Griggs Church: Recent Episodes
Pastor Mitch
Thank you for stopping by, we love you already. Here are some recent sermons from Griggs Memorial Baptist Church. Always from the Bible. Always about Jesus. Let us know how we can have your back at griggschurch.com
On this side of the New Testament, we know the king foretold in the Psalms is Jesus, the son of David. In this sermon, we discuss how this understanding transforms our experience of chaos and makes it much more tolerable.
Psalm 1 is a unique psalm. It lacks a stated author or a corresponding event in its preface. Unlike other psalms, there are no commandments like "go and do this or that." It is simply a reflection of the author's observations.
What has the author observed? Possibly the entirety of the Psalms. Many scholars believe that Psalm 1 was written after most of the Psalms were collected and was intentionally placed first in the book.
It's as if someone meditated on the majority of the Psalms and, like an explorer who first enters a new land, returned to the border to set up a grand, glorious sign marking the territory, indicating what you will find as you explore further.
Psalm 1 serves as a grand, glorious gateway to the Psalms.
It's similar to driving into Disney World. If you ever visit Orlando, you will drive through an entrance to the Disney property where there is a giant Mickey and Minnie sign. Above them, it says, "The most magical place on earth."
We went to Florida a couple of months ago and didn't tell the kids where we were going. But as soon as we drove through the Disney entrance, they knew exactly where they were and what they would find. They screamed for joy, and my ears are still ringing.
As we drive through the gate of Psalm 1, we pass under a sign with a few observations that let us know where we are and what we will find as we enter the land of the Psalms. The observations are these:
- It's a land of two options.
- One of these options is good news.
- These options don’t play out quite like you’d think, but their endings are certain.
That's what's on the sign, the gateway of Psalm 1. Although Psalm 1 doesn’t tell us to pick an option, it leaves us wondering which one we will choose. The essence of the Psalm is to choose wisely.
Many people have a favorite Psalm, including myself. Even more people have a favorite verse from a single Psalm. That’s great.
However, focusing in on a single Psalm, or a single line from a Psalm is great in the way having a sea shell is great. It’s beautiful, it’s special, you can make jewelry out of it and wear it wherever you go.
But when we behold the entire book of Psalms (The Psalter), understanding the reason these poems, songs, and prayers are ordered the way they are, and how the various sections of the Psalms work together — it’s like we have the whole ocean along with the entire shoreline.
We understand our favorite Psalms more richly when we see that it’s just one chapter of a book (The book of Psalms). And that book has a message. That message is the good news that God is with us when the waves are raging or when the sea is calm and tranquil.
Not only is he with us, he is bringing us through the waters. He turns disorientation into reorientation. He turns our burdens into blessings.
He does this through prayer and he does this through a king like David (JESUS!) who conquers the enemy and reigns with mercy and justice.
Titus 2:11-15
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
Titus 2:1-10
We’re all trying to follow Jesus, but Lifestage plays a part in how we do this. So as a Father, I have to follow Jesus by correcting my children even when I dont feel like having a fight. As a teenager, following Jesus might be trying to care about school, even though you don’t…but that’s where God has you. Both mean following Jesus by mimicking his selflessness and endurance, but it plays out differently based on Lifestage. The point of the text we’re going through here is this:
The church is at its strongest when we’re all following Jesus according to the life stages that we’re individually in and when we help others do the same.
www.griggschurch.com
John 19 on Palm Sunday
Thank you for learning alongside us. Let us know how we can pray for you. We are a revitalizing church in the Poe Mill neighborhood of Greenville, SC. Our mission is to make disciples that transform our neighborhood with the gospel of Jesus. Our vision is to see Jesus-centered living, church revitalization, and neighborhood-based missions happening in Poe Mill, West Greenville, and beyond! If you have any questions for us, email us at info@griggschurch.com.
Come by any time.
If you'd like to partner with us go to griggschurch.com/give
John 15
Thank you for learning alongside us. Let us know how we can pray for you. We are a revitalizing church in the Poe Mill neighborhood of Greenville, SC. Our mission is to make disciples that transform our neighborhood with the gospel of Jesus. Our vision is to see Jesus-centered living, church revitalization, and neighborhood-based missions happening in Poe Mill, West Greenville, and beyond! If you have any questions for us, email us at info@griggschurch.com.
