Grace Community Bible Church: Recent Episodes
Grace Community Bible Church
This collection of sermons from Grace Community Bible Church are meant to inspire and challenge you in your walk with Christ.
Jesus ushered in the era of witness when He ascended to heaven. The apostles were witnesses like no one else could, but we too are called to witness for Him.
Tony pauses in his series in Acts to preach this sermon on waiting for the Lord. He made some comments about this in last week’s sermon and got so much feedback that he felt led to spend a week on the subject - God has many of His people in the waiting room, it is so hard, but it is the way the Lord deepens His people.
Acts 1:1-11 represents a summary of Jesus’ 40 days, post-resurrection, with His apostles. There are some important, interesting things to see in Luke’s account and Tony begins to point a few of these out in this sermon.
Tony is beginning a new series in the book of Acts. In this introduction he helps us understand the book of Acts as a whole and lays the groundwork for beginning our journey through Luke’s second volume!
In Tony’s final sermon for 2024, he takes us to Psalm 90 to ponder, ponder what Moses wrote that could have powerful implications for us in 2025.
This is the Sunday that Grace Community Bible Church sends out Doug & Rose Crawford to plant a new church, Risen King Bible Church. In this post you will hear Tony share his heart about the church and why the church should plant churches. Doug Crawford also shares from his heart about becoming the pastor of this new church.
In this advent sermon Tony leads us through Hebrews 1, but in a very unique way. He wants you to “pretend” like you know nothing about God, Jesus or the Bible. Hebrews 1 is the only writing you have ever seen about God and Jesus. What do you learn? What do you see?
As humans in a fallen world, we desire to be autonomous. We want to be a law onto ourselves. This, of course, is a distortion of the authority that God granted to Adam and Eve in Eden. We must be mindful of our desire to rule over a kingdom we have no authority to rule.
In this first Sunday of advent, 2024, sermon Tony helps us see what Gabriel said to Mary is truly the gospel, the good news, that Jesus is the eternal King of Israel and the world.
When Paul says we are supposed to "give thanks in all circumstances" that sounds good when things are going well, but how do we thank God when so much is a struggle? We take a look at moments throughout scripture where people gave thanks in every circumstance. By God's grace, if they can, we can too!
On this podcast, we are very pleased to share with you a special Sunday we had with a guest from Ukraine. He is a pastor, a church planter, and former military officer in the Ukrainian airborne forces. His name is Vasily Povoroznyuk. Vasily is the pastor of Compass Church, which he has led for 22 years. He leads a ministry to the families of fallen soldiers, widows and those orphaned. Vasily also serves as a chaplain on the front lines of the war, while overseeing the chaplain program for all of Ukraine. Pastor Tony sits down with Vasily, along with an interpreter, to hear his story and how God is using him to further the gospel and minister to the lost and hurting in the midst of the war in Ukraine.
Waiting on God is an essential aspect of the Christian life. In fact, it is the Christian life. In this sermon Jonathan explores what it is to wait on the Lord.
This is Tony’s final sermon in the gospel of Luke, a series he began about 5 years ago. Luke ends his gospel with Jesus commissioning His disciples to go and be on mission and blesses them. Tony hopes you see this as the greatest story ever known and how you are called into the story, you have a part!
In this last of a short two part series on living aware of the presence of Jesus with you, Tony takes us through various scriptures encouraging us to live the “new life” that God has given us, making “joyful choices” each day to live the life of Christ, fully present to His presence with us.
Many did not recognize Jesus after He had been raised from the dead, and for various reasons. Tony has decided to camp on this for a couple of sermons. The reality is, God’s people today do not recognize His presence with them - is He with them? How? What does this mean? What are the implications of this? That is what part 1 of this two part series is all about.
In this sermon Tony leads us through the story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And the question that rises is “Jesus is alive, so what? What bearing does the resurrection of Christ have on our lives day by day?"
We only get one verse to explain Jesus' life from age 12-30. If we are to live like Jesus, we should also grow as He grew, not matter our age. How can you grow in wisdom, stature, favor with God, and favor with people?
The community of Jesus Christ is a community of burden bearing. What does that mean? How do we do that?
Did you know that the cross is “your story?” Did you ever think of Jesus’ crucifixion as your story? It is. Gloriously, it is the way we are forgiven for our sins. But it is more. The cross ushers us into new life, just like a marriage ceremony leads you into a new life.
We have reached the cross of Christ in our study through Luke. But before we look at it, Tony spends this sermon showing what God’s plan was for the cross and why the cross was the only answer God had to love us.
In this sermon Tony walks us through Jesus’ last two trials, before Herod and Pilate. It is a violent, chaotic, unjust, unlawful, scene. But there is something bigger happening than all that we see or perceive. There is a much bigger story, eternal, supernatural, story unfolding which has been authored by God. God is the architect of everything that is happening to Jesus.
When Pilate asked Jesus “what is truth” it was because Jesus said He was in the world to testify to truth, and everyone who is of truth listened to His voice. In this sermon Tony leads us to focus on what Jesus meant by “those who are of the truth listen to my voice.” The implications of Jesus’ words are huge, practical, radical, and life altering.
Tony leads us to really think about the question that Pilate asked Jesus, “what is truth?” Why did Pilate ask this? What if you were asked this, could you answer? Does truth matter to you?
