Grace417

Sowing and reaping is a concept that is discussed many times throughout the Bible. But in Ruth chapter 2 we have an opportunity to see it first hand. Ruth plants seeds of loyalty towards Naomi, faith in Naomi's God, and respect towards Boaz and his workers and field. And as a result, she harvests food from Boaz's fields along with earning his protection, admiration, and respect.

One of the glorious realities in following Jesus is knowing that our lives are not left to chance or fate. God's hand moves us into the perfect position. This is what happened to Ruth. She attended to what was right in front of her, working to bring food to her and Naomi, and as a result, Boaz notices. This setup Ruth to be perfectly positioned to receive God's blessing.

On this Mother's Day, Pastor Tim looks at the relationship between Naomi and Ruth. Naomi's life had a powerful impact on Ruth. So much that Ruth choose to leave all she knew to follow her mother-in-law. This devotion leads Ruth to Israel, and it's there where the story of her faithfulness grows.

The introduction to Ruth is difficult to read. Things go downhill really fast through the loss of Naomi's husband and her two sons, leaving just her, Ruth and Orpah.  But, this situation isn't too different for many of us. There has been some sort of traumatic event in our lives or in the lives of someone we know. And as we read through the book of Ruth, we are going to see many similari...

On this first Sunday, post Easter, we come together to celebrate the water baptisms of some of our Grace Kids, our 417Youth, and our congregation. But before we do that, Pastor Tim takes a little bit to show us that baptism itself - is a paradox. Listen to see how this paradox occurs and then head over to our website, grace417.com to celebrate the water baptisms with us!

He is RISEN! He is risen INDEED! This Resurrection Sunday, Pastor Tim shows us how even the resurrection of Christ is a paradox, and that when Mary Magdalene and "the other" Mary met the angel and found the tomb empty, it was in a cemetery!

On this Palm Sunday, Pastor Tim shares the first installment of his new series "Paradox." This episode focuses on what a paradox is and how it is seen throughout scriptures, specifically with Jesus' arrival to Jerusalem.

There are "levels" of forgiveness we experience and give to others. The first two levels are excellent ways to forgive (Luke 17:3-4, and Matthew 18:21-22), however the third level isn't about what Jesus said, it's about what he did as he was beaten and bloodied and hanging on the cross. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) This kind of...

This Sunday we welcomed Pastor Peter Bonanno as he shares with us the importance of guiding and helping people to see who Jesus IS in our lives.

The widow from Luke 21 was seen by Jesus as putting so much more in the "offering box" than all the others. In todays financial terms, she gave a total of 69 cents! But as a percentage of her wealth, she gave so much more. This poor widow sacrificed and gave so much more than she could offer and that faith is never missed by the Father. Even our last 69 cents. This Sunday, Pastor Tim loo...

4.64 billion dollars . That's what the unforgiving servant owed the King in the parable that Jesus taught us in Matthew, chapter 18. But as we read further in the parable, the debt was forgiven. Later in the same parable that same servant, who was forgiven a debt that he could not have paid back, in turn demanded a debt be repaid that was so minuscule compared to the debt he owed. $9,000 comp...

Having a conversation about tithe is never easy...for some it's very uncomfortable; but ignoring it doesn't answer questions either. This Sunday, Pastor Tim focuses our hearts to breakthrough stigmas surrounding tithing and show how the Lord desires to provide not only a financial breakthrough in each of our lives, but a kingdom breakthrough through the faithful giving of his children.

Humility is often easily spoken of, but difficult to enact in our lives. After all it's so simple to look at someone else and think, "at least I'm not like them." But, in the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14), Jesus teaches the opposite of that. And through the parable, we see a glimpse of how Jesus wants us to learn humility before God; to have that...

Breakthrough doesn't come if you just wait long enough. It is a battle...not only for the lordship of our lives, but for the lives of our children. We have to be intentional about surrendering and looking to the Lord to guide us. This Sunday, Pastor Tim looks to Luke, chapter 16, and reminds us that breakthrough comes when we relent control and submit to the Lordship of Jesus...because we can...

 In our walk of faith, we often we become stuck, or stagnant where we are. Sometimes not looking to move forward, but sensing in our spirit that things are off or just "not right." That lingering feeling is normal in the life of a Christ-follower! That nudge from the Holy Spirit that we need to move forward and take a step, in faith, and experience breakthrough. This Sunday, Pastor Tim i...

We've learned about the values of Grace Church: Wholeness, Discipleship, Community . We've discussed the importance our mission and what the mission of Grace Church is: " Extending grace...one relationship at a time. " And last week we looked at the vision of Grace church, the direction, which is: " To become a church family where every one reaches the next one with God&ap...

Our values are wholeness, discipleship, community. Our mission is" extending grace...one relationship at a time." This Sunday, Pastor Tim shares the vision for Grace Church. Only this vision isn't extravagant, or extensive. It's simple, like the gospel; and it's not about the achievement or being known in the city of Springfield. It's about surrender and obedience - j...

Now that we have explored the values of Grace Church, which are wholeness, community, and discipleship, it's time to look at our Mission. This Sunday, Pastor Tim breaks down the mission of Grace Church in this next season and how the "one" lost sheep, the "one" lost coin, or the "one" lost prodigal is worth the prayer and effort to find.

Last August, Pastor Tim shared with us three values that are at the heart of Grace Church. Those values are wholeness, discipleship, and community. With those values in our hearts and on our minds, Pastor Tim begins a new series that looks towards this new season in Grace Church. A season where God begins to define and prioritize with some clarity "who we are," "what have we been ca...

Volunteers are more than just people who greet you, change diapers, help out each and every Sunday. They aren't a group of folks who begrudgingly come in early, or stay late to clean or help setup. The volunteers at Grace Church are "Ministry Partners" who get to serve Jesus, care for others, and seek those who don't know Jesus or have lost their way. They receive and share the...

Happy New Year! This Sunday we welcomed Pastor Jack Gilbert, our NextGen Pastor, to share a message with us as we look to the new year!

The peak of the Christmas season is Christmas Day. The plan put in motion, lights on and ready, the music selected and playing. Gatherings with family, friends, and guests and the gifts handed out and celebrated....but what about the day AFTER Christmas? In the final addition to The Best Christmas Forever series, Pastor Tim talks with us about Simeon. A man of God who was righteous and devout, who...

Each and every Christmas we are reminded of the perfect gift that was given for all mankind to receive. A gift that is free and given freely. But not everyone chooses to receive this gift. This Christmas Eve, Pastor Tim reminds us that we are all the sons and daughters of God and that the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is the gift that will last forever.

Why would the God of all creation, the one who established His people through the descendants of Abraham and Issac select shepherds and Wise Men to come and see the birth of the Savior? Why not select religious leaders of those days? Why not select someone prominent or influential? God can see so much more than what we see. He knows and understands the heart. So, why select shepherds and Wise Men...

Christmas lights and Christmas music are pretty solid indicators of the Christmas season. However, songs and lights don't last forever. Lights wear out and need to be replaced...even the most beloved Christmas songs eventually lose their luster, or they are replaced with newer more modern versions of the song. And even then, those songs fade away!! BUT... God's glory and radiance last fo...