Grace Community Church Sunday Morning Messages

When we think of the things that distinguish our character or personality, we often think in terms of what we do. We bake or teach or build.  We are honest or dishonest, we are dependable or responsible, loyal or disloyal. As Christians we are not immune to the pull of the culture that gives value to individuals based on these types of things. In Christ, however, our identity comes from a differen...

Paul’s letter to Philemon, a friend and Christian leader, is an appeal on behalf of Philemon’s runaway slave, Onesimus, who has also met Jesus and found refuge with Paul.  While slavery was a common practice in the Roman empire, with legal support backing it, Paul’s basis for his appeal is the love and forgiveness of Christ. Paul is helping Philemon learn to forgive and receive his former slave ba...

Priscilla & her husband Aquila, Jewish tentmakers exiled from Rome, had settled in Corinth when they met Paul. They opened their home, providing Paul with a place to stay and fellowship as fellow tentmakers. When Paul left Corinth to continue his mission work, Priscilla & Aquila went with him, eventually staying behind in Ephesus as leaders in the church there. Priscilla and Aquila helped Apollos...

As a member of the Jewish ruling council, Nicodemus would have much knowledge of the scriptures and God’s promises to send a rescuer for His people. But his knowledge lacked understanding and when Jesus came on the scene his curiosity overcame his fear enough to visit Jesus at night. Jesus’ answers to Nicodemus’ questions led to more questions, as Jesus sought to draw Nicodemus away from the inade...

Mary Magdalene was among the inner circle of Jesus. Luke tells us that she and other women Jesus healed, traveled with Jesus and the 12 disciples using their own money to support Jesus’ ministry. (Luke 8:1-3) After Jesus’ disciples had all abandoned Him, Mary Magdalene, along with John and the other 2 Mary’s, remained at the cross continuing her support to the end. (Matthew 27:55-56).  And then, M...

Timothy was raised by a mother and grandmother whose faith in Jesus was sincere. (2 timothy 1:5) He was privileged to travel with Paul on his 2nd and 3rd missionary journeys learning and being mentored in living a life devoted to the Gospel of Jesus. Paul gives us a glimpse into Timothy’s character when he says in his letter to the Philippians;” For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely co...

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, young men of nobility from the tribe of Judah, had been taken captive when Babylon conquered Israel. They had studied for 3 years in the king's school alongside Daniel; "to these 4 young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning" ....to the king they were found superior to all others; "ten times better than all the magicians,...

Jonah, a prophet to the 10 northern tribes of Israel, lived in a time of relative peace as Syria & Assyria were weakening and of spiritual poverty where worship was ritualistic and increasingly idolatrous. He was sent to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria: infamous for its cruelty and an historical nemesis of both Israel and Judah. The hero of this story is God who cared about a pagan, violent people...

Elisha was a prophet in Israel and continued the work Elijah had begun of ridding the land of Baal worship and turning hearts back to God. As God's prophet, Elisha He was used by God throughout the land, performing miracles, helping kings, and giving God's warnings. Elisha knew God, His power, His enabling, and His protection. When the Syrian army surrounded Elisha to capture him, Elisha prayed th...

When Gideon lived in Israel life was very hard. The armies and people around them took all their food, and his own people worshipped other gods instead of the One True God who had delivered them, brought them from Egypt, settled them in the land and provided for them. Gideon received a direct assignment from God to deliver the people from these armies and restore their worship to God alone. Gideon...

Solomon was given a very big and important job as King. On his own, Solomon did not have what he needed to be a good King. One day he went to where the tabernacle was to worship God. God appeared to him there and Solomon asked God to give him wisdom and knowledge so he could be a good king. The Hero of this story is God who was pleased with Solomon’s request and gave Solomon the wisdom he asked fo...

On the edge of the promised land, when the ten spies rallied the people towards discouragement, Joshua and Caleb spoke back with truth about God’s faithfulness and God’s power. They tried to turn the people away from fear and help them choose to trust. It didn’t work and all the people rebelled, wanting to kill Caleb and Joshua. In spite of all the Lord had done, the majority of the people did not...