In this sermon Tony wraps up our look at the life of Judas by sharing three lessons we can learn from his life and death. And then Tony takes us into Pilate’s courtroom for Jesus’ first civil trial.
Judas’ life was a sad one, a tragic one. And the end of his life was sadly tragic too. In this sermon Tony shares about Judas’ death by suicide. And then he spends the bulk of the sermon addressing those who may be contemplating suicide, sharing what Jesus wants them to know and hear.
Jesus is shackled and chained. He is led off to begin the six trials that He must go through before being crucified. The lesson in all of this for us? It is after Peter denies Jesus three times and Jesus turns and looks at him. What did that look mean? What did Jesus communicate when He looked at Peter? It caused Peter to “weep bitterly” and maybe it is the same look we get from Him when we sin.
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What did you think of God as a teenager? How has that changed since then?
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Read 1 Tim 4:12. Who is a young follower of Jesus whose life is an example to you?
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Read 1 Cor 11:1. If a young person followed your life this last week, would they be closer to Jesus or farther away? Who are the young people following your life?
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When it comes to the caves we can hide from God in, which one do you most often get caught in? (Anger, Isolation, Anxiety, Shame)
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What are 2 verses you cling to as anchors when the storm of life comes your way?
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Read Mark 10:45. If we want to be like Jesus, we serve. Where are you serving God and His people?
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Pray for each other
Todd Reinschmidt speaks to how our relationship with Jesus is deeply personal but not private and should not be just for our own benefit, but also so we can help others. Jesus wants that the bulk of our journey to and with Him be about helping others to Him as well!
The Christian faith is a faith of reconciliation accomplished. In this message Jonathan encourages the church to continue in the faith and what that looks like.
Judas led the religious leaders and Roman soldiers to the garden of Gethsemane to arrest Jesus. In order to identify Jesus so that the Roman soldiers knew who to arrest, Judas told them that he would kiss Jesus. And he did. He betrayed Jesus with a kiss. There is a lot to this scene and Tony unpacks some of it for us.
Jesus enters the garden of Gethsemane. And it is here where the redemptive work He came to fulfill really begins. Gethsemane lets us see the reality of the emotional state of Jesus as He approaches the cross. It is hard to read and even harder to see with the eyes of our heart.
This is the second sermon where Tony is telling the story of Jesus’ final week on earth. This is the final part of the story that happened in the upper room. There are really special, significant lessons we can learn from these events.
In this sermon Tony begins to tell the greatest story in the history of the world - the story of the last week of Jesus’ life on earth before He is executed. This message covers Wednesday and part of Thursday of Holy Week. Tony said he never tires of telling the story, and he doesn’t. Listen as he unfolds the story and makes some stops along the way to bring out some application.
In this final sermon in Tony’s series on the Olivet Discourse, we focus on what Jesus said at the close of this teaching. What we find is that Jesus, after teaching about the end and events that were coming in the future, is that it should have a transforming effect on us today. It should draw us closer to Jesus, lead us to walk in the Spirit and live ready
Will the church go through the tribulation? Will the church, like the whole world, live through the outpouring of God’s wrath and judgement on the world? In this sermon Tony answers this question, as he sees it from scripture.
In part three of this series on prophecy, the Olivet Discourse that Jesus taught, Tony leads us into thinking about The Tribulation that is coming at the end of this world. It is fascinating, scary, and has much to say about the kind of people Christian’s ought to be today.
In this sermon Tony begins a short series on Jesus’ grand Olivet Discourse, His prophetic teaching from the Mount of Olives. But before really getting into Jesus’ teaching, Tony takes us to 2 Peter 3 to see exactly why Jesus taught these things.
Jesus has made Himself known to us. He says something too good to be true and still tough for some to hear. It is an exclusive claim. He is The Way to the Father. He is the Truth we believe in to access the Father. He is the Life we receive when we encounter the Father. Know Him and follow Him!
Jesus commands us, “Abide in me, and I in you.” What does it mean to abide? How do we do it? In this sermon, Jonathan seeks to answer those questions from the words of Christ.
What is central to a fruitful, joy-filled life? In this scene in the life of Christ, Jesus answers that question.
After reading all of the post-resurrection accounts in the gospels, Tony noticed something. He noticed that most all of Jesus’ closest friends, those who had been with Him the longest and knew Him best, were having crises of faith. They doubted and couldn’t seem to shake the doubt. What should we know about doubt? That is what this sermon is all about.
In Tony’s Easter Sunday sermon he leads us to think about what Paul called of “first importance.” He will ask you to think about what matters most to you and why Jesus’ death and resurrection should hold that place in your heart and life!
This is Tony’s final sermon in his series on money, stewardship, giving, and generosity. In this message it is “commitment Sunday” at the church. It is a time when the church is coming forward to put give their commitment cards for purchasing the new property that GCBC has purchased.
In this fourth sermon in the GROW series that Tony is preaching, he focuses on the love of God that moves Him to give and very important principles for us when it comes to giving.
In this third sermon in Tony’s series on money, giving, and stewardship he focuses on giving sacrificially. God is, the ultimate sacrificial giver as seen in Him giving His one and only Son. But Paul holds the Macedonian believers up as a powerful example for us as well.
In this second sermon of the GROW Initiative Tony helps us see the radical, unimaginable generosity of God and how to give God-like means for us to be generous as He is.
