Grace Church

God is For Us April 23, 2023 | Pastor Derek | Romans 8:28-34   Correcting 3 Common Misunderstandings from Romans 8:28   It does not promise that a Christians’ circumstances will be better than anyone else’s.   It does not promise that things will automatically work together for good without God.   It is not an invitation to pretend that bad things are actually good.     Big Idea: God doesn’t promise you better life circumstances, he promises you a better life.    A better life: How to maintain joy in the midst of struggle 1. Joy means rethinking how you define “good” (:28-29)   What is ‘good’ is that every single thing that happens to you is moving you toward Christlikeness.    2. Joy involves remembering that your standing before God is secure (:29-30)   Calvinism or Armenianism?   Calvinism emphasizes God’s absolute determining sovereignty in salvation. Before salvation God pre-determined which individuals would be his elect and would be saved.   Armenianism also affirms that God chooses who will be saved,

Summary Idea:  We desperately need the Holy Spirit living in and through us, so we can be confident in our weakness.     Weakness in the context of this passage is…   The Purpose of the Holy Spirit = Helps Us in Our Weakness Meaning of the Greek word “sunantilambano”  anti – facing each other  lambano – to take or hold something  sun – union, or together with   2 Ways the Spirit Helps you in your weakness:  Intercedes with groanings   Intercedes according to the will of God   Next Steps:   Keep memorizing portions of Romans 8  Explore prayer this week. 

Big idea: Because of Christ’s resurrection, you can live with a glorious hope for the future.   Three wrong answers to our present suffering.   Wrong Answer #1 – There is no God.   Wrong Answer #2 – God is not in Control.   Wrong Answer #3 – God is Evil.    Right Answer: Our loving and powerful God is in the middle of redeeming what has been broken.   Three qualities of those who Hope.     Hopers understand that suffering is part of the story (:22-23)  Hopers stand on their tiptoes in anticipation (:23)  Hopers know that a glorious homecoming awaits them (:24-25)    Next Step: Come Home… receive Christ’s salvation! To take a step, visit www.whoisgrace.com/next and choose “salvation” 

Big Idea: We desperately need the Holy Spirit living in and through us so we can live like children of God.  Romans 8:14-21 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of Go

Summary Statement: We desperately need the Holy Spirit living in and through us so we can PLEASE GOD.  Romans 8:9-13 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. 12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.   3 Benefits of having the Spirit at Home in you:  IF the Spirit of God is in you, THEN you are not controlled by your flesh (:9 and 13).   IF the Spirit of God is in you, THEN you have resurrected life (:10-11).

Tale of Two Natures.  There are only 2 kinds of people in the world: “according to the flesh” people and “according to the spirit” people.   Big Idea: Living in the spirit begins with a renewed mind.   4 Reasons it Matters Where you ‘Set Your Mind.’    Your life, including your spiritual life, is a product of your thoughts.   Your thoughts will establish lifelong mental patterns.   Every thought has the power to move you toward the Holy Spirit or away from Him.   The outcome of your mindset is either life and peace or becoming God’s enemy and death     How to Set Your Mind on the Things of the Spirit   Tune in to the Spirit’s frequency   Increase your spiritual intake  Dwell on beautiful ideas.   Seek out life-giving conversations with God-loving friends.   Memorize scripture.   Next Steps Pick one of these ideas to practice this week.  Memorize a part of Romans 8 – resources at whoisgrace.com/read  

New Possibilities Mar 12, 2023 | Pastor Mike| Romans 8:3-4    Big Idea: Only with the Holy Spirit can you achieve God’s standard.   Romans 8:3-4 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”  Summary Idea: We desperately need the Holy Spirit living in and through us so we can ACHIEVE GOD’S STANDARD.  Why can’t keeping God’s Law make you right with Him? (8:3a)  -Mosaic Law vs. Jesus’ Raising the Bar  How is God able to reconcile the existence of sin in our lives with His presence and relationship? (8:3b)  -Jesus was the perfect sacrifice.  What does the Holy Spirit make possible for us? (8:4)  -We fulfill God’s Law and meet God’s standard by walking with the Holy Spirit. -God has already sent His Son and condemned sin, we are walking now, and we will

March 5, 2023 |Pastor Derek | Romans 8:1-2  Why a 9-week study on Romans 8?   This may be the greatest chapter in Bible.   This chapter offers us a new way of living, not just a new way of believing.   There’s no greater passage in all the Bible on the Holy Spirit   I believe God wants us to study this passage.   4 Big words of Romans.   Sin   Justification   Grace   Sanctification   Summary Idea: We desperately need the Holy Spirit living in and through us so we can LIVE FREE.    You are doubly free: Two things every Christian is free from  You are free from all condemnation (8:1)  You are free from sin and death (8:2)     Next Steps:  Commit to this series  Memorize a portion of Romans 8 – whoisgrace.com/read   Respond with overwhelming worship  

Big Idea: We honor God with our faithful spending.  Unhealthy Spenders:   Impulsive spender   Compulsive Spender   Revenge Spender   Boredom Spender   Special Interest Spender   Status spender     5 Areas of Wise Spending (Proverbs 31)   Housing and food (:14-15)   Investing (:16)   Utilities/ Necessities (:18)   Sharing with those in need (:20)   Personal Items and Clothing (:21-22)     Questions to ask before you spend  Have I prayed about it?   Do I need it?   Can I pay cash for it?   What is my motivation for wanting it?   What are the long-term costs associated with it?   Will it benefit God’s kingdom?    Next Steps   Take a break from spending  Put a limit on your spending   Explore frugality 

Big Idea – We honor God with our faithful giving   4 Understandings that Lead to Generosity   When you have EXTRA maybe it’s not for YOU (:16-17)  Your LIFESTYLE doesn’t always need to keep pace with your INCOME (:18-21)   Raise your AWARENESS of Kingdom NEEDS, not just earthly WANTS (:32-33)   Allow your MONEY to lead your HEART into GENEROSITY (:34)     Next Steps: Sign up for Financial Peace University. Get more info at www.whoisgrace.com/nextsteps    If you’re not giving at all – start giving something  If you’re giving haphazardly – start giving systematically  If you’re tipping God a small percentage – move toward the tithe  If you keep forgetting – set up an electronic account. 