Come by any time.
If you'd like to partner with us go to griggschurch.com/give
John 14.
Thank you for learning alongside us. Let us know how we can pray for you. We are a revitalizing church in the Poe Mill neighborhood of Greenville, SC. Our mission is to make disciples that transform our neighborhood with the gospel of Jesus. Our vision is to see Jesus-centered living, church revitalization, and neighborhood-based missions happening in Poe Mill, West Greenville, and beyond! If you have any questions for us, email us at info@griggschurch.com.
Come by any time.
If you'd like to partner with us go to griggschurch.com/give
Thank you for learning alongside us. Let us know how we can pray for you. We are a revitalizing church in the Poe Mill neighborhood of Greenville, SC. Our mission is to make disciples that transform our neighborhood with the gospel of Jesus. Our vision is to see Jesus-centered living, church revitalization, and neighborhood-based missions happening in Poe Mill, West Greenville, and beyond! If you have any questions for us, email us at info@griggschurch.com.
Come by any time.
If you'd like to partner with us go to griggschurch.com/give
What do you think people talked about after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead? They talked about power. Believe it or not, when someone raises the dead, the power dynamics in the community drastically change. At the end of John 11, we see the power struggle of Caiaphas and learn what NOT to do. As followers of Jesus, we let our power struggle dissolve into peace in God's sovereignty. Thus, instead of holding on to tiles, control, and comfort, we give it all away. As it turns out, that's where true power was found all along.
Renovating The Storefront Property
In 2020, we were able to buy the land right next to our church, which came with this really awesome old storefront building. Only problem is, it needs to be renovated from top to bottom.
We need to raise $100,000 to get up and running for weekly ministry use. If you don't know, our church exists to transform our neighborhood with the gospel of Jesus. Our neighborhood is called Poe Mill in Greenville, SC. The residents are facing a lot of challenging times as, according to neighborhoodscout.com, it ranks in the top 5% for poverty out of all (ALL!) US neighborhoods.
This Christmas season, or with your end-of-year giving, would you consider giving to us here at Griggs for this project?
You can do this online at griggschurch.com, clicking give and selecting "building fund."
We can’t thank you enough.
Our good friend and church member Justin Bailey preaches on Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Jesus asks his audience to move the stone of the tomb, even though it's going to cause an unpleasant odor. A question Justin asks us is, will we move stones for people even if it's less than pleasant? May Jesus use us to give dead people new life!
Renovating The Storefront Property
In 2020, we were able to buy the land right next to our church, which came with this awesome old storefront building. The only problem is it needs to be renovated from top to bottom.
We need to raise $100,000 to get up and running for weekly ministry use. If you don't know, our church exists to transform our neighborhood with the gospel of Jesus. Our neighborhood is called Poe Mill in Greenville, SC. The residents are facing a lot of challenging times as, according to neighborhoodscout.com, it ranks in the top 5% for poverty out of all (ALL!) US neighborhoods.
This Christmas season, or with your end-of-year giving, would you consider giving to us here at Griggs for this project?
You can do this online at griggschurch.com, clicking give and selecting "building fund."
We can’t thank you enough.
The shortest verse in the bible, John 11:35, says, "Jesus wept." Are you willing to follow Jesus? Even if that means crying in public? Join us as we talk about emotional health in light of the good news.
Renovating The Storefront Property
In 2020 we were able to buy the land right next to our church, which came with this really awesome old storefront building. Only problem is, it needs to be renovated from top to bottom.
We need to raise $100,000 to get up and running for weekly ministry use. If you don't know, our church exists to transform our neighborhood with the gospel of Jesus. Our neighborhood is called Poe Mill in Greenville, SC. The residents are facing a lot of challenging times as, according to neighborhoodscout.com, it ranks in the top 5% for poverty out of all (ALL!) US neighborhoods.
This Christmas season, or with your end-of-year giving, would you consider giving to us here at Griggs for this project?
You can do this online at griggschurch.com, clicking give and selecting "building fund."
We can’t thank you enough.
John 10:31-42
Why do some people believe and some don't? The answer may surprise you.