Today is Tony’s first sermon of the “GROW Initiative” series. GCBC is embarking on a 2 year journey, seeking to raise $6million for their new property. Tony is going to preach 5 Sundays (including this one) to kick off GROW and today’s message is a general overview for the series and 2 year initiative.
When the people of God face enemies that can't be defeated, we look to Him and say, "We don't know what to do, but our eyes are on you". Then we worship Him! This is what Jehoshaphat did, and we must live our life this way as well.
Marriage is good. God designed it that way. But secular culture is quick to disregard this core truth, and sadly the Church is listening.
In a world where pride draws attention from crowds and personal insecurities wreck souls, God calls us to a different life. Be rooted in God's love. Live with humility. Behave with gentleness. Be patient and find unity in peace.
There is a connection between who you are and who you submit to as your authority. In this scene in the life of Jesus, we see that he is Lord and we see what people look like who reject him as Lord.
In a world that teaches us we are products of chance here to do whatever makes us happy day to day, it feels empty quickly. What if we lived like God made us on purpose for a purpose? We can live a humble life of joy that reflects His glory every day. Then, our life matters for eternity!
In an age that is marked by the words, “you are wrong,” maybe it is time we realize how we are wrong. In this sermon we see where Jesus told the Sadducees they are wrong and we seek to see how we may be like them, not knowing the scriptures nor the power of God.
Whether we admit it or not, all of us are made to serve God. As we see His faithfulness in our lives, he calls us to serve Him and to teach those we care about to do the same. As you read His Word and pray to Him, you will know Him more and serve with sincerity the One who loves you most.
There is an ancient path that not many have taken, nor do many people know about. As we enter into the new year, this ancient path is the path forward. It is the path of lament, and it is a necessary, missing ingredient for our lives and walk with God.
Our hearts and the world we live in is thrown off balance, dark and unstable. Christmas is the greatest balancing act the world has ever seen, when God became human and dwelt among us, bringing grace and truth to all who will believe.
Jesus is Immanuel, "God with us". Jesus offers us salvation, proving God is for us. If we receive Him, we get to be His children. Because of Christmas, you can know your God is with you, for you, and exists right now as your Heavenly Father.
John calls Jesus the “Word,” “Creator,” “Life,” and “Light.” All together brings true meaning to Christmas!
In some of the most important words in all of the Bible, John teaches us profound realities about Jesus Christ - His eternal state, His Trinitarian state, His humanity, and what He brought to this world at His incarnation.
In this scene in the life of our Lord, we get more than the famous words of Jesus about paying taxes to Caesar. We get lessons on walking with God.
It is Tuesday in the final week of Jesus’ life. The Jewish leaders question His authority, wanting to know what kind of authority He thought He had and where it came from. In response, Jesus tells a parable that related what the consequences of rejecting Him would be for them.
As Jesus nears Jerusalem, the day after His triumphal entry, two events happen. Both of these events have sobering lessons for the people of God today.
It isn’t Palm Sunday, but it is the text that Tony has reached in Luke’s gospel in this sermon. There are so many timeless truths in this narrative. Listen closely for them and then take some time to find more!
When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego face the choice of bowing to an idol or standing up for God, they choose God and accept the consequences. As a result, God receives the glory! Would we be bold enough to do the same? We trust that God is faithful to give us the strength when our time comes to stand for Him.
This is the Parable of the Mina’s. In this parable Jesus reveals that what matters to him during the time before He returns is that we live a productive, fruitful life for His kingdom, for His glory, and for His mission
Jesus and Zacchaeus - a very familiar story in the Bible. But beyond its familiarity lies rich truth and realities about our God that is simply breathtaking.
Jesus tells his disciples what was going to happen to Him when they arrived in Jerusalem. And then along the way He heals a blind man. There is so much truth and some great lessons for us in this text in Luke’s gospel.
In this encounter with a rich young ruler, Jesus exposes what hinders us from entering into eternal life in the kingdom of God.
Do you love and value children? What does God think of children? When Jesus said we have to receive the kingdom of God “like a child” or we cannot enter it, what did He mean? In this sermon Tony leads us into the words of Jesus about children and His kingdom.
Do you know what it means to be justified by God? Do you know how to be saved? What are some characteristics of saving faith? Tony answers these questions by taking us through a story that Jesus told.
In this sermon Tony finishes his teaching of the parable of the unjust judge. He spends time talking about widows - they are a very special group of ladies to the Lord!
Jesus tells a parable about an unjust judge and a persistent widow. He is telling the story so that we would learn to pray, never give up, and never lose heart while we wait for His return. But there are broader lessons for us too.
In this text of scripture Jesus teaches about the end times. What should we walk away with after reading and studying it? Let the end of the story sculpt your life today and let a fire build in you to love the unsaved and tell everyone what is coming.
Jesus tells us the greatest commandment is to love God and love people. Then we go into all the world and make disciples showing them that love. For 20 of us at GCBC we had the chance to spend 10 days in the Dominican Republic showing God's love to brothers and sisters in Christ and helping make disciples. Today we get to here their stories!
There is a present reality of the kingdom of God and a future reality. The present reality of God’s kingdom is “in” the Christian. It is a spiritual reality. And God’s kingdom in you is of more value than everything you own. It is a treasure, a pearl. We are to seek it and daily ask God bring it to earth as it is in heaven.
