Grace Church

Distraction = the temptation to give the focus and energy needed for something highly important to something that is often quite insignificant.Big idea: This year let’s normalize stillness, and neglect distraction.3 Marks of an Undistracted Faith.1. When you receive from Jesus first, you can serve others properly.2. When you’re distracted from Jesus, your generosity will turn into resentment.3. Your love for Christ starts with listening to him.The process of building a habit (from James Clear’s Atomic Habits)- Cue - make it obvious.- Craving - make it attractive.- Response - make it easy (frictionless).- Reward - make it satisfying.Next Step:Make a plan to find your chair and meet with God every day.- When will you spend time with God?- Where will you spend time with God? Find your chair. - What will you read during your time with God? www.whoisgrace.com/read- Who will hold you accountable?

4 Truths about Getting Close to God.    God’s desire is for you to be close to Him (Jeremiah 24:7)   You sabotage closeness with God by hiding (Genesis 3:8-10)   God doesn’t force you, He invites you (Revelation 3:15-17; 20)   You can be close to God by drawing near to Him (James 4:8)     Next step: Prioritize God in your life by creating one daily spiritual habit.  Find additional resources at www.whoisgrace.com/read

Big Idea: Invite the light of Christ into your family this Christmas.   The perfect outfit for a peaceful family Christmas. PUT ON:   Compassion: a deep sensitivity to the needs and sorrows of others.   Kindness: the action that arises out of empathy.   Humility: the noble choice to use your status and influence for the good of others.  Meekness: all your emotional faculties under control. Patience: restraining yourself in the presence of the exasperating conduct of others    A quick survival guide for the dysfunctional family at the holidays.    Keep it simple and use nostalgia as a connecting point.   Manage your expectations.    Consider your boundaries ahead of time and be ready to enforce them.   Don’t try to control everything, be flexible.   Debrief with a trusted friend, or counselor.   Be the change you want to see in your family with no expectations that they’ll come along.     “Here’s My Chance!”   Practicing Solitude  Get still. As distraction-free as possible – put everything away including your

Big idea: Invite the light of Christ into your EXPECTATIONS this Christmas.   What is Biblical hope? The confident expectation that God will fulfill His promises.   4 Lessons on biblical hope from Zechariah and Elizabeth:    Where you place your hope will determine how you live your life (:6)   The bigger the problem, the greater the opportunity for hope (:7)   Just because God is silent doesn’t mean that God is inactive (:13)   A hope in circumstances is flimsy, a hope in Jesus is secure (:18-19)   Practicing Solitude – Big Idea: Invite the light of Christ into your EXPECTATIONS this Christmas.   Get still. As distraction-free as possible – put everything away including your phone.   Do 10 deep cleansing breaths – with each inhale pray silently “Christ shine your light.”  Your mind might run wild but spend the first few moments resting in God’s presence.  In light of our discussion today about biblical hope vs. people’s expectations  Read Psalm 139:7-12 multiple times. Read until certain words or phrases fee

Big Idea: Invite the light of Christ to your emotions this Christmas  Runaway emotions   Insecurity   Guilt   Anger   Sadness.    Isaiah 9:1-7  Four Titles that Bring True Joy 1. Wonderful Counselor  Make an appointment with the wonderful counselor to identify your runaway emotions this Christmas.   2. Mighty God   Find time to immerse yourself in the mightiness of God this Christmas.   3. Everlasting Father   Stay connected to Jesus and to your spiritual family this Christmas.   4. Prince of Peace   Be a broker of peace in your relationships this Christmas?    Practicing Solitude  Get still. As distraction-free as possible – put everything away including your phone.   Do 10 deep cleansing breaths – with each inhale pray silently “Christ shine your light.”  Your mind might run wild but spend the first few moments resting in God’s love.  In light of our discussion today about true joy and runaway emotions  Read Psalm 139:23-24 multiple times. Read until certain words or phrases feel like they’re being ‘highli

Big Idea: The Kingdom of God is here… what are you doing with it?  The truth of Jesus’ parables are meant to be revealed. (Mark 4:21-23; 33-34)  The terms Kingdom of God and Gospel converge in Jesus.  Two parables about the Kingdom of God.  The end result which God has designed will surely come.  (Parable of the Growing Seed; Mark 4:26-29)  The small beginning vs the big ending.  (Parable of the Mustard Seed; Mark 4:30-32)   We have an obligation to ponder the meaning of Jesus’ parables and the Gospel, and ultimately to obey them. (Mark 4:24-25; Luke 19:11-26)  Salvation comes by faith along and only through the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9), but we are created for good works. (Ephesians 2:10) Actions don’t earn your faith, they prove them.  “The faith that justifies is the faith that sanctifies.” (John Piper)  We should be pursuing the application of Jesus in our public and private lives. -Privately: Do you have a chair time? Prayer life? Involved in Christian community? -Publicly: In your job and hobbies

