Helping the Church Grow

This is specifically written for Innovate Church supporters but can be applied to almost any church.

The question came up the other night about what are the best ways our supporters and members can help our church grow. Now, I want to say upfront, that church growth is about reaching more folks who need Jesus and need a loving community. As with a digital church, honestly, many of the same principles are the same as a physical church when it comes to growth.

The Personal Invite

The personal invite remains the top way to get others to join you in church.

But how do we go about inviting others? Here are some tips:

When asked, “Where/how do you attend Church?”

“I attend Innovate Church, an online community that is specifically for those who, for various reasons, find traditional church settings challenging. Whether it’s due to health issues, mental health considerations, or personal preferences, Innovate Church provides a warm, welcoming, and safe environment for everyone. They try to make it easy for anyone to attend our times of community together by offering these times via Zoom, YouTube, and Twitch live streams. This way, you can join in a way that is comfortable for you.”

“During the week, we have our open discussion and bible study time usually going deeper into the subjects and Scripture taught on the past Sunday. And on Sunday, we have a live church service online, including a children’s time. Following the Sunday service we have fellowship together and can comment or ask questions about the sermon, share prayer needs, and really be in community together.”

“We also have access to text groups and an online community that allows us to connect any time night or day.”

Invite Them to Dinner and Church

Because we meet digitally, you can invite anyone over to your own home, or meet anywhere outside of your home, and have dinner, or just coffee, with a small local group of family and friends. You can cast the service on a larger screen from your mobile device so that everyone can enjoy the stream on the big screen if you’d like.

Share Personal Experiences

One of the most powerful tools in your arsenal is your own story. Share how Innovate Church has impacted your life. Maybe it’s the convenience of attending services from home or the specific way a sermon spoke to your circumstances. Or maybe it’s the loving and warm community you’ve found in the Innovate members. Personal testimonies resonate deeply and can pique curiosity in others.

Highlight the Accessibility and Inclusion

You probably know someone who can’t or doesn’t go to church due to health issues, mental health considerations, or personal preferences. These are the folks we specifically want to be reaching out to and including in the life of Innovate Church. Tell these folks about us and emphasize the accessibility and inclusivity of Innovate Church. Let them know that they can participate in a full church experience from the comfort of their own home, which is a game-changer for many with health and mobility challenges.

Extend an Invitation to Online Groups

Innovate Church isn’t just about the Sunday service; we are in community and can participate in various online groups and activities throughout the week. While we may not have our online groups set up yet, you can still invite someone to join a Bible study, prayer group, or any other virtual gathering that aligns with their interests or needs. You can create, or we can help you start a new group online. We also have our bible reading plans that we do together using the Bible app by Youversion. You can add these folks as a friend and pass them on to the Innovate Church or Pastor Gerald’s accounts on the app so that they can be invited each time a new plan is started.

Other Great Ways to Help Us Grow

Serving

Other ways we can grow is by adding onto what we are already doing in giving folks a way to serve the church, let’s make that the big C-church. We’ve put together a whole list of ways folks could serve on our website: https://www.innovateccc.com/serve. But of course, even this isn’t exhaustive. We want to empower folks to use their God-given gifts, abilities, and passions to serve God. So, we are open to talking with anyone about what they’d like to do and come alongside them and help make it happen.

Utilize Your Social Media Platform

As a digital church and in the digital age, social media is a key platform for connection. Share links to our church’s services, blog posts, personal stories, or uplifting messages on your social networks. A simple post or tweet can open doors for someone seeking a spiritual community like ours. When we are live, make sure you share it on your platform of choice, or where you have the largest following. Create posts before service, maybe even early in the week, letting folks know what you’re looking forward to experiencing or learning when Innovate Church meets together the next time. Did our online community help you in some way recently? Share about it and encourage others to join it as well.

Giving out, and sharing, links to all of our social platforms is great and easy.

Online Community

We’d like to get our online community, through Mighty Networks or our Discord server, flooded with new folks and use that platform as a way to stay connected 24/7. We really feel Discord is the way to go for this as it is the easiest and free to use. It can be the online hub for groups and newcomers to first connect with us. It also allows for messaging and voice chat groups, and automatic notifications for when we are live on the various platforms.

WhatsApp also can be a messaging and group-gathering platform. It is used by millions outside of the US but hasn’t been as utilized here in the States…though it is a product of Facebook itself. It too is easy to use, works like instant messenger, and has voice and video chat capabilities and it can be set up to not give out personal phone numbers.

We do have a Facebook page and Group, but those aren’t really utilized well either. And we all know the distractions of Facebook, its advertising policies, notifications, and how bad many of us wish we weren’t on it.

