Grace Community Church Bartlesville: Recent Episodes
Grace Community Church
Every week, Grace Community Church members gather to grow and be transformed through the power of the Word of God. Join us as we encourage each other and learn how we can become greater disciples of Jesus Christ. Get audio and video versions of our sermons, as well as sermon notes, at gccbartlesville.org.
The central event in human history is the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Even in our increasingly secularized culture, we split time into two categories: before Christ (BC) and the Christian era (AD). Likewise, the central event in our lives, personally, is the moment we came to understand the astonishing love of Jesus who suffered for us on the cross. As believers, it’s our privilege to continuously contemplate the mysteries of this historic and transforming act. This morning, as we prepare for Easter 2020, we want to see the power of contemplating the cross and how we can enter into this life-giving discipline.
Did you know there were likely two “Jesuses” standing before Pontius Pilate? Today marks the second week in our Cross Connections series. In it, we will be examining various characters at the end of Christ’s life. This week, we look to a man named “Jesus, son of Abba” (Matt 27:16)— or as you may know him, “Barabbas.”
Matthew intentionally highlights a confusing similarity between Christ and Barabbas in order to pose a question that matters to us: “Which ‘Jesus’ do you want (The Christ of Scripture, or the one who merely fits your preferences)?
This morning we begin a new series in preparation for Easter called Cross Connections. In it, we will examine the characters who appear in Jesus’ passion story, both his enemies and friends. All these characters appear in the story for a reason, and we’ll attempt to see ourselves in these people. How did they respond to Jesus? Who responded in faith? Who responded in unbelief, and what can we learn? The central theme in this series is that the cross lies at the center of who we are as followers of Jesus. Therefore, each moment, we face a choice: 1) receive Jesus’ work on the cross and grow or 2) resist and shrink back. We begin by looking at the story of three enemies.
This is the last week in our series called Transforming the Next Generation. Today marks the day we have the privilege of committing to the vision God has given to our church. To help us consider this commitment, I take us to Matthew 14, to the story of Peter walking on water in a storm. I believe the kind of faith we need for a decision like this is the kind of faith Peter mustered when he approached Jesus on the roiling waves.
As we begin to grasp the principles of regular proportional grace giving, the act of giving increasingly becomes an act of joyful worship.
In our series called Transforming the Next Generation, we are looking at the next season of our ministry. Over the next several years, we seek to excel in transforming the lives of children and youth in our church. Hence, we are setting forth reasons for why we seek to create new space on our property to facilitate this. As we think about our finances, it’s important to remember who owns the things that we possess. Do we own them? Or does God own them? This morning, we want to explore this topic. To do this we’re going to look at two Psalms of David and a Parable of Jesus to look at reasons God is the rightful owner of all things and what we should do about it.
This is week two in our series Transforming the Next Generation. Our desire in this series is to explore how GCC might be an agent in transforming the next generation of children and youth in our city. Last week we looked at the reality that God loves to pour out his Spirit on young people, empowering them for influence. He did this with Daniel and his friends. This week we look at the context where transformation takes place: physical spaces...all types of physical spaces...even buildings! God loves to manifest his presence in places that are set aside for his use.
This week we begin our new series called Transforming the Next Generation. At Grace, our overall ministry mission boils down to one word: transformation (2 Cor. 3:18; Rom. 12:2). We love seeing people encounter breakthroughs. We love seeing Him change lives. In the next season of our ministry we especially want to excel in seeing God change the lives of our children and youth. Consequently, in this series, we are laying out the reasons why we seek to create new space on our property and the ministry we hope to take place there. In Daniel 1-2 we get a picture for how families might fuel a God-centered transformation in the next generation.
As Jesus is on his way toward Jerusalem, he passes through Jericho, and one of the least likely people in the entire nation comes to Christ: Zacchaeus. People are shocked that this chief tax collector would be interested in spiritual things, much less place his faith in Christ. Seeing this as a good teaching moment, Jesus tells a story about the importance of seeking those who desperately need Him. As we move into this New Year, let’s commit to this same value at GCC: seeking to share the good news with a world that desperately needs life from the risen Christ.
There are certain dangers in preaching New Year’s sermons. For one, we often come out of the holiday season feeling tired, sick, and conscious of our credit card bills. Hence there is the risk that the invariable call to “resolutions”—will seem like yet another burden piled on to weary people with no help to lift the load (Matt 23:4–5). It’s time for a change.
What if we shifted the focus this year from mere “resolutions” (on dieting, exercise, time management) to what Scripture calls the fruit of the Spirit?
The is the end of our five-week series called Naturally Supernatural. So far, I’ve argued that Jesus’ fullness extends to the entire universe generally and also to each of us individually. If we are encountering Jesus’ fullness, we can also grow the awareness of that fullness and walk in it. Today, we look at the outcome. As we walk in the awareness of his fullness, he uses us as a conduit of his kingdom power. We see that in the story of a humble woman who was healed in a synagogue.
The premise of this series that that encountering God’s presence and power can and should become the normal atmosphere of our Christian life. To walk in His presence and power is to encounter His kingdom rule. The more we sense that He’s with us, the more we notice His presence. But encountering His kingdom reign also means opening ourselves to His unconditional love. In the Jesus’ genealogy, Matthew connects God’s love to His kingdom power. Jesus’ genealogy is an invitation to dwell in the radical love of God. We see his love in 5 pictures.