It doesn't come down to cold, hard facts but cold, hard hearts. In today's text, some people see Jesus' miracles but don't believe in him. Others just met him and yet call him their messiah. The difference? Their hearts.
How is your heart? Hard or soft? New or old? Believing or un-believing. The answer to this question is the most important thing about you.
Thank you for learning alongside us. Let us know how we can pray for you. We are a revitalizing church in the Poe Mill neighborhood of Greenville, SC. Our mission is to make disciples that transform our neighborhood with the gospel of Jesus. Our vision is to see Jesus-centered living, church revitalization, and neighborhood-based missions happening in Poe Mill, West Greenville, and beyond! If you have any questions for us, email us at info@griggschurch.com
"...that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God..."
- The Apostle Paul
Thank you for learning alongside us. Let us know how we can pray for you. We are a revitalizing church in the Poe Mill neighborhood of Greenville, SC. Our mission is to make disciples that transform our neighborhood with the gospel of Jesus. Our vision is to see Jesus-centered living, church revitalization, and neighborhood-based missions happening in Poe Mill, West Greenville, and beyond! If you have any questions for us, email us at info@griggschurch.com
Jesus said, "...Unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins."
That's uncomfortable to hear and uncomfortable to talk about, no doubt. But if we're following Jesus, we must come underneath his teaching, all of his teaching, and let it lead the way.
Ultimately, his teaching will lead us to a comfort - the fact that we don't have to die in our sins because he came to die for our sins. So don't die in your sins. Repent and believe that he is everything he claimed to be and did everything he came to do - including rescue us from our disastrous destination.
Thank you for learning alongside us. Let us know how we can pray for you. We are a revitalizing church in the Poe Mill neighborhood of Greenville, SC. Our mission is to make disciples that transform our neighborhood with the gospel of Jesus. Our vision is to see Jesus-centered living, church revitalization, and neighborhood-based missions happening in Poe Mill, West Greenville, and beyond! If you have any questions for us, email us at info@griggschurch.com
John writes about the most influential person in human history, Jesus Christ. He tells of his signs and teaching, revealing to us without question that he is the Son of God. John then shows us that, though it's clear Jesus is who he claims to be, not everyone reacts to him with faith and love. People respond to him in all sorts of other ways, including putting him to death. The question for us is, how will we react to Jesus? Will we come to him and find life? That's what the apostle John is hoping for us, and that's why he writes the way he does in John 7.
Thank you for learning alongside us. Let us know how we can pray for you. We are a revitalizing church in the Poe Mill neighborhood of Greenville, SC. Our mission is to make disciples that transform our neighborhood with the gospel of Jesus. Our vision is to see Jesus-centered living, church revitalization, and neighborhood-based missions happening in Poe Mill, West Greenville, and beyond! If you have any questions for us, email us at info@griggschurch.com
Revelation 2:12-17
The church at Pergamum had some commendable boldness to those outside the church. But when it came to others in the church, they didn't say anything, even as the "doctrines of Balaam" were being taught.
Jesus mentions one of the martyrs of the church, Antipas. He was a "faithful witness" in the face of false religion. We should follow his example for the sake of those who say they don't believe in Jesus and those who say they do.
If we will, we will get a taste of "hidden manna" and receive a white stone from Jesus with our new name written on it. What does that mean exactly? Not sure. But I hope to be found worthy to finding out one day.
Revelation 2:1-7
Surprisingly, Revelation has much to say about renewing the church. One could say the shape of the book is like this: Chapters 4-22 tell us Jesus is coming back to judge the living and the dead and restore all things. Chapters 1-3 tell us that, until then, we’re to strive for healthy churches.
In Revelation 2-3, Jesus speaks to 7 of his churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), diagnoses their diseases, and prescribes how they can recover.
The first letter, which we dive into in this sermon, is to the church at Ephesus. They had heart disease. Their mind was sharp, and their hands were strong, but their heart wasn’t in it. They had “left the love they had at first.”
We have all been there, haven’t we? When Jesus shows up at our house, and instead of being Mary and sitting at his feet, we get busy in the kitchen with Martha and miss out on what’s most important.
We do this individually, but we also do this corporately. Our entire church can be infected at the same time. So what do we do?
“Remember, therefore, from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.” Doctors orders.
