Sunday Sermons from Grace Summit Community Church: Recent Episodes
Grace Summit Community Church
Genesis 1-11 lays out every theme of the Bible – Tuesdays or Wednesdays – over Zoom starting soon.Last week we talked about the Church – Capital C – universal, invisible.This week, we will talk about the Capital O church – Our church. Some of us have been together for many decades. You are the church here. It has never been about a program or organization – it is about people. When we have tried that – it didn’t work ...
We’ve been looking at the Kingdom of God. The first week we started, I had mentioned that on this week we would revisit the relationship between the Church and the Kingdom. This week – Cindy follows people on – substacks and other places – and everyone is commenting on The Church – the Universal Church – knowing and understanding and appreciating The Church.I say I am talking about the Church – the capital C Church – universal – catholic – not the ...
20240107Last week after our discussion time, there were some really good points brought up. Sue shared some great thoughts… John Ference and I were talking about the ‘already but not yet’ concept…Jesus’ first announcement of the Kingdom of God – both Matthew and Mark listed these similarly:Right after the temptation in the wilderness:Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is ...
I have been going over things our church has been growing in. This next one is one I think we've really excelled at...I think that we are becoming a Jesus People. Not the 70s Jesus people – nor a superiority like Paul spoke of when he talked about being ‘of Apollos, or Paul, or Jesus’ – but that we, as a community, are learning to live out the traits of Jesus in the gospels.I think ...
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.Isaiah – The prophecy has 2 fulfillments – 1 immediately following – and the word, virgin has a double meaning as well – virgin= young woman – but also means virgin, like, the virgin Mary…Luke 2: In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the ...
20231217Last week, at the very end, I talked about a strength of our church in the area of serving. I’d like to take a deeper look at this from the view of Advent. I’m going to do some weird things with the Bible to connect Advent and serving!Thank You for this time – and that You left heaven, not regarding equality with God a thing to cling to – You came that You ...
It has been brought to my attention that while I study these things through the week – and mention things like the essentials and non-essentials – not everyone might know what I mean by the essentials.While the Creeds are not …The Creeds often deal with a response to certain heresies.Apostles CreedNicene Creed – 325 AD – dealing with an issue in the Church – not long after Constantine required Christianity in the Empire. There was a controversy ...
This morning I’m going to do two mini-sermons – there will be a bridge in between the two – and if you blink, you’ll miss it!This is about learning, unlearning, and relearning and the strengths of our church through the year.Matt Lynch – Flood and Fury – addresses how to view violence in the Bible. I have not personally read it – but “The Bible consistently surprises and challenges our simplistic expectations” – Matt LynchProverbs 26 ...
We have been doing a series on things we’ve learned as a church. Last week – I mentioned this quote:Brennan Manning “Though it is true that the church must always dissociate itself from sin, it can never have any excuse for keeping any sinners at a distance.” (Ragamuffin Gospel)As I read that – I can see – for some, how they might have trouble and disagree with the first part – and for others – they might ...
Another thing our church has done over the years – is being a respite for those who have been burned or wounded by church or other Christians.Here are some books that have helped me through this process:Larry Crabb – Shattered Dreams / The Pressure’s OffPhilip Yancey - Disappointment with God, What's so Amazing about Grace, The Jesus I Never KnewI’m not going to address direct abuse – but rather, unintentional abuse – people of good ...
Lord, thank You for this time of worship – yes, we are Your children – we nee to be slaves to nothing – not just to fear – we are free in Christ. As we go through Mark – use this time to speak to our hearts.Mark 11: 11 Then Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. And after looking around at everything, he went out to Bethany with the twelve since it was already late… So He ...
20230827Henry: Some disclaimers – I’m a technician, not a theologian…When I was younger …Mark 10: 33 "Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and experts in the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles. 34 They will mock him, spit on him, flog him severely, and kill him. Yet after three days ...
Mark 9:14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. 16 "What are you arguing with them about?" he asked.17 A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that ...
We are at the halfway point in the Book of Mark!Lord, it IS all about You. It is not about us. When it is all about You, it is for our good – we get to experience the life You want us to live. It is hard to make it all about You – we all struggle – but help us to move forward in that – better today, than yesterday.Mark 8:27 Then Jesus and his ...
John Ference:Mark 4:35 And on that day, when it was evening, he said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him along, as he was, in the boat. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great storm of wind developed, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already being filled with water. 38 And he ...
Sue – Today, I’m talking about Mark 5:21-43 – 2 miracles Jesus did. One is the most unique and amazing miracles He did – and the other, has impact on our daily lives.Jesus is in the crowd, teaching at the water’s edge - 22 One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up, and on seeing Him, fell at His feet 23 and implored Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of ...