Can you recall the first time you prayed fervently for something? A key theme of Advent is the need to pray and wait in hope, even if God’s supernatural answer seems slow in coming. Unfortunately, this posture of persistent trust can run contrary to our need for “proof”— and especially if we fear that hope may leave us crushed with disappointment. How can we develop a posture of supernatural trust in the midst of uncertainty? We will explore those themes today through the story of Zechariah, Elizabeth, and the miraculous conception of John the Baptist.
Last week we began a short three-week series called Naturally Supernatural. I argued that Jesus’ fullness extends to the entire universe broadly, but it also extends to each of us individually. We are invited to encounter and walk in his fullness! This week we move from fullness to awareness. If we are encountering Jesus’ fullness on a regular basis, then we can grow in a greater awareness of that fullness. Sometimes this means we sense his love; other times awareness brings opportunities for ministry and more accurate prayer. I want to look first at the Old Testament picture of awareness.
This week we begin a five-week series called Naturally Supernatural. The core concept in this series is that walking in Jesus’ presence can and should be a normal way of life. We begin this morning with the big picture. Our encounter with Jesus’ presence starts with our understanding of his fullness. Because of his resurrection, Jesus’ fullness extends to the entire universe broadly, but it also extends to us individually and personally. We call this fullness his kingdom realm. Part of spiritual growth is embracing that fullness by faith and walking in it.
Peter has systematically written to believers in Asia Minor who were in the early stages of persecution. He writes to encourage them in their identity: They are resident aliens, under God’s eternal care, with potential for power. He then applies that identity into five areas of life. As he closes his letter, he provides four snapshots of what Christian spiritual maturity looks like. This final section of 1 Peter gives us a basic profile of a growing follower of Christ.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Coming down upon the beard,
Even Aaron’s beard,
Coming down upon the edge of his robes.
It is like the dew of Hermon
Coming down upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forever.
As Peter brings his book to completion, he addresses the leaders of the various churches in Asia Minor with a stirring plea: “Leaders, you must manifest strong spiritual leadership!” This is especially important because believers have a new identity: they are resident exiles on this earth. Therefore, this leadership must be a supernatural leadership. The surprising word picture he uses is the term shepherd. This was not a trendy or popular term in Peter’s day, but ironically this form of leadership is trending today. This morning, I want to give you a basic introduction to spiritual leadership.
Peter was present with Jesus when he taught about his second coming on the Mt. of Olives. It undoubtedly made a huge impression on him, because he alludes to this in both letters. In this section of his first epistle, Peter teaches the reality of the return of Jesus and the practical difference it should make in our participation in the body of Christ. Peter gives us three practical things that we should do in light of his return.
In the book of 1 Peter, the apostle sets forth our transformed identity. We are resident aliens under God’s eternal care, with the potential for multiplied power (1:1-2). In this section of his book (3:13-4:6), Peter applies our new identity to the problem of suffering. The intense persecutions of Nero haven’t climaxed yet, but serious opposition is heating up, and his readers feel the growing tension. In the first six verses of this chapter, Peter urges us to respond to suffering with courage. These verses certainly apply to persecution for our faith, but they are written more generally to invite courage in any form of suffering. How can we suffer with courage?
Peter begins his book by stating our identity in Christ (1:1-2). In his mind, we are resident aliens under God’s eternal care with potential for power. Peter then applies that identity to five areas of life: relationship with God, relationship with believers and relationship with the world. And then, in this passage, he begins to apply our identity to various forms suffering, ranging from common affliction to persecution. In 1 Peter 3:13-22 he provides us with a simple roadmap for handling opposition. Here are four signs along the way:
A grateful people are a giving people. Today, we explore how a posture of gratitude produces cheerful generosity in us. In 2 Corinthians, Paul invites his audience to think of their financial giving like a farmer sowing seed that will produce a great harvest for God’s kingdom. With that metaphor in mind, we will explore how we can sow more generously (and more cheerfully!) with the resources God has given us.
God has wired the human heart to show gratitude both as a way to encounter God and a way lessen the pain of life in a fallen world. However, the impulse to gratitude does not come naturally. It is a spiritual discipline that God asks us to weave into every moment of our lives (1 Thess. 5:17). We can do this when life is good (1 Thess. 1:2-3), when life is bad (James 1:2), and when life is confusing (2 Cor. 2:12-14). But does gratitude apply when we face the absolute worst that life can throw our way? And why would we even want to express gratitude? What would be the point? Two Old Testament prophets who went through life’s worst testify that gratitude was a key to their survival.
So far in our series on gratitude, we’ve seen that humans are wired by God for gratitude (wk. 1). Moreover, gratitude can become our worldview (wk. 2). But we must address the common enemies of gratitude (wk. 3). But, what about the frustrating and irritating common trials of life? None of us is immune from these, and when they come, it’s easy to build default responses that hinder gratitude. James gives us an immensely practical pattern for responding to trials in such a way that we will actually grow through them.
When life isn’t going our way, it’s easy to give into the enemies of gratitude, and there are many! But, Paul models for us that we have a choice: either we can give into those obstacles or we can choose courageous gratitude. In one of the most chaotic periods of Paul’s life, he chooses a gutsy thanksgiving. This morning, we want to explore his story and see how he confronts these enemies.
The Christian faith is unique among all the world religions; it is a faith in which gratitude is central to the story. The first Adam models gratitude (Gen. 3;20). The last Adam models gratitude (Matt. 26:27). Gratitude was highly valued in the Law (Lev. 712; Deut. 28:47-48) and then expressed abundantly in the Psalms (Ps. 111:1). In other words, the biblical pattern is that we should be grateful in all that we do (1 Thess. 5:17). As we continue in our series, I want to show you how gratitude can become the lens through which you see the world.