I’d say that means at least these 2 things;
- Reconnect with our stories of grace.
- Re-engage the behaviors of our former selves when we were much closer to Jesus.
Some good news we’ll discover along the way is that though we leave our first love, Jesus never leaves his. He’s always ready and willing to have us back.
Revelation 1
What do you know about the last book of the Bible?
For some, the book of Revelation has become almost traumatic. Not because of what it actually says, but of the people who like to guess at what it says from behind the pulpit.
A lot of people, even pastors, do not realize that the book of Revelation is not about what the Illuminati may or may not be doing. Rather it’s a book about what Jesus is doing.
Jesus is going to come back, Jesus is going to take over, and Jesus is going to establish a new heaven and a new earth and dwell with his people forever (chapters 4-22)! Until then, he is pastoring his church through revitalization (chapters 1-3).
That’s the basic shape of Revelation.
In Revelation 2-3 Jesus, like a pastor, speaks directly to 7 churches in Asia Minor. He commends their good, he corrects their bad, and he gives them instructions for revitalization.
His goal for them is spiritual health. His plan for them is to be a lampstand for the Light of the World. If we will listen to what the Spirit says to the churches, he will lovingly guide US toward that end - until the very end.
John 6:16-21
Why did Jesus do some miracles and not others? Why did he walk on water? What does that mean?
Well, in the first century, water, specifically the sea, symbolized death. Everyone had to deal with the sea for fish and trade, just like everyone has to deal with death. And the sea was known for its unpredictable storms, which was a reminder of how death could come at any moment.
John tells us in the last verse of the book that he is writing that we might believe in Jesus and find LIFE in his name. So he includes the story of Jesus walking on water to show us that the sea (really, death itself) does not have a hold on Jesus and Jesus' people. Instead, Jesus triumphs over death and brings us safely to shore.
Thank you for learning alongside us. Let us know how we can pray for you. We are a revitalizing church in the Poe Mill neighborhood of Greenville, SC. Our mission is to make disciples that transform our neighborhood with the gospel of Jesus. Our vision is to see Jesus-centered living, church revitalization, and neighborhood-based missions happening in Poe Mill, West Greenville, and beyond! If you have any questions for us, email us at info@griggschurch.com
John 6:1-15
Everyone knows and loves the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. But was Jesus content just to give people bread? Or was it all meant to point to something greater?
In this sermon Pastor Mitch talks about how we often misdiagnose our truest needs, but Jesus is crystal clear on what they are. He often helps us in a physical way, especially through the help of others, but his ultimate purpose was to help us spiritually. He isn't our genie, he isn't our government aid, he is our messiah who saves us from Satan, Sin, Death, and Hell.
Thank you for learning alongside us. Let us know how we can pray for you. We are a revitalizing church in the Poe Mill neighborhood of Greenville, SC. Our mission is to make disciples that transform our neighborhood with the gospel of Jesus. Our vision is to see Jesus-centered living, church revitalization, and neighborhood-based missions happening in Poe Mill, West Greenville, and beyond! If you have any questions for us, email us at info@griggschurch.com
John 4:1-30
Jesus gives the woman with a bad rep some good news.
He starts out by talking about water, but very quickly, it becomes abundantly clear that Jesus here isn’t talking about actual water. He is really talking about being filled with the Spirit and truth. By the end of the conversation, the woman who used to hide from her reputation runs and proclaims her reputation as proof the messiah had come to her. She runs back to her village and says, "Come and see the man who told me all I ever did!"
Thank you for learning alongside us. Let us know how we can pray for you. We are a revitalizing church in the Poe Mill neighborhood of Greenville, SC. Our mission is to make disciples that transform our neighborhood with the gospel of Jesus. Our vision is to see Jesus-centered living, church revitalization, and neighborhood-based missions happening in Poe Mill, West Greenville, and beyond! If you have any questions for us, email us at info@griggschurch.com
This message was recorded on Easter morning, 2023. We explore the gospel of Matthew's account of the resurrection and discuss how it enables us to expect the unexpected, believe the unbelievable, and know the unknowable.