I wrote and shared this blog in March of 2023, which also speaks to some of this listed above.

As always, your support through these years has been wonderful and I am so grateful.

Thankful for the Call to Share God’s Gifts

Sermon notes for this sermon here.

Introduction:

Recap the journey of the past three weeks: grace, mercy, and sovereignty.

Introduce the theme: “Thankful for the Call to Share God’s Gifts.“

Explain how we are not just recipients but also conduits of God’s grace, mercy, and sovereignty.

Enjoy, Apply, and Share

Proverbs 23:12 (ESV)

Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.

I. The Gift of Sharing

What are we to do with the gifts we have received?

The Best Seed

There once was a farmer who grew the most excellent wheat. Every season he won the award for the best wheat in his county.

A wise woman came to him to ask him about his success.

He told her that the key was sharing his best seed with his neighbors so they could plant the seed as well.

The wise woman asked, “How can you share your best wheat seed with your neighbors when they compete with you every year?”

“That’s simple,” the farmer replied.

“The wind spreads the pollen from everyone’s wheat and carries it from field to field. If my neighbors grew inferior wheat, cross-pollination would degrade everyone’s wheat, including mine. If I’m to grow the best wheat, I must help my neighbors grow the best wheat as well.”

1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

The farmer in our story was a good steward of what the Lord had given him, including wisdom.

Has God not given you His best gifts? That of, His Grace, His Mercy, and His sovereign care for us?

And if He has, then shouldn’t we, out of our gratitude give to others as He has given to us?

Imagine the change in your family, in your community, in the world, if we Christians gave as God has given us!

II. Sharing God’s Grace

Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

When a person works an eight-hour day and receives a fair day’s pay for his time, that is a wage. When a person competes with an opponent and receives a trophy for his performance, that is a prize. When a person receives appropriate recognition for his long service or high achievements, that is an award. But when a person is not capable of earning a wage, can win no prize, and deserves no award–yet receives such a gift anyway–that is a good picture of God’s unmerited favor. This is what we mean when we talk about the grace of God.
G.W. Knight, Clip-Art Features for Church Newsletters, p. 53.

Grace received should result in grace being given.

We forgive because we have been forgiven.

God’s unmerited favor, is His kindness towards us. We don’t deserve it, but He chose to give it to us.

Instead of waiting for someone to “deserve” grace, or forgiveness, we are called to be the first to do so.

III. Sharing God’s Mercy

Luke 6:36 (ESV)

Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

What is mercy you ask?

A mother once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son. The emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offense twice and justice demanded death.

“But I don’t ask for justice,” the mother explained. “I plead for mercy.”

“But your son does not deserve mercy,” Napoleon replied.

“Sir,” the woman cried, “it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for.”

“Well, then,” the emperor said, “I will have mercy.” And he spared the woman’s son.
Luis Palau, Experiencing God’s Forgiveness, Multnomah Press, 1984.

Our God is indeed a God of justice, but we need to be ever so thankful that He is a God of mercy.

If He were not merciful, if He didn’t show you mercy, what is it you deserve? Death. Hell. Eternal separation from the Father.

Ephesians 2:4–5 (ESV)

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

Let us remember in our own personal dealings with those who may deserve the consequences of their actions, that we also deserve consequences that God in His great mercy has chosen not to give us.

If He has shown us great mercy then we too should be people quick to show mercy to others.

IV. Sharing God’s Sovereignty

Isaiah 46:9-10

“Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.‘”

Sharing about God’s sovereignty in our lives can inspire others to trust Him.

When we can speak of and share the stories of our own trials and tribulations, and share that same word that Joseph shared with his brothers when they thought they were going to finally get what they deserved:

Genesis 50:20 (ESV)

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

I want to point out though, verse 19

Genesis 50:19 (ESV)

But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?

Joseph now saw God’s sovereignty at work, even through his own brothers’ actions. Because of that, he realized he had no right to be upset with how his brothers had done him because from God caused good to occur.

He wasn’t angry with his brothers, or even with God.

How about you? In sharing your own story you can help others to see hope in their own situation. Hope that God will bring about good from their pain because of His sovereign care for them.

Reminding them of Jeremiah’s words:

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

As redeemed people of Christ, we should be a people of hope in the world,

1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

always prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you…

Trusting in His sovereignty helps us to know that no matter what happens in life, or how we may feel we have failed Him, He will achieve His purposes through us and lead us into life eternal with Him.

Even if you feel as though you have failed Him because of how you’ve not acted as you feel you should due to your circumstances, or maybe you’ve struck out on your own trying to do things your own way instead of trusting His plan for your life.

You’re not alone in that, we all have done so!