Mark 4:1-9A little Bible-geek moment – there is a time progression in this parable with the seed and the soil.First seed – ImmediatelySecond – Hours Next – Days – Grows until weeds choke outGood seed: An entire season.In parallels – as it increases – 30/60/100Mark 4:10 10 When he was alone, those who were around him along with the twelve asked him about the parables. 11 And he said to them, "To ...
The Calling of St. Matthew:Jesus on the right – and like Matthew is saying – Who, me?We are going to look, in Mark, at the calling of Levi.He is a tax collector – and we see someone stunned – for a popular Jewish Rabbi (teacher – not a title or job) – but to even approach a tax collector was unheard of in this world. And Jesus is saying – Come, and be my disciple.Mark 2:14 As ...
Mark 2:21 21 "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If they do, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. 22 And people do not pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins."Many believe that verse 22 ...
Mark 1: 9 Now in those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan River. 10 And just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: "You are my one dear Son; in you I take great delight."NAS – You are my beloved son, with ...
I want to go back to last week – there were some questions –We were talking about peacemakers – as disciples, living lives of nonviolence – and especially verses where Jesus told us to turn the other cheek and not repay evil for evil – Jesus was speaking to His followers and explaining what it means to live a nonviolent life as a disciple, living as Jesus’ witnesses in the world. It is NOT instructions to nations, or how ...
Cindy and I walk in our neighborhood. Recently I waved to an older neighbor whom I often wave to, but we’ve never spoken. This time, he asked me if we had seen about the latest mall shooting – “My wife and I are afraid to go anywhere!” – that is really understandable. We live in a violent world. We cannot deny it.I’m going to spend some time over the next couple weeks talking about ...
Bible Project – Psalm 1483 Creation Psalms – I might not be the best person to do this – but it is very important.So, in order to, before we look at these Creation Psalms, let’s go to the very beginning.In Genesis, there are 2 Creation accounts – and there are numerous more in the Psalms, Prophets, Job, etc. – we don’t think about it much – but these 2 accounts have some differences! There are a ...
We’re going to go back a bit to last week.Psalm 46: 1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, This is a precious psalm – and it closes with this: 10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be ...
Psalm 46: God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. 5 God ...
Last week, Dick had an announcement, which was really about his small group and living life together – and that is really what Romans 16 is about.In Romans 16, Paul greets over 2 dozen people! These are a very diverse group of people – and when you’re reading it, you usually just zip over those names you can’t pronounce anyway…18 men – 8 women – at least 4 married couples – some slave – some very poor ...
Speak, Lord, to our hearts this morning!I am TRYING to finish Romans this morning. I realized I needed to go back a little bit.Paul is showing, through the Old Testament – that this unity between Jew and Gentile is not new – it flows from the first book to the last – and is a theme that runs throughout.I mentioned that we need to learn to read the Bible in its context – as Paul and ...
We are approaching the end of Romans! Paul is talking about this conflict in Rome – in the very beginning, one of the key things is PEACE – and that is where Paul will bring us. How to have peace where there is conflict, strife, and disputes. How can the weak and strong find unity? How can WE, as a Church, not only our church, but as a CHURCH – across this nation (and the world) find peace ...
We’re going to back up a little bit to Friday…Matthew 27: 50 Then Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit. 51 Just then the temple curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks were split apart. 52 And tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had died were raised. 53 (They came out of the tombs after ...
This is Paul’s greatest concern – and he is about to address it. He has laid out in detail what the gospel of Jesus is.The famous theologian, Dave Brenner, told me this – This is the most important book in the Bible because it lays out the gospel.Paul has been talking about the weak and the strong. The weak are not those who have been disadvantaged here in Rome, or the poor, or the ...
Romans 13:1 Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority ...
Romans 12: I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.I am guessing that you have either memorized this ...
We had a good discussion last week – and one of the questions brought up a common question – basically – why does God allow bad things to happen.Sometimes people use this verse to give comfort, but the person receiving it doesn’t hear it in the way it is intended – Even Jesus on the cross asked, My God, My God, WHY? And it is recorded in two languages – Aramaic and Greek – Romans 8:28God causes ...
20230305Romans 8: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.Don’t condemn yourself, because God does not condemn you! We just need to continually tell ourselves that we are not condemned – no matter how many times we have blown it. There is NO ...