Thank you for learning alongside us. Let us know how we can pray for you. We are a revitalizing church in the Poe Mill neighborhood of Greenville, SC. Our mission is to make disciples that transform our neighborhood with the gospel of Jesus. Our vision is to see Jesus-centered living, church revitalization, and neighborhood-based missions happening in Poe Mill, West Greenville, and beyond! If you have any questions for us, email us at info@griggschurch.com
John 3:1-16
How do we learn the gospel? Where do we learn about being born again? By eavesdropping in on a conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus on an ancient spring evening.
This conversation is the most famous in world history. And it's in this conversation we learn the most important truth of human history. That God so loved the world he gave his only son, and whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Thank you for learning alongside us. Let us know how we can pray for you. We are a revitalizing church in the Poe Mill neighborhood of Greenville, SC. Our mission is to make disciples that transform our neighborhood with the gospel of Jesus. Our vision is to see Jesus-centered living, church revitalization, and neighborhood-based missions happening in Poe Mill, West Greenville, and beyond! If you have any questions for us, email us at info@griggschurch.com
John 2:23-25
They believed in Jesus, but Jesus didn't believe in them. What does that mean?
And why is it that some who see miracles still don't believe in Jesus?
In this sermon we dive into all these questions and explore how miracles relate to faith (or a lack there of).
Thank you for learning alongside us. Let us know how we can pray for you. We are a revitalizing church in the Poe Mill neighborhood of Greenville, SC. Our mission is to make disciples that transform our neighborhood with the gospel of Jesus. Our vision is to see Jesus-centered living, church revitalization, and neighborhood-based missions happening in Poe Mill, West Greenville, and beyond! If you have any questions for us, email us at info@griggschurch.com
Mar 01, 202355:56
John 2:13-20
Jesus flipped tables. But he didn't flip tables all of the time, and he didn't flip tables everywhere he went, and when Jesus did flip tables, he was doing it out of a zeal for the Father. How's your table flipping going? Are you filled with righteous or unrighteous anger? How do you respond when Jesus flips the tables you're sitting behind? We explore much of this as we break down this section of the gospel of John. Thank you for learning alongside us!
Let us know how we can pray for you. We are a revitalizing church in the Poe Mill neighborhood of Greenville, SC. Our mission is to make disciples that transform our neighborhood with the gospel of Jesus. Our vision is to see Jesus-centered living, church revitalization, and neighborhood-based missions happening in Poe Mill, West Greenville, and beyond! If you have any questions for us, email us at info@griggschurch.com
John 2:1-11. These verses call us to remember something in all of our angst. They give us something to preach to our angst. These verses tell us that Jesus will reveal himself to us in his timing and in his way so that we learn and see his glory.
Thank you for listening! Let us know how we can pray for you. We are a revitalizing church in the Poe Mill neighborhood of Greenville, SC. Our mission is to make disciples that transform our neighborhood with the gospel of Jesus. Our vision is to see Jesus-centered living, church revitalization, and neighborhood-based missions happening in Poe Mill, West Greenville, and beyond! If you have any questions for us, email us at info@griggschurch.com
John 1:43-51. Can anything good come from Nazareth? Jesus did. He is the ultimate evangelist who entrusts to us the work of evangelism alongside him. So let’s spread some good news! In this sermon we take some time to explore what evangelism is and is not. Thank you for listening! Let us know how we can pray for you.We are a revitalizing church in the Poe Mill neighborhood of Greenville, SC.Our mission is to make disciples that transform our neighborhood with the gospel of Jesus. Our vision is to see Jesus-centered living, church revitalization, and neighborhood-based missions happening in Poe Mill, West Greenville, and beyond!If you have any questions for us, email us at info@griggschurch.com
John 1:35-42
A short and simple passage with a profound invitation from Jesus. This text seems so small but it will challenge us in a big way to accept what we don’t know and act on what we do know. In other words, it will challenge us to embrace the adventure of following Jesus
Would you say you’re following Jesus and on an adventure with him? If not …why not? Perhaps it's one of the 3 reasons we examine in this sermon.
Thank you for listening! Let us know how we can pray for you.
We are a revitalizing church in the Poe Mill neighborhood of Greenville, SC.
Our mission is to make disciples that transform our neighborhood with the gospel of Jesus. Our vision is to see Jesus-centered living, church revitalization, and neighborhood-based missions happening in Poe Mill, West Greenville, and beyond!