This morning, we begin our fall spiritual growth series. This year we focus on the prayer-discipline of giving thanks. We intend that this to be more than just a sermon series. Over the next six weeks, we hope you will express your gratitude on Instagram with #gratitudeatgrace, so that we get a visual idea of how God is blessing you and our church. This morning we start with the foundational idea. Adam’s statement to his wife in Genesis 3:20 suggests that we humans are wired by God to express gratitude. And if that’s the case, then we can and should make this a foundational discipline of our faith in Christ.
This periscope of Scripture was a crucial event for Jesus. It is the climax of five conflicts with the Religionists (Teachers of the Law and Pharisees). Our text teaches Jesus’ impact upon authorities and politicians. Ministry happens when the focus is on Jesus Christ!
Peter’s central idea is that followers of Jesus are resident aliens under God’s eternal care. Peter then applies that identity to six common areas of life. In 1 Peter 2:11—3:12, he applies our identity to our relationship with the world, specifically to non-Christian: a) government authorities, b) employers and 3) partners in a mixed marriage. In this passage, Peter tells Christian marriage partners how they might influence their non-Christian spouses to know and grow in Christ. Because this passage is so misunderstood, we need to begin with background.
Church tradition has not been for preachers to have “walkout music” after the fashion of baseball batters, politicians, or TV talk show guests. But if such a practice were instituted, the theme song for today’s message would be from “The Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin. RESPECT is the posture that Peter says should characterize the church’s response to earthly authorities. But what does this respect look like in practice? And (more importantly) how does it differ from a full endorsement of sinful or abusive behaviors?
Today, we’ll do the difficult work of parsing out what a respectful posture looks like toward rulers and authorities. And we’ll see why it matters for the mission of the church.
Peter’s central idea in his 1st letter is that we are resident aliens under God’s eternal care with potential for power. Peter then applies our identity to six specific areas. In the previous passage, Peter applied our identity to how we live and act with other believers (1:22—2:10). Now, beginning with this passage, Peter begins a new section: applying our identity to the world (2:11— 3:7). In the first two verses (2:11-12), he addresses the question, “How can we live our lives in the world in such a way that people are attracted to Jesus Christ?” In this short passage, Peter gives us two commands and then predicts an expected result.
In the book of 1 Peter, the apostle has one central idea: believers have a new identity! We are resident aliens under God’s eternal care. This identity is eminently practical; it can and should be applied to every area of life. In the course of his book, Peter applies our identity to six specific areas. In the verses we explore today, he applies our identity to our role in the body of Christ. Because Peter progressively unfolds the purpose of the church in these 14 verses, the climax is in vss. 9-10. Therefore, we will start at the end, with the purpose, and then we’ll go back to the beginning.
What is holiness? Parents often tell their children to “be good,” but a command to “be holy” can seem sanctimonious or even unattainable. Who among us feels holy? Regardless of feelings, the Bible teaches that holiness is the character of God. And for that reason, it is the calling of God’s people. This week we explore what holiness looks like for regular folks, despite all our imperfections. In the end, holiness is a transformed identity that leads to a transformed life in the here and now.
How you describe your identity is very strongly correlated to your sense of resilience and your ability to weather the ups and downs of life. People who think of their identity in negative terms, tend to feel defeated when hard times come their way. Conversely, people who describe their identity in positive terms, respond with courage and hope when hardship comes. In the first section of his book, Peter describes the transformed identity we received when we came to Christ. By fully embracing this, we can be resilient in any hardship.
This week we start a new series in the epistle of 1 Peter. Jesus appointed Peter to be the leader of disciples during his ministry, and Peter continued to lead the apostles until he begins travelling far and wide to start churches in Asia Minor. This morning I want to introduce you to Peter’s life, give you an overview of his book, and draw some lessons at the end.
Imagine a single passage that touched upon the most painful and personal “hot-button” issues in existence: marriage and divorce, separation of parents and children, racial and religious tensions. These sort of passages (especially in the Old Testament) have led some people to believe that the God of the Bible is a bigoted and backward deity. While some religious persons have been led by wrong interpretations to take stances that are themselves bigoted and backward. Christian must face these challenges head-on. So today we turn to Ezra 9–10 to ask what we might learn regarding marriage, race, and the God of reconciliation.
Many of us live our lives with a firm division between the sacred and the secular, the spiritual and the mundane, the heavenly and the earthly. Our passage today will challenge that division. Because while it may sound boring on the surface (It reads with all the poetic beauty of an Excel spreadsheet!), it contains a weighty truth for the way we compartmentalize our lives. God doesn’t just need preachers and musicians; God needs bean-counters, administrators, and faithful delegators to lead people out of exile.
From the very beginning, the Bible makes it clear that God loves to be relationally connected to his people. We see examples of this in the OT with believers like Adam, Enoch, Moses and David. In the NT, we see God’s desire for relational connectedness in Jesus’ ministry. Jesus gathered disciples so they could be “with him.” After his resurrection, he promised to be “with us” to the end of the age. Even then, God’s desire is to be “with us” forever (Rev. 21). If this is God’s passion, how does a leader become the kind of person who disciples people into the presence of God? Ezra is an example of this kind of leader. We start with...
When the exiles returned from Babylon after 70 years, they were initially excited about all God was doing in their lives (Psalm 126). But then reality set in: They encountered many painful obstacles. The worst was the legal wrangling. So, they stalled-out into a comfortable lukewarmness. This is never a good place, and God raised up prophets to stir them back into a passionate walk with him. In this story, we see what we need to get from lukewarm to hot...from apathy to action.
