Pataskala Grace Church Sermons

Jesus emphasizes the commandment "Do Not Murder" but delves deeper into its essence, addressing the root cause - anger. He urges followers to seek reconciliation with others, highlighting the transformative power of love and understanding in creating a harmonious community. Jesus' message goes beyond mere laws, but reflects his own reconcilation with us through the cross.

Jesus said He did not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill them. As His followers, Christians cannot unhitch themselves from the Old Testament. Rather, we look back on how God revealed Jesus through the Law and Prophets. The Law and Prophets still have their purpose as God's revelation, but ultimate it's faith in Jesus that makes us righteous before God.

A Christian who doesn't publicly live a Godly life is like unsalty salt or invisible light - they're useless. And just like unsalty salt, those who profess Christ but don't live for Him will be thrown out and trampled. Christians are called to live in a manner that people see and glorify God through them.

Jesus reveals to His disciples what it really means to be blessed in this life and it doesn't fit our earthly understanding. Those who recognize their spiritual poverty, strive for righteousness, and suffer for Jesus are the ones who are truly blessed. They'll find their reward in both this life and the next.

Jesus followers might not always have much, but they're always willing to give to help others and to support God's mission through the church. Disciples give generously according to their means, not out of obligation, but out of cheerful devotion to God.

Those who have been saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus should be eager to share that opportunity with others. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. We should have a strong desire to do the same.

If you're going to be part of a church, then you are submitting to the leadership of those God has called (elders). Disciples are called to admonish one another so they can continue to grow in their faith and work out their salvation.

Disciples are not passive, they're actively engaged in the life and ministry of the church. They regularly participate in corporate worship and they use their God-given gifts and talents to serve.

If we're going to follow Jesus, then we need to have a hunger to learn from Him. The disciples were constantly asking questions and getting instruction from their rabbi.

While we pursue holiness, we do never allow ourselves to become boastful or judgmental. While we may be further on in our journey, we all begin that journey in the same place: as sinners in need of a Savior. Jesus is a great example of one who was holy, yet humble.

A disciple who is following Jesus is going to try to please Jesus. They'll leave behind their sinful ways and strive to please their rabbi with their righteous living.

To be a disciple of Jesus, you must accept His call to follow Him. This means a relationship of submission, where we allow ourselves to be led by Him. He is our master, we are His servant. Ultimately, it means going where He went and doing what He did, even if that means suffering.

Jesus tells the story of three servants who were all given different amounts of money by the master, who was about to go on a long journey. The implication is that they will work with what he had given them to make a profit before their master returned. Two set to work immediately and received an increase. The third, however, buried his master's money in the ground. When the master returns, he pra...

The Parable of the Ten Virgins is really about young women serving as bridesmaids. Their job was to accompany the groom as he came to collect his bride to escort her to their wedding. When his arrival was delayed, half of the bridesmaids run out of oil in their lamps. The other half were prepared and ready when the groom arrived, but the others were off buying oil. Jesus is telling His disciples i...

Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a wedding banquet hosted by a king. God has extended an invitation to all of us to come into His kingdom, but many have refused, to include those who seem to be religious. We refuse the invitation to enter God's Kingdom because we're preccupied with our own pursuits or because we're unafraid of God's authority. Some of us even try to accept the invitation, but...

Sometimes we use religion to push our own narrative and we fail to honor God. But God's patience is limited; He will only warn us so many times before He will respond with justice. The Pharisees & Scribes, just like us, tried to take for themselves what could only belong to God. They wanted glory, honor, and power and killed the messengers God had sent (prophets). When He tries sending His own Son...

The end of the matter is this: our duty as humans is to worship and obey God. That's why we exist, that what we were designed for, and that's what gives our lives meaning. Obeying God should not be burdensome, as if God simply wants to oppress us and not allow us to have any fun. Obedience helps us realize our true purpose and should bring us great joy. It also helps us to not fear when God judges...

The difference between believers and unbelievers is not that bad things happen to unbelievers and not to believers. The difference is that believers know they live under the hand of God. Those who trust God don't seek from life what only God can give (joy and contentment), but live life to the fullest because they know it is fleeting.

God's justice is not always immediate. Sometimes we prosper even when we do evil, which only encourages us to continue acting wickedly. Sin entices us and then entraps us, so that we continue to grow increasingly wicked. But praise God that Jesus came to free us from sin. Through Jesus, we go from being enslaved to sin to slaves of righteousness.

In life, we should avoid becoming overly religious and overly wicked. Righteousness is not earned, it's imputed by Christ. Self-denial will not make us more deserving and self-indulgence can cause our destruction.

Religion without relationship is foolishness to God. He wants our love and submission, not empty traditions that seek to appease Him. God is not controlled or swayed by the things we do. When it comes to honoring Him, He wants us to talk less and listen (obey) more. And when we make promises to God, we had better be prepared to keep them.

When God created Adam, He said it was not good for the man to be alone. We were made to be in relationship with one another. However, sometimes those relationships are ruined through oppression, envy, or pride. But we're better off together, as two or more people can provide help, comfort, protection, and even a greater reward for their labor.