Grace Church Sermons

Big Idea: The Kingdom of God is here… what are you doing with it?    The truth of Jesus’ parables are meant to be revealed. (Mark 4:21-23; 33-34)    The terms Kingdom of God and Gospel converge in Jesus.    Two parables about the Kingdom of God.  The end result which God has designed will surely come.   (Parable of the Growing Seed; Mark 4:26-29)  The small beginning vs the big ending.   (Parable...

Why Some People Never Get it  11/19/23 | Pastor Derek | Mark 4:1-20       The structure of today’s passage   the parable itself  a section about the mysterious nature of the Kingdom   an explanation of the parable to the disciples and other curious followers.     Big Idea - A thriving disciple begins with a receptive heart.    Two problems     Does Jesus have a special insiders club?   Is Jesus sa...

Big Idea: Disciples tell His Story.    A Pattern in God’s Story = Creating, Calling, Sending    Components of a Disciples’ Job Description:  To be WITH Jesus (Mark 3:14)  Practically Speaking-    To be SENT(3:14; 6:7-13; Luke 10:1-12)   - To TELL HIS STORY (:14)   - To have the AUTHORITY to cast out demons (:15)   - Practically Speaking (John 9:25)-    Next Step:   What is my next small step of ob...

Big idea: You can keep religious rules and still miss Jesus. Blinded by Narratives: A case study in how to miss Jesus 01. On how to respond when being threatened.  Legalist: Conspire against anyone who threatens their beliefs.  Jesus: Feel the weight of the threat and do the right thing anyway.    02. On responding to obvious needs.  Legalist: Ignore the need if it doesn’t fit the narrative.   Jes...

Legalism vs. License Big idea: Jesus is Lord of everything, so you can rest easy.  3 Markers of Legalism Legalists add their own rules to the scriptures.  Legalists appoint themselves as judge over others.  Legalists strictly hold everyone to their own rules of choice.  The Backstory of the Sabbath  Genesis 2:2-3  Sabbath = to cease= one 24-hour period each week that is devoted to rest from your w...

Big idea: Jesus redefines who’s in and who’s out.  5 Conflict Narratives.  the healing of the paralytic man eating with tax collectors and sinners the question of fasting plucking grain on the sabbath healing the man with the withered hand.  The conflict narratives follow a basic pattern.  Jesus acts The authorities disapprove  Jesus self-discloses and aspect of his identity  Jesus’ radical redefi...

What the Story Reveals: 01. The story reveals Jesus to us (Mark 2:5, 10-11) What does this mean for you? Jesus came to meet your deepest need. 02. The story reveals something about us Curiosity (Mark 2:2,4,12) Skepticism (Mark 2:6-9) Faith (Mark 2:3-5, 11-12; Hebrews 11:1, 3) What does this mean for you? You must make a decision about Jesus. “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) Next Steps: ...

Big Idea: The steps you take reveal who you are following The Word of God shouldn’t just be a picture, it should also be used as a mirror.   4 Keys to a Gait of Grace Get Off Your Feet (v35-37) Walk With Purpose (v38-39) Embrace The Uns (v40-42) Comply With Christ (v43-45) Next Steps: Son of Man/Son of God Theme Discipleship Question: How does this picture of Jesus compel me to live differently?

Partnering with Ordinary People 9/24/23 | Pastor Sarah | Mark 1:14-34 Mark 1:15 “The time is fulfilled”   Chronos (time of day) vs. Kairos (the right time) “and the kingdom of God is at hand” Ephesians 1:3-10 “repent and believe in the gospel.” Euangelion = gospel = good news Big Idea: Ordinary life with Jesus is extraordinary. Jesus brings the Kingdom of God…: To ordinary places (Mark 1:16) With...

Big Idea - Jesus is the leader we’ve been waiting for.  3 Ways Jesus’ Baptism Compels us to Follow Him At his baptism Jesus launched a world-changing ministry (1:9)  Why did Jesus come to be baptized?  to Identify with sinners.  an Example to believers.  2. In his baptism Jesus declared his eternity changing salvation (1:10-11)  3 stunning demonstrations that Jesus is the One and Salvation has com...

Big idea: Welcoming Jesus into your life involves rearranging your expectations.  3 Expectation Adjustments as you Welcome Jesus in.  Jesus isn’t looking for perfect people (1:2-3, 6)  Jesus desires confession not triumph (1:4-5) Jesus measures greatness by humility (1:7-8)  Next Steps Visit www.whoisgrace.com/mark  Under 4 themes: Answer the Ordinary Heroes discipleship prompt - “what is my next...

The Value of Teaching Through a Book of the Bible  It teaches us how to read the Bible.   It forces us to talk about things we would rather skip over.     Why are we studying Mark right now?   Mark was the first gospel written  Mark is the shortest and most straightforward gospel  Grace’s focus on discipleship.   We’re going to ask and answer the questions through this series:   Who is Jesus, why...

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 help...

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 pr...

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 th...

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 Diogne...

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 comm...

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 developin...

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 Si...

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....

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...

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 catholi...

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;...

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...