So if you’re wrestling with this then I want to share about the next Gift He gives us:

V. The Gift of Salvation

During the building of the Golden Gate Bridge over San Francisco Bay, construction fell badly behind schedule because several workers had accidentally fallen from the scaffolding to their deaths. Engineers and administrators could find no solution to the costly delays. Finally, someone suggested a gigantic net be hung under the bridge to catch any who fell. Finally in spite of the enormous cost, the engineers opted for the net. After it was installed, progress was hardly interrupted. A worker or two fell into the net but were saved. Ultimately, all the time lost to fear was regained by replacing fear with faith in the net.

We are saved by grace, God’s unmerited favor given to us through our faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus is our safety net. You may feel you have failed…

But God in his great mercy and grace, through His sovereignty, knew you would and gave you a safety net to fall into.

If we are thankful for this great gift then He has given us a Commission, a responsibility that shouldn’t feel like a chore as much as it should be a joy, an overflow of our own joy.

We get to tell others about this safety Net!

Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV)

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

When we understand the value, the cost, and the importance of the gift, we want to tell others about it.

This is our call, our mission, and our purpose.

All the gifts, all those trials and tribulations God has sovereignly allowed you to experience are to be used as tools in your efforts make disciples of others.

VI. Responding to the Call

2 Corinthians 5:18–20 (ESV)

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Ambassador – defined

An accredited diplomat sent by a country as its official representative to a foreign country.
“the French ambassador to Portugal”

A person who acts as a representative or promoter of a specified activity.
“he is a good ambassador for the industry”

All that we have studied these past 4 weeks are from God. His gifts to us overflow from His own character.

Hear this verse this way:

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled YOU to himself and gave YOU the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling YOUR neighbors, friends, co-workers to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to YOU the message of reconciliation. Therefore, YOU are an ambassador for Christ, God making his appeal through YOU. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

God has given us the gifts of grace, mercy, and our experiences, to help us be His representatives in the world.

Are you living in a way that shows your gratitude for His gifts, and taking the responsibility of being His ambassador by giving these same gifts to those around you?

If we’re thankful for His gifts, then we should desire that others receive these gifts too.

Conclusion:

The purpose of this series was to call us to be thankful for God’s gifts not just in words but in deeds.

This is why we make sure we treat others as we want to be treated…with grace, with mercy, and in a way that shares our life with them as He did for us.

Sharing God’s gifts is a response of gratitude and a reflection of His character in us.

He shared His best seed with us and He calls us to share our best seed with others so that we can cross-pollinate with our neighbors the good seed of God’s love.

Thankful for God’s Sovereignty

Sermon Notes for the third of our thankful series. Video HERE.

An English writer, once wrote a story about a janitor at St Peter’s Church in London. One day a young vicar discovered that the janitor was illiterate and fired him. Jobless, the man invested his meager savings in a tiny tobacco shop, where he prospered, bought another, expanded, and ended up with a chain of tobacco stores worth several hundred thousand dollars. One day the man’s banker said, “You’ve done well for an illiterate, but where would you be if you could read and write?” “Well,” replied the man, “I’d be janitor of St. Peter’s Church in Neville Square.” Bits and Pieces, June 24, 1993, p. 23.

Often times, bad things happen and we don’t know what to do with them or why they happened until later in life.

Jesus was clear, “In the world you will have tribulation.” John 16:33

Tribulation: affliction, distress, oppression

John 15:18-John 16:33: Hated, murdered, sorrow for loss.

Encouragement: “Have peace, take heart, I have overcome the world.”

Today we’re going to explore the concept of God’s sovereignty, understanding the difference between God being in control and being controlling.

I. Understanding God’s Sovereignty

God’s sovereignty is His supreme authority and control over all things.

Nothing happens without His allowing it, or making it.

Hear this!

God is a God in Control but not OF Control

When it comes to us as humans, His creation, HE is in control of our lives but He does not control our lives.

We will dive into that further a little later.

We can trust His Sovereignty, His control.

God’s sovereignty as the foundation of our trust and hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

This is part of a letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent to the Jewish exiles who had been deported to Babylon.
The Babylonians had conquered the kingdom of Judah and destroyed Jerusalem in 587 BC. Many Jews were taken captive and exiled to Babylon.
Jeremiah wrote this letter to the exiles around 597 BC, about 10 years after the first wave of Jews were deported.
The exiles were living in a pagan land and surrounded by unfamiliar customs and false gods. They longed to return home.
False prophets were telling the exiles they would be able to return to Judah very soon. Jeremiah contradicted this, saying the exile would last 70 years.
Jeremiah encouraged the exiles to settle down in Babylon, build homes, plant gardens, marry, and seek the welfare of the city.
In the midst of the difficulties of exile, Jeremiah wanted to give hope that God still had a future and purpose for His people.