Suzanne – Mike has asked that some of us share what God has been teaching us.Henry was unexpectedly called to NY to help unclog some sewage pipes.I have been short on patience lately – but I have been meditating on Matthew 12:18-2018 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight;I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations ...
Romans 7:15 For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 16 But if I do the very thing I do not wish to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that it is good. 17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which indwells me. 18 For ...
20230212Lord, thank You for this time to gather as a church family – spending time with our God and Savior in the Lord Jesus. Help our focus to be on You and clear our minds and trust in You to hear from You. Give us peace in our hearts to be receptive to hear what you would say to us.Through the Book of Romans there are numerous themes. Last week we looked at the ...
Lord, help us to represent You. Speak to us through Your word – may we all learn more of You – learn to love you and know you more deeply.Romans 5: 1 Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God ...
Paul begins addressing the Jewish Christians who struggle with how to deal with the Gentile Christians.Maybe you have experienced this – certain Christians who believed that ‘we’re the real ones.In Chapter 3 – Paul sums up this argument he has been having with himself – playing devil’s advocate back and forth:Romans 3: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. BAM! We are ALL sinners. We all fall ...
20230122Reading this week – Romans 2-3 reminds me why I have never taught through Romans! There is a lot here – a lot of good stuff – like, Wow! Look at all that is here – and how do you go through this – what is he saying and not saying – and who am I?Paul is having a debate with himself! Engage in that debate! The technical term – interlocular – look it up – like Gollum in LOTR – the Good ...
Thank You, Lord, for the opportunity to worship You and give You our hearts. You love us and we are going to live together with You in Your New Creation – we will reign with You. We look forward to that day. We know this world and we are broken – and You are the great healer – the one who restores all things – You give us health and wholeness. Help us to focus our attention on what ...
The Book of Romans deals with many practical and theological issues that people have debated about the meaning from Century 1. There is tremendous value to live with confidence, not arrogance, with your best understanding – but at the same time respecting those who disagree.Those who disagree with you have thoughtful understandings of what they believe. I will read today’s passage through and then go back – Romans 1: 18 For the wrath of God ...
I hope you got a chance to watch the Bible Project video –https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/romans-1-4/It gives a great foundation for the background.First – what is the book of Romans? It is a personal pastoral letter from Paul to the Church in Rome.Paul addresses numerous theological issues and topics in his letter to the Romans, but it is not a theological treatise. It is not a systematic theology! That is what ...
Christmas Eve service at 6:30pmIn 1989 – what happened?The Berlin Wall came down – this ended the ‘Cold War’ - and I put that in air quotes as it seems things are heating back up… but…Do you remember where you were when this happened? I was only 5 when President Kennedy was assassinated, so I don’t know where I was.Moon landing – my dad took a picture of the television. 9/11 – the ...
Joan: I have always enjoyed Advent. I’ve been doing devotionals and lighting candles – well, I got battery operated Advent candles… - but I wanted to share something that really struck me last year that has stuck with me throughout the year…Matthew 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem 2 saying, "Where is the one who is born ...
This morning we are going to look at the Story of MaryFather, thank You for this morning – as we prepare the second week of Advent, we look forward to Your coming. You came, died, rose from the dead and sit at the right hand of the Father. When You return as King, we will reign with You. Until then, You want us to serve You and to proclaim Your death and resurrection to the ...
The story of Joseph is in Matthew 1: 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened this way. While his mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph, her husband to be, was a righteous man, and because he did not want to disgrace her, he intended to divorce her privately.So, we learn 2 things about Joseph’s ...
So, I’m sitting down because today’s title isPolitics and the Name of GodThis is something that I don’t talk about. And I don’t talk about who you should vote for.But this is Politics AND the Name of God, not Politics IN the Name of God.I may have to reference my notes as I don’t want to get anyone mad.Too many people use the name of ...
Advent begins in 3 weeks! And Christmas is on a Sunday this year, so we will probably have a Christmas Eve service but not meet on Christmas morning.There are several Christmas ‘figures’ – that we will be looking at during the Advent Season. I will be sending out an email – Week 1: Joseph – Week 2: Mary – Luke 13: Out of chronology – but the Magi4: Shepherds – Luke 1:1-20If you would like to ...
Dick: There has never been a time in my life where I didn’t believe in a benevolent God. But playing into this, I always believed I was a good guy. There are always people worse!Back when we were first married, a college kid came to our house and shared the 4 spiritual absolutes. He literally read the pamphlet to us. Sue got saved that night – which was kinda’ good…Then he pulled out ...