If you have any questions for us, email us at info@griggschurch.com
John 1:19-34
Here's what we learn from John the Baptist: One of the most important things about you is what you believe about yourself. The most important thing about you is what you believe about Jesus.
In this sermon, we explore true humility and what happens when we swap the identity we've created for the one Jesus bought for us with his own blood.
Thank you for listening! Let us know how we can pray for you.
We are a revitalizing church in the Poe Mill neighborhood of Greenville, SC.
Our mission is to make disciples that transform our neighborhood with the gospel of Jesus. Our vision is to see Jesus-centered living, church revitalization, and neighborhood-based missions happening in Poe Mill, West Greenville, and beyond!
If you have any questions for us, email us at info@griggschurch.com
John 1:1-18
Thank you for listening! Let us know how we can pray for you.
We are a revitalizing church in the Poe Mill neighborhood of Greenville, SC.
Our mission is to make disciples that transform our neighborhood with gospel of Jesus. Our vision is to see Jesus-centered living, church revitalization, and neighborhood based missions happening in Poe Mill, West Greenville, and beyond!
If you have any questions for us, email us at info@griggschurch.com
Malachi 3:13-18“Your words have been hard against me, says the Lord. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’
You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts?
And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.’”
Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name.
“They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.
Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.
Malachi 2:17 You have wearied the Lord with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?”
Malachi 1:6-14
“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’
By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord's table may be despised.
When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts.
And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? says the Lord of hosts.
Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand.
For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be[b] great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.
But you profane it when you say that the Lord's table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised.
But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the Lord of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the Lord.
Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.
In this series, we're going through our core values at Griggs. These values are simple tools that help us stay engaged in the whole point of being the body of Christ - being LIKE Christ. Today we're talking about gospel generosity. Do you know what real generosity is? Give us a listen. Thanks for being a part of our community.
In this series, we're going through our core values at Griggs. These values are simple tools that help us stay engaged in the whole point of being the body of Christ - being LIKE Christ. Today we're talking about gospel love. Do you know what real love is? Give us a listen. We love you already. Thanks for being a part of our community.
Luke 19:37-38
And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
Genesis 46:1-3
And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac. And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I. And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
Genesis 44:1-5
And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth.
And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.
As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses.
And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?
Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.
Genesis 41:1-4
And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow.
And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river.
And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.
Luke 2:1-11 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Deuteronomy 8:1-5
All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers.
And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.
Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.
Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee.
Luke 1:39-44
And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
Hebrews 2:1-7
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.
But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him?
Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
Luke 1:17-23
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Genesis 32:24-29
And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
Genesis 30:25-31
And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country.
Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee.
And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake.
And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.
And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me.
For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the Lord hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also?
And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock.
Genesis 29:1-10
Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.
And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well's mouth.
And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place.
And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.
And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.
And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.
And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.
And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep.
And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep; for she kept them.
And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.
Genesis 28:10-16
And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.
And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.
And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.
And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I.
And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death:
Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;
And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.
And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.
And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying,
Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the Lord before my death.
Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.
Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:
And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.
Genesis 25:19-34
And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham begat Isaac:
And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.
And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the Lord.
And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.
And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.
And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.
And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.
Genesis 24
And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.
And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:
And I will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.
And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.
The Lord God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.
Genesis 22:1-6
And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.
Genesis 21
And the Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken.
For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.
And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.
And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.
And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.
And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.
Genesis 20-21
And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.
And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.
But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?
Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.
And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.
Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
Genesis 19
And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:
And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.
And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,
And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.
Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.
Genesis 18:16-22
And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.
And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord.
Genesis 18:1-9
And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.
And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.
And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.
And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.
Genesis 16:1-6
Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.
And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the Lord judge between me and thee.
But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thine hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
Genesis 15:1-10
After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
And he said unto him, I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.
And he said, Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?
And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.
Genesis 13:1-12
And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.
And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
Unto the place of the altar, which he had make there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord.
And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.
Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
Genesis 12:1-9
Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.
And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him.
And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord.
And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
Genesis 12:1-3
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Genesis 11:1-9
And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lordscatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth
2 Corinthians 4:1-10
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
Genesis 9
And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.