Again, here we see in action, God’s control of the situation, He allowed it. But He did not control His people’s response to it.

He used Jeremiah to speak encouragement to them, but it was ultimately theei choice to receive the encouragement.

God was offering them hope in the situation that looked horribly dire.

Hope was slow in coming though, 70 years in the making.

II. Examples of God’s Sovereignty in the Bible

One of my favorite stories of God’s Sovereignty is that of Joseph.

Joseph’s Story

Joseph’s Dreams: Joseph is 17 years old when he has his dreams (Genesis 37:1-11).
Sold into Slavery: This event happens shortly after the dreams, so Joseph is still around 17 (Genesis 37:12-35)
Purchased by Potiphar: This happens soon after Joseph is sold into slavery. (Genesis 37:36)
Falsely Accused and Imprisoned: The Bible doesn’t specify how long Joseph served in Potiphar’s house before being imprisoned, but it implies he was there for a significant period, during which he gained trust and authority. It’s possible a few years passed, but the exact time is not specified. (Genesis 39:1-20)
Interprets Prisoners’ Dreams: Joseph spends an unspecified amount of time in prison before interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker. This could add several more years to his age. (Genesis 39:21- Genesis 40)
Interpreting Pharaoh’s Dreams: Joseph is 30 years old when he stands before Pharaoh. This is when he interprets Pharaoh’s dreams and proposes the plan for the grain. (Genesis 41:1-36)
Second-in-Command in Egypt: This happens immediately after he interprets Pharaoh’s dreams, so he is still 30. (Genesis 41:37-57)
Brothers Come to Egypt: The seven years of plenty are followed by two years of famine before Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt. This would make Joseph approximately 39 years old at this time. (Genesis 42-45)
Joseph Reveals His Identity: This occurs during the same visit, so Joseph is still around 39. (Genesis 45)
Family Moves to Egypt: This happens shortly after Joseph reveals his identity, so he is still around 39. (Genesis 46)
Joseph Reflects on God’s Providence: This reflection likely happens towards the end of the narrative, but no specific age is mentioned.
- Genesis 50:19–20 (ESV)
- But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

You think Joseph would have questioned Jeremiah’s words if he were to have known them prior to the events of his life?

Have you questioned God’s plans for your life?

If you were in control, how would you be different?

Have you suffered in this life?

“Suffering gets our attention; it forces us to look to God, when otherwise we would just as well ignored Him.”

Many of us desire to end our suffering, and maybe even the suffering of others.

“I just want to be normal.”

What if your current suffering is part of God’s plan of hope for you, or someone you love?

Would you be thankful?

III. Embracing God’s Sovereignty with Thankfulness

Remember

God is a God in Control but not OF Control

He controls the situation but not our response to it.

Illustration of Our Control

A man found a cocoon of the emperor moth and took it home to watch it emerge. One day a small opening appeared, and for several hours the moth struggled but couldn’t seem to force its body past a certain point.

Deciding something was wrong, the man took scissors and snipped the remaining bit of cocoon. The moth emerged easily, its body large and swollen, the wings small and shriveled.

He expected that in a few hours the wings would spread out in their natural beauty, but they did not. Instead of developing into a creature free to fly, the moth spent its life dragging around a swollen body and shriveled wings.

The constricting cocoon and the struggle necessary to pass through the tiny opening are God’s way of forcing fluid from the body into the wings. The “merciful” snip was, in reality, cruel. Sometimes the struggle is exactly what we need.

We have to relinquish our desire for control and instead embrace God’s perfect plan.

Often it is the struggle of life that helps us to value it.

Steven Hawking once said, after receiving his ALS diagnosis and at first had that initial shock, became extremely positive in his acceptance of the illness that would likely take his life in the next two years, saying:

“When one’s expectations are reduced to zero,” he said, “one really appreciates everything that one does have.”

Stated another way: contentment in life is determined in part by what a person anticipates from it. To a man like Hawking who thought he would soon die quickly, everything takes on meaning–a sunrise or a walk in a park or the laughter of children. Suddenly, each small pleasure becomes precious. By contrast, those who believe life owes them a free ride are often discontent with its finest gifts. James Dobson, New Man, October, 1994, p. 36.

Knowing that God is sovereignly in control of our circumstances, helps us to accept the hard parts of life.

We can trust that He has a plan and purpose for our struggle.

IV. Trusting in God’s Sovereignty

Romans 8:28 (ESV): “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

The Apostle Paul is another example that we can learn from.

Written from Prison:

“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” (Philippians 1:12)
“For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.” (Philippians 1:29)
“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18)
“And we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)

Can we trust God?