If you have come back to faith after a season in the wilderness, people around you will take note. Some will be happy for you. Others will push back on your newfound commitment to Christ. They may lure you into compromise, or actively seek to dissuade you from your commitment, or shun you altogether. When opposition comes, we need to be ready with a plan. Let’s begin by looking at the kinds of opposition that might come.
Many people go through seasons where they fall away from the Lord. When they decide to come back to Christ, things are hard at first. In our culture, we’ve seen the rise of the “nones,” people who have no church. They have spirituality, maybe even a relationship with Jesus, and perhaps they attended a church at one point, but not now. When they come back to faith, things often seem awkward first and fraught with conflicting feelings. How does a person get right with the Lord after being in the wilderness for a short season or many years? The returning exiles demonstrate some basic steps to renewal.
Followers of Christ are called to an epic journey from the moment of our salvation to our entry into heaven. That epic journey is a voyage of connecting with God, engaging him with worship, and allowing him to lead us along the way. The Christian life is not designed to be a safe and sheltered event adventure into transformation and change. God wants us to live out that adventure with joy and abundance.
Today we begin a series in the book of Ezra. This book is often neglected because it contains long lists and detailed inventories, and it describes a time far removed from ours. But this book sets forth one clear theme: God’s people can experience spiritual renewal after a season of pain. As we begin the series, we start with our worldview. If we are going to encounter spiritual renewal, especially after a season of pain, we must have a healthy conviction about sovereignty of God. He is not only kind and good, but he rules over all. Only when we embrace this can we actively pursue genuine spiritual renewal.
In a 2015 study, sponsored by the National Association of Evangelicals, the authors demonstrated that the majority of people who came to Christ did so between the ages of 4-14 years-old. They say, “The 4/14 Window describes the [unique] opportunity for evangelization [and discipleship].” If you are a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, you have a powerful opportunity to change a life and shape a movement through your family. This morning I want to present to you a vision for discipleship, relevant to the challenges we face in 2019.
Why does God do miracles in some instances and not others? This is a perennial question for Christians even though the Scriptures never give us an exhaustive answer. In the conclusion to John’s Gospel (and to our series on it) we will see Jesus’ priorities for us, regardless of our circumstances.
The Bible teaches an amazing concept called Union with Christ. Those words do not appear
in the Bible specifically, but the concept is peppered throughout the New Testament. Union with Christ means that God identifies us with all the experiences Jesus encountered: Jesus died; we died. Jesus was buried; we were buried. Jesus rose; we rose. Therefore, we are a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), with the capacity to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4). After Jesus rises, he teaches his disciples about how to walk in this newness of life.
Mary Magdalene is a mysterious character in the New Testament. Before she came to Christ, she encountered tremendous pain (Luke 8:2), but it seems as if the pain produced a hunger for Jesus (John 20:1). She only appears a handful of times in the gospels, but when she is mentioned in a list of Jesus’ female followers, her name always appears first and always positively. The resurrection story in the Gospel of John focuses primarily on her, and she tells us the importance of seeking.
Each gospel tells the story of Jesus’ crucifixion in detail, but each one tells the story in a slightly different way and for a different reason. When John tells it, he wants us to cast our eyes back-and-forth from Jesus to the people surrounding the cross so that we might ask ourselves, “What would we have done, if we were there?” John’s hope is that we would make the cross the central preoccupation of our lives.
There is a well-known phrase in the Apostle’s Creed asserting that Jesus “Suffered under Pontus Pilate.” In this passage, Jesus begins to suffer under Pilate’s weak and inept leadership. Pilate was the procurator of Judea from 26-36 AD, and he possessed two consuming passions: 1) gaining acceptance of his superiors and 2) advancing the trajectory of his career. In this story, we see the terrible consequences of making acceptance by the world the primary focus of your life.
All Christians are called to “bear witness” to Christ. But what does that look like where you live? In the Greek language, the term for bearing witness (martyrion) also gives us our word for “martyr.” In light of that connection, today we’ll examine what it means to “bear witness” in moments when it may seem inconvenient. In so doing, we will contrast Peter’s three denials (“I am not”) with Jesus’s thrice-repeated statement from chapter 18: “I am He.”
How do you approach Jesus? Do you come before him with a sense of confidence and gratitude? Or do you approach him with a sense of duty, fear, or resentment? Today we return to our series in John’s Gospel in time for Jesus’ arrest. In this passage, we’ll see that each person was “seeking Jesus,” but in each case their motives that stood in need of transformation. As we study this passage, ask yourself: Where am I within this story?
While John is suffering in exile on the island of Patmos, Jesus gives him a vision…a vivid preview…of what life will be like before the throne of God in heaven. Rather than being a place of tedium and boredom, it is a place of light, sound, relationship, satisfaction and desire. It is a place where our deepest longings will be continuously fulfilled. This vision of the church before the throne invites us to encounter God in worship now.
In our series on Money Matters, we’ve talked about what it means to have possessions and what it means to invest those possessions into Kingdom work. However, when we talk about money, it potentially evokes strong emotions of defensiveness or even fear. We worry that our security will be threatened if we steward our possessions in light of God’s objectives. So, this week I want to talk about developing courage to put Jesus first.
God’s ultimate investment objective is to use present resources to make an eternal impact, so that people are transformed.
This morning we start a short follow-up series to the Poured Out series, called Money Matters. In this three-week series we’ll talk about ownership, generosity and putting God first. We start with ownership.
Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension presents us a pattern that will apply to all followers of Jesus: Just as Jesus ascended to heaven, and God the Father honored his son (Phil. 2:9-11), at the end of our lives, God will lovingly evaluate our service as well. He will then grant us some measure of reward. This week I want to examine the ultimate payoff for service: reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Our ministry mission at Grace Community Church can be summed up in one word: transformation. Transformation is a big bold word, but it is thoroughly biblical. The term “metamorphosis” is found in 2 Corinthians 3:18 and Romans 12:1-2. We are transformed through the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:1-2) and through the power of the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18). In Acts 9-10 we see another way that transformation takes place. It comes through service, a particular kind of service.
One of the biggest roadblocks to serving God in the way he desires is the sense
that we are just not qualified. “I can’t lead a small-group; I can’t teach a Sunday
School class; I can’t be a mentor for young people. I’m not qualified for that!”
Proactive service is clearly the pattern of the Father, the example of Jesus and the character of the Spirit (the Helper). Even so, it’s easy for followers of Christ
to lose that God-centered vision and embrace feelings of entitlement. We see evidence of this in the New Testament, and we see ample evidence of it in our
own lives. This morning we want to look at our choice to serve and the common reasons why we neglect it. I offer these so that we can notice them and confront
them in our lives. We start with an exploration of our basic choice to either serve or not.
This week we begin a new topical series on serving called Poured Out: Learning to Serve Like Jesus. This series will run for six weeks, and our hope is that God will instill in our congregation a culture of proactive service inspired by the Spirit’s presence and power. We begin today by looking at Jesus, who is the quintessential servant. Isaiah predicted he would serve. Jesus claimed that his very mission was service. And Jesus serves us still. Our challenge is to follow in his footsteps.
As we look forward into another new year, today’s message explores the relationship between two related words: calling and adventure. Whether you know it or not, God has a calling for you in 2019, and that calling will be both a challenge and a new adventure. To engage with this idea, we will explore the story of Elisha and his call to be God’s prophet.
As we close the year, I’m sure we’re all conscious of the bitter cultural divisions that exist in every area of society. So many leaders promise the good but deliver disappointing results. We’ve seen this in every realm of society from sports, to business, to politics, to the non-profit sector. At this time of year, we need to remember the amazing leadership brilliance of Jesus. He is the one leader who does not disappoint. This morning I want you to savor the greatness of the greatest human being who ever lived
Christmas is in nine days from today. On Christmas day, you will give and receive many gifts. But God has given you a hugely significant gift that keeps on giving all the time, whether you encounter this gift or not. It is the gift of his ongoing prayers for you…prayers that are non-stop…prayers that transformative in your life. God’s desire is that you would know how Jesus prays and flow with the purposes of his prayer
Almost all of us have felt abandoned at some point. In such moments, we feel left behind and lonely. The experience is painful. And in some cases, the one doing the abandoning attempts to excuse the “leaving” as being for our good. “You’ll be better off without me, really,” they might say. But it doesn’t feel that way. In today’s message, we’ll examine the claim of Jesus that “it is for your good that I am going away” (John 16:7).
Jesus has just talked about the empowerment that comes from abiding in Christ (15:1-6) and the fruit that comes from our transformation (15:7-17). This could make it seem that the Christian life is going to be smooth sailing, no problems. Jesus now introduces us to the painful side of following him. The world will hate us. In fact, it will hate us so much we might be tempted to fall away. Jesus therefore tells us how we handle the hatred of the world through the power of the Spirit.
John 15 is the most important passage in the gospels about living daily in Jesus’ supernatural presence. In verses 1-6, Jesus show how transformation takes place in the Christian life. It comes through abiding in Christ. Abiding is an interactive daily relationship with Jesus. When we abide in him, he will abide in us, and we produce fruit. In this next section (7-17) Jesus gives us five snapshots of transformation. What does spiritual transformation look like in practice? Here are five pictures
As Jesus and the disciples walk from the Upper Room to the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus teaches on the process of bearing fruit, so that his disciples can live interactively with God after he is gone. In the process, he explains how genuine spiritual transformation takes place. This is one of the clearest places in the Bible describing the specifics of spiritual growth.
In today’s culture, almost everyone agrees that “love” is a good thing. In fact, one might even find agreement between atheists, agnostics, Christians, Jews, and humanists that love is the noblest of all virtues. Yet the crucial question involves love’s definition. What is love? Is it tolerance, acceptance, service, truth-telling, or something else entirely? Today we explore what Jesus has to say about love, and how it connects with the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.
As the disciples finish their meal in the Upper Room they’re feeling tremendous anxiety and stress. Here’s why: 1) Jesus told them that he was going away. 2) He then predicted that Judas would betray him. 3) He further predicted that Peter would deny him. 4) Not only had the disciples been fighting about who was the greatest, but 5) they were probably wondering how they would live when Jesus left. 6) And where exactly would he go? In the midst of their immediate anxiety, Jesus tells them to not let their hearts be troubled. What Jesus told them applies to us anytime we face intense anxiety.
Today’s message connects the practice of intercessory prayer (in which we pray for others) to the priestly role that Christians have in Christ. As Scripture teaches, all Christ-followers must embrace a priestly calling to intercede on behalf of others.
God loves to manifest himself in different places. Consequently, various places, even seemingly insignificant places, can become extremely important to us in prayer. Thinking about where you pray is an oft overlooked part of our overall prayer strategy. This morning I want to show you five places where you might encounter God as you speak with him.
Sometimes people think that we shouldn’t ask God for things. But here’s a case in which Jesus specifically tells us that we must make the ask, and he’s wanting us to encounter certain emotions as we do. Two very vivid illustrations guide us in to asking God even as we sense his love.