Today, I will begin a discussion on the important role that our thought-life plays in our spiritual growth and transformation.This is a great verse regarding thought-life – and many of you may have it memorized. Many of us memorized these in college – I’m going to use the New Living Translation – because I want to shake up the way we listen – it is good to have multiple translations for a better understanding of God’s ...
Lord, thank You for this morning – thank You for the newness. Give us grace and help us to give one another grace. Luke 24: 13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but ...
Luke 24: 13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, "What are you discussing with each other while you ...
Today, we will look at the resurrection! In eternity – we will be known and loved for ever – those we loved here we will love there. Help us to focus on what You have done and Your love for us. Luke 24: But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb ...
Luke 19:29 29 When He approached Bethphage and Bethany, near the mount that is called Olivet, He sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, "Go into the village ahead of you; there, as you enter, you will find a colt tied on which no one yet has ever sat; untie it and bring it here. 31 "If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' you shall say, 'The Lord has need of it ...
So, we are going through Joel, and so far, the book has been discouraging! All about judgment, and what we have is the total collapse of Israel’s economy. The people turned away from their faith – but this is a transition point – these are some of the most encouraging verses from the prophets. Back in December, I realized I had not talked much about the Minor Prophets – and I thought – they are so discouraging – we ...
20220320 Joel 2: Blow a trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm on My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, For the day of the Lord is coming; Indeed, it is near, 2 A day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and thick darkness. As dawn is spread over the mountains, So there is a great and mighty people; There has never been anything like it, Nor will there ...
Joel 1: 15 The day of the LORD is near, And it will come as destruction from the Almighty. 16 Has not food been cut off before our eyes, Gladness and joy from the house of our God? 17 The seeds shrivel under their clods; The storehouses are desolate, The barns are torn down, For the grain is dried up. 18 How the beasts groan! The herds of cattle wander aimlessly Because there is no ...
Go back to Christmas of 2019 – the last normal holiday – could any of us have imagined where this pandemic would take us? Welcome to the book of Joel! We will be sharing from here until Easter. As I read this, it was like reading my newsfeed. Joel 1:1 The word of the LORD that came to Joel, the son of Pethuel: 2 Hear this, O elders, And listen, all inhabitants of the land. Has ...
20220130 We are looking at the five attributes of God from this passage: Exodus 24:6 The LORD passed by before him and proclaimed: "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, and abounding in loyal love and faithfulness, Loyal Love: Chesed Mercy, Lovingkindness, Unfailing Love, Steadfast Love There is no English word – or any language, other than Hebrew, that can adequately express the meaning of this word. So, in translations ...
Lord, thank You for the opportunity to be with You – thank You for the snow – thank you for those who are here and those online. Thank You for Your body, the Church. We are humbled to serve You and Your people. We are grateful to be Yours. Help our hearts and souls to understand the value of relationships – we are grateful for the service of all. Help me to share with freedom and ease what ...
Lord, we pray for the Coopers – Dick’s father passed away yesterday. Lord, speak to our hearts. Help me to share the thoughts You want communicated I hope you got to watch the Bible Project video – if not – here it is:https://bibleproject.com/explo... We have been going through the five attributes of God – I’ve gotten a lot out of their podcast – so I have been sharing what I have learned from them ...
God’s Radical Compassion We are going to be, as the video showed – talking about compassion. Lord, thank You for the opportunity to be in Your presence. As we are livestreaming here – I pray that You would open our hearts to hear from You. Give me the grace I need to share. Your word is so incredible and You are so amazing – to share these character qualities of yours – I can only scratch the surface ...
I’m going to do a commercial for 2022 Grace Summit – what we’ll be doing through the messages and other ways. Walter Brueggemann is an Old Testament scholar who has categorized the Psalms into 3 life-stages. This creates a life cycle of personal faith. As we understand these stages, we will know where to go when we are in need. Orientation Disorientation Reorientation He is speaking of our relationship with God. Think of order ...
Playlist at Grace Summit December 26 2021Let’s pray: Heavenly Father, thank You that we have gathered together over these weeks to celebrate Advent – Your coming. Thank You that You became human to take away our sins. Thank You, Lord, for Your love for us and the joy we can experience in You. Speak to each of us, even though we are not gathered together. Encourage us, as the New Year approaches, that we might live ...
Luke 1: 39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit This Advent narrative will focus on the connections between Mary and Elizabeth and Jesus and John. Mary and Elizabeth share many spiritual ...
Luke 1:26-28 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting ...
Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened this way. While his mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph, her husband to be, was a righteous man, and because he did not want to disgrace her, he intended to divorce her privately. 20 When he had contemplated this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him ...