Big Idea: We honor God with our faithful planning.  PROVERBS 21:5; 21:20  | WISE | FOOLISH | Planning ahead | Hasty | Saving (storing up) | Consumeristic (gulping down) | Financial health (profit) | Paycheck to paycheck (poverty)  The 3 Plans of Financial Freedom   Make the decision to plan.   Make a budget plan   3 Easy Steps to Budgeting: Determine your income for the NEXT month  Enter all of your expenses for NEXT month   Make your Income and Expenses for next month equal EXACTLY ZERO  3. Make a debt plan   Analyze Your Situation   Stop the Bleeding   Start attacking your debt    Next Step  Access Tools and Resources at whoisgrace.com/give click on budget and financial resources   Sign up for Financial Peace University at whoisgrace.com/next - Feb 27 and 28 at 6:30 PM  Help with budget coaching - email pastor Mike Crisman at mikecrisman@whoisgrace.com. 

Working  2/5/2023 | Pastor Derek | Colossians 3:22-24   Big Idea – We honor God with our faithful work. 3 ways work benefits you:   It allows you to provide for your family.   It develops your character.   It gives you an outlet for the skills God has entrusted to you.    3 Ways to Connect Your Work to God’s Work     Make every job worshipful (:23a) Whatever you do…  Work hard (:23) work heartily     Practical characteristics of diligent workers:   Show up on time.   Clarify what is expected   Exceed expectations regularly and joyfully.   Play nice with fellow workers.   Honor their supervisors.  Admit mistakes.   Share the credit with teammates.     3. God is your true boss (:23-24) as for the Lord and not for men   Four New Bottom Lines:   Who can I demonstrate God’s love to at work?    How can my community be better served by what I do?   How can I model excellence and hard work to those I work with?   How can my God-given gifts be maximized in my current position?    Next step: Pray “God, help me to under

January 29, 2023 | Pastor Derek | Daniel 3  Big Idea: in your devotion, God will bring deliverance.   4 Lessons on Deliverance from the Fiery Furnace  Full devotion can lead you to dangerous places (:19-23)  Sometimes Jesus doesn’t keep you FROM the fire, but meets you IN the fire (:24-27)   Jesus can use the fire to free you from what enslaves you (:24-25)  Your devotion during suffering will inspire others (:26-30)  Next step.  Pray a dangerous prayer “God, give me an opportunity to show my devotion to you.”    Find more series resources at whoisgrace.com/read  

January 22, 2023 | Pastor Derek | Daniel 3:1-18  Big idea - God is looking for people who will stand tall in obedience.   5 Ingredients of Bold Obedience.  Recognize your idols (:12)   Idol = anything you love, trust, and crave more than God.   4 Root Idols:  Power: a longing for influence or recognition.   Control: a longing to have everything go according to my plan.   Comfort: a longing for pleasure.   Approval: a longing to be accepted or desired    2. Understand that people are watching (:8, 12-13)  3. Be persistent in your courage (:13-15)  4. Trust God to come through (:16-17)  5. Draw the line ahead of time (:18)   Next Step: Where are you “standing on the inside” when you really need to take a stand on the outside?    Do you need to:   Identify your idol   Identify your crew   Prepare to stand    Find all the series resources at www.whoisgrace.com/read  

Big Idea: No God-sized problem is too big for God   How to walk through a God-sized problem   Make time to pray (2:17-18) - Philippians 4:6-7    2. Keep God in focus at all times (2:19-28)   3. Remember which Kingdom you belong to (2:44-45)    Next steps:  Identify a God-sized problem   Make time to pray   Prayer of Response  “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might, 21 He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; 22 he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. 23 To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what I asked of you.  Daniel 2:20-23   Find more resources at whoisgrace.com/read 

Spiritual Resolve January 8, 2023 | Pastor Derek | Daniel 1  Big Idea: Choose your kingdom to choose your battles.    4 Temptations of a Godless Society   New Place: ISOLATION   New Knowledge: INDOCTRINATION  New Names: IDENTITY  New Diet: COMPROMISE    4 Choices of Spiritual Resolve   Resist ISOLATION with COMMUNITY  Undermine cultural INDOCTRINATION with God’s TRUTH   Supplant secondary IDENTITIES with WHO YOU ARE in CHRIST  Wisely resist COMPROMISE and TAKE A STAND    To Consider:  Where have you become ISOLATED?   Where have you become INDOCTRINATED by our culture?   Where has your IDENTITY gotten wrapped up in something other than Child of God?   Where have your values become COMPROMISED?     Find more resources at whoisgrace.com/read.  

Controlling Your Calendar January 1, 2023 | Pastor Derek | Ephesians 5:15-17  Ephesians 5:15-17 Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is. How to control your calendar  Recognize the power your calendar has on the person you are becoming Plan around your Priorities  Choose where to cheat   Next Steps: -        Answer the question: what are my priorities in 2023?     -        Check out the resources at whoisgrace.com/worshipathome 

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