In this sermon Tony returns to Luke and goes to ch.17 where the scene is Jesus healing 10 men with leprosy. A mass healing! But only one of them comes to Jesus to thank Him. It’s all about gratitude.
The Gospel is not only what saves us, it is what continues to transform us in our lives. Our longtime friend, pastor, and guest speaker, Branden Brown, shares this message with us.
There is a mysterious, rare, secret state of the heart that we all long for - contentment. The apostle Paul learned the secret that no matter what circumstance he found himself in, he was content. In this sermon we discover what true contentment is, and what those are like who are a part of this secret society.
Christians should be the happiest people on earth. In this sermon, Jonathan walks us through Philippians 3 to see just what happened to the apostle Paul and how we can join him in "rejoicing in the Lord."
Philippians 2 gives us a vision of Christ emptied, humbled, crucified and exalted and we are to walk in these same ways. In this sermon, we look to Christ’s example and motivation for a life of humiliation.
The letter to the Philippians brings us into the vast joy that is found in Jesus Christ. In this first sermon in Philippians we look at Paul’s understanding and definition of life and death.
In this sermon Tony shows the type of faith that the disciples were asking for after Jesus’ teaching on forgiving others.
In this sermon Tony focuses on Jesus’ teaching about us forgiving others when they sin against us. We begin to see that forgiving others is hard, unlimited, and boundless. It requires faith.
This is a sermon on the Rich Man and Lazarus. As Tony said, this message from Jesus is a “difficult one to hear.”
The Pharisees hated what Jesus was teaching about money & wealth, so they ridiculed Him for it. In this sermon Tony takes us into the text to look at what Jesus said in response to them scoffing.
In this sermon Tony takes us to a parable told by Jesus that he says, for him, is very difficult to understand. There is much we can understand but also much that he says he does not understand. It comes from Jesus, our Lord, though, so our lack of “getting it” is our fault, not His.
In this final sermon in Tony’s series on the Prodigal Son, he leads us to look at the father. He points out beautiful traits of the father and how it teaches us about our Father in heaven. But he doesn’t stop there. He tells us that the call from this story that Jesus told is to be the father!
In this fifth sermon in Tony’s short series on The Prodigal Son, we will look at the father of the two sons. We begin to see the great, deep love of God. It is a love that doesn’t look like you might expect. Sometimes God’s love for His kids is painful, yet healing.
Do you ever think about the effect your sin has on our Father in heaven? In Ephesians 4 Paul tells us to not “grieve the Holy Spirit.” And it seems this is what the two sons do to the father, in Jesus’ story about the prodigal.
This is part 3 of Tony’s series on the Parable of the Prodigal Son. In this sermon you will begin to see how capable you are of acting like these two sons.
In Colossians, Paul introduces us to Epaphras. Through this minister and friend of Paul, we are encouraged to share the truth of the grace of God, be a minister of Christ, and love in the Spirit. When we do that, we let our faith be known to a world in desperate need. Let's let our faith in Christ be known by our love for people today!
What is the pace of our faith? Life with God is intended to go at a certain speed. Jonathan takes us to Isaiah 28 to see what the pace of our faith should look like.
Probably the most important question everyone must answer is “how can I be made right with God?” The answer is Easter!
In this Good Friday sermon, Tony answers the question “why was the cross necessary?” If the punishment is supposed to fit the crime - what was so awful to call for this sort of barbaric death?
Tony continues in the story that is known as The Prodigal Son. This is part 2 and Tony begins in the Song of Solomon!
It is the parable of the prodigal son. Tony says that next to the cross of Christ, there is no clearer picture of the “love that God is” in all of scripture.
This week Ryan and Jazira Boyette are with us and share their story of enduring and exposing the war in Sudan and their mission to bring Christ-centered education to the Nuba Mountains and beyond.
In this sermon Tony returns to the parable of the lost sheep and lost coin. This time he brings in some perspective from history and how these parables were heard with 1st century, middle eastern ears.
In this sermon, Jonathan speaks to the heart of serving. He takes us to Psalm 84 to show that the pathway to prefer lowly service to the church over everything this world has to offer is one of experiencing and longing for the presence and person of the living God.
If we want to love the people in our lives well, it must flow out of our love for Jesus. We share the Gospel and share our lives. This is especially true of our children! Jesus loved them and expects us to as well!
In this message Tony begins Luke 15 - one of the most beautiful chapters in all of the Bible for seeing the powerful, loving, compassionate heart of our God.
Sometimes Jesus gave beautiful, attracting, promises when He called people to Himself. Other times Jesus called for a life of denial, surrender, renouncing and cross bearing. In our text in Luke today Jesus makes clear the high, sacrificial, life reordering that must happen if you are to come to Him.
As Tony takes us back to his series in Luke, we look at one scene, a snapshot, in the life of Jesus. He is attending a sabbath dinner party at a pharisee’s house. And He doesn’t just heal a man with dropsy but describes life in the kingdom of God.
In this final sermon in Tony’s series on doctrine, he returns to the text he used to begin the series - 2 Corinthians 11:3. We should never forget that what happened to Eve can happen to us.
If you believe the biblical doctrines of perseverance and glorification, then what? How does that affect you and how you live from day to day? In this sermon, from 1 John 3, Tony answers that question.
Perseverance of the saints and Glorification - these are the doctrines that Tony teaches about in this sermon. He takes us to Romans 8 to look at a text of scripture that should fill all Christians with an unshakeable hope.