And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.
Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.
But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.
And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.
Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.
And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,
And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;
And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth.
And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.
And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:
I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:
And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.
Genesis 5:18-24
And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch:
And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died.
And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:
And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Genesis 4:1-16
And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.
And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.
And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;
When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
And the Lord said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
1 Corinthians 15:20
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
Luke 19:29-49
And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.
And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.
And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.
And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,
And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.
Genesis 3:14-20
And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
Genesis 3:1-7
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said,
“This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
Genesis 2:1-3
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.
Genesis 1:26-27
Then God said, “Let us make man after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:1-4
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
And God said, and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
James 3:13-18
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
James 3:1-12
1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
James 2:14-26
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth itprofit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James 2:14-26
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth itprofit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James 1:19-27
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
INTRODUCTION: CONFIDENT PRAYER
1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
- PRAYING OUR PRAYERS IN JESUS’ NAME
John 14:13-14 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
- PRAYING OUR PRAYERS WITH THANKSGIVING
Philippians 4:4-5 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
- PRAYING OUR PRAYERS WITH PETITIONS
Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- PRAYING OUR PRAYERS WITH FREQUENCY
Luke 18:1-8 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
John 13:20
We love the gospel and we love everybody, so we want to share the gospel with everybody.
Matthew 20:25-28
We do not see the church as somewhere to be served, but somewhere to serve.
1 Chronicles 29:11-14
We freely give our time, talents, and treasures to Jesus’ people in response to what Jesus has given to us.
I Corinthians 13
We do not love each other based on performance or merit but based on the bond Jesus has given us.
I Corinthians 2:1-5
We are free to be real and open about our need for Jesus and his work in our lives.
I Timothy 4:16
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We keep the Gospel of Jesus preeminent in our corporate and personal worship.
A leaders first job is to lead themselves spiritually. To do so they must be highly self-aware.
Paul's accusers don't say what they mean, they don't mean what they say, are one way in private, and another way in public. They lack integrity. Trough the Spirit's power, Paul does have integrity. Simply put, Paul may be in prison, but he's in a better place than his accusers in the palace.
Pauls trial before the Sanhedrin in Acts 23 demonstrates the perfect providence of God.
"In the world you will have tribulation; But be of Good cheer! I have overcome the world." - Jesus
After Paul's arrest he preaches from the steps of the prison. Everyone is quiet and listening until he hits one word - gentiles. The crowd is uncomfortable hearing that Jesus loves the gentiles just as much as themselves. They have prejudice. Do we?
The second leadership value we hold to here at Griggs is optimistic faith. When you're leading, things aren't always clear. When things aren't clear you could embrace a pessimistic attitude saying, "Why try? Probably won't go well" or an optimistic attitude saying, "Let's give it our best shot and see what Jesus does." We hope to be leaders with an attitude of optimistic faith.
Ever since Genesis 3 we have been in a war of wills. God's perfect will is no longer our only desire. We now have our own, sinful will. Our enemy has a will. Sometimes all of these conflict. Jesus, in his grace gives us a new heart that bends towards his will. We see all of this play out in a unique way in Acts 21 as Paul goes back to Jerusalem one last time.
Jesus was the greatest leader to ever live. He had the greatest leadership style in human history. One aspect of that leadership is that it was based on relationship.
Ever since Genesis 3 we have been in a war of wills. God's perfect will is no longer our only desire. We now have our own, sinful will. Our enemy has a will. Sometimes all of these conflict. Jesus, in his grace gives us a new heart that bends towards his will. We see all of this play out in a unique way in Acts 21 as Paul heads towards Jerusalem at the end of his 3rd missionary journey.
We're all building our lives on someone's teaching. Our experiences, hearts, and others teach us one thing and Jesus teaches us another.
Jesus says the wise man will follow His teachings and gain internal stability ("his house will be built on the rock.") The Foolish man, however, will pick someone else's teaching and when the rains come, the floods rise, and the winds blow, his identity and belief system will come crashing down ("his house was built on the sand).
Jesus had a lot to say about our eyes. Jesus taught that our eyes were gateways to our mind and heart, our entire internal world. Thus, it's really important to guard our eyes for his glory and our own joy.