Isaiah 46:9-10

“Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.‘”

Conclusion:

We can trust the Lord with all of our lives on this earth.

Suffering
Trials
Tribulations

But I want you to remember:

God is a God in Control but not OF Control

He doesn’t force you to accept His plan or His outcomes.

It is up to you to trust Him. This includes trusting Him in this life and for the next.

Have you trusted Him with your eternity?

He has allowed you to hear the message today, but He is not forcing your response to it.

Salvation is a gift He offers to us, but it is up to us to receive it.

This is why we should be thankful for the Gift of His Sovereignty.

His Sovereignty brought you here, but the response is up to you.

Will you receive His Gift of salvation?

Thankful for Grace that Abounds

Sermon notes for week one of our “Thankful for God’s Gifts series.”

We love gifts, right? I know I do.

When someone gives you a gift, how do you respond?

What are God’s gifts and our response to them?

“The very center and core of the whole Bible is the doctrine of the grace of God. The center of the Bible, and the center of Christianity, is found in the grace of God.”
Theologian J. Gresham Machen

I. Understanding God’s Grace

Define and explain the concept of God’s grace:

Grace as God’s unmerited favor.
Grace as a gift we don’t deserve.
Grace as the foundation of our salvation.

Charles Spurgeon and Joseph Parker both had churches in London in the 19th century. On one occasion, Parker commented on the poor condition of children admitted to Spurgeon’s orphanage. It was reported to Spurgeon however, that Parker had criticized the orphanage itself. Spurgeon blasted Parker the next week from the pulpit. The attack was printed in the newspapers and became the talk of the town. People flocked to Parker’s church the next Sunday to hear his rebuttal. “I understand Dr. Spurgeon is not in his pulpit today, and this is the Sunday they use to take an offering for the orphanage. I suggest we take a love offering here instead.” The crowd was delighted. The ushers had to empty the collection plates 3 times. Later that week there was a knock at Parker’s study. It was Spurgeon. “You know Parker, you have practiced grace on me. You have given me not what I deserved, you have given me what I needed.

This is the Bible and Christianity at its core.

God has chosen not to give us what we deserve but instead what we needed.

Grace.

II. Examples of God’s Grace in the Bible

Remember this:

Romans 3:23 (ESV)
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Creation – We are here!

In the beginning God created…
Made in His image – given value from the beginning.

The Fall – Yet He didn’t give up

God chose in the beginning to show grace because He is gracious.

The Flood – Another chance given

The story of Noah and the ark, where God saved Noah and his family (Genesis 6-9).
Genesis 6:8 (ESV)
But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
- Favor is grace.

The Covenant – He chose one man

Genesis 12:1–3 (ESV) 300 years after Noah
12 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. 2 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. 3 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 17:7 (ESV)
And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.
Exodus 6:7–8 (ESV) 600 years after Abram
7 I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the LORD.’ ”

The Chosen – He chose one nation

Deuteronomy 7:6–8 (ESV)
6 “For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8 but it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Why the Old Testament Passages?

God doesn’t change!

Remember it is His unmerited favor!

He is a Gracious and Merciful God

III. Gratitude for God’s Unmerited Favor

J. I. Packer suggests that grace is simply God’s love demonstrated toward those who deserve the opposite.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death.

Paul – The life of the apostle Paul, who experienced God’s transformative grace (Acts 9:1-22).

Life Before Christ

Acts 8:3 (ESV)
But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
breathed threats and murder against the followers of Christ.

He Chose Paul!

Created

New Creation

Purpose

A life of dedication to the Lord.
Paul’s road was not easy though he was favored by God.

Chosen to Suffer

Acts 9:16 (ESV)
For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

2 Corinthians 12:9
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

God doesn’t owe us

How are you showing God you are thankful for His grace?

My Own Life

Saved by Grace

Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Jesus is God’s Grace

Titus 2:11: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.”

God ordained for us, in our place, One who took upon Himself all the punishment we deserve. He fulfilled the law for us. He averted the judgment of God from us and appeased God’s wrath. Grace, therefore, costs us nothing, but is cost Another much to get it for us. Grace was purchased with an incalculable, infinite treasure, the Son of God Himself.”
Martin Luther, Daily Walk, May 5, 1992.

How are you showing God you are thankful for His grace?

Changed Lives

Titus 2:11–14 (ESV)
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Live Your Purpose

When we are thankful for it then we are most likely to share it and desire it for others.

Show Grace – forgive lest ye be forgiven.

The Gospel

Romans 3:23–24 (ESV)

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Saved by grace through faith.

This is the major difference between Christianity and other world religions.

We are not saved by our own merit, how good we are.

It is a gift!