The doctrine of sanctification is certainly not just one to believe, it is one to live, work and labor until we get home to be with Jesus. God has an agenda for all His people, to make them like His Son Jesus. And He invites us to join Him in this work
In this sermon, Jonathan shows that the doctrine of sanctification is the lifelong process of changing from the inside out.
In this final advent sermon, Tony answers the question “why did Jesus come?” The answer this week? To do His Father’s will.
In this advent sermon Tony takes us to 1 John to see one of the glorious reasons that Jesus came - to destroy the works of the devil.
Why? Why did Jesus come into the world? In this sermon during advent 2022, Jonathan looks at three reasons from Mark’s gospel.
Why did Jesus come to Earth? Jesus came to save sinners. He died once so we wouldn't die for eternity. He rose again and now we know we will too. It feels like we should have to work to show Him we are worthy of that sacrifice. Instead, He tells us the most Christmas of instructions, receive it as a gift. Then we get to celebrate Him with our lives! Merry Christmas!
In part 2 of Tony’s preaching on Justification by Faith Alone he answers the question - what does living life look like for one who has been justified by faith? How does life change after being saved?
In this sermon we learn about the doctrine on which the church rises or falls - Justification by Faith Alone!
This is part 2 of Tony preaching on the doctrine of sin. In this sermon he leads us to think about every day life and sin. What place does sin hold in our life? What do we do with sin in our life?
Tony continues the series on doctrine by looking at the doctrine of sin. What is the essence of sin and why is it so bad?
Every human being is made in the image of God. How does this doctrine affect our everyday lives?
Unlike anything in all of creation, men and women are made in the image of God. What does this mean?
This is Tony’s post-hurricane Ian sermon. The name Ian actually means “God is gracious” and in this sermon Tony explores just how God was gracious in this devastating hurricane.
God created all that is and He created all for His glory. So, what are the implications of that for our lives today? Tony shares two big implications of the doctrine of creation in this sermon.
Tony continues in his series on doctrine in this sermon. Today is the doctrine of creation. The simple truth yet with profound implications is that God is the creator of all that is and He did it for His glory!
In this final sermon on the doctrine of God we look at “The Sovereignty of God.” And Tony also helps us understand how God can be sovereign and yet still answer our prayers.
In this part 2 sermon on the doctrine of God, Tony takes us to the scripture to look at the holiness of God and the love of God. How can these two attributes of God exist together? They do and the answer is the gospel!
In his series on doctrine (A Sincere and Pure Devotion to Christ), today Tony begins a three part set of messages on the Doctrine of God. In this message Tony takes us to Exodus 3 to look at Moses and the burning bush.
This is the second part of a message on the Word of God. The question that matters in this sermon is “Do you desire the Word of God?” Tony points us in some direction for how to awaken desire for God’s Word
The first doctrine that Tony preaches in this new series is the “doctrine of holy scripture.” In this first part we go to 2 Timothy to see the foundation of Christian belief about the word of God - it is just that, God’s word. Therefore, it is trustworthy, authoritative and true.
In this sermon Tony begins a new series on doctrine - what we believe, why we believe it and what believing it should do in our day by day lives. In this introduction to the series we go to 2 Corinthians 11:3 to see that our overall aim in believing right is to live a “sincere and pure devotion to Christ."
Two things are true about us. 1. We were made by God to worship God. 2. We will become like what we worship. God has made us to experience joy as we make our lives about Him. How we live, what we listen to, how we speak, it is about making much of Him and bringing glory to Him. Yet too often we make our lives about lesser things. What or who are you worshipping?
“Too often we see kids as the ‘future of the church’. If we see them living for the glory of God then we get to follow their example. They are the Church right now and today we get to hear their stories from a summer pursuing Him!”
The Story of God is our story and we have a role to play in it. In this last message on The Story, we will see the final two scenes of the church and restoration. What is our place in the story?
The climax of the story of God is found in Jesus Christ. Who is He? What has He done? What is He doing?
Everyone, whether they realize it or not, is living in a story. The scriptures tell one unified, unfolding story of the universe. Are you living in God’s story, or another?
Jesus was asked if only a few will be saved. As Jesus often did, He didn’t answer the question directly. He rather took the questioner (and us!) where we need to be, to see what we need to see about salvation.
A disabled woman. A legalistic man. A merciful Savior. These three combine to make a beautiful, instructive story in Luke 13. What will you come away with? Jesus sees you in your troubles. Jesus desires mercy and not sacrifice.
In this little parable of the barren fig tree, Jesus makes it clear that the Father is seeking fruit in our lives. He wants us to be fruit bearers and to be ever increasing in our fruit bearing. The fruit He is looking for is fruit that is “in keeping with repentance."
Jesus wants us to know that sin is not behind all calamities. And for all calamities that we witness, rather than think those people must have been bad sinners, we should repent of our own sin.
In this final sermon in Luke 12 we are forced to look at Jesus in a light that we normally do not or try not to. Imbedded, though, in these hard to hear words is the glorious gospel!’
The “imminent return of Jesus” is real. This is what Jesus taught in this part of Luke 12 and the most important thing He said about it was “be ready!"
