Amazing Grace Community Church

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.

Change

What do you do when your beliefs and ideas go against God's word?   Message given by Jeff Lund, Elder.

Anxiety and Frustration

What do you do when...?   Message given by Joel Assid, Elder.

Christianish

Join us as we take a look at a number of people who dropped their nets, left their boats and family, and more when called to follow Jesus.  How can WE do the same?  What if we're not really following Jesus at all?