The prayer that we typically call, “The Lord’s Prayer,” should actually be called, “The Disciples’ Prayer.” Jesus teaches this as a model prayer or a template prayer that we can use every day (see, “whenever” Luke 11:2). The first section of the prayer moves us into a supernatural worldview. The main idea is this: The most important prayer we can pray each day is a prayer that expands our view of God and seeks his supernatural breakthrough.
This week we begin our fall spiritual growth experience which will run for six weeks. This is the beginning of our ministry year. It’s a time to focus on going deeper with Jesus and encountering his transforming love. In this series, we’re focusing on prayer. As we begin the series, I want us to think about what a genuine prayer warrior looks like by examining at the prayer of Nehemiah in chapter one. True prayer warriors generally show four characteristics.
Whether we like it or not, sin is an issue we must be aware of daily. The Bible teaches that we have victory over the power, presence, and penalty of sin because of Christ’s work on the cross. Even though we have this freedom, one problem exists: we keep sinning! We must know where sin comes from if we are going to properly deal with it.
As we enter into this fall ministry season, my prayer is God’s Spirit would work in us so that we would significantly grow in our ability to encounter and enjoy his presence. Our desire is that we would be genuinely transformed through our heartfelt worship of the living God. To do that I want to take a fresh look at Psalm 150.
Among the most common themes in all of human storytelling is that of the betrayer. From Dante’s lowest level of hell (reserved for treachery) to Dwight Schrute draped in a sign proclaiming him a “Traitor”—we love to hate our turncoats. Yet one message of the Jesus story is that even traitors are shown the love of God. Today’s message gives us five lessons on betrayal that are crucial for the way we live today
All of us have been embarrassed in one way or another. In some cases, these moments of awkwardness happen because we violate (perhaps unknowingly) a rule of etiquette within our culture. Today, we will watch as Jesus breaks an ancient custom of decorum in order to teach us how his kingdom functions.
Sometimes in life you must make an either-or decision. You’re faced with accepting one job or another, moving to one city or another, going to one school or another. We might prefer multiple choices, but sometimes reality is either-or. As John finishes the first half of his gospel, he brings us to a simple either-or choice: either we choose the path of discipleship or we choose the path of non-discipleship. That means choosing to live in his presence or choosing to live far from his presence. The challenge is this; Make the choice!
In this section, John tells the story of the Triumphal Entry. But the emphasis is slightly different the accounts in other three gospels. The focus in this story is how people responded to his entry into Jerusalem as the King. So today we ask the question, “What happens when we encounter Jesus the king?”
After Lazarus rises from the dead, the news gets out that a massive miracle has taken place. You’d think this would have electrified the crowd such that they would all joyfully embrace Jesus’ kingdom message. On the contrary, both friends and enemies become deeply polarized over Jesus. Some respond with love; others respond with hate. In this story we see the importance of watching the state of our heart and actively loving Jesus from the heart.
This passage addresses the problem of believing in a loving God in the face of suffering and death. To demonstrate God’s love, John provides a gripping story of Jesus functioning as the resurrection and the life.
Why is it that we often miss what God is doing, even when it’s right in front of us? While Christians might assume that this is a problem primarily for “non-religious people,” the fact is that in John’s Gospel, it is often the most religious individuals (complete with Bible verses) who fail to “grasp” the way of Jesus.
Most of us can envision what tangible this-world abundance looks like. We see images of this constantly on the internet and in print and visual media. But it’s a bit harder to visualize spiritual abundance. What would it be like if we had an abundance of the soul and spirit that allowed us to transcend the circumstances of our lives? What would it be like to receive a richness of life wherever we happened to be? Jesus shows us the way in the first part of John 10.
How does a follower of Jesus engage in the skillful practice of healing prayer? The story of Jesus healing the man born blind gives us a concise picture. To do this, we must engage in gracious healing prayer, in community, and then encourage the person to tell his or her story without fear.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but adoptive/step-parents do not have the best track record in children’s literature. From the “wicked” stepmother of Cinderella to the terrible “muggle” Vernon Dursley of the Harry Potter series—we are conditioned to prioritize biological parenthood for a variety of reasons. Thus, when Christians speak of God as “Father,” we often omit exactly what kind of fatherhood he evidences toward us. Namely: adoption. This Father’s Day, even as we honor dads, we’ll also ask what God’s adoptive fatherhood has to teach us about his love for us.
After Jesus expresses grace to the woman caught in adultery, he moves to a different part of the temple and continues to teach. As he does, he is surrounded once more with listeners, both seekers (8:30) and enemies. There is tremendous tension in this story, and in this tension, he describes what it means to follow him with four vivid word-pictures.
: The story of the woman caught in the act of adultery is a painful tale of hypocrisy, abuse and brokenness, just as relevant to our culture today as it was back then. We can only imagine the pain this victim experienced when her nakedness was exposed. And yet, we see Jesus acting and speaking in such a way that the woman can be brought to a place of transformation and healing. At the same time, the abusers are forced to confront themselves and take public action
Jesus promised the coming of the Spirit in John 7:37-39. Paul is the champion of how life in the Spirit works. Paul shows us that the Christian life is a battle (yes, a winning battle secured by Jesus…but a battle nonetheless) between working out the deeds of the flesh and manifesting the fruit of the Spirit. Paul presents the first option as a life of disintegration. He presents the second option as a life of integration and wholeness in the sphere of God’s love. To make the switch, we must make continual choices to follow Jesus.
In honor of Mother’s Day, we will draw lessons from the life of Mary, Jesus’ mom. Yet while these principles are especially relevant for mothers, we will also see why they matter for each and every one of us.
