Grace Community Church Midweek Teaching

There is not a single person who can claim to be righteous on their own. And one cannot be freed of guilt and declared righteous before God by trying to do good works or what the Law says. Paul helps us to understand why God gave us His law – it is so that we become knowledgeable about sin! While the recognition of sin may direct us toward repentance, that alone can provide no remedy. We need Jesu...

Paul challenges the religious person’s thinking and belief that they have right standing with God because of having been given God’s law. Knowing the truth is not the same thing as living the truth. Jesus had this to say about those who teach God’s law, but don’t actually obey it; “…obey them and do what they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie...

“Notice, dear friends, that the Lord does not drive you to repentance… The sweetest and best repentance is that which comes, not by driving, but by drawing: ‘The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.’” -Charles Spurgeon God is good, He is kind, and He is so very patient with us equally, not favoring one over another in any way. He invites us to repent-meaning to turn to Him-because He knows...

We have learned of Paul’s desire for the Romans to understand salvation – which raises the question; “what are we being saved from?” In this next section, Paul helps us understand the wrath of God that we so rightly deserve. Beyond proclaiming the gospel, Paul demonstrates the absolute necessity of the good news because of our ungodliness and unrighteousness! He explains why the human race is guil...

Paul is writing to all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be set apart for a sanctified life. He is thankful for their faith and trust in God's power, wisdom and goodness. His purpose in writing is for mutual encouragement and to preach the gospel in a way that brings understanding and real life change. Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Romans 1:8-17 Rome was founded in 753...

Romans could be argued as Paul's greatest work. Here we explore the significance of Jesus' work on the cross - obtaining a righteousness on our behalf. Righteousness is a key theme in Romans; revealing to us both our great need and God's great provision. Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Romans 1:1-7.

The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is lavished on us because of the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. ß This is everything! The approvals we seek, the significance we long for, the cares of this world that weigh us down are all covered by Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. To the extent that we understand Grace we can enjoy the true and lasting freedom our souls crave.  

Paul contrasts the actions that come from our sinful nature with the ones from the Holy Spirit. The result of keeping close to Jesus will more and more reveal in our lives the characteristics of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  

The freedom Paul is talking about is a freedom from selfishness and from the desires of our flesh that war against the Holy Spirit’s work of goodness in our lives. It is a freedom that equips us to serve others with a love that concerns itself with their wellbeing. When we misunderstand and mis-use our freedoms we find ourselves enslaved again and not actually free! Paul says instead to live our l...

The churches in Galatia were being led away from the true good news of Christ’s free gift of grace to all those who would accept His righteousness rather than seeking to earn their own. Having just celebrated the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior let us stand firm in the freedom Christ has won for us. Let us take to heart Paul’s warnings and live by “faith expressing itself through lov...

Living under the law seems desirable in the sense that you have a clear list of behaviors to follow or reject. It puts the power of relating to God in our hands and under our control. We humans like to be in control of things!! This leads to slavery and death, however, and away from freedom, joy, and rest! Paul uses the story of Sarah and Hagar as an allegory to illustrate living under the law and...

Paul is deeply concerned for the Galatians and their turning back to the law; pleading with them to leave the misery of slavery behind and return to the joy of their freedom in Christ. He asks; “Now that you know God – or rather are known by God – how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?” Prepare for this week’s...

This is a tremendously huge marvelous gift Jesus has obtained for us-that we should be called children of God! What a great love, privilege, and inheritance we’ve been given as those invited to call on God just as a child calls for their daddy.  

Paul is illustrating that our freedom from sin and it’s consequences is found by believing in Jesus’ finished work on the cross. He gives evidence from the covenants God established with Abraham long before Jesus came to earth.  

Paul states the basis for our lives, if we call ourselves Christian, is believing by faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross. He gives evidence from the Old Testament, teaching that Faith has been the basis of salvation all along. We serve a Faithful and Unchanging God!

It is easy to slip into thinking that observing specific behaviors is essential for a right relationship with God, but that would nullify what Christ provided through his death and resurrection. We must not ignore the amazing, unmerited favor given as a free gift available to all who would receive it – Our Right Standing comes by faith in Christ Alone- we rely on and completely trust in Jesus who...

Paul had been entrusted by God to preach the Gospel to the gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews. His qualifications came directly from Jesus Himself and not from existing church leaders in Jerusalem. The glory of God and His redemption power were on display in Paul’s changing from an enemy of the Gospel to a champion of the Gospel. 

Paul explains his testimony of how he received the gospel of Jesus Christ – not from any man but from Christ himself. This is important for the church of Galatia to understand, that the gospel Paul preached is in fact truth and not something invented by man. Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Galatians 1:10-17

What precisely is the gospel of Jesus Christ? How can you know you have embraced the true gospel and not an imitation? What difference does it make in the life of a Christian? In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he clears up the confusion over what one must do to be saved. The price of redemption was paid by Jesus Christ alone and belief in Him frees people from the impossible burden needing to ear...

Paul invites his readers to examine their hearts, motives, and lives against the Gospel. He speaks boldly of his desire for them to have faith and to trust he is representing Christ well. We'll wrap up our study of 2 Corinthians this week with chapter 13

The church in Corinth has struggled with sin, greed, and discernment. All of Paul's words of discipline have been for their strengthening, to love them back to health. How often we too respond poorly to Love that seeks our good and God's glory. Be renewed this week in our study of 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

God's power shows itself most effectively in our weakness. When we are weak in human strength, it is then that we are truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength. Come and learn of God's kindness to Paul through the 'thorn in his flesh' described in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Paul defends his apostleship, sharing all that he has endured for the sake of Christ. He has been flogged, shipwrecked, in danger from rivers, bandits, and brothers. He has known hunger and thirst. He has felt weak. He has been tempted to sin. Understand Paul's sacrifice and service through our study of 2 Corinthians 11:16-33

The Corinthian church was struggling in their ability to discern true and false teaching. Paul's frustration stems from his deep love and desire for them to hold fast to Christ, not succumb to easy and pleasant speeches. We too have speakers & influencers who sound & look good, but if examined, would prove false. Grow in discernment with us through 2 Corinthians 11:1-15

Paul challenges his audience to cease looking at the surface of things and instead seek to understand what it means to truly belong to Christ and represent Him as a teacher. Study with us Paul's confrontation of false teachers in 2 Corinthians 10:7-18