Amazing Grace Community Church

Walk in Love, Wisdom, and Fellowship

People want to see the Light. They know what darkness looks like. If they aren’t happy with the darkness and they see the light of Christ in you, they will want that.  We’ve been talking today and last week about having that light in us.  We need to live it not just talk it.  But how? 

Remember, Reflect, and Reveal.

Ephesians 4 and 5

I Am Blessed

Is your glass half full or half empty?  what does your answer say about yourself? about your outlook?  are you blessed or hopeless?

It is the answer to, “How ARE you?”

This is a statement of conviction and faith. It’s not temporary. It’s not situational. It is a state of being. Occasionally we might need to be reminded.

Psalm 23 and 65; 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

Jesus’ Commands

Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

Jesus gave us a whole character package.  He didn’t give them in a list on two tablets, rather taught them over a period of 3 years to different audiences. Sometimes to crowds, other times to the disciples, still others to the Pharisees and Sadducees, and to individuals.  Often they were given in response to a question or dilemma. Other times they were given as part of a parable.  

So the genius of Jesus is that we must study His teachings regularly rather than putting a short list in our pocket.  You will quickly see that these are more than a list of do’s and don’ts.  They require character change that can only come from being born-again.  i.e. the unredeemed cannot do these, in truth.

Email me if you want a pdf list.  Grace and peace, Mark

Resurrection

Would you be a Christ follower if Jesus had not been raised from the dead?

If Christ has not been raised from the dead, then what is the purpose of following Him?  In other words, aren’t we just following a good and moral teaching?  There is no promise or payoff at the end.  Just being good in life is a meager reward at best.  

Fact: everyone will be resurrected—not just Believers.  And whether or not they want to or believe in it. 

1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Corinthians 15; Revelation 20:4-6,11-15

The Passover ＞ The Lord’s Supper

Today we’re continuing our walk with Jesus on His way to the cross.  The crucifixion was rooted in the passover immediately before Israel was released from slavery to the Egyptians.  The passover memorial was given before the Law.

As we join Jesus and the disciples in the Upper Room today we will witness the origin of one of the primary ordinances for us Christians and the end of the Passover feast.  In it we will see the origin of the New Covenant.  It is a ‘feast’ that we are to participate in until Jesus returns.

During this first Love Feast Jesus reveals to us what is most important if we are to be Living With Purpose.  1. To be a servant, 2. Love one another, 3. In Christ’s blood the Destroyer will pass over us,  4. to keep Jesus’ commands, 5. the role of the Holy Spirit in our life

Living with Purpose

…on our way to the cross.   Jesus would say periodically during His ministry, my hour has not yet come.  Now He is saying this hour has come.  The cross was the destination in purpose, place, and method.  Jesus was headed there. Always was.  

Like Jesus and because of Jesus we too are headed to the cross.  When we have passed through the cross and have been raised up to new life, a whole new life begins.  And this is my question:  What are we doing with it?

John 12; Numbers 21

In Jesus’ Name

What does this mean?  We use it often.  What does it mean to say it or use it in prayer?  Where did the phrase come from?  Should you use it?  What can you expect to happen if you do?  We say it frequently in prayer here.

The Job of a Shepherd

Jesus is the head of the church and through the Holy Spirit calls a man to be the shepherd of the local church.  The local church is a spiritual body that is led by spiritual rules.

Discipline is an area of responsibility by the shepherd.  Protecting and defending the sheep is another.  Dealing with disagreements between members is yet another.  

A tactic of the Devil is to attack the shepherd so that the sheep scatter.  Sometimes the wolf comes from outside the pen and other times it’s a sheep disguised as a wolf and comes from within.

False accusations are often made against the shepherd or one of the elders.

Pastor Mark brings this message during difficult times.  

John 10:11-13;  Matthew 18:15-18; 1 Timothy 5:19,20;  Deuteronomy 19:15; Romans 16:17

They Need to Hear It

The public, the world, suffers from not hearing or reading the bible.  As a result, it isn’t informing or shaping their life.  If they were to hear the bible, it would likely move them spiritually.  In the bible they will hear about God from Himself.

What are they hearing if not the bible?  People need to hear the word of God and WE are supposed to bring it to them.

When they hear the bible’s words read to them, in context and truth, it reveals God, power, strength, wisdom, love, kindness, everyday stuff, holiness in context, sovereign plans, promise, hope.

Acts 8:27-35;  Romans 10:14-17; Psalms 46-49

What kind of relationship does God want

How closely do I follow God.  Hallowed Be Thy Name.  Message given by Charles Coffman, Elder.