In the final sermon (of this two parter) about anxiety and worry, Tony shows how Jesus calls His people to not seek the earthly, temporal things of this world; but rather seek the kingdom of God as the priority of life
In part 1 of this two part series from Luke 12:22-34 we see Jesus tell His disciples that they should not worry and never worry. There is never a time or reason when worry is appropriate or allowed for God’s people. A tall order? It is but thankfully Jesus is very specific in unveiling the reasons we worry and what we can do about it.
To lose everything and gain the kingdom of heaven is a bargain. In this parable, Jesus shows the surpassing worth of His kingdom not by displaying the treasure of the kingdom, but by showing the effect it has on a man.
How do you respond to Jesus when you mess up? Peter's life showed us two typical responses. Push Him away or draw closer to Him. How can we draw close when we've messed up so badly? He comes to us! When you really know Jesus, you run to him and not away.
The story of the resurrection of Jesus is one that Christians never tire of - it is what shapes the reality of living the Christian life. In this sermon, Tony tells the story while making some stops along the way to point out some lessons for us today.
Jesus told the disciples what was going to happen to Him when they arrived at Jerusalem. But they didn’t understand. There is nothing more important than to understand the meaning of the cross of Christ!
In this parable of the rich fool, Jesus exposes the foolishness of thinking your money, possessions and material wealth is for you to relax, eat, drink and be merry.
We learn from Jesus that all true Christians openly confess their faith in Christ before all people. They are not afraid, embarrassed or reluctant. And when they do, Jesus openly confesses them before the angels of God. However, the consequence of denying Jesus is that He will deny them before the angels of God.
“Don’t you fear God?” That is the question the criminal on the cross asked the other criminal who was attacking Jesus while He was being crucified. It is a good question for us to answer. Fearing God seems to be at an all time low. But Jesus told us to fear God, who has the authority to kill the body and then cast {the soul?} into hell. What does it mean to fear God? How can I cultivate the fear of God?
It is clear. Jesus abhors hypocrisy. He reserved His harshest language and most severe rebukes for hypocrites.
Our lives will reflect our perspective of the future coming of the day of God. This perspective is critical for Christians to recover and embrace.
Many people, Christians included, don’t know how their story will end, how the story will end. In this sermon, Jonathan seeks to take you on a tour through our eternal destiny.
In this final sermon in Luke 11, we see Jesus reveal how the Pharisees misunderstood what it means to “walk with God.” Be careful, though, in just seeing this as a expose’ on the Pharisees - you probably will see you too!
Jesus was not hiding, He was not hiding who He was. And yet, they still did not believe. It all gets down to the eyes - what do you see?
Jesus called the generation He was with and evil generation. He called them that because they kept seeking “signs” from Him to validate what He was saying. This is not the faith God wants in His people. There is a certain species of faith that saves, sustains, gives life and produces perseverance - this is what Tony brings in this message.
It seems like we are confused by what the “blessed life” is in America. We tend to believe we are blessed if we are prosperous, healthy, etc. But Jesus says that blessed one is the one who “hears the word of God and keeps it.”
In this scene from Jesus’ life He casts out a demon from a man who had been made mute by the demon. But there is more here than “meets the eye.” Listen and see how Jesus steers the scene to teach us a very important, powerful lesson about our souls
This week our speaker is Ryan Boyette. Ryan has been a missionary in Sudan for 15 years. He is unique among missionaries and you will be blessed and encouraged when you listen to him.
If you would like to go to Ryan’s ministry’s web site you can here: www.tomovemountains.org
It is a good time of the year to ask the Lord “how do you want me to live?” We go to Ephesians 5:1-2 where we find Paul’s very simple answer to that question - simple to understand yet profound to practice.
This week, Pastor Travis speaks from Psalm 90. Pastor Jonathan then brings up some of our young adults for a discussion around following Jesus as a young adult and about their recent trip to Passion 2022.
There is a saying that has been in the church since the early church. It is trustworthy and deserving of our full acceptance.
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of peace. Hey Christian, do you know who is in you and with you?
In this advent sermon Tony takes us to Isaiah’s prophecy about the coming Messiah. He asks “what is it like to have Jesus in your life? Does it make any difference?” It should according to what Isaiah has to say about Him!
In this final sermon on the Lord’s prayer, Tony examines Jesus’ statement in Luke 11:13 - "if you who are evil.” It is a stunning statement that applies to all of humanity for all time since the fall. However, it really is a hope filled advent message!
We live in a world that stirs up discontent and desire. God asks us to wait on His perfect timing to do His perfect will. Whatever our struggle, He has come to us to not just be for us from a distance but with us as savior!
In part 2 of the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples to pray, Tony helps us see the grand realities of all of life that Jesus wants us to pray around & about. This prayer is much more than words to recite. Jesus is inviting us to pray about what matters most, ultimate matters of life and death.
In this sermon, pastor Jonathan aims to show who the real prodigal is - God. We are all prone to wander, running from God, and in this parable we see the key to breaking the cycle of our waywardness.
In this 1st part, of a 2 part series, Tony helps us see why taking prayer for granted is such an evil tragedy. He then walks us through the “instructions” from Jesus on how to pray.
The story of Mary and Martha - a listener and a server. Tony wants us to see that it is what you believe about Jesus that shapes your life with Jesus.
Who is Jesus? And who is Jesus when we sin? The apostle John tells us in his first epistle.