Finding Peace

In a world full of anxiety and unrest, we all long for peace. But where can we find real, lasting peace amidst the chaos? According to Scripture, true peace comes only from God through faith in Jesus Christ.

The “peace of God” described in Philippians 4:6-7 surpasses human understanding. It guards our hearts and minds when we bring our requests to God in prayer instead of being anxious. This supernatural peace comes from being in relationship with God. This is the peace you’re not only searching for, but you need.

Jesus Himself promised this peace to His followers in John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” The peace He gives is not like worldly peace that depends on circumstances. It comes from being united with Him by faith, even in troubled times. This peace is His gift to us.

To experience Christ’s peace, we must trust in God wholeheartedly, as Isaiah 26:3 describes. Fixing our minds on Him through scripture meditation, prayer, and worship nurtures an attitude of trust, resulting in “perfect peace.” Perfect peace only comes by us trusting in the One that lived perfectly.

Living in gratitude also enables us to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, as Paul instructs in Colossians 3:15. Thanking God for His presence and blessings keeps us centered on Him. It is also this peace that works its way out by us seeking to live in peace with those around us. It is this peace in our hearts that helps us to be more patient, more understanding, and seeks to motivate us to be the peacemakers He calls us to be.

Faith in Jesus Christ is the key to walking in true peace. When Jesus healed people in the Gospels, He often said, “Go in peace.” Their faith had made them well and filled them with peace. As Luke 1:79 says, God guides our feet into the “way of peace” when we walk by faith in Him. Through our faith in Jesus, we are restored to a right relationship with the Father, giving us peace with Him.

Even when facing tribulation, we can have peace in Christ, knowing He has overcome the world (John 16:33). Fixing our eyes on Jesus gives peace and courage to endure hardships.

No matter what you are going through, Jesus’ peace is available to you. Come to Him in faith, pray for His salvation, trust in His promises, and let gratitude guard your heart. Walk in faith, knowing He has already won the victory. You were created to live in His perfect peace.

Understanding Unanswered Prayer

Have you ever experienced a situation where you felt that your prayers were unanswered? How did it make you feel, and how did you respond?

We had a little bible study and discussion on this vary topic, and I wanted to share with you the notes here so maybe you might be encouraged in your own prayer life, even when your prayers seem unanswered.

What Does the Bible Say?

1. James 4:2-3 (ESV)

“You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”

What does this passage say about the reasons for unanswered prayer?
Discuss how motives and desires can affect the effectiveness of prayer.
What are some wrong motives people might have when praying, and how can we ensure our motives are aligned with God’s will?

2. Matthew 7:7-11 (ESV)

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

How does Jesus encourage us to approach God in prayer?
What assurance do we have regarding God’s response to our requests in this passage?

3. Psalm 66:18 (ESV).

“If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”

What does this verse suggest about the importance of a righteous life in relation to answered prayer?
What are some practical ways to maintain a righteous life and a close relationship with God, as Psalm 66:18 suggests, to enhance the effectiveness of your prayers?
How does repentance and maintaining a close relationship with God can impact our prayers?

4. 1 John 5:14-15 (ESV).

“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.”

According to these verses, what is the key to having confidence in prayer?
How do you differentiate between prayers that align with God’s will and prayers that may not align with His plan?
Where have you seen prayers aligned with God’s will being answered?

5. Luke 18:1-8 (ESV) (the parable of the persistent widow).

“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while, he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’ And the Lord said, ‘Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?'”

What does this parable teach us about persistence in prayer?
How should this parable influence our approach to unanswered prayer?
Think of an example from your life or from the Bible of a prayer that was initially unanswered but was later answered in God’s timing. How has that helped your faith in prayer?
How can the concept of persisting in prayer, as seen in the parable of the persistent widow, be applied to your life when facing unanswered prayer?

Conclusion:

We need to approach unanswered prayer with the perspective of seeking God’s will, maintaining a righteous life, and persisting in prayer.

God’s timing and wisdom are beyond our comprehension, and He always works for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

We have to continue in faithful prayer, trusting that God hears and responds according to His perfect plan.

Building Courage Through Trust in God

Taken from our last sermon of our fear series “Beaking Ground.” See it here

Fear is inevitable in life. From health crises to new jobs to just daily worries, anxiety comes for us all. In those moments, it’s tempting to let fear win and paralyze us from moving forward. But with faith in God, we can find the courage to press on despite the fear.

Courage is not the absence of fear – it’s being able to keep putting one foot in front of the other, even when afraid. God does not want us to live in bondage to anxiety and fear. He desires for us to live boldly and fully in the purpose He has planned. When inevitable worries arise, we can confront them head-on with trust in the power of God working within us.

