Grace417

I think we would all agree that Jesus is our foundation - but what does he have to say about the ekklesia? This Sunday, Pastor Tim takes a look at what Jesus says when Jesus specifically mentions ekklesia in the gospel of Matthew and how those two chapters help us to define who the church is.

WE are the church. In this introduction, Pastor Tim focuses on the basics. What does the greek word "ekklesia" mean, and more importantly what does it not mean.

Simply put, the Kingdom of God is upside-down. Often we find ourselves looking to do the minimum required, and the Kingdom tells us to go the extra mile. The world says that leaders are always at the top, but the Kingdom tells us that leaders are found at the feet of others. This morning, Pastor Tim shares with us out of Luke, chapter 6, verses 37 and 38 about how this upside down-ness not only sh...

The word, "believe" in our culture today, is used in so many situations and contexts, but in the Bible it means to place confidence in, to have faith, to think to be true. This Easter Sunday, Pastor Tim shares with us three different reactions to Jesus' resurrection and the empty tomb, and three different ways we come to believe. So, the question remains, are you a John, Peter, or M...

In our culture today, to be a part of the "in-crowd" you have to go along with everyone else, no matter where or what they are doing! Most often those actions result in our identity becoming adapted to who we spend time with most. But, on this Palm Sunday, Pastor Tim shows us that despite the multiple times Jesus was set before a crowd, He still did "what the Father told Him to do,&...

The enemy continues to assault the self-perception of humanity, effectively removing all authority of a loving and grace filled Creator. But as followers of Jesus, we have to passionately love others AND passionately cling to the truth of the scriptures.

In exploring our identity, the first thing we have to do is throw away anything that the world has told us, "the scripts" or words that we have learned through our growing up, and look to God's word about what is true. Only the Creator can define the creation. This Sunday, Pastor Tim starts to delve into answering some of the questions about, "Who Am I," by looking first a...

King Saul and King David were the first two Kings of Israel, but they were stark contrasts from each other. And ultimately between the two, knowing our identity in the Lord, was one of the biggest factors that separated them. This Sunday, Pastor Tim compares the two Kings and shows us how King David's identity was linked to the Lord God and how King Saul, despite his best efforts, never fully...

"Who Am I?" This is the second most important question we can ask in our lives. And in the world today, humanity seems unable to accurately answer the question -- revealing the root of our problems. This Sunday, Pastor Tim steps into our new series reminding us that no one, not a single one of us are righteous before God. We are "utterly unrighteous." BUT, we are transformed be...

Revival is not manufactured and it's certainly not man made or created based on a specific environment. It's started through the Holy Spirit leading us to repentance -- and it has been the same thing over and over again. We just have to humble ourselves, seek the Lord for His forgiveness, and revival happens! This Sunday, we welcomed Pastor Jeff Fischer to share a message with us about h...

Are you a risk taker? Do you often find yourself stepping out, in faith, to act on something that you feel the Holy Spirit speak to you? How about this thought, did you know that you are God's masterpiece? His greatest, most loved creation? In following Jesus, life isn't meant to be predictable or safe, but it is fulfilling. When we go beyond our comfort and accept his invitation, we fin...

In Numbers we read that the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh commit to fight for their brothers -- "until we have brought them to their place." And later in the book of Joshua, they are called to do just that. This morning, Pastor Tim shares these passages to show us the illustration of a healthy church partnering with God's plan. But it's more than that! B...

As Israel approached the Jordan to cross, Joshua chapter 3, verse 5, tells us that they needed to "consecrate" themselves before crossing -- meaning "get your insides ready!" So for us, as we step into the next season and "cross the Jordan" with the Lord in our hearts, how can we get our insides ready? How can we consecrate ourselves? What can we hope and believe God...

God's command to Joshua, and Israel, was to "be strong and courageous." For us? It's the same thing...fear, apprehension, timidity...they have no place in our lives. And to help us achieve that, God has given us His Word that lives in our hearts, pours from our lips, and is evident in our daily lives In this final part, Pastor Tim encourages us, through the same words God spoke...

As we continue our look at Joshua 1:1-9, Pastor Tim reminds us of a few things... 1) As Israel entered the Promised Land, together, so we must walk in unity with each other and the Lord. 2) Israel will continue to see the mighty works the Lord has done in stages, and we too will see those things one by one. 3) Israel received their full inheritance as described to Joshua - a place they can call HO...

In Joshua, chapter 1, Moses has passed and Joshua becomes the leader of Israel. As he stands on the plains of Moab, just 10 miles from the Jordan, God speaks to him and encourages him. As it was for Israel at that defining moment, so it is for Grace Church. We are sons and daughters of a mighty God and we are poised to walk the next ten miles into what God has for us. We just have to have to be ob...

Nehemiah knew exactly what to do when when he learned what happened to Jerusalem and the people of Israel - it was his first action! And what did God do? He answered every...single...prayer! This Sunday our NextGen Pastor, Jack Gilbert, shares an encouraging message on how we can find greater focus through fasting and prayer and hear the heart of the Father.

So often in the Bible God's people were getting in trouble for forgetting and / or refusing to remember what God has already done and what He has already said. This is why it is so important to look back...first! This Sunday, as we move into 2023, Pastor Tim encourages us to remember where we've come from, the prayers God has answered, and be reminded of the miracles he ha already done....

By the Holy Spirit, a seed was placed in Mary and by the Holy Spirit, Christ is formed in the people of God who by faith "called upon the name of the Lord." This Christmas Day, we celebrate Immanuel, God with US and God IN US.

Before Jesus arrived at Advent, many people in scripture also waited. Mary, Joseph, Zechariah and Elizabeth, Simeon, Wise Men, the angels! Even God the Father waited...since Genesis 3 when the loss of his relationship with his prized creation, he was waiting for disobedience and distance to be replaced by restoration and closeness. This Christmas Eve we remember that Jesus is now waiting for us --...

The law teaches that life is in the blood, and although we are not born into God's family, we receive a "spiritual transfusion" through Jesus Christ. We are spiritually transformed from salves, to children, to heirs! There is no greater picture of love -- our lives transformed through the miraculous birth, life, death, and resurrection of the Lord of All, Jesus Christ. As we "E...

Joy is so much more than how the world defines it. It's a gladness of heart that results in rejoicing. And through the Holy Spirit, we experience heavenly joy! This Sunday, as we continue to "Experience Advent...Slowly," Pastor Tim share with us the Joy Candle and reminds us that joy can be experienced in this world, but true Joy comes through knowing Jesus Christ our Lord and Savio...

Peace is truly the harmony between God and people. It's that internal sense apart from the circumstances of the world that reminds each of us that "all is well." This Sunday, Pastor Tim continues our Advent Series, "Christmas By Candlelight," and reminds us that peace is available for all of us through Jesus Christ.

This Sunday, we discuss the candle of hope and recognize that hope comes from knowing and believing that 1) God is intentional, 2) Jesus has succeeded, and 3) Jesus fulfills God's law perfectly.

Isn't it nice to be around thankful people? They have an air of contentment and peace that just fills a room. But being thankful, or giving thanks, is more than just an attractive quality. In scripture we are often reminded, sometimes commanded, to give thanks and express our gratitude. This Sunday, Pastor Tim shares with us the deep spiritual value of "giving thanks" and that we ar...