Sarah’s life was full of waiting and confusion mixed with adventure and trust. In the midst of her waiting she had moments of great faith and great doubt, she laughed in disbelief at God’s ability to keep His promise and laughed with faith and joy when God kept it and gave her a son!  The Hero of this story is God who protected His special promise to Abraham and Sarah when their fear got them into...

The Bible is full of stories, and every story tells us something about God and His character. In 1 Kings 18-19 we see that God helps Elijah through ups and downs, in Jonah we learn how God shows compassion to the people of Nineveh. Jesus’ work on the cross shows us God’s justice and His great love for us. (John 18-20). In the book of Acts we see how far and wide God’s love and reach goes – all peo...

The Bible is full of stories, and every story tells us something about God and His character. In 1 Kings 18-19 we see that God helps Elijah through ups and downs, in Jonah we learn how God shows compassion to the people of Nineveh. Jesus’ work on the cross shows us God’s justice and His great love for us. (John 18-20). In the book of Acts we see how far and wide God’s love and reach goes – all peo...

Throughout life, we find ourselves in seasons of getting well, getting strong, or getting going as sent ones living on mission. Healing unfolds as we are transformed in our heart, mind, and soul by the love and saving Grace of Jesus. We are strengthened when the various parts of Christ’s body work together building up His people and His church. As brothers and sisters in Christ we are given the pr...

This final chapter in John is the account of Jesus’ 3rd appearance to the disciples after He was raised from the dead. The scene begins with a miracle that mirrors the way He called the first disciples: Simon (Peter), James, and John. (Luke 5:1-11) Then we move to a gathering around a fire and a conversation with Peter that feels a similar to another recent time Peter sat at a fire (John 18:15-27)...

The empty tomb, what did it mean? John tells us that they didn’t yet understand from the Scriptures that Jesus would raise from the dead – rather they seem to think Jesus is still dead and his body is now missing. Jesus had told the disciples at least twice (Matthew 16:21 &17:23) that he would die, be buried and on the 3rd day be raised. When John enters the empty tomb and sees the grave clothes l...

After Pilate’s attempts to satisfy the crowds by punishing Him, he presents Jesus to the crowd beaten, bloody, with a purple robe and crown of thorns. The crowd is not satisfied, and although Pilate has a sense of fear (vs.8) his fear of Rome is stronger as he hands Jesus over to be crucified.  The manner and certainty of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection are essential components to the Christ...

Jesus and His disciples cross the Kidron valley and enter an olive grove. Thus begins Jesus last moments with his disciples as He is arrested, taken before Annas, the High Priest Caiaphas, and finally He stands before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. As you read through John’s account of these moments, take note of how Jesus interacts with the various groups he encounters and what that reveals t...

In the garden, Jesus prays -these 5 words hold such weight and significance. We are invited into this intimate conversation between our Savior and His Father as He prepares for the cross. If we want to know the heart of Jesus, this chapter is where to look. He prays for unity, He prays for joy, He asks for protection, all for our good and God’s glory. The One who set the stars in the sky, created...

Jesus prepares His disciples for persecution so they aren’t surprised and stumbled by it when it comes. He tells them about the work of the Holy Spirit made available to them by His leaving. They will soon weep and mourn while the world rejoices, but their grief will turn to joy. It seems impossible and perplexing that everything that will soon happen could turn out in any positive way. Jesus arre...

Springtime in Colorado often brings with it wind that blows branches off of our trees. Even if you place that branch into a vase of water, the blooms may open and live for a time, but eventually that branch will die. This is a picture of complete dependency on another source for life. What does Jesus mean when He compares himself to a vine and us to branches? What does it mean to abide, or remain,...

Returning to our John study, we will pick up in the second half of chapter 14. Jesus is talking with the 11 remaining disciples (Judas has left to betray Him), giving them words of hope, instruction, and comfort. He promises to send the Holy Spirit, a helper who will teach them and remind them of everything Jesus has said to them. He promises that because He lives, they also will live. He connects...

The psalmist pleads; "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." Paul urges his beloved church to remember the gospel he preached, which they received and upon which they have taken their stand.  While we walk this earth, where can we turn when we get bogged down with the weight of our sin, become discouraged by relentless circumstances, or forget the im...