So how do we build courage through trust in God? Here are some practical steps:

Bring your fears to God in prayer. Pour out your heart as David did in Psalm 55:1-7, 16-17:

“Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy! Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan, because of the noise of the enemy…My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me…But I call to God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.”

Ask God for strength in your fears, then leave those burdens fully in His hands.

Renew your mind with scriptures about God’s power and faithfulness, like Proverbs 3:5-6:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Recall specific times God has brought you through trials in the past. Let these build your trust in Him for the future.
Take small steps to practice courage in manageable situations, building your “faith muscles.”
Journal about fears you face and how God helps you. Use these as touchstones when bigger fears arise.
Find supportive friends to walk this journey with you. We were not made to battle alone.

With each courageous step forward in trust, your confidence in God will grow. Before long, you’ll be ready to face any fear head-on, knowing He is right by your side. Our God is for us – who can stand against us with Him on our side? Don’t let fear have the final say in your life. Keep your eyes firmly fixed on Jesus and boldly walk into the purpose God has for you. With Him going before you, what do you possibly have to fear?

Cultivating Trust: Growth Despite Fear

This blog post is built upon the sermon found here.

“Cultivating Trust: Growth Despite Fear”

Strengthening faith through trust in God.

Introduction: Taking the Leap

Imagine standing at the edge of an airplane’s open door, thousands of feet above the ground. Your heart races, palms sweaty, as you’re about to take a leap of faith – quite literally. This moment encapsulates the essence of faith and trust in action.

Fear as Fertilizer for Faith

Fear, like fertilizer for plants, plays an unexpected role in our spiritual growth. While fear might seem counterproductive, it can actually nurture our faith. Just as plants need nutrients to thrive, our faith can be enriched by facing our fears. Fear pushes us to lean on God, highlighting our vulnerability and dependence on His strength. It drives us to seek the unshakable foundation of faith when everything else feels uncertain.

Trust in God’s Plan Amidst Fear

Trusting God means allowing Him to steer our lives, even in the face of fear. Proverbs 3:5-6 guides us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Trust entails releasing our need for control, acknowledging His sovereignty, and allowing His wisdom to guide our paths. It’s the practical application of faith.

Finding Courage in Trust

David, in Psalm 56:3-4, shows us the way. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” David doesn’t deny fear’s presence but chooses to trust God’s reliability over his own understanding.

Growing Through Fear

Just as muscles require resistance to grow stronger, our faith needs challenges to deepen. Trials test our faith, helping us develop trust and courage. Past victories against fear serve as evidence that God is faithful. By recalling these moments, we build trust in His continuous care.

Practical Application of Trust

Much like leaping from an airplane, life presents opportunities to exercise faith and trust. Just as a parachute assures your safety, trust in God guides us through life’s trials. Start small, with intentional steps of faith, and gradually build trust in His plan. Conversations with experienced believers offer insights into how faith is honed through life’s challenges.

Cultivating Trust

Challenge yourself this week: document past instances where God led you through fear, reinforcing your trust. Practice faith in everyday situations, knowing that small steps of trust pave the way for greater faith. Remember, strong faith comes from testing, just as muscles grow through resistance. Ultimately, placing your faith and trust in Christ leads to a life of purpose, adventure, and the assurance that you’re in safe hands.

Placing Your Trust

In life’s journey, who do you trust – yourself or Jesus? Salvation rests on faith in Christ’s perfect work, not our righteousness. The Bible affirms that none are righteous, but Christ’s sacrifice bridges that gap. Place your faith in His grace, and you’ll discover the unshakable foundation that conquers all fear.

Remember, growth comes from facing fear, just as faith is honed through trials. Allow fear to fertilize your faith, and watch it grow into a steadfast trust that guides you through life’s uncertainties.

Eternal Life: Knowing God

Sermon Summary of my sermon on John 17:1-5 found here.

Introduction:
When we hear the term “eternal life,” we often think of life after death or immortality. However, the concept of eternal life is more profound than just a future destination; it is a present reality of knowing God personally through Jesus Christ. Let’s explore what eternal life means, its impact on our lives, and how we can obtain it.

I. The Significance of Knowing God Personally:
Jesus defines eternal life as knowing the Father and Himself (John 17:3). This definition shifts our perspective from a future destination to a meaningful relationship. When we know God personally, our faith deepens, intimacy with Him nurtures, and assurance of salvation strengthens.

How can we foster a closer relationship with God and experience eternal life in the present?

II. Embracing the Mission of the Kingdom on Earth:
Eternal life isn’t just about our future destiny; it calls us to participate in God’s kingdom work here on earth. Jesus came on a mission to reveal the Father and establish a right relationship with Him. As believers, we are vessels for His work, called to bring about God’s Kingdom on earth.