Does the Bible teach we can lose our salvation? Many people who think so point to this passage in Hebrews. Pastor Daniel , preaching through Hebrews, covers the different positions on the topic and draws a conclusion you may not expect.
Whether we realize it or not, we're wrestling against spiritual darkness. We know Jesus will win in the end, but how does he help us win today? In this sermon we join Paul in Ephesus as he faces some serious spiritual warfare. This story, which is a series of three or four shorter stories, puts Jesus' way of leading us to victory on display.
Jesus teaches anxious people a new way of thinking. He tells his followers not to buy into their "What ifs" and fears but rather to buy into the kingdom of God. If we're bought into the kingdom of God, tomorrow has a way of taking care of itself.
Because Jesus is a high priest after the order of Melchizedek, we know that He is able to understand and have compassion on our suffering. The fact that He is greater than any human high priest because He is also our eternal king, provides comfort—the all-knowing, all- consuming Creator God cares for us individually by becoming our source of eternal salvation.
We've talked a lot about living on mission amongst those with no gospel but what about living on mission amongst those with an incomplete gospel?
This week Aquila, Pricilla, and Paul bump into disciples of John the Baptist who do not yet know the complete gospel. The Apostle and his friends fill in the blanks for them and the disciples of John become disciples of Jesus.
By the time Paul comes into Corinth he's exhausted emotionally and physically. Have you ever been there? Are you there right now? What do you do?
Paul, in Acts 18, gives us a good example of what to do. He accepts help, he takes a break, he knows when to move on, and clings to God's promises. We should do the same but it's going to take humility and trust. Listen to this message for more insight and ideas then go get some rest!
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Paul is in Athens and he's stirred up because of all of the idols he sees. He preaches the gospel in the market place and then in the Areopagus. He uses a few lines from their own poets to challenge their philosophy and lead some of them to Christ.
Christians are to care about the culture, engage the culture and, sometimes, even use culture to share the message of Jesus. From art, to music, to poetry and architecture the world is the Lords and the fullness thereof. It's for us to enjoy and employ as we live on mission with Jesus.
Jesus taught us dozens of lessons on prayer in about 5 verses called "The Lord's Prayer."
This prayer has become the most famous prayer on the planet, being recited by some denominations every Sunday.
But how do the truths of these famous requests such as, "give us this day our daily bread" play out for us in 2019?
That's what we try to find out in this message.
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Do we want God no matter who he is? Or do we want our idea of God no matter who he is?
The Bereans wanted God. Thus, when someone started talking about him they listened to learn and searched for truth. Luke, the writer of Acts, calls this Noble. We too want to be Noble.
So instead of always being the teacher, let's be teachable. Instead of trusting our ideas, let's search the scriptures. Instead of lecturing, let's listen. This counter cultural approach to truth may just serve us well and lead us to Jesus.
In Thessalonica the apostle follow Jesus' approach to ministry and get Jesus' results. They turn the world upside down.
Like Jesus, everything the Apostles taught was almost the opposite of what the culture was teaching.
They taught the first would be last and last would be first. That salvation was for repentant sinners not the self-righteous. They taught that to find your life, you must lose and if you try to save your life, you'll never really live it.
Many people believed them, some did not. Either way, the world was totally changed. We're called to change the world too. Find out how by visiting us on a Sunday.
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Jesus is better than angels. Jesus is better than Moses. Jesus is better than Joshua. But let's make sure that these statements don't become dull to us and that we hear them without actually hearing them. For those with ears to hear, there will be an eternal rest. For those who won't hear, there's no rest at all.
Do the first 5 books of the Old Testament and the first 4 books of the New Testament contradict each other? Did Jesus destroy the law? What do we need to know about about law as followers of Jesus? Let's answers that question by studying what Jesus said about the Law in his Sermon on the Mount.
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World history could be summed up as follows:
1) Jesus' power on display
2) Jesus' power challenged
3) Jesus' power turns the tables on the challenger
4) Jesus' power to save the challenger
And if you look closely, you may see your own life summed up in there too.
Who is the Holy Spirit? How does he work? Where does he guide us? As Paul and Silas head out on the second missionary journey, we see the Spirit get to work through people and places for his purposes.
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