Today we take a look at the Parable of the Good Samaritan. And we see Jesus turn the question asked around. The lawyer asked “who is my neighbor?” And Jesus asked “Who is a neighbor?"
Tony finishes his series in Luke 10, Sheep Among Wolves, appointed & sent. In this final sermon Tony points out three responses that happened as a result of the mission Jesus sent the 72 on - reception, rejection and rejoicing.
In part 5 of the series Sheep Among Wolves Tony reveals why the American church is so anemic these days and why Christians are not, generally speaking, devoted to the mission of Christ. And then he walks us through the instructions that Jesus gave the 72 men He sent out on mission
The Apostle Paul asks four questions at the end of Romans chapter eight that will cause the people of God to experience true change, unshakable confidence, and a satisfaction in Christ to renounce all things.
This is the fourth part of a series Tony is doing in Luke 10. Today, though, he takes us to Matthew 10 where Matthew gives greater detail to what Jesus meant by sending His people out as sheep among wolves.
The focus of this sermon is Luke 10:3 - “I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.” How can I get serious about proclaiming the gospel? Why are there wolves? How do we see wolves being wolves around the world and in America right now? What does the American church need to know about wolves? These are some of the questions Tony answers in this sermon.
In the second part of this miniseries on Luke, Tony starts to walk us thru Jesus’ instructions He gave the 72 He was sending on mission. And I think you will see that they are seamlessly transferrable to us today.
In this sermon Tony introduces Jesus’ instructions to the 72 He sent out on mission. He “appointed” and “sent” them to proclaim the Kingdom of God. And He still does that - appoints and sends His people, where they are, to proclaim the kingdom of God
Are you a follower of Christ? It means much more than what we typically think. In this text Jesus says, what appears to be, the most outlandish, unreasonable things as to what it takes to follow Him. We find three necessary ingredients to being a follower of Christ.
In this passage Luke writes 4 vignettes from the life of Jesus. Though they are different stories seemingly unrelated, we actually see God’s explicit, specific sovereignty and man’s ugly, evil pride.
People don't ask how the first half of our race went. They want to know how we finish. The same is true of our lives. We want to run with endurance, until the end, as we follow Jesus in a life of faith. Knowing and focusing on Him is how we finish well.
Our faith is in God. When He calls us to go to a place we've never been it is scary and our faith is tested. How do we respond in faith? Take the next step and trust He will guide us, just like Abraham.
Hebrews 11 says our faith is the assurance or substance of things hoped for. What is the substance of your faith? The answer to that will determine the course of the rest of your life. Jesus is the only substance that can hold us up. That is why true faith follows Jesus!
The Christian is God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. There is a design to the Christian life, and this design will be realized and walked out as we identify who we are - His workmanship.
Why did God save you? And why did God save you the way that He saved you? In this sermon, Jonathan Plummer seeks to answer these vitally important questions.
Ephesians chapter two was written to the church so that we would know and embrace the hope that God has called us to, the riches of his glorious inheritance in us, and the immeasurable greatness of his power towards us who believe. It does this by showing us who we were by nature, before we came to know who God is by nature.
“I believe, help my unbelief” cried the father to Jesus. It seems to be a description of many of God’s people - believing but not believing. Being convinced in the mind but not at rest in the heart.
The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. Probably the most extraordinary event in the earthly ministry of The Savior
After Peter told Jesus he believed He was “The Christ of God,” Jesus revealed that He was going to suffer and die. And if anyone would follow Jesus they, like Jesus, must deny themselves and bear their cross too.
Jesus is the most important person who has ever walked this earth. In this text He asks the most important question that has ever been asked. How you answer this question will determine your eternity - heaven or hell
When Jesus fed the 5,000 He actually fed 12,000 - 15,000. In this story from Luke 9 Tony shows us how we see God - His compassion and how nothing is impossible for Him. As a result, we should and can find rest in Him and trust Him for big asks!
The Christian life is a war and prayer is essential to the fight, both for us personally and for the church. Paul instructs our prayer in the closing remarks of his letter to the Ephesians.
Jesus sent the 12 apostles out on mission, to proclaim the kingdom of heaven is at hand and to preform signs, wonders and miracles. He made it clear, it would be a dangerous mission that would require faith and absolute surrender.
Luke 8 contains four different miracles that Jesus performed. Each amazing. Each filled with lessons for us. Together there are three one word characteristics that, if lived by the Christian, would free them to live the abundant life that Jesus promised.
This is part 2 of Tony’s sermon on the parable of the sower. In this sermon Tony walks through the four different people who had four different responses and four different outcomes - all to hearing the gospel. There are challenges from each one.
What does man gain from life in this world? That is the quest of Solomon, as well as our quest. This sermon is an exposition of Ecclesiastes 1, which brings our attention to our imminent death. Death, when accepted and embraced, will bring clarity and joy to this life “under the sun."
If we want to see the fruit of our relationship with Jesus we must abide in Jesus. Virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, brotherly kindness, and love are the fruit Peter says will come out of our lives when we share in His divine nature. These are what it means to abide in Christ.
There are two kinds of hope, two types of legitimate hope that we all long for, need and desire. One is a surface level hope where we don’t know what the outcome will be while the other hope is a substantial, granite like, confident expectation in the promises of God. The resurrection of Jesus ensures the later hope!
On the cross of Christ we see the justice, holiness, mercy and love of God being satisfied in His death. It is a scandalous love - an innocent man dying for the guilty!