How can we actively participate in God’s kingdom mission and make a difference in the world around us?

III. Living with Purpose and Hope:
Knowing God gives us purpose and hope. He transforms us into new creations, and we begin living with a sense of mission. As we grow closer to Him, we understand our lives have eternal significance in light of God’s mission for the world.

How does knowing God personally influence the way we view our lives and live with purpose and hope?

IV. Walking in Intimacy with God:
Mary Magdalene’s life is an example of encountering the risen Christ and embracing a personal relationship with Him. Like her, we can experience a deep, intimate walk with God, seeking to foster that personal connection with the Creator and Savior.

How can we cultivate a closer and more intimate walk with God in our daily lives?

V. Sharing the Good News:
As believers, we are called to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others. The Great Commission calls us to make disciples of all nations. Our love for God and others compels us to share His transforming love and offer the gift of eternal life.

How can we overcome fears and boldly share our faith with others, knowing that eternal life is available to all who believe in Jesus Christ?

Conclusion:
Eternal life is not just a distant hope but a present reality in knowing God personally through Jesus Christ. It transforms us, gives us purpose, and calls us to participate in God’s mission for the world. As we cultivate an intimate walk with God, we discover the joy of sharing His love and the promise of eternal life with those around us. Let’s embrace the cheat code to eternal life—knowing God the Father and His Son—and live with passion and hope in the present, knowing that eternity begins when we believe and are saved in Christ.

Finding Hope in the Gospel of John

As we continue our journey through the Gospel of John, we encounter profound truths and transformative encounters with Jesus. In this blog post, we will explore four pivotal verses from John’s Gospel—John 17:3, John 18:36, John 20:17, and John 20:31—and discover the faith and hope they inspire within us. These verses not only reveal the depth of Jesus’ identity and mission but also call us to embrace a life-changing relationship with Him.

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. - John 17:3

A Glimpse of Eternal Life:

In John 17:3, Jesus shares a powerful insight into what eternal life is. He declares that eternal life is not merely an unending existence but rather, it is knowing the one true God the Father and Jesus Christ whom He sent. This verse reminds us that eternal life isn’t some distant future only to be experienced after death, but it is a present reality through our relationship with Jesus.

How does the concept of eternal life being rooted in knowing God impact your understanding of salvation and life’s purpose?

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” - John 18:36

A Kingdom Beyond This World:

In John 18:36, Jesus proclaims that His kingdom is not of this world. His kingship transcends earthly powers, and His mission is beyond any sort of worldly ambitions. This verse invites us to reassess our values and seek a kingdom that aligns with the eternal purposes of Christ.

In what ways can we actively prioritize the values of Christ’s kingdom in our daily lives and interactions with the world?

Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” - John 20:17

From Mourning to Mission:

In John 20:17, we witness a powerful encounter between Jesus and Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb. Jesus instructs her not to cling to Him but to go and tell His disciples. This moment marks the transformation from mourning to mission— it was a call for Mary to share the good news of the resurrected Savior. As we shared last night, the relationship had changed. There was still work to do.

How can Mary Magdalene’s response to Jesus’ instruction inspire us to be active messengers of the gospel, bringing hope and life to those around us?

But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. - John 20:31

Believing for Life:

John states the purpose of writing his Gospel: “But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31, ESV) This verse is the heart of the Gospel of John—to lead us to faith in Jesus as the source of life and the Son of God. Believing this brings about our salvation.

How has encountering the various signs, miracles, and teachings of Jesus in this Gospel influenced your perception of His identity and divine mission? How does John’s Gospel inspire you to place your faith in Jesus and experience the abundant life He offers?

Conclusion:

In the Gospel of John, we find an invitation to know Jesus in a deeply personal way—to know Him intimately and experience His redemption power. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we access the eternal life that begins here and now—a life rooted in knowing the Father and the Son.

As we meditate on these verses, let us reflect on the richness of Christ’s identity and mission. He offers us a kingdom that transcends this world and calls us to embrace a life of purpose and mission. Just as Mary Magdalene was commissioned to share the good news, we too are called to be bearers of hope and agents of God’s love in the world.

Questions for further reflection:

How can we cultivate a deeper intimacy with Jesus and experience the reality of eternal life in our daily walk with Him?
In what ways can we align our lives with the values and mission of Christ’s kingdom, even amidst the challenges and pressures of the world?
How can we respond actively to Jesus’ call to be messengers of hope and life, sharing the transformative power of the gospel with those around us?
How does the purpose of John’s Gospel, as stated in John 20:31, inspire you to believe in Jesus as the Christ and experience life in His name?

May the Gospel of John continue to inspire us, strengthen our faith, and fill us with hope as we walk with the risen Savior and follow His leading in every aspect of life.