purchase them. Ultimately, the kingdom has its value because of the King, and the true treasure is Christ himself. Is Christ the treasure of our lives? Are our a...

In these first five verses from the book of Galatians, the Apostle Paul establishes his authority to teach and reminds the churches of the heart of the gospel, that Christ gave himself for our sins. As believers we are not saved as a result of our good works, but because of what Christ has done. Our response to this should be gratitude and praise, and lives lived in obedience as a response of wors...

In this passage from Proverbs, we are given a description of a worthless, wicked man. He distorts the truth and has a perverted heart. He is guilty of practicing the things that God hates: being full of pride, lying, shedding innocent blood, devising evil, wicked plans, bearing false witness, and sowing discord among brothers. Apart from Jesus Christ, we are all like this worthless, wicked man. If...

In this passage from Proverbs chapter four, we are given several keys to ensure that we are on the path of wisdom leading to life. These keys include receiving and obeying God's truth, protecting our hearts, purifying our speech, guarding our eyes, and watching our paths. Through the study and application of God's word through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can grow in sanctification, leading to...

In this passage from the book of Proverbs, we are given instruction on how to live a life of trust in the Lord, which means dependence on Him with complete contentment. It is trusting in God alone, and not in our own understanding or abilities. We display this type of trust as we live out our lives, from how we handle our finances to how we respond to difficulties, suffering, and trials. As we loo...

In this passage from the book of Proverbs, wisdom is personified as a woman shouting in the street, crying out at the gate to the naive, the scoffer, and the fool. We are reminded of three truths: that God's wisdom is available to us if we want to find it, that how we respond to God's wisdom determines our true identity, and that how we respond to his wisdom will determine out eternal destiny. Are...

Proverbs chapter one warns about the path of sin and the enticement of sinners. In this sermon Pastor Phil Kooistra reminds us of the danger and allure of sin in our lives, and that we must know our own areas of weakness and temptation. We must realize the consequences of sin, as well as its tendency to grow. Are we examining our areas of weakness and removing temptation wherever possible? Are we...

In Proverbs 31, King Lemuel shares an oracle that his mother taught him. It includes a portrait of a godly woman, one who works out her faith through her hands. Among other things, she brings consistent good to her husband and children, willingly serving and working for their benefit. This godly woman is an example of how the Holy Spirit works in and through the lives of believers as we give ourse...

The book of Proverbs has much to say about diligence and hard work. It compares the sluggard to the diligent, and warns of the consequences of laziness. We were created in the image and likeness of a God who works. As believers, do we separate the secular from the sacred in the area of work? Is our work ethic pervasively Christian?

Discipline is a gift from God, and should be a way of life for believers. The book of Proverbs has much to say about discipline, and warns those who would neglect it. We are admonished to listen to reproof, and told that in doing so we will acquire understanding. Discipline removes the folly of sin and pride, and makes way for instruction and wisdom. It brings peace, righteousness, and the fruit o...

Proverbs 18:21 tells us that "death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." Because words can create life or death, it is crucial that we choose our words wisely. The things we say should edify and give grace to those who hear them. Jesus stated that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matt. 12:34). Are our hearts being transformed as...

A proverb is a saying of wisdom, often an object lesson that helps us to choose the best path. In the book of Proverbs, we have not only the wisdom of the wisest of men, but the wisdom and revelation of God. We are told that among other things, these proverbs will help us to know wisdom and instruction, to develop discernment and discipline, and to help us grow in wise dealing, righteousness, just...

In this final passage from the book of Malachi, the prophet warns Judah that their words are a personal attack against the Lord. They claim that the arrogant and evildoers are blessed, and that their conceived good works and obedience are overlooked. They are assured that a day of judgment will indeed come, and are reminded to fear the Lord and keep his commandments. Like the people of Judah, our...

In this passage from the book of Malachi, the prophet warns his people that they are robbing God in their tithes and offerings. They are called to remember God's unchanging character, and to return to him. The Lord commands them to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, and then promises them abundant blessing. As New Testament believers, we have the privilege of giving as part of our worship...

In this passage from the book of Malachi, the prophet warns the people that they have wearied the Lord with their words. They have questioned God's justice, accusing him of delighting in and blessing evildoers. They don't see that they too are sinners, and that it is God's great mercy and grace that delay his justice. God's wrath against sin will indeed be poured out, and it is only by putting our...

In this passage from the book of Malachi, the prophet rebukes God's people for breaking the covenant of their fathers. They have profaned God's sanctuary, and have dealt treacherously with each other. He specifically rebukes them for their treatment of their wives, and warns them against breaking that covenant relationship. As God's people, are we being faithful in our relationships? Are we guardi...

In this passage from the book of Malachi, God's people and their spiritual leaders are rebuked for the way that they are worshipping the Lord. Instead of bringing the best of their flocks for sacrifice, they are bringing their lame, sick, and unwanted animals. They have lost their zeal and love for the Lord. They are reminded that God cares about their actions, their attitude, and their motivation...

In this first passage from the book of Malachi, the prophet must share a burdensome message with his people. They had forgotten God's love, and had allowed their relationship with him and with others to become distorted. Malachi reminds them that God has a covenant love for them, and that this love should be the foundation for their obedience. His love is demonstrated in his sovereignty in salvati...

In this final passage from the book of Luke, the resurrected Jesus appears to his disciples, assuring them that he is not a spirit but flesh and bone. He eats with them and teaches them from the Scriptures, opening their minds to understand what has taken place as well as the gospel message that they are to preach. They are called to a life of mission, proclaiming Christ and him crucified for the...

In this passage from the book of Luke, the resurrected Jesus walks along the road to Emmaus with two disciples. They are discouraged, filled with disillusionment and doubt. They don't recognize the Lord for who He is, and don't yet fully understand the gospel or why he had to suffer and die. Jesus gently rebukes them, and then begins to teach them, beginning with Moses and the Prophets. He shows t...

In this passage, Luke tells us about a rich man, Joseph of Arimathea, who took Jesus' body and buried it in his tomb. The next day, as women went to honor the body of their Teacher, they found the tomb to be empty, and saw angels who told them that Jesus had risen, just as he had told them. When they told Jesus' followers what they had seen and heard, they were greeted with skepticism. What will o...