This is a sermon Tony preached on Palm Sunday. Listen close to the story he tells at the beginning. It is an allegory of God and His people that enlightens the story of the Triumphal Entry of Jesus!
Luke 8:1-3 reveals, so clearly, the heart of Jesus, the mission of Jesus and how Jesus wanted His heart and mission to continue after He left this earth. And it is all about good news!
In this sermon Tony returns to Luke, to one of the better known scenes in Jesus’ life. It is a story that is so beautiful, and yet scandalous at the same time. You will see that in this story you will see yourself, and it might be hard to see.
Today Tony takes to Ephesians 4 to discover three very important truths about the church. It is a Say Yes Sunday at Grace Community Bible Church, a Sunday for more of the GCBC family to get involved in serving the Lord
God revealed His name to Moses. To know God, we must come to know Him by name, and in turn we will find out who we are. Pastor Jonathan prays that this sermon will comfort you in the great callings of God in your life, and bring you to know God and not just know about Him.
John the Baptist doubted Jesus. He was in prison and apparently thought Jesus would have done something about it. But Jesus is tender with John even as He is tender with us when we have times of doubt.
In this sermon we learn that Jesus both knows us perfectly, fully understands us and moves toward us with tenderness and compassion. Luke puts this on display for us in this story about a widow who lost her only son; and Jesus raised him from the dead.
This is the story of the Roman Centurion who had faith that amazed Jesus. Tony wants us to see the two qualities of his faith that caught the Savior’s attention.
In this final sermon from Luke’s edition of the Sermon on The Mount, Tony leads us to see that Jesus ends His sermon in a very loving and extremely blunt way. What He says is motivated by His great, steadfast love. And it is a love that moves Him to bluntly tell us the difference between followers and admirers
Today Tony concludes his two part series on fruit and trees from Luke 6. What is fruit? What keeps us from bearing good fruit? How can we bear good fruit?
In this sermon Tony returns to the book of Luke, the Sermon on The Mount. He calls Jesus’ teaching on a tree and its fruit so simple a first grader could understand it. But it is so profound in its lessons that a persons very soul depends on it.
We are Grace Community Bible Church. This sermon is a reminder and look at why we are marked by “bible” and “church” and how those words shape us.
We are Grace Community Bible Church. This sermon is a reminder and look at why we are marked by “grace” and “community” and how those words shape us.
On this, the last Sunday of 2020, Tony brings a challenge to make “reaching the lost” a passion for 2021. 2 Corinthians 5 tells us that God saves people through His people and that should be a great desire for us. Tony brings up his great friends Rich and Barbie Hart so they could share their passion for reaching the lost.
In this final advent sermon of 2020 Tony brings our focus on the peace that Jesus came to bring. Shalom. Maybe one of the most important words, concepts and gifts in all of the Bible. Jesus is shalom who came to bring shalom. Shalom is a much deeper term than just peace, rest and serenity. It is all of those things, but more. It is rich and beautiful. It is reminiscent of the garden of Eden.
This advent season we find ourselves unimaginably in the midst of a global pandemic. Christmas and COVID. The incarnation and coronavirus. How do these go together? Do they? Is there any relation between a global pandemic and a global Savior?
The teenage parents of Jesus had a faith that trusted God even when they didn't understand. They went together into life knowing that God was for them and with them. We live knowing the same thing through His Holy Spirit!
This sermon is on the first Sunday of Advent, 2020. Pastor Jonathan aims to show that a mind full of heaven will be a Christmas full of life from Colossians chapter three, verses one through four.
In this sermon Tony takes us to Ephesians 5 where Paul shows a connection between impurity, sexual immorality, etc and gratitude. Oddly (at least for how it hits us initially) Paul teaches that thanksgiving is the power to defeat sin. You cannot be thankful and immoral. You cannot be impure and have gratitude.
Whose job is it to make disciples of Jesus? It is God's job, but He chooses to use us! As we love God we will love people and when we love people we will want to show them the love of God. That is discipleship. Find a place to serve and let's be a church that makes disciples!
God has given parents, grandparents, and the church a responsibility to care for the generation that comes after us. How do we show them the goodness of God in every area of their lives, even their sexuality. This message will help us get a Biblical perspective and some practical steps.
We must flee sexual immorality and our fight for purity is a community affair. As the family of God we must meet one another with love, compassion, and trust as we confess and walk alongside one another in the battle for purity.
Sexual sin is one of the, if not the most destructive sins one can engage in - it destroys more lives, more homes, more families and more relationships than just about any other sin. Sexual immorality leaves scars, changes the course of lives and can cause someone to live in shame and guilt for a very long time, if not their lifetime. In this sermon Tony takes us to 1 Corinthians 6 to show Paul’s three powerful arguments against sexual immorality. These three arguments, if believed and made your reality will release a power in you to say no to sexual sin.
If you love Jesus Christ, you will keep his commandments. True disciples of Jesus will love Him. Our love for Jesus will be evident and expressed in our obedience to Him.
This sermon comes from Luke 6:37-42, where Jesus says “judge not and you will not be judged….” Tony says this is one of the most misinterpreted and misunderstood of all Jesus’ teachings. In this message we learn that not only is this not a blanket, general prohibition to judge, we are actually called to a ministry of judging - charitable judging. It is a great act of kindness and love.