Grace Church

The Returning King December 18, 2022 | Pastor Derek | Revelation 19:11-16 What is Jesus Doing Now?   Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father (Col 3:1; Heb 1:3; Mt 26:64; Eph 1:19-22)  Jesus is at work interceding for us. (Rom 8:34 says; Heb 7:25; I John 2:1-2)  Three things that are absolutely clear about the Returning King (Revelation 19:11-16) There will be a sudden personal, visible, bodily return of Christ. (Mt 24:44; Jn 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thess 4:16; Heb 9:28   Striking contrasts between Jesus’ first and second coming  Deliberate obscurity vs. Unmistakable glory.   In isolation vs. Accompanied by the armies of heaven   People mocked Him vs. People will worship him as the “King of kings”   Apparently defeated by His enemies vs. Will triumph completely over all His enemies   Two Different purposes  Jesus came as Savior/ Lamb to die for humanity and bring God’s grace.   Jesus will come back as King/Lion to rule humanity and bring God’s justice.   2. Jesus will judge all of mankind. (Jn 5:22 3. Jesus

Risen Savior December 11, 2022 | Pastor Sarah | 1 Corinthians 15:14, 17, 19-23, 58  Big Idea: Your Story isn’t finished...  if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain... 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins... 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. -1 Corinthians 15:14, 17, 19  Evidence for the Resurrection:  The tomb was discovered empty by a group of women. (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-11, John 20:1-2)  Two disciples, Peter and John, also saw the empty tomb. (Luke 24:12; John 20:3-10)  Over the next 40 days, the risen Jesus was seen by many disciples. (Luke 24:13-49; John 20:19-31; John 21:1-25; Matthew 28:16-20)  Through the proclamation of the resurrection, the Church grew. (Acts 2:22-24, 3:13-15, 4:1-3, 33-34, 5:29-31, 13:32-34, 17:18)   Because of the resurrection, we can be sure:  Jesus is who He says He is. (John 10:37-38)  We receive a ‘Not Guilt

Perfect SacrificeDecember 4, 2022 | Pastor Sarah | Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:22; Hebrews 10:1-26 Big Idea: Jesus has solved your biggest problem. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 6:23Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. - Hebrews 9:22Atonement = the work Christ did in his life and death to earn our salvation and “at-one-ment” with GodPropitiation = a sacrifice that bears God’s wrath to the end and, in so doing, changes God’s wrath toward us into favorSin is a BIG problem:1-     We deserve to die as the penalty for sin (Romans 6:23)2-     We deserve to bear God’s wrath3-     We are separated from God by our sins4-     We are in bondage to sin and to the kingdom of Satan (1 John 1:19) Why has God solved your biggest problem?1-     LOVE (John 3:16)2-     JUSTICE (Romans 3:25)3-     HOLY-LOVE How has Jesus solved your biggest problem?1-     Tabernacle

Upside Down Kingdom  November 27, 2022 | Pastor Derek | John 18:36   Big Idea: Jesus’ kingdom upends our definitions of power and success.     About the Kingdom of God.   kingdom = the rule and reign of God over all the earth for all time   It is both ‘here’ and ‘near’ It is misunderstood.    3 Upside Down Kingdom Principles   Winning comes through Dying (Col 2:13-15; Lk 9:23-25)  Power should be used under not over. (Mt 20:25-28)  The least in this world can have the greatest satisfaction (Mt 5:3-12)   You are an Agent of Christ’s Upside-Down Kingdom.   We live in a kingdom tension.   Contented and discontented Being and becoming   Reflection:  What would it look like for you to embody the upside-down kingdom of Jesus in your real world this week?      

DECONSTRUCTING JESUS: The Messiah November 20, 2022 | Pastor Derek | Matthew 16:13-19; Genesis 3:15  Big Idea: Jesus is the victorious Messiah, and his ultimate victory is still to come!   Whispers of the Coming Messiah   Genesis 3:15 - protoevangelium = first gospel   2 Sam 7:13 – Line of David    Isaiah 53:3 – Suffering servant    The Fulfillment of Messiah in Jesus.   Jesus was Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:4-5)   Jesus declared the kingdom (Mark 1:14, Isaiah 61, Luke 4:18-19)  Jesus Owned his Role as Messiah  Jesus’ Baptism as an Ordination Ceremony (John 1:29; Mark 1:10)  Jesus low-key picked fights with earthly kings (Luke 7:24; 14:31; 13:32-34)   Jesus rode into Jerusalem as the King (Zechariah 9:9)   Jesus received people’s worship (Luke 19:39-40)   Jesus declared he was Messiah from the cross. (Mark 15:34)    Reflection:  What would you need to change if you embraced the fact that Jesus is the true king of your life?  

Big Idea: Every miracle is a sign pointing to Jesus.  Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:30-31  4 Types of Miracles: 1. Healing (17) 2. Resuscitation (3) 3. Exorcism (6) 4. Nature (9)  Miracles reveal the identity and mission of Jesus: 1. Jesus is God 2. Jesus is Compassionate 3. Jesus is Messiah 4. Jesus is King  4 Reactions to Jesus: 1. Wonder & Amazement (Matthew 9:33; Luke 9:43) 2. Faith & Gratitude (Luke 19:37; Luke 17:15-16) 3. Fear & Terror (Mark 4:41; Matthew 8:34) 4. Opposition & Hatred (Matthew 12:24; John 12:10-11; John 12:37)  Next Steps: - Do you believe Him or do you reject Him? - If you believe, tell the story of the Miracle Worker and worship Him! 

Week 1 in our Deconstructing Jesus series.

Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes

Wired

Wired

I Believe in God, BUT...

I Believe in God, BUT...

I Believe in God, BUT...

I Believe in God, BUT...

I Believe in God, BUT...

Preparing for God's Power