Why Some People Never Get it 11/19/23 | Pastor Derek | Mark 4:1-20    The structure of today’s passage   the parable itself  a section about the mysterious nature of the Kingdom   an explanation of the parable to the disciples and other curious followers.    Big Idea- A thriving disciple begins with a receptive heart.  Two problems    Does Jesus have a special insiders club?   Is Jesus saying that his parables are designed to keep people from salvation?     Why Some People Never Get it: Diagnosing the State of Your Heart.    Beware of a HARD Heart (:4, 19)   Beware of a SHALLOW Heart (:5-6, 16-17)  Beware of a CLUTTERED Heart (:7, 18-19)   Cultivate a RECEPTIVE Heart (:8, 20)    Next Step:  Respond to the gospel with a receptive heart Go to www.whoisgrace.com/next and choose salvation. And let us know that you took that step today.    Find more resources at www.whoisgrace.com/mark  

Big Idea: Disciples tell His Story.  A Pattern in God’s Story = Creating, Calling, Sending  Components of a Disciples’ Job Description: To be WITH Jesus (Mark 3:14) Practically Speaking-  To be SENT(3:14; 6:7-13; Luke 10:1-12)  - To TELL HIS STORY (:14)  - To have the AUTHORITY to cast out demons (:15)  - Practically Speaking (John 9:25)-  Next Step:   What is my next small step of obedience today?  How will my life tell His Story? (“I once was... but now I am...”) 

Big idea: You can keep religious rules and still miss Jesus.Blinded by Narratives: A case study in how to miss Jesus01. On how to respond when being threatened.  Legalist: Conspire against anyone who threatens their beliefs.  Jesus: Feel the weight of the threat and do the right thing anyway.   02. On responding to obvious needs.  Legalist: Ignore the need if it doesn’t fit the narrative.   Jesus: See a need and respond with compassion.  03. On what drives our spiritual lives.  Legalist: The goal of religion is external behavior modification.  Jesus: The goal of the gospel is internal heart transformation.  Six Markers of a Gospel-Centered life and a Changing Heart A Passion for Christ: Practices born out of Love.  Ongoing Repentance.  Spiritual Fruit.  Life-giving Words.  Sacrificial Generosity.  Biblical Community.  Next Steps.  Today’s theme: Ordinary Hero  Discipleship question: What is my next small step of obedience today?  Find more resources related to Mark at www.whoisgrace.com/mark 

Legalism vs. LicenseBig idea: Jesus is Lord of everything, so you can rest easy. 3 Markers of Legalism Legalists add their own rules to the scriptures.  Legalists appoint themselves as judge over others.  Legalists strictly hold everyone to their own rules of choice.  The Backstory of the Sabbath Genesis 2:2-3 Sabbath = to cease= one 24-hour period each week that is devoted to rest from your work. Exodus 5:18Exodus 20:8-11 A Framework for a Great Sabbath. the key first step is to figure out the WHEN  Unplug.  Gather  Worship  Rest / Recreate  Next Step  Son of God/ Son of Man theme Discipleship question: How does this picture of Jesus compel me to live differently?  Follow-up question: What small step could I take this week toward a healthy sabbath rhythm? Find all supporting resources at www.whoisgrace.com/mark 

Big idea: Jesus redefines who’s in and who’s out. 5 Conflict Narratives.  the healing of the paralytic man eating with tax collectors and sinners the question of fasting plucking grain on the sabbath healing the man with the withered hand.  The conflict narratives follow a basic pattern.  Jesus acts The authorities disapprove  Jesus self-discloses and aspect of his identity  Jesus’ radical redefinition of who’s in and who’s out:  Jesus includes those you’d least expect (:14)  Jesus models friendships with the outcasts (:15-17)  True disciples of Jesus prioritize relationship over rituals (:18-20)  A Few Words about Fasting.Fasting = denying your physical appetite in order to prioritize your relationship with God. The primacy of Joy. Next Step: Wrestle with the Holy Spirit over these discipleship questions:  How does this picture of Jesus compel me to live differently?  Who’s an outcast in your life that Jesus is prompting you to invite to dinner?  Find all the supporting resources at www.whoisgrace.com/mark 

What the Story Reveals:01. The story reveals Jesus to us (Mark 2:5, 10-11)What does this mean for you? Jesus came to meet your deepest need.02. The story reveals something about us Curiosity (Mark 2:2,4,12) Skepticism (Mark 2:6-9) Faith (Mark 2:3-5, 11-12; Hebrews 11:1, 3) What does this mean for you? You must make a decision about Jesus.“I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)Next Steps: Ask: How does this picture of Jesus compel me to live differently?