If you follow Jesus for any length of time, he will eventually say something that seems very, very strange. Today we look at a passage in John 6 that contains one of the oddest and most “distasteful” claims of Christ’s whole ministry: “Eat my flesh and drink my blood!” In response to the strange statement, we will ask two questions: (1) What did Jesus mean in saying this!? And (2) How should we respond when Christ’s claims seem strange or even offensive to us?
More than any group in human history, we have come to stake our approval, our entertainment, our incomes, and even our governmental leaders on the opinion of the crowd. Undoubtedly, there are some upsides to this “crowdsourced” approach to life; but there are downsides too. Today we will see why Jesus did NOT entrust himself to the opinions of the fickle mob—even while he died to save it.
Jesus describes his close empowered relationship with the Father. That relationship inspires us to listen to him more closely and follow his example more nearly, with the expectation that we will receive power. This is probably the clearest statement we have in the gospels that details Jesus' relationship with his Father. We take the fatherhood of God for granted today, but for Jesus to call God his father and then for him to live under the Father's loving leadership was a radical statement. Jesus is talking about how he lives under the Father's leadership, and by application we have a picture for how we can do the same.
So far in the gospel of John, people are receiving Jesus’ message and beginning to follow. We see this with the disciples (1:35-51), Nicodemus (although imperfectly 3:1; 7:50; 19:39), the woman at the well (ch. 4:1- 28), the Samaritans (4:29-45), and the Nobleman and his family (4:46-54). But beginning with chapter 5 there is a transition to rejection. In the next eight chapters, Jesus encounters people who refuse to follow. John’s purpose in writing this story is to show us what unbelief looks like. In John’s gospel this real story also functions as an illustration of what Jesus wants for all of us: Resist the lure of unbelief and passionately embrace Him.
Did the early followers of Jesus believe that he was God in the flesh? The Gospel of John seems clear on this point, but many modern people find this truth claim hard to handle. Today we’ll examine the Christian belief that Christ was both fully God and fully human. Then we’ll go further to see why
Genuine transformation never comes the way we expect. We’d like for transformation to come with clarity and ease. But it usually takes a quirky circuitous path. In this story a desperate father, deeply burdened with grief, approaches Jesus on behalf of his son. He wants his son to be healed! Jesus answers his prayer, but not at all in the way we would expect. Nevertheless, the way he is healed transforms everything about this man’s family.
Jesus takes his disciples to a region of Israel that would seem like the last place for meaningful ministry: Samaria. The Samaritans were from a different race, following a different religion and living by a different book. And yet, God was working in Samaria. Jesus uses this occasion to teach the disciples about how personal ministry works. As followers of Jesus we are called into personal ministry. Jesus’ example helps us do this skillfully.
Jesus engages in two examples of personal ministry in John 1-6. The first is Nicodemus (in John 3), and the second is the woman at the well (in John 4). These two individuals could not be any more different. In this story Jesus models for his disciples (and us) some core activities in personal ministry. Here are five ways that you can bring God’s good news to a hurting acquaintance or friend.
Human beings are naturally prone to compare themselves with others. If we compare ourselves to people less fortunate, we become prideful. If we compare ourselves to people who are more fortunate, we feel shame and anger. Sadly, most of us compare ourselves to people who have more, and this leads to great pain. Even John the Baptist’s disciples faced this. But their leader, John the Baptist himself, shows us how to bust out of the comparison trap and find joy in any circumstance.
God’s vision for your Christian life is not just that you would maintain your spiritual growth or coast into the next season of life. God’s vision is that you would encounter a significant transformation this year…maybe two or three! What would 2018 look like if you encountered a significant transformation in your life?
As Jesus is being formed in Mary, and as Mary is finding refuge with her cousin, God draws Mary and her extended family into heartfelt worship. Mary’s worship is wise way beyond her years. And her worship gives us a paradigm for how we can connect with God’s presence
The gospel of John is called The gospel of Belief because it’s the only book of the Bible with a specific evangelistic purpose – that people might believe (John 20:30-31). In this section, John explains the gospel message that Jesus just gave to Nicodemus. After reporting on the conversation, John the gospel-writer breaks into the story, giving us his theological explanation of the good news. This morning we “go under the hood” to understand the mechanics of the gospel
In John 2:13-25, we read about the first time that Jesus cleared the Temple. Jesus encountered three groups of people during this period who were at the Temple for the wrong reasons. Through Jesus’ interaction with these people we see God’s heart for being worshipped by a people of true faith.
Today’s message answers what might be the most important questions about the most important person who has ever lived: Jesus Christ.
In John 1:35-51, we see Jesus’ disciples taking their very first steps into discipleship. Yes, they’re a bit awkward. Yes, they stumble a bit. But they’re imitating the One whom they would eventually revere as the Son of God. What are the absolute basics for following Jesus, back then and today?
How do you represent Jesus well in a hostile world? You identify with Jesus, you seek his presence, and you walk by faith. This is a section about John testifying about Jesus. John makes it clear that he is only a witness to Messiah. He didn't recognize him, so he walked by faith doing what God was telling him to do.
While other gospel writers focus on the details of Jesus’ birth and childhood, John takes us back before the beginning to unveil Jesus’ eternal relationship to the Father. John’s prologue is deep theology cast into the genre of dramatic poetry. In this second part of John’s prologue, John emphasizes a wonderful reality: Jesus is loved by the Father, and he comes to manifest the love of the Father. The question is, “How will people respond?” To understand Jesus’ love and our response, we begin with the middle verse John 1:14.
