Grace Downtown

Jesus Talks Family Series continues -- Pastor Glenn preaches on Family Conflict - Matthew 18:15-20.

Pastor Mike preaches on Matthew 12:46-50 - Who is Jesus' family?

The Crest in the Christian's Coat of Arms is Love. It is a unique design and it is what we are to proclaim to the world. We carry the banner of love in Christ to the world.

One can be happy even when one is unhappy. How is this possible? How do we become more like what Jesus speaks of in the Be-Attitudes? We are transformed by God's mercy operating in our lives.

The Christian faith is counter-cultural and counter-intuitive. Society tells us that reciprocation is the key to relationships. Jesus tells us to invite, feed, and give to those who cannot reciprocate. We are grateful for his actions that we cannot reciprocate.

Who do we consider our family? Do we play favorites on who is and is not our family? Jesus calls us to love others that may not fit our category of family. By showing love to others, we share the love that Jesus has shown us.

Who do we turn to when life gets tough? Do we strive to make pacts and agreements with those who are powerful, influential, and rich in this life or do we turn to he who is sovereign overall?

No matter how much trouble we face in this life, we are called to press on in our faith. How do we do this? The author of Hebrews tells us that the Word of God and our High Priest, Jesus are the two things that will help us persevere.

The advent season teaches us many things and one of those things is this: God does not abandon us. God is with us and advent grace is for the confused, broken, and even for the sinner.

God delights to give his good news to the unexpected. And he does his best work in unexpected times. Jesus is an unexpected King but he's king nonetheless.

In an age of materialism and hedonism, self denial and simplicity are seen as moral responses, but those things in an of themselves can be a threat to our understanding of the goodness and grace of God.

God says that the end will be sweeter than our present or past. He is leading us to perfection in Christ. We are not to allow fear of the future burden us now. Instead, we maintain our hope in Christ for our future.

Our present is at times cluttered with being overwhelmed by our possible future and being burdened with our past. God wants us to live in the present to bring his joy and peace to everyday life.

There are some of us that allow what has happened in the past to affect us in the present and to affect our future. But God wants to redeem our past and to use it for our good.

It's been cited that the #1 trait modern parents want to instill in their kids is "compassion". Yet, often that compassion is in want when it comes to those with whom we disagree. As the book of Jonah closes, God tests our compassion. How will you do?

It is better to steward the ‘little’ well and take one small step of obedience to satisfy the intentions of Father God, than take one big stride in the flesh to fulfill the expectations of others.

A Christian's life is a life of repentance. Jesus gives us the freedom to not only repent of sin but to repent of our goodness and righteousness as well.

Jonah had run from God and now was in the depths of the sea. In his darkest moment, he looked again toward God. When we feel the weight of our decisions upon us, will we look again to Jesus for his gift of salvation?

Someone once said "All life-changing love is some kind of substitutionary sacrifice." When we can grasp the heights and depths of God's mercy toward us, it enables us to become vessels of mercy for others. But sometimes it takes us being thrown over the side of a boat first.

James is not positing any new type of religion, rather he is reaffirming what Jesus taught. A true believer will bear fruit. Are you and I bearing fruit?