Big Idea: The steps you take reveal who you are followingThe Word of God shouldn’t just be a picture, it should also be used as a mirror.  4 Keys to a Gait of Grace Get Off Your Feet (v35-37) Walk With Purpose (v38-39) Embrace The Uns (v40-42) Comply With Christ (v43-45) Next Steps: Son of Man/Son of God ThemeDiscipleship Question: How does this picture of Jesus compel me to live differently?

Partnering with Ordinary People9/24/23 | Pastor Sarah | Mark 1:14-34Mark 1:15“The time is fulfilled”  Chronos (time of day) vs. Kairos (the right time)“and the kingdom of God is at hand”Ephesians 1:3-10“repent and believe in the gospel.”Euangelion = gospel = good newsBig Idea: Ordinary life with Jesus is extraordinary.Jesus brings the Kingdom of God…: To ordinary places (Mark 1:16) With ordinary people (Mark 1:16-20) In extraordinary ways (Mark 1:21-34) Jesus has the authority:  a. to call b. to teach c. to healNext Steps: Ask: What is my next small step of obedience today?

Big Idea- Jesus is the leader we’ve been waiting for. 3 Ways Jesus’ Baptism Compels us to Follow HimAt his baptism Jesus launched a world-changing ministry (1:9)  Why did Jesus come to be baptized?  to Identify with sinners.  an Example to believers.  2. In his baptism Jesus declared his eternity changing salvation (1:10-11)  3 stunning demonstrations that Jesus is the One and Salvation has come. The heavens were ripped open (:10) The Spirit descended on him (:10) God the Father spoke (:11)  3. After his baptism Jesus waged war against evil (1:12-13) Next step  Ask: How does this picture of Jesus compel me to live differently?  Come to Jesus for salvation. Visit www.whoisgrace.com/next and choose “salvation”

Big idea: Welcoming Jesus into your life involves rearranging your expectations. 3 Expectation Adjustments as you Welcome Jesus in.  Jesus isn’t looking for perfect people (1:2-3, 6)  Jesus desires confession not triumph (1:4-5) Jesus measures greatness by humility (1:7-8)  Next Steps Visit www.whoisgrace.com/mark  Under 4 themes: Answer the Ordinary Heroes discipleship prompt - “what is my next small step of obedience today?” 

The Value of Teaching Through a Book of the Bible  It teaches us how to read the Bible.   It forces us to talk about things we would rather skip over.    Why are we studying Mark right now?   Mark was the first gospel written  Mark is the shortest and most straightforward gospel  Grace’s focus on discipleship.  We’re going to ask and answer the questions through this series:  Who is Jesus, why is he worth following, and how do we do it?    Insights into the life of Mark   Mark’s boyhood home may have been a home base for the Jesus movement (Acts 12:12)  Mark was a ministry assistant to Paul and Barnabas (Acts 12:25; 13:4, 13)   Mark was a companion of Peter (1 Peter 5:13)   Why did Mark write this gospel?  Mark should be read as a pastoral response to difficult times.   4 reasons you should be excited to study Mark (Plus major themes of the book)   You are ready to investigate who Jesus really is | THEME 1: SON OF GOD / SON OF MAN  You sense there are supernatural forces at work | THEME 2: COSMIC CONFLICT  Y

Matthew 7:24-27; James 1:22-25 Big Idea – Discipleship calls you beyond hearing God’s word to actually doing it.  5 Ways You are Discipled in Life Group  1. A Life Group helps you FOLLOW the SCRIPTURES   Find group curriculum at www.whoisgrace.com/read   2. A Life Group helps you FUEL your SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES.  3. A Life Group helps you DEVELOP your SPIRITUAL GIFTS.  4. A Life Group helps you ENDURE your TRIALS.  5. A Life Group helps you FULFILL your MISSION.   NEXT STEPS: Get in a Life Group  Lead a Life Group Find more information at www.whoisgrace.com/lifegroups