This morning we begin our new series in the gospel of John. Over the next few months, we’ll focus on the first section of John’s gospel, chapters 1-5. In this segment, we see Jesus beginning to manifest the character of his Father. Through stories, teachings and miracles, he shows us the heart of God. The prologue (John 1:1-18) is an amazing example of poetry and theology that sets the stage for who Jesus is. While other gospels tell us about Jesus’ birth and childhood, John takes us back to eternity past. In this first section, John tells us about Jesus’ coming in dramatic poetic fashion in three acts.
The primary passage on healing prayer in the epistles is in the earliest published New Testament book, the letter from James. The epistle of James was written to persecuted believers who were forming new churches in a world fraught with physical suffering. James ends his letter with a section on prayer that emphasizes the importance of healing prayer as an ongoing spiritual discipline – to be done in small groups. Today we’ll examine the biblical teaching and the practical application.
At the very beginning of the New Testament the Holy Spirit provides us with a passage that is far more than just a genealogy. It’s a worldview declaration: God’s long-awaited King has come to establish his kingdom. His kingdom is both present and future. But we can start to live in the present expression of his kingdom now. The amazing thing is that God’s kingdom has a particular quality to it: it is a place of supernatural love. To understand this, I want us to experience Jesus’ genealogy as a story.
Introduction: Today we look at the power of words to bring life or death into our world. PROV. 18.21 : The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
The first half of your life takes place in your teens, twenties and early 30s. In those years life is big, the future seems endless, and you have tons of energy. But something changes between the ages of 38-44. A lot of people are forced to rethink the trajectory of their life. They realize they’re not going to live forever, and they wonder what will give them lasting significance. Bob Buford called those years of reappraisal “half-time.” Half-time is a time for reassessment. What do I really want my life to be about? And how am I going to get there? In this passage, Solomon suggests that the second half of life can be the best half, if we will submit to certain disciplines
Jesus made it clear that “the poor would always be with us,” but an abundance of verses in the Proverbs suggest that those who are blessed should have compassion for the poor and equip them to be able to live with dignity and even emerge from their poverty. This morning we hear from Alfred Kalembo on how his ministry works with the poor in Zambia.
This morning we look at the one Psalm that was written by King Solomon: Psalm 127. Because Solomon is the primary author of Proverbs, this Psalm is generally classified as a wisdom Psalm. Psalm 127 has been closely tied to Psalm 128. From a literary standpoint, they were placed together for a reason. These two Psalms, taken together, give us a roadmap for building a family that impacts the next generation.
All of us have a current financial position, and most of us have dreams for a future financial position. But what role does our character play in our ability to gain wealth and keep wealth? Solomon gives us four concepts for building a life that supports making and building wealth.
Mary, Martha and Lazarus are among Jesus’ closest friends. When- ever Jesus visited Jerusalem, it seems as if this spot served as his headquarters for ministry. This story illustrates a simple idea. The essence of following Jesus rests in the twin a tudes of worship and service. But how these two are woven into your life will determine how you encounter joy.
Life is full of distractons and we ofen lose focus of what maters most: God! God has provided us with the ability to make wise decisions in life so that we can focus on Him. However, we ofen let what the world sees as defciencies keep us from utlizing His wisdom. In this passage, Agur makes four observatons about creaton. He shows that even the smallest and weakest of God’s creatures can make wise decisions when they live life in focus.
All of us seek an abundant life in some way. And yet we live in a fallen world where it's easy to have those desires blocked. How does one encounter authentic human flourishing? Solomon tells us that we need to apply wisdom in the two basic areas of life: home and work. In this passage, Solomon tells us how to get there.
In God’s economy, why is it that fools are not recipients of honor? Fools, through their pride, destroy relationships and careen toward destruction. But the righteous (in their humility) passionately cling to their covenant-keeping God, and in the end, they are honored by Him
This week at Grace Community Church Josh McNall continues in our Provers series, don't miss it!
Sometimes we pray and our prayers don’t get answered. In fact, sometimes things get worse. How do we respond to God when H e seems remote and distant? Jesus’ last days provide us with three snapshots of his perseverance in prayer. Jesus does two things: H e honestly expresses H imself and He constantly nourishes H imself on the presence of God.
Pastor Josh McNall takes us into another week in our series called "Journey into Genuine Joy"
Join us as Pastor Rod takes us into another week in our series called "Journey into Genuine Joy"
Is human sexuality created or constructed? If sex is created, then what was God’s overall reason? Why did God put boundaries around sex? How does the biblical view of sexuality empower us?
The risen Lord is in total control. God has set up life in such a way that societies unravel as people suppress the truth. Followers of Jesus are called to be a counter-cultural force for good.
He loves the church, and He promises to build it. Immersion in a local church is good for you. Invite friends into the body of Christ.
A message on Romans 8:1-4. Download this episode and get the sermon notes at gccbartlesville.org.
A sermon on Romans 7:1-6. Learn how Christians have died to the old law and are married to Jesus
A sermon on Romans 5:3-11. Learn how our daily lives can prove to us our purpose in Christ. Part 1 of the "Presence" series.
A sermon on Acts 19. Discover potentially hidden truths of the art of apologetics and the role the practice can serve in your life.
Dr. Rod MacIlvaine, sharing from Acts 19, points out the importance of setting up children for spiritual success for the times when they are required to make decisions on their own.
Associate Teaching Pastor Josh McNall concludes the “Jesus First, Jesus Most” series in Colossians.
A study of Colossians. Dr. Rod presents listeners a best practice for leadership through guidance from the Holy Spirit.